Rebel Angels - Libba Bray

Ah, Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy, spending time with her friends in the city, attending ritzy balls, and on a somber note, tending to her ailing father. As she prepares to ring in the New Year, 1896, a handsome young man, Lord Denby, has set his sights on Gemma, or so it seems. Yet amidst the distractions of London, Gemma’s visions intensify–visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened, something only the realms can explain. The lure is strong, and before long, Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world of the realms that Gemma alone can bring them to. To the girls’ great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship.

But all is not well in the realms–or out. The mysterious Kartik has reappeared, telling Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic, else great disaster will befall her. Gemma’s willing to do his intrusive bidding, despite the dangers it brings, for it means she will meet up with her mother’s greatest friend–and now her foe, Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task.

The Gemma Doyle series has continued to charm me and the sequel to A Great & Terrible Beauty didn't disappoint me! I enjoyed it very much and you find yourself falling in love with Gemma and her friends. This book provided non stop action and mystery, it always left you thinking and craving more. There were some times when I was actually scared and had goosebumps on my arms!I really like Libba Bray as an author, she seems really down to earth as well. On to the last book in the trilogy! *sniff*

*****

Evernight - Claudia Gray

 Bianca wants to escape.

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 actually found out about this series by a fluke. I was at Half Price Books the other night and picked it up, thinking it looked interesting but went over my budget so it was the one to get the cut. Well, I returned a couple days ago and it was still there so I got it...I'm so glad I did.

The beginning was a bit slow for me but by the end I was turning the pages at lightening speed to find out what happened next! I love forbidden love stories and I think this one is one of the ultimate! I prefer this series much more than House of Night! I can't wait for the second one, Stargazer to come out!

*****

Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali.

Starting out, I thought this book was great and was going to have potential. I was right on some levels, on others however, I feel it fell a little short. As much as I really enjoyed the descriptions of everywhere she went, I wanted to hear more about the people she visited and had more dialogue. The blocks of text on the pages seemed never ending and almost made it seem unreadable. There were humorous parts and I enjoyed Liz's sense of witty humor and the way she thought of things. She did inspire me to create a journal where I talk to God and I'm grateful for the spiritual things I took away from the book. Overall, it's a good read and I liked it but it isn't a novel I devoured and would read again.

**

Marked - P.C. & Kristin Cast

 The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed.  In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change.  Not all of those who are chosen do.  It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling.  She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx.  But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers.  When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot of dark humor and completely lovable characters. This is a world where vampires were not unknown and teenagers get marked with a sign they are to be changed into one. They go to a school called House of Night and either reject the change or accept it. Fascinating and I love it was written by a mother daughter team!

*****

Betrayed - P.C. and Kristin Cast

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night.  She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.

Here we have the second book in the House of Night series! This one is my favorite, because I saw the most character development and I loved that Damien found a little friend - how adorable was that? I did find Zoey to be a bit annoying in this book, but I love the side characters so much that it didn't matter to me.

There were many twists in this one that I wasn't expecting and that was a pleasant change. Sometimes paranormal books can be screaming the ending from the beginning but I thought P.C. and Kristin did a good job of keeping the reader in suspense. The end was such a cliffhanger! I am so glad I have the next book in line because I'd be dying if I had to wait to see what happens next.

*****