Review: Shiver, Maggie Stiefvater

Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 434
Format: Paperback
Released: October 2009





















Grace and Sam share a kinship so close they could be lovers or siblings. But they also share a problem. When the temperature slips towards freezing, Sam reverts to his wolf identity and must retreat into the woods to protect his pack. He worries that eventually his human side will fade away and he will left howling alone at the lonely moon. A stirring supernatural teen romance.

A beautiful paranormal romance

Maggie Stiefvater has written a haunting, chilling, but above all beautiful novel about love, loss and longing.

When Grace was a little girl, she was attacked by wolves. She survived the attack, and ever since that day she has felt a special bond to the wolf that saved her. When she discovers that her wolf is actually a werewolf, her fight to make him stay human begins.

I have read countless ravings about this book online, and I understand why. Shiver is captivating from the first page on.

The story has some similarities with Twilight: Girl meets boy, eh wolf. Girl discovers that boy is a supernatual creature. Girl and boy longs to be together, but it seems like that is not an option. Girl dreams about becoming a wolf in order to stay with boy/wolf forever.

But if the story is a like, the writing is not. I am no fond of Stephenie Meyer's writing, which I think is pretty poor. Stiefvater on the other hand really knows her way around words. She uses them to make beautiful pictures. Sometimes it feels like your are reading a poem.

I was a leaking womb bulging with the promise of conscious thoughts: the frozen woods far behind me, the girl on the tyre swing, the sound of fingers on metal strings. The future and the past, both the same, snow and then summer and then snow again.

The main focus of this story is the relationship between Sam and Grace, and we hear the character's thoughs as the chapters are divided between them. One chapter is from Sam's point of view, the other from Grace's. This ensures that all the feelings they both experience is well described, and the reader feels for them both.

I loved this story, and can't wait to continue with Linger. If you like great lovestories with a supernatural twist, this is the book for you.


Other reviews:
The Reading Zone
The Book Smugglers
Linus's Blanket

Website for Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater on Goodreads
Fanpage for the trilogy

Watch the book trailer:

Music Monday, Scandinavian Version (2)

This is a new meme I will do weekly here on the blog, where I talk about scandinavian music that I like. It may be new songs, or older ones.

Easter is over, and even though I have been working and not taken all the days off, it's going to be hard to get back to the normal routine. The weather have been so nice, I hope that will last.

Here are some Norwegian songs I like very much:

Susanne Sundfør: The Brothel



I love this beautifil song. Susanne is a Norwegian artist, and the critics love her. She have been compared to artists such as Joni Mitchell and writes beautiful music. Her debut came in 2006 with the single Walls.

Tone Damli: Stuck in my Head



Tone came second in the Norwegian Idol in 2005, and got a record deal. She have made four records, the last one Cocool came in 2010. Tone is considered one of the most beautiful women in Norway, and is an ambassador for exercise and healthy living. She is currently trying to break through internationally.

Tone Damli: Butterflies ( Another catchy tune)



Wishing you all a great week and happy reading.

Book Blogger Hop & Follow Friday 22.4 - 24.4

The hop is hosted by Crazy for Books.This weeks question:

"If you find a book you love, do you hunt down other books by the same author?"

Yes I do, sometimes I buy them all. And if possible I tend to read them chronologically.

The Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee.

This week's question:

What is on your current playlist right now?

I always have a long playlist on spotify, which I play on my mobile. The most played songs at the moment are:

Lady Gaga: Judas
Natalia Kills: Mirrors & Wonderland
Nicole Scherzinger: Wet
Within Temptation: Lost
Kanye West: All of the Lights
Britney Spears: 'Till the world ends
Matt Cardle: When We Collide

Here is what I wrote on The Norwegian Book Girl this week:
Music Monday, Scandinavian Version
Waiting on Wednesday
Review: Between Shades of Gray (5 Books)

Happy Easter!

Review: Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys

Publisher: Puffin
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
Released: In the UK April 2011

















One night fifteen-year-old Lina, her mother and young brother are hauled from their home by Soviet guards, thrown into cattle cars and sent away. They are being deported to Siberia.An unimaginable and harrowing journey has begun. Lina doesn’t know if she’ll ever see her father or her friends again. But she refuses to give up hope. Lina hopes for her family.For her country.For her future. For love - first love, with the boy she barely knows but knows she does not want to lose. . ..Will hope keep Lina alive? Set in 1941, Between Shades of Gray is an extraordinary and haunting story based on first-hand family accounts and memories from survivors.

Heartwrenching and full of hope

Between Shades of Gray is a heartwrenching tale of a forgotten part of our world history.

Lina and her family leads an ordinary life in Kaunas, Lithuania. Lina's father teaches at the university, and Lina herself dreams of becoming an artist. She is talented and deeply inspired by the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch. Lina's whole world is torn apart one night in June 1941, when the NKVD ( an earlier name given to the KGB) storms their apartment and take her, her mother and her brother away. They do not know why they have been arrested, and not where the guards are taking them. Together with a lot of people, they are trown into cattle cars and taken to a labourcamp. Lina's days is soon filled with pain, longing and hard work, but admidst it all new friendsships are born and hope is always glowing.
I heard about this book during the London Book Fair, and decided to buy a copy. Once I started reading, I found it hard to put the book down.

They took me in my nightgown. Thinking back, the signs were there...
(Chapter 1, page 3)

Lina's story is so full of horrendous details, that I sometimes felt it hard to continue reading. The fact that the author based her story on eyewitness accounts, makes it even more heartwrenching. Lina is a strong character, and she never loose hope or the will to live. She struggles to keep her dignity and stay sane.

I felt as if I were riding a pendulum. Just as I would swing into the abyss of hopelessness, the pendulum would swing back with some small goodness.
Chapter 21, page 78)

Lina's mother is also a remarkable woman, a symbol of all the brave women who endured the same struggles as her during Hitler's and Stalin's reign. A lot of the things she said and did, made me cry.

I also liked Lina's brother Jonas, and the author have done a great job describing how he transforms from a young and carefree boy to a more mature boy weighed down by the things he has seen and experienced after he got hauled away from home.

Have you ever wondered what a human life is worth? That morning, my brother's was worht a pocket watch.
Chapter 7, page 27

There are many other interesting characters in this book too, Andrius being the most interesting of them all. Like Lina I was not always quite sure about what he meant and what he actually was up to. I also like the fact that the author has not portrayed the Soviets as animals. It is easy to demonize someone who does horrible things, but that is not what happens in this book. Lina do, of course, think of the Soviets as horrible people, but still we are lead to think of them as human beings.

As Lina's story progress, we get small glimpses into her past, revealling some of the things that may have lead to her family' being hauled away. Lina's memories is a stark contrast to what she experience during her hard journey away from home. And the reader is, like Lina, left in the dark about many things until the very end of the book.

We have heard countless tale about the persecution of the Jews during WWII, but I have not heard so much about the attrocities commited by the Soviets. This book opened my eyes to a somewhat forgotten chapter in the history of WWII. It was a heartbreaking read and the book will stay with me for a long time.

The title of this book is very well chosen, and the same is the cover. It describes Lina and her feelings in a very touching way.

Do not read this book on the bus or the subway, because you will cry.

Other reviews:
Wondrous Reads
Bibliophile Brouhaha
The Overflowing Library
Forever Young Adult

Official website for the book

Waiting on Wednesday: Eve

his is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we talk about the books we are eagerly waiting for to be released.

My pick this week: Eve by Anna Carey



The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

I love dystopian novels, and I am looking forward to reading this one. The author has previosly written the Sloane Sisters series.

Music Monday (Scandinavian Version) (1)

This is a new meme I will do weekly here on the blog, where I talk about scandinavian music that I like. It may be new songs, or older ones.

Music is very important to me. The only time I am not listening to music, is when I read or sometimes when I work. My taste is pretty eclectic: I love metal, pop, dance, classical etc. It all depends on my mood and what I am doing at the moment. When I am working out, I love RnB and rock. When I am working, I like to listen to movie soundtracks. I listen to pop or dance music when I am cooking, and on it goes.

Here is some of the songs I listen to at the moment:

Anine Stang: Dominoes




Anine is recording music with Universal Music. This is a new single from her and it is really catchy, and the video is cool too. The hot guy in the video is a famous Norwegian handballplayer called Kristian Kjelling, voted Norway's most sexiest.

Here is Anine's first Norwegian single, Trying you on:




Mo: Dance like a Freak



This talented guy was the favorite througout most of the Norwegian X -Factor 2010, but sadly he had to leave just before the finale. The exit was top news in many newspapers, and the viewers were outraged. Now he has signed with Sony Music Norway, and this is his debut single. I like it, and it gives me happy wibes. Mo is considered a strong performer, that always gives 110 % whilst on stage.

Here from some of the X-factor shows:
Beautiful by Christina Aguilera:


Faith by George Michael: (starts at 0.37)




Bad Romance by Lady Gaga (The performance starts 1.07)




Amaranthe: Amaranthine



I love this song from Swedish metal band Amaranthe. It brings back all the good wibes from the powermetal songs I used to listen to in the late 80's. This song is from their debutalbum, that was just released.

Which of the songs do you like?

Have a great week, everyone!

In my mailbox (12, 13, 14, 15)

This is a weekly meme hosted by the Story Siren,where we talk about the books we got the last week. I have not an IMM post for some weeks, so these are books I got over a few weeks:

First; I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me when I came home from London yesterday. It was a package containing Haven by debutauthor Kristi Cook. The book was sent to me from Pamela, who runs the great blog At Home Between the Pages, through the Random Acts of Kindness. Thank you so much Pamela, I can't wait to read the book. Pamela's review of the book is here.

For review, presented to you by my miniature schnauzer Bogart: Don Calame: Swim the fly ( Got at the London Book Fair, LBF)
Heather Gudenkauf: These things hidden (Got at the LBF)
R.J. Andersson: Ultraviolet (Got at the LBF)
Andy Briggs: Tarzan, The Greystoke Legacy (Got at the LBG)
Diane Chamberlain: The Midwife's Confession (Got at the LBF)
fransesca Simon: The Sleeping Army (Got at the LBF)
Gill Lewis: Sky Hawk (Got at the LBF)
Colin Mulhern: Clash (Got at the LBF)
Margaret Leroy: The Collaborator (Got at the LBF)
Meg Rosoff: There is no dog (Got at the LBF)
Heather Davis: Wherever You Go (Via Netgalley)

Bought:

Gabriella Poole: Darke Academy 1 ( Have heard great things about this from a Norwegian blogger, so that's why I got it)
Frances Hodgson Burnett: The Secret Garden
Christopher Ransom: The Haunting of James Hastings
Andrew Pyper: The Guardians
Jana Oliver: The Demon Trappers: Forsaken
Lisa T. Bergren: Waterfall (Forgot I presented this in my last IMM as well)
Marie Treanor: Blood Sin (Awakened by Blood 2)
M.J. Putney: Dark Mirror
Janice Hardy: Blue Fire ( Loved the first one in this series.)
Melissa de la Cruz: Blue Bloods

And for my kindle I bought:
Lindsey Barraclough: Long Lankin
Clay & Susan Griffith: Greyfriar

And I also bought a trip to New York, and registered for the Book Blogger Con 2011 and for BEA. I have wanted to go there for so long, but I was not sure if I wanted to go all by myself. New York is a big town, so the thought of travelling there all by myself was a bit scary. I have not been to the USA ever before. But then I found out that a friend of mine is going to be in town at the same dates, so that was the trigger. I will still be travelling and attending BEA all alone, but at least there is someone I know in town at the same time. That is a reasurrance to me.

Have a great sunday everyone :)

Follow Friday & Book Blogger Hop 15/4 - 17/4

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee. For more information, visit this post.


This week's question: Do you have anyone that you can discuss books with IRL? Tell us about him/her.

When it comes to the YA - genre, no. That is the reason I started a blog in the first place. I wantet a place to keep track of all the books I read, and discuss them with others.

The hop is hosted by Crazy for books.




This week's question: "Pick a character from a book you are currently reading or have just finished and tell us about him/her."

I am currently almost finished with Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys.



The main character, Lina, and her family are arrested and deported to Siberia during WWII. The book is hard to put down, and heartwrenching. Lina is fifteen years old, and have dreams and hopes about the future. She is also a talented painter. During the book, she changes a lot because of the things she experiences, but she still manage to be strong.

Have a grea weekend, everyone :)

Book News (1)

Here are some assorted news from the last weeks:

Rowling more positive to e-books
J.K. Rowling have refused to sell the digital rights to her series about Harry Potter, but now she have, according to her agent, decided to think about it again. The digital rights to Rowling’s bookseries are estimated to 100 million GPB.

Sweden’ answer to Twilight
A new young adult series is creating headlines in the Swedish newspapers. The Circle will be released in Sweden in the middle of April, and is predicted to be a big success. The book is the first in a planned trilogy telling the story of six teenage girls who find out that they have magical powers and are in fact witches. The rights have been sold to the UK, Estonia, Italy, Germany. Denmark and Norway at auction, and 20th Century Fox have expressed interest in making an American movie version of the series.
The Swedish booktrailer:

New trilogy from Brennan
Sarah Rees Brennan, know for the Demon’s Lexicon, is working on a trilogy. Listen for a Whisper is descriced as a gothic where a young journalist finds out that her hometown is harboring many secrets. The series will be published by Random House Children’s.

Steampunk from Carriger.
Gail Carriger is working on her first young adult – series. Espionage and Etiquette is a spinoff from Soulless and takes places 25 years before Soulless. The series is described as Ally Carter meets Steampunk. There will be published at least four books.

Ghosts from Schwab
The Near Witch have created a big buzz in the blogosphere, even though the book have not been published yet. Schwab is currently working on her next project, a book about ghosts which will be called The Archived.

The next big thing?
The Lacios Project may be the next bestseller in the young adult genre. Harper Children’s will publish the series which is written by Erin Bowman. The storyline revolves around a town where boys are being kidnapped before they turn 18 years old. None of the boys are ever seen again. Bowman have published parts of the first chapter on internet.

New post-apocalyptic series
Harper Teen will publish Demitria Lunetta's In the After. A post - apocalyptic trilogy where the readers meet a 17 year old girl who is doing her best to survive in a vicious world and protecting a little boy. The first book wil be published in 2012.

New series from Conrad
NYT bestselling author, Lauren Conrad, is writing a new series. Conrad, who have written the L.A. Candy series, is now working on The Fame Game. This is a trilogy featuring Madison Parker, one of the characters from the L.A. Candy universe. Publication will begin winter 2012.

There was also presentations of the hottest titles being published in the UK this fall on the London Book Fair this week. I will be back with more information on that soon.

Review: Divergent, Veronica Roth

Publisher: HarperCollins UK
Format: Paperback (Uncorrected proof)
Pages:496
Release: Released in the UK on May 3.
Review copy given to me by HarperCollins UK
















In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

An outstanding debutnovel

Divergent is one of the best dystopian novels I have ever read. It is an addictive read that you will not be able to put down. This is the new Hunger Games.

Beatrice Prior lives in a future Chicago, where the society is divided into factions that cultivates different virtues. There is the Abnegation, cultivating selflessness. The Dauntless is the faction for the daring and the brave. In Candor the emphazise is on honesty, and in Amity on peace and harmony. Every child must, by the age of sixteen, choose which faction they want to dedicate themselves to. The decision is helped by a test, that will show which faction you best belong to. But you still need to make your own decision, and for Tris this choice is going to be lifechanging.

Divergent have been getting a lot of buzz even though the book is not published yet. People are saying that this is the new Hunger Games, and the rights for both the series and the movie adaptions have been sold in major deals. There is only one thing to say: the book deserves every superlative that have been written about it. It truly is the new Hunger Games, and on some levels it is even better than the Hunger Games.

Beatrice, or Tris as she renames herself, is a fantastic heroine. She is strong, but not superhumanly strong. She is someone the reader wants to relate to, someone you can emphatize with. She has both good and bad qualities, and that makes her all the more interesting. Not one of the things she does is predictable. I really felt for her throughout the book. I cheered on her, and actually felt like she was a friend. Someone I wanted all the best for.

Tris' relationship to the different characters is described with insight, and the different developments in said relationships makes perfect sense. Nothing is given away to early.

Tris goes through lifealtering events, and the author managed to develop her accordingly to this througout the book.

The idea of the different factions is great, and the dystopian society described in this book is interesting to read about. Roth has done an amazing job creating this world. I see it vividly in my mind.

The book have a lot of suspense. It is thrilling, heartbreaking, entertaining, addictive, fantastic and great. Divergent has everything that you would want from a great book. I have trouble finding the words to describe how good it is.

The story have so many levels. Even though this is an entertaining read, you can find a critical look at the society we live in in the text. The book shows how power may corrupt, it talks about a society where individuality is not cheered on, but where everyone should fit into a specific form. If you are different, you are a threat. You are not to ask any questions. The book actually draws on the heritage from authors such as Franz Kafka.

The writing in the book is very good. Veronica Roth knows her way around words. And she avoids every cliche. Every time you think that hey, it will be a happy ending because that is just the way it is in books - she proves you wrong and the storyline takes surprising twists and turns.

Like I said, this is an amazing read. If you like the Hunger Games, you are going to love Divergent. This is the book you need to read this year. Get it now.

Veronica Roth is currently working on the sequel to Divergent. I cannot wait to read it, and find out more about this world. This is an amazing debutnovel.

Other reviews:
Parajunkee
The Lovely Reader
Confessions of a Book Addict
Bookalicio

Divergent on GoodReads
Veronica Roth's blog

Review: I am number four, Pittacus Lore

Publisher: Cappelen Damm (Norwegian publisher)
Pages: 441
Format: Hardback
Released: Released in Norwegian March 2011
Review copy, book read as part of a Norwegian bookblog tour



In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now. The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

A light read

I am Number Four is an easy and light read, that lacks some depth.

Nine aliens were sent to earth, when it became impossible for them to live at their own planet Lorien. To stay safe from attacks from the evil Mogadorian, they used a form of magic that only makes it possible to kill them in a specific kind of way. Every time one of them is killed, there appears a scar on the leg of the surviving ones. John Smith, aka Daniel Jones, is number four, and when he gets scar number three, he knows that his life is in danger.

I have not read many books about aliens before, so it was refreshing to read this book. I liked the mythology surronding Lorien, and the whole idea behind this book. But the book does not have much depth, We do not get under the skin of the characters, and sometimes the authors just rush through the scenes and does not take time to stop and dwell on the things that happen. This is particularly true in the prologue.

I am Number Four reads like a movietranscript. There is a lot of short sentences and the authors are more concerned about describing events rather than the character's feelings during the actual events. The actionscenes are written in a way that makes me believe that the authors have actually had a movie adaption in mind. There is a lot of details here, and I see it vividly in my mind.

I am Number Four is an entertaining read, the pages flew by and I think that the younger audience will like this book. There is a lot of suspense here, and much action. I also believe that having a male protagonist will help attract the boys to the book.

The book deals with a lof of themes; the most obvious one is the search for ones place in the world. The wish to belong to someone or something. That is something that may ressonate with the younger audience.

As you have noticed, I write "the authors" because this book is actually a collaboration between authors James Frey and Jobie Hughes. The duo is working on a new book. The Power of Six will be published in August this year.


Other reviews:
Katie's Book Blog
Becky's Barmy Book Blog
Book Nerd Blog

I am Number Four on Goodreads
The authors on Goodreads
Official website for the book

Follow Friday & Book Blogger Hop 8/4 - 10/4

This is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee. Find out more about it here.

This week's question: Do you judge a book by it's cover?

Yes, I do. When shopping books I often buy the book with the best cover, not the cheapest one (if there are multiple editions of a book in sale). There are a lot of great covers. I love the Norwegian edition of A Discovery of Witches, which just came for sale here.

And I also love the covers for the Fallen Angels series by Lauren Kate.

The hop is hosted by Crazy for Books.

Review: The Darkest Night, Gena Showalter (Spoilers)

Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Release: Released in Norway february 2011
(This is not a YA - title)

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member -- a man trapped in a hell of his own. Neither can resist the instant hunger than calms their torments . . . and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction -- and a soul-shattering test of love . .

Lacks depth

Now that I have read the first book in the Lords of the Underworld - series, I have a hard time figuring out why this series is so popular.

Maddox, Torin, Reyes, Aeron, Lucien and Paris are immoral warriors. Thousands of years ago they helped daemons escape from Pandora's Box, and the world was thrown into darkness and chaos. To save the world, the warriors were cursed and a daemon was trapped inside each one of them. They became the Lords of the Underworld. Maddox carries the daemon Violence, and his curse is that he have to die every midnight again and again. But then Ashlyn Darrow comes along, and everything change...

I have read so many great reviews of this series, and I was so excited when I saw that it was being released in Norwegian.

The Darkest night have an ok beginning. I was drawn into the story, and I thought that Showalter had created an original and interesting story aimed at everyone who likes dark and handsome men, suspense, myths and legends, romance, paranormal events and steamy scenes. But the problem is that she only dwells on the surface. She does not dive deep into the plot, the storyline or the characters, and sometimes she seems to be in such a rush that the storyline suffers.

The writing consists of a whole bunch of cliches. It is to much. But I am keeping in mind that the Norwegian translation may take some of the blame for that.

The characters in the book have a lot of potensial, but Showalters does not succeed in letting the reader understand their motivations and why they act like they do. The relationship that eventually develops between Maddox and Ashlyn does not make sense. One day they do not know each other, the next day they are willing to die for one another. I did not believe this storyline, and as a result I was not taken by the book. But one thing I do like: Ashlyn is portraid as a woman with curves, unlike all the tiny heroines we normally read about. She is normal, and that is something I like a lot.

The Darkest Night was not one of my favorite reads, to say it mildly. But I will read the next installments in this series, to find out if the books gets better. I have a feeling that they do.

Other reviews:
Book Faery
Geeky Blogger's Book Blog
Tynga's Reviews
Darque Reviews
Dear Author

Fan-page for Gena Showalter
Gena Showalter on Goodreads
Gena Showalter's blogg

Review: The Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead

Publisher: Penguin UK
Pages: 332
Format: Paperback
Release: First released in 2007, this version in 2009




St Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school - hidden away, it's a place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St Vladimir's where the girls must survive a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night time rituals. But most of all, staying alive.

Suspense and clichés

Vampire Academy is a thrilling first book in the Vampire Academy series, but the book has too many clichés.

Rose and Lissa are on the run from St Vladimir's Academy believing that Lissa is not safe at the school. Soon though, they are apprehended and brought back to the school. Rose is Lissa's best friend and bodyguard, and she must once again attend lectures to learn everything a dhampir must learn in order to be a good bodyguard.

Lissa and the other vampires are Moroi and they live in constant fear of being killed by the Strigoi, vampires that have crossed over to the dark side. Lissa and Rose share a special bond, and that is both good and bad when it comes to Lissa's safety.

I have heard so many great things about this series, so I needed to check it out. From the start I was sucked into the pages of this book. The book starts off with a very dramatic scene, and the drama continues on the next pages.

Richelle Mead have created an interesting world which, in some cases, looks a bit similar to Harry Potter's world. In both series there is a special school where the students learn magic and how to tackle evil forces outside of the school. There is also evil forces out to get some of the students at both the schools.

But there is a lot of differences between these series too. Some would say that the Vampire Academy never comes close to Harry Potter, and the VA - series is not suitable for the youngest kids. There are some references to sex here. The writing in both books also differs. Mead uses a lot of clichés, to many in my opinion. Sentences like this:

" His lips moved to mine, gentle at first, and then hard and hungry. His kiss consumed me"

is something I would expect to find in a paranormal romance book for adults. And it is oh, so cliché.

I like the characters though, and some of them have surprises for us. The suspense is kept throughout the book and the book was very entertaining.

I will keep on reading this series, but I hope Mead does not use that many clichés in the next installments.


Other reviews:
Love Vampires
YA Reads
Once Upon a Chapter

Random Acts of Kindness - April

As you probably have read on my blog, I love buying books and I also like to give stuff away. Today I found this incredible meme where I can do both.

Random Acts of Kindness is hosted by Book Soulmates.

Rules:
• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.

• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)

• Create a wish list and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
{Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.}

• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.

• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!
Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

I am absolutely participating in this. My wishlist is found at Goodreads.