The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

Goodreads Blurb

A haunted house, a buried mystery, and a very angry ghost make this one unforgettable thriller.
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?

Before I start, I just want to say that as a wuss, and a usual ghost-avoider, The Dead and Buried may fall a little flat for horror lovers! I, however, adored it!

Something that many non-creepy readers will love is that while it was a bit spooky, it was completely "Oh my GOD that is freaky" kind of scary. So if you're expecting to be scared out of your pants...change your expectations! The Dead and Buried is a typical ghost story, brought to an extreme and detailed level, which I loved. A haunted house, the new kid turned detective, and a love triangle? A bit familiar? Maybe. But I loved it.
It wasn't too creepy for me, but it still made me feel a bit spooked and that's something that rarely happens. I'm either completely scared out of my wits, or I'm bored. This was a perfect balance between both and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

The plot was...fine, I admit, cliche. But the ending? Definitely shocking!  I had never suspected that person and the fact that it was that person? Shocking to say the least! Reading back, I could see all the hints pointing at it, but it was still shocking. I thought I knew who it was, then I was proven wrong, rinse and repeat several times, but did I ever guess who it actually was? Did I even have an inkling of a thought? No, not really. Actually, let me rephrase that: No, not at all. It was completely shocking and the way that every hint seemed...innocent? That was just a cruel, cruel twist! The plot was far from slow and while it wasn’t necessarily action packed, it was still highly enjoyable!

I just couldn’t believe the romance between Jade and Donovan. Every kiss, stray look, each feeling.  It felt like it was just there for…nothing, and I just got extremely annoyed by how little depth the romance had. The same goes for things between Kane and Jade. There was…nothing, though I do get that the only reason Jade was leading Kane on was because of her “research”, but I honestly think The Dead and Buried may have been a much more engaging book if most of it weren’t that taken up with Jade and her boy problems.

The characters? They were real. They each had weaknesses, they all had had their secrets, and there was always one thing they wanted. Whether it was protagonist or antagonist, I loved each of them. Even Kayla, who was supposed to be the bratty one. I feel like if someone had just seen her for herself, not her social rank, she could’ve been…better. I even liked Faye, the reigning “mean girl” who was trying to slip into the role of Queen Bee. Everyone had their own story and I loved discovering what their sore point was, what they’d wanted the most. 

Pages: 304

Series: Stand alone

Genre: Thriller/Romance

Publisher: Scholastic Point

Release Date: Jan 1, 2012

Rating: 3.5 --->4 stars

Rants of a Freak *SPOILERS*

This is probably a one time thing, but I recently read the novella Radiant by Cynthia Hand and I needed to rant. So here we go. It's not technically a review, though you can find it in my archive!

• I CAN NOT BELIEVE ANGELA BETRAYED CLARA LIKE THAT! Ugh I want to punch her.
• Just because YOU want to be normal, Clara, doesn't mean Angela wants to. I get you trying to protect your friend, but she loves him. Can't you understand THAT?
• DON'T FORGET, YOU LOVED TUCKER WHICH WAS FORBIDDEN. So Angela loves an angel. Did you also forget how you were created?
• I never did like Angela, but this just seals the deal. She was so...pitiful.
• I can't believe they both spent their summers pining for guys. I mean, it's SUMMER!
• WHY IS THIS SO SHORT. I CAN NOT BELIEVE YOU.
• I wish Tucker and Christian were here...
• I honestly don't like Clara or Angela in this book. Even Tucker who's barely mentioned is annoying me, all because Clara is being whiny about him. Sigh. 
• AT LEAST IT HELD ME OVER UNTIL BOUNDLESS COMES!

Well, there you have it. It's short, but it's basically like a review in bullet points, less professional, and I just got done reading it.

Waiting on Wednesday

Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein

A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists.

Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why.

Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.

Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair.

Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage.

Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire.

By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

If you don't follow me on Twitter or didn't catch this tweet, this was me when reading the synopsis of this book: "*reads* Oooooohhh (And long o's) *covers mouth with hand* *giggles* *rereads several times* *it's now the 70th book to buy in 2013*
This just sounds majorly, and I mean majorly, amazing. Doesn't it? Such a short synopsis, but it just makes me want to grab this book now. Usually, I try to stay away from the suicide things, especially after reading 13 Reasons Why which, instead of touching, was really just a bit...depressing. But Premeditated? OH MY GOODNESS. Especially the last line "By Tomorrow, he'll wish he were dead" which you GUYS, I want to KNOW WHAT FREAKING HAPPENS! THE FEELS.

False Memory by Dan Krokos

Goodreads Blurb

Miranda wakes up alone on a park bench with no memory. In her panic, she releases a mysterious energy that incites pure terror in everyone around her. Except Peter, a boy who isn’t at all surprised by Miranda’s shocking ability.
Left with no choice but to trust this stranger, Miranda discovers she was trained to be a weapon and is part of an elite force of genetically-altered teens who possess flawless combat skills and powers strong enough to destroy a city. But adjusting to her old life isn’t easy—especially with Noah, the boyfriend she can’t remember loving.
Then Miranda uncovers a dark truth that sets her team on the run. Suddenly her past doesn’t seem to matter... when there may not be a future.

To say I was surprised by this would be understatement. I honestly didn't have high hopes for this. Another love triangle? Lost memories (no matter how much I love those stories)? A guy who knows her past? Puh-lease. But False Memory was all that, but raised to an amazing level that's more original than cliche. It asks the question: Who are we if we're not who we thought we were?

Since the romance was one of the main things I was worried about, let's start with that.There was no annoying, cliche, obvious love triangle where you knew who Miranda would end up with.And I still have no idea! Peter was honestly the one I was rooting for. He was the most supportive, he sported feeligns for her before (but she was always with Noah.), and he didn't care...errr...after the plot twist. On the other hand, there was Noah who was her old love, the one she can't remember. And honestly, they were both cute and sweet. But Peter's feelings seemed less shallow, honestly. Noah just liked Miranda for who she WAS. Not who she IS.

The world-building and the construction of this were simply amazing. Actually, I'm not sure. The terms were so scientific, but they sure sounded smart. So I'm guessing that the science made sense to smarter people. What I also found intriguing was that they each had the same power, feeding fear into others' minds. Usually, we see things like healing with a touch, flying, telekinesis, etc., but fear? Never. That's what makes this book so fascinating! Things were properly explained and it was just amazing how all our questions were answered!

Miranda was such an amazing heroine! She had her flaws, honestly, but that's one of the things amazing about her. She may have been, well, I can't say, but she sure was one of the most real characters I've seen. She was calm and collected, and she was never annoying or a Miss-Know-It-All either. She was a relatable character and I loved finding little pieces of myself in her! Definitely a great MC!

Plot-wise, is there any doubt that it could be anything but amazing? It was so action-packed (I say that a lot! But I'm glad there are so many books that ARE action packed) and completely badass with the fighting! There were tons of twists I couldn't fathom and it was just amazing! i'm a bit worried as to whether or not False Sight will be just as amazing, but I've heard wonderful things about it so far, so I'll still hope for the best! :D

It was so amazing, my school library got it, and they rarely get ANY good books. Also, that's where I read it, and, even though I've read it, I think I should get my own copy. And that rarely, very rarely, ever happens! So, duh, you should read it! It was simply amazing!

Pages: 327
Series: False Memory #1
Genre: Sci-fi/Romance
Publisher: Disney hyperion
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Rating: 5 stars

Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis

Goodreads Blurb

There are worse things than death, worse people too
The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.

Oooh I loved this. Sort of. Kind of? Of course, I, and everyone else, knows how many Persephone retellings there are in the YA world, but I hadn't read one in a LONG time, so I decided why not? I'm so glad I read this! It's possibly one of my favorite Persephone retellings (at least, the ones where they actually include the Greek gods!)

So I honestly think that what I mainly loved about Persephone (not the person) was the world and how the Greek gods were portrayed. There were a specific set of rules, powers, and all those things, and it was like watching mythology come to life! I loved how everything they could and couldn't do made some kind of sense in the world and how vivid the Underworld really was in this book. I'm probably not desciribing how great the world building was, but trust me, it was definitely something that I noticed throughout the book!

What I did find curious, however, was that while the Greek gods were famous as myths in the world, the actual myths hadn't happened. Sure, everyone knew all about Zeus, Hades, Demeter, Cassandra, but Orpheus and Euridyce hadn't happened yet, obviously Persephone and Hades hadn't, but somehow Helen of Troy did? And if there was a class on Greek mythology, how come Persephone didn't know about Cassandra and how she was cursed? These were the little things that I wish were less...conflicting.

The plot was completely fabulous though! I loved how Persephone slipped into her role as the Queen of the Underworld, how she dealt with everything, and I loved seeing how she reacted to everything--being a goddess, getting into her powers, and so much more. I honestly could predict most of the book and twists, so while it wasn't shocking in the least, Persephone was an enjoyable read!

As for characters, I absolutely loved all the characters to the core! Except for Persephone herself. It seems that lately, almost all the books I read have annoying main characters. She kept putting herself in danger and throughout the entire thing, I really just wanted to shove her.She was annoying to the max and I'm not kidding or exaggerating when I say she's a diva.

Persephone was a great read and definitely one of my favorite retellings although it would've been better if Persephone herself was a better character who had more depth to her than she did!

Pages: 237
Series: Persephone #1
Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Retelling
Publisher: Musa publishing
Release Date: July 6, 2012
Rating: 3.5--->4

Book Haul + Weekly Recap

EEP! YOU GUYS I AM SO SORRY BUT I TOTALLY FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES FOR THIS! I'm just err...going to list the books I got...

Epic People
Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi (I got all of these from Eileen! As in Eileen from Singing and Reading in the Rain who's my absolute best bloggy friend ever! I CAN NOT believe she let go of this for me and I feel super bad about ripping this away from her. I AM SORRY)
Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan (I was ok with ripping this away from her. She said she didn't like it much and I've been DYING for this so...sorry you didn't like it...but is it bad to say, your loss my gain?)
Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski (YOU GUYS. THIS WAS A SIGNED HARDCOVER. STILL FROM EILEEN. OHMYGOD. HOW EPIC CAN SOMEONE GET? CAN NOT wait to read this!)
Beautiful Lies by Jessica Warman (Eileen actually got this for me from ARCycling a few months ago...teehee. But this sounds great!!! I can't believe she sent me so many amazing ones!)

Publisher/Other
Notes from Ghost Town by Kate Ellison (PAPER LANTERN LIT WAS AWESOME. Or rather, BETH WAS AWESOME! She sent this to me with the book at the bottom of this list and I waas so surprised to get it! Glad though, since I read it, and it was amazing!)
Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison (Psh, yeah I'm one of those special people who got a paperback of this from PLL! LOVE them so much! And I'm starting to love mysteries so this? AT THE TOP OF MY LIST!)
The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis (So, funny story. I requested it and thought it was released NEXT YEAR, but apparently it was this year. So I'm reviewing this a year later than the pub date. And I got this from the publisher. Abrams, you have no idea how much I love you. This sounds amazing and, apparently, it's super heartbreaking!)
Belladonna by Fiona Paul (Why yes, I did get another one. DO NOT WORRY, it's not for me! A lucky person will get it for winning the Venom readalong! Sign ups go up on Xmas Eve!)

eBooks
Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum (PUMPED for this! AND my first Edelweiss eBook too! WOOT! Eileen said it was a bit disappointing, but it sounds amazing, so instead of preordering, I'm reading it first! In case, you know. But OH. KILLER ROBOTS? SOUNDS ACTION PACKED)
Hysteria by Megan Miranda (Read Fracture, loved, heard of this, wanted it! I LOVE thrillers now, too! Yeah, my tastes have definitely expanded! WOOT WOOT!)

Weekly Recap
Joint Review: Lullaby by Amanda Hocking
Waiting on Wednesday
A 10/5 star review! Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
Exiled by M.R. Merrick