Shadows by Paula Weston!

Book Summary:

It’s been almost a year since Gaby Winters was in the car crash that killed her twin brother, Jude. Her body has healed in the sunshine of Pandanus Beach, but her grief is raw and constant.

It doesn’t help that every night in her dreams she kills demons and other hell-spawn. And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who’s been appearing in Gaby’s dreams, he claims a history with her brother that makes no sense.

Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself and her life is only a shadow of the truth – and that the truth is more likely to be found in the shadows of her nightmares.

Who is Rafa? Who are the Rephaim? And most importantly – who can she trust?

SHORT REVIEW:

That was fucking awesome! And just a bit overwhelming. But I loved it! I'm really curious and anxious and excited to go on in this series. Not only that, but I'm going hysterical with all the things that could, would, and should happen. But I know Paula Weston will surprise us.
Gaby was a great main character. And I'm not just saying that. She was tough, fierce, and snarky. I liked her a lot. But I liked Rafa SO MUCH MORE. He was such a jerk, it was beautiful! Hopefully, more romance will come in the next book and more info on Jude.
I seriously fell in love with Shadows!

LONG REVIEW:

(may have a bit of spoilers; not really though)

The way this book was written kept me captivated the whole way through. Gaby was a great main character and I'm not just saying that. It totally sucks that she had to lose her memory, though. Gaby and Gabe were so different yet so alike. I liked Gabe, but all those decisions she made? It was almost as if she was being controlled. I also liked Gaby but everyone said she was 'softer'. I like a strong and independent main character that usually intimidates others. To me, being weak or softer isn't very ideal.
Gaby only really bothered me when it came to her fighting. She was supposedly this kickass fighter that was amazing. And now? Not so much. I hated that. But it got a little better when instinct kicked in and she actually could fight. But that rush of adrenaline didn't last long.
Rafael and Gabe were supposedly the best fighters there were. I liked that a lot because it was almost as if they had this connection or competition. But now? Gaby can barely fight unless she doesn't think. And until she can get all that shit under control again, I bet Rafa is going to be playing hero a lot.

I really want to know what happened between Gaby and Jude. What even happened to them? And if the memory loss thing happened to both of them? So many questions, but not that many answers. In the end of Shadows, we only got a bit of answers at the end. But that's the point of making this book a series. You can't just spill everything at once.

Rafa was totally hot. Sexy. Smoldering. Dashing. Whichever you prefer. The point is: he is just amazing.
The romance between Rafa and Gaby wasn't enough for me, though. It almost felt like Rafa wasn't really into it and was just getting a kick out of it with lust. You could tell Gaby truly had feelings for him, though. I thought it was really stupid that she asked Rafa to have sex with her towards the end. Not only is that practically rushed, but it's wrong timing. You don't have the two main characters almost naked in bed in only the first book! You've gotta take it slow. But not too slow. I like a little steamy romance here and there. Even a hot makeout session sounds nice.
So basically, when it came to the romance, there wasn't enough feeling for me. I still liked it, though. I'm hoping/expecting more from the next book, though.

Let's see, what now? Ah, yes. The plot. Why did I feel like it mainly just had to do with saving Maggie? I know it did have to do with saving her, but everything else? Jeez, why don't we just make Maggie the freaking main character?
You know what's funny? I'm saying all this stuff yet I give the book five stars. Eh, whatever. Not every book is perfect. But this one was still really good.

The action didn't have enough Gaby in it. And whenever Gaby was in the action, she barely did anything. I hated how Taya, Malachi and pretty much everyone else wasn't intimidated by her. They treated her like she was some fragile human! It made me angry.
I really really want Gaby to get her memory back. It'll explain so much! And I want to see a change in her. Not only that, but what did Rafa do that should make Gaby hate him? The questions are literally killing me. Paula Weston did really well writing Shadows and it felt good to actually read something that kept my attention from the very start.

Daniel, A.K.A. Pretty Boy, had some major issues going on. Honestly? How could someone like Gabe or Gaby ever fall for him? He seemed like a control freak. I didn't really like him.
Jason was a total perk. He was total hotness wrapped in a coat of sweetness. Maggie's definitely got a keeper when it comes to him.
What can I say about Simon other than the fact that he needs to fuck off and mind his own business, no matter how attractive he is.

I can't say much about Jude because I haven't even met him yet, but I have this undying urge to finally meet him. I like his character a lot, from what I've been told. So, high hopes for how he turns out!

I feel like I could go on and on about each and every single character, but it just feels wrong to do that for a review. So, I'll try to stay focused on the book: Spectacular, amazing, fantastic, freaking awesome, magnificent, electrifying, refreshing, magnetic, ultimately wonderful.

Basically, it was just really good and I recommend it to any paranormal romance reader or anyone who read Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick or Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.

Runes by Ednah Walters

Okay, people, this is my type of book. The epic, seductive, paranormal kind.

My review of the book:

Holy fuck. My mind is still spinning through those last moments in this book. Did that seriously just happen?

Runes by Ednah Walters was a dramaticly wonderful experience and I honestly felt everything Raine felt. I shared her emotions throughout each and every part. Torin literally just blew my mind. He was absolutely perfect. I have a lot of conflicted feelings when it came to Eirik, but all the other characters are great.

I'm really excited to get my paws on the next book! Runes was something I'm definitely in to. I mean, valkyries? Reapers? Norns? FREAKING AWESOME.


The cover? Looks nice. I mean, it could be better. Way better. But it's the story that matters. Sometimes...
Let's face it. Lot's of us like to judge books by their cover. I am totally one of those people. Except if the summary of the book sounds really good, screw the cover!

Runes has two covers, though. They're both the same book and everything, just different editions. I don't really mind either one. (Okay, maybe I prefer the second one with just the girl in it. Don't get me wrong, I love a cover with a hot guy. But that guy? Eh.)

So, check out the info/summary of Runes through Goodreads, a very fantastic website that I absolutely love, :http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17563021-runes

Now, I am a bit overexcited for the next book. I mean, the first book managed to get five stars from moi and reached my amazing books shelf. That's pretty worthy.

The second book:

Immortals by Ednah Walters: 

It's suppose to be come out on August 5th, 2013 and I have high expectations for it. Behold the cover: 

Yes, it's a nice cover. Could it have been better? Once again, yes. But who's complaining? We're here to enjoy the story. Not the cover. Though, it'd be rather nice to have a great story and a great cover. I guess I can settle for one. I mean, who would want a beautiful cover and a bad story? It's better the other way around.

Okay, enough of my blabbering. There's the info on the Runes series by Ednah Walters. I totally recommend it for any Paranormal Romance YA reader. 

Check out the info/summary of Immortals on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17947502-immortals

Rush (The Game #1) by Eve Silver

Holy fuck.
I've never read anything like Rush before and my mind has literally been blown. I don't know how anyone can come up with such an amazingly clever plot line. It's an honest understatement to say that I loved this book. I am more than in love with this book. Seriously.
It's been years since I've read a book like this that has my heart racing.
The cover is gorgeous and the story was even more gorgeous. Okay, that doesn't make sense. But you get it. I love this book more than words can describe.
The ending killed me. It really did. I'll never stop thinking about this book. Ever. Not until the next book comes out. Unfortunately, it comes out in 2014. Way to keep me waiting, Eve Silver. But I know, deep in my heart, the wait will be so fucking worth it.
I'm freaking out. So much. I love, love, love this book and I feel that I'll never find anything like it. Which it true because I know I'll never find any book that gets me this worked up.

Miki, Jackson, Tyrone, Luka, Richelle, Carly, and every other character? I'll never get enough of them and I'll never forget them.
My mind is coming up with all these theories and predictions of the next book and my head is spinning. 
Rush deserves so much more than five stars!

Check the info/summary out on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13571953-rush

Ember by Jessica Sorensen!!

Ember. What can I say? I'm left speechless. Ember was such a good book. It seriously reminded me of the Vampire Kisses series by Ellen Schreiber. Except, Ember had absolutely nothing to do with vampires. 

BTW, this book has two covers. I prefer the one with the guy on it, too. ;)

Our main characters, Ember, is this goth chick who can see people's deaths by touch. It isn't an easy life for her. And I can only imagine how horrific it could be. The only person that knows about Ember's little death thing is her best and only friend, Raven. Raven is like a cheerfully social version of Ember. Except Raven is bit on boy-crazy overdrive and appears slutty in my view. I didn't really like her.
Ember's life is basically a whole mess and I felt her frustrations with her.

When this book started out, with her in the cemetery, I knew I was hooked. She meets Cameron in the cemetery and I honestly fell in love with him. Like, head over heels in love. And all he did was purr "Come here." So, that's how boy crazy I went when I read about him. I was literally under his spell. 
It was a whole other story when I was introduced to Asher. I didn't like him at first. I was all like, "OMG, seriously? How goth cliché are we gonna make this?" I mean, I was sooo over reading about a goth falling in love with a fellow goth. It was totally okay for that to happen in Vampire Kisses though. 

Do not fret, though.Why? Because I totally fell in love with Asher not even like, a chapter after being introduced to him. He was absolutely breathtaking and undeniably sexy as hell. The romance between Ember and Asher made my insides all fluttery. Sounds weird, huh?
So, any who, we got a whole bunch of things involving death, angels, grim reapers, etc.
Personally, I found it lovely. I mean I'm so done with angels, fallen angels, guardian angels, etc. Okay, saying I'm done with those type of angel books may be a bit over exaggerating.
If the books good enough, I'll read it.

So, we got this whole blooming love thing with Asher and Ember, until Cameron comes along. Why do I have the highest suspicion that this is all turning into some love triangle? It may not fully show in Ember but it will in Cinder the second book in the Death Collectors. The cover of Cinder totally gives it away. Ember is in between Asher and Cameron on the cover. How hot is that? ;)


So, we got some major epic-ness going on and some sexy romance. I couldn't put down this book until I finished it. And I was not disappointed when I finished it. Okay, maybe I was, a little. But you'll all be disappointed when you read the ending yet majorly excited for the next book to come out. 

That basically sums up my feelings for this book in that jumbled up mess of a review. I'm just so tongue tied and anxious! I need the next book with a passion, right now
It's going to be an awful long wait for Cinder. ;)

Stray by Rachel Vincent

Stray by Rachel Vincent, ever heard of it? If not, ever heard of the popular series, Soul Screamers? If not, well I don't know what to say to you. 

Summary:

There are only eight breeding female werecats left and I'm one of them. I look like an All-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shapeshifter, and live in two worlds.

Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself.
Until the night a Stray attacked.

I'd been warned about Strays--werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.

This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back...for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever--and whoever-- I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays-- 'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them...



So, yeah. Sounds pretty interesting right? I mean, it might sound a bit corny and whatnot with the 'I got claws and I'm not afraid to use them' part.  But if you ignore that, it actually sounds really interesting. Or maybe it was just me.
Anyway, just for clarification: 'tabbies' is what the main character, Faythe, calls the female werecats. She calls the male ones 'toms'. You know, like a tomcat.

I've had quite a few of Rachel Vincent's books on my to-read shelf, but Stray finally caught my attention.
Honestly? I was hooked from the beginning. Like, not even after reading the very first sentence, I was sucked into this amazing story. I've never read anything like Stray and it's always a relief to come across something new. Faythe was definitely my kind of girl. She was tough, brave, stubborn, and just outrageous. She was a strong heroine, and I admired her. Although, I don't really understand her past with Marc. It just didn't come clear to me.
I mean, at the beginning of the book, it seemed like Faythe and Marc hated each other without a doubt. But, surprise, surprise. Things change.

Other than having to force myself to read the last 40 or so pages, I actually liked Stray a lot. This is the first Rachel Vincent book I've ever read and I totally see myself reading more of her books.


Here's the whole series:




(The whole Shifter series in order form top left to top right and bottom left to bottom right.)

Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack

I really liked Faking It more than I liked Losing It. I couldn't even bring myself to finish reading Losing It. But Faking It was sooo worth it!
The steamy romance was amazing and Max was definitely a cool main character. In Losing It, I didn't imagine Cade as this dark haired hot guy. I just imagined him as this loser who wasn't really attractive.
But things took a turn in Faking It. I totally fell for Cade!
I'm actually pretty excited for the next book, Finding It. I heard it's going to be Kelsey's story and I'm wondering what Cora Carmack has in store for us next in the Losing It series. ;)

                  

I honestly don't know why, but my review for this book remains short. I guess I must've liked it alot to do that. ;) BTW, the cover actually looks pretty. And Cade looks even prettier. The first book, Losing It, had a good cover with an even greater guy, too. ;)

Clarity by Kim Harrington.

Clarity was a definitely interesting book and I'm always up for a good murder mystery. Clare's love problems bothered me a bit, but it was a good read and I liked it. 
JUST KIDDING.
I was bothered by Clare. Were her only friends just guys? I mean, seriously? And it seemed as if all her guy friends flirted with her and were apparently in love with her. Like, what's up with that? I thought she was the town freak you stayed away from.
And after what the town's mayor's son did to her? What was his name? Justin? Hell, I can't even remember, but Justin sounds about right. Any who, so this guy cheated on her big time yet she has feelings for him and Gabriel, the smoking hot guy. Personally, I'm a sucker for Gabriel. Justin, though? He can kiss my ass.
So, Clare's got a huge love fiasco going on there.
I happened to like Tiffany, Clare's enemy and torturer. I mean, when you realize the truth behind the torturing, it makes sense. Kind of.
What I'm getting at, is that I liked Tiffany and I agree with her. What do I agree with her on? The fact that Clare has no friends.

Then there's Clary's brother. Perry. Let's start with what really bothers me here. Who the fucking hell names their kid, Perry?
Isn't that the name of the freaking platypus on Phineas & Ferb? Kill me now. What was Kim Harrington thinking when she came up with a character as bizarre as that? Supposedly, Perry was suppose to be a player and super good looking. I didn't see him like that. At all.Perry was just some normal boy who hooked up with girls every now and then.



*SPOILER* And he just so happened to have hooked up with the dead girl before she died. Lucky him, right? And you know what's so funny about that? It reminds me of Trueblood. (AKA, Sookie Stackhouse series) Sookie has a brother named Jason and at the beginning of the TV series, he keeps hooking up with the girls right before they die and he's immediately a suspect even though he knows he didn't kill them. So, that was a major deja vu moment. *SPOILER*

This book was kind of all over the place and I had to wait till we were, like, five pages away from the last page till I figured out who the freaking killer was. There was, like, no action. The romance was crappy, too. So, forget, like, the first two sentences I typed in this review and focus on the rest because I've come to a realization while writing this review about Clarity. The realization? I hated this book. Maybe hate is too harsh of a word. I despise? I dislike? Obviously, I just didn't like it. Do I see myself reading the next book in the future? Hell no.