Paranormalcy by Kieresten White

Paranormalcy

Author: Kiersten White

Pages: 335 Pages

Publisher: Harper Teen

Released: August 31st 2010

Age Group: Young Adult (12-18)

Book Source: Library

Evie is a monster hunter. She is employed by the International Paranormal Containment Agency.  She has a gift- that is also a curse. She can see through the glamours that paranormal-s put on- to hid themselves from humans and the Agency. Evie is the agency's secret weapon. With a power only she herself has- it is unlike anything the agency has ever contained. this life- is normal for Evie. She has a mermaid best friend, a faerie ex-boyfriend/stalker and now paranormal-s are dying.

Not only dying- being killed, in mass amounts.  Evie's head is filled with mysterious murmurings of  destruction and the promise of death to all paranormal creatures. Evie is soon to realize that not only is her power a mystery. to her dismay she is finding more and more evidence to the fact that she is connected to an ancient faerie prophecy and the deaths of many paranormal beings that are stacking up. Its up to Evie to put a stop to everything- but how can she fix everything when she has no idea what she is up against?

Evie. One and only Evie. Her personality is just the perfect dose of innocence and cleverness, with just a hint of mischief- shes a great character. So unique and fiery! Her comedic acts in this book was great when living through the plot. She is always criticizing things in her own sense of humor that entertained me throughout the book.Oh and don't forget her hot pink zebra boots!

The plot of this book was clever and mysterious. The writing with the dialogue and way that Evie's thoughts were put together was leaning more toward Middle Grade rather than Young Adult literature. This kind of annoyed me at times like-"c'mon just get to the point already" but the plot was intriguing enough to keep me snared through this book in one evening of reading.

Kiersten White is a very nice author and never confuses you. I really mean that- never once was I confused. But that also means the writing was rather simple- but sometimes with the perfect plot- that is completely okay! Whatever creative process she went through to think of this paranormal world- sign me up! I would never  be creative enough to think of something as unique as this world of paranormal creatures.

The romance throughout the novel was appropriate and sweet. Evie with  her boy always made me smile. Simple romances are always so rinky-dinky cute.

It may have had simple writing- but I loved it! I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of  this paranormal trilogy, I plan to stick with it and keep on reading.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Author: Laini Taylor 

Pages: 418

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Release: September 27th 2011

Age Group: Young Adult (12-18)

Book Source: Insider @ Library

        In a  Karou's world where winged creatures roam the sky and a chimaera named Brimstone collects all sorts of teeth for his mysterious necklaces. And his teeth are soon to run out.

      Karou is the 'errand' runner for Brimstone; she does anything he needs. Why? Because he is a monster that is all she has known for family since a young age. He is her family.

       Who is she? She doesn't know. Her hair grows blue- naturally from the roots.She speaks many languages- languages of humans, and monsters alike. She fills sketchbooks with dramatic drawings of monsters that are real- but a secret for her to keep. She is a mystery- to herself and everyone else. But that is the question she keeps getting asked. Who is she?  What is she?

      But when black fiery hand prints are appearing on doors all over the world- on portals catastrophe is soon to strike. And Karou doesn't know what it is and how to stop it. When a wonderful stranger Akiva finds Karou- she haunts him. Her face- a face of beauty. Together they find hidden secrets, dangerous love and most of all- they discover who she is. Whether Karou likes who she is or not; together Akiva and herself are going to find out.

First of all- I would like to thank my schools wonderful librarian- Mrs. Johnson. She let me borrow the schools copy of this book before it was processed- because she knew how much I wanted to read it. Also because it takes forever to process. So I appreciate her kindness and hope she will do the same in the future!

Daughter of Smoke and Bone has been on my to-read list for quite some time. I had hoped it would fulfill my great expectations of this new series. And indeed it did! And more! This new fantastical world of mythological creatures twisted my mind and gave me joy. This book was beyond wonderful.

I loved the voice that Laini Taylor incorporated into this book. Her writing was great- her style told the story and just sucked me in and I could not put it down. This mystery is one of the best books I have read ever. I cannot wait for the sequel!

Karou is definitely going on my list of book character that I would want for a a best friend- right next to Katniss from The Hunger Games and Mara Dyer from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. Karou was unlike any character I have ever 'met'. Her stubbornness and capability was so endearing and awesome to watch  unravel throughout the book. Karou definitely grew as a character throughout the book and made her even more enticing at the end.

The thing I enjoyed the very most was the unpredictability of this entire story.  Just as soon as you started thinking you knew what came next- Laini Taylor just flipped you around and you landed on your head. Sometimes unpredictability in a book can be annoying and just irritate me but this did the opposite- it encouraged me to continue reading.

Laini Taylor did a fantastic job of snagging the read right away and left you wanting more at the end of the book. Definitely a book you NEED to read! I can't wait for the sequel. Some writers just cannot write fast enough!

Imaginary Girls

Imaginary Girls

Author: Nova Ren Suma

Pages: 344

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Genre: Paranormal

Release: June 4th 2011

Age: Young Adult (12-18)
Book Source: Library

     Chloe's older sister, Ruby, always gets what she wants. One night two summers ago- Chloe, at only 14, was dared to swim across the reservoir- quite dire and dangerous task. But she never does it. Soon after beginning to swim she discovers a boat- with the body of a classmate. Dead.

      Soon after Chloe moves to live with her dad- to live a normal life and escape the past that has been haunting her ever since the night she stumbled upon the boat. Two years later- Ruby wants Chloe back. She wants everything normal and as if it was those two summers ago.

      When Chloe returns to their quaint little town everything is the same- the exact same. Or is it?

     Ruby as older sister of Chloe shall always protect Chloe- its her duty as a sister. But when deadly secrets threaten to expose the truth to Chloe of that night out at the reservoir. But for Chloe deadly secrets can have deadly consequences- and it may mean life or death.

Imaginary Girls by Nova Suma Ren was quite a feat that left me guessing through out the entire novel. I suppose you could classify this book as a thriller but the plot went along quite slow and was rather dragging throughout the first third of the book. But soon after the ball begins rolling I just couldn't put it down and read the rest in one seating. 

The characters were rather confusing- as in Ruby's strange personality. She is the kind of girl no one can ever figure out- and that no one knows better than Chloe.

The sisterhood exemplified in this novel was rather sweet and endearing. But when Chloe is always following ruby it feels rather forced like. Why cannot Chloe have her own personality? But the true sisterly love does appear. Throughout the book Chloe always thought her feelings but never communicated them to other characters which I had found rather annoying (SPIT IT OUT ALREADY). 

Nova Ren Suma's writing was very much her own. I haven't read a book with writing quite like that- ever. It had just enough creative writing and descriptive writing to keep me hooked throughout the novel. The mystery portrayed through her words was intriguing and exciting to follow.

Imaginary Girls may be a paranormal thriller- do not confuse it with a book such as White Cat by Holly Black. This book is very unique with it's plot and characters and that was one of the things I enjoyed most. Though it got confusing at times- it was a satisfying read that left me wanting more. I look forward to reading future novels by Nova Ren Suma..

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Author: Michelle Hodkin
Pages: 452
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release: September 27th 2011
Book Source: Library
Age Group: Young Adult (12-18)

     In the book The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, Mara Dyer is crumbling. She is haunted by hallucinations of her friends Rachel, Claire and Jude. They're dead; her friends died in a terrible accident. An old creaky building collapsed while Mara and her friends were exploring. But Mara, she survived. Days after the tragic misfortune, Mara wakes a coma suffering from amnesia; She doesn't recall anything of that night. She catches only glimpses in her dreams. Nightmares. Everything was an accident. An Accident. Accident. Her memories of her friends pursue her. Mara and her family decide to up and move from Laurelton Rhode Island, to Miami Florida. She believe this change will help her move on from everything and start over. She was dead wrong. Moving to Florida worsens her hallucinations- she believes there is something more wrong with her than PTSD. She fears that the building collapse; wasn't just an unfortunate accident- nor will it be the last.

     Mara is completely and utterly alone aside from a boy named Noah, who is out for her fall for him. Mara is opposed to any prospect of love, she avoids it at all costs.  With everything getting worse, and her world is falling apart; How can she afford not to fall? 

     This book reminded me why I love to read, I seriously read this 450 page book in one day. This book was suspenseful, surprising, dark, mysterious and hilarious at the same time.

You will feel Mara Dyer's emotions and live through her perspective. Michelle Hodkin is an absolute BRILLIANT author and her way of writing is so addictive. Mara is an extremely troubled, quirky and character that I could relate to.

I wish I was as cool as Mara. The plot of this book was bewildering and kept you on the edge if your seat, just hanging onto every single word.  The romance that dominated this book was invigorating and the sweet banter left you wishing it was you (no joke). 

I absolutely despise it when amazing authors leave you hanging on a cliff hanger on this amazing book full of bewildering mystery that will leave you guessing until the very last freaking page!

I am so angry at Michelle Hodkin- write faster! I would definitely say this book is 

Freakin' Fantastic  on my scale of books it definitely one of the best books I have read in a Very, Very, Very, LONG time.

If you enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The City Of Bones by Cassandra Claire, Darkest Powers Series by Kelley Armstrong, Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Imaginary Girls, Across the Universe by Beth Revis or Divergent by Veronica Roth; You are for sure to devour this book!