The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

From Goodreads:

Haven Moore can’t control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan, and a life in New York that ended in fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmother’s house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is, and who she was. 

 In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves¸ before all is lost and the cycle begins again.

Reincarnation, visions, teenage and small town prejudices and a strange pull. Something needs to be done, but not quite understanding of what needs to be done. Add a bit of youthful impatience with a large push of small minded prejudice and you have the beginning of this book. As the book goes on Haven tries to put together a puzzle where parts seem to fit and then don't. It's a struggle for her to find out what she is supposed to do and who to trust. Plus, with only a few snippets of former memory at a time it's not easy. Does she find out who is the evil force and who just wants to see good done? Can she trust anyone but her best friend? These are answers only Haven can find out for herself.

I have to say that this book holds an interesting concept for me. I was a bit disappointed on how it was handled within her own religion. I would have found that aspect more interesting if within her quest she was to also find out that Christianity has also had debates throughout the centuries with this concept. It wouldn't have been necessary at all to the book, but just more interesting since so much of the book was dedicated to the statement that Christianity and reincarnation do not go together. Another disappointment I had was with Haven. Her ability to quickly trust and mistrust Iain (often within the same hour) really irritated me. In fact it irritated her best friend who asked her if she was done with the roller coaster ride referring to her inability to pin how she felt about Iain. Also, Iain might have had good intentions, but the lack of information and the way he handled it really annoyed me as well. However, the one bright spot was Beau, her gay best friend. He was always there ready to have her back and was a true friend. 

Despite those criticisms I stated above, I will say that the book kept me interested and wanting to find out what happens next. How the pieces were to fall together and who did what kept me reading. I also believe that this is a series and I'm curious as to where the author will lead us. I find the antagonist intriguing even if a bit one dimensional at this point. I think that this concept could be taken into interesting territory. Especially since the big issue for Haven should be solved. As long as that issue is solved, I want to read the next book. I give this one 3 stars.

For some on-line fun you can goto the web site of the Ouroboros Society.

I'd like to thank Razorbill for this ARC. No compensation was given for this review.


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Sins of the Heart by Eve Silver

From Goodreads

As the son of Sutekh, the lord of evil, Dagan Krayle is one of the most powerful soul reapers. Dagan intends to use every ounce of his power to find his brother's remains and punish those responsible for his brutal death. But he must move swiftly-and carefully-if he is to have any chance of bringing his brother back to this world, because his enemy is on the hunt. 

Otherkin Roxy Tam will stop at nothing to keep the soul reapers from resurrecting Dagan's brother. To allow Sutekh access to his remains would wreak havoc and destruction on the mortal world...and would be her unforgivable failure.

Neither Dagan nor Roxy expect to join forces for the sake of mankind. Or have their loyalties tested as they struggle against the potent desire that threatens to consume them both....

Dagan is a soul reaper and son of Sutekh, god of chaos and one of the major players in the underworld. Roxy Tam was just a girl he saves one faithful day from being raped and killed. Something about her haunted Dagan, but thought that by saving her and leaving her to her life was doing the one good thing in his life. Unfortunately that  meeting had an effect on both for 11 years until they meet once again. This time, when meeting each other they are both trying to piece together a mystery in which they are trying to find a body, a killer as well as a motive. Even though misunderstandings and mysteries stand in the way, neither can afford to have this inexplicable attraction to one another, but denying it is much worse. And like all good PNRs, they cannot resist. Each has a piece of the puzzle. Each has their own agenda. Can they put aside their emotions long enough to put the puzzle together?

I give this book 4 stars. This story really had me captured at the beginning. Loved Roxy's snarkyness and Dagan's dry humor. And if you are like me... you will shake your fist at the end. Why? Well, since it is a trilogy, it ends with the one thing I hate most in books... the cliff hanger! This book just came out at the beginning of this month and yes... wait for it... the next installment, "Sins of the Soul" will be out Sept. 1, 2010.  

Here's the look of the cover of the next book.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin for giving me this copy for review. No compensation was given for my review. 

i know i am, but what are you? by Samantha Bee

From Simon and Schuster's website:

Candid, outspoken, laugh-out-loud funny essays from the much-loved Samantha Bee, the Most Senior Correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart . 

Critics have called her "sweet, adorable, and vicious." But there is so much more to be said about Samantha Bee. For one, she's Canadian. Whatever that means. And now, she opens up for the very first time about her checkered Canadian past. With charming candor, she admits to her Lennie from Of Mice and Men–style love of baby animals, her teenage crime spree as one-half of a car-thieving couple (Bonnie and Clyde in Bermuda shorts and braces), and the fact that strangers seem compelled to show her their genitals. She also details her intriguing career history, which includes stints working in a frame store, at a penis clinic, and as a Japanese anime character in a touring children's show.

Samantha delves into all these topics and many more in this thoroughly hilarious, unabashedly frank collection of personal essays. Whether detailing the creepiness that ensues when strangers assume that your mom is your lesbian lover, or recalling her girlhood crush on Jesus (who looked like Kris Kristofferson and sang like Kenny Loggins), Samantha turns the spotlight on her own imperfect yet highly entertaining life as relentlessly as she skewers hapless interview subjects on The Daily Show. She shares her unique point of view on a variety of subjects as wide ranging as her deep affinity for old people, to her hatred of hot ham. It's all here, in irresistible prose that will leave you in stitches and eager for more.

 I have been a fan of "The Daily Show" for a long time and Samantha Bee is one of my favorite "correspondents". It's one of those shows (for those that either do not watch tv *gasp* or don't have cable) that takes your average everyday WTF stance on politics and gives it the proper twist so that you don't feel all alone in your horror and can actually laugh at that horror. So, when I was asked to review this book, I happily said, "yes!"

Gee what do I add to that great description that Simon and Schuster gave? Well, for one, this book is hilarious!  I caught myself laughing on several occasions annoying my sleeping dog (he hates to be waken up during his beauty sleep). It is definitely an adult read and not for the youngsters as you might well guess. And although I am thoroughly convinced that Samantha will go to gerbil/rodent hell in her afterlife I still will say this is one good read. If you like your biography with a large dose of humor, do pick up this book. You won't be disappointed.

I give this book 5 stars. It is exactly what I expected and a bit more.

I'd like to thank Kristin Dwyer at Simon and Schuster for providing me this book for review. No compensation was received for my review.

The Pack by LM Preston

From Goodreads:

Shamira is considered an outcast by most, but little do they know that Shamira is on a mission. Kids on Mars are disappearing, but Shamira decides to use the criminals most unlikely weapons against them, the very kids of which they have captured. In order to succeed, she is forced to trust another, something she is afraid to do. However, Valens her connection to the underworld of her enemy, proves to be a useful ally. Time is slipping, and so is her control on the power that resides within her. Yet, in order to save her brother's life she is willing to risk it all.

 What I loved about this book was first the main character was a female of color who also had a disability. She was blinded but did not let that stop her for doing anything that she needs to be done. In fact she does have enhanced abilities that allow her to do things that most "average" people could not do physically. She hates pity and even hides her other abilities so she doesn't hurt those around her. Shamira also feels that with her abilities she can help figure out what has happened to the missing on Mars. While doing this, she gets involved with some of the kids that have been under the thumb of "Monev" who are now willing to do anything for their freedom and the freedom of the other captives. The impetuous and hope of youth come through and Shamira has to figure out if she can trust those that are putting complete trust in her.

This is a fast paced and interesting sci-fi story. I'd say my only criticism is that sometimes I felt that Shamira was too immature. I understand how that someone who has not had a lot of positive social experiences, and being needful of her mother's acceptance could seem very immature. However, she was also independent, and this seemed to be at odds with her immaturity. I did feel that once she met more of the pack of kids, she matured.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars and I really recommend this to those that are looking for a sci-fi YA story. I would like to thank the author, LM Preston for this book.

Winner!

There were 47 entrants with a total of eligible entries of 159. Random.org quickly found the winner. AND the winner is....

Jenny!

She has been e-mailed and now has 72 hours to respond or I'll have to pick another winner. For those that didn't win this time around... don't worry... you'll get another chance during Blogfest! Yep, another ARC of Infinite Days in my possession will be up for grabs then as well! 

Have a great week everyone!