The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

Title: The Crown of Embers

Author: Rae Carson

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Pages: 410

Genre: Fantasy

"In the sequel to the acclaimed The Girl of Fire and Thorns, a seventeen-year-old princess turned war queen faces sorcery, adventure, untold power, and romance as she fulfills her epic destiny.

Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey.

With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds. A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume in the Fire and Thorns trilogy."- Goodreads


Over a year past from the time I read the previous book until reading The Crown of Embers. But I was pulled forcefully back into the world of Elisa as if no time had passed at all. From the enticing beginning to the wonderously filling ending, this is not a book to be overlooked or forgotten.

After Elisa's glorious defeat of her kingdom's enemies, she recieves both worship from her people and suspicion form her court. Of course, with Hector by her side some of the suspicion is alleviated. However, there is more to worry about than court politics. Elisa's country is in trouble and they need as strong ruler to guide them. Despite this, Elisa must deal with her growing feelings for her guard, assaination attempts, and a struggle to grow with everything going on around her.  

I have to come clean and say this: Crown of Embers did include an epic journey but the plot was missing something. It was like crossing a stream without a bridge. It needed more direction. Yet there was so much happening that this was almost unnoticeable. Elisa is dealing with her feelings for her guard while attempting to put her kingdom first. Danger is in the horizon and maybe even in the castle. There are many suprises along the ride an it was an expedition that ensnared me.

Elisa had serious self-esteem issues in the first book and there are still scars left from them. She is courageous and she is kick-ass when facing danger but she is still coming into herself. She may be a Queen yet, at the same time, she is a teenage girl still getting used to a strange new land and people. However, she is starting to realize that perhaps she is fit to be ruler after all and it showed through her actions. Because of Elisa's Queenliness Hector is hesitant to interact with her and clings to his postition as Commander of the Royal Guard. He is on his toes when around Elisa which I understood. He is there for Elisa but often keeps a certain respectable distance between them. The rest of the court is wary of Elisa and her new position in the kingdom. I felt that made sense and made the story more believable. If they hadn't been wary of Elisa, the story wouldn't have obtained an element that made it more than fantasy. It felt real.

The authour's writing style created a believable world, even while I knew it was just fantasy. I was trapped throughout the duration of the story and it didn't upset me at all. The writing flowed pretty well, although, at times it felt a bit rough. It was written in such a way that I felt a connection to the characters and their hardships. The characters could be real because of all their strengths and flaws. This leads me to desire to get to know some of the characters better, which will hopefully happen in the next book.

Over all, this was an enjoyable read that I couldn't put down. It helped me escape the confines of real life and dwell in a new world full of possibilities. There were flaws but they were easily overlooked. As a matter of fact, the only reason I noticed most of them was because I write book reviews. I would recommend this book to anyone searching for a new fantasy series that will rock their world.

Memorable Quotes

• “A quarterstaff is not very subtle. Or handy. If an kidnapper comes at me, what am I supposed to do? Say, 'Excuse me, my lord, while I pull my enormous quarterstaff out of my bodice?”
•  “You made me cut and dye my hair.”
  
  Surely he understands that we face greater problems? “I thought it would greatly improve your looks,” I snap.
  
  “Shorn hair is a sign of shame. You humiliate me greatly.”
  
  “I’ll light a candle tonight in honor of your dead tresses.”
• “Catch me if I fall?”

  
  



4/5 Mugs Of Piping Hot Chocolate

-Decadent and Delicous

Beta by Rachel Cohn

Title: BETA

Author: Rachel Cohn
Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Pages: 331
Genre: Dystopia

"Elysia is created in a laboratory, born as a sixteen-year-old girl, an empty vessel with no life experience to draw from. She is a Beta, an experimental model of a teenage clone. She was replicated from another teenage girl, who had to die in order for Elysia to exist.


Elysia's purpose is to serve the inhabitants of Demesne, an island paradise for the wealthiest people on earth. Everything about Demesne is bioengineered for perfection. Even the air induces a strange, euphoric high, which only the island's workers--soulless clones like Elysia--are immune to.

At first, Elysia's life is idyllic and pampered. But she soon sees that Demesne's human residents, who should want for nothing, yearn. But for what, exactly? She also comes to realize that beneath the island's flawless exterior, there is an under-current of discontent among Demesne's worker clones. She knows she is soulless and cannot feel and should not care--so why are overpowering sensations cloud-ing Elysia's mind?

If anyone discovers that Elysia isn't the unfeeling clone she must pretend to be, she will suffer a fate too terrible to imagine. When her one chance at happi-ness is ripped away with breathtaking cruelty, emotions she's always had but never understood are unleashed. As rage, terror, and desire threaten to overwhelm her, Elysia must find the will to survive.

The first in a dazzlingly original science fiction series from best-selling author Rachel Cohn, "Beta "is a haunting, unforgettable story of courage and love in a cor-rupted world. Praise for Beta "A terrific premise that is equally well executed...Readers can only hope [the sequel] will be as thrilling as this series kickoff."-Los Angles Times


Beta started out promisingly enough. The writing drew me in and I soon became excited for the story. However, the story became something completely unexpected and although that's not necessarily a bad thing, I felt that it could've been better.

Beta was filled with jaw-dropping twists and, after starting with an exciting eye-opener of a beginning, continued with a roller-coaster of a ride before it ended at the top of a drop roller coaster (a roller coaster that drops straight down). Elysia is one of a select few of teenage clones. As a clone she has no emotions, needs, or wants and her only purpose is to serve. And serve she does. Because if anyone found out that she actually had these emotions, she would die. However, the family she serves quickly becomes people that she loves when they decide to treat her like a regular teenage girl. She begins to hang out with her new "brother" and his friends, including the secretive Tahir. She eventually discovers the island hides some shocking secrets and through it all must work hard to hide her feelings because if she doesn't, there will be hell to pay.

Elysia was a strong character with enough weaknesses that made her relateable. She was like your average teenage girl- she wanted friends, had crushes, and was in love with chocolate. The only difference was she had to work hard to bury these feelings. I liked Elysia's new faimily. For people that were pretty much brain-washed, they were okay. Her "mother" was desperate for love and attention, as was her new "siblings". Although things were eventually revealed about the family, my first impression of them was positive. Tahir was a complicated character and I didn't understand Elysia's feelings for him. He wasn't easy to like and I found him annoying but I will admit that he added to the story. Adding to the mystery of the story, Elysia is having some memories of her past life, something that is unheard of. These memories include "her" first love and introduce a whole new character to the sory. He felt almost 2D but I'm assuming the reader will get to know him better in the next book.

The end of the story introduced some new characters and ensured the plot of the next book would be wonderful. Although I felt that Elysia was left in the dark for too long in Beta, I think the next book will be great.

The writing was alright. To be honest, I wasn't too impressed with it. The world that was created- a dystopian island filled with brain washed people and emotionless clones lacked something. The story seemed like it was missing a depth to it, as if it was a frosting without a cake. Delicious but missing something more solid to hold it together. All in all, though, the writing was nothing to cry over. It kept my interest which is imperative to a good story. In fact, the book contained a certain humor to it that kept me giggling throughout the story.

Overall, Beta was a book that kept me reading. It had it's flaws but nothing too major. Although the plot appeared to lack a backbone, it definitely kept me guessing and was unpredictable. This is a series I'm definitely going to be sticking with, especially after the ending.

3/5 Mugs of Piping Hot Chocolate

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Title: The Darkest Minds
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Publisher: Dysney Hyperion
Release Date: December 18 2012
Pages: 496
Genre: Dystopian


When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.


When I first attained this book, I was a little emotionless about it. I thought it sounded interesting but I wasn't sure I was going to like it. I was kind of cautious about reading yet another dystopia. I found out within 50 pages of the story that I had the wrong attitude about it. By that time I was enraptured and I wished more than once that the story could've been longer. And it's already a good 500 pages.

To start out, the writing was superb. Especially compared with books that have not-so-superb writing. That's incorrect actually. It can hold its own against some of the best writing I've ever read. I think the best factor of the writing was the way it got me to care about the main character Ruby. Besides that I noticed something else, which is something I rarely see any more in a story. There was almost no explaining! I was never bored with the story because it was being built by events happening and not by explaining. The world was built that way along with the plot and the characters.

The plot of the story is, honestly, the reason I stayed up until midnight. I just couldn't put this book down. It was such a page-turner and always had something going on. After most of the children of the world die of a mysterious disease, adults are left with a shocking revelation: they have no time to grieve over their lost children. Because the children let behind are dangerous. And they need to be contained. Which is why Ruby ends up at Thurmond, a rehabilitation center for other children. When shocking things are revealed Ruby knows she has to escape or die. She's been through a lot, though, and ends up carrying baggage with her along with a secret that could quite literally kill.

Ruby has spent the past six years of her life surviving. She's not brave and she always puts herself first. But the time comes when Ruby has to choose between herself and her friend and she makes a decision that will haunt her forever. Which might be why she starts strengthening herself and, in the end, becomes someone every reader wants to read about: a heroine. I related to Ruby at first because not everyone is a heroine and I understood that. But I admired her later on in the story and she may just be my new favorite character. She was put into some tough spots and she came out on top.

On the run, Ruby discovered three people that became like family: Liam, Zu, and Chubs. Liam was a great guy and a natural leader but he could be a little too nice. Sometimes I feared he would slip up and befriend the wrong person and adding to that was how trusting he was. I found it annoying at first but near the end of the story something huge happened and his instincts kicked in. He became all bad boy on me and I realized that not only could he kick ass but he was also the perfect person for Ruby. Zu was an adorable little girl who I couldn’t help but like and Chubs was… Chubs. It was impossible for him not to grow on me. He had strong opinions about things and always stood up for what he believed in but was made more relatable because he could be sweet and shy. He was basically the perfect sidekick. He added a lot to the story.

But I did think some areas of the story could've been better done. Ruby's power confused me. I didn’t really understand it at all until about the end. Another thing I disliked was that I wasn’t' certain what the other types of powers were. There were five types of powers and I don't know much about any of them. Finally, the rehabilitation center bugged me. I wasn't entirely sure of its purpose. I get what it was supposed to do but it wasn't doing any of that.

It was the end of the story that actually ensured I was a new fan of this series. The end was so good- it pulled everything together and set the premise for the next story. I was going to give this book 4 stars but after the ending I had to up that to five. The ending made the entire story worth it. It was like the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Which is why I'm going to be recommending this book to my family and friends and you guys too even if, like me, the plot doesn't sound all that special to you.

                                                                   

   My expression before starting                                                          After reading the book:

It was as if my birthday came early.

The Darkest Minds. I thought                                                           It was such an epically exiting (is
 I might like it but the plot sounded                                                 epically a word?) ending and I can't
 a bit used.                                                                                         wait for more!

 

 

5/5 Mugs of Piping Hot Chocolate

 

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 24 2012
Pages: 485
Genre:Dystopian/ Paranormal

 "In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and who--is worth dying for.

Julie Kagawa's previous series, The Iron Fey series, was a series I enjoyed. But it didn't blow me away- not like this book did. I think that not only did Julie Kagawa's writing improve since her first book but her ability to formulate a plot did too.

If the plot of this book brings to mind a typical vampire story, one that's been done 100 times before, throw that idea in the trash. This book was fully it's own. The vampire aspect of it was different from any other vampire story I've read before. It was set in a dystopian world where vampires have basically enslaved the population. Humans have no power and are forced to donate their blood. Allie's hate of vampires is overpowering. But she eventually finds that their is so much more to her world and maybe even vampires than it seems.

The Immortal Rules was divided into several parts and they're each so different from each other. Allie starts out living on the fringe of a vampire- inhabited city and lives a life filled with a hatred of vampires, all while struggling not to starve and protect her friends.  After becoming one of the dreaded vampires, Allie ends up on this epic yet dangerous journey with a bunch of humans. She begins to question everything she's ever known and worries that maybe she's her new friends biggest threat. Allie goes through so much in this story and judging by the cliffhanger, she is going to go through more.

I loved watching Allie's character develop throughout the story. From an early age Allie learned not to trust anyone and to harden her heart against love. But she starts to discover that sometimes that's not possible and maybe she doesn't want it to be.  She isn't afraid to be straight up with people and even kick some ass. She often leapt into battle without thinking, especially if it was in defense of a loved one. She's such a strong yet flawed character and I loved reading about her. Zeke appears to be innocent and trusting. He has a good heart and cares about anyone and everyone. He is just such a good guy and can't help but find the good in everyone. Seriously, he's one of the best guys I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. He was a realistic guy- vulnerable at times and perhaps slightly messed up from his past. But there was more to him than just a good guy. Because he hasn't lived years on the run from vampires for no reason. He's tough and would do anything for his make-shift family. Finally, there was Kanin, Allie's vampire mentor. He created her instead of letting her die so there was good in him. However, he has lived a long time and came to his conclusions a while ago about the location of humams on the totem pole. He had a dark side to him but it was kind of delicous. Also, at the same time, he's fair and did have a soft side to him. Kanin is a very intriguing and mysterious character and I would like to get to know him better.

Julie Kagawa's writing got so much more scrumptious in this book. It was like a cake. But not just any cake- it was a 3 layered milk chocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate cheesecake drizzled with fudge sauce and chocolate chips and layered withfudgy chocolate with cherries on top. The writing enchanted me and forced me to care for the story. The descriptions were beautiful and insured the world was well built. I feel like I only got to eat the first layer of the cake and am salivating for more. I hope Julie Kagawa hears that- I need more! More! More! More!

I would definitely reccomend this book to people who crave a novel to get lost in. It's a paranormal dystopian with vampires but the vampires were the opposite of cliche. But if you get this book know that you will be left desperately yearning for the next one. It was that good. Consider yourself warned.

Memorable Quotes

 

“The mighty hunter,” I quipped as we snuck out the backdoor, escaping into the yard. “He can take down vicious rabids and rampaging boars, but one old lady can make him flee in terror.” (Allie to Zeke)

 

“You are a monster.” Kanin’s deep voice droned in my head again, as I forced myself to move, to walk away. “You will always be a monster, there is no turning back from it. But what type of monster you become is entirely up to you.”  ( Kanin to Allie)

 

 

5/5 Mugs of Piping Hot Chocolate (Yummy times 5!)

Summer of The Mariposas by Guadalope McCall

Title: Summer of the Mariposas
Author: Guadalupe McCall
Publisher: Tu Books
Release Date: October 1, 2012
Pages: 355
Genre: Mexican- American Retelling of The Odyssey

"Fifteen-year-old Odilia and her younger sisters embark on a journey to return a dead man to his family in Mexico, and must outwit monsters and witches to make it back home again. "






The Summer of Mariposas is a Mexican-American Retelling of the Odyssey. It was about this insane quest that entailed returning the dead body of a middle-aged Mexican man to his family. This meant Odilia and her sisters had to cross the border to Mexica all while evading the police for running away and deling with mystical creatures. On top of that was the question on all the girls minds. Why did their dad leave them? And did they even want him back?

The Odyssey is such a good story, so when I heard there was a retelling of it for young adults I  jumped at the chance to read it. Boosting my excitement was that it was a Mexican- American
 retelling of the Odyssey. I loved all the culture that added to the story. It also didn't hurt that that
meant the setting took place in both America and Mexico.

Another thing that I felt added to the story was it's lack of romance. That might be suprising but the story didn't need it. The story had so much going for it and if a romantic relationship had been factored in it just would've affected it negatively. The relationships of the sisters and their mother was probably the most important part of the story.

The sisters thought of themselves as forever bonded. Their relationship was so deep. Their love for eachother meant everything. But things happened to cause that bond to falter and begin to break. The epic journey they went on helped to bring that sense of closeness back. It also helped them to recognize things about both their other and their father that they may have not wanted to recognize before. The journey ended up changing their lives as dramatically as it did for the hero in the Odyssey.

The writing style was very different to me. It was written so that Spanish words were thrown in here and there. They never confused me, they only drew me deeper into the story. However, if you might find that confusing ther's a glossary of Spanish words located conviently at the end of the book. Another thing I liked abou the story was the way it was narrated. It was never narrated too emotionaly but it was emotional enough to make certain that I cared about the characters and their quest.

There was one thing that bugged me about the story. It was divided into three parts and before each part it gave a summary of what happens. I fell for it every time so that I always knew what was going to happen. I just couldn't seem to stop myself from reading it. So if you want to read this book remember to skip over those parts.

The story definitely had a lot of action in it due to it's relations to the Odyssey. At the same time, it was also about about a journey which meant that it had many factors of a contemporary novel too. It consisted of drama, family ties, betrayals, mystical beings, and monsters (both human and paranormal). These characteristics made for a good read and I am on the look out for Guadalupe McCall's next books. Because of that I would recommend this story to fans of road trips, family relationships (not in the romantic way!), and, of course, the Odyssey.

4/5 mugs of pipimg hot chocolate

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Title: Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test 2)
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Pages: 297
Genre: Fantasy- Greek Mythology

 "Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry's first wife, Persephone."- Goodreads



The second book in the Goddess Test series bothered me. After a while, it became very tiresome to read. The characters acted like jerks and were constantly getting on my nerves. There was so much drama that was drawn out throughout the story. I also felt that certain parts of the story needed to be fleshed out more. However, the book did contain characteristics I liked. The plot was charmingly set. It was paced well and kept my interest. I loved the Greek Mythology, and I loved the setting.

The descriptions in the story kept me hanging. I was enchanted by the descriptions of the Underworld and loved learning more about it. The story flowed pretty well. There were a couple hiccups and I did think that some factors of the plot needed to be fleshed out a little more. I sometimes felt that the writing was moving too fast- it didn't leave enough time for details. Other than that, I enjoyed the writing. It kept me hooked.

I couldn't put the book down because I kept wondering what was coming next. The story starts off with Kate traveling to the Underworld after having spent six months in Greece with James. The story line skipped straight to the action and drama and never looked back. Because Immortality and the world may not be forever. The Titans are becoming a threat and it's up to Kate along with her friends and the other immortals to stop them. The story was a tornado- unpredictable and fast-paced.

It wasn't just the lack of communication between Henry and Kate that bothered me. Although I definitely did get sick of that. It was the character's behavior! Claiming you love someone only to act the exact opposite. It made no sense. There was no excuse for Henry to treat Kate like that! For goodness sake! Henry was being unreasonable and insufferable. And Kate! She put up with it. She practically begged Henry to love her, as if without his love she wasn't worthy.

James and Kate just spent six months together, which is why I wasn't surprised that they were closer. They were best friends. James was there for Kate, even if he did like annoying her. He could be a troublemaker but it only added some needed tension to the story. He cared about Kate and wanted to make sure that she made the right decision. Ava was pretty much the same as ever. She was light and often seemed carefree. Her personality was explained more because the storyline delved into her past. Cronus was the villain that was introduced. He was a Titan and evil but near the end of the story I began to discover that he had layers. Something about his character was off and I would like to see more of him and find out just what that is.  Finally, we got to meet Persephone. Persephone's side of the story was revealed and I found myself pitying her. She was hard to like at first but I eventually warmed up to her character.

The end of the story left off with a terrible cliffhanger that left me gasping. I desperately desire finding out what happens. I ended up enjoying the book because of it's plot and setting but at the same time I can't get past how frustrating the story could get. Don't get me wrong I'll definitely be reading the next book. I just hope it leaves behind some of it's flaws.

Memorable Quotes

 

“You can say you love me all you want, but if you only ever act like the opposite's true, then I can't trust your words anymore.”  

 

“Being with Henry doesn't mean you have to give up who you are. Henry doesn't define you.”  

 

"Because there is no power in the world that can take away the pain until it is ready to leave." said Theo”  

"I'm not leaving you for him. I'm not leaving you for anybody, and I never would have gone looking for something better. You are my something better, and I wish- I wish I was yours, too."

 

Rating: 3/5 Mugs of Piping Hot Chocolate

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: May 1, 2012
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pages: 525
Genre: Dystopian

 One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

"New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian "Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Oh. My. Gosh! I picked up Insurgent about a year and a half after reading Divergent. I'd heard great things about this book. Seriously good things. So I put it on hold at the library but it took months before I could check it out. I think, no I know that if this series had came out at the same time as the Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins would've had some intense competition. It was that good.

To start off, the plot was so much more complex and action-driven than I thought it could possibly be. Tris and her side- kick/ boyfriend Tobias had a lot to deal with. They ended up traveling through several factions. Human nature was revealed to be more sophisticated than they thought and nothing was as it seemed. Choices were constantly being made that changed everything. This time, however, not only did trouble follow Tris but she asked for it. Begged for it even. She was done trying to save herself. She wanted to help other people, even at the cost of her life. I'm not complaining about this. The action and intense moments were spell-bounding and encrypting. I was always surprised at what was happening and always excited about it. None of the storyline was cliché or predictable.

There were secrets. Secrets that made me tremble and my blood pulse. So many things were happening and going on that I was constantly on the edge of my seat. I felt as if at any moment the world would cease to exist and I would fall into the pages of Insurgent. Because when I was reading it, it was the only thing that was real to me. Nothing else mattered. Besides the secrets there were betrayals that shook my world. It seemed as if everyone had a goal in mind. As if everyone had their own motivation for doing everything they did and if your motivations didn't correspond with their own, you might as well be dead.

That's one of the many things I liked about Insurgent. The people, even the minor characters, were never one-dimensional. They weren't just thrown into the story for no reason. Even the villain could be understood, almost, and even pitied.

Tris not only witnessed the death of one of her best friends, she was the cause of it. And it haunted her. It was constantly haunting her. That kind of guilt doesn't go away immediately and Tris made some suicidal decisions because of it. At the same time, she was learning stuff about herself. Like what it means to be brave and truly selfless. What it means to believe in something. Because even when Tris was on the ground and stomped on, she never truly gave up. Not only was she a survivor but she was a fighter too. When she was put into a chaotic life-and-death situation, she pulled through despite her issues.

Tobias had his own issues to deal with. But he didn't let that stop him from caring about Tris. He was always there to catch her when she fell and it was evident that he would do anything for her. However, his relationship with Tris was pushed to the background throughout the story. There was too much going on. That doesn't mean they ever forgot about each other. All their goals, whatever they were doing was dropped in the space of a heartbeat whenever one of them was in danger. Because they were in it together. For better or for worse.

And the writing. Oh gosh, the writing! It was written in such a manner that I was always left wanting more. I became attached to all of the characters and their complexities. The descriptions were spot on and, like I said before, I often felt as if I was inside the story. The way Veronica Roth set up some of her sentences, it was as if she had written them so they could relate to anyone's life. Her sentences fit together perfectly, like poetry. I'm in love with her writing. I want to devour it.

If you're a fan of the Hunger Games, not only is this book asking for you, it's screaming for you. The dystopian setting was well-developed. There was constant action, intrigue, drama, romance, secrets... Must I go on? I for one, can not way to tear into the next book.

Memorable Quotes

 

“I read somewhere, one, that crying defies scientific explanation. Tears are only meant to lubricate the eyes. There is no real reason for tear glands to overproduce tears at the behest of emotion.
I think we cry to release the animal parts of us without losing our humanity. Because inside of me is a beast that snarls, and growls, and strains toward freedom, toward Tobias, and, above all, towards life. And as hard as I try, I cannot kill it.”  

 

“We're all right, you know,' he says quietly. 'You and me. Okay?' My chest aches, and I nod. 'Nothing else is all right.' His whisper tickles my cheek. 'But we are.”  

 

“People, I have discovered, are layers and layers of secrets. You believe you know them, that you understand them, but their motives are always hidden from you, buried in their own hearts. You will never know them, but sometimes you decide to trust them.”  

 

Entice by Jessica Shirvington

Title: Entice
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: September 12, 2012
My Rating: 4 stars
Pages: 438
Genre: Paranormal- angels

Violet Eden is Grigori - part angel, part human. Her destiny is to protect humans from the vengence of exiled angels.
Knowing who to trust is key but, when Grigori reinforcements arrive, it becomes clear everyone is hiding something. Even Lincoln. The only thing Violet does know: Phoenix's hold over her is more dangerous than ever.
The race to find the one thing that could tilt the balance of power brings them all to the sacred mountains of Jordan, where Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme. And the ultimate betrayal exposed.

Enticed is the second compelling book in The Violet Eden Chapters.

Warning: This is a review of the 2nd book in the series. It may contain small spoilers of the first book.

I wasn't too impressed with Entice, the first book in this series. I felt that the writing fell short and the plot was cliché. TI picked this book up for a couple reasons. One is that I have a hard time quitting on a series. It takes a lot to make me not finish a series. The other reason is that I was bored and looking for some simple entertainment. This book delivered on the entertainment part but it was far from simple. I felt that the story became more unique and developed in this book. This book changed my opinion of the series quite a bit.

The writing, to me, seemed very good. I did find it to be too simple a few times. I don't think I would've noticed that if it hadn't bothered me in the first book. It wasn't too bad in this book. Besides that I really enjoyed the writing. It flowed, gave me an insight on the characters/ setting, and was an overall success.

After everything that happened, Violet's life is finally beginning to settle. As much as it can for a human who's part angel anyway. She is getting used to her angelic status and even meeting people her age in the same situation as her. They're having fun together all while saving the world. Their fun is interrupted when Phoenix shows up. He needs something and needs Violet and her friends help to get it. To add to the drama, Lincoln is in cahoots with Magda doing something secret. Something that may be endangering his life.

The story was fast-paced and filled to the brim with action. I was never bored. At all. The only problem with the plot was that there almost seemed to be too much going on. Moments that should've been important weren't a bi deal. The cliffhanger at the end of the story didn't shock me too much because there was a couple cliffhangers (big moments) throughout the story. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, it's hard for a story to have too much action.

Violet is a strong person. She went through a lot with her mom's death, dad's distant attitude, and betrayal of a major person in her life: Phoenix. But she became a stronger person because of it. She wasn't afraid to jump into battle or put her life at stake for others. Phoenix's presence (literally) wasn't very strong. He only showed up in the book a few brief times and appeared evil for most of it. He never really got to tell his side of the story. Hopefully he will in the next book. There was a lot more Lincoln in this book. You get to know him better despite his secret. I ended up realizing what a good person he was. I just wish he would stop being so stubborn about his relationship with Violet. Then there was Violet's best friend. Steph is a very likeable character because she was supportive of Violet but not annoying about it. Finally, there was the new Grigori in town: Zoe, Salvatore, and Spence. I really liked Spence. He became close with Violet and was a good friend.  He was a bit of a troublemaker, but that only made the story better.

Besides the action there was also quite a bit of drama. With three new Grigori in town it was bound to happen. Added to that is the reappearance of an old (and evil) character. Lincoln and Violet are still trying to work through the risks of their relationship while dealing with secrets and the jealousy of other people. There was a ton of stuff happening. I loved it.

In conclusion I found Enticed to be a very enticing book (yes, I went there). The plot was just so amazing. I really want to see more of Violet and finds out what happens next. With any luck there will be more of Phoenix in the next book so I can find out what's going on there. Seriously people I need the next book. Anyway, I would recommend this book to fans of paranormal/ action-packed stories or angel stories. This book is begging to be read.

 Add On Goodreads

 

Flirting in Italian

Title: Flirting in Italian
Author: Lauren Henderson
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Release Date: June 12, 2012
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Pages: 336

Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!





Sick of her clingy mother, Violet decides to do something she's never done before. She signs up for a stay at a house for foreign teen girls to immerse herself in Italian culture. She has an ulterior motive besides escaping the nest and becoming her own person, though. She's just made a shocking revelation that's left her shaken to the core. She has a startling resemblence to an Italian princess who lived hundreds of years ago. And she's going to figure out just why that is.

Lauren Henderson's previous works include a young adult mystery series, an adult series, and a romance handbook. She's more than a little experienced im the writing field. Her writing was well done. She had just enough descriptions to get her point across. I would've appreciated a little more descriptions or of both the scenery and the food but I do recognize that this is a novel and not a travel guide.

I'll admit a cringed after reading the title. I'm not a big fan of corny titles. However, I know by now not to udge a book by it's cover and I decided to give it a chance. I don't regret doing that at all. Flirting in Italian is just so much more than "flirting in Italian" (although it did include that). The plot was thankfully unpredictable. I had no idea what was going to happen next. That's a good thing especially in a mystery novel. The plot moved pretty fast but it was slow in some parts. I feel it could've developed a little more. A lot of things happened that were irrelevant to the mystery. That's not a bad thing I just wish Violet would've done more to discover why she was a look alike of a princess. I'll give the plot this: it was unique in many ways.

Violet was basically your average girl. She acted confident but felt insecure at times. She loved her mom but wanted some alone time. She made mistakes but, in the end, was a good person. I liked her character well enough. I was glad she wasn't perfect. She did have issues getting along with some of the other foreign girls but eventually sorted them out. The other girls were a bit stereotypical. They were all just very different. I ended up liking this because it made the book more fun to read. The girls often got themselves into trouble and I loved reading as the scenarios played out. They had some hilarious discussions. One thing I do wish is that I got to know some of the characters a little better. After all, I doubt Luca is just a teenage player. He must have feelings and opinions. I would like to know what they are.

Which is one of the reasons why I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. I want to see where the mystery takes Violet and learn more about Luca. I also want to continue reading about the adventures Violet and her friends get themselves into. This book is perfect for fans of Anna and the French Kiss. It's a bit like that only in Italy. It's also for fans of mysteries, contemporaries, and summer stories. Give it a chance, even if you're like me and cringe at the title or like other people who run towards the title.

 

Nobody But Us Review & Giveaway!

Title: Kristin Halbrook
Author: Nobody But Us
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: January 29, 2013
My Rating: 5 stars
Pages: 272

Bonnie and Clyde meets IF I STAY in this addictively heart-wrenching story of two desperate teenagers on the run from their pasts.

They’re young. They’re in love. They’re on the run.

Zoe wants to save Will as much as Will wants to save Zoe. When Will turns eighteen, they decide to run away together. But they never expected their escape to be so fraught with danger....

When the whole world is after you, sometimes it seems like you can’t run fast enough.

Nobody But Us, told in alternating perspectives from Will and Zoe, is an unflinching novel, in turns heartbreaking and hopeful, about survival, choices, and love...and how having love doesn’t always mean that you get a happy ending. Described as “beautiful, heartbreaking, and exhilarating” by Kody Keplinger, author of The DUFF, Nobody But Us will prove irresistible to fans of Nina Lacour, Jenny Han, and Sara Zarr.

To start off, I need to say a couple things. I fell In love with the plot synopsis last year so I was very excited when I won a giveaway and received a copy from Goodreads. I am very thankful for this but it does not affect my review in any way. I began to see reviews popping up from people I trust and a few of them weren't so good. However, I decided to push these reviews aside and just read it for myself. I am so glad I did.

Kristin Halbrook is an amazing author. I loved her writing for several reasons. It was written in such a way that I fell in love with the characters and the story. Her descriptions were spot on and encompassed the entire road trip perfectly. The story flowed and was never choppy. Finally, her writing carried bits of her with it. It was unique and had it's own style.

What I liked most about the story was the characters. This might seem crazy because they were so very, very flawed. But they were real. They were real people with real problems. They had both been through a lot and they didn't walk away from it unscarred. Despite this, they both wanted to fix each other. They were trying to get better and to find a better life for themselves.

Zoe was only 15 but she knew when it was time to run away. When things were too tough for her. The things she faced made her vulnerable. Weak, even. However, she was working through her problems and becoming stronger. In time she was able to make the toughest decision of all. Will, on the other hand, showed his fear by fighting. He had grown up in foster homes, not all of them good, which made him tough. He fought all the time until he was given a reason to stop fighting and get his life back together. That reason was Zoe. He was willing to do anything for her, no matter what the cost.

But they were still in the real world. And the real world can be a scary place. Trouble seemed to follow them. Eventually the only thing left, the only pure thing in their lives was their love for each other. Their love was so whole, so complete that it outshined everything. It caused them to make some decisions they wouldn't have otherwise made. Although I didn't completely agree with these decisions, I understood them and found myself wondering if I would do the same.

In the end, it was a must for me to give this book five stars. Everything that happened in the story was realistic and good yet bad. It was unlike anything I ever read. I don't think I'll ever forget the story of Zoe and Will. I would recommend this book to fans of ya contemporaries. I don't want to give anything away about it. You'll just have to read it for yourself.

Memorable Quotes (Taken from Goodreads Because I Read An ARC)

 

• “Before I knew escape, life was something to be endured, passively. Now I hunger for it.”  
• “He wanted to keep things in, and all I wanted to do was get out.” 

 
After reading this book, I knew I had to giveaway a copy, which is why I'm hosting a giveaway here. Unfortunately, to save money, I am giving away an ARC of Nobody But Us in the United States only.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fb7c091/

 

Storm

Title: Storm

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Kensington

Release Date: April 24, 2012

My Rating: 4 stars

Pages:  353 pages

 

Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys all the ones she doesn't want. Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They're powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

 

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

 

Secrets are hard to keep when your life's at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who's hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

 

The storm is coming.

 

 

This is the first full length novel by Brigid Kemmerer. Brigid's writing was pretty darn good. There were a couple times where I thought sentences should be rephrased in order to flow better. However, it didn't affect the story too much. Other than that I liked the writing.

 

The plot was what really made the book. It was fantastic. It was always moving and always developing. Seriously, I read this book in one sitting. It's the type of book that keeps you up for hours despite that math final in the morning. I mean, after reading the synopsis I thought it sounded a bit cliché. After all, I've read quite a few books about Elementals. I thought it's been done. That was definitely not the case. This book is something new, something that's never been done before.

 

Becca was another reason why I thought this book was fantastic. She was kick-ass but made relatable for several reasons. She had been hurt big-time and didn't know what to do about it. She dealt with social pressures. Also, it was shown how she was afraid in her kick-ass moments yet she persevered. When Becca inadvertently gets involved with the Merrick brothers, her life changes drastically. Because these brothers aren't what they seem. Sure they're a tight- knit family that jokes around and plays sports. But they have a secret to protect. And Becca just found it out.

 

The youngest Merrick brother Chris was definitely a character. He was tough yet kind. Sensitive yet jealous. He was complicated and it showed. He was forced to grow up too fast along with his brothers. His loneliness showed, which is probably why he cared more for her than his secret.

 

I've raved about this story for quite some time now. Unfortunately, there was a reason this book lost one star. I felt that, although the plot rocked, there were some minute details that could've been explained a bit better. Also, there was a love triangle. Surprisingly enough it wasn't cliché and the other guy just might have a chance (I refuse to spoil anything). Then one of the guys does something completely out of character. It made no sense to me.

 

Even though there was a couple things that bugged me, I loved this book. It kept me up late and I know need to get the next book in the series. Asap. I would recommend it to older teens, fans of paranormal books, and fast-moving plots. Just remember not to read it if you have a math test the next day. And don't start reading it at night.

 

Memorable Quotes

 

• “Casper, she said someone has to hold your leash.”
  The dog barked.
  Then he dipped his head, picked up the end of the leash in his mouth, and trotted after his master.”
• “I shouldn’t have hit him.” She flexed her fingers. “My hand still hurts.”
  Chris smiled. “Oh, no, I loved that part.”  
• “You're probably thinking I owe you my life."[Chris]
  "No." she [Becca] snapped.
  "Just sixty bucks."
  "You charge for the hero act?" [Chris]”  

 

Burn for Burn

 

Title: Burn For Burn
Author: Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: September 18, 2012
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 368 pages

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...
THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.


I love Jenny Han's Summer Trilogy, which is why Burn for Burn was on my must read list.  As soon as I read the premise of the story, I knew I needed it. I'm so glad I read it. the writing was complex yet simple, descriptive, it flowed... Over all, the writing rocked!

I think a lot of what happened in Burn for Burn was expected. Not the minute details of the plot but the general ideas of revenge and the affect it had on both the avengers and the "villains". However, I enjoyed the story a lot and despite my predictions, I was pleasantly surprised multiple times throughout the story. Because this is a book unlike one I've ever read.

There were three girls who were wronged and therefore three main characters of this story. I was horrified at what had happened to these girls, especially Mary. Mary dealt with so much and I was glad she was able to function at the level she was. She was a sweet girl who just needed a friend. She found those friends in Kat and Lillia, who had one goal in common: revenge. Lillia had everything. She was popular, had an amazing family, and was rich. Some of the people in her life, though, aren't as nice as they seem. And when one of them goes after her little sister, she knows what she has to do. Kat went through almost as much as Mary. She was poor and a loved one died a few years back. Right after that devastation her best friend dropped her like a rock. Now that she's back on her feet, she can't let it go. It's time for her ex-best friend to pay.

Near the end of the story, something... odd happened to make me wonder if this book is really just a contemporary read. Thankfully, this is the first book in a series. I'm also glad of this because several things really need to be resolved. For instance, something major happened to Lillia and she's kept it a secret ever since.

I have to admit I was a little confused at the beginning of the story. I felt that the girls voices could've been a bit more defined. Their voices blurred into each other a bit and I found myself forgetting whose pov was who's. But, this only happened at the beginning of the story. 40 pages in or so, I got over this.  I was also a little disappointed with the ending. Don't get me wrong- it was a good ending. Great, even. But I feel like it had the potential to be even better.

In the end, Burn for Burn was definitely a thrillingly good start to a trilogy. It was very different from Jenny Han's cute summer series but it definitely had it's perks. I'll certainly be reading the next book once it comes out. Fans of contemporaries with a touch of something paranormal will love this book. Also, if you've been a victim or like reading about victims avenging themselves go ahead and check out this book.

Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

Title: Take a Bow
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Publisher:  Point
Release Date: April 1, 2012
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Pages: 278


From the fantastic author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & Prejudice comes a story of all the drama and comedy of four friends who grow into themselves at a performing arts high school.

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

I had Take a Bow for two weeks before I started reading it. It just seemed like so much drama. And it was. But to my surprise it was a good story. One that I tiptoed into like cold water  before it became a whirlpool that pulled me in.

When I found out it was written in four povs, I was a little unsure of how that was going to come across. I've read books before with several povs where the characters start to blend into each other and take on the same personalities. I have a hard time differing between characters like this. That was so not the case. The characters were each unique and had their own voices.

The writing was fantastic. It was written in such a way that I really felt for each of the characters and their passions. I wanted them all to succeed, which wasn't always possible. Everything was described well and I had no problems understanding the story. I loved the descriptions of the band and the high school. The high school especially because it was an elite academy of privileged yet talented students.

Each character had their own subplot, but their was one main plot. This was for them to find themselves and their passion. There was drama that thoroughly entertained me throughout the story and left me hanging. My only complaint was that some of the story could get predictable.

I felt the story had another thing missing. It was missing that "wow" factor. The thing that makes you gasp with emotion. However, it was a good story. I would recommend it to fans of contemporary novels and to people who think they can't succeed at their passion. This book shows that, even if it's hard, reaching for your dreams is a good thing that leads to possibilities of success and, most importantly, happiness.

Memorable Quotes

 

• “I don't want to ruin our friendship and what we have but I cannot for another minute stand in front of you without you knowing exactly how I feel. Because I can't see past you. You are everything to me.”  
• “We’ve been focusing so much on getting there that we haven’t been enjoying the ride”  
• “I look at the hundreds of algebra problems facing me in the next three days.
  And here I thought I’d figured out the equation to my happiness.”   



Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Title: Alice in Zombieland
Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Release Date: September 25, 2012
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Pages: 404

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.


Alice in Zombieland is the first book in the White Rabbit Chronicles by Gena Showalter. I'd never read anything by Gena Showalter before, but I'd heard great things about her writing. I started reading this book with great expectations for her novel and I soon found out that my expectations were met.

The tone of the writing was often sad. Ali's family just died and that's not something she can get over anytime soon. Which is completely understandable. However, the story was surprisingly lightened up with sarcastic remarks and humorous jokes, proving that life goes on. Eventually, grief became the last thing on anyone's mind.

That's not to say the entire story was about grief. Ali eventually didn't have enough time to mourn. Because zombies are real and they're after her. It's time for vengeance. This is about when the book speeds up and becomes that much more interesting. The author obviously wasn't afraid to kill people which set the stakes even higher. Another factor that upped the danger was that only a select few people can see the zombies. Only a select few can fight them. The plot grabbed me from the first page and didn't let me go until the end.

To me, Ali was a good person and I liked her from the start. She cared so much for her family and would do anything for them. Their death made her tougher and more wary of starting relationships yet when she loved someone, she never let them go. Her best friend Kat was vulnerable. To hide this she acted tough and often made me laugh with her nonsense. She has a secret, causing her to keep certain people at an arms length. I had a hard time liking Cole at first. He was rude to Ali and I was afraid of insta-love. However, they didn't jump right into a relationship and became friends first. As I got to know Cole I realized he'd been through a lot and, in the end, was a good guy.

Another character I need to mention is Ali's sister. She plays a special role in the story and always holds a place in her heart for Ali. Then there's Ali's dad who loves her despite it all. Finally, there was Ali's grandparents. They were a bit distant at first and didn't understand Ali at all. However, they were really trying. They cared for Ali and eventually got this through to her.

To look at the title, you'd think this would be a retelling of Alice in Wonderland. With zombies. But it's so much more than that. Although it has a couple things in common with Alice in Wonderland it has it's own unique plot and setting. It took place in modern day US and a portion of it was about high school.

Basically, this was a great start to an addictive series. I'm now desperate to devour the next book. So, if you like original stories with a touch of story retelling this is the book for you. This is also a good book for fans of zombies, kick-ass heroines, and paranormal reads.

Memorable Quotes

 

• “He’s body slammed enough people to start a new country. And there could be a neighbouring city for the people he’s punched in the throat”  
• “I looked around, counting the competition. Sixteen. To win, all I had to do was incapacitate each one, place my hand over their hearts and turn my palm into a flame. Easy.
  Yeah right.”  
• “Of course.” She fluffed her hair. “I don’t want to brag, but I’m very high
  maintenance.”
  “Uh, I think low maintenance is what’s desirable.”
  “Low maintenance is what’s forgettable. You might want to write that down, underline it, circle it and put a star by it. It’s golden.” With barely a breath, she added, “Now let’s find out if we’re compatible, shall we?”