A.M. Bells

So, this is a detailed version of the Puck day.
For one it will start at a Trick and Masks shop where we will put our stealth costumes. Puck would but a bauta (Casanova’s mask of choice) because let’s face it he could pull it off (looks at all the fan girls) and I’ll get a Kitsune mask.
With that we will go to a farm, steal some donkeys and set them free in Titania’s apartments, you know for past mistakes. (Pray to any god who will hear us that Oberon will be there too, just to be sure the prank is perfect).
After getting away from the wrath of kings and queens we would get to the woods and stuff out pockets with catnip and “hunt” for Grim. We could find him, we will find him. And we will drug me senseless and tie bells around his neck, maybe give him a belly rub and make him purr like a drunk kitten. Take pictures of course to be sure that if he comes after us all the fey see him in such inappropriate position.
To be on the safe side we will go to the mortal world, print those picture than hitch a ride to go and bungee jump from the Macau Tower, since it’s the highest jump, then get a faery path to Italy and do the Katun ride at Mirabilandia.
Of course get the pictures done and the T-shirts that we survived. And since we had enough iron we will head back the Trick shop and get a lot of glitter then go and sing a ballad to Leanan Sidhe. Maybe tick her off, because I will trust Puck to make the lyrics accordingly. We will probably steal some of her wine then head to the woods.
That would be the semi-ending: eating roasted mushrooms and apples and get pissed on Summerwine and party like it’s Samhain, dancing and laughing at the crazy pictures we took. If Grim is any wicked he will know that then will be the time to strike if he wants to get the compromising pictures.
Since we are so drunk of course we will do something Insane, as in head for the Iron Realm to sing a serenade and maybe have a Gremlin thrown at us. I always wanted a Gremlin of my own so I’ll be sure to catch it.
Perfect day with Puck, just fun and pranks and insane rides, no kissy face and no riding the Pooka, that if he doesn’t turn into a horse to run away as fast as we can. Then I will have to ride the Pooka because hey, I am no shape shifter.

********************


I would have loved a day with Ash but Puck seems like the best guy to have a whole day with if you want to have crazy fun.

So, PUCK DAY baby! Puck day!

Well, we’ll start early in the morning doing mischief in the Summer court, maybe tick off Titania a little. Could get turned into a frog or something but it would be totally worth it.
Then hunt Grim down and try to tie some bells around his neck and all the day we will call him Fuzzy Wozzy you’re so cute.
Oddly both these ideas seem to have a possibility of ending up with a enemy. And we would stuff our pockets with cat nip to see if it works on him. Maybe first drug him with cat nip and then put a cute bell around his neck. Oh yes, that would be perfect.

And then if we manage to be alive after Grim wrath, I believe in Puck to get us out of jam, we could go in the most crazy roller coaster ever and then bungee jumping. And since those two insane rides will give us a day of idiot grin on our faces we will go and dress ourselves in glitter and pay a visit to Leanan Sidhe! and sing her a ballad.

I’m guessing that from all the previous mentioned activities bungee jumping is the safest. But hell, a day to nark three “people” one after the other, sounds like the best day.

And since we will have to come to an end with the crazy day I think that just camping in the woods and roasting apples and mushrooms on fire would be the best ending. It will be bound to end up in tears of laughter.
Oh oh and pay a visit a late night visit to the Iron Realm to serenade Meghan and Ash. We would be probably be drunk by then but hey, we’ll be marry.

Yup, this is my day with Puck! \^o^/

A.M Bells signing out because of major Summer Wine hangover :))

A big big thank you to those amazing people from netgalley for this. It felt like Christmas when I saw the e-mail. Now let’s get on reviewing.
I’m a sucker for books, YA in particular dealing with fairy lore and is no secret that the Iron Fey ranks up there with my favourite series. Now, we got Meghan telling us her amazing story. Then Puck pocked his way in and presented us with an –all – to – Puck – adventure and now we get Ash. I love Puck from the bottom of my heart but I am a Team Ash girl for who Meghan should end up with.

As I would have appreciated an Ultimate Sacrifice Ending as Julie herself puts it, I can’t say 'no' to a change at happy end. And if the road to that is paved with Ash’s thoughts and experiences then I cannot ask for anything more in life.
Ash has set out to find a way to me with Meghan like he vowed he would and this boy is on determined fey. The way to be with her – he needs a soul, he must become mortal. And together with Puck, the always present (except when danger is near) Grimalkin, and two new/old characters add to the company.
To “see” in Ash’s head has been quite an experience. It was something to see him as light and as dark through Meghan’s eyes, but now. Everything reached new levels. Ash is kind and was a kind prince in a way, but as I see it, Winter has a way of icing you. We get to find out cruel things Ash did (only natural as a Winter fey) and that shocks a great deal. Yet, I couldn’t find myself turning away from Ash because of that. He was young (as young goes for fey) he was Winter, and in the end he was fey. (Maybe writing a dissertation paper on Fairy Lore has made me understand more the way fey work, who knows? Or I’m just a freak for understanding cruelty as something natural.) The is a change in Ash as the novel gets to an end, and it is a very sweet change, like, for lack of better words – spring. The ice melted away slowly.

Puck, well Puck! Have I mentioned how much I love Puck? He is the same yet not. He still has his amazing one liners that he got us used to, but we can see that he is a wise fey, that he does have the age even if he acts like a child. And that he loves dearly his friends, and Meghan (even if he cannot have her the way he wishes). And his bickering with Ash is always a treat. I will miss these two together. But to this bickering duo there is another one, Grimalking of course and Wolf. I loved the insults passing between them and how Grim has kept the “Cats rule and dogs drool” thing going on. I cannot say more about the last addition to the company, because is one hell of a twist that I would have never seen coming.
Twist after twist with this one, and I loved the presence he/she/it made in the story. It also broke my heart a little.

But all things must come to an end, and the end is meant to praise the author for doing such an amazing job. It was a brilliant book and as well as series, with action, humor, a little horror, love and loss, and feelings, human feelings. Puck, Ash, Meghan, Grim, Wolf and their friends will not fade and get lost with the other Forgotten, because she has gave us their stories and we will keep them alive and ruling.

Connor, Risa and Lev are running for their lives.
The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until the age of 13. Between the ages of 13 and 18, however, parents c an have their child “unwound,” whereby all of he child’s organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn’t technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state, is not talented enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape – and to survise. (Backcover description)

I bought this book on fluke. I had no idea what I would get but I just ordered it. I decided to order it because of a DA artist Burdge-Bug. I saw several drawings made by her and read a description on the Holy Goodreads and I thought I should give it a shot. And let me tell you, what a shot. I absolutely loved this book, and it also broke my heart and made me hope that nothing like it would happen in the future.

Unwind was definitely a book worth reading and it is without a doubt a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. You will not get bored and you will find yourself engrossed in the action and cheering, or just crying for the characters, and not just the main ones: Connor, Risa and Lev.
The idea itself, the futuristic world that who knows, maybe one day our own world will turn into or not, was fantastic. It depressed me a little to think that we might turn out like this. Giving our children away to be unwound, or making them fight to the death in the Hunger Games, or who knows what other things.
I’m thinking of turning this year not only the dragon and faeries books, but also the futuristic/postacpocaliptic one. The Epic THREE.

Each and every charachter is special and in now way a 2D character , hello – goodbye. Everyone lives and breathes and makes himself/herself noticed and you get attached to them. Or you just want to punch him in the face and run away really really fast. Yeah, I am talking about Roland. Though in the end, I couldn't fully hate him. He had this tough facade but I think it was just that, and he had to keep it up because that was how he grew up. I felt sorry for him more than hate him, yet I still wanted sometimes to hit him in the face.

Connor,signed to be unwound by his parents since they felt they could not control him anymore, was not your usual lead guy. He wasn’t exceptionally handsome, charming or ohh be still my heart. He had, dare I say, more flaws than qualities at the beginning, but throughout the months of running away, he changed a lot. He discovered things he was good at, he became more protective and not as angry and prone to fighting, and he actually got a girl worth caring for and that cared enough about him.

Like Connor, Lev, the young tithe, changed a lot from the annoying kid tithe. Learned the streets, to get around by himself. He turned out to be, one hell of a kid and a fighter for the greater good, sort of.
Risa, ward of the state but not a good enough pianist to be kept alive, didn’t change very much, maybe just lowering her defense as the story progressed. She was a sweet and caring girl from the very beginning. And that never changed.

An amazing and horific dystopian world, is what the author created. I’m glad I got my hands on this book and it won’t be the last I read from Neal Shusterman.

Quotes ^_^

Emby - I gotta go to the bathroom
Hayden - You should have thought of that before you left. How many times do we have to tell you? Always use the potty before climbing into a shipping crate.

Diego - I want my fingers to go to a sculptor. So he can use them to craft something that will last forever.
Hayden - If I'm unwound,I want my eyes to go to a photographer — one who shoots supermodels. That's what I want these eyes to see.
Connor - My lips'll go to a rock star.
"These legs are definitely going to the Olympics."
"My ears to an orchestra conductor."
"My stomach to a food critic."
"My biceps to a body builder."
Emby - I wouldn't wish my sinuses on anybody."


One more for Connor's sake from the amazing Burdge-Bug

My name is Meghan Chase.
I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.(via Goodreads)

Meghan - "In real life,I've changed so much I don't even recognize myself."

As she said it herself, Meghan changes a lot during her adventures. Three books and we find a new Meghan, even more determined, brave and truly in love. She is more mature and ready to stand up for what she thinks is right.
I always love it when I see visible evolution of the characters in books, and not only, same goes for when I am reading manga.
Ash has been on constant change as well since the beginning of the series. If at the start he shows only little glimpses of how he can be, now he was. He was sweet, open and oh so romantic and loving. Him and Meghan easily ranked up in my favorite lit pairs. They love each other so much that at times is heart breaking.
Dear Puck learned the way of Tomoyo: My happiness is her happiness. How can I not love and respect that, especially since an old dog like him would be hard to learn new tricks, like selflessness.

The three of them together with the amazing Grima return to the Iron Realm to prevent the NeverNever from being destroyed. Struggling with her Iron and Summer powers Meghan is a real hero, as much as Ash and Puck. You cannot put this book down and come back tomorrow to read the next chapter. Because it is like a fairy that has enchanted you, and you cannot break free until you complete your deal and finish reading it; with cheeks drenched with tears and sobbing like a baby.

The Iron Queen as the whole series, is amazing, fascinating and absolutely brilliant. And Julie Kagawa is one of my literary heroes (J.K Rowling leading them all), and I will definitely read more that comes out of her amazing "pen".

QUOTES T_T

PUCK - My, aren't we bossy today. Give a girl an army and it goes straight to her head.

- It's not everyday I get to tell someone I was attacked by a pair of flying reading glasses. Ow

MEGHAN - A little warning would’ve been nice. You couldn’t have said, ‘Hey, as part of your training today, I’m going to beat you senseless’.
- "I wished that, for once, faery tales – real faery tales, not Disney fairy tales – would have a happy ending."

ASH - “I would think you’re better suited to the task, Goodfellow,” he said without turning around. “After all, that’s what you’re best at isn’t it? Watching?”
- "Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. Should even the world stand against her, my blade will be at her side. And should it fail to protect her, let my own existence be forfeit."

sobbing in a corner A.M Bells

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.
Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Did I like this book? No! I LOVED IT!
Iron Daughter picks up where Winter's Passage left us...sort off.
Meagan is at the Winter Court having completed her contract with Ash. And she ain't having it easy. A Summer half-human fairy in a Winter Court where every creature from the most unimportant Red Cap to the Winter Queen herself hunts for your weaknesses so they can tear you apart. Ohh yeah!

This one was action packed from the beginning and we actually get to know better Ash's brothers: Rowan and Sage. One I hated, and one I liked. This is all I can tell. It was nice to having them active and not so 1D as they were in Iron King. But aside from the brothers, Ash had his character development. He is not just the prince of the Unseelie Court, cold and inflexible. We get to see a softer side of him, protective and capable of great sacrifices. Yes, his heart has melted, if it was ever truly frozen.

Puck, despite being a little absent in the start comes back in full power. And man does he make up for absence. I love his humor and stark, and how he is still Ash's friend even if they keep fighting to kill each other. Frenemies are they called? I'm thinking that how Ariella was the catalysis in their grudge, Meghan is the one that ties them back...more or less.

The book is full of turns and twists and surprises that had me gasping or aww'ing even sobbing near the end. And I was actually happy that I didn't know anything as I read (My spoiler inside Freak was tamed for the day).

But let us not forget the lead girl of this story. Even with her powers cut off by Queen Mab there is still something inside her. Oh, and what power! Queen Mab should have feared this power instead of the summery one. Meghan was herself and maybe a little bit more. Still determined, stubborn and ready to give it all. The novelty is her struggle with some mixed feeling. We can't have a story without a little bit of love triangle, right?

Oh. Scene that had me in stitches: The satyr at the spa Miroku. (Anyone who has ever seen Inuyasha will understand me)

Bottom point: I love this series. And I can't wait to get Iron Queen.

QUOTE TIME \^o^/

Tiaothin - "Meghan's in lo-ove," sang the phouka, making my heart stop. "Meghan's in lo-ove. Meghan and Ash, sitting in a tre--"

(I should mention that for some reason I found myself fond of Tiaothin. Hope she'll appear again.)

Puck - "You look like crap, prince. Did you miss me?"

Ash - "You're here, and the only dance I want is this one."

PS: Oh Ironhorse! Hugs Ironhorse!

A.M Bells

Book one and 1.5 Novella of the series "Iron Fey". Woot woot! I've been meaning to read the series for a while now. And as expected I read the first one and the novella in my spare day from exams. Ohh yeah! I go wild when I get a breathing moment from them! I READ BOOKS!
Sooo. What is it about! DUH! Faeries! This isn't the faerie year for nothing.

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart. (Via Goodreads)

This book was bound to be read in high speed roller-coaster ride. The idea of the Iron Fey is amazing and something I have not read before. It was a nice change and of course I loved the anime references ( Myself being and Otaku...faery. ) And I always love to see so much dedication for family in books. Meghan is a wonderful person and sister, and put herself in line for her little brother without a second thought.

Another surprise I had and a pleasant one at that, was Puck. Every time I imagined Puck either if he appeared in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" or "Wondrous Strange"
by Lesley Livingston I always had this image of an older man in my head. To switch from that to a foxy youngster was brilliant. I was fond of him from the very beginning.

Still, I am a TEAM ASH girl. Sorry Puck! Ash, oh Ash. Be still my heart. Thank you for making it so that when I hear Ash I won't be thinking of Pokemon. Aside from that, I was a sucker for Ash immediately. Tall, dark, icy and with silver eyes? What is not to like? And his feud with Puck was a nice twist in the story. But it takes Summer's heat to melt ice, right?

His (Prince of Winter 'Unseelie' Court) developing romance with Meghan (Half off-spring of the Summer 'Seelie' King) is sweet but yet heart reaching. Yes, it is your usual star-crossed love, but it's beautiful and not so dumb-witted as suicidal Romeo X Juliet. I have a feel these two will not give up so easily.

This series had easily made it's way on to favorite shelf.

QUOTEEEEEEES \^o^/

Meghan - “You’ve gone off the deep end. Time to cut back on the anime, Rob. There’s no such thing as faeries.”

“I’m a…an otaku faery,” I said, drawing a confused scowl from the chief and bewildered looks from the rest of the camp

Puck - “Ladies and felines,” he stated grandly, grasping the doorknob,“welcome to Tir Na Nog. Land of endless winter and shitloads of snow.”

Ash - "Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles off and put them in a jar. Understand?"



Winter's Passage is a bridge novella between "Iron King" and "Iron Daughter". Heading for the Winter Court Megan and Ash are tracked by an ancient, powerful hunter. One that even Ash has some tough time fighting with.

We see a new side of Ash in this one in the little time he shows it. He is kind, protective. He and Meghan had a too little time to actually be together but it was sweet and emotional.

QT - Summer and Winter were not supposed to fall in love. T_T

OMG - How dare I forget about Grimalkin?

The amazing, the fantastic and clever yet adorable Cat Sìth! Whom I have to admit, at first he was a she. :D Grimalkin is a brilliant sidekick/companion/voice of reason/cat

A.M Bells

Even if I say I will update more often I fail at it. College is murder in this time. My head is already screaming to stop the torture. Anyway!

Blue Bloods is not a series I am crazy about like I would be for Mortal Instruments or Morganville. I got the first book this summer when I was working in the book fair. Ironically I got it from our competition tent :)). But I just had to get something. I'm not for competition and also the ones there were actually friends and cute boys :D. So, at this moment I have all the books, for some reason, even if it's not one of the books that might ever be first in my "To buy list"

But I have to admit I really liked the novella.

It has three stories:

1. Oliver orientated one
2. Allegra orientated
3. The bonding of Jack and Schuyler

As a side note, Jack has to be one of the first lead guys that I disliked from the beginning. :)) I like a little more now. ^_^ Now that he is finally brave enough to do what he wishes.
And Mimi got in my heart a little with her love for Kingsley Martin.

So, for the first story of the novella, I have to say it was my favorite. Just because Oliver is one of the favorite characters from Blue Bloods. Suffering from de-familiarizing he finds comfort in help in Freya, a witch.
This story left me wishing for more of Oliver and Freya, and hoping. ^_^ Oliver deserves a nice witch girl who won't suck his blood and hurt him.

The second story, is how Allegra met Schuyler's father while they were still as cool. It was a nice change, to "see" Allegra up and about. And not just in comatose.I was left a little confused because of this story but I guess the future books will clear more up.

And the best for last, I guess. ( Well, not for me. My Best was the Oliver story. Yaay.) Schuyler and Jack bonding. Not going so happy at the beginning but with a very hot and sweet ending.

Yup. I really liked reading this one. Nice, short. Just what I needed after a German exam.

PS: There was a lot "bow chika wow wow"! Quite new! :D

A.M Bells

WOW! Just WOW.
I had planned to read this book like a year ago, but when I began I was in such a crappy mood I couldn't enjoy it at all so I stopped.
Good thing too, with a baggage of another year of reading and new wants I read this book in a totally different way that I would have then.

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind . . . via Goodreads

I loved reading this book seriously. First, because it had Fairy Lore (My college diploma is on Celtic Myths :D) and secondly because it was dark in a way. YES! Faeries are not nice, they are malicious and cruel and psychopaths. Even Tink tried to kill Wendy now that I think about it. Anyhoo!

Lament is a very musical novel, no duh. And it's even more enjoyable if you read it with the right soundtrack. (How creepy was when I was reading this line: "Come away, human child, whispered the voice in breathy timbre, come away from the pain of the world." and the song that was playing in my headphones was Stolen Child sung by Loreena McKennitt).

Luke and Dee were sweet together yet I still had a hope for James because I liked him from the first line he came up. He is a good friend, protective, and funny and honest. And he can pull off a kilt and still be amazing has major scores in my book.

The end was brilliant, at least for me. It was like an Irish Ballad with heroes and such and such, you know ^_^.

*runs to read Ballad*

A.M Bells

I’ve read my first book in the first day of the 2011. Woot! And that was Firelight by Sophie Jordan, a book with dragoooooons. Well, actually draki!
I’ve only read only one other book involving dragons and that is You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister (I’m stalling Eragon for some reason) and it was quite different from this one.
I already declared year 2011 a year of dragons and fair-folk, so even if I am going to read a lot of Debut Authors and of course books from series I’ve been following, I will concentrate a lot more on dragons and faeries. ^_^
So let’s see what’s crack-a-lackin' with Firelight.

Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons and a very special one. She is a the only fire draki in centuries. She’s a special draki, but being special is not always good as she will see. So her mother takes her and her sister Tamra, and flee the pride. She hopes that the draki inside her daughter will fade and they will all live normally.
Struggling in a mortal world that fit her sister and mother perfectly, her only silver lining is Will. Or is he? From a family of dragon hunters, Will is her most feared enemy, but love has other plans. They are the mythical Romeo and Juliet. Hopefully they won’t end up the same way.

Firelight lived up to the praise it got even before the official release. With a gorgeous cover and amazing action and characters, no wonder I read it in less than a day.
I would have picked on the fact that I predicted a lot of developments, but I guess that was because I read so many books. It’s like after you read 18 of Agatha Christie books and you get a knack on figuring the killer as you read more and more. (And she has a lot of books.)
And even if it seemed rushed, the connection and the falling in love actually makes sense as you read. Can’t say the reasons but there are.

What I really liked about it was the struggle of the draki inside her. I’ve never had a draki inside of me (wished though) but I can imagine is not easy to keep in control such a being that defines everything that you are. And that struggle combined with keeping away from the boy that you want to be close...well let’s just say you empathize. It was believable and I guess that is the target of all writers. Congrats Sophie Jordan, you’ve hit your target.

Also what I also liked the straight forwardness of it. I mean is it not so complicated to say: "You want to go out?" he asks suddenly.
I blink. "As in a date?"
"Yes. That's what a guy usually means when he asks that question." A lot more effective than stalking (well, Will did his part of stalking and all, but we’ll leave him alone because that was his strike 1).
All in all, Firelight was really worth it. And the cliffhanger was a nightmare.

A.M Bells

I did a marathon read with this one because I really wanted to finish it before the New Year. Reading it in the same time with Stardust I did it. Just a minute before 31 Dec I finished and the line was drawn at 115 books read in the year 2010. Yaaay!

Sooo, let us begin!

Dru is finally safe in the Prima Schola, or is she?
She started to learn more about what it means to be svetocha, goes to classes, keeps close to the Broken Ash and maybe even gives a try to dating. Christophe has disappeared again and of course the only people that she can trust are Graves, Dibs and Shanks. But mostly Graves.
Lies, betrayals and jealousy, and all have at the core none other Anna.

With the first two books I said I would give them 4.5 points. But this one really deserves 5 points. It was, dare I say, amazing.
Even if Dru should have been in a safe place you feel that is an illusion as you read. There is a lot more to the safeness, as it is to Anna. And Yes, I did have a few reasons to hate her even more. But wow, I had surprises!

I am really getting excited about Ash's evolution and I really really hope he will manage to revert back in his true form. I grew quite fond of the guy.

Also together with the guys from Betrayals (Dibs and Shanks) two more have joined the wagon and I loved them. Benjamin and Leon! They were funny and cool in their way, and I was happy that they were on Dru's side.

Dru of course was herself. Kick-ass and tomboyish just as we got used to her, making guys buy her Midol and finally getting a scent as appetizing as Christophe's apple pie. Oh, and hail the hoodies and jeans. We got to glimpse a little into Graves's past ( *giggle* his full name is “Edgar Hideaki Graves.” *giggle*) but I still root for Christophe.
Speaking of Christophe there are a lot of things we discover about him as well, and not only: Dru's mum, Anna *death glare*, and August ^_^.

QUOTE TIMEEEE \^o^/

"Get me some Midol, all right?"
Benjamin all but choked. Leon studies the ceiling with a great deal of interest, a smile twitching at the corners of his thin mouth. While Benjamin looked ready to sink into the floor, Leon looked highly amused.
I decided I liked him.

"The ice," Leon said to thin air over my head, "has now officially broken."


A.M Bells

Ok, I will have to review two books in the same time. Just because it would have been stupid to review the second volume of Strange Angels before the actual first volume. Since that is how I read them. Why? Because the first volume got lost on the way, did a “little” detour in France and then arrived after a long month and many e-mails to the wonderful people at Bookdepository. They were amazing and patient.

So, here it goes: Strange Angels and Betrayals – Lili St.Crow
I will start by saying that I love the authors pen-name. Don’t know why, but I do.

Dru Knows that the Real World – peopled with ghosts, suckers and zombies – is a frightening place. She’s ready to kill first and ask questions later, so it’s going to take her a while to work out just who she can trust.
Dru Anderson has been “strange” for as long as she can remember. Traveling from town to town with her father to hunt down things that go bump in the night. It’s a weird life, but good one – until in an icy, broken – down town, a hungry zombie bursts through her kitchen door. Dru is going to have to use every inch of her wit and training. Can she stay alive long enough to fall for one – or both – of the guys hungry for her affections? (from the back of the cover)

Ok. First of all, in the first volume is not really clear the “hungry for affections” stuff. But anyhoo!
I loved reading this book for a couple of reasons. One, because I felt like I was reading in a way, Supernatural, where you don’t have a Dean and a Sam. You have a Dru...and Graves...and later Chris (Swoons a little. Second, because Dru is such a great character. You know how adventure books the characters that until that point were mundane and incapable and then suddenly they are freaking fighters? What’s up with that? Dru, has been fighting for most of her life, she is not incapable of throwing a good punch yet she is honestly scared when she finds herself alone and has to keep herself...alive. She is a kid, she admits it, she admits that without her dad and help she can die. For me that was believable. Seriously!

She’s no angel . . .
Poor Dru Anderson. Her parents are long gone, her best friend is a werewolf, and she’s just learned that the blood flowing through her veins isn’t entirely human. (So what else is new?)

Now Dru is stuck at a secret New England School for other teens like her, and there’s a big problem— she’s the only girl in the place. A school full of cute boys wouldn’t be so bad, but Dru’s killer instinct says that one of them wants her dead. And with all eyes on her, discovering a traitor within the Order could mean a lot more than social suicide. . .

Can Dru survive long enough to find out who has betrayed her trust—and maybe even her heart? (from Goodreads just because I got lazy)

Also, the thing that I found brilliant: Yes, you have needs! You may be running for your life, but in that moment you have the need to pee. You don’t see this a lot in books. It’s a whole lot of running and fighting, but you never see a moment, in which the character does anything for his human needs. Cramps and all that. Not to mention shaving her legs. In “Betrayals” I was in stitches about this one. When Christophe was in her room, and she was all: Ohh, I didn’t shave my legs.
Here you are, mister gorgeous in you room, you in shorts and maybe a little unshaved. Now this is one moment, that girls can actually relate for real with the character.

Graves: Well, I have a soft spot for him. Because he is Asian. I heart Asians! I kinda felt bad for him. He had his whole life figured out, has the brains. And here comes the new chick and completely blows his plan. He’s a nice guy dealing with all the shit that Dru brought with her and nicely shares with him. Kudos to you man.

Christophe: I don't think there isn't a woman reader out there who is not swooning after this guy. I know I am. I like Graves, but Christophe is something else, I figured it must be that apple pie smell he has going on: "He smelled like smoke too, and under it was the edge of apple pies-spice and goodness. Jesus. Even after all that he smelled like a bakery." Or the danger. Girls like dangerous guys, it's a fact.

"Betrayals" new characters, great addition though I hated Anna and I know I am going to hate her even more in "Jealousy" (No duh! Title says it all). Can't wait to read that one. Hope there won't be any more France detours for my books. I never went to France and I wannaaaaaaaa.

QUOTE TIMEEEE

Strange Angels: "Better to be strong than pretty and useless."

"I guess since the groin is the center of a guy's world, he rarely guesses it isn't the center of yours."

Betrayals:"I crossed my arms over my chest. Jeez, it was cold in here all of a sudden. And had he always smelled this good? Was it a cologne? Eau de Christmas Pie?"

"My legs were on fire. All of me was burning and my back was a solid bar of pain. But it didn't matter.
What mattered was Graved next to me, also rubbing my back and laughing like he'd just found Christmas in his pants."

If I were to give points I guess Strange Angels would gather a total of 4.5 points out of 5. ^_^

PS: The shitty part of reading the second before the first was the fact that I didn't understand the lingo. Like, what in the world was a Svetocha. As well as the many pet names and words Christophe used. That didn't change even after the first book. So after Google-ing like crazy it was the amazing FORUM that cleared things for me.

And I quote: "Christophe is using a mix of Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish pet names. This is the closest translation:
kochana - beloved; love
milna - a very grown up/seductive way of saying 'sweetie'
skowroneczko moja - my pretty; my beauty
moj maly ptaszku - my little bird
moj ptaszku - my bird
moja ksiezniczko - my princess
malutka - little girl; little one
Ksiezniczka - Princess (from Strange Angels)
Other vocab:
moj boze - my God; dear God
dziekuje - thank you
Dyado Koleda - a mythical/religious character from European stories (from Strange Angels)" I think Dyado Koleda is some kind of Santa. ^_^ Awww Chris!

A.M Bells

Tom Boyd is a famous novelist, but after an awful heartbreak he is uncapable of writing. Billie a young woman, and also a character in his novel, appears one night in his home...alive. They make a deal that she will bring back to him the woman he loves if he will write his last volume of the trilogy. But things take a turn when Tom really has to write the novel in order to save Billie’s life.

Not many words to synops this book, and it doesn’t need more. They were enough to make me read. Even if at the beginning I was a little skeptical the action immediately pulled me in. Race to find one missing book, the struggle to save Billie and not to mention the mystery of figuring out how she came from the fictional world in the real world. As a struggling writer and lover of the fictional world, what wouldn't I give to meet face to face a character of mine. I guess that is every writers dream.
The ending was shocking. I never expected it, maybe because it was my first time reading something from Guillaume Musso. But I will read more, that is for sure. It was great!
PS: I’m really thinking in participating in bookcrossing now. Amazing idea!

A.M Bells

Pages: 335

Other Titles in Morganville: Glass Houses, The Dead Girls’ Dance, Midnight Alley, Feast of Fools, Lord of Misrule, Carpe Corpus, Fade Out, Kiss of Death

The fragile peace between humans and vampires in Morganville is in trouble, and when Claire takes drastic action, she's put under serious pressure to re-establish the barriers that keep the town residents inside, and wipe the memories of those who leave. But working with her half-crazy vampire boss Myrnin means that things don't always turn out as planned ... and as the people of Morganville begin acting strangely, Claire and her friends must solve the mystery and try to put things right. But one by one, her allies are turning on her ... even the ones she trusts most. (Source- Goodreads)

I am such a dork over these books; I made no secret of it. So as it was natural I had preordered, received in record time and read in record time. How not to do it when for the last month I was practically biting my nails to get it and suffering withdrawal for not having Shane to read about. T_T

Naturally I loved it, what not to love? Morganville seems to be in more trouble than before, memory losses, people and vampires forgetting who they are and Clare, Shane, Michael and Eve struggle to solve it. But how long will it be till they start to forget.

I liked how Claire changed so much over the books. She’s been though a continuous development. When we met her in the first book she was just a skittish little thing and fragile, now she is brave, determined and does not take crap from anybody, especially Monica & co. I guess we have to thank Morganville for that and of course her friends that had her back all this time, and especially Shane. C’mon, clearly he is one of them who made her bloom like she did.

There were definitely some heartbreaking moments, as you can imagine. Shane’s dad stepped back into the picture and of course created a lot of commotion and yet…*sigh* Anyway. We also get to see some facets of Myrnin: kind, crazy (ok, more crazy than usual), heartbroken.

And of course the end was? A CLIFFHANGER

QUOTE TIIIIIIIIIME \^o^/

EVE - "Really? Is he running for Worst Boyfriend Ever?"
SHANE - "In the subcategory of Completely Awesome."

"Bathroom, maybe? Which is where I need to go."
"Ooh, me, too," Eve said. The boys rolled their eyes, like they'd planned it. "What? It's what girls do. Get over it."

So it goes like this. We have Teagan who has a great job at the zoo, is worried about her future and has no boy in that equation. Now add the amazing BFF Abby, who has dreams. Dreams that make her scared for Teagan’s fate: shape shifting creatures, goblins, all hunting for her best friend.
Enter Finn Mac Cumhaill, Irish hunk with killer accent and knee weakening smile, which also seems to know about these creatures that Abby has been dreaming, and is ready to fight them. What is his connection with Abby’s dreams, the painting of Teagan’s mother, and the legend of Fionn mac Cumhaill the mythical hunter-warrior?

Synopsis, definitely not make this book justice for some reason. I left it to luck when I ordered the book, or maybe instinct. I saw promises of Celtic myths in there and I just went on and pre-ordered it. And my instincts were right this time, because it exceeded my expectations.

I’m a sucker for Irish myths, Irish accents, Irish characters and of course Irish boys. So Tyger Tyger was right up my alley. Read it in one sitting and grrrd when I reached the last page because I wanted more. The mythology was great, the Creatures of the books ( I assume Fay some kind of Fay of the Otherworld) are not that cute and sparkly as you may think faeries and all that are. Goblins are bad, and that is that.

What I really liked for starters was the family relationship. They were just heartwarming to read about them together. The librarian dad, the artist mom, oh cute singing Aiden and Teagan who was such a great sister to him, protecting and always loving. Yes, they were hallmark family…till one point which broke my heart, but I won’t spill the beans.

Secondly, Abby! Man, I loved this girl so much. I sometimes don’t really like the BFF’s in the books, since they seem to exist there so they won’t make the lead girl be socially awkward. But Abby went straight to my heart, with her crazy Italian family not to mention the Ninja Turtles cousins ( I love the Ninja Turtles! If I ever get a car I will name it after them, but not my kids…or who knows). She had me laughing like crazy with her amazing antiques ( Mercutio was a vampire, Holly Water anyone…and the awesome Shakesrear! Thank you, Thank you very much!)

Aiden, 6 year old little sing bird afraid of Elvis Impersonators. WIN!!!! He was innocent, cute, brave and just loving.

And well, Finn. The Irish McSteamy that makes Abby overprotective about her friend. Holly Water won’t harm him, just so you know. (No vampires here so go back to your coffins or jewelry stores.) What can be best other than a boy, who is handsome, who is a fighter, protective, has an Irish accent and ready to change your plans? Tehe! I can even let it pass the fact that he is not “much for books”.
His interactions with Teagan were great, even after his ... ahh, not saying that. Just saying, he is a guy who know what he wants, from the start. And knows how to protect it, even if it might hurt him. What not to like?

Tyger Tyger is the first book from The Goblin Wars. I am pretty sure I will be pre-ordering the next one as soon as it is available.



QUOTES \^o^/

Teagan - How long has it been since you read a book that didn't have vampires in it?
Abby - They write books with no vampires? Wait...the penguins made us read that Shakesrear guy, right?
Teagan - Shakespeare
Abby - Whatever. I'm pretty sure Mercutio was a vampire. He had the attitude, you know? He just never got a chance to show his fangs.


Mr. Wylltson - When I meet someone who says they're not "much for books," I can guarantee that they haven't met the right book yet.

Finn - You're just the right size for hugging. That's nice to know.

Yes I have been so lazy I am ashamed of myself. Buuut, I feel better to get back on track. Of course I will not be able to review all the books that I have read since my last post. There are a looooooooooot!
Like:
1. Carpe Corpus - Rachel Caine
2. Fade Out - Rachel Caine

While Working at the bookshop

3.Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis
4. Kiss of Death - Rachel Caine
5. Blue Bloods Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods, #1) by Melissa de la Cruz
6. Titha
7. Valiant
8. Ironside by Holly Black
9. Catcher in the Rye - J.D Salinger
10. Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2) by Richelle Mead
11. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3) by Richelle Mead

And the list goes on to the last I've read

Crescendo (Hush, Hush, #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick
Ghost Town by Rachel Caine
Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods, #5) by Melissa de la Cruz - Which I have to admit is the favorite of all the books in the series.



AAAAAAAAND WAITING ON



Smell the book. It smells like England ^_^
A.M Bells

Scarlett is a normal teenager from Cremona that had to move with her family in Siena. She has to go through a new school, new friends and a new life without her old best friends. She loves reading and befriends immediately the bizarre librarian and when everything seems to be all right in her life it goes downhill.
But the mysterious Mikael, bass player in the Dead Stones, is right there for her when she needs the help more and protects her from the unnatural powers that lurk around her.

It took me longer to read this book since it was in Italian and I was as rusty as you can get. But I had great fun reading it. I really didn’t know what to think Mikael was until he actually said it. I guess I am too used with vampire books and boys who protect you from the shadows being vampires.
The love is sweet and charming between them. Mikael is kind and dolce, helping Scarlett not only fend the dark but with her family.
Her relationship with her little brother was adorable. I wanted to hug that little kid so much. XD
Overall, great story for a preteen girl and not only.

Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand-the mark of an angel.

But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows, and now, she is torn between one angel's sacrifice and another angel's vicious ambition.

Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel's sacrifice collides with another angel's vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower. - Goodreads

For me the description doesn't do it justice. Because the book had more to it. Maybe it is good like that. There are books that charm you when you read a small description and then disappoint you when you read them. Kinda like movie trailers.

** spoiler alert ** Yaaay! I can finally write about this. ^_^
It is very clear I loved reading it. Angels are the new Vampires and I am happy to take a break from the whole blood sucking and jump into a more innocent and whiter world of Angels.

The first thing I loved about this book is how they didn't beat around the bush with the whole "I am watching you from afar" crap. C'mon, now really. See, you can write a great book even the whole gig is out from the beginning. You save yourselves the trouble and can finally be honest with each other, aye?

The second thing I loved: Hadrian. Love at the tenth power. He was pure evil and he was so skilled in showing that Teagan is not all sweet and innocent and has a little "bad" in her like every human being.

THIRD - It was so easy to relate to Teagan from the moment she stepped in. The whole book shelf and passion and everything :)).
And awesome job with killing the best friend. Most authors try to save best friends of the lead.

My respect for that.


QUOTE TIIIIIIMEEEEE

Garreth - "I can't explain it too well. I picture myself being completely in tune with you. I breathe when you breathe. My heart beats when yours beats. I can time them perfectly to each other and then I just...slow it all down. It's really very easy."

Teagan - "What is it?"
Garreth - "No one's ever prayed for me before. I've always heard your prayers. You prayed for me to come to you when you had a bad dream. I even heard you pray for a perfect, selfless, superwonderful boy to fall in love with. But I've never heard you pray for me."

After the excruciating usual cliffhanger Morganville 5 doesn’t disappoint and takes things on a whole new level.
With Bishop in town, one of the oldest vampires around, the little harmony of the town is threatened because he is decided to take over it and revive the primordial hunger of the vampires.
And there is only one way out of the situation: swear your allegiance to him or die.

In this one the action is just set on super speed. Everything happens in just a few days, no less than a week and poor Claire, Eve, Shane and Michael are thrown in a roller coaster ride of death where they are not only threatened by the unnatural forces of the vampires but also by the natural forces of Texas. It was like viewing the revolution of ’89 but with vampires instead of communists.

Claire is as always one of the best natured people who can help even the people they dislike. And her love for Shane makes my heart jelly and fluff every time. And Shane is … well Shane. There is no hiding that he is one character I lover very much. Which is weird since I was most likely to like the vampire boy of the story. Michael is great in my book, but not like Shane. ^o^

Overall, Rachel Caine does an amazing job to keep you on your toes in this books as well. It’s just heart pumping!

QUOTE TIIIIIIMEEEEE

Hannah - "Mind if I call shotgun?"
Shane - “Since you're carrying one? Feel free."

Eve - "I could totally date somebody else, you know."
Michael - "And I could rent out your room."
Eve - "And I could put your game console on eBay."
Shane - Hey! Now you're just being mean."

This one has my favorite cover.Really! If this was the cover for the first volume I wouldn't have taken so long to read the series. This is a Michael image I approve.

See? Even Erika approves! \^o^/

Not only Claire’s parents are in town but also Mr. Bishop A.K.A El Bad Capo di Tutti Capi A.K.A Amelie’s “father”. And he has brought with him trouble. More trouble you say? Well, in Morganville there is never too much trouble.

So, Claire has to deal with this, her parents’ safety, the fact that Bishop’s girl Ysandra has her eyes on Shane and keep her duties to Amelie a priority. That is to work with Myrnin and go to college like any normal teen.

Feast of Fools starts like all the others: just a second after the last one ended. This is one great cliffhanger and what makes it so hard to read the books, well, not in order. You will have no idea what is going on.
I love how in Morganville vampires are like they should be. BAD. Even the ones that are suppose to be good are still bad, with their own agendas and everything. Caring for their kind and not for the puny little humans.
Myrnin is always a fantastic character in spite of everything. He is crazy, bipolar, did I mention crazy?
The book is as always fast paced, full of action and humor (even in the most craziest situations...dangerous too) and just thrilling.

QUOTE TIIIIIIMEEEEE

Eve - “Shirt off.”
Shane - “You only love me for my abs.”
Eve - “Shut up, loser. Shirt off.”

Shane - “Crap! Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Claire - “I’m thinking we have about fifteen vampires and no blood.Is that it?”
Shane - “No, I was thinking we’re out of chips. Of course that’s what I was thinking.”

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her. - GOODREADS

I was really looking forward to reading this book and it didn't disappoint.
Happy!!
Juvenile home for Supernaturals...excuse me Prodigium! Pretty neat!
Sophie is one hell of a character. I just love sarcastic characters, and she made my day.
Archer (Oh, how I love this name) didn't really appeal to me until the end. I actually found Cal a lot more interesting than Archer, even if Cal spoke in the book as much Kyuzo in 26 episodes of Samurai 7.
Can't wait for the next book. XD

QUOTE TIME (Just one, my favorite)

The "Holy-crap-that's-a-lot-of-pink" Zone would have been a more
accurate description.
I don't know what I was expecting a vampire's room to look like.
Maybe lots of black, a bunch of books by Camus . . . oh, and a sensitive
portrait of the only human the vamp had ever loved, who had no doubt died
of something beautiful and tragic, thus dooming the vamp to an eternity of
moping and sighing romantically.
What can I say? I read a lot of books.
But this room looked like it had been decorated by the unholy
lovechild of Barbie and Strawberry Shortcake.