Into every generation a book slayer is born.
She alone will wield the strength and skill to read about the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness. She is the BOOK SLAYER.
[Goodreads] When it comes to books, I’m an instant sucker for pretty covers and/or mentions of an “academy”. Therefore, the decision to read The Last Academy, was pretty much inevitable. The minute I saw the blog tour sign-up – I applied. Although, The Last Academy didn’t end up making my all-time favorites list, the ending was nothing short of spectacular.
Okay, let's break this one down...
PROS Ballsy main character. There’s a lot of spooky incidents and sketchy people running about Lethe Academy. If I was at this academy and like Camden, begun witnessing the extra-creepy that goes down, I’d probably be permanently attached to the underside of my mattress. Even though she practically faints at the sight of her crush, Camden always managed to keep it together when it counted the most. When she felt like her friends were in danger, she fearlessly ran towards and stood-up to whatever or whomever was the cause.
Amazing supernatural twist. So I’m kind of spoiling the fact that there is a supernatural aspect… but I won’t divulge any exacts. I will say however, that the ending was totally mind-boggling!!! I’m pretty good at guessing the big reveal, but not when it came to The Last Academy. My theories were not even close! Major props to Applegate for adding some new spice to the YA mix. She proves that there is still new material out there to work with.
CONS A dragging storyline. Like I said, there was a lot of spooky bits to The Last Academy. Being personally freaked out a time or two, I was constantly begging for the big reveal – or heck even a tiny one – while reading. The ending was outstanding, but the beginning and middle included nothing near-as stellar. This book could have easily been cut in half and still have been a decent story.
Instant love. Nuff’ said.
Overall, The Last Academy was an enjoyable couple hours. Sure, a lot of aspects frustrated me, but the ending left me with more positive than negative feelings which means I definitely look into future Applegate books.
[Goodreads] Dante Walker is cocky and vain. He struts around with his tight-physique, wealth, and schmooze - like it's nobody's business. In the real world, a guy like Dante would have me turning the other cheek. But in The Collector... phew! I couldn't get enough. Told from Dante's perspective, The Collector has a good mix of romance, humor, emotion and action. Even when Dante was at his ass-y-ess he still exerted heat and appeal that kept me wanting more.
Novels narrated by male-perspectives normally turn me off. Off the top of my head I can't even think of a single book I've recently read that featured the sole-perspective of a male. When I first saw The Collector sprouting up on blogs, I ignored it. As a severely selective reader, it's like I've got firewalls in place. It takes a lot of buzz and praise for a book out of my norm to become a book I "have" to read. Sometimes less thought and more action is the key. Giving The Collector a shot - I was delighted when I ended up enjoying Dante's POV - just as much as any females'.
Dante does a lot of questionable things and makes a lot of bad decisions in The Collector. In the beginning he felt like the villain, a near-nonredeemable character. Without Dante's personal history accounts, thoughts and feelings, I'm not sure I'd have ever fell for him, let alone liked him. I definitely would never have 100% understood him. He recounts his life bit by bit to others such as Charlie, but it's completely different when the person in question, personally shares with you who they are and why they do the things they do.
The relationship between Dante and Charlie was endearing, yet not completely suspenseful. Smoldering bad boy who slowly becomes smitten with sweet, innocent, and socially non-existent girl, isn't really a twist these days. Regardless, this part didn't deter me from loving their courtship which involved a lot of sweet, yet sorrow-filled drama.
I felt like the characters in The Collector were raw and real. Their growths and relationships were so strong and complete that merely riding on the strengths of the characters, I could have easily enjoyed this novel - without supernatural bits.
If you're looking for a book with a lot of emotion, a dab of supernatural and a hot lead, I'd definitely recommend picking up The Collector.
In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.
Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.
To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.
Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.
She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.
Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.
Why I'm waiting
Pretty cover? CHECK. Magic. CHECK. Romance. CHECK. Badass Heroine. CHECK. Honestly, there's nothing about this book that doesn't sound awesome.
[Goodreads] Who knew trying to crack the case of a murdered teen could be so enjoyable? Pleasantly shocking, The Dead Girls Detective Agency was chock-full of laughs and morbid fun. Besides a lack of romantic steam (I'll get to that later) this book was amazing. Truly one of a kind. The mystery of "who dun' it" was well thought out and planned which lead to a super suspenseful and exciting read. I had trouble putting this one down! Dead Girls starts out on a seriously sullen note due to the untimely death of our main character, Charlotte. One minute she's standing on the train platform getting ready to board, and the next, splat. All Charlotte remembers is a slight shove followed by blinding hot pain. FADE OUT. When Charlotte finally awakens she finds herself in an unfamiliar hotel lobby surrounded by three strange girls: Lorna, Nancy and Tess, the official heads of The Dead Girls Detective Agency. For one reason or another, these three have remained in a sort of limbo, using their afterlife as service to solving teenage murders. It's explained that all New York City murdered teens wind up in Hotel Attesa, a pit-stop on the way to heaven, or at least whatever "hereafter" that exists. When you reach this point you have two choices. One: stick around as your half-barely-there-self, able to oversee those you left, but never really being able to be with them, or Two: works towards getting your murder case solved and receive the key that lets you move on. Charlotte, opting for the ladder, begins working towards solving her murder with the help of bookworm Nancy, fashionista Lorna, shrew-like Tess and mysterious, Edison. I really liked this book. With a storyline weighed down by macabre, Cox does a great job of keeping things light and fun. A great deal of the dialogue is humorous and had me laughing out loud. Even though the main characters were murdered, the majority of the story was upbeat. When Charlotte's mystery murderer was revealed I was pleasantly surprised. It definitely was a "didn't see that one coming" sort of deal. Cox does a great job of writing a true murder mystery that keeps you guessing by leading you down multiple false paths. Here's where I talk about the not-so-great parts of Dead Girls. I like my YAs balanced with all the essentials: including decent steam AND or OR romance. I felt like Dead Girls seriously lacked in this department. Granted, Charlotte had a lot on her plate but still I felt like there were some missed opportunities. In the beginning Charlotte was still reeling from the loss of her living boyfriend, David. Although heartbroken, David seemed to move on pretty quickly... Then there was Edison. We're led to believe that he has a special connection with Charlotte by way of his slightly less-snarky attitude towards her. It felt like Cox was trying to build something between the two but I never really saw anything emerging. He was very hot and cold with an emphasis on cold. Don't get me wrong, I definitely liked Edison. He was the more-favorable male character in this book for sure. Basically I just didn't "feel it" when it came to him or any potential anything with Charlotte. Regardless! I really liked this book. Fans of lighthearted paranormal reads such as Helen Keeble's Fang Girl will definitely enjoy this one!
