Tear You Apart by Sarah Cross

Everyone wants their life to be a fairytale right? Wrong in Beau Rivage they live them, all of them. From the classics Cinderella, and Snow White, to the more obscure of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. This story focuses on the newest incarnation of Snow White, Viv. She has known her huntsman for years, falling in love with him before she knew his fate. Now he must make his decision, to let her go to be rescued by another, or to kill her and keep her heart. While she waits his decision, fate takes a strange twist and she meets someone who she isn't supposed to meet until she dies, her Prince.
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This is apparently the second in a series but I read it without knowing it. That being said it makes a good stand alone novel, meaning it makes sense without having read the book before it. The world is incredible, I love how all of the fairy tales I know are included, along with ones I've never heard of.
The characters are so incredibly varied, carrying traits of their curses, while also being unique. As an example I love how Viv isn't just a damsel in distress, she does her best to make sure her fate is in her hands. No matter what the cost.

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

Alienated by Melissa Landers

This book was recommended to my by Tess. G, thank you so much for commenting I really appreciate it.

Two years ago they gave us a cure for cancer, now they're sending students to live her. This is the first  step in an alliance with the L'eihr. Three L'eihr students in the home of three regular human families. Clara sees this as a golden opportunity, a full ride, and an all access pass to the story of a lifetime. Alyex on the other hand sees this as a jail sentence and he and his friends have a plan not to be stuck her for an entire year.

Loved, loved loved this book! It is everything I hoped How To Date An Alien would be and wasn't. The L'eihr are so well developed with a culture all their own. With customs and traditions, and super incredible technology. I also loved the characters, how the L'eihr students woke up for lack of a better word and felt emotions that their people hadn't in decades.

This was an incredible, can't put down, story. Thank you again Tess G.

Prison Nation by Jenni Merritt

Millie 942B is about to be released into the Nation after eighteen years of imprisonment. The reason she was in prison is because she was born there. Her parents are the criminals, but as a jail baby she's in the system until her eighteenth birthday. In the Nation the good, and the strong are free, now Millie is to be released and join them. However she doesn't know if being free is really all it's cracked up to be.

Truth and the distortion of it is one of the main themes of this book. How Millie is told that the truth is what will keep her  out of prison and free. But the truths that are told to her are distorted, and changed.

A book that makes you think, is a book you will remember. And this is one that I will definitely remember. If the U.S.A. ever gets to this point. I don't think I'd stay.


This book makes you stop and think. What is freedom? Is the truth what will set you free?

Five by Christie Rich

 Rayla's thought her life was finally begining when she goes to college. When really it's just going crazy, well completely ending. Now she's discovered that she's an Elemental, as such the Fae Lords are after her. Also her best friend can see the fae, but she thinks she's going crazy. Now all she has to do is keep from being kidnapped and and survive her freshman year. Easy right?

I love how this brings out the dark nature of fae that is so common in the old lore. Not just sparkles and pixie dust, but an enchanting land, divided houses, and everything that makes fantasy so very wonderful. The characters are wonderfully developed, and dynamic, that sneaky sneaky Zach. It's wonderfully written and I look forward to the rest of the series.

Manga Classics Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and SunNeko Lee

A retelling of the classic story Les Miserables full of love, and tragedy, and violence, and hope, and so many things.  Step in to meet Jean Valjean, Fantine, Inspector Javert, Cosette, and Marius. They will touch your heart and make you fall in love with them and their struggles.

Not going to lie, having had friends who preformed in this play I'm a bit biased to this story. And this interpretation nailed it.

There is a reason this book is a classic, and I am so happy that it was made in to a manga. It makes it a lot more accessible to read. While preserving everything that makes this a wonderful story. The character illustrations are spot on. You see the changes that befall the characters in a way that can only be done in manga.

This book will be available for purchase on August 12 2014. I will post a reminder as the date gets closer.

This book was given to my by NetGalley for my review which I freely and honestly give.

68 & Climbing by Kate Douglas

Annamarie Weston has built her design company from the ground up, now a major order could make or break her company. There's only one problem, the construction crew next door. Every time the temperature hits 68 degrees the shirts come off, and the girls get distracted. When Annamarie goes to confront the problem she gets lost in him instead.

This book was not my cup of tea. Don't get me wrong I enjoy a good sex scene but that seems to be the main part of this book. The characters really don't develop, aren't super interesting, and the plot is just humdrum and boring.

The only reason I finished this book is because I received it from NetGalley otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.

This book was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

Mardock Scrambler by Tow Ubukata

Rune Balot wanted to die until she was taken off the street and her life was given meaning by Shell. It was just an ordinary day when he turned on her and tried to murder her. She was saved, but not entirely her skin was no longer skin, and she no longer had a voice of her own. Now she has a choice held end the man who killed her or end herself.

My boyfriend had gotten this manga for me from Minicon. Since it looked like something I would really enjoy and I did. I loved every character in the manga and I can't wait to see how they develop over the series. Also I really enjoyed the abilities of the different characters and I hope they add more characters with powers soon.

Small Town Superhero by Cheree Alsop

Growing up in a big city Kelson is in for a big shock when he moves to Sparrow. After his family was ripped apart he comes to live with his aunt and uncle in a town that is ruled by a gang of high school bullies. Something Kelson is not about to just take like everyone else has been. He is going to stop it, but they don't have to know who's going to.

I liked this book, not a favorite but still a good book. It reminds me of most action movies. Lots of very graphic fight scenes, and glorification of the hero's violence, but hating the bad guys. All and all it's a good book. Just a tiny bit too graphic.

I received this book compliments of NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

Jacob, King of Portalia by Casey Clubb

All Jacob wants is to blend in, play in the orchestra, and not to have his secret found out. For the last several years he and his best friend Sammy have spent his birthday weekend in the clubhouse his father built. This year whilst playing a new song for Sammy something strange happened. A portal to another land appeared, the land where Jacobs father was from. Where he was also king and now as his father has died Jacob must take over the kingship from his uncle. Simple enough right?

I really enjoy that this book is about overcoming fears about who you are and fears in gereral. Also that it's a book geared towards preteens/ teens about being gay and as an LGBT ally I love it and think more books should be this brave and write about this. Every character in this has a major character flaw, and they work so hard to better themselves because of it.

This is a great book for middle school and up. It touches on some very sensitive subjects. Such as coming out as gay, and being who you truly are. This books shows Jacob's pain and emotions very clearly making it powerful and very realistic.

I received this books compliments of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

 This book is going to be released on September  16. I'll post a heads up as the date gets closer.

Reckless Games by MJ Lowel

Lucy's world was turned upside down when her father committed suicide. However, Lucy doesn't believe he would kill himself and believes his death is a murder. So she starts hunting for clues to his death, and her biggest clue is multiple phone calls to a Rhys Carlyle. During her investigation of Rhys she accidentally foils an attempt on Rhys's life. When he becomes interested in her things quickly get out of hand. Will she be able to handle him, and more importantly will she find her fathers killer?

I was addicted to this book from the second I started. It was captivating, the characters are wonderfully done. I love amount of back story there is in order to give the main characters depth. The plot moved along quickly and keeps you interested, there was one twist that I guessed very early on, but I did have to question my assumption a couple of times.

This book also left me with questions, but in a good way. Such as I'd enjoy a sequel, or just a book that's written in the same place but from someone else's point of view.

Just a heads up there are several explicit scenes of a sexual nature if that isn't your thing you probably shouldn't read this book.

This book is going to be available for purchase on July 29th. I will post a link to where you can get it once it comes out.


I received Reckless Games compliments of Net Galley for my honest review which is freely given.

BookTubeA-Thon, Challenge number 5.

This was my book from a genera I haven't read very much of this year.I chose The Man In The Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas Pere. It's a classic book so I'm not going to do a review of it, seeing as most people will either read it in school, watch the movie, or never read it.

This is an installment of the Three Musketeers series, it's good but it reminds me why I hardly read classics. They are long, mostly boring, and hard to understand.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

A young girl winds up in the magical land of Oz by means of a tornado. A land with strange creatures and ruled by witches and the great wizard, but all Dorothy wants is to go home. Upon arrival she is told to go to the great and powerful Wizard because he may be the only one with the power to get her home. With her faithful dog Toto by her side and silver slippers on her feet she heads down the yellow brick road. To meet the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion and to find the Wizard, and her way back home.

This is a book I haven't read since in a long time. I actually barely remembered the beginning of the story but the last five or six chapters kinda started coming back to me. I can see how this book captured children's imaginations, it's wonderful and creative. Even if you've seen the movie the book has more to offer you.


This book completes my read the book and watch the movie. Normally I hate watching a movie if I like the book, but this is one that I've watched before I'm not biased to it.

Princess Ai by Courtney Love and D.J. Milky

 Ai is lost and alone not only in a new town, but on a brand new planet. If that wasn't hard enough all she remembers is her name, when she meets Kent a sweet unassuming guy who might just be what she needs. Searching for her past while finding her voice, and making everyone love her.

As I read the complete edition containing the entire trilogy this covers two more of my challenges for BookTubeAThon. It covers a book with pictures, and a complete series.



Making this three challenges down four to go and four days left. Sounds like a piece of cake right?

Dorthy Must Die by Danielle Paige

You've watched the movie and possibly read the books, Dorothy goes to Oz slays the wicked witch, goes home and it's all happily ever after. Well not quite, Dorothy cam back and now to say Oz is terrible is too nice of a word. Enter Amy Gumm the other girl from Kansas, and she's here to kill Dorothy and to set Oz right again.

I absolutely loved this book! This new take on an old classic is refreshing and incredibly well done. All of our favorite characters have been twisted to a point where they're terrifying but still recognizable and the new characters fit in so well. Danielle did a great job of keeping true to the world of Oz while keeping true to the original.


This book fufills one of my challenges for the BookTubeAThon. The challenge of reading a book with red on the cover.

And her is said cover:

 Not much red but it still counts! Besides I just got it and it just begged me to read it.

BookTubeA-Thon 2014

I have decided to take part in the BookTubeAThon. I know I'm a little bit late considering it started Monday but I feel I'll be able to do it even starting late.

The challenges:

Read A Book With Pictures: Insert random manga here

Start and Finish a Series: Possibly the Inkheart series or the significance series, one or the other

Read A book with red on the cover: Dorthy Must Die.

Read A book that someone has recommended: Ready Player One

Read a book out of the genera that you've read the least this year: Something by Jane Austin

Read a book and watch the book to movie adaptation: Either  a Harry Potter or Hunger Games

Read at least 7 books or an average of 300 pages a day.

Alright even starting late I've completed one challenge and I feel I can knock some of the others out in short succession but we'll see. I'll let you know as I accomplish them :D

How To Date An Alien by Magan Vernon

All Alex has ever wanted was to attend Columbia university and earn her major in English. However you don't get into an ivy league school without extracurriculars. So Alex is of to Circe operations base for the summer as an intern and her world is about to be turned upside down. Once on base she learns not only aliens are real but they are the reason for Circe. Despite everyone telling her that it's not safe she starts to fall for an alien
 Besides how bad can it get?

I liked this book it's cute and quirky. The main characters are interesting and their relationship isn't just fall in love instantly. The work together, get to know each other, then it progresses naturally which is a refreshing change.

To all of the people who compare the main couple to Twilight, I respect your opinion but have to disagree. Alex is not pathetic and useless when anything goes wrong, she is strong and intelligent and it's displayed throughout the book. Also Ace is not controlling, or obsessive over her. Their relationship is a much healthier one than Twilight which is textbook abusive.

As I previously stated I respect your opinion but I disagree.

The House of Rose by T.T. Escurel

Princess Astra is the last of her family at the beginning of the age of the crow. She must wake her fiancee to stop the army from the House of Crow. However getting kidnapped by Corvus of the House of Crow was not in the plans. Will the age of Crow come about or will Astra be able to prevent it?

"The roses will wither on the branch, the cups will run dry and the stars will fall from the sky in the age of the crow..." When you start with a prophecy like that, the story just couldn't go too far wrong. And this story went right in every way possible. Playing off classic fairytale and setting it a generation in the future with fairies. It's just wonderful and I really want  to read the next book.

Emerald City by J.A. Beard

After her parents die in a car crash Gail is sent to Osland Academy by her aunt and uncle. With major technology issues such as cell phones and email not working. Something is also blocking all curse words from being said or even typed. When things start going weird Gail, her bubble headed roommate Lydia, a cowardly victim of the school bullies Leandra and the head bully's heartless boyfriend Nick have to figure out what's going on and how to stop it.

The title makes you think of the iconic Wizard of Oz, and while there are references it's very different with magic and romance and teenagers and a complete lack of munchkins. This story was nonstop excitement and twists and turns. The characters are wonderful and developed and unique.

I loved this book and the sequel they are just both so very good, also I can't wait until the final book comes out this fall.

Freaking Freak by Jon Jacks

Everyone wants to be adored, to be beautiful or handsome, but how much would you be willing to give up to have it? Jill will pay the ultimate price for her vanity.

This book was so very weird, but in a good way. With twists and turns in nearly every chapter it's hard to figure out exactly whats happening, when you really don't until the end of the book. It's interesting and so weird. A good book to read if you can't seem to find what you're craving at the moment.

Betrothal by Mande Mathews

Lady Guinevere and King Aurthur are part of an age old love triangle. However it's not quite what you think, Guinevere loves Lancelot and not Aurthur. It's time to learn her story and how she became queen of Camelot.

I love historical fiction especially when it's accurate to the time and this is wonderfully so. I loved Guinevere getting a back story and a personality, something she doesn't have way too much of in the source material. I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here.

As it's an episodic series I may or may not review more of the stories depending on if they'd have any spoilers.

Widow, Virgin, Whore by Deanna Lynn Sletton

Kathrine lost her husband a year ago and has decided to embark on a new adventure with her best friend Denise, and her sister Darla. Living together with Darla's wild antics seems at first like it will be too much to bear but when Darla is forced to change her ways due to AIDS she almost misses her antics. Learning from Darla and the friends she makes what makes life worth living and the true fickle nature of time.

This story is one that you can't read lightly. It isn't a happy feel good story. It's one that will make you sad, make you question and maybe even make you cry. The story may not be a true one but it is similar to those that are and helps grow the awareness.

To say that I liked this story almost feels like blasphemy in a way, but I did. It was extremely well written, I feel in love with the characters, and hurt when they did.

This is a story I believe everyone should read, no matter where they are in life. It's something that will give them perspective.

In Spades by K. Pinson

Avalynn was beaten and abused by her father but risked his wrath to save her baby sister. Now all that's left of him are scars and haunting memories. Doing her best to rise above the past Ava starts to let Dax into her safe world. Will he be able to make her realize she deserves love?

I loved this book but the ending... it was so intense and I want to know what happens next. Since as you've probably guessed it was a cliffhanger. Personally I enjoy cliffhangers when I have the next book ready to be started, if not I don't enjoy them quite as much.

The characters are so wide and varied from sweet little Abby to shy and scared Avalynn and everyone in between. Making your heartstrings tug and fall in love with their quirks. It was a good story now I need the second book to find out what happens next.

A Quest of Heros by Morgan Rice

Thorgrin is the youngest of four has always wanted to join the knights in the fight to protect the Ring. Despite having never ventured beyond his fathers land. However after not being chosen he takes it upon himself to reach for his dreams and break a few laws while his at it. Getting involved in affairs of the court and attempting to learn to control his new found powers. His life is just starting to get interesting.

This is a very fast paced story with intriguing characters if a slightly confusing storyline. Everything seems to happen at once so the fast pace of the story is a slight detriment to the story, if only for the fact that it makes it confusing. However it's still a good story.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

I typically hate reviewing a book that is in the middle of media/ popularity explosion purely for the fact that if I don't agree with the fan culture it may end up very poorly for me. However I really do like it and feel realitively safe that I won't get spammed. So here it is!


For those of you who haven't yet heard of the basic plot here it is! For most of her life Hazel has know how see would die. From the cancer that she has been given a brief respite of it's deadly progression. When her parents think she need "socialization" she attends a support group of cancer survivors she meets Augustus Waters. Thanks to him life is about to get a lot more interesting.

This book is raw and it feels real. The emotions that Hazel experiences knowing that she's going to die, how she feels about her parents interferences, and Augustus. The characters are a type that you don't really see often dealing with things that are so hard to portray correctly. John has done an amazing job with it.

As for the movie well we'll see. I do and don't want to see it, however since John Green made a comment in his vlog that it was good and true to the book. So it may be worth it. I'll let you know if I watch it and if so how good it is :D

Concealed in Shadows by Gabrielle Arrowsmith

Set roughly 19 years into the future where America has been divided into counties, where once you're in you don't leave. Due to the chips everyone receives and the barrier that shocks everyone who attempts to cross it. Our protagonist Sydney is one of the few that risks her life to get out of the county to see the world but now she has to be careful as she's trying to gain custody of her sister. When it looks like everything is going her way the only thing that could happen is something go wrong.

Loved loved loved this book! I immediately got the equal and loved it as well (just a note as it would be hard to talk about without revealing spoilers I won't be doing a review on it here). This book shows an interesting family dynamic through clever dialogue and flashbacks. And the world that has been created is phenomenal. With complex governments and incredible technology it's somewhere that would be terrible but amazing to live in. It shows that most people are okay with almost anything if it's easy and convenient for them, where very few will challenge the status quo.

I got off on a little rant there but let me know what you think. Do you think most people follow the crowd and just accept or do they challenge and do what they have to to just be themselves?

Happy Fourth of July!

Today is July fourth and in my part of the world that means its Independence day. Most people celebrate this holiday with food, family, and fireworks but I'm going to celebrate it by talking about books that have been banned and challenged. Why? Because America is supposedly a nation of the free and we should be free to read whatever we would like.

Books that have been banned are taken out of schools or libraries because someone doesn't like the message that they send. Challenged books are books that have received formal complaints because of their content. But why? Shouldn't we the public be able to decide what we want to read for ourselves and not have to listen to a small minority?

Some of the books that have been banned or challenged:
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Looking For Alaska by John Green
and Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

And many more. Books are challenged because they go against the social norm. Harry Potter was challenged because "they promote witchcraft, are too dark and they set bad examples". When Chronicles of Narnia wasn't because it had strong Christian undertones. Other books are challenged because they're sexually explicit, have drug references, or homosexuality. This is not something we should ban and hide it's part of our culture and our nature we should embrace these books and learn what they have to teach us.

I'm going to celebrate Independence Day by reading a banned book what about you?

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Miles never really had any friends, he was a good kid averaged good grades but life was boring he craved a great perhaps. Something that would define and change his life so he decides to go to boarding school. Cold Water Creek boarding school to be exact and his life defiantly takes a twist though not exactly how he expects it to. He meets Alaska Young and everything goes right and wrong at the exact same time.

I've been a fan of John Green for awhile now even though I've only recently read any of his books. I originally found him through YouTube. Specially Crash Course and educational channel he does with his brother Hank. He also does Mental Floss. Both are super awesome if you like learning stuff and you should. Anyway on to the book!

I decided to read this book mostly because James suggested it and as he's never had me read a bad book. So I read it and such a good book with so many feels. He made me empathize with both Miles and Alaska having been in both of their shoes at different points in my life and instead of a cliche ending he continued past the tragedy with how the survivors struggled on after. It's just a really good book and deserves every ounce of praise it's been given.

And in the words of John and Hank Green: Don't Forget To Be Awesome.

His Brother's Secret by Debra Salonen

After what happened her sophomore year in college Jenna Murphy's life was turned on its head. Her innocence ripped away in the most brutal way possible, she was raped. Now she has mostly recovered from the tragedy but still keeps men at an arms length. Until she meets Shane for the first time since college. What she doesn't know is that Shane has had a crush on her since college and knows a secret about what happened to her and has kept it for the past six years.

This book talks about a very sensitive issue rape. Specifically the way people with influence tend to get away with it. It is handled very beautifully keeping the emotional aspect very real and at some points very raw. While developing the characters in ways that you don't expect.