Review: Half Wild

Kept pausing during this book, a clear example of what happens when short chapters work against you

A lot has changed since Nathan got his magical gifts. He can now transform into a wild animal and rob his preys of their memories and gifts. But Nathan doesn't want to admit he enjoys his new powers. After all, his heart belongs to Annalise, a white witch. Will this new revolution against Soul and his team of hunters bring these two love birds together or tear them apart forever?

With the first book, Half Bad, so well received among YA readers, it was clear that Sally Green had a lot of work on her hands. Although, I enjoyed the precise recap and animal action, I found the travelling scenes between Gabriel and Nathan confusing (couldn't he just drink a potion), as well as the love meter too borderline corny at times. 

"I can't walk ten paces away from you without it hurting me. I treasure every 
second with you. I'll help you with each breath I take and I'll stay with you."

Um, obsess much?

Alliances and relationships were rekindled in ways that didn't make much sense. Perhaps humans have bigger egos than witches, who knows. Prepare for a cliffhanger ending.

Feature and Follow Friday: Love and Hate

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Pick three book characters... Kiss? Marry? Kill?

As long as it stayed between us, (I don't kiss and tell) I would definitely pucker up with Christian Grey from Fifty Shades of Grey to see what all the fuss is about. I mean, he even got is own book lately. That might inspire me to read it.

Marry a vampire? Just imagine becoming Mrs. Ivashkov. I would need to hit my head ten times before saying no. Adrian from Bloodlines is funny, can be a great travelling and party companion, and best of all, he can read my mood!! Who could ask for anything more?

I'm no killer, but if I had to condemn anyone to such a horrible ending it would be rapists all over the world like Room's Old Nick. The movie is coming out this October. Check out the trailer below...

Which book character would you kiss?

Review: A Million Miles Away

We always hurt the ones we love the most

Kelsey never meant to hurt Peter. When her identical twin sister, Michelle, passed away in a car crash, Kelsey was resolved to tell the "widowed" boyfriend the truth. But when she saw him through Skype, facing the war in Afghanistan, she couldn't. Why cause him more anguish? He seemed so happy to see Michelle's face. 

To be honest, the beginning captures the interest at once. The loss hit the family to the core; Kelsey finding a way to distract herself from the issue by corresponding with Peter, while her parents formed a grieving club in their living room. But then Kelsey goes too far (could she go any lower than impersonating a death person) by lying to Peter's family and friends, cheating on her own boyfriend and worse lying during intimacy. 

On top of all these crazy shenanigans brought on by her grief, Kelsey refuses to be a mirroring effect around Peter and actually becomes Michelle. She subscribes to Michelle's art classes and memorizes a heap of information on many painters just to sound like her dead sister. Even considering all her mannerism. When Peter plays her a song:

"Kelsey thought of Michelle, and remembered to clap."

All in all a good plot. Too bad the main character lacked depth.

Review: Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between

Love meets circumstances

Clare and Aidan are the perfect high school couple. They share numerous pleasant memories and most importantly they "dove" each-other (John Green would be pleased that more teens are giving the word love a personal touch). But now, Clare wants to break up. Tonight! It's logical that separate colleges will cause them to drift into a long distance relationship, and it's far better, to break up in good terms than later on when they are miles apart. But can these two say goodbye without resenting the other?

It's impossible not to feel a pang of sorrow when reading this book. They are not ending their relationship because someone cheated, or simply stopped caring. Aidan knew from the start what college to apply, and Clare had no choice due to some rejection letters. Sometimes you need to let someone go for your own good and theirs. 

However, despite their good reasoning, Aidan took out his anger with his best friend Scotty and Clare was far too self absorbed, that even her friend Stella had to mention it (in case we hadn't noticed)

"You've been asking me why I'm too busy for you. Why I haven't been there for you. You haven't once asked me where I've been."

All in all, a realistic situation but with characters too into themselves to relate.

Review: Final Orders

Can Anton be stopped once and for all

In this final installment of the series, Anton must face his rivals, as they attempt to stop his dictatorship. To know how to get rid of him, we must face his past and so Anton's education (including a glimpse of his mother) is demonstrated. Why is he so possessive and abusive towards woman? Seeing them as sexual objects more than humans? Who will end his tyranny?

It seemed cruel at times to see how bittersweet the characters got when meeting dead ones in other dimensions. But through it all, Helenowski passed on the message to let go of those "what could have been" questions of our past that haunt us and concentrate on the present.