The Lies That Bind and Third Lie's the Charm: A Liar Society Two-Fer!

Lies That Bind
by Lisa and Laura Roecker
The Liar Society, book two

Kate has heard of messages from beyond the grave, but she never expected to find one in a fortune cookie. Especially from her best friend, Grace—who's supposed to be dead.

At the elite Pemberly Brown Academy, nothing is as it seems. A popular girl has gone missing, and Kate owes it to Grace's memory to find out what happened. But in a school ruled by secret societies, who can she trust? Definitely not Bradley (despite his hotness) — he's one of them. Still, she may just have to get closer to him if she wants to get some answers. (Description from Amazon.com)

This series just keeps getting better.  Kate is one smart cookie and I love her sarcasm, loyalty, and determination.  I love her relationship with Seth, her next door neighbor, and I love seeing how she and Liam keep dancing around each other.  What I love best about these books, though, is the mysteries.  Every time I think I have it figured out, the Roeckers put another twist in Kate's path, throwing both her and me for a loop.  The stakes keep getting higher and let's just say that this book ends on a real doozy of a plot twist!

Third Lie's the Charm
by Lisa and Laura Roecker
The Liar Society, book three

Katie Lowry knows she could've stopped Alistair from doing something stupid if only she'd picked up the phone. Now she has to live with the guilt. She's sick of the lies, sick of the secret societies that rule life at Pemberly Brown Academy. But there's only one way to take them down: from the inside...

Following the HUGE twist of an ending in book two, Kate is out to get her final revenge...to avenge Grace's death and bring peace to Pemberly Brown once and for all. The only way to do that is from within the system she's struggling to bring down. To give up the boyfriend she loves, to fake her way to the top, and to...well go red (for rage, revenge, really who cares...red is bad@ss!).  Kate's emotions hit the wall in the third book and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing her finally get the closure she needed and deserved.  It was a journey well worth taking!

Full disclosure: Purchased for my Nook, eARC from Netgalley

I really can't recommend this series enough...they are fun, easy to read mysteries with a great main character and plots that will keep you on your toes.  Start with book one, The Liar Society, and you won't be sorry.

Spirit and Dust

Spirit and Dust
by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Goodnight Family, book two

Daisy Goodnight can speak to the dead. It’s not the result of a head injury or some near-death experience. She was just born that way. And she’s really good at it. Good enough to help the police solve the occasional homicide.

But helping the local authorities clear cold cases is one thing. Being whisked out of chemistry class by the FBI and flown to the scene of a murder/kidnapping in Minnesota? That’s the real deal.

Before the promotion can go to Daisy’s head, she’s up to her neck in trouble. The spirits are talking, and they’re terrified. There’s a real living girl in danger. And when Daisy is kidnapped by a crime boss with no scruples about using magic—and Daisy—to get what he wants, it looks like hers is the next soul on the line. (description from Amazon.com)

I love Rosemary Clement-Moore's writing.  She's both realistically sarcastic and fun. In fact, if any of you are Veronica Mars fans, the main characters in all of R C-M's books feel very similar. Daisy is a girl who uses sarcasm as a deflector when she's terrified and as someone who talks to ghosts, that happens more than she ever would have hoped. 

Her FBI work doesn't usually put her into danger, but when her latest case gets her pulled into the clutches of a mob boss unused to people saying no, Daisy finds herself kidnapped and tricked into working with an arrogant, but very compelling partner... Reading along as Daisy and Carson interact was so much FUN.  They threw quips at each other in a style almost reminiscent of Lizzie Bennett and William Darcy.  Seeing them grow closer as secrets were revealed and they learned the truth of each other, I couldn't help but cheer their relationship on.  

Fun, exciting, and suspenseful, I very much enjoyed another adventure in the Goodnight family's chronicles...I hope to visit another cousin soon!

Full disclosure: Borrowed from my Library

The Madness Underneath

The Madness Underneath

by Maureen Johnson

Shades of London, book two

 

After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Devereaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance to get back to her friends. But Rory’s brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she’s become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades—the city’s secret ghost-fighting police—are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it’s too late. (description from Amazon.com)

 



While I enjoyed this sequel to the thrilling The Name of the Star, I found that it did not hold my attention quite as thoroughly as the first. While I found Rory's story to be interesting and there were sections that I thought were phenomenally done, there were also bits where I found my attention wandering...

Perhaps it was the initial focus on Rory's "recovery" from her ordeal that left me feeling a little detached. I'm not sure.  It wasn't until she really got back into ghost hunting that the book really picked up for me...and when the kidnappings occur...and the romantic tension...and... well, you'll have to read it to see.  The last third of the book had me on the edge of my seat!

Overall, though, I really enjoyed it and I cannot wait to read the next book.  This one leaves you hanging off a very interesting cliff...

Full disclosure: eARC received from NetGalley for review

Cover Craving...The Lies That Bind

The Liar Society: Lies That Bind

by Lisa and Lauara Roecker

The Liar Society, book two

Publication date: Dec. 1, 2012

Everyone's favorite neon haired detective is at it again when one of the most popular girls at Pemberly Brown goes missing. Kate Lowry realizes soon enough that this disappearance is tied to the secret societies that rule her private school--only not in the way everyone thinks. As if it’s not hard enough to find a missing girl, Kate is forced to team up with the one person she has worked so hard to avoid--not to mention the one person with the potential to come between her and Liam. As usual, Kate has her hands full searching for the truth amidst many layers of lies. After all, things are never what they seem at Pemberly Brown. (from the authors' blog) 

I can't wait for this book...and I LOVE the new cover.  What a fabulous color combination and style.  I may even have to rock some (fake) blue hair when this is coming out!!! LOL

First Kill

First Kill

by Heather Brewer

The Slayers Chronicles, book one

Joss McMillan’s perfect life crashes down the night he witnesses his sister’s murder — at the hands of a vampire. He then finds out his family’s secret heritage: They are part of the Slayer Society, a group whose mission is to rid the world of vampires. Joss is their new recruit. As Joss trains, bent on seeking revenge for his sister, he discovers powers that could make him the youngest, strongest Slayer in history. But there is a traitor in the Society, one whose identity would shake Joss to the core . . . if the traitor doesn’t kill him first. (description from Amazon.com)

I have to admit that I have not yet read The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series. I have always wanted to check out Heather Brewer's writing style, though, since the Vlad Tod books are so popular now, and getting this book for review gave me the perfect opportunity.

I very much enjoyed the story about Joss becoming a vampire slayer.  I found the Slayer Society and their rules to be fascinating, and I hope to find out more about the larger Slayer population in book two.  Knowing that Joss' uncle, Abraham, was being so tough on him because he was hesitant to have Joss become a Slayer, made things a little easier to read when the training became brutal. 

I felt was somewhat jarring was Joss' tone, at times.  For a thirteen year old, he had some very sophisticated inner monologues.  His contemplations felt overly mature at times, but then again, he was supposed to be an avid reader and kind of nerdy, so I suppose that fit... For me, he waivered between 13 and 20 in tone, but that may not at all bother other readers.  I wonder if Vladimir Tod is the same?

I will be very curious to see if as this series continues it intersects with The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod.

Full disclosure: Audio book received to review for SLJ

The Liar Society

The Liar Society
by Lisa and Laura Roecker

Since when do the dead send emails?

Kate Lowry's best friend Grace died a year ago. So when she gets an email from her, Kate's more than a little confused.

To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)
Kate,
I'm here... sort of.
Find Cameron. He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell. They'll hurt you.

Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace's death was more than just a tragic accident. She teams up with a couple of knights-in-(not-so)-shining armor-the dangerously hot bad boy, Liam, and her lovestruck neighbor, Seth. But at their elite private school, there are secrets so big people will do anything to protect them-even if it means getting rid of anyone trying to solve a murder... (description from Amazon.com)

This was one of those books that I finished and I was happy. Just happy. It was fulfilling. I've seen a lot of people online already asking for book 2, but for me, The Liar Society ends at a spot both plot-wise and in Kate's emotional life that I am satisfied with...for me it could be a standalone.

It is a great Veronica Mars like mystery. There's danger, good friends, and snarky attitude. Everything I desired! Kate was a great heroine. Though she was still massively grieving her best friend's death and had no clue what was going on, she was fighting for justice!

My favorite passage from the book is AWESOME and epitomizes everything I loved about Kate:

p. 332 I had to laugh. Something about me running through underground tunnels with a sword was beyond funny, but I took it with me anyway. A girl could never be too careful. Besides, I was ready to start slaying my own damn dragons.

My only complaint - that Kate wasn't wearing an awesome pink wig as she ran through those tunnels with a sword!

Kate's journey is full of twists and turns and mysterious Latin puzzles (that I loved) and her biggest helpers, aside from the romantic lead that was definitely swoon-worthy, were a very hilarious redheaded sidekick who made me think of a cross between Ron Weasley and Agent Fox Mulder and a kick-@ss security guard who I think may honestly have been my favorite character in the whole book. Did I mention how much I loved how much time Kate spent hunting down clues in the Library??

Kate kept me on my toes and Lisa and Laura Roecker are hilarous-ness embodied. If you haven't checked out their blog yet, you must do so immediately! You'll find information about the book, their touring, what they're working on next...oh yeah, and their family stuff, celeb gossip, and did I mention I'm pretty sure this is where Kate got her snarky attitude??

Signing off in true PINK fashion one last time...


Full disclosure: ARC borrowed from the awesome Jen at Yabooknerd.
2011 Debut Author Challenge title

Vanished

Vanished
by Kate Brian
Private series, book twelve

When Noelle disappears in the middle of a Billings Literary Society meeting, Reed worries, but thinks it must be a prank...that is until she starts to receive anonymous texts threatening Noelle's life!

Now Reed is tasked with completing a series of assignments in order to get Noelle back. While maintaining utter secrecy, Reed ends up having to ruin her social life, her academic career, her relationship with Josh...everything in her life! She'll do it all, though, gladly to get Noelle back...but, can she really save her life?

SO good. I love this series! This was a great addition to the series. Though I had my suspicions about who was behind the kidnapping, Brian threw me for a total loop at the end. There is a major revelation about Reed and Noelle's relationship!! I was proud of Reed, even when thrown for a total loop, she stands up for herself and refuses to play anyone's game but her own. This book leads into the prequel, The Book of Spells, coming out in December. I'm dying to read that one, too, though I kind of wish that Brian had not decided to add a paranormal element to the series...I feel like it's everywhere in YA now. *sigh Hopefully, though, this one will be good!

The Lost Symbol

The Lost Symbol
by Dan Brown
Robert Langdon series, book three

As the story opens, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned unexpectedly to deliver an evening lecture in the U.S. Capitol Building. Within minutes of his arrival, however, the night takes a bizarre turn. A disturbing object--artfully encoded with five symbols--is discovered in the Capitol Building. Langdon recognizes the object as an ancient invitation . . . one meant to usher its recipient into a long-lost world of esoteric wisdom.

When Langdon’s beloved mentor, Peter Solomon--a prominent Mason and philanthropist--is brutally kidnapped, Langdon realizes his only hope of saving Peter is to accept this mystical invitation and follow wherever it leads him. Langdon is instantly plunged into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and never-before-seen locations--all of which seem to be dragging him toward a single, inconceivable truth.
(description taken from Amazon.com)

Robert Langdon returns in another intriguing, complex Masonic adventure. This particular addition to the series starts off a little slowly, but gains speed quickly. This book once again blends organized religion, secret societies, mysticism, and science.

The science introduced, noetics, is really fascinating to contemplate...and to read about on the internet. The idea that you can actually use your mind to affect the world around you is very cool - I loved the correlations to group healings, prayer circles, and ultimate creation...wow. Very interesting!

The science I think really brought this whole book together, though I also really liked the way that Brown brought people from Langdon's life in closer to the storyline. His relationship to the Soloman family made the story more complex and drew me further into caring about what happened to each character. Smart!

Overall, an entertaining and thought-provoking read.

Secret of the Sirens

Secret of the Sirens
by Julia Golding
The Companions Quartet, book one

When Connie is sent to live with her aunt, she knows it's going to be one more place where she doesn't fit in. Soon she realises how wrong she is. The seaside town is full of adults and children who have strange links to creatures. It's the heart of the secret Society for the Protection of Mythical Creatures, a group of people sworn to ensure that mythical beasts are kept safe. Normally the creatures and their chosen humans work in harmony. But something abnormal is happening here. The Sirens, who for generations have kept their deadly song to themselves, are once again luring humans to their deaths. It doesn't take long for Connie to realise that the victims are oil workers. The Sirens are fed-up with their seas being polluted, but should the Society protect the Sirens or the oil industry? Connie doesn't think she has a role to play, until it becomes clear that she's a Universal - the first person in over a century who can communicate with every type of beast on earth and in the air. Her power is immense. It corrupted the previous Universal...and now he's back. And he'll use any means he can - from violence to the terrifying Storm Giants - to turn Connie to the dark side.
(description taken from Amazon.com)

I had seen the description of this series a while ago and thought it sounded interesting, but put off reading the first book because I already read soooo many series and didn't necessarily want to pick up another one. I am glad I did, though. This is an interesting new world that Golding (the Cat Royal series) has created.

In this world the mythical creatures abound. One of my favorites was the Storm Giants (storm beings that can throw lightning, etc.), though I also loved the pegasi, dragons, dwarves, and oh gosh...there were so many cool creatures! It was really fun how the different people were able to commune with a single type of creature, but Connie, who always felt the outsider is suddenly the biggest insider of all...a Universal. One who can communicate with all of the creatures!

Though this series is based on a strong environmental message, encouraging teen readers to think about the impact of humans on the earth (here causing the mythical creatures to lose their natural habitats), the message does not overpower Connie's story. It is a delicate balance maintained well throughout the story that I hope continues in the next three books.

Scandal

Scandal: Private book 11
by Kate Brian

After her terrifying Carribean vacation, Reed can't wait to get back to campus and resume her normal life of classes, shopping trips with the Billings Girls, and late-night gossip sessions. But when she arrives at Easton, she gets the shock of a lifetime.

Billings House is gone.

The administration has razed the scandal-rocked dorm and separated the Billings Girls. Outraged, Reed takes immediate action, turning Billings into a secret literary society - with a whole new set of rules. Eleven spots are open to any girl strong enough to endure the initiation. Every girl on campus wants in, and it's up to Reed to pick the best and brightest. And only the strongest will survive...

Okay, so I am totally addicted to this series. I practically drool when the new book comes out...every time! There is just something compelling about trying to figure out exactly how much disaster Reed can survive. The girl has been drugged, almost killed multiple times, backstabbed by best friends...and she keeps coming back for more! Plus she goes through boys like they're candy.

I know, I know...not great morals to be putting out there as examples, but I just can't help but devour these and as an adult, I don't have to worry about being able to discern that what I read in a book is not always the right behaviour to emulate! This is a series to pass on to girls who like Gossip Girl (though I didn't, hated the books, but LOVE the TV series).

What I loved about this particular entry into the series was that Reed took back the "Billings" label and made it her own. She stands up for what she believes in and takes the Billings Girls back to their roots as an organization made up of smart, loyal, nice, and brave women...not just the girls on campus who are connected (like a cashmere mafia!). Unfortunately, this doens't seem to work out...

Holding my breath already for Vanished in November.