Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green

Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps." Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny, screwed-up, and dead sexy, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps. 

Looking for Alaska is one of those rare books that, after you finish it, makes you sit back and think about life. I knew what was going to happen, so I wasn't expecting much, but the book honestly blew me away. The characters felt so real (although I kept imagining them older than the book states they are) and it was very east to relate to them. I expect that this book will be taught in schools and read and loved for many years to come. 

Review: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is. 

I'm not going to do a long review of this, because if you've read the first two books you're probably going to pick this one up regardless of what I say. 

Bloodrose definitely is a perfect end to the series I can honestly say I didn't see the ending coming at all, and I loved it. If you haven't read the series, now is the perfect time to start because since this is the final book you won't have to wait to find out what happens. 

The Book I'm Most Grateful For

Beth Revis is having an awesome contest, and all you have to do is tell her what book you're most grateful for.




I'm most grateful for the Harry Potter books, because without them all of the other awesome books that are out now probably wouldn't be here.

YallFest

In case you haven't heard, Kami Garcia and Margie Stohl (authors of the Beautiful Creatures series) have put together an AWESOME event - YallFest. On November 11 - 12 in Charleston, SC, TWENTY authors are going to share in an all day YA extravaganza. Who's going to be there? The list hasn't been fully revealed yet, but here are a few names to get you interested: Carrie Ryan, Beth Revis, Andrea Cremer, Ellen Hopkins, David Levithan and SO MANY MORE.
I'll keep you updated with any big news, but if you absolutely can't wait, here's the official site. I'll see you there!

Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

There are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

The Near Witch is one of those books that completely envelopes you from the beginning. The prose is perfect and the story is fantastic. I absolutely loved every aspect of this novel. The setting feels real, but at the same time it has a fairy tale vibe going on which suited the story perfectly. This is an outstanding debut novel and I'll definitely be reading anything else Victoria puts out!

5/5

Review: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended.Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. 

But then the Searchers make her an offer,one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack and the man she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Short review: If you liked Nightshade, you'll LOVE the sequel.

I read this book in one sitting. It was so engrossing and action packed, even more so than the first book. It kind of reminded me of an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in a good way. It's filled with loads of magic and fighting and plotting. I know everyone's always focused on "teams" and when it comes to Ren and Shay, I'm still Team Shay. Especially after this book. This one ends with another cliffhanger, but it's not quite as extreme as the ending of Nightshade. Overall I liked it better than Nightshade, and can't wait for book three!

Book Trailer: Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

I love Melissa, and I can't wait to read this one!