Follow Friday #11

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee.

Q: What book do you think everyone should read? If you could gift the entire population with one book?

Oh, this will come to no surprise to some, but no doubt, the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. Like seriously, these books changed my life. Literally. Figurately, emotionally, physically and in every way possible.
It's not YA, so if you only read that, then I guess it wouldn't be for you. But if you are in the mood for something different, to see a different kind of world... then this would be it.
I would, if I could.. buy a book for every single person in the world to show them, to broaden their minds into a place not so unlike ours, but a little different that will change your perspective of certain things forever.

What about you? Which book would you gift every person in the world if possible? 

 

 

Stacking the Shelves [03] :: The Christmas Edition! ::

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews where you can share books obtained via the bookstore, the library, online, through trade, borrowed from friends, gifted and/or received for review that you're adding to your shelf.


Be warned. There might be a ton. I may, or might not have gone a little overboard with buying books!

Daughter of Smoke and Bone & Days of Blood & Starlight by Lani Taylor
 I Bought this in a bundled deal, two for one at Target.
Partials by Dan Wells & Grave Minder by Melissa Marr, I got at a cheap bookstore for $5 each.
I wrapped all FOUR books up and gave them to myself for christmas! Ha. Is that wrong?

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda & The Blood Countess by Tara Moss.
I had already read The Hunt last year as an ARC, but loved it so much that I knew I wanted to own it. And The Blood Countess. I was given the 3rd book a while back to review, but since I hadn't read the first two, I couldn't yet. So I finally got around to buying the first one.

Endless by Jessica Shirvington & The Diviners by Libbra Bray
Again, I have already read Endless. But I gave it to my co-blogger, and friend April, since she likes to have the Australian versions, and so I bought myself a copy.
I have heard so much about the Diviners that I thought I should get it and check it out for myself. It does sound pretty awesome.

Covet by Melissa Darnell, The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken & The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore.
Again, like the above, I had already read Covet & The Rise of Nine as ARCs, but I knew I planned om buying the paperbacks for myself since I own the previous books in each series.
I remember Darkest Minds had been on my to read list, and sounds amazing, so there was no question on whether or not I'd be getting that one.

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood, Forsaken by Lisa M Stasse & Taken at Dusk by C.C Hunter.
I've been meaning to get all three of these. Especially Born Wicked. I have heard so much about it, but kept waiting until I could find it at a cheaper place, and since I couldn't.. I decided, I would go ahead and buy it at the bookstore --- even if I was paying like $16.. which is a normal paperback price when it comes to bookstores here in Australia.

And last, but not least, THE HOST -- Official Illustrated movie companion! I could not resist getting this after flipping through the gorgeous pictures inside.


That was it for me, how did everyone else fan out this christmas?

Review: Lost in Time (Blue Bloods #6) by Melissa de la Cruz

Lost in Time (Blue Bloods #6)
Melissa de la Cruz
Publication date:  September 27th, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion
Number of pages: 342
Format: Hardcover
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads

The stakes have never been higher for the young Blue Bloods of Manhattan. After their brief yet beautiful bonding ceremony in Italy, Schuyler Van Alen and Jack Force depart for Egypt, desperate to find the elusive Gate of Promise before Jack must face his twin, Mimi, for a blood trial. A blood trial that only one of them can survive. But everything Schuyler thought she knew about the gate turns out to be a lie, and they soon find themselves ensnared in a deadly battle against the demon-born. Schuyler and Jack take up arms, only to realize that there is a much graver threat simmering in the Kingdom of the Dead.

Meanwhile, determined to save the only vampire she still loves, Mimi has followed Kingsley Martin into Hell. With the help of her new human Conduit, Oliver Hazard-Perry, Mimi makes a bargain with the Queen of the Dead that she may soon regret. When the time comes to choose between love and revenge, both Mimi and Oliver will learn the true meaning of sacrifice.

confronted by danger, betrayal, and loss at every turn, the Blue Bloods must find the will to fight - and love - another day.(

April's thoughts:: 

The sixth book in Cruz's Blue Bloods series picks up seven months after Misguided Angel ended. The book is divided into three different stories story lines. The one thing I did love about the book was instead of dividing the books into different parts featuring the plots, each chapter alternate between them. Also you should make sure you've read Bloody Valentine first. While most short stories that come in between books are optional, the story lines in this book make much more sense with having read the three short stories.

As much as I love Sky and Jack, honestly I was a little bored by them in this book. In their story, while searching for the Gate of Promise they meet up with both sets of the Venator twins, Deming/Dehuna and Sam/Ted. Which not to my surprised both have coupled up. Despite I loved this book I found that very unoriginal. The best part of their story is towards the end of the book when they realized where the Gate of Promise leads to and who is actually the gate keeper.

Meanwhile Mimi and Oliver journeyed to Hell to free Kingsley. This has to be my favorite part in the book. Mimi is the character who has grown the most in the series, and I've grown to love her. Especially her friendship with Oliver. And Kingsley was charming as ever. But of course Mimi has a motive in bringing Oliver with her. To get Kingsley back she must trade a soul for him. But has Mimi changed enough to actually leave Oliver in Hell for all eternity?

And then we have the third story line in the book in which we go back in time. We get to see the events that lead Allegra to break her bond with Charles. I loved reading this part. But...I found myself shipping her with Charles which came as a complete surprise to me. I was expecting an epic love story that is worth breaking your bond for like Jack and Sky. Allegra knows something happened in the past in Florence. That she had made a horrible mistake, and Charles is keeping the truth from her. She doesn't believe she is worthy of his love anymore. This is making her feel distant from not only Charles but the whole vampire community itself. Ben made her forget about her vampire identity, and just feel like a woman. She doesn't want to take her vampire queen responsibility anymore. She's forgotten that she had willingly left heaven to guide them because she loved them so much. Honestly, I don't think the love she felt for Ben/Stephen (I'll refer to him as Ben) is any match for her love for Charles. I'm really hoping that in the last book is a twist, and Sky isn't really half human, that Charles is her father. There are little clues. In Bloody Valentine, when Allegra got the visions of Sky she had mention that she had Charles hair. Plus Sky has the archangel mark. Originally I thought it was because she's Allegra's daughter, but Bliss is also Allegra's daughter and there's no mention of a mark on her.

The ending of the book was amazing. With a twist I didn't see coming. Mimi nor Jack can kill the other. There's only one other way to undo their bond; the one who made them must unmake them. Which turns out to be Lucifer.

I can't wait for the last book to come out, and finally get some final answers. Especially what happened in Florence? Who lives happy ever after? And what is the deal with Sky's dad?

Verdict

Jen's thoughts::

The second to last installment to the Blue Bloods saga comes to an exciting and heart-stopping end as we are set into three separate directions in terms of the characters.

This story picks up seven months after the end of "Misguided Angel," and we are presented with three sets of characters: Schuyler, as she and Jack try to discover the final, and the most important gate, and it's gatekeeper, Mimi, as she and Oliver race around the world to try to rescue Kingsley, and finally, we have the flashbacks of the past featuring Tomi through Florence and what could have went wrong during that period.

Sky and Jack find themselves having to team up with two sets of twins, as they try to discover the location for the most important gate of all. When it gets revealed where it leads, time will be running out before it could be lost to them all forever.
I loved all the Jack and Sky moments. They know their time is limited, both of them know it, but it doesn't stop them from wanting to cherish every moment possible. But by the end of the book, there is a big moment where you discover what Jack does to attempt to break the bond between himself and Mimi. When he realizes that he might not be able to kill Mimi after all.. which I didn't think he would, or could for that matter.
I know some people have found these two to be a bit boring lately, but I like to think of it as they have grown and matured, and so has their relationship. Of course it's not going to be like it was in the first few books. But it doesn't make it bad, just they are on a different course. It's not just about them anymore, there is a bigger force, plot behind their actions now. I like their small moments, as that is what they only have now they are on a journey of discovery.

In the same city, Mimi and Oliver find a way into hell, and after much progression, they soon find themselves in the very place Kingsley had been taken. It's probably not what you expect from Hell, or maybe, it is when you take a closer look. And just what they discover there, and who, Mimi's realisations just might differ from her original plan and ideas of what she thought might happen once they got to their destination.
When Mimi makes the ultimate sacrifice for true love, it's impossible not to see how much this girl has changed since the spoiled rich girl we first got introduced to in, Blue Bloods.

And then we have the Charles/Allegra/Florence flasbacks storyline going on. We are told via flashes of the past that something was wrong in Florence. That it was apparent that Lucifer had somehow made it back into their world and under someone's skin. Using someone's body. The question is who?
Tomi, aka, Gabrielle has always known that Andreas, is her Michael. But he is so far and between during this time that she starts to doubt that he is up to something, and it starts to make her suspicious of him. Does she know him as well as she thinks she does?
And all the while, Allegra finds Charles at a club where she finally gets him to start to tell her what really happened in Florence. The time where things went wrong, but of course it's not something we hear of as it's at the end of the book and we have to wait until the final book in the series, Gates of Paradise, to discover the truth about it all.

I am looking forward to seeing some answers when it comes to Charles/Michael/Allegra/Gabrielle -- Geez, this is like some wacked version of a love square, yet there are two people in this senario, lol
I think, Bloody Valentine, while not compulsory, will give some insight to this story especially when everything is said and done. I do think there might be clues in that novella that might make more sense once the final book is here and we understand all the answers.
After re-reading this book and talking to April about Michael and Gabrielle, somehow, I have gotten even more obsessed than I have been before. It's crazy, I don't know how it happened, but it just goes to show why this is one of my favourite series within the YA genre.

Verdict

Waiting on Wednesday.. [09]

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


I'd imagine with this book is coming out within a few months it would be a quite popular choice, and I'm shocked I haven't chosen it.

 If the only way to save the world was to destroy what you loved most, would you do it?



The clock is ticking. Everyone must choose.



Passion. Power. Secrets. Enchantment.


Publication date -- March 19th, 2013

This book needs to be in my life like yesterday. The end of a beautiful trilogy that will forever be one of my favourites, and I have to say... if I had to choice between this and TMI, I would have to say this, even though I do like the TMI series as well.
I need to know what's going to happen to Tessa, and Will, and Will and Tessa. And Jem. Does he die? Does he not? Who will Tessa choose? *cough, Will, cough*
Will Cassie break my heart in two? Probably.

Review: Grasping at Eternity by Karen Amanda Hooper

Grasping at Eternity (Kindrily #1)
Karen Amanda Hooper
Publisher: Starry Sky Publishing
Publication date: July 15th, 2012
Number of pages: 368
Format: E-book
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads

Leave it to Maryah Woodsen to break the one rule that will screw up eternity: Never erase your memories.

Before entering this life, Maryah did the unthinkable—she erased. Now, at seventeen years old, she’s clueless that her new adoptive family has known her for centuries, that they are perpetually reincarnated souls, and that they have supernatural abilities. Oh, and she's supposed to love (not despise) Nathan, the green-eyed daredevil who saved her life.

Nathan is convinced his family’s plan to spark Maryah's memory is hopeless, but his love for her is undying. After spending (and remembering) so many lifetimes together, being around an empty version of his soulmate is heart shattering. He hates acting like a stalker, but has no choice because the evil outcast who murdered Maryah in their last lifetime is still after her.

While Maryah’s hunter inches closer, she and Nathan make assumptions and hide secrets that rip them further apart. Maryah has to believe in the magic within her, Nathan must have faith in the power of their love, and both need to grasp onto the truth before they lose each other forever—and discover just how lonely eternity can be.

How would you feel if the love of your life has simply erased you, as if you or your lives together didn't matter or existed?
This is what Maryah did. She might not know it right now, or understand why, but before entering this life, she existed prior but erased every memory of those closest to her.

After the death of her parents, seventeen-year-old Maryah Woodsen has no idea the people who have taken her in are no strangers to her. They are more than family, but since she had erased her previous lives and memories for whatever reason, she doesn't understand why they act like they already know each other.
The relationship between Maryah and the son of the woman she is staying with was the main drawing point for me for this book. The love that he has for her is just insane. It's so.. undescribable that it would make even the most unromantic person weep with tears at the nature of their story.

The characters that Amanda has shared with us in this story are so full of so many characteristics. I feel drawn to every single one of them. From Maryah and Nathan, who I like to think are my babies of this series, as their story is the one main draw for me, and one I connect to most. Or maybe, because I just love these kind of love stories, as they really tear up your heart strings and yearn for a love like Nathan feels for her.

There is also a mystery to the plot. Yes, it's not all about the romance. The people or person responsible for killing her parents, they soon discover they aren't done. That she might have been the real target during this horrible incident after all. Will she rediscover her memories in time to find out who was responsible and why?

This was such a fantastic book. I would recommend it if you enjoy an amazing, re-incarnation type romances that will claw you at the heart at any given change. A good mystery that follows, and a great set of characters that you can feel for, and relate to. Each character is special and unique in their own way and serve a greater purpose in the long run.

I look forward until book 2 gets released. But I do have to say it's one heck of a starting novel.

Verdict

Stacking the Shelves [02]

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews where you can share books obtained via the bookstore, the library, online, through trade, borrowed from friends, gifted and/or received for review that you're adding to your shelf.


I was given this as a giveaway prize from the Blue Bloods re-read a long.

- Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes
I have been meaning to get this book for the longest time now, but haven't been able to find it in the bookstores.

These, I have bought:

- Awake at Dawn by C.C Hunter
- Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan.
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer
- Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
- Darkness Before Dawn by J. A London
- Envy by Elizabeth Miles
- Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
- Bitter Blood by Rachel Caine
- The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater


From netgalley

- Nameless by Lili St Crow

Review: Timeless by Michelle Madow

Timeless (Transcend Time Saga #2)
Michelle Madow
Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing
Publication date: November 14th, 2012
Number of pages: 230
Format: Kindle
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads

In Remembrance, Lizzie and Drew changed the course of fate so they could be together.

In Vengeance, Chelsea set fate back on its original, deadly path.

Now, strange things keep happening to Lizzie. Things that are omens of darkness to come. A curse has doomed her to die an early death, just as she did in her past life. To make things worse, even if she can figure out who cast the curse, it's irreversible. There's only one option left for her to save herself. It's crazier than anything she's heard yet, and to do it, she'll need Drew and Chelsea's help.

Because to make things right, they must go back to when it all began

In the conclusion to the romantic saga, Lizzie and Chelsea find themselves back to where it began if they want to try find a way to save Lizzie from certain death after having a curse accidently put on her.

After Chelsea was manipulated by an evil from the past, and having discovered the consequences to that, she and Elizabeth have to journey to the past to do what needs to be undone. To set things right the way they were meant to be.

From obstacles standing in their way, evil they could never have predicted and curses, the test of Drue and Lizzie's love for one another stands it's final challenge through the past, as the three of them try to put things right for them all.
This was a fantastic ending to a beautiful saga. Michelle   did a great job with these three characters, as they journey through a dozen challenges they each faced in determining the course of true love. We might have hated Chelsea to begin with, but with this conclusion, you understand her side of the story and that in true spirit, she isn't to blame. She is mere just also a victim who was manipulated throughout history.

I really loved seeing them back in the past as that is where you get to understand them more clearly and see that things weren't as they had appeared to be.
That evil... might even be closer than they had imagined. And to overcome it, they will have to work together and show that true friendship and love does conquer  all.

Verdict

Review: Every day by David Levithan

Every day
David Levithan
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date: August 28th, 2012
Number of pages: 336
Format: Kindle
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

Every Day is one of those rare books you come across where it just blows your mind. From the concept, to the actions and characters to the unique plot.
A is neither a guy nor girl. He is a soul that, each day wakes up in a different body. This was something that has been happening since the time he was born. Which was how long ago? Does that mean A is technically immortal since A never says in one body more than a day? I thought about this, trust me. I think it opens up a lot of questions with many possibilities in mind.

A goes day by day and tries not to get involved in that person's life because it could do more harm than good, and what would be the point? But A slips up, when he wakes up in the body of Justin, and then falls for his girlfriend.... the rules begin to change.
A begins to feel things that never happened before. Does things that A never did before, like saying things, and doing things in Justin's body that changes things in his life.
But what happens when A doesn't want to leave Rhiannon, Justin's girlfriend? What if she knew the truth.. would she run, or would she accept this is how things are?

And that, folks is where we have the delimma. I absolutely loved this book. I was so drawn to the story, to A and the relationship with Rhiannon. It seems so impossible. How could a relationship between them work? If there was a way for A to stay in one body.. then maybe it wouldn't be so difficult.
Man. It's so hard to refer to A, as just A.. I am so used to saying "He" or "She", but in this case A is neither, and both at the same time. It takes a little time grasping. Like if A is in a girl's body.. and sees Rhiannon, does that make A gay? and vice versa? Ha.  I guess you have to look at it that A is just a soul, but somehow has its own feelings apart from the ones A felt within a specific body.

This is such a clever, magnificent, enticing and memerizing novel. I could not get enough of it. I admit, I had never read anything by David Levithan before, but had definitely heard about his work. After reading this, I definitely would love to read more of his  stuff and what he would come up with next.

I would recommend this to everyone. No matter what you like or don't like.. I think this book would appeal to just about everyone. It is that creative. That addicting and imaginative.

This is a story that will stick with you so far past the last page. A novel that will be everlasting in your thoughts.

Verdict

Review: The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna

The Lost Girl 
Sangu Mandanna
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication date: August 28th, 2012
Number of pages: 432
Format: Kindle
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads

Eva's life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination--an echo. She was made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her "other," if she ever died. Eva spends every day studying that girl from far away, learning what Amarra does, what she eats, what it's like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But sixteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything and everyone she's ever known--the guardians who raised her, the boy she's forbidden to love--to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.

Just imagine you are a replicate of someone in case something might happen to the original and you would have to replace her.
This is what Eva's life is. She has known this her entire life... that if something were to happen to Amarra, her other self, Eva would have no choice but to go be her.
Of course that is exactly what happens. She has prepared herself in case it might happen, but she never thought it would happen this soon. How would she say goodbye to those she loves? Her family and friends..
But she has to, she has no choice.

Not too soon after arriving in India, Eva finds herself having to pretend to be someone she isn't. She has to be the perfect daughter, the friend to Amarra's friends, and girlfriend to her boyfriend.. except, something isn't right.  She isn't meant to be there. But how can she protest to something that wasn't up to her in the first place? What gives her the right to say no to something that is out of her hands?

I really loved this book. It was different, even amongst the dystopian world. Even though Eva isn't allowed to feel or do anything that is against what has been grained inside her for sixteen years, she can't help but suddenly fall for the one person she shouldn't.
As she discovers things while posing as Amarra that will shock her, it also makes her determined that she too should be allowed a choice in her own life, and in the end... she might do something that could cost her everything.

This was a great stand alone novel, where the end was not what you might expect, but also leaves things up to interpretation of your own imagination.

Verdict

Review: Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

Finale (Hush, Hush #4) by Becca Fitzpatrck
Publication Date: October 23, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Number of Pages: 454
Format: Hardback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble 
Add to Goodreads
Description: Will love conquer all?

Nora and Patch thought their troubles were behind them. Hank is gone and they should be able to put his ugly vendetta to rest. But in Hank's absence, Nora has become the unwitting head of the Nephilim and must finish what Hank began. Which ultimately means destroying the fallen angels - destroying Patch.

Nora will never let that happen, so she and Patch make a plan: lead everyone to believe they have broken up, and work the system from the inside. Nora will convince the Nephilim that they are making a mistake in fighting the fallen angels, and Patch will find out everything he can from the opposing side. They will end this war before it can even begin.

But the best-laid plans often go awry. Nora is put through the paces in her new role and finds herself drawn to an addictive power she never anticipated.

As the battle lines are drawn, Nora and Patch must confront the differences that have always been between them and either choose to ignore them or let them destroy the love they have always fought for.

 I've been dying for this book to see how it all ends, and even though I will tell you I loved it I have mix feelings about the book. It picks up right after Silence ended. I thought the prologue was kind of stupid. Usually those gives you insight to a past event or something similiar and not something that happened to the main character earlier that day.

It doesn't take Nora long to realize that she has no choice but to go to war with the fallen angels. And she soon realizes that she wants the nephilim to be freed. And this puts her at odds with Patch.

There's so much I want to write in this review, but I don't want to spoil those who haven't read the book yet. But true to typical YA standards there's a death, not only one betrayal but two, and some twists at the end. Without giving too much away, the death I knew it was coming. It wasn't a surprise to me, but it broke my heart. The betrayals...one was expected. But it was like going backwards. I had hopes for that character. The other one comes from a new character, and I truly started to like him until that moment. The surprises has to do with Vee and Detective Basso. We learn early on that Vee has a secret she has been keeping. And when we finally learn the secret I felt like saying wtf. It made no sense what so ever, and honestly I thought was stupid. And the twist with Basso, I knew early in the book something was up with him. Thinking back on the previous books, I should of been expecting something all a long about him.

And of course there were times when I just wanted to slap Nora, and yell at her and ask her how stupid can she be. And then of course I can't go much longer without mentioning Patch. *sighs* Just when I thought I couldn't fall in love with him anymore. He was just perfect in the book. And their ending was perfect.

Like I said earlier I really love this book. But I have too many issues with the plot lines. I felt like the whole book was building up for something big and than bam it's over in like 5 seconds. The ending felt too rush. And then there was Marcie. I was very disappointed. Her death was mention in the epilogue just in passing. I'm surprised she lived that long since the epilogue is 3 years later. I really was expecting some epic death in this book. And it was mention that only five people showed up to her funeral? Not buying that. And then the epilogue itself was really cheesy. And I really didn't see the point of the main scene. The last Patch and Nora scene was just perfect though.

I felt like there was too many descriptions of non important stuff through the series. Like matchstick jeans. I don't even know what those are. And do we really need to know Nora is wearing liquid eyeliner? Isn't just eyeliner enough? And in the beginning she used the term rom-com. Until recently I didn't realized that it was a term used for romantic comedy. Perfect ending for them, but I'm sad that it's over. It's been one hell of a ride.

Rating 4/5

 

Teaser Tuesday 14

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

Today's teaser comes from the last book in the Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick, Finale. 

GIVE ME 20 AND I'LL BE THERE, Patch texted. WHICH ROOM SPECIFICALLY ARE YOU IN? 
YOUR BEDROOM.
MAKE THAT TEN MINUTES.  

Review: ICED by Karen Marie Moning

ICED (Fever #6 / Dani O'Malley #1)
Karen Marie Moning
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication date: October 30th, 2012
Number of pages: 495
Format: Hardcover
Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add to Goodreads

The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.

Whether you have heard of this book, this series or these characters or not. I'm speaking the truth when I say, there aint anything else like it out there in the adult / Urban Fantasy world.
There can't be anyone who doesn't recognize the Fever series at some point, whether its from Goodreads, through other people or have seen the books around. Have you read them? Great. Have you not? Well, there is one thing I can say to you about that --- Go out and get them. If you like Urban Fantasy, or even romance, with a bit of dark, with characters to die and swoon over. This would be definitely for you.

I have been a major, obsessive fan of this series for many years now, and no matter how much I re-read the series again and again, that clear fact does not change. This is the sort of story that will forever be stuck with you. It's life changing that will make you look differently about the world, and it will ruin any other author for you.

Let's get to the actual book, shall we?  First off , I'll mention I had first read this when I got it at the ICED book signing in New Orleans on October 29th. Before it actually came out. My main reason for flying to the US was for this particular book event. Remember how I mentioned how obsessive I am for this series? Yes, money was no cause. I was going one way or another. And it was the best time I had in the longest I can remember.

ICED.. what can I say? I wasn't sure what to expect going into it because I knew the next three books were going to Dani's story. Mac would no longer be the protagonist. Barrons would no longer be a main or lead character. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who wasn't sure how this would take with readers. Dani was not a character that everyone liked, but then again, so was Mac I have heard.
I have never had a real problem with Dani, although during the Fever series she did grate on my nerves from time to time. Karen did say that she wouldn't be like that in her own story, because she had to find a way to stand out in the Fever books, so what we saw was only a small part of who she was and she made herself bigger and more vocal than she really was.
I found myself growing to like and respect her as I went through ICED. We slowly began to understand her, where she was coming from and how she got to be who the girl she is today. She certainly hadn't had the easiest childhood, and it hasn't gotten any better by any means. I do feel that she will become such a strong and independant woman. I look forward to reading the next two books as they come out, to see how she deals with things, her abilities, relationships and friendships. She sure has her work cut out for her.

We have a few male leads in this book. Ryodan, who is by far my favourite. Christian and Dancer. Each is different and some more messed up than others, but with each character they have their own fair share of secrets that, while some has come to light, some hasn't...
Dancer is full of mystery. I am not sure what is going on with him. He seems nice enough, a good friend to Dani, but I don't know.. he just seems a little too perfect and all knowing right now. I am sure that will change since this is Karen we are talking about and she does nothing easy. He is human, from what we can tell -- even that I am not sure is completely sure or not. Never trust anyone when it comes to this world, because nobody will be as you think.
Christian, poor guy. He has had a lot to deal with, and all traces of who he was in the previous books seem to have disappeared. He has been transforming into something he would never wish on anyone, including himself. An Unseelie Prince as it happens, and I am not sure where this is going, or what is going to happen to him next. But he seems to have formed some obsessive bond with Dani, that doesn't seem completely sane. I wish just for him to seek the happiness that he does deserve.
And last, but not least, we have the mysterious, enigmatic Chesters owner, Ryodan.  He is someone who I have loved since Bloodfever, and so it was no surprise that he ended up my favourite male character in this book. We don't know anything really about him, or about his true motives and feelings right now, although I am sure that will change over the next two books in this series.
I know people could compare him to Barrons, but after reading this book it is more clear that they are nothing alike, but really are two different wild men.

There has been some discussion  about Dani's current and future love life with these men in her life. Who will be her HEA? Some kind of love square seems to be forming, even if it's not clear right now. Personally... I am Team Ryodan. If you forget about her age... they have this chemistry that she has with nobody else. I can't take what he has with anyone else seriously, and really.. what's a few years when you have eternity? Some people can find it gross and creepy, but somehow, I don't. His relationship with her right now is something of a mentor, who is trying to help her be the woman he knows she can be. To help her through this world, to look out her for, without her slipping out of his life.
Because we don't have his POV, we don't exactly know what is going on in his brain, and what his intentions are, but I have no doubt we'll slowly see something changing as the stories progresses, and I look forward to reading through Dani's maturity as she gets older.

The plot, I loved.  I felt it was quite interesting to have Dublin 'Iced' an Ryodan having to seek out Dani, who might be the only person who would be able to help in this situation. It was also a situation that pulled them together made them work together whether she liked it or not, and usually it was .. not.
The story itself, I felt was much stronger than in Darkfever, which seemed to be more about Mac and her discovering herself. But since Dani knows who she is, or thinks she does? There was room for more of a plot, and it was dark and gritty. It was awesome. 

Dani's story wasn't the only one we got to see in this book. No, we also got  Kat, who is trying to deal with her new job as mistress of the abbey, and her temptations she has now has to battle. There is the matter of the Iced prince down under the abbey, who will use any force necessary to get what he wants, manipulate anyone if it means getting released.
I admit, he had me fooled a few times. Kat needs to watch out before she loses everything that she cares about.

Before anyone asks, yes we do have appearances by Mac and Barrons. They are far and few, but there are a couple, but given the cliffhanger, I am sure we'll see more of them in book 2, at least Mac. It should be interesting to see how things progress regarding the thing between Dani and Mac, who really hasn't been in the same place since Mac discovered the truth about Dani, and what happened to her sister. A confrontation will soon have to happen. A talk needs to happen otherwise Dani will never know how Mac really feels, or whether they can move past this and move on.

It seems I have rambled enough, but I shall leave you with some of my favourite quotes.

“Barrons breaks heads. Ryodan turns them inside out. Barrons fucks you up. Ryodan makes you fuck yourself up. He pushes buttons and rearranges things according to his own private, coolly sociopathic plan.” 
 “What does somebody like you want? More power? More toys? More sex?"
"All of the above. All the time."
"Greedy bugger."
"Kid, let me tell you something. Most people spend their short time in this world less than half alive. They wander through their days in a haze of responsibility and resentment. Something happens to them not long after they're born. They get conflicted about what they want and start worshipping the wrong gods. Should. Mercy. Equality. Altruism. There's nothing you should do. Do what you want. Mercy isn't Nature's way. She's an equal opportunity killer. We aren't born the same. Some are stronger, smarter, faster. Never apologize for it. Altruism is an impossible concept. There's no action you can make that doesn't spring from how you want to feel about yourself. Not greedy, Dani. Alive. And happy about it every single fucking day.”

“All the sudden Ryodan’s standing one inch away from me, hand under my chin, holding my face up to his. “You’ll never be just anything. A tsunami can never be ‘just’ a wave.”
“Get off my chin.”
“I like that about you. Waves are banal. Tsunamis reshape the Earth. Under the right circumstances, even entire civilizations.”
I blink.
“You’re going to be one hell of a woman one day, Dani.”  

“She thinks he's not an animal like Barrons. That he's more civilized. She right, he is more polished. But it only makes him more dangerous. With Barrons you expect to get fucked up royally. With Ryodan you don't see it coming.” 

“One day, kid, you'll be willing to mortgage your fucking soul for somebody.

“What does somebody like you want? More power? More toys? More sex?"
"All of the above. All the time."
"Greedy bugger."
"Kid, let me tell you something. Most people spend their short time in this world less than half alive. They wander through their days in a haze of responsibility and resentment. Something happens to them not long after they're born. They get conflicted about what they want and start worshipping the wrong gods. Should. Mercy. Equality. Altruism. There's nothing you should do. Do what you want. Mercy isn't Nature's way. She's an equal opportunity killer. We aren't born the same. Some are stronger, smarter, faster. Never apologize for it. Altruism is an impossible concept. There's no action you can make that doesn't spring from how you want to feel about yourself. Not greedy, Dani. Alive. And happy about it every single fucking day.”  

“Stop. Vibrating." Ryodan plucks a paper out of the air and slaps it back down on his desk.
I wonder if he cleans it. How many tushes have been on that thing? I'm never touching it again. "Can't help it," I say around a mouthful of candy bar. I know what I look like: a smudge of black leather and hair. "It happens when I get really excited. The more excited I get, the more I vibrate."
"Now there's a thought," Lor says.
"If you mean what I think you mean, you want to shut the fuck up ad never think it again," Ryodan says.
"Just saying, boss," Lor says. "You can't tell me you didn't think it, too.” 

“When I thought I'd killed him, I felt more alone than I've felt in a long time. Like I couldn't stand walking through this city knowing he wasn't in it. Like somehow, as long as he was out there somewhere, if I was ever really in trouble, I knew where I could go and while maybe he wouldn't do exactly what I wanted him to do, he'd keep me alive. He'd get me through whatever it was to live another day.”  

Verdict

 

Review: Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Silence (Hush, Hush #3) by Becca Fitzpatrick
Publication Date: October 4, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuester
Number of Pages: 448
Format: Hardback
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Description: When Silence Is All That's Left, Can The Truth Finally Be Heard?

Nora Grey can't remember the past five months of her life. After the initial shock of waking up in a cemetery and being told that she has been missing for weeks - with no one knowing where she was or who she was with - she tried to get her life back on track. Go to school, hang out with her best friend, Vee, and dodge mom's creepy new boyfriend.

But there is this voice in the back of her head, an idea that she can almost reach out and touch. Visions of angel wings and unearthly creatures that have nothing to do with the life she knows.

And this unshakable feeling that a part of her is missing.

Then Nora crosses paths with a sexy stranger, whom she feels a mesmerizing connection to. He seems to hold all the answers...and her heart. Every minute she spends with him grows more and more intense until she realizes she could be falling in love. Again.

After being kidnapped and missing for three months, Nora wakes in a cemetery with not only no memory of the kidnapping but with no memory of the last five months. But that is not the only surprise, her mom is now dating Marcie's dad, Hank. But Nora can't keep out of danger for long. She keeps on encountering a mysterious stranger Jev who confirmed they knew each other but won't say how. Her mother or Vee says they don't know who Jev is.

With their parents dating Marcie is actually being nice to Nora. And claims she has a necklace that belongs to her, that this guy Patch gave to Nora. But Vee and her mother both claim they don't know a Patch. But when Nora hears his name all sorts of feelings comes to her. And of course it's not long before Scott shows up again and clues Nora back into the world of the fallen angels. And reveals to her that he believes Hank is behind the Nephilim army. Enlisting Scott's help, they are both determined to bring him down. But who is Jev and why does he keep popping up? And why does she feel a connection to him?

Unlike the first two books, my feelings stayed the same on this book. I feel like the synopsis was misleading. I really didn't feel like Nora fell in love again. Just that she got her memories back. I didn't expect Nora to find out like she did who Jev/Patch was. I was really hoping to see a love story all over again. But despite it, I still loved the book. And the ending was something I never expect. I do wish we got to see homecoming.

And I love Patch even more so. Especially his feeling towards Scott. Nice to have a laugh every now and then.

Even though my mix feelings about the book. I simply thought it was amazing. I couldn't put it down, even the second time around reading it. I can't wait to read the last book and see how everything turns out. And hopefully get answers to the lingering questions I have.

Rating: 5/5

Review: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2) by Becca Fitzpatrick
Publication Date: October 19, 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Number of Pages: 427
Format: Hardback
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Description: Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it. A mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever (if that's possible) and what's worse, he seems to be spending time with Nora's archenemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude, Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feelings that he is hiding something.

If that weren't enough, Nora is haunted by images of her murdered father, and comes to question whether her Nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death. Desperate to figure out what happened, she puts herself in increasingly dangerous situations to get the answer. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

The second installment of Fitzpatrick series starts off with a flashback to the night that Nora's dad died. We see that it wasn't just a random mugging and murder. But somehow it was mixed in with the Nephilim. Then it turns to present day. It's summer and Nora couldn't be happier with Patch. The story picks up on the night before summer school starts. In a sweet moment in his jeep, Patch gives Nora his archangel necklace and in return Nora gives him the ring that her dad gave her a week before he was murder. At first Patch refused to take it but Nora refuses to take no as an answer. Nora then tells him those three little words that usually scare guys, I love you. When Patch doesn't say it back Nora feels humiliated. But even more so when Patch claims to hear something in the woods and heads off to investigate. The next morning starts off to a bad start. Nora's mom had sold her car for bill money not long before the book starts. Nora wakes up late and almost is late for her first day. To top it off Marcie is her lab partner and tells her that she say Patch in her drive way last night.

Confronting Patch wasn't easy, but he didn't denied it, which ultimately leads to their breakup. And what is any YA series without another guy involved? Enter Scott. You can tell he is trouble from the first moment. But it doesn't take Nora long to realize that Scott is a Nephilim and that he is hiding something. And Nora being foolish stupid decides to find out what it is. Which means spending time with Scott. And it doesn't help that everytime she turns around she sees Marcie with Patch. Even though Patch does what he can to keep Nora safe. Not to mention right before the break up Patch set Vee up with Rixon.

It doesn't take Nora long to realize that it seems like someone is after her again. Only this time she can't count on Patch to always be there for her.

I hated the break up between Nora and Patch, but I understand it had to happen. And even though Nora was acting like a typical 16 year old girl, I hate to think that they could of made things better if Nora came to her senses from the beginning. The twist at the end of the book was surprising. And I hated who it was. I really did love the character. Not to mention the twists about Nora's heritage, which I pretty much saw that coming.

And then of course the ending was a cliffhanger! If you loved the first book you would definitely love this one.  

Rating: 4/5

 

Review: Hush,Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush,Hush (Hush,Hush #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick
Publication Date: October 13, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Number of Pages: 391
Format: Hardback
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Description: A Sacred Oath
A Fallen Angel
A Forbidden Love

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

A year after Nora's father was murder, she finally feel like her life is back to normal. That is till the day in Biology when her teacher decided to switch up the seating chart.  Her new partner? The mysterious Patch. Since that day her life hasn't been the same. He knows things about her that he shouldn't have any way of knowing. And then of course freaky things starts to happen and she feels like someone is stalking and after her. Is it a coincidence that Patch seems to be everywhere she turns? She doesn't trust him. Not to mention he makes her feel uncomfortable but she can't stop the feelings about him. When Vee pushes Nora to the new transfer guy Elliot, she thinks he could be the solution. That is until Nora unintentionally uncovers some unsettling facts about his life from his previous school. Not sure where she can turn can Nora trust anyone?

The first time I read the book I immediately fell in love with it. With the final book coming out I decided the series is worth a re read. Not sure what it is, don't get me wrong I still love the book but I had some different opinions about it the second time around. There were plenty of times when I just wanted to slap Nora, whom makes some of the dumbest decisions. But she is a 16 year old girl, so I suppose she can be forgiven. And then there's Patch. I usually don't go for the bad boy who's an ass. Not to mention he doesn't start off as the good guy. But I completely fell in love with Patch.

Thrown into the world of fallen angels, Nora accepts it amazingly well. But another problem I had with the plot is that essentially Nora had three different people out to kill her. A little bit too much. Nora realizes that she can't stay away from Patch.

None the less I still think the book is amazing and so is the series.

Rating: 4/5

Review: Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione

Desire Unchained (Demonica #2) by Larissa Ione
Publication Date: March 1, 2009
Publisher: Forever
Number of Pages: 380
Format: Paperback
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Description: Pleasure is their ultimate weapon . . .

Runa Wagner never meant to fall in love with the sexy stranger who seemed to know her every deepest desire. But she couldn't resist the unbelievable passion that burned between them, a passion that died when she discovered his betrayal and found herself forever changed. Now, determined to make Shade pay for the transformation that haunts her, Runa searches for him, only to be taken prisoner by his darkest enemy.
A Seminus Demon with a love-curse that threatens him with eternal torment, Shade hoped he'd seen the last of Runa and her irresistible charm. But when he wakes up in a dank dungeon chained next to an enraged and mysteriously powerful Runa, he realizes that her effect on him is more dangerous than ever.
As their captor casts a spell that bonds them as lifemates, Shade and Runa must fight for their lives and their hearts-or succumb to a madman's evil plans.

 Shade thought it was bad when he woke up in chained to a wall in a dungeon next to his ex lover turned werewolf Runa. But he would of never imagined that his assumed dead brother Roag was not only behind his kidnapping but also behind the black market operation of selling demon parts. Unknown to the other brothers, Roag knows that Wraith set his death up, and he intends not only to make Wraith pay but Shade and Eidolon pay as well.

Shade does his best to push Runa away from him, when they had dated and even so more now. He is cursed and once he falls in love he will slowly start to fade away till he's completely invisible. Once they escape he refuses to let Runa out of his sight. He soon realizes that he can't outrun love for very long...

I loved the first book in the series, but I was a little disappointed in this one. I was much more interested in the side plots going on than the actual main story. I was heartbroken that Shade's half sister was killed in this book. I wanted to see more of her. And of course I love the brother's relationship with each other more than anything else.

I wasn't too impress with Shade. I thought he was a complete asshole most of the time, even though he had a very good reason to be. But I was expecting a little more from the romance in the book.

Overall the book was great. And I can't wait to see more of the brothers.

Rating: 4/5

 

Review: Endless by Jessica Shirvington

Endless (Violet Eden Chapters #4) by Jessica Shirvington
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Hachette
Number of Pages: 446
Format: Paperback
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Description: Love will kill us all.

Angels are real. They aren't always kind. Violet Eden is certain of all this because she is Grigori - part angel, part human. She has felt the influence of both light and dark.

When Hell unleashes its worst, Violet must embrace every facet of her angel self to save the people she cares about and the world as she knows it. But death is not the worst thing that Violet will face. For her, the endless question 'Can love conquer all?' will finally be answered.

 Endless picks up right where Emblaze left off. Not only is Lilith back, so is Violet's mother. After the shock they were able to "hide" her from the council for a few weeks. But of course nothing stays secret for long. And of course they demanded that she has  to come to New York with Violet. After being separated from her for 17 years, her dad refused to let her go without him. While Steph, Salvatore, Dapper, and Onyx travel to Egypt to search for a mysterious potion, the rest of the gang head to New York, including Violet's dad who refuses to leave Evelyn's side.Once in NY, Evelyn and her dad is thrown in a confined cell. And Violet must go through testing in three weeks time; which she knows she has little hope of passing with so many Assembly members against her. Which is the least of her worries, with Lilith having Phoenix kidnapping children.

The whole book had me in a emotional roller coaster.  The Lincoln and Violet moments in the book were AMAZING! But with typical YA books the happiness is short lived. And then there's Phoenix, which I completely adore. I thought he had completely lost all of the good in him, but I knew he wouldn't stay completely evil. He redeems himself. And even has a heartbreaking scene. And of course Salvatore is awesome as always. And Violet and Evelyn's relationship rocky at first improves by the end.

The ending is completely heartbreaking. I'm so glad that this wasn't the last book like it was originally intended. Which even if I didn't know that, if the ending was twisted a little it would of made the perfect conclusion to the series. But I'm glad there's going to be more books, and can't wait to read them.

Overall the book was amazing. But I did feel like it drag on for a bit.

Rating: 4/5

 

Cover Reveal -- Earthbound!

Remember we had heard about that new book Aprillynne was working on? Yes. I sure did. Lookie... we have a gorgeous cover!

Tavia, the "Earthbound" heroine, is the sole survivor of a plane crash that killed her parents and left her in the keeping of an aunt and uncle. She's safe, she's happy, she should be able to move on with her life. But she can't shake the feeling that something's not right—not when she keeps having visions of a beautiful, alluring stranger who wants her to leave her family and flee to Maine, and not when it starts to look like the accident that orphaned her was part of a plot to end her life. Soon, she's on the run with no one to trust...except the childhood friend she's sworn to love forever, and whose heart she'd have to break to learn the truth about who she is.

Doesn't it sound amazing? I agree.

It breaks into stores July 30th, 2013.

 

Review: Guardian (Halflings #2) by Heather Burch

Guardian (Halflings #2)
Heather Burch
Publication date: October 9th, 2012
Number of pages: 318
Format: Kindle via netgalley

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Vigilance. The mission to safeguard Nikki Youngblood depends on the fragile alliance of two half-angel, half-human guardians, both struggling with intense feelings for the girl who has been assigned to their care. Mace, steadfast and deeply in love, wants to protect Nikki at all costs, while Raven's loyalty to Nikki finds him advocating for her independence and battling his own darker inclinations. At the same time, Nikki finds it harder and harder to choose between the two heavenly beings she may never have. Dangers intensify, and tensions between Mace and Raven flare as the purpose of their mission becomes clear. Can their defenses hold up to master manipulator Damon Vessler and the powerful secret he holds regarding Nikki's heritage? Can anyone protect Nikki from her true purpose and destiny?

A thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to review this title.

Nikki and her half-angel companions are off onto yet another adventure, and during this journey Nikki starts to understand who she really is. Amongst some self discoveries, she makes a choice between the ones she loves and the one that she is attracted to. It wasn't an easy decision, and so the triangle was still in place even though we knew who she chose.
I was glad I was on the winning side in terms of the triangle, I hope her decision doesn't change, because her choice.. I have felt has been the right one from the beginning.

Mace and Raven are both great guys, but I believe there has been one that Nikki has had more of a connection to since the beginning. But that's not to say she still can't be friends with the other, as I do think she needs them both in her life in some capacity.

Also, I don't get why people seem to snub on character if they are 'nice'. What is wrong with nice guys? But with Mace, he isn't just nice. There is so much to him than he lets on, and during this book, he is going through some stuff.. but that only makes him even more likable in my opinion. He isn't black and white. He has layers that not everyone can understand at first, but I believe Nikki will help him through them.
Raven on the other hand, it's also known he loves Nikki, and they share a connection.  He does make me laugh, but it kind of feels like.. all these 'bad' guys I read about these days have the same qualities in them. They are bad, but not really. They are in love with the main character, but she loves someone else. Blah. I do wish things can change up in YA.

She also meets other halflings, so we're introduced to a few new characters, but there is the dreaded question about whether or not they are good, are they bad?

This was a quick read and a great installment to this series. I look forward to see how the next book goes.

Verdict