The Crescent by Jordan Deen

Summary: Becoming a werewolf is not an option for seventeen-year-old Lacey Quinn, but death can be a strong motivator. Lacey is so focused on her future that everyday life has passed her by. Counting down the days to her eighteenth birthday, Lacey is almost home free. But when she falls for the mysterious Alex Morris, she lands in the middle of an ancient war between two enemy wolf packs. Tempting dreams, tantalizing lies and a dangerous love triangle ensues leaving Lacey heartbroken and confused. Lacey's fate rests in the hands of Alex and Brandon, but both are pulling her strings for their own agendas. Even as she slips further into the dark world of werewolves, Lacey struggles to find the truth and save the only family she's ever know. (Summary by Amazon)

Review: This book started out by grabbing my attention right off the bat. Within the first chapter I was hooked. At first it seems to appear to be another story about how boy meets girl and they fall in love, but that is not the case at all. In fact, the story is very different than any other that I had read before. The character of Lacey seemed to be like any other teenage girl today. She loves music and uses it as her refuge when life takes a turn for the worse. Lacey has to deal with parents who are constantly fighting. This part of the book makes it relevant to anyone who reads it because with this day in age, many parents argue over a number of issues within the household. I love how Lacey is independent. She wants to make her own decisions about life and love.

When Alex appears in the book, everything seemed better for Lacey. Then he becomes clingy and over protective, and I realized something was awry. Their relationship was very captivating and intriguing. I wanted to keep reading to find out whether or not Lacey decided to continue with him. Then Brandon entered the picture. His and Lacey’s first meeting was memorable. They had an instant connection and bond. He was mysterious and I wouldn’t have blamed Lacey for thinking about him. This was the part where the story was different from the normal boy meets girl tale. The dreams that Lacey had about Brandon were so vivid and realistic that it made me want to continue turning the pages to find out what was really going on.

I had never read a book that was about werewolves before. It was a different experience and I am glad that I was able to have it. The characters were written as though they were people that existed in everyday life and not just on paper. This book contained the elements of reality and fantasy. The book was beautifully done and I would recommend this book to anyone who asked what book they should read. It was exciting from beginning to end. I loved the romance between Alex and Lacey and between Brandon and Lacey. These were two complicated loves that she had to choose between. The force between Lacey and Brandon was very loving and strong. They longed for each other and this love will make anyone want to find that. The kind of love where a person would do anything to protect their loved one is precious. This book was fantastic with the many elements that were displayed throughout the story.

Fade by: Lisa McMann

Summary: This intriguing, if not quite stand-alone, sequel to Wake (S & S, 2008) follows undercover investigators and high school seniors Janie Hannagan and her partner/boyfriend Cabel as they attempt to unmask and trap a sexual predator teaching at Fieldridge High. Janie is a dream catcher-she has the ability to be sucked into another person's dreams-and her job is to glean clues to the culprit's identity from her classmates and to act as bait. The latter task annoys protective Cabe, and their relationship, already strained by a scarcity of alone time and the need for secrecy (their last case might be jeopardized if they are seen together), is further stressed. Furthermore, Janie receives documents from her now-deceased dream-catcher mentor promising to detail the fate in store for her, and she's not sure she wants to know the truth. While there are few surprises in the main plot arc, the spare but effective narrative holds readers' attention, especially when Janie delves into the chilling truth of her ability. (Summary by Amazon)

Review: This was a phenomenal book! I loved reading every minute of it. Fade was not the type of book that had some interesting parts, it was a book that was interesting as a whole. Page after page, my attention remained with this book. As much as I enjoyed Wake, Fade was even better. I was able to get to know Janie and Cable in a more personal way. Cable is explained more in this book. We learn more about how he feels and why he is so protective about Janie.

Janie also grew as a character in this sequel. She is coming to terms with being a dream catcher. Even though she does become scared about the years to come, she realizes that Cable will be with her no matter what happens. Janie becomes strong as a person. I could not help but turn the page to find out what happened next. There was an air of mystery throughout the book. I enjoy those books that keep your attention and make you wonder what is going to happen next. This was a wonderful book and I cannot wait to read the third book Gone. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, mystery, and a hint of love.

Animoto.com

Pittsburgh Penguins

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins on their Stanley Cup win. Both teams did a phenomenal job in the series. Congrats!!

Red Wings!

I love the game of hockey for those of you who do not know this about me. The Detroit Red Wings are playing the final game against the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight. The Red Wings are my favorite team because I am from Detroit. I just wanted to say GO WINGS and GOOD LUCK! Lets bring home the Stanley Cup for a second year in a row.

Kate

Dreamland By: Sarah Dessen

Summary: Strange, sleepy Rogerson, with his long brown dreads and brilliant green eyes, had seemed to Caitlin to be an open door. With him she could be anybody, not just the second-rate shadow of her older sister, Cass. But now she is drowning in the vacuum Cass left behind when she turned her back on her family's expectations by running off with a boyfriend. Caitlin wanders in a dream land of drugs and a nightmare of Rogerson's sudden fists, lost in her search for herself. (Thanks Amazon)

Review: At first I was very excited to read this book. I had such great experiences with Sarah Dessen's books in the past. Once I started reading the book, I began to have a difficult time getting through it. I felt that it took a long time to explain why Cass left the family and went to New York.

Caitlin seemed like a character that many girls can relate to in a way. She tried to deal with her parents reaction to her sister leaving by being with Rogerson. At first he seemed like someone she could be with and not have to think about her sister, then he began hitting her. Caitlin did not leave him after he began abusing her. I was frustrated with her when she did not leave him or tell someone about the situation.

This was a good book to illustrate that girls often find themselves in abusive relationships. Many people do not know how to end those relationships and I think that is what Sarah Dessen was trying to convey. This was a good book, it just was not one of my favorites. I love Sarah Dessen's style of writing and I will continue to read her books.

Kate

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side By: Beth Fantaskey

Summary:The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .
Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with new found confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

Review: This was a good book. I really enjoyed reading it. The story line was very different than anything that I have ever read. The fact that it was not the typical vampire story of how the girl falls in love with the boy vampire, was refreshing. It was a story about two families coming together through a marriage that would bring peace among enemies. The story kept me engaged and wanting more.

I did get a little upset about how Lucius was acting after Jessica refused him. He began to become a completely different person. Personally, I liked how he talked as if he were born hundreds of years ago. He came across as being educated and elegant. After Jessica realized that she actually loved Lucius and that her duty was to marry him, she began to lose him. That was the part where I got really agitated with him. After I got past that, the ending was good, but I wish there were a sequel. I thought the ending was not completely satisfying. A sequel would just make me a very happy person.

This was a good book. It was one that you would want more of. I suggest it to anyone who enjoys vampire based books.

Kate