Unraveling Isobel - Eileen Cook

Title: Unraveling Isobel
Author: Eileen Cook
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Date of publications: 3rd of January 2012
Number of pages: 290
Format:  Hardcover
Source: Library
Also known for: Getting revenge on Lauren wood, What would emma do?, The education of Hailey Kendrick
Rating: 3

This is another example of underutilized potential. This could have been epic, creepy and Gothic if certain aspects of the story line were expanded on but we will come to that in due time.

Isobel's mother has just married a man she met over the internet three months ago. Naturally she has concerns about leaving her comfortable life and moving into her new step-father's estate. Imagine a large 19th century English manor.   Her step brother is seriously hot but off limits and gives her a rather chilly welcome. Isobel soon finds herself wrapped up in the dark history of the estate. Less than a year ago Dick's (her step father) wife and daughter were killed in a boating accident but word around town is that he had a hand to play in their demise. It also doesn't help that she begins to see ghostly figures and fears that she is beginning to lose her mind like her father. In the background we have Nicole, a preppy cheerleader who has her eye on Nathaniel (step brother) and is used to getting what she wants.

Overall this was entertaining but it could have been so much better! I loved the idea of this book. I thought that there could have been more about the history of the estate and more ghostly appearances. Her relationship with Nathaniel and her semi-battle with Nicole dominated the story. I found these sections rather dry and boring. The house really was the big star of this novel. How amazing would this have been if it had been longer and more developed? Focusing more on the mystery and the sheer awesomeness of being on a island. I also would have loved to see and learn more about her Dad, but sadly this was just brushed over.

A fair read.

Also seen on: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/315016082

Magic under stone - Jaclyn Dolamore

Title: Magic under stone
Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Date of publication: February 28 2012
Pages: 291
Series: Magic under
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Also known for: Magic under glass, Between the sea and sky.
Rating: 4

I really enjoyed Magic under glass and so I really looked forward to reading this one. Isn't the cover gorgeous? This is a fun and fluffy read about a lost fairy prince trapped in a clockwork body and the young dancing girl who set him free. Erris is unhappy and tortured in his fragile body and not even Nimira can break him out of his funk. Nimira in turn fears the Erris is changing and starts to wonder if they can truly overcome this obstacle. I liked this aspect of their relationship because it was very realistic. We also have the introduction of a couple of new characters - Erris's niece Violet and the Jinn. I did not particularly care for them. I also thought that this was rather rushed and cramped. I know that Jaclyn was asked to wrap it up in this book but there were some unanswered questions and it just wasn't enough to satisfy me completely. This could have been perfect! I wanted to see more of Erris and Nimira at the end. Overall, I really liked this one. Well worth the read if you have read the first.

Review also seen on: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/312738506

Katana - Cole Gibsen

Title: Katana
Author: Cole Gibsen
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 375
Date of publication: 8th of March, 2012
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Also known for: Breathless.
Series: Possibly?
Rating: 3.5

I was not sure what to expect from Katana but I was pleasantly surprised. It is a quick, fast-paced action - filled read about a young skater chick who discovers that she has a 15th century samurai warrior inside of her from a past life. She finds she can kick some serious ass. Then we have Kim her gorgeous instructor who has a hidden past with her and some hot chemistry.

I can only describe this book was fun. It's a great way to pass 3-4 hours when you have nothing to do and want something purely entertaining. However there was nothing special about this story. No meaning. Which is perfectly fine because not every book can be meaningful and life changing. I liked the characters, even though they were rather one dimensional. The most colourful character would have to be her gay best friend Quentin. He just popped off the page. Overall, this was a fair read that satisfied my entertainment needs, but sadly forgettable.

Also seen on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/170260192

The Emerald Flame - Allan Frewin Jones

Title: The Emerald Flame
Author: Allan Frewin Jones
Publisher: Harper Collins US
Pages: 344
Date of publication: October 26, 2010
Series: Warrior Princess
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Also known for: Faerie path series, warrior princess series
Rating: 4

The emerald flame is the third installment in the warrior princess series.

If you like your heroines' covered in blood and able to weld a sword and shield then this is the book for you. You won't find any pampered princesses within these pages! Branwen is our barbarian princess, who under instruction from the Shining Ones (gods) is dead set on riding her country of the murderous Saxons who threaten to overtake her beloved Wales.The gorgeous and infuriating Iwan is now with her and it seems as if everyone else can see something between them that she cannot see herself.

The romance in this book is perfection. It is not rushed and each scene is something precious. I cannot wait to see this develop further in the next book!!

While there is a lot of violence in this book, it was not overly gruesome. The action scenes were well written, my eyes could not move quickly enough to keep up with all the action!

There were also some great twists to the story. It just keeps on getting better. Branwen is growing up into a strong and well rounded young woman and I can't wait to see what happens next. Read this series!

Review also seen on :http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/306858163

The other life - Susanne Winnacker

Title: The other life
Author: Susanne Winnacker
Publisher: Usborne
Release date: February 21 2012
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Series: The other life
Source: Library
Rating: 3.5

Sherry lives with her family in their bunker, life is tense and rations are tight. It's been 3 years since a 'rabies' outbreak struck the US and sent many families into hiding. Three months after radio contact is lost their food supply has finally run out, forcing Sherry and her father to leave the bunker in order to find food to feed their family. Only L.A. is now a decimated wasteland and there is no sign of life. While scavenging for food a creature attacks the pair and Sherry's father is kidnapped. With the help of Joshua, a Avenger she sets off on a journey to rescue her father and come to terms with the horrors of this new world, in particular the creatures called Weapers.

This book was overall a very entertaining book. It sucked me from the first chapter and did not let go. I loved how fast-paced it was and the idea of emerging from a bunker to find everything changed. I thought the characters were a little shallow, I did not really connect with any of them, they were just kinda there. The book has a pretty good cliff-hanger so I will definitely be reading book 2.

Review also seen on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/180908664

Try not to breathe - Jennifer R. Hubbard

Title: Try not to breathe
Author: Jennifer R. Hubbard
Publisher: Viking
Release Date: January 19 2012
Pages: 233
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Also known for: The secret year
Rating: 4

Try not to breathe is essentially about a young man named Ryan who is fresh out of a mental institution after attempting to kill himself. He has to live with a stigma over his head and finds that his life is no longer his own to control. He finds little ways of defying this like his trips to the waterfall but he is no longer a regular teenager. One day he meets Nicki, who seems fascinated by his past and wants to get to know him better. Bit by bit his past his revealed, showing the readers that sometimes actions and feelings cannot be explained so simply. Depression simply happens and there does not necessarily have to be a reason why.

I thought that this was a very necessary book. I, myself have worked in a mental institution and people with depression do not have to have a tragic background, abusive parents, etc. They could come from the most normal and loving families. I thought that this book represented this very well. I also liked her positive outlook on this story. Yes,  life does get better. It may not get easier but hopefully the good days will more than make up for the dark ones.

This was a short but offered a real glimpse into the aftermath of a suicide attempt and also the effect depression has on the family unit. Ryan's isolation really illustrated the misconceptions that many teens have about mental health, which was great. Overall, a very pleasing book.

Also seen on goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/306283583

A beautiful Evil - Kelly Keaton

Title: A beautiful Evil
Author: Kelly Keaton
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 285
Release Date: February 21st 2012
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Also known for: Darkness becomes her.
Rating: 4

A beautiful evil is the second installment in the Gods & Monsters series. It managed to out-shine its predecessor in every way. I was not to impressed with the first installment but I always believe in second chances so I picked this one up in the hopes that it would be better. It took me a little while to get back into the story after a year but this was done smoothly.

Basically the story picks up where Darkness becomes her left off, with Violet and Ari's father in the clutches of Athena. She also has to come to terms with the reality of her destiny and fears that this will drive the gorgeous Sebastian away.  Her training continues and she tries to gain control of her powers in order to rescue her loved ones and defeat the evil Athena.

The story was fast-paced and action-packed, I powered through this without rest, so great was my need for more. Ari is still the same sassy girl as always and despite her own self-doubt she is one of the strongest heroines in YA at the moment. After reading this I can see what she is going to do in the next or few next installments. Is this a trilogy? I'm not sure. In any case its going to be EPIC. Cannot wait!

Review also seen on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/191579967