Anxious Hearts by Tucker Shaw. © 2010 Amulet Books. ISBN 978-0-8109-8718-0. Hardback. Young Adult/Romance. 272 pages. $16.95 US. Source: advance reading copy

Synopsis
Eva and Gabe explore the golden forest of their seaside Maine town, unknowingly tracing the footsteps of two teens, Evangeline and Gabriel, who once lived in the idyllic wooded village of Acadia more than one hundred years ago. On the day that Evangeline and Gabriel were be wed, their village was attacked and the two were separated. And now in the present, Gabe has mysteriously disappeared from Eva.

Review
I had high hopes from this book with its premise being woven around one of the world’s greatest poems (‘Evangeline’ by Longfellow), and it’s stunning cover (yeah, yeah I judge books by covers lol), but was sadly let down. Anxious Hearts is a story which follows the romance of two couples whom are two-hundred years apart, but yet resemble each other remarkably. Read more

Teresa

Teresa (nom de plume: Torrance Sené) is a self-proclaimed geek, a Janeite, a lover of werewolves and bad-ass angels, an aspiring novelist and an avid book reader who freelances as a web designer. You can follow her on Twitter at @eireannoir.

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Curses, Inc. and Other Stories by Vivian Vande Velde. © 2007 Magic Carpet Books (Harcourt). ISBN 978-0-15-206107-4. Trade Paperback; Reissue Edition. Ages 12 and Up. 226 pages. $6.95 US. [ Purchase ]

Synopsis
A collection of ten witchy tales for teens and young adults, ranging from comical to unforgettable.

Review
I think my favorite of the ten tales is unquestionably ‘Witch-Hunt’ as it leads you on a spooky journey with a fantastically true and hilarious ending that will have girls everywhere relating to it. ‘Curses, Inc’ is another story that stuck out to me, with its ironic turn of events and ‘Boy Witch’ was refreshing as we rarely hear of tales of male witches. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Afterword. As a aspiring writer myself, I very much enjoy hearing what inspires fellow writers and Vivian Velde doesn’t disappoint.

The art on the cover is fantastic as well. I never get tired of seeing what the mind of Cliff Nielsen can cook up, he is definitely an inspiration to a fellow digital artist. Overall, this is a brilliant compilation of tales for anyone interested in the supernatural, or needs a batch of stories for their next sleepover or Halloween party.

Teresa

Teresa (nom de plume: Torrance Sené) is a self-proclaimed geek, a Janeite, a lover of werewolves and bad-ass angels, an aspiring novelist and an avid book reader who freelances as a web designer. You can follow her on Twitter at @eireannoir.

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