Nevermore (Nevermore #1) by Kelly Creagh

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

Book Review:
This book has been on my TBR list for a while. It's size was a bit daunting. However, the purchase of my new nook took the issue of the size away. (I am loving my little ereader!) I was captivated immediately.The star-crossed romance was intriguing! I'll admit, I was even falling for Varen a little bit! Then the story took a bit of a confusing, albeit interesting turn. Isobel makes this story. She is easy likable and easy to relate to. I do wish she had been a bit more upfront with her parents about Brad and Varen...Varen seems to develop somewhat of a bad reputation for really no good reason. I feel like if Isobel had been a little bit more honest with her parents things would have developed differently in that department. Although, I have been a teenager myself and know how confusing things can be during that time. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and am very much looking forward to the sequel (which I will also be purchasing on my nook!).

Favorite Quote:
"Unable to help a small smirk, Isobel raised one hand in a salute. 'Aye, aye, O Captain! My Captain!' He turned, 'Right era,' he muttered, 'wrong poet,' then vanished between the shelves."

Cover Art Commentary:
Gorgeous! Love this cover. It's dark and romantic. Perfect for the story!

Rating:

Top Ten Tuesday: Santa Style!

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

 

What books are asking Santa for this year? 

The Diviners (The Diviners #1) by Libba Bray

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."
When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

Book Review:
Well Libba Bray, you have won my heart! Admittedly, this is my first Libba Bray novel, but it wont be my last! Not only did Bray create a magical world, she also did some serious research. Perhaps my favorite component of this novel is the setting. The streets of New York in the 1920s! Simply divine! The flappers, prohibition, speak-eases, the slang...you name it, Bray incorporated it! The setting sets this book apart from the heard. The characters are fabulous and well crafted. Evie makes for a fun-loving narrator. She adds freshness and spunk to the story! Jericho, Will, Mabel, Theta, Henry, and Memphis all make for fantastic supporting characters. I could easily write a paragraph on each of them. I'm curious to learn more about Theta, Henry, and Memphis, in particular. The scenes with Naughty John are just downright bone-chilling. It takes A LOT to creep me out, and those scenes did the trick! I don't remember being that spooked since Stephen King's The Shining. Overall, a fabulous setting, vivid characters, and well-crated writing. What more can a reader ask for?!

Favorite Quote:
"'How do you invent a religion?' Evie asked. 
Will looked over the top of his spectacles, 'You say "God told me the following," and then wait for people to sign up.'"

Cover Art Commentary:
Is this not one of the most gorgeous covers you have seen?! It's purple, old-timey, and just lovely.

Rating:

Reading Relfections: November 2012

Books Read:
Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns #2) by Rae Carson
Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor
The Last Dragonslayer: The Chronicles of Kazam (The Last Dragonslayer #1) by Jasper Fforde
The Diviners (The Diviners #1) by Libba Bray

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 4

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 54

Most Anticipated: Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor

Biggest Let Down: None!

Favorite Read: The Diviners (The Diviners #1) by Libba Bray

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 4

Overall Reflection:
Overall, it was a great month of reading. Even though I didn't read as many books as I would have liked, quality highly outweighed quantity. My review of The Diviners (The Diviners #1) by Libba Bray will be posted soon. Easily one of the best books I've read all year!

The Last Dragonslayer: The Chronicles of Kazam (The Last Dragonslayer #1) by Jasper Fforde

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): In the good old days, magic was indispensable—it could both save a kingdom and clear a clogged drain. But now magic is fading: drain cleaner is cheaper than a spell, and magic carpets are used for pizza delivery. Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, an employment agency for magicians—but it’s hard to stay in business when magic is drying up. And then the visions start, predicting the death of the world’s last dragon at the hands of an unnamed Dragonslayer. If the visions are true, everything will change for Kazam—and for Jennifer. Because something is coming. Something known as . . . Big Magic.

Book Review:
I had just finished reading Days of Blood and Starlight and needed a lighter read. That's what I found in this little beauty. I was initially piqued with interest when I saw an ad for it on goodreads. I was also captivated by the cover. C'mon, you have to admit this cover is just adorable! It took a little bit to get into the story, but once I got the flow of things I found myself in a world a magic and whimsy. The quirky characters are the best part. Jennifer makes for a fantastic narrator. I also found myself quite taken with the quarkbeast. I was sad to see this story end. Those of you in the UK are lucky because the whole series has been released. Those of us in the US must wait indefinitely to tag along on Jennifer's next adventure.

Favorite Quote:
“Don't let anyone tell you the future is already written. The best any prophet can do is to give you the most likely version of future events. It is up to us to accept the future for what it is, or change it. It is easy to go with the flow; it takes a person of singular courage to go against it.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
This cover initially caught my eye when I first saw an add for it on Goodreads. When I found a physical copy at my local bookstore, I loved it even more. Fun, colorful, and whimsical...a perfect cover for this story!

Rating: