Book Review: Beneath Claire's House (Corey J. Popp)

Beneath Claire's House 

by: Corey J. Popp

Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Thriller, Young Adult

Sixteen-year-old Claire Young is tormented by a recurring, prophetic nightmare and visitations from gruesome, mutilated ghosts. She's convinced the apparitions intend to harm her widowed father, but there's little she can do locked away in Saint Thomas Psychiatric Hospital. Her situation is hopeless until a mysterious priest delivers the name of a man who may be the only one willing to help. Claire launches a daring scheme that leads her and her best friend to a former paranormal investigator.

But the matter is complicated by Claire's own father. Convinced his daughter is schizophrenic, he'll send Claire back to Saint Thomas permanently if he discovers she’s still clinging to her delusions. Claire and her friends must tread lightly to complete the investigation, but amid bizarre twists and chilling encounters, she’ll discover her home's basement is hiding something far more sinister than just ghosts.

 

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW** 

Claire has been through more than most of us could ever imagine....and she's only sixteen years old.  After the death of her mother, she began being terrorized by ghosts....the scary kind of ghosts that would make anyone experiencing them question their sanity.  She's convinced that they are trying to harm her father, but vocalizing that to him lands her in a psychiatric hospital.  How in the world is she going to be able to save her dad when she's locked away?!?!?!?  That in itself would have made an awesome plot, but believe me when I say that the twists and turns in this book are unlike anything you've read before.   

Beneath Claire's House definitely didn't lack in the suspense department.  It's the kind of book that keeps you on the edge of your seat up until the very end.  I must admit that I did quite a bit of speculation as to what Claire's ghosts wanted from her, but boy was I way off!

 Corey J. Popp is a very talented writer and has left me wanting to read more of his work. 

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Book Review: Titles Are Meaningless (Alex Finnegan)

Titles Are Meaningless

by: Alex Finnegan

Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Romance

Vampires live among us but they aren't the monsters that we've been led to believe. They live like we do; they breathe, they eat, they sleep, they love, they die. Theirs is merely a cursed race.

Upon their twenty-first birthday, females of this cursed race come into their powers and are forced to undergo a sacred rite with a male in their clan to bring that power to the surface. Olivia is only eighteen but her powers are coming to the surface much earlier than expected. The men in her clan are beginning to circle in an attempt to gain some of her power. Leaving her clan's mansion, Olivia is now faced with the most important choice she's ever had to make in her young life which is when she meets an unlikely ally.

Seth is a normal human who has the worst luck possible. That is until he meets a vampire “princess” with a target on her back. Now he's caught in a deadly game where multiple lives are at stake.

Will Olivia be able to escape the grasps of those who want to use her or will she end up just another victimized pawn in someone's bid for power?

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

Titles are Meaningless was a book that we originally didn't accept, but after Shell went back through, she accepted it. I was a bit skeptical as to whether or not it was something that I would enjoy, having had bad luck with vampire reads, which was why it sat on our list a little longer than usual.

I am so, so glad that it ended up on our Kindle. It was such an awesome book! The take on vampires was unique (compared to today's vampires) and I just REALLY liked it! It was short, and everything got to the point very fast.

The entire idea for Titles Are Meaningless was unique. It's a fast-paced book that sucks you in right from the first page. Whether or not you like vampires doesn't matter, because either way, this book is one hundred percent worth every minute of your time.

As always, the links are below.

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Book Review: The Slave Planet (Seven Steps)

The Slave Planet

by Seven Steps

Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance

Love is the ultimate crime.

On a planet where women are born to rule, Empress Nadira's secret affair with her slave threatens to rip her family apart. When she joins the highest council in the land, her secret is revealed. Will Nadira

go against everything she believes in to protect her family, or will she choose her heart and doom everyone she loves to death?

Empress Eva thinks she has it all: wealth, power and a mother who adores her. That is, until she meets Lex, a handsome alien imprisoned in a slave market. His red hair and crimson eyes intrigue her. His touch sets her on fire. When the beautiful alien captures her heart, Eva is forced to make a life changing decision: pursue the career of her dreams, or give it all up for the love of a slave?

The Slave Planet is a science fiction, interracial (black woman white man) romance. It is a thrilling journey into an alternate history where women rule the world.

This is the first book in THE SLAVE PLANET trilogy.

When I originally began reading this book, I was quite skeptical. The whole 'man-slave' thing made me slightly uncomfortable, to be honest. Slavery is a very touchy subject, so I think that Seven Steps is very brave for using it as the main theme of this book. I actually almost quit reading, I wanted to, but for some reason I just kept turning the page. I don't know what kind of voodoo magic is in the pages of this book, but it's the real deal. I didn't close the book until I had to sleep/charge my device. I snuck away during the day to read. That really says a lot about the quality of this book. (Why isn't snuck a word?  What world do we live in?! I'm leaving it because that's how I talk...I will NOT say 'sneaked'.)


I feel like Empress Nadira's outlook really leveled out uncomfortableness of the idea of a slave planet. ('Uncomfortableness' isn't either, but I do not care. I even used it again below. Take that, English!"

Other than the minor uncomfortableness, this book was beautifully executed. It was very, very well written, and I honestly can't wait to see what happens. I really want to see where they go!

I can't say much, for fear of giving something away, but if you're as into sci-fi books as I am, pick up The Slave Planet. It was soooooooo good!

As always, you can see all the links below. If you have noticed, suddenly all the broken image graphics should be actual pictures now! If they're not, please let us know in the comments. You can find our post that explains what happened (titled "Something Almost Ruined CommonBookSense") *here*.












Can you see our post graphics? The little squiggly lines between the review and the blurb? The one that says "Question Of The Review"?

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Book Review: The Demon Inside (M.L. Sparrow)

The Demon Inside

by M.L. Sparrow

Genres: Young Adult, Sci-fi, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic 

Darcy was a perfectly normal teenage girl, enjoying the summer after completing her A Levels with her boyfriend Alec. Until the night strange creatures begin falling from the sky, infecting people and transforming them into crazed, animalistic cannibals. 
Having lost everything in one foul swoop - her parents, her home and all future plans - all Darcy can do is try to protect the people she does have left. Together, she and Alec, along with her younger sister, sarcastic best-friend, Alec's alcoholic father and the family dog, set off on a journey to find somewhere safe in a world where everything is different. 
However, when they do finally discover a haven, a place to call home again, can they remain? And who will survive?

**WE RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

This was some Nicholas Sparks type stuff right here. Ugh. I hate this. I loved the book...LOVED, LOVED, LOVEDDDD it, but the ending was so heartbreaking. Whyyyyyyyyyy?? I don't even know what to say. It was such a great, immersive read. It was very fast-paced, and I like that when I'm reading. It went straight into the action, and the action was the good kind.


There isn't much to say other than 'You should read this book. It'll make you fall in love and then break your heart into pieces. You will have strong feelings for every single character (whether it's love or hate), and you won't, for a single second regret spending the four and a half hours it takes to read this book.'

M.L. Sparrow did an amazing job writing The Demon Inside. The ending broke my heart, but I think that it really says something about how she allows you to connect with the characters.

Please, use the links below, read this book. I am almost one hundred percent sure that you will NOT regret it.

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Book Review: The Realmsic Conquest: The Icon of Earth (Demethius Jackson)

The Realmsic Conquest

by Demethius Jackson

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

The Realmsic Conquest - Book Two. The compelling saga of the world's only magical kingdom continues...

The Realm cannot celebrate peace. War ignites yet again when an advanced enemy invades the kingdom. During the attack, the Realmsic King is critically injured, which unleashes a power that will destroy the kingdom. Only the Icon of Earth – a candle that heals wounds when lit, can save him and the Realm.

Grand Wizard Kelm, the Realmsic Advisor, accepts the responsibility of locating the Icon. But time, and an unknown enemy, are against him. 

The Realmsic Conquest was a good book. The characters had variety and didn't lack depth.

You started right off the bat with the action. Within the first five pages the book was in full swing. The characters explained their surroundings and how things worked without long-winded paragraphs explaining the special texture of the dirt. You learned what you needed to learn when you needed to learn it.

I really liked the twist on wizards. The whole goal is always to NOT be compared to Harry Potter, and I never once found myself comparing the two, so goal accomplished.


I liked how Demethius switched sides between the 'bad' guys and the good. It made it interesting to see them race for the Icon.



My only issue with this book was some of the word usage. I felt like maybe Demethius used a thesaurus and picked the bigger words. It made it so the story didn't quite flow like it could have. I'm not telling anyone to dumb their books down, because that's not really my place (and I hate when I'm told that), but a friendly piece of advice would be to cut back. It doesn't have to be very intelligent sounding to be a  good book. Demethius's writing style and characters do all the work on that end. ((edit: I discovered this is the second book. We were not informed of this and I have not read the first. It wasn't hard to follow, nonetheless. I guess I should research more lol))

I like it, my loves! That's all there is to it!

As always, the links can be found below! I fixed our commenting section, so I hope you'll scroll on down and answer my QOFR!

Keep your noses in the pages! I'll blog you lovelies later!

Have you guys read any wizard-y books? Were they good? Should I check them out?

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Book Review: Finding Audrey (Sophie Kinsella)

Finding Audrey

By: Sophie Kinsella

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Humor, Novel

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.



                        
Hello Lovely people!!! 'Tis I, Naomi!! Yes. I am still breathing. And today I will be reviewing Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella. 

This was a pretty good, boo, and I say "pretty good" because it didn't leave me with that feeling you get after reading certain books. Ya know how you read something and you just sit there after you've finished it and think "wow this book has made me think differently about this or that"? Yeah, well this book had none of that. In fact, it had very little effect on my emotions. I'm not saying it was BAD but just that I couldn't find the connection I wanted to with this book. 


So it takes place in modern day England and is about a girl named Audrey who suffers from severe anxiety. After meeting a guy named Linus things start to change. Now the thing about this book is that it is completely different from what it claims to be. I was expecting the author to go into a bit more detail about the relationship between Audrey and Linus but there is hardly any. I mean, he comes over they eventually kiss and that's about all you get. If this guy is helping her step out of her comfort zone and become herself again I would like to know why. Sure they play this game where they have to go up to people and say something and that's cool and it might help her but it's not enough. I don't want this "oh a guy came into my life so I'm happy now"...no. I want to know how he makes her feel, and how he is helping her through this. The author might give A LITTLE detail but not enough to grasp onto! And the whole thing between her brother and mom about the computer game gets real annoying real quick. It's kinda funny at first but diminishes soon after. You just wanna scream at the book "It's not that big of a deal!" in hopes the author can hear you and change it. It frustrates me to say the least hahahah. I did like the video diary though, it added a creative aspect that was pretty cool.

 Anyway, this book was okay. Maybe you should read it in hopes you enjoy it more than me lol. It was a quick read so it would be good for flights or long car rides but other than that I'm not really impressed. Have a great day you beautiful humans, you!!!
xoxo ~ Gossip Girl
Jk byyyyyyeeeee




 

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Book Review: Gifted (J.A. George)

Gifted

By: J.A. George

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

There is no chosen one in this story.

Avery Gray was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and happened to make a decision that altered her future forever. It happens to all of us every day. 

Avery is a size twelve university student with a penchant for dry humour, and she’s as normal as they come. Up until now, the biggest choice she’s had to make was glasses or contacts? At the moment, it’s stay and save, or leave and be saved. 

Allow me to explain. One rainy afternoon, Avery had to make a choice: go through the alleyway or around it. Two possible options. One would have had her future continue on as planned, the other would ensure that her future never remained the same again. She unknowingly went with the latter. 

But change is not always bad. Avery meets Theodore-James Connors, an enigmatic young man who takes her to Hayven, a city separated from the rest of the world, where only gifters – ordinary people with extra-ordinary gifts – can go. She soon finds herself in a close-knit group of friends she’d never have imagined herself in. Friends who are diverse in every possible way, from their ethnic backgrounds, to their personalities, from their gifts, to their life stories. Friends who make her laugh, who make her cry, who make her think and who make her…her. 

However, change is not always good. The beautiful, golden city of Hayven has its dark side – Cliders. Gifters turned rogue, aka, Cliders are determined to aid fallen Clider, Madrina, return to rule Hayven. They will stop at nothing to make that happen, including harming those Ava has grown to love. 

Again, Ava is faced with a choice: spend her days finding a way to inhibit Madrina’s return, or walk away. After all, she isn’t the chosen one. Yet, there exists a third option – rig the future itself and make it work for her.

I was originally pulled toward Gifted when I saw the cover....and then it was over. I stayed up for several too many hours to finish this book.

I mean, just look at that! It's beautiful in its simplicity. You know, people lie when they say the cover doesn't matter...it's the reader's first impression.

Anywho, let me tell you about my opinions on the book, because that's what we do here. I had just a few issues with this book (compared to the many, many things I loved). I'll tell you guys my issues first, so we have more time to discuss the good things (a.k.a Theo). I sped through this book, but I feel as though I was waiting for something that never came. You go through this entire book hearing about the war that's coming, you know, impending doom, but you run out of pages before you get there! I get that it was probably a selling point, like "hey you gotta get the next book to see the war and what happens, yes!", and I get that, but it doesn't make me any less perturbed.

Now, the rest of the book was just good. The characters are realistic and you can relate to them quite easily. The plot and idea of the book is unique and really interesting. The way everyone has their own color? That's so neat! I would say it's a light-fantasy novel. There are people with 'abilities', but no supernatural creatures. It would be good for someone who is just starting out with fantasy and doesn't want to scare themselves.

There was a touch of romance, which is always my weakness. I've always been a sucker for paranormal/fantasy/supernatural romance books. I think it's because of my mom (a.k.a Shell); she has a romance book problem.

Despite the ending (or lack-thereof), I would for-sure read the next book. I want to see how it ends. And I really want Theo and the main character (I never remember their names because it's always in the first person, so you put yourself in their head and you're basically them) to get together. And, and, I really LOVE her new group of friends! They're all so different, but they love each other so much, awhhh! As teenagers would say '#SquadGoals'....(ew, I'm sorry about that hashtag).  I think that the original group was full of ish people, I mean, Alfie shouldn't be such a baby. It's not like he was in love with her; it was ONE date! C'mon, guy, grow up! I couldn't believe they all treated her like that, and then Toni throwing a toddler fit! Ugh, I hate teenagers. ("But Kailei, you're a teenager!" I know, but I don't have to deal with OTHER teenagers because I'm home schooled.....Teenagers are mean and scare me, okay?)

And the setting? Oh my goodness, the descriptions were so good that I felt like I have been to Hayven. Doesn't that read a little bit like Heaven? Yeah, that's an accurate description of this place.

Okay, if I had one single piece of advice to give this lovely author: Cool down on the descriptions of your characters. You can throw in a few things, but let your readers draw their own appearances of your characters. The readers like to feel in control; the world you've created becomes theirs when they open your book.  Of course, it's your book, you can do whatever you like! :)
It's very obvious that you know exactly how to create a book and characters that people would love. And I will love your characters whether or not you describe every hair on their head.

As always, my loves, the links will be below! Make sure you go to enter our giveaway! We're giving away a signed copy of The Flood, a lad lit book that Shell reviewed (here)! It still has a few days left (as of 5/24/16). You can find it on the end of Shell's review!

Keep your noses in the pages, and I'll blog you lovelies later!

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Book Review: Stuck on Vacation with Ryan Rupert (P.S. Malcom)

Stuck on Vacation with Ryan Rupert

by: P.S. Malcolm

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Adventure

Aubany Winters' life soon becomes a nightmare when her mum gets cancer and has to leave for California with her dad. Left with her neighbours, the Ruperts, and to her displeasure, their son Ryan, she finds herself forced to tag along on their family vacation to Nula Island. There's just a few problems, like her fear of the ocean, her and Ryan's mutual hatred for each other, and the psycho girl who is trying to kill them.

Will Aubany overcome her fears? Will she and Ryan ever stop hating each other? Or will their flaws and disagreements lead them right into the enemy's hands?

**WE WERE GIVEN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE FOLLOWING HONEST REVIEW**

Stuck on Vacation with Ryan Rupert is the kind of book that is good for the soul.  P.S. Malcolm allows us to watch Aubany and Ryan's love-hate (mostly hate...a lot of hate) relationship grow in a beautiful and realistic fashion. It was so refreshing to read a romance novel that didn't have a plot that solely revolved around third party interference.  Yes, there is a crazy loon running around, trying reeking havoc, but she doesn't show up until Ryan and Aubany are well on their way to figuring each other out.  

I found the ending a bit lacking (this book isn't a cliffhanger)....like, I seriously wanted to know what was going to happen once the characters returned to Florida, so I was disappointed to learn that there wasn't at least an epilogue. THEN, I got word from the author that there will be TWO additional books in the series, so my feelings quickly shifted from disappointment to joy.  I can't wait to see what happens to their relationship once they're home, how Aubany's mom is doing, and what her friends think about her being in a relationship with Ryan! 

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Book Review: Delirium (Lauren Oliver)

Delirium
By: Lauren Oliver
Genres: Romance (Love), Young Adult, Sci-Fi (Dystopia), Adventure

Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't.

Delirium has been on my list for AGES. I even got to the point where I bought the PHYSICAL book....and still, it sat on my desk/shelf for a good two months. I only picked it up because of an EpicReads' post about the best last lines of books. Delirium was obviously on the list/video lol.


I must say, I REALLY wasn't disappointed. Typically, when I hear about how good a book or movie is my expectations go through the roof....and then come crashing back down to earth and are shattered. I flew through the 400 something pages in less than 24 hours...and Sophie was staying with us. Thankfully, she understands my obsession and is basically at home in my house.....She feeds herself, plays Xbox with my brother, goes through my fridge, I mean, it's basically like having a part-time sibling.

Anyway, back to the review.

I loved this book and I can honestly see why it was graced with the pearl-glittery inside cover...It was so great. I can only take the time to read the first one (even though I've gotten the rest of the trilogy) because of a little thing called 'responsibility' and 'my mom is threatening my life if I don't get back on schedule'.  I thought it was fast-paced, but it may just have been the fact that I wanted there to be MORE pages.

While I did guess a big plot detail, I was totally okay with it because this book makes you eager to turn the next page. It makes you skip paragraphs to get to the good parts, and then have to skip back because you missed something. It makes you fall in love and get frustrated and heartbroken and then fall in love again. It gives you hope and scares the crap out of you. It makes you remember why you ever loved reading in the first place. And I really hope that Grace comes back because she's one of my favorite characters.


I'm going to keep this review rather short because it WASN'T a requested book, but really, if you like dystopia/love/romance/Giver-ish books, buy Delirium....You will NOT regret it....

Delirium gave ME the disease. (I'm sorry, that was so cheesy).


A  bit of free advice: Buy this book online. I bought this book IN the Barnes and Noble store FOR TEN FREAKING DOLLARS, but when I was looking for the links for you guys they had it listed in paperback EVERYWHERE FOR SIX DOLLARS OR LESS! For two more dollars that I paid I could have purchased a HARD COVER! Nooo, whyyyy?! Still, #noregrets I loved this book. I shall ask for physical copies for an acceptable holiday.

I have to go before it gets any worse...Keep your noses in the pages and I will blog yeewww laterrr!

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