The Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee McKenzie

Reading Level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 334 Pages

Publisher: WestSide Books

ISBN: 978-1-934813-44-7

My Rating: 5/5

After her father's slow death from cancer, Carlie's mother is forced to sell their cherished oceanfront home and move the family to the other side of the tracks-to dreaded Las Pulgas. At her tough new urban high school, Carlie is nicknamed "Princess" because of her aloof attitude. But what her classmates don't know is that Carlie isn't aloff; she's in mourning for her father and almost everything else that mattered to her. Meanwhile, her younger brother Keith becomes angrier and more sullen by the day, and even their cat Wuicken goes missing, sending Carlie and Keith on a search for her in the hidden orchard beside their seedy garden apartment complex. They're met by a rifle-toting cowboy who ejects them at gunpoint from his property. But when Carlie finds him in the kitchen having coffee with their mom the next day, having found and returned the cat, she begins to realize that in Las Pulgas, nothing is what it seems.

'The Princess of Las Pulgas' isn't my normal type of read. I usually stick to reading fantasy YA books. Books full of supernatural, fairies, dragons, witches and all that stuff. It's good to step out of your shell every once in a while. This book is incredibly powerful. It's such an emotional roller coaster! And I think it's an excellent read for someone dealing with loss and grievance.

The story is told through Carlie Edmund. Her dad dies from cancer, her mom can't afford to keep up the mortgage payments and they are forced to move to Las Pulgas. There she discovers a whole different world from her own. She's used to having life served up on a silver platter-at least when her dad was alive. Now her, her brother Keith and their mom have to cope with their terrible loss and struggle to survive. Carlie has a very hard time accepting her life. She doesn't want anyone to know what she's been degraded to. She wants everyone to think she's just moved somewhere else and she gives her mom a hard time about it every step of the way.

'The Princess of Las Pulgas' is an amazing read and I can definitely see myself reading it again and again. I hadn't even heard of it before I got it but I'm glad I read it and gave it a chance. It's simply incredible. I definitely recommend it for....everyone. It's great and you'll love it!

100 Follower Giveaway winner!!

Yesterday was the last day to enter my 100 follower giveaway for a copy of steel. I had more entries than I thought I would-YAY! Thanks to everyone who entered! Unfortunately there can only be one winner.

The winner is: Brynne!

Congratulations Brynne, you can expect your brand new copy of Steel sometime in the next 2 weeks! : )

Thanks again to everyone who entered!

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Reading Level: Young Adult

Paperback: 368 Pages

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

ISBN-13:978-0-373-21008-4

My Rating: 4/5

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school...or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan sense that everything she's known is about to change.
But she could never have guessed the truth-that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face...and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

'The Iron King' is the first installment in the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. It's actually the first fairy book I've read so far and I have to say, I liked it. My favorite character was not Meghan Chase, I did like her as a character though. I actually liked some of the side characters more than her. For example, Ash and Puck. I found some parts a little boring (that's why a 4 rating instead of a 5) and some parts were great! I'll definitely be getting 'The Iron Daughter' by Julie Kagawa but it's not at the top of my list right now. I was really hoping to LOVE this book because I heard such amazing things about it but it was good, I liked it and that's good enough for me.

The story is told through Meghan Chase. She's a 16 year old high school student. No one seems to bother with her or really try to be her friend except for Puck. As the story progress' Meghan's brother Ethan is kidnapped and a Changeling that looks identical to him, takes his place. She finds out that she's actually part fey and she has to rescue her brother from none other than the Iron King. The story is her struggling with the fey world and all the mythical (and frightening) creatures in it.

All in all it was a good book. If you haven't read it yet, you should check it out. If anyone has any reviews posted on their blogs for The Iron Daughter, that would be spectacular. I'd love to read them. I really want to see what people's opinions were of book 2 compared to book 1. I'm going to be reading it regardless! : )

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine.



My Waiting On Wednesday pick is:

Forever

By Maggie Stiefvater

Publication Date: July 12, 2011

From Goodreads:

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater

In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

 What's your WoW pick?

The Vampire's Promise by Caroline B. Cooney

Reading Level: Young Adult

Paperback: 496 Pages

Publisher: Point

ISBN: 978-0-545-28976-4

My Rating: 2/5

A vampire lives in the shuttered, circular tower of the creepy old house in town. A vampire who makes promises and grants wishes. Who can change lives with his power. Few know he exists.
When Althea, Devnee, and Lacey meet the vampire, he offers to fulfill their most fervent desires-desires like poularity, beauty, freedom.
But his bargains come with a price.
How much are these girls willing to pay? How many lives will they destroy? And is there any way out of this vampire's promise?

This book is not terribly written. That's not the reason I'm giving it a 2 out of 5. Some people might love it and some people, not so much. I feel bad negating any authors work so it was hard for me to give a 2 star review. But, I figure that people are reading my blog for my honest opinion so why not give it to them. I actually wasn't even going to write a review for this book period because I was so distraught over giving a low rating! ha ha. I picked this book up one day at a store because I couldn't decide what else to get and I figure, why not give something new a try? I was dissapointed in this book.

I could not relate to the characters at all. In all honesty, I didn't even read the entire book. It's 3 stories in one book: 'Deadly Offer', 'Evil Returns' and 'Fatal Bargain.' I'm not sure what 'Fatal Bargain' was like but the first and second were so unappealing to me that I just stopped reading. The first story is a girl named Althea's story. She basically stumbles across a wish granting vampire in the tower in her house. All she has to do is "feed" people to the vampire and she will become popular. I found myself continuously asking, "where are her parents?!?!" She was throwing parties and being stalked around her house by a vampire...at 16...and home alone 24/7? It just seems strange. She destroy's the lives of two popular girls at school so that people will like her because she has not 1 friend in the entire world. By the end of the story, she learns what gives this "vampire" it's power and locks it back in the tower room. A lot of the in between was her obsessing over why she had no friends? And if these people were really her friends or was it all the wish granting vampire's doing?

The second story in the book was more or less the same. Plain girl named Devnee moves into this vampire house. Moves into the tower, wants to be beautiful and have friends. You get the picture right? Needless to say, this book is not a favorite of mine. I might consider checking out some other stuff by Caroline Cooney if anyone has any suggestions. As far as this book goes, I'd have to say pass. It's not very interesting...at least to me.

Has anyone else read 'The Vampire's Promise'? Or, if you have any suggestions for other books by Cooney that are any good, I'd love to hear them. Thanks guys! : )

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by The Story Siren.

The books I got this week are:

Bought:

Steel by Carrie Vaughn-I actually have 2 copies, one for my giveaway here, and one for me! : )

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Contest:

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

What did you get in your mailbox?

Book Blogger Hop

Friday's Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Crazy For Books.

This week's question is:

"Do you read only one book at a time, or do you have several going at once?"

I only read one book at a time. Because I want to devote myself to that book. And I think it might be a little confusing to read two books at once. Like, would I start to (unknowingly) combine the books story lines together?

Please leave the links to your blogs so I can hop back and check out your answer! : )

Also, there is only 10 days left to enter my giveaway for a copy of Steel by Carrie Vaughn. Don't forget to check it out here. or on the sidebar! : ) Thanks guys.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Reading Level: Young Adult

Paperback (ARC): 272 Pages

Publisher: Dutton

Release Date: April 5th, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-525-42294-5

My Rating: 5/5

It's been three years since Adam's love saved Mia after the accident that annihilated life as she knew it...and three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is L.A. tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock start status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future-and each other.

'Where She Went' is the sequel to 'If I Stay' by Gayle Forman. It picks up three years after 'If I Stay' but it fills in all the blanks of what happened throughout. It's a powerfully emotional story that Gayle Forman has written beautifully. I wasn't really expecting to like the first book but I fell in love with both! I love Mia and Adam's story. Although painstakingly heartbreaking, it's full of hopefulness and possibility and love. Real love. If you enjoyed 'If I Stay' then you will absolutely love 'Where She Went.'

'Where She Went' isn't told from Mia's point of view, it's told through Adam. I love that Forman was able to switch between the two characters so effectively. There is never a moment when their personalities or stories blend together. They are entirely different characters and you can feel it the whole time you're reading. The story picks up three years after Mia's accident. There's so much I want to say but I won't because I don't want to ruin the books if you haven't read them yet. I will say that 'Where She Went' is a perfect companion novel to 'If I Stay'. It wraps everything up beautifully leaving no loose ends.

I highly recommend 'Where She Went' for everyone. I think it's a series that could be thoroughly enjoyed by any kind of book lover. Particularly if you liked 'If I Stay'. It's an incredible story. I totally thought it was going to end differently. I was shocked by the story and the ending and all of it. It was spectacular! Make sure you pick up 'Where She Went' on April 5th! It's well worth the read! : )

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine.

My pick for this week's Waiting on Wednesday is:

Lost In Time (Blue Bloods, #6)

by Melissa De La Cruz

Publication Date: October 4th 2011

From Amazon:

The young Blue Bloods of Manhattan descend upon Egypt in Lost in Time, the epic sixth book in Melissa de la Cruz's New York Times and USA Today best-selling Blue Bloods series.

After their beautiful yet brief bonding ceremony in Italy, Schuyler Van Alen and Jack Force are forced to separate. To fulfill the Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler travels to Alexandria to search for Catherine of Siena and the Gate of Promise. But Schuyler quickly discovers that everything she believed about the Gate to be wrong. Meanwhile, Jack makes the difficult decision to return to New York to face his twin and former bondmate, Mimi. But instead of a bitter reunion, he is faced with a choice for which there is no good option.

Mimi, with a most unexpected travel companion in Oliver Hazard-Perry, jets off to Egypt, too, to search for Kingsley Martin, her long lost love. With all roads leading to Hell, Mimi learns that not all love stories have happy endings. But she'll have to put her own feelings aside if she's going to save her crumbling Coven.

Packed with heartache, twists, and vampiric folklore, Lost in Time is sure to satisfy hungry fans' cravings for more Blue Bloods adventure.

What's your Waiting on Wednesday pick?

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Reading Level: Young Adult

Paperback: 272 Pages

Publisher: Speak

ISBN: 978-0-14-241543-6

My Rating: 5/5

Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, adoring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. Then, in an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left-the most important decision she'll ever make.
Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting, and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving.

So, I wasn't too sure what 'If I Stay' was about at first. It was recommended to me by the Crazy Bookworm I believe. So, I picked it up because I received an ARC copy of 'Where She Went' by Gayle Forman. I'm happy I did. Although, it's not normally something I think I'd read. 'If I Stay' was like an emotional roller coaster for me. I found that I could relate to Mia in so many ways! And, I love to be able to find that in books. Ways that I can really connect with the characters. And the realism of 'If I Stay' is intensely believable which makes it such a powerful book.

The story is told through Mia. She is a high school student with an exceptional skill in Cello playing. Which is odd for her because she comes from a family of punk rockers. Heck, even her boyfriend, Adam, is one. The story basically boils down to Mia and her family getting in a terrible accident and her struggle with whether or not to stay, to live. She gets to wander around in a spirit form while her body lies in a comatose state. She is able to witness her families reactions and words of love as she hangs in the balance of life and death. It's really...powerful. This book definitely made me think a lot about my family, my life, everything!

'If I Stay' is an intense novel full of raw emotions! I definitely recommend it. Even if it's not your type of book, give it a shot. It's not something I would normally read either but I did and I'm glad. I actually devoured the book in one sitting ha ha. I'm starting the next one tonight so I should have a review of 'Where She Went' up really soon. : )

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by The Story Siren.

The books I got this week are:

Contest:
Wereling by Steve Feasey - thanks to Kate @ http://www.sithereandread.com/

February RAK:
Evermore by Alyson Noel - thanks to LiLi @ http://chicareader.blogspot.com/
Blue Moon by Alyson Noel - thanks to LiLi again! : )

Bought:
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr
If I Stay by Gayle Forman

For Review:
Where She Went by Gayle Forman

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Also, don't forget to enter my 100 followers giveaway here!

Book Blogger Hop

Book Blogger Hop is a weekly event hosted by Crazy for Books.



This week's question is:0

"If I gave you £50 (or $80) and sent you into a bookshop right now, what would be in your basket when you finally staggered to the till?"

Wow, what a tough quesion ha ha. If I had $80 to spend in a bookstore right now. I think I'd preorder a couple of books. Like Forever by Maggie Stiefvater. But, for the sake of the question, I'll go with:

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz

Demon Glass by Rachel Hawkins

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

I think I'm going to leave it there. I'm sure I'm getting close to that $80 lol. What's your list?

Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway here.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Reading Level: Young Adult

Paperback: 384 Pages

Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN-13:978-0-439-02352-8

My Rating: 5/5

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lives the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I almost considered adopting a different rating system just so I could giving 'The Hunger Games' a higher rating. This book is by far one of the best ones I've read. I was expecting something entirely different from it. I thought, based on the title, that it was going to be about vampires or some paranormal creature. I was happily mistaken. 'The Hunger Games' is unlike anything I've ever read before. I don't know why I wait so long to read some of these books! The series came highly suggested to my from just about everyone I talk to. Every single person that I've discussed the series with just presses me to pick it up and read it. And I kept putting it off. I'm so happy that I picked it up and read it. In one word, it was amazing!

The story is told through Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen year old girl who lives in District 12. We learn a lot about Katniss early on. Who she hangs out with, what she does everyday, what she looks like, how she acts. She's an incredible character. She seems to be universally loved among the blogging world and now I know why. She is forced to compete in the Hunger Games. So the whole book is about her struggles and the entire process she goes through there.

I can't think of one single thing that would make this story any better. It's incredibly written, has unforgettable characters, and an amazing plot. The setup for book 2, 'Catching Fire' was perfect. And the cliff hanger at the end left me feeling desperate to read book 2. Unfortunately, I don't have it yet. And I have other books that I have to read.

If you haven't read 'The Hunger Games' yet or you're like me and kept putting it off, don't put it off any longer! Everyone should check it out. I know that everyone has different tastes in books but I can see this one being easily liked by many people. I love it! : )

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine

My pick this week is:

Summer and the City: A Carrie Diaries Novel
by Candace Bushnell
Release Date: April 26th 2010

From Goodreads:

Summer is a magical time in New York City and Carrie is in love with all of it#151;the crazy characters in her neighborhood, the vintage-clothing boutiques, the wild parties, and the glamorous man who has swept her off her feet. Best of all, she's finally in a real writing class, taking her first steps toward fulfilling her dream. pThis sequel to iThe Carrie Diaries/i brings surprising revelations as Carrie learns to navigate her way around the Big Apple, going from being a country "sparrow"#151;as Samantha Jones dubs her#151; to the person she always wanted to be. But as it becomes increasingly difficult to reconcile her past with her future, Carrie realizes that making it in New York is much more complicated than she ever imagined. pWith her signature wit and sparkling humor, Candace Bushnell reveals the irresistible story of how Carrie met Samantha and Miranda, and what turned a small-town girl into one of New York City's most unforgettable icons, Carrie Bradshaw.


What's your waiting on Wednesday pick this week? Please leave your links so I can check out yours! : )


Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway. It's a copy of Steel by Carrie Vaughn! You can check it out here!

100 follower giveaway!! : )

Ok, so I said I'd post this giveaway yesterday but I didn't get a chance to. Sorry!! But, I am posting it today. I went out and I was trying to find an awesome book to get for the giveaway. And then I thought, most of you probably already have half of these books. So, I'm going to be having this giveaway for an unreleased title.

The Prize:

One hardcover copy of Steel by Carrie Vaughn

Rules:

One Entry Per Person

Open to US and Canada only, sorry!

Must be 13 or older to enter

You must be a follower of the blog to enter

Contest Deadline is March 28th

Just fill out the form here to enter!

Good luck to everyone who enters!! : )

Textual Healing by Eric Smith

Paperback: 280 Pages

Publisher: AuthorHouse

ISBN: 978-1-4520-6245-7

My Rating: 4/5

Few people have to deal with a haiku-speaking flower-shop-owning ninja every day on their way to work. Unfortunately for Andrew Connor, he is one of those people.
And poor Andrew, his week has been a rough one. His former bestseller, Chasing Fireflies, is on clearance at Barnes & Nobles for only $1.37, his girlfriend left him for a corporate America action figure, and he's been tricked into joining Textual Healing, a support group for writers who can't seem to write anymore.
Dealing with his employees at his failing used bookshop, a strange new love interest from the Midwest, and a pet sugar-glider that has somehow managed to destroy his entire apartment...when will he ever find the time to put pen to paper again?
A quirky comedy set in present day New York and New Jersey, Textual Healing follows the story of Andrew, a self-depreciating, once famous author, his small bookstore in Hoboken, and the colorful characters that surround him.

'Textual Healing' is a romantic comedy set in New York City and Hoboken, New Jersey. It's a really enjoyable, quick read. I found myself continuosly laughing throughout at the main character, Andrew (or Ace), who is completely full of quirky jokes and one-liners. I found it was easy to relate to most, if not all, of the characters. I liked all of them, literally. Which isn't a usual thing for me. I tend to find myself annoyed with at least one character but that wasn't the case with 'Textual Healing.'

The story is told through Andrew Connor, or as his friends call him, Ace. This guy has THE worst luck ever. I mean, it's not bad enough that he's down but you have to kick him too! He gets his heart broken, terrible news, loses his business, has writer's block, it just goes on and on. Andrew is a former best-selling novelist. He hasn't written anything in three years and it's due to lack of inspiration. When you're surrounded by bad people, or one person in his case, it's hard to get inspired to do anything! Andrew is a great character, very well developed and pronounced. He definitely stands out...he's not like any other characters that I've read in books so far!

Andrew isn't the only character that has serious depth, they all do! Every character has a completely separate  personality and attitude. Daniela, Andrew's ex, is an egotistical bitch! She's stuck up, snobbish, and she's only worried about herself and where that next dollar's coming from. Hannah is amazing! I mean, she easily became my favorite character in 'Textual Healing.' She's so "matter-of-fact" and just tells it like it is. And I love that about her. It doesn't matter who she's dealing with or how sensitive they are, she gives it to them straight and tells them exactly what they need to hear! The side story of Brian "the Pantara" and Valerie was incredible! I found myself cracking up about so many things involving them. Oh, and we can't forget about the haiku speaking ninja. I know that she speaks in 5-7-5 haiku's so I counted it almost every time she spoke. I couldn't help it!! lol. I was waiting for her to mess up, or like, all of a sudden just start talking normally or something! lol. I'm glad she didn't!

The only bad thing I can say about 'Textual Healing' is that the jokes can seem a little overwhelming. At some points they are a bit...excessive. But, for the most part, Smith knows when to draw the line and enough is enough. Maybe I don't have a great sense of humor...Other than that, 'Textual Healing' was absolutely fabulous! I loved every minute of it. So, I'd suggest it to almost everyone. I mean, it's not a YA but it's still amazing. If you like a fun, humorous, quick read, then absolutely check out 'Textual Healing' by Eric Smith.

100 followers!!! : )

Ok, so I just want to let everyone know that, first of all, I'm super stoked to say I have 100 followers!!! YAY! lol. In celebration of all my fabulous followers I am going to be having a follower giveaway. I don't have the prize yet BUT I'm going out tonight (I hope) to pick it up. And I should be posting it by Monday. So please make sure you watch out for that! It will be good I swear. Unless you don't like it...then it will be bad lol.

To recap, I want to say thank you to all my followers, I'm so happy, thank you thank you thank you! And watch out for a giveaway just for my followers in the next couple of days, ok? Thanks guys, you rock! : )

Friday Book Blogger Hop

Friday's Book Blogger Hop is a weekly even hosted by Crazy for Books!

This week's Hop question is:

 "Who's your all-time favorite book villain?"

My favorite book villain...that's a tough question for me to answer lol. I can really only think of a few right now...but if I had to pick one, it would have to be Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series. I mean, he's pretty bad right? He kills people, torments kids, feared by the entire wizarding world. So, he is definitely my favorite villain!

What's yours? Please leave me the link to your blog so I can check out your answers! : )

Mercy by Rebecca Lim

Reading Level: Young Adult

Paperback (ARC copy): 288 Pages

Publisher: Hyperion

ISBN: 978-1-4231-4571-2

Release Date: May 17th, 2011

My Rating: 5/5

Mercy is an exile from heaven with shattered memories of who and what she used to be. She's doomed to "wake" repeatedly on earth in a new body, assuming a new life each time, only to move on again and again. During the day she survives in the human world on instinct, and at night her dreams are haunted by her lost love, who pleads with her to find him. Mercy's heart would know him anywhere. By her memory refuses to cooperate.
But this time is different. When Mercy wakes up she meets Ryan, an eighteen-year-old reeling from the loss of his twin sister, Lauren, who was kidnapped two years ago. Only Mercy and Ryan believe his sister is still alive. For the first time since she can remember, Mercy has a purpose: she can help. So she doesn't understand why the man in her dreams cautions her not to interfere. But as Ryan and Mercy come closer to solving the mystery of Lauren's disappearance, danger looms just one step behind. When another girl goes missing, Mercy knows they must act before time runs out. Will she be able to harness her extraordinary power in time?

I wasn't sure whether to give 'Mercy' a 5/5 or a 4/5. There were a couple of things that I didn't really like about the book but I don't think they were important enough for me to take down my rating of the book to a 4. So I ultimately gave it a 5. 'Mercy' wasn't a book that I loved right away. But I liked it and I was intrigued. The more I read, the more I liked it. I think it will be one of those books for people that you either love or hate. I want to say now, that because this is an ARC copy, I won't be revealing too much about the actual book.

The book starts off with someone ( who we later learn to be Mercy) being completely disoriented. Because she is not really who she is...if that makes sense. She is Mercy, but the body she is inhabiting, is Carmen.  She is not really sure what is happening to her, but she makes a lot of speculations. Mercy's transformation throughout 'Mercy' is amazing! She definitely became one of my favorite female characters in a series. She is a strong, confident girl and we need a lot more of those! : )

'Mercy' is very different from a lot of the other YA books that I've read. It does have some similarities to other YA books in this genre-impossibly gorgeous guy, average girl scenario-but it's still different. Carmen (or Mercy) is a choir girl. She's not pretty but not hideous either. Her and Ryan are trying to uncover the kidnapping of Ryan's twin sister, Lauren.

'Mercy' is very well written. The ending of the book was really good. There were some unexpected twists and turns along the way. There isn't too much of a romance story there, but there's still....something. I think the ending of the book and the character development-especially Mercy-are really what turned this book around for me. I can't wait for the sequel! I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of other YA books like 'Fallen' or 'Hush, Hush.' Definitely pick up 'Mercy' by Rebecca Lim on May 17th, 2011. It's a great read and I highly recommend it!!