Mundie Moms

Monday, June 21, 2010

Book Review- 13 To Life

By Shannon Delany
Published by St. Martin's Griffin
To Be Released on June 22nd, 2010
Source: Author/Publisher
5 Stars- highly recommend

Everything about Jessie Gillmansen's life changed when her mother died. Now even her hometown of Junction is changing. Mysterious dark things are happening. All Jessie wants is to avoid more change. But while showing a hot new guy around Junction High, she's about to discover a whole new type of change. Pietr Rusakova is more than good looks and a fascinating accent-he's a guy with a dangerous secret. And his very existence is sure to bring big trouble to Jessie's small town. It seems change is the one thing Jessie can't avoid.

Talk about a book with a great werewolf mythology, mixed in with Russian heritage, add an intense connection between two main characters, some action, unexpected twists and an ending that leaves you dying for the sequel, and you've got 13 To Life.

13 to Life has a great built up, not only in the connection that Jess and Pietr have, but the story as a whole. The story starts with us getting to know Jess, our main character, who's still grieving over the death of her mother. Jess lives on a small farm with her dad and sister in Junction. Feeling like the grass is greener else where, Jess wants to leave it all behind. Nothing ever happens in Junction, until Pietr arrives.

From the moment Jess is paired with Pietr to show him around school, there's a connection between the two. I liked that it wasn't a rushed or forced connection. It's the kind I love in a good book, as it's real and honest. As the story progresses, so does their relationship. Jess does her best to show she's not interested, but she can't deny what she feels around Pietr. Jess and Pietr have an undeniable connection that only adds fuel to their passion for one another.

13 To Life totally captivated me in it's rich world building, great characters, the plot twists, and Shannon's writing style that kept me glued to the pages. Shannon kept just enough mystery in her story, that kept me turning pages. Just as I thought I had someone figured out or thought I knew what would happen next, Shannon would give another little twist that left me wanting to read faster to see what would happen.

I really enjoyed the family dynamics that make up Jess and Pietr's families. There is some drama with one of Jess's friends that really made me want to slap Jess and tell her to wake up. As the story progresses, so does Pietr and Jess's relationship. The end of 13 To Life leaves no shortage of werewolf action. 13 To Life ends is such a good place. It's left me pondering a few questions that I didn't get answers for, which only makes me want the sequel that much more.

13 To Life has the right blend of romance, action and mystery, that I read the book in one sitting. I was so engrossed with the story that couldn't put it down. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. I highly recommend picking up 13 To Life when it's on sale tomorrow.

Mundane Monday #38

Happy Monday! Remember to breathe when you read this...

(this picture was found here http://tinyurl.com/2337t26)

.... For a split second longer she stood motionless. Then, somehow, she had caught at the front of his shirt and pulled him toward her. His arms went around her, lifting her almost out of her sandals, and then he was kissing her-or she was kissing him, she wasn't sure, and it didn't matter. The feel of his mouth on hers was electric; her hands gripped his arms, pulling him hard against her. The feel of his heart pounding through his shirt made her dizzy with joy. No one else's heart beat like Jace's did, or ever could.

He let her go at last and she gasped-she'd forgotten to breathe. He cupped her face between his hands, tracing the curve of her cheekbones with his fingers. The light was back in his eyes, as bright as it had been by the lake, but now there was a wicked sparkle to it. "There," he said. "That wasn't so bad, was it, even though it wasn't forbidden?"

"I've had worse, " she said, with a shaky laugh.
"You know," he said, bending to brush his mouth across hers, "if it's the lack of forbidden you're worried about, you could still forbid me to do things."
"What kid of things?"
She felt him smile against her mouth. "Things like this."

-City of Glass, pages 532-533, Clary & Jace

Labels