A Reader in Time

Monday, November 19, 2012

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Book: Spark (Elemental #2)
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
# of Pages: 345 (Paperback)
Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads Summary
Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.

Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

The fuse is lit…

My Thoughts:
Holy awesomeness, this book was amazing!!

Being able to control fire isn't exactly easy for Gabriel Merrick. He is addicted to it and can't stay away from it. Unfortunately for him, there is an arsonist in town and his brothers suspect he may have something to do with it. Unable to turn to his brothers with his problems in math, Gabriel finds himself seeking help from Layne, a sophomore in his math class. She tries to blend in, but ends up being bullied by the other girls in class. He works hard to hide his secret from Layne, but at the same time, she has secrets of her own.

Gabriel has a short temper and has a habit of ending up in fights. Layne is quiet and smart and stronger than she realizes. Though they are different, I could not help but root for them to get together.

Spark is full of humor, action, and romance. I really enjoyed it, and can't wait for the next book in the series!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Stacking theShelves #8

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where you share what books you obtained over the week.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld with Keith Thompson

Goodreads

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld with Keith Thompson

Goodreads

Goliath by Scott Westerfeld with Keith Thompson

Goodreads

False Memory by Dan Krokos

Goodreads

For My Nook

Roar and Liv (Under the Never Sky 0.5) by Veronica Rossi

Goodreads

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Goodreads

Friday, November 9, 2012

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Book: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
# of Pages: 476 (Paperback)
Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Summary
Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.(

My Thoughts:
Tessa Gray travels from New York to England so that she can live with her brother, Nate. Upon arriving, she is kidnapped by the Dark Sisters who reveal to her that she is not who she thought she was and that she has a unique ability to change into other people. After escaping the horrors of the Dark Sisters, Tessa goes to stay with the Shadowhunters at the London Institute. With her brother missing and the man known as the Magister after her, Tessa struggles to find out what she is while trying to acclimate to the supernatural world that she has fallen into.

I thought Tessa was a a strong protagonist. She is brave and smart. As for the Shadowhunters, Will is sarcastic and witty. But, as funny as he was, I found that I did not like him that much. Jem is kind and intelligent and extremely likable. Though they appear to be completely opposite, they have one thing in common. They are both harboring big secrets.

Charlotte runs the Institute, and although she is underestimated by her peers, she is a very clever and determined woman. Her husband, Henry, is obsessed with his inventions. He is a little eccentric, but overall he is a very amusing character.

I loved how Clockwork Angel was set in Victorian England and I do like Clare's writing style. I just thought there were points where there was too much description. I also would like to have seen more action.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

November TBR List

~~Eve and Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate~~

Feedback by Robison Wells

Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

What are you planning to read this month?

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Book: The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3)
Author: Kimberly Derting
# of Pages: 358 (Hardcover)
Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads Summary
In the end, all that’s left is an echo.

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice.

When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....(l

My Thoughts:
Violet has joined a group of teens who all have special abilities. They work together trying to find the those who have been killed. I thought the murderer in this book was so twisted. And the ending left me with my mouth hanging open.

I am so glad that we got to learn more about Rafe and his ability and history. He really is an intriguing character. I do think that Violet and Jay belong together, but I just hope that Rafe ends up just as happy as they are.

Overall, The Last Echo was a riveting and enjoyable read.