In My Mailbox

Okay, so I haven't actually posted one of these in forever. But I am today, so I'll tell you all of the ones that I've gotten recently and I'll give you a list of the ones I'll be posting reviews for soon. IMM was started by Kristi of the Story Siren.

For Review:

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting: The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found. When Violet Ambrose's morbid ability to sense the echoes of those who've been murdered leads her to the body of a young boy, she draws the attention of the FBI. She is reluctantly pulled into an investigation that will endanger more than just her secret...but her relationship and possibly her life as well. This book is the sequel to The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting, and is fantastic. I just recieved it yesterday, and am almost done, so you'll see the review up soon! It'll be hitting the shelves March 15th of next year.

Sleepwalk Society by Kendare Blake: I just started this one, and I like it so far. Violet has a very strong, recognizable voice, and I love that.

Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill: Wicked Girls is a fictionalized account of the Salem witch trials based on the real historical characters, told from the perspective of three young women living in Salem in 1692—Mercy Lewis, Margaret Walcott, and Ann Putnam Jr. I really like this one so far, surprising when you consider how much I don't like books in verse.

Love Sucks by Melissa Francis: I haven't started this one yet; I've got to do a library run and pick up the first one, Bite Me.

UPCOMING REVIEWS:

*Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

*The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith

*The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

*Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

*Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

. . . and a ton more!

SIMPLY NERDY BOOK REVIEWS

The Night World: Volume One by L.J. Smith

The Nightworld series is a collection of three (soon to be four) volumes, each containing three seperate stories, each story about someone different, but somehow related to the one preceding and following it.

Here we go:

The Night World isn't a place. It's all around us. It's a secret society of vampires, werewolves, witches, and other creatures of the darkness that live among us. They're beautiful and deadly and irresistable to humans. Your high school teacher could be one, and so could your boyfriend.

The Night World laws say it's okay to hunt humans. It's okay to toy with their hearts, it's even okay to kill them. There are only two things you can't do with them:

1. Never let them find out the Night World exists.

2. Never fall in love with one of them.

These are the stories about what happens when the rules are broken.

When Poppy finds that she has pancreatic cancer, she is devastated that her life is coming to such an abrupt end. But then her best friend James reveals that he is a vampire, and he can offer her a chance to live...forever. But the risks are great. If the Night World were to find about her, it'd be certain death. Poppy must choose in "Secret Vampire."

"Daughters of Darkness" takes us to a small village in Oregon, where human Mary-Lynette harbors suspicions about her elderly neighbor's three nieces. Then a string of brutal murders and baffling happenings occur, coinciding with the mysterious girls' appearance. Things only get more complicated when Mary-Lynette meets their brother, and finds out what they truly are.

In "Spellbinder", witch cousins Thea and Blaise have one last chance to get their act together at their new school. Thea is determined not to get expelled this time due to Blaise's actions, but when Blaise begins playing with Thea's new crush, Thea can't help but get sucked it. Soon both girls are in over their heads.

THESE STORIES IN THIS BOOK ORDERED FROM BEST TO NOT BEST--none are bad, just some arent as amazing as the others (in my opinion): "Daughters of Darkness" and "Secret Vampire" tie for first because they were both fast paced and hooked me very easily. "Spellbinder" took a while to love, but it is definitely not unlovable. I loved all of these stories--no doubt about that--but some were not as great as the other ones.

What i thought: Okay, i am being completely serious when i say this: These Are Just About Some of the BEST Books I Have Ever Read. Not kidding. At all.

I never read books like this. Whenever i read books with more than one book in them, they generally are about the same people, and are sequels. This is the first series of seperate stories involving different characters that i have ever read, and are just about the only ones i will ever read. As i clearly stated before, these books are amazing. I just cant stand having the stories end. Thats how good they are. These stories are so fantastic. i couldn't move from characters to characters so quickly. Its painful for me to do. Such as, by the end of "Secret Vampire," I was just getting to know Poppy and James. Then it was over, and I had to move on to the next story. Fine, i WANTED to move on to the next story, but not because i was over the other one. No way. I just loved it so much, i couldnt wait to see what the next story had in store for me. So that is the ONE downside to these. (I REALLY WANTED MORE! UGH! im okay.)

So, that said, to make this simple, i'm going to select three words that i think describe the Night World; Volume One are: frustrating, romantic, intense. Fine, i'm changing the 'three words' rule. Lets make it five for this book. lets get on with it, folks:

frustrating--look above; in all caps!

romantic--they all involve soulmates. have you heard of that? Hmm? No? Well, go look it up. Or read these. And you'll find out

intense--as you saw previously, there are only TWO laws for the Night people: dont fall in love, and dont tell anyone. Lets think now, use all of our nerd-power. If you were a night person, and you fell in love with a human--VERMIN in your family's eyes--would you try to hide it? bury those feelings down deep, pretend you dont know they're there? If it would protect that loved one? I know i would. But then something happens. something happens and everything you know changes. You need to tell that one person what you are. if it would help them, but also put not just you but THEM in danger, would you do it? I think we all know the answer to that. If not, only one thing to do: Read it.

tofurkey--yes, yes, we ALL know i am not normal in the least. Okay, if you dont, go get a copy of Leah for Dummies, found in bookstores near you. If you dont know me, and are not a vegan or vegatarian, you might have no clue what tofurkey even IS. Well, tofurkey is a TOFU TURKEY. I know it sounds disgusting, but when you stop eating all meat, poultry, fish, cray fish, shell fish. . . you get my point . . . well, tofurkey is pretty good. So this book is tofurkey, the closest thing a vegetarian has to heaven--heaven as in related to food. My heaven is Borders. . . but that is beyond the point

unbelievable--okay, these stories are so beyond me. I could not come up with this kind of stuff. Trust me. I've tried. hey, maybe thats the problem! No. Im not going there.

Basically, these three novels by L.J. Smith that have been combined and put behind one knock out of a new cover will captivate, amaze, and entertain. What you think would be cliché and overworked is unique, innovative, and just straight out fantastic in Smith's voice. All three of the stories are cleverly connected, making them that more enjoyable. Smith's characters are wonderfully imagined and presented in such a fashion to make the readers fall for them and become enraptured in their struggles and triumphs. There's a new twist around every corner and surprising depth and compassion on every page. Although each story was originally published separately, they flow together fluidly to present an enticing, dangerous, and highly appealing look at the Night World.

i know this style of review is reallly weird . . . but in honor of the challenge i tried something new, okay???????? you have a problem with that????

Book Review: The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall by L. J. Smith:

Elena Gilbert is alive—again.

When Elena sacrificed herself to save the two vampire brothers who love her—the handsome, brooding Stefan and the sleek and dangerous Damon—she was consigned to a fate beyond death. Until a powerful supernatural force pulled her back.

Now Elena is not just human. She has powers and gifts that were bestowed on her in the afterlife. What's more, her blood pulses with an overwhelming and unique force that makes her irresistible to any vampire.

Stefan wants to find a way to keep Elena safe so that they can make a life together. Damon, however, is driven by an insatiable desire for power, and wants Elena to rule as his princess. When Stefan is lured away from Fell's Church, Damon seizes his chance to convince her that he is the brother she is meant to be with. . . .
But a darkness is infiltrating the town, and Damon, always the hunter, is now the hunted; he becomes the prey of a malevolent creature that can possess him at will, and who desires not just Elena's blood but her death.

What i thought (Review): Told in L.J. Smith's trademark style, this new installment in the Vampire Diaries will have readers gasping for more. Though much more gruesome--and gory--than others, this book truly is a perfect night-time read. The crazy twists and turns will have you turning each and every page eagerly.

Sorry guys, but this book mainly focus's on our bad boy Damon. Stefan is barely even in it--though that may be because he was forced away against his own will . . . well, i'm not going to spoil it. Damon really opens up in this novel. You get to see the side that he really tries to hide, and cant help but feel sorry for him.

The creepy new characters and eerie new plotline will not disapoint. Trust me, this book is absolutely fantastic, but you should be aware of the fact that this is not a book to just be placed on a shelf.

this book is unique in everyway. The gruesome images spelled out before you cannot be repeated in any other way. A haunting story, not without hope, The Return: Nightfall is impossible to ignore.

If you have read this and are looking for more, please visit L.J. at http://www.ljanesmith.net/

POSTED BY Leah :)

BOOK REVIEW: The Secret Circle: The Captive Part II and The Power by L.J. Smith

Caught in the struggle between good and evil . . .
Cassie has joined the most alluring—and deadly—in-crowd imaginable. But power comes with a price, and it's more dangerous than she knows. Torn between the dueling desires of the two leaders of the Secret Grcle, she must ultimately choose between saving all of New Salem, and her own dangerous love for the bewitching Adam, which threatens to tear the circle apart. In the ultimate battle between good and evil, will Cassie's supernatural powers be strong enough to lead the coven out of danger? Or will she foil prey to the dark forces within?
. . . will she sacrifice her love for the circle to survive?

What i thought: this book is amazing. It is one of those books that you have to read, with all the drama, passion, forbiddon love and everything you just can't get enough of; sort of like Twilight with a twist: they're witches. They draw in attention, and sometimes not JUST because theyre attractive (yes, the guys are sexy--okay, not Sean or the Henderson brothers, just Adam and Nick, but still--and the girls are pretty attractive. . . especially Faye and Diana). They seem odd, and form this clique that basically rules the school; Faye being the one who rules the guys. Usually the taken ones. Nobody questions their authority. The Club is the ULTIMATE clique, but there's a hitch: You have to be from Crow Haven Road to join. Not only that, but you have to be a WITCH.

The only thing that i dislike a bit is that you have to get the other book in order to keep going from where it ended. The books with in the omnibus usually tend to end in the middle of scenes, sometimes even CONVERSATIONS. I wish Smith just kept it to one book, but then again I love the suspense. And, i must say, L.J. Smith is an AMAZING Sci-Fi/Horror/Fantasy writer. All of her books are filled with suspense and surprises; LJ Smith really delivers. This book will have you hooked untill you turn the last page .

You will hang on to each and every word, and the Secret Circle will be in your mind LONG after you turn the last page; I highly reccomend it.

The Secret Circle: The Captive Part II and The Power is the second book in this amazing series, and before you read this one, you must read the first: The Secret Cirlcle: The Initiation and The Captive. If you enjoy these books, i recomend The Vampire Diaries or The Night World also by L.J. Smith, and The House of Night novels by P.C. + Kristen Cast (and vice-versa).



POSTED BY THE TruNerd

Book Review: Evermore by Alyson Noel

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, Ever can see auras, hear people's thoughts, and know a person's entire life story by touch. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen.

Damen Auguste is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head—wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can see straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. She has no idea just who he really is—or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.


What i thought: The characters, writing style, and storyline are a tad similar to those in Stephenie Meyer's, L.J. Smith's, and Melissa Marr's books, but written with a fasinating twist and voice that entirely remove the doubt of remake. After closing the cover, you, as i do, will want your own Damen, even if it means changing all that you have ever known.

Ever's character is so realistic that i could hardly doubt anything she said, even when discussing things as UNrealistic as Immortals. Her voice also flowed nicely with the dialoge, and it truly sounded as if a teenager was speaking, rather than an adult author. Also, Damen had a perfectly mysterious and dark air to him, which i really love. . . mmm. Tall, dark, and handsome. Why not? What could POSSIBLY go wrong?

A fantastic novel for all teens, and possibly even a few adults. Laugh out loud funny and thoroughly suspensefull, Noel creates an entirely other world within the one we know and love. This haunting story will have you looking down alley ways and examining the new boy with undeniable curiousity. Ever tells her story in a convincing voice, and one you are not likely to forget. An amazing book that will have readers eagerly awaiting those following it.

Also, i just love this cover. . . Because we all know that we judge books by their covers. (By the way, they are TULIPS not ROSES.) The purple backround with (my guess) Ever holding the red tulips (meaning undying love! Sorry. i had to say it) is just so eye-popping. I just love the two colors together, so long as they stay on paper (purple and red in any other circumstance. . . i shudder to think of it. lol) And the red of the tulips seriously stands out, but not in an annoying bright way, but in a way that is eye-grabbing and mysterious. Really, who wouldnt want to pick this up and read the back?

POSTED BY THE TruNerd