Double Review: Revamped by Ada Adams & The Lost Code by Kevin Everson

ReVamped
(Angel Creek, #1)
by Ada Adams
Released |February 20th 2012|
Edition |Ebook|

A simple mission turned deadly.
Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.
When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.

I love the cover of this book! It so pretty :) Just thought I'd get that out there. Now see I have been all vamped out for years now...I read too many books with them! But when a book this good comes along, it doesn't fall into the 'played out' category :) 
I have to say I love whole concept of this book. The whole Revamped thing was pretty awesome :) Trying to turn 4 crazy, dorky, druggie vamps into the town heroes has to be no easy thing. I felt for Dawn! lol That poor girl :)
Sebastian was probably my fave, right along with Brook lol That girl cracked me up! She acted like a true cheerleader. Bubbly. And Sebastian was just dreamy. I liked him right from the start, when he told her to never come on his property again...lol
I thought this book was a fun, entertaining and lightweight read. I would have devoured this book if I hadn't of been read 2 other books at the same time. It was definitely a page turner that left you wanting more :) I really can't wait to see what happens in the second installment and see what continues for Dawn and the gang.
I recommend this book for all you vamp lovers :) Blood Vodka and Blood Cola, I love it!

The Lost Code
(The Atlanteans, #1)
by Kevin Emerson
Released |: May 22nd 2012 by HarperCollins Children's Books|
Edition |E-ARC|

WHAT IS OLDEST WILL BE NEW, WHAT IS LOST SHALL BE FOUND.
The ozone is ravaged, ocean levels have risen, and the sun is a daily enemy. But global climate change is not something new in the Earth’s history.
No one will know this better than less-than-ordinary Owen Parker, who is about to discover that he is the descendant of a highly advanced ancient race—a race that took their technology too far and almost destroyed the Earth in the process.
Now it is Owen’s turn to make right in his world what went wrong thousands of years ago. If Owen can unlock the lost code in his very genes, he may rediscover the forgotten knowledge of his ancestry…and that less-than-ordinary can evolve into extraordinary.

Going into this book, I really didn't know what to expect. But I was really surprised by some of the awesomeness in this book :)
At first, this book started off a little slow for me. It wasn't slow as in awful, but just slow paced. I was anxious to see when things would pick up and have some true drama and action happen. In the beginning, I thought, uhh, this might not be to great, but then things started to pick up!
I liked Owen's character. He wasn't the in your face, I'm an awesome hero type of guy, he was more subtle. He was kind of awkward and nonchalant, and also a mystery. I couldn't figure him out in the beginning. That what really drew me to his character. He was different. I didn't know what to expect from him. Lily, I still don't know how I feel for her. She was very smart and drawn to Owen from the start. But, I think I like her lol She was nice and passionate throughout the entire book.
The whole thing with the gills was kind of awesome! I really liked the whole concept. That they were still human, but had a set of gills! Actual gills :) Sounds kind of gross now that I think about it though... But anyways, the whole mystery to the Atlanteans was really intriguing and really made the book. I was so into the whole mystery with finding out what meant what and who was meant to do what. The Lost Code :) It brought a whole other element to the book. The whole thing with the mystery behind the skulls and the three true Atlanteans was awesome! Who is the third Atlantean? Do we already know who it is? We know two for sure, but then there's that possible! That completely threw me for a loop :) And added a twist!
I did enjoy the romance between Owen and Lily and I also liked how it didn't take up the whole book. The book was focus more on the actually story of the book, not just the romance. The action did pick up, and when it did I really enjoyed it :) This book was a definite page turner for me once I really sat down and really got into it.
I recommend this book for those who like a good mystery, mythology, and of course, end of the world, apocalyptic books :)! Awesome :D
Thanks to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for the opportunity to review this book! All thoughts are my honest opinion.

Raised By Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Raised By Wolves
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Released |September 30th 2010 by Quercus Publishing|
Edition |Paperback, 418 pages|

At the age of four, Bryn  watched a rogue werewolf brutally murder her parents. Alone in the  world, she was rescued and taken in by the mysterious Callum, the alpha  of his werewolf pack. Now fifteen, Bryn’s been raised as a human among  werewolves, adhering to pack rule (mostly). Little fazes her.
But the pack’s been keeping a secret, and when Bryn goes exploring  against Callum’s direct orders, she finds Chase, a newly turned teen  Were locked in a cage. Terrifying memories of the attack on her mom and  dad come flooding back. Bryn needs answers, and she needs Chase to get  them. Suddenly, all allegiances to the pack no longer matter. It’s Bryn  and Chase against the werewolf world, whatever the consequences.

This is one of my first  shifter YA series that I loved, because I didn't start off reading YA. I read adult shifter books, but hadn't been introduced to the YA category at the time. Writing this review I am finding difficult since I read this book almost 2 years ago, but I'll try without spoiling :D

Bryn was adopted as a child by alpha werewolf Callum when a rogue wolf killed her parents while she hid and watched the entire thing. Soon Bryn meets Chase a boy who was recently turned. Things get a little crazy after that!

The Characters
I loved Bryn's character! She was fun :) And she also had some attitude that I liked! No push over with her. But sometimes, I felt she could be a little bit defiant and hardheaded, but after all she's only 15. LOVED LOVED LOVED Callum! I loved his whole demeanor. He was kind of suave, level headed and he showed his true emotions to Bryn which I thought was... *Awwww* ;)  His whole Alphaness just draws me to him even though he's old lol! I also like Bryn's friend Devon :) He was an added plus to the book!

Chase
When Bryn finally comes in contact with Chase, it was interesting. I was right there along with Bryn with the why can't I see him thing. I liked Chase he was sweet and adorable! Their romance, I swear, was the cutest thing to me. Now I don't want to spoil things so I am going to stop right here. But when the thing happen when Bryn did the thing lol I was like whoa. Everyone had a freak out moment.

I kind of thought things were taken to the extreme with Devon's mother, but I guess that was unusual. But when Ali reacted, I didn't think she need to do what she did lol I am cracking up! But I did think she overreacted. Plus she had kids to think about.

But overall, amazing story! This one of the reasons why I love shifters :D I highly recommend this series!

Recommendations - Shifters/Gods/Dystopian

Here are a list of some recommendations of books I enjoyed from different categories :)
All are 4 to 5 star books!
If you've read some of these, tell me what you thought of them.
Or if you want to read a few, tell me which ones :D

Shifters

Gods/Goddesses

Dystopian

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Wither
(The Chemical Garden Trilogy, #1)
by Lauren DeStefano
Released |March 22nd 2011 by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers|
Edition |Audio book, 9 discs|

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?

Wow! I don't know why I procrastinated in reading this amazing story :) It was awesome! I'm so glad I already have book 2! 4.5 stars to Wither. But I must say, I think this book is for mature teens and up. 
I really really liked this story! At the beginning of the book, it took a chapter or two before I really got into the story. I don't know why but it just took a minute. But once I got REALLY into the story, it was amazing :)

I really loved the whole story line to it. Rhine was an amazing female lead :) She was smart, but also, she was patient. She was different from the other two girls. Cecily with her...I don't know how to describe her. She was like a kid in a candy store. And there was Jenna, quiet and stand offish. 

I don't know who I choose, Linden or Gabriel. I actually think I have come to like Linden a little bit more. He was so sweet to Rhine and so clueless at times it hurt to see. I just didn't like how he went back and forth between the girls. I thought that was gross. *shivers* I thought his relationship with the other two girls was creepy and weird lol But, I wonder will he find out all the secrets that have been kept from him.

This book had so much suspense. I was about to say it was a page turner, but considering I listened to the audio book, I went through all 9 disc and about 2 and a half days :) It was that good!

The issue with Jenna was so sad. I don't think I cared for Cecily. She was annoying to me throughout the whole book with her jealousy, selfish and whinny demeanor. And what she did, I wouldn't be able to forgive her either. But then again, she's young, but still. That's was her selfish way. *Just my opinion*

I definitely recommend this book! And can't wait to dig into Fever :) Awesome, awesome book!

Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London

Darkness Before Dawn
(Darkness Before Dawn, #1)
by J.A. London
Released |May 29th 2012 by HarperCollins Publishers|
Edition |ARC, 342 pages|

This electrifying new trilogy blends the best of paranormal and dystopian storytelling in a world where the war is over. And the vampires won.

Humans huddle in their walled cities, supplying blood in exchange for safety. But not even that is guaranteed. Dawn has lost her entire family and now reluctantly serves as the delegate to Lord Valentine, the most powerful vampire for miles. It isn’t until she meets Victor, Valentine’s son, that she realizes not all vampires are monsters....

Darkness Before Dawn is a fresh new story with captivating characters, unexpected plot twists, a fascinating setting, and a compelling voice. Written under the name J. A. London by a talented mother-son team, the trilogy is perfect for fans of True Blood and the House of Night and Morganville Vampires series.

I rate this book 4.5 stars :) I thought it was amazing! The cover, the characters, and the premise did not disappoint.


I've seen some reviews where the reviewer is judging the book based on the premise of the story. Comparing it to other books. I say, give a book a chance before you go into it. Go in to reading it with an open mind, because this book did not disappoint me whatsoever! I loved it :)

Vampires have won the war and are now ruling the world. How awesome is that! Something different. The whole thing with the thirty year war between the humans and vamps was intriguing. I loved when the book started talking about that point because, come on, vamps and humans fighting is a disaster waiting to happen.

I really like Dawn and Victor's character. Dawn was a strong female lead and I really like that. She didn't cower in a corner waiting to be protected. I would be scared out my mind to face Lord Valentine, the vampire ruler of her city. Dawn, only 17 and the delegate of the city is a big thing and I really liked that whose aspect of the book. And when Dawn meets Victor, Lord Valentine's son, it made the book all the more interesting.

Victor was amazing! I think I swooned over him! Who wouldn't want a guy like him. Even though he is a vamp. Living in Dawn's world, I think I would have had a more, OMG WTF you're Lord Valentine's son kind of reaction when she found out who he was. She was a little bit more calm than how I would've been. But I really enjoyed the chemistry between the too.

It was a little bit of a love triangle with Victor and Michael. Michael, her current boyfriend, and Victor. I actually didn't mind the love triangle because Dawn wasn't the Oh My Gosh what am I going to do I can't choose kind of girl. So it was A-OKay.

The only bad thing I can say is that when everything was revealed, I had already figured out who everyone was. But, me being me, I was still shocked? lol

The ending, I can't wait to find out what will happened! Will she die or will she be turned?! OR maybe she will survive and be human! I don't know, but I can't wait to find out!

This book was action packed, with some great romance and some awesome characters! I definitely recommend this book to all you dystopian and vampire lovers out there!

Thanks to J.A. London and Halli from HarperCollins Publishers for sending me an ARC of this book for my honest opinion :)!

Hourglass by Myra McEntire -- Review contains spoilers!

Hourglass
(Hourglass, #1)
by Myra McEntire
Released |June 14th 2011 by EgmontUSA|
|review written by Jalyn|

One hour to rewrite the past . . . 
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may also change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

 I really enjoyed this book. I felt a good connection to the characters and the story line was different from the usual YA paranormal. I really liked that I didn't see the time traveling story coming. I just thought I was going to be reading a book about a girl that sees the dead.

Emerson was an enjoyable character and I liked her relationship with Michael. I know it bothers a lot of readers when characters fall in love fast, but when the writing is good, I don't mind it at all. Em and Michael tried to stay apart romantically through most of the book. They weren't spewing "I Love You" all the time [that actually doesn't even happen until the end of the book and Em wasn't annoying with her inner thoughts about him. 

I had very few issues with this book. Really the only thing that bothered me was that Lily was introduced and talked about like she was going to have a bigger part in the book, but we don't see much of Em's "best friend." I'm hoping that Lily will have a bigger role in the next book.

I will definitely be reading book two, Timepiece, as soon as I can get a copy :)

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Hourglass
(Hourglass, #1)
by Myra McEntire
Released |June 14th 2011 by EgmontUSA|
|review written by Rachael|
Rachael's blog: http://www.moosubi.blogspot.com/

One hour to rewrite the past . . . 
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may also change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

If you want to see more of my reviews, check out my blog @ Moosubi Reviews!

After I heard so much hype about Hourglass, I finally decided to give it a try! I definitely enjoyed it, although my experience didn't reflect the jaw-dropping-amazingness that a lot of my friends showed. But I still definitely enjoyed the book!

I liked the idea of "rips", or time ripples. It's an idea that I sometimes think about when reading about time travel, or just when I'm daydreaming. It was also pretty unique, so I liked the instances when Emerson or Michael explored the idea or experimented with it. An intriguing concept, it also kept Emerson pretty busy trying to figure it out, and I liked seeing her trying to figure it out. Along the way, I was also guessing a bit, too! However, I found that this idea wasn't as flushed out as I would have liked it to be. A lot of this book was focused on Emerson and her relationships with Michael and Kaleb, and although I'm a fan of romance, I would have liked to see the idea more flushed out. Nonetheless, I still liked the author's time travel ideas, and it kept me reading!

The plot definitely moved quickly and didn't bore me for the most part. I especially liked the action at the end when Emerson & Michael finally time travel! During that part, there was a lot of suspense and some guessing on my part. However, as I said before, this idea of time traveling didn't occur as often as I would have liked, since there was mostly relationship building in this book. Don't get me wrong - the romance will appeal to a lot of PNR fans (Steamy kissing? Check. Hot and Mysterious Guy? Check. Classic Heroic and Kind Acts? Check. Arrogant, yet Kind & Smart Attitude? Check.), and I admit that I didindulge in some of the romance - it's just that it seemed like the romance took a lot of potential away from the idea of time travel.

As for the characters, I would say that they were this novel's strongest points :/ They weren't bad per se - however, they weren't extraordinary either. Emerson was a little bland to me, although she did have instances of brilliance that I applauded her for. Her family was definitely supportive, and that's great, although I found some of their actions predictable and again, bland. However, I did like Kaleb - he's definitely a complex character. I know Timepiece has some of his POV, so I'm probably going to read the sequel!

One thing that I should mention though is the ending. I don't want to give too much away, and I did suspect a little, but I was surprised by what happened. Kudos to the author for that!

Overall, I would say that Hourglass is worth your time if you're a romance or PNR fan. If you're looking for more of a time travel, sci-fi filled novel, this book definitely wouldn't be for you. However, if you're looking for a bit of both, I suggest that you borrow a copy of this book and see if you like it by reading a few chapters. I'm hoping there's a little more time travel in the sequel (and I have a slight feeling there is - hopefully there is!) as well as development of Kaleb's POV, so I'll probably be reading Timepiece (: