STARLING Cover Reveal!!!!

Lesley Livingston's upcoming release, Starling. As an added bonus, Lesley is hosting a Wondrous Strange giveaway, so hop on over to her blog to enter for a giveaway! (ends March 15th - US and Canada only).

"Thrilling and intense; pulls you along like the inevitable rush toward Ragnarok."

                      ~ Julie Kagawa, New York Times bestselling author of the IRON FEY series

                                                "A must read for all mythology fans!"
                               ~ Josephine Angelini, bestselling author of STARCROSSED

~~~

"Love is just the beginning... of the end."

When Mason Starling rescues an unconscious young man from the ravages of a terrible storm—and he rescues her from the otherworldly creatures lurking in that storm—little does she know her whole life is about to spiral dramatically, mystically out of control. Someone is trying to kill her, someone else is trying to use her, and the only one who seems willing to help her is the tantalizing, dangerous stranger who can’t even remember who—or what—he is. All he remembers is his name: Fennrys Wolf.

What Fennrys doesn’t know is that, thanks in part to his past actions, a crack has appeared in the barrier between the mortal world and the Beyond Realms. The crack has opened up a nexus of dark energy in the middle of the East River and it’s attracting the attention of powerful entities on both sides of the rift.

Because of that, a longstanding truce involving the members of several ancient underworld cartels is now in jeopardy. Mason, Fennrys, and the students of elite Gosforth Academy—a neutral-ground “safe haven” for children of the Families—soon find themselves caught in the crossfire as the servants of the warring pantheons fight to see whose gods come out on top...and whose demons go down in flames.

Set in New York City, with all its dark, gritty sparkle, the STARLING saga explores the spaces between the worlds and the realms of the ancient gods… only a heartbeat beyond. It’s a tale spun from ancient mythologies—Norse and Greek and Egyptian—filled to the brim with adventure, danger, and romance, and played out against the backdrop of a city with its own siren-song.

From the universe of Lesley Livingston’s WONDROUS STRANGE, a new series and captivating heroine make their exciting debut.

Kikenchitai Danshi - Kedamono Black & White Manga Review

Author: Kokoro Ayumi
Artist: Kokoro Ayumi

Genra: Shojo

Year: 2009

Original Publisher:

Shogakukan 

Volumes: 

 1 Volumes (ongoing)

 Licensed (in English)

No

Summery
High school girl Kurei-chan attends a school that is located near two other high schools. The other high schools are famous for their gang leaders, the Black leader and the White leader. One day after going to the market, Kurei-chan decides to jump a wall to enter the school faster. Unfortunately, she jumps in the middle of a fight between Blacks and Whites. Of course, they are all attracted to her--she is a girl after all! Kurei-chan tries to defend herself by throwing tomatoes at them, but her effort just makes them more upset! Her hero appears on a bike. He is Kuroki-kun, the Blacks' leader and he is there to save her. A link has already been developed between those two. But the white leader has watched everything from behind, and a new game has started: Kurei-chan is the new target!

My Thoughts for the Manga
Here it is my first straight Manga review!!! I know I've done tones of Yaoi reviews but I decided to take a change and review a straight one with an actual boy/girl pairing. Though i'm going to have to find a better story because this killed me. You know when I first read the summery I was so excited about this manga. The story plot looked really good since I love it when there is two boys in a story fighting over one girl. Though as I began to read this book I started to see stuff that annoyed me so much, I actually wondered why I even bothered with it. Whether it's the translaters fault or the mangaka either way it really ruin the story. 

The manga skipped over areas so many times, I got confused in almost every chapter I read. One minute the black king is fighting the next he's by Kurei-chan being nice to her. One minute they are together and for some reason I don't see how he wants to break up with her. I mean for an example when the black king was being held captive by a random gang and the white king came to save them Kurei as so excited they could escape but then the white king says this "You are only with Kurei-chan because she chooses you and not me" and then the black king turns to Kurei-chan and says "Lets break up" IN WHAT PART OF THE STORY DID IT SHOW THAT THE BLACK KING WAS USING KUREI-CHAN. He practaclly never say her ever with the white king so how he came to that conclusion was beyond me.

I hate the story skiping plots in this manga it was confusing and annoying at the same time. I don't think I'm going to read the other two volumes of this manga because I just don't think there is anything else that could make this story any better then it was now. It actually bored me and that was so damn surprising. 

Another issue I had was when Kurei-chan right at the beganning fell in love with him. She broke into his school ran up to him and hugged him telling him her name . . . I don't know about you guys but that's just creepy. I just don't know how a girl can fall in love with a guy she hardly even met with. I think the author just wanted a fast way for them to meet up again. *sigh*

Manga Design

I guess the only highlight of this manga was the drawings and the style of the characters. I really do love how they were drawn as you can see on the left very sexy in the way the boys look hehe. The expression are well drawn as well as the hair and clothes. Not to mention the backgrounds as well. If only the story was better then it wouldn't have been such a waste of a good style.









Overall
I don't actually suggest to read this manga. It was really bad plot lines and really bad dialog. Though the drawings are great that doesn't mean the story is great.

Rating

1 out of 5 Howling Wolves

The Magical March Reading Challenge

Hosting By Roof Beam Reader

Purpose: 

To read and review works of Fantasy, Science-Fiction, or Magical Realism (for my literary folks).

Details:

From now until March 4^th, the Mister Linky widget below will be available so people can sign-up to participate in the Magical March Reading Challenge. 

Throughout the month of March, a Mister Linky will be available for pre-registered challengers to link-up their qualifying reviews.  There are different “classes” of magician, outlined below, and completion of the various levels could earn you a prize!

The Levels:

Magician’s Class:              1-2 Books Read & Reviewed       1 Book $10 or Less

Sorcerer’s Class:               3-5 Books Read & Reviewed       1 Book $12 or Less

Wizard’s Class:                  6-7 Books Read & Reviewed       1 Book $15 or Less

Grand Merlin Class:         8+ Books Read & Reviewed         1+  Book(s) $20 or Less

Alright I think I'm going to go with Grand Merlin Class because I do read a lot of Fantasy novels...Actually those are the only type of books I read lmao!!!

1) Until I Die by Amy Plum
2) Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
3) The Forever Girl by Rebecca Hamilton
4) The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe 
5) Six Moon Summer by S.M. Reine
6) Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
7) All Hallows' Moon by S.M. Reine
8) Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

In My Mailbox [7]

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren where you can learn about all the awesome new books I've picked up this week!

Here are the list of books I've receive in the last week with a link to their goodreads page:

Bought:

Bound by Nature by Cooper Davis

Won:
Significance by Shelly Crane
The Willing by C.S Splitter
Sacred Ring by Leah Sanders


Free:

Bridger by Megan Curd
The Reluctant by C.S. Splitter
Wildflowers Come Back by Sarah Spann
Malevolence By Devyn Dawson

Convergence (Children of Creation, #1) Review

Convergence

Author: J.D. Watts

ASIN: B004MDLOQ0

Release Date:   December 2nd 2010
Format : Ebook

Genre:  Paranormal, Fantasy, Young Adult, Angels

Series: Children of Creation

Summery
In modern times, mankind believes they know all that there is to know about the world around them. Arrogant in their ignorance, they travel through life completely unaware of the other beings in their midst, the other Children of Creation. Celestial Angels and Fallen walk amongst them unseen, while the third beings of creation, the Guardians, live along side them, protecting them from attacks of the Fallen.

Daniella Rossi is a nineteen year old college student who sees the world quite differently than those around her. From infancy, she was aware of the beings that walked among her kind who were not like them, as well as her own personal Guardian who watched over her. Dani always knew she was different, but she never dreamed the full scope of her importance.

Follow Dani as her life takes an unexpected turn when a new Guardian is assigned to replace her lifelong companion and friend. Much older, more experienced, and socially awkward, Nathaniel must learn to adjust himself to fit into Dani’s world in order to guard her without drawing unwanted attention. While the Fallen are determined to capture Dani, she and Nathaniel find themselves developing a bond that goes far beyond that of Guardian and charge. Facing the strains of a brewing war and forbidden affections, will they be ready for the coming battle? Will Dani be able to handle the truth of her existence and destiny?


My Thoughts on the Book
I was never really interested in books about angels but this is my second time reading an angel book and again I was happy with how it went. I wasn't disappointed at all and loved every moment of it. Though I was surprised by how close this book was to real angels and how they follow under god's rule, well the good ones anyways. The only thing that really bugged me about the book was the fact that there was a part in the book where they went back showing a different point of view. That annoyed me a bit so that's why it isn't a complete 5 out of 5 stars.

Dani is a great character, she's not a girly girl but more of a tomboy type of character. She doesn't like wearing anything to girlish. She's strong and is passionate about her school work. She loves going to College and not even the threat of the fallen angels will stop her from going. She cares a lot of Ana her guardian angel for the longest time. She thinks of Ana as her mother like figure and she was depress when the Master(god) made the change to have Nathaniel take over, who she nicknamed Nate. Nate is a Guardian, a Guardian is a type of angel who looks after human they are told to protect. They protect them from the fallen angels and live close by to be near their charges if anything happens. Now to explain Nate I have to mention that Guardian's are made so that they protect their charges from anything and they aren't given emotions. So he's always stiff and only cares about his job of protecting the human he's in charge of. Though that changes when he meets Dani, and your going to have to see why when you read the book hehe. Ana as I said above is a mother figure towards Dani, she's been with Dani ever since she was born. She loves Dani as any mother would because of how long she's known her. Like Nate she doesn't have any real emotions but with Dani it's different. I do love these characters and they work well together making Dani feel more at home when they're together. 


Hardly to no romance in this novel but that doesn't mean there wasn't any chemistry between Dani and Nate. There relationship was slow and took a long time for them to fall in love. Not to mention that Nate also needed to know what he was feeling was love. It's cute seeing how it happen at the end of the book and you will wish for more between them but that's why there is a second book.

The plot is great, I love everything about it, everything is just so exciting to read to see what will happen next. A few twists though that will keep you guessing making it extra great. Not to mention that you learn who Dani really is and why everything is falling apart around her and why she has two Guardians. Not to mention you learn more about angels then any other angel book, well from what I read anyways.

Cover Design
I don't really fine the cover all that interesting, It's kinda plain with the focal point being the middle. Not to mention the large quote right on the front cover spreading right across it. I wouldn't have made the quote that big. I know it's a ebook but still it takes away from the rest of the image. The Title font of the book is alright but it's different from the rest of the font inside the book which I don't really like as well. It's a okay design but it could have been a lot better then what I see right now.

Overall
Great read if you love Angels so pick it up when you can, besides that little back in time to show a different point of view I did love the book and I can't wait to read the second volume.

Rating
4 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Descendant Review

Descendant

Author: Eva Truesdale

ASIN: B00546E0LK

Release Date:  June 2, 2011
Format : Ebook

Genre:  Paranormal, Fantasy, Young Adult,
Shape shifter

Summery
A Deadly Encounter...
A vicious werewolf attack leaves Alex infected, confused, and suddenly surrounded by strangers who all claim they want to help her. All she has to do is decide who to trust.

A Dangerous Boy...
Kael is infuriating. Arrogant. And entirely too hot for his own good. He also has secrets-- and a dark past that could turn her whole world upside down.

An Ancient Blood Pact...
The only thing keeping the human population safe from the shifters and lycans is the pact. The pact that Alex's grandfather initiated. The one that only she can break.

An Impossible Choice...
Breaking the pact means igniting war. Refusing to break it may mean losing the most important person in her life.

When the moment comes, on whose side will Alex stand? And how much will she be willing to sacrifice?


My Thoughts on the Book
I was really surprised by this book, despite the book not having any romance in it at all it was really good. I stayed up late to finish the book and didn't get to sleep till 4 in the morning, that's how much I was into this book. I just hope that the second book will be just as good as the first.

The characters are great, I don't see any flaw with them. Alex our main heroine is such a strong character, she doesn't let anything bother her. She's strong and knows how to deal with things on her own, not wanting to except help unless she really needs too. She would do anything for her sister and mother and that means to become something she never expect was real. Instead of taking the cure to stop her from becoming a werewolf she embraces the werewolf inside her so that she can help protect her family instead of being protected by someone else. Kael is sexy but that's beside the point, he's hard to get along with and he loves to be a smart ass and talks back to people. He's mostly a loner but does stay around his pack not leaving. Despite his bad personalty he does protect Alex and sometimes he's nice to her but other times he pushes her away. As for the side characters, they all do their parts well I love each of the side characters though I do fine Eli strange because he's describe as young but acts much older which I find so interesting.

There is no romance in this book but you did see some chemistry between Alex and Kael. You see how they love to annoy each other and how they love to get under each others skin. I just hope they get together in the next book and actually have some kissing scenes, that is if they can stop annoying each other long enough to get that far hehe.

The plot for this story is interesting and Alex is the center around the whole story. What makes this different from most werewolf books is that there is also lycans in this novel. lycans and Werewolves aren't the same, the difference is that lycans can't harm humans and they can't turn people into Werewolves. Werewolves can harm humans and can turn humans into Werewolves. The reason for this is that there was a curse put onto Lycans so that they couldn't hurt humans no more. The werewolves were created by by a lycan which you will learn more about in the book. 

Cover Design

This cover is not very exciting nor is it very eye catching. From what I see it's boring and I probably wouldn't pick it up in a book store unless some part of the cover was shiny. Though besides the image the Title design is nice and simple and you can read it without no problem. The secondary title "The Shift Chronically" fits perfectly under the main title and it's faded gray look matches the moon which is found above the title. The author's name does fit well where it's located and it's not taking distracting you from the title or image.



Overall
I do love this series and I'm excited to read the next book which is coming out in the spring. I do suggest for everyone to pick this book up when you have the chance, it's only .99cents on amazon.





Rating
4 out of 5 Howling Wolves

In My Mailbox [6]

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren where you can learn about all the awesome new books I've picked up this week!

Here are the list of books I've receive in the last week with a link to their goodreads page:

Bought:

Won:

Deadly Little Lies (Touch #2) by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Scarlet Nights by Jude Deveraux


Free:


Descendant  by Eva Truesdale
A Life of Death  by Weston Kincade
Remembrance  Michelle Madow
Two Moons of Sera  by Pavarti K Tyler
Stained  by Ella James
Bound  by Kira Saito
The Darkening Dream   by Andy Gavin
Dark Waters  by Shannon Mayer
Breathless  by Scott Prussing

Manga Review The Paradice on the Hill/Oka no Ue no Rakuen

Author: Tenzen Momoko
Artist: Tenzen Momoko

Genra: Shonen Ai

Year: 2002

Original Publisher:

Taiyo Tosho 

Volumes: 

 1 Volumes (Complete)

 Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher:  

June 

Summery

The paradise on the hill
Kijima and Ono are two good-looking male teachers who teach at a girls' school. When Kijima witnesses a student confessing to Ono, an embarrassed Ono asks him for advice on how to reject such girls without hurting their feelings. This initial encounter leads them to become quite comfortable in each other's presence, and they often have lunch together. But when Ono admits that the real reason for his turning down all the students who approach him is his unrequited love for someone, Kijima is surprised by the disappointment that assails him. Why does he suddenly feel so interested in Ono's love life...?

Short Story - Summer Rain
Ten years ago, 18-year-old Motomi fell in love with a married man. Feeling guilty about stealing him away from his wife and young son, Motomi rejected him and moved away without a word. Now, he has finally let go of his hopeless love and feels sure that the other has done the same. But one summer day, he receives a letter written in a well-known hand, summoning him to the cafeteria in which they used to meet so long ago...

 
My Thoughts on the Manga
How is it that a 20 page short story was more interesting then the main story. I was just so bored with teh main story I wanted to finish it as fast as I could. Not only that, there was little to no kissing in it and the plot sucked. I wanted more stuff to happen but it didn't which annoyed me far more then I expected that it would. 


The characters are bland and don't make you feel connected to them in any way. Though seeing them together is cute, there is hardly any background to them. Kijima is a normal looking teacher not so popular with girls while Ono is really popular with girls. The two of them hang out a lot and they are both really dence when it comes to each others feelings. I just don't find those two characters interesting at all. As for the side story, though it's really short I felt drawn into the characters and their story. I wished I knew more about them, I wish they had their own story because that would have been way more interesting.

The Romance is really slow in the manga, there is hardly none at all and very little in the very end. If anything I would have been completely fed up with this book if it wasn't for the short story at the end. Though there wasn't any romance in the short story it still made it so very cute. 


The plot is terrible in the first story, it's common and unoriginal and not something that I would ever want to read again. As for the second story it sounded like it would have been heart wrenching if it was a longer story, put into more detail. If only the side story would have been the main story this manga would have been way more interesting.

Design



This is a really olden style type of manga. If you look at the style of the school uniforms which are long, it usually means it's old but this manga was written in 2002. Since it's the early 2000's when this book was written it makes since for how the drawings look for it matches the time period. The background is has minor detail while the characters also have little detail put into them. Though it is good that they have their own looks and you can see their expression well. Though the girls in the story all look the same. . .








Overall
This Manga is alright not the best, I don't recommend buying it though if you find it online then read it or at the very least read the side story.

Rating
2 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Existence Review

Existence

Author: Abbi Glines

ASIN: B006LFVZ8E

Release Date:   December 13th 2011
Format : Ebook

Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult

Series: Existence Trilogy #1

Summery

What happens when you're stalked by Death? You fall in love with him, of course.

Pagan Moore doesn't cheat Death, but instead, falls in love with him.

Seventeen year old Pagan Moore has seen souls her entire life. Once she realized the strangers she often saw walking through walls were not visible to anyone else, she started ignoring them. If she didn't let them know she could see them, then they left her alone. Until she stepped out of her car the first day of school and saw an incredibly sexy guy lounging on a picnic table, watching her with an amused smirk on his face. Problem is, she knows he's dead.

Not only does he not go away when she ignores him, but he does something none of the others have ever done. He speaks. Pagan is fascinated by the soul. What she doesn't realize is that her appointed time to die is drawing near and the wickedly beautiful soul she is falling in love with is not a soul at all.

He is Death and he's about to break all the rules.

My Thoughts on the Book

I’ve heard about this book for a while now since December though I’ve only bought it recently. I got to say it wasn’t what I expected at all, yes I knew it was going to be about death but nothing like this. I read Dank’s point of view of when they first met and he is death. This story completely through me off guard by the how sad it was and THE DAMN CLIFFHANGER!

The main girl’s name is Pegan, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard that name being used in a book, that and dank. Pegan only met Dank for a short while but fell in love with him so damn fast it was so surprising. It was annoying how much she loved him in a short time and when he left she was so damn depressing I just got so annoyed.  She wouldn’t hang with he friends or her “boyfriend”. No her so said boyfriend she was using him, ultimately using him because she couldn’t be with Dank. She was even sent to a metal hospital for how withdrawn she was acting. As for Dank . . .he’s hot he gots bright eyes and HE GROWLS! No really when he’s jealous he growls! That is so damn hot!! Not to mention he is both a “spirt” and a rockstar! (read the book to know what I mean). As for her friends and Leif her boyfriend, they are alright. Leif truly cares for Pegan but Pegan wants nothing to do with him. She doesn’t want to break up with him because he’s a comfort to her and he doesn’t realize this. He loves her unconditionally and it’s so cute! Not to mention the cliffhanger about him! Her friend Miranda and Wyatt are good friends who care about Pegan but they aren’t the center of the book so you don’t really care much about them.

Romance in this novel is in the middle, at first Pegan starts to fall for Leif. It’s like a normal story where a normal girl falls for the football player. Then after an accident she started to fall for Dank who kept playing his guitar for her every night singing to her. She starts to fall for him during this time but said yes to going out with Leif, reason for this I don’t know, only that she ends up using Leif. She has strong feelings for Dank and Dank has feelings for her. The chemistry between the two of them is so strong and so hot it leaves you drooling for more! (which it never gives) Not to mention when Dank said he couldn’t be with her, he gets jealous and starts to growl in her mind when ever Leif did stuff with her like kissing. It was so damn cute!!  I have a thing for growling males okay! Haha!

As for the plot it was great, about a girl who though out her life could see ghosts and that they never talked to her before until this one person “Dank” spoke to her for the first time. It was a great story a few twists though out the book which made it interesting. Though it was a bit annoying near the middle of the book. I know Dank can’t be with her but to have her go all depress and admitted to a hospital for a short time was so annoying I hated it. Then it got better near the ending and I was happy again. THEN IT ENDED ON A CLIFFHANGER AND NOW I’M GOING CRAZY!



Cover Design

What drew me in most about this book was the cover. The eyes on the boy is just to hot to ignore. It's really eye catching and lovely to look at that hot boy. It's lovely to look at and I love how he is just staring at you while he hugs the girl. As for the title it's pretty with the smoke around the words floating up and the Text in a bright shiny blue color and the author's name fit snuggly underneath, this hole piece is nice to look at!

Overall
Overall it’s a great read if your into the paranormal stuff like ghosts and death.  I also suggest to read it because of how hot Dank is and how he growls haha!!! No seriously read the book!

Rating
4 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Destiny's Fire Review

Destiny's Fire
Author: Trisha Wolfe

Release Date: January 10th 2012

ISBN: 1936305984 (ISBN13: 9781936305988)

Format: ebook

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Steam Punk,

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopian 

Summery
It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.

My Thoughts on the Book
This was just wow, there isn't a word to describe how much I loved this book. The fact that this is my first Steampunk novel I ever read made it that much more exciting. I learned lots of things from this book about Steampunk that I never new before (i.e hoverbikes). I finished this book in two days that's how exciting it was to read. It even had Shape shifters worked into the mix of the Steampunk genre which made it that much more better for me to read!

The characters in this book are so interesting to learn about not to mention that there is triplets in the mix. I've never read a book where there was triplets in it so this was a first for me. The main girl Destiny or Dez for short by her friends is the only one of her kind as far as she knows, until she meets Reese. She has to hide who she truly is from everyone including her friends. Only her mom knows how different Dez truly is. She is a strong person in this book, she doesn't back down and isn't the girly girl type like her friend Lana. She grows into herself more as the books go on and she learns how truly special she really is. Jace who is her friend but you find out he thinks of her as more then a friend later on is a good boy type of guy. He is strong and loves to train even when they were not allowed to fight or train. He hates the Narcos more then anyone else int he book, his brother and sister and even Dez go along with it. He is like the leader of their little group. He knew something was wrong with the Narcos all though out the book he didn't like how the Narcos came to their city. Lana and Nick are the other two of the triplets. Lana is Dez's best friend, she is the happy go lucky girly girl who loves to wear short corsets. Lana never stop being Dez's friend even when Dez told her the truth so that is a real friend right there. Not much is talked about with Nick but he's there anyways. Reese is the hot bad boy type. You don't know much about him but you can see how much he cares for Dez, not only that they felt connected because of how similar they really were.

The Romance in this novel is basically a love triangle between Dez, Jace and Reese. I know most people don't like random love triangles but I love them! They are great and it's especially exciting in this book since there is both a good guy and a bad guy. The romance was fast acting since Dez and Reese is so connected by having them both being the same species of mixed blood. I wanted them to go further but each time it's interrupted or that Reese is too good of a guy to just take Dez on the ground in the forest (hint hint hehehhe) anyways Jace comes in later when Dez thought Reese broke up with her. Though he is led on by her cause she only saw him as a friend though a very hot friend. I love the love triangle and I really do hope there is a second book with more love triangles situation.

The plot is great, it's a new take in the shifter world because it is mixed in with Steampunk genre. Steampunk is a big deal in this book because lots of it is connected to what they're power purpose is. Their shifter species have to serve the humans with their powers somehow or they will start to lose their powers or get sick. It has something to do with a curse started long ago. The Kythan are the species Dez and her friends are then they're are two types one called the "Shythe" the other called "Narcolym" there use to be a third type but the Narcolym wiped them out long ago. The Narcolym and Shythe have been in war for a very long time and almost wipped out all of the Shythe. This fact is very important in the book and you learn why when you read it. 

Cover Design

The cover is so eye catching and colorful with the purple that it caught my attention right away. I loved the flame like purple on the bottom giving a hit as to what her power color was when you start to read it. I also knew right away that it was steampunk because of the goggles on her head. When I read the summery I knew I was right, she is so pretty and fits her look from the book really well. The gears in the back though faded work so well with the rest of the image. As for the title font and look it's well done and pretty with the gradient of dark purple and black and the faint glow behind it. As for the author's name it's well placed below the title but not very well seen because of the white font.


Overall
I do recommend reading this book, it's a great new type of story with a great plot and characters. Not to mention that it has steampunk in it. If you never read a steampunk novel before this is a great one to start getting into the genre.

Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Foxblood: Rise of the Hellion Review

Foxblood: Rise of the Hellion
Author: Raquel Lyon

Release Date: November 30, 2011

Format: ebook

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Magic

Science Fiction, Fantasy
Bought from Amazon

Summery

Continuing the story from A Brush with the Moon, Sophie is settled in her new life. Things are going well. She’s enjoying university life and her newly found independence. That is…until her mother’s unwelcome arrival!

Her love life has certainly improved, but that has brought about its own complications. Her new boyfriend, Sebastian, is not human and, as if that weren’t enough, his cousin, Connor, won’t take no for an answer. Sophie must decide which is stronger, her loyalty to Sebastian or her growing feelings for Connor And love is not Sophie’s only battle. Pulled from a life of obscurity and chosen to succeed a dying Goddess, the girl that arrived in Fosswell is no longer visible. Along with her new power and appearance changes, Sophie now has to contend with unwanted night time transformations. Can she learn to control the animal inside? More to the point, can she hide the supernatural world from her mother?
The death count in Fosswell is mounting and when someone she knows is found dead and someone she loves gets the blame, Sophie is determined to find out the truth. Unfortunately, the truth is sometimes something we don’t want to hear.

My Thoughts on the Book
I really saw no big surprise in this novel, Basically all the problems that were in the first book is the same in this book. I did enjoy it but it wasn't as exciting I would have thought it would be. Sebastian is still a dick head and Connor is still minding his own business. I also hate the fact that this story has so many skipping points and so many times where Connor is so out of the story you wonder if he was ever a main character to began with. Not to mention that the mother died out of no where making me think the author just wanted to get rid of her fast. I also thought they would explain in this volume what they meant by in the first volume how Sebastian wouldn't care if she slept with Conner. Something is up with that but the author gave no explanation in this volume.

The characters in this volume is the same, there hasn't been any big improvement from the first volume. Not to mention I hardly felt any connection with any of the characters. Yes, my favorite character is Conner but seeing him not in the book at all, like basically during all the skipping scenes and him being in jail there has been no interaction with him at all. What I mean but skipping scenes is that the author loves to skip weeks ahead for no real reason as just to pass the time saying nothing happens at all during those few weeks or so. Which I got to say after a few times of seeing this I really was annoyed by the end of it. As for Sebastian. . . god I hate him! he is such a ass who cares for no one but himself and his family name. I don't see how Sophie could still love him after the stunt he pulled. Not to mention that he doesn't trust her and trusts his family name more and that he bought her things to try to win her over. He is such a obnoxious ass I hate him. Why can't Sophie be with Conner who obviously care more about her the Sebastian does.

The Romance was hardly non-existent in this volume. It went by so fast that I don't think the author even gave any romance a thought. Not to mention that the chemistry between Conner and Sophie is more in this book then the last but again it's ignored by the skipping weeks scenes.

As for the plot is was alright not all as interesting as in the first volume. Plot twists were shown and dropped just as fast like the scene with Sophie and her dead father. Another is Sophie's reaction to Conner but again that's ignore. This book was just all over the place with unnecessary plots or the author could have taken the time to put more thought into it because this book could have been longer. As for the main plot with Sebastian's sister, it was weird and ended all to quickly. Then the ending with a big battle, the first volume has a big fight at the end as well, was it necessary for there to be a fiight at the end of this book no not really. It just felt like the author just wanted to do something exciting and placed the fighting scene at the end. Could have done just as well in the middle of the book but nope it appeared out of no where.

Cover Design

I guess what first caught my attention with this book is background cover. It's so brightly orange I just couldn't turned away. Then it was the title Foxblood, I don't know but seeing that title made me want to click to read about it. The whole design stands out and catches your attention. Though the background image of the girl, the mouth bothers me for some reason...like either it's to wide or it shouldn't be placed there. Other then that the hair is great showing how it is in the book. As for the Title font I love it. With the simple word "Foxblood" in big letters while "A brush with the Moon" is fit well underneath it works all other with the composition. Not to mention that the Intricate designs are so pretty! The author's name though could have been placed underneath, instead of on the top left hand corner of the book. If you notice it's the same comment on the cover design as the first volume good. You can see that there is no difference.

Overall
I still like the series and I did like this book at some parts but I was more disappointed then anything. It could have been a lot better and hopefully the next volume is better.

Rating
3.5 out of 5 Howling Wolves

.5

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer Review

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Author: Michelle Hodkin

ISBN: 1442421762 (ISBN13: 9781442421769)

Release Date:  September 27th 2011
Format : Hardcover

Genre:  Paranormal Romance, Horror, Mystery
Fantasy, Young Adult

Series: Mara Dyer #1

Summery
Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

My Thoughts on the Book
You see how the sentences are contradicting themselves. Like for example "Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. . .It can." That's pretty much how how some of the chapters end. I don't know if it annoys anyone else but having the story contradict itself annoys me. Though I understand that she is telling the story because of the letter at the beginning it's just so annoying to see this happen on almost every ending of a chapter. This book had 59 damn chapters!!!

The characters are great you can really get into what Mara is feeling. Mara is scared of what's happening around her, she emotional when it comes to her friends deaths and it really doesn't help that she is now seeing them where ever she goes. If I were in her shoes I would be so scared to even go anywhere for fear of seeing my dead friends where ever I go. Towards Noah though she's has so much of an attitude it's funny to see. Daniel her brother helps her any way he can without asking for anything. He's a good brother that looks after his younger sister. He can get his parents to listen to him about anything concerning Mara. Though I do find it annoying how much her mother houvers over her speaking to her like a patient. I would be angry at my mom if she did that to me where she treats me like a metal patient every single day when she should at least trust her daughter. The younger brother Joseph acts like a normal younger boy. He's happy and loves his family and is just the most normal person in this book. The father loves his work but will stop his job if it concerns Mara and how she might feel about it. As for Noah, he's a play boy but he's a very hot playboy. There is a long background history on him and the girls at the school but even with that Mara still began to like him. He starts to have feelings for Mara too and treats her different from all the other girls before her. Not to mention that he has a sexy British accent.

The romance is slow and there is hardly none at all. At the beginning Mara hates Noah but half way though the book she gives in and they start to spend time together. You can see how Noah treats her special and that Mara begins to fall for him. It's cute and I love how they act together, it gets especially exciting when you see they are connected in a special way and that Noah will love her no matter what. I will be seriously pissed if they aren't together in the end. . .


The plot is so different from anything I have ever read before. Death is the major plot in this story, it doesn't just happen once it happens quite a few times throughout the book and I'm sure there will be more. Throughout the book Mara believes that she is going crazy since she's seeing her dead friends everywhere she goes. Throughout the book she's trying to find out what is wrong with her. Noah even comes to help her, using his money and resources to try and find out whats happening.

Cover Design

I gotta say it's a very interesting cover, it has a girl being saved by a guy. I didn't notice the guy till I looked closely at the cover. It really is interesting because it gives incite into the book about how Mara needs to be saved. It's a beautiful underwater shot and and beautiful dress though Mara doesn't wear dresses a lot. As for the Title page . . . You guys won't be able to notice it here but in real life you need reflection of the light to see the words. Yes That's very cool but not great if this book was on the book shelves in a store because not only is the cover have reflected words the spine does too. That's really isn't great for a book because the Spine is what sells the book if you see a dark cover with no words, unless light is shining directly onto it, the person is most likely going to miss looking at this book all together. Having the same effect on the spine isn't the best Idea this designer had. I hope they fix the spine in a new print sometime maybe change it so that's it's silver. With Saying all that I do like the cover it looks great besides the style of font.

Overall
Overall it's a strange scary book, I was so surprise by how suspenseful this book was and how I didn't know what will happen next. I do recommend reading this book if your into ghosts, death and heal/life :O and great characters!

Rating
4 out of 5 Howling Wolves