SWEET EVIL by Wendy Higgins

From Goodreads: 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 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?

This book is the first in a series and is said to be upper YA (for older teens).

Rachel's thoughts: After reading this book, I can say without a doubt, I am a HUGE fan of Wendy Higgins. Forbidden love story? Check. Supernatural elements and world-building that makes sense and feels real? Check. And the pacing, oh the pacing. Lets just say, many a night I stayed up WAY too late hanging out with Anna and Kaidan. I actually read a library copy of this book and then went out to buy my own. The second book in this series, SWEET PERIL comes out later this month, and I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for Anna, Kaidan, and their friends. This book gets FIVE bookmarks from me.

    

THE IRON KING by Julie Kagawa

From Goodreads: Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

This book is the first in a series and is said to be for grades 8 and up. 

Rachel's Thoughts: This story had me from beginning to end. And I'm not into faeries, so it wasn't the concept, but rather the writing, that sucked me in. So if you're a faery lover, I'd definitely suggest this one. I gave this book FOUR bookmarks. 

Lakela's Thoughts: I really liked the beginning and it totally pulled be in, unfortunately it didn't keep that same rhythm. I only read about a third of this book. I had to force myself to read more in hopes it would eventually get interesting again. It slowly got more and more confusing and I didn't really care for the story. I like the idea of a story like this but not this way. I would suggest this for faery lovers and people interested in mythology. (There are mythological hints here and there.) The details of explaining things around her, were so good they ended up giving me nightmares. I gave this book TWO bookmarks.

CITY of BONES by Cassandra Clare

From Goodreads: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

This book is the first in a series and set to be released on the big screen in August of 2013.


Rachel's Thoughts: This book sucked me in like a Dyson vacuum cleaner. I was turning those pages, wondering what's next, anticipating how the story will unfold, waiting for the character depth to...deepen. And the story DID unfold. But the character depth...yeah, that left me wanting until ultimately, I found myself reading just to finish the book. I felt as though I learned more about Clary's circumstances as the story progressed, but not so much about who she was and what made her tick. Basically, I didn't connect with her. Unfortunately  I didn't love this book to place the second on my "to be read" list. I still plan on seeing the movie, though, because I really DO like the premise. I gave this book THREE bookmarks. 

Lakela's Thoughts: I LOVED this book! It was great! It kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time. There was some creepy creatures but nothing that scared me too much. There was an amazing twist at the end that made me want more. I did enjoy the love "square" but it was a bit confusing. The shadowhunters were very interesting and I liked the action.  I read this book in a total of three days (I don't have much time to read so this is pretty fast for me.) I'm very excited for the movie to come out, I hope they don't disappoint me. :) I really didn't fully understand Clary and wish it talked more about what she liked besides her artsy side. I gave this book FIVE bookmarks.

OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L. Armentrout

From Goodreads: Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. 

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 

If I don't kill him first, that is.

This book is the first in a series.

Rachel's Thoughts: This was an addictive, fun read. Yes the hero was a jerk. In fact, I almost stopped reading because I couldn't stand him. But I'm glad I kept on. Yes, there's insta-love. And yeah, it's about an average girl who falls for an above average guy. But it moved quickly and I really liked the concept of his print "lighting her up." This story wasn't the most in depth, thought provoking read I've had, but it was fun and entertaining. I gave this book FOUR bookmarks.

Lakela's Thoughts: I started reading this, but couldn't stand Daemon, so I stopped.