Review: Every Other Day

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Title: Every Other Day

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Series: none

Age Group: young adult

Format: hardback

Pages: 329

Release Date: December 27, 2011

Publisher: Egmont USA

Source: Library

Every second day,
Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to high school. She attends pep rallies (reluctantly). She's human.
And every other day...she's not.
Though she's not quite sure what she is on those days, Kali knows what she does--she hunts, traps, and kills demons, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures that threaten her world. On those days she is practically indestructible.
But when Kali notices a mark on a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these unworldly beings. And she knows she has only twenty-four hours to save her.
There's only on problem--it's the wrong twenty-four hours.

This book blew me away! I was expecting an easy read, the plot probably taking place over 24 hours, as Kali searched for a cure. Boy, was I wrong! Kali saving Bethany(the popular girl), was only about a third of the book. 

There are not enough words to describe Every Other Day. This book played with my emotions so much that by the end of the book, there were tears in my eyes. No book in a long time has made me feel this way. You're wondering why I cried, right? Well, the only thing I can say is this: I got attached to the wrong character.

The mystery of Kali could be figured out pretty easily. I won't say, because you don't actually find out until halfway through the book, and I most definitely do not want to ruin it. But, like I said, you should be able to figure out the kind of "creature" that Kali is.

As for the characters, I loved Kali! I couldn't help but fall for this kick-but heroine. She's strong, even though she has a messed up family, and has no idea what in the world she is. Kali always feels alone in the world, like she doesn't belong, but she doesn't go around moping. Instead, she slays all types of paranormal creatures. How could you not like her?

I could go on and on about Every Other Day, but I'll stop here. Let me just say this again. This book moved me to tears. No book should be able to do that, and not get five stars. This is one of my all time favorite books! I'll be checking out the other books that Miss Barnes has written. Since Every Other Day isn't in a series that I know of, I'll have to console myself with her other books. Take heed, this is not a light read!

My Rating:

Review: For the Love of a Vampire (Blood Like Poison #1)

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Title: For the Love of a Vampire

Author: M. Leighton

Series: Blood Like Poison, #1

Age Group: Young Adult

Format: Ebook

Pages: 268

Release Date: April 20, 2011

Publisher: Indie

Source: author for review(thank you!)

My Rating: * * * * (4 stars)

Ridley Heller thought that all her problems would be over if she could have Bo back;back from the dead. But what Ridley didn't know was that her wish would come at a price. Bo survived a condition that would have killed a lesser vampire, or any vampire for that matter. The only reason he didn't die is because of who he is, someone Ridley doesn't know at all. Someone Bo himself doesn't know at all. As Ridley gets closer to finding out Bo's true identity, she discovers that loving him could also come at a price, a price much higher than she ever could have imagined. The question is: is there any such thing as a price too high to pay for Bo? For his love, for his safety, for eternity in his arms?

The Cover:
Honestly, the cover does not particularly appeal to me. I don't hate it, but I don't love it. In a way, I guess I'm indifferent towards it. Cover Rating 3/5


Review:
Now, For the Love of a Vampire was an entirely different matter. At first, when I began, I couldn't help but compare it to Twilight. This made me put the books down and step away from it. But then I convinced myself to keep reading, and I am glad I did. After a few pages, everything changed. For the better.


Bo's name didn't appeal to me. When I think of the name Bo, I think of a country boy, honestly. But, I got used to his name and his sweet personality towards Ridley. In the end, they made a cute couple!


Ridley was a humdrum character for me. But, then she got better. I will admit though, I kind of liked her better when she was the one of the "mean girls". The only thing that bothered me about her was how quickly she left her normal life just to be with Bo. She abandoned her whole life for him.


The cliffhanger! Once I got to the last page, I was craving for more, and I got cut off. I going to have to get the second book soon.


What's my verdict, you're asking? Well, I definitely recommend this book. Just remember this warning. Don't stop after the first few chapters. Persevere and you'll like this book. The beginning can be a little monotonous, but afterwards, I promise it gets better.


The Author:

I was born and raised in the United States, and I’ve lived in several of the fabulous fifty. Though I currently live in the deep South, I spent much of my childhood up North and hope to return there one day. A few other things about me: I believe that sometimes you have to look really, REALLY hard to find the good in people, but it's there. I believe that I'm shrinking (I swear five years ago I was two inches taller). I believe my husband is quite possibly one of the most amazing men in the entire world (I can't be sure because I haven't met all of them). I believe coffee and chocolate, when combined, could be the basis for world peace. I believe that Jesus rocks and communism doesn’t. I believe that white makes me look fat and black collects lint. I believe summer's too hot, winter's too cold and fall was made for football. I like dogs better than cats and the first movie in a trilogy is invariably the best. But most of all, I believe that love conquers all.

Enclave (Razorland #1)

Author: Ann Aguire
Series: Razorland, #1
Age Group: Young Adult
Challenge: Wish I'd Read That Challenge
Format: Hardback
Pages: 262
Published: April 12, 2011
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: Local Library
My Rating: * * * * *

IN DUECE'S WORLD, an enclave deep underground, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed "brat" has trained to join on of the three groups--Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Duece has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.


As a Huntress, her purpose is clear--to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading the ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She's worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing's going to stop her, not even a brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Duece's troubles are just beginning.


Fade doesn't like following orders. Duece has never known a boy like him before., someone as likely to touch her gently as use his knives with feral grace.


As Duece's perception shifts, so does the balance in the battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat due to their sheer numbers, now show signs of cunning and even strategy...but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. No matter how hard she tries, Duece cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she's ever known.

Enclave had me begging for more! If you like the kick-butt type of heroine, then this is definitely the book for you! This was definitely my type of book.
Well, let's see...as I mentioned above, the heroine, Duece was a strong heroine. She was a Huntress. The three scars marked her as one. I loved in parts how the guys looked down on her, and she showed them!
The two love interests were Stalker(???) and Fade. What type of a name is Stalker, sounds kind of creepy. But anyways,lately I've been reading books with a lot of romance, and it's been getting on my nerves. So...this book was a change of pace, since the romance isn't the main focus of the book.
Time passed really quickly in Enclave. Usually it went by in weeks, and sometimes in months. It was just very fast, which I liked, because you didn't dwell so much on a specific time.
Fade was....interesting. I didn't really warm up to him too much. He sounded like the stereotype boy. Dark hair and eyes, mysterious past, etc... I liked that he was sweet, but I didn't like that his "relationship" with Pearl. Bleghh!
Well, one complaint I did have is that as soon as I either hated/loved one specific character(s), they had to go and die on me. Really?! It's fine, but Aguire had an obsession with killing off too many characters. But, oh well! When one specific character died, I did think "Oh yeah, you go Aguire!" I hated the character's guts. I won't say who it is, but you'll find out.
What else to say? Hmm....I think that's it, but this book is definitely recommended by me. Oh wait, it was interesting that Duece didn't know about everyday things like utensils and canned food and the like. Usually, we don't even think twice about these things. Just thought I'd throw that in. Anyways, read and meditate on Enclave! Hasta la vista!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ann Aguire is a national bestselling author with a degree in English Literature. Before she began writing full-time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, though not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lievs in sunny Mexico with her husband, two children, two cats, and one very lazy dog. She likes all kinds of books, emo music, action movies, and Dr. Who. This is her first novel for young adults.

Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires, #4)

Author: Rachel Caine


Series: Morganville Vampires, #4


Pages: 242


Published: June 4, 2008


My Rating: * * * * *

In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans have learned to live in relative peace. Still, students like Claire Danvers know that after dark, studying can take a back-seat to staying alive. But the tenuous good-neighbor policy is really turned on its head with the arrival of Mr. Bishop.


Bad to the bone, the ancient old-school vampire cares nothing about harmony. Staying at the top of the food chain is enough. What he wants from the town's living and dead is unthinkably sinister. It's only at a formal ball attended by vampires and their human dates that Claire realizes Bishop's plan--and the elaborately evil trap he's set for the warm-blooded souls of Morganville....

Opinions & Thoughts
Wow... Rachel Caine really blew me away this time. After beginning this book, everything was so fast-paced that I just couldn't put it down.  Luckily, it's not that big a book, or I would have been up all night.


First of all, Bishop's(what kind of a name is that?) arrival in Morganville upset the town. He was just like a hurricane. Surprisingly, even Amelie was tense. Every single moment, I was on the edge of my seat(actually, it was a bed), just waiting to see how things could become worse.


I still really like Shane, but he is beginning to feel like a shell. He is always worried about Claire, but he doesn't do anything(when he does do something, it's usually really stupid). Especially with the issue about Ysandre. But, since you can't do much in Morganville, with the vampires and all, I forgive him. At least he was really sweet when Claire was crying and having her jealous fit.


After all that has happened, Claire has really toughened up. I was clearly impressed, but ecstatic, when I saw her stand up to the bad vampires, and defend the good ones(semi-good actually, because vampires are never completely good). When I began the series, I was not expecting Claire to turn out like this. A nice surprise.


That's all I have to say for Feast of Fools. It was a change of pace, and so far, it's the best book of the series. Lucky for me, this is only the fourth book(I still have six to go, and I think Rachel Caine is still writing more), because I am not ready to leave this delightful, haunting story and the intriguing characters behind.


About the Author
In addition to the Morganville Vampire series, Rachel Caine is the author of the popular Weather Warden series which includes Ill Wind, Heat Stroke, Chill Factor, Windfall, Firestorm, and Thin Air.... Rachel and her husband, fantasy artist R. Cat Conrad, live in Texas with their iguanas, Popeye and Darwin; a mali uromastyx named (appropriately) O'Malley, and a leopard tortoise named Shelley(for the poet,of course).
Click here to visit Rachel Caine's website.
Click here to view her on myspace.

Midnight Alley (Morganville Vampires, #3)

Author: Rachel Caine


Series: Morganville Vampires, #3


Pages: 245


Published: October 2, 2007


My Rating: ****


Click here for Rachel Caine's website.




Click Feast of Fools for the review of Morganville, book #4.




Summary
MORGANVILLE IS SUCH A NICE PLACE TO LIVE...
When Claire Danvers learned that her college town was run by vampires, she did what any intelligent, self-preserving freshman would do: She applied for a transfer and stocked up on garlic.  The tranfer is no longer an option, but that garlic may come in handy.
...AND DIE, IF YOU DON'T MIND THAT SORT OF THING.
Now Claire has pledged herself to Amelie, the most powerful vampire in town.  The protection her contract secures does little to reassure those closest to Claire.  All of a sudden, people are turning up dead, a stalker resurfaces from her past, and an ancient bloodsucker extends a chilling invitation for private lessons in his secluded home.  To what end, Claire will soon discover--and it will give a terrifying new meaning to night school.
Opinions & Thoughts
The pills that Claire took were mysterious and had pretty cool effects.  I wish they exsisted in real life, since they would definitely help out with school(but does it count as a drug?). Oh well.
I do have to say, I loved Myrning in this book.  Whenever Claire returned to his lair, I was eagerly anticipating Myrnin's next act of insanity(that and his humor).  In his own vampire way, Myrnin really cared about Claire, and I really had to respect him for all he did for her.
I was confused on how Claire became all buddy buddy with Monica and her cronies.  I mean, wasn't Claire thrown down the stairs by these very same girls.  After all they did to her, Claire even goes and gives one of them a tutoring session(who cares if she fails her class, doesn't she deserve it).  Anyways, make up your mind Claire. Do you hate the Monikettes or like them?
Well, Shane kind of rubbed my nerves the wrong way in this book.  One minute, he is this chivalarous guy who doesn't want to go the "whole" way with Claire(because of a promise he made to her parents), and the next he is beating up people.  But, even after all this, I stil love Shane!(and no one had better take him from me, or I will have to stab you with a stake in your sleep)
As for the vampires, for some reason, I really like Oliver(even though he is a bad guy). He is pretty entertaining and I love his jokes.  Amelie is tolerable(I like how she "pampers" Claire).
In some parts, I became so frustrated because the characters couldn't do anything and were so helpless.  Are humans really this weak?  No matter, Rachel Caine has me hooked on the plot, and I will certainly be reading the next book, just to find out what happens to the Glass House members(especially Shane).  The ending was very cryptic.(and a total cliffhanger)

The Dead Girls' Dance (Morganville Vampires, #2)

Author: Rachel Caine


Series: Morganville Vampires, #2


Page Number: 248


Published: April 3, 2007


My Rating: * * *


"Neat, stylish, and very witty." ~SF Crownsnest


Click here to visit Rachel Caine's website.


Click Midnight Alley for review of Morganville Vampires, book #3.
Summary
Claire Danvers has her share of challenges-like being a genius in a school that favors beauty over brains, dealing with the homicidal girls in her dorm, and above all, finding out that her college town is overrun with vampires.  On the upside, she has a great roommate(who tends to disappear at sunup) and a new boyfriend named Shane...whose vampire-hunting dad has called in backup: cycle punks who like the idea of killing just about anything.
Now a fraternity is throwing its annual Dead Girls' Dance and-surprise!-Claire and her equally outcast best friend, Eve, have been invited.  When they find out why, all hell is going to break loose. Because this time both the living and the dead are coming out-and everybody's hungry for blood.(borrowed from the description on the back cover)
Opinions & Thoughts
Shane is still sweet(and hot) as ever! Although I hated what happened to him(I won't say), I enjoyed the pleasant beginning(before things went downhill).  Shane cares so deeply about Claire, and nowadays I doubt any guy would be so careful about the age difference(Shane-18, Claire-16). To me, he is just the perfect guy that doesn't exist in real life(I may be wrong).  Shane receives a five star rating.
Back to Claire.  Claire may be the main protagonist, but she is not winning me over.  She seemed even more whiny in this book.  Twice I heard her say how this wasn't fair, and why was this happening to them(blah, blah, blah). At least Amelie returned her back to earth by telling Claire the overused saying that life isn't fair. I did love the part where Michael and Eve were debating over who was going to go to Common Grounds and find Sam. Calmly, Claire went to the phone, dialed the coffee place, and asked for Sam. Maybe I'm the only one, but I found that section hilarious. In some parts, Claire wised up, but overall, she was not fitting into the role of smart-16-year-old-who-skipped-two-years-and-is-now-in-college.
I'm still not sure how I feel about Amelie. One minute she seems like someone I could learn to respect and like, and the next I despise her.  Finally, I came to the conclusion that she is bipolar.  But seriously, is she supposed to be like that?
As for the vampires, I don't really have much to say about them.  They are just jerks with fangs(excluding Sam, he is a sweetie).
Fitting right in with the vampires, Shane's dad is the same as them in his own way(well, except for the fangs).  I mean, he and his biker buddies are just big bullies(but with stakes and fire).  If I could, I would jump into the book and give him a piece of my mind for what he did to Shane. No one, and I mean no one, hurts my guy and gets away with it.  Hopefully, he and his biker dudes will receive their just desserts(or I just may have to actually jump into the book and give it to them).
Lastly, I'll discuss the writing style.  While reading, I saw a Paris Hilton and Johnny Depp reference.  I do not know why, but it always frustrates me when an author inserts either some famous clothes brand or artist's name.  Rachel Caine is no exception, but I forgave her, since it did not ruin the story.  What I had a harder time forgiving Caine for, was the foul language sprinkled throughout the book.  This immediately degrades a book for me.  For some reason, I was not able to warm up to the characters(with a few exceptions).  Although bad things happened to them, I did not feel that much sadness nor did I want to cry.  I wonder if this feeling will change later on in the other book, as Caine gains more experience with her characters?
In the end, I found The Dead Girls' Dance less entertaining than the first book, but I will keep reading the series, if not to find out what happens to Claire and Shane's budding romance.

Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires, #1)

Damn, Claire. Warn a guy before you do a face-plant on the floor next time.  I could have looked all heroic and caught you or something. Shane's chivalry never ceases to amaze me, but you gotta love the guy.

Summary
College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood. (borrowed from Goodreads)

]Opinion

Like most first books, Glass Houses was mostly stating the setting and plot.  After the middle of the book, it paced up a bit, and I really ended up enjoying it(not that I didn't beforehand).

Claire annoyed me at times, especially since she is supposed to be really smart, yet she acts very childish at times.  Also, Claire is always trying to prove she is an adult, and that does not match up with her juvenile behavior.  Oh well, it did not ruin the book.  But, I do have to say, Claire had an abnormal obsession with Shane's feet.  Although tiny in stature, Claire was fierce at times, and for a few minor objections, she was an average protagonist.
Now, it's time for me to turn fangirlish.  I ADORED Shane! Personally, I think he was hot, kind, sarcastic, and so many more things that it would take forever to list.  Shane is amazing, and one of the main reasons that I am going to keep reading the series.  I want to know what happens to him, and I do hope its nothing too bad or bad at all.
The last thing I will talk about, are the Monickettes, and it will be brief.  They were harsher and crueler than any other mean girls that I have ever read of before.  I know I'm supposed to hate them, but I DESPISED them.  I mean, who pours acid down someones back? That is just EVIL. Anyways, I just wanted to get that out of my system.

Overall Book Rating

"Fun reading...more engaging than most TV."  ~Booklist

Click here to visit Rachel Caine's website.
Click The Dead Girls' Dance to read the review of the Morganville Vampires, Book #2.