Spellbound, by Cara Lynn Shultz

I almost always finish the books I read. Only when I absolutely cannot stand a book do I put it down in the middle, because even if I don't like what's going on, I don't want to stop without a sense of completion. Unfortunately, this book was so bad that I didn't even go past the third chapter. When I realized how corny, cliche, and superficial it was getting then I flipped to the end to see if maybe it's not worth putting it down. Nope, it was worth it.

The main reason why I hated this book was not the totally cliche story. Don't get me wrong-it was cliche, but I've read so many YA fantasy books at this point that I rarely find one that isn't cliche, and sometimes good prose or interesting characters can make up for that. This story was a typical one of a girl with a tragic past in a new school where she falls for the cool guy and there's some secret magical background connecting them. I was able to predict everything-exactly where all the blow-ups would happen, who she would be friends with and everyone's fate, but I didn't care enough to stick around to see if any of it actually happened.

What really upset me was how nasty the main character was. Emma mentions how she's gone through a lot, and how she doesn't want people at her new school to judge her but she doesn't hesitate in judging them. When the mean blonde girl was rude to her she answered with an excessive amount of unnecessary comebacks. It was slightly overkill. The girl gave her one small insult and she responded back with some nasty and insensitive words. Strangely enough, what pushed me over the edge was when she met Angelique. She took one look at her and decided she'd like her. I am extremely superficial, but even I don't look at someone's outfit and decide that I'm going to be her friend.

2.0 stars. Don't read this. Just don't.

  What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?
Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to— Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.
But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives— visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

The Indigo Spell, by Richelle Mead (Bloodlines #3)

 After the events (specifically one event) at the end of The Golden Lily, Sydney the alchemist is confused more than ever before. However, she has no time to reflect and contemplate what happened because now she is on a search for Marcus Finch, the alchemist who defected and knows deep dark secrets about the organization. And as if that wasn't enough, there's also a serial-killing witch on the loose and there is a very good chance she will set her sights on Sydney.

I was very very very excited to read The Indigo Spell and it did not disappoint. I loved how the ending was so satisfying even though there is obviously going to be another book (or two). Like the others, this book followed the big plot/little plot format. There was the major overarching plot which involved Sydney looking for Marcus, discovering secrets about being an alchemist, and rethinking her once cemented opinions on all vampires. However, there's also a small plot which has a lot of significance in the book as well. I suppose that's necessary in a series as long as this one though because otherwise the entire overarching plot would have been squished into one novel.

5 stars. How can a girl resist Adrian?

Links to my other Bloodlines posts: Bloodlines and The Golden Lily

 
In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

Crave, by Melissa Darnell (The Clann #1)

Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.


For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

In a world of witches and vampires that she has yet to know about, Savannah is stuck in the middle of the two groups. She also has a giant crush on Tristan, a member of the Clann, who have made it very clear they don't like Savannah and have no qualms about making her life miserable. However, her masochistic longing for the one guy she can't have isn't unrequited, as Tristan finds Savannah irresistible after she comes back to school after being sick. Savannah and Tristan know they must avoid each other, but they can't. Will these star-crossed lovers give in to temptation or will they respect their families' wishes?

Based on the cover and the summary I expected a grittier story than what was inside the book. Where I felt there should have been more angst and darkness were Savannah's childish (and self-centered) thoughts and the school dance team. Savannah acted really petty, especially considering her new situation. I get that it can be terrifying to learn you aren't fully human and that witches and vampires exist, but she could have handled it with a lot more aplomb. Yeah, she's only 15 for most of the book, but you'd think her unique situation would cause her to grow up a bit faster.

I know that this is supposed to be a Romeo and Juliet type tale but I couldn't help but find the whole thing immature. I felt like if you give Sav and Tristan another two months together they'd break up and that the attraction is based in the knowledge that they can't be together. And as much as they proclaim their love there is also evidence that it is all caused by the magic inside them. Savannah is told that members of the Clann will be more attractive to her because of her transformation, and even though she had a crush on Tristan before, I think it was more of an infatuation that would have gone away eventually. And Tristan is only motivated to act on his attraction to Sav because he's jealous of all the other male attention she's getting. For him in particular I feel the whole thing was just an act of defiance against his parents.

Maybe, just maybe, had I read this book five years ago I would have liked it. That's a giant maybe. I would not recommend this to anyone who wants to read a book with some actual brainpower put into it, but its ditziness and bubbliness would probably be enough for younger readers.

2.7 stars.