Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Review of Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

EveryOtherDay

Basis Info

Release date: December 27, 2011

E-book 336 pages

Disclosure: read and ARC through NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review :)

Other books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes: Raised by Wolves series, The Squad series, The Tattoo books, and Golden

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

Review

I'm getting a little burnt out with the demon hunter/trapper books, but if you're going to read one, read Every Other Day. It felt like a book written for our day. There are vampires, werewolves, zombies, hellhounds, etc. and they're all protected as endangered species. Ah, thank you environmentalists!

Kali has the urge to hunt and kill them and special skills to do so, every other day. So one day she's a normal teenager, the next she's consumed with bloodlust, but still having to attend school. She keeps this part of her life a secret, even from her father, but things get complicated and not-so-secretive when she discovers a cheerleader at her school marked to die. What can Kali do but come to the rescue?

This girl is loyal, tough, has killer moves, and still manages to be likeable. Every Other Day is the start to a new series, so don't expect a tidy ending, but enjoy the ride.  There’s a foundation for future romance, but Every Other Day was more dedicated to building strong characters and a new society.

Every Other Day reminded me of Scott Westerfield's Peeps in the combining of paranormal aspects with science/genetics.

Rating

4/5 Stars

*PG, little to no swearing, no sex, some violence

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

2012 Debut Author Challenge

DAC2012

The Debut Author Challenge is hosted by The Story Siren.  The goal is to read twelve YA or middle grade books by authors who are new to those genres in 2012.  I’ve done the challenge for the past two years and have discovered some amazing new authors this way!  So, here are my picks so far for next year.

January

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Tempest by Julie Cross

February

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Cinder

EverneathHarbingerUndertheNeverSkyScarletGraveMercyPrettyCrooked

March

Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig

April

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

May

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

July

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

August

The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

? Maybe 2012, maybe bounced to 2013

Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance 

SelectionUnravelingOfPoseidenHemlockSomethingStrangeandDeadlyStruckTreachery

Monday, December 12, 2011

Top Ten Books I Want to Give as Gifts

Top Ten Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. As lovers of books and of lists, they post a list each week. Check it out for other lists, and to link up your own list there.

This week’s topic is:

Top Ten Books I Want to Give as Gifts (whether I’m really giving them or not)

Let it Snow 10. Let it Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle

I’ve read this book every year (since I got it) at Christmastime.  Even though I don’t normally love love love these three authors, I love this compilation.  We have three stories, taking place in the same town, independent of each other, yet overlapping.  Let it Snow gets me laughing and in the Christmas spirit :)

 

Olivetheotherreindeer 9. Olive the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Siebold

For my library :) We needed it in pre-school story hour today.

This is one of my favorite Christmas story books.  Olive is a dog who hears the Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer song and mistakes “all of the other reindeer” for “Olive, the other reindeer.”  Now, she thinks she’s a reindeer and sets off on a mission to help Santa Claus.

CharlieMcButton 8. When Charlie McButton Lost Power by Suzanne Collins

For readers with children, or those who just enjoy a great picture book.

Charlie McButton loves everything electronic.  One day when a storm wipes out the power he has to find something else to do.  Or steal some batteries from his little sister’s toys…Entertaining prose, great illustrations, and a heartwarming message.

Hunger Games 7. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

For anyone who hasn’t read this yet.  What are you waiting for?  Also, I can’t wait for the movie in March!

I can never describe this in a way that makes it sound as good as it is.  Flawed dystopian society, a Survivor-style “game” that is fight to the death.  A strong heroine with a sweet love interest.  Just watch the movie trailer, then read it!

Delirium 6. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

This one I want to buy for myself!  I’m loving the new cover, and interested to see what all the fuss was about.

My top 5 here are books that I want to give to my sister, my friend Lara, anyone I haven’t already been able to loan them too.  They are my favorite books this year!  I’ve just been rereading them and falling in love all over again.

My Unfair Godmother 5. My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Spunky heroine, smart, resourceful, and hot guy, wishes gone wrong, witty twists on fairytales.  If you haven’t read Janette Rallison: do.  She’s my favorite author for romantic comedies and never fails to make me laugh out loud.

 

Destined 4. Destined by Jessie Harrell

A retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche.  Much more romantic than the myth (which I had to  look up on Wikipedia after reading this).

 

 

 

Forgotten 3. Forgotten by Cat Patrick

London can’t remember her past, but she does remember her future.  Each night her brain resets wiping out that day’s information and her upcoming day as well.  London writes herself notes to keep up on the day to day information including what she’ll wear, what homework she’ll be completing during study hall, what pop quizzes to study for, as well as anything else she thinks she’ll need to remember from one day to the next.

Part romance, part psychological thriller, part science fiction.

Absolutely unforgettable!

DieforMe 2. Die for Me by Amy Plum

If you like paranormal romance, this is the ONE that you need to read this year.  First, there’s the lush, feels like you’re there, setting in Paris.  Second, we have a new supernatural being, one that the shelves aren’t flooded with already.  Third, realistic heroine.  Fourth,  great romance.

Divergent 1. Divergent by Veronica Roth

If you’re going to read one dystopian novel, one debut novel, or hey, even just one novel this year, read Divergent. 

 

 

 

Did any of these make your list?  What are you giving this year?