Jen's review of "The Hunt" by Andrew Fukuda

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Publication date: May 8th, 2012

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Number of page: 304

Format: ARC / Netgalley

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description: Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

Want to read a book about vampires? How about a dystopian world? You're in for a treat, because this new book from Andrew Fukuda brings both of those things into one captivating and thrilling story.
The story starts off with a human, also known as a 'Heper' Gene and he describes the world he currently lives in and the fact for years he has done everything he could possibly do to be able to fit in with everyone else. And by "everyone else" I mean vampires.
They basically have taken over the world, and it's rare to find any Hepers left. They are pretty much extinct, and if they are found they are either killed for their blood which is intoxicating to vampires, or kept for THE HUNT, which is a big race, or hunt you might say in which the vampires would hunt down the hepers.

When Gene gets chosen to be one of the few to be a hunter he couldn't have been more shocked. "Stay under the radar," his father used to always tell him, because that way they would not take any notice of you and look too closely. And when they look too closely they can discover just what he really is, and that certainly is not one of them which he has led everyone to believe for as long as he can remember.

As he prepares for the hunt, in which they have four days to train and prepare for what they must do. He isn't alone as he thought he was. Gene soon discovers that he isn't the only human/heper out there, and once he realizes this... he will need to decide what he will do. Will he continue to play along and pretend he is one of the vampires, or will he embrace just what he really is and try to stop the hunt from happening?
A surprising romance, new discoveries and shocking revelations. This novel contains it all.

I was surprised just how good this book turned out to be. You get so many vampire and dystopian novels out in the world today, that you have to start to wonder whether there can be a unique story that you haven't heard before.  The answer is that there is, and this is a prime example of it.
While things started out slow in the beginning, but I knew a lot of books tend to be that way to be able to set up the plot and characters. 
Soon enough, this story came to life and it's impossible not to become hooked by it. Andrew makes you believe, and feel you are right there with Gene as he battles his emotional fears and revelations. He makes you live every moment with him as Gene travels through this journey.

I really liked the romance between Gene... and the girl whom he is in love with. I felt their history, and the chemistry between them.
Gene also makes new friends along the way in this story, and I feel by the end of the book he is a much stronger character than he was(not to say he wasn't) in the beginning.

I look forward to the next book, which seems so far away right now. I absolutely recommend this book to those who love vampires and a dystopian world.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me this opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

                                                            Rating:

                                                              4/5

Follow Friday [#02]

This is a weekly blog meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.

Here are the general rules to Follow Friday:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts and any one else you want to follow on the list

2. Follow our Featured Bloggers

3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.

4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments

5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can

6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!

8. If your new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

This week's question is: Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?

I try not to. It  can become confusing sometimes, but I do admit that I at times, try to read one normal book, and one book on my kindle for times. Doesn't always work out that easy.
Most of the time I just feel that by switching constantly you lose focus of the story which you are reading about and might have to go back and re-read parts which you don't remember.

Cover love:: ICED by Karen Marie Moning

 

Publication date:: October 30th, 2012.

OMG. You guys have no idea how in love I am with:

A) This series/ This author
B) This cover.

Gosh. This needs to come out now. Plus I will be there for the ICED signing in New Orleans! Just when I didn't think I could be even more excited for this book this cover just proves me wrong!

Jen's review of "Darker after Midnight" by Lara Adrian

Darker after Midnight (Midnight Breed #10) by Lara Adrian

Publication date: January 24th, 2012

Publisher: Random House

Number of pages: 386

Format: Kindle

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description: In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order—a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike—to stop Dragos, the power-mad vampire at the center of the conflict, before his push for domination can explode into catastrophe.

At the center of the Order’s quest is Sterling Chase, once a morally rigid enforcer of Breed law, now a warrior fallen from grace, whose biggest battle is the one he wages against his own savage nature. With addiction beckoning him toward eternal darkness, Chase’s path to redemption has never seemed more out of reach—until he finds himself drawn to a beautiful young woman who may be something much more than she seems . . .

In probably what you would call the most anticipated book in this series, Lara Adrian does not disappoint.

Chase's story has been one that's been building up over the entire series thus far, and I remember Lara telling me it was one he had to be deserving of.. and oh, he was.

Not only was Tavia deserving of him, but he was also deserving of her. She was everything a love interest for him should be. She was strong and independant and strong, even though she found herself mixed up within the whole breed business before she even knew what exactly it meant.

Tavia's life had been been easy, but she thought she knew who she could trust, and then to find out her entire life had been a lie has got to be quite the shock. To anyone. Bur she handed everything that came her way with a maturity and grace I hadn't seen before.

That's not to say the other breedmates werent just as great, but Tavia had something unique about her that makes her stand out, and maybe that's one of the things that attracts Chase to her.

From the very first moment these two had interacted in the book, I knew we were in for something special and I was right.

Chase hasn't had it easy lately. He begins to face his past and see some realizations. She makes him worthy. Tavia is what brings out the best in him as he begins to realize.

If you think this story was just about them.. think again. Sure, that was the whole point, but there was something bigger going on.

Dragos.

Oh, I hated him for so long and he always seemed so confident of being two steps ahead of the order. He thinks he could get away with anything, and he almost did.

In this book we see the conclusion to this plot.. he really gets what is coming to him.

But not just that. We also get to see other relationships and friendships in this book.

From Lucan (L)and Gabrielle, to Brock and Jenna as she begins to find out what exactly she is.

This is a family. They might not be blood, but what they share with one another is so much bigger than that.

The epilogue of this novel.. on one thought it seems pretty final, and then on another.. by the end, it also feels like the beginning of something new and I personally can't wait to discover it.

I am so glad there are gonna be more books, even though it might not be in the same area as we have come to expect from this series.

But Lara can write anything and I will buy it.

Rating: 5/5

Jen's review of "The Goddess Test" by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Publication date: August 1st, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Number of pages: 292

Format: Paperback

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description:It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

For some reason I have been hesitant to read this book, but I recently got around to reading it and absolutely loved it.

Aimee Carter brings a new take to the greek gods and the mythology we have come to know and love.

The first book in this trilogy unfolds with Kate, 18 yrs old and has been looking after her dying mother for the past few years.

Her mother's dying wish was to go back to her home town so she can die in peace, and Kate can't say no to her, even if it means leaving New York.. her only home she has ever known.

When Kate starts at her new school in this small town, she meets a few new people who will make an impact on her whether she knows it or not.

When a tragedy occurs, Kate suddenly makes a deal with a guy not completing understanding what the deal she made was, less alone that she believed it. But when Kate has to choose between losing her mother, or saving her..at least to a point, in her mind she has no other choice.

Henry, the new guy whom she made this deal with claims to be Hades, the god of the underworld and in exchange for him helping her mother she must spent six months with him every year for the rest of the life.

Simple, right? Wrong. But, how bad could it be?

I haven't read a lot of books in this genre, and by that I mean that involve greek mythology and the gods. I believe the only other series I have read would be Percy Jackson. So I was pleasantly surprised by how interesting Aimee's take on this was. I didn't have a problem with her version of things, because I think it just makes it even more unique this way.

I did keep checking the back of the names of who was who so I can have it in my mind when I read certain parts with the characters.

I loved Kate and Henry. Their relationship changed slowly.. she might have hated him in the beginning for what he was making her do, but as she got to know him .. those feelings changed and started to develop into something more.

And while he does love her.. I'm not totally convinced that he is over his ex wife.

After I had finished the book .. I went back to the beginning and thought about it all.. everything made much more sense. I was planning on rating this 4 out of 5, but after everything that sunk in.. it was definitely a 5.

I look forward to the next book to see what happens next for Kate and Henry. While their love might be real.. I don't think it's far from easy. I'm sure there will be another complication thrown in their way to true happiness.

Rating: 5/5

Jen's review of "Shatter Me" by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Publication date: November 15th, 2011

Publisher: Harper Collins

Number of pages: 338

Format: Paperback

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description:  Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In the debut novel, Tahereh brings out a story that is unique in the dystopian genre that will bring you to your toes and make you yearn for more.

The book starts off with a bang and we are brought to our protoganist Juliette as she sits in a cell where she has been for the past three years after she had been kidnapped from her own home and taken to a institution.

Juliette has not had any contact with anyone, less alone spoken to a single soul since she arrived.

She has forgotten what she looks like as it has been so long since she was able to look in the mirror.

Just when Juliette was getting used to her life in her cell, in comes a new person sent in for some reason. He seems familar to her for some reason, but she can't put her finger on it. Until she sees his eyes, and that is the moment she can't believe. What are the odds that her past has come into her present?

Adam.

He is someone who makes her feel unbelievable things. She wants him to touch her. But he shouldn't.

Whomever touches her, or she touches.. bad things happen. They die. It's a power she doesn't understand. She hates it. She hates who she is and would take it back if she could.

When she discovers what he is doing there and her purpose is for being in this place will make her even more determined to leave no matter the cost.

There will come a point where she will stop being a victim and start being a warrior. A survivor. A fighter.

This book was perfect. I loved it from the very first page. I even bought this book twice, because my original copy had gotten ruined on christmas day when we had a horrible storm over here in Melbourne, Aus and it just happened to be in my bag that I took to my sisters.

The story. The characters and the plot was written so beautifully. The love story between the two main characters was so real. So honest and realistic that you can't help but fall in love with them yourself.

Adam was amazing. I want an Adam.

Not only do you get to see Juliette's story, but you also see his. He is definitely more than a love interest, as he should be.

I am eagerly awaiting book 2 in this trilogy especially with the way this book ends.

If you are a fan of dystopia then you are be sure to love this.

If you haven't read this already. Do so now.

 Rating: 5/5 

Waiting on Wednesday [#2]: Winter's Light by M.J Hearle

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

Blake is gone. He sacrificed himself to save Winter, leaving her alone, unprotected... hunted. An ancient enemy is rising, but Winter is no longer the innocent girl who was fated to die at Pilgrim's Lament. She will not wait to be saved. She will do what she must to survive, even accept an unsavoury alliance with those who destroyed her love. In the gathering darkness, the enemy of an enemy is not always a friend, and Winter must find the strength to stand alone and fight for the one she loves. For she is the key to unlocking the secrets beyond the veil of shadows. And she is Blake's only hope.

Publication date: May 1st, 2012. I am very excited for this. I loved the first book, and the cover is just absolutely gorgeous. Blake, Come back. The end of the first book just made me anticipate to what will happen next. Gah. May hurry up.

April's review of 'The Darkest Seduction' by Gena Showalter

The Darkest Seduction (Lords of the Underworld #9) by Gena Showalter
Publish Date: Feb 28th, 2012
Publisher: HQN Books
Number of Pages: 504
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Description:  At long last, New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter unveils the story of Paris, the darkest and most tormented Lord of the Underworld….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?

The ninth installment of Showalter's enticing Lords of the Underworld series starts us off with Paris in the heavens continuing his search for Sienna. Along the way William and Zacharel, the deadly angel warrior, aides him in his quest. Sienna trapped in a castle by Cronus is desperate to get away. Paris finally finds Cronus secret realm where Sienna is hidden he's determined to break her out and have her at least one more time. 

I have mix feelings about the book. Paris' story has been long awaited and has been building up since the third book. I'm not sure if I was just expecting too much or if it's the fact that I was never completely sold on Paris and Sienna. Paris had never intended to keep her. While Cronus has a special mission for Sienna to spy on Galen and learn his secrets. Along the way of trying to escape the realm they become attached to each other.  Honestly I felt bored with Paris and Sienna. I never fully understood his depression of her death in the earlier books. But in the end I came to adore them. 

The side stories and and the overall bigger plot is what really made me want to read more. Without giving too much away there is a big game changer when it comes to Cronus and his fate. That's not the only big surprise. We learn that Galen isn't just paired with the demon of Hope, but also a second demon. And a very shocking surprise about Baden's death is revealed.  Meanwhile Kane is stuck in hell with his story starting to build up. We are also introduced to four more immortals hosting demons; Viola hosting Narcissism, Pùkinn or Irish as most refers him to hosting Indifference, Cameron hosting Obsession, and Winter hosting Selfishness. The only one of the three we really get to know is Viola, which is a very big pain but really has a good heart, and also obsessed with Screeching which is the Gods version of Twitter. Viola is pretty much the female counterpart of William. Which usually I adore William but in this book he was just plain annoying. Ashlyn finally have the twins and which are adorable. 


All in all I really did enjoy the book. I just wish Paris had a more steamier romance. 

Rating: 

3/5 

 

Teaser Tuesday 02

 

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

Sometimes he forgot that Danika was the current All-Seeing Eye, that she could peer into heaven and hell, past and present. And he'd also forgotten Maddox was half human, half demon, and one quarter asshole, capable of spawning demonic offspring with special needs.

                  

Jen's review of "Under the Never Sky" by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Publication date: Jan 3rd, 2012

Publisher: Harper Collins

Number of Pages: 374

Format: Paperback

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description: Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers abarbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY 

In this first installment to a new and thrilling Dystopian series comes Veronica Rossi who captures you from the very first page.

The story comes from Aria and Perregrine (Perry). Each chapter is a different POV, whether it's Aria's or whether it's Perry's. I haven't read many books this way, but it certainly works in this case. Not to mention it's 3rd POV.

Now, tell me.. you don't find many YA books in 3rd POV, but I guess for the story to work.. it's how it should be.. and it was a good call.

Aria is a seventeen year old teenager living in a pod that protects her from everything of the outsider world. The people in there don't get sick, and they can form up any world they want to be in, whether it's to be at a dance club, or a bookstore. The world is your oyster and there isn't anything she couldn't have asked for more.

That is until she suspects something has happened to her mother, and that is when she and her friend decide to go along with some guys for some experimenting in a forbidden area.

But what happens there will forever change Aria. It will make her an outsider to those of her kind. It will make her see everything so differently, and she won't be able to go back.

When Aria is exiled from her own land, she is forced to deal with the Death Shop, in other words.. the wild. This is something she is most scared about.. as there had been stories and rumors about how long one could last out there, and what you would find. You would be lucky to survive a day.

Perregrine, otherwise known as Perry has been born and raised an outsider. He is wild. An animal at times when he needs to be, and there is this competitive streak with his brother when it comes to leading their people.

When a tragedy occurs, Perry leaves his home in search for answers when he stumbles upon the girl whom he had saved. The girl who he calls 'Mole'.

Since they have something what each of them wants.. they'll have to form an alliance if they want to survive the aether. The storm.

Ah, this was such an amazing book. I had heard so much about it before I even picked it up at the bookstore, and it was so worth it.

These characters are not without flaws. But they are real, and they have challenges ahead of themselves, and which won't be an easy task to achieve.

And somewhere along the way their relationship starts to change, and it will be something that will surprise them both.

It was fun to see their reactions to one another and how they manage to work together even though they didn't like one another. It's an alliance that doesn't come without restraints and issues.

Yet, Aria and Perry are more alike than they might think. They both have been through some rough and terrible times.. they know what it is like to lose someone you care about.

We also meet some other people along the way.

There is Perry's best friend, Roar. Who was hilarious. He was so sure of himself and full of excitement and life. I loved him from the very first moment he came into the scene. You also sympathize with him, as he is not without issues going on his own life.

There is also Marron and Cinder, who also have significant parts in this book and have their own role to play in the lives of our two protagonists.

The journey these characters embark on is not an easy one. It's terrible and hard, but it's also one that does have meaning.

By the end of the novel.. these characters have been through so much.. they aren't the same people they begun out as. Relationships and friendships form. Things change. Discoveries and betrayals are found and there is a new life on the horizon.

If you see this book when you are out in the bookstore come January. Pick it up. No dot hesitate, as you will not regret it.

If you are a fan of The Hunger Games or Divergent, then you would love this.

It's just a shame we have to wait so long until book 2. *cries*

Rating: 5 out of 5

In My Mailbox {01}

In My Mailbox is a weekly blog post hosted by Kirsti over at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

This is what I got this week: I probably would have gotten a couple more if I weren't trying to watch my money since I am meant to be saving for my US trip.

As you see.. these covers are different to the US.  And even though.. I have Spellcaster on my kindle to review for netgalley, I needed to have the actual book.

I actually got Pandemonium in a bundle with Delirum. I originally had the original cover of Delirum, and then when I found out there was going to be a cover change, I bought the new cover. I then went to buy Pandemonium and discovered that that and Delirum were not the same size, so I rebought this packaged deal with the original covers. LOL  Confused? Yeah, me too.





What did you get?

- Jen.

Jen's review of "Clockwork Prince" by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare

Publishing date: December 6th, 2011

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Number of pages: 496

Format: Paperback

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description: In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

In what was one of the most anticipated books of 2011, this one did not disappoint.

When this story picks up, it has only been a few weeks since the end of Clockwork Angel, and Will has been avoiding Tessa like the plague.

Tessa, meanwhile has been spending more time with Jem, and while the two of them become closer, Tessa still can't seem to remove Will from her head -- or her heart.

I read this book within 24 hours, and I loved it. This series just keeps getting better and better.

Tessa grows stronger emotionally and physically in this book than where she started off, in the beginning of Clockwork Angel.

The betrayal of her brother, Nate shocker her to pieces but that's nothing compared to what happens in this book.

Not only does Nate appear, but he seems to be in the middle of the whole mess with mortmain once again.

Will/Jem: I love their friendship, and we begin to understand more about the bond that ties them together. I just don't know how this triangle with Tessa is going to work and have their friendship not get wrecked.

Maybe if she chooses herself in the end and disappears? I don't know. I guess we won't know until Clockwork Princess comes out in 2012 to discover those answers.

There are so many questions that need to be answered in the final book in the trilogy. What is Tessa? Will she choose Jem or Will? her head or her heart?

Will they catch Mortmain?

There was a few people in this book who surprised me. One would be Sophie, who has grown into quite a strong young woman.

And the other is Jessamine. Now her, sometimes I wanted to wring her neck for being so niave and stupid, and sometimes I wanted to hug her for her innocence.

Charlotte and Henry. They really are a good team no matter what they seemed to think. There was definite progress and you begin to understand them and their marriage a bit more... and there is something that might just surprise you.

The triangle: Jem, Will and Tessa.

Yes, she has grown closer to Jem during this book.. but her heart is always been on Will, and that certainly does not change in this book.

Will has always kept Tessa at arms length for a reason and that reason just might tear them apart forever.

As much as Tessa may try.. she can't seem to remove her heart away from Will. He brings fire. heat and everything she has never had but always wanted before.

A mere touch sets her body alight. But he has always been this forbidden fruit, where she never thought she could be with him. Whether it was because there was no future there, or from Will's own doing.

Even when she is with Jem.. a part of her lies with Will and always "will" LOL

I enjoyed the friendship between Tessa and Jem, but romance? I don't know.. It kinda was a tad awkward for me to read about. I had an open mind (even though I am Team Will), but there was something about it that just seemed off. Like she was settling for something because she couldn't bare to hurt him.

And now she can't have the real one she wants, because she feels she can't hurt Jem. It's such a tricky situation. I don't envy Tessa, because whomever she chooses the other one will end up hurt.

Will,

Oh Will. What can I say? I have always loved him.. ever since he turned up in the first book. He captured my heart and there was always something about him that was kept hidden inside his heart.

And his secret finally was revealed. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it makes sense and you begin to understand where he is coming from.

There is so much depth to him, so much hurt and love in his heart, that you just want.. need him to be happy.. but the only person that does that is Tessa.

There was some shocks and some surprises in this book. Twists and turns.. And of course, a cliffhanger.

It was a wild journey Cassie takes us on, and one that will conclude in Clockwork Princess. Can it come out now? No? Darn.

If you are a fan of The Mortal Instruments series, and if you loved Clockwork Angel, the first book in this series.. then this second installment is a must read.

Cover love: Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto

It's gorgeous.  I am looking forward to see how this series ends. Bring on August!  In this cover, it looks like she is falling down from Heaven.

Teaser Tuesday 01

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

"I don't want to run out of the good stuff," he said. "I seriously doubt you're going to-wait. Is Carter there?" "Yes." "Okay. I'll pick up some wine."

                                                              

                        

Cover love: Envy by Elizabeth Miles

Publication date: Sept 4th, 2012.

No official description yet.

This cover is gorgeous.  I quite enjoyed the first book, and looking forward to see what happens next.

Jen's review of 'Everneath' by Brodi Ashton

Everneath (Everneath #1) by Brodi Ashton

Publishing date: January 24th, 2012

Publisher: Harper Collins

Number of pages: 240

Format: Netgalley ARC

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description: Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's..

In Brodi Ashton's first Everneath novel to start off the trilogy, we keep going back from the past to the present, so that we can understand all that had happened and it explained Nikki's actions and feelings.

We discover that Nikki has been bought down into the Everneath by sexy and egnimatic Cole who seems to want her as his queen. But there seems to be one thread Nikki is holding onto that is pulling her through, and that is the boy she left behind: Jack.

Nikki has six months to make her peace with her family and friends, and Jack before she gets taken back under to the Everneath. This is not something she can stop. It's what she owes. So she just has to make the time useful as she can with the time she is allowed.

I really felt for Nikki and her relationship with Jack. He isn't just some ordinary boyfriend. You really get to feel his hurt and betrayal for her having left him without a word.

And while her relationship with Cole is just as intense, there is just something more in her scenes and relationship with Jack. Whether it's the fact that he was the only thing that she held onto while she was trapped down in the everneath, or whether it's the way their relationship has been portrayed. I am sold on these two.

And by the end of the book.. you really can to see there is nothing Jack wouldn't do for Nikki. The love these two hold is as strong as I have ever seen it.

I am looking forward to see what happens in the next book, and to witness the consequences of certain acts.

Nikki is a very strong protagonist. She is a survivor and I'm not sure that I would able to do everything she did if I were in her position.

Even Cole, who I suppose was meant to be the villian or the bad guy in this book won me over by his affection for Nikki. He is also a flawed character that you begin to feel for and understand the reasons for the things he does.

Rating:

I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for letting me have this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jen's review of 'Die for Me' by Amy Plum

DIE FOR ME (Revenants #1)

by Amy Plum

Publishing date: May 10th, 2011

Publisher:

Number of pages: 344

Format: Paperback

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description: In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

Upon the death of her parents, Kate and her sister move from the US to go and live with their Paris-bound grandparents. I suppose since they are both under age and need some sort of parental supervision, not to mention any touch of family around during this hard time.

Kate, is probably the opposite of her party-hopping sister and is more into reading and going to galleries and museums, whereas that was probably the last thing on her sister's mind.

It's during these visits to a local cafe that Kate soon meets a stranger known as Vincent. The moment that he saves her life --- soon becomes just another reason these two find themselves drawn toward one another.

Vincent is not just an ordinary guy she happened to stumble upon. He is from an old race of Immortals who sacrifices themselves for humans over and over, and in turn they could possibly live forever if they want to.

The bond and connection that forms between these is romantic and yet probably the most dangerous thing they could ever do.

But since when should danger stop you from discovering true love?

I really loved Kate as a character. She was a realistic and strong protagonist and everything that she feels, you feel as well. I would imagine that would be the whole point, Amy Plum was intending. The only way you're going to sympathize with a character is if you can find yourself in her shoes, and that's what I did.

Since I have been to Paris myself back in '05, I could imagine the things and places that Kate and Vincent found themselves at. It gives you a nice picture and able to see things from a more personal POV.

Vincent and his fellow friends are also characters I really enjoyed. Vincent moreso than most, obviously. Hearing his story and how he became who he is, really brings the heart to the story. It's things like that which shows more to the character.

I laughed, loved, cried with these characters. I wanted the enemies to go down just like the heroes did.

Also I found myself enjoying Kate's sister whom finds herself involved with the story toward the end of the novel in quite a interesting and fascinating way.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romance, paranormal with a touch of family, friendship and mystery added into the mix/

I am quite much looking forward to the second installment into this three-part book series. I can't wait to see where Plum takes this story, and these characters.

Rating:

April's review of 'Veil of Midnight' by Lara Adrian

Veil of Midnight (Midnight Breed #5) by Lara Adrian

Publish Date: December 30th 2008

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

Number of Pages: 355

Format: Paperback

Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Description: Bound by blood, addicted to danger, they'll enter the darkest—and most erotic—place of all.

A warrior trained in bullets and blades, Renata cannot be bested by any man—vampire or mortal. But her most powerful weapon is her extraordinary psychic ability—a gift both rare and deadly. Now a stranger threatens her hard-won independence—a golden-haired vampire who lures her into a realm of darkness…and pleasure beyond imagining.

A combat-loving adrenaline junkie, Nikolai dispenses his own justice to enemies of the Breed—and his latest quarry is a ruthless assassin. One woman stands in his way: the seductive, cool-as-ice bodyguard, Renata. But Renata’s powers are put to the test when a loved one, a child, is threatened and she’s forced to turn to Niko for help. As the two join forces, as desire fans the flames of a deeper hunger, Renata’s life is under siege by a man who offers the exquisite pleasure of a blood bond—and a passion that could save or doom them both forever.…

The 5th installment of Lara Adrian's vampire series starts off with Nikolai tracking down a Gen One vampire-Sergei Yakut to warn him about the sudden uprising of killing off the Gen Ones. He comes into a confrontation with Yakut's personal guard that is out to take care of any one that is asking about him. Preventing Nikolai from killing his son, Lex, Yakut invites Nikolai to stay the night. There is where he learns that there was an attempt on his life last week, but he refuses to help The Order. Yakut introduces him to Mira, a young Breedmate who can show you a glimpse of your future by just looking into her eyes. He also have an intimate moment with Renata, before uncovering Yakut's illegal hobbies. After confronting him about it, Yakut escorts him off his property. 


Nikolai returns the next night after seeing Lex with a Rogue, only to discover that Lex had used the Rogue to kill his father. After being arrested for Yakut's murder, Lex takes over his father's estate and sells Mira. Determine to keep Mira safe, Renata sets off to free Nikolai to help her save Mira. Falling in love is the least of their problems while they race to find Mira and uncovering more of Dragos' dangerous plan. 


I quickly feel in love with this series. But this particular book...I just couldn't get into it. The only parts I enjoyed reading was about Mira, and the limited interactions with the others of The Order. I was initially excited about the love interest being a kickass female, since it's rare in romance books. But I was soon disappointment. I can't exactly put my finger on what it is about this book. None the less I still enjoyed it. But I would have to say this has been my least favorite so far in the series. 

Rating:

3/5 

 

Follow Friday {01}

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

This Week's Question: What's the best and worst book you've read in the last month?

This month.. I would have to say..

I have been a fan of this series since the beginning, and felt Balthazar's book was maybe better than the rest of the series. I was so happy to see him get his happy ending.
And now, on Sunday I can get the rest of my books signed at Claudia's book signing.. It will be the 2nd time I would have met her, as she came and toured a few years ago.

And as for the worst, well, I wouldn't say it was bad.. but just wasn't what I was expecting..

This was..I liked, but would have preferred if I liked it more. I am still going to read book 2, and hope it is better. But I think there was a little too much mythology in the book.. if that makes sense.

Jen's review of 'Grave Mercy' by R.L. LaFevers

Grave Mercy {His Fair Assassin #1} by R.L. LaFevers
Published date: April 3rd, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Number of pages: 560
Format: Kindle | Netgalley
Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description:  Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

In the first book to this new historical trilogy, comes a seventeen year old, Ismae. After escaping her arrange marriage she finds herself at the convent of St. Mortain, where she soon discovers the true reason they have accepted her. St. Mortain isn't any ordinary saint, he is the god of death and whom they worship. It's said that he has given special gifts to certain people in order to do his bidding, and thus the girls at the convent believe it under blind faith.

Ismae spends three years defining and sharpening up her skills, which include learning about the histories of the royals, how to seduce men, poisons and all sort of things that would be required to kill their marks.

Her final test is being able to work and yet spy on Gavriel Duval at the high court. And in doing so, the closer she becomes to him.. the more she starts to question the motives of the convent, and the discovering of her new growing feelings for him.

The romance between them was marvelous. It was something that grew over time as they continued to work together, and then when it was so built it everything exploded and there was no denying what was between them.

This book has everything you could want. It's set in history, which would be the 1400's Brittany. A historical romance to die for, a strong heroine and full of action to the punch.

I love the way, in the beginning Ismae was scared and vulnerable, and with time she grew into a strong and confident woman. She just needed that push to make her go down that line, and I bet for one, she is glad she did.

While this took be while to get into it.. I had to re-read the first part of the novel twice to grasp what was going on.. I did end up enjoying it as the story progressed.

This comes out in April. It's a must buy. What are you waiting for? Pre-order now if you think it's something that's up your alley.

Thank you to Netgalley for supplying me with this book.

Rating::

Waiting on Wednesday {01}: Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

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

No book summary yet.  Expected publication: October 23rd, 2012.

This one is an anticipated one of mine.  I can't wait to see how this series ends, since this is meant to be the conclusion to it all.
And the fact it comes out on my birthday means so much more.
And I felt that with the upcoming movie, and all the casting we have gotten for it.. that this book be this weeks WoW.

- Jen

Cover reveal catch-up.

It's time to post some covers for upcoming books. I may have posted any of these on my previous account, but bare with me ;)

First we have Reached by Ally Condie

This is the third and final novel in her MATCHED trilogy. Ally also did a Q&A, and you can check there out here


Also, I have just seen the newest Darkest Angels book by Keri Arthur

Which has a estimated release date of Nov 2012. Although, I am anxiously waiting for book 3, which should come out.. hm July. For some reason I thought it was meant to be May, LOL


Is there any other new covers I am missing?


-xx Jen

Jen's review of 'Darkfever' by Karen Marie Moning

Darkfever (Fever #1) by Karen Marie Moning

Published date: October 31st, 2006

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Page count: 309

Format: Hardcover
Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Summary:  MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….

After Karen Marie Moning's Highlander paranormal romance series, comes a brand new urban fantasy set in Ireland that takes you into a world where you just wish would not end.

We are being told the story of Mackayla Lane in the past-present pov, at least I think this is what it is referred to as, since she tells the story one year ahead and we are now just seeing the events unfold as she tells them to us.

The story starts off with Mac, as she is known as to her family and friends spending the rest of her summer by the pool in her parents house as she waits for them to return from their vacation. Her sister, Alina, who has been in Dublin, Ireland for the past 7 months studying at Trinity college and is expected back anytime soon.

Things don't go according to plan. No, they sure don't. One summer's afternoon, Mac gets a call, and it's not one she wished to have gotten, like, ever. This call changed her whole life. Her whole reason for being.

She gets told her sister was found murdered in Dublin.

And so our story begins....

Mac then after deciding the police in Dublin, also known as the Garda couldn't or wouldn't achieve the results she and her parents needed by themselves, she herself decides to head over there and try find some information to help them in catching whomever killed her sister. She wouldn't rest, or leave Ireland until she was satisfied the Garda are back on track in terms of finding the person responsible.

It wasn't until she arrives in Dublin that Mac sees she is way over her head. She encounters certain creatures, and people, such as egnimatic bookstore owner, Jericho Barrons, who seems to want the very thing her sister was apparantly after before her timely death. Mac only has a phone message to go on, but if that's all she has then so be it.

Throughout this novel, Mac finds her eyes wide open, which they weren't when she had first arrived. Things aren't as she imagined them to be. Not only of Ireland, but of the whole world.

As she digs deeper into this strange new world, she makes some interesting and shocking discoveries, meets new people who enter her life in a strange and peculiar way and she'll start to question many things. She'll start to wonder whether she understand the way things work, and ... does she even know who she is herself?

I was so enchanted by this book from the very first page. Sure, at first I was a little confused, but the more I read on, I couldn't put the book down. This is what I love about books and especially the ones where the stories are so enticing.

The way Karen writes amazed me. I had no idea someone could write like that. It was so sophisticated, full of passion and life and she drew me into a world that I had never read about before.

I had never read a book in this kind of genre before.. and by that I mean that involved the Fae. I don't think there wasn't anything I didn't love.

Mac was a strong protagonist. At first, she was a little.. yes, everything is right in the world -- pink girly girl, but the moment when she realized that things are not like she imagined, she became, at least started to grow into this woman that is so headstrong and independant you'd have to be proud of.

Jericho, oh yes, the mysterious Jericho. In this book we didn't find out much about him, and I think everyone loves a mystery.

We knew there was something strange, dark and enchanting about him, and knew he was involved more more than Mac or we ever thought. He was there for her even when she might not want him to be, and there comes a point where more questions surrounding him get raised and it only makes you yearn to learn more about him.

I see this book being an introduction to the series, where you get introduced to the plot, the characters and the world Karen creates for us, as readers. By the end of the book... it only makes you want to see what is next in the world of Mackayla Lane.

Rating

5 / 5 Hearts -- Amazing. Buy this book this instant. You will not regret it.