Slayers

by C.J. Hill

Summary:   Tori has always had a fascination and fear of dragons.  When she learns about a dragon camp, she decides to give it a try.  Maybe she'll find some others who share this strange obsession.  But, the discoveries she makes are beyond her wildest imagination.       

Thoughts:  This book was a huge surprise to me!  I wasn't too intrigued by the cover and so kept moving it to the bottom of my reading stack.  I finally picked it up, read a few pages, and was totally hooked!  Tori has led a privileged life as the daughter of a senator, and the other campers have low expectations for her when she arrives.  Her development is interesting and believable; the challenges she faces and the other plot twists and turns keep the reader reading!  This novel has a unique premise and offers a bit of everything ... action, fantasy, suspense, and romance.  
 
Read Slayers if you: 

• enjoyed Firelight by Sophie Jordan or Oh.My.Gods by Tera Lynn Childs
• like paranormal romance but are looking for something other than vampires
• are interested in dragons
• like your fantasy light and blended with the modern world   

C.J.Hill is a pseudonym for author Janette Rallison, a realistic fiction author.  She is writing under the new name since she is now writing in a different genre.  I love that!  Visit her websites to read more about her and her writing as C.J. Hill or as Janette Rallison. 


    

Daughter of Smoke and Bone
by Laini Taylor

Summary:  Karou, an art student in Prague, creates amazing drawings of chimera in her sketchbook.  Her classmates assume the mythological creatures come from Karou's imagination.  But, the chimera are actually real ... the only family Karou has ever known.  And, now they are threatened.  The doorways that lead to their enchanted world are being scorched with a single hand print from winged strangers - a warning of what is to come.  When Karou locks eyes with one of these breathtakingly handsome strangers, she begins on a journey that leads to the revelation of many secrets ... secrets she may not have been ready to learn.

Thoughts:  Author Laini Taylor immediately pulled me into this fiercely original novel.  Through her eloquent writing, Ms. Taylor builds a vivid, magical world and also beautifully describes the fascinating city of Prague.  The reader wants to catch the next plane to the Czech Republic that surely brims with the magic the author describes!  I loved the characters as well as the Ms. Taylor's fresh take on angels & demons.  I also liked the gradual unveiling of the character's secrets and back stories throughout the novel.  Daughter of Smoke & Bone is not just another paranormal romance. It is clearly in a class of its own.  

Visit Laini Taylor's website to learn more about this talented, pink-haired author!  :)       

Paranormalcy
by Kiersten White

Summary:  For as long as she can remember, Evie has lived and worked at the International Paranormal Containment Agency.  Her unique talent of seeing beneath a paranormal's "glamour" to what lurks below makes her a valuable asset to the agency.  Then Lend, a handsome shape-shifter, is captured at the IPCA while trying to find information about the mysterious murders taking place around the world.  Evie is immediately drawn to Lend, a paranormal who leads a normal, teen life, the kind of life Evie has always wanted.  Together they set out to solve the mystery of the killings and encounter a lot of unexpected surprises along the way.

Thoughts: Paranormalcy is a clever novel that stands out in the myriad of paranormal romances being published today.  The tone is light and sassy, the pace quick and engaging.  The star of the show, main character Evie, is a spunky, fun heroine with a big heart.  I found her longing for a normal life (with things like a locker, a driver's license and the prom!) very endearing.  It creates an interesting contrast to the high-tech, fantasy world where she lives.  Paranormalcy is a creative blend of adventure, mystery, supernatural, and romance.  A must-read for paranormal fans as well as realistic fiction readers who like a touch of magic in their romances.  It's the first in a trilogy with the sequel Supernaturally coming out later this summer; both installments are the perfect addition to your beach bag!  

Visit Kiersten White's website to learn more about this debut author.  You can also follow her on Twitter.  She's definitely one to watch!         

Dead Beautiful
by Yvoone Woon

Summary: After Renee's parents are killed suddenly in a mysterious accident, she goes to live with her estranged grandfather... but not for long.  He insists that she immediately enroll in the Gotfried Academy, an exclusive boarding school devoted to classical studies.  There she meets the breathtakingly gorgeous Dante, and they have an immediate, intense connection.

Thoughts: Dead Beautiful is an original, worthy addition to the paranormal romance genre.  It is gothic, mysterious, and romantic.  I loved the boarding school setting as well as the creative use of Latin and the classic subjects.  The story is well-written and suspenseful; it kept me intrigued and turning the pages.  One reviewer called it "Twilight at Hogwarts" which is the perfect description!  Fans of romance and the supernatural should give this new novel a try.  And, for those who enjoy it, a sequel is on the way! 

Firelight
by Sophie Jordan

Summary:  Jacinda is draki - a shapeshifter descended from dragons - and her mother uprooted the family from the pride where Jacinda grew up, where she fit in, where she was valued.  Now, she is trying to live a "normal" life in a new town and a new school, and she is doing anything but fitting in.  But, when Jacinda lays her eyes on him, she comes alive.  Could there be hope for her after all away from the pride?  Or, does the secret he is keeping threaten her very existence?

Thoughts:  Firelight is a sizzling, romantic fantasy. It offers a unique twist on the paranormal romance, stars interesting characters, and ends with a cliff-hanger that leaves you wanting more!  Luckily we don't have to wait long; the sequel Vanish will be released in September 2011.  The love story between Jacinda and Will is intense and mysterious.  I was captivated from the beginning and couldn't help but wish I had an inner-dragon too!  :)  

Interesting note:  Firelight has already been optioned for a movie!  Be sure to check out this mesmerizing novel before it hits the big screen. 

Click to read more about author Sophie Jordan, Firelight, and upcoming sequel Vanish.   

White Cat
The Curse Workers, Book 1
by Holly Black

Summary: Cassel is the only “non-worker” in a family of “workers” (magic-users).  He feels like a misfit not only in his family but also at his boarding school.  Things go from bad to worse when he wakes up on the roof of his dorm with no idea how he got there.  His life is becoming as terrible as his nightmares.  

Thoughts: White Cat is an absorbing, edgy fantasy. The mood is dark and puzzling as secrets are cautiously revealed and Cassel starts to put together the pieces of his past.  He is a perfect narrator: clever, cynical, and totally teen.  I listened to the audio version of the novel.  It's read by Jesse Eisenberg, star of The Social Network, and he provides an excellent voice for Cassel.  In White Cat, Holly Black creates a fascinating world full of mobsters, magic, family drama, danger and enough reality to satisfy non-fantasy fans; I can't wait to return in Book Two, Red Glove!

Click to read more about author Holly Black and The Curse Workers series.
  

Unearthly
by Cynthia Hand

Summary:  Clara is one-quarter angel.  She begins to see visions that provide glimpses of her purpose on earth and lead her family to the mountains of Wyoming.  Who is the boy in the forest fire?  And, how can she save him?  

Thoughts:  Unearthly is a slice of heaven!  It's a creative novel full of intrigue, excitement, romance, angels, mountains, and cowboys... what more do you need?  I was captivated from page 1. And, the minute I closed the back cover, I was online to discover if there is sequel (There is, thank heavens!).  If you like romances set in beautiful landscapes and sprinkled with the supernatural, check out Unearthly!  It's divine. 

Click here to view book trailers for Unearthly and learn more about the novel's author Cynthia Hand.

Hunger
by Jackie Morse Kessler

Summary: Anorexia?  How can Lisa have anorexia when she is so fat?  Fueled by the Thin Voice that constantly rides and shames her, Lisa ignores her friend's concern and continues to obsess over food.  A failed suicide attempt causes her to summon Death.  He assigns her the role of Famine, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse.  As Famine, she travels the world witnessing extreme gluttony and starvation as she tries to restore balance in the world and in her own life.

Thoughts:  Wow. This is a powerful novel about eating disorders told in a captivating, new way.  Hunger provides insight into the struggles of those who deal with food issues and what makes these struggles so difficult.  Some readers may share Lisa's severe struggle with food; others may relate more to simply trying to cultivate a healthy self-image or trying to please those around them.  Lisa, her parents, and her friends are believable, realistic characters; Death and the other Horsemen are innovatively imagined.  I really liked this creative but compassionate look at a very serious problem and look forward to Ms. Kessler's next work.  Her second young adult novel, Rage, comes out in April 2011 and tells the story of a girl who deals with the world by injuring herself. 

Interesting note:  A portion of the proceeds from Hunger are donated to the National Eating Disorders Association.    

Click to read more about author Jackie Morse Kessler.   

Are you over-vampired and tired of werewolves?  Or, are you dying for more?  Either way, these two novels offer fresh takes on the supernatural and are worth checking out! 

Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising
by Jason Henderson

Summary:  Alex is surprised to discover that he doesn’t simply share the name of a legendary vampire hunter, he might actually become one too.

Thoughts:  I admit I have been a little over-vampired.  I was a huge Twilight fan when it was first published, but I've grown weary of the vampire mania.  So, I wasn't that excited to read this new novel by first time novelist Jason Henderson.  But, I heard a lot about it and decided to give it a try.  Boy, am I glad I did!  I loved it!  Mr. Henderson's vampire storyline is fresh & new and filled with delicious literary & historical references.  I just ate it up!  It's a an exciting, suspense-filled adventure that is anything but a Twilight copycat.  One review calls it a "modern-day spin of James Bond meets Dracula" which sums it up perfectly!  Fans of Vladimir Tod, Alex Rider, Alfred Kropp, the Young Bond series, or anyone who likes good adventure, try this new series by Jason Henderson.     

Click here for more info about the Alex Van Helsing series and author Jason Henderson!
 

Claire de Lune
by Christine Johnson

Summary:  Claire, a seemingly normal 16-year-old, is thrilled when she finally catches the attention of handsome, popular Matthew.  But, she soon discovers a family secret and realizes she is anything but normal.   

Thoughts:  Again, I wasn't thrilled about another werewolf novel, but was pleasantly surprised with Claire de Lune.  The mother-daughter relationship and the concepts of self-acceptance are explored in this suspenseful, intriguing fantasy. I really liked Matthew, the boy who captures Claire's heart, and liked that he is the son of Claire's mother's arch enemy.  Lots of tension, intrigue, and romance.  I am hoping for a sequel to this fun, alpha-female fantasy!  :)     

Click here for more details about Claire de Lune and author Christine Johnson.

Need

by Carrie Jones

Summary: After the sudden death of her stepfather, Zara goes to Maine to spend some time with her grandmother. But, when she sees the same man in her grandmother's small town that she saw following her at home, Zara wonders what is really going on.

Thoughts: This is a captivating supernatural novel. It has a lot of similarities to the Twilight storyline, so fans of the series might want to give this one a try.

Dead is the New Black

by Marlene Perez

Summary: When the school's it girl Samantha Devereaux starts the school year with a new look, 'dead' becomes the style of the day. But, Daisy Giordano thinks more is going on. As girls start to actually turn up in the morgue, Daisy and her psychic sisters are determined to get to the bottom of it.

Thoughts: What a sassy new series! I loved Daisy, her crazy sisters, and the blend of realistic issues with the supernatural. This is a great blend of mystery, comedy, and fantasy. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!