Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

After the death of their father, sister Lia and Alice along with their brother Henry are orphaned in their world. When a mysterious mark shows up on Lia's wrist, strangle things start to happen, strange things that her sister seems privy to, along with secretive, as well. When her beloved James discovers a old book tucked behind the shelves of her fathers library, Lia learns of a dark prophecy of which she is the center. Two sisters, one the Guardian and the other the Gate, must fight opposite each other toward an uncommon goal. It is up to Lia to prevent the Beast, Satan himself, from gaining access to our their world, lest the world reign in chaos upon his return.

Told in haunting, beautiful prose, Prophecy of the Sisters is impossible to put down. Dark mysterious and ominous prophecies pull the reader in for a heart-stopping journey through Lia's discovery of her role in the prophecy of the sisters. The writing itself is enough to keep reading the story and oftentimes I felt my heart skip a beat and had to remind myself to let go of my breath. The novel isn't scary, but rather thrilling. I never knew what was coming, but I kept needing to know and with that need there was a bit of fear of what would happen to Lia and her companions Sonia and Luisa. I was so drawn to their characters that I felt a part of their circle, felt a need to find the keys that would end the prophecy. So drawn in, in fact, that I wouldn't be surprised if a reader's last thought before sleep was if they would be safe traveling to the Otherworlds in their dreams that night. If they would make it back. And if you think this novel will stop at thrilling, you would be mistaken. It is heart-breaking, emotional, and takes you on many a ride through the human consciousness before it brings you to the end. And even then it leaves you on the edge, wanting more.

The only complaint I have about this novel is that it ended. And now I have to wait until August to join Lia again in her journey to end the prophecy and her struggle with her sister Alice. I enjoyed every bit of this novel, and if you have been reluctant to pick it up let your struggle end her. Go pick it up this instant! It is worth it, I guarantee it! So beautiful, so engaging, it's the genre at it's best.

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

This series keeps getting better and better. Now when I'm finished I'm going to have to find something as good so I won't constantly be disappointed! Ah well. We meet Rose and Lissa again at  the St. Vladmir Academy fresh from the tragic death of their friend Mason. Strigoi attacks are becoming more of a threat and the whole Moroi world is on edge. Something dark is following Rose around and ghosts are following her around when she is unprotected. Tragedy, death, and hard times are definitely not in shbrt supply and Rose will be tested physically and emotionally until she'll have to chose between the two people she loves most.

I am so angry with Richelle Mead. I was devastated at the end of this novel, heart-broken, grief stricken. How could you do that to your loyal readers, your loyal Dimitri lovers? I'm getting upset again just thinking about it. However, it was so unexpected and brilliant. It made me ache for the next novel in the series. The only thing that truly bothered me at the end of the novel was Rose's reaction. Perhaps it's just me or simply her character, but I would have gone catatonic. It just seemed to me as if Rose skipped the really unexplainable, insane portions of grief and excepted it a little easier than I think a normal person would. But more power to her. I just would have liked her to be as upset as I was haha.

I totally adored Christian in this book! He was as badass as they come! I am just loving following the growth of all these characters. And Rose? She amazes me now. From book to book she keeps maturing and getting more awesome. I am in love with this series. Um, and the cabin scene, was HOT. Ms. Mead really knows how to create tension and resolution. And she can for real write a story. A damn good story. I don't want it to end.

Shadow Kiss will keep you on your toes the entire ride. It will have you cheering the characters and wishing you were them! It'll also have laughing and reaching for a box of tissues. It is the perfect novel in the succession of the Vampire Academy series. *swoon*

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Another one of those books that's been sitting on my shelves but always found a reason to push aside even considering the rave reviews it's gotten. I simply have a gift for avoiding good books.

It all started when Nora and  her best friend Vee got separated as biology lab partners (well, that's when it started for Nora) and Nora got a new partner, Patch. And even though Nora tried to avoid Patch as much as she could, she was drawn to him. And even though he found every way to get under her skin, at the end of the day he's still the hottest thing on earth and she fell for him (this may be slightly exaggerated). But since Patch came into her life even more weird things have begun to happen like that she is seeing things that aren't there and it seems as though Patch can talk to her in her mind. Soon Nora decides it's up to her to figure out what's going on, who Patch really is, and what he wants with her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I was completely fascinated by all of the fallen angel mythology, albeit a little confused by the whole possession of Chauncey's body (do all fallen angels do it at the same it?). And I know there's controversy over Patch being a stalker and feminism comes into play, and it probably doesn't help his case that he was trying to kill Nora...but I liked it. I mean, if I was a fallen angel and I could become a human...maybe I'd do it too. But he fell in love with her, and that was sweet.

The author kept me on my toes the whole novel. I knew it was about angels but I had no idea that there would be so much complexity and mystery tied in. It was so much fun. And I loved the dialogue, too. Vee is hilarious, I wish I had a best friend like her, my social skills would be so much more intact!

Hush, Hush was a wild ride of intensity, from the first page to the last I was dying to know what would happen next. A novel that will definitely spark something in it's readers that will keep them up all night!

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Zoey's life is spinning out of control. If her only her dad hadn't cheated on her mom with his 24 year old employee-and got her pregnant. Then her mom wouldn't have tried to commit suicide. Then she wouldn't have hooked up with the guy she knows will hurt her. But all of that did happen. And to make it worse, the night she decided to go parking with her new boyfriend again she gets into an accident. But the thing is, she can't remember a thing from that night. Suddenly a boy she thought hated her, Doug, is acting like something significant is going on between them and her boyfriend is completely ignoring her. What will it take to get her memory back and her life back in order?

This was a quick read for me, but I honestly didn't like it. In the first twenty pages or so I had a completely different perception of Zoey than most of the rest of the book. I didn't understand her. I mean, why would she think Brandon was her boyfriend after sharing one night? Not even a romantic one night. And it drove me crazy how many times she told Doug "he's my boyfriend, I'm sorry you can't understand that". Well neither can I, my friend. The things she thought a lot of the times were so far from how a logical person thinks it inspired fury in me. Sometimes she felt real to me but more times than not she was completely fake. And not even a my mother is crazy so I need to keep this facade going kind of fake. Just. Fake.

Nothing fit together for me. She had best friends but their relationship was meaningless. The only meaningful relationship in the whole book was between her and Doug. And that's just because Doug is an amazing character. If I could just rate this book on character hotness, it would get a ten because of him. Echols did a fine, fine job of making me drool over him, and feel sympathy for him, and love every single inch of him. I just wish she put more attention into the rest of her characters. And not much gets resolved except the Doug-Zoey when is she finally going to come to her senses thing. I feel like Zoey's relationships with her mom and dad are put on a back burner and left there never to be seen again. It wasn't enough for me.

Don't get me wrong (I hate saying bad things about books), the story was great and I honestly had no idea what Zoey did the night of her accident anymore than she did, I just think the characters fell short. But there were moments of brilliance and clarity. And there was Doug. Which totally won me over. Ah, but don't let this discourage you from reading it. Pick it up from the libray. The romance is really sweet and enjoyable. It's a perfectly fun read to bring to the read or to read between heavier things (like what happened to Dimitri in Blood Promise. I am not okay with this).

I received this ARC for a tour with Traveling ARC tours.

Trade

as most of you know, or don't, whenever I get a haul of books I've read/don't want any longer/don't have room for I usually do a trade me post. So if you see any titles you like and want to trade (or make some kind of other arrangement, really I need to get rid of these!) email me at lost_inabook88(at)yahoo(dot)com! Here's the list so far (all in v. good condition):

ARCS:
Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block
Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker
Heist Society by Ally Carter
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
The Clearing by Heather Davis

Paperbacks:
Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
Break by Hannah Moskowitz
Guyaholic by Carolyn Mackler
Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez
Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schrieber
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Grecian Holiday by Kate Cann
Shiver by Maggie Steifvater
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson

Hardcovers:
Shadowland by Alyson Noel
Ivy's Ever After by Dawn Lairamore
Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson
Gender Blender by Blake Nelson
Pucker by Melanie Gideon

check back often, I'll add/delete as I go! Hope to trade with you :)

In My Mailbox + My Favorite Things Swap

What a great week for me! I went out the bookstore for the first time in months...and I kind of went crazy. But I don't do it often...but that's not an excuse I suppose hehe. I also participated in a my favorite things swap over at Shooting Stars Mag and I received my box today (Jennifer yours is in the mail!!) so I'm going to show you all the goodies I got from that, too!

First, here's my IMM post (hosted by The Story Siren, of course)

For Review:
The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
Virals by Kathy Reichs
Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Stephanie Hemphill
The Replacment by Brenna Yovanoff

Bought (over the past 3 weeks!):
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Frostbite by Richelle Mead
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead


Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

And here's what I got from Jennifer of Extreme Books Reviews!

She makes origami, how cool is that?! I also got a REALLY awesome book thong that she made, it's so pretty! And lots of cool bookmarks and candy *yummm*. Also, a journal, a Team Edward pen (I am Team Jacob but I can appreciate Edward hehe), Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, and Peeps by Scott Westerfeld! Best goodie box EVER! Thanks Jennifer! You guys should all go check out her totally awesome blog here!

So that's been my week in books and things! Happy Reading!

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

I just got done reading Shadow Kiss, actually...so this review might be a little off seeing as how I just got off of an emotional roller coaster and have MANY things to say about what just happened.

This may contain spoilers. Sorry guys!

But this is about Frostbite-which was equally as memorizing and captivating as Vampire Academy. The students of St. Vladmir's Academy are being whisked off to a luxurious ski resort for the holidays. However, the reason for which isn't as magical as it seems. After a Strigoi attack killing a family of Moroi and one of the most legendary guardians, things are pretty tense in the Moroi world. It seems as if the impossible is occurring- Strigoi forming communities in order to stage major attacks, and using humans to break the magic wards previously thought impenetrable by Strigoi. Unimaginable danger looms in their future. And as if that wasn't enough to keep Rose's mind occupied, she is still learning more about Lissa's spirit magic and do so with the new aid of an annoying yet undeniably enchanting Adrian (the nephew of the queen, no less). And she must deal with her ever confusing love life. Although her heart belongs to Dimitri, they both know their relationship is improbable and reckless. And then there's Mason...who would be so great for Rose. He's funny, cute, and completely into her. Rose will have to chose between who she should be with and who she desperately wants...but danger always comes out of broken hearts.

I love Dimitri even more than before. His self-control is so frustrating yet so needed for the world they live in. They come first. Something I think both Dimitri and Rose struggle with even if a little subconsciously is the role they play in the world-always having to give up their needs for the Moroi they protect. And although it's never questioned, I think it will be challenged more and more as the series continues. But for now I will have to settle for the few stolen kisses between Rose and Dimitri. Stop fighting your love for one another, I want to scream!

But forbidden love isn't the only interesting thing about Frostbite. Mead's world building is fabulous. I'm always completely swept away by the lore and magic. And the mystery. Her series is never completely predictable, but it lets the reader know enough to still play the detective and try to figure out how to save the day. The secondary cast of characters is also extraordinary. They're all multi-dimensional and I have no idea how she does it, but she develops her characters, writes steamy romance, AND a convincing and complex world all in one book. There are very few complaints I have about this series. I am literally devouring these books.

Adrian is my new muse. I am curious about him. On the outside he is a typical spoiled royal, as we are led to believe most royals are. But he also ends up being a spirit user like Lissa. Each of them begin to figure out that they can learn from each other and strengthen their powers. And I'm also confused about his motive. He seems to be really into Rose and not at all into Lissa, yet Rose offers him nothing in comparison to what Lissa does. I'm conflicted. I believe he is attracted to Rose but I'm not sure how deep it goes. I suppose I will have to read the next books to find out how it all plays out. Which I am very excited to do.

And one more thing, Richelle Mead gets the biggest high-five EVER for creating a complex, strong heroine who is always human and flawed. Brilliant.