Book #60 - Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2)

Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2), C. C. Hunter
383 pages
paranormal romance, urban fantasy
Started 5/23/12
Finished 5/24/12
3.5 STARS

This was one of those weird books that I really liked, but was really annoyed by all at the same time. You know what I'm talking about. It's a good story with interesting characters and a cool world. But, sometimes they seem like they're hamsters running in a wheel - there's lots of action, but they never really get anywhere.

At the end of the first book, Kylie was trying to decide between Logan and Derek, trying to figure out what exactly she is (fae, were or vamp), talking to ghosts, and being pissed off at her dad. Although there's some really fun and exciting things that happen during the course of Kylie's adventures, at the end, guess where she is? Still trying to decide between Derek and Logan, still unsure of what she is, still talking to unsettled ghosts and EXTRA pissed at her dad. See what I mean?

What I found exciting and enticing at the end of Born at Midnight, I now find irritating. Then, it was cool that I didn't know what she was. By now, I'd expect some forward movement; some progress in the storyline. Maybe a few hints at what she might be. But, instead, there's only more confusion. And, this thing between her, Logan and Derek. I get the YA love triangle - most authors feel it's an essential plot device. Why, I don't know. I'm sure they could find a more clever way to angstify their stories without a girl-loves-boy-but-maybe-she-loves-the-other-boy plot.

The saving grace are the relationships Kylie forms with her BFFs. That and Derek. I really dig that half-fairy. 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine to give we read-a-holic bloggers some real estate to devote to books we're pining away for.

I've been on a Jennifer L. Armentrout bender for about a month now. I've read every one of her YA books that has been officially released, and you'll note that my Waiting on Wednesday post from last week was also for  JLA book. In keeping with my current one-track mind, This week's Waiting on Wednesday post is about...

Deity (Covenant #3)
By:  Jennifer L. Armentrout
Due Out:  November 6, 2012

Daimon (Covenant #0.5) was the very first JLA book I ever read. The characters and the world captivated me and made me crave the remainder of the Covenant series. I've now read all that I can, and I can't believe I still have to wait almost six months until Deity comes out. It's making me crazy! Especially since Pure (Covenant #2) ended with such a bang.

Book #59 - My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1)

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1), Rachel Vincent
279 pages
paranormal romance, urban fantasy
Started 5/21/12
Finished 5/22/12
4 STARS

I really like stories that surprise me. And, this one surprised me. Just when I think that the limit has been capped on the imagination, I'm happy to find that there are still some authors out there that are still capable of coming up with fresh ideas. It's a fun discovery for a reader like me.

Kaylee has a secret. She can tell when people are going to die. And the way she can tell this is she has a nearly uncontrollable urge to scream bloody murder. It's distracting and horrible and she feels like a complete freak. And then she meets Nash. For some reason, he's the only person she's met that can settle her soul when she gets the urge to scream. But, now girls are dying around town with no apparent reason, and Kaylee is determined to find out why so that her soul can find some rest, as well as theirs.

This was kind of a sad story, what with all the death and whatnot. But, the end was kinda explosive and surprising. I liked that Kaylee was confused and curious, yet strong in her desire to learn more about herself and what she could and could not do. I thought she and Nash got together a little quickly (I like it when couples have to work for it), but it was inevitable, anyway.

I enjoyed all the twists and turns and big reveals. I hope the surprises continue in future books. I'm excited to check out the second one.