Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Infinite Days

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Book: Infinite Days (Vampire Queen #1)
Author: Rebecca Maizel

Blurb:
Lenah Beaudonte is, in many ways, your average teen: the new girl at Wickham Boarding School, she struggles to fit in enough to survive and stand out enough to catch the eye of the golden-boy lacrosse captain. But Lenah also just happens to be a recovering five-hundred-year-old vampire queen. After centuries of terrorizing Europe, Lenah is able to realize the dream all vampires have -- to be human again. After performing a dangerous ritual to restore her humanity, Lenah entered a century-long hibernation, leaving behind the wicked coven she ruled over and the eternal love who has helped grant her deep-seated wish. 

Until, that is, Lenah draws her first natural breath in centuries at Wickham and rediscovers a human life that bears little resemblance to the one she had known. As if suddenly becoming a teenager weren’t stressful enough, each passing hour brings Lenah closer to the moment when her abandoned coven will open the crypt where she should be sleeping and find her gone. As her borrowed days slip by, Lenah resolves to live her newfound life as fully as she can. But, to do so, she must answer ominous questions: Can an ex-vampire survive in an alien time and place? What can Lenah do to protect her new friends from the bloodthirsty menace about to descend upon them? And how is she ever going to pass her biology midterm?
My Review:
I have been waiting forever to get my hands on this book! I had heard so many great reviews (and as a vampire-book lover I couldn’t resist). Infinite Days was a very different read, not in a bad way, but it was different because of its originality and extremely unique plotline. I found myself being sucked into the story right away; literally after only reading the first few lines, and I couldn’t put the book down till the final page. The writing was beyond amazing! It was almost indescribable at times, the way Rebecca Maizel was able to portray Lenah’s feelings and emotions; as well as showing the mere fact of a vampire becoming a human again, all the tiny details that would be involved in that transformation and everything in the aftermath is baffling—but they were ALL covered. It was remarkable being able to see her change and grow, and simply just feel again.

The novel sucked you into Lenah's mind, her emotions, which made you start to like her, even if she used to be well…kind of evil. Something that really developed this story were the flashbacks throughout the novel, giving you small glimpses into Lenah’s vampire past; which was anything but how “glamorous” vampires are portrayed today—in this world, being a vampire isn’t lavish, romantic, or cool—it is like being a stone statue feeling pain 24/7 with the only way to get rid of the pain being to kill someone; which you enjoy; for a few moments at least, until the pain takes over again. There is definitely no “vegetarian diet” in this vampire world. So, you can see why Lenah might have wanted to become human again.

The romances, the action, the twists & turns, and amazing cliffhanger made this book a 5 star rating, no questions asked. If a book can make you swoon, make your jaw drop, and make you completely forgot your surroundings for just a few moments—all by its words and storyline…well it cannot get any better than that. I would suggest this book to any vampire lover out there, as well as paranormal/YA fantasy lovers.

Rating:
*****
This book is the first in the Vampire Queen Trilogy. The second novel, Stolen Nights is expected to be published June 22nd 2011. Until then, can we just marvel at how beautiful the cover is? Yes, please!

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So so so pretty! (:

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Finally back!

Hello blog—I have missed you so much—you have no idea. So it is a little crazy around the holidays. I had Nanowrimo in November (first time doing it and only wrote 25,000 words; however that was my mini goal & I was happy to reach it, because I had never written that amount of words on one story before. It was a great experience but I am happy it is over—my sanity is thanking me haha)

Now it is December, school is almost ending—I just have finals to study for—which I currently am putting off to the side by reading the new books I got at the library. Good idea, right? Probably not.

So, while I was away I managed to read 5 books. 5 REALLY good books. I didn’t have a chance to write a formal review for them, however I am still going to give a little blurb about what I thought—as a way to catch up and start this blog once again. (Click book image for link to Goodreads.com)

Not That Kind Of Girl
By: Siobhan Vivian

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My Review: I loved this book! It was ridiculous how much I related to the main character. It had a little bit of drama here and there, and romance that will make you SWOON uncontrollably. All in all, I am adding this book to my favorites and would recommend it to anyone. This was the second book by Siobhan Vivian, her first Same Difference, was really great as well; she is definitely an author to look out for.

My Rating:
*****
The Reckoning (Darkest Powers Series 3)
By: Kelley Armstrong
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My Review:
I finally got around to finishing the series! It was so amazing—I had completely forgotten how much I loved The Darkest Powers series. The conclusion was amazing—however left some questions—which is why I was so glad to hear Kelley Armstrong has started a companion series—that will hopefully shed some light on the questions I still have. The romance was amazing, the action was heart pounding, and the girl power made me smile. Overall I was very pleased with the concluding novel in the series, and can’t wait to get my hands on The Gathering, the first novel in the Darkest Rising Series. 

Rating:
*****
The Iron King
By: Julie Kagawa
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My Review:
I was jumping up and down when I saw this on the shelf at my library (it was kind of embarrassing—but I didn’t care I have been wanting to start the Iron Fey Series FOREVER!) I have read nothing but good reviews about this book & they were all right. It was AMAZING. It was actually my first faerie novel, and I was nervous I would not like it—but I loved it & now I want to get my hands on all the other faerie books out there. The action & girl power was evident throughout the novel but the dark forbidden esc/ bad boy romance made my heart pound—you have no idea. I loved this book! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

My Rating:
*****

Shadow Hills
By: Anastasia Hopcus

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My Review:

I have heard such amazing things about this book—it has been on my wish list forever and I finally got around to reading it. It did not disappoint my high expectations. In fact it blew them away and was even better than I thought it was going to be! This novel is like no paranormal book I have read—it was different paranormal that I have ever read before, with a rich history to back it up. There is a large amount of romance and action in this book, as well as an original and relatable voice. All in all I am PRAYING this is a series because I would love to read more into this great story—I would recommend to any paranormal YA lovers!

My Rating:

*****
Glimpse
By: Carol Lynch Williams
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My Review:
Another novel in verse! I seriously am in LOVE with verse novels right now—makes me want to try writing them. This story was so dark and powerful, it made me read this book in 1 night, staying up till the sun rose to read the last word on the last page. It was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. This story was meant to be told in verse—I could never imagine reading it any other way. I have never read a novel by Carol Lynch Williams before, her other popular novel The Chosen One, has been on my wish list for some time and now I am eager to pick it up and read another great story by this great author. All in all- this book is a quick read, but feels nothing like it-you become transformed into this dark story which makes you eagerly turn the pages to find out what happens.
My Rating:
*****
So, I just realized I managed to rate all these books 5 out of 5 stars—its kind of funny but I wouldn’t rate these books any other way—I had a lucky month and was able to read some great books. Hopefully the books I picked up at the library are just as great! Happy reading!

-Jenny (: