In My Bookbag (1)...

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Every week you are to share the books you received that week. It could either be ones you bought, or gotten at the library, and ones that you'd receive to review on the blog. I am calling it 'In My Bookbag' because I am always taking books out of the library!

Daughter of Smoke and Bones
by Laini Taylor
Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Jekel Loves Hyde...

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents rules; especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father's office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen's sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill's accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything, even Tristen's love just for the thrill of being . . . bad.

I have read this... four times now? Yep four times and it still surprises me. I LOVE this book. I love the fact that I can relate to Jill, but can still fantasize that my Tristan is out there just waiting for me to come help him-only for him to later return the favor. I haven't read The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde but I could pretty much get the gist of the story throughout Tristan's point of view and dreams. I also love the fact that we have the switching view points, though most of the story is mostly in Jill's point of view, Tristan's just adds to the story when Jill's can't. I LOVE this book and would recommend it to everyone and anyone!
P.S. If you are looking for a swoon worthy hero Tristan has an accent, has a darker side to him and is lean but has muscle.

A Certain Slant of Light...

Helen is a disembodied spirit who "attaches" herself to humans in order to possess their bodies. Unable to remember the circumstances of her death, and with no idea why she's in this precarious state of limbo, she knows this much: she's been haunting the living world for 130 years. But when Helen inhabits the body of a high school teacher, everything changes. For though he remains quite unaware of her presence, a certain boy in his class is clearly able to see Helen. This realization, and Helen's subsequent introduction to him, rocks her world. Uncomfortable with the boundaries of her existence, Helen continues to test them and takes hair-raising risks -- often for love. Moved by her passions, she is stymied by limits placed on her that she doesn't yet understand and is unable to control. Despite the supernatural realm it explores, A Certain Slant of Light is nothing sort of chilling in its evocation of a world that's starkly real, and a newfound love that's positively sublime.

I haven't read a book in a while that had kept me up from 9 p.m- 1:30 a.m. This book was wonderful and I loved it. WARNING: there are a lot of mature elements in this book such as sex, language drugs. But nothing readers of Ellen Hopkins aren't used to. Wow that's the second Ellen Hopkins reference that I've made in the last two reviews. I'll try to not do that in my next one. But anyhoo... I loved this book and can't wait for the next one because Helen/Jenny and James/Billy were so lovable and ignorant of the customs that we have today that it was adorable. The second on is about Billy and Jenny's relationship from James and Helen's point of view (read the book to understand why they aren't connected anymore).

Song of the Sparrow...

The year is 490 AD. Fiery 16-year-old Elaine of Ascolat, the daughter of one of King Arthur's supporters, lives with her father on Arthur's base camp, the sole girl in a militaristic world of men. Elaine's only girl companion is the mysterious Morgan, Arthur's older sister, but Elaine cannot tell Morgan her deepest secret: She is in love with Lancelot, Arthur's second-in-command. However, when yet another girl -- the lovely Gwynivere-- joins their world, Elaine is confronted with startling emotions of jealousy and rivalry. But can her love for Lancelot survive the birth of an empire?

I thought that this was beautifully written and different. I wasn't a huge fan of the whole thing like writing in verse because the last book that I read was 'Crank' and I couldn't finish that, it was too much. So I was a little skeptical about the whole verse thing but instead of taking away from the beauty of the story I thought that it added to it. I am a huge fan of King Arthur (next Arthur book 'Avalon High') and have been since I was little. So when I saw this and found it in my library I got it. Then when I sat down to read it I was a little disappointed. Elaine was kinda a bland character to me. She only has one or two goals- getting Lancelot to love her and to save her father/brothers- and she had no personality. Towards the end I knew what happened because I'd jumped ahead to know who she ends up with and found this one part and of course I read it all the way to the end so when I had to start forcing myself through it I discovered that where I couldn't take it anymore was right where I had started that reading part. So this is a good book, just don't jump ahead like I did.

Julius Caesar...

In this striking tragedy of political conflict, Shakespeare turns to the ancient Roman world and to the famous assassination of Julius Caesar by his republican opponents. The play is one of tumultuous rivalry, of prophetic warnings "Beware the ides of March" and of moving public oratory "Friends, Romans, countrymen!" Ironies abound and most of all for Brutus, whose fate it is to learn that his idealistic motives for joining the conspiracy against a would-be dictator are not enough to sustain the movement once Caesar is dead.

We had to read this play for English and all though it was a very long process -not as long as Romeo and Juliet freshman year was but still long enough. We all got a kick out of first the killing of Cinna the poet where the plebians 'tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses.' Then in the tent when Lucius gets to use his instrument (for the people that don't know what this means you could probably google it or ask your English teachers). It wasn't that bad to tell you the truth though.

Overbite...

Meena Harper has a special gift, but it's only now that anyone's ever appreciated it. The Palatine Guard — a powerful secret demon-hunting unit of the Vatican — has hired her to work at their new branch in Lower Manhattan. With Meena's ability to predict how everyone she meets will die, the Palatine finally has a chance against the undead.

Sure, her ex-boyfriend was Lucien Antonescu, son of Dracula, the prince of darkness. But that was before he (and their relationship) went up in flames. Now Meena's sworn off vampires for good ... at least until she can prove her theory that just because they've lost their souls doesn't mean demons have lost the ability to love.

Meena knows convincing her co-workers — including her partner, über-demon-hunter Alaric Wulf — that vampires can be redeemed won't be easy ... especially when a deadly new threat seems to be endangering not just lives of the Palatine, but Meena's friends and family as well.

But Meena isn't the Palatine's only hope. Father Henrique — aka Padre Caliente — New York City's youngest, most charming priest, has also been assigned to the case.

So why doesn't Meena — or Alaric — trust him?

As she begins unraveling the truth, Meena finds her loyalties tested, her true feelings laid bare ... and temptations she never even imagined existed, but finds impossible to resist.

This time, Meena may finally have bitten off more than she can chew.

I LOVED the ending to this and even though something unspeakable happened to one of my favorite characters I still loved it. I loved that Meg Cabot kinda did something that no one else really does and that's *SPOILER ALERT* kill off one of the main characters. You don't see that very often. Meg Cabot has wonderful stories that people either love or hate and for me this is defiantly a love!

Tangled...

Just because I'm a dork...

Expect adventure, heart, humor, and hair . . . lots of hair, when Disney Tangled comes to theaters Holiday 2010! This Little Golden Book retelling will thrill young children with its beautiful full-color illustrations.

If you love the movie go look at this book. It came with our purchase of Tangled and I immediately hijacked it from my brothers. This book is cute and has amazing pictures to look at!
...My fave

Insatiable...

Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn't believe in them.

Not that Meena isn't familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you're going to die. (Not that you're going to believe her. No one ever does.)

But not even Meena's precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It's a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, Lucien's already dead. Maybe that's why he's the first guy Meena's ever met whom she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena's always been able to see everyone else's future, she's never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future. . . .

If she even has one.

I LOVE Meg Cabot. I loved the Mediator series, Abandon, and I can't wait for Underworld (her new book, the sequel to Abandon). This book was not a disappointment to me. I don't understand why it's getting such low ratings. I really liked this book. I was right there with the book description, I am sick of vampires (except for my Twilight craze... don't judge me) and so I have been avoiding books with vampires. But then I saw this and so I caved. Meg Cabot+vampires=AWESOME (at least to me) This is not to be missed it you love Cabot!

The White Glove War...

This time I KNOW I've missed the bus...

The Son of Neptune (Hero's of Olympus #2)...

Yes I know... I am a slacker.

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa tol him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring and bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem - when the Voice took over he mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery - although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely - enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes od Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.

Truth is I didn't think that I was going to make it through this book at all. It may have been the fact that I was really busy, its 513 pages and I just didn't want to read anymore long books because I don't think that I could handle it at all, or the fact that the time between the first one and the second was so long that I lost interest in it. Whatever the reason, I almost didn't finish. By the time they had FINALLY gotten to Alaska I just didn't care. Don't get me wrong this is a good book, it has Percy again so all you fans of Percy Jackson will be happy but I honestly wasn't a big fan of Percy as a character in his series. The only thing that might get me to read the next one is if its in Annabeth's point of view (wouldn't that be something), or from Jason's/Piper's/Annabeth's. Still a good book once it got to the climax though so for all of you that love this series go for it!

Dreamless (Starcrossed #2)...

I don't know how long this has been out so once again I'm most likely three steps behind the bus. But here's the cover for Dreamless (Starcrossed #2)!!! (And yes I do think this post deserves three exclamation points)

Bloodlines...

I actually like this more than Vampire Academy...

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

I had read the Vampire Academy series and had really liked them. In the fourth one, I think-don't quote me on this, we met Sydney Sage. An alchemist that was hired to help Rose and all that stuff. Then in the last one (again don't quote me) she helps Rose again. I loved reading about Sydney from Rose's point of view and then picking up this book and having her view point on everything that I already knew. This book also gave a deeper understanding to questions that I still had at the end of Vampire Academy. If you liked Vampire Academy then go get this from a friend, buy it, or get it from the library because you will not want to miss this.

Night Star (The Immortals #5)...

So before I totally freak out on how horrible this book is let me just say this... the cover is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Now that I have that out of the way let's get down to the good stuff.

After fighting for centuries to be together, Ever and Damen’s future hinges on one final showdown that will leave readers gasping for breath. Don’t miss this explosive new installment of the #1 bestselling series that’s enchanted millions across the world!

Haven still blames Ever for the death of her boyfriend Roman, no matter how hard Ever’s tried to convince her it was an accident. Now she’s determined to take Ever down…and destroy Damen and Jude along the way. Her first step is to tear Ever and Damen apart—and she has just the ammunition to do it.

Hidden in one of Ever’s past lives is a terrible secret about Damen—a secret that illuminates new facts about her relationship with Jude, but that’s so dark and brutal it might be enough to drive her and Damen apart once and for all. As Ever faces her greatest fears about the guy she wants to spend eternity with, she’s thrust into a deadly clash with Haven that could destroy them all.

Now it’ll take everything she’s got—and bring out powers she never knew she had—to face down her most formidable enemy. But in order to win, she must first ask herself: is her own survival worth dooming Haven to an eternity of darkness in the Shadowland? And will
learning the truth about Damen’s past hold the key to their future?

So to the right of here are the first four books in 'The Immortals' series. Now just to let you know that I did really like the first three... but then Roman happened and he gave Damen a potion so that he and Ever couldn't touch yadda, yadda, yadd. At first it was a good plot line to go on, but then it went on for the rest of the series (or at least I assume that it did because I didn't finish Nightstar and didn't start Everlasting) that Ever's destiny is to find the cure to this potion and she and Damen can finally be together! But trust me and all the other people that get tired of storylines incredibly quickly... this doesn't work. I think that Alyson Noel had a good idea, but she couldn't figure out how to solve this problem. I had to force myself through Dark Flame and then I wasn't sure if I would finish the series. Here's the verdict, I'm not.

Bleeding Violet...

Love can be a dangerous thing...

Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home.
But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

So if you are following me on goodreads then you know that I didn't finish 'Bleeding Violet' by Dia Reeves. For me the story sounded good but then when I started it actually didn't click. I started it and I couldn't wait to find out what was wrong with this town and stuff like that. But then I found out and I just didn't care anymore. Yeah it had the appeal of seeing if Hanna and her mom ever bonded, if she and Wyatt's love would last. But even my most favorite things in books, the one thing that I look for in a book is a little romance, and then even that lost its appeal. The voice was kinda the same through the whole book, not starting a little slow, growing, and then a very satisfying climax/ending.

Carrier of the Mark...

So I know that I've been waiting for this book and now that its out... I don't have money to buy it. So I was on goodreads and I saw this in the margins where the ads for books and stuff is (DRUMROLE) its the first chapter of the book! CLICK HERE

I may be far behind with this post but this is news for me so here you go for all you people that care and haven't seen it yet!

Josephine Angelini...

So on goodreads.com I had commented on something that Josephine Angelini had posted about Dreamless (the second book in the Starcrossed series) and this is what it said...

'Starcrossed and Abandon (the two books that were really reviewed in the article) are two of my favorite modern retellings of Greek myths. Josephine you are one of my favorite authors for retellings, up there with Gail Carson Levine (Ella Enchanted) and Alex Flinn (Beastly).'

Then I friend requested her and went on my way. Well today I get on and get on goodreads and this is one of my notifications...

McKenna wrote: "Starcrossed and Abandon (the two books that were really reviewed in the article) are two of my favorite modern retellings of Greek myths. Josephine you are one of my favorite authors for retellings..."

I'm so flattered! That's some mighty good company! <3

Just made my day!!!!

Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1)...

The L.A. Times takes the words right out of my mouth with their review. They also mention a book that is by Meg Cabot called Abandon, which is also one of my favorites. As far as comparing it to Twilight and Percy Jackson, I hadn't really drawn the connections until after reading that review. I can understand the Percy Jackson and Twilight references but its such an original story and retelling that you don't really see it.

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

I love her story and then so I'm ranking her up there with Alex Flinn and Gail Carson Levine.

Wither (The Chemical Garden #1)...

Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings.

You would think that in the middle where you really know the girls' routine the book would just die and you would have to force yourself through it, but its not like that! DeStefano kept the same routine interesting and new in every chapter, beautiful writing, and really interesting read!

Cloaked...

I'm not your average hero. I actually wasn't your average anything. Just a poor guy working an after-school job at a South Beach shoe repair shop to help his mom make ends meet. But a little magic changed it all.

It all started with a curse. And a frognapping. And one hot-looking princess, who asked me to lead a rescue mission.

There wasn't a fairy godmother or any of that. And even though I fell in love along the way, what happened to me is unlike any fairy tale I've ever heard. Before I knew it, I was spying with a flock of enchanted swans, talking (yes, talking!) to a fox named Todd, and nearly trampled by giants in the Everglades.

Don't believe me? I didn't believe it either. But you'll see. Because I knew it all was true, the second I got cloaked.

Alex Flinn never disappoints!!!

Cloaked is mainly a retelling of "The Princess and the Frog." But there is a special appearance by "The Elves and the Shoemaker." This is the other HUGE part of the plot. Other fairy tales that are in it...
1)"The Six Swans"
2)"The Golden Bird"
3)"The Valiant Tailor" (Disney has a version with Mickey - "The Brave Little Tailor.")
4)"The Salad" (A tale about an old woman that gives a magical cloak in exchange for his kindness.)
5)"The Fisherman and His Wife"

This story has elements from all these stories to make a beautiful, perfect story. This story is now just one of my favorite "Happily-Ever-After" stories!

Deark Vengeance (Vol. 1)...

When a gorgeous stranger seeks refuge at Kerry’s summer-share house, she knows her life is about to change. Daniel Blessing is mysterious and charismatic—and on the run from a powerful witch named Season. Kerry and her friends don’t believe in witches and spells, but Kerry can’t help believing Daniel…and falling for him.

But falling for Daniel pulls her into a feud his family has been waging for generations. A dark feud of passion, magic, and revenge. Which means all of their lives are in serious danger. Because now Season wants Kerry and her friends dead, too.

**spoiler alert** 4.5 summer was good... there was a love interest (we all know how i love those), danger, and ok i'll admit it Daniel is H-O-T!!!!

But after Daniel died... well the book kinda sucked. Kery found Mother Blessing and learned some magic... but after the fight with Season there were just more questions and no answers for previous questions.