Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore

Publication Date: 2/08/2011

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Pages: 336

Format: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Summary:

Being only half-vamp in a high school like Carpathia Night makes you a whole loser. But Danny Gray manages to escape the worst of the specists at his school. Thanks to genetic treatments he had as an infant, most people assume Danny's other half is human. Which is a good thing.

Ever since the development of synthetic blood – SynHeme – vamps have become society’s elite, while wulves like his father work menial jobs and live in bad neighborhoods. Wulves are less than second class citizens; once a month they become inmates, forced to undergo their Change in dangerous government compounds.

For Danny, living with his vamp mother and going to a school with a nearly all-vamp student body, it’s best to pretend his wulf half doesn’t even exist. But lately Danny's been having some weird symptoms — fantastic night vision; a keener-than-usual sense of smell; and headaches, right around the full moon.

Even though it's easy to be in denial, it's hard to ignore evidence. There's only a month until the next few moon, and Danny's time is running out.

Peter Moore speaks to adolescents in a voice that will have them laughing, set in a world that will get them thinking.

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Danny Gray...half-vamp, half-wulf.  His genetic treatments were never completed due to a reaction, and now he's having some very weird symptoms.  He tries to ignore them at first until more symptoms pop up and he decides it's time to talk to his father.  A father he hasn't talked to in years.  The terrifying part would be admitting you're part wulf.  Wulves are treated poorly in this world.  They are forced to go to compounds during the full moon where they often come back injured, if they come back at all.  The genetic treatments were done to prevent Danny from having to face this unfortunate reality.  The new symptoms make Danny wonder...is her wulf or vamp?  Which side is going to win?

The conclusion to this novel will leave you stunned.  It wasn't what I expected, but this book was different from the very beginning.  It has never been suggested in books before that wulves and vampires would mate or that they would have children together.  All three species can mate with each other and produce offspring.  The world itself is also an interesting concept.  I would think that if werewulves and vampires lived out in the open that humans would have the least amount of rights, not the wulves.  

I can't say enough good things about this novel.  The writing kept me entertained and interested throughout the story.  I kept flipping the pages because I couldn't stop before finding out what happened next.  This book is a new twist on old stories of creatures of the night.  I would definitely recommend picking up this book!

Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely #1) by Melissa Marr

Publication Date: 5/1/2008

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 352

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Summary:

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale. 

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I may be remembering wrong, but I don't think I've read many novels that strictly involved faeries.  Melissa Marr has a way of including us in the story.  I felt a deep connection with Aislinn and I wanted to help her any way that I could.  Aislinn can see faeries everywhere.  Typical humans do not see them and figure a random stumble or weird touch is just their imagination, but Aislinn knows the truth.  She has seen them since she was born.  She is afraid of faeries and strives to make herself invisible to them.  She doesn't acknowledge them so they tend to stay away from her.

Unfortunately, all that changed for her when a faery king began to follow her around.  Aislinn has decisions to make that include her best friend Seth, her grandmother, her own life, and the lives of all mortals on Earth.  Aislinn's story is very entrancing.  She is learning to stand up for herself and get what she wants.  Her fear of faeries lessons to the point that she is asking directly for what she wants.  Aislinn is a unique human with extraordinary talents that can ultimately help her succeed.

I admit that it took me a bit to get sucked into this book, but once everything picked up I couldn't put it down.  The story kept evolving and it involved interesting faery legends.  I still wonder why the legends developed and what made people believe in faeries and other odd creatures.  Every book I read that involves faeries makes me realize that they are not the creatures like Tinker Bell, but rather mean and ugly creatures that should never be trusted.  If you haven't read a book by Melissa Marr, I suggest picking one up and checking it out!  I don't think you will be disappointed.

Captivate (Need #2) by Carrie Jones



Goodreads Summary:
Zara and her friends thought they’d solved the pixie problem. And they did — sort of. The pixies are all locked away, deep in the woods. But the king’s needs grow stronger each day that he is in captivity, while his control over his people weakens. And it’s enough to draw a new king into town. Astley claims he is different. He claims there are pixies who can live peacefully with humans, that it doesn’t have to be all violence and nastiness all the time. Zara wants to believe him . . . until Astley also claims that she is fated to be his queen.
There is no way Zara would ever turn pixie. And she’s got good friends who will make sure of that. Besides, she and Nick are so in love they’re practically inseparable. But when the very thing Zara wants to protect most is exactly what’s at risk, she is forced to make choices she never imagined. . . .

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I wanted to scream during the middle of this book!  There was so much suspense and waiting to see what would finally happen and what decisions would be made.  I couldn't help but have my heart racing at high points in this novel.  Poor Zara.  She has so many choices to make and so many things go wrong.  The love that she has for Nick is amazingly awesome.  They are an adorable couple and what happens to them astounds me.  I would like to point out...the ending sucks (not literally, of course).  The ending left me hanging!  I was so excited to find out what happens and how everything goes with Zara, but that's it.  The end of the novel.  Ugh!  Jones sure knows how to keep me intrigued and make me read the next one in the series.  I'll let you all know if it ends in a meaningful wrapped up way! This is a great series for those of you who love paranormal romancy gushiness as well as adventure and action.

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare

Goodreads Summary:
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

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Shadowhunters? Werewolves? Demons? Vampires? This book contains any dark creature you can think of as well as those you may have never heard of.  Those that hunt the dark creatures are included as well.  This story has everything you could imagine including things that blow up and you will find yourself sympathizing with the characters.  Clary finds out a lot about herself while trying to determine what happened to her mother and what exactly all of this stuff means.  She probably finds out more than she would like to know, but in the end it helped her in every way that she needed.  The characters are easy to love and a great set that compliment each other.  I'm sure the next book in this series will be just as good - if not better - than the first.

Die for Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum

Goodreads Summary:
In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

In this incandescent debut, newcomer Amy Plum has created a powerful paranormal mythology with immortal revenants. The Paris setting comes enchantingly alive as a relentless struggle between good and evil takes place in its streets. Rich with romance, atmosphere, and thrills, Die for Me will leave readers breathlessly awaiting its sequel.

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That is where you leave us?!  Yes, I am awaiting to read the sequel to this novel.  This debut novel caught my attention immediately and I was unable to put it down.  I couldn't wait to see where Kate would end up and what would happen with Vincent and the other revenants.  I had to laugh at the beginning when the revenants were referred to as Zombies, because I guess in a way they truly are (without all the nasty brain eating).  


Kate is put through the unimaginable agony of losing her parents at such a young age.  Kate and her sister Georgia are now living in Paris with their grandparents.  Strange events occur and no one quite knows what to think of it all.  The question is...will a boy come between the love of these sisters?  Will one wrong decision change the lives of everyone?  Will anyone have a life?  You are left on the edge of your seat while reading this novel just waiting to see if there is a fairytale ending.  A great page-turning debut novel!

Last 5 Books I Read...

Okay people!  I'm back.  Our modem/router went out on our computer.  So...I was without internet for the last few days.  Instead of doing separate posts for each book I decided I'm just going to do one post for the 5 books I've read since then.  Here goes!


Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

This book focused on werewolves.  It had an overall interesting story, which of course included a love story.  A complicated teenager life that is made more complicated by the presence of wolves.  I'm looking forward to the next one in the series!


Inside Out (Insider #1) by Maria V. Snyder

I've heard a lot of great things about this story.  It took me a couple of chapters to actually get interested, but after finally getting into I found it pretty good.  I'll probably pick up the next one in the series.

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

I love the way the chapters followed a deck of cards!  It was an interesting way of numbering that went well with the story.  This book had some great lessons about life and love.  The character has an hard time determining what he needs to do with the cards he receives in the mail, but with some coercion he figures it out and ultimately discovers what it was he was looking for.  I didn't expect it to end how it did, but it was a nice wrap-up to the story.


One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt

This book is great for teenagers.  It shows the consequences of one decision.  It shows how that one decision can change everything.  This girl finds out that decisions she made in the past are causing major problems for her now.  Major problems that she now has to deal with.  Pretty good book overall.

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Wow...I didn't know what to believe in this story.  This girl is a compulsive liar.  Throughout the book you think you are hearing the truth and she turns around and tells you another "truth", then another.  By the end of the book I was so wrapped up in her lies that I didn't know what really happened or who she really was.  This was an awesome telling of the life a compulsive liar.  We learned a lot about the lies she told and how they affected those around her, as well as herself.

Need (Need #1) by Carrie Jones

Goodreads Summary:
Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear.

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Zara is a teenage girl whose stepfather passed away recently.  She is constantly talking about the different types of phobias, and uses her knowledge of phobias to calm herself in stressful situations.  When she goes to live with her grandma, she gets this feeling like someone is following her.  She keeps seeing the same man at the edge of the words, at the airport, etc. and doesn't know what he is there for. 

As the story develops Zara learns much more about the supernatural world than she cares to know.  Although certain areas of this novel were predictable, it was still a great debut novel.  The novel takes a different turn than other supernatural novels and certainly has the excitement and captivating writing to keep you entertained.  If you like supernatural books with loads of suspense, I recommend picking this one up!

Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy #1) by Kierstin White

Goodreads Summary:
Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.

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Okay, this book has been sitting with my pile of books from the local library for about a week and a half now.  It was a great review posted by Just A YA Girl that made me finally pick it up to read.  I have to say, I was not disappointed in any way.

Evie is not your typical 16 year old teenager.  She carries a pink taser, named Tasey of course! She is involved with the International Paranormal Containment Agency (IPCA) where she has been since she was 8 years old.  All Evie wants is to be normal so she obsesses over a teenage show called Easton Heights where she comes up with some crazy ideas as to how much teenagers love high school.  She doesn't have a real family, and discovers in this first book in the series why that is.  Of course, she also develops a love interest in a paranormal who is not like any other paranormal she has worked with in the past. 

It is this love interest that causes her to question who she is and what is going on in this crazy paranormal world of activity.  She finds herself in the middle of a not-so-great prophecy that freaks her out, but she knows nothing about it.  Evie is a part of this prophecy, but she doesn't quite know where her part lies in the whole scheme of things.

Like any other teenager she trusts the wrong people and thinks that she knows everything.  Evie has her own little quirks, but is a character you can't not like.  She is outgoing and courageous and not afraid to take a stand.  However, it would be nice if she could get her facts straight before running out and trying to save the world.  I'm excited for the next book in this series.  I can't wait to see where Evie will end up next.

Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6) by Richelle Mead

Synopsis:
Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.

She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?

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Whoa! Rose has definitely brought some problems upon herself in this installment of the series.  Treason?  Killing Queen Tatiana?  It's well-known that Rose wasn't fond of the Queen, especially when the new age law was recently passed.  Once she is arrested, Rose has nothing to do.  She can't help herself while locked in a prison cell.  Thankfully she has the best friends and bond-mate in the world who are willing to risk their own lives to save hers.  Rose is on a mission to find the piece of the puzzle that will save her life and make the future better for Lissa.  


This mission has allowed Rose to find true love once again, but also has hurt her boyfriend Adrian.  He knew it would happen, but certainly hoped it wouldn't.  Rose has endured a lot, but has put more of her friends at risk by continuing on with her own mission rather than trusting her friends to set her free.  She relies on her bond with Lissa to determine how much time she has left to solve the puzzle.  The answers to the questions Rose and her friends have are surprising.  There was a twist in this story that I had not expected, and was kind of sad to see.  Rose and Lissa develop a new relationship with each other and realize that they will continue to be best friends no matter what.  Rose is surviving on her own and will live a life in support of the new Queen and the love of her life.  A great wrap-up for the end of the series, but I definitely didn't want to see it end.

Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5) by Richelle Mead

Synopsis:
Salvation has its price.
The words stunned Adrian for a moment, but he kept going. "You're lying. What you're describing is impossible. There's no way to save a Strigoi. When they're gone, they're gone. They're dead. Undead. Forever."

Robert's next words weren't directed at Adrian. They were spoken to me. "That which is dead doesn't always stay dead...."

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It's graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

But Rose can't forget what she learned on her journey—whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose's prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what—and who—matters most to her. In the end, is true love really worth the price?

Fall in love with Rose and Dimitri all over again in Spirit Bound, the eagerly awaited fifth novel in Richelle Mead's enthralling Vampire Academy series.

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Rose is being hunted by the man she still loves.  She made a promise to Dimitri she would kill him if he ever became Strigoi, but she failed in that task.  Now, Dimitri is determined to find Rose and kill her...no matter what the cost.  Rose is attempting a radical transformation by releasing an individual from prison that no one would expect her to release.  She has tangled her friends into her web of lies and craziness.  Humans and Moroi alike have died to support her cause.  The question is, will it work?  Will Rose be able to bring the life back into Dimitri?  Once again this series has not failed to entertain.  The fifth installment of this novel is exciting and suspenseful.  It shows the true power of love and forgiveness.  The actions one is willing to take for the one they love is amazing and heart-wrenching.  Rose is an amazing character who has developed throughout the series, but still has her quirks that make us feel the attachment to the same character we learned to like in the first novel. 

Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4) by Richelle Mead

Synopsis:
After the massacre at Vampire Academy, Rose Hathaway faces the most difficult task of her life and she knows that she must do it alone. With Mason departed for the other world, Rose must hunt down and kill Dimitri Belikov, the man she most loves. The fourth nail-biting episode of Richelle Mead's popular vampire series dramatically shows the fatal power of a promise.

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Poor Rose.  The 4th installment of this series is heartbreaking and emotional.  Rose is on a mission.   Possibly, the worst mission she has ever come across.  Dimitri, the man she loves, is now Strigoi and must be killed.  She believes he wouldn't want to continue "living" by being a Strigoi and has vowed to kill him.  The twists and turns this novel takes are slightly surprising.  At times I was mad at Rose and at other times I felt so much sympathy for her.  Mead knows how to keep you on your toes and surprises you at every turn.  I would say this is another successful installment of this series!

Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3) by Richelle Mead

Synopsis:

For Rose Hathaway, everything seems out of kilter. Ever since she made her first Strigoi kills, a dark shadow has been creeping over her. Looming in the background, too, is another realization: If she follows her forbidden love for guardian Dimitri Belikov, she might lose her best friend forever. And these sleep-shaking worries couldn't have come at a worse time. The immortal unloving are prowling everywhere, famished for vengeance against her. An adrenaline-laced episode of the teen pop favorite Vampire Academy.

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The battles Rose endures are never-ending.  She is constantly battling herself between the love for Lissa and her love for Dimitri.  Beyond her personal battles are the physical battles she must also endure.  In this installment of the series Rose and her other friends are taking part in the field exercise.  They are each assigned to a Moroi who they must protect from the Strigoi (Guardians playing them).  Rose is ultimately upset that she is not assigned to Lissa, and the problems that occur because of this are all blamed on her jealousy. 

She experiences darkness in full form since fighting and killing Strigoi in the last installment of the series.  Rose won't open up her problems to anyone, including her best friend Lissa.  It is these problems that cause more problems to occur, but through the love and patience of Dimitri she is finally able to share and provide enough warning for the imending battle against the Strigoi.  It is determined the Strigoi have broken the barrier around the school and are now coming to kill the Moroi and their guardians.  Through the information Rose is able to provide, the school receives enough time to make sure the casualties on campus are minimal.

But a decision must be made...will they go on the offensive against the Strigoi since the know where they are staying or will they take the typical defensive and stay on academy grounds?  The decision is made and the results are emotional.  Will Rose survive after the heartbreak she endures through these battles?  I guess we will have to wait and see what happens in the next installment of this series. 

So far I've been entertained by this series and unable to put the books down.   Mead writes with enthusiasm and puts her heart into the book.  She keeps you entertained throughout the novel and is sure to include emotions and situations which relate heavily to teenagers as well as other young adults.  I'm excited to see what this series is leading to...

Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) by Richelle Mead

Synopsis:
Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…

It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians—including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks… This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…

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The second installment of this series delves deeper into the lives of Rose, Lissa, and their friends.  We come to see the bonds that have been formed and the relationships that are on the line.  Rose is in love with her mentor and teacher, Dimitri, but there is nothing she can do about it.  Dimitri has insisted a relationship isn't possible due to the need to protect Lissa as her guardians.

Rose understands the reasons they can't be together, but that doesn't mean that seeing Dimitri with other women is easy on her.  Strigoi have been attacking which has brough more guardians to the school to protect the Moroi.  Unfortunately, friends of Rose have decided to sneak out and go on the offensive against the Strigoi rather than the defensive.  Rose insists she needs to help, but rather than asking from help from the guardians she decides to take Christian and go together.  The entire plan backfires and puts Rose and her friends in a sticky situation.  Eventually Rose and her friends are able to escape and Rose is seen as a hero.  Unforutately, not everyone was able to survive.  Rose will now have to deal with the loss of one of her friends while also dealing with the love she has for Dimitri.

Dark Flame by Alyson Noel

Synopsis:

At the start of this mesmerizing new installment of the Immortals series, Ever is helping her friend Haven transition into life as an immortal. But with Haven drunk on her new powers and carelessly putting them all at risk, their friendship becomes more and more strained. At the same time, Ever delves deeper into magick in order to get control over her enemy Roman and free Damen from his power. But when the spell she casts on Roman backfires, she’s bound to her deadliest enemy. Frantic to reverse the spell the moment the moon enters a new phase, she finds her efforts are fruitless—there’s a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, one that propels her toward Roman. Desperate to break free of this terrible curse before Damen or the twins can discover what she’s done, she turns to Jude and delves deeper and deeper into dark magick, ultimately risking everything she knows and loves—including Damen.

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Ever is great at getting herself into trouble and not knowing when to ask for help.  She tends to go off on her own and try to fix everything.  She is still "new" at the idea of being immortal, and she should be asking Damen for help.  Instead, she decides to "fix" things on her own which makes an even bigger mess for the two of them. 

Ever succeeds at strengthening her bond with Roman instead of releasing herself from it.  She has taken the advice of the twins rather than communicating with Damen.  Afterwards, she still does not consult Damen for the situation, but rather tries to fix it again on her own.  Ever's attitude is frustrating and annoying at times.  I would like to talk to her and tell he what to do because she seems so lost.

Ever and Damen find a way to work out the situation in this installment of the series, but I'm sure there will be many more situations to face in the future.  Hopefully, Ever grows up a little and realizes she isn't capable of handling all of these problems on her own.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Synopsis:
St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school; it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's; the very place where they're most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi; the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires make Lissa one of them forever.

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Vampire Academy reminded me of just about every other teenage vampire book that is out there.  It is closely related to the Marked series by P.C. Cast, but I found this to be more involved.  The plot and story-line is good, and the characters are described in-depth.  We feel their emotions and can understand clearly what they are going through.  The first book in this series introduces us to Rose and Lissa.  Two best friends who have an amazing bond, although they don't understand how it was developed. The book leads us through the difficult time in trying to discover more about their bond, as well as the tortures that high school can bring.  I think teenagers are able to relate to some of the ideas in this book because high school is not the friendliest place on earth.   There are troubles and no one gets along all of the time.  Rose and Lissa show how two best friends, while trusting few around them, are able to protect each other and gain more understanding into themselves.

Shadowland by Alyson Noel

Synopsis:
At the start of this breathtaking novel, Damen and Ever travel to Summerland in search of an antidote to reverse a powerful poison. But instead of the cure they seek, they find something far more sinister: the truth about their existence and the fate lying in wait of an immortal’s soul.

Now, with Damen fighting to save them from the Shadowland, Ever turns to magick, hoping to break Damen’s curse. Along the way Ever encounters the mysterious Jude, finding herself drawn to him in a way that will test her love for Damen like never before . . 

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Oh, Ever...how do you put yourself in such situations?  Ever is the typical teenager unable to make a choice concerning a multitude of people.  She doesn't know what's right or wrong and is constantly swayed by those around her.  She meets an individual from her past who Damen is insisting she spends more time with.  Ever again finds herself in unusual situations in which she is trying to find the best solution for both herself as well as Damen.  Once again, the end of this novel is captivating and keeps you reading until the end.  Ever is called upon to choose between right and wrong, but who is to say what can be right and what is wrong? 

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

Synopsis:
Eager to learn everything she can about her new abilities as an Immortal, Ever turns to her beloved Damen to show her the way. But just as her powers are increasing, Damen’s are waning.  In an attempt to save him, Ever travels to the magical dimension of Summerland, where she learns the secrets of Damen’s tortured past; a past which he has always kept hidden from her. But in her quest to cure Damen, Ever discovers an ancient text that details the workings of time. Now Ever must chose between turning back the past and saving her family from the accident that claimed their lives—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows sicker every day...

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The second novel in Noel's Immortal series is much more intriguing and catching than the first novel.  Damen and Ever are involved in a multitude of situations.  Ever is put through so much in this second novel that by the end you just don't know what to expect.  I was holding my breath as I kept reading hoping that Ever would make the right choice.  I guess the question is, what is the right choice?  This novel is captivating and left me on edge to find out what happens next in this story.  Ever lives an exciting life with so many twists and turns you don't know where you'll end up when it's all over.

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Synopsis:
Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch.   Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…
Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition.  He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets.  Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head.  She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.  Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

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Ever is an extraordinary young woman who has a lot to deal with in a short period of time.  Ever has lost all of her family in an unfortunate car accident.  Her mother, father, sister, and dog have all died in a car accident and has gone to live with an aunt in California.  Ever is able to see the aura's of other people as well as hear their thoughts.  She is some what of a psychic.  It is in California that she meets Damen, who she can't hear or see his aura.  She goes through a variety of situations in which she finally learns what Damen is and what she is now becoming.

The book is interesting enough to make me keep reading the story, but I felt as though it was missing some parts.  It seemed to jump around a lot and I was always wondering how the author got from one place to another.  Although this book contains ghosts, psychics, and immortals it is still the typical teenage love story.  I would recommend this book for a teenager or young adult who is interested in the immortal or vampire worlds.

Burned by P.C. Cast

Synopsis:  Zoey Redbird is the youngest High Priestess in House of Night history and is the only person – vamp or fledgling – that can stop the evil Neferet from raising all kinds of immortal trouble. And she might just have a chance if she wasn’t so busy being dead.

Well, dead is too strong a word. Stevie Rae knows she can bring her BFF back from her unscheduled va-cay in the Otherworld. But it’s going to take a lot more than hoping to bring Zoey back. Stevie Rae will have to give up a few secrets of her own . . 

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This is the 7th book in the House of Night series by P.C. Cast.  I'm not sure if it was because I haven't read the series in over a year, but the 7th book wasn't as captivating to me as the first six.  It was interesting, and I certainly felt compelled to finish it, but I get like that with any series I start.  Zoey is still as messed up as ever and her friends are as well.  The fight between Light and Dark is ever changing and Zoey and her friends need to come up with a way to beat Darkness and bring Zoey back.