Living Violet by Jaime Reed

Samara Marshall is convinced that something is not quite right about her co-worker, Caleb Baker. No one else seems to notice the way that his eyes glow, or the effect that he has on women - or, more importantly, the fact that too many of those women seem to end up in the hospital. When Caleb starts to show interest in Sam, she tries to avoid him, but somehow they keep ending up together. But regardless of how much fun they have, Caleb has secrets - secrets that could put Sam and her family in danger.

I enjoyed reading these books; the story was interesting and the characters were well developed. I particularly liked the fact that Sam didn't magically fall in love with Caleb once she found out his secrets - their relationship still takes a lot of work. I will say that it occasionally felt as though the author was trying a little too hard to use slang and sound "natural," but most of the time the writing was fine. I would recommend this series to older fantasy fans who enjoy supernatural romances.

The Cambion Chronicles series continues with Burning Emerald and Fading Amber.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Dead Beautiful, the Morganville Vampires series, As You Wish, or Wicked Lovely

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Sydney Sage is an alchemist, a member of a secret society of humans dedicated to keeping vampires a secret from the rest of the world. She has been out of the field following a series of events in which she was caught up in vampire politics, but she has been doing her best to lie low and get back in the Alchemists' good graces. Unfortunately, her new assignment involves rooming with Jill Dragomir (a mortal Moroi vampire and half-sister of the Moroi queen) while pretending to be a high school student at a boarding school in California. Although everyone expects them to be safe at Amberwood Prep School, they will have to be on guard for assassins and other dangers; Sydney will also have to do her best to stay professional and not to get too friendly with any of them - but how hard could that be?

Even though the first book is fairly predictable, I enjoyed the story and the characters, and the series definitely gets more interesting in the later books. These books are a spin-off of the Vampire Academy books and reference many events that happen before this series. However, I haven't read any of the Vampire Academy books and felt as though there was enough background that it isn't necessary to read the other series first (unless you want to). I would recommend this series to older fantasy fans who enjoy stories about vampires in the real world and books that have a bit of romance.

The Bloodlines series continues with The Golden Lily, The Indigo Spell, The Fiery Heart, Silver Shadows, and The Ruby Circle.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Two Princesses of Bamarre, Resenting the Hero, the Dark Mirror series, or Sweet Venom

Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Ember McWilliams is having a rough time. After dying in a car crash, her gifted little sister, Olivia, brought her back to life - but now everything that Ember touches dies. Meanwhile, their mother has never quite recovered from the accident, so Ember is trying to keep house and take care of Olivia while still passing high school. Things start to change when she meets Hayden Cromwell, who claims that her new ability is really a gift. But when she and her family are spirited away to a tiny town run by Hayden's adoptive father, she starts to question their motives, and to reevaluate her own life.

This book had some good moments, but the story felt a little stilted - the romance was a little forced and there seemed to be several things going on in the background that we never really find out about. There were also events that seemed implausible, but most of them are explained by the end of the book. However, I did like Ember and seeing her personal growth throughout the book as she learns to deal with her "gift." Overall, this was an interesting book, although it won't make my list of personal favorites. I would suggest it to fantasy fans who enjoy stories about teens with special abilities.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Summoning, Gifted: Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Immortal Beloved, or Swoon

Haven by Kristi Cook

When Violet arrives at Winterhaven School, she knows it's the right place for her, even though she isn't sure why. But she soon discovers that all of the students have psychic gifts - the same way that she has visions of the future. Things get complicated by her strong attraction to Aiden, a mysterious boy in her class. Violet starts to have visions predicting Aiden's death and she worries that there will be no way to stop it and worse, that she may be responsible.

I enjoyed this book well enough. In some ways, it felt like a lot of other, similar books, but the story is well-written, and it is easy to relate to the characters. I am definitely curious to find out what happens in later books (the series continues with Mirage and Eternal). I would recommend this book to older fantasy fans who enjoy supernatural romance stories.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions, the Morganville Vampires series, Dead Beautiful, or the Dark Mirror series

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Nikki Beckett has returned home after mysteriously disappearing for six months. What she can't tell her family and friends is that during that time, she spent 100 years in the Everneath, allowing Cole - an Everliving - to feed off her so that he can continue his immortal lifestyle. The humans in the Feed were not expected to survive, but thoughts of her mortal boyfriend, Jack, kept Nikki sane. Now she's trying to regain some semblance of her previous life and reestablish relationships with her family, and with Jack for six months...before she has to go back.

Although this book is not really a retelling, it does make allusions suggest an alternate interpretation to Greek myths, particularly the stories of Orpheus and Eurydice, and of Persephone. The plot and characters are compelling and gain quite a bit of depth in the second book; Nikki turns out to be a surprisingly strong heroine. I would recommend this to older fantasy fans who enjoy stories in the real world that have a darker edge.

This book is followed by Everbound and Evertrue (will be released in January 2014).

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Ever, Radiant Darkness, or Trylle trilogy