Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton & Interview w/Tessa!

Blood Magic (Blood Journals, #1)

By Tessa Gratton

Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 2011

405 pages, hardcover

Date Finished: 19/6/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance, Action

Draw a circle ... place a dead leaf in the center ... sprinkle some salt ... recite a little Latin ... add a drop of blood ...


Maybe that last part isn't exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents' horrific deaths. She's willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn't the only recent arrival in Silla's life. There's Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She's not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick's first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can't deny their attraction. And they can't ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "I am Josephine Darly, and I intend to live forever."
~Last Line: "Silla stared at the eyes of the first one and reached out her hand."

Review: Blood Magic was not what I thuoght it would be. It was even better!!

I was so instantaneously pulled in to the story as Silla received the book full of spells that was simply signed "The Deacon." He obviously knew her father if he was sending this to her, but her dad would never have believed in magic, right? Wll, it's wrong.

The characters in this novel were really awesome. They were thought out for sure. I would like to applaud Tessa (and every other author whose book I'm reviewing this week) for their amazing details! You could be probably be the character/s if they got any more descriptive. That's definitely a good thing, though!

The plot line of Blood Magic is  unquestionably original if you ask me. I've never read a book like this at all. Entirely intriguing and a completely new concept. I really loved it and can't wait until The Blood Keeper is released!! :)

 (10 out of 5)

Quotes from the book:

"And just like that she was crying. I felt a little like That Guy who holds a baby at arm's length because he's afraid it's going to pee on him.."

" 'Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.'
Automatically, I replied, 'I'd like to see your deep--' but thank God I stopped before I said something unforgiveable in front of her grandma.
And her brother."

" 'It was Lilith, wasn't it? What did that b---h say now?'
'Nicholas Pardee, you will not, I repeat, not refer to MAry by that awful name.'
'Which one?' "

______________________________________________________________

And now, for the interview with Tessa Gratton herself!!!!!!!

1. Have you always wanted to be an author?
Since I was about 8! I wanted to be other things, too. A ballerina, a paleontologist, an actor, and a wizard. (I still want to be a wizard.)

2. What gave you the idea for Blood Magic?
I was walking my dog around the park, and I just thought of it! Originally, it was about a brother and sister dealing with magical powers, with an evil body-snatcher after them!

3. If you could go anywhere in the world for a week, where would you go?
Oh, everywhere! Someplace I know I love: either Sydney, Australia, or Budapest, Hungary. If it’s a place I haven’t been but want to go… Sweden.

4. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Robin McKinley, Patricia McKillip, Kristin Cashore, Anne Rice, Melina Marchetta, Tim O’Brien.

5. What can we expect from you within the next few years?
I have a companion novel to Blood Magic out in the next year, and after that, I can’t say! Hopefully a new series!

6. What do you l ike to do when you’re not writing?
I’m addicted to Netflix – especially crime dramas and comedy. I also love walking outside under the big Kansas sky and spending time grilling with friends.

7. Do you have a favorite movie?
Oooo. Um. “Spirited Away” probably, if I HAVE to pick one. It’s AMAZING.

8. Is there a specific day that you love to write on?
Any of them! All of them!

9. How can my followers and I keep up with you?
I’ve got a website: http://www.tessagratton.com/, with links to my blog, Twitter, FB page, GoodReads page, and YouTube page. I’m all over the place!


Awesome interview, Tessa!

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Hate List

By Jennifer Brown

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2009

405 pages, paperback

Date Finished: 24/5/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Some Action

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.
Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "The scene in the Garvin High School cafeteria, known as the Commons, is being described as "grim" by investigators who are working to identify the victims of a shooting spree that erupted Friday morning."
~Last Line: "And I'd gone home and packed, leaving the suitcase open on my bed, next to the horses in the wallpaper, which were -- as they'd always been, of course -- completely motionless."

Review: The first time I heard of this book was when my bestie Leanne got it from the library and loved it. She recommended it to me and gave it to me as a birthday present. I'm very glad she did.

The main character, Valerie, wasn't exactly the most popular girl in school. She was far from it. Between being called "Sister Death" by her peers and having to listen to her parents' constant arguing, her only escape is her boyfriend Nick. Until Nick is the shooter in a shooting spree, and takes his life last.

The novel was just soo good. There were a lot of times where it was just too sad, and you couldn't help but feel sorry for Valerie. She definitely went through some tough times that school year. Some of the people she despised even became some of her best friends after the incident.

You're probably wondering exactly what the Hate List is. Well, whenever something happened that Valerie or Nick hated, they added it to the Hate List. They added people, things, anything. Some of the people that Nick killed and injured during the shooting were on the Hate List.

All in all, this novel was so real i nmy eyes. Valerie had so much to go through after the shooting. You really can't help but feel bad for her. A story that definitely touched my heart time and time again. I wish Jennifer Brown would write a prequel to it! :)

I Am Number Four (Movie Review)

I Am Number Four (movie)

Directed By: D.J. Caruso

Release Date: February 18, 2011

Length: 114 minutes (1 hr, 54 min)

Date Watched: 28/5/2011

Review: I loved the book version of this film, and admit that I held high expectations of the movie. I'm proud to say that I wasn't disappointed!

I surprisingly remembered everything from the book. I think that it was great to see actual people acting everything. The movie had great action, and even though I'd read Pittacus Lore's  hard work first, I still sometimes was lost at what was going to happen next!

Number Six in the movie was much more than I expected her to be. She was, to put it simply (please excuse my language here), a badass. I just loved the scene where . . . well, the part where you first see her in the movie. She brought a sudden flare to the great battle at the end of the movie.

Overall, this movie was absolutely, spectacularl marvelous. I am anxious for The Power of Six (the book) to be released in September. Hopefully they will maje a movie of it as well. I'm thinking they will, though, because I Am Number Four (film) left us with a sort-of giant cliffhanger :)

(5 Movie Awards)

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Beastly

By Alex Flinn

Publisher: HarperTeen, 2007

200 pages, paperback

Date Finished: 23/5/2011

Genres: young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Some Action

I am a beast.

A beast!

Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright. I am a monster.

You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll, stay this way forever ruined unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly...beastly.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Welcome to the first meeting of the Unexpected Changes chat group."
~Last Line: " 'May I have this dance?' "

Review: The first and foremost reason that I wanted to read this book was because of the movie hype. If the movie is anything like the book, I will love the film!


Our main character, Kyle Kingsbury, is rich, popular, good-looking. Everything a kid could hope for. He also has one of those snotty attitudes, and because of this, a witch turns into, well, a beast. The only way  for him to be turned back into his handsome self is for him to find true love and be kissed by her. For Kyle Kingsbury, this wasn't an easy-as-pie task that could be solved with daddy's money.


I loved how when his looks changed, he changed his name as well. Adrian is a good name. It fit for him once he changed his wats. It was weird but interesting to read about someone that was locked away from the rest of human life. Although, in modern-day New York City, you can't exactly go out in public looking like a beast and expect people to keep their cool.

Kyle -- Adrian -- met some really awesome people while he was locked away. Well, actually he only met two people: one that lived with him as a tutor, and the other was sort of brought there against their will. But the person still contributed a LOT to the story!

I am super-anxious to see the movie now! Sadly, I'll hav eto wait till it comes out on DVD. But that's fine. More time to read Cloaked. :)

Between by Cyndi Tefft

Between (Between, #1)

By Cyndi Tefft

Publisher: via Smashwords, 2011

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Date Finished: 17/5/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Some Action

It just figures that the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper, complete with a dimpled smile and Scottish accent.

After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has all but given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry through the pearly gates.

Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Ravi's lips were soft and familiar against mine, but my mind was elsewhere."
~Last Line: " 'I can't think of anything else I'd like more,' he said, then brought his lips to mine."

Review: Thank you SOO mucj to Cyndi Tefft for contacting me and asking me to review your novel. I have to say that this was an ahmazing novel! It pulled me in within the first chapter, and I always went back to it to read more.

We meet out heroine, Lindsey Waters, while she's being driven home by her boyfriend, Ravi -- right before she dies. *And cue the hot guy in a kilt that transports dead people to heaven!* Introducing Aiden Macrae. He saw/felt God's prescence as a small boy and, when he committed suicide (read the book to find out why!), God kept him at an in-between state. So of course when Lindsey died, he was supposed to take her to heaven, even though he never actually did.

Obviously, Aiden and Lindsey fall in love with each other. Their romance is so simple, and you could feel thier happiness when they were with each other. Like it was just radiating off the pages. When they were torn away from each other, it was the hardest thing to watch.

Overall, this book was ah-mazing and I am anxious for Hell Transporter to be released :).

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instruments, #4)

By Cassandra Clare

Publisher: McElderry Books, 2011

424 pages, hardcover

Date Finished: 11/5/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Action, Romance

City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever.

Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: " 'Just coffee, please.' "
~Last Line: "We are one."

Review: This novel was once so far at the top of my "anxious to read" list that you had to tilt your head back. Now that I've read it, it's definitely lived up to what I'd hoped.

Clary and Jace aren't exactly terribly wishing that they weren't related anymomre. So, of course, they're dating. A beautiful love I have ti say. They have their on and off moments, though, when they can't be around each other for whatever reasons. It's actually all quite confusing sometimes.

But, getting past the romance, someone's trying to kill Simon. Of course, they aren't succeeding because of *voice fades out :)* but at least they have the courage to try, right? Jace is, surprisingly, helping Simon by being his bodyguard, so to speakk. Simon's also being guarded by quite the interesting new character -- Jordan Kyle. I won't get into who he is, and he's back and all that, but I will say that he's a very good charrie addition to the series/book.

City of Fallen Angels has maintained the 5-Wings rating of Bones, Ashes, and Glass; now join me in tilting out heads back to look at City of Lost Souls on my "anxious to read" list. :D

Quotes from the Book:

" 'Jace has. I mean, I assume he has. I don't know for sure. But if you ever need anything . . .' She let the sentence hang in the air.
'Need anything?'
'Protection. You know. So you can be careful,' Isabelle said. She sounded as practical as if she were talking about extra buttons. 'You'd think the Angel would have been foresighted enough to give us a birth-control rune, but no dice.' "

" 'Good organization,' said Magnus. 'I knew the man who founded it, back in the 1800s. Woolsey Scott. Respectable old werewolf family.'
Alec made an ugly sound in the back of his throat. 'Did you sleep with him, too?' "

" 'He's pretty attractive, if you like the messy-haired, broad-shouldered, shiseled-good-looks type.'
Magnus put his head in his hands.
'Or there are plenty of girls here, since apparently your taste goes both ways. Is there anything you aren't into?'
'Mermaids,' said Magnus into his fingers. 'They always smell like seaweed.' "

The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine

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

By Rachel Caine

Publisher: New American Library, 2007

238 pages, paperback

Date Finished: 29/4/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Action, Coming of Age

Claire Danvers faces more challenges from both college and the undead in this second entry in the Morganville Vampires series.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "It didn't happen, Claire told herself."
~Last Line: "Claire opened the draw and found a pen."

Review: Caine has definitely won me over. There's no way I won't be speedily finishing the Morganville Vampires series. Corny, full of action, and fun enough for any teen to understand, The Dead Girls' Dance takes Claire and her roommates on yet another journey.

Now that Claire knows why Michael disappears every sunrise, she isn't curious and desperate to learn more about him. But she's till got lots to learn about the way things work in Morganville, Texas. To add one more thing to the list of bad occurrences, Claire's parents decide to come to town to visit her at the college. As you've probably already mumbled, this was not a good thing for Claire.

Then something very unexpected happens -- Brandon, a vampire, is murdered. Everyone is shocked, even Claire and her roommates, who didn't exactly like him. The main vampires blame Shane's dad for the crime, but as his dad is MIA, they imprison Shane himself. I mean, personally I don't think it's fair, but they found his dad in the end. He and his gangster-helpers (LOL not really; they're bikers) broke Shane out of jail. That's when the vampires use Claire as bait. I know right? Just marvelous. . .

But anyway, this novel was an awesome sequel to Glass Houses, and I'm once again happy that I started this series :).

Quotes from the book:

"The heat was making her feel slow and disconnected. She wanted to pour the cold water over her face, but realized just in time -- again-- about the makeup. Stupid makeup."

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitpatrick (Third Review!)

Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush #1)

By Becca Fitzpatrick

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2009

391 pages, paperback

Date Finished: 25/4/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Romance, Action, Some Mystery

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Chauncey was with a farmer's daughter on the grassy banks of the Loire River when the storm rolled in, and having let his gelding wander in the meadow, was left to his own two feet to carry him back to the chateau."
~Last Line: " 'More.' "

Review: I felt so left out during the release of Crescendo last year because I hadn't gotten a chance to read Hush, Hush. Now, however, I can see why everyone was so hyped and excited for a sequel! Happy to know that The Mad Scientist (Steampunkery & Book Reviews) is generous enough to send me a copy of Crescendo. Thanks, MS!

The main character, Nora Grey, is just your average girl until she meets Patch in her biology (can't remember; it was some type of science) class. Patch is one of those guys that you can't help but be drawn to. Nora is automaticlaly drawn to him, of course, and does her best to find out whatever she can about him and his past.

Then someone begins following her around. And she's imagining things. Things that aren't really happening. Or are they? Her best friend, Vee, thinks that Patch is Nora's stalker, but Nora is determined to believe that he isn't. Besides, she can totall trust Patch -- right?

Even so, she eventually uncovers a lot about Patch's past. Some very interesting stuff if you ask me :). The romance between Nora and Patch was awesome. Definitely helped pull me in even more; not that I didn't already have my entire face stuffed in the book's seams!

Did I mention Elliot Saunders? No? Well, you'll just have to read the book to figure out who he is. Because I'm not telling!