In My Mailbox (#19)

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Devereaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance. But Rory's brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she's become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades—the city's secret ghost-fighting police—are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it's too late.

In this follow-up to the Edgar Award-nominated The Name of the Star, Maureen Johnson adds another layer of spectacularly gruesome details to the streets of London that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

from goodreads


I was so excited to find this book in my local bookstore, and have it signed!! I knew Maureen Johnson stopped by the area I live in during her book tour, but I didn't know she went to my bookstore! It was the most wonderful surprise. The novel seems shorter than the first novel, but I am hoping to read it sometime during spring break. :D

In My Mailbox (#18)

Mind Games by Kiersten White
Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

from goodreads
my review


Perverse by Larry Rodness

19 year old Emylene Stipe is a 2nd generation Goth who, like every teenage girl, is trying to find her place in the world. One night she comes upon an old painting in an antique store and is compelled to purchase it. When she brings it home an image of a young woman appears in the sketch and then magically materializes in her apartment. Emylene nick-names her 'Poinsettia' and they soon become fast friends. But Poinsettia has an ulterior motive for her sudden and strange intrusion into her host's life which causes Emylene to question her whole belief system.

from goodreads
review to come on Thursday






Agent Colt Shore: Domino 29

When an ordinary kid learns he’s the heir to a secret agent dynasty, F.A.L.C.O.N puts him on a case to protect a famous rock group and find a missing journalist. Before he knows it, Colt Shore has gone from body guard to rock star to full-fledged agent when he learns that a human trafficking ring plans to kidnap a group of teenage girls. It will take more than his ingenuity and skills and a couple of cool gadgets to protect his new friends and rescue the captured girls before it’s too late.

from goodreads
review to come in May






I want to remind you guys again, that one of my favorite authors, E.A. Riggs, author of Casey Barnes Eponymous, started a kickstarter, and it's going to end soon. She's trying to get the word of her book out there more, and the money will help her get a publicist. I know you guys love helping authors, and her debut novel is really one of my favorites. I've been quoted on her kickstarter, saying that Casey is my favorite main character ever. Please help out, if you can. If you can't please help spread the word.

Love and Hugs
Clara

Review: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

from goodreads


I was really excited when I found out about this book. I ended up getting it through my nook ASAP, and finished it in a couple of hours. This novel has made me feel extremely fluffy and good, even though it's not so much of a fluffy sort of young adult novel. This is the kind of book that I want to buy a hardback cover for.

Kiersten White also wrote the Paranormalcy series, which I've heard about, but never really wanted to read because it was in the whole craze of paranormal romance, and I just couldn't handle anymore than I already read, previously. As I started reading the novel, I noticed that the writing was really simple, but the action in it was written wonderfully. I haven't read a really action packed novel is forever, not really, but still, I liked it. Something to take note of is that the novel is written between the two main character's points of views. Also, when you read Mind Games you jump write into the madness, and then you get pulled back to the past-which is as much action packed as the present. At first, that really got on my nerves, but I ended up liking the buffering motion it gave, while still giving you something to chew on.

Fia and Anna are two very different main characters, but they work well with each other. I, personally, favor Fia so much more than Anna. Probably because we see in side her brain first, and I'm just more used to her throughout the series. The idea of the novel to me, doesn't seem very light and girly, but Mind Games makes me feel like Kiersten White took a page out of my very close group of friends' party, and added a bunch of these crazy aspects.

I like the fact that I'm suspicious of pretty much everyone. You're always kept on your toes, and when I read it I felt like I was floating through this world, and just kept wanting to read more, constantly. I will definitely look into more of Kiersten White's novel. BTW this novel just came out last week, and I believe her next novel comes out in September of this year. Mind Games is the first of it's own series, which doesn't continue until the winter of 2014, which sounds far away, but that's just because I still can't believe it's the year 2013. To stop the rambles that keep spilling out, I'd tell my best friend to read this book and give it a head nods, thumbs up, and smiling like there's no tomorrow. (5 out of 5)

E.A. Riggs Needs Your Help!!

I have probably raved about Casey Barnes Eponymous for months, but it's completely true. If you haven't read about it yet, here is my review. Recently, I found out that the author of that novel started a Kickstarter project, hoping to get a publicist to get the word of the novel out there. I have done my job already by telling you guys about it, and I hope that you guys can help contribute just a little bit of money to help this going.

I'll leave the link here.

What's a Kickstarter?
It's a way for small/independent people get a 'producer' by the people that love what they do. You can donate as little or as much as you want. I, personally, love this because it just gives everyone so much more chances, and because the internet is awesome like that, I hope you make this novel big. :D

Summary of Casey Barnes Eponymous:
It's three weeks into the school year when music junkie Casey Barnes gets a second chance with her mysterious, heartbreaking ex-boyfriend. She comes up with a plan to win him back, but it soon spins out of control as rivalries, revelations about him, and music itself all start to collide. For Casey the newfound attention means learning the difference between wanting center stage and actually being on it.

from goodreads

Paper Towns by John Green Review

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life - dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge - he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues - and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer Q gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew.


Paper Towns is the third book I've read written by John Green. I loved the Fault in Our Stars, but was slightly disappointed in Looking for Alaska. I had high hopes, and it did meet those expectations and didn't at the same time.

from goodreads

I feel like I praise John Green a lot because he wrote my favorite book, The Fault in Our Stars, but Paper Towns was the book that made me really notice that he had some skill. The entire book was well written, but the only problem I had with it was that it didn't make me keep on reading. That sounds terrible, but it's true. I could not finish reading it, because the book was a constant of okay, fine, school life, doo-dads, that did not feel suspenseful or interesting enough to keep me reading.

John Green writes young adult books that have some what smart characters, while having so many pranks, and adolescent things that make me laugh. There wasn't one character that stood out to me as my favorite or anything, because like I said the entire book was like a roller coaster that was extremely high off the ground, but had no twists and turns. The speed could match one of a golf cart on high.

My favorite part was the humor. I love the fact that there are those little things that make it have its own identity. The Black Santas were my favorite story, among Q's stories.

I don't have much to say for Paper Towns, but I'd give it a head shakes, thumb down, shoulders shrug. (2 out of 5)

Review: Chase Tinker and the House of Magic by Maila Ann Haberman

In Chase Tinker's world, magic, lies and secrets can be a lethal combination...

Thirteen-year-old Chase Tinker can't understand why he has the power to move things with his mind. Besides that, his dad has been missing for over a year, causing his mom to be too upset to pay much attention to her sons, so now he's been busted for shoplifting. As if this isn't enough to worry about, his younger brother Andy suddenly has a weird magical ability too.

Can things get any crazier? Chase thinks.

Then, a grandfather they thought to be long dead arrives at their door. He wants Chase and Andy to come visit him for the summer so they can learn about their supernatural heritage and why they have magical powers in the first place.

The boys soon find out that Grandfather, along with their cousin Janie, lives on a remote island in the middle of Puget Sound in an out-of-this-world house where fantastic magic can be found in practically every room, stairway and corridor. Chase can't believe their dad has been keeping so much from them.

It's an even bigger shock when Chase learns that all their magic is controlled by a very powerful and mysterious Relic in the attic, and if anything happens to this relic, every bit of Tinker magic will be lost forever. He's even more disturbed when he learns his family has a dark and powerful enemy that is determined to steal all their magic, their house and their relic. 

Now Chase must find a way to stop these evil beings, while at the same time figuring out what has happened to his dad, unraveling even more Tinker lies and secrets and not letting on that he has a huge crush on the housekeeper's daughter.

from goodreads

Chase Tinker and the House of Magic can be one of those family book series that anyone would like. Mostly, if you are a fan of Harry Potter-and come on, who isn't? The book is not a rip off of the Harry Potter series though, and that was the key parts of why I liked it. I wasn't too keen on the idea of this twelve, almost thirteen year old boy and his brother discovering they have magical powers, and go to their grandfather's house to learn.

Malia Ann Haberman is a great author, but I won't compare her to J.K. Rowling because that's quite cruel, and no one can beat her-in my opinion. Though, she writes amazingly well, and it doesn't suck, as some independent authors have a tendency of having poor grammar and spelling-which can get tedious to a reader.   

The main thing I loved about her writing, was the characters. They were all very tangible people, and it was interesting to see them interact and follow them through the novel. My favorite character has to be the boy's grandfather, and I love the whole plop in out of no where characters. Sometimes, those characters are annoying and jerks, but the grandfather seems to work out a balance of being a cool old guy, that isn't a creeper. 

I believe that Chase Tinker and the House of Magic is a great reader for those middle grade reader, and even adults, anyone really. The thing is, magic is such an old story that you'd think it gets old after a while, but this novel is not one of those boring been there done that sort of deal. So, you guys being one of my all time favorite people, I give the novel by Malia Ann Haberman a head nods, thumbs up, and smiling like there's no tomorrow. (5 out of 5)

Review: Pure At Heart by Sahana Epari

Lies. Betrayal. Secrets. They are worse than you think they are.The feeling of something you thought you had but you never did. Your whole train of thought changes direction. Suddenly everything you have lived for becomes a life you never had.
I thought I knew everything.
My name is Evaline Pangborne, and I am a werewolf.
When Eva and the Shadow Clan find out a ground-breaking secret of their life, they seek the only way out of the pain and suffering--an escape route. An escape route they got, but along with that came even more secrets, questions, and betrayal.
The people Eva trusted most, is now someone to despise and hate, and the people Eva never wanted to trust, get closer and closer to her. Living itself seems like a big joke to her. What's the big secret? And why is everyone keeping it from her?

from goodreads


I feel terrible for not reviewing this book earlier, but better late than never, right? Yeah... So, I received this book for review by the author herself, and my first impression was that this was going to be awesome. Then I started reading the first few chapters, and the many punctuation errors got on my nerves.

Sahana Epari is a debut and young author that is one of the few people I know that are published at such a young age. What I love about her writing is that she is aware of her characters. Her characters were the strong leads of the novel, and even though Eva got on my nerves more than once, I could easily distinguish Eva and her attitude towards life. There were many little jokes here and there, none that made me laugh out loud though. The dialogue was a bit stiff, and did not flow like it could be for some characters. Though, some characters talk in a distinctive way, and I liked the mash up.

Eva is arrogant and very naive. Actually, most of the pack is naive in my opinion. They are kids, but I think that because of their role in the world, they could have been more mature. They were very childish and the thought process of Eva wanted me to punch her sometimes.

One character I did love, was Victoria. Victoria reminds me of one of my friends. She is the bad-ass in the back ground that has this mysterious air around her, and I truly feel sorry for her the way she is treated by Eva, but both of them do get each other at their necks.

The paranormal world was built in a way that you slowly discover more of it as Eva does. The world is built in a full extent, but not at all majestic or grand as Divergent, or Daughter of Smoke and Bone. There were the basic werewolf vampire creature fight and it was a simple set up of a story.

I like Pure At Heart because of its simpleness and quick pace. If you are a werewolf fan, I think that you will love this story. So in the end, I will give Sahana Epari's debut novel a head moves back and forth, thumb moving towards the middle or down. (3 out of 5)

In My Mailbox (#11)

Having attained near total control of his Earthly elements, humanity perceives itself as a master without rival. Man ignores his roots. He forgets that he himself is part of the world.

How can we dare to challenge nature’s raw powers when we still know little about this universe?

Yes, mankind managed to survive the first Flood. Given our technological advances, we might have been able to survive this Second flood too. But, this is no mere rain. Raw fury lurks within the depths. The water which sustained life for uncountable centuries has come to wipe the slate clean. Mankind, in his once unrivaled splendor, has forced to take shelter, no different than a colony of ants during a spring shower. This is the final chapter of man, unraveling before us as we stand powerless.

But, there is a very small glimpse of hope. Daniel realizes it. He feels it. He sees it. He, his girlfriend Milena, and his friend Edward seek out the high ground as they wait for the waters to recede. However, as time passes, Daniel begins to understand that there is something strange in the water, an evil entity. He senses it - he feels it from within. Daniel knows that mankind is doomed. Evil has come with the rain. It has come for their souls.

from goodreads

Blog Tour: Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick

The Apocalypse does not end. The Changed will grow in numbers. The Spared may not survive.

Even before the EMPs brought down the world, Alex was on the run from the demons of her past and the monster living in her head. After the world was gone, she believed Rule could be a sanctuary for her and those she’d come to love.
But she was wrong.

Now Alex is in the fight of her life against the adults, who would use her, the survivors, who don’t trust her, and the Changed, who would eat her alive.

Welcome to Shadows, the second book in the haunting apocalyptic Ashes Trilogy: where no one is safe and humans may be the worst of the monsters.

From goodreads

Shadows may be the only book that has got me sucked in a the beginning. I've talked about this book for about a month on the blog and all I could say was the prologue was intense. I have to say a fair warning now that I didn't read the first novel yet, but I'm planning to read the entire series all at once soon.

Ilsa J. Bick is a new author to me and boy do I want to meet her now. I usually like to keep wanting to meet an author at a distance because sometimes your role models or heroes let you down. Ilsa, though, really made reading a sequel to a novel you've never read a bit more bearable than I thought. I especially love how she manages to write incredibly detailed actions scenes with out slowing everything down. It seemed incredibly life like.

I didn't meet these characters in Shadows before hand in the first novel because I didn't read the first novel like I said at the start. My perception of all the characters are different then most and not completely sure about any. I find that I miss so much history between characters that I skim. It's going to be my duty to read Ashes soon.

I learned a lot about guns. That's a simple statement that I'm not sure that I wanted to say or not. I was completely clueless about guns before, and somehow I've came out a better? person knowing so much about a weapon that killed millions. It's hard to say, but I think that if you're into that kind of deal Shadows is made for you. This being stated again: I need to read the first novel to get the full effect; I'm going to give Shadows a head nods and thumbs up. (4 out of 5)

Review: The Super Spud by Michael Diack

Genetic engineering has accomplished many things, one of which has been to create the Super Spud! The humble potato elevated to new heights, creating the most flavoursome crisps ever known to humankind! But that's not all - A magical transformation occurs to all Super Spud crisps not eaten before their use-by date. They take on a life of their own. And so long as they remain undetected by humans, they enjoy life in their own Super Spud cities, take part in major Super Spud sporting events and even start the odd Super Spud war or two. Join Colin, Cougar, Hannibal Vector, Generals Rock, Jock and Strap and all the others in their rollicking adventures. You'll never look at a packet of crisps in the same way again! Fun, quirky and totally original.

from goodreads

I don't like writing reviews of books I couldn't finish. So that being said, this review will be short, and maybe uninformative. I got this novel a while back, and was saving it for a time that I wanted something quick and light to read. Well, that didn't come, because I have been in a reading rut. So, I asked two people that I honor their opinions very much to start reading it and tell me their thoughts. Both of which did not finish reading the novel.

The first person I gave the book to read, told me that the book felt very childish. I'm not sure what age range this was directed to, but from the summary I believe middle grade. Of course, you can also tell that a story about crisps is not going to be some amazing, world changing, meaningful adult novel. That person also said that the novel went very quickly, and did not understand completely where the crisps were and what they were doing. The beginning was fast paced. I remember my close friend saying that it's for those kids that have ADHD. I wouldn't go as far as saying that, but I do agree, when I read the first few pages of the novel.

My second friend, when I introduced her to the novel, wasn't very excited about it either. She read a passage or two, and had to stop. She did not like the idea, and I honestly wouldn't have picked up this book either, if I saw it at Barnes and Nobel, or at my local library. She also said that it wasn't well written. That I can't agree with, because even though the writing was fast paced, I didn't have any trouble with it.

That being said, I'd give The Super Spud a head shakes, thumb down, shoulders shrug. (2 out of 5)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (#8)

meme is started by bookjourney

What I Read This Week:

I started reading Wintergirls a week ago? I think. This book has made me.... different per se. I'm not sure what my final thoughts on it are yet, but the review will be up on Tuesday.

 Amazon l Goodreads

What I Am Currently Reading:

I am part of the blog tour for Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick. I read the prologue without knowing about the first book, and so far I'm sucked into it. :)

Amazon l Goodreads

What I'm Going to Read Next:

Living together unsupervised, five troubled teens confront demonic forces and are compelled to deal with their problems in distinctly different ways. Paranormal meets psycho meets Goth in this story of a supernatural haunting and budding love.

High school junior, Ben, hacks into his step-father's real estate holdings and provides rooms in an old two-story house to various outcasts: the schizophrenic kid, the angry Goth girl, and the homeless girl who worships him. When Megan needs a place to live she comes to the rooming house with a different set of problems and the ability to confuse and attract Ben.

One by one strange and mysterious occurrences stretch the teens’ beliefs in the supernatural. How they deal with demons, real and imagined, has tragic as well as redeeming consequences. 

from goodreads

Review: Casey Barnes Eponymous by E.A. Rigg

It's three weeks into the school year when music junkie Casey Barnes gets a second chance with her mysterious, heartbreaking ex-boyfriend. She comes up with a plan to win him back, but it soon spins out of control as rivalries, revelations about him, and music itself all start to collide. For Casey the newfound attention means learning the difference between wanting center stage and actually being on it.

From Goodreads

Casey Barnes Eponymous had to be the closest book I've ever related to and at the same time shown me this whole other side. I'm a musician to some degree and the area that this story took place in really made me giggly to no end.

E.A. Rigg how I worship at your feet for writing the most epic playlist novel with the best main character there could possible be. All the playlists in this novel made me really proud and some what downgraded what I thought good music was and the epicness that I have been missing in the punk/rock community. I love the dialogue written in the story and the characters were completely life like.

Review: Bridgeworld by Travis McBee

William Haynes was the type of guy that every boy wanted to be. He was an honor roll student and captain of his middle school football team. He was dating the most popular girl in the school and had dozens of friends. Yes, life was perfect for Will...that is until a strange man shows up and forces his parents to reveal a secret they have kept hidden since he was born. He is told that he has been given a scholarship to a prestigious private school that his parents attended, a private school that happens to be in space. Will must choose between a life many would die for and a life none could imagine. A life where he is no longer perfect, where he must make new friends, and where he must survive a school rivalry like no other.

from amazon

I write honest reviews. I have never read a book that I didn't particularly like, and then write a beyond amazingly book review. Saying that, I'm not trying to say that I didn't like the novel, but what I'm saying is that I couldn't finish it. The novel had a loose frame, and didn't have a clear problem, and I was waiting every next chapter for that big ba-boom to hit me, but it never came. It could be the next chapter, but I don't want to waste anymore time on a book that I don't see any clear problem the character has to overcome.

Travis McBee has to have a list of similes and metaphors in a huge journal, because when I read this novel, it sounded like my English teacher went high on them. I love how he described a scenery, and time and time again, I felt like he could be writing a better story. I hate saying that, but the idea of the boy goes to an alien school isn't original or interesting enough, for me. Maybe you'll like it, but I personally don't. Also, I have to mention that I skimmed over many parts of the novel, and still didn't miss a beat. There's a part of me that feels let down by that fact.

I don't read many male protagonist books, because I usually don't connect with them, and how Will is described really erks me. Will actually reminds me of a couple of guys I know into one, and it isn't a nice experience. His attitude to things are so carefree at times, it doubles my frustration that there isn't a real problem in the book. Nothing is challenging him.

It's Monday! What are You Reading? (#6)

meme started by bookjourney 

What I Read:

I started reading Bridgeworld, and am very close to finishing it. Does that count? Yeah,... sure...  goodreads l amazon

What I'm Currently Reading: 

So far, so CUTE!! goodreads l amazon

What I Hope To Read Next:

Lies. Betrayal. Secrets. They are worse than you think they are.The feeling of something you thought you had but you never did. Your whole train of thought changes direction. Suddenly everything you have lived for becomes a life you never had.
I thought I knew everything. My name is Evaline Pangborne, and I am a werewolf. amazon

In My Mailbox (#8)

This week I didn't get any books for review, but I did get a book from a giveaway I won on goodreads. If you haven't gotten a goodreads yet, you should. It's totally free, and it's the facebook of books only, basically. Btw I'm not promoting goodreads.com.

As I mentioned I won Libba Bray's Beauty Queens, I was very excited when I got it on Friday, and even more delighted when I found out that it was signed. 

Book Review: Settling by Shelley Workinger

Book: Goodreads Website
Author: Goodreads Twitter


At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids…

Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill.

Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them…

from goodreads


I was very excited to receive Settling from Shelley Workinger a week or so ago. If you haven't read Solid (the first novel in the trilog) you should. I'll link the review here. Anyways, I started reading the novel over last weekend, and this is the very first novel that I read on my new nook. I don't want this to be about ereading so here goes the review.

Shelley Workinger is one the authors that I love, and her debut series has satisfied me quite well. For her second novel, I was spoiled with spoilers before, and I was shocked at first. Then when I read the novel, the spoilers of what Clio does, does not surprise me, and I don't hate Shelley for writing the way Clio is. I wouldn't say that I'm thrilled by the prospect, but I'm not going around hating it. Shelley's writing is wonderful like last time, and I enjoyed the new characters she brought on and the mystery she still brings to a novel that is supposed to be about settling down in your new home.

In My Mailbox (#6)

At the beginning of the summer, Clio Kaid was one of a hundred teens brought to a secret Army installation. But it was no ordinary camp and they weren’t ordinary kids…

Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill.

Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them…

from goodreads

Review: The Secrets of the Vanmars by Elisabeth Wheatley

Goodreads

 The Secrets of the Vanmars is a novel I wished I read earlier when I first received the book. I was very hesitant to read it because I am not that big of a fan of fantasy novels. I didn't have much of a standard when I started reading the novel, but it blew my mind with the characters and expansive world Janir lives in. 

Elisabeth Wheatley is the youngest author that I have ever read and she could go for thirty if I didn't know ahead of time. Her writing wasn't a novice and she used her words carefully, unlike most seventeen year olds. I love the world she created and the special weapons of the Argetallams. The world and characters were well developed and I wished I had read the first book before. 

I absolutely loved the characters in this novel, besides the MC with daddy issues, Janir I couldn't stop laughing with and at Karile. He's more of the jester than the enchantress, but he means well though his actions might make you think other wise. The love interest, Saoven is the charming, and handsome elf, and I can see him with Janir, unlike other novels that decide to have two people fall in love after an hour. I really love to read more about the elves and their ways in future novels in the series. 

What I loved most about this novel is the fast paced keep moving mentality. There wasn't a moment where I felt the novel was dull or could be better. There was always something pressing and it made me read the novel less than a day. When I started reading the novel, I couldn't stop until I had to. 

As for how the novel ended, it made me feel content, but at the same time I want to get my hands on the third novel. I'm afraid where the next novel will go for Janir because you(me) never wants the MC to go crazy or have someone else completely change who they are. Besides that I am all for reading all seven novels in the series. I do recommend to read the first novel before this one. It seems like I've been reading some really awesome books lately, so The Secrets of the Vanmars gets a head nods, thumbs up, and smiling like there's no tomorrow. (5 out of 5)

In My Mailbox (#4)

When one human stands before an army of impossible obstacles, the likelihood of overcoming them in this coming-of-age modern fairytale may result in war between light and darkness.

Abandoned as an infant in Prague, naive and strong-willed Charlotte Ruzikova was raised by one of the last Vampires left alive. As a human, she knows no other home than the one nestled deep in the woods of Eastern Europe, where Witches drew spells of enchantment, Phasers threw tea parties, and Elves are the closest in kin. Charlotte has lived her life in the dark with her Guardian, content to having him to herself and reveling in his attention, until she's realizes she wants more...
Resident medical doctor and Vampire, Valek Ruzik fears the day his ward would come of age and blossom into a fine woman, and he is forced to confront his own motives as time is of the essence once his past catches up to him, and their lives become endangered... As genocide and war threatens their secret society, the dictator in power is ready to wipe out Valek's race, but Charlotte will not allow that to happen. Fighting for the only one she's ever loved and truly believed in, she will do whatever it takes to save their love...before the sun comes up and light takes over.

from goodreads 

Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Author: Website Twitter Goodreads
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Earlier this year, I read half of The Name of the Star, and didn't really enjoy it so I put it down. Months now later, I picked it up at the height of the novel, and really want to kick myself in the shin for not continuing to read at least the next few pages. The Name of the Star is an unexpected modern "Ripper" novel with a paranormal twist, which I absolutely love and adore. 

I remember kind of trashing MJ the first round I read the novel, and I want to take that down right now, but I'm not because it shows how opinions can change and drastically at that. I started following MJ on twitter a few months ago on a whim, because I knew she was one of the most tweeting author there is. Also she makes me laugh at really long twitter stories. Through her writing the novel I found that twitter writing in her very different and the same, and I guess that is because she is constantly changing as an author, and this novel did come out last year. I loved how she incorporated small stories at the end of a section of the novel, to open a whole new world, and people to the next. I appreciate how much British things she added to the novel, and how much I learned from this novel alone. From a levels, to the layout of East London it was all very well informed and carefully written to not overwhelm the mind, and screaming at it " This is SO MUCH BRITISH!!!!". Fyi not trying to say being British or their culture is bad or anything like that, it's only because it's new stuff to Americans and anyone else.