Fracture by Megan Miranda

OMG!!!! I liked this a lot. I give it a 4 out of five, though.

Fracture is about a girl named Delaney who falls through some ice and is under the freezing water for 11 minutes. She should hae died--she did--but somehow she came back. Now her relationship with her best friend and savior, Decker, is strained, and her parents'. Then Troy comes into her life, he has a similar problem and wants to help Delaney, but is this the kind of help she wanted?

Okay, so 4 out of 5, right? I gave it a four because I loved the characters and all, but the not-so-normal parts of the book I didn't get. Like how she was able to sense when someone is going to die (not a spoiler, I swear), and the whole idea of Troy. I also thought there were some issues, like her mother's parents, that were seemingly brought up for a miniscule to no reason. It was also a little fast, time wise. And by that I mean faster than I would have liked. On the other hand, there were something I LOVED. Her friendly-ish relationship with Decker was flat-out amazing. And the way Megan Miranda executed Troy (you'd have to read it to understand fully) was great. I loved Delaney and felt for her. This book did not elicit tears from me, but was overall definately worth picking it up. DO IT NOW!!!! :D

Read on,
Lexie <3

Tiger's Curse (#1) by Colleen Houck

Tiger's Curse, I am giving a 4.5 out of 5.

This novel is about a high school grad, Kelsey, who starts working for the circus. She works with the alusive white tiger, Dhiren. Little does she know, there is more to Ren than meets the eye.

This might be a little bit spoilery, but there really is no way to describe it without adding to the synopsis. Ren is a half-tiger, half-man. He is under a curse and Kelsey is going to help him break it. She travels all the way to India to help him, and gets a little more than she bargined for. What did I like? The romance made me quiver and (sometimes) get teary. I liked the discription of India and other things and also the mythology that goes along with it. What didn't I like? Well, there were a few points where I didn't quite understand the plot, but that really didn't compare. The ending was also not so climactic, I hope the series finally makes up for it. I cannot wait for Tiger's Quest.

Read on,
Lexie <3

Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst

This novels is about a sixteen year old vampire named Pearl. She and her Family never have and never will feel remorse for biting a human. It's just what they do. Until one day, a supposedly-mythical unicorn stabs her through the heart with its horn. This unicorn strips her of most vampire traits, like not burning to a crisp in the sun.  Her parents thrust her into high school so that she can find some necks for a hugs vampire ball in a few months. However, something goes awry when Pearl starts to develop something that is not what most vampires would find pleasing: a soul. Ick!

Overall, I gave this book a four out of five cups of cocoa rating. For starters, Pearl's story is told from third person, but I think the relationship between the reader and Pearl was a little lacking. I could not get completely submerged into the world. I like it. nonetheless. I also feel like the ending was a little abrupt and there was some slow, detaied tension at the beginning of the climax, but, alas, it quickly took off from there leaving me a little confused. What did I like about the book? First off, I do not usually read many vampire books because I sort of find them to be a little, cliche or too much like Twilight knock-offs. These vamps were way cliche. But there were some creative mythical creatures that balanced it out for me. I liked Sarah Beth Durst creatures, even if a lot of my friends thought they were ridiculous. It was something that I hadn't read before and I loved it. I'm pretty sure, also, that this is a stand-alone, but I could be wrong. It doesn't really matter since I loved it (it being the creatures) so dang-much. Also, the romance-y kind of story line gave me shivers like all great romance-y novels do. There isn't a lot, but it covered it well. So that is why I, personally think that this book deserves a four.

Read on,
Lexie <3

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

Warning: Parts of this novel are rather explicit. You probably shoudn't read this book if you are under 17 (even though I did) or if you are easily offeneded.

This novel is a sort of retelling of what happend before and during Dorothy's visit to Oz. Elphaba was born green. No one really knows why. Her father is a minister and her mother is an adulterous woman who I personally really hate. Elphaba attends Shiz, a bording school, and learns of what happens to the Animals there. At Shiz she meets Galinda, Boq, Fiyero and others. Later on her sister Nessarose vistits as well. Nessa has no arms. This book is kind of difficult to explain, but I have done my best. The Broadways musical is based of this book.

I give Wicked a 3.5/5. It wasn't actually that amazing. I did enjoy it, but it takes time to read. There may come a day where I reread it, but from what I thought, it was quite enjoyable. The 4th part was pretty slow, but the final part totally made up for it. I really like Elphaba's character, but sometimes I was confused with some of the things she was doing. Also, Elphie's mother, I strongly hated. I beliee the author wanted the reader to feel some sympathy for Melena, but I couldn't. I did feel a small amount of sympathy for Frex, her father. I felt quite relateable to Elphaba. I think the author has great world building and an interesting interperatation of Dorothy. I am planning on reading the second book in the trilogy soon.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

This novel is told in third person by two characters: Aria and Peregrine "Perry." Aria is from a dystopian society and she get kicked out after an incident while trying to find her mother. Perry is an Outsider who is plagued by his nephew Talon, Talon's dead mother Mila and many other ghosts. Once the two meet up, Perry is the only way Aria can survive and be able to find her mom. Aria is Perry's best way to protect one of the people he loves most. Neither of them would think that they were going to fall for each other.

OMG!!!! I totally loved this book. 5/5 for me. I love the romance, the--just everything. I cannot think of a bad thing about this book other than the fact that the second novel doesn't come out unti next year. So long to wait! Ugh! Anyways, I am head-over-heels in love with Veronica Rossi. I really hopes she writes a lot more. This novel has probably made it onto my 2012 favorites list.

Read on,
Lexie <3

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

She's not your typical Cinderella. Cinder is a cyborg. Yeah, you read it right. Cinder's adoptive father is dead and she is blamed for his death by her cruel adoptive mother, Adri. One day the local prince Kai comes to Cinder for mechanical help. He says something about national security, as a joke, but there is more than meets the eye. Also, Cinder's favorite sister, Peony contracts the plague. Like many other she is going to die soon. In a final effort to be rid of her daughter, Adri sends Cinder off to be a plague research dummy. But not all goes as it should.

I give this novel a 4.5/5 cups. I loved the relationships forged in this book. There were a few times where I was loosing focus, but overall, it was great. Especially the end. Marissa Meyer can really create a great climactic ending. I cannot wait until 2013 for her next novel.
Read on,
Lexie <3

Crave by Melissa Darnell

Crave was read on my Kindle. Crave is told by two characters: Savannah and Tristan. Savannah gets very ill and when she comes back to school she and Tristan have an even stronger bond since before. Tristan just cannot ignore Savannah any longer. But since the fourth grade, they knew they could never be together.

I am giving Crave a 4.5/5. I realy enjoyed his book and will be looking intenty for its sequel Covet. This paranormal romance was definately top-notch, but there were a few frustrating instances for me. Overall, I thoughrolly enjoyed his book and look forward to more from this dynamic duo.

Read on, Lexie <3