Further details, including synopsis, are featured below the video.
Abandon by Meg Cabot
My rating: DNF
New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld. Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back. But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid. Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most. But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.
I was really looking forward to this book because I loved Greek Mythology growing up and Meg Cabot is such a big name author. Unfortunately, I was surprised to find that the book mostly focuses on things in the past. So I often felt like I was in the dark or reading a sequel without having read the first book. When I learned that the whole book was like this, I just found it hard to pick the book up again. I may try to read it again in the future, but right now it's just not for me.
My rating: DNF
New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld. Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back. But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid. Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most. But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.
Did Not Finish
*No other ratings can be applied*
Arise by Tara Hudson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Amelia—still caught between life and death—must fight for every moment of her relationship with the human boy Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia accidentally dematerializing. Looking for answers, they go to visit some of Joshua’s Seer relatives in New Orleans. But even in a city so famously steeped in the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers…and becomes increasingly convinced that she and Joshua can never have a future together.Wandering through the French Quarter, Amelia meets other in-between ghosts, and begins to seriously consider joining them. And then she meets Gabrielle. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life...a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. Torn between two worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits of the netherworld choose for her.
Not quite as good as the first, but still an enjoyable read. I'm really looking forward to the 3rd book.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Amelia—still caught between life and death—must fight for every moment of her relationship with the human boy Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia accidentally dematerializing. Looking for answers, they go to visit some of Joshua’s Seer relatives in New Orleans. But even in a city so famously steeped in the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers…and becomes increasingly convinced that she and Joshua can never have a future together.Wandering through the French Quarter, Amelia meets other in-between ghosts, and begins to seriously consider joining them. And then she meets Gabrielle. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life...a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. Torn between two worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits of the netherworld choose for her.
Recommended
Yes/No Checklist
Sex: No
Gore: No
Rape: No
Magic: Ghostie magic :)
Drugs: Do voodoo drugs count?
Star Categories
Romance: 3 Stars *Romance takes a back seat
Action: 3 Stars *Just as much action as the first
Pacing: 4.5 Stars
Writing: 4 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars
Protagonist Meter
Damsel-------*---Badass
She has the ability to kick some ghost and demon butt, but she's a bit inconsistent with it in this book.
Darkness Before Dawn by J. A. London
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Only sunlight can save us. We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall. After the death of my parents, it's up to me--as the newest delegate for humanity--to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in. Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever.
I liked it. I like the placement of the story and the plot. It was very interesting. The book gets slow near the middle, but once you hit the last half of the book it really gets good. Heart-pounding and all. I like the way it ended, but I didn't care for the final two sentences. I obviously can't say them or explain it, but they left a bad taste in my mouth. All the same, I am very eager for book two.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Only sunlight can save us. We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall. After the death of my parents, it's up to me--as the newest delegate for humanity--to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in. Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever.
Recommended
Yes/No Checklist
Sex: No
Gore: No
Rape: No
Magic: Vampires Powers
Drugs: Alcohol
Star Categories
Romance: 4.5 Stars
Action: 3.5 Stars *I knocked this down cuz of the middle feeling slow.
Pacing: 3.5 Stars *Same as above
Writing: 4 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars *Don't let similar books stop you from reading this.
Overall: 4 Stars
Protagonist Meter
Damsel----*------Badass
Dawn is likeable, but so far is more of a damsel pretending to be a hero. I wanted to laugh every time she grabbed a stack because it didn't seem like it would ever have done her any good.
For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology. Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go. But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever. Inspired by Jane Austen's persuasion, "For Darkness Shows the Stars" is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.
You really get Jane Austen from this book, especially PERSUASION. The book was a bit confusing at first and it took some time for me to get a firm grasp on all of the history and terms. However, at some point it just suddenly clicked. Once I actually sat down to read, I finished this book in a matter of days. When I wasn't reading it, I wanted to. Very good read. Highly recommended for fans of Jane Austen-- even fans of just the movies.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology. Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go. But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever. Inspired by Jane Austen's persuasion, "For Darkness Shows the Stars" is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.
Recommended
Yes/No Checklist
Sex: No *Not even a kiss
Gore: No
Rape: No
Magic: No, but there is a light sci-fi tech element.
Drugs: No, although some "Cider" is mentioned once at a party.
Star Categories
Romance: 3.5 Stars *I decided to knock it a .5 cuz I think the romance could have used a little bit more passion.
Pacing: 3.5 Stars
Writing: 4 Stars
Plot: 4.5 Stars *I threw in a .5 cuz there's no action & yet it kept me reading!
Overall: 4 Stars
Protagonist Meter
Damsel--*--------Badass
Yeah, this isn't that sort of novel. She couldn't defend herself against an attacker, but I don't see her just lying down without a fight either. However, that sort of discussion doesn't really fit in with this book. I will say that she's a hard worker, so she could never be a true damsel.