TEASER TUESDAY: UNVEILED by Courtney Milan

Teaser Tuesday's is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading (click the image above to be directed to her page). Anyone can participate! Here are the rules:

• Grab your current read
• Open it to a random page
• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO REVEAL SPOILERS! (Be sure not to spoil the book for others!
• Make sure your sentences don't reveal something important!)
• Include the title and author to, so that other participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser is actually from a historical romance that I am loving at the moment!!  I couldn't resist participating this week b/c I'm 60 pages in, but I can already tell Courtney Milan is going to be a new favorite ;D

Teaser:

"It reminded him of the cacophony of an orchestra as it tuned its instruments: dissonance suddenly resolving into harmony.  It was the rumble, not of thunder, but its rolling precursor, trembling on the horizon.  It was all of that.  It was none of that.  It was sheer animal instinct, and it reached up and grabbed him by the throat.  Her.  Her."

Gah!  I can't even...just wow!!  It's nice to see adult romance can be just as passionate and heady as YA.

Hope everyone's having a great week,

Ninja Girl

ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD by Kendare Blake

Anna Dressed In Blood takes the term "ghost story" to a whole other level.  Like the highest level there is.  If horror were a mountain, Anna would be freaking Mt. Everest.

Kendare Blake pushes readers to the very peak of terror and then, when you're scared out of your wits/think you can go no further, she shoves you from behind and watches you topple from the edge, plummeting, screaming like a little girl all the way down.  In other words, she's a master of murderous intent, the Jedi of all things scary, and I loved her for it!

Horror's not really my bag, but I can honestly say this book changed my outlook.  Not only did Anna contain plenty of gore and guts, it had story, characters, and a strong mix of romance, action, and mystery.  I couldn't get enough.  When I was through, I felt like I'd been on the best thrill ride ever and was ready to go a second time--and a third and a fourth...

The first thing I loved was the story itself.  The concept was like nothing I'd ever seen: Cas Lowood, teenage ghost hunter, goes to a new town in search of his latest target: Anna Dressed in Blood.  The ghost girl is a local legend, a mystery wrapped in the blood stained dress she was murdered in…a killer who needs to be taken out.  Cas thinks he's just the person for the job--until he meets Anna.  Anyone who enters Anna's house gets dead, no exceptions--except Cas.  He's stunned when she doesn't try to kill him, and with that one unexpected act, the ghost and the ghost hunter develop a relationship neither one expected.

It was the ultimate opposites attract story.  First of all, Anna's dead.  Like really dead.  But, despite this, Cas develops an instant attraction to her.  Even before he sees Anna, just the sound of her name does something to him, affects him in a real visceral way that I found unbearably appealing.  I'm a sucker for romance, and when you put in such an unexpected set-up (i.e. deadly ghost hunter attracted to deadly ghost girl), I can't say no.  And with Anna and Cas, I never wanted to.  Their relationship was unbelievable yet I bought every word, every shared glance, every touch.  It was clear from the start they could never be together (more so than any "impossible love" I've read).  But I wanted them to be.  Desperately.

I still hold out hope.  Please, oh please, Ms. Blake.  Do the impossible, defy the rules of the universe, and let these two wonderful characters end up together.  (Like I said, me = desperate to see Anna and Cas happy J)

The thing I loved most, though, were the two MCs.  I was immediately attracted to the voice b/c Cas was that guy.  The good-looking loner, cloaked in mystery with secrets he keeps from everyone.  I've never read that guy's POV before.  Cas was surprising, just a teenage boy yet so much more.  He had a confidence about him, was so self-aware.  One of my favorite lines was this, "Girls, on the other hand, have always come easy."  Cas wasn't arrogant or cocky, he just knew what he had.  There's something incredibly attractive about that kind of self-assurance, especially in a male MC, and I think Blake hit the nail right on the head.

Anna was the best villain I've come across.  Period.  She had so many layers, so much depth, I don't even know where to begin.  Anna Dressed in Blood might've been the mystery driving the story, but Anna herself was the bleeding heart.  I can't even do her justice.  You guys will just have to read it J

I've read some truly fantastic books this year, but Anna was my number one.  (Unless you count The Hunger Games--nothing tops that--but I don't b/c I was just late to the party on that one)  I'd recommend Anna again and again, over and over, at the top of my lungs.  This is one you definitely should not miss and a new Top Ten Books Ever for this ninja J 

Hope everyone has a very happy Thanksgiving!!!

Ninja Girl

THE HUNGER GAMES OFFICIAL TRAILER

I know it's already everywhere, but because it's just that awesome (and I wanted to be able to find it on my blog)... :D

Do I seriously have to wait until March???????????

Hope you guys enjoy!

Ninja Girl

BECOME by Ali Cross

Become by Ali Cross is a gritty YA paranormal with a tough-as-nails heroine and an interesting take on heaven and hell.

Let me start by saying that Desolation Black was my kind of girl.  At just sixteen, the daughter of Lucifer wasn't afraid to show some defiance and more than a little backbone.  The descriptions in the book were spot on.  I could actually feel the icy cold of hell.  (In Cross's book, the fires issue a freezing burn).  I could totally understand how sensory deprivation could be its own torment.  (When Desi walks the halls of hell, her combat boots make no sound).  The details added so much to this world; the picture they created was terrible yet rich and completely believable.

One of my favorite things about Desi was her ability to deal.  When she's banished to Earth by her father, Desi doesn't cry about it.  She slips on her combat boots and leaves the only home she's ever known--even though her last trip to Earth ended in tragedy.  When she's forced to live with Daniel, one of Lucifer's loyal followers, and all of his perversions, Desi doesn't cave an inch.  One of my favorite parts was where Desi elbows Daniel's smarmy carhop in the face for trying to cop a feel.

Like I said, my kind of girl J.

Her mission is simple: Corrupt Miriam Carr, a suicidal alcoholic who's this close to the edge.  All Desi has to do is push her over--and into the waiting arms of Lucifer.  But things change when Desi and Miri unintentionally become friends.  The two girls form a bond that awakens a spark inside Desolation, a goodness she's tried all her life to keep hidden.  When she finally Becomes, Desi's convinced that her fate as a demon is sealed.  But her choices have only just begun--and with a war brewing between heaven and hell, the daughter of Lucifer may just be the world's only hope for salvation. 

I loved the tone of the book.  Talk about edge, Desi's voice was razor sharp, and Cross didn't pull any punches.  Daniel's house was truly a den of sin.  Drugs, sex, greed.  I felt so bad for Desi having to be around all that, having that be her legacy.  Also, the scenes with Michael were some of my absolute favorites--their first kiss in particular. *swoons*  James (the bad boy) was an interesting character.  Honestly, I wouldn't have minded seeing Desi end up with him.  I know, I know, that's not how it's meant to be, but what can I say?  I love going against the grain.  I'd love to see Desi go for the bad boy (or at least have it be an option ;)).

Now, the end was a bit confusing.  I don't really know much about Norse mythology, so all the talk of Odin, Asgard, Helheimer, Valhalla, the Spear of Destiny etc. kind of threw me off.  For me, there was too much info dropped too fast.  Once I sorted through everything, though, I was very satisfied with how the story ended.

Become was fantastic you guys.  I'd recommend it for the grit alone, but when you throw Desi into the mix, there's no question.  It's a must-read!

Happy reading everyone, and thank you so much to Ali for letting me be a part of her tour!!  This book rocked J

Ninja Girl

FOLLOW FRIDAY

Happy Veteran's Day everybody!!!  As always, Follow Friday is hosted by Alison from alisoncanread and Rachel from Parajunkee.com.  There are two features this week: MotherLode and The Book Nympho.  Check them out!!

Q: In light of 11.11.11 and Veteran’s Day tell us about your favorite soldier and how he or she is saving the world. Fictional or real life.



I have a lot of respect for all of the men and women in uniform.  For fighting for what they believe in, for allowing U.S. citizens to live with so much freedom and in relative peace, I thank all veterans for their service.  For my answer, I had to go fictional since I don't many soldiers.  Had to go with Lt. Daniel Kaffee (aka Tom Cruise) from a Few Good Men.  Kaffee reminded me of a smartass Atticus with a need to know "the truth" and dole out justice.  Man, I woot every time I see him go after Jack Nicholson on the stand :D

Have a great Veteran's Day!

Ninja Girl

IF I STAY by Gayle Forman

Initially, I wasn't going to do a review of this book.  It's been about two weeks since I read If I Stay by Gayle Forman, and I still can't think of a way to review it without having some kind of spoiler L.  So, knowing that, if you don't read on I'll totally understand (but I don't think I'm really giving away much). 

ONTO REVIEW WITH SEMI-SPOILERS

Near the beginning of the book, there's a tragic car accident.  Mia loses her entire family as a result, but she survives, somewhere between life and death.  What I didn't realize was that Mia would be caught in this state throughout the book.  *smacks self in head* If I'd read more carefully, it clearly states that in the summary--but sometimes ninjas are known to skim J.  I have to say I'm glad I didn't know b/c it would've most likely stopped from getting the book.  Tragedy, melodrama, angst.  That's just not my thing.

But this book had something I can't resist.  The characters.  Oh, the characters were wonderful.  I loved Mia's parents; though they weren't physically in the story very long, we get a great sense of them through Mia's memories.  I loved how the mom wasn't afraid to get pissed and stand up for the ones she loved.  I loved how the dad called his daughter "Mia-Oh-Mya."  Forman managed to make them real/fully fleshed out, a near impossible feat considering they were in about a fourth of the book.

Mia's friend Kim was another favorite.  She wasn't just a stock character thrown in for kicks.  With her sarcasm, strength, loyalty and frizzy hair, she was a true friend to Mia.  No backstabbing gossipers in this book.  Kim stayed strong for Mia, two girls who really were friends.  I loved that.

Adam, Mia's boyfriend, was what actually made me want to read If I Stay.  I read a blog post with a few quotes of his and knew I had to know more about this character.  The rising-star rocker was more perfect than a teenage boy has any right to be.  Again, the loyalty and love he had toward Mia didn't waver.  Their affection/relationship rang true, more so than many of the love-at-first-sight YAs.  Adam's devotion to Mia made my heart melt.

And the best thing about all these characters?  They give us a sense of who Mia must be.  In addition to being told from her POV, Mia is surrounded by good people that love her.  Therefore, I had to love her, too.  Her feelings ran deep; she deserved a great friend like Kim b/c she was a great friend herself.  She deserved a guy like Adam b/c she had a heart as pure and open as his.  Mia was a decent person with an insurmountable inner strength--and I believed her.

That's one of the best things about Forman's writing.  All her characters were believable and likable.  I'm glad I got to meet them (even if this really isn't my kind of book).  Like others have said, the book is beautiful.  But I'll take it a step farther and add, that the book is beautiful because the characters in it are beautiful.

Happy reading everyone!

Ninja Girl

FOLLOW FRIDAY

As always, Follow Friday is a meme hosted by the illustrious Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.  The features for this week are skyink.net and The Magic Attic.

Q: Today’s Question is something new, an activity. We want to see what you look like! Take a pic with you and your current read! Too shy? Boo! Just post a fun pic you want to share.

Here's me with Anna Dressed in Blood...am thinking with the pom-pom hairdo and frizztastic hair, Anna's looking a little better than me.  Drats!!

Hope you all are having a great Friday.  And no, I will not tell you how many tries it took for me to get a decent pic :P

Ninja Girl

TOUCH OF FROST by Jennifer Estep



A school for mythic warriors?  Yes, please!

The one-liner for this one was enough to make me want to read it.  The fact that I'd just started The Elemental Assassin series (and LOVED it) was another plus.  Jennifer Estep did such a great with Gin Blanco, assassin name: The Spider, I just had to see what she could do with YA.

Touch of Frost may not have had gritty feel or the hardened/irresistible MC.  It might not have contained all the assassin-y goodness of her adult series (there weren't dead bodies popping up on every page, though the book does kick off with a murder), but Estep's YA debut did have a certain charm.

Gwen Frost has no idea what she's doing at Mythos Academy--a school where Spartans strut the halls, Amazons wield swords longer than your arm, and Valkyries shoot magic from their fingertips.  Gwen's just a Gypsy girl--the only Gypsy at Mythos.  She doesn't have supernatural strength or fighting ability.  The only thing different about Gwen is her gift of pychometry: the power to read objects or people through touch.  The gift's not all that great--especially when it goes on the fritz right after the most popular Valkyrie in school gets murdered.  No one seems to care about the murder, more interested in the fact that an ancient artifact's gone missing.  But Gwen is determined to find out what happened--even if it gets her killed.

Things I loved about this book: 1) The concept.  I've seen people do schools for wizards, Gods, vampires, you name it.  But Frost is the first book I've come across that features mythological warriors.  For that reason (and with the addition of a smart-talking sword and these things called Champions: humans chosen by the Gods to be their representatives on Earth), Touch of Frost seemed like unique, untapped territory. 2) The action.  There was plenty of action/tight spots where I wasn't sure if Gwen would be able to hack it.  But with a healthy dose of self-preservation and the help of new friends, she pulled through.  3) Logan.  Nothing more to say.  If you want to know more about Logan Quinn, the smooth-talking Spartan with a bad rep and perfect timing, you'll just have to read the book J. 

Things I didn't love: The amount of repetition.  Like in the Elemental Assassin series, there's plenty of well-worn phrases, stuff that could be taken out to keep the pace moving forward.  The length--which was affected by the amount of repetition.  It just could've been tightened up, made snappier to keep readers on edge the entire time.  There were also mature instances (signing mattresses, kids hooking up here, there, and everywhere) that I think are more appropriate for adult audiences.  I mean, come on, isn't there any innocence left in YA?

All in all, it was very good.  I'm interested enough in Gwen and Logan and the school of myths concept to read the next one.  I've got a feeling Estep will get even better as she goes along/becomes more used to the YA voice.  It really was great, and I hope to see more of Logan in the next book!

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl