Since I just recently finished my ARC of Taken by Erin Bowman and loved it so much, I was to pass it on to a fellow reader! Also, please check out the review of Taken here.
If you are interested in entering, please use the form I’ve created…
Apr
14
Review: Taken by Erin Bowman
Taken by Erin Bowman
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: April 16, 2013
Format: ARC, 352 pages
There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends…and he’s gone.
They call it the Heist.
Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can cross and survive.
Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side?
This book…I loved it. Period, the end. Well, I wish that was all, but I’ll explain a little further. What a fascinating and unique premise. The story unfolded at a perfect pace. There was action, romance, and friendship. A book that keeps me on my toes and learning more and more is all I can ask for. There was never a dull moment, even when the story slows a bit as he learns more about his situation.
I so loved the male perspective. I haven’t read too many books with a male perspective so it was really fun and different. Gray was a very thoughtful and smart character. He was sensitive, yet strong and always cautious. I also really loved Bree, which is someone you will meet as you read the story. She kicks ass. I loved her character and whit. Its always a good thing to have a BA girl thrown into the mix!
Gray was torn between his head and heart often, and of course it was never easy. Based on description (and how I defined him in my head) he was so magnetic, personality and looks wise. It was really neat to have a love triangle with two girls, rather than the norm of two boys. I’m not fond of love triangles, but it definitely works in Taken.
Another reason why I loved Taken was that it was a very believable world. It wasn’t like a robotic dystopian, but a realistic future America that has civil unrest. Its something that really makes you think. You take this journey with Gray as he determines what’s important to him and how he fights for what he believes.
Basically, I would read this book again in a second. There was a full storyline, enough closure, and just enough to leave you wanting more. I enjoyed it so much and can’t wait for future books in the series!
Rating: 
For those who like: Dystopian, male perspective, futuristic civil unrest
Source: Publisher – thank you!
Mar
21
I’m back! I’m back!
Hi guys. I know its been a long time…remember me? I can’t believe I let almost a YEAR go by without a single post. I’ve been reading. Probably at a really slow pace, but I guess that what happens with this crazy thing called school comes along. I absolutely love design school and its so fun, but I was desperately missing my reading and reviewing time.
I’m so glad to be back. I’m a little bit more organized now and even though I will only have time for a few reviews a month and monthly meme, but its better than being MIA.
I’m on a mission to get back into reading and visiting other reviewers’ blogs, so keep your eyes out for me. 
I hope to reconnect with old friends and make some new!
Mar
20
Review: Fated by Alyson Noël
Fated by Alyson Noël
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Format: ARC, 306 pages
Lately strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Worried that Daire is having a nervous breakdown, her mother packs her off to stay in the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico with a grandmother she’s never met.
There she crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes who she’s encountered before…but only in her dreams. And she’ll get to know her grandmother—a woman who recognizes Daire’s bizarre episodes for what they are. A call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, one who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. Her grandmother immediately begins teaching her to harness her powers—but it’s an art that must be mastered quickly. Because Dace’s brother is an evil shape-shifter who’s out to steal her powers. Now Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and find out if Dace is one guy she’s meant to be with…or if he’s allied with the enemy she’s destined to destroy.
Note: Its been a few months since I read this book, so this review might skim the surface.
I really loved the storyline of Fated! I easily related to the book, because I’ve always been interested in Native American folklore and animal spirits. It’s fascinating and I think Noël successfully weaved a teen’s already crazy life with that of the myths of the Native American cultures. I really think Noël took a step up with this series!
I enjoyed the toss between good and evil and how both had a magical and alluring quality about them. Especially regarding the Native American cultures…definitely magical! The scenes and places Noël sent her characters were described with so much detail that it was easy to imagine they were real. I love that quality in a book. Its important for me to get thrown into the story and this just backed that up.
Daire wasn’t a really special kind of girl, but she stands out by having this strong connection to her Native American culture even though she had been previously separated from it. I loved this aspect of the book as well, because we grow with Daire as she learns more about herself and that creates a seamless experience for the reader.
The only minor downfall with Fated was that the first quarter of the book was very slow. It took a little while for me to get the hang of the dream sequences until we started learning where Daire came from. I encourage you guys to stick through that first part, because it’ll pay off!
Overall, what a great start to a new series. I can’t wait to pick up my copy of book 2. Oh and I can’t forget to mention the romance…very apparent and appropriate, but I am definitely hoping for more. Which I think might happen! 
Clip from the Fated audiobook:
Rating: 
For those who like: Animal spirits, good vs. evil, Native American legends
Source: Publisher – thank you!
