Review: Shadowlands by Kate Brian

Title: Shadowlands
Author: Kate Brian
Publisher: Hyperion
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Contemporary, Mystery
Release date: January 8th, 2013
Pages: 336 (ARC)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Publisher
Goodreads | Amazon | Author

Rory Miller had one chance to fight back and she took it. Rory survived… and the serial killer who attacked her escaped. Now that the infamous Steven Nell is on the loose, Rory must enter the witness protection with her father and sister, Darcy, leaving their friends and family without so much as a goodbye. 

Starting over in a new town with only each other is unimaginable for Rory and Darcy. They were inseparable as children, but now they can barely stand each other. As the sisters settle in to Juniper Landing, a picturesque vacation island, it seems like their new home may be just the fresh start they need. They fall in with a group of beautiful, carefree teens and spend their days surfing, partying on the beach, and hiking into endless sunsets. But just as they’re starting to feel safe again, one of their new friends goes missing. Is it a coincidence? Or is the nightmare beginning all over again?

When Rory escapes a dangerous situation, she finds out that the man who attacked her has never failed to kill anyone before.  Her family is forced to move to a new destination, at least until Steven Nell is caught, and the worst thing is that Rory will never know if he's just around the corner or not.  Shadowlands is filled with heart-pounding suspense that will keep you on your toes the entire way through.

The author definitely knows how to create a story that will leave you turning the pages for more.  The writing kept you hanging on and the situation that the characters were put in was so interesting, you couldn't help but want to read the book in one sitting.  When Rory moves to her new home, she can't help but notice that a few things are off.  She can't connect to the internet, there's no cellphone signal, and no one seems to have heard of Steven Nell on this island, even though everyone's eyes seem to be on her.  It's a fresh new start, at least until the disappearances begin.

Nothing in this story is predictable in the least.  I'd make predictions depending on what happened, but every time I couldn't be more wrong.  If you enjoy stories that will keep you guessing until the very last page (literally), this is the book for you.  The best part about all of the twists and turns is that everything became clear by the end.  Nothing was left unexplained, and that is why Shadowlands is at the top of my favorite mysteries list.

The characters are realistic, suspicious and absolutely perfect for this story.  It's been a few days since completing the book and I still can't stop thinking about the surprises that the author revealed along the way. Shadowlands will give you chills and leave you speechless.  It's the perfect start to a series, and I can't wait to find out what Kate Brian will come up with next!

In My Mailbox #62

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren

I only got one book in the mail this week, so my boyfriend was sweet enough to take me to the book store to pick out a few more because he knows how happy they make me!

Review
-Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillains) by Laurie Boyle Crompton  

(ARC from Sourcebooks Fire)

Gifted
-Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

-The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge

-Goliath by Scott Westerfeld

(Finished copies from my boyfriend)

I chose The Iron Thorn because I won the second book near the end of last year and I've been eager to get started on the series.  Then Amy & Roger jumped out at me because I REALLY enjoyed Morgan Matson's latest release, Second Chance Summer.  Goliath is technically my boyfriend's book, but since Leviathan and Behemoth both live on my bookshelf, I'm claiming it at my own.  :P

Netgalley
-The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher

I also got this from Netgalley!  Sounds like a pretty good contemporary to me!

Thanks for stopping by!  What have you received in your mailbox?

While you're here, enter my 1,000 follower giveaway to win a huge box of books or two 2013 pre-orders!  My New Year giveaway ends soon, so if you want to win 4 awesome YA ARCs, hurry and enter!

Review: The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

Title: The Dead and Buried
Author: Kim Harrington
Publisher: Scholastic Point
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Paranormal, Mystery
Release date: January 1st, 2013
Pages: 304 (ARC)
Rating: 4 out of 5
Source: Publisher
Goodreads | Amazon | Author

Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't. 

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?

When Jade hears the rumors at her new school, she can only hope that they aren't true.  Did the most popular girl really die in her new home, and if so, is her spirit still there?  Unnatural events occur, confirming that they're not alone in the house, and Jade will do anything to keep her little brother safe.  Teaming up with the dead girl's boyfriend, she decides to get to the bottom of it.

I always enjoy a good murder mystery, especially one involving ghosts.  When I first read the description, I knew I had to get my hands on this book.  Poor Jade just wants to live a normal life.  It's hard enough to be the new girl, especially near the end of her high school career, but the shocking news of a young girl's death will just be the cherry on top.  At first she's eager to get out, but when she confides in her family, she realizes that the truth sounds insane and there are very few people she can trust with it.  So she's on her own for now, and because of that, I definitely feel sorry for her.

This book isn't only a murder mystery.  There's romance thrown in too, which was expected, but still enjoyable.  The mixture between that and the horror makes this book worthwhile.  The characters are all believable, especially Jade and the love interest, Donovan.  They seemed to be the most true to themselves, which is probably why they were my favorites.  I love when characters are passionate about something, and Jade shares her knowledge of gemstones throughout the entire story.  Donovan was just a sweetheart.  What else can you ask for?

Overall, the story was a fun and easy read.  The author showed you each side of her characters, and while the mystery wasn't that difficult to solve about half way through, I kept reading for the twists and turns.  I wanted to help Jade solve the mystery, in order to finally put Kayla to rest.  The Dead and Buried is a book you should pick up if you're looking for a quick read involving ghosts, mystery, a bit of horror and a lot of love.

Most anticipated of 2013

Now that it's January, I've decided to share some of the books I've been aching to read for weeks, months and even over a year!  I might forget a few, since there are so many, but here are my most anticipated books of 2013!

Sequels/End of a series:

Start of a series/Standalones:

Of course, these aren't ALL the releases I'm excited for.  My wishlist will be piling up throughout the year.

Waiting on Wednesday #63

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by, Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on! 

Title: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Author: April Genevieve Tucholke

Release Date: August 20th, 2013

Publisher: Dial

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

All I have to say is that everything about this book sounds AMAZING!

What awesome title are you waiting for this Wednesday? 

While you're here, enter my 1,000 follower giveaway to win a huge box of books or two 2013 pre-orders and enter my New Year giveaway to win 4 ARCs!