Sunday, September 29, 2013

Review: Biting Bad by Chloe Neill

Biting Bad (Chicagoland Vampires, #8) by Chloe Neill
Publisher: Gollancz
Publication date: August 8th, 2013
Number of pages: 350 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Merit has been a vampire for only a short while, but she’s already seen a lifetime’s worth of trouble. She and her Master, centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, have risked their lives time and again to save the city they love. But not all of Chicago is loving them back.

Anti-vampire riots are erupting all over town, striking vampires where it hurts the most. A splinter group armed with Molotov cocktails and deep-seated hate is intent on clearing the fanged from the Windy City come hell or high water.

Merit and her allies rush to figure out who’s behind the attacks, who will be targeted next, and whether there’s any way to stop the wanton destruction. The battle for Chicago is just beginning, and Merit is running out of time.

In this newest installment, Merit has an new battle to deal with in terms of the House. Just when she and Mallory are beginning to get back their friendship slowly, they find themselves in the middle of a mess which neither of them are prepared for.
It seems someone is setting fire to vampire friendly areas around Chicago, Merit takes it upon her hands to try to discover who is behind these attacks and put a stop to them.
Not only are they destroying vampires and their safe locations, but it could also wipe out humans as well, especially if they are caught up in the crossfire.

I felt this book was getting back the things I loved about the first half of this series. Merit/Mallory, sexy Ethan/Merit and a good mystery.
You may have noticed that some of the recent books have become a tad slow, or fillers, but I felt this installment was back up to the standards we were first introduced to in this series.

It took me a while to figure out who was responsible for the murders within Chicago. And they all will have to work together, and not just Ethan and Merit to heal chicago's latest anti vampire attacks once and for all.
Ethan and Merit's relationship just gets more romantic and better every book I read. Even though they have been together for a shorter amount of time than you may think --- Merit has been a vampire for less than a year (who would have thought?) but they have been through so much, more than most couples do.
They now finally have some time to really be happy in a relationship, but while not everything goes smoothly, they do find some moments to themselves.

Even though I have never been to Chicago, but reading these books and Chloe's descriptions make me feel like I am there right as everything is happening with these beloved characters.

I could feel this series is slowly wrapping up, as I felt there was some things which could be foreshadowing, especially if it connects to Gabriel's vision regarding Merit. Only time will tell whether those things come to pass or not.

The last few chapters, talk about wow and quite the cliffhanger! I can't wait to see what the next installment brings us.

Rating: 5/5










Review: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles, #2) by Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin Australia
Publication date: October 1st, 2013
Number of pages: 480 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: AmazonThe Book Depository | Bookworld Australia

Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.

Ever since I devoured Alice in Zombieland I have been anxious to read the sequel to this unique and fascinating story. There is nothing from this author that I would not read. Her adult books devour me. And just as much so, this YA series is just as interesting as her PNR ones.
I fell in love with Ali and Cole.. with all of the characters, the world. I could not wait until to read what this installment had in store for us.
I was lucky to be able to get an ARC a few weeks before the release date and I couldn't have been anymore happier.

This is a dark saga, but those are the best kinds, right? It takes a fairytale story and Gena has made it work in her own, interesting way. To bring Ali to such limits, to make her into this character which you never ever saw before. She had her ups and down in the first book to this series as she dealt with the deaths of her family, and then being forced to live with her grandparents. Then there was dealing with the fact she can see  monsters out there in the world that not many people can, only a select few, but she was lucky enough to be able to befriend some of these unique people and form her own new group of friends, a surprisingly new relationship which did not come easy, and found that life might not be so bad after all in this new town.

When we pick up this story, not much time has passed and Ali is still recovering. She yearns to be in Cole's arms, but when he suddenly starts ignoring her, she discovers that a new batch of Zombie Hunters have arrived in town, and not only does she have to deal with his recent ex, yet another girl from Cole's past makes her entrance, and she sure does not like Ali. That's not all she has to deal with... the moment she gets a look at one of the new guys.. something strange happens --- yep, you guessed it, a vision, which is something, I felt she thought her and Cole only shared. The question is.. what do these visions actually mean, and what really is the whole purpose of them? I want to know this answer too.

Ali and Cole are my favourite part of this series, and this book is no different. There are some scenes... well, you just know she has an PNR background because of how hot and saucy they are. There is something to say about a sexy scene without sex being involved -- yet. And these two are the perfect counterparts to a hot duo. There is nothing Cole wouldn't do for Ali, although, yes, he can be overprotective but I think it's because he has never felt like this for someone else and so it's new territory for him as well.
They have their issues during this book.. some which make me scream and pull out my hair, but with all great romances, things end up where they belong.

Ali goes through a crazy, dark and interesting period that involves the Zombies, and it provides a different take on her character. Some will like it, some won't. Ali was battling more than Zombies in this installments --- in more ways than one, she was also battling herself. 

I loved the direction of the relationship between Kat & Frosty, they don't have the easiest relationship either, maybe moreso than most, but I loved we got to see more of them and understand Kat a little more, getting more into her personal life. These two are meant for one another, no matter how many times they may break up and get back together.

There was lots of action and heartbreak to go along with the romance.  There was new characters, I really liked Gavin. He is a major flirt, actually more than that, but I liked that in the end.. he wanted something more someday. It was progress I felt. I hope he does find the happiness he deserves.

I look forward to the next (Last?) installment to this epic, fascinating story.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5











Sunday, September 22, 2013

Review: Angel Fever by L.A Weatherly

Angel Fever (Angel, #3) by L.A Weatherly
Publisher: Usborne Publishing
Publication date: August 1st, 2013
Number of pages: 512 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

In the devastated remains of the world, millions of people live in "refugee" camps provided by the angels who have all but enslaved humanity. As this angelic stranglehold tightens, Willow and Alex are recruiting and training new Angel Killers while struggling to hold ground on the celestial battlefield. But Willow continues to have feelings for Seb, and her love and resolve are tested as a shattering revelation sends Alex on a separate journey. Now that the final battle versus the angels is about to begin-and the fate of the world hangs in the balance-each of them must face the consequences of their own choices. Will love endure? Will the human race survive?

There are no words to describe how many emotions this final book has evoked in me. This has been a long time coming and I'm not sure if I was ready for it to all end.
These characters have been in my life over the past few years. The good and the bad. Everyone plays their part no matter what it may be, where things may lead them, and the final installment may be the toughest test out of them all.

After Angel Fire, Willow made her final choice between Alex and Seb, and really --- it really wasn't a choice at all, never was. But her romantic complications is the least of her problems because they have to find a way to fix this angel-affected world. Once and for all.
When a ghost from the past appears at the AK camp once again with some interesting news for Alex, he is forced to make a choice, which will see him leave for the unknown, for the chance to make a difference and change the course of everything they knew.
In his absence, this leave Willow in charge of the group -- but is she up to the task at hand, or will she fail before she even gets to begin?

I was excited when this book was coming out August 1st, rather than in October and I could not wait to get my hands on it.  It was everything I hoped it would be and more.
I had re-read the first two books just before this one was released as it had been a while since I had first read them and wanted to give my mind a bit of a refresh.
L.A Weatherly certainly make this book worth the wait over the past two years. I was fine with the wait because I knew the story had to be right, which she certainly delivered in all aspects.
I could not have been more pleased. We saw old characters make reappearances, new characters being brought into the light and our core ones front and center.

Everything that needed answering was tied up. Alex and Willow, our heroes of this journey have been through so much together over the past three books. I could not wait to see what this final story had in store for them. I was never worried they wouldn't get their happy ending, I just wondered what they had to go through to get to that particular point. I have to say I am definitely satified with how things turned for them, and for everyone really.
This was a story that left no thing unturned. Sacrifices are made. There is death. Tears and blood.
I always wondered if Seb would find someone who would make him as happy as Alex and Willow made one another happy.  I was happy to get the answer to this particular question, and it was everything I could have asked for.

Angel Fever, had to be one of the best conclusive finales I have had the pleasure of reading. I would definitely be checking out anything L.A Weatherly has in store next for her writing journey.

Rating: 5/5










Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Review: Consume by Melissa Darnell

Consume (The Clann, #3) by Melissa Darnell
Publisher: Harlequin Australia
Publication date: August 27th, 2013
Number of pages: 384 Pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Tristan Coleman has survived the change from Clann magic user to vampire, much to Savannah Colbert's joy—and despair. By changing the Clann's golden boy and newly elected leader, even to save him from death, she has unleashed a fury of hatred and fear that they cannot escape.

As the Clann and the vampire council go to war, Tristan and Sav face a new threat—a fracturing of the all-consuming bond they share. To fight for peace, they must forge a new trust and risk everything to take down their deadliest enemy, even as they must run for their lives. Soon they will learn that some bonds are stronger than love—and some battles cannot be won without sacrifice.

In Covet, Savannah had to change Tristian into a vampire to save his life. This was not a choice she decided lightly, but any other option was not possible. She was not going to lose him, so this was the only way to help him, even if the consequences of that very act may change their lives forever.
The two of them are forced to flee with her father after the Clann suddenly sees them both as the enemy and what she did, an act of betrayal to their kind.
There is a war coming. Sacrifices will need to be made. Everything is on the line... and nothing and nobody is safe, not even themselves.

This book was bittersweet because I knew it was the end and part of me didn't want it to. All good things must end at some point, unfortunately, so I was enjoy all the moments with Savannah and Tristian that we got to have during this installment.
There was so much that happened. The plot was absolutely crazy, but it was the character development that makes this story so great.  Not only for our main leads, but also with the surrounding characters such as Tristian's sister and Savannah's parents. 
We have little side stories going on during the main plot, which was nice to see other things.

These characters have continued to grow throughout each book no matter what things get thrown at them. It hasn't been a walk in the park, nor should it be, as it only makes the end even more rewarding than you ever thought possible.
The romance between Savannah and Tristian knows no bounds. They are IT for one another, if that wasn't clear by the first book, if sure is by now.
There is nothing these two would not do for another. The challenges that get thrown their way only make them stronger.

Tristian might go through the most change in this book, given his recent change. This new development was not an easy thing, he went through many things as new fledglings do, but it only makes him the best he could be.
I loved the way this series ended.  I wasn't sure how Melissa would end it, but I was definitely satisfied with the outcome of all of the storylines during this trilogy.

I look forward to what Melissa does next.  I'm a fan for life.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5






Monday, September 16, 2013

Review: Taking Back Forever by Karen Amanda Hooper

Taking Back Forever (The Kindrily, #2) by Karen Amanda Hooper
Publisher: Starry Sky Publishing
Publication date: May 29th, 2013
Number of pages: 366 pgs
Format: E-format
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Forever is worth the fight.

Maryah erased all memory of her past lives, but she couldn’t erase her soul mate Nathan, or his undying love. Now, Maryah and Nathan have a second chance at a future together, but first Maryah must remember the person she used to be and embrace her supernatural gifts—more than one kindrily member’s life depends on it.

Maryah’s power is Harmony’s best hope of finding her kidnapped soul mate, Gregory. But Harmony isn’t big on asking anyone for help, and she’s tired of waiting, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. Heaven help anyone who stands in her way.

I love when an Indie book takes you by surprise and you fall head over heels with it. This is what happened to me with 'Grasping for Eternity.' The narrative, the mythology, characters and relationships pulled me in so deeply, it was one of my favourite books of 2012.

The follow up to the first book was very good. I loved being pulled back to this world with these characters. I couldn't wait to see what was going on between them all, and especially, Maryah and Nathan.
This book picks up pretty much right after the previous one ended. It was revealed that Maryah's little brother who died along with her parents may have just been reborn. I was surprised and happy for her when that little bit happened.
In this installment, we have two POVs again, but rather than Maryah and Nathan, this time we have Maryah and Harmony.  It was a little different, but a nice change to see things from Harmony's POV. We had to see how things were going with her and Maryah's POV just wouldn't do that.
Maryah has been trying to control her abilities to be able to help the others locate Gregory, but it's just not working as well as she hoped. Darn those little buggers.


Maryah and Nathan's romance keeps progressing, even though she doesn't remember everything, which she so desperately wants to. She doesn't know why she erased, but she does know that she loves Nathan. Since she is in this new body and she feels like a new soul, her relationship with Nathan feels like very much of one that is a seventeen year old, in love.  With Nathan though... he has loved her for so long, he is an old soul in a new body, so for him.. he understands things better than she does at current time.  While things do get increasingly intense between the two, Nathan is also a gentleman and wants to do what is right --- not just for Maryah, but for both of them.  He doesn't want to mess this thing up that's between the both of them.

I enjoyed this book immensely, and I look forward to see how things progress with the cliffhanger that we were left with.
This book also contained some bonus content, which I think is from the next book? Which I look forward to.
The stakes are raised, questions are up in the air and answers are wanted.  I hope the next one is just as good.

Rating: 4.5/5








Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Review: Reboot by Amy Tintera

Reboot (Reboot, #1) by Amy Tintera
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Publication date: June 1st, 2013
Number of pages: 384 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

Wren Connolly was shot and killed at twelve years old. 178 minutes later; she came back at a Reboot. This is not quite a zombie, but not really alive either. I think somewhere in the middle.

The longer someone is dead, the less human they will be. Wren happens to be one of the people who was dead longer than most and hence she doesn't have many emotions. Her humanity; lets be frank has been lost.
Wren follows her orders; doesn't have many friends and does what she is told. Why should she do anything else?
When the new Reboots turn up, there is one boy who is very much human and isn't very good at the physical stuff; so what does she do? She takes him on as a trainee.

She knows Callum will have to improve, and if she can't make it happen, then he'll be eliminated (because what's the point of having a reboot who isn't any good?) and she'll be forced to be the one to do it. She knows this. Wren will have to make sure not only does he improve, but he doesn't prove to be her own downfall.

Wren was an interesting character. She is basically a shell. Someone who goes around and acting like she should, but inside, there is nothing there.  She does what she is told. She doesn't understand those who are more human than others and she is stone cold, almost like a robot.
I really adored the way she went from not caring, to having this new person in her life; Callum who she finds emotions coming back to her, and falling for him. It's the last thing she ever wanted, or expected, but by the end --- she wouldn't trade it for the world.
In a way, being around Callum helped her regain her emotions and humanity again. It's something she has not had since before she was shot, and even then she never had the best life, but Callum makes her see the world differently than she did before. You might even say... he makes her believe again.

The world these Reboots are in I found quite fascinating. Amy Tintera did an amazing job at building up such an interesting world. Where the world is different from ours, but you can see how it could happen; and how things could be.
There was so many elements I would classify this as... you'd find things from love, to terror, to power and strength.  These characters show you something different about the world, about the story... and such an imaginary view to the Dystopian world.  I'd say it would be a mix between sci fi and Dystopia. Both genres I have been loving lately.

If this is your kind of thing.. I'd totally recommend it. :)

Rating: 4.5/5








Review: The Darkest Craving by Gena Showalter

The Darkest Craving (Lords of the Underworld #10) by Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication date:  July 30th, 2013
Number of pages: 466 pgs
Format: Mass-Market Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Having endured weeks of torture in the bowels of hell, Kane wants nothing to do with his beautiful rescuer, Josephina Aisling. The half-Fae female threatens to awaken the demon of Disaster inside him—a beast he’s determined to kill, no matter the price.

Josephina is hunted by a brutal enemy—her royal family—and Kane is her only source of protection. He’s also the only male to ever set her aflame, and even he succumbs to the heat. But as they navigate the treacherous world of the Fae, they are forced to make a choice: live apart…or die together.

The latest installment to the Lords of the Underworld series, Gena brings us Kane's story, which I never thought I'd love as much as I did.
I felt like I understood Kane a lot more after this book than I ever did before, but I suppose that was the whole point of us hearing this story of his, right?

It feels like it has been so long since I was put back in this world, I think maybe because I was a tad disappointed with the previous book, but this one.. was so much better. I was so thankful.
I felt Gena was getting back to her roots where the romance/action/sex scenes are concerned; not fully there, but slowly.
We have a couples stories going on in this novel. Forefront is Kane's story, which he has been rescued from hell by a half-Fae. The journey these two go on just warmed my heart. Josephine has her own share of horrors and problems, and Kane is the perfect solution. They kind of fix one another along the way. The perfect combination.

Then we have Torin. Whose book is next, which I can't wait for. He has his own personal journey going on when he meets a young girl who is lost in time by an enemy from the past, and Torin finds himself in quite the situation.
Lastly, we have Cameo and a not-so-newcomer. Theirs is a story I found interesting as well. I can't wait for these two side stories to be played out. I adore both of the characters and I look forward to see what comes next.

Gena definitely knows how to hook in a reader with her magnificent world she has created over the past ten books. Each has been different, yet unique on their very own. The characters have been great, plot and sub plots that go along with it.  She is one of my favourite PNR authors to date.

If you haven't read any of Gena's stuff, and this is something up your alley, I suggest you check them out ASAP.  You will not be disappointed.

You can feel the end of the series is nearing, which is sad but probably is time, so I look forward to the next few books or how many there shall be, and see this series end on a great note.

Rating: 4.5/5



Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Review: Unremembered by Jessica Brody

Unremembered  (Unremembered, #1) by Jessica Brody
Publisher: Macmillan Childrens Books
Publication date: February 28th, 2013
Number of pages: 303 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

A catastrophic plan crash leaves one survivor: a girl with no memory.

Who is she?

Where does she come from?

Nobody knows and no one comes forward to claim her.

Haunted by a looming threat she can't remember and plagued by abilities she doesn't understand, she struggles to recall who she is. But every clue leads to more questions. And she's running out of time to answer them.

Her only hope is a boy who claims they were once in love.

Alone and on the run, who should she trust? And what if she discovers that she is safer with a past that stays unremembered?

I'd have been looking forward to this book ever since I saw the description, minus how brief it might have been at the time at Goodreads. A year or two later the book finally comes out and of course I was anxious to read it.

I found the plot of this story interesting, and while it might not have been what I thought it was, I quite throughly enjoyed it through and through.
Jessica Brody sure knows how to entertain and hook a reader in. With interesting characters, a unique plot and a mystery to boot.

This story we find ourselves in Sera's world when she wakes up after a plane crash to be the lone survivor and having no memory whatsoever from her past, or who she is.
Since she has no living relatives and they can't find any family to speak of, Sera is then put into foster care with a nice family who she ends up liking and caring about.  Sera also knows she has the get to the bottom of who she is, where she came from and how she came to be at the site of the plane crash.
Sera, I found was quite a likable character.  This story deals with memory loss and how one goes about it. I can't imagine what it would be like myself, but it's sure an interesting theme to deal with and one that happens in everyday life.

Sera finds out some shocking and interesting things about her life, and of course there is a romance involved. Pretty much we meet the love interest right away before she even leaves the hospital. Zen is someone I liked, and so did Sera. He couldn't understand why she couldn't remember anything about her life... and that was an indication that he knew her from her previous life, who she was before.
But the question is.. how? and what exactly had happened to her to get to this state in which she does not remember a thing.
Zen turns out to be more than a love interest. He has a role in this mystery of hers more so than you would ever suspect. It was interesting in learning the events just as Sera did.

This is an intriguing story of love, self discovery, family and secrets.  It has it's flaws, as everything does, but overall, It was quite entertaining story and I was glad to have experienced it.
I look forward to where this story goes from here next. It sets up for some new and interesting plots.

Rating:  4/5





Monday, September 9, 2013

Review: Lightpoints by Peter Kassan

Lightpoints by Peter Kassan
Publisher: Melange Books
Publication date: March 24th, 2013
Number of pages: 210 pgs
Format: E-format
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

What if you suddenly discovered you had a sense-and powers-that almost no one else in the world did? When Amanda Lindner Nichols, a 24-year-old graphic artist living with her husband in Queens, New York, is revived from a near-death experience, she discovers she perceives everyone around her as points of light-but not with her eyes. She soon learns she can not only perceive the life energy of others, but she can give and take it. With the help of others like her, she brings her husband Chris to the brink of death and back to bestow on him the same remarkable faculty, and they're the happiest they've been. But not for long. All over the world, people who've been revived from their own near-death experience at just the right moment discover themselves with these same unusual powers. They find ways to use them-some for good and some for evil. When Amanda and Chris encounter a ruthless group of gangsters with the same faculty, tragedy follows-and Amanda faces the greatest challenge of her life.

I was given this to review by the author, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Peter.

This story starts off quick when we see Amanda Nichols being attacked at Grant Central Station. From that point on, when she survives, she discovers something has changed about her. She is not all the same person she was before the attack happened. She has inhierited some special abilities in which she is able to see people's essence's around her, aka light points.
It's a frightening experience for her, but she soon discovers she is not alone...

Amanda soon finds herself on a journey of self discovery in determining the things she can do, what does that mean for her marriage and her family if she is the only one who can do something like this.
This novels goes through all emotions and situations.  From death, horror, love, discovery of one's self, friendships and so much more.
This may be Peter Kassan's first published novel, but it was done in a way that can hook a reader to the story to the point of no return.
It may not be the most descriptive novel I have read, but it is as engaging as any other. The characters, the experiences they endure an the things Amanda has to experience throughout the story just manages to pull a reader into the world Peter has created here.

This novel is a rarity. It's a story you don't find around often, so when you do, you cherish it for what it is.
A great vision, characters, relationships and a plot to boot.  This is one unmissable book.

Rating: 3.5/5





Sunday, September 8, 2013

Review: Quicksilver by R.J Anderson

Quicksilver (Ultraviolet, #2) by R.J Anderson
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication date: May 2nd, 2013
Number of pages: 376pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Back in her hometown, Tori Beaugrand had everything a teenaged girl could want—popularity, money, beauty. But she also had a secret. A secret that could change her life in an instant, or destroy it.

Now she’s left everything from her old life behind, including her real name and Alison, the one friend who truly understood her. She can’t escape who and what she is. But if she wants to have anything like a normal life, she has to blend in and hide her unusual... talents.

Plans change when the enigmatic Sebastian Faraday reappears and gives Tori some bad news: she hasn’t escaped her past. In fact, she’s attracted new interest in the form of an obsessed ex-cop turned investigator for a genetics lab.

She has one last shot at getting her enemies off her trail and winning the security and independence she’s always longed for. But saving herself will take every ounce of Tori’s incredible electronics and engineering skills—and even then, she may need to sacrifice more than she could possibly imagine if she wants to be free.

A couple of years ago Ultraviolet came out and It was one of he best books I had read that year. It had everything.. from mystery to romance, with shocks and twists. The ending, while felt satisfying, but also left with quite the cliffhanger, so you knew there was more story to tell. I waited for that story...

Until now...
This is Tori's story.

In book one, we discovered Allison's story and what happened to her. Tori seemed to be more of a mystery waiting to be discovered. In Quicksilver, we follow her as she and her parents leave town and find a new life for themselves. To try to escape those wanting to track Tori down.
Tori settles in her new life with a new name and identity, and everything seems to be running smoothly, that is until the moment that changes the course of one event, and she isn't alone. Somebody knows her secret.

Not too soon later, Allison finds herself with a surprise vistor: a shock from her past in the name of Sebastian Faraday. He is someone who she probably wished she would never see again, yet also glad she did.  Although, from that point forward, Allison finds herself in a situation and a journey to which she thought she left behind.  But no... her past has caught up to her, and it won't stop until something is done about it.

Awhile, I admit, Ultraviolet was a more mystery, freaky and fast paced, Quicksilver is a little bit different.  It was still enjoyable in its own right since Tori is not Allison, we can't expect things to be in the same capacity.

I found myself really liking Allison, and her love interest. I adored Sebastian from the beginning, and we see much more of him in this sequel. Interesting things come to light, shocking events take place and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

It was nice to see the pieces fit together. Things get resolved, and a happy ending in sight.  This was a great continuation of the book I loved. I was glad to be back in that world because it's different from anything else I had read.

I now officially feel content and satisfied with how things turned out.

Rating: 4.5/5





Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Review: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, #1) by Darynda Jones
Publisher: St.Martins Griffin
Publication date: July 5th, 2011
Number of pages: 338 pgs
Format: Mass-Market Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Private investigator Charlotte Davidson was born with three things: looks; a healthy respect for the male anatomy; and the rather odd job title of grim reaper. Since the age of five, she has been helping the departed solve the mysteries of their deaths so they can cross over. Thus, when three lawyers from the same law firm are murdered, they come to her to find their killer.

In the meantime, Charley's dealing with a being more powerful - and definitely sexier - than any spectre she's ever come across before. With the help of a pain-in-the-ass skip tracer, a dead pubescent gangbanger named Angel, and a lifetime supply of sarcasm, Charley sets out to solve the highest profile case of the year and discovers that dodging bullets isn't nearly as dangerous as falling in love

It took me until a few months ago to pick up the first book. A friend of mine kept telling me to read this series, but when I see the word 'Ghosts' and I start to feel disinterested because it's not my favourite aspect to the supernatural world. When she told me that it wasn't ghosts exactly, but the fact the main character is a reaper --- that is the point I thought, Oh well, that is different, so I decided to take the chance and pick up the first book.

In this first novel, Charley is a reaper for ghosts who have died and want to pass on.  She is basically like the light tunnel to which they go through to their ever after. Some stick around though, sometimes because they aren't ready to move on, and sometimes, to maybe bug her, LOL 
In the meantime, Charley has been having hot and sexy dreams of a mystery man, and also she tends to see him in real life from time to time.  She has no idea who he is or why she is seeing him, but why question the sexy man? :P
Work also keeps her pretty busy, especially now when she has more than one case to deal with.  She needs to deal with the fact she has three murdered lawyer ghosts trying to get her to help find their bodies and solve their murders.  Ah, the life of a reaper.  Life is never dull for Charley. Just an everyday occurance.

Charley is a very fabulous heroine.  Not only is she smart, talented and gorgeous... but she also has this awesome wit where you can't help but laugh at some of the things she says, does or events she finds himself in the middle of.  If she wanted easy, she would not be in this job --- not that this was a choice where she could decide yes, or not if she wants this career path. This was chosen for her, but it's not so bad.

The hero for this series, well he is unlike any other male. I have had heard about Reyes from Alpha male contests around the web and also from friends, but until I met him, I had no idea what I was really dealing with.
We see small things regarding him. He is a mystery I can't wait to find out more about. Charley discovers some things about him when she finds out he is the man from her dreams. I loved what I have read about him so far, and I can't wait to dig into the rest of the books to get to know him even more deeply than you do in this first book.

I was surprised at how much I loved this book. It just goes to show that sometimes the best stories are the ones you don't have in your life.

I can't wait to dig into the next book in this new fab series.

Rating: 5/5



Review: Slated by Teri Terry

Slated (Slated, #1) by Teri Terry
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication date: May 3rd, 2012
Number of pages: 448 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Kyla’s memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?

Somewhere in the future, a Dystopian world, there are officers that punish criminals. If you are under the age of 16, you are Slated, which means your memory is wiped and you have no memories of the person you were, only who you are today. This is their version of a second chance at a new life. To do something better than you did previously.

Kyla wakes up to a new life.  She doesn't know what she did to get Slated, but she doesn't question it right away because she is lucky to be given this chance.
With her new family, Kyla tries to form some sort of normal life as she adjusts to everything and new people.
Each Slated has a wrist-attached Levo, which controls their emotions and moods, just to monitor them just in case they experience violet outbursts. In that case that does happen, they will be rendered unconscious.  This Levo makes sure each Slated is turned into the perfect citizen, as to not hurt themselves or anyone else in the community.

I found this world built by Terry quite interesting and definitely plausable. It's set in England where the government has been taken over by the coalition. I could definitely see this as a realistic thing and I could see myself in a world such as this, as I know how horrible the  coalition can be... they are dirty bastards who only think about control and power -- yes, I'm more of a Labour supporter, even though I am not much into politics.
Every time Kyla had a blast from the Levo, I can only just imagine how much pain that would feel like. There are some freaky moments where  I could feel myself in her position and it's utterly terrifying.  I'm not sure how I would go about things if I was in her situation.

Kyla is a strong girl who goes from keeping her mouth shut and playing with the rules they have set for her, to someone who keeps asking too many questions and finding herself involved in the conspiracy of this world and the Slated.

Now lets get to the romance... there is always one, and well, I could somewhat understand it, and felt it at times, I think it could have been written better.  I didn't connect with Ben as much as I wish I could have. Maybe the next book will be better in terms of their relationship.  But they did have their moments that I felt was sweet, and I'd like to know more about him and their relationship.  I suppose that was the one thing that could have been improved.

Other than that, I quite enjoyed the book.  I have bought the second book... just have to get around to reading it  --  this is what happens when I own too many books.

Rating:  4/5


Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2) by Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin Australia
Publication date: June 1st, 2013
Number of pages: 479 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

I said this during my review for Pushing the Limits -- but YA Contemporary has never been my favourite thing, and I am very picky at which books in this category I choose to read. After the first book in this series I knew I had to follow through and read the next one, and boy was I glad I did.
At first I was a little weary about the book being Beth's as I was never a big fan of her in Noah's book, but she did prove me wrong, and showed me she was capable of more than I assumed at first.
Katie McGarry just knows how to hook you in, not only with the story but also with the characters and mystery which these characters seem to have attached to them.

Our two main characters, Beth and Ryan couldn't be more different from one another if they tried. Ryan is the sort of boy who has dreams and thinks he knows what he wants in life, or at least, what his family wants from him. He is the golden boy.  With Beth though, she is the opposite of that. She takes life by as each day comes. She has had a rough life and is still going through the rough patches.  When these two meet though ---  it's like you just know they are just meant to be.  It won't be easy, but the things they bring out in one another just make everything else worth it.

Beth and Ryan find themselves playing a game of cat and mouse after Ryan's friends get him involved in a dare. As he gets to know her... will he have to decide whether the game is over, or has it just began?
Our lead characters each have their own demons that lurk in their personal lives, but the cure to make everything disappear just may be in each other's arms.

That's not the only relationship that changes in this book.  Beth's relationship / friendship with her closest friend, Isaiah  splits down the middle when he basically makes his feelings for her known, and she has to decide how to feels, and try not to hurt him in the process.
Some of their conversations just broke me heart. Just seeing him so hurt.. after being in love with her for so long... I just wanted to hug him, and tell him he will find the girl for him.

I admit, at first.. I was a bit disappointed that this story was not going to be Beth and Isaiah, because I adored them and how it was obvious he really liked her, but after reading the book, I know now that Ryan is the best person for her.  And now, Isaiah will just have to find that person who is the one for him.

This was a absolute stunning book,. but I should not have expected anything less when it concerns Katie McGarry. I can't wait to see Isaiah's book.. who broke me heart more than almost anyone. Hopefully he'll find the perfect girl for him.


Rating: 4.5/5




Monday, September 2, 2013

Review: Beauty Awakened by Gena Showalter

Beauty Awakened (Angels of the Dark #2) by Gena Showalter
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
Publisher: HQN Books
Number of Pages: 448
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble 
Add to Goodreads

His name is Koldo. He is scarred, powerful, his control legendary-and he lives only for vengeance, determined to punish the angel who viciously removed his wings. But if he yields to the forces of hatred, he will be kicked from the heavens, eternally damned.

She is his last hope. Nicola Lane was born with a defective heart, yet this fragile human shows surprising strength as demons stalk her every move, determined to end her. She is the key to Koldo's deliverance...and his downfall. Though he fights duty, destiny and his first addictive taste of desire, his toughest battle will be the one for Nicola's life-even if he has to sacrifice his own....
 I was excited to read this. I love Gena Showalter, and the first book was amazing. But sadly this book falls short on my scale. I just couldn't really get into the book, and it took forever to read. I also heard she wrote this at a time where she rediscovered faith and got real religious. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking down religion, I'm religious myself. But you can tell it impacted the book. It was toned down a lot, and not a lot of steamy scenes that you expect with one of her books. Once my friend told me she had gotten religious, the style of the book made sense.

Don't get me wrong, I liked the book, but it wasn't one of her best works. I couldn't really connect to either main character. And felt like the plot just dragged on, and felt like the book could of been cut by at least 100 pages. I really did like Axel and want to see more of him. William showed up for a brief moment and we got hints to William's heritage.

The one theme that kept repeating was that to heal yourself you must let go of the negative thoughts and focus on the positive. Also that the Most High loves them and will always answer their pleas. It's a good message, although I felt like it was repeated a little too much. Like I said I liked the book but it felt like something was missing.

I almost consider not finishing the book and continuing with the series. But I was told that the new LotU book is a lot better and steamier. And the next Angel book sounds better too.

Rating: 3/5






 

Review: Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost

Twice Tempted (Night Prince, #2) by Jeaniene Frost
Publisher: Avon
Publication date: March 26th, 2013
Number of pages: 360 pgs
Format: Mass-Market Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.

Coming into this series, and being a big fan of Jeaniene's 'Night Huntress' series, I knew we would not get a Happily Ever After in the first book of this series, even if this series would be a trilogy. I know what she is like much more than that, but I also knew things wouldn't be easy for these two. What I didn't expect was for things to become as intense and breathtaking as they did.

Leila, like Cat, is such a strong heroine. Leila goes with her instincts, sometimes she can be stubborn and not know something when it's in front of her, but she also feels things so deeply. When things become a little intense with Vlad, she knows she needs some space. She isn't sure this is the life she wants, and Vlad is so Alpha-Male and never apologies to what he wants, even if it means pushing her away slightly.

When Cat finds herself back on the road, she has no idea that someone may want to kill her. This is a mystery that will keep you guessing as to what really is going on. Who is responsible and why.

We also get some history on Vlad, and begin to understand how he came to be how he is. Why he can't bare to show Leila who he really is. The fear of being rejected when all your defenses are down is one big thing when it comes to Vlad, or anyone really.

When you put up a female, a human no less against a 700-year old Vampire, it's not easy to come out and stand up equal to that person, but Leila did a great job at not letting Vlad walk on her. She can stand her grown, challenge him and be the confident and self-respecting woman  he sees her to be.
Sometimes he underestimates her.. sometimes she does things he doesn't expect, but I believe in the long run the challenges these two face will prove stronger in the end.

Leila's heart is probably the most vulnerable thing, and Vlad will have to realize that when one loves someone, it is with all the flaws and everything. I was happy at how the story between these two have been progressing.

I  can't wait to see the final installment to this amazing paranormal trilogy to see these two stubborn people get the happiness they so deserve.

Rating: 4.5/5