Book Review: Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy Book 1) by Kiersten White

Title: Paranormalcy
Author: Kiersten White
Series: Paranormalcy #1
Pages: 335
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal. 

I have wanted to read Paranormalcy for a while. The book first came out in 2010, and I think I've wanted to get my hands on it ever since. Well, I finally did!

White creates a pretty impressive underground world that involves trolls, faeries, werewolves, vampires, and so much more! It reminds me of the military that got involved in supernatural affairs on Buffy, except with less kevlar and more sass. I don't mean just a little sass either, but instead a whole lot of sass.

The main character, Evie, is a sixteen year old operative in a paranormal agency. With a little help from her pink sparkly tazer she is able to bag and tag all things supernatural. She is absolutely one of my favorite characters! She is full of curiosity, spunk, and of course sassiness. Oh, and she absolutely loves the color pink, so naturally she is pretty amazing!

In addition to the awesome character White created, I also love the world that she created. I loved the idea of a secret agency battling the things that go bump in the night! However, don't think that this book is all work and no play though, because there is some romance involved. The way it all unfolds is super sweet and the flirty dialogue is fantastic!

I am so glad that I finally picked up Paranormalcy, and I highly suggest it for people who love shows like Buffy or even Marvel: Agents of Shield and Men in Black. Seriously, it is that good!

"Tasers are a one-size-fits-all paranormal butt-kicking option. Mine's pink with rhinestones."

Book Review: Endlessly (Paranormalcy Book 3) by Kiersten White

Title: Endlessly
Author: Kiersten White
Series: Paranormalcy #3
Pages: 385
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Kiersten White’s New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy comes to a breathless conclusion with a signature mix of wit, romance, paranormal creatures, and a truly original heroine.

In Endlessly, pink-loving, butt-kicking Evie has way too much on her to-do list. Paranormals are begging her to open a faerie gate so they can leave the human world, something Evie’s not sure she has the power to do. The Dark Queen is torturing humans and must be destroyed.

On top of all that, Evie’s prom is coming up. She’s not sure what to wear, and, oh, yeah, her shape-shifting boyfriend, Lend, has been cursed so that he falls into an enchanted sleep whenever he and Evie are in the same room…and even Evie’s ex-boyfriend, the faerie Reth, can’t reverse the dark magic.

An epic battle is looming, and the choices Evie makes will determine the fate of whole paranormal world—and her own life.

In Supernaturally Evie discovered just how embedded she was in the affairs of the paranormal. Nothing has changed. In Endlessly, Evie is faced with one problem right after another, and sometimes even multiple problems at once. Can't a girl catch a break?

I enjoyed this novel, however, for me it didn't quite live up to its predecessor. Don't get me wrong though, it is a great one, but just not my favorite. I think Evie was reading my mind throughout the story. She kept whining about "why me" and "what now?" I assure you that I'm not exaggerating about the whole one problem right after another situation. As soon as you think that nothing else can go wrong, be assured that it will.

Despite the treacherous bumpy road that Evie was forced to walk, things did get better. Raquel even had this great quote about how great things can emerge from chaos. This was certainly true for Evie, and I couldn't have said it better myself.

Ms. White did a fantastic job on this series! I still can't believe that it took me this long to read all three! This was a great Buffy-esque series. It was full of romance, forgiveness, growth, and as always some butt-kicking action!

"I don't see what good it's going to do for you to waltz back in there and-" 
"Can I tango back in there, instead? So much sexier than the waltz."

"I'm not going to let anyone kill you." He grinned "If I don't get to, no one should."
"I'm touched." But I couldn't help smiling back at him.

"Best to have only a few absolutely perfect trait - for example, my hair and eyes and sparkling personality - so you don't overwhelm."

"Sometimes it takes a little chaos for things to work themselves out. When we make it through the chaos, we can use it to shape the world around us into something better than it was before."

Book Review: The Calling (Darkness Rising Book 2) by Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Calling
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Darkness Rising #2
Pages: 326
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truy is - a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

In THE CALLING, the sizzling second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong pumps up the romance, danger, and suspense that left readers of THE GATHERING clamoring for more.

The Calling was just as good as The Gathering, or maybe even just a bit better! In the first novel, we got to know the main characters, but in this installment we were able to see more of the supporting characters, and I really love how Armstrong did it.

Even though we were learning more about the characters, the story did not lag one bit. There was one action scene right after another! And, of course my emotions were all over the place! When reading a book, there is nothing better than feeling like you are part of the action, and just as torn emotionally as the characters are. Armstrong does a fantastic job of this!

One thing that did change with this novel is that we are exposed to a more vulnerable side of Maya. Being strong and brave is harder than what you think, and Maya lets us see the struggle that is happening inside of her. Not only did this make me like her even more, but it also made me even more appreciative of Daniel. The way he helped and supported Maya was very sweet, and he is a really great guy (just like what the book says!). You cannot help but love Daniel!!

I can't wait to read the next and final installment of the Darkness Rising, and am sure that it will be just as action packed as its predecessors!

"'Right.' A soft, choked laugh. 'Kind of ruins the dramatic effect if I'm storming off in the wrong direction, doesn't it?'"

"When you accept a leadership role, you take on extra responsibility for your actions toward others. If you shun someone, the effect will trickle down through those who value your opinion."

"I'd always thought of myself as an open-minded person. I had no patience with anyone who put down other kids because of their race, religion, or sexuality. But that's just one kind of open-mindedness. There's another kind, too, the kind that's willing to see people for who they really are and admit when you were wrong about them."

"I started rubbing my temples and she suggested I don't really get headaches. It just hurts me to think." 

Book Review: The Selection (Sapient Salvation Book 1) by Jayne Faith

Title: The Selection
Author: Jayne Faith
Series: Sapient Salvation #1
Pages: 282
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Twice a year, the alien Lord Toric demands a selection of human women between the ages of 18 and 20 to compete for a place in his harem. Maya must get through just one more selection and then she can marry the man of her dreams. She should have been safe, but when a young woman who was supposed to compete dies the day of the selection, Maya is forced into the competition.

Thrown into the fight of her life with no preparation, Maya must shed her innocence and win Lord Toric’s favor. And there is only one winner in the competition. The losers will be sacrificed. Will she survive the first round, or will she pay the ultimate price for her inexperience?

I have previously read The Selection by Kiera Cass and absolutely loved it! I found that both books are extremely similar, except Faith's is geared towards a more mature audience and includes aliens. In addition to Cass' series, this book also tends to incorporate some elements from The Hunger Games. Overall, I would say that Jayne Faith's novel is The Hunger Games meets The Selection (Cass) meets aliens.

It may seem like there is a lot of different elements being thrown into this book, but somehow Faith manages to make it all mesh seamlessly. I really enjoyed how their is a bi-annual culling of both men and women, who then must compete in various survival scenarios. However, the real competition is within both groups, for there can only be one male victor and one female victor. This makes for an interesting dynamic between "obligates."

The story was really enjoyable, but ended too abruptly. I hate when books do that! I felt like after such a slow start (background stuff) that the story was finally getting to some action, and then "wham!" The end. I just wasn't prepared for the story to end, even though the status bar at the bottom of my kindle indicated it's upcoming end.

"May we all find what peace we can, collect as many moments of happiness as possible, and know gratitude in every breath."

Book Review: Fated (The Soul Seekers Book 1) by Alyson Noel

Title: Fated
Author: Alyson Noel
Series: The Soul Seekers #1
Pages: 352
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Until now, he's existed only in her dreams - but fate is about to bring them together.

I shove through the crowd, knocking into girls and bouncing off boys, until one in particular catches me, steadies me. I feel so secure, so at home in his arms. I melt against his chest-lift my gaze to meet his. Gasping when I stare into a pair of icy blue eyes banded by brilliant flecks of gold that shine like kaleidoscopes, reflecting my image thousands of times. The boy from my dream. The one who died in my arms.

Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter’s sanity, Daire’s mother sends her to live with the grandmother she’s never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are—the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker—one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead.

There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it’s when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the one guy she's meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

I read Noel's Immortals series a few years ago and really enjoyed it. So, when I came across Fated, I knew that I had to pick it up. Once again, she did not disappoint!

This series is definitely different from her immortals series, but is just as amazing! For her whole life, our main heroine has never remained in one place for long. Her Hollywood make-up artist mom has just dragged her from movie set to movie set. However, Daire's life isn't as glamorous as it may appear. Due to her constant bouncing around, she has learned that nothing lasts forever and chooses to not form attachments. In reality, she is actually really lonely...

Strange things start to happen to her and when one thing leads to another, she is forced to stay with a relative in New Mexico. Despite her protests, this town, this place, turns out to be one of the best things that have ever happened to her. 

The mythology that Noel weaves into the story is really interesting, and I absolutely love how it all unfolds. I mean, who wouldn't want their very own spirit animal? And, all of this with a beautiful New Mexico landscape makes for a very ENCHANTING story.