Title: Old Magic
Author: Marianne Curley
Published: April, 2000 by Bloomsbury
Pages: 317
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

Jarrod Thornton is mesmerizing,
but Kate Warren doesn’t know why.

The moment the new guy walks into the room, Kate senses something strange and intense about him. Something supernatural. Her instincts are proven correct a few minutes later when, bullied by his classmates, Jarrod unknowingly conjures up a freak thunderstorm inside their classroom.

Jarrod doesn’t believe in the paranormal. When Kate tries to convince him that he has extraordinary powers that need to be harnessed, he only puts up with her “hocus pocus” notions because he finds her captivating. However, the dangerous, uncontrolled strengthening of his gift finally convinces Jarrod that he must take Kate’s theories seriously. Together, they embark on a remarkable journey—one which will unravel the mystery that has haunted Jarrod’s family for generations and pit the teens against immense forces in a battle to undo the past and reshape the future.

Final Thoughts:
An annoyingly stubborn and funnily clumsy guy brings a sort of flat first half, full of the lots of running in circles. A surprisingly interesting second half centred on a magical curse improved my feelings as it took on a whole new direction.

Title: Raised By Wolves (Raised By Wolves #1)
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Published: June, 2010 by Quercus
Pages: 418
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn’t mean that she’s averse to breaking a rule or two.

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian’s basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents’ murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she’s shaped?

Final Thoughts:
From a werewolf sceptic, I really loved this book. The characters were well developed, the relationships felt real, and the plot had enough meat to it to keep me on the edge of my… well, bed. This is a book I’d be glad to have in my collection.

Title: Beautifully Broken (Spellbound #1)
Author: Sherry Soule
Published: July, 2011 by Moonlight Publishing
Thanks: Sherry Soule
Pages: 316
Rating:  
Purchase: Amazon.com

Thirteenth daughter. Heritage witch. Demon slayer.

They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Whispering Pines. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries old witch’s curse.

Sixteen-year-old Shiloh Ravenwolf is a heritage witch from the Broussard family, a family both destined and cursed. When she takes a summer job at Ravenhurst Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan, and immediately becomes spellbound by his charms. Yet she is determined to discover the connection between them before it’s too late.

Finally, Shiloh’s met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but Trent may be the next victim on the supernatural hit list. And Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him. Complicated much?

Final Thoughts:
A cursed girl comes into her magick at just the wrong time. With a hot, mysterious new guy in town, he brings a summer romance full of angst. Meanwhile, teens are going missing, and creepy things are always lurking in the shadows, threatening to get her. A fun read if you’re looking for something dark and witchy to occupy your time.

Title: Evernight (Evernight #1)
Author: Claudia Gray
Published: February, 2009 by HarperTeen
Pages: 327
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

Bianca’s been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn’t fit in.

Then she meets Lucas. He’s not the “Evernight type” either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him.

“I couldn’t stand it if they took it out on you,” he tells Bianca, “and eventually they would.”

But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can’t be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she’s ever believed.

Final Thoughts:
A slow start to another vampire boarding school series. Stick around through the first half and it picks up the pace. There’s lots of romantic angst, but plenty of the good stuff to balance it out. Not as much vampy-ness as I would have liked, but I’m guessing that’s what book two is for.

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, which allows bloggers to share what books they’ve received in the past week. They can be from stores, contests, tours or publishers!

• Winter’s Shadow by M.J. Hearle (library)
• Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey (library)
• Entice by Carrie Jones (library)
• Soulless by Gail Carriger (library)
• Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (won)
• Frostbite by Richelle Mead (won)
• Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead (won)
• Blood Promise by Richelle Mead (won)
• Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead (won)
• Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead (won)
• Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (purchased)
• Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr (purchased)
• Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr (purchased)
• Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr (purchased)
• Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr (purchased)
• Chime by Franny Billingsley (won)

I forgot I’d gone to the library on Monday, so that’s why my first picture is clearly patched together, I didn’t feel like getting all the books back out for a new photo. I managed to pick up the complete Wicked Lovely series this week for $25 from Big W (if you’re in Australia). It was so cheap, and comes housed in a nice hard box, I just had to get it. I’ve only read this first book in the series so far, you can find my review here. Thanks to Jess from She Known As Jess for Chime, which I won in the Midsummer’s Eve giveaway. You probably also noticed my signed Vampire Academy book above. I entered a competition with Penguin Australia at the end of May where you had to come up with a question for Richelle Mead in 25 words or less. I just happened to be one of the ten winners. In addition to having my question answered in an upcoming video, I also got sent the whole series – Thanks so much Penguin. All of the books are personally signed with a different message in each. I’ve only read the first book, so I’m very excited to have these.

If you haven’t already entered my INTERNATIONAL Giveaway, check it out for a chance to win one of the books in The Demon’s Lexicon trilogy. (Ends 17th July 2011)

My Reviews from the past week:
Hearle, M.J. Winter’s Shadow #1, Winter’s Shadow
Mitchell, Todd The Secret To Lying
Rees Brennan, Sarah The Demon’s Lexicon #3, The Demon’s Surrender

Link up to your mailbox and I’ll be sure to check it out!

Title: Winter’s Shadow (Winter’s Shadow #1)
Author: M.J. Hearle
Published: June, 2011 by Pan Macmillan
Pages: 424
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

Blake Duchamp…

He’s all that Winter Adams can think of. Ever since their fateful meeting at Pilgrim’s Lament. Ever since he looked at her with those emerald eyes. Ever since he saved her life.

But Blake isn’t all that he seems. There is a strangeness about him, something dark and otherworldly. Something dangerous. In his attic is a secret he would kill to defend, but Winter seems to have a special ability to make him forget his duty. And he is her only protection against the gathering darkness. The only problem is, to protect Winter, Blake must risk exposing her to an even greater danger. Himself.

Final Thoughts:
Keep yourself chained to the bed, well maybe avoid the chains or you can’t turn the pages. An addictively adorable romance, intertwined with a whole lot of creepy shadows and way too many cats.