Summer!

Hey!

I know, you're probably like, who the hell does she think she is? Does she think she can waltz in and out of this blog any time she want? Yes, I kinda can. I own it. Heehee. Sorry.

I have LOADS planned for this blog. I've just finished school for the summer and have alot of time on my hands. Get ready for fun my lovelies!

Also, If you guys actually bother to read my blog, can you please leave me a few comments, so I can feel I'm actually making a difference and not wasting my time. Please? Pretty Please?

Enjoy the song and the heat!

Muah!

Hira

In Honor By Jessi Kirby

A devastating loss leads to an unexpected road trip in this novel from the author of Moonglass, whose voice Sarah Dessen says “is fresh and wise, all at once.”

Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

I hate Sad things. Books, films, people, colors etc. so you can just about imagine my reluctance to read this book. 

I gave it a chance though. I thought maybe, I don't know, I'd realise it wasn't that bad and that it's just a book and that reality is much different. I was wrong.

The Story


Honor's brother just died in battle. He's just been buried. Thant mean the wounds are still quite raw. Enter last letter Finn ever wrote. For Honor. I actually felt sad when I read that. He had no clue how short his life was going to be. Honor decided to secretly fulfill his last 'wish'.  He'd want that, wouldn't he? Let's start operation 'Travel to Concert all the way Across America'. Enter Brother's Ex-Best Friend. Oops. So not part of the plan. Especially the part of him tagging along. Let's see what happen's shall we?


The Characters

I actually have no idea how I feel about Honor. I'm just...I just feel...I really don't know. Believe me when I say that her pain hit me hard. I nearly had to reach for a box of tissues but reminded myself firmly that I am not one of those weepy types. I swear, I'm actually not. Even though Finn wasn't actually there in the book, obviously, her memories of him had me laughing, smiling and just outright gasping. I LOVED him. I was AMAZED at how much he was willing to sacrifice for Honor. He actually sacrificed so much, I began wondering if Honor was just plain selfish. Can she not see how much he does? Can she not, you know, keep unnecessarily mentioning what she wants and just like, I don't know, start observing what's going on around her. If there was ever a person in a book who did not deserve to die, it'd be Finn. God, keep blinking Hira. Deep breaths.


Also, she could be annoying sometimes. I liked her relationship with Wyatt, a small character that made an appearance, but that was bittersweet aswell. I like her relationship with Rusty too. They had a past together but couldn't deny the secret attraction. I like the fact that both were affected deeply by Finn's death and maybe that was one of the reasons why they bonded. 


Rusty was...moody. Secretive, mysterious, hurt, sad...I could keep going on but I'll end it there. There was also an obvious anger he had towards Honor. Maybe he blamed her because she'd been the reason Finn joined the Marines. Read the book people. I'd spoil it if I told you the real reason. You'll actually be quite shocked because I was. Maybe it'd crossed my mind but I just didn't comprehend it, you know what I mean. You might actually, this is a heads up, dislike Honor after that but people, this book teaches you a lesson. Think before you speak. Be aware of those around you and beware of their feelings.  Never hold back. Love till you die. Say what you feel. Express your emotion. And finally. Don't have any regrets. 


Recommendation?


Um, if you like realistic contemporary and don't mind having a sniffle now and then and know that it'll stick with your for a long time, then I'd definitely say it's for you. If you want loving characters, this is for you. If you're a fan of road trip, then this is DEFINITELY for you. Enjoy!


3.5 STARS!

Grave Mercy By R.L. LaFevers

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

I don't read Historical books all that often. Thought I am OBSESSED with Jane Austen but that's because, you know, it's Jane Austen. I only went for this book because it's been racing up the book charts and because of the rave reviews. AND because it about a nun assassin. I HAD to read it.

How was it?


The language takes a while to get into. But once you cross that rough patch, it's nothing but bliss.
So yeah, we are introduced to Ismae. Who just got married. To a brute. But escaped. Get's taken to St. Mortain's Church. Becomes an assassin and receives a very important mission.

People, it might be slow in the beginning and you may get thoughts of abandonment but STICK TO IT because it's one hell of a ride. I love how the author combined her love of history with paranormal with a dash of assassin in it. I know. I keep mentioning 'assassin'. It's just so COOL or something.
The story just slaps your face at every turn. I can for the first time ever say, that I never knew what was going to happen next.

The Characters?


I like you Ismae. You never once gave me the urge to puke or made my hand itch for a slap. You concentrated on what was in front of you, never swaying, your beliefs so strong I came to admire you. You proved that even though you took the life of others, there was always a chance for forgiveness. I loved your relationship with Duval. I swear it was one of the best developed relationships I've read in a while. You are one of the reasons I'm looking forward to the next installment.

I REALLY like you Duval. You were intelligent, loving, basically every nice adjective out there. I loved your relationship with your sisters. I even came close to tears, seeing the love between you all. I Loved your relationship with Ismae. I found myself looking forward to the moments between you two, some which left me giggling while other made me sigh inwardly.

The Story?


Interesting. Extremely Interesting. The first book I'VE read that has historical mixed with paranormal. Not to mention Romance. But people, the whole story doesn't rebolve around that. It covers alot of other Issues. Alot of politics aswell. Don't let that bring you down though. There is a right amount of it.

Recommendation?


Definitely recommended.  4.5 Stars!

Sweet Evil By Wendy Higgins

Embrace the Forbidden


What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

Guys, this is good. No really. It's actually really good. I don't lie. Well, actually, I do lie but not about this I don't. 

What's it about?

A girl. With a southern accent. Has sixth sense. Doesn't understand her powers. Meets hot bad-boy. Realises there's more to her that meets the eyes.

Okay. Sounds like every other story out there but, yes there is a but, it's actually, wait for it, GOOD.

The plot wasn't your average 'I've got your attention but I'll lose it now because I'm gonna make the story shitter that it is' but in fact it was ' Ha, thought you saw it coming didn't you but BAM, I just karate Chopped you right in the ****' .

This story involves, I don't know if this is a spoiler , gods. Not your average Zeus, Hades etc. but actually god's of BAD THINGS. Okay. Sounds lame. Anyway, God's of like JEALOUSY, WRATH, LUST, DRUGS etc. It was so different from the CHIZ that authors nowadays are conjuring up that I found myself, gasp, enjoying it. The story was fast-paced, you seriously did not know what was coming until it bitch slaps you in public and you burst out crying and at the same time catch the attention of nearby muggles who roll their eyes and look towards heaven. Didn't happen to me btw.

Get a move on. How were the Characters?

I may have gotten emotionally involved with these characters. Doesn't happen to me often. Also I have to say that in the case of this story, I found myself LOVING the supporting characters more that the main ones. Not that there was anything bad with Anna or especially Kaidan. 

Anna was, you-know, NICE. You'll understand why I'm saying it like that when you read the book.

But she could get so....'meh' sometimes. I don't like 'meh' girl all that much. What I'm trying to say is that  I HATE girls who go freaking depressed/psycho/stupid when the boy leaves them or for whatever reason they can't get together. Biggest turn off EVER. She actually lost weight because she was that sad. Idiot. But guys, don't hate, because she had he good points. Kind, caring, brave etc. I'd love to read about a heroine that wasn't all that and see how it goes.

Kaidan was or probably will be one of the reasons you guys will not put the book down. Says it all doesn't it.  He's on Hira's List, people. Round of Applause please.

Supporting characters:

God, so many of them. I loved them all. Anna's Human friends and her Non-Human friends. He adoptive mom and her real dad. He dad made me wish my dad was like him. Minus all, you know, beard and other things I can't mention.

Finally got there, You gonna Recommend this?

Yup. It's actually deserves all the rave reviews it's been getting. No to mention the 5 STARS I gave it!

Enjoy.