Review : The Madness Underneath

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

(Shades of London #2)
Genre : Paranormal, Young Adult, Ghosts, Mystery, Supernatural, Urban Fantasy, Romance
Goodreads: Click
Purchase Link: Amazon
Pages : 290

Synopsis:

After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Deveaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance to get back to her friends. But Rory's brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she's become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades--the city's secret ghost-fighting police--are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it's too late. 

In this follow-up to the Edgar Award-nominated THE NAME OF THE STAR, Maureen Johnson adds another layer of spectacularly gruesome details to the streets of London that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. 

Review:

After being slashed by a wannabe Jack the Ripper ghost, Rory wants nothing more than to attend school, go back to her friends and live a normal life. With the help of a counselor she's allowed to go back to see how things are as a trial but soon realize that life went on and she is way behind in school. Overwhelmed by school and her relationship with her boyfriend, she decides with the recommendation of a friend to go to a certain Counselor that seems to work miracles. Not only that a string of murder seems to be occurring near where her school is and she's going to help with a couple of friends solve that mystery.

I was going to add more to the description but I think I might give away too much away. I was worried at first that this book wasn't going to be as good as the first one but it actually turned out really great and I enjoyed it. I thought it was interesting how Rory is,it's got to be tough what she went though and not being able to tell a single soul and not being allowed to tell the people she loves what real happen and not being able to talk to the people who experience with happened cause of confidentiality agreement. I was very surprised what was happening through out the book I was not at all expecting many of the situations. Oh,and that ending! With how it turned out I need to get to the next book pronto because I can only see it going up from here hopefully I'm not disappointed. I can't wait to see what next.

Review : Night Chill

Night Chill by Jeff Gunhus

Publication date: May 31st 2013

Genres: Adult, Supernatural, Thriller
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis:

Jack Tremont moves his family to the quiet mountains of Western Maryland hoping to leave behind a troubled past and restart his life. Instead, he finds himself caught up in a nightmare when his daughter Sarah is targeted by Nate Huckley, a mysterious and horrifying stranger driven by a dark power that will stop at nothing to possess Sarah. When Sarah goes missing, suspicion falls on Jack and he must uncover the secrets of the small mountain town of Prescott City and face the evil secret hidden there. As he digs further, he learns the conspiracy reaches more deeply than he could have imagined. Finally, he will have to face the question, What is a father willing to do to save his child? The answer? Anything. Anything at all.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the mix of paranormal and suspense. So I love more then one point of views, but for some reason I found my self confused at first on who was who. It wasn't a big deal though because once I got the hang of it I loved it. I loved that we got  view from both sides of the story from the hero to the villain which is something I haven't seen before.This book is well-developed, interesting, and original. This book is fast paced and gorey and will keep the reader to the end. 

Overall I enjoyed this book and think you supernatural thriller seekers will want to get your hands on this book!

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In addition to writing supernatural thrillers for adults, Jeff Gunhus is also the author of the Middle Grade/YA series The Templar Chronicles. (www.jacktemplar.com) The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born and recognized as a 2012 Forward Reviews Book of the Year Finalist. Jeff has been a Stephen King and Dean Koontz fan since he was a kid reading their novels under the covers at night. Seeing Night Chill next to King and Koontz on the Amazon Bestseller lists has been a surreal experience. He leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole and five incredible kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.

Links:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Clockwork Prince Review

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Stars 5 of 5

Format: Audiobook

Genre: Steampunk, Romance, Supernatural, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Urban Fiction

Pages: 498

Summery:

The Magister and Nate managed to escape the clutches of the shadow hunters and now questions are being raised whether or not a Charlotte could manage to institution.  Now on a dead line the shadow hunters must find the where about of the Magister or at least show some progress of finding him or else the clave might allow the option of another to take over. Secrets, betrayals and love will be revealed.

My Thoughts:

My only warning is not to read this book in public, you'll seem bipolar with the who being sad one minuet then bursting out laughing at something that happened in the book. (Don't say I didn't warn you!)

I loved this second book to The Infernal Devices series (Or is it trilogy?). The book went smoothly lots of things going on to keep one interested. The characters are so well developed that its easy to care for all the characters in this book. Tessa is still my favorite characters she strong, independent, and forgiving (Mostly towards Will with his dang mood swings and her brother). I like that when there's a problem she will put herself out there to help others. I can see why others might think that even after all her brother put her through why would she even brother forgiving him and still love him after everything. Its her family member and even when things go wrong she can't help but forgive and still love her brother after everything she went through.The Clockwork Prince is full of deception, angst and suspense to want to you keep going till the end. I want to say the ending was surprising but then again it was kind of predictable to me.

As for the love triangle this book didn't help with who I would choose to have Jem or Will. Jem is still sweet and predictable, meanwhile Will is smart, loves books, his mood swings are explained in this book so it I can see him being nicer in the next book less hot and cold. Who would you go for? Jem or Will?

My only problem with this series is not being able to get the next book quick enough. I've already ordered the next book from my  local library but it'll take some time to get it. Its pretty much high demand and I guess I'll get it when I get it. Hopefully I get is soon or else I will have no choice but to camp out in the local book store and read the book till I'm through.

Clockwork Prince Review and Giveaway!

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Stars: 5 of 5
Format: Audio book and Paperback
Genre: Steampunk, Young Adult, Romance, Historical Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Supernatural
Pages: 476

Summery

After the death of her aunt, Tessa Gray, goes to London to live with her brother Nathaniel.  But little did she know it would dark sisters who would we waiting to keep her until she bends to their will and does what they want. Just when she decides to run off  in comes the Shadowhunters who help save her and let her stay with them. Tessa will learn fairly quickly about a whole new world she never knew of where pretty much everything that goes bump in the night exists. With the help of the shadow hunters Tessa will search for her brother and manage to find new trouble.

My Say

Sometimes authors will get too close to making one series like another, same people different name and place but I didn't see it in this. I almost thought it was going to be like The Mortal Instruments because of the love triangle and characters but then ditched that idea because I noticed how unique these characters were from TMI. I like that Tessa pretty much accepts what is, even when everything may seem far fetched and learns to adapt to any situation. I liked how there was never a dull moment and there was always something new to learn about the characters and something interesting going on. I liked that there was unexpected twists and turns and just when I thought I knew what that going to happen I was completely off. I also love that its in a steam punk kind of setting which lately I've been getting into.

If you love The Mortal Instruments series then you'll love this.  

When it comes to choosing a guy it would be hard. Before I would've said sweet ol' Jem would've been the one I wanted only because it would simple, he's pretty straight out. Then there's Will who is complicated, hot and cold and just plain confusing but the way everything is there must be a reason for the way he acts. Another reason I find it hard to choose it because I've read the second book so I know the reasoning behind Wills actions from what little I can remember from it. I'm pretty sure Id be team Switzerland between these two guys because I don't wanna chose either I like both of them maybe Clockwork Princess will the the tie breaker to help me choose between them.

 

(Can't figure out which trailer I like best)

I mentioned before that I was going to do a giveaway for this book. It's only for US residents (Sorry for those who are outside!) and The only thing about this book is that it has one mark. When I bought it from the store on sale they made a small marker mark on the side, other then that its brand new. Contest Starts 3/22/13 12:00 AM EST

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The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Shape Shifters
Pages: 326

Summery:

Maya and her friends where forced to leave town when a forest fire gets dangerously close. As time goes on they realize they aren't safe and end up in an accident where the helicopter they were traveling in crashes. Soon enough secrets are being revealed and now they kids are stranded in the wilderness of Vancouver Island. They are on the run and are being chased by what seems like two different groups of people who are after them. Now they must work together and use their new powers to help them get home. 

My Say

I thought this book was great. There was chases, kidnapping, deaths that just kept everything interesting and I needed to know what happens next. I liked that I got to know who was what and what power did they have. The only person that wasn't revealed of what he was Cam. Spoiler (highlight to read) :  There was subtle hints in my opinion that he is like a foreseer possibly getting visions of the future. But that is just my guess I could be wrong. I guess I wont know until I get the next book. I like that Maya is a leader and even if at some points she could've ran away and saved herself she kept going back to help her friends in time of need. I liked that she was smart and a quick thinking and help saved their buts and help her friends survive in the woods. When her friends where complaining about everything and when they were hurt shed help them no question about it.

When it comes to my rating in order for it to have 5 stars It must have action, suspense, a bit of secrets being revealed and humor, in some cases a decent love story and even thought I hate to say it cliffhanger. There was a bit of everything in here to keep me wanting more and not want to finish till its through.

I've been noticing other reviews on this book that many Kelley Armstrong fans didn't like it so much because it's already been done before. I haven't read her first trilogy  I mean I read the first book a while ago like when it first came out, I think it was the start of my interest of supernatural books. Anyways it's been years and a bazillion books later so I don't remember to compare if its already been done. I don't usually find that much of a problem when it comes to stories like this, I find that a lot of YA supernatural books have pretty much the same plot but they just spice it up to make it a bit different from the rest. Its not a problem for me, maybe some of you other readers out there will have the same problem with this.  

I was nearly jumping for joy when the library told me they had this audio book for me. I had a copy of this audio book but apparently it was missing the last CD which made it an ultimate cliffhanger and I had to wait a couple of days to finish this book. Thank goddess no cliffhanger like the first book. So I can handle reading a couple different books before I read the next. If there was a cliff hanger I'm pretty sure I would've rushed to the nearest bookstore to get it. 

Highly Recommend!

The Gathering by Kelly Armstrong

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

4 of 5 stars

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Supernatural, Romance, Shapeshifters, 

Pages: 359

Summery

Everything in Maya's life was perfectly normal until her 16th birthday came around. Now Cougars seem to cross paths with her more often. Then there was a strange encounter with a seemingly senile old women. And the strange fainting spells and visions she seems to be having. Adding everything up with the help of a new student and love interest,  Rafe, she learns things the never new about herself and begins to question everything  This also raises questions on why her late best friend, who was a swim captain, had a freak accident and drowned.

My Say

This book was interesting enough that I managed to read this book within 24 hours wondering what was gonna happen and was left with a cliffhanger in the end. Goddess I hate cliffhangers >_< . 

As you can see from the summery the book has the same premise as most YA books so you got the idea of how the book is. Girl living a totally normal life until the new hot guy comes into the picture, girl possibly hates the guy then learned the guy is misunderstood and falling for the guy. Then strange things started to happen and find out some life altering information about themselves. 

I for the most part thought the book was good, I wish there was more conflict going on to keep me interested. The pace for the book was pretty low which is a problem for me. The story felt like I've read it many other times before. Despite that, I think the book was interesting enough and hope that the next book surprises me. I found the characters very likable and the main character Maya funny at some points where I couldn't keep my laughter to myself with her little comments that she would say. I would've liked to know more about what was going on with the project, or about her heritage, or what happened to Serena. I don't expect any of it to just be answered in the first book but at least give us a bit to go on, solve at least one of the questions that many may ask of this book. 

Overall I enjoyed the book even if its a cliche and look forward to the next book hopefully some of the questions I want answers will be done in the next book.