Matched

by Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Synopsis:

In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one… until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow — between perfection and passion.

Matched by Ally Condie

Review by Patty M.

5 Screams/5 Screams

13 to Life

by Shannon Delany

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Synopsis:

Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide–secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

13 to Life by Shannon Delany

Review by Patty M.

5 Screams/5 Screams

Across The Universe

by Beth Revis

Publisher: Razorbill

Synopsis:

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awake on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into a brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone—one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship—tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn’t do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now, Amy must race to unlock Godspeed’s hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there’s only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Review by Patty M.

5 Screams/5 Screams

Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, he sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends — or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?
(From the Author’s Website)

Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

Review by Terry Kate

Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story

By Adam Rex

Synopsis:

Doug Lee is undead quite by accident—attacked by a desperate vampire, he finds himself cursed with being fat and fifteen forever. When he has no luck finding some goth chick with a vampire fetish, he resorts to sucking the blood of cows under cover of the night. But it’s just not the same.

Then he meets the new Indian exchange student and falls for her—hard. Yeah, he wants to bite her, but he also wants to prove himself to her. But like the laws of life, love, and high school, the laws of vampire existence are complicated—it’s not as easy as studying Dracula. Especially when the star of Vampire Hunters is hot on your trail in an attempt to boost ratings. . . .

Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story by Adam Rex

Review by Manda Kay

4 Screams/5 Screams

First off, I have to say I ALWAYS have a problem with male leads. I don’t know if it’s because I don’t relate or what, but I always have a hard time with books with male leads.  I, however, loved Doug Lee from the beginning.  Adam Rex created this socially awkward teen guy that had the ability to pull me into his life immediately.  I really enjoyed this book. It took the whole vampire phenomenon going on in literature recently and put a fun, humorous spin on it.

I not only enjoyed the main character, Doug Lee, but his cast of friends were great too. You’ll absolutely adore quirky, dorky Jay and Cat will make you yearn to be just like her.  My only gripe about the book and the reason for only 4 screams is Sejal.  She is supposed to be Doug’s love interest, but I sometimes felt like she was just there.  I would have loved for her to be a more prominent part of the whole story and not just hop in randomly.  There was also a few random times when I got lost in the plot and the reasoning on why things were happening, but they didn’t really take away from the greatest of the novel.

All in all, this is a very funny and refreshing spin on the world of vampires and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the genre.  It was a breath of fresh air among all the similar serious vampire books out there.

The Dark Divine

by Bree Despain

Synopsis:

I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?”

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel’s dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.

The Lost Saint

by Bree Despain

Synopsis:

*Spoiler Alert* – If you have not read The Dark Divine, this synopsis may contain spoilers.

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process. When Grace receives a haunting phone call from Jude, she knows what she must do. She must become a Hound of Heaven.

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot—a newcomer to town who promises her that he can help her be a hero. But as the two grow closer, the wolf grows in Grace, and her relationship with Daniel is put in danger—in more ways than one.

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her—not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

The Dark Divine and The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

Review by Manda Kay

4.5 Screams/ 5 Screams

I absolutely loved these books.  They had an awesome mix of paranormal, romance and everyday life to not only make them believable, but to draw in anyone from page one.

In the Dark Divine, you meet Grace Divine, average everyday artist girl.  She’s a pastor’s daughter, and living within that lifestyle.  You also meet Daniel, a troubled teen from Grace’s childhood and her one true love.  These two characters just dragged you into the book.  Between their relationship with each other and Daniel’s dark past, I was completely enthralled with this series from book one.

Bree Despain has quite a knack for making you fall in love with her characters and she kept me turning the pages.  There is a nice twist in the first book, that I sort of saw coming, but I can say I was shocked with the outcome.  I love the way the whole book rode along through the despair and heartache in Daniel’s life, but it wasn’t overwhelming.

In The Lost Saint, we have the same cast of characters with a couple of new faces. I won’t go into to much detail plot-wise, since I’m not one for spoilers, but the story just keeps getting better.  There is a new character named Talbot in this book, that I just adored.  Everything about him just makes you love him.  I love that the author mixed everything up a bit throwing him into the mix.  He’s very different from the other characters in the book and he definitely makes this interesting.  Once again Bree Despain through in a twist with this one,  I saw things coming, but there was a lot that surprised me.

I definitely enjoyed reading both of these books and I can’t wait for another installment.  I know there has to be more. She can’t just leave it where she did.  I loved the characters, the story line and the writing in both books.  Plus, who doesn’t love a hot paranormal boys.

Check out more on Bree’s Site: http://www.breedespain.com/

My Soul to Keep

by Sharie Kohler

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Sorcha is no longer the pitiful teenage orphan who roamed the streets of Paris after her pack was destroyed, but despite all she now has—wealth, beauty, strength—she is still haunted by memories of Jonah, her fellow half-breed who broke her innocent young heart years before, and who now believes her dead. Determined to drive Jonah from her dreams forever, Sorcha vows to kill the witch whose curse first condemned the lycans to soulless immortality…doomed to be ruled by their dark passions, but never truly able to love or be loved.

Still devastated by over the girl he failed, Jonah has found purpose as a demon slayer. When a stranger starts stalking the world’s most powerful demon witch, he is assigned to kill the huntress before her meddling releases an evil that threatens all mankind.

Face-to-face again at last, can Sorcha and Jonah put their anger and hurt behind them to defeat the darkness…and date they hope to find a love neither dreamed possible.

My Soul to Keep by Sharie Kohler

Review by Pepper

3.9 Screams/5 Screams

My Soul to Keep by Sharie Kohler is an interesting book. Kohler has a different take on the lycans (or werewolves) than most paranormal writers, though I did find the world she created a bit confusing. While the action is fast paced, the tension high, and the sex steamy, I could never quite get a handle on Kohler’s characters or her what storyline was really about. And Sorcha and Jonah have a strange love/hate relationship that made me wonder how they ever ended up in bed at all.

My Soul to Keep is part of the Moon Chaser Series, and my problem might have been that this was the only book of the series that I’ve read. So it may just have been that I, not having read the other books, didn’t understand enough of Sorcha’s and Jonah’s world to follow the plot completely.

Still, there’s a lot about the book that I enjoyed. It’s certainly not a boring book by any means, and the fast pace kept me reading even when I didn’t understand completely what was going on. The characters are diverse, interesting, and well-developed. And the world Kohler created is fascinating, even if I couldn’t quite understand it.

Dark Warrior Untamed

by Alexis Morgan

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

He questions everything. No one thought Chief Talon Greyhill Danby would report to work so soon after wrapping up his affairs in London. Then again, he didn’t expect to find a beautiful spy with a major attitude in his new office. Clearly the Kyth’s Grand Dame doesn’t trust him to do his duty—to protect her.

She fears the truth. Piper Ryan isn’t keen on the arrangement, either. Matching wits with an ancient warrior isn’t in her administrative job description. But sharing space with the red-hot head of security could have unexpectedly tempting benefits…if he doesn’t dig into her secret past.

Opposites always attract. When threatening emails result in danger, the fiery sparks between Piper and Grey grow scorching hot. They must defend the throne form a deadly invisible attacker, but will their raging desire keep them together or will their burning suspicions tear them apart?

Dark Warrior Untamed by Alexis Morgan

Review by Pepper

4.7 screams/5 screams

Dark Warrior Untamed by Alexis Morgan presents a fascinating new paranormal species I hadn’t heard of before: the Kyth. Immortal Vikings living among humans in modern-day Seattle, the Kyth have a new Grand Dame, and she has powerful enemies determined to take over her throne.

One of the things I liked about Dark Warrior Untamed is that the Kyth are not the usual paranormal creatures. They’re much more like humans and their powers are subtle. Grayhill was my kind of guy. So call me a slut, but I I’m just a sucker for a dark, brooding hero with quiet power. But as long as I don’t drool on my keyboard, I figure my fantasies are my business!

I also liked the role of women in Dark Warrior Untamed. No wimpy, whining, or dominated heroines for Morgan. The Kyth are ruled by a woman. But since I think God is probably a female, I figure Morgan has it right. The heroine, Piper is spunky, determined, stubborn, and strong—with secrets as dark and complicated as Gray’s. I like strong female characters and the ones in Dark Warrior Untamed suited me to a tee.

Grayhill is a hard-hitting warrior who knows exactly what he wants, and that’s Piper. She’s an equally determined and fierce protector of those she loves. When these two strong people clash, the action is fast-paced, the tension is high, and the sex is steamy. Which is precisely how I like my books. 4.7 stars

Haunted Honeymoon

By Marta Acosta

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

As the only human to survive vampire infection, Milagro de Los Santos has become quite a celebrity among the blood-drinking elite. Too bad the perks of her condition—increased strength, super-fast healing—don’t pay her condos. There are other complications too. She’s feeling guilty about her fling with enigmatic Vampire Council member Ian Ducharme, and pining for her ex-fiancé, Dr. Oswald Grant…the fabulous man whose kiss changed her life.

It’s when Migaro—irked by Ian’s attention to his neighbor—travels to London and enjoys a sexy flirtation of her own, that the blood really hits the fan. Suddenly, those around her are dying gruesome deaths and Milagro’s being interrogated. Who would kill to set her up as a murder suspect?

Milagro just want to turn back the clock and have another chance to make things right, but no sooner has she escaped to Oswald’s than an accident obliterates her memory. Will the murder come after her now? And will amnesia spark a romantic do-over with Oswald—or will she make all the same mistakes before she ever gets to say “I do?”

Haunted Honeymoon by Marta Acosta

Review by Pepper

2.5 screams/5 screams

Haunted Honeymoon by Marta Acosta starts out with a prologue that makes a very good hook. But sadly, as far as I could see, the rest of the story didn’t live up to the start. Part of this was because Haunted Honeymoon is apparently a follow-up to another book. At least I got the impression it is. And I haven’t read that previous novel.

There’s a lot of references to events that apparently happened before Haunted Honeymoon began—things that I had no knowledge of from just reading this novel. So I felt like I’d been left out of the loop. Therefore, it was very hard for me to get into the story. Especially since the prologue doesn’t happen prior to the story in Haunted Honeymoon, but is actually taken from a later part in the book. So I started out confused from the beginning of chapter one. Which may have been one reason the book didn’t excite me.

That being said there are some positive things to be said for Haunted Honeymoon. It’s well written, for the most part, and basically free from typos. It also has some delightful touches of humor. And there’s a fair amount of suspense in it. Unfortunately those things didn’t make up for the hard time I had relating to Milagro, who was pining for Oswald, a man she was unfaithful to. And it pissed me off that she was pining for him while she’s currently in a relationship with Ian, the man she cheated on Oswald with. Not only didn’t this sit well with me to begin with, but since I didn’t get to see Milagro’s prior relationship with Oswald I had no sympathy for either of them. I felt like had stepped into a movie halfway through and didn’t know the plot. So although I did feel a bit sorry for Ian, I had a great deal of trouble even caring what happened to Milagro or Oswald. And since Haunted Honeymoon is written in first person from Milagro’s point of view, this just didn’t work for me.

Perhaps if I had read the previous novel, whatever that book was, and had some history with these characters, I would have enjoyed reading Haunted Honeymoon. But for the most part, I don’t feel Haunted Honeymoon was worth the time it took me to read it. I’m actually surprised I finished it.

Fanged & Fabulous

by Michelle Rowan

Publisher: Hachette Books

Sarah Dearly has a problem. Last month she was turned into a vampire by the world’s worst blind date. Then she may have, totally by accident, started a war between the mostly peaceful bloodsuckers and bunch of sociopathic vamp hunters who have nicknamed her the Slayer of Slayers. Now, she’s being used as bait to draw out the hunters’ bad-ass leader, while her gorgeous 600-year-old boyfriend Thierry seems to be blowing her off, and her sizzle-hot, fanged friend Quinn is trying to turn her self-defense lessons into make-out sessions. So, she’s done. She’s had it. There comes a time when a vamp has to just suck it up and go after what she wants. And as soon as Sarah figures out what that is, that’s exactly what she’s going to do.

Fanged & Fabulous by Michelle Rowan

Review by Pepper

4.8 screams/5 screams

As a follow-up book to Bitten & Smitten, Michelle Rowan certainly has a winner in Fanged & Fabulous. It was great to see these wonderful characters running amuck in a hilarious new adventure. And Sarah, bless her heart, is just as clueless, just as charming, and just as delightful as she was in the previous book. And even if you haven’t read Bitten & Smitten, you’ll still love Fanged & Fabulous.

I was especially impressed with how Rowan was able to keep the romantic tension high and the end uncertain without changing the love interest. Sarah is still lusting after gorgeous, dark and brooding, undead hunk, Thierry—well, hell, so was I—and Quinn, the equally gorgeous, but a little less dark and brooding, undead hunk, is still lusting after Sarah. And let’s not forget George, another handsome-enough-to-steal-your-breath, undead hunk. What is it about being undead that makes even an average-looking man suddenly so attractive women can’t resist him? (And when do I get to meet one?)

Of course, Fanged & Fabulous gives us a new hunk as well. Barkley, the lovable werewolf stuck in his wolf shape, poses as Sarah’s pet. When he suddenly changes into his human form—his gorgeous, naked, human form—in the middle of Sarah’s living room, does she jump his bones? Sadly, no. She gets him clothes. Sarah, Sarah, I say as I shake my head. Someone really needs to talk to that girl. Well, okay, I guess Barkly is naked and in close proximity to Sarah at a rather inconvenient time. But that’s beside the point. Or if it’s not, it should be.

If you want a light-hearted, fun, and engrossing read, you’re not going to find one much better than Fanged & Fabulous. It’s definitely worth the money. And the time. If this book can’t make you forget your problems, nothing will.