Dru Anderson might finally be safe. She’s at the largest Schola on the continent, and beginning to learn what it means to be svetocha–half vampire, half human, and all deadly. If she survives her training, she will be able to take her place in the Order, holding back the vampires and protecting the oblivious normal people.
But a web of lies and betrayals is still closing around her, just when she thinks she can relax a little. Her mentor Christophe is missing, her almost-boyfriend is acting weird, and the bodyguards she’s been assigned seem to know much more than they should. And then there’s the vampire attacks, the strange nightly visits, and the looks everyone keeps giving her. As if she should know something.
Or as if she’s in danger.
Someone high up in the Order is a traitor. They want Dru dead–but first, they want to know what she remembers of the night her mother died. Dru doesn’t want to remember, but it looks like she might have to–especially since once Christophe returns, he’ll be on trial for his life. The only person who can save him is Dru.
The problem is, once she remembers everything, she may not want to…
Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…
When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.
The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early
Shannon Delany's debut novel 13 to Life is well written and extremely character driven . She has introduced the players and has set us up for what is sure to be a wild and incredible ride.
What made this book truly enjoyable for me were the fantastic characters and the slow and realistic development of the relationship between the two main characters. The narrator of the story Jessica Gillmansen is a normal, well read teenager who's life has been touched by tragedy. When we meet Jess we learn that she is smart, funny, selfless and has a huge capacity for forgiveness. We also learn that she isn't easily pushed around and will stand up for herself when forced to. When Pietr Rusakova, the gorgeous new student with a soft Russian accent and a slight attitude is thrown into her life (by chance or perhaps by fate) sparks begin to fly. Assigned to be Pietr's guide, Jess quickly becomes irritated with his lack of interest in anything and how quickly her female classmates fall all over themselves to be near him. But as time goes on Jess can't deny how attracted she is to Pietr and that there is something special between them that draws them together.
Delany's other characters are as equally fascinating and well developed. The relationship between Sarah and Jess has a mystery all it's own and makes for a very interesting twist to the mystery surrounding the accident that took the life of Jessica's mother. There is just so much more to these character's than what meets the eye and the need to know their secrets and to solve their mysteries is what drove me to push through this novel as such a fast pace and also leaves me desperate for the next book Secrets and Shadows.
In short 13 to Life is a werewolf tale like no other. With mystery, romance and deep ties to Russian heritage, Shannon Delany has given us the start of an addicting, witty and fast-paced series which is sure to leave us all breathless in the end.
For this weeks Music Monday I bring you Stephenie Meyer's New Moon and A Fine Frenzy's "Near to You" from the album One Cell in the Sea.
In case you've been living under a rock :-)
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Legions of readers entranced by Twilight are hungry for more and they won't be disappointed. In New Moon, Stephenie Meyer delivers another irresistible combination of romance and suspense with a supernatural twist. The "star-crossed" lovers theme continues as Bella and Edward find themselves facing new obstacles, including a devastating separation, the mysterious appearance of dangerous wolves roaming the forest in Forks, a terrifying threat of revenge from a female vampire and a deliciously sinister encounter with Italy's reigning royal family of vampires, the Volturi. Passionate, riveting, and full of surprising twists and turns, this vampire love saga is well on its way to literary immortality.
but so dysfunctional, it couldn't last I loved him so but I let him go ‘cause I knew he'd never love me back
such pain as this shouldn't have to be experienced I'm still reeling from the loss, still a little bit delirious
near to you, I am healing but it's taking so long 'cause though he's gone and you are wonderful it's hard to move on yet, I'm better near to you.
you and I have something different and I'm enjoying it cautiously I'm battle scarred, but I am working oh so hard to get back to who I used to be
he's disappearing, fading steadily well, I'm so close to being yours, won’t you stay with me, please
near to you, I am healing but it's taking so long 'cause though he's gone and you are wonderful it’s hard to move on yet, I'm better near to you
I only know that I am better where you are I only know that I am better where you are I only know that I belong where you are
near to you, I am healing but it's taking so long 'cause though he's gone and you are wonderful it’s hard to move on yet, I'm better near to you.
If you've read the book then it is pretty obvious why I chose this song. New Moon is my favorite out of all of the books in The Twilight Saga. We get to know the character that is Jacob Black and we get to watch while he helps to put his best friend Bella back together again. Bella is suffering from a broken heart, the loss of her first true love and she finds among all her pain, warmth and understanding from Jacob. With Jacob, life seems a little bit easier to get through. That's what "Near to You" is all about. It's about suffering the pain and devastation of a loss and finding comfort and understanding in someone else.
In honor of the release of Eclipse in theaters on June 30th I have one more song for my Music Monday!
Since I'm obviously a member of Team Jacob I chose the song "All Over You" by The Spill Canvas in honor of every one's favorite werewolf. I just felt this might be one of the songs on Jacob's life soundtrack that is if he had one.
But I really think it's guts that matter most I displayed them for you Strung out about from coast to coast
I am easily make-believe Just dress me up in what you want me to be I'll take back what I've been saying for quite some time now
I gotta feel you in my bones again I'm all over you I'm not over you I wanna taste you one more time again I'm all over you I'm not over you
In my daydreams, in my sleep Infatuation turning into disease You could cure me see all you have to do now is please try Give it your best shot and try All I'm asking for is love But you never seem to have enough
I gotta feel you in my bones gain I'm all over you I'm not over you I wanna taste you one more time again I'm all over you I'm not over you
This life is way too short to get caught up in all this stuff Well I just want you to love me back
Why can't you just love me back?
I gotta feel you in my bones gain I'm all over you I'm not over you I wanna taste you one more time again
(Just one more time)
This life is way too short to get caught up and all mixed up When I just want you to love me back Why cant you just love me back?
Why won't you just love me back? Why cant you just love me back?
Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.
Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.
But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them.
His love captivated her... his secrets might kill her.
Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts—the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.
After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach—and somehow she’s connected to it all.
But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town…might cost her her life.
My Review:
Right from the start I was hooked by the rich descriptions of an intimidating private school and a very creepy but also intriguing cemetery. Hopcus' writing is uniquely descriptive and flows beautifully giving me something to aspire to as a writer.
In a literary world full of werewolves and vampires Hopcus has created something original and just as entertaining. I love the werewolf and vampire stories just as much as the next girl but it's nice to take a break from them every now and then. With a mix of mythology, science and a touch magic Shadow Hills is engaging and unpredictable, and the mystery surrounding the town of Shadow Hills and it's residents is compelling enough to keep you reading long into the night.
I found most of the characters to be well thought out and developed. My favorites being Adriana and Persephone. Adriana greatly reminded me of the "mean girls" I made a point of staying away from in high school so I was kind of surprised and shocked that I enjoyed her character so much. Sure, she's self-centered and looks out for herself before all others but as long as things are good for her, she'll take the time to watch your back. I like that she's an honest character who is true to herself and doesn't feel the need to apologize for it. As long as people realized that this is how she is and accepts it then for the most part she can accept you. (Of course that is only if you're not direct competition for her.)
I decided I liked Phe the moment she stood up for herself against Corinne. I love strong, female characters who refuse to let people intimidate or walk all over them. Phe seemed to be well grounded with a tendency to act before she's fully thought things through but I guess that's a common trait among all teenagers. I was surprised and pleasantly so by Phe's love of music and how it is consistently present throughout the book. Being passionate about music myself I really enjoyed all the mentions of different bands and songs.
The intensity of the relationship between Zach and Phe left me slightly confused. While I thought their relationship was sweet and endearing I was kind of confused by how quickly they seemed to fall for each other. I wasn't sure if there was some kind of supernatural force that caused their intense attraction for one another or if it was just teenage hormones working on overdrive and I'm still not sure.
Overall I really loved this book. I intended to take my time with reading this one, but I couldn't bring myself to put the book down until it was finish and even then I found myself wanting more.
For this weeks Music Monday I bring you Sarah Rees Brennan's The Demon's Covenant and Within Temptation's "All I Need" from their album The Heart of Everything.
Mae Crawford's always thought of herself as in control, but in the last few weeks her life has changed. Her younger brother, Jamie, suddenly has magical powers, and she's even more unsettled when she realizes that Gerald, the new leader of the Obsidian Circle, is trying to persuade Jamie to join the magicians. Even worse? Jamie hasn't told Mae a thing about any of it. Mae turns to brothers Nick and Alan to help her rescue Jamie, but they are in danger from Gerald themselves because he wants to steal Nick's powers. Will Mae be able to find a way to save everyone she cares about from the power-hungry magician's carefully laid trap?
I heard the song "All I Need" on an episode of Vampire Diaries. If you watch the show faithfully you know exactly what episode I am talking about. I have heard bits and pieces of Within Temptation's music and remember thinking that I really liked their sound. I downloaded "All I Need" right before I went on vacation and I also bought The Demon's Covenant. The first time I listened to "All I Need" after finishing The Demon's Covenant, I immediately thought of Mae Crawford the narrator of the book.
Mae in all her pink haired glory is a fabulously intriguing character. She's brilliant, courageous, determined and fiercely loyal. She doesn't do anything halfway; if she's in she's in all the way, and when she loves she loves with all her heart, even when the situation is hopeless. In The Demon's Covenant Mae is brave enough to admit to herself that the heart doesn't always listen to logic especially when it comes to a certain "boy" who seems to be completely incapable of such emotions. This is where I found a connection between "All I Need" and Mae.
I’m dying to catch my breath Oh why don’t I ever learn? I’ve lost all my trust, though I’ve surely tried to turn it around
Can you still see the heart of me? All my agony fades away when you hold me in your embrace
Don’t tear me down for all I need Make my heart a better place Give me something I can believe Don’t tear me down You’ve opened the door now, don’t let it close
I’m here on the edge again I wish I could let it go I know that I’m only one step away from turning it around
Can you still see the heart of me? All my agony fades away when you hold me in your embrace
Don’t tear me down for all I need Make my heart a better place Give me something I can believe
Don’t tear it down, what’s left of me Make my heart a better place
I tried many times but nothing was real Make it fade away, don’t break me down I want to believe that this is for real Save me from my fear Don’t tear me down
Don’t tear me down for all I need Make my heart a better place Don’t tear me down for all I need Make my heart a better place
Give me something I can believe Don’t tear it down, what’s left of me Make my heart a better place Make my heart a better place
My interpretation of the song is that it's about love that's not yet returned but there is hope that it will be. I hear a little bit of the hopelessness in the song but in the same breath there is a spark of hope. It's human nature to want to find hope in a hopeless situation.
Mae sees the hopelessness of her situation and we as readers also see the hopelessness of her situation but still despite what logic is telling us we still have that secret hope that maybe it will turn out different than what we think and Mae is no different, I like to think she has that secret hope too. But hey that's just my interpretation :-) Read the book, listen to the song and come up with your own!
"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where she features eagerly anticipated upcoming releases and here I will do the same! :-)
This week's selection is:
13 to Life by Shannon Delany From St. Martin's Press Publication Date: June 22, 2010
Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…
When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.
The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.
Hello Hello and happy Tuesday to you all. June is turning out to be a fantastic month for book releases. I'm stopping through today to post the trailer for My Soul to Keep, book 3 of the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent.
Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them. Until something does.
Demon’s breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow, the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked.
And when the epidemic hits too close to home, Kaylee will have to risk everything to save those she loves.
My Soul to Keepwas released on June 1st and you can find it at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
I've read the first two books in the series (My Soul to Take and My Soul to Save) and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. It seems that paranormal fiction in the YA genre is dominated by vampires and werewolves which really is just fine by me but Rachel Vincent has something completely different going on and I find it very refreshing.
It's Monday which makes it the perfect day to start a new feature that I like to call Music Monday. Music has a huge influence on my life and it has always been something I am very passionate about. Many writers out there create playlists to listen to while they write or have a specific song that reminds them of a specific character. The music helps to create a mood or put them in certain frame of mind. Personally I have a tendency to hear a song and immediately think of a character or book that I feel it could relate to, that is what this feature is all about.
Here I will post songs that I feel convey the mood of a book I've read or reminds me of a certain character. It's pretty much all my opinion so obviously you don't have to agree with me :-) Also, I might feature songs that authors have put on their own playlists for their books. Songs that they've listened to while writing or songs that helped them to get into a certain character's frame of mind.
So without further ado, my first Music Monday post:
This week's Music Monday is all about Lili St.Crow and Linkin Park. Last year I read Strange Angels by Lili St.Crow an awesome book that I plan to review in the near future but until then here is a synopsis from Lili St.Crow's website:
Dru Anderson has been “strange” for as long as she can remember. She travels from town to town with her father, hunting the things that go bump in the night and eat the unwary. It’s a weird life, but a good one–until it all explodes and a zombie busts into her new house.
Alone, terrified, and trapped in an icy town, Dru’s going to need every inch of her wit and training to stay alive. Can she trust the boy who is just a little too adult–and just happens to get bit by a werwulf? Or the strange blue-eyed boy who tells her she’s heir to a long-forgotten power? Can she even trust her own instincts?
Because Dru is not the first in her family to be killed by the darkness of the Real World. The monsters have decided to hunt back–and now Dru has to figure out who to trust, who to fight, and when to run. And not incidentally, she has to figure out how she’s going to get out of this alive. And she has to do it by sundown, or it’s all over…
Also last year Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was released in theaters and along with it came the song "New Divide" by Linkin Park. Immediately this song made me think of Dru Anderson the gun toting bad ass protagonist of Strange Angels. I could clearly imagine Dru in her garage beating the crap out of a heavy bag and practicing everything her father has been teaching her all her life with this song blaring in the background.
I remembered black skies / the lightning all around me
I remembered each flash / as time began to blur Like a startling sign / that fate had finally found me And your voice was all I heard That I get what I deserve
So give me reason / to prove me wrong / to wash this memory clean Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes Give me reason / to fill this hole / connect the space between Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies Across this new divide
There was nothing in sight / but memories left abandoned There was nowhere to hide / the ashes fell like snow And the ground caved in / between where we were standing And your voice was all I heard That I get what I deserve
So give me reason / to prove me wrong / to wash this memory clean Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes Across this new divide
In every loss / in every lie In every truth that you'd deny And each regret / and each goodbye was a mistake to great to hide And your voice was all I heard That I get what I deserve
So give me reason / to prove me wrong / to wash this memory clean Let the floods cross the distance in your eyes Give me reason / to fill this hole / connect the space between Let it be enough to reach the truth that lies Across this new divide
As always music its supposed to be left open to interpretation. While one person may feel the lyrics mean one thing someone else may feel like it means something completely different. With this song I feel like it's all about someone learning that the life they have been living isn't exactly the truth. That there is just so much more to this person, to their destiny and it's all finally coming to light. I think this song has a very specific mood to it and it fits very well with Strange Angels but that is just one person's opinion. Read the book, listen to the song and come up with your own opinion! :-)
I'm very passionate about music, reading and writing. I read a lot of YA fiction and that tends to be the genre I write for, but that's not to say that I don't read other genres because I do!
