Book Spotlight: Spellcaster (Spellcaster #1) by Claudia Gray

When Nadia’s family moves to Captive’s Sound, she instantly realizes there’s more to it than meets the eye. Descended from witches, Nadia senses a dark and powerful magic at work in her new town. Mateo has lived in Captive’s Sound his entire life, trying to dodge the local legend that his family is cursed - and that curse will cause him to believe he’s seeing the future … until it drives him mad. When the strange dreams Mateo has been having of rescuing a beautiful girl—Nadia—from a car accident come true, he knows he’s doomed. 

Despite the forces pulling them apart, Nadia and Mateo must work together to break the chains of his family’s terrible curse, and to prevent a disaster that threatens the lives of everyone around them. Shimmering with magic and mystery, New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray’s new novel is sure to draw fans of the Hex Hall and Caster Chronicles series, and fans of the hit CW TV show The Secret Circle.

From goodreads.com

   The story begins with Nadia and her family moving to a new town. Her mother left, leaving Nadia to fend for herself in the world of magic, and now she needs her more than ever. New town is not all it seems and Nadia must do everything in her power to protect the people she loves. 
   I'm a fan of Claudia Gray and I enjoyed Spellcaster and all the magic. Nadia was a good character that had to undergo some growing. I really liked seeing her love for her father and brother. I love when siblings get along in books, and especially when there's an older sister protecting her younger brother. I liked Nadia's relationship with her father as well. I really thought the family dynamic was good in the story and I enjoyed that aspect. 
   The other characters in the story were interesting enough. Mateo, oh Mateo. He's a sweetie for sure. I would like to see more of the romantic interactions between Nadia and Mateo, but I guess I'll be satisfied for now. I liked seeing Mateo grow as a character and I'm looking forward to finding out more about them. 
   I think my favorite part of the story was the unique way Ms Gray wrote the magic. Pitch Dark website posted a few of these rules and spells on their website and I couldn't help but post them here. I loved the way the spells were written and executed. It was unique and beautiful. 

 

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and the characters. The world of magic was beautiful and poetic, the main characters lovable and sweet. I look forward to seeing where Ms Gray takes the story in the coming books. Spellcaster is out March 5th, 2013. Get it, read it, love it!

Happy reading, 
Valia 

Book Spotlight: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

From Goodreads.com


     Mind Games is a story of two sisters who are not exactly like regular people. When Fia is set on an assignment, she doesn't expect that her choices are going to change the course of things. Even Annie, who is one person who can see Fia better than the others, can't predict what unravels with a single choice. Soon, the sisters are both making decisions that changes their lives forever. 
     I have to be honest and admit that this is my first Kiersten White book. I've heard amazing things about her other series, and while I have the first book and met the lovely lady herself, I have yet to read it. So basically, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started Mind Games and truth be told the book took me by surprise. 
     Fia and Annie are both fascinating characters, and quite unique to their own personalities. Being in the head of these two girls and discovering what drives them was quite the experience. I honestly thing Kiersten did a fantastic job bringing these siblings and their world to life. The book was a fast paced ride, and a quick read. The writing was interesting, especially when it came to Fia. It reminded me a bit of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi and the madness her character portrays on the pages. 
     Overall, I enjoyed Mind Games and recommend it to anyone who enjoys good story. I'm a bit bummed I'll have to wait a while to see what happens next, but that's just the life with series! 
Mind Games comes out February 19, 2013. Get it, read it, love it!

Happy reading, 
Valia 

Book Spotlight: The 13th Sign by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb

What if there was a 13th zodiac sign? 

You’re no longer Sagittarius, but Ophiuchus, the healer, the 13th sign. 

Your personality has changed. So has your mom’s and your best friend’s. 

What about the rest of the world? 

What if you were the one who accidentally unlocked the 13th sign, causing this world-altering change—and infuriating the other 12 signs?  

Jalen did it, and now she must use every ounce of her strength and cunning to send the signs back where they belong. Lives, including her own, depend on it.

From Goodreads.com

       The 13th Sign is a story about Jalen, a girl who doesn’t believe in astrology, until one day when she makes a choice that changes the world around her. She discovers the 13th sign, altering the other twelve signs and the personalities that go with them. Soon she is in a race to save the world and stop the other twelve signs from taking over.  With the help of some unlikely characters, Jalen set off on a journey like now other. 

There were two things that surprised me about this book. First of all, for some reason I did not know this was a middle grade story. For some reason, from all I heard, I thought it was a YA. Second of all, this book, being a middle grade magical adventure was way shorter than I anticipated. Everything I’ve seen about this book points to it being a stand alone and that’s why I thought I would be longer. These two things really affected the way I read the book.

The characters were nice enough but I didn’t feel connected to any of them. I think part of this was the fact that the book was just one thing after the other, without much room for development. Seriously, the way Jalen and the gang were going it was hard to keep up. They were going battle to battle, leaving no room for a breather. I personally thing this book could’ve been better if maybe divided in two, or just a lot longer. I’m a big sucker for those character developments and when those are missing, the adventure part isn’t as fun. 

It was a super quick read for me, but I really liked the story in general. Jalen and the other characters were likable and the idea behind the 13th signs was very interesting. I liked the different aspects of the astrology that were brought in. The elements of the story fit well together. 

13th Sign comes out January 8, 2013. Let me know what you think!

Happy reading, 

Valia 

Book Spotlight: The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?
From Goodreads.com

The Dead and Buried is a story about Jade, the new kid in town. Her and her family just moved into this gorgeous old house and Jade is about to start a brand new school. As she begins her school year, rumors fly and soon Jade finds out that there is more to her house that meets the eye. There was a girl murdered there and now her little brother is seeing her. 

You all know I’m a huge fan of Kim’s writing. I adored everything in Clarity and Perception. The characters, the supernatural, and definitely the romance. Well, The Dead and Buried is another win for me. 

Jade is a great character. She’s a timid girl with a big heart. She loves her brother to pieces and will do anything to protect him. The ghost girl wants answers and to get them she’ll stop at nothing, even using Jade’s little brother. Now it’s up to Jade to find out the truth the detectives couldn’t. I loved seeing Jade grow throughout the book and take the necessary risks to protect her family. But she doesn’t do so alone. 

Enter Donovan. The broody-mc-broodster. I really liked him as a character. It was a nice contrast between Donovan and Jade and I felt like they really felt together well. He would not be my first choice for her and that is exactly why I loved them together. 

I have to mention Alexa, Jade’s antisocial friend. She was just such a fun addition to the rest of the story, I loved it. Alexa is this darker side of Jade, someone who doesn’t talk to people, who stays in her own little world, yet for Jade she comes to the party. I don’t know, it’s just little things that I love, I guess. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I can’t dive into the mystery of the dead girl too much because I’ll give things away, but let me tell you, Kim did well on that. The supernatural and the mystery were excellently balanced in my mind, allowing the story to unfold perfectly. Sure, I knew who done it before the end of the book, but just getting there was a great journey. I have to add one thing tho, I really enjoyed how Kim wrote the whole haunting aspect. When you read it, you'll see what I mean, but seriously, kuddos on that! 

In my opinion, Kim has done it again. Mystery coupled with supernatural and romance make for one great book. The Dead and Buried hits shelves January 1st, 2013! Get it, read it, love it! Let me know what you think!

Happy reading, 

Valia