Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Supernaturally

Kiersten White

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: July 26, 2011

Series or Standalone:  Paranormalcy #2

ISBN: 9780061985867

Format: ARC

Pages: 352

Source: Borrowed

Websites:

Kiersten White – Website 

Kiersten White – Blog 

Kiersten White – Twitter

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I was really looking forward to the sequel to the BLEEPING awesome Paranormalcy. However, I felt like Supernaturally was more of a whimper than the bang I was expecting. I was slightly disappointed by Supernaturally. I really loved Paranormalcy but Supernaturally felt a bit bland in comparison.

Supernaturally suffered from what I call the second-book-in-a-trilogy syndrome. Basically, the second book in a trilogy is kind of boring and slow moving and their to establish plot points for the big finale. In many ways, this is how Supernaturally felt for me. I felt this book was very slow moving and I think that was because of the plot. Personally, I’m not really sure what the central plot was. There were a bunch of small story lines, but I felt they did not connect together into one major plot. I was a little bored, and that made me sad. There were also things that were brought up in Supernaturally that then were not mentioned again, such as not hearing for the elementals. I know it is probably set up for book 3 but it just felt forgotten at points.

While the plot wasn’t my favorite, I will say I loved being back in Evie’s world. I lobe Evie. Kiersten White really has created a very distinct voice with Evie. As in Paranormalcy, Evie is just as snarky and hilarious. I was giggling within the first couple pages. Evie has grown since Paranormalcy. Evie knows now more about who she is and has the chance at a “normal” life and that has changed her. I really liked her character growth throughout this book. She learns a lot more about herself and has to deal with that knowledge and she deals with it well.

A lot of the same characters from Paranormalcy are back in this one. Including Lend, but there wasn’t enough Lend for my taste in this book since he was offer at college. Along with a bunch of old characters, Kiersten White introduces a new character, Jack who I really enjoyed. Jack was a character and really funny. He kind of reminded me of a Puck-esque character. However, the one thing I did not like about Jack was I figured out his purpose right when I met him. Other than that, Jack was a really interesting new character who provided some really good entertainment.

Overall, Supernaturally was a decent read. It was nice to be back in Evie’s world and I love Kiersten’s writing. Even though I was a bit disappointed by this book (probably because it had to live up to Paranormalcy) I still enjoyed it. And I will definitely be picking up the third and final book in the series Endlessly when it’s out sometime next year. Also, this cover is gorgeous! I love it and I love how it matches Parnormalcy.

Review: Nevermore

Nevermore

Kelly Creagh

Publisher: Atheneum

Release Date: August 31, 2010

Pages: 543

Ratings: 3.5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

I did not know what to expect from Nevermore. Overall, I really enjoyed the book, its story and its characters.

Nevermore is the first book in a series and I’m really glad for that, otherwise, I would have been left extremely confused. My general impressions while reading this book were that I really liked it, but I was baffled a bit by the plot while reading it. Often, I found myself questioning what was going on or not understanding it. Thankfully, as I continued to read, questions I had, especially some questions about Varen slowly were revealed. However, at the end of the book, I still was left with many unanswered questions, hopefully questions that will be answered in the sequel.

Kelly Creagh has written a very interesting start to a series. I loved how she incoporated Poe into the story and was very excited to see her use of his stories to full the plot. While Creagh uses aspects of Poe’s stories, she uses them to further enhance her own story and plot. The plot of Nevermore is unique; I did not know where the plot was going and could not anticipate any of the plot twists. Overall, the plot arc was intriguing and set up a great basis for the first book in the series. I’m excited to see the plot arc continue in the next book and see if it answers some of the many questions I was left with.

While I really enjoyed the story and plot of the book, I was confused often, but still ended up really liking the book. The thing that I really loved about this book was its characters. When I read the synopsis, I was expecting the main character, Isobel, to be very vapid and one dimensional, since they describe her as a cheerleader. I was glad to see she had a depth and an actual brain. Isobel was able to stand up for herself and others around her, something I greatly admired, especially when her boyfriend was bullying Varen. Isobel was not superficial like the peers that surrounded her and I was thankful for that. The other character that I really loved, and probably one of the reasons that I really liked this book, was Varen. Varen was everything I expect and more. He is the perfect mix of mystery, broody emotions and hotness. I really enjoyed learning more about him and seeing the many different sides to Varen. While Varen may dress like a goth and intimate the people around him, he really defines the saying “There’s more than meets the eye.” Varen and his mysterious background kept me intrigued and really made me love this story.

At the end of the book, I was still left with many unanswered questions, but thankfully there will be a sequel to follow up this book. I will pick that book up as soon it comes out because I cannot wait to see where Kelly Creagh takes us next and I cannot wait to learn more about Varen and his mysteries. 

Review: Forget You

Forget You        

Jennifer Echols

Publisher: MTV

Release Date: July 20, 2010           

Pages: 293

Ratings: 3.5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . .  AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER?

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug. 

The wonderful Erica kindly book bullied me into buying this book, along with Going Too Far, and I am glad she did. I read Forget You in one sitting, and was not disappointed. Jennifer Echols has written an enjoyable book with beautiful scenes.

One thing I have learned from reading this book is that Jennifer Echols’ characters have such great chemistry. The interactions between Doug and Zoey are packed with tons of sexual tension and it was great to see how their story unfolded.

While this book might seem like some light chick lit, it does deal with some very serious topics and issues. With Zoey’s parents divorce, her dad’s pregnant new wife, and her mom going crazy, Zoey has a lot of stress and issues with which to deal. I often felt extremely sorry for Zoey and the situation she was. Her life was falling apart in front of her and she just wanted to maintain her normal, perfect life.

One thing that Jennifer Echols’ excels at is writing realistic characters. Every character in this book was extremely relatable and believable. None of the characters felt fake, I felt I know someone like each character. It was easy to relate to the characters too, even if not in similar situations. Every teenager has doubts about there life and everyone is trying to figure out who they are just like Zoey.

Even though I found this book very enjoyable and loved the story, at times I did get annoyed with Zoey. The whole Brandon situation, especially bothered me. A girl as smart as Zoey should be able to see that Brandon wasn’t her boyfriend. At times I just wanted to smack her when she kept saying Brandon’s my boyfriend, or my boyfriend Brandon. I wish Zoey was a bit more independent and could see that she was lying to herself with the Brandon situation.

Overall, Forget You was a very enjoyable read. Emotionally packed with great characters and great romance, Jennifer Echols has written a book that many teens will eat up. 

Review: Sleepless

Sleepless

Cyn Balog

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Release Date: July 13, 2010

Pages: 224

Ratings: 3.5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Eron De Marchelle isn't supposed to feel a connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce human charges to sleep. While he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to--after all, getting too involved in one human's life would prevent him helping his other charges get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia. Julia, with her fiery red hair and her sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. Eron has always felt protective of Julia . . . but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't seem to reach her . . .

Sandmen are forbidden from communicating with humans outside their dreams. But will Eron be willing to risk everything for a chance to be with the person he loves?

In a genre dominated by vampires and werewolves, Sleepless was a refreshing and unique read. Cyn Balog takes the commonly known legend of the Sandman and adds to that legend with her own twist.

I loved the alternating point of views in this book. A lot of times, I feel, that alternating point of view takes away from the story, but I believe in this case it enhanced the reading of the story. I loved reading Eron point of view and seeing what it was like to be a Sandman, and learning from him, the difficulties of being a Sandman.

Cyn Balog did an excellent job of making me want to read more about these characters and the plot. There were many small mysteries, such as what happened to Julia when she was seven, that made me want to continue reading. The threat of danger to Julia also kept constantly shifting, making me want to keep reading to see who was actually the one who wanted to hurt Julia.

My only complaint was that this book was too short! I wish it was longer! Towards the end I felt the plot was a bit rushed and I just wanted to read about these characters and the world Cyn Balog created with the Sandman. I also must say too that at times I was frustrated with Juila for not seeing that her boyfriend was not as good as she thought he was and that he was a bad boyfriend. Overall though, Sleepless was a book that kept me turning the pages until the end and left me wanting more, always a good sign.