Reveal by Brina Courtney

Summary

Outside, Shay Tafford is just a normal girl. A senior preparing for her college, works part-time at her all-time bestfriend's family store, her mother is a college professor, and crushing and a very cute guy etc etc. However, Shay has a secret. She can see ghosts, and for many years, she made friends with a certain ghost name Jeremy, until she unknowingly banished him. 

So when she met another ghost, a child named Wendy. She did her best to help her bring his daddy back in exchange, she'll help her see Jeremy again.


When she met Jeremy again, things are like as before. That's until she found out through Jeremy, that the same guy he's crushing on knows Jeremy as well. He could hear him. And that's not just it. Seems like, tall, dark and handsome Hugh knows ore about Shay than she knows herself, and that's include, who she really is, what she really is, and a lot about her missing father.

My Review

Let me start on how this book started. What is cryptid???

The author defined it as a paranormal being with some animal traits.

As per Wikipedia:

a cryptid (from the Greek "κρύπτω" (krypto) meaning "hide") is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but is unrecognized by scientific consensus and often regarded as highly unlikely. Famous examples include the Yeti in the Himalayas and the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptid)

I did not get the connection a bit, but anyways... that'll do. 

I did not relate much with the title... REVEAL... though there are a lot of revelations, it did not felt major. And the cover...uhmmm..it's kinda creepy.. sorry..don't get me wrong. I know the connections, I just felt that way :D

Story-wise, this book is OK. I rated it 3.5 star (my first half rate) since I don't want it to be considered bad, but not too good. I hope you get it.

The story is alternating from different pace. Sometimes, it's too slow then it would become very fast. It's nice since it feels like I'm being save from the boring parts. But sometimes, there are major scenes, and feelings the scene would like to express, but I wasn't able to get the chance to enjoy it since suddenly, I'm on a different scene. Also, I never got enough time to know other characters which all seems very interesting.  Hugh's parents, Emina, Chad and Shay's mother are really interesting. Even Hugh, I didn't got to know him that much, which is sad since he could be part of my top 10 swoon-worthy characters (I'm seeing the potential.)

Feature and Follow Friday 2

Question of the Week:

Best cover? What is the best cover of a book that you’ve read and didn't like?

Actually, I love all the covers on The Immortals series, but after reading this specific book..aargh! Both main characters are very annoying. How much I hate it? Let's just say, after forcing myself to end this book, I never plan of touching another The Immortal series *sigh

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

Summary from Goodreads

Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible.

And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest.

Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen -- but only if she lets them...

My Review

As you can read from the summary from Goodreads, that's exactly how the story went. Nothing more nothing less.  I was quite disappointed in this story. At first, I was enjoying it. I can relate with Kate. Yeah, I felt that way before, but when I'm already reaching the end and all I could read is Kate's paranoia, I am starting to get annoyed. "oh... Will is only having fun of me," "oh, my I have no more friends," "oh, i hate everyone," "I have the worst life ever," Ooookkkk.... I'm expecting a very nice change of attitude from Kate after this, and a very happy ending... this book has given me so much negativity with Kate's attitude that I feel like it sticked on me the whole day. So I better have my happy ending! And guess what??!!! this book totally disappointed me! Yes, Kate did have her happy ending (thanks a lot!) but that's just it!!! From being the negative girl, she just had a sudden epiphany in one page and all of a sudden, everything change in the epilogue. Just like that!!! The author didn't even let me enjoy the feeling of Kate's changes, it was so sudden that I feel like MS. Scott suddenly just got bored during writing this and decided to end it just to end it.

Wishing for Someday Soon by Tiffany King

Summary

Welcome to Montana! Katelyn's new home for the nth time. Together with her mother and little brother Kevin, Katelyn moved to Montana with their new stepfather again for the nth time. Katelyn is used to moving, she's used to it as her mother changing boyfriend, and used as her mother abusing her. As long as she could remember, her mother hurts her everytime she could. But Katelyn would accept it all, as long as her little brother Kevin remains safe. 

Montana is a different place, everyone are so nice. Making it hard for Katelyn to hide the real situation at home, especially with the cute Max. With Max, she can't say no, and soon Max sees the secret Katelyn has been hiding her whole life and she's deeply falling inlove. But Kevin is her priority, noone else. Only less than a year and she'll turn 18, and they will have their "someday soon."

My Review

I was forced to read this book in one-sitting, made me stayed up late at night. If this is not a page-turner, tell me what it is! The seriousness of the issue that's revolving this story was quite forgotten by how light it was written. It's a fast-paced story, and continues to build up as each page is turned. Every chapter, I'll make the decision for it to be the last for the time being and get my required sleep for it's Monday tomorrow, then I'll find myself negotiating with myself for another chapter. Then the cycle goes on until I finished the book midmorning. And I'm still asking for more!!! The story was getting better and better, and when it ends, it's so good that I'm begging for more!!!

Though Katelyn has the character of being abused, moved a lot of time and carries the responsibility of her younger brother, which if you think should be considered in a heavy-drama sort of thing, I would like it to put on my feel-good shelves. Katelyn is very optimistic, especially with that "someday soon" belief. And have I written how I love that title? "Wishing for Someday Soon" definitely tops my list for the best title I've ever read. The cover is good too :)

I guess it's really fate that brought Katelyn and Kevin to Montana. After everything that they've been through, they deserve to be part of a good family as large as a town. Everyone was so nice for the siblings. I totally love Mr. Wither's characters. And should I still need to say I love Max??? Though Kate and Max had only two weeks to fall inlove, which is kind of fast, it goes well with the story. Katelyn was expecting a casual relationship, but Max proved to her that what they have is more than that! sweet. His friendship with Kevin is also a plus point! What I just noticed for Max is this:

"we both have big tvs so...."

"between my iphone and laptop, I really don't much have time for it" (referring to his iPad)

Cocky much??? But I find it adorable, lucky him I love him! haha
I understand Katelyn's reservations to her relationship with Max. She's almost there, less than a year and she's 18 and she and Kevin will have their someday soon. And what Katelyn's feel for Max could ruin it all. She does not want to be like her mother.

And speaking of her mother, Lucinda. Is there really a mother like her? If there is, aargh..I really don't know. But I guess Max is right, if Lucinda is not Katelyn and Kevin's mother, it would take longer for Katelyn to be in Montana and meet Max, Mr. Wither and the others.

There are some parts that made me teary-eyed. I guess that's just proves how the characters in this story reached into the readers. This story pull you into Katelyn's world and her feelings. You'll feel her fear and as she put down her wall to let these nice people enter her world, you'll feel vulnerable yourself. You'll feel her love for Kevin and her appreciation for these people who came into her life.

Crossfingers for a sequel... I just can't get enough of all the characters! :)

Vindication by Elyse Draper

Summary

There have been killings in town, near Chris' cabin. This happened just few days after the marriage of Ellie and Christopher. Michael, being an investigative lawyer, and with the  now knowledge of the others, can't help himself conclude that there's a connection between the killings and his new found knowledge of the others.

Determine to learn the truth, and give justice for the victims, Michael do not realize that revealing the killer would also lead them to a more surprising revelation concerning his new family.

My Review

I honestly do not know how to begin... let me think first... 

But Before that, I would like to thanks We <3 YA group from Goodreads and the author, My. Elyse Draper for giving me the opportunity to read and review this series. With that, I committed myself in giving an honest review.

After 5 minutes...

This book did not disappoint me in giving me the answers I'm looking for from the first two books. That I could say happily :)
The connections I repeatedly shouted, the missing links and explanations for some scenes I could not understand have been given. Thank you Ms. Draper. The first part and the last part were very enlightening. I don't want to talk about the middle part because it honestly bored me to death. This book is like a doughnut. A lot of going on in the beginning and in the end but the middle is just air. 

It bothers me that the story was written in the POV of too many characters. Michael's, Ann's, Ellie's, Christopher's, Echidna's did I forget anyone else who had their own POV. It bothers me because sometimes, I fee like at some parts, it's not the right POV that I should be reading. Like at a certain part, I am reading on Ann's POV, deep inside I'm shouting "why am I not reading Michael's??? This is Michael's scene!"

The last few pages of this book is its saving grace. Finally! yes Finally! I have my answers!!! Thank you!!! I was already losing hope and almost at the point of giving up when it came! the answers!!! yey!!! It totally cleared a lot of things from book 1 until the end. 

I love the idea of the whole series. But in my opinion as a reader, the story's ideas are scattered and not too focused. The characters are great and really strong, but they are not portrayed really well. Christopher's and Ellie's love, which I expected to be the center of the story, became just a tiny spot in a big story. I get the point, that they are just part of something really big, that their story was just a simple explanation of the connection. But it saddened me that I did not much experienced their love story.   

Consequences by Elyse Draper

Summary

Christopher now chose the life of isolation together with Lune and his mate Ursa. After his life in Vegas with James after Ellie left him, Christopher suffers the consequences and self-hatred for the horrible things he did.

Now that James is dead, there's only V. And V could no longer control Christopher. Thanks to Lune who brought him back to sanity during the time he's becoming a monster. Lune's breaking V and Chris' connection created a deeper connection between Chris and Lune. Now, Chris can communicate with his bestfriend, and Ursa as well. Along with his new friend Michael, Chris is starting to move on from his nightmares, waiting for Ursa's birth, coping everyday without Ellie and finally sharing his secrets with Michael.

On the other hand, Ellie kept her promise. She travelled around the world to find someone who'll teach her. She met her mentor in Athens, Cassandra. Yes, the legendary Cassandra. The Princess of Troy and the Prophetess. Cass taught her a lot about the Ho Thanatos, the good and evil in their kind and the human kind.

The love of Ellie and Chris could not be stop by their separation. Everyday, they long for each other. All they can do is prepare themselves for they know, someday soon... they'll be together again.

My Review

Frustration!!! Frustration!!! Frustration!!! That's exactly what I'm feeling right now. Can anyone tell me where this story is going???!!! I was expecting some clarity in the second book since Freewill left me with a lot of question marks... But with Consequences, all I got are more question marks and now I'm putting exclamation marks as well!

At the first chapters, I stopped many times confused if I am reading the right book. Is this really the second book? Is there a mistake? You see, at the start, the story skipped everything that happened in Vegas, where I'm expecting it to begin.  Then, bit by bit, there are the flashbacks and retelling of Michael of what happened in Vegas to Michael. I got the point of the writing style, since of course, you'll be hitting two birds in one stone. Introducing the new characters in present and as well explaining the past. However, there's a bit of disappointment in my part. I feel like what happened to Michael in Vegas is such a very important part of the story that it got wasted by just telling it through flashbacks.

Then there is this case that the story suddenly focused with Lune, Ursa and their daughter Artemis. Now, the story was all about the wolves??? what??? with no explanation and all... there's not even a hint what's the connection of Ellie and Chris with the wolves before rambling all about these majestic creatures. Ellie and Chris pushed to the background. I totally adore Lune, I already mentioned that in my review of Freewill, but it's just... can we take the same road? I'm really getting confuse here.

With Ellie, it's all about Ho Thanatos, flashbacks on her part and Cassandra. Little connection with Chris' story in the previous chapters. This book is just like two puzzles that does not fit. I don't fully get the connections and relationships of each characters' story. It's like Christopher is one story, Ellie is another and one more for the dogs/wolves. Even Michael and Cassandra seems to have a separate story :( Of course I'm not saying they're not connected at all! Cass is Ellie's mentor, Michael is Chris' friend and Ellie and Chris are lovers separated by whatever reason, and Lune is Lune! There! There's the connection! Just that *sigh again

Though Echidna is the ultimate evil in this story, I'm thankful in her. Through her, I had some tine ideas of the connections I'm searching for. But still not enough. *sigh one more

Well, I'm not losing hope with this series. Call me stubborn, but I still believe this book has potential, so I'm on the third book. *crossfingers

Freewill by Elyse Draper

Summary

Even before Elizabeth or Ellie was an infant, it was seen that she would be someone great in the mythical world. Her Uncle Edward, understanding the burden of knowing the magical world,  he wished for Ellie not to know the truth, until she meets her soul mate.

Growing up, Ellie became a responsible teen, a loving daughter and a caring older sister to a twin. Little did the people around her knows the ability she hides. She could feel everyone's motions, and could her their thoughts when she touch them. 

Though lives in London with her family, she loves to visit her Uncle Edward's farm. There he found love with her childhood friend Charlie. Then came Hitler and World War 1. Ellie died, but only physically.

For 70 years, Ellie wanders the world an an ethereal, helping people through her abilities. She helps grieving people lessen their suffering by taking away those they could give up and feel it for herself. Then she meet Christopher Ross. Like Ellie, he has the ability, but his ability is to detect and hear the truth beyond the lies. Being an ethereal, Ellie saw Christopher and with unknown reason, she felt a pull towards him. With Chris, she found out there are others like her, and one is after Chris and his abilities. 

My Review

You might observe how unorganized my summary is. Yes, I admit that it is and I'm sorry. But this is also exactly what I'm thinking while reading the book. The story is a little bit scattered in my opinion. First, the title: "Freewill" I feel that the title is kind of forced. Forced in a way that I feel like that the author is trying to justify why she titled this book freewill throughout the story. In the end, I finally agree with the title, but without the help of redundant explanation of freewill in other parts of the book. Second is the story line; the book started with Edward, then Ellie's life, Charlie so on and so on. I was past half the story and I'm still frustrated on what's the story is really all about. There was the mythical creatures, faeries, banshees and all at the beginning, after that it jumped with Ellie's ability and then her lovelife with Charlie and after dying, Christopher. When it came to Christopher's part, that's where I think the story really got started, but can anyone tell me please what's really going on??? Good thing there are some bits of pieces from other characters that gives me some idea what  this story is all about and some connections from what seems like totally different stories from the start. I just hope that the next book would clear a lot of things up.

Ellie and Christopher's love story is heart-wrenching. To love someone you could not physically see and hold except in your dreams made me cry for both of them. As I've said, the interesting part started when Chris was introduced, and it gets better and better page by page. I almost forgot my frustration I've written above...almost. Also, other than the story, the writing got better as well. At first, it feels so awkward reading the words, with the phrases like "condensation dripping from the roof," "the scent of ozone," and "rambunctious" I can't help but have a second look at the words..what was that again??? But when we reached the interesting part as I was saying, the words flowed naturally. I'm not against Ms. Draper's way of words in the beginning, maybe I'm just more comfortable with the latter :)

I totally fell inlove with Chris and Ellie's love story that I don't care about anything else. Now that I have written most of my frustrations about the book, I'm letting them go and just swoon over and day dream about their love. And no way will I forget Lune!!! I want someone exactly like him!!! Really!!! I tried talking to my dog if he would respond to me like Lune did to Chris and Ellie, and all I got was a blank stare then he continued sleeping... *sigh This book won't be that much interesting without this adorable guy. I could not even consider he's a dog, he does not act like one!