Book Review (37).

Crossed (Matched #2)

by Ally Condie

Publication: 1st November 2011

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Pages: 367

Genre: Dystopian

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

**Warning This May Contain Spoilers From The First Book**

The hotly awaited second book in the dystopian Matched trilogy

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

My Thoughts.

Being a huge fan of the first book in this series Matched I was excited to pick this one up and read it.

Cassia has been sent to a work camp in the outer provinces and separated from her family, while Ky has been sent to a village in the outer provinces with other aberrations as decoys where they are pretty much dropped off there to die.

As fate would have it a bunch of girls that are working in the same place as Cassia are told they're being sent elsewhere so Cassia gets on the plane in hopes they'll be dropped off somewhere near Ky, when they arrive she finds out Ky was there but he made a run for it with Vick and Eli in search of Cassia.

So Cassia along with Indie a girl from her camp escape as well and go in search of Ky.

Along the way we find out about a big secret that Xander has been hiding and Cassia wavers between Ky and Xander.

I loved the alternating chapters in this book so we get to read about what Ky thinks and we get an inside look at his past.

I  cannot wait for the last book in the trilogy to see how this story works itself out.

I give this 4/5.

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.