Munira @ In Vogue with Books

I've never liked Romeo and Juliet much. Though I have a huge likeness for romance books, but the story of Romeo and Juliet wasn't really for me. Unlike that though, this one was far better.

The story started off quite well. Romeo's determination to find Juliet was really described very nively. Although the characters of Romeo and Hamlet felt a little flat at first and was hard to relate to the storyline covered it up well.

The theme of underworld was really interesting. I have always had a fascination for stories dealing with underworld. This story was no exception. Though the starting seemed a bit stagnant to me, once the story moved forward I could easily enjoy everything about it.

I liked the character of Juliet for a change. She seemed strong, unlike the original version of Juliet. And her willingness to make sure Romeo is alright was really good.

Hamlet seemed fine too. I wasn't totally in love him or anything,  but then again, I was NEVER in love with the real Hamlet. SO I didn't expect that to happen here either :P

The writing style was pretty good.I was afraid it might be one of those heavy-weighted-dialogue books, but thankfully enough, it wasn't.

One good thing about the plot is that its a mix of everything, romance, bromance :P , adventure, trouble and to top it of- underworld. I was hooked from the later half. Plus, all of it comes wrapped in a really pretty cover, what more can you ask for?

I usually don't read much pirate or highlander stories, in the fear that I might not like them. But this one was different than many others. In terms of plot and characters, it is definitely a must read book for those who love action packed pirate or highlander books.

The characters, specially the main characters of the story are wonderfully built. Pandora, the lead is quite a unique character. I guess her unique upbringing contributed to it as well. As a heroine, Pandora is a mix of everything that will compel you to like her. She is strong willed and full of self confidence. She can be a bit manipulative at times but I like when the female leads do that so overall, I really really liked her.

Ewan, as the hero, was no less. He is nice and charming and totally an amazing person. His aim is to bring a traitor’s corpse to King Henry VIII's court. Fate throws this feisty unique girl in his way.  He doesn't seem to be someone wanting to get involved with a women in a sentimental or emotional way but still when he meets Dory, he cannot help falling for her, even if he doesn't realize that at first. His primary motive is to protect her from the crisis she is facing, and the love attraction happens somewhere along that road. I liked how McCollum has shown Ewan's disliking for the London life and yet his attitude of not giving up.

I am through believing things will work out on their own.

Mad as a dog, mad as a god.

-tall, bare feet, jeans, and a black t-shirt turned inside out, messy black hair...looking like a shadow of a regular boy, a boy her age, who wasn't a boy at all.

At least someone seemed to know what to do, even if that someone wasn't her. Even if that someone wasn't human.

"If I'm hurt, you must be very careful...you must be careful of me."

she thought that every day since the one he'd died was not one where he aged, but rather one where he grew away from humanity. He didn't seem older than he must have been when he died; just entirely stranger.

I have feelings for you..Big, weird, crazy feelings.

For catching the___Maybe she'd get her own TV show: Teenage Bounty Hunter.

Everything weird and boring here. U better have fun fun fun and send pix so I can be jealous.

The book is good but certainly has some issues. One was the title. While the title of the book seem really interesting and somewhat intriguing, I couldn't find any connection to the story whatsoever. I really liked the title, and it was mainly the title that made me choose the book in the first place. I continuously tried to link it to the storyline but no luck. What does the death o fin actually mean? Death of Paige' dream? Death of Devon's plan? death of writing overall? I could not connect.Then there is the blurb part. It says-

So after she finds a binder containing information on a past murder and the illegal activities of the students, she believes the stories are fictional and the perfect way to win the contest.

As far as I remember, there wasn't a single moment when Paige had considered this possibility. (Or have I somehow missed it? o_O) As the book ends, I still see her struggling with the contest and her writing issues. This is a series book, so I guess that will be shown in the next one. But isn't it a spoiler then? Why would I want to know how Paige overcomes her writing issues beforehand? 

Paige is an interesting character. She is the lead, and most possibly, the most well sketched character of the book.Her feelings and emotions and confusion at times over Devon are very very well portrayed by the author. She is to do everything staying within the line because of the what her elder sister had done in her past. Living with her grandmother who doesn't want Paige to follow the same footsteps make things tougher for Paige. She cannot write, cannot pursue her future as an author because her aunt is not convinced of this being an actual profession.

Life had inured Paige. At her age, she'd accepted that there were certain things she could not do.

Things take a different turn when she meets the boy from her new school,  Devon. Devon doesn't seem to like Paige that much, and he already has a hot girlfriend. And yet, he agrees to help Paige make her dream come true...certainly he has his own reasons, but what? Paige doesn't know.

I loved the mystery element of Devon's character. Compared to Paige, his family background seemed more well-drawn to me. I could easily visualize him as a boy, going through life's happiness and woes, his parents' misery and his sister's tragedy. But sometimes Devon's pov appeared a little choppy to me, and I often felt like scanning through some parts. 

Among the other characters, I like Christina. She seems nice, unlike many over-possessive girlfriends. She doesn't seem to notice or get hyper over the fact that Devon and Paige are spending time. And she appears to be a nice human being overall, at least for this book.

Then there is Matthew, I really really like the guy, even more than Devon to some extents. And though Paige looks quite confused about the whole thing with Matthew, I really wish they somehow happily end up together. But Devon being the main male character(so far), I guess that's not going to happen. Even if Devon and Paige don't end up together, I don't see how Paige is going to make it work with all the obsession with every other thing except Matthew.

Now the biggest letdown for me is the ending. Frankly, I was a little frustrated. I was hoping something way better than this. I know this is a part of a series, and it's not the end. Endings are often cliffhangers, but this...I don't know if I can call it that even. It felt like there were some more pages in the end but someone had ripped them off so the book ended all of a sudden. I'm no big author or critique or anything, but I feel books shouldn't end with someone eating spaghetti or someone lecturing about what you should or should not do. On that note, I also think the ending wouldn't have sucked so much if it was shown in a a different way, like Paige having this thought and realizing how helpless she is and all.

The book has a great plot. It's not the usual school-romance or about the back-biting-bitches. Of course, it has those elements, but not making it affect the story. Even though the narration can seem quite boring at times, if you can keep up the reading it's possible you can end up enjoying it like any other good book. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about the ending and you have to try it out yourself to see whether or not you'd want to stick to the series. Still, I would personally suggest that if you are not dying from the pressure of your TBR pile, then this book is worth a try:)

The plot is good. It has potentials. If others things had gone well, I would have loved it, seriously, and I really wanted to love it.

As for the plot, the connection with Cain and Abel was really interesting. I can't remember the last time I had read a book going on that route. It's interesting and refreshing to read.

I like the narrating points of view in the book. The pov of Jax and Sam make it easier to understand and delve into the story all the more. It also helped me to understand their characters. As characters, both of them are really good. Jax has his own "inner demon" to fight with. Here, I must acknowledge Jus's accomplishment as an author in portraying Jax's character. It's like he is constantly walking on a thin thread balanced between his demonic and non-demonic side. And being cursed to live with that demon for the rest of his life is not easy at all. His demon ends up hurting people and to keep the ones he loves safe, he has no other choice except leaving them. All is not well for him, of course. His anger, violence and turmoils are very, very well portrayed in the book.

I haven't actually read the series before. Though the goodreads link doesn't say anything, I guess it's supposed to be a novella of the Unholy Alliance series.The two characters Emily and Brett are pretty lovable. I felt their love story typical, nothing sort of unique. But still, it was nice to see them fall in love. Together they face situations where, fighting with all the power, courage and strengthen they can muster.

Emily and Brett come from different backgrounds, they both have their own issues to deal with. their own secrets to hide. But eventually they end up helping each other and being each other's support system. I liked the character of Emily because as I always say, I like strong female characters. Emily wants to be a Chaser, just like her other family members. As for Brett, he is the typical sweet, romantic and nice guy you'd find in a usual love story. His attempts at wanting to keep his condition a secret is understandable and shows that he has a sense of self respect as well. I wish the book was longer so that I could've gotten to know both of them better.

Overall, it was a short and nice read. The only letdown for me was probably the length. I don't like books that are either too lengthy or too short. Novella or not, I really wish this story was a little longer, so that the plot could have developed a little more along with the characters. I felt like the story ended the moment I was getting engrossed in it. But I would suggest it to anyone who loves to have a short YA read.

The overall setting seemed good and appropriate for the  plot. It matched up to the gothic-ness of the storyline. And as I've mentioned about me not knowing about the original story, I have a feeling this book successfully lives up to the setting of the original book as well.

As for the heroine, I liked Katrina at the beginning. But I wasn't convinced by the way she acted and felt. Sure, love, for me, is almost a crucial and inseparable element in every story. I don't have issues with Kat falling daydreaming about Ichabod within a short span of time. But while the village is in terror of the Sleepy Hollow, it's not really a good time for her to be ready to risk everything she has and everyone around her for that one person she's barely known. I'm always up for the element of romance and love, but such a kind seems unrealistic to me. Moreover, I think I would have like Katrina a lot better if she had sounded a little less modern compared to the age she belonged to. It was pretty much the same for other characters. It seemed anachronistic and I find that disappointing.

The mystery element is really good. It is probably one of the things that made me go for a 3 star rating. Even if you don't like the characters, or find the love part too unrealistic, you'd still find it hard enough skip reading it, mostly because of the well-built mystery. However, I'm not satisfied with the ending because, well, I wasn't expecting that kind of an ending. Anything else would have been better, but all the expectations I had throughout the story went away as soon as I reached the ending :( And there were questions left till the end with no logic given, which is a let down for me. This looks like a standalone so no luck in hoping to find answers in the next book either :(

Concept-wise, it is a really good book. I loved the setting too, as already mentioned. I feel the characters needed a little shaping. Also, if the suspense was carried out in a more successful way till the end, I would have simply loved the book. Nevertheless, if you are a Sleepy Hollow fan or like to read re-tellings (like me) I would suggest you to give it a try. Don't have great expectations, but it still a nice book :)

The plot is not bad, really. As I said, it has potentials. The main theme is witch and witchcraft, talking about the witches' powers and their world where they fight against the demons to protect them as well as the human kind. Penelope, the female lead, is also a witch. Here the storyline takes quite a similar turn as Harry Potter in the sense that Penelope's parents are also murdered by a demon in her childhood and she is left with no witch powers of her own. She is a 'Static' witch, having lost her witch powers like that.That must be kept a secret because otherwise, pretty obviously, she'll be banished from their world for being one. Interestingly, she is able to to use her magical powers even if she is a Static whenever she is near her family. Now, I feel as a lead, Penelope lacks the weight at times and there are moments when all I wanted to do is smack her in the head or at least give a mild punch to her face. Sometimes she seemed so over-obsessed with herself! I'm not being a misogynist, but I don't know why it's so hard for me to like the heroines of a book in general. Well, I definitely have a list of heroins I can fangirl all day about, but seriously, that list is like, one-fifth compared to the one I have for my favorite kickass heroes:( She's really enthusiastic to be an Enforcer (the witches who fight the demons) but her over-enthusiasm often leaves her prone to situations, and sometimes she clearly lacks the providence needed for a heroine. Also, I could have liked her a little bit more if she hadn't shown her sense of humor at all, because I understand, some people are not good at some things :p

Then there was Carter, who could have been a swoon-worthy hero if he wasn't shown as being predictable at times. I have a thing for fictional heroes you see:D So no matter how cool or hot, how good guy or  badass or rockstar-ish or geeky they are, I seem to love them anyway. For Carter, I really wish I could connect to him on that level. He was not a bad character after all, but needed a little more development.

The thing I liked about these two main characters is there chemistry. I mean, though it was really very predictable and not very unique, I did enjoy their banter most often (excluding Penelope's attempts at humor). Another thing that makes the two interesting together is Penelope's ability to use her powers around Carter. Overall, they are a nice couple together, but there were rooms for making them even nicer I believe.

Another thing that disappointed me was the supporting characters. I always believe that a good story is made of good characters, meaning successful character portrayals. So when reading a book, I look forward to knowing the supporting characters with the same amount of interest. For this book, the supporting characters are vague, not having developed properly. Even Penelope's best friend Ric, a character I might have liked, looks less like a best friend and more like a neighbor or some friendly classmate of Penelope. Best friends are supposed to have more limelight right? They should be in your ups and downs, and most, if not all, chapters should have some references to them (without making in repetitive and boring) And apart from that, all other characters seem to have no standing ground of their own. It's like they were introduced, they appeared and soon forgotten.

The one part I really liked though was the action. The action element of the book is what kept me going. Then there is the ending, which actually made me wait for the second book. So even though it's not on my must-read list, I may still wait and give the second book a try, hoping for further developments and changes in the storyline.

It's wonderful! Yes! The book is wonderful! Even though I have given it 4 stars, I must admit that this book, if the few minus points are excluded, deserves to get a full 5!

First let me fangirl about the good things. The cover. Awwww, I got the book from NG. I was first 'just looking at it' and even before I realized I had pressed the 'Request'. The most striking thing about that cover is Myla, with hair flowing and that gear and the most noticing thing, her tail. Seriously, how many times have you seen someone, that too a girl...and that too the goddamn lead of a book with a tail? And yeah, don't forget the devilish-looking pointy part. Hauntingly beautiful cover (I just had to use the word 'hauntingly' here, and I don't even know why!)

From the beginning, I LOVED Myla. She.Is.COOOOL. I've always loved fictional girls with strong personalities. And Myla...she is one of the most kickass heroines I've ever read about. The way she shows her enthusiasm for arena fights, the reckless attitude while fighting even some of the vilest creatures on trial, and loving the all 'risky business' thing made my heart go gooey inside (uh, is that normal?) It's been long time since I've actually fangirled over a heroine for her badass persona, because it's been a real long time since I've read about one. So thanks to the author for having created Myla :D Well, I have complaints but I'll deal with you for that later :p

I loved the whole Purgatory and Quasi-demon theme. Again, do we get to see such ideas very often? I mean there are books on Heaven and Hell, angels and demons- yes, but this seemed to me like a quite unique concept ornamented by some conventional ones. When Myla's first arena fight is described, I was visualizing this whole Gladiator thing..with a huge Colosseum like place where Myla was probably the female version of Russel Crowe, except that she didn't die. Though I was having a little problem to get in the story with suddenly quasi demons with their different tails and ghouls and areana fights, once I've gotten hold of it, it seemed effortless to feel yourself within story. I could seriously feel like seeing Scala with my own eyes (though my version seemed rather funny and weird than scary). For me, when you don't have to squeeze your eyes shut or put an effort to 'see beyond' in order to visualize a story, that is when you know it's a very, very good story. And indeed, it is.

Apart from Myla, I loved Lincoln, though he is described the way ALL the fictional heroes are introduced. But still, I like him and his chemistry with Myla. However, I felt the transition from hate to neutral to love a little fast. I mean, I get that they are the leads and they are supposed to fall in love and everything, but all those things happened a little too fast and to me it seemed a little unreal. 

The ghoul, Walker, was an interesting character to watch. He is different than the other ghouls in the sense that she look after Mila, but not in a way she wouldn't like. He is like a friend, a protector, a brother and company to enjoy. 

I like Myla's mother. The typical overly conscious afraid and hiding-something-about-the-past mother, clearly indicating that her concerns for Myla's safety may not be the mere outcome of over-protectiveness. From the very beginning thought, it was clear that she is special. It is pretty obvious if you ask me. Lead female characters of a book are either a totally average girl or something like the 'Chosen One'. It's not like I'm complaining, I know the story has to start with something, and this is always a good point to start with.

For the first time perhaps, I have actually hated a character. It's Myla's best friend Cissy, or should I say..really sissy :p I hadn't even disliked Voldemort that way, ever. Plus, the conversation and everything about Cissy made me feel like strangling myself to death. On the contrary, even Zeke seemed angelic, though he didn't quite appear as one at the beginning.

The plot development is good overall, though at times I felt the story dragging. There were descriptions that often bored me a little. But still, I liked it because the execution was impressive altogether. Author Christina Bauer has cooked up a story with some familiar ideas but added to it her own spices, making it a delicious read :) I'll definitely be looking forward to reading the next book of the series.

But it was Valentine. I saw him…he came down to the cells and taunted me through the bars. It was like a bad movie, except he didn’t actually twirl his mustache.

“Yes,” Jace said, unable to help himself, “I was trained to be an evil mastermind from a young age. Pulling the wings off flies, poisoning the earth’s water supply- I was covering that stuff in kindergarten.”

“Enormous?” said Jace. “Did you just call me fat?”
“It was an analogy.”
“I am not fat.”

“that’s convenient,” said Jace. “I guess blessings are easier to come by than I thought. Maybe I should ask for blessings on my mission against all those who wear white after Labor Day.”

“I bet the Inquisitor thinks I did that, too,” said Jace. “My reign of terror continues.”

I thought you came down right on the side of go directly to jail, do not pass Go, do not collect two hundred dollars. ‘The Law is the Law, Isabelle’

“Looks like a bite mark,” said Jace. “What were you doing out all night, anyway?”
”Nothing,”…”I went walking in the park. Tried to clear my head.”
“And ran into a vampire?”
“What? No! I fell.”
“On your neck?”

“I wrenched it off the side of a telephone pole.”…”I guess you can do anything when your adrenaline is up.”
“Or when you have the unholy strength of the damned,” Jace said.

“They had something I needed.” “What? A sense of decency?”

“I only had five slices,” Simon protested, leaning his chair backward so it balanced precariously on its two back legs.
“How many slices did you think were in a pizza, dork?”
”Less than five slices isn’t a meal. It’s a snack.” Simon looks apprehensively at Luke.
“Does this mean you’re going to wolf out and eat me?”
“Certainly not…You would be stringy and hard to digest.”
“But kosher,” Simon pointed out cheerfully.

Jace raised his eyebrows. “I knew it,” he said. “You want to kiss me, don’t you?”
“Of course not. But if-“
“I guess it’s true what they say,” observed Jace. “There are no straight men in the trenches.”
“That’s atheists, jackass.”