YA reviews Part 1

I haven't reviewed any books for a while, and I've been reading a few YA novels. So I decided to do a post with some of the books I've read recently.

                                                          Half human, half angel, Meridian Sozu has a dark responsibility.

Meridian has always been an outcast. It seems that wherever she goes, death and grief follow. On her sixteenth birthday, a car crashes in front of her family’s home - and though she’s untouched, Meridian’s body explodes in pain.

Before she can fully recover, Meridian is told that she’s a danger to her family and is hustled off to her great-aunt’s house in Revelation, Colorado. There she learns the secret her parents have been hiding for her entire life: Meridian is a Fenestra, the half-angel, half-human link between the living and the dead.

It’s crucial that Meridian learn how to transition human souls to the afterlife - how to help people die. Only then can she help preserve the balance between good and evil on earth. But before she can do that, Meridian must come to terms with her ability, outsmart the charismatic preacher who’s taken over Revelation, and maybe - if she can accept her sworn protector, Tens, for who he is - fall in love. Meridian and Tens face great danger from the Aternocti, a band of dark forces who capture vulnerable souls on the brink of death and cause chaos. But together, they have the power to outsmart evil.

I enjoyed Meridian, the story was a different take on the angel character. I felt for Meridian as she had grown up with dead animals coming to her all her life, and she felt like a freak. Her parents didn't seem to want to have anything to with her, and she was kind of lost and alone. The premise of the story was really interesting. After an accident happens that she witnesses, her parents throw her in a car, and send her on her way. I felt it was really abrupt, and she was scared and confused,but everything was explained eventually. I began to understand why her parents did what they did. I wasn't to fond of her parents, but their actions I guess were understandable. It made me feel for Meridian more, and just want her to be all right.She has a hot love interest, Ten, but he's more that your typical love interest too. He's part of her life for a reason. That reason is slowly revealed, and helps bring them together. Her great-aunt is also more than she appears, and is there to help Meridian become who she needs to be. I really like her great aunts character. Meridian was even named after her. For such an old lady she had spunk and a great sense of humor. The bad guy is really bad, and really creepy, and of course, is also more than he seems. He has a serious grudge against Meridians aunt, and now her, but they can't figure out why. You have an inkling as to what his character is, but you never really sure. I wasn't a fan of the ending, it's left a lot open and I'm not sure if there's going to be another book. I hope so though. All in all Meridian is a dark , romantic and haunting story.  4/5 

  The undead can really screw up your senior year . . . 

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

Jessica's Guide was a fun read. The main character Jessica, is a little bit boring, has some confidence issues, and doesn't really know what to do with the deliciously hot Lucian. She thinks he's a little crazy (vampire Prince? Come on!), but seriously hot. I don't think she really likes her attraction to him, and fights off his advances- and explanations- with fervor. She finally has the attention of Jake, the boy the farm near hers. Jake is fairly attractive himself, and she really wants to feel something for the nice mortal boy. They carry on a sort of pseudo relationship, but Lucian seems to be getting in their way. Jake, is well, nice, but thats about the extent of his character. He's not the smartest either, but he really has Jessica's best interests at heart. Her parents are a bit strange, they provide quite a bit of comic relief. Lucian is (I'll say again) hot. He's pompous, arrogant, imperious and very overprotective. Oh, did I miss, hot too? He's never been unsure about himself in his entire life, but Jessica is just not going for it. He gradually builds up her confidence, but it still doesn't seem to send her his way. She's stubborn and thinks Jake is who she wants. I really enjoyed Lucian's attempts at seduction, and even though she wouldn't say it out loud, Jessica did too. When Jessica does realize she has feelings for Lucian, the nasty cheerleader has invaded her territory and Lucian's off with her. Jessica comes to a conclusion about herself and Lucian, and begins the task of making him want her again. All this is happening while Lucian is trying to appease Vampire leaders, and stop the beginnings of a Vampire war. Then after a some terrible accusations, and Lucian's apparent demise, Jessica is a little lost and forlorn. An unexpected visitor shows up, and Jessica heads off to Romania. She has finally, but reluctantly, embraced who she is. In Romania she finds a Lucian who seems to have devolved to a much baser side of his personality. He's cruel and scary, but Jessica will do anything to save him. Even give up her life. I loved all the characters in this book, and I was constantly laughing to myself. The ending is darker, but it doesn't distract from the story, as it's pretty much evolved to that point. I can't wait to get my hands on Jekyll & Hyde!      4.5/5