Parasite (Parasitology, #1) by Mira Grant

A decade in the future, humanity thrives in the absence of sickness and disease.

We owe our good health to a humble parasite - a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. When implanted, the tapeworm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system - even secretes designer drugs.

It's been successful beyond the scientists' wildest dreams. Now, years on, almost every human being has a SymboGen tapeworm living within them.

But these parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives...and will do anything to get them.

• Genre:Horror, Science fiction, Dystopia
• Age: adult/new adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• Read from November 18 to 19, 2013 

FINAL RATING: ★★★★☆/★★★★★

Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles, #1) by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian, Sir Topher, have not been home to their beloved Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But then Finnikin is summoned to meet Evanjalin, a young woman with an incredible claim: the heir to the throne of Lumatere, Prince Balthazar, is alive.

Evanjalin is determined to return home and she is the only one who can lead them to the heir. As they journey together, Finnikin is affected by her arrogance . . . and her hope. He begins to believe he will see his childhood friend, Prince Balthazar, again. And that their cursed people will be able to enter Lumatere and be reunited with those trapped inside. He even believes he will find his imprisoned father.

But Evanjalin is not what she seems. And the truth will test not only Finnikin's faith in her . . . but in himself.

• Genre: High Fantasy, Romance, Epic Fantasy, Dark, Magic
• Age: mature young adult / new adult
• Source: owned ebook
• Buddy read with my darlings Nab & Basuhi & Hershey  
• Read from June 24 to 25, 2012, read count: 2  , Reread Date: 24th July - 26th July 2013

FINAL RATING: ★★★★☆/★★★★★

How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea (Newsflesh Trilogy #3.5) by Mira Grant

A new Newsflesh novella from the New York Times bestselling author that brought you Feed, Mira Grant.

Post-Rising Australia can be a dangerous place, especially if you're a member of the government-sponsored Australia Conservation Corps, a group of people dedicated to preserving their continent's natural wealth until a cure can be found. 

Between the zombie kangaroos at the fences and the zombie elephant seals turning the penguin rookery at Prince Phillip Island into a slaughterhouse, the work of an animal conservationist is truly never done--and is often done at the end of a sniper rifle.

• Genre: Paranormal, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
• Creatures: zombies
• Age: new adult
• Source: owned ebook
• note: short story
• Buddy read with Nab♥ :D
• Read from July 16 to 20, 2013 

FINAL RATING: ★★★☆/★★★★★

Uncharted (On the Island #1.5) by Tracey Garvis-Graves

Tracey Garvis Graves - and Anna and T.J. - return in this companion novella to the New York Times bestseller On the Island

When twenty-three-year-old dot-com millionaire Owen Sparks walked away from his charmed life, he had one goal in mind: get as far away as possible from the people who resented his success, or had their hand out for a piece of it. A remote uncharted island halfway around the world seemed like a perfectly logical place to get away from it all.

Calia Reed wasn't part of Owen's plans. The beautiful British girl - on holiday in the Maldives with her brother, James - made Owen wonder if getting away from it all might be a lot more enjoyable with a carefree girl who didn't know anything about the life he left behind.

But Owen had no idea how much his carefully detailed plans would go awry. Nor did he realize that a decision he made would have such a catastrophic effect on two passengers who boarded a plane in Chicago.

And when Owen shows up at Anna and T.J.'s door with an incredible story to tell, everyone involved will learn just how much their lives are intertwined.

Uncharted includes an early look at Covet, coming September 2013.

• Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Survival, Drama
• Age: New adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• Read from July 09 to 10, 2013
• Buddy read with my darlings Nab & Jerry aka 9 3/4 and Monisha (click on names to see their reviews)

FINAL RATING: ★★★/★★★★★

On the Island (On the Island #1) by Tracey Garvis-Graves

When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.

T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter.

Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

• Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Survival, Drama
• Age: New adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• Read from July 09 to 10, 2013
• Buddy read with my darlings Nab & Basuhi & Pavlina, Jerry aka 9 3/4 and Monisha (click on names to see their reviews)

FINAL RATING: ★★★★/★★★★★

Fallen Too Far (Too Far, #1) by Abbi Glines

To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter.

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother.

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.

• Genre: Romance, Drama
• Age: New adult / Mature Young adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• Read from April 11 to 12, 2013

FINAL RATING: ★★★★/★★★★★

Blackout (Newsflesh Trilogy, #3) by Mira Grant

 

 Rise up while you can. -Georgia Mason

The year was 2014. The year we cured cancer. The year we cured the common cold. And the year the dead started to walk. The year of the Rising.

The year was 2039. The world didn't end when the zombies came, it just got worse. Georgia and Shaun Mason set out on the biggest story of their generation. They uncovered the biggest conspiracy since the Rising and realized that to tell the truth, sacrifices have to be made.

Now, the year is 2041, and the investigation that began with the election of President Ryman is much bigger than anyone had assumed. With too much left to do and not much time left to do it in, the surviving staff of After the End Times must face mad scientists, zombie bears, rogue government agencies-and if there's one thing they know is true in post-zombie America, it's this:

Things can always get worse.

Blackout is the conclusion to the epic trilogy that began in the Hugo-nominated Feed and the sequel, Deadline.

• Genre: Paranormal, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
• Creatures: zombies
• Age: new adult
• Source: owned ebook
• Read from September 06 to 09, 2012

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★

Deadline (Newsflesh Trilogy, #2) by Mira Grant

 

Shaun Mason is a man without a mission.

Not even running the news organization he built with his sister has the same urgency as it used to. 

Playing with dead things just doesn't seem as fun when you've lost as much as he has.

But when a CDC researcher fakes her own death and appears on his doorstep with a ravenous pack of zombies in tow, Shaun has a newfound interest in life. 

Because she brings news-he may have put down the monster who attacked them, but the conspiracy is far from dead.

Now, Shaun hits the road to find what truth can be found at the end of a shotgun.

• Genre: Paranormal, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
• Creatures: zombies
• Age: new adult
• Source: owned ebook
• Read from September 02 to 06, 2012

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★

Feed (Newsflesh Trilogy #1) by Mira Grant

 The year was 2014.

We had cured cancer.

We had beaten the common cold.

But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop.

The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable command: FEED.

Now, twenty years after the Rising, bloggers Georgia and Shaun Mason are on the trail of the biggest story of their lives - the dark conspiracy behind the infected.

The truth will get out, even if it kills them.

• Genre: Paranormal, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
• Creatures: zombies
• Age: new adult
• Source: owned ebook
• Recommended to Kristalia by: Ariana
• Read from August 27 to September 02, 2012

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★

Come Alive (Experiment in Terror, #7) by Karina Halle

It’s one thing to bring the woman you love back into your life. It’s another to try and keep her there. For Dex Foray, con­vinc­ing Perry Palomino to open her­self to their bur­geon­ing rela­tion­ship has been more chal­leng­ing than hunt­ing ghosts, bat­tling demons and stalk­ing Sasquatch com­bined. 

Add in the fact that the only way they can keep their Exper­i­ment in Ter­ror show run­ning is to take on a third part­ner in the form of the mys­te­ri­ous Max­imus Jacobs — all while inves­ti­gat­ing a sin­is­ter voodoo sect in New Orleans — and you’ve got the per­fect South­ern storm and a recipe for dis­as­ter.

 Luck­ily, Dex has never been one to back down, even when his life –and heart — are on the line.

Come Alive is told from Dex’s POV.

• Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Mystery, Paranormal Romance
• Creatures:  ghosts, voodoo, zombies
• Age:  new adult / adult
• Source: owned ebook
• Read from June 23 to 25, 2013

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★

And With Madness Comes the Light (Experiment in Terror, #6.5) by Karina Halle

The Man. The Mystery. The Madness.

Dex Foray has never been anyone’s fool – until he missed his chance for happiness with Perry Palomino. Broken and alone, Dex has no choice but to rise from the ashes Perry left behind and find his own path to redemption. But nothing in Dex’s life has ever come easily, especially when there’s a dark madness waiting in the wings.

Told from Dex’s POV, And With Madness Comes the Light is short story/novella that spans the time period from the end of Lying Season (Book #4) until the end of On Demon Wings (Book #5). If you were ever wondering what really happened to Dex while Perry was gone - his journey to Dex 2.0 - now is your chance.

The journey continues with my wonderful Vilda :))) (oh look at that sexy chest ♥_♥)

• Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Mystery, Paranormal Romance
• Creatures:  ghosts
• Age:  new adult / adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• note: short story
• Read from June 16 to 17, 2013

 FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★

Into the Hollow (Experiment in Terror, #6) by Karina Halle

Perry Palomino has fought her demons – and won – but the battle is far from over. She’s now left broken and on her own, leaving behind her life and family in Portland to focus on giving Dex Foray – and the Experiment in Terror show – a second chance. 

But their past mistakes continue to tease and test their relationship, as does the wild and desolate terrain of the Canadian Rockies.

The snow-covered peaks and ravenous forests hide an urban legend too unbelievably frightening to be true and the only way the duo has a chance of surviving is if Perry can let in the very man who sent her to hell and back.

Vilda and i continue this awesomeness :D Mwahahaha!!

• Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Mystery, Paranormal Romance
• Creatures:  ghosts, sasquatch/bigfoot 
• Age:  adult /new adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• Read from June 14 to 16, 2013

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★

The Dex-Files (Experiment in Terror, #5.7) by Karina Halle

The truth is out there...
The Dex-Files is a compilation novel that accompanies the Experiment in Terror Series and is not to be-read as a stand-alone. In the Dex-Files we find a variety of scenes and chapters from the enigmatic Dex Foray's POV from books #1-6 in the series. Some of these scenes have been previously published, albeit from Perry's POV, while other scenes are completely new.
In addition to it not being a stand-alone, the novel also contains some major spoilers and should be read only by those who have read all the published books in the series.
Book #1 - Darkhouse - *Lighthouse Meeting/*Pie Scene/*Jenn and Dex
Book #2 - Red Fox - *Bar Scene - extended/*Playing Nurse

Book #3 - Dead Sky Morning -*Strippers/*Truth or Dare/*Tent Scene
Book #4 - Lying Season-*The Big Question/*The Xmas Party
Book #5 - On Demon Wings-*A Phone Call
Book #6 - Into the Hollow-*Bailout

And the Buddy Read continues with the one and only Vilda!!

• Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Mystery, Paranormal Romance
• Creatures:  ghosts  
• Age:  new adult / adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• note: short story
• Read from June 13 to 14, 2013

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★

Old Blood (Experiment in Terror #5.5) by Karina Halle

 

A haunting novella from the Experiment in Terror Series...

From her harrowing introduction in Darkhouse, the spectre known as “Creepy Clown Lady” has been a constant fixture in Perry Palomino’s life. But beyond the horrid makeup and piercing stare lies Pippa, a woman just like everyone else.

Well, not quite.

When Perry discovered Pippa’s message to her and Dex on the EVP recordings, she thought she heard the last of the old woman’s message. She was wrong. In the novella Old Blood, Pippa relays the tale of her troubled and tortured past, revealing how an aspiring actress and loving mother fell into madness and how an unfathomable betrayal led to her untimely death.

For Perry, the repercussions of her message are life-shattering.

Old Blood is #5.5 in the series and occurs between books #5 On Demon Wings and #6 Into the Hollow.

• Genre: Paranormal Romance, Horror, Supernatural, Mystery
• Creatures:  ghosts and demons 
• Age: new adult/ adult
• Source: owned ebook
• Read from June 09 to 10, 2013

And the Buddy Read continues with the great Vilda!!

FINAL RATING: ★★★★/★★★★★

On Demon Wings (Experiment in Terror, #5) by Karina Halle

When the life you wanted has crumbled beneath your fingers, there’s nothing left to do but pick up the pieces and soldier on. You’ve done this before.

But what happens when you no longer feel like yourself anymore? When fires spontaneously start-up around you, when you hear growling coming from underneath your bed, and you no longer recognize your face in the mirror. What happens then?

Ghost-hunter Perry Palomino doesn’t have much time to find out. Now, the evil she used to hunt is a lot closer to home. It’s inside of her, taking over her life bit-by-terrifying bit, and there’s only one person who can help her.

If part of her doesn’t kill him first.

• Genre: Paranormal Romance, Horror, Supernatural, Mystery
• Creatures:  ghosts and demons 
• Age: new adult/ adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• Read from June 06 to 07, 2013

And the Buddy Read continues with the great Vilda!!

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★

Lying Season (Experiment in Terror, #4) by Karina Halle

Ama­teur ghost-hunter Perry Palomino has bat­tled ghosts, fought off skin­walk­ers and skirted the fine line between life and death.

But can she sur­vive bunk­ing down in Seat­tle for a week with her partner (and man she secretly loves) Dex and his perfect girl­friend, Jennifer?

And can she do so while being tor­mented by a mali­cious spirit from Dex’s increas­ingly shady past?

With love and life in the bal­ance, Perry must dis­cover the truth among the lies or risk los­ing every­thing she's ever cared about.

• Genre: Paranormal Romance, Horror, Supernatural, Mystery
• Creatures:  ghosts and demons 
• Age: new adult / adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• Read from June 04 to 06, 2013

Buddy read with my darling Vilda ♥ Check out her review here: ✦ Vilda's review

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★

Sempre (Forever, #1) by J.M. Darhower

Haven Antonelli and Carmine DeMarco had vastly different childhoods. Haven, a second-generation slave, grew up isolated in the middle of the desert, her days full of hard work and terrifying abuse.

Carmine, born into a wealthy Mafia family, lived a life of privilege, never having to answer for anything he did.

Both now seventeen, a twist of fate causes their worlds to collide, making them question everything they ever believed.

Entangled in a web of secrets and lies, they learn that while different on the surface, they have more in common than anyone would think.

• Genre: Contemporary, Drama, Suspense, Dark, Romance
• Age: new adult
• Source: owned ebook
• Read from May 26 to 28, 2013

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★

The Dex-Files (Experiment in Terror, #5.7) by Karina Halle

The truth is out there...

The Dex-Files is a compilation novel that accompanies the Experiment in Terror Series and is not to be-read as a stand-alone. In the Dex-Files we find a variety of scenes and chapters from the enigmatic Dex Foray's POV from books #1-6 in the series.

Some of these scenes have been previously published, albeit from Perry's POV, while other scenes are completely new.

In addition to it not being a stand-alone, the novel also contains some major spoilers and should be read only by those who have read all the published books in the series.

• Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Mystery, Paranormal Romance
• Age:  adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• note: short story 
• Read from February 19 to 21, 2013

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★★/★★★★★

Lying Season (Experiment in Terror #4) by Karina Halle

Ama­teur ghost-hunter Perry Palomino has bat­tled ghosts, fought off skin­walk­ers and skirted the fine line between life and death. 

But can she sur­vive bunk­ing down in Seat­tle for a week with her partner (and man she secretly loves) Dex and his perfect girl­friend, Jennifer? 

And can she do so while being tor­mented by a mali­cious spirit from Dex’s increas­ingly shady past? 

With love and life in the bal­ance, Perry must dis­cover the truth among the lies or risk los­ing every­thing she's ever cared about.

• Genre: Paranormal Romance, Horror, Supernatural, Mystery
• Age: new adult / adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• Read from February 16 to 17, 2013

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★★/★★★★★

Dead Sky Morning (Experiment in Terror #3) by Karina Halle

With the Experiment in Terror show finding some success, amateur ghost hunters Perry Palomino and Dex Foray embark on their most terrifying investigation yet. 

A tiny, fog-shrouded island in the rough strait between British Columbia and Washington State has held a dark secret for decades: It was a former leper colony where over forty souls were left to rot, die and bury each other. 

Now a functioning campground, Perry and Dex spend an isolated weekend there to investigate potential hauntings but as the duo quickly find out, there is more to fear on D’Arcy Island than just ghosts. 

The island quickly pits partner against partner, spiraling the pair into madness that serves to destroy their sanity, their relationship and their very lives.

• Genre: Paranormal Romance, Horror, Supernatural, Mystery
• Age: mature young adult / adult
• Source: owned ebook 
• Read from February 14 to 16, 2013

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★