My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1) by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

What a great book! And you know if I say that about a YA story it must be good! I have read most of Rachel Vincent's adult series, Shifters, and really love it, so I was expecting that her YA series, Soul Screamers, would be fantastic as well. However, I'm very picky about my young adult reads so My Soul to Take had its YA label working against it for me from the start.

This is definitely one of those books that gets better the further you get. When I started it, I liked the main character Kaylee, and I enjoyed learning about what she is and how it works along with her. But it wasn't until about halfway through the book that this became a "stay up late and read it no matter how early I have to wake up" book. And the last 50 pages or so were in the  "CAN'T PUT THIS DOWN!" category. When I was crying by the book's end I knew it would be getting a good review.

Vincent has a knack for developing an urban fantasy element not commonly seen in the genre (Hello, Shifters series? Werecats?) and this series is no different. In , Kaylee discovers that she is a banshee (written as bean sidhe in the book). Banshees in Vincent's world are not women dressed in ragged dresses who walk around funerals and wail for the dead (traditional legend). They are also not woman with broken hearts who turn into crazy screaming she-demons who kill men with their wail (uh...Charmed...). Vincent's banshees have the ability to sense when someone near them is just about to die. When they get this sensation, they are overcome with grief and the overpowering urge to scream at the top of their lungs. This unearthly wail holds souls to this plane for a little longer while the wail lasts. Of course, there is much more to being a banshee, but I can't give it all away!

The romantic element to this story is the new relationship between Kaylee and Nash. I could have used a little more relationship build up between them. I understand that he is a popular guy and that's why Kaylee is instantly interested and excited when she runs into him outside of school, but it seemed like they were an item almost instantly. I would have liked some more tension and such before they decided they were practically in love. With that said, I did like their actual relationship and the sweet high school feel of it. I also enjoyed the way Vincent held out on us about Nash and why he knew so much about Kaylee. Perhaps she decided to use up all the tension and mystery on that instead of on Kaylee and Nash's relationship. And then there is Tod. A mysterious character who enters the story about halfway through, Tod shows an immediate interest in Kaylee and has some sort of past with Nash. I loved all of the interactions between these three and can't wait to read more about Tod as the series goes on! I see a possible love triangle happening in the future, but I might be reading into that because of my experience with Shifters.

As I mentioned above, the end of this book will keep you reading until the last page. You will not want to put it down once you enter the final sequence of major events. Leave it to Rachel Vincent to throw in some curve balls.

I'm reading the rest of this series for sure! So far, there are four in the series, with book five releasing September 27th.

Waiting on Wednesday (3) - Shadow Heir

Waiting on Wednesday is a feature hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that shares the upcoming releases we bloggers are on the edge of our seats about!

My pick this week is...

Shadow Heir
(Dark Swan #4)
by Richelle Mead
Release date: January 3, 2012

(Synopsis from Goodreads)

#1 New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead returns to the Otherworld, a mystic land inextricably linked to our own--and balanced precariously on one woman's desperate courage...

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld...

The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy king Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't--or won't--reveal. And as a formidable force rises to also threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon--and risk the ultimate sacrifice...

Well, this will be it. The final book in the Dark Swan series. After all that happened in the second half of the most recent book I can hardly wait until January! This series has turned out to be one of my favorites, and it just makes me love Richelle Mead even more. I CANNOT wait to see how she ends this series (hopefully it has something to do with Kiyo falling off a cliff to a horrible death......) and more Dorian please and thank you!

Team Dorian!!!

What is YOUR WoW pick?

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme to share what we bought, checked out, swapped, or won. IMM is hosted by The Story Siren.

New for me this week:

So, as you can see I went a little YA crazy this week! I went to the library and grabbed the first in the series of several YA series that I've been wanting to read. As you can also see, my library puts those attractive little yellow stickers with the due date on the book covers. Thoughts and opinions? (On the books, not the stickers...)

Glimmerglass (Faeriewalker #1) by Jenna Black
Evermore (The Immortals #1) by Alyson Noel
My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1) by Rachel Vincent

Once Dead, Twice Shy (Madison Avery #1) by Kim Harrison
The Iron King (Iron Fey #1) by Julie Kagawa
The Summoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy #1) by Kelley Armstrong

I also finally snatched some Netgalley reads that I've been waiting to hear back about! Woohoo!



Where Demons Fear to Tread (The Company of Angels #1) by Stephanie Chong
Knight's Curse by Karen Duvall
Lord of the Vampires (Royal House of Shadows #1) by Gena Showalter
Blood (Mercian Trilogy #1) by K.J. Wignall (YA)

Okay, I showed you mine. Now show me yours! What did you get this week?

Fever World books!

News of the Highest Priority!

Karen Marie Moning is Writing More Fever World Books!

From Karen Marie Moning's Facebook page:

"Because I keep getting this question, I’ve realized I've obviously not answered it to your satisfaction:) I'm going to post here and ask that you all help me in spreading the word around.

I'm currently working on a trilogy that features Dani, Christian MacKeltar, Ryodan, and the mysterious 'Dancer,' set primarily in Fever-Dublin. Each installment in the trilogy is a stand-alone mystery, however there are larger plot arcs unfolding in the background. Where Mac was introspective and her story could feel somewhat esoteric, Dani is down and dirty in the streets. Lots of details, lots of action. There’s a different feel to the two series, totally different vantage points. I’m having a blast writing it.

For those of you who have been worrying—the trilogy is not YA. If I had to categorize it, I would say it straddles the line between YA and adult uneasily. I don’t pull any punches. It may be controversial in some ways. But whose teen years weren’t? LOL! Many of the questions I left unanswered in the FEVER series are addressed in this new series.

Exciting news: I’ve agreed to write two more books after that. Once the new trilogy is complete, I’m returning to the core story begun in the FEVER series, and will resume writing about Mac, Barrons, V’lane, Cruce, the Unseelie king, the concubine, the Song of Making.

All in all, there are five more books coming about the Fever World!

Because I know you guys, I know this is going to make some of you as nervous as it makes you excited. Trust me. I’m making no compromises with the characters or the story. It’s all unfolding exactly as it should, true to itself-which means, it’s a sometimes rocky road. Dark times ahead, guys. But I write it all with genuine love for the characters, the world, and you the reader.

As a final note, quit scaring Dreamworks with your demands for NC-17, LMAO. I don’t write NC-17. You have NC-17 imaginations! Sometimes I think you guys should be tellingme stories!"

So is that the best news you've heard lately or what!?!?!? Feel free to shriek freely!

Still have time to enter!!!

Don't forget to check out my current giveaway!

Giveaways

Follow Friday (3)

Here is this week's question:

In books like the Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) series the paranormal creature in question "comes out of the closet" and makes itself known to the world. Which mythical creature do you wish would come out of the closet, for real?


Ooh, what a good question! Well, I LOVE vampires and werewolves in my books - but do I want them to be roaming around my neighborhood at night? Not so much. I like the idea of magic being real and people being able to tap into it and use it. I think that would be really cool and not as scary as some of the alternative choices (a person that shapeshifts into a dragon!? No thank you! What if that happened during a dinner party...?)

I don't know if I would prefer it to be like Downside Ghosts, where only certain people have the ability to use magic and the magic is conjured using herbs and spells, or if it would be more like the Dark Swan series where the magic is more shaman-based and the user controls the magic with a wand.

Either way, how exciting! What would the world be like if there were witches and magic? I'm sure there's some kind of downfall here, but I just can't think of it............

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read

Waiting on Wednesday (2) - Drink Deep

(Waiting on Wednesday is a feature hosted by Jill @ http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/ that shares what upcoming releases we are on the edge of our seats about!

There are so many releases that I'm waiting on! It was really hard to choose just one. Luckily, a lot of the covers for my "Can't wait till it comes out!" choices haven't come out yet, so that made this week's pick easier. I didn't want to post a big blank gray rectangle!

So (cue music!) my pick this week is..........


Drink Deep
(Chicagoland Vampires #5)
by Chloe Neill
Release date: November 1, 2011

(Synopsis from Goodreads)

Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire Merit can't tell if this is the darkness before the dawn or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times haven't been this precarious for vampires since they came out of the closet. If only they could lay low for a bit, and let the mortals calm down.

That's when the waters of Lake Michigan suddenly turn pitch black-and things really start getting ugly.

Chicago's mayor insists it's nothing to worry about, but Merit knows only the darkest magic could have woven a spell powerful enough to change the very fabric of nature. She'll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who's behind this, and stop them before it's too late for vampires and humans alike.

SO...what this synopsis doesn't say is what the heck is going on with you-know-who regarding you-know-what! If you read the most recent CLV book (and almost threw your book/Kindle/Nook across the room after your jaw hit your chest) then you know what I'm talking about!

That's why Drink Deep is my pick this week (despite the weird title and the disproportionate girl on the cover).

What is YOUR WoW pick?

Working Stiff (Revivalist #1) by Rachel Caine

Working Stiff by Rachel Caine

"There were so many layers of reality to the world. Nothing stopped for death; nothing stopped for grief or horror or tragedy."

Working Stiff is the first in Rachel Caine's new Revivalist series. Prior to this, I had only been exposed to Caine's writing through the first in her Weather Wardens series, which I had mixed feelings about. After reading Working Stiff I'm ready to dive into anything she's written! I really really liked this book! I really don't know how to classify it though. I think that may have been the problem for those who didn't love it - it doesn't really fit into urban fantasy even though that's what it's commonly classified as. There are no vampires, shifters, fae, dragons, werewolves, etc. Wait, you say, there are zombies!

Well, yes and no.

Working Stiff introduces us to Bryn Davis, a former military woman who spent four years in Iraq but is not a badass by any means. She is just a regular person like you or me. She has taken a job as the funeral director at Fairview Mortuary due to similar experience during her time in Iraq. Her first day sucks. There's just no other way to put it. And after a long and hellish day Bryn stumbles upon a serious scandal involving her new boss and the fact that he is profiting from an experimental drug that brings dead people back to life.

So, of course, she is promptly murdered and brought back to life using said drug.

Here is where you are thinking "Zombie alert!" but no, not really. First of all, the "zombies" are created using science, not magic. Secondly, the drug just brings the person's body back, it doesn't made them into a mindless drone or give them a wild craving for brains. The drug plunges nanites into the person's bloodstream to repair the damage of death and the person must get a fresh shot of these nanites every day in order to sustain life. So, really, this book is a little more like a sci-fi read than an urban fantasy.

Whatever the heck it is, its damn good! The glue that holds this whole story together is Bryn. Caine writes Bryn in such a way that you can really relate to her. She's normal. She knows how to shoot a gun well since she was in the military, and she has some minor fighting skills. But other than that she is no kick-ass heroine. Don't get me wrong, I love my ass kickers! But I equally loved Bryn for all her normalcy. And she's not the whining wimp in the corner either. She is a nice balance just like most people would be in Bryn's 'situation' (you know, being practically dead and having to rely on a daily shot to keep from rotting away and and all).

Another favorite about this story for me were McCallister and Joe. They are the two Pharmadene security employees tagged with tracking down the rogue who is selling the drug and was Bryn's boss's supplier. McCallister is short and to the point and his exterior melts away very slowly. I liked that his affection for Bryn (and vice versa) took time and they didn't jump into the sack in chapter two. In fact, don't count on there being much romance in this book. I also really loved family man Joe and his affection for Bryn, even though its a very different affection than that of McCallister. Joe had one of my favorite lines in the book, because it pegged the situation just right:

“Bryn, my job is to make sure you don’t do anything stupid. So yeah. I followed you. When you leave your house in the middle-class version of ninja clothes, I pay attention. You didn’t look like you were running out for milk and kibble.”

Other side characters I adore include Liam the proper estate administer and Mr. French the fabulous guard dog!

Oh, and there is definitely some action here. It's not exactly nonstop, but it's there and its quality over quantity for sure.

I give this book five strong stars and I CANNOT wait for number two in the series. The story evolved and grew as the plot went on and the ending left me wanting more! Congrats to Caine for a fantastic first in a new series and another brand new fan!

New Giveaway!

***This giveaway is closed.***

Okay, as promised, I am hosting a giveaway to celebrate reaching 50 followers! You guys have helped me reach my goal so quickly, thank you!

In honor of book 3 in this series releasing on September 1st (although the soft release means you can order it on Amazon as of now!), I am giving away the first two book in the Eternal Guardian series! This is a steamy paranormal romance series that mixes a little Greek mythology with some paranormal Underworld fun! (Click on book titles to see synopsis on Goodreads)

Marked

Entwined

The next in the series, Tempted, promises to be just as fun and steamy!

Tempted

So, here's the deal. To enter to win Marked and Entwined all you need to do is become a follower and then leave a comment on this post with:

1. Your first name and
2. the email you would want to be contacted through if you win.

Winners will be chosen using Random.org on September 3rd!!!

Please read my giveaway policy:

Since this blog reviews many books meant for adults, you must be 18 or older to enter any giveaways offered, unless otherwise specified in the giveaway rules for a specific contest. Most giveaways are open to followers only. If you enter a contest that is for followers only, and you are not a current follower at the time of entry and when the winner is chosen, you will be automatically disqualified. Any participant who does not follow the rules for a given contest will be automatically disqualified as well.

Questions about giveaways can be sent to: Gildardc10@hotmail.com

50th Follower Winner!

I have 50 followers! Thanks everybody!  :)
My 50th follower was:

Hannah over at http://onceuponatime.jaedia.net/

I have left her a comment that she won and given her 72 hours to respond. Hopefully she will soon!

NOW I get to have a giveaway to celebrate 50 followers! I will post details tomorrow.

Happy reading,
Goldilox

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren each Sunday to share the books we bought, checked out, received for review, or won the past week.

New for me this week:

The Better Part of Darkness
by Kelly Gay
(Book Swap)

Inside Out
by Maria V. Snyder
(Book Swap)

Working Stiff
by Rachel Caine
(Book Swap)

Eve

Wired

The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay (Book Swap)
Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder (Book Swap)
Working Stiff by Rachel Caine (Book Swap)
Eve by Anna Carey (Netgalley)
Wired by Douglas E. Richard (Won!)

I'm currently reading Working Stiff and will write a review soon! Thank you to Library Thing and Douglas E. Richard for my ebook copy of Wired. Can't wait to read it! What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Follow Friday (2)

Follow Fridays hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read!

Here is this week's question:

Question: If you could write yourself a part in a book, what book would it be and what role would you play in that book?

Can I be written into the next Sookie Stackhouse book as the hot new girl that takes Eric away? No? Well...crap...
Okay then. I don't think I would want to be part of a vampire world. Although I love vampire books and they're sexy and fun to read about...I feel like actually being one or having to constantly be bit by one might be perturbing. I think I might want to be a fellow shifter in a shifter book! I would love to be able to change into something else! Now, this might stem from the fact that I'm in the middle of reading Rachel Vincent's Shifter series...I would love to be a part of their werecat pack! You get to transform into something else and the shifter groups always pride themselves on their honor and their group loyalty.
I also think it would be exciting to be part of a book where magic and/or are present. Something like the Dark Swan series. I could be Eugenie's backup shaman when she's dealing with things in the Otherworld (or I could swoop on in and get myself some Dorian...).

Okay, I think I've given ENOUGH answers to this question. If you're stopping by feel free to say hello and follow me! Thanks for visiting and happy Friday!

Books referenced above:

Waiting on Wednesday (1) - One Grave At A Time

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly waiting!

My WoW this week is:

One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress #6).
Release: August 30, 2011

The grave is one wrong step away.

Having narrowly averted an (under)world war, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans' voodoo queen just keeps on giving--leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit.

Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity--forever. But how do you kill a killer who's already long dead? (Synopsis from Goodreads)




So, my Wow pick this week is coming out pretty soon! I am so excited about the next Cat and Bones book that I just had to post it as my WoW(um, see my Cat and Bones pictures and my reference to the infamous Chapter 32 on the left...). I LOVED books 1 - 4, and book 5 was okay, so I am hoping to adore book 6!!!


What are YOU waiting on?

In My Mailbox (1)

1. The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark (Received for review from Netgalley)
2. Touch of Crimson by Sylvia Day (Netgalley)
3. Deceiving the Protector (Resurrection #2) by Dee Tenorio (Received for review from Netgalley)
4. Frost Moon (Skindancer #1) by Anthony Francis (Netgalley)
5. Hunted (The Shadowing #1) by Adam Slater

Can you tell I've been busy on Netgalley this past week? I have some books coming in the mail, but those will have to wait for next week's In My Mailbox.

50 Follower Giveaway!

I'm excited to announce that I am working toward a goal! When I reach 50 followers I will give away a two-book set (you'll just have to wait and see what they will be...hmm...mysterious enough?).  AND the 50th follower will receive a FREE book just for being lucky number 50!

Yay for giveaways and Yay for books!  :)

Goldilox

Follow Friday (1)

Follow Fridays over at Parajunkee View!










I'm a member...are you? Come say hello and feel free to follow me! :)


Here is this week's question:


Q. How have your reading habits changed since you were a teen? or If you are still a teen what new genres are you in love with currently?

When I was in high school I just basically read whatever I had to for English class. I didn't really make time for reading then. Now I am obsessive! There have been times in the middle of a good book where I wish I could call in to work just so I could read a few more chapters!

Iron Crowned (Dark Swan #3) by Richelle Mead

Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead

New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead takes readers back to the Otherworld, an embattled realm mystically entwined with our world--and ruled by one woman's dangerous choice. . .

Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land's queen, she's fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear. . .

Who Eugenie can trust is the hardest part. Fairy king Dorian has his own agenda for aiding her search. And Kiyo, her shape-shifter ex-boyfriend, has every reason to betray her along the way. To control the Crown's ever-consuming powers, Eugenie will have to confront an unimaginable temptation--one that will put her soul and the fate of two worlds in mortal peril. . .

"I see. It's your turn again."

Wow, what a book! This is another terrific installment in Mead's urban fantasy love triangle series, Dark Swan.

Eugenie is still struggling with her new attachment to the Otherworld and her role as Queen of the Thorn Land. She is struggling even more with the war that has begun with Katrice from the Rowan Land. Katrice is still quite upset over her son Leith's 'untimely' death (you might remember Leith from book two as the guy who seriously deserved to be killed...). Dorian has a plan to possibly bring an end to the war. He convinces Eugenie to go after the mysterious Iron Crown, attainment of which would show Eugenie's power and strength. Of course, Dorian has some ulterior motives for wanting Eugenie to go on this quest as well. Since he cannot go along himself, Dorian suggests that Kiyo go with Eugenie to help her fight and keep her safe.


Now, does that sound like a good idea?

There is not much I can say about most of the rest of the plot because it would ruin all the surprises. I can tell you, however, that I was very disappointed in Eugenie's decisions for some of this book (although I think she redeems herself by the end). However Eugenie's flaws are one of the things I love most about the character, so I suppose I can't really complain when she makes flawed decisions. I can also tell you that this book continues to perpetuate the back and forth we've seen throughout the rest of the series (Kiyo-Dorian-Kiyo-Dorian-Kiyo-Dorian......you get the idea). 

If you're a regular Mead reader, you know that the third book in the series is typically where the bottom drops out and Mead leaves you with a big cliff hanger. This one is no different. Mead continues the Dark Swan series with just as much action, romance, and tension filled moments as the first two books, and this one is my favorite of the trio. There is one character who I am particularly angry (furious, enraged) with...but of course I can't spoil it for you...

You'll just have to read Iron Crowned.