ARC Review: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Title: Dreamless (Stacrossed #2)
Author: Josephine Angelini

Pages: 487 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published on: May 29th 2012
Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out--a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling "Starcrossed" delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds all expectations.

(Summary from Goodreads)

REVIEW:

It was wonderful experience having to go back to Angelini's mythological world. There was something about Dreamless that made it even better than Starcrossed was. There were many concepts and reasons that made it all the more satisfying and better, in general. Most people might argue that the second books in a series isn't as amazing or as interesting as the first, or that love triangles are just SO overrated but reading Dreamless will definitely prove you wrong.

GOING DOWN UNDER. (And a few cool gods)

Dreamless basically starts off with Helen in the Underworld, where most of the book is held in. What’s really so great about Helen’s adventures in the Underworld is that you see her develop as a character. She’s more confident and surer of herself since she now knows what she’s meant to do. I really liked her adventures in the Underworld because this is where we really see Helen struggle, not just with her task but as well as with her feelings for Lucas. And we definitely get to meet more gods, such as; Hades (god of the Underworld), Persephone (his wife), and more! The introduction of these gods just thickens the plot and makes everything all the more interesting.

DEMIGOD LOVING

This is where the “love triangle” lies. A lot of people are making a big issue that there’s love triangle in the story but I really think that the people need to read the book first before they start judging. I think that adding Orion into the story was a very smart move on Angelini’s part because putting him in only made the story progress even further. And while people might think that there might be an “Edward-Bella-Jacob” triangle going on, there’s really nothing to fear because Angelini managed to incorporate the triangle in a way that wasn’t cheesy or lame. I really felt like it was very appropriate that she put it in because it adds a sort of suspense as to what was going to happen and that was really cool. And while it saddens me to think that Orion doesn’t really have a chance, I still salute the people rooting for Lucas.

IN THE END

This book pretty much made my head take a 360 degree turn. It was really enjoyable since we saw new places and were introduced to new gods. And I love that fact that even though the romance part of the story was important, it didn’t overshadow the badass demigod fighting parts either. The plot twists and turns will literally make you feel like you’re riding a million foot rollercoaster and you don’t know when you’re coming down or taking a turn. It was exhilarating and absolutely heartpounding. As I was reaching the end of the book I was worried that my copy was missing a few pages because all I was thinking was “THIS CAN’T BE THE END!!” But then it was… So now WE have to wait more than half a year for the last book.

Rating:

Review: Bad Taste In Boys by Carrie Harris

Title: Bad Taste in Boys (Kate Grable #2)

Author: Carrie Harris

Pages: 201 pages

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Published on: July 12th' 2011

Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Someone's been a very bad zombie.
Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steriods are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate! She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town  . . . and stay hormonally human.

(Summary from Goodreads)

Review:

Bad Taste in Boys was both insanely hilarious and insanely creepy! I loved it! Carrie Harris definitely has to be one of the best debut authors of 2011! Kate Grable is one kickass heroine! I absolutely loved her! This book is a riot! Carrie Harris has definitely made a new meaning to "zombie apocalypse" with her witty lines and gory details, Bad Taste in Boys will definitely leave you wanting more... More... Braaaains! Absolutely fantastic. LOVED IT. Can't wait to read more of Kate Grable's (mis)adventures! And, of course, her romance with Aaron!

Rating:

Review: Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Title: Shut Out

Author: Kody Keplinger

Pages: 273 pages

Publisher: Poppy

Published on: September 5th' 2011

Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it's a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part, Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy's car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend's attention

Then Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players' girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won't get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don't count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. But what Lissa never sees coming is her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling...

(Summary from Goodreads)

Review:

I'll have to admit that if I were to choose between The DUFF and Shut Out, I'd still pick The DUFF. And while Shut Out was brimming with sexual tension (which I love) and super hot soccer players, there was just something a bit lacking with it. The story took a while to build compared to The DUFF's fast-paced writing and that sort of affected its impact. Though I did feel like the story really needed that slow build up, I've always just liked my Contemps happy and fast-paced but that didn't stop me from loving it anyway.

I really did enjoy Shut Out not just because there were shirtless soccer players involved but also because of the relationships happening in the story. And as well as the sweetness of the romance that did eventually happen.

Lissa

Lissa, the protagonist, really goes through a lot in this book and we really see how far determination and sheer willpower will get a person. She's this character that's vulnerable at times and really fierce at the other. You can really relate to what she's going through because she pretty much goes through the same thing an normal teenager goes through: peer pressure, fear of the unknown, fear of losing someone important and the like.

Lissa and her family

Lissa lives with her brother and her father. Her father has been in a wheel chair for a while because of an incident that broke a few parts of his body. I really love how close she is with these two and that even though they lost her mother, they didn't let it completely overshadow their family. You can really see how much they love each other and I really appreciated that. (And it doesn't hurt that her brother is a hottie.)

Lissa and Randy

I actually thought that they made a pretty cute couple at first but towards the middle of the book, I just thought of how much of a douche he really is. He treats Lissa like a possession and that's just not something she should be subjecting herself to. I really liked that Lissa was her own person but there were times where her thoughts were clouded with how much she loves Randy. News flash, dude, the puppy-dog eyes don't look good on seventeen-year-old jocks.

Lissa and her friends

Ever since the girls made the pledge not to have sex with their boyfriends, girls who weren't really talking before have gotten relatively closer. You can really see the bond that was created by the girls because they weren't just friends to each other, they were practically sisters and it was in these parts of the book that really made me appreciate how important friends really are.

Lissa and Cash

Okay, I'm super excited for this because I love them together. Their sexual tension was so thick that if you came within ten-feet of them, you'll get thrown back through sheer force. I really loved how sweet Cash is. He's basically this really hot and unattainable guy with a really sweet and cheesy side (I know, swoon!) He's such a really character and that's something I really loved about him, he doesn't pretend to be someone he's not and he's obviously willing to fight for the girl he wants.

If you want to read a sweet, at times poignant and hilarious book, Shut Out is for you. Contemporary books have always been a big favorite of mine and I'm so happy to be able to share these titles with you. Hope you enjoy Kody Keplinger's books because Geraldine and I are HUGE fans!

Rating:

Review: Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Title: Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1)

Author: Josephine Angelini

Pages: 487 pages

Publisher: HarperTeen

Published on: May 31st' 2011

Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Set on the island of Nantucket, STARCROSSED tells the tale of Helen Hamilton, a young woman whose destiny is forever altered when she meets Lucas Delos and tries to kill him in front of her entire high school. Which is terribly inconvenient, not only because Lucas is the most beautiful boy on the island, but also because Helen is so achingly shy she suffers physical pain whenever she is given too much attention.

Making matters worse, Helen is beginning to suspect she’s going crazy. Whenever she’s near Lucas or any member of his family she sees the ghostly apparitions of three women weeping bloody tears, and suffers the burden of an intense and irrational hate. She soon learns that she and Lucas are destined to play the leading roles in a Greek tragedy that the Three Fates insist on repeating over and over again throughout history. Like her namesake, Helen of Troy, she’s destined to start a war by falling in love. But even though Lucas and Helen can see their own star-crossed destiny, they’re still powerfully attracted to each other. Will they give up their personal happiness for the greater good, or risk it all to be together?

(Summary from Goodreads)

Review:

I absolutely LOVED Starcrossed! The book was so fast-paced and straight to the point that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! I love how Josephine Angelini managed to take Greek mythology to a whole new level. How she was able to mix ancient Greece with modern Nantucket! When I first read Starcrossed I was astonished to find out that Starcrossed was Josephine Angelini's first novel! Starcrossed was so beautiful wrought and so intricately woven that I felt like I was reading from a master's hand. Starcrossed is definitely something I believe everyone will enjoy! I especially love how Helen literally tried to kill Lucas from the start, the hate and the loathing brought on by the Furies was definitely a nice twist to the story. Of course, a book wouldn't be complete without a hunky, swoony protag! OMGods, Lucas Delos had me the first time Helen ever saw him! His luscious black hair and gorgeous blue eyes, ANY girl would want him! I literally felt my eyes burning just reading about him! He and Helen make such a great couple! I would hate to see them apart! Which leads me to my most hated character EVERR. I didn't think it was possible to hate a character SO much but I do! Oh dear God! I LOATHE Daphne! I think Josephine Angelini should kill her off ASAP. But no matter how much I hated her, it didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying this AMAZING book! Starcrossed was hilarious, suspenseful AND romance-filled! It was definitely a complete package. And I absolutely ADORED Claire and Jason! They were a very interesting couple and they definitely kept the story going especially when Helen and Lucas were in a tough spot. Claire definitely has to be my most favorite character EVER. There's something about that five-foot-two height that screams "Super-Ninja-Penguin Material!" I'd totally welcome Claire with open arms! Claire is what a person needs to look for in a best friend: loyal, kind and sticks up for you no matter what. Most of my favorite moments had Claire in them! She's just too adorable! All in all, Starcrossed is a PHENOMENAL debut, it's definitely a book fans of Percy Jackson and Twilight should read! This book has it all! Hot men (we can never run out of those ;D), action (did I mention, powers are involved in this?), comic relief (HOHOHO) and sweet, sweet romance ('nuff said <3)! Josephine Angelini is DEFINITELY an author to watch out for. ;) I'm sure everybody's DYING to read Dreamless! Prolly because Starcrossed ended with a HUGE cliffhanger!!!!! 2012 can't come fast enough! 

Rating:

In My Mailbox

I have been the WORST blogger EVER. I hardly post anything anymore! I've been such a bum... I'm sorry... I am now going to try to learn how to auto-post so that I'll be able to update every now and then. :)


IMM is a meme started by Kristi from The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought. And sometimes other fun goodies.

Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library.

Books:

Blood and Flowers by Peeny Blubaugh

Teeth edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling

Where She Went (If I Stay #2) by Gayle Forman

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Eon by Alison Goodman

Eona by Alison Goodman

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

The Twilight Saga: Official Illustrated Guide by Stephenie Meyer

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Divergent by Veronica Roth

*signed* Starcrossed ARC by Josephine Angelini

Not pictured:

*signed* Season of Eden by Jennifer Lawrence

The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

SWAG:

A boatload. Too many to picture.

Special thanks to Josie for the Starcrossed ARC, you rock! Jennifer Lawrence, Nancy from Lush Budget Productions of a Ravenous Reader, my mom and dad for letting me buy an excessive amount of books. Love ya!