Captivate by Carrie Jones

Zara's pixies are locked away in the forest, but that doesn't mean the threat is gone. In captivity, the king's needs grow stronger and his power weakens. When a new king, Astley, arrives and tells Zara she's fated to be his queen, Zara discovers she's in deeper than she ever imagined (Barnesandnoble.com).








This is the second book in the Need series. This book is a really great and fun read! I really liked Zara in the first book and I grew to love her even more in this one. She is smart and fierce. She does some things in this book that I never thought her capable of doing!

So, after Ian left the scene in the last book, another boy gets introduced. Not just a boy, though, a king. His name is Astley which means star. I kind of like him. I am not sure if I like him more than Nick. It is a hard choice to make! Nick is a wolf. Astley is a pixie king. This is a similar situation that you find in many paranormal romances but I like what the author has done with the plot. Not the same-old, same-old.

There is a part in this book that is really sad. But, it is redeemable so I hung in there while I was reading. The ending is great and it left me hanging a little. Some things are resolved, other things in the plot are unknown. I sometimes like a good cliff-hanger ending. On one hand it can drive me a little crazy not knowing but on the other hand I can get bored if it ends all nice.

In the first book of the series, Need, the author used phobias to head the chapters but in this book the author uses mostly Pixie tips. I thought this was great and sometimes funny. It goes along with the book that Devyn and Zara are compiling. I wonder what the headers will be for the next one?

I can't wait for the next book in the series, Entice, that will be released in January, 2011. That's not too far off :). What will Zara do now? This is a great series to jump into.

Overall: 4/5

Need by Carrie Jones

Zara collects phobias the way other girls collect Facebook friends. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal.

Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara (Barnesandnoble.com).

This series is awesome! This is the first book in the series and I totally love it. I was looking for a book to read yesterday but I didn't want to read anything where someone died/dies. But, unfortunately someone died in this book. I don't know why I keep coming reading books where someone dies. I don't really mind it but every book I read lately has death in it. I hope it's not some weird omen. Jeez.

Anyway, I got over the fact that someone died and got into this great book. I really like the main character, Zara. A lot. She is awesome. This book has great characters. The writing is great too. It has everything from weretigers (who knew?) to pixies. Pixies that leave trails of gold dust. Awesome.

The book kind of transforms from Zara feeling gloomy about her dad's death to Zara taking action. From the beginning my thoughts were, why is this book called "Need"? It's such an intriguing name. Zara seemed to have a need for a lot of things. Need of comfort. Need of grieving. Need of closure and moving on. But, that is not why the book is called "Need". At least, not entirely. The pixies have a need. Scary, yes. Interesting, also yes.

This book has a lot of dynamics and I really like that. I was not a fan of the subtle political undertones, though. Not that I disagree or agree with them, just not a fan of them in the book. The book was way good enough to make me forget this. It is apart of Zara zealous nature also, which is what I like about her.

My favorite part of the book is definitely Zara. She chants phobias to help with her fears. How cool is that? I think I would learn a lot about phobias but I can't pronounce most of them so I can't remember them. Each chapter is headed with a phobia and what it means.

This book is definitely worth the read!

Overall: 4/5

Shade by Jerri Smith-Ready

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan’s band playing a crucial gig and Aura’s plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend’s life. She never thought it would be his last.
Logan’s sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He’s gone.
Well, sort of.
Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and talk to ghosts. This mysterious ability had always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because Dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.
It doesn’t help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding — and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.
As Aura’s relationship with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura’s heart . . . and clues to the secret of the Shift (Barnesandnoble.com).

I was definitely not prepared for how good this book is! It was soo good. I must say that it made me pretty sad, though. I am so sappy. I was somewhat prepared because the cover says, "Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart." But, wow. I am not ashamed to say that I teared up a little.

My favorite parts of this book were the characters, hands down. I love Aura. And Logan. And Zachary. And, okay Megan and Dylan too. The characters are so believable, you feel like you know them. I feel their pain. Logan wasn't alive for long and but I was immediately attached to him. I wanted Aura and Logan to live happily ever after. But, then there wouldn't be such an awesome story to be told.

Smith-Ready took me to a new world and I was enveloped by wonderful characters. The world she created was really cool. At the beginning I thought that Aura was the only one to see ghosts, but no. All people born after her are. I really like that she is not the only one who can see ghosts and there is a mystery as to why it started. I can't wait to see how it unfolds.

I loved every part of this book and I am really excited to read the sequel, Shift. It comes out May 2011 and I can't wait! I am going to check out some of Jerri Smith Ready's other books because this book was awesome! You have got to read it.

Overall: 5/5

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Who is Jenna Fox?

Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a year-long coma, and she's still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. Her parents show her home movies of her life, her memories, but she has no recollection. Is she really the same girl she sees on the screen?

Little by little, Jenna begins to remember. Along with the memories come questions—questions no one wants to answer for her. What really happened after the accident?

In this fascinating novel, acclaimed author Mary E. Pearson presents an unforgettable look at one human life and a glimpse into a possible future that may be closer than we think (Goodreads.com).


This book is very thought provoking. It is futuristic but the theme, "How far would you go to save someone you love?", is very real. But, it's more than that. Jenna is starting fresh and there are so many things that Jenna and I, the reader, have to contemplate.

I feel bad for Jenna. I feel bad for her parents. Heck, I feel bad for all of the characters. While reading I tried to think of things that could change that would make it better for the characters, but I couldn't think of anything. Here are some of the things I thought of:

Would things have been better if Jenna's parents had just let her die? Would her parents been better after closure? Jenna wouldn't have to go through life as ten percent human?

Would Mr. Bender's life been better if had stayed in his old life?

I had many more questions like that and others like, what is up with Dane? We never do find out. But I don't think that's the point.

This book is very interesting and I enjoyed reading it. The writing is excellent. I fell in love with the characters. The ending is kind of sad but really good. This is a great read with a few laughs and some sad spots that make you think.

Overall: 4/5

Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

First in the new Weather Warden series...

Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But now, she's trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So, she's resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life...

Her only hope is Lewis, the most powerful warden known. Unfortunately, he's stolen not one but three bottles of Djinn-making him the most wanted man on earth. Still, she's racing hard to find him-before the bad weather closes in fast... (Barnesandnoble.com)


I really like Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire series so I thought I would check out her Weather Warden series. Let me just say that it is even better than the Morganville Vampire series!

This book came out in 2003 so I am definitely behind on reading this series. I really enjoyed reading this book. I love the writing style, the characters and the plot was really great too.

What I loved about this book: Bad A weather warden Jo who is powerful and can create and manipulate storms, hot (not talking about the temperature) weather wardens/djinns (genies), and a very interesting story that I couldn't predict at all.

What I didn't like was the ending. I don't want to give anything away but I am a little disappointed that the series is called Weather Warden and we will be mostly reading about djinns after this book. I think I am disappointed because I loved reading about Jo the weather warden. I think I will definitely enjoy the rest of the series but the ending made me a little sad.
As far as boys go, I like David but I really like Lewis. Lewis is really sweet and is the most powerful weather warden. I hope there is more in store for him in the next books.

After reading the first book of the series I am not really sure how the rest of the series is going to turn out and I really like that! I read an excerpt of Heat Stroke on Rachel Caine's web site, the sequel to Ill Wind and I am already sucked in. I can't wait to get it from the library.

Overall: 4/5

Book Playlist

Do you ever read a book and think that you could compile a playlist for the book you read? Well, I do or at least, I want to. There are a lot of times when I listen to a song and it reminds me of a book that I have read. I think that I will have to put that on my to do list. The playlist will have about ten songs that tell the story of the book in musical form. What do you think?

Runaway by Meg Cabot

Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.

With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope. . .what's the point of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.

Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved--since if he agrees, there's every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed--this time, permanently?

Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running (Barnesandnoble.com).

This was the final book in Meg Cabot's Airhead trilogy. I had a lot of fun reading this trilogy. This wasn't my favorite book of the trilogy but it was still a good read. It was a good way to end the trilogy. I love happy endings.

Emerson is on the run...kind of. She was kind of kidnapped by Brandon. She ends up escaping pretty easily. This is the book where we find out what's been going on. Why was Emerson's brain was put into Nikki's body. What is Project Phoenix? Well, it's all pretty exciting. I really enjoyed the plot.

Emerson is kind of a bad A. I thought it was hilarious when she set Brandon's car on fire. Go Em! She is getting tougher and more confident in her body.

All the characters of the book pair up like Noah's Arc. I still think Emerson should have ended up with Gabriel. I can't believe who he ended up with or who Frida ended up with. Like I said, I love happy endings. It worked out great for everyone.

I liked this series and I will have to check out some more Cabot.

Overall: 4/5

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot

Things aren't pretty for Emerson Watts.

Em was sure there couldn't be anything worse than being a brainiac the body of a teenaged supermodel.

But it turned out she was wrong. Because that supermodel could turn out to have a mother who's gone mysteriously missing, a brother who's shown up on her doorstep demanding answers, a former best friend who's intent on destroying Stark Enterprises to avenge the death of his lost love, and a British heartthrob who's written a song about her that's topping the charts.

How can Em balance all that with school, runway shows, and weekend jaunts to St. Johns - especially when she's got ex-boyfriends crawling out of the woodwork who want more than just a photo op; a sister who is headed to the high school cheerleading championships; a company she represents that seems to be turning to the dark side...

Not to mention trying to convince the love of her life that models aren't really airheads after all...especially one model in particular.

But then, nobody said it was going to be easy being Nikki (Barnesandnoble.com).

I really enjoyed reading this sequel to Airhead. It was fun to continue Emerson's story. While reading I kept thinking, "Why can't this happen to me?" Emerson's/Nikki's new life is so great, well sort of. I don't think I could do the whole model thing but I could definitely do the tons of money/nice body/choice of boys thing.

The plot was really good. The MC is smart and nice and I really like that. I like that even though she has this different life but she is still humble and doesn't try to be slutty. When she has to do some runway work, I feel really bad for her. I would definitely fall face first and trying to do a strut-type walk? No way! And, it really sucks that the old Nikki has messed around and made so many enemies because now Emerson is having to clean it up.

It was really interesting to follow the MC's relationship with Christopher. He's a really good guy and it's sad he had to see his love die in the first book. Even though I really like Christopher I wish Emerson was into Gabriel Luna. Why? Because he is this really cute singer/song writer, who's nice, writes a song for Nikki, and has a British accent! And, she thought he was cute in the beginning and he was kinda untouchable. What's not to like? So, while I think it's cool that Emerson likes Christopher and wants to tell him what's going on...I like Gabriel better.

The ending was kind of awesome. I am intrigued. I am excited to read Runaway, the next installment. It's a very interesting series.

Overall: 4/5

Airhead by Meg Cabot

EM WATTS IS GONE.

Emerson Watts didn't even want to go to the new SoHo Stark Megastore grand opening. But someone needed to look out for her sister, Frida, whose crush, British heartthrob Gabriel Luna, would be singing and signing autographs there-along with the newly appointed Face of Stark, teen supermodel sensation Nikki Howard.

How was Em to know that disaster would strike, changing her-and life as she'd known it-forever? One bizarre accident later, and Em Watts, always the tomboy, never the party princess, is no longer herself. Literally.

Now getting her best friend, Christopher, to notice that she's actually a girl is the least of Em's problems.

But what Em's pretty sure she'll never be able to accept might just turn out to be the one thing that's going to make her dream come true . . . .

NIKKI HOWARD IS HERE TO STAY (Barnesandnoble.com).

This was a really, really fun book to read! I was really surprised by how it turned out. I don't want to give anything away so I will try to give a good review without any spoilers. I do this because it was really cool to read this and not know what to expect.

When I go into the first few chapters, I was really pulled in. Then, something happened and I thought it was going to be all Freaky Friday, which I didn't like. I almost didn't finish reading it. But, thankfully I did because it wasn't corny like Freaky Friday. It was...good!

The MC, Emerson, is really smart, which I really like in a main character. I thought her sister was really annoying, but I guess that's the point. Once I got into the story, it was a page turner.

The story is interesting and entertaining. It keeps you on your toes even without vampires and fight action which is a good change of pace. Plus, the concept of the whole story makes you think, "Gee, I wish that was me!"

The writing was great and the ending was pretty good too. I must say that I might become a Meg Cabot addict.

Overall: 4/5

The Reckoning by Kelly Armstrong

My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal.

But normal is one thing I'm not.

For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf.

Not normal.

My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently.

Definitely not normal.

And finally, I'm a genetically altered necro-mancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying.

As far away from normal as it gets (Barnesandnoble.com).

Can I just say I can't believe this is the last one! I didn't realize it was the last book in the trilogy because I thought it was a series, not a trilogy. I want more! This book was the best of all three of the books.

In this one, Chloe gets much better with her powers and gets into more trouble. Her and her pack of friends are on the run and but they can really handle themselves. I feel really bad for Simon because he likes Chloe so much but she doesn't like him. Chloe and Derek get closer. I think this is the first time that I have read a book and thought the main character was with the wrong boy. But, I think that is because Derek creeped me out so much in the first book and Simon is so sweet.

I liked the whole werewolf thing, though. I am kind of excited to get into Armstrong's other series, Otherworld so that I can read more about her werewolves. It starts with Bitten.

This trilogy has an exciting world to dive into, with magic, werewolves, necromancers, adventure and a little love.

The only disappointment is the way it ended. It can't be over, can it? No, I want another book! The ending is driving me crazy. I want more answers, more story. Armstrong has a lot of other books that I am ready to get into.

Overall: 4/5

The Awakening by Kelly Armstrong

If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl — someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment — not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever.

Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends — a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch — and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying (Barnesandnoble.com).

This is the second book in the Darkest Powers trilogy. I love trilogies because it doesn't feel like the series is going on...and on...and on. But at the same time it's better than a stand alone book because there is more room to expand on the story and fall in love with the characters.

In this book Chloe is finding out more about her newly discovered powers and she is getting to know Derek. In the first book of the trilogy, Derek is scary and we don't like him. In this book, we find out that Derek is really protective, even though he gets on Chloe case a lot.

This book was not as good as the first book of the series or the the last but we do find out a lot of good stuff. It was a good read but I the ending wasn't a cliff-hanger that makes you want to read the next one. That is good and bad. I hate when I read a book in a series and there is a serious cliff-hanger ending that have to wait a year to find out what happens. So, it was nice end without that pain. BUT, I already had the third book in the series so I would have actually liked to read a cliff-hanger ending in this case. Just my luck.

I really like this trilogy but compared to other books it wasn't my favorite. I do love the characters, though. The characters are some of the best I have read.

Overall: 3/5