Review: Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

Immortal Rider (Lords of Deliverance #2) by Larissa Ione
Publication date: December 1st, 2011
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Number of pages: 414
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Purchase the book: Amazon & The Book Depository (Free shipping)
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Description: The signs are everywhere...disastrous world events. Evil rising up, unleashed upon the innocent. The prophecies were there...but no one listened. Until now. The time has come for those who can either usher in Doomsday...or prevent it. They are here. They ride. Tlifhe Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Arik Wagner, a soldier with the U.S. Army's paranormal unit, the R-XR, kissed a girl and liked it. And then he went to hell as punishment. Where he's spent weeks being tortured...and plotting revenge.

Limos, Horsewoman of the Apocalypse, isn't your average girl. She's immortal, dangerous, and her fiancé is Satan himself. In a moment of weakness, she gave in to her desire and kissed Arik, triggering her fiancé's wrath - and his claim on her. In order to save Arik, and the world, Limos must make a dangerous pact with her recently turned evil brother, Pestilence. A deal that might just cost her her soul...and her heart.

I could just smack myself for not reading this sooner. I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Eternal Rider, and only made me look forward to the second. But for some reason, I hadn't gotten around to getting this, and I think I was on a YA kick.
But here we are, and I was glad I did get around to checking this book out. It was definitely worth the wait and time spent.

If you remember in book 1 we met the four siblings, also the horsemen(and woman) of the apocalpse.  First we had Ares, and now his sister, Limos.
I wasn't sure what to think of her at first. She definitely was hiding more secrets than we, or her siblings knew about. And sometimes she could get frustrated with all her lies, but I understood why she didn't tell the truth right away, until she was forced to.
She hasn't had the easiest life. Not only was she raised basically in hell and grew up differently than her brothers, but she also found herself in a eternity-long marriage if or, when her seal breaks.

After a surprise kiss from Arik, that is the moment where both of their lives is forever changed. He didn't realize the consequences of one simple act.
He then finds himself in Hell, literally. And Limos will need to find a way to get him out of there before he does the one thing she told him not to under no circumstance, but how much torchure can one human be able to handle?

I didn't know what to expect of Limos and Arik's story, but what I got I loved. I loved discovering more about them, plus not only that, but the side story sets things up for Than's book which is next, so that was nice to see. It makes me anticipate getting to that book, which I plan to buy soon enough.

If you haven't read this series yet, you should, but before you do that, read Larissa's "Demonica" series first, as even though its not necessary, but the world building starts off in the previous series.
I see this more as a spinoff. Its set in the same world, and there are appearances from old characters, but the main characters are completely new.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Teaser Tuesday 12

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Want to play along?

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Share the title and author

Since I just finished reading Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and the book had some hilarious parts, I figured I would go with one of those this week. 

That was pretty much when the Guards behind me decided they were going to try to make me do this. And that is when I decided I was going to be hitting someone again.  

April's review of "Daimon" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Daimon (Covenant #0.5) by Jennifer L. Arementrout
Publication Date: May 10, 2011
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Number of Pages: 67
Format: ebook
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Description:  "Love in my world usually ended up with someone hearing 'I smite thee ' as she was cursed to be some lame flower for the rest of her life."For three years, Alexandria has lived among mortals--pretending to be like them and trying to forget the duty she'd been trained to fulfill as a child of a mortal and a demigod. At seventeen, she's pretty much accepted that she's a freak by mortal standards... and that she'll never be prepared for that duty.According to her mother, that's a good thing.But as every descendant of the gods knows, Fate has a way of rearing her ugly head. A horrifying attack forces Alex to flee Miami and try to find her way back to the very place her mother had warned her she should never return-the Covenant. Every step that brings her closer to safety is one more step toward death... because she's being hunted by the very creatures she'd once trained to kill.The daimons have found her.

Won't be a long review since this was a short story. With me, prequels are either hits or misses. And I guess it depends if you actually read it before the first book or not. This one, it was ok nothing special to me. No new information, just when the daimon had found Alex and her mom, with Alex on the run. I'm sure I probably feel differently about it if I had read it before the first book. If you haven't read Half-Blood, then I would recommend reading this first. It leaves you wanting more. I do kind of wish it went back to right before Alex's mom pulled her from the covenant and ran for it. I would love to see Alex in those days. 

Rating: 3/5 

April's review of "Pure" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Number of Pages: 329
Format: Paperback
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Description:  There is need. And then there is Fate
Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.
When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude or killing her.
When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

Even though I had major issues with the first book, I decided to give the series another shot. I do have to say this book is a big improvement. With only a few similarities to Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series, I felt like I was actually reading a different series. 

When Alex feels like nothing can get any worst, a daimon has breech Covenant security and has attack a student. The aftermath isn't good for the halves. Not only do all of them have an early curfew now but they aren't even allow to leave the Covenant control island. And the icing on the cake? All halves, students, guards, and sententials are required to have physical exams to ensure they haven't been turned. Even though Seth has told Alex that Lucian has given the order that Alex is not to be searched, Alex still finds herself about to be subject to a search. Even though Seth comes to her rescue and "remind" the guards that Lucian has order Alex not to be searched, Alex has already shown an example to stand up for themselves and say no. Which leads to be very dangerous. When there is a second attack at the school, there's a devastating death. Even though I knew the death was coming, it was foreshadowed in the first book, didn't make it less sad. In the aftermath, Alex realizes the importance of those exams. When Alex has to travel to Court to give testimony, she just might not make it back. Somebody desperately doesn't want Alex to Awaken, and will do anything to make sure she either forced to servitude or ends up dead. 

In the first book I was Team Aiden all the way. But in this book I couldn't help but be on Team Seth. Seth gives off the imagine of only caring about himself and has the biggest ego, but he cares for Alex. Through the tough times, he is there for Alex when Aiden cannot and won't be there. He's very overprotective of her and even comes close to killing a Master over her. I amaze myself that I actually switch over teams. I usually love the ships like Alex and Aiden, but in this series...I wish it wasn't as predictable. And let's face it YA is very predictable. This is the extreme of forbidden love. If anyone ever finds out that she has kissed Aiden, she will lose everything and force into servitude while Aiden could face death. I know you can't help who you fall in love with, but Alex shouldn't of let herself fall in love with him. Or at least not admit it so soon in the series. 

And then there's Lucian, Alex's step father. He seems to really care about Alex and her well being. But Alex knows better. Even though I'm suspicious of him, there's a part that really do want him to care about her. The ending made made me gasp. Alex has committed the ultimate crime as a half. Just when she thinks it's all over for her, Aiden covers it up. 

This book was amazing. I couldn't put it down. Even though I keep flip flopping through teams, I'm sure the next book will probably decide for me. 

Rating: 5/5

 

Jen's review of "Born at Midnight" by C.C. Hunter

Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1) by C.C. Hunter
Publication date: March 29th, 2011
Publisher: St Martins Press
Number of pages: 398
Format: Paperback
Purchase a copy at: Amazon + The Book Depository (Free international shipping)
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Description: Don’t miss this spectacular new series that will steal your heart and haunt your dreams, Welcome to Shadow Falls camp, nestled deep in the woods of a town called Fallen…

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

My review --

If I could bang myself on the head for not reading this sooner I would. I can't believe it has taken me this long to get around to reading this series. Yes, I am ashamed.
I kept seeing these books in the bookstore, heard about them  through reviews and bloggers, but I can now say I am thankful I went and bought the book myself and decided to read it.

Kylie was just an ordinary girl, dealing with friendships and ex boyfriends, when her father leaves and she gets caught at a out of hand party. What does her parents then do? Ground her? No. Yell? No. But instead, they send her off to a camp that will help for people like her.
Yeah.
Freaks.

But once Kylie arrived at Camp 'Shadow Falls', she starts to see that things, and the people there aren't normal. They aren't even human, well not really. Why was she brought with them when she is normal, and these people aren't?
Kylie spends pretty much most of the book convincing herself that she is there by mistake, that there has to be some other explanation as to why they think she belongs there.
She isn't a vampire or some kind of fey. She isn't a werewolf. She is ... well, Kylie.
Shadow Falls is a different kind of place than she imagined, but soon she discovers a blast from her past, along with not just one, but two guys she develops feelings for.

Derek and Lucas. Two guys who couldn't be even more different from one another, but also they own a place in Kylie's heart. Its the beginning of a triangle, that was for sure.
I adored both of them... and throughout the whole book I wasn't sure what Team I was on. I couldn't pick because both of them had qualities that appealed to me, and to Kylie.
But now that I think about it, I think I am leaning toward Team Derek. It might have to do with the fact that I found myself scanning pages looking for his name. If that doesn't say something, I don't know what does.
But I guess we'll see in the next two books, which I need to get and read. 

Rating:  5 out of 5

April's review of "Destined for an Early Grave" by Jeaniene Frost

Destined for an Early Grave (Night Huntress #4) by Jeaniene Frost
Publication Date: July 15, 2009
Publisher: Avon
Number of Pages: 355
Format: Paperback
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Description:  Her deadly dreams leave her in grave danger. Since half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her undead lover Bones met six years ago, they've fought against the rogue undead, battled a vengeful Master vampire, and pledged their devotion with a blood bond. Now it's time for a vacation. But their hopes for a perfect Paris holiday are dashed when Cat awakes one night in terror. She's having visions of a vampire named Gregor who's more powerful than Bones and has ties to her past that even Cat herself didn't know about.

Gregor believes Cat is his and he won't stop until he has her. As the battle begins between the vamp who haunts her nightmares and the one who holds her heart, only Cat can break Gregor's hold over her. She'll need all the power she can summon in order to bring down the baddest bloodsucker she's ever faced . . . even if getting that power will result in an early grave.

 I do believe this has to be my favorite book in the series so far. I think it had everything that I feel like was missing from Cat and Bone's romance in the beginning. It was also kind of weird reading with her not actively killing vampires. And even though I knew she wouldn't stay with her job forever, it's kind of a shock that she actually quit. Cat's strange dreams about a vampire name Gregor is no coincidence. Gregor is claiming that he had married Cat long before she had met Bones. Early on in the book I could tell that it's the truth. Bones goes into over protective mode. And honestly I thought he was being an ass through the whole thing. When Cat thinks that Bones and all her family and friends are in deadly danger, she runs to Gregor to get her memories back. 

When she makes it back to Bones his anger is more than she can bare. It seems that he has decided that he doesn't want to be with her anymore. She runs off to Vlad. I absolutely love Vlad, and his friendship with Cat. When Spade calls to tell her that Bone is cornered in New Orleans, she knows she has to find a way to get him out of there. Once the rescue mission is complete, she feels like she still isn't ready to face Bones; especially given the fact that there's been proof that he's been sleeping with other women. Before Bones can see her, her and Vlad rush back to his place. But it isn't long before Bones shows up and is ready to kill Vlad to take back what he believes is his. 

There's a few surprises in the book. There's a death that made me just cry. And not only does Cat decide to turn into a full vampire, but another character gets turned against their will. Turning a half vampire into a full vampire isn't easy. For one, she doesn't like the taste of human blood, and there's the fact that when her emotions run high her heart still beats. 

If you haven't read this series yet, then you should. You won't regret it. 

Rating: 5/5

 

Jen's review of "Covet" by Melissa Darnell

Covet (The Clann #2) by Melissa Darnell
Publication date: September 25th, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Number of pages: 488
Format: Kindle \ Netgalley ARC
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Description: Dangerous to be together. Painful to be apart.Savannah Colbert knows she broke up with Tristan Coleman for the right reasons. Most of all, to keep from killing him with her new vampire abilities. But try telling her heart. Now, lost in a sea of hostile Clann faces, Sav tries to come to terms with what she's becoming and what that means for her future. And that someone is doing their best to bully her into making a terrible mistake.

Tristan can't believe Sav won't even talk to him. If being apart is her decision, fine. Just don't expect him to honor it. But even as he prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.

A reckoning is coming…and not everyone will survive.

My review -- 

 I would like to thank Netgalley for giving me this chance to review this book. I have been waiting for this for what feels like forever. I loved Crave, and the relationship between Savannah and Tristian. I longed to see what was next for them, and how they would overcome the cliffhanger which we were left with. 

 After the dramatic events that occurred toward the end of "Crave", Savannah and Tristian find themselves on their way back toward home, but Savannah is left with a heavy heart and a horrible choice she will have to make.

Tristian and Savannah are forced to go in separate directions. Not because they don't love one another, but from forces out of their control.
Things don't come easy for either one of them, and people still won't accept them together as a couple, no matter what they do or say, there doesn't seem to be a way of getting around it.
But Tristian won't give up. If there is a way for them to be together, he will find it. No matter what he has to do.

Savannah is still the strong girl we met in Crave, but now she has so much on her mind that it doesn't help her personal relationships.
Between her relationship with Tristian to her family, she can't seem to have a moment of peace. 
While Tristian hasn't had it easy as well. He goes through his own personal journey to become the person he is meant to be, and whether or not that will take him away from Savannah... that is the question.

Oh boy. What a cliffhanger we are left with, and it makes me want the 3rd book now. Melissa sure knows how to tease her readers, and make us want more by the ending line.

Just when you think things were fine and dandy... love and roses... think again. The story of Tristian and Savannah has only just begun, and its one that will make you cry and yearn for them both until they are happy, or we are happy. Whatever one comes first.

I applaud Melissa for able to write both POVs of the characters. I'm not sure if I would be able to do it. Writing from a male perspective has got to be hard enough as it is, but to keep their personalities and storylines in tact takes some strength.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Jen's review of "The Lost Prince" by Julie Kagawa

The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1) by Julie Kagawa
Publication date: October 23rd, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Number of pages: 400
Format: Kindle \ Netgalley ARC
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Description: Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’s dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myths and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

My name is Ethan Chase. And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday.

My Review -- 

I know many people, well okay, pretty much the whole fandom has been looking forward to this book. To be able to hear Ethan's story after what we thought was the end. 
I was happy to receive a digital ARC from Netgalley and the publisher, and was excited to get back into the world that Julie created with the Iron Fey and Meghan's story.

We get introduced to Ethan's life, after years in the real world. He hasn't seen or heard from his sister in longer than he can remember, but he hasn't been fey free. Not at all.
Ethan is seventeen years of age and has just started at a new school after being kicked out of his others from things he couldn't control, and his parents hope that this will be the one school where he will stick around longer than before.
All he wants is to live normally, and wants nothing to do with the fey, but it seems they don't want to get rid of him, because they are around constantly, or maybe its that he is capable of seeing them wherever he goes whether he like it or not.

Soon after a friend's disappearance, and with the help of a new friend of his, Ethan finds himself having to go back to the one place he wished he could forget and never return, but sometimes, Ethan soon learns that you can't always get what you want.
With new friendships, a potential romance, mystery and intrigue, Ethan's story is one that you would want to read.

I really liked Ethan and his POV. Maybe even more than his sister, Meghan. I liked seeing things from his view and how his life has changed over the last few years, and even more so, ever since he was a child when he went through a horrible experience in which never to be repeated.
I also really liked Kenzie. She is strong, independent with an open nature that makes her a great heroine for this story.
You find out enough to want to know more about who she is, and her life. She even helps center Ethan, who I felt was a little misunderstood, but she understood him perfectly and never gave up on him.

There are appearances by some of our favourite character from the original series, and we also get introduced to another main character who has connections to Meghan and has a connection to the human world who has his own story to tell.

This was a great first installment to the new series, I look forward to reading more about Ethan and his friends as they continue onto this journey of theirs.
If you are a fan of The Iron Fey series, then there is no doubt you'll adore this book. So better put it on your to read list, otherwise the Fey will be after you.

Rating --- 4 out of 5

Waiting on Wednesday #6: FINALE

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.



My upcoming book I am anticipating is "Finale" by Becca Fitzpatrick

The publication date is Oct 23rd. (My birthday, even though I'll be in the US at the time)

Blurb:

Fates unfurl in the gripping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Hush, Hush saga.Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean they are fated to be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. Now Nora and Patch must gather their strength to face one last, perilous trial. Old enemies return, new enemies are made, and a friend's ultimate betrayal threatens the peace Patch and Nora so desperately want. The battle lines are drawn—but which sides are they on? And in the end, are there some obstacles even love can't conquer?

Jen's review of "The Darkest Seduction" by Gena Showalter

The Darkest Seduction (Lords of the Underworld #9) by Gena Showalter
Publication date: February 28th, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Number of pages: 504
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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Description: Possessed by the demon of Promiscuity, immortal warrior Paris is irresistibly seductive-but his potent allure comes at a terrible price. Every night he must bed someone new, or weaken and die. And the woman he craves above all others is the one woman he'd thought was forever beyond his reach…until now.

Newly possessed by the demon of Wrath, Sienna Blackstone is racked by a ruthless need to punish those around her. Yet in Paris's arms, the vulnerable beauty finds soul-searing passion and incredible peace. Until a blood feud between ancient enemies heats up.

Will the battle against gods, angels and creatures of the night bind them eternally-or tear them apart?

I'd say Paris's story is the most anticipated book in the series yet. There is always one male in a book series like this in which has been built up for so many books, and you hope pays off to which you hope. In my case, I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped. 
But that's not to say it was bad, I did enjoy it, and glad he had his story. I guess I expected more. I did enjoy the side stories though, and if I am honest, those were my fav parts of the book. 

Its no surprise that his love interest is Sienna. I think that has been obvious for some time now, and I like her. I can understand that she has been through a lot.
The relationship Paris and Sienna have had since the beginning has not been an easy one, or even one where they liked each other. The opposite really.
But as time went on, they saw that what they felt with one another was something they haven't felt with anyone else before, and that was something worth fighting for.

The side stories, especially with Kane, whose book is coming up next captivated me the most. I look forward to reading his story.

Even though this is book 9, Gena Showalter stays true to each character throughout the series, and keeps the stories of each book fresh and a captivating for the character arc.
Its just a shame we have to wait almost a year until the next book. Gena is one busy woman, and she writes so much.
I remember when she used to release 2 LOTU books a year, but I guess that was before she had so many books she had to write.

My Rating: 3 out of 5