Spellbinding by Maya Gold

Spellbinding

By Maya Gold

Book Synopsis

There's more than one way to be powerful . . .

It is during a routine school project that Abby Silva--sixteen and nearly friendless--makes a startling discovery: She is descended from women who were accused of witchcraft back in 1600s Salem. And when Abby visits nearby Salem, strange, inexplicable events start to unfold. Objects move when she wills them to. Candles burst into sudden flame. And an ancient spell book somehow winds up in her possession.

Trying to harness her newfound power, Abby concocts a love potion to win over her longtime crush--and exact revenge upon his cruel, bullying girlfriend. But old magic is not to be trifled with. Soon, Abby is thrust headlong into a world of hexes, secrets, and danger. And then there's Rem Anders, the beautiful, mysterious Salem boy who seems to know more about Abby than he first lets on.

A reckoning is coming, and Abby will have to make sense of her history--and her heart--before she can face the powerful truth.

“Abigal Silva, National Honor Society,

Abigal Silva, Science Fair silver medalist,

Abigal Silva: invisible.”

**That’s my kind of nerd, I was that girl. I won third place in the state Science Fair (behavioral science section) and some money for it my senior year…it was fun. No judgments here. After all I know it’s the nerdy girls that end up having all the fun.

My Review

4 Stars

First off I want to mention that the cover is what totally sold me on wanting to read this book. So good job Scholastic. I am a sucker for a pretty cover and Spellbinding’s cover definitely didn’t disappoint. The candles, lightening, the faded out strip of houses behind the young girl waist deep in water with her hair *clearly* blowing in the wind made me want to know the whole story. Can I offer up more than that as to why I love the cover, not really…it just calls to me and says “read me, you want to know why I’m powerful?” I was curious and the synopsis of Spellbinding only drew me in further. It sounded promising.

Spellbinding is a simple story. There’s never a whole lot going on at once and the entire story focuses on Abby’s one new discovery, step by step. There’s no sub plot or other things happening that the reader can think about or that Maya Gold could tie into the story as a whole. It’s just a story about a girl (Abigal Silva) who learns some truths about her past when digging into her family tree for a school project and what she does with her new powers. (That’s not spoilery if you read the synopsis, so I’m not telling you anything you couldn't figure out on your own by revealing Abby’s new found “powers”) Of course Spellbinding has the whole romance theme tied to it and not just with Abby’s obsession with her crush but with her new friend REM. Now a cool aspect of how Maya Gold presents Abby’s love intrests was cool because they didn’t instantly fall in love or write off their entire lives because of a crush. Which does happen in books and I usually don’t like them any less I just prefer the couples that have to work for it.

I enjoyed reading Spellbinding even though compared to other books in the genre its lacking a more in-depth plot and multiple twists within the story. Another positive note was it’s a complete story and there’s no cliff hanger or need to wait for book two. I do think the last “epic” moment could have been a little bit longer or maybe just more details. It wasn't a bad conclusion at all, I just feel like it could have been better by adding a few more sentences. Spellbinding had everything the synopsis claimed it would and Maya Gold executed it wonderfully. Even though the overall story is a simple one, the editing was spot on, there were no holes in the plot, no unanswered questions at the end and it was a smooth read that kept me wanting to read more. Overall, Maya Gold delivered a great fun paranormal read in Spellbinding.  

This is my favorite line that made me laugh out loud and even my best friend had to laugh when I just read it to her while reviewing my notes for this post, so obviously that meant I had to include it.

Abigal Silva: “Especially when he’s tawny and sun-kissed from working outdoors, and you look like a glass of skim milk.” 

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Reading

The Siren's Secret

The Siren's Secret

By Heather Olster

** Side-note** I think this is a beautiful cover and matches the story's theme beautifully. It's one I'm definitely going to get for my bookshelf.  Plus make sure you come back on May 19th for my stop on The Siren's Secret tour!

Book Synopsis:

Julia's life has gone from complicated to nearly impossible! When Julia loses her shapeshifting powers and her appearance changes in alarming ways, she flees to Sirenity, where she learns an incredible secret about her mother. In this thrilling sequel, Julia must take greater risks and make bigger sacrifices as she discovers who she really is and what she can really become.

My Review

4.5 Stars

In the second book The Siren’s Secret, Julia finally discovers who she is at her very core. In The Shapeshifter’s Secret, Olster took readers on Julia’s journey finding out what she was and some truths about her mother. This time The Siren’s Secret follows Julia down the hardest road anyone ever travels. The road that reveals parts of yourself you never knew existed and it was no different for Julia Levesque. The Siren’s Secret connected beautifully to The Shapeshifter’s Secret and will definitely make reader’s want more.

In the beginning of this book on multiple occasions I really wanted to slap Julia for her choices and way of thinking, but I had to consider the multitude of obstacles Julia was facing and how her fear at that point was really in control. Olster did an amazing job describing things and aspects of Ossai that played into Julia’s fear and showing her personal growth throughout the story. Her imagery throughout the entire book enabled me to see what was happening even though I was just reading and the further I read the more I felt like I was pulled into Julia’s world.

In The Siren’s Secret, you see Julia use the skills she learned in the first book, the truth ring Caleb gave her, and of course Sierra and Gabe standing by her side. Some of my favorite parts were the aftermath of a plot twist that stole my breath and kept me turning the page. I enjoyed how as Julia’s story progressed things became more intense between the characters, the plot lines and the decisions Julia had to make before Olster wrapped it up with a bang, which left me wanting to know more.

I will be waiting patiently for the next installment because I’m officially hooked on Julia. The way she grows throughout The Siren’s Secret put me on her cheer team and I can’t wait to read her next journey.

The author and publisher have allowed me to review this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781462112234

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Incorporated/CFI Distribution

Publication date: 6/11/2013

Pages: 320

Amazon Pre-Order Link

Barnes & Noble Pre-Order Link

Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Breathless Anyone

Although this title is not yet available to be purchased, it's worth putting on your Goodreads To Be Read Shelf so you remember to check it out! This is a series worth some attention. It's written with vivid descriptions, swoon worthy male characters and a lot of sass.

Breathless

An Elementals Series Novella

By Brigid Kemmerer

Book Description

Too many secrets. Not enough time.

Nick Merrick is supposed to be the level-headed one. The peacemaker. Since it’s just him and his three hotheaded brothers against the world, that’s a survival tactic.

But now he’s got problems even his brothers can’t help him survive.

His so-called girlfriend, Quinn, is going quick as mercury from daring to crazy. Meanwhile, Quinn’s dancer friend Adam is throwing Nick off balance, forcing him to recognize a truth he’d rather shove back into the dark.

He can feel it—-the atmosphere is sizzling. Danger is on the way. But whatever happens next, Nick is starting to find out that sometimes nothing you do can keep the peace.

My Review

Novella’s as a part of a series do excite me like a little kid in a candy store. Usually because I get attached to my series characters (like the swoon worthy Merrick brothers), so when extra short stories are thrown in the mix, I’m all over it. Brigid Kemmerer’s Breathless allows readers into Nick (Gabe’s twin) Merrick’s mind and his out of control girlfriend. I give Kemmerer kudos for writing a series that mainly focuses on strong young men as the protagonist. Granted I do enjoy my kick ass heroines, its nice to see a supernatural series that boys can be less afraid of getting caught reading.

Nick is a well-rounded teenager struggling to keep it together after his parents died, while living up to his twin’s and other brothers expectations along with his confusing relationship with Quinn and coming to terms with his own sexuality. Especially since Brigid Kemmerer writes his view in such a way that you can feel how torn he is between being who he is and who others want him to be. Teenagers and all kids strive to make their parents happy, making Quinn the perfect pairing for his story because she struggles with her family relationships to the point of very bad decision making. I really enjoyed how Adam was written to be a little pushy at times with Nick because I felt he needed to be challenged. Plus in reality not everyone is nice or behaves like a perfect person. Adam was definitely given his own unique personality while remaining a strong influence on both Nick and Quinn.

However, one thing that I didn't particularly care for was that there was no clear definition between Nick and Quinn’s viewpoints seeing as how they’re pretty much together through the entire book; it wasn't always a clear transition. I believe the story would have been stronger if those sections blended together better or there was a page break, just something to warn readers that the story is about to change point of views.

In the end Breathless reminded me why I loved the Merrick brothers and young adult books. It was beautifully written and sent me back to the days when I was a teenager with an identity crisis. Brigid Kemmerer definitely leaves readers excited and begging for more of Nick’s story. We want to see him in his full glorified potential. Breathless, is a compelling, engaging, and intense read making it a wonderful addition to The Elemental’s series.

My Review: 4 Stars

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Crush.Candy.Corpse

Crush.Candy.Corpse

By Sylvia McNicoll

Book Description

Paradise Manor is depressing -- the smells are bad and the residents are old. Sunny would much rather be doing her volunteer hours at Salon Teo, but her teacher won't let her. Who says volunteering at a hair salon doesn't benefit the community?

But working with the Alzheimer's patients has a surprising effect on Sunny. Along with Cole, the grandson of one of the residents, she begins to see that the residents don't have much more choice about their lives than she does: what they eat, how they are treated by staff, even what they watch on television. So Sunny does what she can to make the residents happy -- even if she has to sometimes break the rules to do it.

When tragedy strikes at Paradise, Sunny's left to make the decision about whether or not to honour a promise that Cole made to his grandmother about her life...and her death.

My Review

I requested this title from Netgalley to review. Being granted an eBook to review from James Lorimer & Company (the publisher) has no way influenced my opinion of the book.

What caught my eye about this book was the cover and then the title. The young girl’s gaze called to me and I found myself drawn in by the look on her face and pink hair. Crush.Candy.Corpse intrigued me in its own right and combined with the short description provided I had to know more. After reading the book I can say that the unique title and cover picture fit the book perfectly and I can’t imagine a better match. To me they were both the perfect choice.

 Sonja Ehret known as Sunny throughout the book is a seventeen year old girl struggling to figure out what she believes in and who she is, something every young adult and even older adults can relate too. When she meets Cole Demmers, the grandson of one of the resident’s parts of Sunny’s true personality and character emerge showing her in a different light to readers. She introduced quite a few residents and minor characters that actually made the story better. They provided different types of interactions allowing you to really get to know Sunny and who she was as a person. I enjoyed how Sylvia McNicoll used situations and moments of stress in a way to let readers develop their own feelings about the characters and who they were. Instead of saying Sunny is good or Donovan is bad. McNicoll made the readers judge Sunny, Cole and the rest of the characters based on their actions and not what they were being told to think.

Another aspect that I loved about this book was how McNicoll made the decision to start the story in a courtroom with Sunny facing charges of manslaughter. She proceeds to fill in the blanks using mandatory journal entries from her community service at the nursing home that lead into scenes from the previous year. I worked in an assisted living facility so I found myself locked into the story and remembering all the old people I met during my own experience and remembering how it broke my heart to watch them deteriorate before me and some even pass away. I could sense Sunny’s struggle to come to grips with understanding along with trying to help the residents. Her unbreakable desire to make them happy touched my heart in so many ways. Not only do you get to know Sunny through flashbacks but also through the witnesses called to the stands and her friends.

Crush.Candy.Corpse packs a punch. Hands down, this is a book that should be required reading for students. McNicoll weaves such a heart wrenching story that you’re forced to contemplate your own beliefs, to question parts of yourself that are easily pushed away and rarely confronted. While reading this book you will have no choice but to think about how you feel about what’s happening to Sunny. After all, she could be you. The way the story unfolds introducing different elements and parts of Sunny’s character and personality through bits and pieces adds to the total effect.  Sunny is not portrayed as perfect by any means and doesn't even walk away from the story a saint. Through the story she even admits that time and time again. But between the covers you grow with her and understand her pain. At the end of the story you won’t be the same, it is bound to touch you in some way.  

This coming of age story had me entranced from beginning to end. Just when I thought she couldn’t cut my soul anymore, she slid the knife in deeper. Sylvia McNicoll uses similes and metaphors throughout the book that add a certain depth along with a “detachment” in the beginning. Who wouldn't want to see the courtroom as something else when you’re standing trial for manslaughter and possibly facing your future? Honestly I tried to find something that I could point out and say could possibly have been better. However when I was reading this book my heart was pounding and the only thing that mattered was the next page. I was completely drawn in, not just by Sunny but the unique plot as well. I haven’t read another book quite like this. Crush.Candy.Corpse made me question my own feelings about facing death. Even when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. Sylvia McNicoll made all the right choices from beginning to end. 

Amazon Link

Barnes&Noble Link

Goodreads. Put it on your to-read shelf