Title: Mercy
Author: Rebecca Lim
Publisher: Hyperion
Published: May 17, 2011
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher

Mercy has lost herself. She can’t count how many times she’s “woken up” in a new body, and assumed a new life, only to move on again and again. During the day she survives in the human world on instinct and at night her dreams are haunted by him. Mercy’s heart would know him anywhere. But her memory refuses to cooperate.

But this time is different. When Mercy wakes up she meets Ryan, an eighteen year old reeling from the loss of his twin sister who was kidnapped two years ago. Everyone else has given up hope, but Ryan believes his sister is still alive. Using a power she doesn’t fully comprehend, Mercy realizes that Ryan is right. His sister is alive and together they can find her. For the first time since she can remember, Mercy has a purpose; she can help. So she doesn’t understand why the man in her dreams cautions her not to interfere. But as Ryan and Mercy come closer to solving the dark mystery of his sister’s disappearance, danger looms just one step behind.

Mercy's new body is as unfamiliar as the world around her, but it's the same as it's always been for her. She doesn't quite remember her lives before, but in short instants, she'll have flashes of memories of a past she can't recall. Her new body is a teenage girl with a voice so gorgeous it could make grown men cry, but she's your average, awkward teenager, attempting to meddle through this thing called life while on a music exchange program. The family hosting her is struggling with their own loss - their daughter, and Ryan's sister, disappeared almost two years ago. Ryan is the only one still holding out hope that she's alive, and Mercy can sense he's right. To help him though, she must face the unknown and the dangers with it. Can they find Lauren in time, or will Mercy lose herself in the process?

I'm just going to throw this out there...I'm pretty sure there's something in the water in Australia that makes these authors such geniuses (and I'd like some of it, please). Author Rebecca Lim has created a breathtaking start to a new saga series with Mercy that is brimming with tangible characters, sweet romance and a teasing mystery that sends the reader in circles of self-discovery. Blending a powerful theme of free will and the nature of humanity, the author has seamlessly woven an intricate story that transcends the YA genre and provides both a meaning and purpose for the reader.

Mercy was a very multi-faceted character. There were so many layers to her that I felt the entire book was a maze of revelations. She began as a bit of a shadow. You saw her talent and her current "host," but you didn't really get to see who she was as a person. Part of the beauty of Mercy was that the exploration of Mercy's character was hidden in layers throughout the plot points, the mystery and the romance. Ryan was the perfect complement to her character. Too often I see whiny female protags. To see a male character with true vulnerability and purpose finding comfort and hope in a strong female protag was utterly refreshing. Another highlight of Mercy for me was the story of music that was enmeshed in the overall plot. Partially metaphorical and wholeheartedly beautiful, the music added an element of pure, unadulterated beauty to Mercy. The only issue (though not really an issue) I had with Mercy was that the romance was hinted at but never really fulfilled. In the same breath though, one might make a case for that being great for the next book.

Overall, Mercy was an outstanding paranormal read with a great new take on a pretty popular concept now. I give it a very strong 4.5 out of 5, and I'd highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal stories involving angels. It's also great for those who enjoy a sweet romance and a mystery.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: Forsaken
Author: Keary Taylor
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: January 11, 2011
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 330
Source: Author

It’s been four months since Alex gave everything to save Jessica. Life should be perfect; she has Alex, she’s been freed of the nightmares, and most of all- she’s alive. But some things have changed, some things haven’t. That’s the problem. Alex still hasn’t asked “the question”. Jessica can’t see the reason why and it’s tearing her apart. He’s keeping something from her.

Alex isn’t the only one who has changed though. Something is different about Jessica but she doesn’t understand what’s happened. She just knows something’s wrong, that she feels different than she used to, on a skin deep level. And it may keep her and Alex apart. Forever.

Jessica's life should be perfect. Alex gave up everything to save her life, and her troubles are over...but are they really? In a world where her reality has been turned on its end, secrets are coming into the open and Cole is determined to show her that these secrets mean something but the past and just how they might change her future. And, despite the hope that Jessica and Alex might just be together forever, something dark is brewing beneath the surface, and it's almost like destiny is coming into play and overriding it all.

Forsaken is the second installment in author, Keary Taylor's, Fall of Angel series. As the sequel to the promising first book, Branded, I went in with high but measured hopes for Forsaken because, let's be honest, series seem to be the way every single author in just about every single genre goes these days. Luckily for us, Forsaken continues its unique twist and take on the angel trend, giving life to a dark and haunting world where angels are every bit as badass as your run-of-the-mill vampire or werewolf, and perhaps moreso than them, too.

What I enjoyed most about Forsaken was the deeper look we got into Cole's past, which I felt was lacking in book one, and was one of the only reasons I lowered my rating for the first book. Delving into the past and seeing how it affected Jessica's future, as well as the future in general, engaged all the characters into this perfectly enmeshed struggle that was exhilarating and nervewracking at the same time. Yes, there were a few grammatical and punctuation errors, but the only real qualm I had with Forsaken was the cliffhanger ending. While yes, the Forsaken read well, it couldn't stand alone, and I have a hard time with that.

Overall though, Forsaken was a great read with a plot that's well-executed with engaging and dynamic characters, as well as a fabulous voice. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all YA fans, especially those who enjoy paranormal tales involving angels.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Get excited, guys! It's day 5 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour, and we have yet another amazing stop for you to visit today! Be sure to check out Jen's blog, Makeshift Bookmark, for her take on the book, as well as an author interview and international giveaway!

Night after night, Jessica stands trial before a council of vindictive angels for deeds she didn’t commit. Condemnation brings a branding as they dementedly laugh and point but exaltation starts a war over her soul. These are Jessica’s nightmares. Alex is everything Jessica could ever want and she’ll do anything to be with him. Even tell him the truth about angels, why she never sleeps, and the scar on the back of her neck.This is what she will fight for.

But the nightmares rule Jessica’s life and she must find a way to stop the events that are pulling her toward her own judgment or become the object of her greatest fear. And lose Alex forever.
Taken from GoodReads.

Branded follows the story of Jessica, terrified to sleep because when she does, she's judged. She stands trial before the angels, both good and bad, for the souls of the dead. She's lived this life since she was five, and she was eventually committed by her own mother because her parents couldn't deal with her problems. Independent and afraid of opening up, Jessica knows she must eventually sleep, and when she does, she'll be judged again and face the branding of the angels.

Holy original plot! Branded is a new take on angels, which are apparently the new supernatural "creature" that's hot in the YA book world. That said, author Keary Taylor has presented a fresh idea with a delightfully independent and strong female protagonist that will keep you cheering for her throughout the story. Branded is, in a nutshell, a rich blend of biblical undertones, the weight of right and wrong, and the quest to save one's soul.

While the plot of Branded was beautifully original, I will say there were a few things I would have changed, if at all possible. First of all, there were some points where I could read right between the lines to see what happens next. I would rather be surprised. I also felt that the villain was a little too surface-heavy for me. I want to know more than his actual motives. I want to know what drives his motives, if that makes sense. The true strength of Branded lies within the relationship between Alex and Jessica. That was pure gold, in my honest opinion.

All in all, in my very humble opinion, Branded is an extremely strong 3.5 out of 5. The author shows so much promise and talent, and I can't believe a publisher hasn't picked her up yet. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of her work. I would recommend this to fans of YA fantasy, especially those who enjoy supernatural and romance elements.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.