Review: The Deepest Cut by JA Templeton

The Deepest Cut
J.A. Templeton
Release date: June 27th, 2011

Goodreads / Purchase

Sixteen-year-old Riley Williams has been able to see ghosts since the car crash that took her mother’s life and shattered her family. Guilt-ridden over the belief that she’s somehow responsible for her mom’s death, Riley is desperate to see her mother’s elusive spirit to gain her forgiveness.

When her father moves the family to Scotland so they can all start over, Riley believes her life couldn’t get worse––that is until the ghost of nineteen-year-old Ian MacKinnon catches her purposely cutting herself. An uneasy truce quickly turns into friendship, and soon Riley’s falling hard for Ian.

Riley believes her gift could help Ian end the curse that has kept him tied to the land for centuries, but that would mean letting him go forever and she’s not sure she is strong enough to do that. As if her life wasn’t complicated enough, the spirit of the woman who killed Ian returns and she’ll stop at nothing to keep Riley from helping Ian find eternal peace.

*A copy was provided by JA Templeton for review purposes*

If you thought Anna Dressed in Blood was scary - It has Nothing on this one! Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed Anna and thought it was creepy and a lot of fun. But seriously scary? Not really. The Deepest Cut gives us an actual spine-chilling ghost story that will make your hairs stand on end. Kind of like the equivalent of this: Click here at your own risk! (You know you want to!)

Riley has been able to see ghosts since her mom died a few months ago. To start over, her family moves to Scotland in a great big house that used to be an inn. She soon meets this ghost, Ian, who lived in the castle across the street and was murdered by a jealous servant who has cursed him to roam the earth for eternity. This servant - Laria - is determined to stop Riley from trying to help Ian. Let me tell you, this Laria is terrifying! And if you think ghosts can't hurt the living, you're wrong. Laria is evil and goes to extremes to try to get Riley to stay away. I'm a real sucker for ghost stories. Even though they scare me to death, I absolutely enjoy reading about them. The Deepest Cut is one of the best ghost stories I've read. Although, there were a few elements that I found unnecessary to the story (though not enough to lessen my liking of the book). Like how Riley would cut herself. I felt as if that storyline often got put on the backburner and forgotten for a while. It did help with the character development a little, yet, while I didn't mind the side-plot, it does feel expendable. I'm also wondering why Tom was so adamant on having Riley spend time at the mausoleum. He seems like a strange character that I hope we get to find out more about later on.

Along with the hair-raising, there is also romance in this story: a convincing and passionate romance. Riley is falling fast for Ian who is clearly gorgeous, but a relationship with a ghost can't really be real, can it? I loved how the relationship was intertwined with the ghost plot, as well as how much chemistry there was between the two. Ian is a wonderfully mysterious character that pulls on your heartstrings. It's certainly a really unique relationship that you know can't have a happy ending. However, JA Templeton leaves us with a killer cliffhanger that will make you rethink it all. I was extremely happy to find out the next installment is due at the end of the month because it's definitely one of those fun-but-I-may-die-waiting type of endings.

A real page turner full of fear, love, sadness, along with bittersweet ending, The Deepest Cut will be greatly enjoyed by readers who love ghost stories that leave you undoubtedly spooked and full of mixed emotions.
 

5 Hot Espressos

Review: Masquerade by Cambria Hebert

Masquerade
Cambria Hebert
Release date: December 16th, 2011
by Otherworld Publications

Goodreads

Before. Everything was so much better Before. I wasn’t haunted by nightmares, my place at school was secure and my face was flawless. Now, I’m a freak and everything has changed. The worst part is that I can’t remember the night I was sentenced to the shadows. The memory has been stolen from me and I just can’t shake the feeling that someone, something is out there -watching.

Just when I think I have my life handled, Sam, with his intimidating golden stare and shiver inducing voice, makes me realize that I don’t know anything. He makes me see that my scars don’t matter. That they never mattered. I can’t help but fall for him, completely unknowing that he knows exactly how I got this way. Not knowing he was involved.
***

Heven has no idea how closely death stalks her. She has no idea what I have done to keep her alive. I fear the day she learns my secrets, finds out what I really am. But even then I cannot stop, I vow to make things right. Finally her hunter will be hunted, Heaven and Hell, faith and sin will battle, and we will be victorious. But first, Heven must learn to be what she never imagined. I know her strength is there – I feel it. If we are to overcome all odds, she must push past her flaws - her frailties - to become much more.

*A copy was provided by Cambria Hebert for review purposes*

Dark, twisted, full of unexpected turns- Masquerade does not lack in originality! You go in this expecting certain developments when all of a sudden, the rug gets swept out from under your feet you get thrown into a completely unconventional story. To be honest - I freaking loved it!!

Masquerade is told in alternative perspectives between Heven and Sam. After Heven's attack - by who or what, she doesn't remember - she has these horrible scars covering the left side of her face which has completely changed her world. That is, until she meets Sam. Gorgeous, incredibly sweet Sam who makes her feel as beautiful as before. But Sam has some deep dark secrets. Secrets that are bound to transform Heven's life all over again. This is a story where you'll love going over theories in your head and trying - and failing - to figure it all out. Getting a glance at both POVs keeps the mystery thick and the romance alive. We also get a peek at the villain's perspective. I didn't enjoy this one as much, however. It reminded me of the cheesy scenes in comics where you get a glimpse of the villain muttering empty threats. Fortunately, they are far and few - the focus is kept on Heven's story.

Expect a lot of twists and turns in Masquerade! And believe me, you will not see them coming. My assumptions were completely thrown off track. It starts as a simple enough - even seemingly contemporary - story. But by the end, you won't even know what hit you! Cambria does not shy away from eccentric plot lines for which I have to applaud. It wasn't at all what I expected; nonetheless, I was not disappointed in the least. The romance, however, does leave a little to be desired. There is definite passion and steamy scenes, but the relationship develops very quickly which didn't give me the chance to really feel their connection from the beginning.

All in all, Cambria gives us a peculiar tale with tons of surprises and great personalities. If you're looking for something unique, Masquerade is the book to pick up!

4 Hot Espressos

Make sure to drop by on December 15th for the Masquerade blog tour!

For my review of Before, the prequel to Masquerade, click here.

Review: Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié

Unleashed
Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié
Released November 22nd, 2011
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Goodreads / Purchase

Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.

*A copy was provided by Random House Children's Books for review purposes*  

If I would rate Unleashed on the story itself it would have gotten more praise, but I can't do that now can I? I had my share of problems with the characters and their actions that inadvertently caused me to get a bit of a mixed feeling about the book as a whole.

It all starts with Katelyn. Katelyn's mom has just died and, with her dad not in the picture, she is forced to move to Wolf Springs: A middle of nowhere town with no cell phone service or internet connection (can you believe?). She soon learns that there is something in the woods that has been killing people. Classmates to be exact. What does she do with this information? She goes on a motorcycle ride in the woods at night with a guy she just met, and then when she gets a flat miles into a deserted road, she doesn't think twice about going out and changing the tire herself. We've all seen our shares of horror movies, Katelyn- she would definitely be the girl who runs up the stairs. As a reader who likes her characters intelligent and strong, I was never able to connect with her and often found myself shaking my head at the decisions she took.

The romance in the book is cute and helps fill up the slow pace, however I didn't feel any sort of chemistry between the characters. We have the pre-requisite love triangle with Justin and Trick, though I didn't want to root for either of them. For one, Justin has a girlfriend (o_O) and Trick I don't trust. There seems to be something off with him. He definitely has secrets. In that sense, he does make a good mysterious character that I can't help but want to find out more about.

When you read the book/series title, it's no mystery what kind of paranormal story we're getting into. Nonetheless, there are still a few interesting twists that I didn't see coming. Unleashed is more of an introduction and setup for the series. We only get a glimpse of the main plot and most of our questions are left unanswered which some may find underwhelming. Regardless of the issues I have with the characters, I find myself curious enough to give next installment a try, especially after that cliffhanger ending!

2 Hot Espressos

Review: Arson by Estevan Vega

Arson
Estevan Vega
Released May 4th, 2010
by Tate Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can't shut it off. Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl—who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin—moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

*A copy was provided by Estevan Vega for review purposes*

A gentle start is not what you should expect when going into this book. You get thrown into the midst of Arson's complicated and unorthodox life blind as a bat. Consequently, it takes a bit to get situated in the story. But once you do, it becomes quite the intriguing tale.

Arson, who lives with his senile grandmother, is just trying to live his life. When he becomes acquainted with his new neighbour, a strange girl who wears a creepy mask at all times, his life becomes even more complicated. Oh and by the way, he can create fire with his mind… I found the concept really fascinating. I was a bit disappointed that we didn't get a lot of insight into Arson's ability, however. I would have loved to see more of what he can do, or why. I'm not disheartened though, there are some events that transpire at the end that lets us know further details are forthcoming. This installment focuses more on establishing Arson's relationship with his neighbour, Emery. This relationship - though peculiar - is realistic and entertaining. I consider Emery as much a main character as Arson. And a very interesting one at that! Emery has been hiding behind her mask for years. This isn't a pretty masquerade ball mask either, think Micheal Myers! *shutters* I was incredibly intrigued by Emery. She has a fun, snarky personality and a mysterious past that I couldn't help but want to know everything about. What also surprised me in this book was how we got to see Aimee's perspective - Emery's mother. That's right! An adult's perspective, and one with marital issues to boot! The older YA and adult crowd are likely to welcome this unique angle as much as I did.

While I really enjoyed getting to know Arson and Emery, I was a bit annoyed with the secondary characters. Mandy, the stereotypical it-girl who has this perplexing crush on Arson was a bit hard to swallow. I couldn't picture this happening at all which may be due to getting no real understanding of her intentions. I was also a bit confused by Arson's grandmother. I wasn't sure if she had abilities, like Arson, that made her psychotic or if she was just senile. I think some backstory would have made a world of a difference to really bring this book from good to great.

Like most cliffhanger endings, this one was exciting and left me wanting more. If my assumptions are correct, book 2 - Ashes - is going to be more focused on the paranormal aspect of the story and give us a little of what is missing in Arson. I'm happy that I already have it ready to go as I look forward to getting some answers!

3 Hot Espressos

Review: The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkle

The Secret of Spruce Knoll

Heather McCorkle
Released August 3rd, 2011
by Abbott Press

Goodreads / Purchase

It's hard enough being a teenager under normal circumstances; imagine being orphaned, sent to live with an unfamiliar aunt-and learning that there really is magic in the world. Following the tragic death of her parents, Eren Donovan moves to Spruce Knoll to live with her aunt. Little does Eren know the entire town of Spruce Knoll is filled with so-called "channelers"-a magical group of people who immigrated to the small Colorado town when they were driven out of their own lands.

Channelers are tied to the fate of the world. As the world slowly dies, so do they-and they alone have the power to stop the destruction of Earth. Now, Eren learns she not only lives among them, but she is one. When she meets local boy Aiden, his charming tricks show her being a channeler isn't all bad; in fact, it's kind of cool. But is it Aiden's abilities or Aiden's looks that Eren finds so fascinating?

As Eren and Aiden's relationship blooms, so too does a mystery in Spruce Knoll. The town holds many secrets-and many enemies. It soon becomes apparent that the untimely death of Eren's parents was no accident and that her life might be in danger, too. Only time will tell if young, inexperienced Eren has the power to protect the people she has come to love.

*A copy was provided by Heather McCorkle for review purposes*

When I read this synopsis for this novel that talks of “channelers” and their fates being tied to the world, I wasn't really sure what to expect, and if I would really get it. I can now say that The Secret of Spruce Knoll is a wonderfully written paranormal novel that is completely original and full of wonder, love and loss.

Shortly after opening it's pages, I was introduced to the town of Spruce Knoll - Erin's new hometown - where people are acting peculiar and not very accepting. Some of them are even blatantly rude. Eren doesn't know the reason behind this behavior, but once she finds out about her being a channeller, she soon uncovers why she will never really fit in with these people. Eren is a wonderful example of what it takes to overcome tough obstacles in life. The death of her parents, living in a new town where no one accepts her, and top that off with finding out about these strange powers - that can't be easy! But Eren goes through it with her head held high and she really made me love her completely. I admired how she dealt with it all, and how strong she was through it.

We also have Aiden who is a charmer like no other. But with no negative intentions; he's all sweets and good looks. I really enjoyed the way the romance in this book was formulated. Some reviewers have mentioned insta-love, but honestly I didn't find it so, especially that months can go by within a few chapters. The pace it evolves in feels steady, natural and is full of passion. It's not all easy, however. They go through a lot of distress that keeps us on our toes. Along with Aiden and Eren there is an abundance of secondary characters that all have a significance in the story and are all likeable - even the villains are fun to hate.

Heather doesn't go easy on the plot either. She has written a story with a ton of excitement and plenty of twists. The pacing is perfect with action spread throughout, along with great characterization and world building. I do have a small wonder of why Eren's true intentions towards the bad guys weren't being felt by them - since they're supposed to be able to feel emotions. I also wish we would have seen more of their powers in play; although there were still a few good spurts of it here and there. All in all, The Secret of Spruce Knoll is a wonderful debut that is incredibly original and deeply entertaining. Don't hesitate to pick this one up!

4 Hot Espressos

Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Paranormalcy
Kiersten White
Released August 31st, 2010
by HarperTeen

Goodreads / Purchase

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, 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 still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

This is the book that you read when you need a break from dark, serious, hefty novels and just want something fun! Paranormalcy not simply about vampires, or werewolves, or faeries, it's includes ALL of them- and more. I really had a great time with it and enjoyed the medley.

Evie can see paranormals: No matter what glamour they wear, she can see through it. She's been living with the IPCA, an agency who controls the paranormals, all her life and feels pretty lonely being the only (human) teenager there. Evie is an incredibly fun character. She has wit, spunk and a definite sense of humor. I loved how she gets excited for the smallest things - like lockers - and we get to see her take in the real world. I also didn't get an annoyed teenager vibe from her. Evie is very mature for her age which I imagine comes from being raised by IPCA as well as seeing unimaginably icky things daily. However, it doesn't change the fact that she longs for a boyfriend like on her favourite show, and wishes she could just go to real high school prom.

Evie soon meets a very intriguing love interest, Lend. He's like nothing she's ever seen before - literally. I loved Lend. He's the type of noble guy that you can always count on. His relationship with Evie is not instant either, it progresses at a great pace where you can see and feel their attraction grow. I was also delighted with the lack of a love triangle. I enjoy love triangles as much as the next, but sometimes it's nice to get a change of pace.

As for the plot, it's just plain fun! Vampires, fairies, mermaids, werewolves, wookies, you name it. Don't expect anything too deep or elaborate, but do count on a lot of attitude, pink weapons and interesting twists! And all of this in a quick, satisfying read.

4 Hot Espressos

Review: Brightest Kind of Darkness by PT Michelle

Brightest Kind of Darkness
P.T. Michelle
Released June 27th, 2011

Goodreads / Purchase

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate- until she dreams a future she can't ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

 *A copy was provided by Patrice Michelle for review purposes*

Nara has a very unusual life. In fact, she lives every day twice. Once in her dreams, and again for real. Sounds awesome right? Wrong! It's boring in the purest sense of the word! Nara is completely over living her life in déja-vu. She only wants to be surprised for once. However, things change drastically when one day she interferes and stops a bomb from going off at school. Her dreams stop, then people start having strange injuries. What is the price of her meddling with Fate?

If there was any reason to use the word "fantabulous", defining Brightest Kind of Darkness would be it! It's rare that I get really hooked in a story until at least one quarter through, but this one had me hooked by page 10! It was Nara that did it. I immediately fell in love with Nara's character. Above being incredibly likeable, Her voice is so realistic that I found myself entranced by her story. I was so captivated by it that I was contemplating how awful it will be for her to now have to live without seeing her day beforehand… How will she possibly live like that!? Yes, I felt stupid for asking myself that, but it shows how it felt like I had been living her whole life in the hour it took to read to that point.

Nara's wonderful character is not the only reason I was so captivated by this novel. Patrice's writing flows so smoothly through the pages that you don't realize you've already read half of the book. It's the type of simple writing that you can read effortlessly but without any repercussions in the depth of the story. The story is quite elaborate with a lot of twists that I never saw coming and had me riveted. What I thought were a few plot holes at first were ultimately clarified and the reveal of the book's villain was completely original as well as terrifying; his powers are unstoppable! I'm vastly curious to learn more about him and how Nara is going to deal with him in the second book.

Patrice's Brightest Kind of Darkness also holds a wonderful and enchanting romance. Ethan is adorable, down to earth and charming. I loved him from the start. The romance builds up gradually making it feel genuine and sent my heart aflutter. Him and Nara have fantastic chemistry.

This novel is a must read to any Young Adult readers who like books with a darker paranormal storyline, a sweet romance and a lot of suspense. It is definitely nothing short of ingenuity.

5 Hot Espressos

Review & Giveaway: Become by Ali Cross

Become
Ali Cross
Release date: November 11th, 2011

Goodreads / Purchase

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.

When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

*A copy was provided by Ali Cross for review purposes*

 
Become is not your average YA paranormal. We're thrown into an intense novel about the battle between angels and demons. Lucifer's daughter, Desolation, is our protagonist and against her wishes, she's being sent back to earth where there are teenagers and people with… feelings.

Desolation has a really unique personality. Being the devil's daughter she's very cautious, socially awkward and a bit of a loner. She doesn't want to fall in her father's footsteps. In fact, she doesn't really like him all that much. She also senses that there's something very different about her; As though she doesn't belong in Hell. I had a lot of fun with Desolation. She is very critical of herself, but you can tell that underneath it all she's a great person who is just trying to figure out where she fits in.

I really enjoyed the style of writing throughout the novel. It's very descriptive and sophisticated; I found it highly intense, and with a lot more depth than most. There are strong messages sent throughout the story about finding oneself and, most importantly, good vs evil. The intensity was a bit of a problem when it came to the theology and the myths behind the angel/demon battles. I found myself getting confused during the explanations. My only knowledge of it comes from the show Supernatural, so the elaborate lore were a bit overwhelming. I had to reread a lot of passages to get the gist. For this reason, I couldn't entirely get caught up in the story as much as I had hoped.

Despite the complexity, I still enjoyed the plot. Like I mentioned, it was very intense with a lot of action and battle sequences. I did like getting to know why Desolation was seemingly different from the others. The romance also played a big part in the story which did alleviate the seriousness throughout the book.

As an angel/demon book, don't expect this to be like the YA novels Hush Hush or Fallen. Become goes right to the core of Norse mythology: Asgard, Loki (Lucifer), Odin, Thor. But even if, like me, you don't know a lot about these myths, it's still a fun read, however I think people versed in it would absolutely enjoy it to it's full potential.

3 Hot Espresso

Review: Pyxis by K.C. Neal

Pyxis
K.C. Neal
Release date: November 4th, 2011
by Stonehouse Ink

Goodreads / Purchase

Two worlds... one 16-year-old girl must learn to protect them both.

The nightmares haunting Corinne and her friend Mason hint at a universe that exists beyond the one they know. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two worlds, but her mentor is dead. As Corinne and Mason search for answers, she tries to ignore the sparks igniting between them, but can't deny she feels safe only when he's nearby. Will they find help before their nightmares break free?

*A copy was provided by K.C. Neal for review purposes*

With quite the original premise, Pyxis takes you on a fun and mysterious ride with Corinne and her best friend Mason. All throughout the book, you're never really sure why Corinne has been having these strange nightmares that mirrors Mason's, nor why she has these bottles of liquids that seem to have strange effects on her classmates…

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up Pyxis. There weren't that many reviews on it and the blurb was very mysterious if a bit vague. Therefore, I was really happy when I fell in love with the characters and completely enjoyed the story. The pace of the book is wonderful in the way that it builds anticipation. It makes you yearn to find out what it all means, but also want to sit back and enjoy the ride. There is evidently a lot of mystery regarding what is happening to Corinne, with the liquids and the dreams. I loved trying to decipher every piece of information that was given- which heightening my curiosity even more so. I also enjoyed getting spooked a few times along with Corinne.

A wonderfully written character, Corinne is level headed, smart and truly amiable. If she lived here, I would definitely want to be friends with her. She just has a great personality. Her best friend, Angelina, is a lot of fun as well, though I wish she'd been more involved in Pyxis. However going by the plot's development, she will certainly have a bigger role in the rest of the series. As for Mason, Corinne's childhood friend and current crush, he has a wonderful presence in the novel and I adored his character. He is so genuine and has an incredible connection with Corinne that I could feel through the pages.

In Pyxis, the first novel in the series, we're mostly introduced to the plot; We discover what's in store for our characters and the unusual concept around the Pyxis legacy. It's fresh, with unique paranormal aspects and amazing characters. For a debut novel, I'm very impressed and looking forward to the rest of the series. The next installment has amazing potential that will undoubtedly contain a lot of excitement, mystery and romance.

4 Hot Espressos

Want to know more about Pyxis? 

Drop by on November 14th for an interview with K.C and a chance to win a copy!

Review: Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

Hunting Lila
Sarah Alderson
Released August 4th, 2011
by Simon & Schuster

Goodreads / Purchase

17-year-old Lila has two secrets she's prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she's been in love with her brother's best friend, Alex, since forever. Or thereabouts.After a mugging on the streets of South London goes horribly wrong and exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust - her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them. Trying to uncover the truth of why her mother was killed, and the real remit of The Unit, Lila becomes a pawn in a dangerous game. Struggling to keep her secrets in a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone - there are others out there just like her - people with special powers -and her mother's killer is one of them...

With memorable characters, a sweet romance and an exhilarating plot - Hunting Lila is a fantastic read. The cover is what drew me to read this novel at first. It's unique, sexy and mysterious. Once I read the premise that described a girl with special abilities and lots of excitement. I knew I had no choice but to read it.

Going into this, with the incredible reviews it's been getting, I had high hopes. I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed. Hunting Lila has a great plot that swept me in from the start. We meet Lila right away during a mugging, trying not to stab a guy in the eye with a hovering knife… that she's controlling. See, Lila can move objects with her mind. She doesn't know why or how, but she's been able to for the last three years. This mugging incident makes her flee to California to go stay with her brother and, most importantly, see Alex again - her brother's best friend who she's been secretly in love with her whole life.

Lila is a wonderful character. I adored her from the get-go. She's stubborn, feisty, unsure of why she has this ability and with a huge - but completely adorable - crush on her brother's best friend. What goes through her mind when she sees, or even just thinks about, Alex is incredibly sweet and often amusing. She contemplates every detail and perceives every reaction - it's pretty entertaining. Her feelings really feel genuine, though. It's not hard to imagine being as irrational as she, with a crush like hers. A crush she's had her whole life. It was absolutely romantic. And Alex, I loved him! He's sexy, charming, protective, has a big heart - just dang perfect!

I did notice a few similarities with Hunting Lila and the TV series, Heroes. The conspiracy behind the agency, the abilities, the power hungry villain, the mind piercing "weapon", are all also found in the show. So the idea behind the book is not something I haven't stumbled upon before. However, Hunting Lila does have a unique plot, fun mysteries and unexpected twists. Just when I thought I had it all figured out… BAM, another bomb was dropped. I was really impressed by the complexity of it all. I have really high hopes for the sequel, Losing Lila, which promises to be action packed and full of adrenaline.

4 Hot Espressos

Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release date: December 6th, 2011
by Entangled Publishing

Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

*A copy was provided by Entangled Publishing for review purposes*

Ok, I have to gather my thoughts now, because this book has blown my mind! I absolutely loved it! This is my first book by Jennifer, but it definitely won't be my last. I will now stalk all of her work - beware! There is no wonder she has been getting rave reviews so far.

Obsidian gets us acquainted with Katy, who has just moved to a boring small town in West Virginia, and with not-so-boring Daemon - the most arrogant human being she has ever met. And, lucky her (seriously! lucky her!), he lives right next door. At least his sister is great! When Katy finds out they're all aliens, though, her life kind of gets weird... a little.

I instantly clicked with Katy- and not just because she is a book blogger even though that was awesome -, I found her to be a lot like me. Her reactions, her emotions, her attitude were all very realistic and I could completely relate to her. I particularly appreciated her reaction to finding out Daemon was an alien. First of all, she actually HAD a reaction! Secondly, she questioned it. An improvement over the lame- "Oh you're a (insert paranormal being here)? That's neat! So…*awkward silence* wanna make out?"- reactions too often encountered in YA paranormal. As for the secondary characters, I loved Katy's friendship with Dee: She is a great friend and absolutely a lot of fun. And I was very happy with Katy's mom who is down to earth, funny and caring.

Daemon, yes, he needs his own paragraph. Daemon is very likely going to end up on the top of everyone's "most sexiest male character" list. He is definitely on mine! He is irritating, infuriating and downright bullheaded, but holy damn is he ever hot! Daemon is incredibly protective of his sister and others of his race, so even when he was being… difficult, it wasn't without reason. He did love to push Katy's buttons and I mostly found it hilarious (though if I was her I would have punched him in the face). What came out of his mouth actually made me gape with disbelief a few times. Despite his loveable personality, he is an incredible character who fits extremely well with the story, even more-so with Katy, and gives it a very attractive vibe.

Together, Daemon and Katy were fantastic. There was enough chemistry between them to give Marie Curie a run for her money! Their relationship was very love/hate. You never knew what Daemon's intentions were from one page to the next and it drove me crazy as much as it did Katy. However, you still couldn't help but adore them to pieces.

Now for the plot, I found it was very exciting and well thought out. I really enjoyed Jennifer's take on the aliens in Obsidian: how they got there, their powers, the villains. It reminded me a bit of Smallville but it was still original and incredibly exciting. The book definitely does not lack in action and the climactic ending was completely fulfilling.

I really have no negative aspect to mention in regards to this book. It was everything I was hoping for and more than I was expecting. No doubt that Jennifer is the up and coming author to watch out for! 

5 Hot Espressos

View on Goodreads

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy
(Vampire Academy, #1)
Richelle Mead
Released August 16th, 2007
by Penguin Group

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.

This was actually better than I expected. When I read vampire or other paranormal books, I feel like a lot of them lack originality and I just end up being frustrated with it. Vampire Academy was not so.

The vampire lore is different than any other. There are undead and living vampires, half vampires, guardians, etc. It's certainly unusual, but really interesting and very creative. The lore is not all explained right away, though, so at first I was a bit confused with the titles and politics. Basically, Lissa is a Vampire and Rose (narrator) is her guardian. I did like the way it was presented; you aren't told everything right away so you want to keep reading to find out what the deal is. The plot itself was not really unpredictable, but it was never boring and some of the minor twists were not expected.

The characters were easily likeable. Rose is a very strong protagonist. She's feisty and she doesn't hold back. It makes it fun to see her reactions and you're not left wishing she had taken a stand or retorted. It's also a good change from the often too whiny "damsel in distress" heroines you see in a lot of YA novels. As for Lissa, I didn't really click with her much. I found she was more of a secondary character and I didn't get her at first, nor Rose's over-protectiveness of her. She did grow on me towards the end where I realized she's not just a wuss. She does have a bit of steel in her after all. The side characters were enjoyable and I sure loved to hate Mia!

So overall, it's not an "out of this world" awesome book, but in my opinion it deserves the 4 Espressos that I rated it. I will definitely read the rest of the series and would recommend it to anyone who likes YA paranormal.

*note: review originally written in February, 2011*

4 Hot Espressos

 View on Goodreads

Review: Cicada by Belle Whittington

Cicada
Belle Whittington
Released July 14th, 2011
Format: Ebook

For 17-year-old Blair Reynolds and her friends, being the bearer of secrets is getting really old. But it's something she learns to deal with, because there's no other option. If the people in her small town ever found out what she and her friends discovered in the woods and hid in the storage room, the whole town would be up in arms;literally. You see, folks here don't believe in aliens from outer space. Besides, if they ever found out what two of those aliens did to one of their own, well, let's just say what would follow would be all out war.

As the months unfold, their summer becomes consumed with secrets, puzzle pieces that don't quite fit together, and a fight for their lives that leaves one of them at death's door.

*A copy was provided by Belle Whittington for review purposes*

When you see a paranormal YA novel, you figure it's going to be about angels, vampires, faeries, you know, the usual. What we don't see often is something more along the lines of extraterrestrials. Cicada is one of those. It's a bit strange at times, but It's original and very imaginative.

The story starts pretty quickly with no messing around. We get thrown into Blair's life in the start of what has to be the strangest summer of her life. I did like the characters, in that they weren't annoying or irritating, but I couldn't really connect with them. I can't pinpoint exactly why, but there were a few minor details that I took notice of. The most prominent being the dialogue which was a bit too sophisticated or even professional for their age group. For example, I noticed contractions weren't used very much, and you don't usually hear teenagers say "I am here" as opposed to "I'm here". Some readers may not even notice this, but I found it made them sound less natural. That's not the only reason why I couldn't connect with Blair and the others, though. I couldn't really get a picture of them in my head, especially Blair. I think if the book would have been longer and, thus, with more character development we would have gotten to know them better. I found myself not being able to give them distinct personalities.

The plot itself was pretty fun. The first half of the book is spent trying to decipher the mystery behind Blair's dreams and what they saw in her grandfather's woods. It was pretty exciting and I was creeped out a few times. It had a good steady pace that kept the story intriguing without revealing too much. This is the first in a series, and as it was more of a build-up, we didn't get a lot a of explanations and I was a bit disappointed by that. I wish we'd at least gotten further details about the Cicada and their purpose. We did find out what was lurking in the woods, but we're definitely left with more than a few questions at the end. It could make for a good revelatory sequel.

For a debut novel it's not a bad start. Cicada is a fairly short book - a bit over 200 pages - that kept my attention throughout even though I wish it had a bit more substance. There is room for improvement, but it was still an entertaining story.

3 Hot Espressos

 View on Goodreads

Review: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes
(The Mortal Instruments, #2)
Cassandra Clare
Published March 25th, 2008
by Simon & Schuster

A murderer is loose in New York City ...

... and the victims are Downworlder children. Clary Fray and her fellow Shadowhunters have a strong suspicion that Valentine, Clary's father, may be behind the killings. But if he is the murderer, then what's his true motive? To make matters worse, the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, has been stolen, and the mysterious Inquisitor has arrived to investigate, with his eyes vigilantly targeted on Clary's brother, Jace.

Clary will need to face some terrifying demons and even more terrifying family decisions. No one said that the life of a Shadowhunter would be easy.

City of Ashes is the sequel to City of Bones. It's a strong and gratifying installment. It had a lot more happening than in the first, very action packed, still witty and sarcastic, though the storyline as a whole didn't advance very much. I did still enjoy it, maybe even a bit more than City of Bones.

The characters weren't any more developed in this book. Everyone is basically the same, well except for one. We're introduced to a few new characters though. The one that stands out the most is Immogen, she's a Bitch! But keeps things interesting for sure. Also, I know it's going to be resolved (or so I'm told) but the Clare/Jace relationship is still weird to me. I guess being in their shoes it would be hard to accept it and move on, but still icky.

Just one quick note on the writing. I notice the re-use of a few eye rolling quotes from the first book : "quick as a flick of Isabelle's whip"? Just reading that makes me feel awkward.

There weren't as many twists in this one. And the few given weren't hard to figure out, however it didn't make them any less interesting. I'm really loving where they're going with Simon. I'm intrigued to find out why he's as he is. There are a lot of openings for City of Glass and it's bound to be very interesting and hopefully we'll have a lot of questions answered.

4 Hot Espressos

 View on Goodreads

Previously reviewed in The Mortal Instruments series:

 

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
Michelle Hodkin
Published September 27th
by Simon & Schuster

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

I think this was probably my most anticipated book in the past months, and I also think that was it's downfall. You really look forward to a book. Everyone is saying how incredibly awesome it is. Nothing could ever be as good as this book - except maybe Daughter of Smoke and Bone - so how can it possibly live up to my already extreme expectations? Well... not like this.

Mara Dyer - Oh Mara Dyer, you had such an awesome beginning. A mysterious and creepy letter to set the mood. A strange event no one could explain or remember. Mirroring hallways. Disturbing hallucinations. Then Edward from Twilight pops up. Well hello there - I know Mara and Bella sound similar, but sorry, wrong book buddy!

Other than being a 17 year old who speaks several languages, gets straight As without ever paying attention or having to study, has loads of money, an incredibly big house, and no girl who's ever been able to get under his skin until the new girl arrives - the new girl who falls unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him - he's very original, right? If this wasn't enough to convince you, he composes music. That's right! We've got an impostor!

*End rant*

I have a soft spot for thrillers and creepy stories. Always have. My best birthday was when my mom brought me to see Carrie 2 when I was 14 (which was horrible btw, but still, it was Carrie!). So I still quite enjoyed that part of the story. The part where Mara pictures someone dead, and the next day they're found exactly like she pictured. The part where Mara sits down to drink a glass of water, and what seems to be 5 minutes later, 4 hours has passed. The creepy parts were very well done. I was thus still entertained for the most part. The last 100 pages or so is what pushed me off the cliff. I wasn't fond of the way it ended, at all. I thought it could have been much more… again… original. I felt like Hodkins took the easy way out. I had so many cool theories and guesses on what was happening with Mara, and they were all worthless. There wasn't really anything to guess, it was just very plain.

*I guess I wasn't done*

Now, has anyone ever wondered why we needed to have a homosexual jew, crocodiles, and an abused dog in this story? Or any story? Let's also not forget the case her father was working on, which was put there as a bonus "twist" to the story, but seemed incredibly out of place and unnecessary. It felt like I was reading several plots/novels all mushed in together to give us this jumbled mess.

I was going to give this one three stars because of the eerie factor and great beginning - it was actually getting 4 before the last hundred pages. But after having written this, I can't. The bad clearly trumps the good in this book.

2 Hot Espressos

 View on Goodreads

Review: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones
(The Mortal Instruments, #1)
Cassandra Clare
Released March 27th, 2007
by Margaret K. McElderry Books

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....

I first read this series because I was under the impression that people who were fans of HP would love this series. So I automatically was very intrigued by it.

In general I really enjoyed it - it wasn't laugh out loud funny, but the dialogue usually made me smile. The world has a nice dark edge to it, while still being definitely a teen book. I was lost in the story within a couple of chapters; I enjoy fast paced books that don't leave you waiting to find out where the plot is hiding or when something is going to happen. There's one plot point (which I won't mention to not give away spoilers) that I found a bit weird. I sort of guessed it mid-book but kept hoping the author wouldn't go that route. I was told though that it all turns out ok so I'll let it slide.

Since it was the second time reading the book, I didn't get taken back by the twists in the story, and I don't remember if they caught me off guard the first time so I can't say how predictable they are. But from a re-read, it was interesting to see the subtle hints at the beginning of the book. Very small and particular details that maybe a first reader wouldn't have thought anything of.

I really liked Clare's writing style; She has a more mature way of writing than most YA authors. Her descriptions and dialogues are richer, more elegant. She gives us a lot of action and a fast pace that lures you into the story, which is not just full of fluff, but has depth and real emotions. It's refreshing. The characters are also great, three dimensional and easily likable. The main character was just a bit naive for some of her reactions and for not figuring out Simon was in love with her. I knew it on page 2! My 12 month old son knew it!! I still liked her nonetheless. She has potential to eventually kick butt on her own in the near future.

4 Hot Espressos

 View on Goodreads

Review: A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

A Certain Slant of Light
(A Certain Slant of Light, #1)
Laura Whitcomb
Released September 21st, 2005
by Graphia

Helen is a disembodied spirit who "attaches" herself to humans in order to possess their bodies. Unable to remember the circumstances of her death, and with no idea why she's in this precarious state of limbo, she knows this much: she's been haunting the living world for 130 years. But when Helen inhabits the body of a high school teacher, everything changes. For though he remains quite unaware of her presence, a certain boy in his class is clearly able to see Helen. This realization, and Helen's subsequent introduction to him, rocks her world.

Uncomfortable with the boundaries of her existence, Helen continues to test them and takes hair-raising risks -- often for love. Moved by her passions, she is stymied by limits placed on her that she doesn't yet understand and is unable to control.

Well, if I had one word to describe this book it would be Weird. It is definitely weird and maybe a bit disturbing if you really thing about it. But this is fiction so I'll take the disturbing and roll with it, and I still quite enjoyed the story.

It's hard to explain what the book is about without getting spoiler-y. So just quickly, it's about a ghost with no recollection of her death who clings to humans to escape her hell. For the 130 years she's been a ghost, no one has ever been able to see her, until now. It's more of a love story than anything else, but there is still a bit of suspense and mystery. Although it's not your usual love story, or even ghost story, that you find in YA novels. I'm actually surprised it's considered YA at all. They're basically adults in teenager's bodies. So their romance is passionate, more mature and more descriptive than what you usually find in YA.

It takes a while for the meaning of the story to become known. I really only understood it near the very end. However I was never bored, just curious as to what direction it was going to go. So this isn't an action packed novel; it's a story of love and self discovery that you sit, ponder and enjoy.

The writing is magnificent. The protagonist has been dead for 130 years and the author really adapts the dialogues for her day and age. It's wonderful. The characters become painfully real, extremely likeable, and the obstacles they go through are unimaginable. I also loved the poetic and dark aspect of the story. You feel their pain and, when she was recalling her death, my heart was really breaking with hers.

This is the type of book where you either love or hate it. It's not for everyone, but you should still give it a try. It may surprise you.

4 Hot Espressos

 View on Goodreads

Review: Touch by Jus Accardo

Touch

Jus Accardo

Release date: November 1st, 2011

by Entangled Publishing
Format: Paperback/Ebook

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

*A copy was provided by Entangled Publishing for review purposes*

I love it when you don't know what to expect from a book and it ends up being awesome. Touch was the perfect example. I picked this up thinking it would be just another passable YA paranormal, but it was fantastic. It reminded me a lot of the TV show Heroes - people with supernatural abilities get locked up by this agency who want to use them for testing or for their own purposes. The energy vibrating from the book, though, was very much like The Summoning series by Kelley Armstrong - and had a similar plot line as well, but with it's own personality.

From the beginning, this book is exciting and very intriguing with tons of mystery and questions that keep you on your toes. I really enjoyed all of the characters. The protagonist, Dez, is determined and stubborn. I loved how the guy didn't take over for the heroine. The attention was always on Dez's story. There were guys in the novel, of course - just look at the cover! *winks* - but they never down right took over.

The romance was very sweet. I found there was actually a lot of chemistry between Dez and Alex, as well as between Dez and Kale. Most of the book I was rooting for Alex, I found him much hotter. I think it's mostly due to Kale being a bit clueless. It made him seem juvenile compared to Alex. Kale was good for a laugh though. His innocence is hilarious. I loved that he had no sense of censorship; He just blurted out everything.

The best part of the book and what made it a 5-star for me, was the addictive quality of it. They're always on the run or making very risky plans. It was exciting through and through, and it was very hard to stop reading. The climax was also very satisfying. It wasn't abrupt and it wasn't overwhelming. It ended in a way that makes it obvious the story is not over but there is no cliffhanger. So now I can sleep better until the next book comes out. :)

5 Hot Espressos

 View on Goodreads

Review: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

The Gathering (Darkness Rising, #1)
Kelley Armstrong
First published April 12th, 2011
by HarperCollins

Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

3 pages! 3 pages is all it took for this book to get thrilling! Armstrong has given us another great novel. Though not as engrossing as The Summoning, it's still a good start.

The Gathering follows Maya, a teenager with a strange connection to animals and an interesting heritage, who is recuperating from her best friend's tragic death. She is one of only 68 kids living in Salmon Creek, a very isolated town created by a research company (ooouuh!) to house their employees' families, where evidently, strange things are starting to occur.

The book starts with a bang, fast paced and gets intriguing quickly. So it really gets you into it. Then about 3/4 through, I realized the pace has slowed down and the anticipation that something exciting was going to happen any minute is just that, anticipation. Unlike The Summoning where we find out about Chloe's necromancy and how the story is going to develop quite early, in The Gathering it's all near the end, and even then we only get a teaser.

I'm still not quite sure the direction the story is going to go. In that way, the book felt more like a build up for the rest of the Trilogy. Regardless, I still quite enjoyed it. Armstrong has never disappointed me so I'm confident that the Trilogy in a whole will be awesome. It sure has great potential. Like usual, we are left with a lot of wonder and mystery, but it's not a jarring cliffhanger.

4/5 hot espressos

 View on Goodreads

Review: Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones

Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson, #2)

Darynda Jones

First published August 16th, 2011

St. Martin's Press

When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she can’t help but wonder what Cookie’s up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously? Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman’s name. Mimi’s husband explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message. 

Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He’s left his body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do?

Oh my goodness!! I'm still laughing. I think I liked this second book even better than the first. Darynda definitely didn't slack off with book #2. She gave us another great, fabulous, funny as heck novel.

What a ride!!! Charley is back to her old tricks and witty sarcasm. I found the plot in this one much more interesting and equaling a wild roller coaster ride. She is working on a new case, trying to solve the mystery behind Mimi's disappearance; Someone is hiding a big secret from way back in high school. In the meantime, Charley is also trying to find the sexy and stubborn son of Satan. There was much more suspense and action in this book. The humour did not falter, though. There was plenty of it and it was still the best part of it all.

"Two men from the FBI are here,” Cookie said.
Crap. “Men in black are at the office?”
“Well, yes, but they’re actually in more of a navy.” 
Crapola. I so didn’t have time for men. In any color. “Okay, two questions.
Do they look mad, and are they hot?”
After a long, long pause, Cookie said, “One, not really. Two, no comment at this time. And three, you’re on speakerphone.”
After another long, long pause, I said, “Okie dokie then. Be there in a jiff.”

The mystery behind Charley and her "powers" are becoming very interesting. There is more to this Grim reaper business than she thought. Mistress Marigold is also intriguing - what's up with her? But I'm most curious about Owen and what Charley did to piss him off. Third Grave Dead Ahead is bound to be awesome!

Although the character development is modest, it's there nonetheless. All the characters are really enjoyable. They fit very well into Charley's eccentric life and all have distinct roles to play in the story. I particularly enjoy Garrett (and Cookie of course), he's like the amusing little brother who's fun to pick on.

Not everything is tied up in this one. There is still much mystery left to uncover and I can't wait until February to read more. Darynda has become one of my favourite authors and I will thus be reading anything and everything she is willing to dish out. If you want pure fantastic entertainment, these books are for you!!

“Never be afraid to dart around in public humming the Mission Impossible theme.”

4/5 hot espressos

View on Goodreads