Monster Night

Young Adult Fantasy

By Pb Azeltine, Me Drewry  

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NATURALS (The Lost
Souls #2) by Tiffany Truitt


Published. April 2nd 2013 
Publisher: Entangled Teen
**eARC provided by the publisher for an honest review**


Ripped away from those she loves most, Tess is heartbroken as her small band of travelers reaches the Isolationist camp in the mysterious and barren Middlelands. Desperate to be reunited with James, the forbidden chosen one who stole her heart, she wants nothing to do with the rough Isolationists, who are without allegiance in the war between the Westerners and Easterners. But having their protection, especially for someone as powerful as Tess, may come at a cost.

When James returns, Tess’s world once again feels complete—until she discovers her sister, Louisa, has taken up her old post at Templeton, the dangerous chosen ones training center and the site of Tess’s loss of innocence. Tess will do anything to protect her loved ones—but will the price be more than she
can give?

This second book in Tiffany Truitt’s dystopian series is a thought-provoking, thrilling story that asks who
the true enemy really is—the chosen ones who are different, or the naturals…who are just like us.







Naturals is an amazing sequel to The Chosen Ones. It has the same I-Can't-Put-It-Down feeling and we're back into this amazing and not always good world Tiffany created but this time around the characters are so much stronger. 

Tess has a pretty good picture of who she is or at least who she wants to be. She now knows love, friendship and what it feels like to be brave and stand up for herself. But it doesn't mean now things are easy.

Life with the Islationist is hard. They all have to work to help and life in the compound didn't prepare her for it. The people there is very closed minded and to Tess some things don't feel so different than back home.
With time, she learns to respect them and that their wildest costumes might not be so bad after all.

Even though she feels more lonely than back at the compound, she finds some friends and new allies. She knows one thing: she already lost the guy she loves and a sister, she won't lose anyone else.

While the development in The Chosen Ones was slow for Tess, in here she's a woman who knows what she wants and what she won't become.
She also knows that she would give everything to keep safe the people she loves, Robert, Her Sister, Henry and James.
And James is willing to give up everything for her. (And I love every minute of it!)
Also, the same way her father's letters brought to us how the resistance started, the flashbacks to her childhood bring a lot of insight to the way Tess is and why.

There's one thing I really, really loved about it: The way Tess finds herself not just through the things she experiences, but from the stories she reads did it for me. I think every reader feels a connection to the characters.  We learn to be strong, to love, to cry, to hope with them, and that's what Tess does with her books because living in a world with now emotion or art, the books she finds are all she's got. And to read something so similar to what I experience through books makes me feel like I really knew her. Tiffany puts into words what I experience with books so effortless is perfect. 

Naturals is a more strong book than the Chosen Ones, lines are drawn and Tess is letting everyone know where she stands. While it might not have a lot of action it has an enjoyable pace where secrets and bits of new information and background are discovered that keeps you interested. It also sets a great beginning for book 3 ( yes please, I need it know!) that in my eyes will be filled with action.
Tiffany Truitt has made an awesome job with Naturals, keeping the characters faithful to their beliefs but allowing them to learn and grow. I can't wait for the next book to come out

YOU CAN TOTALLY SKIP THIS PART! And go right to the giveaway... I know you want to ;)

Now lets get off this serious stuff and get to the rambling....
Chapter 17 is probably my favorite. I love the dark feeling to it!

And James is back here!! About time! Lol


But then...

WHY, TIFFANY? WHY? Is it really necessary that you torture us like that with that ending? Really? I'm crying and in shock and damn, even angry because seriously even Romeo and Juliet had it easier than them!
Must admit George bit at the end shock me, wonder what he knows... But he's such a good villain I can't help but love it ! Like, he's perfectly twisted!

But OMG I have a big urge to ramble and I can't! (And I'm using way to many exclamation points)


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Strangelets by Michelle Gagnon

Expected publication: April 9th 2013 
Publisher: Soho Teen

17-year-old Sophie lies on her deathbed in California, awaiting the inevitable loss of her battle with cancer…
17-year-old Declan stares down two armed thugs in a back alley in Galway, Ireland…
17-year-old Anat attempts to traverse a booby-trapped tunnel between Israel and Egypt…

All three strangers should have died at the exact same moment, thousands of miles apart. Instead, they awaken together in an abandoned hospital—only to discover that they’re not alone. Three other teens from different places on the globe are trapped with them. Somebody or something seems to be pulling the strings. With their individual clocks ticking, they must band together if they’re to have any hope of surviving. 

Soon they discover that they've been trapped in a future that isn't of their making: a deadly, desolate world at once entirely familiar and utterly strange. Each teen harbors a secret, but only one holds the key that could get them home. As the truth comes to light through the eyes of Sophie, Declan, and Anat, the reader is taken on a dark and unforgettable journey into the hearts of teens who must decide what to do with a second chance at life.


Strangelets has it all. Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, different POVs (something I really love) and even good characters. 

The book is told by three different characters, Sophie who's dying from cancer, Declan who was about to be killed and Anat, who was trying to run away to Egypt.  Each of them is very different, so changing from one to the other was a great experience and also help me gather much more information as I was reading. Each of them comes from such a different background that is a really weird mix. 

But they aren't the only one who get up after a confusing incident in what looks like a hospital... except for the lack of nurses and doctors... oh and the fact that is sealed shut. Three other kids are there as well, Yosh, a quiet girl from Kyoto; Nico, a big guy from Germany and Zain, a timid Indian boy. 

It's really hard to try to say more without giving too much away, but the book has a dark mysterious feeling to it that I really liked.

The clear voices from each character was another thing I enjoyed. 

And then of course is the entire plot idea. I really liked the idea of Science involved. The first time I thought it was going to be more of a supernatural thing but it isn't and it surprised me in a good way.

There were however a few things I didn't like so much... and that is, as much as I enjoyed the different POVs, Anat was always kinda annoying to me, she seemed too rude especially for someone who was running away to her future husband. Not so lovely as you'd think she'll be.
The pace of the book isn't exactly slow... but at parts I felt like I could do without some things... The way The relationship between Declan and Sophie didn't feel too real. I guess I could do without the romance in this. 
And then the ending... while it wasn't bad, it was a good ending after all, it felt rushed. Too rushed and sudden. I just wished there was more to it... but it didn't ruined my experience with the book, I still enjoyed it a lot.

It's the first book I read by Ms. Gagnon and I can say that I would find something else by her and read it.  

CHASING MRS. RIGHT (COME UNDONE #2) BY KATEE ROBERT

Published: March 25th 2013 
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
**eARC provided by the publisher for an honest review**

It was only supposed to last one night...

Ian had no idea the sexy woman he took to his bed was his little sister's best friend--or that she'd refuse to give him more than one night.

Good thing this soldier likes a challenge...



 Chasing Mrs. Right is a quick read, or maybe I liked it so much I read it fast. 

Ian just got back from his second tour in Afghanistan and his family has a welcome party all planned and ready for him. Problem? Ian has PTSD and a crowed club is the last place he wants to be in. 
Roxanne had a terrible day at the office and having to go to a party to welcome her best friend's brother isn't on the top of her To-Do list. 
But then, this hot stranger runs over her and her night may not be that bad after all...

Ian and Rox send the sparks flying and the fire going since the moment they set eyes (and other body parts) in each other. They are intense, they're scared and they still manage to have some fun and teasing conversations!


“I get it—the whole sweating it out thing. I do yoga. Concentrating on breathing, and perfecting and holding the poses, actually takes a lot more effort than you’d think. It’s my happy place.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard it’s great for that. I’m not exactly a yoga guy though.”
“What? You mean you don’t want to work on your flexibility? I’m so disappointed.”
His grin was quick and wicked. “The advantage to being the guy is that I don’t have to be as flexible as my
partner does.”

(I'll let you guys go wild with your imagination for a bit.... ok moving on!)

Chasing Mrs. Righ is the second installment of the Come Undone series, but you don't have to read them in order to understand.

Roxanne doesn't believe in love, so anything more than a couple of nights of fun  is completely out of question. But when she sees Ian and she feels him relax under her touch she can't help but want to be there for him.
Ian knows he's too mess up to go into a relationship but he needs Rox more than anything right now.

I really loved the relationship between them. It's fast, it's physical and it's emotional. Really it has everything. While Ian's need for Roxanne is easier to see and probably more basic, Rozanne's need for Ian is as strong and as important.

I wished there was more to Ian's problems, but Roxanne's were really well developed and make it up.

What I really, really loved about this though was Ian's reaction to that need. I don't want to spoil anything but sometimes, people get so dependable of another person is just not healthy and he sees that. And that's probably my favorite part. And also the one I kinda hated... but hey, we all love some hate - love relationship!
Oh! lets not forget about the steamy steamy scenes. They're perfect and so well written. You don't want to read this on the bus... really, just don't!

Another thing were the secondary characters. While the wasn't a lot to them, because they get their own stories, they all give a little push to the main characters in the right direction.

And the end... it's just perfect and cute and awesome.
The grand gesture is so lovely and in tune with each other that it had me smiling like a fool!

Chasing Mrs. Right is quick intense read that I couldn't put down. The romance, sexy times and some funny parts complement each other so well! And the entire book is written beautifully. I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to read the other two books in the series. I'm really interested in Nathan's story... he sounds like he could really use some love!






New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Katee Robert, learned to tell stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her favorites then were the rather epic adventures of The Three Bears, but at age twelve she discovered romance novels and never looked back.

Though she dabbled in writing, life got in the way—as it often does—and she spent a few years traveling, living in both Philadelphia and Germany. In between traveling and raising her two wee ones, she had the crazy idea that she’d like to write a book and try to get published.

Her first novel was an epic fantasy that, God willing, will never see the light of day. From there, she dabbled in YA and horror, before finally finding speculative romance. Because, really, who wouldn’t want to write entire books about the smoking-hot relationships between two people?

She now spends her time—when not lost in Far Reach worlds—playing imaginary games with her wee ones, writing, ogling men, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

BookRix PROMO

You need to read Beautiful Disaster before you read this, you NEED to, if you don’t, you might hate Abby.  Abby seems kind of awful from Travis’ view at first, but that’s what he finds captivating.  Reading Abby’s point of view really helps you understand her and like her better, because you know she’s not nearly as unaffected and bitchy as she seems, she’s just trying to protect herself.

There’s one major error that bugged me in the first few chapters.  If you don’t know, Travis calls Abby “Pigeon”, an odd nickname, but endearing once you learn why.  In Walking Disaster, Travis calls her Pigeon, since he doesn’t know her name, but suddenly he learns her name is Abby, magically of course.  One minute he’s calling her Pigeon, the next he calls her Abby.  I wish there was a transition where you see that Shepley tells him or some other way.

I must say hate Parker more than I did in Beautiful Disaster.  I never liked him, and apparently my intuition was good, because Travis reveals how awful he really is.  I really wish Travis punched him, or Abby slapped him.  I hope there’s a sequel or prequel in which he dies a horrible death.  Sounds terrible, but he is awful, worse than any villain or enemy in any book I’ve ever read, or movie I’ve ever seen.

Your heart will break for Travis, and you will love him 1265789021974734341847120497147124 times more than before.  Especially when Abby goes out with Parker, or when they separate or are fighting, because now you know the true reasons behind stuff, instead of just what he wants to expose.  You also learn more about his relationship with his mom, along with his dad and brothers.

I’ve read Beautiful Disaster 4-5 times, and I’m sure I’ll reread this a few times as well.  They’re both great stories, and each are different and offer new perspectives to everything.  It’s like reading Beautiful Disaster for the first time again, since it’s so different, you feel like it’s a new book, but they complement each other well.  Even though it’s the same book from another perspective, you get new stuff, since repetitive unimportant stuff she skims over to give you new information.  Don’t worry, she still keeps the important stuff from the first one, and all our favorite parts, and gives us full access to Travis’ brain during them, but she also gives us brand new shiny stuff.

You can buy it from one of these fine retailers:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Dear Cassie  by Lisa Burstein

Published: March 5th 2013 
Publisher: Entangled Teen
**Ebook provided by the publisher in exchange of an honest review**

What if the last place you should fall in love is the first place that you do?

You’d think getting sent to Turning Pines Wilderness Camp for a month-long rehabilitation “retreat” and being forced to re-live it in this journal would be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.

You’d be wrong.

There’s the reason I was sent to Turning Pines in the first place: I got arrested. On prom night. With my two best friends, who I haven’t talked to since and probably never will again. And then there’s the real reason I was sent here. The thing I can’t talk about with the guy I can’t even think about.

What if the moment you’ve closed yourself off is the moment you start to break open?

But there’s this guy here. Ben. And the more I swear he won’t—he can’t—the deeper under my skin he’s getting. After the thing that happened, I promised I’d never fall for another boy’s lies.

And yet I can’t help but wonder…what if?


Where do I start with this?
I fu**ing love it! And Cassie is probably one of my fav characters now. She's so real, so normal and at times, such a mess I can't help loving her.

This is the first Lisa Burstein book I read, I had Pretty Amy on my TBR pile since before it came out, I just haven't got the chance... But trust me after this, I'm so reading it!

Cassie got arrested on Prom night and instead of jail, she gets send to boot camp: no cell phones, no bathrooms, no internet and no earings. Absolute Hell.
But for her, getting arrested isn't the real reason she's there. There's something else, something worse that lead to boot camp.
What's even worse is that Lila run away and she was the one behind what got them arrested, and Amy ratted her out to avoid jail time.

There are many things I love about Dear Cassie:
The book is told in the form of diary entries, and through them we get to know Cassie in such a raw and basic level.
The secondary characters add to the story in a particular way each. Troyer is everything Cassie isn't and through her silence and notes she helps Cassie trust in someone again. I also like to how in her up front way, Cassie was just what Troyer needed. Nez is Cassie's other roommate and probably the bane of her existence but she knew just how to push Cassie's buttons.
And Ben... He slowly but surely makes you fall for him. He's everything Cassie doesn't want, what she's afraid of, but at the same time she can't stay away.
The relationship between Ben and Cassie is one of the best things of the book. Is slow, sweet, innocent and heartwarming. It has a first love feel to it and Ben is probably one of the most loveable male characters ever.

At first, I wasn't too happy with how easy to see what "the thing" was, but as I continued reading I saw this wasn't about "the thing" so much as it was about how Cassie was dealing with it. Denial is a powerful thing, and putting into word something painful can be one of the hardestthings to do, reading Cassie's entries as she tries to get through that and somehow live afterwards you learn to love her, all of her: the tough girl thiat curses non stop and the scare one who hides behind her.
The ending was a bit abrut maybe? I mean I knew that was the end, I just thought there would be a bit more to it. In a way it fitted Cassie's personally perfectly. She just ended that chapter of her life.
I Just want more of her... I need more of her. 

Dear Cassie is a raw, emotional journey about lost friendship and heartbreak. Is about how sometimes we make desitions that later become too painful. Is story about forgiving yourself and lear to love yourself again. Is about finding love again.



Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Fiction from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Pretty Amy is her first novel. She never went to her senior prom.

I open my mouth to say something comforting, but I’m unsure of what. In this moment, I’m reminded that I know little about him. Other than the sarcasm and desire to understand nothing of my queendom, he hasn’t allowed me past the surface.
But then, I have my own walls, hiding things I’d never want him or any other to know. And I understand that need to hide them. You can’t trust anyone.
“Caben…” I start, but still can’t find the right words.
He lowers his hand from his face, never taking his eyes off the glinting water top. “You’re right,” he finally says. “Let’s find the access to Lilly’s section.”
A hollow pang hits my chest, and I’m not sure why. Something in his voice sounds lost, broken. I imagine the gears around my heart spinning faster, trying to keep up with my racing heart.
When he sidesteps me, I reach out and grab his arm. “Caben, I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine, Kal,” he snaps. “We have work to do.”
“No, I’ve said something to offend you.” I drop my hand, but keep close to him, not allowing him to leave my side. Goddess, trying to understand the male brain is harder than anything in protector training. I’ve heard people say that you have to tip-toe around a woman’s emotions, but a man’s ego is every bit as fragile, if not more so.
He releases a heavy breath through his nose and walks back to the pool. He sits down along the edge and rolls up his pants, then slips off his boots. “I honestly don’t think Bax or his goons will be returning tonight.” He sinks his bare feet into the water and sighs.
Glancing at the back of the cave, I plant my hands on my hips. We don’t have time for indulgencies, but the prince is still my charge. If it were my empress, I’d give her anything she’d ask for. Allow her as much time as she needed to collect herself. I have to watch over his mental state as well as protect him, so I try to push the pending need to find Lilly aside and sit down next to him.
“Here,” he says, turning his hand out near my crossed feet. “You have to feel this.”
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “I can remove my own—”
“Have you never been pampered a day in your life?” he asks, lifting an eyebrow. “I know that the Nactue are fierce and will put a hurt on any man for touching them. But try to relax.”
“Is that the rumor in Perinya?”
“What?”
I bite my lip, suddenly regretting my blurt. “Nothing. Never mind.”
From the corner of my eye, I see his lips pucker into a pinched smile, as if he’s trying not to. “Ah,” he says, like he’s made some great universal connection. “Well, there are many whisperings about the Nactue. Some I dare not repeat for fear I’d leave here missing a limb, but that’s one, yes.” He takes my booted foot and begins to unlace it. “I’ve heard that the empress’s protectors are untouchable—forbidden to give themselves to men. And that they’ll snap a man’s neck just for making an advance.”
My mouth drops open. Appalled, I counter, “That’s not true.”
“All right,” he says, as if he hasn’t just insulted my very existence. “It’s only rumors. Things men jaw about in pubs. The unattainable woman is a fantasy, Kal. Don’t be offended.”
“Unattainable?” I grit my teeth, trying to maintain my composure. “Tell me, prince. Do men in your country just go around bedding every woman they can in order to keep them compliant?” I shake my head. “If their fantasy is a woman that would have nothing to do with them, it seems to me it’s their way of feeding their egos after being rejected.”
His eyes widen. “No! How does your brain come up with these—” He bites off his words, his lips thin as he presses them together. “Look, it was a joke.”
I nod, many times. “Another joke. I’m glad that our hard work and sacrifice is amusing to the men of Perinya.”
Caben lets out another sigh and slowly pulls off my boot. His warm fingers skim my calf as he inches up my pant leg. “Just stick your foot in,” he says, then adds lower, “while I stick mine in my mouth.”
Unexpectedly, I laugh. “At least it’s now clean,” I say. “Would you like some help getting it to your face?”

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