Book Review- Hades

I just finished reading Hades by Alexandra Adornetto for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Bethany and Xavier are even closer since battling Jake Thorn and his evil influence (in Halo) and Beth and her angel siblings must still protect Venus Cove from the Dark Forces.

When a party game – a séance – inadvertently releases Jake from the Underworld, he disguises himself and tricks Beth into taking a ride on his motorcycle. When the highway opens up and swallows them, Beth learns too late that she’s now a prisoner in hell. What happens to angels there? As her archangel brother, Gabriel, her sister Ivy, Xavier, and her best friend, Molly search for her, Beth must weigh Jake’s bargaining for her freedom: one night with him, and she will be released back to Earth.

Can Jake be trusted in this wager? And is he also using Beth to engineer the fall of the archangel Gabriel? Xavier has already lost one love – when Jake tricks him into thinking that Bethany is dead, his grief and anger result in a betrayal that will leave Bethany – and readers – wondering if he is so good after all.

It will be up to Beth to use everything she’s learned about her powers as an angel – and about love – to free herself and those she loves from the clutches of Hades.
 
I am not a religious person at all.  I don't like to read books that throw religion in your face.  And I knew that when I read the first book in the series, Halo, I was taking a chance.  But I didn't feel like I was being preached too.  Unfortunately, in this book, I feel the religion was much more in my face and it put me off a couple of times.  But past that, I really enjoyed the story.
 
The book is a romance novel/ christian novel.  There is some action but it's really a love story.  And I love love stories (okay, that was too many "love"s in a row!)  So once I got past the religious aspect, I found  myself really engrossed in the story.  I love Xander and Beth's relationship.  Yes, they are too solitary, but I've known so many teen couples like that.  And it wasn't a bad solitary.  Except the ending.  I wasn't fond of the ending.  It was too rash and not realistic (not like the book is realistic, but you know what I mean).  I found myself rolling my eyes there.  But there was a major cliff hanger for the last two paragraphs.  And I'm hooked! I can't wait to see what is going to happen next!
 
I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 79
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 63
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 61
 
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Sweet Venom 2 Title Hunt!

Tera Lynn Childs is having a hunt for the title of Sweet Venom 2!  Visit her blog to read the rules here.  There are several prizes up for grabs: 5 signed copies of Sweet Venom and a $50 bookstore gift card.  The contest is open internationally. 

My letter is

(in case you can't see the image, my letter is D)

Good luck and have fun!

Mailbox Monday- August 29, 2011

Mailbox Monday: Here's what came in my mailbox this week

MONDAY

As I Wake- Elizabeth Scott--review for an Around the World ARC Tour











TUESDAY

You Against Me- Jenny Downham--Bookmooch











WEDNESDAY

The Stolen One- Suzanne Crowley--Bookmooch











THURSDAY

Hades- Alexandra Adornetto--review for an Around the World ARC Tour











SATURDAY

Wherever You Go- Heather Davis--review for The Teen Book Scene

Book Review- As I Wake

I just finished reading As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Ava is welcomed home from the hospital by a doting mother, lively friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest. There's only one problem: Ava can't remember any of them - and can't shake the eerie feeling that she's not who they say she is.


Ava struggles to break through her amnesiac haze as she goes through the motions of high-school life, but the memories that surface take place in a very different world, where Ava and familiar-faced friends are under constant scrutiny and no one can be trusted. Ava doesn't know what to make of these visions, or of the boy who is at the center of them all, until he reappears in her life and offers answers . . . but only in exchange for her trust.
 
I found this book to be really...weird.  I was so confused a lot of the time.  I get that there are two different worlds and Ava is/was in both of them.  But the plot of the world where she is now, and the plot of the world that she came from was all mixed up.  I tried to  keep them straight but I couldn't.
 
The only character I really liked was Jane.  I felt so bad for her.  All she wanted was her daughter, her Ava, and you could see how much she wanted to be love and have her "daughter" let her love her.  I didn't really care about any of the other characters.  I think that since they were involved in both worlds, I kept getting them confused and didn't connect with them.  I dunno.
 
I will say that it did keep me interested.  I wanted to find out what was going on, both with what happened to the Ava of our world and why the Ava of the other world was pulled to this world.  But I don't think I ever really got the answers.  Or if I did, I just plain don't understand them! 
 
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
 
As I Wake will be released on September 15, 2011.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 78
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 62
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 60
 
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

The Sunday Salon- August 28, 2011

The Sunday Salon

I am exhausted!  This was the first week of school.  And I always forget how young and little they the kindergarteners are at the beginning of school.  And this group needs lots of reminders.  And then yesterday we had our Magic Kingdom photo shoot.  It was soooo much fun and I can't wait to see the pictures!  But I  had to get up at 3am for hair and makeup.  I slept in late today, but I'm still tired!  My birthday is this Thursday, so here's hoping for a good week!

I finished and reviewed the following books in the past week:

Crossed by Ally Condie

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins












I fulfilled items in the following challenges in the past week:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 76, 77
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 60, 61
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 58, 59
2011 YA Contemporary Challenge: 13

I am currently reading As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott and up next is Hades by Alexandra Adornetto.

Friday Finds- August 26, 2011

Friday Finds

Arranged- Catherine McKenzie

Anne Blythe has a great life: a good job, good friends, and a potential book deal for her first novel. When it comes to finding someone to share it with, however, she just can’t seem to get it right.

After yet another relationship ends, Anne comes across a business card for what she thinks is a dating service, and she pockets it just in case. When her best friend, Sarah, announces she’s engaged, Anne can’t help feeling envious. On an impulse, she decides to give the service a try because maybe she could use a little assistance in finding the right man. But Anne soon discovers the company isn’t a dating service; it’s an exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriage service. She initially rejects the idea, but the more she thinks about it-and the company’s success rate-the more it appeals to her. After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world, so why wouldn’t it work for her?

A few months later, Anne is travelling to a Mexican resort, where in one short weekend she will meet and marry Jack. And against all odds, it seems to be working out-until Anne learns that Jack, and the company that arranged their marriage, are not what they seem at all. (From Catherine McKenzie's website)

Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2)- C.C. Hunter

Kylie Galen thought her life was a mess before she went to Shadow Falls Camp. However, now that she's discovered she's not human, the problems presenting themselves are anything but normal.

She's determined to uncover the answer to her supernatural heritage, but with a ghost insisting someone Kylie loves is about to die, her newly developed sixth sense telling her someone is watching her and a rogue vampire on a murdering rampage, Kylie's quest for answers is on hold. As if her life isn't difficult enough, just when she's about to give her heart to Derek, he starts pulling away. When Lucas comes back, Kylie feels more conflicted than ever. Kylie's weekend with her mom should have been just the break Kylie needs, but it turns out to be her breaking point. Discovering her heritage may not ever matter if she doesn't survive. (From C.C. Hunter's website)

New series released!

So the author of one of my favorite series, The Soul Screamers series, just released a new series yesterday (for the US and Canada...the UK and US e-book version will be released on September 1)!  The first book is called Blood Bound. I'm so excited for it!  Here's more info!

By blood, by word, by magic…

Most can’t touch the power. But Liv Warren is special— a paranormal tracker who follows the scent of blood.


Liv makes her own rules, and the most important one is trust no one.


But when her friend’s daughter goes missing, Liv has no choice but to find the girl. Thanks to a childhood oath, Liv can’t rest until the child is home safe. But that means trusting Cam Caballero, the former lover forbidden to her.


Bound by oath and lost in desire for a man she cannot have, Liv is racing to save the child from a dark criminal underworld where secrets, lies, trauma and danger lurk around every corner…every touch…every kiss.


And more blood will be spilled before it’s over…

The trailer....



You can buy the book from Amazon HERE

Book Review- Lola and the Boy Next Door

I just finished reading Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.


When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Once again, this was another sweet teen love story by Stephanie Perkins.  But I'm not what I really want to say about this book.  I enjoyed it.  Yet I didn't race through it as quickly as I thought I would.  I liked that Lola was different and loved to dress up in her costumes, yet there was something about her that I didn't connect with.  Cricket seems like such a sweet guy, but he doesn't seem like one of those males characters that I'm sure I'd fall for if I was in the girls shoes. 

So I'm not really sure what I think.  When I think of the big picture, I think of this sweet, almost innocent love story, which I always enjoy reading.  But when I think back to when I was reading it, it was only okay.  Not that I disliked it at all, not even a little bit.  I think for some reason I was just expecting to be blown away and instead of being "wow"ed I was just pleased.  If that even makes any sense.  Yeah.  So either way, I enjoyed it.  :)

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

Lola and the Boy Next Door will be released on September 29, 2011.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 77
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 61
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 59
2011 YA Contemporary Challenge: 13

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Mailbox Monday- August 22, 2011

Mailbox Monday: Here's what came in my mailbox this week


WEDNESDAY

Stupid Cupid- Rhonda Stapleton--Bookmooch

Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3)- Chloe Neill--PaperbackSwap

THURSDAY

Crossed- Ally Condie--review for an Around the World ARC Tour

FRIDAY

Lola and the Boy Next Door- Stephanie Perkins--Around the World ARC Tour

Book Review- Crossed

I just finished reading Crossed by Ally Condie for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.
 
When reading books that are sequels, I like there to be at least a little bit of a back story to remind me of what happened in the first book.  I read a lot and for some reason, I have a hard time remembering plots of books I read more than a couple of months ago.  Unfortunately, Crossed didn't really tell us what happened in the previous book, Matched, so I felt like I was lost for a lot of the book.  I don't like feeling confused, and as a result, I don't think I really connected with the book.
 
This book was also way to political for me.  I thought I had remembered Matched as being more of a love story, with a love triangle of Cassia with Xander and Ky.  And while that is still slightly there, this is more about escaping Society to try to join the Rising.  And it was about the escape.  Honestly, I found it quite boring.  I like books that are more character based instead of action based.  And this book definitely wasn't character based.  Although, there wasn't all that much action either.  I dunno.  I just couldn't get into the book.  There is a third book (this is a trilogy) and I'll pick it up to see what happens to Cassia, Ky, and Xander, but its not like I'm dying to read it.  Oh well.
 
I gave this book a rating of 3/5.
 
Crossed will be released on November 1, 2011.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 76
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 60
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 58
 
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

The Sunday Salon- August 21, 2011

The Sunday Salon

This week was pre-planning at school.  I got everything set up and we had Meet The Teacher on Friday evening.  I always forget how tiny they are at the beginning of the year.  The kids are definitely cute but there are a few that are going to be a challenge!

I finished and reviewed the following books in the past week:

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Eve by Anna Carey











I fulfilled items in the following challenges in the past week:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 74, 75
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 58, 59
2011 Debut Author Challenge: 20
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 56, 57
2011 YA Contemporary Challenge: 12

I am currently reading Crossed by Ally Condie and up next is Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins.

Friday Fill-In- August 19, 2011

Friday Fill-In

1. It's fun to go out to eat with another married couple.

2. A sandwich is easy to make.
3. I like to be relaxing in the evening.
4.Why men can be such pigs, I will never know!
5. Something I'm very much excited about is our Magic Kingdom bridal portrait shoot next Saturday.
6. The money spent on the wedding was well worth it.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing after Meet the Teacher, tomorrow my plans include going to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner with the Goldsteins and Sunday, I want to relax before the first day back with the kiddos!

Friday Finds- August 20, 2011

Friday Finds

Shimmer- Alyson Noel

Having solved the matter of the Radiant Boy, Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation. When Riley comes across a young ghost named Rebecca, Riley soon learns Rebecca's not at all what she sees. The daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories. Can Riley help Rebecca without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories? (From Alyson Noel's website)

Green-Eyed Demon- Jaye Wells

The clock is ticking for Sabina Kane. Her sister has been kidnapped by her grandmother, the Dark Races are on the brink of war, and a mysterious order is manipulating everyone behind the scenes.

Working on information provided by an unlikely ally, Sabina and her trusty sidekicks–a sexy mage named Adam Lazarus and Giguhl, a Mischief demon–head to New Orleans to begin the hunt for her sister. Once there, they must contend with belligerent werewolves, magic-wielding vampires and–perhaps most frightening of all–humans.

But as much as Sabina is focused on surviving the present, the past won’t be ignored. Before she can save those she cares about most, she must save herself from the ghosts of her past. (from Jaye Wells' website)

Book Review- Eve

I just finished reading Eve by Anna Carey for and Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.


Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

I've read mixed reviews about this book, so I started reading it, not expecting much.  But I really enjoyed it!  The whole idea of a plague that knocks out most of the population is terrifying!  So the plot had me hooked right away. And then when I found out what really happened ot the graduates of the School, my jaw dropped!  Its so revolting!
 
I really liked Eve.  She wasn't this independent kick-butt chick that many females are in dystopians.  She needed help and wasn't afraid to ask for it.  And I mostly liked Caleb.  There was one part where I wasn't too fond of it, but he got better again.
 
I wasn't expecting this book to be sad, but there was one part where I would definitely have teared up if I was a normal girl (but I never cry).   And the ending is definitely a cliff hanger.  I was totally surprised by what Califia turned out to be like.  And this is supposed to be a trilogy, so I can't wait to read the second book!
 
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
 
Eve will be released on October 4, 2011.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 75
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 59
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 57
 
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- Catching Jordan

Early this morning I finished reading Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position... suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate.


So when I first read the summary of the book, I was so excited!  I am a HUGE football fan!  I love college football the best but the NFL isn't far behind.  In fact, I have 5 fantasy football leagues!  I always wanted to play football, but was never brave enough (and I don't really have any skills).  But to read a book about a girl quarterback in high school?  Awesome!

Then I sat down and started to read.  And I learned about how Jordan wanted to go to Alabama so badly and how her brother went to Tennessee.  Well, I am a DIE-HARD Gator.  I went to the University of Florida and it shows!  I even have tons of posters up in my kindergarten classroom!  My kiddos always draw me orange and blue pictures every year and I get them to say "Go Gators!"  So reading about how Tennessee was going to beat the Gators (which hasn't happened since 2004) wasn't exactly making me happy.  But then I realized that at least the author was pro SEC so I guess it was okay :) 

Anyways, on to the book.  I loved all of the football talk.  I love being submersed in the football world.  And I liked that Jordan was just one of the guys but learned that having friends that are girls can be a wonderful thing too.  I didn't like Ty, not even from the beginning.  He was too controlling and I didn't like that.  I loved Henry though!  Such a sweet guy!  The plot was okay.  It was a little predictable.  But that's okay!  I just loved reading about a girl playing quarterback!  Hopefully some day we'll see a girl quarterback in the college division!

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

Catching Jordan will be released on December 1, 2011.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:

2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 74
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 58
2011 Debut Author Challenge: 20
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 56
2011 YA Contemporary Challenge: 12

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Mailbox Monday- August 15, 2011

Mailbox Monday: Here's what came in my mailbox this week


MONDAY

The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner #2)- James Dashner--PaperbackSwap











TUESDAY

Variant- Robison Wells--review for an Around the World ARC Tour

Reasons to Be Happy- Katrina Kittle--for review from publisher

WEDNESDAY

Catching Jordan- Miranda Kenneally--review for an Around the World ARC Tour

THURSDAY

Love Bites (Vampire Kisses #7)- Ellen Schreiber--PaperbackSwap

Summer and the City- Candance Bushnell--PaperbackSwap

FRIDAY

Eve- Anna Carey--review for an Around the World ARC Tour

SATURDAY

Ghost Huntress Book 2: The Guidance- Marley Gibson--PaperbackSwap

The Sunday Salon- August 14, 2011

The Sunday Salon

I can't believe summer is already over.  Boo!  The time goes by way too fast!  But on Friday night I did something exciting!  I booked a trip to Hong Kong and Tokyo.  One of my best friends and I grew up going to Disney World (not together, until college) and we both have worked at Disney World.  After college, in 2002, we backpacked around Europe and went to Disneyland Paris.  We made a pack that in 5 years, 2007, we would go to Disneyland in California, and then 5 years from then, 2012, we would go to the 2 Disney parks in Asia.  Well, we went to Disneyland in 2007, and we just booked our Asia trip!  I can't wait!  I do have to say that I'm a little nervous/scared.  At least when we went to Europe, the letters were mostly the same and even some of the words were similar.  But in Asia, nothing is going to be familiar!

Has anyone been to Hong Kong and/or Tokyo?  If so, do you have any tips?

I finished and reviewed the following books in the past week:

Tout Sweet by Karen Wheeler

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Variant by Robison Wells













I fulfilled items in the following challenges in the past week:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 71, 72, 73
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 56, 57
2011 Debut Author Challenge: 18, 19
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 54, 55

I am currently reading Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally and up next is Eve by Anna Carey.

Book Review- Variant

I just finished reading Variant by Robison Wells for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Benson Fisher thought a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.

He was wrong.

Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.

Where breaking the rules equals death.

But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.
 
Okay, so I'm not really sure how I feel about this book.  Half of me loved it and the other half of me is annoyed. 
 
The first part of the book flew for me.  I was completely engrossed in the story.  I don't find myself normally liking books with a male as the main character.  But I certainly liked this one.  In fact, it may be one of my favorite books with the main characters as a male.  The book was kinda like a dystopian novel, but it wasn't since it was set in modern day time.  Maybe it was just more horror.  I couldn't put the book down.  I wanted to know if Bensen was going to escape and how.  And I wanted to know just why these kids were trapped in the school.
 
And then the second half of the book.  There was a major twist.  I'm talking major.  I didn't see it coming.  At all.  And I'm not too sure how I felt about it.  At first I kind of rolled my eyes and though "Why did it have to go this way??"  But then I got into it and was once again engrossed.  And I still wanted to know the same questions as before.  Was Benson going to escape, and why were the kids trapped in the school.
 
And then you have the end.  Talk about a major cliff hanger.  But it was a confusing one.  The last 20 pages or so had me going "huh?  I don't get it."  I went back and re-read it several times.  And I'm still not sure I understand what is going on.  I mean, I get the cliffhanger part, I think.  But there are other things I have questions about, that I can't really get into because it would completely spoil the story.  The last page says "End of book one" and I just hope that the next book will answer the questions.
 
That being said, I enjoyed it.  I think.  It sure left me with my mouth hanging open and lots to think about!
 
I gave this book a rating of 4/5.
 
Variant will be released on October 4, 2011.
 
This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 73
2011 ARC Reading Challenge: 57
2011 Debut Author Challenge: 19
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 55
 
*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Friday Finds- August 12, 2011

Friday Finds

So Silver Bright- Lisa Mantchev

Things are never easy for Beatrice Shakespeare Smith. Something's happened to the Théâtre Illuminata, putting the only home she's ever known in limbo. Her mother's sanity is fraying under the strain, her father has vanished and an angry goddess is out for revenge. Bertie is caught between her duties and her dreams, just as her heart is torn between Ariel and Nate. But hope glimmers in a Distant Castle, and if Bertie can put on the performance of her life, maybe she can win the magical boon that may save them all.  (From Lisa Mantchev's website)

Everlasting- Alyson Noel

The sixth and final installment of the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears—all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach.

Will they be united—or torn apart forever? Readers will finally discover the truth in this anxiously awaited conclusion!  (From Alyson Noel's website)

Book Review- Touch of Frost

Early this morning, I finished reading Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep for The Teen Book Scene.

From Goodreads:

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .

Touch of Frost was a fun read.  For some reason, I find myself always enjoying books set at boarding schools.  I'm not sure what the attraction is, but its there!  And since Touch of Frost was set at a boarding school, I knew I would enjoy it!

This was a paranormal book, but a different take on that world.  Instead of the normal angels, werewolves, fairies, and vampires, this book dealt with Warriors and Valkyries and Spartans and the descendants of the gods.  I've always loved Greek mythology, so I enjoyed reading this take on it. 

I liked Gwen.  I liked that she seemed to fully embrace her powers and be okay with who she was.  And I liked that she had such a good heart. 

There were several twists and turns in this story.  I kinda thought that there would be something more to Gwen's mom's death (since it was a drunk driving accident and the other driver was never found) but nothing really came of that.  The real story of Jasmine's death was a surprise.  I didn't see that one coming.  And I think it will be interesting to see what Gwen does next in the sequel, Kiss of Frost.

I gave this book a rating of 3.5/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2011 100+ Reading Challenge: 71
2011 Debut Author Challenge: 18
2011 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 54

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Teen Book Scene.