Mysterious Saturday Review: Buried

Thorn has three secrets.

Thorn is not her real name - not that she's ever tell her new BFF Rune.

Thorn loves to create music.  She's constantly strumming on her guitar, tinkering until the sound feels right but she doesn't write lyrics to her songs. Not that she'd ever tell her secret to Amerie who wants Thorn to sign up for the Singing Star competition she's helping to coordinate. Thorn scoffs at the idea of auditioning.

Thorn's a finder. She can touch an object and receive a vision from it. Just like when she touch a locket in the gym while meeting Amerie after auditions take place. Right away the necklace calls to her. Eventually she opens the locket and discovers a lock of hair. Just like that she know the hair came from a person who's now dead.


She uncovers the grave of a small child. While the police don't suspect her of murder (As she recently moved to town) they do suspect her of knowing more that she shares. Thorn believes her mission is to uncover the truth behind the baby's death - even if she has to join Singing Star competition to get answers.


My Thoughts: I loved this spin-off series (and I'm REALLY hoping this is the start of a new series).  I love Thorn and her psychometry abilities. I like Thorn for her sense of self and her determination not to change and succumb to peer pressure.   I really liked the conversations with Manny and Sabine from the Seer series.  I loved the Grin Reaper - the idea behind him and the potential romance. I really liked K.C. I loved Cotton Candy Cowgirls and how Thorn must join their band. I love their completely different take on life, but also how they come together. A great mystery full of pranks, music, friendship, and staying true to yourself.


Cover Thoughts: I like it - I like all the clues in the cover, which I only saw after I read the book.


Source: My library


Fun Fact: This book is dedicated to several librarians and teachers, including myself! What a fabulous surprise! I've never met Linda, but I adore her books!

Fun Fact #2: Buried is a spin-off series from The Seer series - which starts with Don't Die Dragonfly.

Review: Take A Bow

Emme loves to write music, but she doesn't sing her songs. Her best friend has a magical voice. She writes her songs for Sophie. Together they're entering a performing arts school. They both are accepted but they both have different goals for their future.

Emme meets three boys on the first day of school. Together they form a band. Sophie has a checklist that will help her achieve her goal of becoming a broadway star.

Flash forward three years to their senior year.  Things are different. Their friendship has weakened. Emme loves her band. She divides her time between Sophie and the guys.  Sophie's competing with girls for the leads in the dramatic arts and has a hot boyfriend, who's a former Hollywood child star.

During their senior year, they will have to compete for the senior showcase, which will determine their future. Will their friendship survive the competition?


My Thoughts: I'm a HUGE fan of Elizabeth Eulberg's books. I was super happy when I heard about her latest book. I devoured it. I LOVED it!  I loved how it started Freshman year and then jumped ahead three years. I enjoyed reading from everyone's perspective.


I really loved Emme. Her perspective was my favorite. I loved the band and how the three guys interacted with Emme. I enjoyed her story from the shadows into the light.  She did tend to see the best in people, which was sweet, but not always smart.


My second favorite character was Carter. I love his realization and how he handled it. I really liked his mom and her understanding. 


While I think sometimes the problems were obvious to the reader, I liked that it took a while for the characters to see different issues.


 I loved the competition (hated the backstabbing). I would not survive in this school. I loved the friendships, the loyalty, and the romance. It was perfect.


Cover Thoughts: Perfect


Source: My Library

Review: Cross my Heart

Laura's spent the last few years in the convent, but she's told that she will be leaving the convent and no longer continuing her life there.

Her sister has drowned. Her father expects her to take her sister's place in an arranged marriage. Laura has no time to grieve for her sister. She's immediately thrust into society with an impatient father who wants to better the family name.

Laura can't imagine marrying Vincenzo. He repulses her. There might be one way to avoid marriage - join the Segreta. The Segreta is a secret society of women, who help each other. The help comes with a price.

The price of her freedom comes with the knowledge that her sister's death might not be an accident. Could the very people who saved her be responsible?

My Thoughts: I really liked this one. I'm a huge fan of the Renaissance and of Italy. I loved the descriptions of Venice, especially the water scenes.  I love the idea of a secret women's society the changes the outcome of the city in both politics and marriage. I liked the secrets, the parties, and the romance.


Cover Thoughts: It's ok but I liked the original cover better.

Source: My Library


Challenge: YA Historical Challenge 2012

What's On My Holds List (7)

 

My Librarian friend Jess from I Read to Relax came up with a great idea.  It's to highlight the books on hold at the library. I usually have 20-40 items checked out at the library and another 20 items on hold.

 

 

Mr Darcy Forever: I really enjoyed Dreaming of Mr Darcy. This new book takes place during  the Jane Austen festival in Bath. One day I hope to attend this festival. Until then, I'm happy to read about it.

 Brownies and Broomsticks: The first in a new series that looks delicious. I can't wait to devour this one up!

 

 

Medusa the Mean: I'm a huge fan of the Goddess Girls series. Here's #8.

 

 

Stowaway Solution: I'm loving this action packed series. I had to inter-library loan #4. I'm hoping this one comes really soon!

 

Tween Tuesday Review: The Fugitive Factor

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun! 

* 2nd in series - Check out my review of the first book Chasing the Falconers *

Aiden and Meg escape the summer house in Vermont with a photograph of Frank Lindenauer. This photo is the only clue to proving their parents' innocence.

Armed with only the photo, they go back to the motel where they stayed with "Uncle" Frank and "Aunt" Jane. With a little finagling, Aiden manages a glimpse at the motel records. He comes up empty on Frank, but there's an address from all those years ago for Jane.

The address for Jane is in Boston. Can the siblings outwit the police, the FBI, and Hairless Joe to find out if the address is still current?


My Thoughts: Great second book! The action and danger doesn't let up for a minute. I love the siblings strength, determination, and loyalty. This is a great series for any tween who loves action driven plot. It's hard to stop turning the pages!


Cover Thoughts: Interesting....


Source: My Library.


Fun Fact: Kim the Children's Librarian and I have been using the first book in our book clubs at the local elementary schools. All the 4th and 5th graders love Chasing the Falconers and they all want to read the entire series!

Review: Grave Mercy

Ismae was born with a scar on her body and a father who couldn't stand her. He attempts to marry her away to the highest bidder. Just when Ismae believes her life to be over, help comes creating a new path for her.

Her scar is a mark that the god of Death claims her. She's brought to a covenant where she learns that she's an instrument of Death.They will train her to become an assassin.

Her training begins as soon as she's recovered from her ordeal. She learns she has a way with poisons. She takes classes and works to help create poisons and antidotes. Years pass.

Finally she's given her first assignment and then her second. The same man turns up at both places. Just as the Reverend Mother orders her to watch him, Duval bursts into the covenant looking for answers.

It's decided that Ismae will pose as this man's cousin in an attempt to uncover the issues at court. Someone wants the young ruler dead. Duval only wants to protect his half sister and he can't obtain information of trason if Ismae's killing the men responsible without interrogating them first.

Ismae's reluctant to go to court, but as a handmaiden of death, she has no choice. It's not long before she's away of double crossings, traitors, and evil happening right before her eyes. It's harder to uncover the mastermind behind the evil. She begins to hope it's not Duval as the Reverend Mother suspects. She doesn't want to have to kill the man she's grown to finally admire.

My Thoughts: This book blew me away! I couldn't put it down and I didn't want to do anything except read it until it was finished. I love the whole idea of this book. I loved Ismae's time at the covenant. I loved her first assignment and her second. I loved her time at court where she couldn't trust anyone. I loved her verbal wars with Duval.  I loved her moments with the Duchess and her sister. A magnificent YA debut!


Cover Thoughts: Brilliant.


Source: The Publisher - THANK YOU!


Similar Read: Poison Study


Up Next: Spring 2013 His Fair Assassin, Dark Triumph


Challenge: YA Historical 2012

If You Like Stories About Pranks and Hazing

If You Like… is a feature highlighting blogger recommendations for books, authors, TV shows, movies, and music based on the things you already know and love. This week’s post includes recommendations for stories about pranks and hazing.

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If you like stories about pranks and hazing, you might like…