Book Review: The Collector by Victoria Scott

The Collector by Victoria Scott

Series: Dante Walker #1

Genre: YA Paranormal

Publication Date: March 25, 2013

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Format: PDF

Pages: 352

Source: Received for review from publisher on NetGalley

He makes good girls...bad. 
Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

I am so glad that I got approved for this title on NetGalley because, despite how much I wanted to read this, I know I probably would not have bought it. And then I would be missing out on a worthy book! The Collector is a wildly entertaining and addictive read. 

When the first line of a book's synopsis says that the main character is "flippin' awesome," there is a lot of pressure for the author to deliver such a promise. So is Dante flippin' awesome? Well, he's different, that's for sure. He's got a very distinct voice. A lot of people claim he borders on the "Bad Boy who is legitimately just a Big Fat Jerk." And he sort of does. He has some thoughts that toe the line of cruel, but such is life. People think mean things until they're proven otherwise. Sure he is arrogant a selfish, but he grows and becomes a better person and whatnot, so it's all good. What really got me about his character is that sometimes the slang and whatnot got really cheesy. Like, okay, you use the term "fo shizzle" jokingly--hah, you're quirky. You use the word "whatev" multiple times--yeah, no, that's not okay. He was an interesting mind to be inside of, but there were a few times when I was rolling my eyes. Other than that, he's pretty cool. He has a thing for his red Chuck Taylors and just the color red in general. He had a lot of quirks about him that made him seem pretty authentic. I wasn't necessarily swooning over him, but I did enjoy his character. 

Then there is Charlie, who is not the most attractive thing the world has ever seen. But she is, like, super good. So good, that the Devil himself wants to stop her before she makes the entire world good and peaceful or whatever. She's overly trusting, very loyal, and endlessly kind. She is the kind of girl I was rooting for from the beginning. She's not my favorite character in the entire world, but she makes reading The Collector a more enjoyable experience. The romance between Charlie and Dante slowly builds up before Dante realizes what is happening and then explodes, and becomes a little much. Either way, it was cute because in the beginning Dante makes it clear that such an idea would be absolutely absurd. I was rooting for them the whole time and really liked them together. Beside Charlie, you can usually find Annabelle and Blue, her 2 best friends. I liked Annabelle from the beginning because, as Dante said when he met her, she has spunk. Blue was just kind of there to me for a while, but by the end, I respected, and even liked, his character. Max, Dante's best friend, is probz my favorite character. He's just weird, and a loyal companion to Dante. Finally, there is Valery, who fights for the good side. I know I don't dislike her, but whether I like her or not is still on the table. 

I really liked the idea behind this book, but I don't feel like it was fleshed out as well as it could have been. I just didn't believe everything Scott was feeding us. The pacing was pretty stinkin' good. I mean, the book was always interesting. Like I said in the beginning, this book was majorly entertaining and addictive. I was never bored reading this, but there were parts where I would have liked a little more stuff to, I don't know, happen. I wanted more angst and dramatic emotional turmoil. 

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I don't know necessarily that it will stay with me forever and that I'll be gushing about it for years to come, but it was a fun ride I'd highly suggest taking. I will definitely be awaiting more Dante Walker. 

Teaser Tuesdays

I flattened my hands on my thigh, wiping them as if they were dirty. "Next time, ask."

"Ask?"

"Before you posses somebody." My voice was harsh, because I still couldn't quite get over what I was saying.

"I did ask," she said. Surprise lit her face.

"No you didn't."

Mab reached out her hands, palms up. "I asked if you trusted me. You said yes." (The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton, Pg 186, ARC)

"For the smell of burning wood and plastic, of smoldering phillies shirts and baby photos. For sirens and screams. For anything at all that hinted at fire.
For Dad." (Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza)

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Finished: 

That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard - Gabbi

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton - Gabbi

The Bane by Keary Taylor - Gabbi

The Truth About You and Me by Amanda Grace - Gabbi

Masquerade by Cambria Hebert - Nova

Delirium by Lauren Oliver - Nova

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton - Nova

On the chopping block: 

The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton - Gabbi

A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty - Gabbi

Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari - Nova

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - Nova

Waiting in line: 

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler - Gabbi

All of The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - Nova
Defiance by C.J. Redwine - Nova

Book Review: Shadows by Paula Weston

Shadows by Paula Weston
Series: The Rephaim #1
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publication Date: July 2, 2012
Publisher: Text Publishing
Pages: 388

It’s almost a year since Gaby Winters was in the car crash that killed her twin brother, Jude. Her body has healed in the sunshine of Pandanus Beach, but her grief is raw and constant. It doesn’t help that every night in her dreams she kills demons and other hell-spawn.

And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who’s been appearing in Gaby’s dreams—he claims a history with her brother that makes no sense. Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself and her life is only a shadow of the truth—and that the truth is more likely to be found in the shadows of her nightmares.

Who is Rafa? Who are the Rephaim? And most importantly, who can she trust?

Fast-paced and gripping, Shadows, the first book in the Rephaim series, is a standout paranormal romance for fans of Richelle Mead and Cassandra Clare. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

Love. Nightmares. Angels. War.

Conflicting emotions, instincts and truths collide inside Gaby's head as she tries to figure out who and what she is. What she thought she knew about herself is only a shadow of the truth, but Rafa, the man of her dreams - literally, she's been dreaming of him since the accident that killed her twin - strolls into town to shine a light into the dark abyss inside Gaby's head.

I haven't read very many books about angels (only The Demon Trappers series by Jana Oliver and the Hush Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick) so I didn't really know what to expect of Weston's twist on the genre. I enjoyed certain elements a lot and others not so much. I'm not sure if Weston's research into angels is accurate (it may well be) but it didn't quite line up with the information I've read about in other novels so I guess you'll find out when you read. :)

I'm going to get my nags out of the way first so that we don't end this review on a downer because I did actually enjoy this novel as a whole. My main concern about this book was that I felt as though I was being told a lot of the information rather than being shown it - I suppose it just could have been slightly more subtle; I know that the protagonist, Gaby, needed to be told some things but I just felt like a whole text book on the history of religion/demons/angels was being regurgitated from other characters so that I found it was hard to keep up.

    

Another nag is that this novel included some stronger language (The F word) which I totally don't mind, it's a YA novel and mature at that, but I think it should have been used more... strategically so that it had more of an effect rather than being dumped in dialogue every now and then.

    

My final little nag is that characters would say something like "You don't think?.." and another character would cut in and just nod and I'd be sat there like THINK WHAT?! Maybe it's just me being slow but I didn't like how I was supposed to be able to assume what the characters meant (this happened about 3 times throughout the novel).

Those nags aside, I really did enjoy this novel. I wasn't bored, though I wasn't utterly drawn in to start with either, but towards the end of the novel I grew more and more attached to the characters and now that I have turned the final page I am definitely craving more! The small mystery of who can I trust? is fun because Gaby is confused about herself and you're just as keen to find out the truth as much as she is; I mean who can you trust when you remember absolutely nothing?

    

The characterisation was what drove this story forward for me though (although there were some good, unpredictable twists throughout the plot too!) as the passion they have for what they believe in and each other is admirable.  I love the 'thing' that goes on between Rafa and Gaby - whatever it is! I also loved the way the relationships between characters altered depending on their situations - allies are those who share the same enemy for sure in this novel.

   

My favourite character had to be Rafa! He was cool, cocky and oh so hot! *Swoons* He's one of those I really shouldn't but I will anyway kinda guys. He's been in Gaby's dreams since the accident and now he has waltzed into her life, aggravated her curiosity and stormed her heart.

I think fans of the genre should definitely give Weston's spin on Angels a go, I certainly enjoyed it. 

Bookly Gabbing: Spin-Off Series

Bookly Gabbing is just a feature here where I ramble about book-related subjects. And sometimes other-related subjects :)

It seems to me like spin-off series are just the thing to do lately. That and novellas, which I rarely rarely read. I don't really have a problem with spin-off series because a lot of my favorite authors have started spin-off series: Richelle Mead (<3), Cassandra Clare, Rachel Hawkins, Andrea Cremer. And, with the exception of Andrea Cremer, I've adored every word of those series (I just haven't read Rift or Rise yet. No hate against Andrea).

Some other popular authors that wrote spin-off series are Julia Kagawa, Rick Riordan, P.C. Cast, Alyson Noel, and Melissa de la Cruz.

My main problem with spin-offs is that I can't help but think of the original series and comparing them. It's the same writer, the same world (though, most likely, with largely different different elements of the world being displayed), and some characters we've probably seen from the original series. Excuse me for finding it slightly difficult to not connect the two. Like in Richelle Mead's Bloodlines series (which is a spin-off of her Vampire Academy), I can't help but think about what Rose would do if she were in Sydney's shoes and how she is infinitely more amazing. No offense to Sydney or anything, but Rose is my favorite book heroine to ever exist. Feeling that way makes it slightly more difficult for me to really melt into Sydney's character and enjoy the books as if they were standalones. Because Sydney is a great character, but she's no Rose.

However, spin-off series allow room for further development of a world we have come to love. Like in the Bloodlines series, we see a whole other side of the Moroi and Strigoi world, which is really its own world. The world of the alchemists. With science, logic, strict rules, and a major belief system. We are exposed to an entirely different brand of secrets, betrayals, and hard decisions. It's extremely interesting to see how these aspects that seem so separate from the original series relate. Of course, we also get to see other characters that we liked in the series receive their happily-ever-afters.

Not to mention, the author has more published book under their belt. They are, most likely, more confident in their writing, more accustomed to working with a deadline and readers' pressure. They've come to know the world they've created. In School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins (the first book in the Hex Hall spin-off series), I enjoyed the dialogue more, the pacing of the story. In my opinion, it was an all around better adventure.

In The Infernal Devices, which is Cassandra Clare's prequel to The Mortal Instruments series, we get to see the ancestors of the characters in TMI, and how their stories affect the story of the present. How their ancestors changed the world we already thought was so developed (or at least I did. PLEASE no bashing of Cassie Clare).

I know some people think spin-off series are a cash cow thing, or because the author is just so incapable of coming up with fresh ideas. But even if that is so, I like them. And that's all that matters right? Who cares about the motivation behind writing a book, or how much money the author makes? If it entertains you, then it serves its purpose, no?

What do you think of all the spin-off series lately? Love 'em or hate 'em? Which ones have you read and loved? I do not mind if your view opposes mine, or even if you have negative opinions of any of the books I used as examples, but please, no brutal bashing on my blog. Save that for Goodreads.

Book Review: Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Series: Delirium #3

Genre: YA Dystopian
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 391
Source: Purchased

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

For this review I was tempted to leave it at one simple sentence: It's Lauren Oliver. Of course I couldn't stop there, but it is honestly how I feel. It's Lauren Oliver--Of course you should read it; of course it is phenomenal. It's hard for me to describe how I feel about this book. It certainly wasn't my favorite book in the series, yet it is equally as fantastic--and important--as the other books. 

Let me just say that it is so hard for me to believe that I am inside the head of the same Lena in Delirium. She has come so far! Of course there are still little traces of that girl, especially with Alex being back, but she is part of the Resistance now. She's super tough and determined. Ain't nobody going to mess with her and get away with it! Though she is not my favorite heroine to hypothetically walk the Earth, she is still easy to love and feel for. As for the Big Debate: Alex vs. Julian, I will start by emphatically declaring my spot on Team Alex. Alex is pure beauty. The way he reads poetry to Lena, how he teaches her about a whole other world, how we is willing to sacrifice every single thing he has to offer for what he believes in. I do not believe he was present enough in this novel and that makes me sad. But don't get me wrong, I like Julian, too--just not for Lena. He is sweet, but he doesn't compliment her the way she needs. Also, in this book, we get a glimpse from Hana's point of view. I liked seeing the world from "the other side" AKA the mind of a Cured. However, Hana was not my favorite character. I don't really know why--maybe I just found her a little too passive--but I wasn't hanging on to her side of the story. 

In the final installment of the Delirium trilogy, it is pretty much now or never--fight  or die, join the resistance or conform to the mindlessness. Whereas in Delirium, the book had an underlying hint of hopelessness, and in Pandemonium there was an underlying hint of desperation, Requiem had an overarching feel of urgency. The whole time I was bracing myself, preparing for Shit To Go Down. At the same time...the plot was kind of slow. It was a lot of figuring out what is really up with Hana's future husband, or figuring out which way Lena and her group is going to go. But then once Shit did start to Go Down it went down hard. Oliver's action is pretty frackin epic. Book one is about discovering what Lena wanted, book two is about discovering how to get it, and book three is about getting it.There is chaos and emotion and emotional chaos. And it rocks!  

I know a lot of people were upset by the ending. Oliver leaves a lot open for reader interpretation. While I do wish I got a bit more closure and confirmation on things, I feel satisfied. In Lena's world, hope will pretty much always be crushed. There are no permanent solutions to such a deeply screwed up society. And Lauren Oliver left us with hope, with the idea that things are about to get better, rather than tying a bow around the story that couldn't possibly exist. We're left believing that the characters achieve what they are fighting for, and that they get the life they dream of. 

In the end, it's Oliver's writing that leaves me sighing when I think of this book. Her words are so beautiful, poignant, and meaningful. More than the characters, more than the story line, more than the romance--the writing is what places this series on a pedestal so untouchable in my heart. I will never, ever forget this series and a large reason for that is the gorgeous writing. 

Basically, Lauren Oliver is a goddess and even if this book isn't perfect, it is perfect. And I have not a single doubt in this entire universe that you will gain something from reading this series. The other day, I told my friend that I would sell my soul to write just one book HALF as good as any single one of Lauren Oliver's novels (her response: "Gabbi, you really shouldn't sell your soul. I don't think that's healthy."). 

I know that this review is pretty much a jumble of nonsense. Was it good or wasn't it? It had its flaws, but basically it was such an integral part of an astounding series, that it pretty much has to be astounding itself.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Before Blogging

(If the book is the first in a series, then I mean the entire series, but I may have finished the series while blogging.)

1) Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare 

2) The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

3) Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - I have NO idea what I'd do if I never discovered this series. Pretty much my all time fave. And to think, I only picked it off the shelf in the grocery store because it has the word "vampire" in the title. 

4) Uglies by Scott Westerfeld - This was one of those series I loved before I even liked reading. I think it's the first series I ever re-read. 

5) This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen - This is my favorite Dessen book, to this day. 

6) Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen - This is my second favorite Dessen book, to this day. I remember staying up all night sprawled on my brother's living room floor reading this. 

7) The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han - I stayed up all night reading this one as well...ON A SCHOOL NIGHT. I finished it on the bus to school, and my friends told me I'm crazy. But it's okay because ALL THE FEELZ.

8) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - Okay, so the first book wasn't the best thing that ever happened to me, but this series in general is one that has claimed a spot in my heart for a long time to come. 

9) Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - This is one of my guilty pleasure series. It's not, like, mind-blowing or anything, but what can I say other than that I enjoyed the series?

10) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

And Nova decided to do her thang on her blog today, so you should most definitely give that a look-see: 

Nova's Top Ten Tuesday