Blog Tour: The Boys of Summer by C. J. Duggan

Welcome to my stop on The Boys of Summer blog tour hosted by YA Bound. Click HERE to check out the full blog tour schedule!

The Boys of Summer
by C. J. Duggan

Published: December 17th 2012
Format: Kindle edition
Pages: 321
Source: For review
Amazon |

It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’.
Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools.
I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ...
Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.

To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away.
However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

It will be a summer she will always remember.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
This was a really great and summery read! The story is about a 17 year old girl named Tess. She's sort of a loner, who has two best friends but other than that prefers to go unnoticed. But her ex decides otherwise and tries his best to pick on her.
Yet Tess tries her best to to have a summer of her life! And what's a better way than accepting a great job where you can have all the fun with your best friends? Of course, things won't go exactly like planned, especially when "The Onslow Boys" show up..

There was things I liked and things I wasn't such a huge fan of. I especially loved the writing style, it was easy going and sometimes there was some extremely hilarious sayings, whether they were intentional or not.
Other thing I loved was Tess' sidekicks, Adam and Ellie! They were definitely my favorites, 'cause they seemed real. They had their flaws, but that just made them more humen. Don't get me wrong, I liked Tess and The Onslow Boys, but those characters just seemed too.. typical.

And that ended up being the biggest turn off for me; even though I liked Tess and even Toby, they just seemed like the typical couple in this kind of book. There's the girl everyone thinks is unattractive/ugly/you name it, until one day she takes off her glasses/wears a tight sweater/you name it and everyone notices she's actually HOT.
And there's the older guy, who already has a girlfriend and/or some other obstacle on their way, but the younger girl is so hot he just can't let it go! Sound familiar?

So, the story wasn't the most original ever, but it was definitely entertaining! This would've been a perfect read for a hot summer day, unfortunately it's -20 degrees Celsius and summer feels so far away.. Luckily, this is the perfect way to travel to those sunny days ahead!

Buy Links:

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C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town, New South Wales, Australia.
The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.




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Blog Tour: The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann Review + Giveaway!

The Peculiar
by Stefan Bachmann

Published: September 18th 2012
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 384
Source: For review
Amazon |
Book Depository

Don't get yourself noticed and you won't get yourself hanged.


In the faery slums of Bath, Bartholomew Kettle and his sister Hettie live by these words.
Bartholomew and Hettie are changelings - Peculiars - and neither faeries nor humans want anything to do with them.

One day a mysterious lady in a plum-colored dress comes gliding down Old Crow Alley. Bartholomew watches her through his window.
Who is she? What does she want? And when Bartholomew witnesses the lady whisking away, in a whirling ring of feathers, the boy who lives across the alley - Bartholomew forgets the rules and gets himself noticed.

First he's noticed by the lady in plum herself, then by something darkly magical and mysterious, by Jack Box and the Raggedy Man, by the powerful Mr. Lickerish . . . and by Arthur Jelliby, a young man trying to slip through the world unnoticed, too, and who, against all odds, offers Bartholomew friendship and a way to belong.


Part murder mystery, part gothic fantasy, part steampunk adventure, The Peculiar is Stefan Bachmann's riveting, inventive, and unforgettable debut novel.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
The first thing I noticed was the beautiful and colorful cover. It made me think this would be cute story suitable for younger audience, of course I wanted to read this right away!
So I was pretty surprised when I started reading this and was actually scared. I mean can't-read-this-when-there's-dark-outside- scared. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Bartholomew is a changeling who lives his life by one rule: Don't get yourself noticed and you won't get yourself hanged. Because he's a changeling (half fairy, half human), and neither humen nor fairies accept them.
So nobody really cares when someone starts killing changelings. Until Bartoholomew's little sister, Hettie, is taken. Bartholomew starts an eventful journey with a politician, Mr. Jelliby, to save his sister. Yet it may be too late.

First I have to mention the absolutely fantastic narrator. Like I've mentioned earlier, some books just have the ability to come alive in your head. While reading this, I couldn't help but hear the narrator's voice in my head. Something like Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. Some people probably won't like that, but I happen to love that style.
I also loved Mr. Jelliby. He's a politician, which made me little iffy at first, but he has the ability to get himself in such a trouble you can't help but like him. And sometimes feel a little sorry. He definitely isn't your typical hero, which only makes him more likable. Though I'm surprised he isn't the middle-aged politician I pictured him being.

I'm usually the fan of girly books, and this definitely isn't one. I expected this to be full of action, and I was right, but all the scary parts really surprised me. Okay, I may be the only one who found this scary. But.. Think Professor Quirinus Quirrell and oh-look-you-have-extra-face and scarecrow coming to your room at night and singing you lullaby.. Make's me so scared I'm actually nauseous.

So, if you don't get scared easily, you definitely should check this out. Stefan Bachmann manages to create a whole new world where the natural meets the supernatural with fairies and magic. This isn't pretty story, but that is what makes this stand out even more.

Blog Tour: Blood Shadows by Lindsay J. Pryor

Blood Shadows
by Lindsay J. Pryor

Published: November 7th 2012
Publisher: Bookouture
Format: Ebook
Pages: 380
Source: For review
Amazon |

For vengeance - would you trust a vampire?

For justice - could you betray your family?

For love - are you ready to question everything you believe in?

Gifted with the ability to read the shadows of ‘third species’ beings, Caitlin Parish is the Vampire Control Unit’s most powerful agent. Despite that, her mission to hunt down Kane Malloy – a master vampire – comes with a death wish. Many have tried, but few have survived.

For Caitlin, tracking Kane is about more than just professional reputation. With her parents both mysteriously killed 7 years apart to the day, Caitlin knows that without Kane’s help she is next.

She has four days to make a deal with the wicked, the irresistible, the treacherous Kane Malloy. The vampire who despises everything she stands for.

Or die.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Blood Shadows

by Lindsay J. Pryor

Giveaway ends January 18, 2013.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
Okay, I don't really know what to say. Unbelievable, I know. I'm so not familiar with being speechless. But I'll try.

The whole book begins with a whole load of action, which kind of.. confused me? There was just so much action and the whole sexual tension thing was even more confusing to me.
It was kind of annoying, since, you know, where's the romance, and hey, you don't even know each other and all that. But luckily I got over this after a while and started enjoying the ride. And you could definitely call it a ride, since there's so much action and.. wow.

I liked Caitlin, but (no surprise to anyone) ended up loving Kane. There's just that something with the bad guy. I mean, he's actually bad. And I'm definitely loving it.

In the end, this was extremely entertaining read I enjoyed spending time with! And I know, this is very little, but like I said, I was left kind of speechless. So you better just check this out yourself ;)

Everbound by Brodi Ashton

Everbound
by Brodi Ashton

Expected publication:
January 22nd 2013
Publisher: Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins
Series: Everneath #2
Format: Paperback
Pages: 368
Source: Received from publisher
for review purposes
Amazon |
Book Depository

Two months ago, the Tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett.
That night, Nikki's boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice.

All Nikki wants is to save Jack before it's too late.
All Cole wants is to find his queen - and he thinks Nikki is the one.

Both determined, both desperate, Nikki and Cole form a tense alliance, leading them on a dangerous journey to The Heart of The Everneath.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
I was so happy, when I got the chance to read this early! Especially since there was that huge cliffhanger in the first book.
Surely you remember the cliffhanger, where Jack took Nikki's place and ended up in The Tunnels? The dark, unpleasant place, you remember that? Well, Jack is still there, and the main goal is to get Jack out of the tunnels. So Nikki and Cole decide to team up!
And boy, what a team they make. I mean actual lip contact once in a while. I was just jumping up and down cause I was so happy!! I actually thought they would already forget about Jack and leave him rot in The Tunnels, but NAH!!11
And "NAH" because even though everything was awesome in the beginning of the story and even during, things ended up pretty.. bad.

And what do I mean by "bad"? I mean TOTAL BETRAYAL!!!! And I mean betrayal by the author. Because I can't blame Cole for anything that went on. Because two things happened: 1) Author had to break up the triangle, and what's the easiest way? The other guy does something stupid/evil/both. BUT WHY COLE!? and 2) many times second book ends up being just a "filler", and in the end I got the feeling this was just a little detour before the actual goal. Detour that ruined Cole!!11

Okay, I may be a little upset because of the situation Cole, but I try to think positive. Maybe that whole thing is a scam. Yes, in my heart I have to believe that so I won't loose my positive POV.
And I just have to mention this: the cover is breath taking, absolutely corgeus, absolutely love it!

To sum it up: Again, great read, but just can't beat the first book.

Reaction by Jessica Roberts

Reaction
by Jessica Roberts

Published: November 5th 2012
Publisher: S/P
Format: Ebook
Series: Reflection #2
Source: Received from author
for review purposes
Amazon / UK |

Harmony…

I’ve previously had that in my life, but only once, briefly, a while ago. It was during the time I’d started my first year of college. My own apartment, a new old car, and a life free of deadbeat stepfathers, all of which was fulfilling enough. But if it wasn’t, I also had a best friend, soul mate, and boyfriend all in one.
Yes, life was near perfect.

But one stormy night can change everything…

For many months I rested in a prolonged sleep, fighting for my life. Well, more than fighting for it, also dreaming of it. Dreaming of him.
Thank goodness, the dream is over and I’m back in the real world now. And all I want is for everything to return to the way it was. But nothing’s the same; most of all, us.

Once again, I find myself at the crossroads of a ruthless battle, this time not for life, but love.
Do I fight for the guy I twice fell for, or do I let her take him away?

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
I read the first book, Reflection, for a blog tour (read the review here!), and guess what happened after I was finished?
Like a good little stalker blogger I started stalking the author visited author's homepage and sent her a review request for the second book. I think it was 9 pm, and I should've went to bed, since I had to work next morning, but of course I was glued to my computer, hitting F5 over and over again. And then!, the author replied to my message AND sent me the second book! Which I started devouring right away and missed my good night sleep.

Anyhow, the first book ended with a huge cliffhanger (with the new girl and stuff, read the first book), and like the cover says, the dream is over and reality begins. Heather is released from the hospital and it's time to go on with the life. But how can you do that, when your boyfriend is engaged to someone else and you have no idea what to do with your life?

Luckily, Heather has Creed by her side all the way through. He was by her side the whole time she was in coma, and he even gets her a new place to live in. And it's obvious Creed wants more than just to be friends (especially when there's some lip contact going on), and I definitely would've have wanted to see more of that! Creed is always there for her, but she just doesn't like him that way. Darn! Definitely wanted more for these two!

Then there's Nick. Like said, he's now engaged to someone else and seems quite happy with his life. Then there's ups and downs, and guess how everything end?
Of course it's pretty obvious how things end, but I just wished there was more emotional turmoil, so to speak. More cat fights, heat, you name it! Paige, Nick's bride to be, definitely should've been more active and fight for her guy. And Heather should've done the same, because that's entertainment!
Not talking Jerry Springer- kind of stuff, but a little more drama and action would've been nice.

Aaaand there was one part I just so did not like. Just bugged the hell out of me:

After an unknown length of time, we were still cuddled on his bed, my lips swollen from his ministrations. Beats me how our clothes were still mostly in place with the hunger and lust and deeply moving love that accompanied our tumble in his bed.
My virtue hung on a thread but it was still intact, as much as we pushed the limits. It would stay that way until I was legally and completely his. As contradicting as it may have seemed, it was a matter of our love and admiration for each other. He saw my innocence as beautiful and perfect, and he would take it with his promise to me. I saw his promises to love and cherish me forever as beautiful and perfect, and I would give him my innocence then, happily—and very enthusiastically…. The ambience in the little shed lent itself to magic and tenderness.

Holy shit, that's just.. bull. Both of these people are over 20 years old, there's really no need to lecture.

Overall, almost as enjoyable as the first book, that whole mini-lecture just bugged me so much, I just wanted to forget the whole book. Which is crazy, but what can you do?

pst, there's Reflection banners!

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
by Jennifer E. Smith

Published: January 2nd 2012
Publisher: Poppy/Little Brown
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 236
Source: Borrowed from library
Amazon / UK |
Book Depository

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?


Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
I got flue! So this review might be painful to read, but I'll try to find some sane thought I had about this book when I first read it. Damn you, person who doesn't take notes whilst reading!

I'm definitely having some trouble with this review. Okay, a lot (and the flue is not the only one to blame)! On the other hand this book was what the synopsis promises, cute, refreshing, fun romance! But mostly it's about family and the family drama surrounding Hadley's life. I mean, there's just drama, drama, drama!

And oh, the name! Gosh, I just hate that name. It really is a monster I keep forgetting nonstop. I read Finnish translation, and it has just as awful name. Yeah, definitely not a fan. Though I must admit, when I remembered it, it was intriguing and made me want to read this. But like I said, this wasn't so much about the statistical probability of love at first sight, but about family drama.

And I did enjoy the whole family drama, and totally understood Hadley's pain and anger, but guess I just expected more uplifting story. Sorry, now it's time to go to bed, so no time for deeper analysis.

Slide by Jill Hathaway

Slide
by Jill Hathaway

Published: March 27th 2012
Publisher:Balzer + Bray
for HarperCollins
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 250
Series: Slide #1
Source: Borrowed
Amazon / UK |
Book Depository

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth - her sister's friend Sophie didn't kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn't actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else's mind and experiences the world through that person's eyes.
She's slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed "friend" when she slid into her during a school dance.
But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie's slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can't bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police.
Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting distant lately, especially now that she's been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
I've only seen this around like million times so it was about time for me to read it too. And I really liked the synopsis, 'cause the basic idea is pretty intriguing.
Vee is "narcoleptic", though in this case narcoleptic means "slides into someone else's head". It's pretty unpleasant, since she has no idea how to control it, and sees it more like a curse than a gift. And things turn from bad to worse when she accidentally ends up witnessing a murder through the killer's eyes. She has no idea who the killer is, but she's pretty sure her little sister is the next victim. She decides to find the killer and save her sister.
Along the way she manages to take control over her powers, but also wreck some relationships.

Okay, first I was going to give this 4 cupcakes, but as I started writing this, I changed it to 3.5 cupcakes. Because the more I started analyzing this, the more I started to notice some things I wasn't such a huge fan.
First, I really liked the slide- thing, but after a while, I started wondering if there's a reason why Vee doesn't use her "power" in her advantage, or hasn't she realize the possibilities? Well, she was just a little slow, and didn't realize the possibilities.
Other than her little slowness, I did like Vee. She's pretty much a loner, after everything that happened with her cheerleader friends (the same old story, used to be a cheerleader, her friends turned out to be bunch of b*tches etc., the usual way how people end up as loners, at least in books). She has one good friend, Rollins, but he's in love with Vee and that kind of complicates things. Don't worry, that's not really a spoiler, because it's so obvious. He starts acting like a jealouse crazy person the moment Vee starts talking with another boy, Zane.
It was really hard to decide which boy I liked more, because.. well, I liked both. And both had some huge dark secrets that end up causing some huge problems with their relationship with Vee. Though the other one is hiding some pretty bad secrets, but in the end, they're both great guys. Unfortunately Vee never didn't have to choose, because the author took the easy way out, meaning something horrible happens to one of these guys.

Plot was great, but like I mentioned earlier, Vee was pretty slow, meaning there was some very obvious things that took quite long for Vee to notice.
But it still managed to be pretty intense in occasions, even scary. Want to know the part where I jumped off my seat cause I got so scared? This is embarrassing, but here we go..

In my room, I snap on the light, and brightness blinds me. A face captures my attention in the corner of the room, but when I look, I realize it's only the face of the angel on the Smashing Pumpkins T-shirt.

I know, it's now official, I'M A WUSS. But the plot got so intense and then came along that part and I started screaming "OH NO NO NO THERE'S SOMEONE IN HER ROOM!!!!" and nearly started crying. First time ever when I'm scared of a t-shirt. In a book. Yeah, t-shirts are just scary. Time to change the subject.

If I had to compare this book to anything I've read before, I'd have to choose The Body Finder series, which has the somewhat same spirit and the whole "falling-in-love-with-my-best-friend"- thing also going on, though I must admit it was executed better in The Body Finder (..and in TBF, the main character is called Vi. Just saying). In this things were left open and the ending with Rollins was quite.. odd, in the sense of "Look at me, I'm ringing your doorbell after this long time and we're best friends again, let's play Pictionary!". Well, not exactly, but almost.
Plus, Vee chose to dye her hair back and loose the pink colour! No no no. You should have stayed pink, that's all I'm saying.

So, I'm not the biggest fan, but I still managed to enjoy this. And I did read this in one night, so it really wasn't bad! There just was occasionally some moments that made me wonder why Vee is so slow, because hey, they were just so obvious.

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

Between the Lines
by Jodi Picoult and
Samantha van Leer

Published: June 26th 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Format: Ebook
Pages: 352
Series: -
Source: Provided by Simon Pulse
for review purposes
Amazon |
Book Depository

What happens when happily ever after... isn’t?

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book — one book in particular.
Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.

Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
This really wasn't what I expected! I haven't read anything from Picoult before, but got few of her books on my tbr- pile, and this definitely was something different. At first, I was quite shocked, 'cause I wasn't sure if the story was ever going to be anything but a sappy fairytale.

Luckily, this wasn't the case. We get to meet Delilah, a girl who spends her time reading books. Especially one particular book, over and over again, called "Between the Lines". She knows it's a book for little kids, but she's hooked to happily ever after. And she feels like the prince talks to her. Until one day, he actually does.
After this begins an endless fight to free the prince from the story so he could have a happily ever after with Delilah.

This really was a cute story, and really unique! I especially loved the pictures! It's been a while since I read something with pictures, and it was quite refreshing and gave the feel of a real storybook, even when I was actually reading an ebook.

Every other chapter was from the storybook and every other told from Oliver's or Delilah's POV. I must admit I found myself skipping the storybook chapters, because I couldn't wait to find out what happens next with Oliver and Delilah! And I did prefer Oliver's POV. There's no one good reason why this happened, but it probably had something to do with the fact that Delilah seemed many times like a whackjob! If you have a magical talking storybook, you don't tell about it to anyone. Because you will look like a crazy person and end up in seeing some shrink. I just hate that kind of embarrasment.

I did like both character, but the suffering prince was more to my taste. He's been forced to be certain character for his whole life, when he clearly doesn't enjoy it and just wants to be free.
Delilah does feel she's in the same situation, that she just doesn't belong to her life and is escaping to books. She's an outsider and doesn't really have friends. This does give certain hope to younger readers who feel like they're in the same situation. Just wait, you'll get your prince! ;)

I also love how this book suits to both younger and older readers (and I'm obviously quite a young reader. Just FYI.). I can't wait for this to be published in Finnish so I can get a copy for my little girl. Or we'll just have to wait until she can 1) read and 2) knows English. But I know she'll love the pictures when she's younger, and the story when she grows up.


Thanks to Simon Pulse for providing a review copy!

All These Lives by Sarah Wylie

All These Lives
by Sarah Wylie

Published: June 5th 2012
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Format: Ebook
Pages: 272
Series: -
Source: From NetGalley for
review
Amazon |
Book Depository

Sixteen-year-old Dani is convinced she has nine lives. As a child she twice walked away from situations where she should have died.
But Dani’s twin, Jena, isn’t so lucky. She has cancer and might not even be able to keep her one life. Dani’s father is in denial. Her mother is trying to hold it together and prove everything’s normal. And Jena is wasting away.

To cope, Dani sets out to rid herself of all her extra lives. Maybe they’ll be released into the universe and someone who wants to live more than she does will get one. Someone like Jena.
But just when Dani finds herself at the breaking point, she’s faced with a startling realization. Maybe she doesn’t have nine lives after all. Maybe she really only ever had one.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
The main reason I got so interested in this book, was the deal with the nine lives. I wasn't sure if it meant something paranormal, but I hoped so, at least a little. Well, it didn't really work that way, but I still wasn't disappointed with the story.

I haven't really read many cancer book because they probably are pretty depressing. And life can be pretty depressing even without cancer, so prefer not reading about it.
So this was my first one of those, but luckily this book didn't concentrate that much to Jena's cancer but more to her twin sister, Dani, and how she handles her sisters illness.
Well, she really doesn't. In one point of her life someone told her that cat has nine lives and after cat losts one, that life gets freed and it ends up with someone who needs it more. And since she's survived unlike situations earlier, she's convinced her life is like a cats, with extra eight lives. And she's two down, seven to go.
After testing her theory, she notises Jena's feeling better. So she ends up putting herself in danger, time after time, just to save her sister. Until it might be too late to hold on to her last life.

Dani loves her sister more than anything but doesn't really let other people near her. She's sarcastic, snarky and even bitchy at times, but that just made me love her! Probably cause I love sarcasm and every other sentence coming out of my mouth are sarcastic, even though it annoys many people.. But what can you do.

If my review was based solely on the main character, I would have to give 5 cupcakes, no questions asked. But since it's not..
I felt kind of iffy with the whole nine lives- thing. I would've loved it if there was any paranormal element, but in the real life? You just have to wonder if she's really in this world. You know, mentally and all..
And I felt the story was left uncomplete, because we never really get to know what happens with the cute guy. Love the story leading to romance, but wished there were some romantic scenes or something.
This book definitely left me wanting to know more, but unfortunately there won't be more. And that makes me sad, but what can you do.


Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for providing a review copy!

Ordained Blog Tour + Giveaway (INT)!

Ordained
by Devon Ashley

Published: March 25th 2012
Format: Ebook
Pages: 332
Series: The Immortal Archives #1
Source: From author for review
Amazon

Normally, the school creates the hunters - not the monsters.

Abby Sorrensten likes to play rough. Ripping the horns off the foreheads of demons, manipulating lightning and setting things on fire with the flick of your wrist can give you a serious rush.
So she probably wasn’t the best choice for the Order’s experimental training program. Thirteen years of isolation, lack of affection and a bruised and broken body from horrendous training sessions creates more than just an exceptional fighter.

It creates an evil within - an evil responsible for several deaths the night she left.

Two hundred years later Abby resurfaces as the very thing the Order trained her to kill: a vampire.

A mythical demon has set his sights on the school and only the ordained hunter has the powers to face it. Unbeknownst to the Order, Abby’s their precious ordained one and their only chance for survival.

As much as she would love to leave them hanging, she’s not willing to risk the life of Emily, a fellow friend and hunter also fed up with the organization.

But for Abby, locking herself away in a fortress with angry descendents of those she killed causes suspicions and tensions to run high. Abby must learn the demon’s weaknesses for battle before the Order learns hers.

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
Ordained is a book about vampires, but it really isn't your typical vampire story. Our main character is Abby, who is somewhat lunatic, if you wanna put it nicely. She definitely holds a grudge against the Order, but you can't really blame her, since the Order raised her to be a hunter in the most extreme ways. You could really call an experiment gone wrong.
Little do they know she's the one who holds the key to their fate.



As mentioned, Abby is our main character. She's really complexed and if it wasn't for her husband, she'd probably be on a killing spree in a blink of an eye. The Order raised her to hunt vampires, but after living over two hundred years, she doesn't stop there, but hunts also demons. And as you probably guessed, she's vampire herself. There's even more to her than that, but I don't want to spoil it for you. Let's just say her parents weren't exactly ordinary either.
Abby definitely is an interesting character, but she wasn't really my favorite.

Because my favorite is Emily! I actually thought at first Emily is the main character. I'm not sure why I made that assumption. Guess I just fell in love with her the second I met her. She has this fierce nature and she's stubborn and loyal and she's just so passionate. I suppose those are the qualities I appreciate in people.
I was warned this book wouldn't be one of those romance-filled books, but I couldn't help hoping that Emily would meet someone. Especially when Abby's married to Noel, it just seems unfair! Pretty twisted logic there, but what can you do!

Then there's the Order. They're training vampire hunters, but there's something so off about them! This book paints them as the bad guy, and I think that's pretty fair. And there was so many questions left open in the end. Especially the question.. there's only few hunters, why not train them properly and why not send them out in groups?!

I was quite surprised when I noticed the story was told from several point of views. I have to admit, it took me a while to really get into it. I was actually half way through the book until I finally got it.
Before that I felt kind of distant to the story and the characters, but then the action really started and I couldn't stop reading. And there really is a lot of action and that's probably why I had so much trouble to focus in the story. I usually prefer books concentrated on people's thoughts and emotions, and want to know every little detail behind their actions. But in the end I did manage to get lost in the story mainly because some of the secrets were revealed and there's even more action!
There's also some funny moments, and since I really appreciate a good laugh, I enjoyed the book even more.

So, whether you're an action lover or an emotion dweller (it definitely is a word!), you definitely should check this out!

There will be lots of giveaways, since Devon will be giving away paperbacks, ebooks and signed bookmarks. So make sure to check out the Ordained Blog Tour page! And I got one of the ebooks to pass on!


.. and now it's time for the GIVEAWAY!

RULES

• Our dearest author Devon is giving away one electronic copy of Ordained!


• You can participate by filling in the form below, you need to be a follower to participate.
  
  
• This giveaway is open internationally.
  
  
• The winner has 72 hours to reply my email, or there will be a new winner chosen.
  
  
• The giveaway will end on July 7th at 23:59 (GMT+2)
  
  

The giveaway is closed!