Library of the dead by Glenn Cooper - interesting plot!

 My rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (7/10 Skulls) 

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  Original Title: Library of the dead (Will Piper #1)

Norwegian Title: De dødes bibliotek

Written by: Glenn Cooper

Genre: Thriller, Conspiration

Written for: Adult

Pages: 462

Publisher: Arrow Books

Published: 2009

Published in Norway: 2009

My copy: 2009 (Hardcover)

Norwegian Publisher: Schibsted

I read it: April 11 - June 27, 2012

     Source: Bought

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(Goodreads)

The most shocking secret in the history of mankind is about to be revealed...A murderer is on the loose on the streets of New York City: nicknamed the Doomsday Killer, he's claimed six victims in just two weeks, and the city is terrified. Even worse, the police are mystified: the victims have nothing in common, defying all profiling, and all that connects them is that each received a sick postcard in the mail before they died - a postcard that announced their date of death. In desperation, the FBI assigns the case to maverick agent Will Piper, once the most accomplished serial killing expert in the bureau's history, now on a dissolute spiral to retirement. Battling his own demons, Will is soon drawn back into a world he both loves and hates, determined to catch the killer whatever it takes. But his search takes him in a direction he could never have predicted, uncovering a shocking secret that has been closely guarded for centuries. A secret that once lay buried in an underground library beneath an 8th Century monastery, but which has now been unearthed - with deadly consequences. A select few defend the secret of the library with their lives - and as Will closes in on the truth, they are determined to stop him, at any cost...

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My Review

I had been curious about this book in a long time and finally got to read it. I didn't knew much about it, what it was really about but some books has covers and titles that I just have to get the book only because of those two reasons. Sometimes a great cover and a good title is enough for me to buy a book.

Library of the dead is about some people in New York who recieve kind of a weird or maybe I should call it a grotesque postcard from a stranger. On their postcards there's written a date when they are going to die. Is it just a bad joke or is it for real?

I didn't know what to expect of this book before I started reading it. The book made me think of The Da Vinci - Code. After all the talk about that book and reading it I was kind of tired of books that was about conspiration and stuff like that. Thought they were all the same and needed to take a break. But after taking a break from that genre I was beginning to miss reading about it and after reading the synopsis of Library of the dead I really wanted to read it.

Library of the dead was really exciting and entertaining almost all the way through and sometimes hard to put down. Why I spent so long time before I finished it is because I mostly read it on the bus and at work during lunch. Sometimes I skipped lunch at work just to be alone and read a few pages.

If  you like murder mysteries, old secrets and pasts meeting modern times than Library of the dead  is a must read for you!

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The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan - finally a book with "real" vampires!

My rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (8/10 Skulls) 

  

Original Title: The Strain (The Strain Triology #1)

Norwegian Title: Trusselen

Written by: Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Genre: Thriller

Written for: Adult

Pages: 423

Publisher: William Morrow & Company

Published: 2009

Published in Norway: 2009

My copy: 2009 (Hardcover)

Norwegian Publisher: Versal Forlag

I read it: May 02 - May 28, 2012

     Source: Bought

(Goodreads)

A Boeing 777 arrives at JFK and is on its way across the tarmac, when it suddenly stops dead. All window shades are pulled down. All lights are out. All communication channels have gone quiet. Crews on the ground are lost for answers, but an alert goes out to the CDC. Dr. Ephraim "Eph" Goodweather, head of their Canary project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats, gets the call and boards the plane. What he finds makes his blood run cold.

In a pawnshop in Spanish Harlem, a former professor and survivor of the Holocaust named Abraham Setrakian knows something is happening. And he knows the time has come, that a war is brewing.

So begins a battle of mammoth proportions as the vampiric virus that has infected New York begins to spill out into the streets. Eph, who is joined by Setrakian and a motley crew of fighters, must now find a way to stop the contagion and save his city - a city that includes his wife and son - before it is too late.

My Review

Vampires doesn't excist ... or do they?

Something is horrible wrong when a plane lands on JFK Airport. Of course it's nothing reall special about it since planes lands there all day and night. But what's wrong with this plane is because it's completely quiet. Nobody seems to be inside. It's quiet as death and surrounded by darkness. Something terrible has happened but what?

Lately I've been a bit tired of vampirers in books and movies. The reason is Twilight. Because of Twilight, vampires has now become love sick stalkers. And they sparkle in the sun. It's stupid! I want vampires to be dangerous and violent. Like they used to be in the good old days!

After all the vampire hysteria lately about Twilight etc I needed a break from everything that had to do with vampires. And it did me good 'cause eventually I started to miss them again. And when I got to know about this book, The Strain, I just had to check it out. Especially since del Toro is one of the writers. I discovered his name the first time I saw Pan's Labyrinth which is one of my fave movies. 

This is finally a book about revengefull, blood thursty and dangerous vampires and that makes my heart melt. Reading this book reminded me a little about the tv-series X - files (My all time fave Tv-series!) It had kind of the same atmosphere, if you know what I mean and that made me happy. The book was pretty dark which I loved!

This is the first book in the The Strain - triology and of course I will get the next one as well! And the book made me like vampires again! Yay!

Booktrailer

Before I go to sleep by SJ Watson - one of the best books I've read this year!

My rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (10/10 Skulls) 

  

Original Title: Before I go to sleep 

Norwegian Title: Før jeg sovner

Written by: SJ Watson

Genre: Thriller

Written for: Adult

Pages: 379

Publisher:  Black Swan

Published: 2011

Published in Norway: 2012

My copy: 2011 (Paperback)

Norwegian Publisher: Bazar Forlag

I read it: April 04 - June 03, 2012

     Source: Bought

(Goodreads)

Christine wakes up every morning in an unfamiliar bed with an unfamiliar man. She looks in the mirror and sees an unfamiliar, middle- aged face. And every morning, the man she has woken up with must explain that he is Ben, he is her husband, she is forty-seven years old, and a terrible accident two decades earlier decimated her ability to form new memories.

But it’s the phone call from a Dr. Nash, a neurologist who claims to be working with Christine without her husband’s knowledge, that directs her to her journal, hidden in the back of her closet. For the past few weeks, Christine has been recording her daily activities—tearful mornings with Ben, sessions with Dr. Nash, flashes of scenes from her former life—and rereading past entries, relearning the facts of her life as retold by the husband she is completely dependent upon. As the entries build up, Christine asks many questions. What was life like before the accident? Why did she and Ben never have a child? What has happened to Christine’s best friend? And what exactly was the horrific accident that caused such a profound loss of memory?

Every day, Christine must begin again the reconstruction of her past. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more un- believable it seems.

My Review

Do you really know who you are and the people around you?

First of all .... I don't know where to start but I'll try my best to tell a little about the story without overdramatazing it. Christine Lucas memory is totally gone after an accident. But her loss of memory is kind of rare and weird. Every time she goes to sleep, the next day she can't remember who she is and her husband, Ben, must tell her who he is, who she is, where she is and how they spend their lives together. Try to imagine living like that every day. I would've gone completely mad!

I first got to know about this book Before I got to sleep through Goodreads and I got very curious. It had gotten many great and positive reviews so I just had to read it myself. The plot itself sounded kind of special too. I love psychological thrillers! We get to know Christine well and her frustration.

I had never heard of SJ Watson before and I was certain it was a female writer until I saw him in an interview on youtube.Why I Watson was a female writer is because he describes Christine, her feminin thoughts, feelings and everything pretty darn well! So I was pretty certain this was written by a female.

Like I have already mentioned, the plot is kind of special but not completely original but it didn't matter at all 'cause Watson is a great writer and all the time I just had to find out what was going to happen next! Even though I had a feeling how this was going to end it didn't matter 'cause this book is a page turner! It's hard to imagine how it would be like to forget who you are every day when you wake up and try to figure out who to trust. I wouldn't stand it to be honest.

Before I go to sleep is a book that makes you think and gives you many thrills. It's a very exciting read and I hope I will get the chance to read similar books like this one in the future! I will definitely read more books by SJ Watson! 

Booktrailer 

Night School by C.J. Daugherty - exciting and brings something new to the ya-genre!

                           
            My rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (9/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Night School

Norwegian Title: -

Written by: C.J Daugherty

Genre: Conspiracy

Written for: Young Adult

Pages: 454
Publisher: Atom

Published: 2012

Published in Norway: -

My copy: 2012 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: - 
I read it: February 27 - March 10, 2012
Source: Gift (Thank you Mari for sending it to me!)

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You can't trust anyone...


After a messy year, the teenage girl Allie is sent to a school she's never heard about. It's the punishment after being arrested three times in a year. She has disapointed her parents too many times. She and her parents has slipped away from each other since her brother suddenly disapeared and her parents is tired of her childish behavior. They only want to do what's best for her and get her back on track. That's why Allie is sent off to a school outside of London. They want her away from bad friends and give her some space to think about her life and the future. Get new friends and do it a lot better at school. But only after a few weeks she feels there's something odd about the school. Strange things happends and her fellow students and teachers is hiding something from her. But what and how will she find out about it without getting into more trouble?

I first heard about the book from a Norwegian book blog and I really wanted to read the book. It sounded very exciting! And since I was having a cold at that time, Mari who owns that blog was nice to send me a copy.  (Thank you so much!) And I couldn't wait to read it.

I had high hopes for this book and luckily I was very pleased about it when I got into the story. And I got into it really fast. I loved the mystery, I loved Allie and her new friends. I wanted to know more about the mysterious school. Many times it felt like I was there with them, trying to solve everything and hoping I wouldn't get caught. I was struggling to put down the book!

It wasn't only the excitement that made me fall in love with the story but without saying too much, Night School gives the typical ya-genre something new. And I truly appreciate it. It's something refreshing about this book. The concept is a bit different and I like it! I'm not sure if Night School is a part of a series or not. I couldn't find out. It doesn't say anything about it on goodreads. I do like stand alone books but this time I would really love a follow up! I want to know more! I'm not ready to leave the concept or the characters yet. Finally a ya book with fresh air!

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Book Trailer
 

Anna dressed in blood by Kendare Blake - awesome title and cover but I was expecting more!

       My rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (5/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Anna dressed in blood

Norwegian Title: -

Written by: Kendare Blake

Genre: Paranormal, Horror

Written for: Young Adult

Pages: 316
Publisher: Don't remember

Published: 2011

Published in Norway: No Norwegian edition

My copy: 2011 (Hardcover)
Norwegian Publisher: - 
I read it: November 30. - December 31, 2011
Source: Gift (Thanks Penelope for sending it to me!:)

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 Not all horrorbooks are frightening...

Cas is no ordinary guy. Still he is trying to live a normal life like everyone else even though he is carrying a big secret. He is a ghost killer (or whatever I should call him... His call in life is to kill violent ghosts. But that's easier said than done.


His biggest assignment yet is Anna. He and his mother moves to a new place. The town is known for the urban legend called Anna. About a girl who got murdered in a brutal way several years ago. According to the urban legend she is attached to an empty house and kills everyone who enters it. Cas wants to find a way to get rid of her - but how?

I was lucky to get this book in the mail by Penelope who I got in contact with on twitter. Thank you so much for the gift! It was very nice of you. I really wanted to read this book 'cause I'm a huge horrorfan. I love urban legends and ghost stories. That's why I really, really wanted to read it. And I had heard many promising stuff about this book and I got really high hopes before I started reading it. I was hoping it would give me a lot of scary moments. And the title and cover really made me curious as well!

But unfortunately the book didn't really get to me. I've read a lot of good young adult books lately. And with the thought of this was a horror book I was expecting a lot more. The attention and the scary stuff wasn't really there At least not all through the way. Which was to me a little dissapointing. Of course it had a few good and scary moments but it just didn't captivate me.

What I really liked about this book is that the main character was a guy instead of a girl. It was refreshing. And I really liked the ghost, Anna. She was kind of creepy and I sort of liked some of the atmosphere in the book. But still there was a lot of things I missed. I missed a lot more action and the intense creepy feelings. But all in all it was an okay book to read in boring moments - but I'm afraid it's a book that's easy to forget.

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Booktrailer

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The Broken Shore by Peter Temple - a slow paced crime novel

My rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (3/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: The Broken Shore

Norwegian Title: Mørk Kyst

Written by: Peter Temple

Genre: A crime novel

Written for: Adult

Pages: 395
Publisher: Picador

Published: 2005

Published in Norway: 2010

My copy: 2011 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Forlaget Press
I read it: September 29 - October 28, 2011
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year Challenge

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(Goodreads)

Winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Crime Fiction (Australia)

Joe Cashin was different once. He moved easily then. He was surer and less thoughtful. But there are consequences when you’ve come so close to dying. For Cashin, they included a posting away from the world of Homicide to the quiet place on the coast where he grew up. Now all he has to do is play the country cop and walk the dogs. And sometimes think about how he was before.

Then prominent local Charles Bourgoyne is beaten and left for dead. Everything seems to point to three boys from the nearby Aboriginal community; everyone seems to want it to. But Cashin is unconvinced. And as tragedy unfolds relentlessly into tragedy, he finds himself holding onto something that might be better let go.

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Every place got dark secrets ...

Joe Cashin is an ordinary cop from a small place in Australia. After a hard life he returns to his home place where he lived as a young boy. He lives with two dogs and likes to listen to classical music. But his life gets really busy when a man named Charles Bourgoyne is found killed. He has been beaten to death and three boys from another culture gets the blame. But are they really guilty? Something makes Cashin think they don't have the guilty ones ... yet. But who killed Bourgoyne and why? Soon Cashin finds out about a dark, secretly  past about his home place...

I had high hopes and I really mean HIGH hopes for The broken shore 'cause this book has gotten a lot of good reviews. Finally a crime novel that will capture me I thought but I was wrong. I have never read anything by Peter Temple before and I like to try books by authors I haven't read anything by or heard of. I like to explore different type of books. But this book was truly not for me even though I'm a big fan of crime novels. The book was very slow pace and it felt like "nothing ever happened". Some parts were exciting though but easily forgotten. I just never got into the book no matter how much I tried. I felt like forcing through the book instead of reading it (if you know what I mean...).

The broken shore was a boring and dry read. I'm not picky when it comes to crime novels but it felt like this book was not for me even though it has gotten a lot of good words. It was somehow worth a read but I just didn't get impressed. It was just an okay read. No more than that. Sorry!

Angel Face by Narinder Dhami - sad and warm read about the different challenges in life

      My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (8/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Angel Face

Norwegian Title: Englevakt

Written by: Narinder Dhami

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Written for: YA

Pages: 132
Publisher: Lions

Published: 1995

Published in Norway: -

My copy: 1995 (Hardcover)
Norwegian Publisher: Hjemmets Bokforlag
I read it: September 30 - October 1, 2011
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year Challenge & Summer Romance Reading Challenge

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 (Goodreads)

I couldn't find this book on goodreads. So weird ... I thought they had ALL books in there;) But I will try to explain this book with own words.

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Asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of ...

Aidan is no ordinary teenager. For some reason he is dead and has gone to heaven where nothing happens. That's why he gets really happy when he finally hears he can come back to Earth on his first mission - to help this girl who is caught up in problems. It gets better when he finds out that she is at the same age as him 'cause he is crazy about girls and the girls are crazy about him - or it's least that's what he thinks...

But Aidan turns very disappointed when he sees the girl the first time. He is sent to England where she lives (Aidan lived in US. when he was alive). Aidan is hot, has a lot of charm and really cool. But Catherine, the girl he has promised Heaven to help, is ugly, always sad and useless. She is working every day after school 'cause her mom is sitting in a wheelchair and is mostly at home and feeling sorry for her self. The people from Heaven feels sorry for Chatherine since she has so much to do for her young age. There are always things to worry about. That's why they have sent Aidan back to Earth for only a little while. No matter that he is sent to England and not back to America, he is glad to be back on Earth...to be alive...even though he knows it's just for a little while. But will he get through this mission without messing everything up?

This is a cozy and at parts a bit sad book. It brings a subject about how we all can try to pretend how it would like to be in someone else's shoes. It doesn't hurt to put things in different perspectives. 'Cause this book is about a guy who is extremely popular, selfish, cool and handsome and he gets this mission to help a girl he never has met before  - who is not that pretty, happy or popular. But during this book he tries to do his best to help her and during the book he even discover new sides of himself.

Angel Face is a book that makes you think, smile and entertain even though Aidan and Catherine has their own problems. The book gives us hints about to be less selfish and be more understanding about the people among us. And even though this book is not a favorite, I will definitely think about it from time to time 'cause it has something important to say.

Abby, My Love by Hadley Irwin - a book about a hurtful and difficult subject

 
 My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (9/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Abby, My Love

Norwegian Title: Abby, min elskede

Written by: Hadley Irwin

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Written for: YA

Pages: 157
Publisher: Margaret K Mcelderry Books

Published: 1985

Published in Norway: 1990

My copy: 1996 (Hardcover)
Norwegian Publisher: Aschehoug

I read it: September 29
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year Challenge & Summer Romance Reading Challenge

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(Goodreads)

In love since junior high, Chip and Abby finally share Abby's secret: her father is sexually abusing her.

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A book everyone should read.

Chip is a young guy who lives with his mom and he has crush on Abby who goes at the same school as him. To get to know Abby isn't the easiest thing in the world. She is smart but very modest. He only gets contact with her through her very outgoing little sister. But after a while Chip finally gets to know Abby a bit and they hang out time to time. They understand each other and join each other's company. But Abby is having a terrible dark secret. And how is her best friend Chip gonna handle it if he finds out about it?

I had completely forgotten about the book when I this summer went through the books that I have had since I was kid and in my youth. I have a room where I save all kinds of stuff, mostly books that I have been saving all my life. (I don't have the heart to throw them away). I was a member in many different book clubs over the years. That's one of the reasons I have a lot of books. And when I was cleaning those shelves I discovered this book and wanted to read it. I also discovered other books that I never had the chance to read but that I am gonna read now. So, I'm glad I went through the collection.

This is a young adult book that brings up a serious and sad subject. Unfortunately there are kids out there who is abused by someone they know really well. What they go through is something I don't want to know about. That's why it's important to write about subjects like this to wake us up and let us know that there is actually terrible things happening in this world. Gruesome stuff happens and what is worse than gruesome stuff happening in your own home where it's suppose to be safe? Can anyone let someone close again after going through such an awful thing? Who can you trust? It's just some of a lot of questions as a reader asks while reading such a book. And I got even more grateful for having a safe and good childhood myself. 'Cause everyone doesn't get the ability to have that.

Abby, My Love is an important and hurtful book that gives a lot of impression. The book is warm and sad. And it gives a different perspective about how important safety really is.

Highlights: The book brings up a subject that no one wants to talk about.

Downhill: I wish the book was thicker 'cause I liked Chip and Abby a lot.

It had to be you by Stephanie Doyon - fun and charming "feel-good" read

 

  My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (6/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: It had to be you

Norwegian Title: Den eneste rette

Written by: Stephanie Doyon

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Written for: YA

Pages: 151
Publisher: Bantam Books for Young Readers

Published: June 1, 1996

Published in Norway: Not sure when it was published here for the first time

My copy: 1999 (Hardcover)
Norwegian Publisher: Stabenfeldt AS

I read it: September 28 - September 29, 2011
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year Challenge & Summer Romance Reading Challenge

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(Goodreads)

Rebecca Lowe's in love. The only problem is, she's never even met the guy--or has she? After weeks of exchanging love letters by computer, Rebecca's finally going to have a face-to-face date with her cybercrush at the homecoming dance. But when she sees Jordan West--a boy that bugs Rebecca like none other--she doesn't know what to do.

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Can you believe in real love?

Rebecca is a leader of a school band. She dreams about playing at cool places with her band to promote them and get noticed. But how are they gonna do it? Even though her best friend, Leslie, isn't a member of the band they hang out almost all the time. They are both curious about the Internet and mail thing 'cause this book takes place when that stuff was kind of new. They only have access to Internet at school but they finally get to use the Internet for real when Leslie's mom gets a computer with Internet access. Now they can chat and stuff with people from all over the world.

But before using the computer that belongs to Leslie's mom. Rebecca and Leslie has been playing with the Internet at school. There they have posted anonymous stuff that only people at their school can see. For fun, they both have anonymously been posting each others "seeking for love" notes. Will anyone answer them back with mail and if they do, who would that be?

Rebecca receives a mail from Carlos sometime later. Who is he and is he only playing a game with her? Or is he interested in her for real and why?

After writing mail to each other they talk about meeting at the prom to reveal each other. Somehow Rebecca is pretty sure that it's the new student from Spain, Antonio, who hides behind the name, Carlos, but can she be really sure? She has to wait and find it out at the prom.

This book has been standing on my shelf in many years. I got it through a book club I was joining when I was younger but I never read it 'cause I didn't like these sorts of books when I was younger. I was more of a horror and crime novel fan (which I still am). But lately through the years I've been better with trying to read from different genres.

I'm not a fan of "feel-good" books but it's okay to read them sometimes. This was actually a fun and warm read. I loved almost all the characters and I loved Rebecca's sarcastic humour. Her best friend, Leslie is warm and a bit too naive. Jordan is charming. I like the dialog between him and Rebecca. Esp when they are disagree with each other when it comes to the band. More person's are worth to mention but then I will never get done so I chose not to mention them.

It had to be you had many highlights. I got to know the characters a lot and I liked the way they developed. The story is fun and exciting. And there were many lines that made me smile and giggle. It was an easy and nice read. A cozy book. And it was fun and interesting to read a book that took place when Internet,mail and chatting was very new. A lot has changed since then.

The only thing that makes me wonder is the Norwegian cover. It doesn't feel right for the story. First of all the main characters in the book doesn't look like that and that since it doesn't have anything to do with the book at all. The image is too corny and doesn't say anything about the book at all. I can spoil by saying that scene isn't even in the story.

Highlights: Sarcastic lines between Rebecca and Jordan.

Downhill: The cover. It's embarrassing and like I said, it doesn't have anything to do with the book at all.

Evermore by Alyson Noël - fantasy/paranormal for newbies

My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (2/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Evermore (The Immortals #1)

Norwegian Title: Ever - for alltid! (De udødelige #1)

Written by: Alyson Noël

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Written for: YA

Pages: 373
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Published: February 3, 2007

Published in Norway: 2010

My copy: 2009 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Kagge Forlag

I read it: September 25 - September 27, 2011
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year Challenge

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Back of the Book

Sixteen –year-old Ever Bloom is the sole survivor of a car accident that killed her family Exiled to sunny California. Ever is haunted by her little sister and by the ability to see people’s auras, hear their thoughts and know their entire life story by touching them. She wants to hide from the world, but when a stunningly handsome new guy arrives at school, she can’t seem to keep away. Falling in love with Damen is dangerous – he’s not what he seems.

But if Damen is her destiny, how can Ever walk away?

 

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Is it possible to get unique powers after horrible accidents?

Ever is the only survivor of a serious car accident. The rest of her family never gets out of the car alive. After the accident she notice new sides of her self. She has abilities she never had before. She can read minds, see auras and get the whole life story of a person by touching him/her. Why did she get these abilities? And her life also changes when she meets Damen. Who is he and why does she feel attached to him?

This book/series is loved and hated by fans of this genre. I've read many mixed reviews. It's always interesting to find out how people experience a book 'cause it ends up so differently. Even though I was kind of sceptical to read this book I admit that I love to explore books,authors and genres. Find out what I like and don't. It doesn't hurt to try new things when it comes to reading.

My thoughts about this book is a little let down. The letters are very big and the writing style is easy to read, even a little childish. At least it was for me. The story is pretty typical: Parents/family dies in a horrible accident. The survivor gets ability he/she never had before. This mysterious guy starts at school and the main character falls in love with him/her. You know what I mean? I've read this kind of book many times before and I've read better books with the same plot as well.

Evermore is too thin when it comes to both story and characters. The story itself wasn't very fascinating either. It got too regular and it didn't offer any new to the genre. And after reading the book I didn't feel a thing. It didn't give me anything. The excitement was gone and I didn't really cared about the characters and while I was reading I was looking forward to read another book. Which is a bad sign. It was all in all boring. I probably won't continue reading this series. I think younger readers will like it better and newbies to this genre.

Highlights: Pretty cover and it seemed to be an interesting read.

Downhill: Even though I was sceptical, I did have high hopes but since the book responded to my hopes, it was a big let down.

Fallen by Lauren Kate - I've read better books from the same genre

 My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (3/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Fallen (Fallen #1)

Norwegian Title: There is no Norwegian Edition

Written by: Lauren Kate

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Written for: YA

Pages: 452
Publisher: Doubleday

Published: December 8, 2009

Published in Norway: -

My copy: December 17, 2009 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: -

I read it: September 23 - September 25, 2011
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year Challenge

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 Back of the Book

SOME ANGELS ARE DESTINED TO FALL.

Instant. Intense. Weirdly familiar …

The moment Luce looks at Daniel

she knows she has never felt like this before.

Except she can’t shake the feeling that

she has … and with him – a boy she doesn’t

remember ever setting eyes on.

Will her attempt to find out why

enlighten her – or destroy her?

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic,

FALLEN is a thrilling story about forbidden love.

‘Dark and romantic, an absolute

blinder of a book’ Sun

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What are the dark shadows?

Ever since Luce was a little girl, she has been seeing shadows no one else could see. She constantly described these shadows (that sometimes made sounds) to her parents, who couldn't see or hear them, so they got worried about their daughter. They've taken her to eye doctor, ear doctor and even to a psychologist. 

As she grows older her parents sends her to a school where she lives with 80 students. She doesn't get to use her cell phone. She has to hand it in. To call she must use a phone at school only once a week. The school is in the middle of nowhere, so,  Luce is not sure if she ever will feel at home there. But as she tries to get used to it, away from her parents without a cell phone nearby she tries to get used to it by fit in at the new school and do what she is told to do, she discovers Daniel. For some reason she feels like she already knows him.

This book is pretty fat and fat books doesn't scare me and it has a lovely and mysterious cover. Even though I have read and heard mixed reviews about Fallen, I just had to read it to check it out myself. I was really looking forward to read it 'cause it seemed interesting, but as I was reading I felt like the story was just dragging on. I was struggling to get into it and I know this is the first book in a series but still a first book has to be catchy and interesting. It got a bit entertaining eventually but Luce was so annoying! We know that she is going through a hard time and trying to fit in at a new place and all that but still I think she was way too whiny. And to be honest I didn't care much about the other characters either. I just couldn't care about what happened to them.

I really wanted to like this book 'cause the cover and the synopsis made me really curious and I was like I said earlier, really looking forward to read it. But ... even though I did like some parts of the book, I felt like I couldn't get into the story or I didn't care much about it. And I think maybe reading about love triangles  isn't something for me. It wasn't realistic or exciting. It was like eating a boring soup. I like both urban fantasy and paranormal romance but love triangle stories I'm afraid I'm not a big fan of. I don't know why. Too complicated to explain, I guess.

To me Fallen was a big disappointment. Like I said, I really wanted to like it and I do like it a little bit but I didn't really get into it. A fat book like that should have more excitement but instead the pages were filled with a lot of waiting and frustration. So, Fallen wasn't a big happening to me. I probably will read the next book, Torment but I won't decide it now. I just didn't get overwhelmed. Sorry.

Highlights: Beautiful cover and some parts in the book was thrilling.

Downhill: Luce was too whiny and I think I was expecting more from the story. I just don't know what.

You're next by Gregg Hurwitz - superexciting! If you are fan of books by Harlan Coben, you'll love this one!

My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (9/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: You're next

Norwegian Title:There is no Norwegian Edition

Written by: Gregg Hurwitz

Genre: Thriller

Written for: Adult

Pages: 437
Publisher: Sphere

Published: Jaunary 6, 2011

Published in Norway: -

My copy: 2011 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: -

I read it: September 18 - September 24, 2011
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year Challenge

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Back of the Book

‘Outstanding in every way’

LEE CHILD

‘Uniquely believable and sympathetic’

JAMES PATTERSON

‘Thriller writing at its best’

TESS GERRITSEN

Every family has its secrets. His might get them killed.

‘I know you, don’t I?’ Five words – that’s all it takes to plunge Mike Wingate and his family into mortal danger. Mike doesn’t recognize the crippled stranger who approaches him at a party … but the stranger seems to know all about him.

What has Mike done? Do they have the wrong man? Overnight, the threats become attacks, and Mike, his wife and their young daughter learn they aren’t safe anywhere – especially not in their own home. But there’s no time for Mike to figure it out, because his enemies have killed before – and he’s next.

Gripping from its first lines to its extraordinary twist ending, YOU’RE NEXT is a heart-pounding thriller to rival the very best of Linwood Barclay and Harlan Coben.

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What would you do to protect your family?

Mike Wingate is a happy man who has a fantastic wife and a fantastic daughter. He is proud of who he has become despite his sad childhood. As a boy he got abandoned at a playground in an unfamiliar place. His father left him there without knowing why. But he do knows and remembers that his dad acted weird that day and if he remembers correctly, his dad also got a red spot on his shirt.

But despite that sad and not understanding why his dad left him, Mike has become a strong and loving guy, which his wife and daughter can confirm. But at a party to honour Mike through his job , a guy stumble across him and claims to recognize Mike. Mike is pretty sure that the man is mistaking him for someone else. He has never seen that man before. And he understands that the guy is having spooky plans for him for some reason with some other guys. They want Mike but why? And what does Mike have to do to protect his family? And how is he gonna protect himself and his family from that guys without knowing who they are and what they want?

I had never heard about Gregg Hurwitz before. It was just a coincidence that I came across his book. The synopsis sounded really cool and exciting and the cover wanted me to go into that house and see what would happen. I wanted to know more about the book so I just had to get it. The title also made me very curious. You're next ... the title gives me shivers and makes me think that's bad news. So, I couldn't resist and I'm glad I got the book. I wanted to know what would happen with Mike and his family.

You're next is a thrilling and exciting book that keeps you awake night after night as you are reading it. There were nights I was going to read just a few pages but the pages just kept flying by. I didn't get a lot of sleep the nights I was reading this book 'cause I had hard times putting it down. You’re next is a thrilling an exciting book. So like I said, I didn't get much sleep the nights I was reading it but that's ok. I rarely sleep before 3-4 am anyway. Probably not a good idea to read before sleeping 'cause I'm addicted to reading, especially just before going to sleep. It's a weird "habit". But what's great about books is that we can read them whenever we want to. And I always read before sleeping 'cause then I don't get distracted by my TV and PC.I get to read more at night than during the day. But enough about that.

This is a wild and crazy thriller with exploding characters and concept. I pretty much liked everyone but not a fan of the daughter Kat. I think she was acting a bit older than her real age and she really annoyed me somehow. But I did like Shep a lot. A friend of Mike who is trying to help him to get out of the mess. I liked their friendship. They've been friends in many years and they are good friends even though it takes years before they see each other again. It's moving how they support each other.

You're next is definitely a book for you if you like books by Harlan Coben and fast paced thrillers.

Hightlights: Fast paced, fun thriller that keeps your attention all the way!

Downhill: Didn't like Kat much. Annoying and a bit whiny. I don't know why but I just couldn't like her.

Die for me by Amy Plum - refreshing!

My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (8/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Die for me (Revenants #1)

Norwegian Title: Våk over meg

Written by: Amy Plum

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Written for: YA

Pages: 344
Publisher: Atom

Published: May 10, 2011

Published in Norway: September 23, 2011 (I think...)

My copy: 2011 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Cappelen Damm

I read it: Septemer 18 - September 23, 2011
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year & Summer Romance Reading Challenge

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Back of the Book

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister Georgia and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with our grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix  appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies … immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I’m fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart – as well as my life and my family’s – in jeopardy for a chance at love?

A stunning novel of life, death and the lengths we go to for love.

 

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Grief is hard to handle ...

The sisters Kate and Georgia movies from USA to France to live with their grandparents after losing their parents in a horrible car accident. The grandparents lives in Paris, known as the most romantic place on earth but that doesn't make Kate feel any better. She is in heavy grief and spends the days in the bedroom while Georgia escapes her own grief by going out to party with friends. After a lot of nagging by Georgia and her grandparents to leave the house a few hours a day to try to make her life go back to "normal". Eventually Kate goes out of the house a few hours each day to spend the time at a cafe to sit alone and read a book. At least she is out of the house. That's when she discovers a few guys. She is especially curious about one of them. And she feels that he got an eye on her as well, but she's not sure. She thinks he is hot and mysterious. But who is he?

It's been a lot of hype about this book in the book blog world. Many of them has been writing about how fantastic this book is. It makes me curious and sceptical at the same start. I got the book in the beginning of June but I've been waiting to read it. 'Cause I almost didn't dare to open a book that has a gorgeous cover and a book that already gotten so many positive reviews. So I just had it on my shelf and I was just looking at it from time to time before it was time to read it. I was scared to open the book 'cause I was nervous about having too high hopes. So, after a lot of hesitation I finally managed to open the book and start reading it. Before I knew it I had read many pages, about halfway through and the pages kept just flying away. I was really enjoying the book 'cause it had suspense, action and romance. The book has a little bit of everything. And even though I was very sceptical about that the setting is in Paris (the most romantic place in the world) and I was afraid that that would make it a little too typical, but I must admit that I got pleasantly surprised that I didn't experienced the story or the setting as typical at all, even though it all took place in Paris. The book is like fresh air in the paranormal romance-genre. It's not about vampires, werewolves, zombies or other creatures we've been reading about lately. This is about creatures I haven't read about before and I like it. It's something new. But I don't want to say too much about what they are 'cause I don't want to spoil anything.

This is a short review of Die for me. The reason is I'm terrified to spoil too much. You just have to read the book yourself. This is not typical paranormal romance that we are used to read. It has something new and exciting which made me very happy. To us who read a lot of fantasy probably is getting tired of the same things from that genre. But this book is luckily a little different. It stands out in a way and I'm glad to see that. It's still about a girl who falls for this mysterious guy type of thing but there are other things in the story that is refreshing. I'm glad to see that 'cause there are a lot of fantasy books out there that are a little too similar. So, I'm glad I finally have read this Die for me and that it has given the genre some fresh air. And I really want to read the next book in the series. And to be honest I haven't understood this team thing. I've never been a part of a team but right now I surprise myself by saying: TEAM VINCENT!

Die for me is for you who likes fantasy and that wants to read something new in this genre instead of listening/reading to the same song over and over again!

Highlights: Finally new and different creatures.

Downhill: I wish the book had more pages and there's so much more I want to know. Can't wait for the next book!

Tempting Fate by Nora Roberts - kinky and a little bit corny ...

My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (3/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: Tempting Fate

Norwegian Title: Skjult lengsel

Written by: Nora Roberts

Genre: contemporary romance

Written for: Adult

Pages: 320
Publisher: Silhouette

Published: 1985

Published in Norway: Not sure

My copy: 2006/2007 (?) (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: Forlaget Harlequin

I read it: September 13 – September 18, (2011)
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year, Off the shelf, & Summer Romance Reading Challenge

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(Goodreads)

Attorney Caine MacGregor had a reputation for being a demon in the courtroom -- and in the bedroom. He yearned to break down Diana Blade's icy wall of control and release the passionate woman within. When he offered Diana a partnership - in both business and pleasure -- could he entice her to risk everything for the love of a MacGregor?

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Some feelings are impossible to hide...

Diana is a grown and independent woman who grew up with her aunt. She is a lawyer after  studying in many years and she is proud of the woman she has become. She is afraid to let anyone close to her 'cause she doesn't want her career and safety to fall apart. She likes to have control of everything. And to be the person she is now.

After many years she gets to meet her brother. She hasn't seen him in years. And she thinks it probably won't hurt to get in contact with him again after so many years. And everything goes fine when she meets Caine MacGregor. Caine MacGregor is the brother to Justin's wife (Diana's brother).Caine is also a lawyer and he is very handsome. But Diana doesn't need a man in her life now. She's busy with her career so she hasn't time and she also doesn't want to be independent on someone. But Caine got charm and he also doesn't taken no for an answer. Is he a man worth to get to know or will he get in the way for her career? And will she remain the contact with her brother, Justin after all these years?

Nora Roberts is very popular in the romance genre. She writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense. I've seen some of the movies that are based on her books. They are nice and cozy suspense movies. And after seeing some of those books I've always wanted to read a Nora Roberts book. The first book I read by her was early last year, The fall of Shane MacKade. I loved that book. It was fun, mysterious, and it had a lot of suspense. So I had very high hopes for this book. But unfortunately I like The fall of Shane MacKade a lot better than Tempting Fate. The problem I had with The fall of Shane MacKade was it had a lot of weird dialogs. And Diana and Caine didn't seem real to me. I wanted to get to know them better but it never happened. So, I really didn't care what happened to them. And wow they got feelings for each other very fast - too fast! And I got tired of the I'm - not-interested-in-you-at-all, but - I-really-am from Diana's view. We know that she is interested in Caine but she is afraid to get hurt and that it will come in the way for her career and blah,blah,blah. And no matter what she says or thinks we know what's gonna happen anyway!

So, as you probably understand, I got really disappointed at Tempting Fate. Tempting Fate got too flat and I don't know how many times Diana got on my nerves. Isn't she old enough to take chances instead of behaving like a teenager? Just asking ...

Tempting fate was a very boring and disappointing experience for this reader but I do have still hope for Nora Roberts. At least I loved the first book I read by her and it gives me hope to explore her books in the  future even though Tempting Fate was a little too corny for my taste.

Highlights: Couldn't wait to read a Nora Roberts book.

Downhill: Boring, flat, and the translation had too much typos.

M is for magic by Neil Gaiman - M is truly for Magic!

My Rate: ☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠ (8/10 Skulls)

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Original Title: M is for magic

Norwegian Title: There is no Norwegian edition

Written by: Neil Gaiman

Genre: Short Stories

Written for: Adult/ YA

Pages: 272
Publisher: Bloomsbury

Published: June 26, 2007

Published in Norway: -

My copy: 2007 (Paperback)
Norwegian Publisher: -

I read it: September 2 - September 16, 2011  
Source: Bought

Challenge(s): 100 Books in a Year

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Back of the Book

A sinister jack-in-the-box haunts the lives of children who owned it, a stray cat does nightly battle to protect his adopted family, and a boy raised in a gravedyard confronts the much more troubled world of the living in this wonderful book of short stories by master storyteller Neil Gaiman.

These eleven stories range from the scary to the whimsical, the fantastical to the humorous – each a different journey in which the reader encounters the rich and wonderful imagination of a writer who knows how to thrill and satisfy his audience.

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A magical short stories collection!

It's a bit hard to review short stories collection, I think. It's a bit hard 'cause it's so much to mention and stuff. And the same time I'm afraid to ruin anything for you, such as spoilers and when it comes to a book with short stories, it doesn't have a start, a middle part and an ending. It's not the same as reviewing a "whole" book if you know what I mean.


But as you already know, this is a short stories collection with both short and longer stories created by the vivid imagination of Gaiman. He can write about everything and still hold the interest up to his readers. (Does this sentence make any sense at all? My sentences gets really messy when I explain things in English. Sorry about that). Gaiman can write anything and still be taken serious. That's an unique gift. The stories is from different genres. A little bit of horror, fantasy and humour. It has something for everyone.

If I had to chose three fave stories from the book, it would be kind of hard 'cause many of them  are really great. But the three that I like the most is: The stray cat (a touching and creepy story. I got a little tear in my eye reading the story, actually. That doesn't happen often!) Don't ask Jack (is a simple and very short story. It got a creepy atmosphere that I love a lot). And the last story on my fave list is The Witch's Headstone, which was the story that created the fantastic The Graveyardbook! I read The Graveyardbook (the Norwegian edition) last year. And loved it a lot. It was fun reading the story that was the base ground of The Graveyardbook.

I haven't read that much by Neil Gaiman. I've only read Coraline and The Graveyardbook so far. Coraline was ok. I did like many parts of the story but I found the girl Coraline very annoying. I don't know why. But I truly loved The Graveyardbook. I liked it so much that I had to get the English edition as well, which I'm gonna read next month since I'm gonna read horror books then and other books that I can somehow relate to Halloween. After reading this story collection M is for magic, I do want to read more books by Gaiman. Especially American Gods and Neverwhere. So I will get more books from him, hopefully sometime soon 'cause I understand why he is so popular. He writes in a way that gets the attention of young and older audience.

Before I end this review I want to apologize it's a bit weak and probably messy but it's, like I said earlier, very hard to review a short stories collection without giving away any spoilers and I don't want that to happen. But I do recommend this short stories collection to Neil Gaiman fans and for those of you that are curious about his books. M is for magic has stories for everyone. It's a cozy and at times a creepy read.