Review: All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 354 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Series: Birthright #1
Source: Library

Description from Goodreads:
In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Engrossing and suspenseful, All These Things I've Done is an utterly unique, unputdownable read that blends both the familiar and the fantastic.

At first glance, All These Things I've Done struck me as silly. The whole idea of chocolate being illegal just seemed like something I'd never be able to take seriously. As the story goes on, though, everything falls into place and just begins to make sense. Once that started to happen, I really liked this book.

First and foremost--the way this book was written. I love the narration from Anya's POV, like she's actually TELLING us what happened. She tells us what she remembers, how she remembers it exactly. She even tells us why some things weren't mentioned and whatnot. It was nice and made Anya feel real, like a friend telling a story.

The relationships in this book also made me happy. Most specifically, the family relationship in this book. Leo--that boy warms my heart. And Natty's a little sweetie as well. Even beyond direct family, to Yuri and Mickey and the extended family. I really like the idea of family looking out for family and am excited to see what becomes of this throughout the series.

Character Rundown: Anya--Anya's okay. What I like best about her is that she's her own person. Strong and self-sufficient. Incredibly smart, too, when it matters. And then there's Win. He's a super nice guy, but that's all we really know about him. Where as Anya's clearly her own person who looks out for her own, Win's just someone who's THERE. Ah, Win. I really really REALLY like Win, but we've learned virtually nothing about him. I hope he becomes more of his own person throughout this series.

The ending. I guess this would be considered a cliff-hanger since it ends in the middle of SOMETHING. I liked how the ending worked with the title, though. That made me smile. All in all, the ending didn't really make me want to slap someone, but I'm really curious about what is coming next for these characters.

Overall, I liked this book, and I will definitely read more of this series once it comes out. This book is so different in a way that becomes truly interesting once you get into it.

All right, that's it, Friends. Have a spectacular day!
♥Jessica(:

Review: Exiled by M.R. Merrick

Exiled by M.R. Merrick
Release Date: April 12, 2012 (first published June 28, 2011)
Format: ebook, 264 pages
Series: The Protector #1
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review

Description from Goodreads:
Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase's birthday, the bloodline stopped.

Exiled without the Circle's protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle's agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can't do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna — a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret.

In their attempt to stop them, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle's plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other's life depending on it.

Exiled was way different than I expected it to be. Which means that I also enjoyed itmore than I thought I would. I was suprised, I laughed, and had an all around fun tome while reading this book.

First, I have to point out the humor in this book. I absolutely loved the sarcasm and jokes exchanged in this book. I've said this before, but I'm going to say it again--sarcasm is never the wrong way to go. It's funny and makes any moment more lighthearted than it would be otherwise.

Another thing I really liked about this book was how unique it was. I couldn't really predict much. which means that some things just happened, and I was like "WHOA" and then laughed at myself for not thinking of it before. Everything about this book was so interesting and just plain COOL.

The fact that Exiled was written from Chase's point of view was something I enjoyed as well. It's not often that I read books from a male's POV--unless there are alternating POVs, but that doesn't really count--so that was a nice change in this book. I think a lot of people would have written this book from Rayna's point of view. Don't get me wrong, that would be just as awesome, but I truly think I enjoyed it from Chase's POV more. Because Chase is just so unvelievably AMAZING.

Which leads me to a Character Rundown, yes? First, we have Chase. Ah, Chase. He's just a downright good guy. A great dude. Strong and confident. Kind and caring. How can one not love him? Rayna--I liked Rayna. She's incredibly stubborn, but nice when she wants to be, too. Plus, she can kick Chase's butt any day of the week, no doubt about it ;)

The ending. I guess the ending could be called a cliff-hanger because the story is clearly not over, but it didn't FEEL like a cliff-hanger to me. That was the perfect spot to end the book and move on. I'm curious about what's going to happen next, but not ravenous because I was left in the middle of something huge. so I loved this ending.

Overall, this book was loads of fun to read. Unique, intersting, and with totally kick-butt characters. I honestly suggest you read this--boys AND girls. This is definitely soemthing both genders can enjoy.

All right, now that the review part of this post is over, it's time to wish my big brother happy birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BILLY! I love you.♥

I know, it seems like I'm saying happy birthday to brothers all the time, but this is that last brother's birthday until next April. There are other birthdays in between, however--parents, sister-in-laws, MINE, but for the most part, we're good until September. I think.

But that's beside the point. Happy, happy birthday to my oldest, bestest, favoritist brother. YES, that makes sense. I hope you have a most awesome day, and I LOVE YOU. Hehe.

Okay, that's it for today, y'all. I'm going to have cake and stuff. YOU have a wonderful Friday!
♥Jessica(:

Review: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 358 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Series: The Chemical Garden #1
Source: Library

Description from Goodreads:
By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?

Wither completely baffled me. My thoughts and feelings on everything in this book are so scattered and conflicting, I'm not even sure how to express it. The most important thing, and one of the few things I am sure of, is that I one hundred percent loved this book. I enjoyed it through and through.

I must begin with Lauren's writing style. It is positively goegeous. I was caught up in it from page one. She describes everything so perfectly, but not in a way that bores me to tears. Yes, I like to be able to picture things in my mind, but I do get bored while that picture is being created sometimes. With Wither, this was never the case.

One aspect of this book that I was cautious of wsa the idea of sister-wives. I don't really have a problem with it, but I thought it would bother me a whole bunch that one of our love interests has two or three other wives as well. I get jealous for my heroines. I wasn't really bothered by this as all, though. I actually really liked seeing the sister-wives interact with each other and grow closer.

Another facet of this book that I was on the fence about was the world created. It's so ugly and horrible. I wondered how I could ever enjoy a story told in this world. I mean, by page four, my jaw was on the floor at the OHMYGOSH-ness of it. But again, this worry was unwarranted because I ended up loving this book cover to cover. Plus, a majority of this book takes place at Linden's estate, where there is no representation of the actual state of the world.

Character rundown: Rhine. I didn't particularly love Rhine. I liked that she was so nice and protective and determined. I didn't like how closed-minded she was toward Linden. Now, for Linden. OH, LINDEN. I love Linden. He's so sweet and genuinly kind. Gabriel. He's the other guy in the little love triangle, but I don't really think much of him. We don't know him too well yet. I have nothing against him, but I definitely prefer Linden.

The ending. Can you say cliff-hanger? Yeah, one of those. I don't approve of the ending at all, for obvious reasons once you read Wither. I can't wait to read the sequel, Fever, to find out how Rhine and Gabriel and Linden's story will continue.

Overall, this book was purely amazing. Completely shocking in so many ways that, as I said t the beginning of this review, baffled me. I can't deny how much I enjoyed this book. It can be somewhat disturbing, but is definitely worth giving a shot. Plus, this story is so completely unique.

That's it for today, y'all.

Have a great day, Friends!

♥Jessica(:

Waiting On Wednesday! (6)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where we tell y'all about the books we cannot wait to get our hands on!

This week, I'm waiting on . . .

Moonrise by Ivy Devlin

Expected Publication: January 31, 2012

Series: Low Red Moon #2

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Description from Goodreads:

Avery and Ben are just beginning to explore the depth of the bond that links them. Their ability to sense each others' feelings and Avery's mysterious connection to the forest mean that their love is unlike any other. But even such a perfect bond can be strained by jealousy, and when Hope, a gorgeous girl from Ben's old life, arrives in town, Avery can't help but feel threatened. And in more ways than one-because someone is trying to kill her, again.

Also new in town are a pair of Hunters-men who know about werewolves and who seek only to destroy what they can't understand. Hope is connected to the Hunters somehow, but by the time Avery figures out her secret, it's too late-and someone will pay with their life. With the glowing, emotional language that made Low Red Moon such an irresistible read, Moonrise ups the romantic stakes with a heart-tugging sacrifice that testifies to the power of love.

Why am I waiting on this? Because I read Low Red Moon and want to see what comes next SO. BAD. I have to say, though, the cover for Low Red Moon was much more stunning. That doesn't change the fact that I REALLY want to read Moonrise, though. I'm really using the word "though" a lot right now.

That's what I'm waiting on this week, what are you waiting on? Leave links/just tell me in the comments!

Have a great day, y'all!
♥Jessica(:

Teaser Tuesday! (11)

Do you want to participate in Teaser Tuesdays? It's simple and hosted by MizB from Should Be Reading. All you have to do is:

-Grab your current read

-Open to a random page

-Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

-BE CAREFUL NOT T INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

-Share the title & author, too, so that the other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week, my teaser is from . . .

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

"He had seen too much and knew too much about me. There were kids I'd gone to school with for years who knew less about my personal life."~pg. 87

All right, that's my teaser. And I know I haven't told y'all about it for a couple days, but YES. I'm listening to Mr. Jones right now. This song is positively amazing.

Okay, that's it for me today. Leave links to your teasers so I can check 'em out!

Have a terrific Tuesday, Friends!

♥Jessica(:

Wicked Wildfire Read-a-thon Wrap Up

All right, so the read-a-thon ended yesterday. Now it's time to see what I finished . . .

1. All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin (354 pages)

2. Exiled by M.R. Merrick (264 pages)

3. Fire by Kristin Cashore (461 pages)

4. As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott (269 pages)

5. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour (307 pages)

TOTALS:

5 books

1655 pages

I finished my goal! I read all the books on my list. I didn't have that many books on my list, but I'm glad I finished them. We have to factor in the fact that I went to a book signing during this, and the fact that I LOVE TO SLEEP. So sleeping got in the way just a little bit. Either way, my first read-a-thon was a total success, and I'll definitely be participating in another one sometime.

Have a great night, Friends!

♥Jessica(:

Review: Balthazar by Claudia Gray

Balthazar by Claudia Gray
Release Date: March 12, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 374 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Evernight
Source: Library

Description from Goodreads:
Haunted by memories from his first days as a vampire, Balthazar has spent hundreds of years alone—without allies, without love. When he emerges from his isolation to help Skye Tierney, a human girl who once attended Evernight Academy, Balthazar has no idea how dangerous it will be. Skye’s psychic powers have caught the attention of Redgrave, the cruel master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries ago. Having learned of Skye’s powers and the remarkable effect her blood has on vampires, he plans to use her for his own evil purposes. As they stand together to fight the evil vampire, Balthazar realizes his lonely world could finally be changed by Skye...just as Redgrave realizes that he can destroy Balthazar once and for all by taking her for his own.

In a story filled with forbidden love and dark suspense, one of the most beloved characters in Claudia Gray’s New York Times bestselling Evernight series will captivate readers with his battle to overcome his past and follow his heart.

I really enjoyed the Evernight series. Honestly and truly, I did. And I was Team Balthazar all the way. So of course when I saw there was a whole book devoted to him, I wanted to read it. Then, when I saw it on the shelf of the library I certainly had to grab it. Balthazar surprised me, though.

I found it incredibly interesting to find out more about Balthazar's past. Things I had always wondered about were answered--things like what happened to that Jane girl who was mentioned numerous times and why, exactly, had Balthazar done what he did to Charity. I always enjoy learning about characters I adore.

Still, I did have some trouble just getting into the story. I wasn't as caught up in the world Claudia was creating for us as I had been throughout the whole Evernight series. Everything just felt so disconnected from everything we knew and loved in Evernight. EveryONE, too. Balthazar seemed like a totally different person to me in this book. Which isn't horrible, but not as comforting as I thought this book would be.

I positively enjoyed the parts where we saw/talked to Bianca and Lucas again. Those were some of my favorite parts. It was really nice to see what Balthazar thought of Bianca through his eyes. That made me really happy. It was like a taste of the series that is sadly over. Kind of nastalgic.

Character rundown: Balthazar. OH, BALTHAZAR. Kind, strong, wise, and (how can we forget?) attractive. He's almost the same guy we always knew, but he's much more guarded. His logic for his guardedness got repetitive. I'll always adore him, though. And Skye. Skye is a girl I would be friends with if I knew her in real life. She can stay calm in situations most people would flip out, and I respect that. She's not exactly who I pictured would end up with Balthazar, but that's okay because I don't think I'll be happy with who he ends up with. No one will ever be good enough in my mind.

The ending. The end of this book makes me think. Like, will there be another book? Or was that THE END? Aside from the very end being somewhat confusing (to me but probably not others), I was pleased with it. There was a part that seriously had me saying "GO CHARITY!" I was proud of her.

Overall, I liked this book. It was a nice read, but it's not something to read if you're looking for more Evernight. There are a bunch of different characters and only a few of the same. The only constant old characters are Skye and Balthazar for the most part. If you adored Balthazar, as I did, you should definitely read this book.

Okay, that's all I have to say about Balthazar. Thank y'all for checking out my review!

Have a wonderful day, Friends!

♥Jessica(: