Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White 
Published  by Harper Teen 2010
Hardcover 335 Pages
Read: August  5th-8th 2012

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
Thank you to Goodreads for the summery.
Recommended To: A fun light action packed read that is totally kick ass! 
 This book just did it for me. It had me from the very first sentcence. I know that I've been saying stuff like that a lot lately, but seriously, the past four books I've read have just been amazing, this one definitely included. It's weird because I feel like I've been reading exactly what I need in the exact order I need it in. Unfortunately with the books I'm reading now that's ended a bit, but I'm glad it ended with this one. It's exactly what I needed. With moving to college coming up, which is scary, I needed something light and fun but with some substance, this book totally fit the bill. Again, it was amazing! And again, I don't know why I didn't read it when it came out. I bought it, and there was a ton of hype about it, but I didn't read it. I'm so glad I finally did!  
Believe it or not but I was expecting to not like this book. A definite do not judge a book by it's cover or the hype lesson was learned. Plus the cover threw me off, it's beautiful but it didn't seem to fit the summery, and then when I read the book, it still didn't fit. Oh well, it's still beautiful. I think one of the reasons I didn't read it was because of the hype. I think I'm unconsciously worried that I won't like it. I was so wrong! This book had everything that I love in YA. Like all the books I've been reading lately the characters were all phenomenal! Evie is one of my favorite protagonists ever. She's the best friend that every girl wants, and what a fabulous friend she'd be! The plot was new and fresh and kept me reading. I really liked that this book was about all things paranormal, and I mean ALL things, but has somewhat of a focus on faeries. The writing was so much fun. Like I said this book had everything.
One of the best thins in this book are the relationships between Evie and everyone. Her relationship with Raquel left me giving my heart out to her, not actual wording of the saying. Reth's relationship with Evie is super complicated and kind of twisted in some ways, I love it and can't wait to see more of them together! Lish really helped keep Evie grounded, ironic since she herself was of the water, she was a great friend and support for Evie. And then there's Lend. For me this is the perfect YA romance, slow but steady. I loved that it started as acquaintance to friend to more. I loved that Evie was wondering if their hand holding was just a supportive hand holding or was an actual meaningful hand holding. I want to see this more in YA, a slow and beautiful romance. Ones where people get excited about holding hands, not just going right to sex. I have been growing a bit of a pet peeve towards this recently, but that's for another post. Anyway it was just so beautiful the way their relationship started and grew. It was simple and back to honest emotions that felt so real. I absolutely loved it! And I absolutely loved this book, one of my all time favorites!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Published by Katherine Tegen Books 2011
Hardcover 487 Pages 

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.
Provided by Goodreads

Recommended for: Everyone (honestly) *Correction, to those who want books with substance*

I've really been beating around the bush to get to this review. I really wanted to write one but what can I possibly say that hasn't been said about this book? I think I have only read one or two reviews on this book, after I read it. Still though it's hard because I've heard all the hype and how people adore this book. Well now I'm one of them. 

I've had my moments/times when I don't read much, either I'm to busy or just get in that not reading rut. I bought this book during one of those times. There was so much hype about it I just couldn't resist. So it sat, and sat, and sat, collecting dust. Sad for any book, but especially this one. However, I'm actually kind of glad that I read this book after the hype, for two reasons. One I think it helped to not be easily influenced either way. Sometimes I think I become so hyped up in the hype that you can easily sway yourself one way or another on a book, then reread it later and say to yourself, "what was I thinking?". Reason number two is that Insurgent had just come out and I didn't have to wait to buy it, in fact I bought it via B&N online when I was reading Divergent, and by the time it got here I was well finished with the book. So I think those things really helped. But you're here for a review so I'll give it my best to do this book justice. 


Wow! I know that's probably the way most people started their reviews of this book, but that says something. It says, this book is AMAZING! Really, honestly, this book is amazing. I loved it from page one until the very last page. Whenever I read this book it had my total attention. There was no point whatsoever where I started to zone out a little. Every page had substance and a reason, there was absolutely no fillers. In fact, I think that's a perfect way to describe this book and everything about it, Substance. Everything about it had it, the characters, the plot, the writing, everything. I felt like every little minor thing was important. More than that every page was so exciting! This book is something totally new and never done before, not in this way and to this standard at least. I actually had to force myself to put the book down many times. I'm not one of those readers who likes to read a book in a sitting, I like to put the book down to be able to think about it. It also draws everything out more so the experience lasts longer. It was hard with this book but I knew it'd be worth it. 


The characters were to die for. I'd love to meet every single one of them, especially Four. Now I definitely see what all the hype was about there. He is one of my most favorite YA men! If not the favorite, but don't tell the other guys that. He is just amazing. And he's not like other YA guys. He's not arrogant but confident. Some would say there's not much of a difference but there definitely is. He's confident and but has weakness, ones that he's not afraid to show Tris. I loved that about him. If I keep going I might just write my own novel, all about him. Basically he's amazing! Now for his counterpart, Tris. Wow, she is also amazing. I loved her courage and how determined she was. I was actually talking to my Aunt today and I think the conversation fits Tris so well. We were talking about college and it being scary. Besides my Dad, I'm the first one going to college on his side of the family. My Aunt told me out of everyone she knew I would because she said I'm the most fearless, that other people in our family didn't because they were scared. I told her that's exactly the opposite, I'm terrified, and she told me that fearlessness is when you're put into a situation where you are afraid but you're more afraid of what will happen if you don't put yourself out there. Basically you know the opportunities that you will miss by not facing your fears. I feel that fits Tris 100%. She was a little nervous but she knew how her life would end up by not taking those risks and not facing the fear of the unknown. She was so courageous and brave and I really found myself admiring her and wanting to be like her. She is such a wonderful role model and somebody I want to strive to be like. She was just amazing, so inspiring.


This book has wowed me in so many ways. The characters, the plot, the writing. It totally swept my into the world and I can't wait to read Insurgent! 


I guess writing instead of homework pays off, who knew!

Thank You YALITCHAT!

I really quick wanted to make a Thank You post, devoted entirely to this thank you.

So THANK YOU to Yalitchat!  

My blog was featured as their Blog of the Month! That's crazy right, especially since I've not been the best blogger out their recently and in the past. Still, it's such an honor and one I wasn't expecting at all. In fact I had no idea until I read the comment in my Saving June post. I'm really flattered so thank you!

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Saving June by Hannah Harrington
Published by Harlequin Teen 2011
Paperback 322 pages

Thank you so much Harlequin Teen Panel for providing me with a copy of Saving June!

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.
When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going, California.
Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanour and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.
Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.

Recommended to: Any one that enjoys contemporary and lots of emotional hardships that can make you examine your own life. 

Saving June is a wonderfully written emotional book. I really believed every moment of it, nothing was forced, everything flowed so well. The plot was very summer-y, a road trip! I personally feel that road trips provide so much for a person examine. First off, you're in a car/SUV/van or whatever, for a long time with other people. Second, you have plenty of time to think and a place away from everything to do it. It's really the perfect setting, as it was for Harper. She had space and air to think and breath away from everything going on in her life. She really had a wonderful setting full of awesome "side trips" that helped Harper through her journey. 

However, the most important part of Harper's journey were the two people with her, Laney and Jake, both of whom I loved! I loved Laney, their friendship was a tad cliche with her being a beautiful rich guy magnet, and Harper in the background. That said, I really liked Laney she was fun and was such a true friend to Harper. Their friendship felt so real. They always stuck up for each other, were so loyal, even when the situation/comment was kind of legit. In the end I loved them and everyone should have a friend/friendship like Laney and Harper. Jake was a little different but I liked him immediately. One of my favorite things about him was the music. Now, while I love music I'm not a person who goes searching for it. Yes, that means that I'm one of those listen to the radio on the way to school and work and buys songs that way. A lot of my friends want to kill me for that and drag me to a mosh pit. Anyway I loved the music aspect that Jake brought to the book. I was surprised I liked it so much because I'm not that into music, but I really enjoyed it. I also liked the way Jake was protective of Laney and Harper, it was very suttle  but showed he cared. Overall I really liked these characters, they were easy to relate to and like. 

Now there were some minor things, and minor *SPOILERS*, that I didn't really like or felt satisfied with. In the beginning of the book the relationship between June and Jake seems more than what it turns out to be. At first I thought it may be romantic or at least a deeper friendship than what it turned out to be. In the end Jake even says when they're spreading June's ashes that he didn't know her that well. It just seemed a little weird to me because he drove across the country with Harper and Laney, whom he doesn't seem to like in the beginning, for June. Yet he doesn't really know her or have a super deep friendship with her. I mean, I guess he kind of did since he made her some mixes and introduced her to his friends, a few times. And what was with Gwen really liking her and being upset about her if she only met her a few times. Like I said this is a minor detail, but it did leave me a little unsatisfied. Another thing was the sex, I don't mind sex in YA books because it's a real life situation, but I felt that it happened because they were both feeling bad and needed to feel something so they used each other achieve that. I don't know it just didn't feel right to me, they didn't love each other and that's fine because, hey it happens in life. At the same time they kind of used each other, also happens in real life, yet their relationship was more than strangers and less than a couple. Maybe the in-between-ness bothered me, the fact that they seemed to be trying the goods before a serious relationship or using each other to feel something.  Maybe it was that I liked their relationship before, I knew they were going to before they did, but I didn't want them to because I felt that would taint their relationship. Either way I just didn't like it. *END SPOILERS*

So I know the things I didn't like seemed longer than the like but that's because there's only so many things you can list and discuss about things you like. I also feel the need to explain why I didn't like things because other people may have different thoughts and opinions. Overall this was a very enjoyable well written book that's a great read!

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins 

Published by Disney Hyperion 2012
Hardcover 327 Pages

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late? (Thanks to Goodreads for the synopsis)


Recommended to: Anyone who has read the previous Hex Hall books. I honestly don't know how you could not after the previous two and that crazy ending! For anyone who hasn't read this series you really should. It's light and fun, and a nice break from the very serious paranormal books. It's one of my favorite series and I can't wait until I get the time to reread them! 


*Again I want to make a super quick apology for lack of reviews. I got so caught up into reading about four books that I totally forgot to sit down and write a review of a previously read book. So I literally just finished this book and had to get my review out.* 


 As always this review is spoiler free! Enjoy and let me know what you think!


This series has been a crazy fun wild ride. The last book did not disappoint in most ways. I found myself not loving this book as much as the other two. Don't get me wrong it was still really funny and wrapped up almost everything, and overall was an awesome book. However when I got down to the rating on Goodreads, I just couldn't give this one the five stars that I gave the other two, so it got a four. It was so hard to give this book only a four! And I felt really bad about doing it but it was the honest thing to do. 


As said before, there is so many great things about this book, and because of that I'm not going to spend much time talking about them. The characters, as always were amazing and came back as their usual selves, providing the reader with endless laughing and smiles, even in the toughest times. The plot, again as always, moved at a great pace, not too fast but faster than most. Hawkins does a wonderful job of keeping things moving along and not wasting any pages or time with useless little scences. Everything has a purpose and reason. Basically Hawkins knows her stuff! The writing is amazing the characters and plot are fabulous and it creates a masterpiece of a book. And let's not forget that this is a trilogy. Why is that so important? Because it's the only one that has stuck to it's original plan and ended. Amazing! A trilogy that ends with three books! So many series these days just continue on and on, especially when I feel like they could have ended and maybe the next book(s) are being forced out onto the pages. Anyway, that's another discussion for another time. Bottom line is this trilogy! 


Now for the reasons this book wasn't quite a good it's predecessors. The Brannicks, I loved them! But I felt like they were a little bare. What I mean is, I felt like there was so much more to them and their story. In fact that's one of my main things, I really want to know what happens with Izzy and, let's just say, a little mirror. As much as I was hoping for answers throughout the book I know that Hawkins has said she may continue with the world. Personally I'm hoping she was talking about Izzy and her story! Fingers crossed, knock on wood, throw salt over shoulder, and every other way to not jinx something and maybe we'll get another book . To Rachel Hawkins, PLEASE write more on her! I'm dying to know what's going on!


The other thing that was a little unexpected was the ending, now I know that so many major epic end scenes have been done, as well as un-epic ones. I'll just say this one was shortish and while it all tied up, it seemed a little fast. Now I'm talking the "battle" up to the end. It all just happened so fast and then there was the aftermath which seemed a little fast to me to, and that with no explanation about Izzy and the mirror made me want just a little more. 


Overall this book was still very good and every Hex Hall fan should read it, again, how could anyone not with the ending in Demonglass! Overall I was more than satisfied with most of the book and will definitely read this one again, once I have time. It was such a good book and good end to a wonderful series! 

Reviews Coming!

Whoops, my bad. I forgot to mention in my last post that I would be going on a mandatory family vacation and then off to my college for orientation.  Now that I'm back reviews should be coming shortly!

Dear Blog Followers New and Old,

So after leaving and then coming back, repeat the cycle many times, I wasn't sure whether I should start a new blog or continue with this one. While I'm not always around and my posting comes in short consistent cycles I have put a decent amount of effort into this blog, so I'm staying with this. Some of the new things I hope to accomplish, as always, is to post on a more consistent basis, every two or three days if not more. Start slow and build my way up. I'm really hoping to take the time to sit down and learn how to change the look of my blog, but we'll see if that one happens as I'm computer challenged. Lastly, I'm still busy this summer with work and getting ready for college. For this reason I may not always have the time to read and review books. The main point of this blog will still be books but every once in a while I may post about something un-book related. This will make it a little easier to blog consistently. I'm really hoping to make this blog all that I dreamt it would be! (Yes, cheesy, I know) But seriously, I had big plans when I started this blog, but none happened because I didn't realize how much time and effort really goes into blogging. It's a whole lot! That, with my busy life, left me only being able to do so much. Another problem I've experienced is not having the time to read and that led to me not having the "inspiration" to read. So I literally had to force myself to read, and I usually enjoyed those books but then I couldn't pick up another one. Anyway, I'm babbling, as usual. And it's probably stuff you've all heard me say before. But bear with me and hopefully I can really get this blog going!

Kate M (Read After Your Bedtime Book Reviews)
P.S. I literally have only logged onto blogspot to check other people's blogs, over the course of the school year, about 10 times at the most. I'm really hoping to get back into the blogging world again and see some old friends! I hope you all are doing great!