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2013 Reading Challenge
Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) has
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New-To-Me Authors
2013 reading goal:
15 new-to-me authors.
1) Stacy Gail
2) Heather Massey
3) Sidney Bristol
4) Ann Mayburn
5) Thea Harrison
6) Virna DePaul
7) Mary Quast
8) Molly Harper
9) Eleri Stone
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Showing posts with label paranormal YA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paranormal YA. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Review: Spartan Frost by Jennifer Estep
Spartan Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Publisher: Kensington
Mythos Academy #4.5
ISBN: #978-0758294777
Genre: Young Adult (Urban Fantasy), novella
Format(s): E-book
Book Source: Purchased with own funds
About the book:
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I'm Logan Quinn, the deadliest Spartan warrior at Mythos Academy. At least I was--until the day I almost killed Gwen Frost.
Professor Metis and Nickamedes say that I'm fine, that Loki and the Reapers don't have a hold on me anymore, but I can't risk it. I can't risk hurting Gwen again. So I'm leaving Mythos and going somewhere far, far away.
I know Gwen wonders what's happening to me, whether I'm safe. I can't tell her, but this is my story. . .
What G & U are talking about:
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Gikany and Una have fallen in love with the Mythos Academy series. We love Gwen and the world she inhabits. We tend to get completely caught up in the stories and lose all sense of time. Ms. Estep gives us a treat in this series with Spartan Frost – a short novella that gives us a glimpse into Login-freaking-Quinn’s mind. If you are a fan of this series, this novella is a must read!
Through this very short novella, we see how torn and broken Logan is over his betrayal of Gwen. He is still reeling from being tricked by his stepmother and bound and controlled by Loki through a necklace, which causes him to almost kill Gwen – his beloved Gypsy Girl. Spartan Frost is a bit of an emotional jaunt as we see Logan home with his father – with whom he has a broken relationship. However, we are given a glimmer of hope at the end. That is until you read the short snippet from Midnight Frost and become agitated at the peril Gwen finds herself in. Our only complaint is that it was a novella… and we just wanted more!
If you haven’t started the Mythos Academy series, you are seriously missing out. This is a series parents can read with their kids (seventh grade and up) or as an adult to enjoy. They are really just great reads.
Their Rating:
|
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Review: Viral Nation by Shaunta Grimes
Viral Nation
Author: Shaunta Grimes
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Berkley Trade
ISBN: #978-0425265130
Genre: Young Adult (Urban Fantasy)
Format(s): Paperback (320 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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After a virus claimed nearly the entire global population, the world changed. The United States splintered into fifty walled cities where the surviving citizens clustered to start over. The Company, which ended the plague by bringing a life-saving vaccine back from the future, controls everything. They ration the scant food and supplies through a lottery system, mandate daily doses of virus suppressant, and even monitor future timelines to stop crimes before they can be committed.
Brilliant but autistic, sixteen-year-old Clover Donovan has always dreamed of studying at the Waverly-Stead Academy. Her brother and caretaker, West, has done everything in his power to make her dream a reality. But Clover’s refusal to part with her beloved service dog denies her entry into the school. Instead, she is drafted into the Time Mariners, a team of Company operatives who travel through time to gather news about the future.
When one of Clover’s missions reveals that West’s life is in danger, the Donovans are shattered. To change West’s fate, they’ll have to take on the mysterious Company. But as its secrets are revealed, they realize that the Company’s rule may not be as benevolent as it seems. In saving her brother, Clover will face a more powerful force than she ever imagined and will team up with a band of fellow misfits and outsiders to incite a revolution that will change their destinies forever.
What G & U are talking about:
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Viral Nation is a new young adult novel in a post-apocalyptic world. Due to a nasty viral outbreak, populations were decimated; leaving survivors encamped in walled cities. The cure to the virus that saved the world turns out to be a future drug. The suppressant was brought back from the future, manufactured by the Company who then started to take over… everything.
It is an ominous world that Clover and West live in, although they don’t know it. This new world is what they grew up in. Children only attend primary school. After primary school they either work growing food for the government or they go work for the Company. If a child is particularly bright, they attend the Academy where, upon graduation, they are able to obtain high-level positions in either the Company or the government. Life within the walled cities is safe and crime is nonexistent. With the Company keeping tabs on future events, they are able to detain and execute criminals prior to committing the crimes.
Clover is an extremely intelligent young woman who just so happens to have Autism. West, her older brother, has cared for her since their father moved up the ranks within the Company and was required to live in the barracks. They have come to depend on each other.
West is looking forward to Clover going to the Academy. With her intellect it is a no brainer that she will certainly get in. This means West can follow his dream of working for the Company as soon as Clover leaves to live in the dorms. However nothing ever seems to go as planned. When Clover attends her interview for the Academy, she is sent to the Company to work instead. Strangely not only does she get sent directly from her interview to the Company, but straight on to her first training mission. From there, Clover’s future is changed, along with West’s and that of the few friends they meet on the way.
This is not the only strange issue Gikany and Una find while reading Viral Nation. We do not know anyone personally that is autistic. However, we felt that Clover’s autism was not severe. She seems far more social than what we would believe. Although Clover tenses and prefers to not be touched when under duress, she seemed more accepting of it when calmer. It felt like she would have an autistic moment and then continue on as a stubborn, seriously smart girl. Maybe it is due to her being only mildly Autistic, but we are given the impression that she is supposed to be more than mildly Autistic.
Another issue we found a bit off-putting was when Clover is on her mission (we are keeping this spoiler free). There is a portion when traveling that noise and vibration are an issue. Mango, a bulldog and her assistance dog, is subjected to the loud noise and vibration. Clover is up in a cushioned seat with her feet elevated on a board which minimizes the impact along with wearing hearing protection. From what we are allowed to believe, Clover lets Mango sit on the floor (getting full force vibration) and must endure the loud noises. With a dog’s sensitive ears, it must have been cruel. This really bothered us.
Although we felt Viral Nation had a few issues, we did find it to be an interesting world. Considering how we are left at the end of the novel, we would like to see what happens in the next installment. We do recommend Viral Nation to any age starting at seventh grade and above. It is a good mix of urban fantasy and light science fiction.
Their Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Purchase Info:
Labels:
3 stars,
Berkley Trade,
G-U Review,
paranormal YA,
Shaunta Grimes,
YA Literature
|
1 comments
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Review: The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard
The Forgotten Ones
Author: Laura Howard
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: self-published
Danaan Trilogy #1
Genre: YA Paranormal
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.
What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.
What G & U are talking about:
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The Forgotten Ones is the debut novel of Laura Howard. This is the first book in Danaan Trilogy. We found this novel to have a few of the characteristics we seem to associate as new author issues; however, we did find the premise interesting and promising.
The novel begins with our main character, Allison trying to ease her mother during one of her schizophrenic episodes. This sets the tone of Allison's character. She is completely devoted to her mother, to the point that she neglects not only herself but living. Even though she has a long-standing crush on Ethan, her cousin Nicole's boyfriend's brother, she refuses to acknowledge or pursue her feelings even when they seem to be reciprocated. Her sole goal is to be educated so she can care for her mother, nothing else matters. Her plans are derailed when her long lost father, Liam, returns, to see her mother and meets his unknown daughter instead.
The interesting mythology is centered on the Fae. Liam has returned in hopes of curing Beth's insanity, but Allison refuses to believe him and his crazy stories of the fair folk. Unfortunately she is dragged into this world when her mother goes missing. Allison will sacrifice anything to save her, even herself.
One of the issues we had with the writing was that as a first person narrative, the reader is being told what happens one instead of experiencing it through the main character's eyes. This did detract a bit from our enjoyment. We also feel that the story read more like a novella rather than a full novel. This may be due to the terse, compact nature of the story. Gikany and Una would have preferred to been given more meat in this novel. It was interesting and were intrigued, but we were left wanting for more. In some ways we felt that the novel ended where it started, thus giving it a more prequel feeling than being a first book in a trilogy.
All in all, our interest is piqued. We look forward to reading the next book in the Danaan Trilogy. If your are looking for a new and quick read, give The Forgotten Ones a try.
Their Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Purchase Info:
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Review: Fall of Night by Rachel Caine
Fall of Night
Author: Rachel Caine
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: NAL
The Morganville Vampires #14
ISBN: #978-0451414250
Genre: YA Paranormal
Format(s): Hardcover (352 pgs)
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Claire never thought she’d leave Morganville, but when she gets accepted into the graduate program at MIT, she can’t pass up the opportunity. Saying good-bye to her friends is bittersweet, especially since things are still raw and unsettled between Claire and her boyfriend, Shane.
Her new life at MIT is scary and exciting, but Morganville is never really far from Claire’s mind. Enrolled in a special advanced study program with Professor Irene Anderson, a former Morganville native, Claire is able to work on her machine, which is designed to cancel the mental abilities of vampires.
But when she begins testing her machine on live subjects, things quickly spiral out of control, and Claire starts to wonder whether leaving Morganville was the last mistake she’ll ever make...
What Una is talking about:
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Fall of Night is the fourteenth book on the Morganville Vampire series. Ms. Caine has been successful as this series continues, which is no small feat with a long running series. Considering the end of the previous novel, Bitter Blood, I was concerned how Fall of Night would go. I am pleasantly surprised how Claire's adventure to MIT went and even more intrigued with what awaited her in Morganville.
The love story between Claire and Shane has had its trials and triumphs. However, as Bitter Blood came to a close, Shane's distrust of Claire was a final straw. With the Founder's permission, Claire has a one-way ticket to her dream, an independent study at MIT. However, even though Shane has the same permission, Claire refuses to have him accompany her. She needs to see what life is like outside of Morganville and on her own. She has dreamed of attending MIT and pursuing high academic studies. Plus, after all of her time in Morganville, she dreams of a normal life.
Fall of Night begins with Claire leaving Morganville and heading to MIT to see what a normal life is like. However, normal is a matter of opinion, and Claire is a fully assimilated Morganviller. From the start of her reunion with her BFF from high school to her new professor and boss, Dr. Anderson, Claire is not sure this was the right decision. Between the changes her roommate has gone through, not to mention her creepy ex-stalker, and the oddness of Dr. Anderson together with the suits that she works for, Claire feels she was safer in Morganville. Even with that, she is eager to start working in earnest on her device, and considering she is not in Morganville, Claire assumes she is safe. But the normal world has dangers of its own, and it is easier to live with the enemies you know than the unknown. It seems that there is a new enemy in the world of Morganville that is making its introduction to Claire finally and forcefully.
Anyone would think that with Claire leaving Morganville, Fall of Night would be solely from Claire's point of view, but that is not the case. In what world would Shane let Claire march into the unknown without being close, just in case? Certainly not this one. However, Shane does give Claire the space she asks for, just not in the distance she thought. So there are both point of views during the course of Fall of Night. Being able to have both Claire and Shane's point of views allows the reader to experience the growth that they both experience during this separation.
I will warn you, there is a huge cliffhanger at the end and personally, I cannot wait to find out what happens next in the Morganville Vampires series. If you haven't heard of this great young adult series, I would recommend starting at the beginning.
Una’s Rating:
|
Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Labels:
4 stars,
Morganville Vampires,
NAL,
paranormal YA,
Rachel Caine,
Una Review,
YA Literature
|
0
comments
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Review: Hera Queen of Gods by TD Thomas
Hera, Queen of Gods
Author: T.D. Thomas
Release Date: Oct. 3, 2012
Goddess Unbound #1
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Format(s): E-book (536 printed pages)
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Hera couldn't care less what the other gods think, even when it's about her. And it often is. Frankly, Hera couldn't care less about anything, except doing her duty as queen - protecting order and defending the mortal world against any threats. But when the Fates go missing, Hera and a handful of other gods must temporarily become mortal to search the human world for the missing goddesses.
Hera finds that mortality begins to change her. It's not just the loss of her divine powers. She expected that. It's deeper somehow. It's affecting how she thinks, how she feels, what's important to her. And it gets much worse after she meets Justin, who defies every prejudice she once had about mortals. At the worst possible time, and despite all her efforts, Hera's black-and-white world starts to unravel.
Torn between who she's becoming and who she needs to be in order to fulfill her duty, Hera must survive a horde of murderous creatures sent to exploit her new weakness. In the end, only Hera can stop a traitorous plot conceived by a secret alliance of ancient and new enemies, a plot that threatens to destroy not only the order Hera is sworn to protect, but all of existence itself.
What G & U are talking about:
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Hera, Queen of Gods is the debut novel of T.D. Thomas. This new young adult series, Goddess Unbound, has some fascinating elements. However, Gikany and Una felt confused and a bit let down by the end.
The Fates are missing, and if you have some basic Greek Mythology knowledge, you’ll understand that it is a serious issue. To resolve the problem several of the Gods, including Zeus and Hera, come to earth, taking possession of teenage mortals to find and rescue the Fates.
It is all very intriguing: blending the impulsive and selfish natures of gods with teenagers seems like an easy thing to do. However, while the novel reads at what we feel is a younger-age and maturity level, some of the encounters in Hera, Queen of Gods are of a more mature nature. Greek gods by nature are pleasure seeking, self-absorbed entities with little to no regard for the mortals. The novel also explores the constant inner struggle Hera has with keeping her vows in her marriage with Zeus, who has no qualms about violating those vows. Then we take into account the fact that Hera is almost gang raped in the beginning of the novel. Combine this with the gods espousing the belief that alcohol will solve their temporary problems of feeling outnumber and outwitted, and then running off to a “kegger”. This all occurs after they give a mortal teenager “liquid courage” so the gods possessing the teenagers can continue with their quest.
Again, Hera, Queen of Gods fell pretty short overall in our opinion. But we do seem some promise in the overall mythology and plot arc, which gives us the desire to read the next book in the Goddess Unbound series.
Their Rating:
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Finished it - take it or leave it (C)
Purchase Info:
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Review: Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep
Crimson Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: Dec. 24, 2012
Publisher: Kensington
Mythos Academy #4
ISBN: #978-0758281463
Genre: Young Adult (urban fantasy)
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes—the most hideous face I’d ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki—the evil god that I’d helped set free against my will.
I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming.
I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison—and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself…
What G & U are talking about:
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Crimson Frost is the fourth release in the Mythos Academy series. Gwen is finally at the center of attention, but for all the wrong reasons. Gikany and Una recommend reading this series from the beginning as many references are made in this novel to previous events. Plus, this is a very well written series, and you should just start from the beginning.
We begin right where Dark Frost ended, with Logan and Gwen on their first date at the coffee shop. However, it is rudely interrupted when the Protectorate, the police of their society, arrive to take Gwen into custody for several charges. The most notable of these charges is the willful release of Loki from his prison. In Crimson Frost, we follow the trial of Gwen as she tries to clear her name and find out the Reapers’ plan for strengthening Loki.
Although the shocking arrival of the Protectorate is completely out of the blue, Crimson Frost starts a little slowly. This is partly because the charges against Gwen seem so ridiculous, but also because you don’t out who is responsible for these charges until you are almost halfway through the story. Despite these issues, it is still a fast and gripping read. Gikany and Una nearly inhaled it. The camaraderie between Gwen and her friends continues to provide Gwen with the steadfast foundation she needs. We enjoyed their interactions and especially the infiltration of Gwen's grandmother into their world.
Crimson Frost is a nail biting and suspenseful fourth edition on the Mythos Academy series. The mythology is fresh, the character engaging and the plot twists and turns nicely. All of this with Ms. Estep's enchanting writing style makes it a very enjoyable read overall. We eagerly look forward to the next novel, Midnight Frost, due out August 2013.
Their Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Review: The Farm by Emily McKay
The Farm
Author: Emily McKay
Release Date: Dec. 4, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
The Farm #1
ISBN: #978-0425257807
Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal)
Format(s): Paperback (420 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…
And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.
Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…
Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race...
What G & U are talking about:
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The Farm is the first book in a new post-apocalyptic young adult series. From the first page, you will be drawn into the plight of Lily and her sister, Mel. However, do not base your opinion on the book blurb above…there is so much more to The Farm than it suggests. This is a young adult novel for the more mature teen, high school age or older. There are some serious topics discussed and some violence.
The world as we know ended six months prior to the beginning of The Farm, a time conveniently referred to as “Before”. A pathogen was accidentally released, causing some humans to become mindless blood craving beasts: Ticks. To protect the last vestiges of humanity, teenagers were gathered up and placed on “farms” for their protection. However, all is not what it seems. There is so much more going on than what Lily can fathom.
Although told from predominately Lily’s point of view, The Farm also gives the point of view of Mel (which is quite fascinating) and Carter – Lily’s crush from Before. Lily and Mel are identical twin sisters except that Mel has autism. Not only does it make Mel extraordinarily unique, it also means that Lily is her sole provider and protector in this different world. In many ways you wonder if they aren’t truly trying to protect each other and provide for each other.
The plot moves slowly and simply. However, it does not move in directions you expect. Truly, The Farm is a gripping read. Despite being a 400+ book, it is a really fast read. So much occurs, so much tension and anticipation that it just steams off the page, immobilizing you and forcing you to keep reading.
Gikany and Una realize that we are being fairly vague in this review, but it is only because we do not wish to give anything away. The Farm is a fantastic new series and we cannot wait to read the next book. We are on the edge of our seats…waiting to know what happens next from the bombshell we were left with.
If you are looking for an enthralling and fascinating new vampire post-apocalyptic series, look no farther. Pick up The Farm and see if you don’t get caught up in trying to elude the Ticks…and other predators and still escape the Farm.
Their Rating:
|
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Labels:
4.5 stars,
Berkley Trade,
Emily McKay,
G-U Review,
paranormal,
paranormal YA,
The Farm,
YA Literature
|
1 comments
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Review: Bitter Blood by Rachel Caine
Bitter Blood
Author: Rachel Caine
Release Date: Nov. 6, 2012
Publisher: NAL
The Morganville Vampires #13
ISBN: #978-0451238115
Genre: Young Adult, paranormal
Format(s): Hardcover (404 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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For years, the human and vampire residents of Morganville, Texas, have managed to co-exist in peace. But now that the threat to the vampires has been defeated, the human residents are learning that the gravest danger they face is the enemy within…
Thanks to the eradication of the parasitic creatures known as the draug, the vampires of Morganville have been freed of their usual constraints. With the vampires indulging their every whim, the town’s human population is determined to hold on to their lives by taking up arms. But college student Claire Danvers isn’t about to take sides, considering she has ties to both the humans and the vampires.
To make matters worse, a television show comes to Morganville looking for ghosts, just as vampire and human politics collide. Now, Claire and her friends have to figure out how to keep the peace without ending up on the nightly news… or worse.
What Una is talking about:
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Wow. Wow, just wow. I am stunned and this review is going to be late because I am speechless. Bitter Blood is the thirteenth edition in the riveting Morganville Vampires series. I….I just don’t know whether to be happy or absolutely depressed…anxious, worried, thrilled. I feel as if I am on pins and needles. Ms. Caine has delivered a novel that I don’t know really what to say but, if you are fans of the series…you may be supremely stunned.
The town has recovered from several threats over the last twelve books: the blood born vampire illness, Bishop, the Draug, just to name the majors. However, our fearless foursome was always able to weather the storm…no matter how the painful the learning experience, it brought them together. But I fear I am getting ahead of myself.
Ms. Caine continues in this novel to give us the point of view of more than just Claire. Which continues to provide the reader a rich story. I was especially thrilled to have Myrnin’s POV in Bitter Blood. However, I feel now as if the multiple POV’s were a foreshadowing of what was to transpire in this novel. That maybe the multiple POV’s will allow some our near and dear to be absent in the future…
Now that the Draug are gone, the vampires are once again at the top of the food-chain of Morganville. They have nothing to fear. Meanwhile the human population has much to fear, especially the town reverting back to what it was. Although Claire, our human heroine and Amelie, the vampire, had an agreement that humans and vampires would coexist, they needed to be on more equal planes. However, it seems that Oliver and Amelie’s relationship is giving Oliver a measure of influence that is a reason for the humans to fear. The tentative balance between vampires and humans seems to be deteriorating and this time - the cows, oops, I mean the humans are not going to go “gently into that good night.”
As the mysterious ringleader of all the strife and dissension is discovered, there is much collateral damage. Not just to the town and the residents, but to our fearless four – emotionally and physically. In some ways, I fear that some damage may not be fixed. However, we are given a glimmer of hope, albeit a clouded one, in the end of Bitter Blood. I am thrilled for some of the potential outcomes but I fear, deep, deep inside (geez, when did these kids become so near and dear to me…ack, I mean characters….) that we are at a huge crossroads. Just as in life, sometimes people come and go. Like in whatever movie it is: “endings are sad and beginnings are scary.” However, beginnings can be thrilling. It seems in the resolution of the overall story arc of the Draug, we are in the beginning of a new story arc. Like I said, I am sad, I am afraid, but I am also a little excited. Where are you taking us, Ms. Caine? And when is the next book due out so I can inhale it and find out?!?!?!
If you haven’t tried the Morganville Vampires, you may be supremely surprised. For the most part, they are quick reads, and oh so enjoyable. Therefore, do not let the fact that Bitter Blood is the thirteenth in the series. You can easily catch up and be as mesmerized and enthralled as I am. You won’t regret it!
Una’s Rating:
|
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Labels:
4.5 stars,
Morganville Vampires,
NAL,
paranormal YA,
Rachel Caine,
Una Review,
YA Literature
|
0
comments
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Review: Blood Forever by Mari Mancusi
Blood Forever
Author: Mari Mancusi
Release Date: Sept. 4, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Blood Coven Vampire #8
ISBN: #978-0425253038
Genre: YA Paranormal
Format(s): Paperback (256 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Sunny and Rayne McDonald have had their lives turned upside down thanks to the Blood Coven. But when the past itself is changed, the sisters will do anything to get back what they’ve lost...
After making a deal with the devil, Rayne and her twin sister Sunny have been given the chance to go back in time—preventing that fateful night when Sunny was bitten by Magnus from ever happening. But while Sunny has been offered a vampire-free existence, she finds she doesn’t want to live without Magnus by her side. And although Rayne puts up a stoic front, she secretly wishes that vampire Jareth was back in her arms.
To reclaim their lives, Sunny and Rayne team up to figure out a way to change history for the better. Problem is, Jareth and Magnus aren’t that eager to help two unfamiliar girls who somehow know everything about their vampiric organization. Now, if the twins can’t get the boys on their side, history may spiral out of control—destroying not only the Blood Coven, but quite possibly the entire human race...
What B is talking about:
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Once again, Sunny and Rayne McDonald are back, wreaking panic and mayhem on a level that would make the four horsemen of the apocalypse proud. Thanks to a bargain with Hades himself, Rayne has secured her twin another chance to live, and possibly an opportunity to make the world a better place for everyone they love. If they can just manage to stay away from their yummy vampire boyfriends, that is.
This is the final novel in the Blood Coven series, and Ms. Mancusi unleashes the twins on the world she’s created with something akin to unholy delight. Tampering with the past with disastrous consequences? Check. Zombie attacks that threaten all mankind? Oh yes. Being hailed as heroes when everything miraculously turns out all right (along with the groveling and heartfelt apologies of anyone who ever doubted them)? Certainly!
As with the other novels in this series, Blood Forever is best read when any expectations of consequences and life lessons are set aside in favor of watching from a safe distance while Sunny and Rayne try to save the world. After they’ve endangered it in the first place, of course. The twins are flighty and impetuous, but once I remembered that there’s no rulebook that could possibly apply to them, they were also pretty fun.
The main attraction in the Blood Forever is the twins’ relationships with their vampire boyfriends. These pairings don’t make sense if taken too seriously (centuries-old vampires wouldn’t logically be so handily maneuvered by two high school girls), but they work within the Blood Coven stories. Magnus and Jareth once again discover that they have not only underestimated the twins, but that, without the Sunny and Rayne, all of humanity would have been destroyed.
Blood Forever is a fitting close to an entertaining series. While over-the-top in a few places, it’s that very implausibility that makes the story such free spirited, fast-paced fun. Although Rayne and Sunny are hard to keep up with on occasion, they are very much the heroes of the novel, and they own the story from beginning to end. Ms. Mancusi finishes her series with a doozy of a happy ending, and practically ties the whole thing off with a big, shiny bow. The world is safe, and Sunny and Rayne have finally found their places in it, which, I believe, makes for a perfectly fine ending.
B’s Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
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