Perception

Perception

Author: Kim Harrington
Publisher: Point (Scholastic)
Publication Date: March 1, 2012
Pages: 288
Series: Clarity, book two
Source: unsolicited ARC from publisher


May contain spoilers for book one


About the Book: When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you? 

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past. 

Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her. 

But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back? 

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared.

My Thoughts: I was so very excited when I opened a surprise box from Scholastic and found this book among the titles. Clarity was one of the first ARCs I ever received and a book I reviewed when I first really started blogging. I loved it and could not wait for book two! Perception was worth the wait.


I was hooked from chapter one. It's very short yet mysterious. Chapter two takes the reader back 16 days so you don't know how the events of chapter one carry out until the end of the book. I loved this.  It kept me guessing throughout the story.


The progression of the story and the growth of the characters and their relationships since book one were really well done. Clare's involvement in the case from Clarity has given her a new found popularity that she doesn't trust nor want. It has also sparked a desire to use her gift for more than entertaining tourists. It was interesting to see how she changed. I also loved seeing how her relationships with Justin and Gabriel played out. The regular "high school drama" fit seamlessly with the drama surrounding the missing girl. It just worked so well! 


If you enjoy mysteries with a dash of romance and a paranormal twist Perception is for you! I read it in one sitting! 

Waiting on Wednesday (46)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. It's a weekly meme to talk about what upcoming book we're most looking forward to reading

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Waiting on Wednesday

The Crimson Crown

by Cinda Williams Chima

Release Date: October 23, 2012

Published by: Hyperion

A thousand years ago, two young lovers were betrayed— Alger Waterlow to his death, and Hanalea, Queen of the Fells, to a life without love.
     Now, once again, the queendom of the Fells seems likely to shatter apart. For young queen Raisa ana’Marianna, maintaining peace even within her own castle walls is nearly impossible. Tension between wizards and Clan has reached a fevered pitch. With surrounding kingdoms seeking to prey on the Fells’ inner turmoil, Raisa’s best hope is to unite her people against a common enemy. But that enemy might be the person with whom she’s falling in love.
      Navigating the cutthroat world of blueblood politics has never been more dangerous, and former streetlord Han Alister seems to inspire hostility among Clan and wizards alike. His only ally is the queen, and despite the perils involved, Han finds it impossible to ignore his feelings for Raisa. Before long, Han finds himself in possession of a secret believed to be lost to history, a discovery powerful enough to unite the people of the Fells. But will the secret die with him before he can use it?
      A simple, devastating truth concealed by a thousand-year-old lie at last comes to light in this stunning conclusion to the Seven Realms series.

Ohmystars. I need this book in my life! Cinda Williams Chima writes some of the most amazing fantasy out there! Her world building is truly incredible. I just love, love, love this series to pieces. Han, Raisa, Dancer... so many characters to care about! This is one of my most anticipated reads of the year!

Allegiance

Allegiance

Author: Cayla Kluver
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: February 28, 2012
Pages: 490
Series: Legacy, book two
Source: e-galley from Netgalley for review


Warning! Spoilers for book one ahead! 


About the Book: Only I saw Narian for who he truly was: a young man with courage and an independent mind, and made to pay for what was outside his control. He couldn't help his past any more than he could help the way those intense, deep-blue eyes pierced me and held me captive. 

An eighteen-year-old queen in love with the enemy as their countries pass the point of no return... 

Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic-user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica-until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge. 

Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn....
My Thoughts: Allegiance is a book I have been waiting a long time to read. I first read Legacy back in early 2010. When I finished the book I wanted more immediately. Two years later I finally got to see what happened next! And oh my! Now I need Sacrifice! 


As we begin the prologue of Allegaince Narian (***dreamy sigh***) is back in The Overlord's hands. The Overlord (Boo! Hiss!) has in his possession something to blackmail Narian in to doing his bidding. (Cue dramatic music!) And that is all we see of Narian until his story meets up with Alera's again. 


Chapter one begins with the pomp and circumstance of Steldor's (another ***dreamy sigh***) coronation. Since Steldor and Alera are now married this is also Alera's ascent to queen. I really enjoyed all of the descriptions this entailed. As a reader you really get a feel for the importance of the occasion. It also paints a detailed picture for the reader. Having this happen right away made it easier for me to picture later events without needing as much description. I found it very helpful.


As you can imagine (if you've read Legacy. If you haven't I would just like to point out that I did warn you about spoilers!) Alera and Steldor's marriage is not off to a fabulous start. Alera is still in love with Narian and so not in love with Steldor. Steldor is losing patience with her. Now they have the added stress of running the kingdom. This is not a recipe for success. 


At the beginning of the book I was a bit frustrated with Alera. I understand that she did not want anything to do with Steldor and she didn't feel ready to wed, much less be queen. Still, I really felt that she saw fault in everyone else but herself. She didn't seem to think about her actions or take responsibility for them. As the book progresses Alera really grows and I came to like her a lot more. I was really glad to see this change. Alera is eighteen. So much has been thrown at her in such a short amount of time. To top it all off she is heartbroken. I can forgive her for being a bit self  indulgent at the start!


I think London is still my favorite character. I really just love him. I was thrilled that we got to learn more about his past in Allegiance. He is such an interesting character. 


Overall I really enjoyed Allegiance.  I love the world that Cayla Kluver has created for us. The action and the heartbreak are both stepped up from Legacy. I honestly could not put the book down! I need you all to read it so I can discuss more without spoiling events in Allegiance!