Dreamland (Riley Bloom Series #3) by Alyson Noel

Blurb about the book:

     Riley’s finding that the afterlife can be a lonely place when all you do is focus on work. So she goes to the place where dreams happen, hoping to find a way to contact her sister, Ever. She meets the director, who tells her about the two ways to send dreams. As a Dream Jumper, a person can jump into a dreamer’s dream, share a message, and participate. As a Dreamweaver, an entire dream can be created in a studio and sent to the dreamer. But Dreamweaving was outlawed decades ago, and the studio was boarded up. Thinking it’s her only way to reach out to her sister, Riley goes in search of the old studio. There she finds a ghost boy, who’s been creating and sending nightmares to people for years. In order to stop him and reach out to Ever, Riley is going to have to confront and overcome her own fears.

My POV:

     Disappointed.  She had a great concept but she didn't run with it, instead she focused on the same topics as she had in the previous books.  Like her other books, she focused more on the character development rather than the plot itself.  We get it already, Riley is stuck at 12 years old and she has trouble moving forward in the Here & Now because of it.  Not to mention Bodhi, who is a main character in other books, was significantly missing in this one.  I still thought it was good, but it was definitely lacking.  I hope the next book can pull me back in, otherwise I probably won't bother with the rest of the series.

My Score:

     Needs some serious work.  ♥♥♥ (3 hearts)

Virtue by Amanda Hocking


Blurb about the book:

     In a world filled with magic, love might be the final answer in the eternal battle between good and evil. When Lux is tasked with retrieving the virtuous Lily for his master, his entire world is put in jeopardy. Lux must battle goblins, demon dogs, and sea dragons to rescue the one he loves, and that's only the beginning of what he must face...

My POV:

     Many have said this is supposed to Amanda Hocking's best work yet, and as a fan of her YA books, I would disagree.  I did enjoy reading it, but it seriously only took me a little shy of two hours to finish it all. While the story line was good and creative, it was also incredibly rushed and I felt as though the book itself was juvenile.  I did, however, love her Snow White references and details, it gave it a little something extra.  I think one of the biggest problems is that there is a disconnect with the characters, you don't really get attached to any of them like in the rest of her books. 

My Score:

     Could use some work.  ♥♥♥ (3 hearts)

Doomed (Ancient Legends) by Jayde Scott

Blurb about the book:

     Enter a paranormal world of dark magic, rituals, love bonds and legends.  Fallen angel Cassandra wasn't supposed to fall in love with Dallas. It should've been just a bit of fun she couldn't resist. The bond they share is said to save her from her curse before she's forever bound to Hell. Trouble is, she's Lucifer's daughter and Dallas is mortal, an easy target for her enemies who can destroy her by killing the mortal soulmate. But where Cass comes from, losing one's twin flame is a fate worse than death...

     Will chaos-loving Cassandra find a way to sway her immortal family in time with a revengeful killer wracking havoc in Hell in her quest to get the one thing half the paranormal world desires?

My POV:

     I love books with suspense, but usually can figure out the twist/killer/etc about 2/3 of the way through. I did not have that problem with this book. It had me hooked from the first chapter, all the way to the finish. This is by far one of the most thrilling series I have ever read, you are always guessing, when you think you have solved it, it just turns and make you think again.  There are a few editing issues, but if you can look past it and some of the cheesy plot it's a must read.   

My Score:

     I can't wait for the next one!  ♥♥♥♥ (4 hearts)

A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends) by Jayde Scott

Blurb about the book:

     Enter a world of forbidden love, rituals, dark magic and ancient enemies...

     An ancient bond draws Amber to the immortal Aidan shortly before her eighteenth birthday when she starts her summer job in Scotland and unknowingly wins the deadly prize in a paranormal race, turning her from a mere mortal into a priceless commodity. With every immortal creature hunting her for her new ability, Amber's life will never be the same again, unless she searches the Otherworld to retrieve what everyone wants.  But to do so, Amber must die.

My POV:

     If you are trying to decide to read this series or not, don't wait! Trust me.  A Job From Hell is the first book in the Ancient Legends series.  It's a fantastic paranormal story with a vast array of intricate, complete and original story lines and dialogues.  Enticing story?  Yes.  Characters you can fall in love with?  No doubt about it.  Action and drama?  Absolutely.  Funny and entertaining?  You betcha.  I am hooked on this series and I can't believe I only paid 99 cents for it on my Nook.

My Score:

     You'd be crazy to not read this one!!!!  ♥♥♥♥♥ (5 hearts).

Demonglass (Hex Hall Series #2) by Rachel Hawkins

Blurb about the book:

     Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

     Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

     But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

My POV:

     After reading the spectacular prequel to this, I couldn't wait to read more about Sophie, Archer, and the rest of their friends and foes. Demonglass is not only better than Hex Hall, but it also has made me love this series and Jayde Scott even more.  I loved the plot twists, the romance triangle, the layers of magic and knowledge, and Sophie's snark and wit.  It was so action packed that there wasn't a time I wasn't sitting on the edge of my seat, curious to know what would happen next.  The ending will leave your mouth hanging open and desperately needing the third book. 

My Score:

     Break our your inner demon and indulge!  ♥♥♥♥♥ (5 hearts)

Bloodlines (Bloodlines Series #1) by Richelle Mead

Blurb about this book:

     When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

 

     Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

My POV:

     This was a highly anticipated spin-off of the Vampire Academy series and I have to say, it was well worth the wait.  Having the point of view from Sydney, the alchemist, was absolutely brilliant.  You learn about her background and find out more about her as a person giving her character amazing depth.  I also love the fact that Adrian is in this book, I was a huge fan of his character in the VA books.  All in all another great read from Richelle Mead, I think she is my favorite author at this point and I highly recommend her books. 

My Score:



     Loved it!  ♥♥♥♥♥ (5 hearts

Hex Hall (Hex Hall Series #1) by Rachel Hawkins

Blurb about this book:

     Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It’s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie’s estranged father—an elusive European warlock—only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it’s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

     By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tag-along ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

My POV:

     This book is the farthest thing from boring.  It's a perfect novel filled with paranormal creatures, dark mystery, romance, and strange societies.  Every chapter had some sort of action in it so there wasn't a chance to get bored.  Not to mention, after reading the first few sentences you get reeled in and want more.  I loved the author's sense of humor and the quips she blended so perfectly into the dialogue. 

    

     With that being said, the only issue I had was the "Trinity", (which is a coven of witches at her school), reminded of the movie The Craft, kinda hokey.  Other than that, I am very excited to read the next installment. 

My Score:

     Eagerly anticipating the next one.  ♥♥♥♥♥ (5 hearts).