Review: Empower by Jessica Shirvington

Empower (Violet Eden Chapters #5) by Jessica Shirvington
Publication Date: November 12, 2013
Publisher: Hachette
Number of Pages: 464
Format: Paperback
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It has been two years since Violet Eden walked away from the city, her friends, her future and - most importantly - her soulmate, Lincoln. Part angel, part human, Violet is determined to stand by the promises she made to save the one she loves.

Living in the perpetual coldness of a broken soul she survives day to day as a Rogue Grigori in London.

But when an unexpected visitor shows up at her door, the news he bears about someone she swore to protect leaves Violet with no choice.

Even worse, she fears that this might all lead back to the night she tries hardest to forget. And what was taken without her permission.

Violet is going back to New York ... and she knows exactly who is going to be there.

With Phoenix in her dreams and Lincoln in her heart she knows it is only a matter of time before the final choice must be made.

The final book in this amazing series picks up two years after the end of Endless. Violet realizing that the ones she loves will always be in danger, she takes off on her own. For the last year she has joined a gang of rogues and living in London. We see a recurring character that we briefly met in Emblaze, Gray. I do have to admit I didn't remember him, but I grew to love him. But when an old friend disappears, Violet knows she has to go back to New York and help find him. For backup Gray is coming a long for the ride.

Violet's initial plan to get in there and out without Lincoln realizing she's there fails the moment she walked in the first meeting. We see a new Lincoln, a colder harsher Lincoln, and honestly I don't blame him at all. Going in the book I knew I wanted some angst, but this...it was heartbreaking. It tore my heart into two pieces. All I wanted to do was locked them in a room together. In all the heartbreaking scenes, there were a few swoonworthy scenes, that gives you hope.

All love issues aside, Violet has a bigger problem. There's someone out to get her angel maker, and they are going to use Violet to do it. And this time she's not sure if she can make it out a live.

This book was perfect. We finally see Violet accepts who she really is. Not to mention we finally learn who her angel maker is. I knew a second before it was revealed who it was, and thinking back it didn't really surprise me.

The best part of this book was Violet and Lincoln. After they get through their angst, they were beautiful. It really showed they were really soul mates, and made for each other. Usually in books we see how much the girl loves the guy, but in this we see exactly what Lincoln feels for Violet without it being cheesy.

I couldn't stop thinking about this book for days after reading it. I kept re reading certain scenes over and over again. It was a perfect ending for the series. And I can't think Jen enough for sending me the books when they are first released in Australia. I like to think I'm the only one in the US who has finished the series (which it could possibly be true since the last book isn't released here until next spring).

Rating: 5/5

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: August 16, 2007
Publisher: Razorbill
Number of Pages: 332
Format: Paperback
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St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a half human half vampire that is train to protect the full blooded vamps, the Moroi. Lissa is the only remaining member of her royal family line, which makes her a princess, and even more vulnerable, who is also Rose's best friend. Rose has swore to protect Lissa at all costs, which is the reason why they have been on the run from their boarding school for the past two years. But luck isn't on their side anymore, and they are being forced to go back to the one place Rose is certain Lissa isn't safe.

One of the things I love about this book is Ms. Mead just jumps into the story with little world building. It's just explained as it goes. It's the same with why Rose and Lissa had left the school and what was exactly going on. Yes it's almost frustrating you want to know what had happened. But I love guessing as the story goes. Now if you haven't read the series yet, I know what you are thinking, not another Twilight. I remember after reading Twilight, and way before even hearing about this, seeing the books in the bookstore (this is also before I really got into the paranormal genre) rolling my eyes and thinking it's a copy off of Twilight. You couldn't be more wrong. The vampires is a whole new category, and honestly I forget that they are vampires half the time.

Rose and Lissa's friendship is one of the best I've read. It takes real love and loyalty to put someone else needs above your own. To give up everything to protect them. It's just not one sided either. We get to see how Lissa will do anything to protect Rose's reputation. They each look out for each other and do what they believe is best for the other. They are truly sisters at heart, each other family.

What is an YA book without a lead guy that is drool worthy? This book is no exception. Dimitri, who is described as a god. One of the kickass Guardians around. He just so happens have to mentor Rose considering she is way behind in her training. We see a sort of a friendship develop between the two of them. It's not long before Rose realizes that she's crushing on her mentor, not to mention he's seven years older than her.

But through all the high school and romance drama, there's a danger lurking around. The same danger that caused them to go on the run, but this time there's no running away this time.

This book has it all; friendship, humor, love, danger, forbidden. Although the core of the book is Rose and Lissa's friendship, the connection between Rose and Dimitri can not be ignored. You will laugh, cry, and even scream. Not to mention such an addicting book. Even after re reading so many times and knowing what will happen I still can't put this book down. If you haven't checked out this series then do it ASAP.

Rating: 5/5

 

 

Review: Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Sentinel (Covenant #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication Date: November 2, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Number of Pages: 297
Format: Paperback
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It's a beautiful day for a war.

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself.

All I have to say is thank god the series is over. The books in the middle I loved, but the first book and these last two books? Not so much. I only read this since it was the end of the series, and I was curious about Seth. This will probably be a short review since I don't want to spoil anything.

I ended up skimming through a lot of the book. I just couldn't bring myself to actually read a lot of the scenes, especially the Alex and Aiden ones. They are just so boring. From the moment I started reading I just wanted to bang my head against something hard. There was a situation in the beginning of the book that almost made me put down the put and not continue. It was really unnecessary, especially in an YA book. Also, there's way too much pop culture references in this series. Don't get me wrong, I love references but there's a right and wrong way to do them. This series is filled with them, and in 10 years if someone picked up this series and read it, they would be like wtf is this. I prefer books/series that make references without actually naming them. Not to mention the term cray-cray was actually used. Come on, really? Yes that term is hot right now, but it's a fad.

I wasn't even impressed when Seth first came into the book. I get it, to redeem him he had to act a little ooc. But I was so glad when Seth went back to the one we grew to love. But what really saved the book, or at least made it bearable was when Apollo showed up.  He's by far, my favorite character in the book.

The book itself, wasn't all that bad. It was decent. The ending was a bit of a surprised though. And it actually made me want to cry. But the twist of events, well I knew it was coming how it all ended.

I still believe this series, especially the first book is a rip off of Vampire Academy. I'm sorry but I don't believe it's a coincidence, and she's never read VA, there's too much similarities.  I want to like this author, but this series made it so hard. Although I have a few of her other books on my tbr list, I'm not sure if I want to read them.

Rating: 2/5

 

Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi
Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins
Number of Pages: 376
Format: Paperback
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Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered.

This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland — known as The Death Shop — are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent energy storms will. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild — a savage — and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must come together to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

 Meet Aria. She lives in a pod protected from the outside world. Inside the pod she has everything she has ever wanted. She can go into any realm/world she wants and no harm done to her. Plus they don't ever get sick or even get periods (lucky girl). But her mother is away on business and the communication line with the pod she is on has gone done. She just knows something is wrong. To try to get information she convinces the son of one of the consuls to break in one of the sectors that is damage. From there things go wrong. But there's an outsider, Perry, who had broke in at the same time and saved Aria.

But Aria pays the sacrifices and gets thrown into the outside. And Perry just happens to stumble across her and saves her from eventually dying. But Perry needs Aria. To the outsiders or savages as they are often referred to, Aria is a Dweller. Perry's nephew has been kidnapped by them, and he has to get them back and Aria seems to be his only hope.

The book and the world building is interesting. And very different. But I just couldn't really connect to the characters. I liked them as individuals, but Aria and Perry as a couple I couldn't get into. I felt like them falling in love came out of nowhere. They initially hate each other, but one day they started being friends and then bam they are in love. *rolleyes* I did love Roar.

I felt like all the reveals in the book was very predictable. I could see them coming all along.  The book was ok. But it didn't interest me enough to continue with the series.

Rating: 3/5

 

Review: Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publication Date: April 4, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Number of Pages: 343
Format: Paperback
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Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

 From the last book I pretty much stopped shipping Alex and Seth. I recognized that her heart will always belong to Aiden, BUT I just can't like him. Even so I had high hopes for this book. But if left me feeling disappointed. It took me almost a week to read this book. I just couldn't get into it, and I would go days without even reading or even remember I was reading it. Even though I'm Team Seth, while Alex was under the influence of the bond, I hated how she referred to him as "my Seth". It made it sound like he owned her. Which that is another thing that bugged me, the bond. Earlier books made it seem like the bond was this powerful thing and almost impossible to break. But Alex remembering her love for Aiden broke it no problem. I guess the message was that their love is more powerful than the bond? I was hoping we would get to see Alex and Seth together before she broke the bond.

Speaking of Seth, we barely saw him in the book. We saw conversations between him and Alex through their connection, and there was a scene where he was able to pull her into his subconscious. I'm still holding on to some hope that he can be redeemed. Like Alex has realized he just wants to be accepted and loved and he's drunk on power. Another question arosed in this book about Seth. Alex and every other Apollyon eye's turned amber once they awakened, but Seth was born with amber eyes, the eyes of the Apollyon. Why?

The first half of the book was very slow, but if you love Aiden/Alex then you will probably love it. It was too much for me. I guess not enough action. I ended up skimming through a lot of it. I was ready to give up on the book, but the second half really picked up the pace and had me interested again. Alex travels back to the Underworld to seek out Solaris. There she finds out the secret to stopping Seth. But if seems impossible, she must transfer his power to herself and become the God Killer instead of Seth.

 We finally find out what god is responsible for Seth and behind the destruction. Honestly I wanted to slap Alex for not realizing it sooner.  I swear these books needs to have more of the gods in them, especially Apollo. I loved at the end when Apollo tells Alex a story behind one of his sons and tell hers the moral of the story is he always finds a way to take care of his own. I swear if Alex wasn't a descendant from him I would so ship Alex and Apollo.

Overall this book was blah to me. Not sure why I didn't noticed it till now but there are tons and tons of pop culture references in this series. Which I do find neat and usually enjoy. But what about ten years down the road? It's not going to appeal to those who pick the book up then. I did enjoy one that I'm pretty sure is a reference to the author's LUX series (which is on my tbr list and dying to start). I'm glad there's only one more book in the series. With how this book turned out, I'm not sure I could take much more. I'm curious how things will be wrapped up.

Rating: 2.5/5

 

Review: Grave Memory by Kalayna Price

Grave Memory (Alex Craft #3) by Kalayna Price
Publication Date: July 3, 2012
Publisher: ROC
Number of Pages: 373
Format: Paperback
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As a Grave Witch, Alex solves murders by raising the dead—an ability that comes at a cost, and after her last few cases, that cost is compounding. But her magic isn’t the only thing causing havoc in her life. While she’s always been on friendly terms with Death himself, things have recently become a whole lot more close and personal. Then there’s her sometime partner, agent Falin Andrews, who is under the glamour of the Winter Queen. To top everything off, her best friend has been forever changed by her time spent captive in Faerie.

But the personal takes a backseat to the professional when a mysterious suicide occurs in Nekros City and Alex is hired to investigate. The shade she raises has no memory of the days leading up to his brutal ending, so despite the very public apparent suicide, this is murder. But what kind of magic can overcome the human will to survive? And why does the shade lack the memory of his death? Searching for the answer might mean Alex won’t have a life to remember at all…

I really meant to spread the three books out, but I just couldn't help myself. I blame my friend who sent me some amazing quotes and I knew I had to start this ASAP.

The book picks up about a month after the second book ended. Her love life hasn't gotten any better since the last book. A relationship with Death is forbidden, plus he stopped his random visits. Falin is under the Winter Queen's control and must obey her commands, and she's commanded him not to have any personal visits with Alex. But that doesn't stop her from having the FIB raiding Alex's house, and having Falin conducting them. Not to mention Caleb is getting very frustrated with all the raids and even threatened to evict Alex from the house.

Alex is still struggling with her new found heritage, learning that the Shadow King is her grand granduncle through her mom. Which makes Alex more fae than human, not that she will admit it. I was a little disappointed that we didn't see more of the Shadow King in this book. But we do see a little bit of interaction between Alex and her father. Which I wish there was more of. Yes he acts like a jerk towards her and seems like he doesn't really care. But I feel like everything he has done is to protect Alex, he's just not good at showing how much he cares. Or a comment makes me think that Alex's siblings aren't really his kids. Speaking of siblings, I have a feeling that at some point Alex's missing brother will turn up or we will at least learn what happened to him.

Alex's new case is complicated as ever. Does this girl ever get easy cases? People are committing suicide, yet their shades has no memory of the act or even a few days before it. And each person had witness a suicide the day they started losing their memories. But when the people she cares about are close to losing their lives, Alex will give anything to save them.

What the first half was lacking in romance, the second half certainly made up for it. If you weren't sure who you want Alex with, this book will make your mind up. It seems at times Alex is torn between both men, but with Falin under the Winter Queen's control Alex can never trust him. He's not completely the bad guy though. He's just caught in her twisted game, and pretty much a slave. But Death...it has the forbidden love going on. Not to mention he's always been there for Alex, and knows are her secrets. Not to mention he will sacrifice everything to save her.

So far this book is my favorite in the series. And the ending....it's shocking and seems like the love triangle will come back in focus. I really hope in future books we see more of Alex interacting with more of the fae, more of dad, and I really want to see more of Caleb. Which maybe now that him and Holly are an item, which I saw that coming since the last book. Counting down the days till the fourth book comes out.

Rating: 5/5

 

 

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver
Publication Date: February 3, 2011
Publisher: Harper Teen
Number of Pages: 441
Format: Hardback
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They say that the cure for Love will make me happy and safe forever.

And I've always believed them.

Until now.

Now everything has changed.

Now, I'd rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.

Lena looks forward to receiving the government-mandated cure that prevents the delirium of love and leads to a safe, predictable, and happy life, until ninety-five days before her eighteenth birthday and her treatment, when she falls in love.

I know I'm doing this backwards. I should of re read Delirium, before I read the final book Requiem. I didn't really plan on re reading it or even the second book. And some may even ask why I would want to re read Delirium after that last book. And honestly, I feel like for a series about love, romance was missing in Requiem. I wanted to remember the beautiful story about love and sacrifice that Oliver created in the first book.

The premise of the world in this series is unique and creative. The US government has claimed love is a terrible disease. Each city is surrounded by a boarder, and they have created a cure. Once you've had the cure you don't feel pain, and you are almost a completely different person. Each person is given the cure close to their 18th birthday. Lena has been counting down the day until her procedure. Her mother had been infected with love, and after having the procedure three separate times, she commits suicide. Lena believes the cure will save her and keep her safe.

Lena has one last summer before she and her best friend, Hana, are cured and everything changes forever. Hana is very rebellious, listening to illegal music and even going to illegal parties and socializing with boys. While Lena follows the rules, Hana starts to question everything. Until Lena meets Alex. All of a sudden she is bumping into him everywhere. And when he saves her life, she knows she can't stay away.

The whole books is a page turner. Even the second time reading the book I was just intrigued as the first time. There's even a few surprises along the way. Even though I'm disappointed in how the series turned out I will always love this one. It teaches us there's nothing can take away love. The ending! Oh it's a tear jerker. The ultimate sacrifice for love is paid. The book as a whole is just beautiful.

Rating: 5/5

 

 

Teaser Tuesday 20

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

Just finished reading Requiem by Lauren Oliver. Where overall I was disappointed with the book, there were some great moments.

“I don’t love you, Lena. Do you hear me? I never loved you.”

Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Number of Pages: 401
Format: Hardback
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In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.


Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

AMAZING. Just perfection. Richelle Mead has never let me down with one of her books. I do have to admit, I wasn't a huge Adrian and Sydney shipper. Don't get me wrong I liked them, but this book sold me on them.

The book picks up not long after the second book left off. Sydney gets dragged out of bed in the middle of the night to perform a spell. Ms. Terwilliger needs a virgin to perform this spell and Sydney is the first one on the list. The results aren't that great. Ms. T sister's is a bad witch and now Sydney's life could be in danger.

Not to mention she still needs to find the mysterious Marcus Finch. He wasn't what I expect him to be. For some reason I thought he would be older. But nonetheless I fell in love with him. And he's not the only one that is running from the Alchemist, there are others with him. And he tells Sydney a shocking secret, the Alchemist's tattoo forces loyalty to the group and there's a way to break it. Even though Sydney is already questioning the Alchemist, but is she really ready to throw away her whole life and team up with Marcus and his group? Is there any truth to the claim that the Alchemist are working with the Warriors?

Early on in the book, Sydney along with two of her fellow Alchemists were invited to a vampire wedding. I had forgot that Sonya was planning a wedding. I was kind of hoping it was Rose and Dimitri or even Lissa and Christian. But I do love the small appearance of Rose and Dimitri, and even Abe. I know this series is about Sydney but I wish Rose would show up for more. In the Vampire Academy series I got the feeling that Sydney and Rose could really be great friends. And Abe. Oh Abe. Please show up more.

This book is filled with ton and tons of Adrian and Sydney scenes. I seriously couldn't get enough. Even though Sydney claims she doesn't, no CAN'T love Adrian, she can't seem to stay away from him. She even ends up with a hickey! There are tons of other swoon worthy moments between these two. But Jill's safety is still her number one priority, and when news surfaced that the Warriors are looking for Jill, Sydney demands more protection, and then covers up her uncharacteristic behavior by lying and saying she's afraid she can't handle being close to all these vampires. Just when we thought we could see our favorite couple happy, Sydney's world is turned upside down when the Alchemists sends her backup for the rest of the mission.

While I was reading a review, I was reminded that in all of Mead's other series, the third book usually ends in heartbreaking shock. While this one wasn't heartbreaking, the shock at the end was enough to leave your mouth hanging open.

Rating: 5/5

 

Teaser Tuesday 18

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

This week's teaser comes from The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead. There were too many awesome parts in this book, but this one made me laugh so hard and reminded me why I love Adrian.

“You're not as much of a lost cause as she was. I mean, with her, I had to overcome her deep, epic love with a Russian warlord. You and I just have to overcome hundreds of years' worth of deeply ingrained prejudice and taboo between our two races. Easy.” 

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu
Publication Date: November 29, 2011
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Number of Pages: 305
Format: Hardback
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What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Even though this book has been on my to be read list for a while, I was a little nervous going into the book. The last few books that had been recommended to me I didn't enjoy. But with this one I found a winner.

The book is told in both June and Day's POV. At times it took me a minute or two to adjust when it would switched, but usually I like multiple POV as long as the author doesn't repeat scenes. I immediately fell in love with June's relationship with her brother, Metias. From the description I knew Metias dies, but I wasn't expecting it so early in the book. I loved both Day and June equally. Throughout the book I kept forgetting how young they are.

The world building is a little iffy in the book. We are told enough to get a general idea. We are left with a ton of questions at the end. Hopefully they will be answered in future books. The mystery around who really killed Metias wasn't a surprised to me, I had it figured out from the beginning; which honestly I thought was in general was obvious.

I wasn't too impressed with any of the secondary characters. I initially liked Thomas, but I knew something was off about him. Tess...she seemed just to be there. The only ones I enjoyed was Day's brother John. This book is fulled of action and even death, which is surprised me for being the first in the series.

I'm looking forward to reading the second book, and hoping to learn more about how the Republic came to be, more about the Colonies, and why did they fail Day at his Trail; I could be wrong but I feel like his score has a significance.

Rating: 4/5

 

Review: Crossroads by J.J. Bonds

Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1) by J.J. Bonds
Publication Date: November 11, 2011
Publisher: J.J. Bonds
Number of Pages: 229
Format: Ebook
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 When Katia enrolled at Crossroads Academy she knew things weren’t exactly going to be easy. The sole heir to the worlds’ most powerful vampire, her presence was bound to cause a stir. But nothing could have prepared her for this. Whispers follow everywhere she goes. So does trouble.

Bodies start turning up in nearby Rutland and Katia is sucked into a twisted web of danger and deceit. Haunted by nightmares she can’t explain and a thirst for blood that is never sated, Katia will do whatever it takes to keep her past buried.

Nothing at Crossroads is what it seems and Katia’s secrets may be the darkest of them all.

First I would like to thank the author, JJ Bonds, for giving me this opportunity to read and review this book. 

Even from the description I could tell this book has a Vampire Academy vibe to it, and while it does, Bonds put her own twist to it and makes it her own story.

Katia is the long lost great niece of Aldo, one of the council members and pretty much the most powerful vampire out there. We are never given how Aldo came to find Katia, just that he saved her life and she has been living with him for the last year. Honestly it was hard for me to connect to Katia. She was too guarded and secretive, not interested in making any friends. The only thing she is really interested in is training in martial arts. She's obsessed with being the best. It doesn't take long for Katia to make enemies of the "in group". The only exception is Nikolai, who has agreed to help train Katia. The guy who despises Katia, Blaine is interesting. It never comes right and says it, but there are very subtle hints that he's gay with a huge crush on Nik. Kind of annoys me, just come out and say it. 

Then vampire mythology are interesting in this book. There are half breeds whom have pretty much no rights and are treated like second rate citizens. We learn that the half breeds are humans that have been turned into vampires. After Katia learns that half breeds have a strong bond to their sires, she wants to confront Aldo about that information and wonders why he never mentioned that to her. 

Once Katia's big secret is revealed everything starts to make sense. Her nightmares, her thirst that she can't control, and even her obsession with training. The only thing that bug me is that as a reader I feel a little betrayed. The whole time Katia had been lying to herself, pretending she is someone else. In result I feel like I've been lied to. It makes a great twist, but I was bummed out that she isn't really Aldo's niece. 

The only thing that bugged me about the book, was in the middle of the murders, one of her teachers made them watch the news. They had shown some gruesome details, which would never happen in real life. I know this is fiction, but it's one of my pet peeves.  

Overall the book is pretty descent. Like I mentioned earlier the idea isn't a new one, but the plot is refreshing and new. I'm not sure how I feel about Katia and Nik yet, but I'm intrigued since it has that forbidden romance to it. 

Rating: 3/5

 

Review: Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3) by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Publisher: Little Brown
Publication date: October 18th, 2011
Number of pages: 518
Format: Paperback
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Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What — or who — will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself — forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

In the third installment to Kami and Margaret's Caster Chronicles, we find it has been two months since the events of the previous book. Everyone is trying to deal with the reprecussions of the fallout of Lena claiming herself. It's not all good.
The town has gone crazy, and Link's Mom is talking like it's the end of days.
She just may be right.

Ridley is trying to come to terms with her now-mortal status, and it ain't good. You would think this is the first time she has been ordinary and without any magical powers, but I suppose when you experience that sort of power to go without it would be as if you are missing something crucial and you just aren't the same without it.

Suddenly Ethan starts to get another moon song speaking of Eighteen Moons.. and he and Lena start to wonder who it refers to, since Lena's birthday is far off so it can't possibly be talking about her.
It's a race against time as they try to discover the answer to the riddle those songs are usually associated with.

If I am honest, this book didn't get that good until the 2nd half. I felt things were dragging on, and I wondered where things were heading.
Ridley annoyed me to a point, and I felt so bad for Link.. who clearly really likes her, more than she likes him.
But by the end of the novel I really liked it, and the cliffhanger.. wow.. I can't even imagine what the next book is going to be like.

There was some interesting developments, and some new and some returnee characters have come back into the fold.
One of the reasons I was drawn to this series was that it was narrated by a male protagonist.. You just don't find that very often nowaways. And while it did take awhile to get used to.. I think I couldn't imagine this series any other way.

I was glad we got to see Ethan's dad and see how he was dealing now that he has come back to the land of the living. I wondered if he was going to stay locked into his study forever.
You discover more about Link and how he plays a bigger role in this book than he had before. With him now quarter of an Incubus, and a good part of this book deals with his kind.
We also get to see more of Lena's mother, Sarafine and more of her past with Lena's father. It was good to get an insight of what happened all those years ago when Sarafine, whose name was Izabel before becoming dark and how she became who she have come to see her today.

And then there is the book's evil. Abraham. He is who is behind pretty much everything as he was in the previous book. He really was one bastard, even dead. I wish so much on him, and none of it is good.

Verdict:  5/5

Review: Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Darkness (Caster Chronicles #2) by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Publisher: Little Brown
Publication date: October 12th, 2010
Number of pages: 503
Format: Paperback
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Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.

Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

This book picks up the story a few months after Beautiful Creatures left, as the characters deal with the consequences of the events from the previous book.
Lena is depressed as she deals with her personal loss, as her boyfriend, Ethan tries to help and be there for her. Ridley has found herself vulnerable, and more so now than ever before, and she isn't handling it very well.
Not to mention having to attend High School? Go figure.
The relationship between Ridley and Linc reaches new lengths and is one of my favourite parts of this novel. In book 1, they were this fun thing where she liked to mess with him and him with her. But in Beautiful Darkness, you start to see that Ridley doesn't like competition when it comes to this guy and might feel she isn't good enough for him if she is just ordinary without any special talents. If she has to compete with human girls? Ridiculous.
Lincoln has found himself with new abilities after being attacked by an Icubus and he has to learn everything about who he is now all over again.

We have new characters, such as new guy, John Breed.. and Liv, an assistant at the library come into play and their roles within the caster role become evident as the story moves on.

The relationship between our core characters, Ethan and Lena go through some struggles as they both battle with things that are going on around them.

This was a great sequel to Beautiful Creatures, even though I did feel things were dragging on a bit, but the end was definitely interesting and made me itch for the next book. I feel this was the calm before the upcoming storm. Something big and epic is upon the horizon, I can feel it.

Verdict: 4/5

Review: Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Deity (Covenant #3)
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Publication date: November 6th, 2012
Number of pages: 330
Format: E-book
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"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time. "


Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden.

If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed.

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...

The third book in this amazing series only just gets better as it goes along. Alex's 18th birthday is coming up and we know what that means: Her awakening, and that is something I am not sure she is ready for.

This book solidfied the two core relationships I felt. Alex and Aiden and Alex and Seth. One for the better and one for the worse. You probably can guess which is which. But these things happen.
The relationship between Alex and  Aiden I have loved, shipped, supported from the very first book, but they have had their ups and downs considering the reality of their situation. In this book things become very real and they are forced to make a very bold choice. Do they follow their hearts, or do they follow the rules, which shouldn't be put there to begin with?

There are all sorts of twists and turns that transpire in this book. From who Leon really is, the truth about Alex's father and what that could mean for her and what happens the closer she gets to her awakening. What does that mean for her and Seth, and her in general?
There are of course some betrayals that you might not see coming, and end up being quite heartbreaking.

All in all, this book goes down a new path that sets the series on its own and makes anything that comes next bigger and badder than you ever thought possible.

And then we are stuck with dreaded cliffhanger, and it is such a biggie. To also bridge the gap between this book and the next we are then treated to a special novella narrated by Aiden about the events that transpire after the ending to Deity. Be a watchout for that review.

Verdict: 5/5

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
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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

 

April's review of 'the Girl in the Clockwork Collar' by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross
Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teens
Number of Pages: 416
Format: Hardback
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Description:  In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous.

Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves.

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens.

Even though I loved the book, I didn't think it was as good as the first. Those who love Jack will be disappointed that he's not in the book. But there are mentions of him. Which makes sense since the gang is in NYC trying to rescue Jasper. To save their friend, Finley has to get close a man that is ten times more dangerous than Jack and would not hesitate to kill her. 

Even though my love for Finley and Griffin grew in this book, there were points where I wanted to slap them both. Griffin even broke my heart a few times. At the end they both come to an understanding and hope filled my heart for them. 

If you loved the first one, you will love this. A very quick pace book. And once again I found myself not being able to put this book down, and afterwards wanting more. 

Rating: 5/5 

Jen's review of "Unleashed" By Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Unleashed (Wolf Springs Chronicles #1) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Publication date: December 8th, 2011
Publisher: Doubleday Children's books
Number of pages: 383
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository
Description:  Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.

These two authors have written some of the best books out there. From the Wicked series to their Crusade series, and now comes a new brand of genre books. We are introduced to Katelyn. After the death of her mother, Katelyn gets uprooted from sunny California to a small town in the middle of nowhere, Arkansas. If she had a choice, she would be with her friends finishing high school where she knows best and feels the most like at home, but she doesn't have a choice in this matter. 

Upon arriving in Wolf Springs, her grandfather tells her what has been going on. A girl turned up dead in the woods, and where does her father, and now she have to live? The woods. Oh joy.
Soon enough, she meets a new friend who is also a friend of her grandfather's. His name is Trick and he is a little mystery and you don't exactly know what is going on with him.
But he is there for her, takes her to school since he is her only way to and from school. The more she spends time with him she starts to develop feelings for him, which complicates things especially when he acts out of character, and Katelyn starts to wonder what is up with him.

It wasn't long until she develops a friendship with the popular school in school, and the two seem to click even though there is something about her new friend that seems a bit strange and peculiar that Katelyn can't seem to understand.
But things get a little odd when Katelyn meets Cordelia's cousin, Justin. The moment he and Katelyn meet something crazy happens that seems out of their control: They can't seem to be able to keep their hands off one another and don't understand why.

But there is something dark and dangerous going on around town. The town seems to have a wolf problem, and when something tragic  happens to Katelyn, she'll have to try find her own place in this new world she has found herself in.

First off, I will say that I am a big fan of Justin and ship Justin/Katelyn so hard. I was so mesmerized by him the moment he came onto the scene. There is just that chemistry between them that draws me to them. It's not something they, nor I can understand, but it's just so compelling that makes me want these two together. But that task won't be an easy one.

Katelyn, while she didn't come off first as a strong character -- but as she journeys through the books and deals with -- stuff, she does become stronger as a person, especially for someone that is 17 years of age.
The fact she has to deal with having no parents, and moving in with someone she barely knows can't be an easy thing.
But after so many things that happens, she starts to grow and harden up, which I think she will need to be.

I can't wait to see what will happen in book 2.. which, I think gets released in December 2012.

                                                              Rating:  4/5