Review: Vampire Crush by A. M. Robinson
From Goodreads: First, six mysteriously pale new students show up at Sophie McGee’s high school. Then, Sophie’s childhood nemesis James reappears, still displaying a knack for making Sophie’s blood boil. When Sophie finds out that James has a connection to the new students, she decides to investigate…never expecting her life will quickly begin to resemble a campy horror movie, complete with budding crushes and bloodthirsty villains.
Perfect for fans of the Vampire Kisses and Vladmir Tod series, A. M. Robinson’s debut novel sparkles with action, intrigue, irresistible wit, and sizzling romance.
Vampire Crush started out very strong for me. I marked several passages in the beginning of the book and was laughing out loud from the dialogue written into the main character. I adored Sophie and her modern Nancy Drew charm but alas the book fell flat as around the middle I felt that the action wasn’t coming as fast as it should.
This book is the anti-Twilight. Sophie doesn’t want anything to do with Mr. Tall Dark and Dead or any of his friends who just show up at her school and seem to genuinely like Michigan. However she knows there is something weird about them and as the competition for school newspaper editor comes to a head she has to have this story.
Sophie was a great character and had a lot of depth. The side characters mostly fell flat and seemed to be there for stereotypical dialogue purposes only. I am going to quote three of my favorite passages from the ARC form which may change when the final printed copy is available.
Sophie on the first day of school:
As for the building itself, nothing has changed since last May: it could still double as a penitentiary, albeit a penitentiary with a lot of jail spirit and a streamer budget.
Sophie on choosing a seat at an assembly:
The seat happens to be next to Neal Garret, who’s nice enough in an “I went to space camp this summer” way, but who brings his hamster to school at least once per year. The way he’s murmuring to the left pocket of his khakis right now makes me think that today is that day.
Marisabel (one of the vamps) on reading Twilight:
Marisabel just shrugs, rolling on her back to stare up at an open copy of Twilight. Her long brown hair cascades over the edge. It sways as she shakes her head back and forth.
“This is not right at all,” she says. “Edward is dreamy, though. Maybe you could get some tips.”
So all in all this was a fun read and a great start for what I am assuming is to be a trilogy.
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from Hicklebee’s in ARC form.
Review: Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink
GoodReads: The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for …more The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she’ll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister’s role in the prophecy, and that’s not the only thing she wants: There’s also Lia’s boyfriend James.
Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn’t know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing.
Michelle Zink has a masterpiece of a trilogy coming together with the latest release of book two in the Prophecy of Sisters Series. I was enamored with the Sisters and the story in book one. Guardian of the Gate has me gasping for air and waiting with bated breath for book three. When is it coming? When are there going to be ARCs. I need the conclusion now people!
Zink’s world building is phenomenal, her character creation stellar, and her dialogue stunning. I cannot say enough amazing things about this series. If you haven’t read Prophecy of the Sister’s hop to. It’s out in paperback now. Then get to Guardian of the Gate. If you read Prophecy then go out to your local indie and grab a copy of Guardian now! Right now. Drop that cup of coffee, strap yourself in the car and get to the store. You won’t regret it.
Lia has grown so much in this second book. She has become a woman in her own right and is stronger than ever despite all the losses the prophecy itself has claimed from her. She is willing and able to put an end to this once and for all even if that means either she or Alice has to die.
There is betrayal so vile in these pages but it is laced with the hope of the future Lia wants for herself. Will that future be in New York with James or in the land of the Sisters with the newly introduced mysterious Dimitri. I for one vote for Dimitri.
This book is a definite for the best of 2010 from Bookalicio.us and will be featured in the Holiday Gift Guide. Let me know what you think of the series.
Here is the wonderful trailer for Prophecy of the Sisters by Vania of VLC Productions.
FTC Disclosure: (lame) I received this book at the Teen Author Carnival in New York.
Review: Prophecy of Sisters by Michelle Zink
An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-
One Good.
One Evil.
Who will prevail?
Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in an prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents’ deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.
Lia and Alice don’t know whom they can trust.
They just know they can’t trust each other.
Michelle Zink has captured my attention and added yet another series to my ever growing list. Lia is a great character and so easy to relate to that even though at times the stories mysteries were at least to me predictable chapters in advance, I was able to look past that and just enjoy the story and enjoy watching Lia’s reactions to the bumps and tumbles along the way.
I read a lot of great reviews for this book when it came out and that is one of the things that kept me from it. However I was coaxed into reading it by @CatherineHaines of On The Nightstand. I will be forever in Catherine’s debt for convincing me this book is worth the hype.
Comparable to but vastly outshining Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle Trilogy, I find my mind going back to this book and trying to decipher what will happen in book two. The writing style is perfect. Perfect timing, perfect flow. I finished the book in under five hours and am left with the feeling of wanting more.
If you haven’t read Prophecy of Sisters yet then I suggest you hop to. It was a fun and fantastically dark read and perfect for those of us waiting on spring.
Review: Twilight (Twilight Series) by Stephanie Meyer
I picked up Twilight at a book store display about a year and a half ago. I had no idea how popular Stephanie Meyer’s book was at the time, just that I wanted something to read and the book was thick and big with an engaging cover image. I started reading it immediately and by chapter three I was hooked. This book is an amazing start for a first time author.
The plot lines in the book are very simple and there is a bit of a mystery but mostly everything is spelled out in a pretty good detail making for an easy and fun read. If you are looking for depth, or want the usual sexy , trashy supernatural novel you are not going to find either in this book. The plot focuses on Bella Swan a teen moving in with her dad to Forks Washington due to the fact her mother recently had married a baseball player and wanted to go on the road. Bella is not really looking forward to moving in with her father she simply calls Charlie, but soon warms up to him and Forks.
Charlie bought Bella an old truck from a friend of his living on the local Indian reservation. Billy Black and his son Jacob deliver the truck to Bella before she began school. Jacob and Bella have a complicated relationship through the book, Jacob is a year or two younger and has a crush on Bella, he is a great mechanic and eventually helps Bella realize her boyfriend may be a vampire and that other supernatural entities exist in the world.
