#031 Third Sentence Thursday featuring A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford

Third Sentence Thursday is a nifty little weekly meme hosted by Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books.

1) Take the book you are reading now and post the third sentence
2) Review this sentence anyway you want (funny and silly reviews encouraged)
3) Post a link to your sentence here or if you don't have a blog, just post it in the comments!

A Touch Morbid
By Leah Clifford
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publish Date: February 28, 2012
Format: Hardback, pp 304
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

"The typical moment of confusion between sleep and consciousness, when she realized she wasn't in her own bed, never came. She knew exactly where she was. Truth be told, she felt better rested than she had in a month. Perhaps every second was no longer a battle to hold herself together, to pretend she was all right." (pp ;; 206)

Eden won the battle-she saved her true love from the darkest evil.

But the war has only just begun. With secrets swirling around her, powerful allies unraveling, and life-and death-as she knows it eroding, Eden and those she loves tread dangerous ground.

Can she trust anyone?

Will her unearthly powers be her salvation or her downfall?

A sweeping, dark, and sexy paranormal romance that will haunt readers with an inventive mythology and a cinematic New York City filled with shadows and longing.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

Oh my goodness, I absolutely LOVE this series so much. I splurged a little bit before Christmas on A Touch Mortal (see my review here) because I couldn't stand it any longer and had to read it and then I was lucky enough to be receive an ARC of A Touch Mortal which had me fangirling for days on end. I'm nearly finished with this book and I cannot wait to see how it ends. I absolutely love the dark gothic and unique twisted way in which Leah Clifford spins the story of fallen angels and demons, plus her quirky brilliant way of referring to Hell as "the basement" and Heaven as "upstairs" and those who committ suicide "Siders".

{Small Note: This book was received from Greenwillow Books which is an imprint of HarperCollins, in exchange for an honest review which I will provide in a timely manner. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain.

The review will be coming shortly, any quotes or references may be subject to change once the novel is finalized and released.}

Book Review: A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

By Leah Clifford
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publish Date: February 22, 2011
Format: Hardback, pp 432
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

Eden didn't expect Az.

Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick-up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.

Yeah.

So long, happily-ever-after.

Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.

She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else's game. Her heart is her own.

And that's only the beginning of the end.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

A Touch Mortal is a wonderfully written, heart pounding, well established novel that will leave reader's yearning for the next book to come in the series. Clifford's writing is beautifully poetic and hauntingly moving, it lends itself well to giving wonderful background knowledge and multi-layered depth to certain character's.

The cast of character's is vast, yet they are given strong multi-flavored personality characteristics that make them both likeable and relatable at best, in an attempt at giving the story strong purpose. Eden, the novel's main protagonist, is a strong-willed, intelligent, fiercely independent individual with quite a bit of spunk. She is easily likeable and reader's can and will find her character to be a bit sympathetic. Az and Gabe, are both interesting as well, and they come with their own set of choices, shouldered responsibility, and interesting plot twists that will leave reader's questioning them a bit, but still sympathetic to their own plight.

One of the best things about this book and this cast of wonderful character's, is that none of them are black and white. While some may appear to be good on the outside, are in truth dark and sinister on the inside, as well as mysteriously intriguing. Clifford does a lovely job at focusing not only on developing the plot and moving it along at a rapid pace, but also in taking great care where her character's are concerned and making sure there is constant focus on them. They simply do not fade into the background, while taking a backseat to the plot. They stay, pretty much in the forefront of the book and where they belong. It's their story, really. She just gets to tell it.

There are deeper meanings and moments, that are sprinkled through-out the book, that reader's will find engaging, captivating, and moving at best. Along with many suspenseful twists and turns in plot and dynamic, that will keep reader's gasping for more. The ending, is something that they will absolutely not see coming, yet they will be left wanting more.

The world-building of this novel, is absolutely thrilling and fantastic. It is richly dark and compelling. Mysteriously filled with a gritty look at the underbelly of being touched mortal. The Sider's are an interesting aspect, interwoven in the plot and the references to both Heaven and Hell as Upstairs and The Basement are unique and fun in a darker sense of meaning. Clifford has this way of setting this dark eerie tone and blending it in so well that the atmosphere of her book is a bit chill-inducing. This isn't your typical novel involving angels swooping in to save the day. It's a much darker, grittier, bit of gory take on the other side. I'd say that I found it to be quite refreshing, that this novel was so uniquely and cleverly written, with brilliant character's and a wonderful suspenseful plot that was able to twist my stomach into knots with every twist and turn.

The only drawback or reservation that I personally have with this book, is what appears to be insta-love that happens quite quickly between Az and Eden. As lovely as they were to read, more and more I feel as if insta-love is being used a little too frequently for my tastes. I would much prefer a strong slow-buring build-up to a romanctic relationship between two cleverly written character's, than for any would-be relationship to appear to be this easy. I guess, I just don't personally understand the mechanics of insta-love or the appeal for it. Love isn't love in just a matter of seconds or a twenty-four hour timespan. It happens over a period of time, as one character gets to know another one, and proceeds to fall in love with them and then they go through a series of moments before they realize just how much the other character means in their life. I just wish it wouldn't have been so easy between Az and Eden in the beginning.

I found myself feeling a bit sorry for Adam, as he was falling love with Eden all the while she could never fully let him in or feel for him, what he felt for her because Az took up a great deal of her heart. That was a love triangle, that I found quite enjoyable, even though I was a touch more inclined to be sympathetic moreso to Adam than in Az's behalf. Though I never saw the plot twist coming as far as Adam or Libby were concerned, which plucky and genius Clifford gets definite bonus points for that.

A Touch Mortal is an action-packed, highly emotionally charged, thrilling, intensely amazing gothic novel that will take reader's breath away. I would recommend this book to fans of Lauren Kate's Fallen series or Kelly Creagh's Nevermore. They will love this series.

#03 W...W...W...Wednesday's

W...W...W...Wednesdays is a weekly feature at Should Be Reading. It's pretty much a weekly game of "what are you reading currently/plan to read/have read." And all you have to do to play along are these three things:

01. What Are You Currently Reading?
02. What Did You Recently Finish?
03. What Do You Think You'll Read Next?

CURRENTLY READING

Falling Under
By Gwen Hayes
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Publish Date: March 1, 2011
Format: Paperback, pp 336
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

“He met my eyes and in them I recognized his lonliness. He wanted to tell me; he wanted to open himself. Instead he told me to wake up.” (pp 122)

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

RECENTLY FINISHED

Bright Young Things
By Anna Godbersen
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publish Date: October 12, 2010
Format: Hardback, pp 400
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties.

Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star…
Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined—and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will.

The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.

Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall—together and apart. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Luxe comes an epic new series set in the dizzying last summer of the Jazz Age.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

Stolen Away
By Alyxandra Harvey
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Publish Date: January 17, 2012
Format: Hardback, pp 288
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

"It was like water trickling in a river bed, slowly at first, then with greater momentum until mud pushed its way into every crevice, dislodging rocks that seemed solid and heavy. I was full of dislodged stones.

I was remembering things. Little things that didn't seem important at first glance, but felt important nonetheless. It was disorienting." (pp ;; 45)

For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric—who may or may not betray them.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

TO BE READ NEXT

Dreaming Awake
By Gwen Hayes
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Publish Date: January 3, 2012
Format: Paperback, pp 336
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own.

And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start…

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)
By Mariss Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: January 3, 2012
Format: Hardback, pp 400
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

This is not the fairy tale you remember:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that’s enthralling.

But it's one you won't forget.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

The Luxe
By Anna Godbersen
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publish Date: November 20, 2007
Format: Hardback, pp 448
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.

Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions.

White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.

This is Manhattan, 1899.

Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.

With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...

In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

Clare de Lune
By Christine Johnson
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publish Date: July 26, 2011
Format: Hardback, pp 368
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

Torn between two destinies?
Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf.

As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever?

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

Book Reviews Coming Soon

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey | review
A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford | review
Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake | review
Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen | review
Putting Makeup On Dead People by Jen Violi | review
Dark Eden by Patrick Carmen | review
Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer | review


What are you reading?

#029 Waiting On Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday (or ya know WoW!) is a nifty little weekly event, hosted by the ever so lovely Jill at Breaking The Spine that puts the spotlight on various new and upcoming book releases that have become the"ohmigod! i gotta have this or i'll just die," eagerly anticipated novels to adorn your shelves.

A Touch Morbid
By Leah Clifford
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publish Date: February 28, 2012
Format: Hardback, pp 336
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

Eden won the battle-she saved her true love from the darkest evil. But the war has only just begun. With secrets swirling around her, powerful allies unraveling, and life-and death-as she knows it eroding, Eden and those she loves tread dangerous ground.

Can she trust anyone? Will her unearthly powers be her salvation or her downfall?

A sweeping, dark, and sexy paranormal romance that will haunt readers with an inventive mythology and a cinematic New York City filled with shadows and longing.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

I practically devoured A Touch Mortal in no time at all and I absolutely cannot wait for this book to come out, so I can get my hands on it. Because, holy crap! What an un-suspecting twist at the end that just left me like...jaw agape and dying for more.