Desires of the Dead; By Kimberly Derting

• Reading Level: 14 and up (sexual content)

• Paperback: 384 pages

• Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (April 17, 2012)

• Language: English

The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.

Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Her best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay, is the only one outside of her family who knows of her morbid ability. But when Violet discovers the body of a missing boy, she draws the attention of the FBI.

<; font-family: inherit;">As Violet dodges their questions, she is pulled into an investigation that will endanger more than just her secret. For without even meaning to, Violet has stumbled upon a dark truth—and a desperate killer.

My Review:

Desires of the Dead is the follow up novel to The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting. Let me tell you something, she does not disappoint. The character development throughout these two novels is incredible. I very much enjoyed Jay and Violets parts in this novel. 

I'll be honest there were some parts of the book that just made me angry but I now feel that these certain parts made the story what it is, and even added some depth to it. 

The mystery in the book keeps you on the edge of your seat and I'm not even using that cliche just to use it, I'm dead serious about this. Through most of this, I couldn't put it down, I just had to know what happened next.

If you took my advice on The Body Finder, then take my advice again and keep going with this amazing story. It will keep you intrigued with its mystery, murder, suspense, and romance until the very last page.

Buy 'Desires of the Dead' on Amazon starting as low as $1.49 (USED) and $5.99 (NEW).

http://www.amazon.com/Desires-Dead-Body-Finder-Novel/dp/0061779865/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361299854&sr=8-1&keywords=desires+of+the+dead

**Don't miss my next two reviews on the rest of 'The Body Finder' series, COMING SOON!**

Where Have You Been?

Exploring the deep depths of the Atlantic Ocean, searching for the cure for the so-called 'incurable' illness...
being a zombie.
Which is what I've been.
Have you been a reading zombie?
HA.
THATS HILARIOUS.
No.
I just recently started High School. Yep, fresh meat right here.
That leaves me absolutely no time to read. I'm not even joking. I even have PSAT's this weekend that I haven't studied for. I'm currently reading:
Hater
Dog Blood
Them or Us
^
All by David Moody.
I'm also finishing up Going Bovine by Libba Bray and desperately trying to finish the Caster Chronicles before the first movie comes out.
^I don't want it to but what the hell am I going to do?
Not see it?
I don't think so.
I'm angry about the Ethan Actor and I don't want people invading my Beautiful Creatures world.

Ugh. I'm going now.
Hopefully I'll have the second Body Finder book review up tomorrow.
We'll see.
Goodnight.

Modern Classics

When most of us teens and young adults go to the bookstore, most of us are going to be most attracted to the books that look modern. As much as you want to deny it, everyone judges a book by its cover, whether it be used metaphorically or literally. Right now, I'm talking literal. When we see a book that looks small, unimportant, and or has a 'not-so-interesting' title or cover, we immediately pass over it.
I'm here today to tell you to...
SNAP OUT OF IT!
If you see one of those books, at least read the synopsis! You may actually find the story interesting. Trust me, I know from personal experience.
I have three books that I'd like to share with you, that are not given enough credit. Well one of them was made into a major- motion picture but, half of the universe doesn't even know it was a book first!
Alrighty, here we go!

As most of you know, this is the one book that was turned into a stop-motion puppet animation. One of the best movies by the way! Any who, most of you probably didn't know this was a book. Well guess what! I read the book before this movie even came out and let me tell you one thing! IT WAS AMAZING. Neil Gaiman has been one of my favorite authors even since and I also loved his book, 'The Graveyard Book'. Now that one made me cry at the end.

 Not going to say much about this one. It's a good story. The way it's written does get pretty confusing but hey! other than that, it's a pretty damn good story.

This book, man. This book changed me. It is the most beautifully written book I've ever read. Tears were literally my worst enemy through this whole book because I just couldn't stop crying. David Almond also became one of my favorite authors just because of this book. Read this. You will not regret it. I love you David. I love you and thank you for writing a book that has touched me so deeply. Thank you.

The Body Finder; By Kimberly Derting

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Paperback: 352 pages

• Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (February 15, 2011)

• Language: English

Sixteen-year-old Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her unusual so-called gift. While her confusing feelings for her best friend are new, she has been able to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered—and the imprints that attach to their killers since she was a little girl. Violet has never considered her ability useful, but now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Fiercely protective of her, Jay agrees to help Violet search for the murderer. But even as she's falling in love, Violet is getting closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

My review:
What can I say?
What can I say?
...
...
I LOVED IT!
This book captured me from the first line and took me through a tale of loss, sacrifice, hurt, but most of all, love. Can you guess who my favorite character was? Violet of course! I loved everything about her but mostly I was extremely jealous of her ability. I wish I could find dead things...well actually when you put it like that...nope! I still want her ability. I also fell in love with Jay first moment we met the kid. He's goofy and cute and overall just a great guy. If only all guys were like Jay Heaton. 
Besides my obsessive love for the characters the book was written quite lovely. I loved the flow of words and everything about it. I actually read this book back last fall which really set the mood for the book considering it's set in late September through January (I think).
I recommend this book completely to anyone who enjoys romance, budding relationships, murder, mystery, suspense, etc, etc, etc. The Body Finder really makes you fall in love with all the characters and Kimberly Derting's captivating writing.
*Buy 'The Body Finder' on Amazon starting as low as $3.44(used), $3.99(new).
http://www.amazon.com/The-Body-Finder-Kimberly-Derting/dp/0061779830/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342016779&sr=8-1&keywords=the+body+finder


**Don't miss my reviews on the next two books in The Body Finder series! COMING SOON!

The Fault in Our Stars; By John Green

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (January 10, 2012)
• Language: English

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.


My review:

I cried. There I said it. I cried. I cried like a baby at the end and it felt like my heart died. <--Yeah, that sad. If you don't like crying then do not, I repeat, DO NOT read this book because it will make you cry. I loved it. Absolutely loved it. Although even though you will cry at the end, you will also laugh. I've never laughed at a book more than when reading 'The Fault in Our Stars'. John Green is an amazing writer who can make you transition form cracking up and almost peeing yourself, to crying like a baby and pretty much losing all self-control. The Fault in Our Stars is a must-have on your bookshelf. I loved it so much, I might actually read it again and I usually don't re-read books. (Besides Skellig, By David ALmond. *read it three times) 

*Buy The Fault in Our Stars on Amazon for as low as $8.90:

    http://www.amazon.com/The-Fault-Stars-John-Green/dp/0525478817/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333827190&sr=8-1

**Other Books by John Green:

-Looking For Alaska

-An Abundance of Katherines

-Paper Towns

-Will Grayson Will Grayson

    

~Jessica

March Favorites

I've read tons of books in March and I wanted to share with you my favorites.

*You will be seeing reviews to some of these but not ALL. 

**Not in any particular order!

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Jessie Wells can't remember her father, James--he left her family when she was very young. Now fifteen, Jessie has a sudden desire to track down the man she always thought of as "the disappearing dude." She calls all the Wellses in the phone book, hoping to speak to someone who knows her father. But will she be prepared when she finally finds him?

A startling, wonderful novel about the true meaning of being an alien in an equally alien world."We are specks. Pieces of dust in this universe. Big nothings. 

"I know what I am."

Mal lives on the fringes of high school. Angry. Misunderstood. Yet loving the world -- or, at least, an idea of the world.

Then he meets Hooper. Who says he's from another planet. And may be going home very soon.

       

  

A few nights after Jessica Day arrives in Bixby, Oklahoma, she wakes up at midnight to find the entire world frozen, except for her and a few others who call themselves 'midnighters'. Dark things haunt this midnight hour – dark things with a mysterious interest in Jessica.

As the Midnighters search for the truth about the secret hour, they uncover terrifying mysteries woven into the very fabric of Bixby’s history, and a conspiracy that touches the world of daylight.
This time Jessica Day is not the only Midnighter in mortal danger, and if the group can’t find a way to come together, they could lose one of their own . . . forever.

The world is changing: the government has seized control of every aspect of society, and now, kids are disappearing. For 15-year-old Wisty and her older brother Whit, life turns upside down when they are torn from their parents one night and slammed into a secret prison for no reason they can comprehend. The New Order, as it is known, is clearly trying to suppress Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Being a Normal Teenager. But while trapped in this totalitarian nightmare, Wisty and Whit discover they have incredible powers they'd never dreamed of. Can this newly minted witch and wizard master their skills in time to save themselves, their parents--and maybe the world?

When they were imprisoned by the new, brutal government, Whit and Whisty were barely able to escape with their lives. Discovering a hidden community of children like themselves--hunted by the state and with varying degrees of special talents--they have taken refuge underground. But the New Order is rapidly pushing in on them from all sides, and the pressure to stop the regime is mounting.

One day, as they rush to save another group of kids who are about to be captured by police, Whit and Whisty discover not only their own faces plastered to buildings on wanted posters, but also their parents'. When the hunting party sent out after the siblings always seems to be one step ahead of them, they begin to fear that it is controlled by a very, very powerful force. They are in much more danger than they feared...

I loved these books and definitely recommend them to you, good sir.

(or madam) 

Enjoy.

~Jessica

First Day on Earth

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
• Hardcover: 150 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• A startling, wonderful novel about the true meaning of being an alien in an equally alien world.
  
  "We are specks. Pieces of dust in this universe. Big nothings.
  
  "I know what I am."
  
  Mal lives on the fringes of high school. Angry. Misunderstood. Yet loving the world -- or, at least, an idea of the world.
  
  Then he meets Hooper. Who says he's from another planet. And may be going home very soon.

My Review:

                Amazing novel. The book was only 150 pages so I think it might be the shortest book I've ever read. Maybe. Not Sure. The book was written beautifully. I loved Malcom (Mal) and his sarcastic, bitter comments. Cecil Castellucci really captured the voice of a depressed, misunderstood teen without being totally stereotypical like most authors. The book definitely kept me wanting to read and believe me I did. Took me three hours and they were an amazing three hours that kept me intrigued and kept me guessing at every flip of the page. If you want a quick, inspirational, incredible read, choose 'First Day on Earth', you wont regret it. Unless you do and then I guess... too bad for you. 

**Here's a link to Amazon where you can buy it for as low as $4.00.

http://www.amazon.com/First-Day-Earth-Cecil-Castellucci/dp/0545060826

                                                         ~Jessica