Review: Trollhunters by Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus

Goodreads Blurb

In San Bernardino, California, children are going missing.

The townspeople don’t believe the rumours of trolls, but fifteen-year-old Jim Jr knows that they’re a very real threat. At night, is anyone safe?

TROLLHUNTERS is a funny, gruesome and undeniably del Toro-esque adventure perfect for teen readers and fans of Pan’s Labyrinth.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 Stars

Wow, what an amazing book written from one of the best filmmakers ever. Book had an awesome beginning and ending. I just couldn’t put it down. Loved the whole troll story idea and having a human family being the trollhunters to keep all humans safe. Each character was very important in the book. They were all able to get together and do what was right to save everyone. The plot of this book was great, hoping it became a movie. What I loved most was that the story was being told by James, who is the son of Jim, who had lost his brother in a strange encounter. Fooled me at the beginning, thinking that Jim was telling the story. You don’t want to miss this amazing book with out of the box ideas, innovations, and thrilling.

Author Biography

Guillermo del Toro is a Mexican director mostly known for his acclaimed films Pan’s Labyrinth, The Devils Backbone, Crimson Peak and the Hellboy film franchise. His films draw heavily on sources as diverse as weird fiction, fantasy, horror, and war. In 2009, Del Toro released his debut novel, The Strain, co-authored with Chuck Hogan, as the first part of The Strain Trilogy, an apocalyptic horror series featuring vampires. The series continued with The Fall in 2010 and concluded with The Night Eternal in 2011.

Review: The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie

Goodreads Blurb

Something freaky’s going on with Sunshine’s new house… there’s the chill that wraps itself around her bones, the giggling she can hear in the dead of night, and then the strange shadows that lurk in her photographs. But the more weird stuff that happens, the less her mom believes her. Sunshine’s always had a quirky affiliation with the past, but this time, history is getting much too close for comfort…

If there is something, or someone, haunting her house, what do they want? And what will they do if Sunshine can’t help them?

As things become more frightening and dangerous, and the giggles she hears turn to sobs and screams, Sunshine has no choice but to accept what she is, face the test before her and save her mother from a fate worse than death.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Wow, I just couldn’t put the book down. Had to stop reading at night because it spooked me. This book was very well written. It was the perfect horror story. Anyone who reads this book will not be able to stop. Each chapter grasps the readers attention. Sunshine was able to overcome her fears by coming into action and taking care of saving her mother from the demon. I loved that her professor Victoria played a huge part in what was occurring. She gave up her powers in order to save her daughter from the demon. I was so happy to find out that Nolan was her protector. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book and find out who that mystery man was. You don’t want to miss this awazing five-star read.

Author Biography

Paige is the young star of the hit YouTube channel The Haunting of Sunshine Girl. What began as a simple “girl and her haunted house” story has grown to a multi-webisode network with stories of zombies, ghosts, Sasquatch and lots of Sunshine! Full of positivity, humor and plenty of scares, The Haunting of Sunshine Girl has allowed Paige to spread her unique brand of adorkableness to other teens (and many adults) all over the world! At the age of 16, Paige (along with her mother, actress Mercedes Rose and producing partner, Nick Hagen) co-founded the production company Coat Tale Productions.
Paige’s latest book series, B*Witch from Hachette Books hit shelves in 2020. A sequel is planned for 2021. Paige lives in Portland, Oregon with her fur baby, Pongo.

Review: Vampires of Manhattan by Melissa De La Cruz

Goodreads Blurb

The Vampires of Manhattan is “hipster horror”–the memorable characters from her Blue Bloods series are older and cooler than before, trying to build “Millennial” lives in the bustle of Manhattan while battling forces of evil and, of course, each other.

Hero of this sexy, paranormal action tale is Oliver Hazard-Perry, former human conduit, and Manhattan’s only human-turned-vampire, now the head of the Blue Bloods Coven. When his all-too-human lover is found murdered on the eve of the coven’s annual Four Hundred Ball–a celebration meant to usher in a new era in vampire society, and to mark the re-unification of the Coven after decades of unrest and decay–Oliver is devastated.

Now, not only is he trying to create a new world order for the immortal elite, he’s the prime suspect and is stalked by the newly installed head of the vampire secret police. Because according to the new rules, vampires who take human life can now be executed. Burned.

How can an immortal sentenced to die fight back? He has to find the killer–and the answers lie deep in vampire lore.

My Review: Rated 3 out of 5 stars

I haven’t read the Blue Blood series other than this book. I was having a hard time trying to get into the book. It wasn’t grasping my attention. I liked the last few chapters of the book because the book became exciting.

Author Biography

Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.

Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.

She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.

Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).

She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.

Review: Wildalone by Krassi Zourkova

Goodreads Blurb

In this darkly imaginative debut novel full of myth, magic, romance, and mystery, a Princeton freshman is drawn into a love triangle with two enigmatic brothers, and discovers terrifying secrets about her family and herself—a bewitching blend of Twilight, The Secret History, Jane Eyre, and A Discovery of Witches.

Arriving at Princeton for her freshman year, Thea Slavin finds herself alone, a stranger in a strange land. Away from her family and her Eastern European homeland for the first time, she struggles to adapt to unfamiliar American ways and the challenges of college life—including an enigmatic young man whose brooding good looks and murky past intrigue her. Drawn to the elusive Rhys and his equally handsome and mysterious brother, Jake, she ventures into a sensual mythic underworld as irresistible as it is dangerous.

In this shadow world that seems to mimic Greek mythology and the Bulgarian legends of the samodivi or “wildalones”—forest witches who beguile and entrap men—Thea will discover a family secret bound to transform her forever . . . if she can accept that dead doesn’t always mean gone, and love doesn’t always distinguish between the two.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very sad I am done reading this book, leaving me wanting for more. This book deserves more than five stars. It is absolutely enchanting from the very beginning. Each character left me wild, untamed, and trapped. This book had an urban/Greek myth. I finished this book in about three days straight and couldn’t take my eyes away from it. Each character had their own secret, which made it very interesting. As you read, you assume that certain characters were involved with Elza’s disappearance. The love that Thea has for Jake and Rhys is unexplainable. Too love a man who you don’t know, other than seeing him from afar and then start dating a man you assume is the same person would make any person confused and frustrated. Rhys is a character who rubbed off the wrong way. Felt like he was the man I would stay away from because he could harm me. Jake is smart, quiet, and loyal to his brother even when he is taking his happiness away. I was in complete shock when I discovered who Rhys was and what actually happened to Elza. I grew frustrated as I read because I really felt that Jake is her one true love, and a future life couldn’t be dealt with Rhys because of his commitment. Krassi did an amazing job in writing a book that kept me interested from the beginning, had mystery and secrets to be told. This story was written naturally just as a pianist touches each key without thought but with passion. Can’t wait to see what Thea decides for her future on the next novel. Thanks so much for letting me read such an amazing book. I highly recommend you read it.

Review: Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Goodreads Blurb

In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.

Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 Stars

I haven’t read any books in this series, but I really enjoyed this story. Levana only wished to be happy with a family that loved her. But because of the traumatic event that happened when she was younger, she wasn’t able to feel pretty as a result of her older sister. She just withheld envy, anger, and hate for everyone around her. She fell in love with Evret, who was happily married till his wife passed away during childbirth. How can she possibly think that his feelings could change towards Levana over night. She manipulated him in loving her and getting married. She felt happy just knowing he was there with her even though he didn’t love her. I was so angry at her for committing such a crime on her niece who would have been queen when she became a teenager. She definitely had no heart or any feelings. She didn’t feel any remorse when her parents were killed, when her sister died, and when she planned out her nieces death. I was utterly shocked at how this whole story ended. Would have never thought that she would plan on killing the only person she gave her heart to. Can’t wait to read the other three books to see the type of person Levana portrayed.

Author Biography

I live in Tacoma, Washington, with my husband and beautiful twin daughters. Represented by Jill Grinberg. Learn more about me and my upcoming books at http://www.marissameyer.com.

Review: The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter

Goodreads Blurb

I thought I had nothing left to give.

I thought wrong.

They started the war.

Now I will end it.

Alice “Ali” Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She’s ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It’s then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.

As secrets that may tear Ali and Cole apart come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Wow, what an amazing book. I’m definitely finished with a huge bang. This last book in the series for now has left my heart broken. Could not ever imagine losing your best friend and having her turn into a zombie. I was very happy that Ali was so strong and was able to give in to such evil people. Stopping them at any cause was the best thing that they could have done. Ali is such a strong woman, and I love that this book portrays women as being the strong ones. She was able to save most of her friends. My heart stopped when the zombies exploded the house, and Ali was trying to find her friends. Could not imagine being in her place. I was happy about the way the book ended. Ali got her memory back and was able to blank Mrs. Smith memory. It has such an amazing turning point that Ali’s parents weren’t who she really thought, and she was the cure to all problems with the zombies. It should feel great that now no one has to use the zombie toxin in order to survive. Now, the zombies would be at peace after all. I’m hoping there will be another book to this amazing series.

Author Biography

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs and cats.

Review: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

Goodreads Blurb

Zombies stalk the night.

Forget blood and brains. These monsters hunger for human souls.

Sadly, they’ve got mine…

Alice Bell has lost so much. Family. Friends. A home. She thought she had nothing else to give. She was wrong.

After a new zombie attack, strange things begin to happen to her. Mirrors come to life, and the whispers of the dead assault her ears. But the worst? A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do very wicked things.

She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more, but ultra bad-boy Cole Holland, the leader and her boyfriend, suddenly withdraws from her…from everyone. Now, with her best friend, Kat, at her side, Ali must kill the zombies, uncover Cole’s secret and learn to fight the darkness.

But the clock is ticking…and if she fails at a single task, they’re all doomed.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Wow, this book was even better than the first. I just couldn’t put it down. Ali was such a strong person. She got dibilated by Z.A, but she wouldn’t let her take over her life and others. Cole never gave up on her and was really in love with Ali. He stayed with her through good times and bad. I was glad that the traitor wasn’t one of the zombies slayers. I would have been upset. They are all family. The doctor got what he deserved. He killed so many innocent people in hopes of saving his daughter. Ali was put through so much pain, and poor Jaclyn was malnutrition and tortured. I was really hoping for the zombies that he was controlling, which should have been the ones to kill him. I was so happy to see all slayers help Ali release that evil zombie Alice away from her body. Now they saw that they are able to cure themselves and be able to kill more zombies. This book had me at edge between all the fighting, torturing, escaping, and starvation. I’m going to be reading the next book in this series and can’t wait to see what will happen next.

Author Biography

Review: The Dark Realm: Feyland Book 1 by Anthea Sharp

Goodreads Blurb

What if a high-tech computer game was a gateway to the dangerous Realm of Faerie?

When a game…

Feyland is the most immersive computer game ever designed, and Jennet Carter is the first to play the prototype. But she doesn’t suspect the virtual world is close enough to touch — or that she’ll be battling for her life against the Dark Queen of the faeries.

Turns real…

Tam Linn is the perfect hero — in-game. Too bad the rest of his life is seriously flawed. The last thing he needs is rich-girl Jennet prying into his secrets, insisting he’s the only one who can help her.

Winning is everything…

Together, Jennet and Tam enter the Dark Realm of Feyland, only to discover that the entire human world is in danger. Pushed to the limit of their abilities, they must defeat the Dark Queen… before it’s too late.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 Stars

Received this book from the author in exchange for a review. I must say this book was out of this world. I loved it. It was the first book I have ever read that involved a video game or should I say a secret world. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning, with the Queen taking away Jennet’s soul. It was scary since video games have become a big part of our society, and who knows if a video game that feels real and appears in true life can happen? I was so hurt when Tam was taken into the game and spared Jennets life. I was so happy that the real true hero was Jennet, who gave all she had to save Tam from ending up like Thomas. This book really put fear in me. Having to go through the Goblins and hounds trying to rip them apart. I felt like I was living there fears too.The lyrics to the ballad were invigorating. I really loved how Anthea used the lyrics and the story plot into her book. The book was very easy to read and understand. I was at the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen next in the world of Feyland. Thanks for writing such an amazing book. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. All the books in the series have beautiful covers.

Author Biography

Growing up, Anthea Sharp spent her summers raiding the library shelves and reading, especially fantasy. She now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest, where she writes, plays the fiddle, hangs out in virtual worlds, and spends time with her small-but-good family. Contact her at antheasharp@hotmail.com, follow her on twitter, find her on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AntheaSharp), and visit her website.

Review: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Goodreads Blurb

If anyone had told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real.

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I am speechless after reading this amazing book. Can’t wait to see if they make this book into a movie. I loved that Gena thought out of the box and didn’t give us the same book like all those zombies movies that have been made. I loved the concept of zombies being in spirit form, and they eat your spirit while killing you in human form. I was at the edge of my seat reading this book. Action all the way through. Can’t wait to start the next book on this series. I got caught off guard and didn’t expect her dad to have turned into a zombie, let alone try to defend her. The cast for this book is perfect. They all know each other from school, and the enemy used to be best friends with Cole and used to fight to kill the zombies. It was such a great opportunity that I got to meet Gena at a panel and got all three books signed. Thanks for writing such an amazing book. Don’t forget to pick this one up, you won’t be disappointed.

Author Biography

Review: Homeroom Diaries by James Patterson and Lisa Papademetriou

Goodreads Blurb

James Patterson introduces the best selling “illustrated fiction” format to teens! It’s “Middle School” for high schoolers!

In James Patterson’s first highly illustrated “diary fiction” story for teens, the mega-bestselling author’s most endearing and original teen heroine ever proves that everyone can use a helping hand once in a while.

Margaret “Cuckoo” Clarke recently had a brief stay in a mental institution following an emotional breakdown, but she’s turning over a new leaf with her “Operation Happiness”. She’s determined to beat down the bad vibes of the Haters, the Terror Teachers, and all of the trials and tribulations of high school by writing and drawing in her diary. And when life gets really tough, she works through her own moments of uncertainty through imaginary conversations with her favorite literary characters.

Cuckoo’s also got a nearly impossible mission: she, along with her misfit band of self-deprecating friends (who call themselves “the Freakshow”) decide to bridge the gap between warring cliques and “bring the Nations together”. Not everyone is so willing to join hands and get along, but Cuckoo never stops smiling… until one of her closest friends, pushed to desperation by a Hater prank, decides that enough is enough.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I totally enjoyed this books and the best part was that I got to personally meet James Patterson this past Sunday. This is such a great read for teenagers. It’s about a young girl who has had a tough life, and when she thinks it’s getting better, something else happens. Life is high school is very hard for most teenagers. Fitting in and being accepted is very challenging.Life is unexpected, and some teenagers really don’t know that bulling other people isn’t right. James became one of my best authors because he used Mr. Darcy as an imaginary friend.I love Mr. Darcy. The illustrations through out the book really illustrated exactly the images I was imagining as I read through the book.I was so sad when the book ended because I didn’t want the story to end, hopefully Mr.Patterson will make a continuation. I can not forget the book cover is just beautiful with those vivid colors. Definitely pick this book up or gift it to a teenager.

Author Biography

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Effing Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Princess Diana, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson, and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.