Australian Vs. U.S.A Book Covers.

Stolen Away

by Alyxandra Harvey 

Australian.

American.

Book Review (36).

Haunting Violet

by Alyxandra Harvey 

Publication: 1st August 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury Australia

Pages: 344

Genre: Paranormal/Historical

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

My Thoughts.

This is the first book I've ever read by Alyxandra Harvey and if all her books are like this one it definately won't be the last.

The story takes place in the late 1800's and Violet helps her mother scam people into believing she's a pyschic, her and Colin a boy who was orphaned when he was younger and taken in by Violet's mother Celeste to work for her, set up the room's that seances are going to be held in so people hear knocking, smell perfume and feel cold air.

They are invited to a Lord Jasper's estate to perform some seance's in front of some of the elite of society and it's there that Violet sees her first ghost a girl Rowena who everybody believes accidentaly drowned but was in fact murdered and once she realises that Violet sees her she doesn't leave her alone.

Adding to that is a relationship that is being pushed on her by her mother with Xavier who Violet finds very handsome but dull and Colin makes his feelings known to Violet and she realises she feels the same.

Throughout the book we have Violet with the help of her best friend Elizabeth trying to solve the murder of Rowena while also coming to terms with having to deal with all the spirits that want to get her attention.

Anyone who loves gothic, historical stories with a paranormal slant and a bit of romance thrown in do yourself a favour and check this book out.

I give this 4/5

A big thanks to Sonia @ Bloomsbury Australia

Australian Vs. U.S.A Book Covers.

Steampunk!: An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories

by Kelly Link, Gavin J. Grant

Australian.

American.

Book Review (35).

Veil of Midnight (Midnight Breed #5)

by Lara Adrian 

Publication: 30th December 2008

Publisher: Dell

Pages: 355

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Age Appropriate: Adult

**Warning May Contain Spoilers From Previous Books In The Series**

Bound by blood, addicted to danger, they'll enter the darkest—and most erotic—place of all.

A warrior trained in bullets and blades, Renata cannot be bested by any man—vampire or mortal. But her most powerful weapon is her extraordinary psychic ability—a gift both rare and deadly. Now a stranger threatens her hard-won independence—a golden-haired vampire who lures her into a realm of darkness…and pleasure beyond imagining.

A combat-loving adrenaline junkie, Nikolai dispenses his own justice to enemies of the Breed—and his latest quarry is a ruthless assassin. One woman stands in his way: the seductive, cool-as-ice bodyguard, Renata. But Renata’s powers are put to the test when a loved one, a child, is threatened and she’s forced to turn to Niko for help. As the two join forces, as desire fans the flames of a deeper hunger, Renata’s life is under siege by a man who offers the exquisite pleasure of a blood bond—and a passion that could save or doom them both forever.…

My Thoughts.

This is Nikolai's 'Niko' book, he goes to Montreal to seek out a Gen One Sergei Yakut and it's there he meets Sergei's bodyguard Renata a breedmate who has the ability to render vampires unconsciouss with her psychic ability but suffers severe after-effects.

Renata cares for a young eight year old breedmate Mira who's eyes reflect the future both of them are pretty much Sergei's prisoners and threatens to kill either one if they attempt to leave him.

There's an attraction straight away between Niko and Renata and it's just a matter of time before they both give in to their attraction.

We also get more into the Dragos and Gen One story and find that Dragos is creating an army of hunter's who are the children of the Gen One being held captive.

I can't wait to find out how the Dragos storyline works out and also Mira's storyline who's book will be realeased next year.

I give this 5/5

Book Review (34).

Chime

by Franny Billingsley

Publication: 1st April 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury Australia

Pages: 368

Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.

My Thoughts.

The story starts off with Briony who with her Father (the village Priest) and her twin sister Rose are waiting for Eldric the son of a local resident to arrive, as his Father lives in the local alehouse it's decided he will stay with Briony's family in the Parsonage.

It's been two months and three days since Briony's Stepmother died of arsenic poisoning everyone assumes she killed herself but Briony knows better because she killed her Stepmother.

You see Briony is a Witch and according to her every bad thing that has happened to her family is her fault, her twin sister's brain injury, the fire that burnt down her home library and the flood that injured her Stepmother's spine.

Briony also has second sight so she can see spirits and the Boogy Mun who inhabits the local swamp and who has spread the deadly swamp cough and will give it to Rose if Briony won't stop the men who are planning on draining the swamp.

There is also a slowly developed romance between Briony and Eldric which is interrupted by Leanne who seems to become infatuated with Eldric and Briony's unwanted suitor Cecil.

The setting is 1910 England but the historical aspect you don't really notice too much.

For those who love a bit of mystery this is the book for you.

I give this 3.5/5

A big thanks to Sonia @ Bloomsbury Australia.

In My Mailbox (10).

In My Mailbox Is A Weekly Meme Hosted Over At The Story Siren.

Review.

Steampunk Anthology (Walker Books Australia)

The Future Of Us - Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler (Simon And Schuster Australia)

That's all I got this week a very quiet week for books.

Book Review (33).

Destined (House of Night #9)

by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast

Published: 25th October 2011

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Pages: 325

Genre: Paranormal

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

** Warning May Contain Spoilers For Those Who Have Not Read The Previous Books In The Series**

Breathing hard, Aurox stood there over the bodies of his vanquished enemies. He turned to Neferet.

"Very good," she said in her emotionless voice. "Let us leave this place before the authorities descend."

Aurox followed her. He walked heavily, his hooves gouging furrows in the dirty alley.

Weak. He felt weak. And more. There was something else.

"What is it?" She snapped at him when he hesitated before entering the car again.

"I do not know. I feel--"

She laughed. "You don't feel at all. You're obviously overthinking this."

"Yes, Priestess." Aurox got in the car and let the world speed past him.I do not think. I do not feel. I am a weapon.

Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet -- which would be a whole lot easier if the High Council saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together -- if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.

But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia's handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there's the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more -- or possibly less -- than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there's something strangely familiar about him . . .

Will Neferet's true nature be revealed before she succeeds at extinguishing Light? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox's humanity in time to protect them all? Find out what's destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

My Thoughts.

I love this series and this would have to be one of my favourite books so far.

After the sobfest that was the last book we are back with Zoey and the gang where they are living in the depot and have returned to the House Of Night to attend classes again with Rephaim in his human form, of course no one wants him there least of all Dragon but Stevie Rae and her friends stick up for him.

We have a new boy Aurox who is very good looking but he's not all he seems and if you've read the last book you'll know what I mean he is told by Neferet not to feel anything but he can't help it whenever he's around Zoey, Neferet decides to employ humans to work in the school in hopes to create chaos but the 'horse whisperer'  she hires to work with Lenobia is hot and there is definate chemistry going on there.

Thanotos from the high council comes to teach Zoey, her gang and the red fledgings and then after finding out that Zoey's Mum was murdered in the previous book wants to do a spell which will replay her death and see who killed her, but of course just like every circle cast at the end of the book something always goes wrong, and someone dies.

I cannot wait for the next book, I love these characters and I can't wait to see what happens next.

I give this 5/5