Review: The hearts we sold

What if Daemons no longer wanted your soul – but your limbs?

Dee signs over her heart to a Daemon in exchange of money without a second thought. After all, it is only a two-year contract, and her home situation makes it worth the risk. Unfortunately, contracts aren’t often black and white. Daemons are at war against unknown powerful creatures. And Dee is now their new recruit!

The book just seemed to change from one direction to another. What started off as a contemporary/paranormal, soon became a romance/sci-fi. Although I enjoyed the relationship between Dee and James, I felt a bit cheated when new characters such as Riley were thrown into the story (what exactly did she contribute?).

The ending felt like a sequel was at bay.

Review: Asking for it

We teach women how not to get raped, hoping we can protect them from the disastrous consequences. As if that could stop the planet from turning. Bad things happen, even to people that are aware that life is complicated, and a heartbreak or need for attention can lead to unwanted situations. Without getting into the details (yes, the book is explicit on this) Emma gets raped at a party while under the influence of several substances, and the video gets posted online. Lots of people around her will focus on that. Had she been sober, she could've ''prevented it,'' the guys who took advantage of her were ''sweet kids'' while Emma constantly puts others down. The author did a good move by making Emma a dislikable character from the start. She made the reader distant and unattached. I couldn't sympathize with Emma and yet at the same time wished for justice.

Review: And the trees crept in

No matter what, don’t go into the forest or the Creeper man will find you. 

An abusive situation leads Silla to seek refuge at her aunt’s hidden manor in the forest with her kid sister Nori. Life is quiet at first, and might have remained so if Nori had followed the rules and stayed away from the forest. Now the manor is cursed. And everything in it is starting to rot. 

Although I got hooked by the premise and fast-paced beginning, I admit the story soon dragged on. I felt like an idle man running on the treadmill with a warm donut hanging in front. A glaze chocolate donut! It seemed that the more I read, the less the story made sense. Silla was going crazy and the romantic interest kept switching from prince charming to antagonist. 

Regardless of the drag, the end is worth it, so hang in there and watch it all make sense. 

Graphic monday : Batwoman Elegy

What's up with all the bold? I'm happy that the book covered Kate's a.k.a Batwoman childhood background, and how meeting Batman inspired her to find her calling. But sadly the story surrounding mad Alice and the werewolves seemed incomplete. The punch line could have hit harder. As for the illustrations -- very well done. The distinction between the flashbacks and present were evident. And hey, the female breasts were not at all exaggerated.

Review: Let it snow

It's never a bad time for some Christmas cheer!! This anthology compiles stories from some of YA greatest writers teaching us valuable lessons in love. Although each author focused on different characters, all three stories combined in each short (about 100 pages each). Sadly, this factor made it easier to pick favorites and judge each writers ability to hold the anthology together.

4/5 The Jubilee Express
After Jubilee's parents get arrested during a Christmas Village sale event, she gets shipped off to spend the holidays with family members. But when her train breaks down, she must go find shelter somewhere else or most specifically with someone else. Will meeting the right guy on Christmas Eve break the spell her mean boyfriend has on her?

Despite of the grand events happening all in one night, this was the most credible story of all three. The characters were believable and the narration humorist enough to hook the reader. 

3/5 A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle
Stuck during a snow storm, three friends must go to a Waffle House to meet some cheerleaders for a twister game. Can a car breaking down, allow two of these friends to share their true feelings?

Frankly, this story was painful to read. One of the three friends was being treated like one of the guys despite of her desire to be seen as a girl. On top of that, she got coerced into going with her crush to see him pick up cheerleaders. During a snowstorm!! 

3/5 The Patron Saint of Pigs
A retelling of It's a Wonderful Life, about an angel helping Addie discover the true meaning of helping others.

The dialogue was realistic, but the story as a whole made little sense. Addie didn't really get a lesson from that angel, instead the angel's actions just seemed cruel and unnecessary.