Touch of Frost Review

Title: A Touch Of Frost (Mythos Academy #1)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Publication Date: July 26, 2011

Published By: Kensington

Format: Paperback, 350 pages

*I purchased this book*

Summary

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .

My Thoughts

Loved this book! Gwen has one of the most engaging voices I've read, she pulls you into her story with total ease, it really makes you feel like a part of it, I physically could not set this one down. It's a mix of crime thriller, romance, and urban fantasy all put together with awesome writing. The mythology in the book is way cool and really plays up the ass kicking, girl power goddesses, and has all kinds of hot warrior dudes, so you really can't go wrong.
Gwen is a gypsy with Psychometry, meaning she can touch a personal item and know everything about you. Which can be awesome, like it's easy to find things out about people, but really crappy too, like how do you get close to someone and not learn all their dirty little secrets? She always has to be wary of who and what she touches. The thing I loved most about Gwen though is she doesn't realize how awesome she is, in the face of all the crazy going on, she's the one who's brave and puts herself out there, and she's wildly resourceful. In a school where a girl is murdered and no one bats an eye she takes it upon herself to figure out what's going on because even if said girl was a total bitch, Gwen knows she deserves some justice. She's like Mythos Academy's very own Nancy Drew. She even gets help from Daphne, a former Mean Girls pack member through blackmail.  That paired with her witty comments and sarcasm, I'm pretty sure I had a grin through the whole book. Then there's the Spartan Logan, who is sooooo drool worthy, he smiles when he gets into a death match with a beast killing machine, that's just down right awesome. Plus there is just something about a guy who is rumored to sign the mattresses of the plethora of girl's he's been with, douchey? Yes, but it makes you curious right?  Touch of Frost was a really fun book to read and I definitely recommend it, 5 out 5!

The Dark Divine Review

Title: The Dark Divine (The Dark Divine #1)

Author: Bree Despain

Publication Date: July 5, 2010

Published By: Egmont Books

Format: Paperback, 384 pages

*I purchased this book*

Summary

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood—but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held. 

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry, glint in his eyes. 

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boys' dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.

My Thoughts

This books was really, really good. I fell in love with the all of the characters instantly, especially Daniel. He's seems your typical artsy, broody type but there is a lot more going on. His struggle between doing the right thing and following his instincts is heart wrenching and when you add his shady past you can't help but want to reach into the pages give him a huge hug and tell him everything will work out. He is just a genuinely fantastic character. Grace is no less amazing, your typical daughter of the pastor type, when Daniel returns to her life and stirs up a bunch of old feelings she's caught between living up to the family name and maintaining her reputation or helping a friend in need despite everyone's warnings and the incident with her older brother. Which causes some serious family strain. The struggle these two face feels so real and if you stripped away the paranormal elements it could be.
So much of the book is steeped in mystery that keeps you page turning all night, which I totally did. Every time you get a clue and think you have it figured something else doesn't add up. What is Daniel? What happened between Jude and Daniel? What is this cure? Can Grace figure this out? Why his her dad acting so weird? It's infuriating and engrossing all at the same time. Then there's the ending, like holy crap, really? I won't say anymore else on that you'll have to read it and figure that one out on your own, which I urge you to do. The Dark Divine gets 5 well deserved stars out of 5.

Unleashed Review

Title: Unleashed (Wolf Springs Chronicles #1)

Author: Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Publication Date: November 22, 2011

Published By: Delacorte Books

Format: Hardcover, 382 pages

*I purchased this book*

Summary

Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything. 

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.

My Thoughts
Unleashed has a cover that screams READ ME! So I did, and I was a little underwhelmed. Things happen but you get little to no reaction from Kate, her attitude undermines everything, so as a reader I didn't really get to attached or care about her problems. She also didn't have much in the way of personality, basically I was bored.
The love triangle was pathetic, the main love interest  Trick was the only character in the book I really liked. He comes into the story early on, he's a friend of Kateltyn's Grandfather and he is really sweet but not too much, he has a bit of mystery to him, he's confidant and and he's not pushy. The feelings between them seem natural and grow at a more natural pace. Enter Justin, other than the fact that he rides a motorcycle he scores no points from me. Him and Katelyn are hot and heavy for each other from literally the very second she lays eyes on him, and here's the frustrating part, there is NO reason for it. You get maybe the hint of reason near the end but even that's not clear. I saw no point to his existence in this story at all other than to irritate me.
Aside from this the story does have some cool mythology, a well of secrets, and a lot of shady situations. This is what kept me reading, but through all the mystery that kept me page turning I got to then end and was left with a huge cliff hanger and very little answers. I'm assuming some of this will be cleared up in book 2 (at least I hope), but in the end Unleashed was just that, a lot of build-up and absolutely no release, so where amI supposed to have found satisfaction in the reading of this story? I'm giving it 2 stars....read at your own risk.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Miz B @ Should Be Reading

Teaser is a little longer than it should be, but I loved it so had to include it all, enjoy ;)

"The power usually begins around puberty. At the beginning of the transition to adulthood."

"Boobs and earthquakes?" I asked. "That's quite a change."

"Seriously." she agreed with a nod. "It's pretty freaky. You wake up one morning and Boom-- your sporting B cups and the mystical ability to manipulate matter or cast spells or battle Reapers for dominion over Chicago. Gossip Girl has nothing on us."

~ pg.105, Firespell (Dark Elite #1) by Chloe Neill

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Books I bought this week ;)

Firespell (Dark Elite #1) by Chloe Neill
The Poison Eaters: And Other Stories by Holly Black
The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff
Daimon (Covenant #0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Half-Blood (Covenant #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Dark Mirror (Dark Mirror #1) by M.J. Putney
Unearthly (Unearthly #1) by Cynthia Hand
Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu
Ward Against death (Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer #1)  by Melanie card
For A Few Demons More (The Hollows #5) by Kim Harrison
Unholy Ghosts (Downside Ghost #1) by Stacia Kane
Unholy Magic (Downside Magic #2) by Stacia Kane

What's In Your Mailbox?

Ink Exchange Review

Title: Ink Exchange (Wicked Lovely #2)

Auhtor: Melissa Marr

Publication Date: May 1st, 2008

Published By: Harper Teen

Format: Paperback, 325 pages

*I purchased this book*

Summary

To 17-year-old Leslie, the tattoo is a thing of indescribable beauty, a captivating mark that she must make her own. But this subtle web of eyes and wings brings with it a transformation that no sweet young girl would ever imagine or welcome. Like its predecessor, this stand-alone sequel toWicked Lovely plunges its youthful heroine into a faery world of almost constant peril. A tantalizing urban fantasy that won't let go.

My Thoughts

I was disappointed by this book, Melissa Marr's amazing writing saved it from getting a worse rating because despite my qualms, she still knows how to tell a story.
My biggest issue with Ink Exchange is Leslie. She really doesn't shine for me in anyway, and I couldn't relate to her.She does way too much complaining and not enough thinking. Taking stock of her situation and actually questioning the strange circumstance in her life would have saved her from a lot of heartache, she constantly brushed things off and attributed the happenings to her "imagination". Eventually her stubbornness to see the truth wore on me and I just stopped liking her altogether.
Aislinn also got under my skin, she's Leslie's supposed best friend but her choice to keep Leslie in the dark about faeries just made her friends situation worse. Had she offered some truth and support things could have a gone a different way. She was a totally negligent friend.
Two characters I did enjoy were Niall and Irial, they had a lot more depth and an intriguing history. I'd much rather read a book about the past these two shared.
And alas, there was not enough Seth. I missed him and I'll be reading Fragile Eternity soon in hopes of getting a better fix. Ink Exchange gets three stars.

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking The Spine

I just recently finished The Iron Fey series, and I read all four in a week, they were that good! So I'm really pumped about this new series.

Title: The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: April 24, 2012

Summary

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive. 

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire. 

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

I really enjoyed Alyson Noel's Immortals series (aside from the last two), so I really want to check this one out.

Title: Fated (Soul Seekers #1)

Author: Alyson Noel

Publication Date: May 22, 2012

Summary

Lately strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Worried that Daire is having a nervous breakdown, her mother packs her off to stay in the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico with a grandmother she’s never met.

There she crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes who she’s encountered before...but only in her dreams. And she’ll get to know her grandmother—a woman who recognizes Daire’s bizarre episodes for what they are. A call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, one who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. Her grandmother immediately begins teaching her to harness her powers—but it’s an art that must be mastered quickly. Because Dace’s brother is an evil shape-shifter who’s out to steal her powers. Now Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and find out if Dace is one guy she’s meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she’s destined to destroy.

What are you waiting on?

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Miz B @ Should Be Reading

"So...my grandfather told me you get beaten up for writing poetry."

"Oh, Shit" He laughed. "Maybe when I was four, he's just trying to make me sound like a loser to lessen your attraction to me."

~ pg.46, Unleashed (Wolf Springs Chronicles #1) by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

These are the books I bought this week ;)

Devoured by Amanda Marrone

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Unleashed (Wolf Springs Chronicles #1)  by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Always A Witch (Witch #2) by Carolyn MacCullough

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Hexbound (Dark Elite #2) by Chloe Neill

Soul Screamers Volume 1 by Rachel Vincent

Out For Blood (Drake Chronicles #3) by Alyxandra Harvey

Across The Universe (Across The Universe #1) by Beth Revis

This I won from the author in the Destined blog tour, Thanks so much to Jessie Harrell for the totally fab prizes!! The butterfly ring is the same as the one Psyche is wearing on the cover, sweet right?!

Destined by Jessie Harrell

That's all, what's in your mailbox?

Monthly Book Giveaway

 

<a href="http://readswithwrecklessabandon.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Book Giveaway" src="http://i54.tinypic.com/12302ep.jpg" /></a>

Okay, it's been 3 months since my last Monthly Giveaway (I know, that means it's not monthly), but I had a bit of a blogging slump. Now that it is over I figured it's time for another giveaway, YAY!!

So Good Luck =D and here are this months choices:

Clockwork prince (The Infernal devices #2) by Cassandra clare

Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne

The Demon lover by Juliet Dark

Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

To enter just leave a comment with your e-mail, your book choice and get an extra entry for a tweet ;)

Rules
*You must be a follower to enter

*Giveaway is open wherever The Book Depository ships

*Giveaway ends December 31, 2011

*Must be 13 yrs. or older to enter

*Reads With Wreckless Abandon is not responsible for items lost, stolen, or damaged in the mail.

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is a weekly hop hosted @ Parajunkee and @ Alison can Read

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to books? Maybe you don’t like love triangles or thin plots? Tell us about it!

My absolute biggest pet peeve is a whiny, and/or weak female lead, you just can't have an inspiring, interesting or overall satisfying story when this is the case. Maybe if she starts out a little weak or unsure but grows through the story and gains strength, that just adds character but that's as much as I can handle.

Also I hate when a series could end well on say, two books, but the author just keeps writing more and milking the characters for all their worth. (which I hate to say I'm seeing a lot of lately) Better to end on a high note than drag it on forever and lose the interest of your readers, right?

Another is the pointless love triangle, you know the one when the other guy is nothing but filler, he's not interesting or charming. He's just kind of.....there. Don't get me wrong I LOVE a good love triangle or even a square, but if your going to have one, make sure they have a strong presence and a legit reason to seek the leading ladies heart.

Wow, that's kind of ranty but that pretty much sums them up, what's your pet peeve??

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Miz B @ Should Be Reading

"I walked to the table and picked it up, doing as he asked. And then it struck me that I was setting  so-called zombie's alarm clock for him, and I swear I heard something snap in my ears. I started laughing uproarously.   

I heard the monsters bemused voice outside asking if I was alright but that just made it funnier."

-Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel,  pg.91

I just started this one so I'm not too far in but it's already got me captive, leave a link to your teaser ;)

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Everything I bought this week

A Touch Mortal (A Touch Trilogy #1) by Leah Clifford

Swear (Swoon #2) by Nina Malkin

Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1) by Jennifer Estep

The Dark Divine (The dark Divine #1) by Bree Despain

Living With The Dead (Women of The Otherworld #) by Kelley Armstrong

What's in your mailbox?

Cover Reveal ~ Never To Sleep

Title: Never To Sleep (Soul Screamers #5.5)

Author: Rachel Vincent

Publication date: January 1, 2012

Published by: Harlequin Teen

Summary

*from Rachel's blog*

Don’t Close Your Eyes.

Sophie Cavanaugh is not going to let her freak of a cousin’s strange psychiatric condition ruin high school for them both. Not after all the work she’s put into cultivating the right look, and friends, and reputation. But then Sophie sees something so frightening she lets out a blood-curdling scream—and finds herself stuck in a bizarre parallel world where nothing is safe and deadly creatures lurk just out of sight, waiting for her to close her eyes and sleep…forever.

Could this world be real? Or does insanity run in the family…?

*“Never To Sleep” comes out Jan 1 in the US and Canada, and it should be free for a limited time.*

Yay!! I love all things Soul Screamers so when I got the e-mail from Rachel's blog I had to share. Though it might be a little weird to read from Sophie's POV since I loathe her I'm sure it will rock none the less. Enjoy ;)

Soul Thief Review

Title: Soul Thief (Demon Trappers #2)

Author: Jana Oliver

Publication Date: August 30, 2011

Published By: St.Martin's griffin

Format: Paperback, 339 pages

*I purchased this book*

Summary

Seventeen-year-old Riley has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father’s been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. As if that’s not enough, there's Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who’s made himself Riley’s unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective “friend” who acts more like a grouchy granddad. With all the hassles, Riley’s almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether.

But as Atlanta’s demon count increases, the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city’s “little” problem, and pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell’s attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever…

My Thoughts

I adore these books, but now that there's two I've noticed a pattern, the ending causes unavoidable hair tugging frustration. They both end at such crucial moments when your all "What the hell happens now?!" And I want to bash Riley and Becks heads together...Seriously! 

Now, rant aside, Soul Thief was a wicked follow-up. Picking up exactly where Demon Trapper's daughter left off (which I love), Riley is trying to hold it together while investigating her father's reanimation, the holy water scam and the Tabernacle disaster. Which inevitably just sinks her even deeper into her already huge pile of crap, even though she tries her best to make good decisions Heaven and Hell are just not co-operating with her.

Soul Thief also introduces quite the love square. Simon is confused and angry after his brush with death-by-demon, Ori takes up the position of over attentive bodyguard (whom I DO NOT trust) and Beck still stupidly lives in denial.

Now, I was going to hold back a star because beck and Riley make me bonkers, maybe that's not fair but I am being totally honest when I say my head feels like it's going to burst in every scene they share. But, after I thought about it, the things about them that drive me mad are exactly the things that make them feel so genuine and relatable. Riley though loyal and brave is very naive and when it comes to relationships totally insecure, while Beck, a rough and tough "backwoods boy" is completely conflicted in the role he should be playing in Riley's life. So I gave the star back. 5 out of 5 =D

Harper Imprint Challenge Reading List

I've chosen to read and review 5-8 books, here's the list ;)

Mercy (Mercy #1) by Rebecca lim

Fragile Eternity (Wicked Lovely #3) by Melissa Marr

Radiant Shadows (Wicked Lovely #4) by Melissa Marr

Illusions (Wings #3) by Aprilynne Pike

Before I fall by Lauren Oliver

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Vesper (Deviants #1) by Jeff Sampson

Hereafter (Hereafter #1) by Tara Hudson

* book links will take you to it's Goodreads page*

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted @ Breaking The Spine

Not only does this book have a pretty cover but it also has a creepy old mansion, and what sounds like a hot, broody guy, which I love.

Title: Disenchanted

Author: Sherry Soule

Publication Date: January 2012

Summary

Elizabeth Blackburn, an intelligent and sassy New Yorker, doesn’t believe in the supernatural until she moves into Summerwind Mansion and begins having nightmares about a young woman murdered in the house. She suspects there’s something strange about this place and it’s not just the bad dreams. 

Determined to unlock secrets that have remained hidden for centuries, Elizabeth is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. Not to mention, her uncontrollable attraction to the former owner, Dorian Knight. But soon after meeting Dorian, all of her beliefs are tested. He seems so familiar, and as close to Mr. Darcy as she’ll ever get—but Jane Austen never wrote a hero like him--someone who both excites and frightens her. 

As the dark history of the Knight family begins to unravel, tensions heighten and old resentments turn deadly. Even though Dorian warns her about a terrible curse–she doesn’t know what to believe anymore. 

And Elizabeth starts to wonder which she would rather hold onto—her sanity…or her life…

I'm pretty sure I already did a WOW for this one a while ago but the publication date keeps getting moved back and it's making me bonkers!! The first book Immortal Beloved was a-ma-zing so I'm dying waitior this one =/

Title: Darkness Falls (Immortal Beloved #1) 

Author: Cate Tiernan

Publication Date: January 2, 2012

Summary

Nastasya has lived for hundreds of years, but for some reason, life never seems to get any better. She left her spoiled, rich girl life to find peace at River's Edge, a safe haven for wayward immortals. There, she learned to embrace River's Edge, despite some drama involving the sexy Reyn, who she wants but won't allow herself to have. But just as she's getting comfortable, her family's ties to dark magick force her to leave. 

She falls back into her old, hard partying ways, but will her decision lead her into the hands of a dark immortal? Or will it be her first step to embracing the darkness within her?

What are you waiting on? ;)