Unmarked - by Kami Garcia

Published: September 2014

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Copy Provided by: Borrowed

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

The heart-pounding sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller, Unbreakable, by New York Times bestselling Beautiful Creatures co-author Kami Garcia.

He is here... and he could be anyone.

Kennedy Waters lives in a world where vengeance spirits kill, ghosts keep secrets, and a demon walks among us–a demon she accidentally set free.

Now Kennedy and the other Legion members–Alara, Priest, Lukas, and Jared–have to hunt him down. As they learn more about the history of the Legion and the Illuminati, Kennedy realizes that the greatest mystery of all does not belong to any secret order, but to her own family. With the clock ticking and the life of someone she loves hanging in the balance, Kennedy has to ask the question she fears most: what is it about her past that has left her Unmarked? 

Review:

I am often weary of second books.  On the one hand I am eager to see how the plot continues from Book #1 and on the other, second books often fail to live up to the excitement found in Book #1.  I am happy to say that Unmarked DID NOT suffer from Second Book Suckitis.  I don't think that you should read this review if you have not ventured into reading Book #1.  There will be spoilers and you may be confused.

So Book #2 begins with Kennedy knowing that she has possibly released the most fearsome supernatural creature on earth which will lead to the destruction of mankind.  What an excellent way to start your day eh?  She is about to lead a very sad, troubled life with the weight of the world on her shoulders.  Her super sleuthing was incorrect and she is constantly questioning whether she is actually meant for membership in The Legion.  She reminds me of Kevin Tran from Supernatural.

A new player is on the scene to accompany Kennedy.  Her best friend has been thrown in the mix and while she is untrained and lacks the natural skills that Kennedy and her fellow Scoobies have, she seems to be able to hold her own. 

On another side note, I am still not seeing the chemistry between Jared and Kennedy....maybe I should try picturing one of the guys from Supernatural and a cute supermodel....ahhh...that's better.... 

Overall, I like the way this series is heading. There are a lot of unique elements to the plot which I really enjoy.  References to the Legion vs. another secret organization (trying to be clandestine here) are fascinating.  So when Kennedy doesn't receive her mark from the Legion, it leads to suspicions of her being the last member of this group.  Book #2 carried through smoothly and continued to flow nicely without losing momentum.  

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Published: October 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 305

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in this action-packed paranormal thriller, the first book in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia. 

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

Review:

Kami Garcia is one half of the super-team who wrote Beautiful Creatures.  While the movie did not do this series justice, it remains on my top 10 most beloved YA series.  So Kami and her co-author Margaret Stohl parted ways to write their own titles.  Unbreakable is book #1 in The Legion series.

The initial feeling of Supernatural meets Da Vinci Code is the precise interpretation that I have of The Legion series.  A couple of the main characters - Jared and Lucas remind me of a younger version of Sam and Dean...although perhaps just a wee bit less rugged and good looking in my mind .  :D  But the references to certain secretive organizations is fascinating to me.

Although I am enjoying the main character, Kennedy, I feel like the love relationships starting to form are not convincing as a reader.  I understand where Ms. Garcia is heading but there was a lack of electricity between Kennedy and Jared for me. It did not feel believable (Sorry Kami).  I just didn't feel the chemistry as I did with Lena and Ethan in Beautiful Creatures.  

There was one scene in particular which was a little disturbing to me.  The well scene...it brought back images of The Ring.  If you have a good imagination and like adventure and some horror books, this might be a good title for you.  Once this Scooby Doo team unites and begins their quest, there are quite a few obstacles they face in order to complete their mission.

Action, adventure, mystery, secret organizations and an ending that I was not anticipating....all a fantastic start to a new series.  Oh, and there is not enough romance to make it icky for boys.  ;)  Bring on Book #2!!

In Case You Missed It - Dangerous Dream: A Beautiful Creatures story by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Published: December 2013

Pages: 46

Copy: Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

Catch up with Ethan, Lena, and Link as they finally graduate from high school and get ready to leave the small Southern town of Gatlin. But when Dark Caster Ridley makes an appearance, the sometime bad girl can't resist picking a fight with her sometime boyfriend, Link. Angry and rebellious as ever, Ridley ends up alone in New York City and becomes entangled in the dangerous underground Caster club scene, where the stakes are high and losers pay the ultimate price.

Where's a Linkubus when you need him?

Christinabean and I are huge fans of the Beautiful Creatures series and are both waiting with bated breath for the new installment  'Dangerous Creatures' which is due out May 20th (OMG I cant wait, Squeeeee). 

Two of my favourite characters in the series are Link and Ridley. They are really the odd ones out in a sense.  They are geeks and wannabe's and should never, ever be together, but for some reason their attraction makes sense.  They are either going to have this epic love affair, or something bad is going to happen and Dangerous Dream sets up the story.  Right now , I'm thinking something bad, really bad, is going to happen, but I hope I'm wrong.  I'd really like to root for the epic love affair, but this story just reminds us how self-centred Ridley really is.

If you get the chance, read this little ebook.  It'll take you about 10 mins or there-abouts - ok, maybe half an hour - but it will certainly get you ready to enter into this fabulous world again.  I can't wait!

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Published: October 1st 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Pages: 305

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in this action-packed paranormal thriller, the first book in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia. I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels


Wow, what a powerful book.  I've heard it described as Supernatural meets the Da Vince Code, or Supernatural meets Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, but personally I'd have to add in a bit of Demon's Lexicon and just a touch of Ghostbusters.  If you put all of those together, you just begin to get an inkling of what is going on in this amazing book.

Ms. Garcia has put together a rag tag bunch of orphans and has dropped them into the proverbial deep end - only there's no-one there to save them except themselves - and they do save each other, several times.  Priest, the youngest, is a genius and loves to make weapons (he's what made me think of Ghostbusters, he does amazing things with water guns!)  Alara is from money but is more than happy to share what she's got if it will help kill the demon.  I particularly enjoyed the way her character opened up and warmed to Kennedy.  Lucas and Jared?  Well, they are tall dark and handsome twins - a love triangle waiting to happen, and of course it does, but I enjoyed the way it was handled. The boys may look alike, but that's where the similarities end.  Kennedy, the main protagonist, is broken, and we find out more about the reasons why as the story goes on.  She doubts herself and her abilities and she is thrust into some really nasty situations where she has to make split second decisions, and not always the right ones.

Unbreakable was a powerhouse of supernatural tension, romance and mystery that was a pleasure to read.  I can't wait to see what comes in the second installment.

Same Book, Second Look - Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Published: October 2011

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Pages: 518

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What — or who — will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself — forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Review:

I purposely waited until the last book was finished before I dove back into this series.  Beautiful Creatures feels like one of those epic novels which will leave you hanging onto Every. Last. Written. Word.  And it is.  I know from experiencing Book #1 and Book #2 that it would be best for me to wait for it to be finished before I jumped in again.  Beautiful Chaos moved down my TBR pile because I wanted to savour it and not wait for a whole year on pins and needles.  That causes grey hair you know....and I have enough  of those!

In this installment, you will see how Ridley struggles with her new identity, how Link copes with his and how Lena and Ethan step into a more and more complicated universe.  There will be heartache, and there will be an incredibly devastating ending that will make you happy you waited for Book #4 to come out.  Trust me, you would not have wanted a year for the conclusion to come out.  I know that Curlypow was crying at the end of this book.  (Was it the ugly cry?) I wasn't crying.  I was just left stunned saying - That can't be how it ends.  Is this a joke?  Did I read that correctly?  

The Beautiful Creatures series is one of the best developed series I've read, right up there with my two favourites - Mortal Instruments and Vampire Academy.  It is hard to believe that two newbie writers came up with the idea and just ran with it.  Heck!  They are one dynamic duo!  Curlypow and I were fortunate enough to meet 1/2 of the dynamic duo a couple years ago at the first Smart Chicks Kick it Tour.  Margaret Stohl was so easy to talk to and easy-going!  She actually came through the line up to talk to readers, pose for pictures and sign books.  

On another front, Beautiful Creatures is already in production and will come to theaters February 13, 2013.  I'm expecting it to be Twilight popular.   Here's a quick peek at one of the movie posters and the trailer - 

If you are a fan of Mortal Instruments, Twilight and everything supernatural, you will enjoy this.  I'm expecting it to be the next big Book to Movie blockbuster this spring.  Beat the movie to book people train and climb aboard now!

Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Published: October 23rd, 2012

Publisher: Little Brown

Pages: 451

Copy: Purchased

Summary: Goodreads

Ethan Wate always dreamed of leaving the stifling Southern town of Gatlin.

But he never dreamt that finding love with Lena Duchannes would drive him away. Lena is a Caster girl whose supernatural powers unveiled a secretive and cursed side of Gatlin, so powerful it forced him to make a terrible sacrifice.

Now Ethan must find a way to return to Lena - and Gatlin - as she vows to do whatever it takes to get him back. Even if it means trusting old enemies or risking their loved ones' lives.

Can Ethan and Lena rewrite their fate and their spellbinding love story in this stunning finale to the Beautiful Creatures series?


This is not going to be a review in the normal sense.  Basically if you enjoyed the other three books, you're going to love this one.  If you did not like them, well it won't matter since you won't pick this book up, and if you haven't already read them - Why Not?

The Caster Chronicles seem to be a series that readers either love, or hate.  Me, I'm definitely one of the former.  I adore this series.  I have now read all four, and listened to the first three and  I can't wait to listen to Beautiful Redemption.  I sometimes wonder how people who normally enjoy similar books can sometimes have such differing views on a book.  In looking at Goodreads there are a plethora of good reviews - 4 or 5 stars - and likewise of bad reviews - 1 star.  There are very few in the middle. 

The series is one that grabbed me from the get-go and I was never disappointed. It is a paranormal story with a few differences from the normal.  There are no mages, vampires or werewolves, but there are casters, and incubi - vampires by any other name.   There is a complete world that Kami and Marg have put together, with layer upon layer of complexities.  There are ghosts that don't frighten and nasty beasties that do.  I fell in love with Gatlin and all of its inhabitants, even the weird or nasty ones - doesn't everyone know a Mrs Lincoln, or someone like her? 

The series really highlights Good and Evil, but at the same time illustrates how things are not always as clear cut as that.  But one of the things I really love is how steadfast Ethan is.  Other characters may waver, but he was always on the straight and narrow.  And he never stopped loving Lena.  No matter what was going on with her, he never wavered. For that matter, neither did Link, and his relationship with Ridley was certainly out of the ordinary.  There are mysteries to solve and journeys to take, leaps of faith and leaps to the death. I laughed and I cried, lots of times and I loved every minute.  I'm just sorry the journey is over.

 If you haven't already tried this series, I really recommend it, especially now that you can read it all in one go, without having to wait a year between each volume.  Let me know whether you are a lover or a hater and why.  I'd really like to know.

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Published: October 2011

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 528

Copy: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

Ok, I'm still crying.  I can't believe the ending of this book.  I knew it was coming, but I just didn't believe it.  I loved the book, which is not really a surprise considering how much I enjoyed the other two - I still haven't got around to reading Dream Dark, but I will, eventually. 

Same wonderful characters, lots of twists and turns and surprises. But, if you haven't read the first two, it's not going to make an awful lot of sense to you.  There is some back story included, but certain events and characters just won't make sense, like John Breed, Ridley and Link.  Sorry guys I refuse to put spoilers in here, so what can I tell you.  The writing is beautiful and very descriptive.  The characters grow with each new book,  It's a very serious series, but there are patches of humour throughout that help to reduce the tension a little, and Link is such a dork, you just can't help but smile at his antics.  Ethan - well, I wish I had someone care for me at that age the way Ethan cares for Lena.  Sigh!  My advice? If you haven't already read it, why not!

I do have one question though.  Is there another book, or not?  I will understand if there isn't, reluctantly, but I will understand, but it seems to me that Kami and Marg just can't leave it where it is.  I couldn't find anything to say there was going to be a fourth full length novel, but I also haven't found anything saything 'conclusion', so if you've heard anything - let us know.

Listen Up - Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Published: October 2010

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Audio copy from: Library and Overdrive

Narrated by: Kevin T Collins

Summary: Goodreads

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.


Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.



I read Beautiful Creatures last year and loved it so much I decided to listen to it afterwards. You can read my review of the audio version of Beautiful Creatures HERE. I loved it, in fact it was just about my favourite book of 2010. So when Beautiful Darkness came out - and you're going to laugh at me here - I didn't want to read it in case it wasn't as good as the first one! Yep, I know, stupid. Anyway, with Christmas and everything else going on, I finally got around to listening to Beautiful Darkness last week - and of course, I loved it just as much as the first one, if not more.

Kevin T Collins returns as the narrator for the audio version and it was so nice to have that continuity. I just love the dark atmosphere on the audio. The wind whistling, doors banging, music playing. Speaking of which, Michelle McGonigle is back with her eerily haunting rendition of 'Sixteen Moons' or in this case 'Seventeen Moons'.

The story of Ethan and Lena continues in ways I wasn't suspecting, with things getting even darker this time around. Ethan has become my ideal of the perfect boyfriend. He is so supportive and protective of Lena it almost made my heart break. I don't want to give away the story, just in case there is anyone out there who hasn't read this one yet, but things are not all hunky dory in Gatlin. Even stranger things are happening than last time, and new people are coming to town. Lena is deeply depressed over the death of her Uncle and Ethan is trying to help her, to no avail.

There were some wonderful twists to the story and I loved them all. Some I expected, and some coming out of left field. Link's character is really fleshed out in this book and his madcap humour was responsible for some light relief (actually he reminds me of my son a bit, so I have a serious soft spot for him).

I am now waiting with seriously bated breath for the next volume of the series, due out in the Fall of this year, and you can be sure I won't take so long to read it this time around. If you are interested in reading Christinabean's review, you can find it HERE. She loved it too! There is also a 4th volume coming in the Fall of 2012. Way to keep up the suspense, girls!

Beautiful Darkness - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Published: Oct 2010

Publisher: Little, Brown Books

Pages: 512

Copy Provided by: ARC (thank you Laura)

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

Review:

What a fabulous read! I was up until 1:30am reading this book so that I could post a review before it was officially released. I definitely recommend reading Beautiful Creatures prior to reading Beautiful Darkness. Even if you have already read BC but it has been awhile, you really do need to re-read it. I found that the first 50 pages I was having trouble remembering everything that had happened. It is not a series that you can just jump into. Kami and Margie have built up the story, setting and characters throughout both books. Beautiful Darkness weaves the story more intricately. Trust me, you won't be disappointed if you re-read BC first.

How these two authors co-write together is beyond me. This story has so much depth on so many levels. The struggle between Lena and Ethan is very real. You see their relationship tested in new ways and you never really know if he should stay or if he should go. I love how the story is from Ethan's point of view. It makes the series much more encouraging for guys to read. I was telling my husband about The Caster Chronicles last night and he might even give it a go. (In the 20+ years I've know him, I've never seen him pick up a book....now THAT'S saying something!)

I love reading supernatural books but this one is so different than your regular werewolf and vampire series. It has elements of magic, culture and history. It is rich with generational mysteries that seem so plausible and real. Reading book 2 of the Caster Chronicles, felt like a crescendo was building in my brain up until Chapter 34...and then I had that "aha" moment of understanding. It is a long journey but oh so worth the wait.

On the authors -

Margaret and Kami started writing Beautiful Creatures on a DARE from Margie's oldest daughter. Imagine a dare turned into a NY Times best selling book. They are currently #5 on the list with Beautiful Creatures. Congratulations ladies!

At first when we met Margaret at the Smart Chicks Kick it Tour, she seemed so shy but as she got warmed up, we realized what a hoot she is. She even came by through the line up to sign our books and take pictures as the rest of the authors were at the table signing. It was very sweet. We were disappointed that we were unable to meet Kami as she was ill for the last part of the tour but she is a loyal Tweeter and I have gotten a few messages from her. If you don't already, you should follow them on Twitter - Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. You can also find out more about The Caster Chronicles here.

Tangent...
On a totally different note, Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Raised by Wolves) was at the same signing with Margaret Stohl and I just found this quote so IRONIC as I was reading....

Tangent....

Page 75
(Amma talking about Link)
....She felt bad for Link. "Can't believe that boy has to live in a house with that woman. He'd be better off if he was bein' raised by wolves."

Tangent ends here....

I found a few fan-made trailers on YouTube for Sixteen Moons, the lyrics of the poem were made into a very catchy song by Michele McGonigle. This was my favorite because it seems more professional looking than the others and the sound quality was much better. Be forewarned though, the filming is rather dark and it is a bit hard to see.

P.S.

I am SO SO jealous that Curlypow has the signed ARC. Ms. Garcia and Ms. Stohl, when will you be coming back to Canada so I can get my copy signed??