The Vampire Diaries #2: The Struggle by L.J. Smith

The Struggle
Elena: the golden girl, the leader, the one who can have any boy she wants.

Stefan: brooding and mysterious, he seems to be the only one who can resist Elena, even as he struggles to protect her from the horrors that haunt his past.

Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him. Determined to have Elena, he'd kill to possess her.

Collected here in one volume for the first time, volumes one and two of The Vampire Diaries, the tale of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.(

At First Sight
Obviously, I wanted to read this one. There's no 'convincing' here. This is IT.

My Thoughts:
So, The Vampire Diaries shows is on hiatus and I have nothing to feed my Damon obsession. What do I do? I take out my Vampire Diaries book and start reading.

Initially, I wanted this book to last for at least a week. I mean, I'm so sad there's no TVD on TV, I at LEAST need to make up for one week's worth, right?

Wrong.

I finished in two days. I have to be honest, Elena can be a bit irritating but she's pretty kick-ass. Damon and Stefan are a degree hotter this time around and Bonnie and Meredith are amusing as always.

The plot takes an amazing turn and I'm really wondering now where it will go from here. I have to buy the next book because this ends in the CLIFFHANGER OF YOUR LIFE. Believe me.

This is a short review because, honestly, you'll hear me gush and ramble too much.

Plot: 5
Characters: 4
Writing: 5
Cover: 5
Overall feeling: 5
Average: 4.8

Envy by Anna Godbersen

Envy

In this sequel to Rumors, novelist Elizabeth Holland returns to the inner circle of New York's Gilded Age upper crust. Gramercy Park society watchers quickly notice that differences appear to be simmering between Elizabeth and her sister Diana. Meanwhile, troubles are also festering between celebrated newlyweds Henry and Penelope Schoonmaker. Apparently, the stately brass doors of Manhattan's 400 conceal more tumult than the general public suspects. Silk gowns and scandals.

At First Sight:
As usual, Envy has a beautiful cover that is very tied-in with the rest of the series. I read Rumors way back and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to catch up and, granted, I was a bit confused, but nevertheless, I was hooked.

My Thoughts:
The Luxe series hasn't always been super fast paced-action. Instead, what I like about this series is the flawless characterization and the details which it has. It makes it almost hard to imagine it was written in the present day! It's more like a book written in the 1890's that's had a cover make over.

The same things apply to Envy. It's not super fast but oh, boy, are there scandals! This book has as many surprises as the rest of the series. It is filled with minute details of these character's lives and I think it is this Godbersen's starring moment. She hits the nail in the head every time and although things go surprisingly out of control for these characters, we can't help but root for them and really hope for the best.

I don't want to spoil it for you (or the rest of the series) but I hope that when I say that it's as poignant and beautiful as ever, you'll be convinced enough to pick it up. The story flows naturally and even though we have 4+ very different lead characters, we clearly see and get to learn lots about them and their personality. Again, The Luxe series is hightly underrated. It hasn't had as much popularity as other mediocre bestsellers (*cough* Twilight *cough*) but I think this has helped Anna Godbersen to patiently create the world she has created. It's fantastic.

In one sentence:
"Beautiful enough to be considered a classic!"

Plot: 4
Characters: 5
Writing: 5
Cover: 5
Overall Feeling: 5
Average: 4.8

Elixir by Hilary Duff

Elixir

Clea Raymond lives an extraordinary life. The daughter of renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington DC figure, she has been in the spotlight her entire life. Followed by the paparazzi, she resents the attention that is lavished on her for her looks alone because she has so much more to offer.p

Clea Raymond has a unique gift. A proficient photographer, in all her pictures, there is little something extra, and it's not just a result of her talented eye. There is always an extra photo that she didn't take. And, as she discovered at a young age, those photos always lead to a place where some tragedy is about to occur that Clea can prevent.p

Two years ago, her father disappeared while on a humanitarian mission and is presumed dead, but that doesn't stop Clea and her mother from continuing to do good throughout the world. On one such trip to Columbia, she meets Race, the guide for the trip. She feels a connection to him but cannot explain why. Was it something in their past or possibly in their past lives? Whatever has brought them together is threatning to tear them apart forever. As the mystery of her father's disappearance unravels, Clea discover that she has powers that are bigger than anything she could have anticipated.

At First Sight:
ANOTHER celebrity book? Are you kidding me? *looks at the back cover* Hm... It seems interesting enough but I wouldn't...I couldn't...Maybe...

My Thoughts:
So I did.

It was amazing how this book had a good plot line that didn't seem to base itself on the fabulous life of young starlets. Clea is a well-rounded character and the rest of this cast is so amazingly believable. My first thought was, "She couldn't have written THIS."

But whether or not Hilary Duff wrote the book, the person who did deserves good props. The book is well written and has a great mix of suspense, mystery, and romance. My favorite part? The historical 'flashbacks' and the paranormal hint of it. It was a unique plot and I like how the book just ended with a cliff hanger.

The least that I could say is that it caught me off guard and surprised me.

The most I could say?

It was amazing and I can't wait to read the next book. When is it coming out, anyways?

I usually read the acknowledgment page to get a good feel of the author and this one looked pretty legit and down to earth so I hope that Hilary Duff wrote this because if she did, she has a greater talent than singing and acting (and in my honest opinion, she seems like a nice person but not convincing in neither singing or acting).

I'll be getting the next book for sure.

Overall, I know I didn't say much about this book but it has some great plot twists that I don't want to give away. It's paranormal enough for paranormal fans and romantic enough for romance fans. I really liked it.

In one sentence:
"Surprisingly good!"

Plot: 5
Writing: 4
Characters: 5
Cover: 5
Overall Feeling: 5
Average: 4.8 stars

A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler

A Blue So Dark

Terrified that her mother, a schizophrenic and an artist, is a mirror that reflects her own future, sixteen-year-old Aura struggles with her overwhelming desires to both chase artistic pursuits and keep madness at bay.

As her mother sinks deeper into the darkness of mental illness, the hunger for a creative outlet keeps drawing Aura toward the depths of her own imagination—the shadows of make-believe that she finds frighteningly similar to her mother’s hallucinations.

Convinced that creative equals crazy, Aura shuns her art, and her life unravels in the process.

First off, I want to thank Holly Schindler who has been extremely awesome with me and sent me a signed copy of A Blue So Dark, so thank you.

Aura Ambrose shuns her art because she's afraid of becoming a schizo like her mother. But maybe running away from such a big part of herself will make everything worse.

A Blue So Dark is one of those books I've been waiting for all year. The cover is amazing and the story is mindblowing.

I devoured  this book like you don't know how. It is beautifully written and a visual delight, really.

Aura is a likable character whose problems are too big for her age. Her father isn't really there and she's basically on her own. I would have liked her to act sooner and take wiser decisions but I still understood why she did the things she did.

Overall, it was a great story and beautifully written. I give this two thumbs up.

Plot: 5
Characters: 4
Writing: 5
Cover: 5
Overall: 5
Average: 4.8

Waiting For You by Susane Colasanti

Waiting For You

At the beginning of her sophomore year, Marisa is ready for a fresh start and, more importantly, a boyfriend. So when the handsome and popular Derek asks her out, Marisa thinks her long wait for happiness is over. But several bumps in the road—including her parents’ unexpected separation, a fight with her best friend, and a shocking disappointment in her relationship with Derek—test Marisa’s ability to maintain her new outlook. Only the anonymous DJ, whose underground podcasts have the school’s ear, seems to understand what Marisa is going through. But she has no idea who he is—or does she?
In this third romantic novel from Susane Colasanti, Marisa learns how to “be in the Now” and realizes that the love she’s been waiting for has been right in front of her all along.

What a great book! I fell in love with Susane Colasanti's stle in Take Me There but Waiting For You was amazing.

I loved Nash. He was geektastic and just so sweet. I could hate Derek but surprisingly, I kind of don't. If you read this book, maybe you know what I mean. Marisa was such a well-rounded character, I loved her too.

The story was a wee bit predictable but sometimes, this works for me. In stories like these I prefer to know where the things are going and not have twists in the end because I already feel comfortable with it.

This book had it all, emotion, sarcasm, humor, and everything else that I find intriguing in a book. I can't wait to read Susane Colasanti's other books. I'm adding this one to my favorites!

In one sentence:
"You have to read anything by Susane Colasanti...NOW!"

Plot: 4
Characters: 5
Writing: 5
Cover: 5
Overall Feeling: 5
Average: 4.8

Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen

Along For The Ride

When Auden impulsively goes to stay with her father, stepmother, and new baby sister the summer before she starts college, all the trauma of her parents' divorce is revived, even as she is making new friends and having new experiences such as learning to ride a bike and dating. from GoodReads

Auden is the girl who plays it safe. Smart student whose whole life is studying. Her parents, ever since she's young, have encouraged her to focus on the academic parts of life. Unfortunately, this has made Auden lack in some things, such as socially. But when Auden takes off to her Dad's house, everything seems just the opposite as it should. Driven by her insomniac nights, Auden meets Eli, a boy that seems shy like her but unravels himself during the sleepless nights. Auden faces things she has never faced before, including making friends and falling in love.

Let me start by saying that I love Sarah Dessen. I have all her books and they are definitely welcoming this new release. Sarah Dessen does wonderful characterization in ALONG FOR THE RIDE. Unlike past Sarah Dessen characters, Auden has pimples in her face and is the ultimate die hard study-holic. You get the sense that what Auden really wants is to break free. Personally, I can relate to Auden's story. Having the pressure of parents to succeed in school sometimes leaves you with little fun times. Auden acts out of impulse when she decides she wants to go to her Dad's house in Colby.

Auden and Eli's relationship is one that is so beautifully unraveled I want to put it in a box and a ribbon on top. I love how their relationship is not based on the physical attraction but is more in depth with an emotional one. Eli is charming and sweet and completely believable. As I said before, Dessen is a wonderful character writer. I also love it when she does the cameos from past novels. Pst, I won't spoil it.

The parents are perfect! They're annoying enough to make you squirm yet you still care about them and somehow believe in what they're trying to do.

Although the ending was not my favorite Dessen ending, I must say that it is how it should be. I couldn't imagine it any other way without it seeming totally cheesy and unbelievable. Again, Dessen achieves the perfect combination of letting the reader sort of fill in the blanks at the end and making sure that the book DOES have a clear ending. I love it!

In one sentence: "A Dessen classic that won't disappoint fans and will lure new comers!"

Plot: 5
Characters: 5
Writing: 5
Cover: 4
Overall Feeling: 5
Average: 4.8