Evernight (Evernight, #1) by Claudia Gray, Book Review

Rating: 4/5

She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him.

"I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you," he tells Bianca, "and eventually they would."

But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

Hey, y'all! Today, I will be reviewing Claudia Gray's first novel, Evernight, the first book in the Evernight series. I read this book quite a long time ago, but am going to review it now. I chose to rate this book 4 stars out of 5, meaning that it was okay. I enjoyed some parts and didn't enjoy some parts. I often found myself flipping through pages to see how many more pages I had until the end of the chapter. Claudia Gray has a good, creative mind and I love the characters but something was missing, but I have no idea what it was. Evernight was a good book, but I don't think I'd re-read it again. I do, however, want to read the sequels: Stargazer, Hourglass, and Afterlife. I heard Stargazer and Hourglass are quote "amazing," so maybe they'll be better than Evernight.

If you would like more information on the Evernight series or the author, Claudia Gray, visit her website at: http://www.claudiagray.com

P.S. I am currently reading Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, so be on the watch for that. I don't know when I will be able to post a review but when I do, it'll be a good one. The reason I don't know when a review will be up is because school is so hectic and tomorrow (well, today since it's 12:09, but that's trivial...) is Monday, so the week begins. Ugh, why couldn't we all just stay at home and read all day?

Happy reading,
Casey :) xD <3

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh, Book Review

Rating: 5/5

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game.

Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind.

Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

Let me start off by saying this: Amazing. Yes, Nevermore by Kelly Creagh was an amazing novel (especially for a debut novel) by an amazing author. When I first began Nevermore, I felt the chemistry between the two main characters: Isobel Lanley and Varen Nethers (ah, swoon!) The first thing that caught my eye about this book was first the amazing reviews (I haven't seen a negative one yet!) and then there was the cover. Even if I hated the book (which is impossible, duh!) I would still want the dust jacket because it is so beautiful and unique. I loved the large font and the font style itself, but those are just minor details. I finished this book in one and a half school days and for me, that is rare with my busy and hectic schedule, but I had no choice but to make time to read Nevermore. I read every chance I got (when I woke up, at meals, on the ride to and from school, the list is endless.) When I wasn't reading this book, it was constantly haunting me. I even dreamt about it and it was one heck of a dream.

Nevermore was beautifully crafted and focused on the struggle between good and evil, epic love, and the fight to be with the one you love. I know there are many readers out there who are afraid of cliche, teen books about whiny heroines and aloof heroes, but Nevermore is quite the opposite. I saw major character development in Isobel, the main character/cheerleader of the story. The more time spent with her secret love, Varen, Isobel matured and even had a self revelation at one point in the book.

It took Creagh a total of five years to write Nevermore and you could definitely tell that she spent years upon years perfecting the novel. If I borrowed this book from a friend or something of that nature, I would personally go out to the nearest bookstore and purchase Nevermore just to have it on my shelf so I read again and again. I felt sincerely sad at the end of the novel. I even became teary-eyed due to the heartbreaking cliffhanger at the end. No book has ever made me cry, but Nevermore sure did.

If you are looking for a horrific, mesmerizing, and beautiful young adult novel that will appeal to all ages, go out and buy Nevermore by Kelly Creagh today. The sequel to Nevermore, the title yet to be released, will be hitting the shelves sometime next year (so unfair!!!)

If you would like more information on Nevermore or Kelly Creagh, visit her website at: http://www.kellycreagh.com

Happy reading,
Casey :)

Claire de Lune (Claire de Lune, #1) by Christine Johnson, Book Review

Rating: 4.5/5

Torn between two destinies...

Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf.

As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever...


Hey, y'all! I hope you're having a good Tuesday morning and it's currently 12: 17 a.m. and I'm blogging. Oh, well! Anyway, I recently read Claire de Lune, the debut novel by debut author, Christine Johnson. I rated this book 4.5 stars out of 5 and enjoyed this book. Let me start off by saying this: the cover is beautiful. I love, love, loved the cover. And I also loved the little eerie message on the front: "The moonlight will expose her secret..."

This novel focuses on a sixteen-year-old teenage girl named Claire, who lives a lavish life and is often looked after by her loving au pair/nanny, who reminded me of a crossover of Hannah from Nancy Drew and Ole Golly from Harriet the Spy. When I was younger, I quite enjoyed the Nancy Drew books and Harriet the Spy was a pretty good novel. I no longer read either of them because they are for a much younger generation and I am a lover of paranormal/supernatural romance. Anyway, moving on...

One thing stood out very clearly to me: the werewolf society is female dominated. I particularly enjoy books with a matriarchal society, such as The House of Night Series by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast, one of my favorite book series of all time...just saying. I enjoyed the chemistry between Claire and the jock heart-throb known as Matt Engle. Swoon! The bubbling romance between Claire and Matt was subtle, floaty, and bubbly. Claire was an actual teenager, with childish choices and a mindset to match. In some YA novels, authors tend to make their heroes/heroines seem forty-years-old when, in reality, they range from ages 13-17. Claire, being a teen, fit the image perfectly.

If you would like more information on this novel, visit: http://www.christinejohnsonbooks.com.

Happy Reading,
Casey :) xD <3

Need (Need, #1) by Carrie Jones, Book Review

Rating: 4.5/5

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear

Hey, y'all! Today, I will be reviewing NEED by best-selling author, Carrie Jones. NEED, an urban fantasy novel, chronicles the life of a phobia-obsessed girl named Zara White who kinda wants to save the world. After the untimely demise of her stepfather, Zara's mother ships her off to live with her stepgrandmother, Betty, in a cold, sleepy Maine town. Zara isn't your normal girl and embraces her individuality with pride. I found NEED to have a TWILIGHT-like facade, but I LOVE TWILIGHT so it's all good. :)
I really, really enjoyed this book. Jones is an obvious pro at writing and the sequel to NEED is CAPTIVATE. I think/hope it'll be even better than NEED, if possible. If you haven't already read this fantasic book, go out to the nearest bookstore and purchase it. Or, if you're hasty or low on cash, borrow it from a friend or borrow it from a local library. All that matters in a book is if it brings through happiness and enjoyment to the reader.
You can learn more about Jones and her previous and future works alike at www.carriejonesbooks.com
Enjoy, happy reading, and have a great Thursday night!

~Casey xD

Laney: The Brookehaven Vampires (The Brookehaven Vampires, #1) by Joann I. Martin Sowles, Book Review

Rating: 4/5

In a small college town in Northern California, Laney Alexander leads a regular, uneventful life–that is, until the charming and alluring Oliver Knight enters her world. Who is this gorgeous and mysterious stranger? Or, rather, what is he?

As Laney’s sophomore year of college begins, so does an unbelievable adventure–including a love she didn’t know she longed for. She soon learns that Oliver is not ordinary, nor is the rest of his family, including a sister who openly hates her and a brother who will stop at nothing for revenge. As she fights for her life, and Oliver’s love, Laney discovers that the fictional world of vampires isn’t so fictional after all. Nobody is safe, especially Laney, Oliver’s most important priority, and he will stop at nothing to protect her. With her mortality at risk, and a commitment revealed that she, without a doubt, knows she wants, Laney’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn...

I recently finished Laney: The Brookehaven Vampires by Joann I. Martin Sowles, a self-published debut novel by a stay-at-home wife/home schooling mother. Let me start off by revealing my rating for Laney. I decided to rate this book 4/5 stars. Me, being a vampire addict, decided to read Laney and was glad that I did because it was a pretty good book.
Laney chroncicles the life of a young college girl named Delaney (Laney, for short) and her best friend, Kiera. Throughout the book the main plot focusses on Laney wanting to be with dreamy, heroic Oliver Knight. Of course, Oliver isn't just your average gorgeous college jock, no. There is something special about Oliver and Laney pegs him as unique from the very beginning. I enjoyed how Laney gradually, yet surely, fell in love with Oliver. Although, love at first sight is always a good road to take. :)
At first, I will admit, Laney reminded me of The Twilight Saga (One of my FAVORITE book series) just because of how Laney compared Oliver to being overly gorgeous on every page (hey, there's no problem with that...just saying.) :)
As the book progressed, Laney became more and more distinct and shied away from Twilight with every passing page. I love how Joann I. Martin Sowles wrote her characters. I loved Oliver's family and couldn't get enough of Julz (my favorite character...besides Oliver...but Julz still semi-beats him.)
Laney was a book that I was able to take my time reading, at least at the beginning. I paced myself and took my time reading the first hundred pages. After that hundredth page mark, I absolutely devoured Laney and am anxiously anticipating the sequel: Darkess.
Joann I. Martin Sowles created a world full of mythical creatures in Laney and kind of left us on a cliffhanger at the end, so I'm excited to see further character and plot developement. If you like vampires, romance, or young adult fiction books in general, pick up Laney at your local bookstore today. Show your support for Joann I. Martin Sowles by checking out the sites below:

The Brookehaven Vampires: http://www.brookehavenvampires.com/

The Brookehaven Vampires Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-Brookehaven-Vampires/137895539569115

Twitter: http://twitter.com/joannsowles

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4191700.Joann_I_Martin_Sowles

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BrookehavenVampires

Rating: 4/5