Review of Fields of Elysium

Disclaimer: I received this ebook from a book blog tour to read to give it an honest opinion!



Fields of Elysium
Fields of Elysium #1
Author: A.B. Whelan
Pages: 436
Format: eBook
Published: December 12, 2012
Publisher: InMotion Captiol

Overview:
Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers. While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly's life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.

My Take
The cover is breathtaking! Sadly I had the ebook but I wish I had a paperback copy of this book. So pretty! The cover caught my eye and then I read the description of what the book was about as my brain told me to read it. So I did!

As I began this book, I was on an adventure with Molly as she goes hiking and finds a gateway that takes her to a new world! As she explores this new world, she meets some of the people that live there. Molly meets Victor and Weston. Weston is nice to her as Victor is not so nice and wants her gone. Molly likes them both but the attraction is stronger to Victor than Weston. Drama and action is shown throughout the book as well as emotions riding high here and there for some. Will sparks fly between Victor and Molly? You need to read to find out!

The world that Molly explores is amazing. The people, the history and creatures are just fascinating. The time on Arkana moves quicker than it does on Earth. Molly gets used to the time change and all. It's a magical and fascinating world. I would love to visit it with a nice tour guide. Since the technology was unique, I'm going to post a line from page 83 "As I mentioned it is a special crystal. It collects solar energy that is subjected to pressure within the crystal and our people utilize the power." I thought this was neat! In this world they seem to use the resources very well. There's a few other fun, clean technology aspects in this book that I enjoyed as well. It was very cool!

I think Molly grows a bit in this book. She learns to keep Arkana a secret from her parents and everyone else which is a tough thing to do. Molly also is the type of girl who stands up for what she believes in as you will see in this story. She treats everyone nicely and does not pass judgement either. I also thing Molly is a strong character. She deals with drama at high school and learns to deal with it as best as she can.

What about Victor? He goes through a change as well. He is the tough guy in the book as he then meets Molly something changes. He learns to open up and let go of hate. His story is told in this book as well. What you learn about Victor makes you want to root for him and Molly to be together. I love how Victor is protective of Molly at times but runs hot and cold with her too.

I look forward to book 2 when it comes! If you are looking for a new adventure to go on, then this book is for you! Check it out. You will gasp and squeal when you read it! I know I did. Thanks for AB Whelan for writing this book and I look forward to more!

Cover: A
Story: B

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Falling Ashes Review

Disclaimer: I was given this ebook to read to give it an honest opinion only!




Falling Ashes
Author: Kate Bloomfield
Format: eBook
Published: February 14, 2013

Overview
The Final Installment to: The Fire Mage Trilogy.

Avalon has made a lot of dangerous enemies. The Realm has issued a bounty on the infamous Fire-Mage's head, labelling her leader of the human-alliance, and traitor to Mage-kind.Soon, strangers begin to recognize Avalon after seeing her wanted poster in the streets, and seek to earn the cash reward for her capture. Forced to go into hiding, Avalon flees, not knowing who to trust, or what to do. Yet something frightens Avalon more than the Realm; her own burning desire for revenge which threatens to consume her, and turn Avalon into the monster the government depicts her to be.

Destinies are revealed, and fates unfurl in this epic finale to 'The Fire Mage Trilogy'.

My Review
I loved the last installment of this series! It was great to see what Avalon goes through towards the end of her amazing journey. Avalon is quite a character.

There are some great new characters mentioned and quite a few surprises as well! The new characters I took a liking to some of them. I like how the author came up with different characters in the book that have different abilities. It kind of has a clash of Xmen and magic. That what comes to my mind when I read these series. As for the surprises, you'll have to read about it! I'll give you one hint thought: Hawthorne!

The adventure that Avalon goes on this time around is quite a whirlwind! She has her ups and downs in the book which I loved. I enjoyed reading the emotions that came out from the book. Besides Avalon dealing with emotions, it was nice to see Jack's emotions as well. Hurt, jealousy, laughter, worried some, anger all played a part in this book! I loved how Avalon's father played such a great part in this book too.

Action is never ending in this book. There is always something happening. I loved how I could keep up with the action in the book on the matters of taking down the government who is doing awful things to humans. It's a powerful read!

The ending of Avalon and Jack's future was quite nice to see. It was cute! It wasn't what I was expecting to read in this last book. Thanks to Kate for that!

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What I Wore to Save the World by Maryrose Wood

Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!

What I Wore to Save the World (Morgan Rawlinson #3) Author: Maryrose Wood
Format: Paperback
Pages: 276
Published: December 1, 2009
Publisher: Berkley Trade

Overview:
Senior year?s coming up fast and Morgan still has no clue about college, or a career?the whole rest of-her-life thing is basically a blank. Maybe it?s because she spent her junior year obsessing about Colin, the hot Irish guy she fell for last summer (that was right around the same time she discovered she?s a half- goddess from the days of Irish lore? you had to be there). She even saved Colin from a nasty enchantment, but he doesn?t know that. Colin doesn?t believe in magic, not even a little.

But then a mysterious message reunites her with Colin, who turns out to be caught up in the biggest faery-made disaster ever. We?re talking the end of reality?not just reality TV. To save the world, she?s going to have to tell Colin the truth about her half-goddess mojo. But if he doesn?t believe in magic, how will he ever believe in her?


My Take:
Okay I bought this book not realizing it was the 3rd installment! So when I was reading it I could follow everything that was going on but it made me wonder on a few things. So after I got done with the book and looked it up on goodreads.com seeing it was the 3rd book, I thought "oh no!"

So Morgan is trying to figure out what to do with her life? As everyone else tells her to look for colleges and such, it drives her a bit crazy. Wouldn't you feel a bit uptight with everyone getting on your case about what to do with you life? It is not an easy thing to figure out sometimes. That's how life is. So anyways Morgan somehow ends up being interested in Oxford as it is located in England which allows her to be close to Colin. She misses him and wants to be near him. Does it go her way?

Once she travels overseas with some help of a mysterious stranger, she ends up seeing Colin and then adventure begins! She learns the world is in danger! She has to save the world by figuring out some riddles. While she is on her adventure, she tries to distract Colin from finding out what she is exactly. Does she succeed or does he find out what she is? Will he like her or not?

During her adventure she noticed things are changing and it would not be for the good. While I read this book one thing that popped out the most to me is the Unicorns! Oh my gosh..I laughed at the bits of the Unicorns! It was entertaining and fun! It will catch your attention though. Plus there are one other magical elements that popped out that I thought were neat which were the gargoyles.

Since I did not read the first two books I could easily follow this last book! It stands out on its own I believe. It has great detail and a fast paced story. I thought it was cute and whimsical! So go take a peek at the book today to see if it strikes your fancy!

Story: B
Cover: A


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The Medium by CJ Archer

Disclaimer: I bought this ebook to read to give it an honest opinion!

The Medium (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy #1)
by C.J. Archer
ebook, 260 pages
Published July 2nd 2012 by Oz Books

Overview:
Seventeen year-old spirit medium Emily Chambers has a problem. Actually, she has several. As if seeing dead people isn't a big enough social disadvantage, she also has to contend with an escaped demon and a handsome ghost with a secret past. And then there's the question of her parentage. Being born an entire year after her father's death (yes, a year) and without the pale skin of other respectable English ladies, Emily is as much a mystery as the dead boy assigned to her.

Jacob Beaufort's spirit has been unable to crossover since his death. It might have something to do with the fact he was murdered. Or it might not. All he knows is, he has been assigned by the Otherworld's administrators to a girl named Emily. A girl who can see and touch him. A girl who released a shape-shifting demon into the mortal realm. Together they must send the demon back before it wreaks havoc on London. It should be a simple assignment, but they soon learn there's nothing simple when a live girl and a dead boy fall in love.


My Review
I downloaded this book onto my iPad and I thought it would be a fun read! Well my instinct was right. The story and characters stayed with me the entire time of reading this adventure!

I loved how Emily wanted to take matters in her own hand considering she was only seventeen and was living in London during the times where she should have been married. I found her to be quite a fascinating character. She took the adventure to a new limit. I love her interaction with Jacob who is a ghost and is also quite smitten with Emily.

Emily's sister seems to take the role of the mom in the book and tends to nag a little bit at times which I thought was irritating but that was her role in a way too. She was also protective of Emily which was a nice touch as well.

Jacob, what can I say? He's quite a dashing man for a ghost. For him to solve the mystery of who let loose of the demon was fun. It was interesting to get a bit of information of why he died and of his family. I hope we find the answers to that, perhaps they tie in with each other his death and the the demon?

The one aspect I thought was neat is that there was a waiting room for those who have passed and waited there. Anything is possible isn't it? I love ghost and mediums concepts and ideas that sprout out from the author's brains. Some are the same and some are refreshing! I think in this story it's refreshing!

The ending leaves room for a sequel and I so want to see what adventure Emily goes on next! Will the mysteries be solved? I'm looking forward to read the next book.

Story: B
Cover: A

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Witchy Witchy Review

Disclaimer: I bought this ebook to read to give it an honest opinion!

Witchy, Witch (Spellbound Trilogy #1)

Author: Penelope King
Pages: 304
Format: Ebook
Published: July 19, 2011


Overview:
When Calista McCoy moves from the slums of the Louisiana Bayou to an illustrious beach community in California, she knows her life is going to take a drastic turn. But once she arrives at the beautiful mansion by the sea, dark secrets are revealed...secrets that become even more complicated when she meets the gorgeous neighbor boy, Nicholas, and she feels an unexplainable--and undeniable--attraction. He's everything she's ever dreamed of. Literally.

Her new life seems almost too good to be true. But as everyone knows, when something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

...And in Calista's case, it could be deadly.


My Take
I found this lovely gem online and downloaded the book as it was free. The cover caught my eye at first and then the storyline. I knew I had to have it, so into my collection it went. At first I did not read it right away due to other books in my pile.

Once I got into the story, I could not stop reading it! The pages filled with spectacular writing leaving your imagination in a world of adventure with Calista. I loved how the story took the main character to new places and things! She moves from Louisiana to California which is new. She ends up living in a new place which she never imagined in a place like this. She even goes through a few changes and makes friends which she has never had before.

When Nicholas comes into the picture, it was mysterious and interesting. It made me wonder how much of a part this character would play. How would Nicholas and Calista connect? Are they meant to be? You'll love the aspect of these two. I know I did!

Ana who is another character in the book takes Calista and her father in as it made me wonder what was she? Was she like Calista? Did she have her own agenda? At first I thought Ana was a proper type of character but as I got more into the book, Ana seems a rather nice and very informative lady who takes Calista under her wing.

Friends, everyone dreams of making friends! I was glad that Calista got to have a few friends to talk to. It's all new to her as she eventually feels comfortable in time with them. Making friends is never easy but once you have a common interest the rest just flows naturally.

This story allowed Calista to learn many, many secrets and information which I thought was told perfectly! As the information and secrets are spilled, the romance in this book is short but toe curling! Other than secrets and romance, there's action and danger gently sprouting out through the pages that leaves you wanting more. So go read this book today.

Rating: A
Cover Rating: A

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Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van leer Review

Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!

Between the Lines

Author: Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer
Hardcover
Pages: 358
Published: June 26, 2012
Simon Pulse

Overview:
Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.

Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.


My Review:
I grabbed this book as the title caught my attention. I read the the tidbit about what the book was and decided to give it a go. Well when I started it was okay but when I got further into the story, it seemed slow and a bit confusing from the different point of views that were going on. Each chapter or sub chapter would be from the charter's point of view (mostly Delilah's or Oliver's). You would have to concentrate a bit on the story to keep up with it.

Fairy tale story with a modern twist. Of course this story has a prince, love, friends, creatures..the usual aspects that fairy tales consist of. Then there's the heartbreaking part of losing someone. The modern twist is at the end of the book which I thought was pretty amazing!

The fun thing about this book was the sketches. I loved seeing the sketches with the story in this book. You could actually get a feel for what was going on better.

The two characters that are mentioned in this book mostly is Oliver and Delilah. Delilah is a gal who is a loner and loves to read. She wants to get lost in a story and not deal with real life. What teenager wants to get lost in a different world at times? Oliver is a character in the book who wants not to be in a book anymore. He is curious of what is outside of this story and book. He wants to be free. Freedom is something everyone treasures and dares to be explored! Delilah identifies with Oliver and see him as a friend. They both are likable characters. Who could not like them? I thought they were a good match for each other.

So one day Oliver ends up trying to talk to Delilah and she hears him! Their worlds collide as they chat to one another. Can you imagine a book talking to you one day? This was pretty neat. They both like each other and yet the mission was to figure out how to get Oliver out of the book! I liked how they come up with hypothesis and then test them out! Some go well and some do not. Each one is an adventure. At times both Oliver and Delilah get frustrated in dealing with figuring things out along with reality that hits them in their own worlds but they still try to figure out a way. Will they succeed in getting Oliver out of the book?

As I mentioned up above, it was kind of confusing for me a bit on what was going on and seemed a bit slow. It was an okay story. To those who like fairy tales, I'd give it a shot if you are into that genre! I'm glad I read it just to try something different and new.

Cover Rating: B

Story Rating: C


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Seeing Cinderella Review

Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!

Seeing Cinderella

Author: Jenny Lundquist
Pages: 240
Publisher: Aladdin Mix
Publisher Date: March 20, 2012

Overview:
Sixth grade is not going well for Calliope Meadow Anderson. Callie’s hair is frizzy, her best friend, Ellen, is acting weird, and to top things off, she has to get glasses. And her new specs aren’t even cute, trendy glasses—more like hideously large and geeky. But Callie soon discovers that her glasses have a special, magical perk: When she wears them, she can read people’s thoughts. Crazy glasses aside, Callie has more drama to face when she’s cast as the lead in the school play—and instead opts to be an understudy, giving the role of Cinderella to Ellen. Can Callie’s magic glasses help her see her way to leading lady, or is she destined to stay in the background forever?

My Review:
I love the cover of this book! The story was even more amazing. It's an adorable and quick read!

Callie learns to figure things out when she gets those glasses! Seeing people's true thoughts is not all that's cracked up to be. She has to learn how to deal with the power behind the glasses and that everyone is not who they say they are. Callie has lots of things to deal with: her parents, a new friend in the works who's from another country, a boy she has a crush on and an old friend who may not be that nice and feeling like an outcast or dork. Junior high can be a tough time.

As Callie continues to wear glasses, she has her ups and downs with it. She eventually learns to live without the glasses. She goes on a path of gaining some confidence. Callie is a real character! It's just a great story with a great values in it.

Cover Rating: B
Story Rating: A

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Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach

Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!

Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach

Publisher: Penguin Group USA Incor
Date: 3/31/2011
Pages: 304

Overview
Caitlyn Monahan knows she belongs somewhere else. It's what her dead mother's note suggested, and it's what her recurring nightmares allude to. Desperate to flee these terrifying dreams-and her small town-she accepts a spot at a boarding school in France. Only, when she arrives, her nightmares get worse. But then there are her amazing dreams, so vivid and so real, with visits from an alluring, mysterious, and gorgeous Italian boy from the 1500s. Caitlyn knows they are soul mates, but how can she be in love with someone who exists only in her dreams? Then, as her reality and dream world collide, Caitlyn searches for the real reason why she was brought to this school. And what she discovers will change her life forever.

My Take
The main character Caitylyn was very realistic and likable character. I could understand how Caityln felt going to a new school, who hasn't felt like that? Get those butterflies of nervousness in our tummies and then slowly trying to make friends. I'm sure we all have been there. I know I have!

I loved how she connected with Raphel. I felt like this book had a bit of time traveling though Caitylyn dreams. If you like time traveling, ghost stories, treasure hunting, romance and a bit of gothic, then this book is for you. Yes there is a treasure hunting aspect in it which reminded me of Da Vinci Code movie a little bit feel like an adventure.

Love being in a different time and can't really savor it since of the time differences is heart wrenching. I love that! Gloom and doom of love and yet is there hope for it to survive?

Historical aspect was written very well with detail. The author did well with this. I hope to read more of her books down the road.

Cover Rating: B
Story Rating: A

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Currently Reading...

Currently reading this book which is fantastic. I love the main character so far. Hope to write more about it when I can lately. Trying to get back into this mode.