Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Eve has a new home, a new face, and a new name—but no memories of her past. She’s been told that she's in a witness protection program. That she escaped a dangerous magic-wielding serial killer who still hunts her. The only thing she knows for sure is that there is something horrifying in her memories the people hiding her want to access—and there is nothing they won’t say—or do—to her to get her to remember.
At night she dreams of a tattered carnival tent and buttons being sewn into her skin. But during the day, she shelves books at the local library, trying to not let anyone know that she can do things—things like change the color of her eyes or walk through walls. When she does use her strange powers, she blacks out and is drawn into terrifying visions, returning to find that days or weeks have passed—and she’s lost all short-term memories. Eve must find out who and what she really is before the killer finds her—but the truth may be more dangerous than anyone could have ever imagined.

Book Review:
I was super excited to read Sarah Beth Durst newest YA novel, Conjured, she is one of my go-to authors. The premise of the novel is unique and enticing. I really enjoyed the multiple magical settings of Conjured. Between these various settings and Eve's visions, Durst creates a layered story full of mystery and wonder. However, after a while, the book hits a repetitive cycle. As the reader, I craved to learn more and became frustrated with the lack of information given. This created a slower pace than I normally like. However, once I hit the final 100 pages, I was completely hooked. The pieces start to come together and you have this moment of "why didn't I put this together sooner?!". Overall, Conjured is a tale of mystery, romance, magic, and discovery. In a very Durst-like fashion, Conjured stands out in the crowd of YA paranormal romance. Recommended for fans of Durst and those looking to try a little something different.

Thanks to Bloomsbury USA Children's Books for this copy.
Publish date: September 3rd, 2013
This is my honest review.

Favorite Quote:
"You say you dream of the extraordinary, but you're extraordinary. I say I'm broken, and you try to fix me. I say I'm lost, and you try to find me. I say I'm empty and you fill me. You're like a night in shining armor..."

Cover Art Commentary:
I like the originality of this cover. YA books are a dime a dozen these days, so it's nice when a cover sets the book apart from the crowd. Now that I've read Conjured, the image of the heart and straight pins make sense, but I don't want to give too much away!

Rating:

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Liyana has trained her entire life to be the vessel of a goddess. The goddess will inhabit Liyana’s body and use magic to bring rain to the desert. But Liyana’s goddess never comes. Abandoned by her angry tribe, Liyana expects to die in the desert. Until a boy walks out of the dust in search of her.

     Korbyn is a god inside his vessel, and a trickster god at that. He tells Liyana that five other gods are missing, and they set off across the desert in search of the other vessels. For the desert tribes cannot survive without the magic of their gods. But the journey is dangerous, even with a god’s help. And not everyone is willing to believe the trickster god’s tale.

     The closer she grows to Korbyn, the less Liyana wants to disappear to make way for her goddess. But she has no choice: She must die for her tribe to live. Unless a trickster god can help her to trick fate—or a human girl can muster some magic of her own.

Book Review:
Sarah Beth Durst has been one of my go-to authors ever since I read Enchanted Ivy. Drink, Slay, Love was even better! When Durst announced the upcoming release of her novel Vessel, I knew I had to get a copy. Durst has written an original story which includes love, mystery, mythology, and adventure. From page one, I was completely hooked. This character driven novel does not disappoint. Liyana finds her strength as she seeks out the goddess who is to inhibit her body. Korbyn is a fantastic counterpart. Their chemistry alone makes this book worth reading. I enjoyed learning more about the dessert people and their way of life and mythology as the story went along. I loved meeting each vessel and learning about their tribe. Seriously, I can not say enough awesome-tastic things about this book. I highly encourage you to read it!

Favorite Quote:
"On the day she was to die, Liyana walked out of her family's tent to see the dawn. She burried her toes in the sand, cold from the night, and she wrapped her father's goatskin cloak tight around her shoulders. She had only moments before everyone would wake."

Cover Art Commentary: 
I looooove the cover of this book! The colors are rich and gorgeous! I love the  dessert setting and the full moon in the background, it really speaks to the story.

Rating:

Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst

Book Summer (Via Goodreads): What Lily Carter wants most in the world is to attend Princeton University just like her grandfather. When she finally visits the campus, Grandpa surprises her: She has been selected to take the top-secret Legacy Test. Passing means automatic acceptance to Princeton. Sweet!

Lily's test is to find the Ivy Key. But what is she looking for? Where does she start? As she searches, Lily is joined by Tye, a cute college boy with orange and black hair who says he's her guard. That's weird. But things get seriously strange when a gargoyle talks to her. He tells her that there are two Princetons—the ordinary one and a magical one—and the Key opens the gate between them. But there are more secrets that surround Lily. Worse secrets.

When Lily enters the magical Princeton, she uncovers old betrayals and new dangers, and a chance at her dream becomes a fight for her life. Soon Lily is caught in a power struggle between two worlds, with her family at its center. In a place where Knights slay monsters, boys are were-tigers, and dragons might be out for blood, Lily will need all of her ingenuity and courage—and a little magic—to unite the worlds and unlock the secrets of her past and her future.

Book Trailer:


Book Review:
After reading Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst, I was eager to pick up Enchanted Ivy. I have been curious to read Enchanted Ivy ever since I read a review of it over at Starmetal Oak Book Blog. As stated in an earlier post, I was disappointed in Durst's Ice, but Lisa's review Enchanted Ivy gave me renewed hope. What I found was a cute story of a girl named Lily, who wants more than anything to attend Princeton University. When she attends a Princeton reunion with her grandfather, she discovers another side of Princeton, full of mythological creatures and a battle that's been waging for years. In this coming of age tale, Lily finds the strength and purpose to begin her own journey. I loved the cast of characters, they were vibrant and entertaining. Tye and Lily's mother ranked top billing for me. While I enjoyed Enchanted Ivy, I didn't found that it wasn't -quite- as engaging as Drink, Slay, Love. I will definitely keep Durst on my list of must-read authors!


Favorite Quote:

"Pressing her nose against the car window, Lily frowned at the strip malls, gas stations, and industrial parks as they rolled by. 'Really?' she said. She'd expected to see something a bit more picturesque than Wal-Marts and Home-Depots en route to her dream school-at least a stately forest or a field with a few photogenic cows. And she should hear trumpets playing, plus a massive choir announcing in verse the approach of her destiny. 

Maybe she'd built up this moment a bit too much." (p.1)

Cover Art Commentary:
Are you kidding me?! Seriously, what isn't there to love about this cover?! The colors are purple and gray, and it had a HUGE gargoyle front and center! OF COURSE I LOVE IT! :D

Rating:

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Book Summer (Via Goodreads): Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire . . . fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil . . . until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops.
Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don’t exist), and they’re shocked she survived. They’re even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl’s family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King’s feast—as the entrées.
The only problem? Pearl’s starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she’s definitely dead if she lets down her family. What’s a sunlight-loving vamp to do?

Book Trailer:


Book Review:

I first found out about Drink, Slay, Love when I read a review of it over at Tina's Book Reviews. I wasn't a fan of Durst's Ice (my review found here) so I was a litttttle skeptical to pick up Drink, Slay, Love. However, the premise sounded interesting, and Tina's review sounded promising, so I picked up a copy for myself. The two stories are like night and day. What Ice lacks, Drink, Slay, Love more than makes up for. The characters are fully developed, intriguing, funny, and engaging. The main character, Pearl, is a kick-ass witty heroine who you can't help but root for, even in her most evil of moments. This book reminded me of a cross between Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires and Kiersten White's Paranormalcy. There are colorful characters, hilarious one-liners, mystery, action, and a touch of romance. Really, everything I've come to love about YA paranormal romance, without being too cliche or over the top. Just a really good story that I couldn't stop reading. For more info, check out Durst's website here.

Favorite Quote:

"As the sun sank into the horizon, Pearl trudged home without seeing a single sparkly hoofprint or rainbowed poop pile. It wasn't as if she expected UNICORN WUZ HERE graffiti...Okay, yes, that would have been nice." (p. 145)

 Cover Art Commentary:
I'll admit, the title is a little wonky, but I love, love, love the cover of this book! It caught my eye immediately.  The colors are great, and it gives you a "taste" of what's to come! :P

Rating:

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst

Book Summery:When Cassie was a little girl, her grandmother told her a fairy tale about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth. Now that Cassie is older, she knows the story was a nice way of saying her mother had died. Cassie lives with her father at an Arctic research station, is determined to become a scientist, and has no time for make-believe.Then, on her eighteenth birthday, Cassie comes face-to-face with a polar bear who speaks to her. He tells her that her mother is alive, imprisoned at the ends of the earth. And he can bring her back — if Cassie will agree to be his bride.
That is the beginning of Cassie's own real-life fairy tale, one that sends her on an unbelievable journey across the brutal Arctic, through the Canadian boreal forest, and on the back of the North Wind to the land east of the sun and west of the moon. Before it is over, the world she knows will be swept away, and everything she holds dear will be taken from her — until she discovers the true meaning of love and family in the magical realm of Ice. -goodreads.com

Book Review:

I had originally never intended to read this book until I read a rave review for Durst's Enchanted Ivy. Suddenly, I was intrigued, and craved to read both books by Durst. Furthermore, I got really excited when I got several good recommendations for Durst's Ice. As I read the beginning of Ice, I could see it came so highly recommended. It didn't take long before I became fully enveloped in the story. Dursts descriptions are just beautiful. I could vividly imagine impossible ice castles and graceful ice sculptures. I even began to fully believe the relationship between Cass and Bear. Then came the second part of the book. The enchanted story that I came to love suddenly came to a grinding halt and I found myself wading through the pages, hopelessly longing to return the world of Cass and Bear. While I can appreciate the unwavering dedication that Cass has for Bear, and the unyielding need she has to bring her family back together, I just didn't enjoy Cass' journey across the earth as much as I did the first half of the story. Overall, the second half detracted enough to bring down the rating from a 4 to a 3 out of 5 stars. I am glad I read Ice and still look forward to Enchanted Ivy. I recommend this book for those who enjoy a good fairy tale.

Favorite Quote:

"She was inside a rainbow. Chandeliers of a million shards of ice danced colors over the foyer. Ice frescoes covered the walls, swirling with sapphireand emerald reflections. Frozen ruby red roses wound up colmns. She had never seen anything so magnificiant." (p. 37-38)

Cover Art Commentary:

This cover is gorgeous. It gives the feeling of Arctic beauty, which sets the tone for the story.

Overall Rating: