{Review} Die For Me by Amy Plum

Die For Me
by Amy Plum
Series: Revenants #1
Published: May 10th 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 0062004018 (ISBN13: 9780062004017)
Pages: 341
Source: Bought Myself
Reading Level: 15+
Shelf Award: Lovely Romance/ Original Concept
Rating: 4.5

Where To Buy: TBD Chapters Indigo

Summary from Goodreads:In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.
When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.
Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

My Thoughts:
Cover Love: Pretty flourishes, beautiful dress, seems nostalgic to me. It's a beautiful cover but the book is better.

Review: 

A whimsical romance with a supernatural twist you will not see coming!

Yes, I cried, more than one. Luckily I was at home and no one saw me because I was all like this But more ladylike:

In all seriousness, it did take me until the second try to read it. Why? No clue! It was great! I think it might be because the pacing in the first 2-3 chapters is a little slow but it picks right up and then I was hooked to every word.

Kate is truly a troubled heroine and you can definitely feel her pain and confusion. Her inner struggle is a BIG part of this emotional novel.

Finding out about what exactly what Vincent was all about truly through me for a loop because i never expected it and honestly took a while to understand it since it was so very weird.

Anyways, I won't say much for the sake of those who've yet to read it but the idea of Revenants, is completely and utterly unlike ANYTHING I have ever read before!

You want more on Vincent? OF COURSE YOU DO!

He is officially the most concerned and romantic book boy/guy/man I have ever encountered. Oh yeah he made me sigh so many times my mom thought I was having an asthma attack when I brought the book over at family dinner.  

And as setting we have Paris! Wonderful, legendary Paris. Mon Amour, Je T' Adore! How refreshing it was to experience! 

 So did you read it? Did you like it? Do you want to read it?

Wishing Upon a Wednesday (1)

Wishing Upon a Wednesday is my take on "Waiting On Wednesday" over at Breaking The Spine. It's a great Meme but it implies that it is for book which have yet to be released. However, sometimes I wish for a book that has already be released but is yet to be sitting on my shelves. And I often will be showcasing more than one book at a time. Please note that I take absolutely NO credit. Anyone can participate in this modified version, you may link up in the comment section if you'd like. I would love to know what you are wishing for!

On My Wishlist For a While:

Hunting Lila
By Sarah Alderson
Released: August 4th 2011
I have been waiting and waiting for this book but it is impossible to find other than TBD.
Did you read it? Do you want to read it?
What did you think?

Half-Blood
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Released: October 15th 2011
Yes, I know. I should have read this WAY long ago. But same story as Hunting Lila. I can RARELY make online purchases and this one is impossible to buy in my city! :(

Did you read it? Do you want to read it?
What did you think?

Obsidian
By Jennifer L. Armentrout
Released: December 6th 2011
Yet another one by the LEGENDARY Jennifer L. Armentrout. Same deal. Guys! What will I do if I never read them!?

Did you read it? Do you want to read it?
What did you think?

New Additions To My TBR Pile:

Days of Blood and Starlight
(Daughter  of Smoke And Bone #2)
by Laini Taylor
Releasing: November 6th 2012
If I hadn't read, loved, and marked as BEST OF 2011 already, I'd add it here just for the  wonderful cover. The fabulous Laini Taylor won't disappoint.

What's Left Of Me
by Kat Zhang
Releasing: September 18th 2012
Wonderfully original concept? CHECK
Whimsical cover? CHECK
I want it? CHECK CHECK CHECK!
Enough said. I will end up sleeping with this book tucked under my pillow. No kidding!

Glitch 
by Heather Anastasiu
Releasing: August 7th 2012
Well, this is dystopian which means I want it! Love the idea, and I am a sucker for rebellious stories.

That's it for me! What's on your wishlist!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by  The Broke and The Bookish . At this link you can find all past and future TTT.

This week's topic is: 

Top Ten Five Books Written In The Past 10 Years That I Hope People Are Still Reading In 30 Years

Usually books that are read 30 or so years after they are first published have some sort of ethical, sociological and/or philosophical meaning of some sort. So I'll try to keep that into consideration and avoid naming one simply because: "OMG IT WAS SO GOOD!". If you know what I mean... But yes, I did absolutely loved all the books I mention below. The difference between these and the other ones is in the thought that came after I finished that last page.

1. Whither by Lauren Destefano: This book has a theme centered around longevity and possibly how it can be taken for granted and because of that some of the most beautiful moments in life might be passed up as plain and ordinary.
2. XVI by Julia Karr: This one focuses on the media and it's influence of society. It is a true cautionary tale about individuality and being able to think for ourselves. 
3. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi: Another cautionary tale about individuality and how if you aren't as what society deems to be "normal" you are therefore abnormal and become an outcast. 
4. Divergent by Veronica Roth: This one is yet another book centered on society's impact on our daily lives. This observes the role we all play in life. How each role is crucial and all are important for the other's survival.  
5. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins: Finally we have a book centering around sins and excess. The impact certain "sins" and excesses can either have a relieving effect or a devastating one.

So that would be it for me! What about you?

{Review}The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

The Pledge
by Kimberly Derting
Series: The Pledge #1
Published: November 15th 2011
Publisher: McElderly Books (S&S imprint)
ISBN: 1442422017 (ISBN13: 9781442422018)
Pages: 323
Source: Bought Myself
Reading Level: 15+
Shelf Award: Notable Dystopian Series
Rating: 4 Stars

Where To Buy: TBD ChaptersIndigo

Summary from Goodreads:In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.
Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime

My Thoughts

Cover Love: There is something beautifully dark and twisted about this cover. A mystery that transcends into the story. The flourish around the "P" is so pretty! And the depressed "PLEDGE" in the background is perfect for Cover Strokers like me! All in all a 5 Star Cover!

Review:

The concept of language castes and a touch of fantasy all wrapped up in a dystopian world make for an unforgettable read! 

The story was great! I mean I read it in two days and that can be hard to do with a toddler screaming "MOMMY, MOMMY!" every 5 minutes. The characters were nicely developed for the most part. Sometimes the story felt a little hmmm, well, wobbly (for lack of a better word). It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book but sometimes it made me wonder where exactly Kimberly Derting wanted to take her story. Sometimes it lagged but I still REALLY wanted to read on! 

OH AND THE TWISTS! I do not know how I didn't see it coming. I guess Ms. Derting just has a knack for literary surprises I guess. 

Charlie was heroine of epic proportions (no she isn't a giant) I could really feel how much she cared and loved her family. She was well developed and lovable. Although she could have trusted her friends a smidge more. That was her only flaw. Although understandable given the world she lives in.

The Queen, Sabara... Well she's scary bad! I got goosebumps and even nauseous at times. She is cold and cruel and a perfect villain for the story!

Another notable Character was her best friend Brooklynn. I loved her SO MUCH in the second part of the book! Now, I can't explain why because it would be all kinds of spoilery business!

So that's it!

NO IT ISN'T! Oh yeah that is right...  The SWOON. The oh so protective and devoted and HOT Max. And that is all I am saying. 

Then there is Xander who equally Swoon worthy in a more rugged way. 

Take your pick! I'll take both!

So all in all I gave it a well-deserved 4 Stars rating!

What did you think? I'd love to know what you thought or if you would like to read it!

{Review} Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed
by Josephine Angelini
(Starcrossed #1)
Published: May 31st 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 0062011995 (ISBN13: 9780062011992)
Pages: 487
Source: Bought Myself
Reading Level: 16+
Shelf Award: Favorite
Where To Buy: TBD , ChaptersIndigo
Rating: 4 Stars

Summary From Goodreads:Set on the island of Nantucket, STARCROSSED tells the tale of Helen Hamilton, a young woman whose destiny is forever altered when she meets Lucas Delos and tries to kill him in front of her entire high school. Which is terribly inconvenient, not only because Lucas is the most beautiful boy on the island, but also because Helen is so achingly shy she suffers physical pain whenever she is given too much attention.
Making matters worse, Helen is beginning to suspect she’s going crazy. Whenever she’s near Lucas or any member of his family she sees the ghostly apparitions of three women weeping bloody tears, and suffers the burden of an intense and irrational hate. She soon learns that she and Lucas are destined to play the leading roles in a Greek tragedy that the Three Fates insist on repeating over and over again throughout history. Like her namesake, Helen of Troy, she’s destined to start a war by falling in love. But even though Lucas and Helen can see their own star-crossed destiny, they’re still powerfully attracted to each other. Will they give up their personal happiness for the greater good, or risk it all to be together?

Cover Love
Gorgeous cover. It is wonderful enough to look at that I am probably getting it blown up and hanging it on my wall! Totally a dreamy cover!
My Thoughts
OK so here is the deal with Starcrossed. I loved it. But there were a (very little)few things that kept me from thoroughly enjoying it. Things I now proceed to enumerate so we can hurry and get on to the good stuff.
You know how some Heroines are just "too good" well Helen was like that. I understand she doesn't want to hurt anyone but still...
Then the issue of her criticizing her body like she's so ugly. Gah!
Now I am sure the author had her reasons and I am not criticizing her work. These are my universal pet peeves in all the books I read.
Now onto the good stuff!
With her flaws aside, Helene was a good heroine, loyal and protective... And those were her redeeming qualities when it came to her whining about learning to fight.
The pacing was perfect. Not once did I want to stop reading. If I somehow got bored even in the slightest all I had to was turn a page and I was right back in.
The characters both main and secondary were all very well written. My heart was simply torn apart about the impossibility of their love. Nonetheless, I loved the romances between Lucas and Helen and Jason and Claire. I almost hope there is a spinoff or something about those two!
The Greek concept was amazing and extremely well developped! Now thanks to Starcrossed my love of mythology based books has been renewed!
Yes there were MANY similarities to Twilight. And that's not a bad thing at all. I LOVED Twilight. I read the whole series 4 times!! But honestly... I might read the Starcrossed series 5 times.

So yeah, that was the deal on Starcrossed!
A 4 star book and a spot on my "Favorites" shelf!

What did you think? Will YOU run to get Dreamless on the 29th?
Because I WILL!

{Review} The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen

The Mephisto Covenant (The Redemption of Ajax)
by Trinity Feagen
(The Mephisto Covenant #1)
Published: September 27th 2011
Publisher: EdgmontUSA
ISBN:   9781606841709
Pages: 448(hardcover edition)
Source: Bought Myself

Reading Level: 17+
Shelfability: Must Read/ Covet
Where To Buy: TBD , ChaptersIndigo
Rating: 5 Stars

Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger--she is an Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx's biggest threat.

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant--God's promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he's finally found the girl he's been searching for: Sasha.
With the threat of Eryx always looming, Jax knows he has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

Cover Love:

This cover is just dreamy and perfect. I am a big sucker for the "Girl in a dress" book cover trend and this one has to be in my top 5. It has an air of mystery and wonder. LOVE IT!

My Thoughts:

DARKLY REAL, RAW AND HEART-PUMPING!!! TRULY DESERVING OF 5 SHINY STARS!

It is extremely RARE that I give a book a 5 star rating. But this one deserves it. It starts off with a BANG and keeps on, it's full of action, suspense and "swoonage"!!

I was refreshing to read about teenagers behaving like teenagers and bad guys being truly un-sugarcoated villains. It was a raw and real (in a paranormal sense) story that hooked me in. 

Sasha felt very real to me. Her inner struggles and how she dealt with them made the story believable and it made her relatable. There were parts that made me tear up and some that enraged me. I was basically feeling everything Sasha was feeling. I loved that she was unforgiving to some that hurt her the deepest, but even then, she kept a great sense of humanity and kindness. Jax and Sasha were balanced in their personalities. I absolutely LOVE them!

Jax was loyal and completely swoon-worthy boy.

I love that Ms. Faegen didn't "soften" stayed true to her story and her characters. Even if that meant a certain sex scene. The reality is that teens DO have sex and shying away from that fact makes it all the more taboo. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that YA books with no sex scene are no good, but simply that in this case, IT WORKS!

The supporting (minor) characters were nicely developed with personal demons and passions. Sometimes it was a bit difficult to keep up with them all but the subsequent books in the series will make it easier to get to know them. 

Trinity Faegen goes on my Favorite authors list!

I do believe this is a TOTAL must read!! Can't wait to start the sequel: The Mephisto Kiss!

READ IT!

Bout Of Books Read-A-Thon Update/Challenge #3

OK! so today is day 3 of the Bout of Books Read-A-Thon and although I am nowhere near reaching my goal, I am having a BLAST! I've got to know great bloggers and book lovers that I probably wouldn'y have met without BoB.

My (pathetic) Progress

Progress made on 05/15/2012

Books Read: Die For Me/ Article 5
Pages Read: 173
Total Pages Read: 285
Currently Reading: Article 5 By Kristen Simmons
Books Finished:  Die For Me by Amy Plum
Feelings: Busy being Mom!

Challenge of the day!

Today's challenge is Hosted at Books Devoured and is called Re-Title It. 

HERE IS MINE!

I'd call this one:

Devotion

because I feel like the girl is just giving herself up to whomever in blind faith.

Happy Reading

~Melina

Read-a-Thon Update/Challenge Post #2

OK! So this is my second post for the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon!
First, yesterday's progress and what not and following that, the Challenge of the day hosted
@ Nyx Book Reviews

So I doubt I will be able to reach my goal, I may have to modify my books or find more time to read because I read a total of 123 pages yesterday. I am still reading Die For Me and I have about 112 pages left to read before I move onto Article 5!!

My Updates for Monday May 14th 2012:Pages Read Today:
Books Read: Die For Me

Pages Read: 112

Total Pages Read: 112
Currently Reading: Die For Me by Amy Plum
Books Finished: None :(
Feelings: I was hoping to be further in my goal! But I am having a LOT of fun with everyone who's been tweeting and participating. I must say that Twitter is my Achille's  Heal!

Daily Challenge!
Physical book or eBook?

I don't mind an ebook but nothing compare to a physical Book! The smell of ink and paper is incomparable!
Paperback or Hardcover?

Hardcovers I would say... But I don't really care.
Reality or Make-believe?

Make-believe. I have enough reality in my life.
Adult or Young-Adult?

Don't mind either but I have a preference for YA!
Dog ears or Bookmarks?

BOOKMARKS! Always bookmarks. Pretty ones!
Breaking the spine or Barely open the book?

In between?
Tea or Coffee?

Coffee! YUM!
Reading in bed or On the couch?

My couch is my bed! (futon)
Series or Standalone?

Series. (I have separation anxiety with books)
Original or TV Adaptation?

Original!
Defy motion sickness or Audiobooks?

I'll go with audiobooks. My motion sickness is evil.
Author crushes or Who-was-that-guy-again?

What do you think. HAHAHA! Crushes for sure.
Interview or Guest post?

Interviews!

That's it!

~Melina xoxo

Read-a-Thon Update/ Challenge Post #1

OK! So here we go! Fisrt day of my first ever Read-a-Thon! So far I have read 53 pages Signed up and I am now entering the Challenge question hosted by Sarah over at Sarah Says Read:

She asks this: 

“What do you like best about readathons? Do you have any readathon traditions or rituals? If this is your first readathon, what do you like so far? Discuss away!” 

My answer: It's my first Read-a-thon so my rituals and traditions are in the making!

My Updates for Monday May 14th 2012:

Pages Read Today:
Total Pages Read:
Currently Reading: Die For Me by Amy Plum

What I Think So Far: GREAT! getting through it quickly!
Books Finished:
Feelings:

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon sign up post!

This is my first ever Read-a-Thon and I am VERY excited to participate! 

Since I have been in an amazing reading mood lately I though" why not participate!?" Now being a Toddler's mom is quite time consuming I am giving myself realistic goals. I will also do a daily post for updates and such!

Breaks are strictly for mine and my son's health and hygiene. So cooking, cleaning, showering. Also since we all need vitamin C and fresh air I shall take myself and my son out to the park, beach etc. everyday depending on the weather. 

Non-reading Goals: 

1. Limited Facebook, non-read-a-thon twittering, Pinterest and other internet evils
2. No Wavering on the reading list I will be putting together. 
3. NO DNFing! I am going to just push through. 

Now for the reading goals I decided to read a minimum of 5 books with 2 extras should I finish early. My  own personal prize to myself if I succeed will be.... MORE BOOKS! (duh!)

Reading List!

1. Die for me by Amy Plum (Started it last night at 11PM... is that cheating if I didn't know there was a read-a-thon?)
2. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
3. Wildefire by Karsten Knight
4. The Morganville Vampires VOL. 1 by Rachel Caine
5. Torment by Lauren Kate

Now if I read all of those and still have time these 2 are next:

1. Meridian by Amber Kizer
2. Bumped by Megan McCafferty

HAPPY READING!

~Melina

Random Reads (1) Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

I decided To join Random Reads (hosted over at imlovingbooks.com because sometimes it's just fun not having to chose! This being my first time doing it I am very pleased with the choice random.org gave me!

I bought it a while ago and it's been begging me to get read. So here it is:

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Summary from Goodreads:

It starts off simply.

Draw a circle... place a dead leaf in the center... sprinkle some salt... recite a little Latin... add a drop of blood...

Maybe that last part isn’t exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents’ horrific deaths. She’s willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn’t the only recent arrival in Silla’s life. There’s Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She’s not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick’s first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can’t deny their attraction. And they can’t ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

So yep, this will be at least one of the books I will read that will count towards my Random Reads!

W...W...W... Wednesday

Good Wednesday Everyone!
Since I haven't done much research for WoW and found anything that would spar a fangirl reaction in me, I've decided to do this Meme instead. It's hosted at ShouldBeReading
So the questions are simple:

• What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini and I am truly enjoying it! I was doubtful at first but it's the perfect pick for me at the moment!

• What did you recently finish reading?

Vampire Academy! I was amazed at the fact that the first 2 times I started it, I just ended up putting it aside. Big mistake. This book should have never waited to be read.

• What do you think you’ll read next?

Well that's where I always get stuck I am leaning towards Die For Me by Amy Plum, City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare, Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton and The Morganville Vampires Volume 1 by Rachel Caine! Maybe I should put it to a vote! 

Take a minute and talk about...

Being Back Into Blogging!

Now that it doesn't feel like work and is once again truly enjoyable I find myself feeling whole again!!! Huzzah! Anyhow, aside for my brother having spilled pop on my laptop's keyboard (it is all sticky now), my son being a 2 year old terror and my blogger template being broken I am very happy to be back. I really missed it.
Now I have to find ways to be more productive, write better reviews (and I know that includes taking notes about my current reads.) and keep enjoying it.
Also, I decided That instead of a Personal blog, a TV/Movie Blog AND a PNR blog I would simply do a PNR and a personal one (this one will include TV and movie reviews and such). I do want to take part in Memes. I decided to do Stacking The Shelves (hosted by Tynga's Reviews) instead of IMM since I never receive books in the mail.
Please excuse me if this post is all over the place. I just really want to let you all know what the deal is!
If you have any advice, tips, words of encouragement etc. I would appreciate them all!

Now tell me, What are you reading today?
Happy Reading!

Top Ten Tuesday (6) The one with Penises, Flour and Love

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by  The Broke and The Bookish . At this link you can find all past and future TTT.

This is my first Top Ten Tuesday since November guys! YAY!! About this one however, being the kind of reader who gets entranced by what I read, I don't always remember my favorite quotes. So here are 10 memorable quotes. Not all YA and some are from the same book! 

Enjoy!

1. “I don't know many rules to live by,' he'd said. 'But here's one. It's simple. Don't put anything unnecessary into yourself. No poisons or chemicals, no fumes or smoke or alcohol, no sharp objects, no inessential needles--drug or tattoo--and...no inessential penises either.'

'Inessential penises?' Karou had repeated, delighted with the phrase in spite of her grief. 'Is there any such thing as an essential one?'

'When an essential one comes along, you'll know,' he'd replied.” 
― Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke and Bone
I remember how much I laughed at this part of DoSaB. I think this is one that I will always love.

2. “Oh, Hell. Must. Mate. Immediately.” 
― Laini Taylor, Daughter of Smoke and Bone
What can I say. Laini Taylor is a genius!

3. “You nicked-named my daughter after the Lock Ness Monster!” 
― Stephenie Meyer, Breaking Dawn
All I have to say is: BAHAHAHAHA!

4. “Yes, and I’m sure the arena will be full of bags of flour for me to chuck at people.” 
― Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games
Way to be snarky Peeta. Who doesn't love sarcasm in the light of a battle to the death?

5. “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” 
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Not all memorable quotes are funny. So are wise words to live by.

6. “One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.” 
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Now, this one became a personal motto of mine.

7. “I've been screaming for years and no one has ever heard me.” 
― Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me
I have felt like this. A lot of Shatter me resonated through me.

8. “Find me a cure for these tears, I'd really like to exhale for the first time in my life.” 
― Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me
See above

9. “I'll tell you something about true love. There's no science to it. It's as natural as the sky.” 
― Lauren DeStefano, Wither
True... Isn't it?

10. “If you were half as funny as you think you are, you'd be twice as funny as you are now.” 
― Cassandra Clare, City of Bones
Now I liked this one because I actually tried to calculate funny. Made me think! Hahaha!

There, that's 10 of my favorite quotes! Link me yours in the comments section!

HAPPY READING!

{Review} Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

(Newsoul #1)

Published: January 31st 2012

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

ISBN: 0062060759 (ISBN13: 9780062060754)

Pages: 374 (hardcover edition)

Source: Bought Myself

Shelfability: Must Read/ Covet

Where To Buy: TBD 

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:
New soul
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.
No soul
Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?
Heart
Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?
Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

My Thoughts:

Cover Love: One of the first things that sold me on this book was the cover. I know, I judge a book by its cover. Gasp away. But we all do it. Admit it! The color scheme, the butterfly, the look of utter bewilderment  felt so ethereal and a soft. Like reading it would be satin for a reader's soul. And it was!!!

Now onto the pages within the books. No, I did not immediately get entranced. It took about 20 pages. But those 20 pages did something more than some of the books who immediately entrance me. I was felt as though I was put in some sort trance while reading Incarnate. I could see, smell and hear Jodi Meadow's universe.

This book felt like spring to me. It was fresh.

Even though some parts felt not developed enough, I would have liked a more in depth description of Sylphs and other creatures, and some slightly overly so, the musical element was beautiful but not as pertinent to the story as it should have been for the amount of attention it got, I completely loved the book.

Ana was an altogether different kind of heroine. I connected with her and the pain of years abuse and isolation. I understood her distrust of others, her self doubt. Some might see it as her being whiny and defensive, but I understood it for what it was: years of conditioning. These traits became part of her personality. Jodi really depicted the image of a young girl overcoming adversity in a way that was completely relatable.

And what to say of Sam... Well of course I fell in love with the guy. He was a prince in shining armor. So devoted to her. Soulmates.

This story was not one of blood and action scenes (although brace yourself for some...) but one of personal discoveries, revelations, mystery and growth. I rarely felt such a sense of peace after reading a book. It truly was Satin for a reader's soul. Hence it's 4.5 star rating.

I highly look forward to the following books in the series! What did you think!?