Book Review ~ Blood Magic

Blood Magic (The Blood Journals #1)
by Tessa Gratton
published by Random House books

Summary: 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.

Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.

My Thoughts: This is going to sound bad. This book was mainly forgettable to me. It's been awhile since I finished it and the main characters did not stick with me. What did stay with me were the side stories. The background of both Silla and Nick's parents. I found their stories to be more interesting and entertaining. Also the journal entries of the old witch and how she came into her powers kept me reading.
I didn't hate the Silla and Nick as much as I found them boring. Everytime Nick would call Silla "babe", in the middle of what was supposed to be some romantic moment, it would ruin whatever the author was going for.
There were some interesting parts like who Silla's parents were and who killed them but it was a struggle to get to that point of the book.
Overall, it's going to depend on the type of characters you like whether or not you'll like this book. I can't say I would read anymore in this series unless it delves more into the past of the older characters rather than Silla and Nick.

Rating: 3

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews to share your weekly book haul. It can be what you bought, received, borrowed, or were gifted. For more info you can go here.

 *All links go to Goodreads

Gift
The Last Boyfriend (Inn Boonsboro #2)  by Nora Roberts

Library
Hunted by the Others (H&W Investigations #1) by Jess Haines
Boys that Bite (Blood Coven #1) by Mari Mancusi

Have a Great Week and Happy Reading!

Book Review ~ The Scorpio Races

The Scorpio Races
by Maggie Stiefvater
published by Scholastic Inc

Summary (Goodreads): It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

My Thoughts: This is my time reading a book by this author and I enjoyed it more than I was expecting. When I first heard flesh eating horses I thought eww. The author was able to give her story without turning me off. Even the parts where there were hungry uisce taking bites were done in a way that made sense to the story.
Both Puck and Sean were strong main characters. Puck was strong when she needed to be even when she was scared of everything that was going on around her. While I liked the relationship that slowly developed between Puck and Sean, the relationships they each had with their horses (Dove and Corr) I found to be more interesting. While I wanted happiness for the people I was more worried about one of the horses not making it to the end of the book.
The only thing that brought this story down were some of the other characters/storylines. While I liked Mr Holly and the conversations he had with Sean, his sudden relationship with the blind sister just came out of nowhere and didn't add anything for me. I also didn't like how weak Puck's brothers were. While this forced her to be strong it just didn't work for me. I liked Finn and kept waiting for him to do something that would completely win me over.
Overall I was pleased with my first reading of this author and will probably make time to finally read her trilogy that has been sitting on my shelves for awhile.

Rating: 4

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Rebel Heart (Dust Lands #2)
by Moira Young
published by  Margaret K. McElderry
expected release date October 30, 2012

Summary (Goodreads): The Tonton have been defeated. Lugh has been rescued.
The heartstone has brought Saba and Jack together.
Now, Saba and her family head west to meet him and start a new life. All should be well.
But shadows of the dead are stalking Saba.
And another kind of shadow is creeping over the dustlands.
Then a messenger shows up.
With news of Jack.

*I have a lot of doubt about this book but still want to read it. I didn't like the main character in the first book but liked the rest of the cast and overall story. Also not sure on this cover. doesn't really match the first.

New This Week 5/7/12

Last Rite (Personal Demons #3) by Lisa Desrochers
Until I Die (Revenants #2) by Amy Plum
City of Lost Souls (Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare
Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
Underworld (Abandon #2) by Meg Cabot
Four Sisters, All Queens by Sherry Jones