Infinity

I enjoyed this first installment of CON. Sherrilyn Kenyon has convinced me with her talent. She was able to keep me wrapped up in the world she created for Nick. Be it adult romance or young adult fantasy, she's built a solid foundation with intriguing creatures.

Nick is a 14 years old and dirt poor. His Mom is a stripper and they eat substituted food like powdered eggs. I am not sure if Nick feels bad about his home situation because his his attitude is so acidic at times. I'll sting you, before you burn me.

When the inevitable paranormal antics ensue, Nick's seems almost blase'. To be fair Sherrilyn Kenyon writes the scenes with an air of humor. Revealing the enemy as something of interest instead of crap your pants horror. Nick's reaction is very 21st century teen. His crush on Nekoda will be something to look out for.

The plot of Infinity varies from Nick being introduced to Kyrian, to him fighting supernatural creatures and having NO idea there are others right beside him fighting along with him. Ash makes an appearance for all you DH fans =D

In all it is worth investing in this series if your a fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon/Dark Hunters. It is fun seeing the Dark Hunters from Nick's POV, because its all new to him. Also non-Dark Hunter fans you don't have to read the Dark Hunters series to enjoy CON but I highly recommend you get intimate with Kyrian and Ash at the very least, and any other main characters introduced in the CON series. WARNING: The Dark Hunters series in meant for adults and has adult content.

*********************************PLOT/SPOILER ALERT*******************
Nick himself is a powerful being that even Ash is concerned about. The reason there will be 10 books in this series, I'm guessing, is because Nick has 10 lessons to learn to hone his skills. 'Uncle Ambrose' warns him about holding a grudge. Remember what happens between Ash and Nick? I was getting chills when Ambrose was trying hard to break that hold over Nick's heart to want revenge for what happened to Nick at 14

The Body Finder (Body Finder, #1)

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.
Let me begin by saying this is first and foremost a young adult romance. Spiced with a paranormal edge and some suspense that concerns a serial killer Kimberly Derting does a wonderful job blending three genres. I read this book within one day and lent it to my son's girlfriend, who is nineteen, and she scarfed it up immediately. She now has given it to her mom who is reading and enjoying it as I write this review.

Violet can find dead bodies. She didn't ask for this 'gift'. She is confused and scared at times with this benefaction. She is an only child and her father and mother each have a separate way when they deal with this issue. At this point I will include that it was refreshing to read that she had two parents...not separated, divorced, or dead as so many other stories would have. Somewhat oblivious I don't think most parents would allow some of the situations to incur between the two teens that this story allowed but that is what makes it young adult fiction.

Jay has known Violet since they were young children. Always there for each other they have had a deep friendship, something that is unusual between a boy and girl. Now that they are growing up things are changing. On the brink of adulthood, honest conversation about their feelings now becomes difficult. Stilted at times, they assume that each can read what the other is thinking. Because of this a few poor choices are made and there are some hurt feelings.

I don't want to give away the plot because I want to encourage you to read this story. Nothing too deep, take it for what it is: a romance between two best friends on the brink of adulthood. You won't find graphic details about the murders or explicit sex. That is not what this narrative is about. Though I hate to compare it to the Twilight series by S. Meyer, if you didn't like that style of book you probably won't like this. Sometimes a bit 'wordy', I felt this gave the story an advantage. I ended the the story with an "Ahhhhhhh..." and enjoyed it immensely.

Aimed at the teen/girl audience Violet and Jay's relationship has passion and desire, the chemistry is present. There is the typical high school angst and if you are looking for some deep mystery or a shocking chiller look elsewhere. For the older audience if you are afraid to invest the money, take it out from the library. I am looking forward to Ms. Derting's next book DESIRES OF THE DEAD due out in March of 2011

The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1)

NOTE:DO NOT READ 2 BOOK
Mary lives in a village surrounded by the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

The Unconsecrated fill the forest, moaning, trying to get into the village, to devour and make more of their own by a single bite, which will spread the infection. They don't give up. They want to feed.

The Sisterhood holds the secrets of the village, from before the Return. No one knows the truth, except them.

The Guardians protect the village, and make sure the fence holds back the Unconsecrated. The fence is the only barrier between the village and the Forest.

But then, once Mary is forced into the Sisterhood, she learns things that she wishes she hadn't. There is the one section of the fence, which is forbidden; but, it leads somewhere... Mary knows it. But where does it lead?

Mary must choose between her village and what may or may not exist beyond that one gate.

I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked as soon as I started. Mary was a great character. She was strong, and always wanted more than what she had. She kind of reminded me of myself (only a little, though!).

The only thing I didn't like in the story was the ending, only because I wanted to know more! It left me hanging a little, so I don't really know what will happen to Mary.

When THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH comes out in March 2009, I recommend it to everyone. You'll enjoy it. I hope Carrie Ryan writes more books, too - her writing was

Huger Games

I started this book thinking the idea was preposterous: a government choosing to squelch rebellion by forcing its citizens to give up their children as contenders in the ultimate reality show of death to the last survivor. Yeah right, and yet it reminded me a lot of the absurdity of the Nazi party. I realized I believed a government could be this arrogant and wrathful. When people are pitted against each other instead of turning on the establishment they often fight each other within the failed system, fighting for that elusive top spot or ignoring the pain of others grateful to escape tragedy themselves.

I soon found myself intensely involved in the Hunger Games and hoping for a certain outcome that would certainly bring about the death of many children but save our brave little heroine. Once you're in, what option do you have but to play and survive? Collins did an amazing job of taking an unbelievable and predictable storyline and making it believable and unpredictable. Complete with an impossible love interest, twists in the arena to keep you guessing, and both sympathy and hatred for the other characters, the book is hard to put down. I stayed up late to reach the conclusion that would seem obvious but was still evasive when I could conceive many alternate endings. In some ways the story reminded me of Lord of the Flies, but without as frustrating of a dues ex machina ending.

I found it interesting that even in this life and death situation, the kids refused to do anything that would displease the capitol and make them look rebellious or unwilling to play, or worse emotional and disturbed by death. They did not bond with each other, help each other, or ever want to be indebted by anyone's kindness. Sad that the gravest error would be vulnerability of spirit because the tough ones are the ones to survive. There is obviously a lot of death hashed out, but only a handful experienced by our narrator. What could have been a gruesome story was handled very tactfully but nonetheless the subject matter is not appropriate for younger children.

My one compliant about the novel would be the overuse of fragments. As a grammar freak, I'll let powerful fragments go. On occasion. As a literary device. But you throw five and six back to back. Just for effect. And all I'm doing is counting. How many are going by before we're back to complete sentences. There were a few paragraphs with way too many. But that's just a style difference. And the story is worth it. A good tale and a thinker.

Even after I closed this book, I found myself mulling over the statements about society, our gruesome need for reality TV, how much a community will let others suffer as long as they are safe, and the strength of the human spirit when backed up against the wall. I enjoyed Katniss' emotionally detached character, Peeta's vulnerable goodness, and Rue's small but fighting spirit. Now I want to learn more about Gale. A good strong female protagonist and a great set up for the sequel which I will be reading. How will the capital be brought down? Who will Katniss chose? Can she stand by and let another gruesome show go by training the tributes from her village without action? I'm intrigued

Forgive My Fins (Fins, #1)

I was really excited about reading Forgive My Fins. It’s a cute story about mermaids and it’s also the first Tera Lynn Childs book that I’ve read.

Lily is a fun character to read about. She’s your klutzy high school girl with a BIG secret and it’s that she’s a mermaid princess. For the past three years she has been living on land and attending Seaview High. Quince is Lily’s bad boy neighbor who in her opinion is always getting in the way between her and Brody. At times, I so wanted Lily to see what was right in front of her. She only sees what she wants to see and is in constant denial about her growing doubts about Brody and her feelings towards Quince.

Though the story is predictable, I still wanted to know what would happen to Lily and what sticky situation she might get herself into next. There’s a nice balance in the story between the human world and the mermaid world as Lily travels to Thalassinia and we get to see what it’s really like. And it is a beautiful mermaid kingdom straight out of a fairy tale.

This is a perfect summer beach read with a light-hearted story and fun new take on mermaids. The cliffhanger ending sets the story up for the next installment which I am already looking forward to