Book Review: The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

Title: The Mephisto Covenant

Author: Trinity Faegen

Publisher: Egmont USA

Publication date: September 27, 2011

Hardcover: 448 pages

Stand Alone or Series: At the moment, I’m not sure.  Everything was tied up at the end, so I’m going to say…Stand Alone.  (I think).

How I got this book: Galley from BEA.

Why I chose this book: It was YA and it was free.  Put 1 and 1 together.

Synopsis:

Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha.

With the threat of Eryx looming, Jax has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

Review:

At first, I was very skeptical of the The Mephisto Covenant.  It had a lot of folklore in it dealing with religion, and I was afraid that the religion would ruin the book.  Thank God (pun intended) that it didn’t.  It actually made the book better.  I’m not sure if there is going to be another installment (the book ended by bringing everything to a close), but I truly hope there will be. 

The writing of this book is extraordinary.  It’s written for teens, definitely.  It doesn’t hold back (especially on the sex scene), but I think this is just fine.  Teens aren’t dumb.  Reading about this kind of stuff isn’t going to sully (most of) us.  Sometimes I thought the dialogue was a little too forward and unbelievable–but I can’t decide if this made the book better or not. 

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  Jax is one of my new favorite male counterparts.  While he has some characteristics that I find a tad unbelievable, I can look past it and say, Whatever, he’s a son of Hell.  Sasha was also very believable as a teenager.  She didn’t speak like she was born centuries in the past–even though her beau was.  But now that I think of it, Jax didn’t speak like he was a 1000 years old either. 

I recommend this book to all!  It’s original, refreshing, and addicting!

Breaking Dawn Part 1 Teaser

Book Review: The Musician’s Daughter by Susanne Dunlap

Title: The Musician’s Daughter

Author: Susanne Dunlap

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Publication date: January, 2010

Hardcover: 352 pages

Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone

How I got this book: Bought

Why I chose this book: I have to admit, I completely judged this book by it’s cover.  It’s magnificent, and I love it.  So I decided to read it.

Synopsis:

Amid the glamour of Prince Nicholas Esterhazy’s court in 18th-century Vienna, murder is afoot. Or so fifteen-year-old Theresa Maria is convinced when her musician father turns up dead on Christmas Eve, his valuable violin missing, and the only clue to his death a strange gold pendant around his neck. Then her father’s mentor, the acclaimed composer Franz Joseph Haydn, helps her through a difficult time by making her his copyist and giving her insight in to her father’s secret life. It’s there that Theresa begins to uncover a trail of blackmail and extortion, even as she discovers honor—and the possibility of a first, tentative love. Thrumming with the weeping strains of violins, as well as danger and deception, this is an engrossing tale of murder, romance, and music that readers will find hard to forget.

Review:

A poignant historical mystery, The Musician’s Daughter won’t leave my thoughts, even though I read it days ago. 

Though hard to get into at first, I hunkered down and pushed on, and I’m glad I did.  (Though, if I hadn’t been stuck in a car, I may not have been so determined!)  After about 50 pages, I couldn’t stop reading.  It was addicting!  The historical facts were so rich that I wouldn’t have been surprised if the story was all true.  I loved reading about the little details of what it was like to live in Vienna, Austria at this time. 

I had originally started reading this novel because I thought it was a romance.  (What can I say?  I’m hopeless.)  But there wasn’t much romance in it–maybe a few paragraphs.  It was pushed to the background to make way for the mystery that was taking over Vienna. 

Full of gypsies, royalty, fashion, and history, this novel is one that I loved, and would recommend. 

Book Review: Haven by Kristi Cook

Title: Haven

Author: Kristi Cook

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication date: February, 2011

Hardcover: 416 pages

Stand Alone or Series: Series (I think).  This is the first.

How I got this book: Bought

Why I chose this book: Even though the cover is horrible, I heard great things about this book, so I decided to read it.

Synopsis:

One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start–a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.

But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there–every student, every teacher–has psychic abilities, ‘gifts and talents,’ they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend–Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.

Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye–much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy–if only they can do so without destroying each other first.

Review:

I honestly don’t have much to say about this book.  There was nothing wrong with it, per say.  I just thought it was lacking some depth and originality.  It was a nice, quick, one-time read.  But it wasn’t complex, mind-boggling.  It was a little addicting, though.

The first half of this book was pretty good.  I liked the writing style, and, I have to admit, when I found out Aiden’s (the love interest’s) secret, I was surprised.  But after that, the book fell into the pattern of every other book out there.  And I was disappointed.

I found the love between Aiden and Violet very unbelieveable.  Once Violet found out Aiden’s secret, they were instantly in love.  It didn’t matter that they harldy got to know each other before that.  He was calling her love, and they were starry-eyed.

Overall, I don’t really know what to say about this book.  If you like your typical, run of the mill paranormal book, then go ahead and read it.  If you’re looking for a little originality, something new, I would suggests you stay away.  You’ll probably end up frustrated.

Book Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Demonglass

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Hyperion

Publication date: March, 2011

Hardcover: 368 pages

Stand Alone or Series: Series–this is the second in a series

How I got this book: Bought

Why I chose this book: I read the first installement -loved it! – and bought this one.

Synopsis:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Acher to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Review:

Rachel Hawkins offers a fresh dose of comedy that is refreshing, and sadly hard to find.

In this second installment, Sophie goes to England with her father, her friend Jenna, and her fiance Cal.  (Yes, Fiance.  If you haven’t read the book yet, sorry for that little spoiler.  It’s in the beginning so…cheerie-oh!)  But Archer’s heard to have been last seen and England, and Sophie’s afraid (read: hoping) that they might “run” into each other.

I loved everything about this novel.  I love the writing style, which is so easy to read, yet offers a complex story at the same time.  I live the witt and humor established in it.  I love love love the sarcasm.  Sophie is a relatable character–even though she’s a demon!  She’s still dealing with the downfalls of love and a broken heart, all the while trying to learn about her heritage and bond a little with her wayward father. 

I would definitely suggest one pick up this book.  (But make sure you read the Hex Hall, the first installment beforehand.)   

Book Review: Fateful by Claudia Gray

Title: Fateful

Author: Claudia Gray

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication date: September 13, 2011

Stand Alone or Series: Not sure at the moment.  I’m going to go with stand alone.

Hardcover: 336 pages

How I got this book: Galley from BEA

Why I chose this book: How could I not check out a paranormal set on the Titanic?

Synopsis:

It’s about a servant girl named Tess in 1912, who wants to escape from the house where she works, and most particularly the lecherous young lord of the manor. But that’s not her biggest problem. While on a voyage to America, where she plans to escape and start a new life, she meets Alec, who’s ruggedly handsome, fabulously wealthy, intelligent and yet so clearly troubled that she’d rather not fall for him, but she does. That also is not her biggest problem. Alec, it turns out, is a werewolf … one cursed to change every night, unless and until he surrenders his independence and joins the Brotherhood, a pack of violently misogynistic werewolves who have been tracking him for months. You’d think that would be their biggest problem, wouldn’t you?

But no. Their biggest problem — though they don’t know it yet — is that they’re aboard the RMS Titanic.

Review:

I was very excited for this book.  A paranormal story set on the TITANIC?  How could it get any better than that?  (I also happen to love reading about anything that has to do with the Titanic, so that could be it.)  But I was disappointed for a couple of reasons, which I will point out below.
A. I just couldn’t get into the story.  It was slow going, and I had to force myself to read on, telling myself it had to get better soon.  It didn’t get better, drawing me into the story, until about page 200. 

B. I’ve read Claudia Gray books before.  I love her Nightworld series.  So I was a little disappointed with the writing style of this book.  I was surprised that she couldn’t pull me in the way she usually does.

I thought Tess (the main character) was bland, and hard to relate to.  And I had a hard time seeing the romance between her and Alec.  I feel awful that I don’t really have any goods things to say about this book.  I thought the sinking of the Titanic was anti-climatic, and didn’t have very much volume to it.

Book Review: Nia by Mella Reese

Title: Nia

Author: Mella Reese

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Publication date: March, 2011

Stand Alone or Series: Series–this is the first in a series

Softcover: 224 pages

How I got this book: Sent to me

Why I chose this book: I read the synopsis, and thought it sounded new and interesting.  So I decided to give it a try.

Synopsis:  (This is from the back cover)

Suddenly this kneeling, filthy man caused all of my attention to pivot upon him when he grabbed my hand. I was just opening my mouth to warn him that he would surely be killed…no one was allowed to touch me, Princess Nia, without permission. My protesting words were replaced with a swift intake of breath as the soldier produced a strange-looking dagger and drug it lightly over my finger. I stared in wonderment as he gently squeezed my fingertip to produce just one red ball of blood, my blood. Then the man kneeling before me swiped the blood from my finger with his own and plunged it into his mouth. “Your blood is now my blood. Your world is now my world. Your life is now my life,” were the words he chanted…

Review:

I have to admit it.  I’m a hopeless romantic.  Lately I’ve been having trouhble finding a title that
just sparks that tingling feeling in me.  But it’s back now, thanks to NIA, by Mella  Reese.  I
was a little hesitant to read this book at first–but let’s face it, I’m a little hesitant with all
books.  But there was no need.  NIA was thought provoking, beautifully written with lyric-like
writing, and intense.

Through twists of fate, we follow Nia in a fairy tale world of castles and kingdoms.  Nia is a
princess, and is soon to be the leader of of Brychan.  With her love, Andras, and her protector,
Garreth, by her side, she can take on the world.

I was pulled into this story immediately.  I started it one afternoon, and was kept up reading
into the early morning hours.  I give it four out of five stars (only because I hardly ever give
out five stars).  I can’t wait for the next installment.

Want to get a copy of NIA for yourself.  Check it out– http://www.amazon.com/Nia-Mella-Reese/dp/1612960103/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1305562205&sr=8-1

The Iron Knight Cover Reveal

So, here it is!  I am so excited, my knees are shaking.  (Not really, but it sounds good :D)  Anyway… if you are a fan of the Iron Fae series, you are going to go “bonkers” for this companion series–which is in Ash’s point of view.  (Oh, Ash. “sigh”)  So here’s the beautific cover…

Aw, isn’t it gorgeous.  But that’s not all!

Here’s a free e-book about Puck…

You can download the e-book here.

Contest Winner!

So, I recently hosted a video contest.  (Missed it?  Don’t worry, I’ll have another one again sometime.)  Anyway, there were only a few submissions, and they were all spectacular.  However, there is only one winner…

Dum da da dum!

Rae_21

Congrats!