Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White

Published: Sept 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 278

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him.

Review:

This was a shorter title than I expected and very refreshing from the series that I have been reading lately.  As a stand-alone, I quite enjoyed it.  Jessamin is a strong woman who attracts a very unusual suitor. She is very focused on her studies yet is drawn into a curious situation in a magical society she did not even know existed.

It felt a little bit like Downton Abbey meets Harry Potter to me.  Weird combo, eh? 

In true Kiersten fashion, she brings a bit of humor to Jessamin's rather focused life.  I love the correspondence letters between Jessamine and her mother as she tries to let her mother know that all things are well while she fends for herself.  I especially appreciate the interpretative parts that Jessamine DOESN'T write, but commentates in her head.

Kiersten White is one of my favourite authors.  I fell in love with her Paranormalcy series. In fact, Evie is one of my favourite characters in a book series (Jace and Clary have a category all on their own).  She always brings her own humor to her books (which I LOVE).  A little bit of snark and a whole lot of sarcasm to make you laugh out loud.  Another thing that I admire about this writer is her ability to diversify her topics and stories.  She also has series and stand alone titles.  Give Illusions of Fate a try if you are looking for a standalone.  If you are looking for a longer series, start with Paranormalcy.  You might fall in love with her books as well!

Same Book, Second Look - Mind Games by Kiersten Whitem

Published: December 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 237

Copy Provided by: borrowed

Summary: by Goodreads

Summary:

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

Review:

I love Kiersten White.  Have you ever visited her blog?  She is one wild and crazy girl...kind of like one of her characters from Paranormalcy.  The Mind Games series takes a bit of a turn though.  It is much more serious and a little darker.  The mystery revolves around two girls, one of them blind and able glimpse visions of the future.  The other with amazing instincts honed to kill.  

Mind Games was such a departure from the kinds of books I normally associate with Kiersten. However, she has demonstrated with Chaos of Stars (a standalone title) that she can be extremely diverse when it comes to her writing subject matter.  Mind Games focuses on the use of young people, who have special talents, controlled by a private corporation to do their bidding.  A little bit like Alias but each person has a particular focus.  

One aspect of this novel that I found fascinating was how Fia needs to be completely spontaneous with her decisions/actions in order to avoid her future being seen.  I cannot imagine not planning at least a little bit in advance for anything.  And she needs to make spur of the moment "smart" decisions (something else I would be horrible at).  

I really enjoyed Mind Games and now that the characters have started to mold into their perspective identities, we see that Annie is not "blind" to everything in her life.  In fact she is rather independent and clever.  On the flip side, her sister Fia is an internal mess.  Her physical reflexes seem to be quite sharp but her emotions are a minefield.  Now that we have established where this story is going, I am eager to see where Ms. White takes us.  Should be an interesting journey....getting ready to jump into book #2 shortly as soon as I get my hands on Perfect Lies!

Waiting on Wednesday - The Chaos of Stars by Kirsten White

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is

Summary (by Goodreads)

Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.

Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal.

Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all.(

I loved Kiersten's last series, Paranormalcy.  I am not necessarily expecting the same hilarious characters in this one but I know this author can weave a good tale and is highly entertaining.  I'll be visiting my neighborhood bookstore to check this one out when it is released next week!

Mind Games by Kiersten White

Published: February 19th, 2013

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 256

Copy: Publisher via Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

The title of this story is so totally apt - the whole book is one mind game after another - that I can't imagine why the Brits changed the title to 'Sister Assassin'.  Well, I guess it makes sense too, but I don't like it as much.  Just saying ....

Anyway, with that out of the way, I can tell you that Mind Games was incredibly clever, fast-paced and intriguing. There is an amazing display of sibling loyalty between Fia and Annie.  Both are constantly manipulated and used against each other, but they stay true in their own ways.  The strange myterious 'bad' guy - Mr Keane - makes you extremely unsure of just exactly whose side James is on.  Is he good, or bad?  At the end of the book I still wasn't sure.

I did find myself getting a bit annoyed with the constant repetition of words, but I fully understand that they are used to highlight the confusion and instability of Fia's mind, and as such it was very successful.  I'm sure that it won't bother younger readers nearly as much as it did me.  For those of you who read and loved the Paranormalcy series, Mind Games is absolutely nothing like it at all.  It's faster paced, edgier, grittier and altogether more disturbing.  I loved it!

Btw, which cover/title do you prefer:

Endlessly by Kiersten White

Published: July 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 385

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Evie's paranormal past keeps coming back to haunt her. A new director at the International Paranormal Containment Agency wants to drag her back to headquarters. The Dark Faerie Queen is torturing humans in her poisonous realm. And supernatural creatures keep insisting that Evie is the only one who can save them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its fate rests solely in Evie's hands.

So much for normal.

Review:

How do you do it?  How do you say goodbye to one of your favorite characters when a series ends?  Evie is quirky, gorgeous, sometimes terminally blonde, has a wicked sense of humor and can be oh so sensitive.  I am sorry to see her fade with book #3.  Strangely, I was satisfied with the ending though.  

To be perfectly honest, it wasn't the plotline that kept me going with this series.  The characters kept me hooked -  Lend, Reth and of course, Evie.  Who wouldn't want to follow a guy who is transparent like water and can glamour himself into anyone else, a fairie who is stunningly beautiful but void of any real emotions or morals, and a girl who isn't really a girl at all but an innocent who can suck the soul out of anyone who crosses her? What a love triangle that is, eh?

Endlessly was the perfect ending to a perfectly odd storyline.  Kiersten White effortlessly whips out her sarcastic wit and lends (no pun intended) Evie a voice which makes you feel like you're listening to your best friend.  Or maybe those are just my best friends and the kind of ridiculous banter we carry on. Regardless, the entire Paranormalcy trilogy is such a fun ride that its on my shelves as a series to purchase and re-read or lend (another no pun intended comment) to a friend.  I would highly recommend it to that inbe"tween" age where the reader is younger but looking to move out of the junior reading section and into YA.  Instead of swearing, Ms. White has graciously exploited the word "bleep". (I'd love to see the word count of this in her series).  Let me demonstrate - Oh bleep!@!  Is the series done already??  I can't wait to get my hands on Kiersten's  next series, Mind Games in Februrary.  I'm sure its bleeping fantastic!!!

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Published: July 2011

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 336

Copy Provided by: Bought 

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

Review:


Ms White does it again with another installment of the ever quirky Evie in Supernaturally.  I just love this character. She has wit, charm and just a rockin' personality.  Plus, she is so cute with Lend.  He's a doll...a kind of watery/invisible doll but a doll nonetheless.

Supernaturally delivers the same kind of humor as in Paranormalcy but there is more development in the story.  We learn more about Evie's history and how she came to be.  This tale is so interesting because even though Evie goes through the same kind of relationship issues as most of us, there are always surprises with an unpredictable supernatural ability.  Besides, who else has a semi-invisible boyfriend?

We learn a bit more about her "family", Reth continues to stalk her and a new character Jack makes her life (how shall we say...) challenging...

I never know what to expect from this series.  It just seems so unique to other supernatural series out there.  Sure, I did guess part of the outcome but there were plenty of surprises and I'm sure there are many more to come.  If you haven't already found your next fun read, try Paranormalcy or Supernaturally.  Ms White's got a knack for entertaining her readers and having them pine for more to come.  Endlessly, book 3 is scheduled for a 2012 release.  Definitely on my TBR list....

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Published: August 2010

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 335

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. 

Review:

I just want to start by saying that I rarely buy books in hardcover unless I'm fairly certain that I'm going to love them.  I know it sounds awful but it's true.  The thing is I LOVED Paranormalcy.  No really, it goes up on my shelf with other series right along side with Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments), Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy), Lauren Kate (Fallen), Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush) etc.  

Curlypow first read this title last fall.  You can find her review here.  She was able to take lots of quotes from the book and although I remember when they came from, I just didn't want to stop reading to write down my favourites!  I know it has taken me a really long time to catch up and read this title but I flew through it and enjoyed every minute of the ride.  I have been following Kiersten White on her author blog for about a year now and she is so freaking hilarious.  This girl is crazy and crazy is definitely the kind of personality you need to have been able to write this title.  Evie, the main character is spunky, crazy, and laugh out loud funny.  That being said, she is also lonely, vulnerable and all of the things we look for.She attracts equally odd characters such as Lend (semi-transparent guy), Reth (gorgeous, creepy fae) and has a mermaid for a best friend.  

If you are looking for a fun, entertaining read with a great story, plenty of action and mystery to boot, pick up Paranormalcy.  Kiersten has a knack for writing and having you fall right into this world where paranormal is a part of every day life.  After the dozens of reviews I have read, I was anticipating that I would enjoy the first book so I picked up the second before I finished reading!  Oh Bleep!  Time's up!  I have to get back to finishing up Supernaturally...

Sneak Peek - Cover of Supernaturally

I am a huge fan of Kiersten White's 'Paranormalcy'. Just loved the story and Kiersten's writing - so much so that I started following her blog. She is my daily dose of humour before going to work. Sometimes she just cracks me up. Today, she was waxing lyrical about the cover of her soon to be published follow-up to 'Paranormalcy' - ' Supernaturally'. You are correct Kiersten, it is an amazing cover, and I am happy to share it with everyone.

If you are interested in reading some of Kiersten's hilarious blog entries you can check them out HERE

Congratulations on the birth of your new cover Kiersten and a special mention to HarperTeen for obviously going above and beyond!

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Released: August 2010

Publisher: Harper Teen

# Pages: 335

Copy provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal. Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. So much for normal.

Evie is a normal human with a special gift. Or is she? Lend is a paranormal who can look like anyone he wants, male or female, but what is he? Reth is a seriously creepy fairy with an obsession for Evie. Put them all together and you have Paranormalcy, a story filled with mystery, intrigue, death, love, obsession, fae and wonderful humour.

'Lend's dad, two werewolves, and a vampire. It was like the setup to a bad joke or something. A doctor, two werewolves, and a vampire walk into a bar. "What'll you have?' the bartender asks. "We were thinking him," the vampire answers, eyeing the doctor.' (206)

Evie is such a loveable dork. She like to wear sparkly pink, her weapon of choice is a pink taser, and her biggest dream is to go to a real highschool and have a locker. Plus, she can kick serious butt. What's not to love about her?

' "I give you - my locker." It was a sickly teal, paint chipping off the corners to reveal a previous tan coat. I reached out and put my hand on the cold metal. "So, is it everything you imagined?" he asked. "Everything I imagined and more," I whispered,' (241)

And the fact that the book is full of swearing, without having one actual swear word - only lots of bleep! So cool!

Lend's father, David, was a rather nice parental role model. There has been a lot of discussion about negative parenting in YA lately, so it was a change to have a father who was concerned about Lend and grounded him for his indiscretions, without going over the top. I liked him. Lend himself - swoon. I am having a serious case of lust. Just can't decide which of his outward appearances I liked best. I just loved the fact that he wasn't too macho to admit he was scared. Another thing I liked was the acceptance of differences, which was aparent in many areas of the book. I love tolerance!

'My jaw dropped. Underneath her glamour her back was hollow like an old tree, and she had a tail. "What is she?" I whispered. "Nona? Oh, she's a huldra. Tree spirit." Watching her and the other paranormals in there, things shifted for me. They were vibrant, happy, not hurting anyone. This was a good place.' (229)

' "So you really are one of a kind, aren't you?" ......... "You are so freaking awesome." ' (226)

Paranormalcy was one of those books where I want to quote from almost every chapter. I loved just about everything about this book. the story skipped along at a nice pace with tension, laughter and sadness in equal measure. It was so much fun to read. My only regret is that I have finished it way too soon and there won't be another one for a while - but at least there will be another one, two even. 'Supernaturally' is due out in the Fall, 2011. I would say 'Paranormalcy' is an absolute must for YA paranormal fans. Lots of what you love, but different. Try it.