Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout ~ Review

Wicked (A Wicked Saga #1)
By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance
Recommend for: 18+

My rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars


'"Who is it?"
(...) "How would I know? But she kind of looks like that chick from the movie Brave. You know, the one with the really curly red hair."

What. In. The. Hell.

"She's got really pretty blue eyes, though."

Though. Though? As if that somehow made up for the fact that I had frizzy red hair like a Disney character.

"S**t," said Harris. His footsteps thudded down the stairs. "That'll be Ivy Morgan."

Seriously? That's how people know me? They could say I looked like the chick from Brave and they were like oh, that's Ivy?

I needed to dye my hair stat.

Wait, why was this dude watching Disney movies?''


My thoughts on the book:

Before I begin, I want to let it be known that Wicked made me fall head over heels for a guy who watches Disney movies.

And by now you're probably thinking, "Oh, Booknut, who is this fantastic hunk who sounds too good to be true?" Well guys, he's a stunning specimen of manhood that goes by the name of Ren Owens.

And if you want to know more about him, you're in luck - 'cause I'm here with the 'Top 4 Things Fangirls Need to Know About Ren Owens!'

#1: He loves the movie Brave (correction: he's in love with Merida)

'I reached under my pillow, grabbing the iron stake I always kept there. Before he moved, I placed the very pointy end against his throat, right over a very important artery. "Role reversal, b**ch." 

Ren let his arms fall to the mattress as he stared at me through impossibly thick lashes. "That move was really kind of hot." I narrowed my eyes. "You really are Merida." 

"Who in the hell is Merida?" 

One side of his mouth kicked up again. "The chick from the movie Brave with-" 

"The frizzy red hair. Got it. Thanks. I'm seriously going to stab you." 

"She didn't have frizzy hair," he argued. "And besides, she was hot." 

I stared down at him. "You think a Disney character is hot?" 

"Have you seen some of those Disney characters?" 

"She was not hot." 

(...) His brows lifted. "She could kick ass, therefore she was hot. 

(...) "This conversation has taken a weird turn."'

#2: He has a great sense of humour (which is not often appreciated by those around him)

"I belong to the Elite, an organisation within the Order. No one outside of the Elite know about us. We put the secret in Secret Squirrel."

#3: He's a good kisser (NB: It's kind of a requirement for all of Armentrout's boys!)

'Ren cupped my cheek, his hand gentle as he titled my head back, and before my heart could take another beat, he kissed me. 

It was no slow or seductive kiss. 

He claimed my lips as if he were laying claim to my body, to my soul, and every part of me.'  

(Please excuse me while I fangirl)

#4: He blushes when he's embarrassed. 

Which is so, so cute! 

'She took a sip of her tea as she eyed him over the rim of the glass. "Renald Owens." 

"Renald?" Looking at him, I raised both brows. "Your full name is Renald?" 

Was that two splotches of pink I saw blossoming across his cheeks? Ha! He was blushing. "Why do you think I go by Ren?" he replied drily.'

As for the rest of this amazing book, there are so many things I simply loved about it. 

The main one being Tink, Ivy's roommate (a.k.a a magical, flying brownie).

True, Tink isn't Ren. But Tink brings a whole heap of comedy (most of it inappropriate) to Wicked...as well as the following awesome things:

• Harry Potter references:

'Grabbing a scarf off the chair, I threw it at him. 

He caught it, clutching it to his chest as he flew into the air. "You gave Tink a scarf. Tink is free!" he flew out into the hallway like a little cracked-out fairy, screeching, "Tink is freeeee!" 

Ren looked at me. "What in the actual f**k?" 

I sighed. "He's obsessed with Harry Potter. I'm sorry." 

Tink darted back into the room, holding the scarf to his bare chest. "There is no reason to apologise when it comes to Harry Potter." 

"You do remember what happened to Dobby, right?" I said. 

"S**t." Tink's eyes widened and then he dropped the scarf.'

• Vague LOTR references:

'Tink lifted his chin. "Your guardians basically only guard those gates - their positions are virtually useless except for the fact that they hold knowledge of the location, and that makes them only valuable to the fae. One does not simply walk to a gateway and open it."'

• Supernatural references:

"I've been fooled by a Winchester wannabe." He clasped his hands over his chest and swayed before toppling over onto his side. "There is no way to save face. I shall off myself now."

• Tink's army of troll dolls (don't ask)

Overall, I can safely say that Wicked is a brilliant addition to Armentrout's collection of tales and to any bookshelf. So grab your iron stake and get ready for an adventure!

Have you read Wicked or do you plan to? What was your fave quote? 

Let me know below!

Quick Picks ~ Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan

Warprize (Chronicles of the Warlands #1) 
By Elizabeth Vaughan

Rating: 4.5

'"But he has claimed tribute."

(...) "What does he claim?" I took a step toward Xymund. Still, he did not turn. I looked around, but no one would meet my eyes.

At last, general Warren drew a breath. "You," he cleared his throat. "He claims you as tribute."

"Me?" My voice squeaked and sounded like it came from a distance.

Xymund did not turn. "As a slave."'

My thoughts on the book

Would you sacrifice your freedom for peace?

That question tends to be the one that lingers after you've read the final page and closed the book. Xylara's choice - to give up her freedom, her control over her own life - in order to save her people and work towards a lasting peace, is admirable to be sure.

This book's plot, filled with difficult choices and trials for its heroine, is centered around the strengths and limitations of females in antiquity, especially those that led lives among the ranks of the nobility.

I loved the gypsy feel of the Plains people. The rich culture, vocabulary, traditions...it came to life on the page! Xylara's relationship with them changes and strengthens as she begins to realise her own potential and what it really means to be free.

Freedom is a choice. It is not something that can be taken from you.

On a funny note, every time they referred to Xylara as the 'tribute' the Warlord was demanding, I kept having visions of Xylara emerging from a crowd of villagers and staring defiantly at the Warlord, saying: 

Although Xylara acts more like Prim/Peter than Katniss. She's a healer and - although badass - doesn't know how to fight, hunt or use a bow. 

So...she's basically Katniss' less moody twin sister who smiles more (no offense, Katniss!)

Have you read any books from the Chronicles of the Warlands series, or do you plan to? Let me know below! 

ARC Review ~ When by Victoria Laurie

When
By Victoria Laurie 

Rating: 4.6


'Why am I seemingly the only person on earth who can see these numbers? Why did fate choose me for such a cruel gift? 

It's a question I've asked myself a million times, and I'm still looking for the answer. I think there may not be one, because knowing when someone will die has never changed anything. I've never saved anybody or given them more time. 

I'm just the messenger.'

Small black gravestones against a pale white landscape...

Etched onto people's foreheads are little black numbers only Maddie Fynn can see. 

Far from being lucky in nature, these numbers are people's death-dates. Just by looking at someone - either in person, or through a photo - Maddie can tell how long they have left to live. Years, months, weeks...days. 

But not everyone wants to know what the future holds.

Knowing when people are going to die is horrible enough. But having to tell them is even worse. 

In order to make money to support her and her mother, Maddie takes on clients - selling her 'death readings' to the curious, the desperate, the hopeful. And it all goes relatively well...until the day her abilities get her into a whole world of trouble. 

Because a client's son has gone missing. 

And the date he was last seen? The exact date Maddie gave. 

She knows the when...but not the how or why.

The law enforcement are on the case, and there's no room for supernatural abilities in their law books. As more and more young people keep disappearing and turning up murdered, all roads seem to lead to Maddie.

Each of the victims is connected to her in some way. But who's pulling the strings?

And what - or who - do they want?

A tangle of mystery and layered emotions, When is a book to look out for.

If you love a good mystery - with a touch of the paranormal, and a romance that doesn't overpower the plot - then When is definitely for you. Be sure to grab your copy of When when it's released on January 13th 2015...and join Maddie on her race against the clock!

**A big thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book**

Once Upon A Dream ~ Briar Rose by Jana Oliver Review

Briar Rose
By Jana Oliver

Rating: 4.3 


'Over the years this curse will remain vigilant, growing in  strength, changing course as needed. 

Then, when the time is right, it will fulfill its calling. Sate its near-human desire for  revenge.  

No mercy. No second chances. Only more tears to feed  the bitterness.'


A riveting re-telling of Sleeping Beauty, Jana Oliver's Briar Rose gives the classic fairytale a modern twist like never before.

Fairytale re-tellings are tricky things. Mainly because, honestly, everyone knows these fairytales. We've been read them as children, in order to ignite our little imaginations or to send us off to sleep with minimal bribing involved.

And although there are hundreds of fairytales, from different cultures and different times, there are a set of classics. Sleeping Beauty, being one of them.

The thing with classics, though, that makes re-tellings difficult is that the re-telling should bring to mind the fairytale it has been inspired by without copying it.

Often, this doesn't happen. What does happen is that we see the main elements of the fairytale re-ordered and served back to us with a different topping to 'spice things up.'

Briar Rose, however, ticks all the boxes.

This book manages to include several Sleeping Beauty elements, whilst flawlessly combining a bunch of the author's own concepts to create an engaging tale.

Parts of it reminded me of Jodi Picoult's Between The Lines. A modern day protagonist, who longs for romance and reads far too many fairytales, is sucked into a fairytale and discovers it all isn't sunshine, rainbows and My Little Ponies.

I will admit...it wasn't the basic structure of the story that won me over. It was pretty obvious where the story was headed, who would end up with who, etc.

But what made the story intriguing was:
- Its characters
- Its concepts
- Its humor

Jana Oliver has a knack for creating beautifully flawed characters. None of them is perfect - from our female protagonist with her slightly-but-not-really adorable vain streak and horrible taste in guys, to a line of guys who are either too charming, too hot-and-cold, or too self-absorbed.

Each character is three-dimensional. All have flaws, and most have a few redeeming qualities thrown in so that you don't have to hate every character you meet!

The concepts were amazing. The whole metal thing, with the creatures and the magic...I was hooked. Some voodoo magic + creatures with magic dust + some A.G. Howard's Splintered-like horror (featuring a bunch of metal caterpillar creatures in a pit that would have perfectly suited a gothic, darker Wonderland) = a whole lot of awesome.

And the humor. Oh the humor!

I like how it was a refreshing mix of everyday comedy and YA humor. The jokes aren't funny outright, but are delivered with a subtle hand that makes them all the more humorous.

So if you love fairytales & you're looking for a badass re-telling, Briar Rose is for you!

A Long Trip Home ~ A Cliché Christmas by Nicole Deese Review

A Cliché Christmas
By Nicole Deese

Rating: 4.8


'Eleven months of the year, I lived in a perpetual state of holly-jolly fanfare. But by the time the first of November rolled around, I was completely Christmased out.

I know I sound like a Scrooge to admit such a travesty, but believe me, when you build a career on Christmas cheer and holiday hype, the warm fuzzies of nostalgia fade faster than Hollywood's latest scandal.

(...) Ironically, December was my only month off.'

 
Hollywood knows her as the 'Holiday Goddess'. Lenox knows her as Georgia Cole. 

Georgia has her December holidays all planned out. 

A remote getaway in the Hawaiian Islands is calling her name and she can hardly wait to take a break from writing clichéd Christmas screenplays. No snow for this girl - bring on the palm trees, sandy beaches and fruity drinks!

The very last place she expects to be for Christmas is Lenox, Oregon.  

But when Georgia's grandmother volunteers her to direct a pageant at Lenox's community theater, Georgia finds herself heading back to her hometown for the first time in seven years. 

He's known as the Lenox Heartbreaker. To Georgia, he's the man she left behind.

Weston James. Once her childhood friend and crush, he's now the one man Georgia can't forgive...or forget.

But he's also the man she has to work with in order to make the pageant a success. 

As the two work side by side, will they be able to overcome the past that divides them? Or will Georgia's fears cause her to miss out on a second chance at love?

Thaw your heart this Christmas with a heartwarming tale that puts true love to the test.

Refreshingly honest and beautifully written, A Cliché Christmas is anything but cliché! Emphasizing the importance of family, love and making memories, it's a book you're going to want to have on your bookshelf these December holidays.


Be prepared to add A Cliche Christmas (and Weston!) to your Christmas list! 

Whatever It Takes ~ Disruption by Jessica Shirvington Review

Disruption (Disruption #1) 
By Jessica Shirvington

Rating: 4.9


'"Ditch the driver and meet me back here at nine and..." I gave him a look up and down, settling on his shoes."...wear appropriate shoes.

"What are appropriate shoes?" he asked, standing. 

"Shoes you can run for your life in," Gus answered helpfully. Then added, unnecessarily, "Welcome to the Maggie-verse."'

 
This book is totally badass in every way possible.

Spotting the book on the library shelf, I feel in love with its shiny gold cover (plus Jessica Shirvington is an amazing author, so it was an instant pick). People will always tell you, 'Never judge a book by its cover.'

Well, judging from Disruption's cover, it was going to be an incredible read. And the story most definitely lived up to its beautiful cover. It was incredibly engaging from the first few pages and I couldn't put it down.

So if you're a fan of the TV show Revenge you'll love this book.

I was trying to pinpoint what this book reminded me of, and I finally realized it whilst typing this review up - Revenge. Girl's dad is involved with some dealings that then get him taken away from his daughter, who swears that she'll get her revenge (or in this case find her father) no matter what it takes...yeah, there are a lot of similarities between the two.

However Disruption comes out on top by a mile, with its unique concepts, technology, kickass fighting demonstrations, and cliffhanger. Actually, I reckon Disruption should have its own TV series...actually, make that a movie. A big blockbuster film with a great soundtrack & a dreamy actor who plays Quentin ;)

Hey, a girl can dream!

Ah the web we weave when we begin to deceive!

Never did the above saying make more sense than in this book. A major theme in Disruption is guilt. Guilt is our female protagonist Maggie's constant companion.

And the more guilt she feels, the more lies she uses to cover it up, aaaaaaand so the vicious cycle continues!

One thing that did confuse me in this book. Maybe I missed a part where it was explained to the reader, but...where are the rest of the world, exactly? 'Cause all I'm reading is 'United States of America', 'USA Individual Identification Act', etc, etc etc.

Did England get wiped out? Is the USA separated from the world by a big shield? Does everyone else have these M-Bands, courtesy of the USA?

To sum up, I have no why - if the USA are the only ones using these M-Band - no other country has stepped up saying, "Uh...these are a bad idea, guys. Like...really bad."

No one? No UN meeting to discuss the ethical controversies surrounding these M-Bands? Everyone's just ok with the government monitoring everything about us and turning us into pheromone-crazed tech-heads?

The future looks grim indeed. 

If someone you loved was in danger, how far would you go to save them? Find out how far Maggie is willing to go by grabbing yourself a copy of Disruption today!

'"To do what you're doing, to risk everything the way you are. He must be an amazing man. He's lucky to have you."
(...) I shook my head sharply. "I've done nothing to help him."
"But you will won't you?"
"Whatever it takes."

He nodded, as if we were pleased with my response. "I have no doubt."

Good to hear, I suppose. Considering he was the 'whatever' it was going to take.'

The Girl Who Never Was ~ Review

The Girl Who Never Was (Otherworld #1)
By Skylar Dorset

Rating: 4.7



'Maybe no one should claim me at all(...) Maybe I'm just me. Why has no one considered that ever, in my entire life? I'm more than just a pawn in some stupid prophecy.'


Hold on to your magical sweater & get ready for the ride of a lifetime!

This book was fantastically, wonderfully, confusingly perfect. 

I cannot describe it in any other way but this: reading The Girl Who Never Was is like picking up an apple, biting into it, and discovering that it's actually filled with your favourite ice-cream (for those who are curious, my favourite ice-cream is Gelatissimo's lime gelato. I'd take that over an apple any day!)

Weird. Intriguing. And amazing!

But more importantly, it's filled with 'double take' moments. Times where I had to turn back the page and re-read a section a few times before it fully sunk in. Because let's face it - not all of us were born as faerie princesses/faerie travelers/wizards/ogres.

Some us are utterly (and miserably) mundane.

And for us mundane beings, it's sometimes hard to understand a book whose plot is deeply embedded in many, many riddle-like explanations.

I don't believe that the heroine receives even one straight answer to any of her (a.k.a the reader's) questions during the entire book.

I feel the heroine's frustration. Because hip hip hooray - every other character knows what's going on! Isn't that swell...for them. But hey, I'm here too. And I don't have the faintest clue what the hell is going on.

Does she have a mum? Oh, wait, her mum's trying to kill her? Ok...but hang on, how come when she meets her mother, she doesn't kill her? What's the deal with escaping inescapable places? Do promises count for anything with faeries? Why aren't all debts stitched?

In the words of the King of Siam from The King And I, "Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera."

The list of confusing questions goes on and on. But what remains is a weird sense of understanding.

This may just be the first book ever where being confused has made sense, besides A.G. Howard's Splintered series. It's like...we're never meant to know everything. And that what we know isn't true and is ever-changing.

There are no rules.

And we, as readers, have a strict set of rules when it comes to what we expect books to do and/ contain. But the thing is, this world that the author has created has no rules. It takes on a life of its own and even the main characters are left confused as the tables are turned time and time again.

It's part of the weird and wonderful magic this book possesses. I finished the book feeling a mixture of emotions - ranging from "What the hell just happened?" to "I want more!"

That said...I want more!

That cliffhanger had me as angry as a cat dunked into the middle of a pond. Not at the book - but at that lovely character who decided to forget everything they'd gone through and threw everything away for nothing.

I mean, I finished that book at 1am...so perhaps I wasn't totally rational at that point. But I really did think that the character of the character who 'turned', so to speak, really did a 180 spin during that last chapter.

Has that ever happened to you guys - where a character just out of the blue changes dramatically in the course of a few chapters? It reminded me of the drastic change in Adam in Ignite Me. And it annoyed me a little, especially since I was really starting to like that character, too!

Not to mention I just looked up Book #2 on GR to find out it comes out in December! So close and yet so far!

So if you're a fan of Alice-In-Wonderland-ish, fae-inspired stories, I really recommend giving this book a shot. In the meantime, happy reading! <3

A Person Not A Possession ~ Some Boys by Patty Blount Review

Some Boys
By Patty Blount

Rating: 4.9


'The cops wanted to know if I was Zac's girlfriend, if I was drinking, doing drugs, if I ever worked as a stripper, if I ever kissed Zac before that night.

What the hell does any of that have to do with what happened?

Do the laws against sexual assault not apply to strippers? To girlfriends? I don't get that. (...) He thinks because I went to the woods, drank alcohol, and dressed the way I dress, I should have expected this to happen. That I actually wanted this to happen.

(...) What the hell, just what the hell was wrong with how I looked...why does he care if I wear eye-black like the football team? It's my face. It's my body. I can dress it up or down however I want. Why is that such a hard concept for guys to accept? All that crap Jax said about dressing to be noticed - being noticed is fine. But being noticed isn't the same as being ridiculed, insulted, ostracised, shamed.

Being noticed isn't an open invitation to guys to do whatever they want to me.'


This book carries an important message. This book made me cry. 

I know rape is a complex issue to discuss. I also know that although this book concentrates on a female victim, that there are also male victims of rape out there. 

But what really got me was the shaming. And not the shaming from the guys - I understood the whole 'buddy' system, with the rapist's friends sticking up for him and shunning the girl who dared to speak up. But the shaming by the girls was the most painful to read about. 

We girls, as a species, can be cruel.

Gossip is like a type of currency. Some girls can be more two-faced than Professor Quirrell from Harry Potter! 

But we should never, ever, ostracise another person purely based on idle gossip. And especially when they may have suffered major trauma. You never know what trials a person faces in their daily lives, hidden behind the smiling mask they wear day to day. Don't judge by appearances. Stick up for one another.

The right way isn't always the easy way.

This was another valuable lesson from this book. Peer pressure VS human decency. Speaking up VS importance of friendships. 

But although all these things came into conflict with one another, it was not being able to face one's self that finally brought Ian to the 'good' side. Not that Ian had actuallydone the deed. But he kept choosing to remain ignorant, despite knowing deep down that what was happening was wrong.

True, he ends up growing a spine for Grace. And to fix all the wrongs. But he mainly does it because he cannot stand the person he sees himself becoming. He knows he can't live with himself if he stands back and allows things to continue as they are.

So here's a challenge for us all.

Let's take a good look at ourselves. Maybe glance in the mirror, or sit alone in quiet contemplation.

And let's think: do I like the person I am? Do I like the way things are?

More importantly, it's not a matter of whether you like this or that - but do you knowthe person you are? Do you truly know the way things are, or are you blinded by false loyalties and excuses?

Let's open our eyes and our mouths.

Let's see what's really there - past the lies, rumours and labels. Let's speak the truth. 

Let's make this world a safer, better place :)

What is right sometimes isn't easy. But it's worth it.

A Day To Fight For ~ Skyla Madi's Oblivion

Oblivion (Guardian Angel #4)
By Skyla Madi

Rating: 4.7 


"I've been stuck in a school in the middle of nowhere with people that don't even like me. I've been fighting vampires that want my blood and I've been in love with a guardian angel, which (...) is illegal in my world. 

I've done horrible things - I've killed vampires and people have died because of me...life was - is - hectic, but at the end of the day, when I'm alone and the craziness dies down...I always think of you.

Every day I live is a day that I had to fight for."


My thoughts on the book:

The final instalment is here.

And if you thought the previous books were great, be prepared for the best book yet! Oblivion will keep you on the edge of your seat. 

And it'll have you madly swooning over Eli.

Especially that bit in Chapter 7 when he thinks he may lose Ruby to Hunter. I think I teared up a bit there (plus Eli's super cute when he gets all vengeful!). Poor Eli has to deal with a lot of issues in Oblivion, especially when it comes to his and Ruby's relationship. 

As for the epilogue...major. Fangirling. Mode.

I super-duper recommend this book - and this series for that matter - to everyone! With amazing concepts & a unique twist on angel mythology & legends, the Guardian Angel series is not one to be missed :)

__________

'Ruby and Eli have risked it all to keep their love hidden… but no great feat goes unnoticed.
The council has called on the secret lovers to attend obligatory hearings. After the dramatic events that took place with Lucian, the council wants answers.

They know the small group of friends that exist within the walls of Sage Sanctum are withholding important information from them and in order to protect their society from exposure, they need to contain it and fast.

Ruby and Eli are sick and tired of concealing their feelings…

They want equality and they want it now. They’re ready to take on the world in order to be together…and they just might.

Unfortunately, their epic love takes the back seat as new problems arise and their friend’s needs come first, which beckons the question;If not for love, then what else?' (Blurb via Goodreads)

Under The Sea ~ A Sneak Peek of Ally Condie's Atlantia

Atlantia (Sneak Peek)

By Ally Condie 

Rating: 4.8

'Though my feet are firmly on the ground of Atlantia, I'm dissolving.

My sister's gone.

She decided to go Above.

She would never do this.

She did.

The last thing she said to me was that the city was breathing. I hear my own breathing now, in and out and in and out. 

I live here. I will die here.

I am never going to leave.'

My thoughts on the sneak peek:

Welcome to the underwater city of Atlantia.

'Atlantia does resemble a giant sea creature sprawled out in the ocean. The tentacles of our streets and thoroughfares web out from the larger round hubs of the neighbourhoods and marketplaces. Everything is enclosed, of course.

We live underwater, but we're still human; we need walls and air to protect us.'

Rio, our protagonist, dreams of glimpsing the Above - of leaving Atlantia. But all her dreams turn to ashes when her twin sister Bay chooses to go Above instead, stranding Rio Below.

And so begins Rio's journey to uncover the secrets of the past and discover her future.

Ally Condie's done it again!

I remember that feeling I got when I read Matched for the very first time. I was totally in love with Condie's world and the clever way in which she'd brought that world to readers. 

Reading this excerpt from Atlantia was the same - if not better. Atlantia holds a level of sophistication I feel Matched lacked. Atlantia's characters are more complex and the storyline grips you right from the start.

I'm excited to see how Atlantia will turn out and will most definitely be buying myself a copy, come October :)

Pick of the Week: The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld

The Last Days (Peeps #2) 
By Scott Westerfeld

Rating: 4.1 


“'Ring around the rosie.
A pocket full of posie.Ashes ashes, we all fall down.'

Some people say that this poem is about the Black Death, the fourteenth-century plague that killed 100-million people...

Sadly, though, most experts think this is nonsense.

How can I be so sure about this rhyme when all the experts disagree? 

Because I ate the kid who made it up.”


My thoughts on the book:

Scott Westerfeld's writing is a gift to the senses. 

Unlike some books, where you're tempted to skip the large chunks of description between the relevant pieces of dialogue, The Last Days' descriptions are, quite simply, lavish. 

The descriptions transport you right into Scott Westerfeld's kooky, paranormal world, overwhelming your senses and making you feel as if you were standing right alongside his characters.

Despite the tendency of certain characters to act either creepy or relatively annoying at some parts of the book (or a mix of the two), overall the book was an enjoyable mix of modern music making and the enigmatic side of the paranormal.