Best Teen & Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is selected out of hundreds of girls to take up residence in the tree-top harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal prince. - Books For Tomorrow ★★★★★. _________________________________________. Note: Derek Novak and Sofia Claremont's story is only a 7 book series. It completes in Book 7: A Break of Day, and the characters embark on entirely new adventures from Book 8: A Shade of Novak. The more you read the more you fall hopelessly in love with the story and every single character - even the evil ones." "Bella Forrest whisks you away to the Shade, which is constantly transforming as the series progresses. "By the time I finished the book, I was hooked and I knew this was a series I wanted to read. There is a lot of twists, internal conflict, drama intertwined with an underlying love story of survival." Great story line, interesting and complex characters , and a fun take on vampires! "This book was everything I wanted Twilight to be: a suspenseful vampire romance with a strong heroine and a handsome male supporting lead ." " Bella Forrest transports you into a story with many defining moments and an unlikely set of heroes. In a narrative world overrun with supernatural creatures full of angst, A Shade of Vampire puts a new spin on a crowded genre." "...a sexy vampire twist, an unforgettable romance that sizzles from start to finish. - YA Book Season "I can't even remember the last vampire romance I read that I loved as much as this one." The plot is intriguing, the characters are great, and the ending will leave you left begging for more!" "Watching the relationship between Sofia and Derek blossom was fascinating ... A Shade of Vampire has set some high expectations for me."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The plots are written in a way that draws you to continue reading until you've finished the entire book in record time, making one compelled to jump into the next without waiting."
"The next book gets a whole lot darker (like 50 Shades of Gray darker) so I decided to make up Derek and Sofia's future up myself, but they definitely solidify a relationship in this book and I was beaming by the end at the incredible kiss. 2) Cliff hanger about wither Sofia and Derek will stay together in the next book, but this book makes you think that she will stay together with the pretty awesome kiss."
"Sofia is just as boring, bland and two-dimensional as Bella Swan, and Derek is a Cullen clone. A few girls are taken with Sofia to be part of Derek's harem, and Sofia shows some concern for them, but they are just there to make Sofia look caring in Derek's eyes and serve no other purpose to the story. While standing before Derek, all scared, Sofia takes one of the other girls hands to comfort her and that for some unknown reason is some great symbol of Sofia's compassion and humanity. There is even an almost exact scene from twilight where Edward plays the piano for Bella in this book where Derek plays the piano for Sofia because apparently an interest in classical music is supposed to make him seem cultured and noble. Sofia and Derek are bland characters with no personality traits besides their one defining trait. Derek is brooding and hates being a vampire and wants to hang on to his humanity, and Sofia is the symbol of that humanity. We're supposed to hate Derek's brother because he objectifies Sofia and leers at her and makes it known he wants to do naughty things to her then suck her dry—yet Derek goes off and feeds on people and Sofia doesn't bat an eye, in fact she COMFORTS him after he gets upset about it the first time (doesn't stop him from doing it again). Sofia's tale, like Bella's, starts with showing us that Sofia is a special snowflake with a "debilitating weakness" that is masked as a strength because she survives despite it. We're led around by the hand and told Sofia is this, Derek is this, and because of that they are some Romeo + Juliet couple, when in truth they have zero depth, zero personality, and the story is bland, boring, predictable and simply awful."
All six books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series, now available in a collectible paperback boxed set. She is the coauthor of The Bane Chronicles with Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson and Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy with Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman, as well as The Shadowhunter’s Codex, which she cowrote with her husband, Joshua Lewis.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a very good series."
"...werewolves, vampires, warlocks, the Fair Folk, and more come to life in this series."
"This came in great condition and looks great on my shelf (: I'm not going to lie, I did think it was going to come in the original covers but I am compleatly fine with the edition I got."
"I saw previews for the movie starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers who I absolutely love."
"Great price for this set of great books!"
"So glad I found something that she will read."
"I was excited to see all six books available as a boxed set as I enjoy not only reading but adding boxed sets to my library."
"Did not come with the cover box."
In A Shade of Blood , Bella Forrest transports you deeper into a unique, enthralling and beautifully sensitive story. Note: Derek Novak and Sofia Claremont's story is only a 7 book series . "She draws you in and then keeps your attention by taking totally unexpected twists and turns in the story that all work together for dynamic reading !" " You can feel their pain, frustration, love, their struggles, and I think this is why I'm so captivated by Bella Forrest's books." "This whole world you've created just keeps capturing me and drawing me in for more, much like a vampire on the hunt for fresh, warm blood." "The Shade is dark and terrifying, yet beautiful and intriguing, a place that I just can't stop thinking about ."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Back on the beach at Cancun, the same place they were both taken from months ago, Sofia and Ben aren't ready to go home yet. They say nothing about where Ben got the scars all over his body from his torture at the hands of Claudia, and at Sofia's request, there's no mention of the vampires or The Shade. But it was also nice to see the effect that Sofia had on him when she returned, to find him in a compromising position with Ashley. Sofia has learned a lot about how things are run in the Shade and has read it's history, and it doesn't sit well with her. I'm also looking forward to learning more about the prophecy made by Cora, the witch, over four hundred years ago, and what it means to Derek and Sofia, and to the Shade."
"Bella Forrest was very kind to provide me with a free copy of the book for an exchange of an honest review on Goodreads. I fell in love with the characters and I was soooooo disappointed when the book REALLLLY started getting super good--it ended."
"After the first couple books I became very annoyed it was constantly the same major plot 'the main couple decide it is better for the other to separate, take off, are reminded that the world can't be saved without them together. It just should have just ended first couple books in."
"Sofia's last words to Derek was "Please don't hurt them"...Sofia returns to The Shade now knowing how to get there because Dereks Twin sister gave Sofia some of her memories, which led her right back to Derek..Viv got caught and Derek and all of The Shade had a very touching Death Ceremony for her...jumping ahead of myself lol...Sofia walks in on Derek as he is tearing the throat out of one of her friends,and talking off his clothes to have his way with her..She is very angry and conflicted where he is concerned...I know Derek's brother Lucas is a bad ass but I feel for the guy, because he thinks he should be ruling The Shade and not his brother..Lucas has tasted Sofia's blood and tried to rape her...That being said he cannot get her out of his mind and has left The Shade in fear for his life, because he know's Derek will kill anyone who hurts Sofia...I cannot say enough about this series but I REALLY DO NEED THE REST OF THE SERIES LIKE THIS YEAR!!!!!!"
Best Paranormal Ghost Romance
In A Shade of Blood , Bella Forrest transports you deeper into a unique, enthralling and beautifully sensitive story. Note: Derek Novak and Sofia Claremont's story is only a 7 book series . "She draws you in and then keeps your attention by taking totally unexpected twists and turns in the story that all work together for dynamic reading !" " You can feel their pain, frustration, love, their struggles, and I think this is why I'm so captivated by Bella Forrest's books." "This whole world you've created just keeps capturing me and drawing me in for more, much like a vampire on the hunt for fresh, warm blood." "The Shade is dark and terrifying, yet beautiful and intriguing, a place that I just can't stop thinking about ."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm currently obsessed with this series and found out yesterday there's at least 56 books (a certain amount of books are for each story with a photo attached to show the number of books per story) and I'm on book 3 and I've ordered 4 and 5."
"Sofia's last words to Derek was "Please don't hurt them"...Sofia returns to The Shade now knowing how to get there because Dereks Twin sister gave Sofia some of her memories, which led her right back to Derek..Viv got caught and Derek and all of The Shade had a very touching Death Ceremony for her...jumping ahead of myself lol...Sofia walks in on Derek as he is tearing the throat out of one of her friends,and talking off his clothes to have his way with her..She is very angry and conflicted where he is concerned...I know Derek's brother Lucas is a bad ass but I feel for the guy, because he thinks he should be ruling The Shade and not his brother..Lucas has tasted Sofia's blood and tried to rape her...That being said he cannot get her out of his mind and has left The Shade in fear for his life, because he know's Derek will kill anyone who hurts Sofia...I cannot say enough about this series but I REALLY DO NEED THE REST OF THE SERIES LIKE THIS YEAR!!!!!!"
"2 character bombs were dropped in this book sure to make huge explosions in book 3."
"I also didnt like how things were between Sofia and Ben once they returned to their "normal" lives. Ben didnt deserve Sofia and reading his POV made me dislike him even more. He was selfish and bitter and I almost wish some of his parts could have been omitted but that wouldnt have made such a great story. Sofia was fiesty and didnt take crap from Derek even when he had his fangs out. It is not your typical "lovey dovey" vampire story, its so much more."
"I enjoyed this book from beginning to end!"
"Bella Forrest was very kind to provide me with a free copy of the book for an exchange of an honest review on Goodreads. I fell in love with the characters and I was soooooo disappointed when the book REALLLLY started getting super good--it ended."
Best Teen & Young Adult Mermaid Fiction
Books by Anna Banks: The Syrena Legacy Of Poseidon (Book 1) Of Triton (Book 2) Of Neptune (Book 3). “A refreshing story filled with vibrant characters, feisty humor, and an irresistible romance.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Anna Banks really surprised me with Of Poseidon and I actually fell in love with this story about a chapter into the book. Galen and Emma meet on a beach for the first time and while they both feel an instant connection something goes terribly wrong. Emma can communicate with fish and can stay under water for long periods of time. He is the Prince over the Triton family and he is almost compelled to follow the rules and have everyone fall in line with them, which of course Emma never does. It’s a constant back and forth and one of the reasons why their romantic relationship takes so long to form. I loved the jealousy Galen felt around Emma when she was hanging out with other guys of when he stalked her on her date which was hilarious. Plus mythology was thrown in and Ann Banks certainly did a fine job of creating such a great and compelling story. He doesn't have to look up to know the sizzling sound in the kitchen is from Rachel spitting her pineapple juice into the hot skillet. Want to, I mean-" If a Syrena could drown, this is what it would feel like.”. Swoon: "His mouth covers mine, cutting me off."
"It has a similar feel to the Paranormalcy series by Kiersten White. They are fun supernatural YA with young female protagonists whose lives completely change. The mermaids...or rather Syrena as they prefer to be called...were interesting. Some things I had to leave my marine biology degree behind and just accept the world Banks created. It confused me, especially when I would first pick up the book and not realize whose chapter it was."
"First Thoughts. Well, I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of- Of Triton but I had yet to read of Poseidon. My Thoughts. First off, you guys should know I just finished Of Poseidon like two minutes ago, literally. Of Poseidon is a story about a girl named Emma, who is just an average high school student. Upon their first touch both can tell there is an instant connection, but Galen notices that she might be more than the average student. I'm pretty sure I read his description multiple times so that I could have the perfect picture in my head. I could read a book with just their interaction and I'm pretty sure by the end I will have abs from laughing so hard. I got so excited when I read that, being an African American myself we are not really represented that much in YA books so I was leaping with joy with this bit of information. I had no idea I was even near the end so when I caught sight of the last sentence I was ready to flip my page and nothing was there. If you are a fan of laughing out loud, swoon worthy boys and mermaids, then I recommend Of Poseidon to you!!!"
Best Paranormal Angel Romance
In A Shade of Blood , Bella Forrest transports you deeper into a unique, enthralling and beautifully sensitive story. Note: Derek Novak and Sofia Claremont's story is only a 7 book series . "She draws you in and then keeps your attention by taking totally unexpected twists and turns in the story that all work together for dynamic reading !" " You can feel their pain, frustration, love, their struggles, and I think this is why I'm so captivated by Bella Forrest's books." "This whole world you've created just keeps capturing me and drawing me in for more, much like a vampire on the hunt for fresh, warm blood." "The Shade is dark and terrifying, yet beautiful and intriguing, a place that I just can't stop thinking about ."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Back on the beach at Cancun, the same place they were both taken from months ago, Sofia and Ben aren't ready to go home yet. They say nothing about where Ben got the scars all over his body from his torture at the hands of Claudia, and at Sofia's request, there's no mention of the vampires or The Shade. But it was also nice to see the effect that Sofia had on him when she returned, to find him in a compromising position with Ashley. Sofia has learned a lot about how things are run in the Shade and has read it's history, and it doesn't sit well with her. I'm also looking forward to learning more about the prophecy made by Cora, the witch, over four hundred years ago, and what it means to Derek and Sofia, and to the Shade."
"Bella Forrest was very kind to provide me with a free copy of the book for an exchange of an honest review on Goodreads. I fell in love with the characters and I was soooooo disappointed when the book REALLLLY started getting super good--it ended."
"After the first couple books I became very annoyed it was constantly the same major plot 'the main couple decide it is better for the other to separate, take off, are reminded that the world can't be saved without them together. It just should have just ended first couple books in."
"Sofia's last words to Derek was "Please don't hurt them"...Sofia returns to The Shade now knowing how to get there because Dereks Twin sister gave Sofia some of her memories, which led her right back to Derek..Viv got caught and Derek and all of The Shade had a very touching Death Ceremony for her...jumping ahead of myself lol...Sofia walks in on Derek as he is tearing the throat out of one of her friends,and talking off his clothes to have his way with her..She is very angry and conflicted where he is concerned...I know Derek's brother Lucas is a bad ass but I feel for the guy, because he thinks he should be ruling The Shade and not his brother..Lucas has tasted Sofia's blood and tried to rape her...That being said he cannot get her out of his mind and has left The Shade in fear for his life, because he know's Derek will kill anyone who hurts Sofia...I cannot say enough about this series but I REALLY DO NEED THE REST OF THE SERIES LIKE THIS YEAR!!!!!!"
Best Psychic Romance
In A Shade of Blood , Bella Forrest transports you deeper into a unique, enthralling and beautifully sensitive story. Note: Derek Novak and Sofia Claremont's story is only a 7 book series . "She draws you in and then keeps your attention by taking totally unexpected twists and turns in the story that all work together for dynamic reading !" " You can feel their pain, frustration, love, their struggles, and I think this is why I'm so captivated by Bella Forrest's books." "This whole world you've created just keeps capturing me and drawing me in for more, much like a vampire on the hunt for fresh, warm blood." "The Shade is dark and terrifying, yet beautiful and intriguing, a place that I just can't stop thinking about ."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm currently obsessed with this series and found out yesterday there's at least 56 books (a certain amount of books are for each story with a photo attached to show the number of books per story) and I'm on book 3 and I've ordered 4 and 5."
"Sofia's last words to Derek was "Please don't hurt them"...Sofia returns to The Shade now knowing how to get there because Dereks Twin sister gave Sofia some of her memories, which led her right back to Derek..Viv got caught and Derek and all of The Shade had a very touching Death Ceremony for her...jumping ahead of myself lol...Sofia walks in on Derek as he is tearing the throat out of one of her friends,and talking off his clothes to have his way with her..She is very angry and conflicted where he is concerned...I know Derek's brother Lucas is a bad ass but I feel for the guy, because he thinks he should be ruling The Shade and not his brother..Lucas has tasted Sofia's blood and tried to rape her...That being said he cannot get her out of his mind and has left The Shade in fear for his life, because he know's Derek will kill anyone who hurts Sofia...I cannot say enough about this series but I REALLY DO NEED THE REST OF THE SERIES LIKE THIS YEAR!!!!!!"
"2 character bombs were dropped in this book sure to make huge explosions in book 3."
"I also didnt like how things were between Sofia and Ben once they returned to their "normal" lives. Ben didnt deserve Sofia and reading his POV made me dislike him even more. He was selfish and bitter and I almost wish some of his parts could have been omitted but that wouldnt have made such a great story. Sofia was fiesty and didnt take crap from Derek even when he had his fangs out. It is not your typical "lovey dovey" vampire story, its so much more."
"I enjoyed this book from beginning to end!"
"Bella Forrest was very kind to provide me with a free copy of the book for an exchange of an honest review on Goodreads. I fell in love with the characters and I was soooooo disappointed when the book REALLLLY started getting super good--it ended."
Best Teen & Young Adult Historical Romance
The Infernal Devices, the Complete Collection: Clockwork Angel; Clockwork Prince; Clockwork Princess
All three books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy, are now available together in a collectible paperback boxed set. Enter the secret world of the Shadowhunters with this handsomely packaged boxed set that includes Clockwork Angel , Clockwork Prince , and Clockwork Princess . She is the coauthor of The Bane Chronicles with Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson and Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy with Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman, as well as The Shadowhunter’s Codex, which she cowrote with her husband, Joshua Lewis.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I’ve been emotionally attached (in an unhealthy way) to these characters since I first read CLOCKWORK ANGEL. I knew Cassie would deliver something we didn’t expect, and I really feared she’d kill off all the characters at the end. It’s sad to imagine I won’t hear anymore about these characters I’ve grown to love so much. I’ve missed countless hours of sleep reading your stories, but I don’t regret one minute of it."
"Half way through the book, I realized what was going to happen when I found the tree and started reading. There's a lot of wrapping up and answers to questions from Infernal Devices as well as Mortal Instruments, so be prepared for a few heartbreaking scenes, as well as heartwarming. I know we see this in book two, but I thought it was an interesting fact, since we see in MI several times the mention that there is `no such thing as ghosts.'. I would not have asked for it to end any differently, even if it was a bit unrealistic how things worked out for most of the characters. There are a lot of things that will make more sense, since the Shadowhunter specifics are more detailed in City of Bones."
"I absolutely loved Clockwork Princess and felt like The Infernal Devices was a series that got better and better with each book and culminated in a fabulous ending. It picked up a few months after the second book left off and the Magister is still somewhere plotting against the shadowhunters, Tessa is still in love with Jem and Will and Charlotte is fighting to hold onto the institute. This book was so fantastic and I have never been happier about the ending of a series than I was with this one."
Best Paranormal Demons & Devils Romance
But when he comes to collect on the debt I can’t pay, one of his goons slams me with a deadly curse. When I’m given a rare chance to join the elite Undercover Protectorate and train at their academy to become an investigator, I have a way to hunt the cure for the curse. He's an actual Celtic war god--and the hottest guy I’ve ever seen.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I found Bree and her sister Ana very interesting characters in Nix, Cass and Del's series, and was thrilled when LH gave them their own series!"
"***4.5 Stars***. I must admit that I while I was excited to dive back into the Dragon’s Gift world, I was also a little hesitant because as much as I enjoyed Cass, Nix and Del’s as a whole, I had my fair share of ups and downs with each and really hoped that I’d start out on the right foot with this one and I’m happy to say I had nothing to worry about! Bree and Ana’s stories (though Bree is the main focus right now) started out with a bang and though there were a few slow parts (a total it’s not you, it’s me thing) I had a great time meeting and learning about this new group of characters and this new. I really liked Bree and Ana from the first time I met them in Nix’s journey and learning about what they’d been through as children and all that they’ve been doing since made me like them even more."
"Throwing random fantasy characters in wherever you feel like it doesn't strengthen the already weak attempt at plot development."
"As usual the author transports her readers around the world with castles and canals amongst the places we visit. I know that Bree and Ana are technically known as Unknowns throughout his first book but observent readers will notice a huge clue although for this reader it was the introduction of Djinn in this story that had me jumping up and down because I'm so hoping the author will return to them ."
"I must agree with another reviewer who characterized the writing as juvenile."
Best Romantic Fantasy
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. A stunning new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts— Year One is an epic of hope and horror, chaos and magick, and a journey that will unite a desperate group of people to fight the battle of their lives… It began on New Year’s Eve. As word spreads that neither the immune nor the gifted are safe from the authorities who patrol the ravaged streets, and with nothing left to count on but each other, Lana and Max make their way out of a wrecked New York City. In a world of survivors where every stranger encountered could be either a savage or a savior, none of them knows exactly where they are heading, or why. ” -- New York Times Book Review. NORA ROBERTS is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including The Obsession, The Liar, The Collector, Whiskey Beach, and many more.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Centered around a cast of characters from Max and Lana to Aldys and Fred, this first novel tells of “gifted” individuals with uncanny powers to ordinary humans who ban together and try to rebuilt a community from scratch. I especially enjoyed the fact that this novel seems different from the normal Nora Roberts novel in the storyline, but there are still elements of magick, love and relationships between the characters that endear me to her writing."
"I highly recommend this novel, especially if you're a Roberts fan who'd like an injection of her amazing storytelling rhythm along with her best characters and overall plot in years."
"The comparisons are plenty...plague wipes out most of mankind, good vs evil, fantastic characters dealing with restoration of community infrastructure as they come together to begin anew."
"Nora Roberts may turn out books at a stunning clip but the ones of magic, honor, and humanity are absolutely the best."
"IT is not a typical Nora Roberts book and it take some time to get in to the story."
"Never heard or read anything by this author and heard that it was similar to “The Stand”..( my favorite book ever), so I was excited to read this... but was (thankfully) quickly turned off by the bad writing , I only made it to 16%. It felt like Nora Roberts took the plot of TS and said to herself,” I’ll make it different by adding unexplained silly magic, elves, wizards, witches, and unicorns!”... yes people, you heard right- UNICORNS."