Review: Chosen at Nightfall by C.C Hunter

Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5) by C.C Hunter
Publisher: St Martins Press
Publication date: April 23rd, 2013
Number of pages: 400 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Kylie Galen's life hasn't been the same since her world was turned upside-down in Born at Midnight, Shadow Falls #1, and now an epic conclusion to her journey—not to mention a tough choice between two guys!—is brewing in Chosen at Nightfall:

When Kylie Galen left Shadow Falls, she thought it was the hardest decision of her life. Heartbroken and separated from everyone she loves, she has to embrace her abilities and what it means to be a chameleon. But as Kylie's journey comes to a close, she must return to the camp that started it all...and she must finally chose between the two boys who love her. The werewolf who broke her heart when he chose his pack over her, and the half-fae who ran from their intense attraction before they ever really had a chance. For Kylie, everything will finally be revealed and nothing will ever be the same.

It's a shame I have to do a review like this considering how much I adored the first four books. I had such high hopes for the finale and thought I knew how it would end, but I was unfortunately, very much mistaken.
A part of me wishes I hadn't read this book, and to me, it ended with the end of book 4. SIGH. Some things just aren't always the way you know they should go, that authors don't always share the same opinion as us, and in this case it seems to be the very matter.

In the final book to Kylie's story at Shadow Falls, are taken back into her life as she spends some time away from the camp. She soon discovers she is safer at Shadow Falls than she is anywhere else.
The story picks up just a few weeks after she has left the camp and finds herself in a place amongst her own kind. She discover things about what she is and what it means, and how everything all works. When Kylie sees a ghost (of course)who tells her that she has to kill him or she'll be killed. Not many options here.

Burnett and co soon turn up warning her of Mario who may know her location and that she has to come back to the camp where is the only place she can be safe, so off she goes, unknowing what or whom she will awaiting her there.

There wasn't many things I liked about this book. Derek. Burnett and Holiday. Kylie frustrated me to no end. I understand and sometimes feel sorry for her; she doesn't have the easiest life and so many problems being thrown at her, but she makes a very bad decision and one that makes no sense.
April and I were sure who Kylie would choose especially after the end of the previous book, but it's like everything that happened.. never happened and nothing made sense. There was no excusing the events that transpired prior to this, and imo, the choice should have been an easy one. But I felt like she never gave one boy a real chance and gave up way too quickly.
The other one though, I never liked. Or sometimes I did, and then he would go and do something do douche that made me dislike him once again. Every ounce of common sense that Kylie once had must have been slapped out of her --  or, I don't know.. Its the only thing that makes sense to me as to her stupid choice she makes. I literally felt sick after reading this book.
What is this meant to show the readers? That it's OKAY to choose someone who hurts you time and time again, who chooses to commit to something and be a coward? I'm clueless.  

While everyone seems to get their happy ending, and I'm glad that Derek ended up with his own happy ending, it also felt contrived and put there because of Kylie's choice. It's like.. okay, let's put him with someone so he doesn't mope around.
His happiness was all I cared for at this point, and I guess I was happy enough that in the end he did get what he deserves.

I was very disappointed in the way this book turned out, and sadly, it's put me off on reading the spinoff. I just can't do it.

Rating: 2.5/5

Review: Winds of Salem by Melissa de la Cruz

Winds of Salem (The Beauchamp Family, #3) by Melissa de la Cruz
Publisher: Hyperion
Publication date: August 13th, 2013
Number of pages: 320 pgs
Format: Hardcover
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Freya Beauchamp has been kidnapped and sucked into the past, forced to relive the horrors of Salem and return to the witch-burning hysteria that gripped the small Massachusetts town. Freya’s family is determined to save her, but the Passages of Time are closed to the Beauchamp family, leaving them stuck in the present, centuries from Freya. Joanna, Freddie, and Ingrid must find another way back to save Freya before it's too late. Because this time, when Freya is hanged, she's not coming back…ever.

The Beauchamps are sure that their nemesis, the trickster god Loki, is behind the brewing hatred in Salem and Freya's kidnapping—but is the witch hunt just a way for the power-seeking Putnam family, whose daughter Ann was one of the first accusers, to settle scores and consolidate their hold on the lands and power in town?

Black magic, time travel, romance, mystery, history, and adventure are served up in a cauldron of bubbly magic in the latest installation of the New York Times bestselling series Witches of East End.

Melissa has continued to impress me book by book, and this one is no exception. In the third installment to Melissa de la Cruz's 'Witches of East End' aka 'The Beauchamp Family' series comes a thrilling and new story has it continues from Serpent's Kiss.

Not only do we discover what indeed happened to Freya after she was sucked back in time, thanks to Loki, but we also discover what really happened to the mystery of the bridge back in Asgard. Not everything or everyone is as it seems, and there was some twists and turns not even I saw coming.
Freya finds herself trapped back in the past which she had already relived; during the time when she was in the Salem Witch Trials and burned at the stake. Not a pleasant time to rehash, no? She has no choice, but with the help of some new friends, Freya will see if she can stop the ultimate outcome. There seems to be someone that wants her erased, for good, but who is it? Is it the trickster, Loki, or is it some other enemy they have yet to see coming?

This book is split between the past where we deal with the Witch Hunts and Freya with her entanglement, and then we have present day and discover just what is happening with Ingrid & Matt, Joanna and Norman and Freddie with his life.
Melissa did a great job with tying up storylines in this book. We get the answers we have waited since the beginning to discover which surprised me a tad. We get the end of some eras, and the beginning of others.
We also find out more about the past between Freya/Killian/Bran. Speaking of the triangle. I am not sure if I like how she concluded it in the end. I suppose in some ways it makes sense, but in other ways, it just makes Freya just another in the middle of two men. Although in my opinion, Killian/Balder has always been her true love. It's definitely a difficult situation to be in that's for sure.; And if Melissa continues on with more books we'll see what happens with the three of them.


Some parts of the book, toward the end made me sad, but I also love the relationship between Joanna and her husband, Norman. You discover more of their past that goes back to the beginning of time and how they started out. I think they may be the true love story of the series. This series is about family. true love. friendships and sisterhood. Magic. Mythology.


A pretty satisfying conclusion to this particular arc. I definitely would love if Melissa did decide to do more books. I think there are more stories to tell for these characters and past to be explored.

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: Angel Fever by L.A Weatherly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 5/5

Review: Bound to Shadows by Keri Arthur

Bound to Shadows (Riley Jensen Guardian #8) by Keri Arthur
Publication Date: October 27, 2009
Publisher: Dell
Number of Pages: 346
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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Part vampire, part werewolf, Riley Jenson knows what can happen when vamps don’t play well with others. But she’s never seen anything like this: a series of brutal murders surrounding the latest hot spot for vampire-human hookups—and the victims aren’t just killed, they’re beheaded. Now Riley is launching into action, toying with a seductive—and highly suspicious—club owner, and finding herself in the middle of another mystery: women being killed one by one, without a trace of violence.

For Riley, solving multiple cases—in a world going mad with human and vampire passions—would have been tough enough. Instead she has two jealous lovers on her hands: Kye Murphy, the amber-eyed werewolf who makes Riley’s wolf blood howl—and Quinn, the cool, elegant vamp who has over a thousand years’ experience at fulfilling women’s desires. While she’s busy juggling these two sexy beasts, Riley’s detective work takes a stunningly violent turn. Finding a murderer is now a matter of life and death. Especially since the killer has long since found her . . .

As far as Riley is concern she could care less if she sees Kye Murphy ever again, even if he's her soul mate. And Kye feels the same way. Yet while she's investigating her new case Kye shows up again. And not only does he show up, but apparently he has had a small change of heart and can't stay away from Riley.

You start to feel bad for the girl. Seems like she can't catch a break from the gruesome cases. But having issues in her love life, she throws herself into work. Not to mention that Rhoan and his soul mate Liander has decided they want a child and form their own pack, and they want to use one of Riley's eggs so it'll be her child too. I don't know why she hesitated to give them an answer. All along all she says she wants is to find her soul mate and to have children. Yet she chooses to stay with Quinn, who will never be her soul mate and can't even understand the werewolf culture nor does he approve it; which I do have to say he has gotten better over time of trying to be understanding, and not only can he not give Riley children he wouldn't want children. Yes Riley might love him, but sometimes love isn't enough.

And as with previous books the small amount of Quinn in the one was way to much for me. And we barely got to see Kade, Rhoan, and Liander. The series would be so much better off seeing more of them, especially since this series started because Rhoan was missing.

The ending was surprising, I had suspected it along with Riley, but I was hopping it wasn't true. I had really liked Kye. Even though he did have Rhoan shot and threatened to kill everyone Riley cares about, I was really hoping for a turnaround. But he was never given a fighting chance from day one. And that pisses me off. Granted he turned out to be crazy at the end and was even I couldn't forgive him for his sins. There's two surprising deaths at the end. Ok maybe just one surprising death. The other one was kind of given. But the one that shocked me the most made me so mad! There's a part of me that is still extremely pissed off and even considered not even reading the last and final book.  

Rating: 3/5

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
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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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

 

 

Teaser Tuesday 24

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 still can't get over Kalayna Price's series Alex Craft. This teaser is from Grave Memory. It's a little longer than two sentences, but I think it's my favorite quote in the whole book.

"No game. I want all of you, Alex. Body." His hands moved to my waist. "Mind." He kissed my forehead. "And soul." His hand moved and my back arched as a pleasure so thick it verged on pain spread through me. 

Review: Grave Dance by Kalayna Price

Grave Dance (Alex Craft #2) by Kalayna Price
Publication Date: July 5, 2011
Publisher: ROC
Number of Pages: 371
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

Whoever said dead men tell no tales obviously never met Alex Craft.

After a month spent recovering from a vicious fight with a sorcerer, grave witch Alex Craft is ready to get back to solving murders by raising the dead. With her love life in turmoil thanks to the disappearance of Fae Investigation Bureau agent Falin Andrews and a shocking “L” word confession from Death himself, Alex is eager for the distractions of work. But her new case turns out to be a deadly challenge.

The police hire Alex to consult on a particularly strange investigation in the nature preserve south of Nekros City. The strange part: There are no corpses, only fragments of them. A serial killer is potentially on the loose, and Alex has no way to raise a shade without a body, so she’ll have to rely on the magic of others to find leads. But as she begins investigating, a creature born of the darkest magic comes after her. Someone very powerful wants to make sure the only thing she finds is a dead end—her own.

I couldn't help myself but dive right into the second book. It's been a month since the events at the end of the first book, and Alex still isn't sure about her feelings. After finding out that Falin is not only the Winter Queen's assassin but also her lover. But before Alex can confront him on those facts he disappears without even a goodbye and hasn't heard from him since. To further complicate things when Alex was dying at the end of the first book Death had told the other soul collectors that he loves Alex. Having a soul collector being in love with you isn't easy, and Alex isn't sure how to act or even what to say to him. Not to mention Alex herself has commitment issues and doesn't do relationships as a rule.

Alex does what every other woman does when they having love life issues, throw themselves into their work. But the new case the police have her working on makes no sense at all. They are no bodies, just feet; left feet at that with no indication of being cut off from the body. And to make her life even more complicated, Falin shows up in her yard injured. Partnering up with a FIB agent has it perks, but Alex could do without him trying to worm his way back in her life and bed.

Although still not enough for my taste, Death appears more often in this book than last. Not only do we get to see him flirting with Alex, but we start to see a possessive side to him. But you get the impression that the soul collectors have laws to abide by, and it's forbidden for him to have a relationship with a mortal. There were a few scenes where Death and Falin had a pissing contest. Which let's me honest, even if you hate triangles, the pissing matches are always amusing. Last book I hadn't fully decided on a "team", this book had me leaning towards one side more than the other. But the end made me doubt it a little. The way I see it, either guy has some major cons to them.

Not sure if it's because I read the books back to back, or if I just catch these things real easy, but I did find a few things I didn't like. The author uses the same descriptions over and over, especially for Death. Throughout the first book and the first half of this book, everytime Death appeared it was the exact same description. Or in the first half of this book, I lost count of times they refer to the Magical Awakening as the faeries coming out of the mushroom ring. Or the countless times we are reminded that the city is only fifty years old, so there's really no old or historical parts in the city. Once is enough thank you very much.

I love the fact that Alex is blond. You don't find too many heroines in this genre or even fantasy/paranormal that are blond. And the fact that the only supernatural creatures in this world are witches and the fae. It works for this book having a limit on the supernatural. I find the magic in this world is intriguing. Especially the fact that grave magic not only kills night vision, but messes with your eyesight after using it. For the most part Alex stays pretty much blind majority of the time.

Along with everything else on her plate, Alex must keep the fact she's feykin a secret. Which I wonder why did she awaken the fae part of her self during the Blood Moon in the last book? But when Holly is kidnapped Alex must go to the one place that scares her the most, Faery. Which beholds a few surprises for her when she realizes she may just have more fae blood in her than she would like.

Filled with mystery, action, a little romance, and humor this series is urban fantasy at it's best.

Rating: 4.5/5

 

Review: The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: April 23rd, 2013
Number of pages: 323pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository | Book World Australia

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Iléa.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Everything begun with The Selection. America went from not wanting anything to do with it, to a point where she decided it was where she wanted to be.
The first book in this amazing trilogy introduced you to our beloved characters, plot and the world which Kiera created. It was the book in which I fell in love with this story. Not only for America & Maxon, but also because I knew there was trouble  rumbling deep down in the rebellion. Not everyone is happy....

In The Elite, America finds herself competing, in the real sense for the affections of Maxon. But along with the competition, America finds out some interesting things about her country, how it was formed and how some change has to come into affect at some point.
Not everyone is happy about the way things are done. The fact this competition is even around. And those people start to become more of a threat than they were before.

What I loved about this book was that it got a bit more darker than the previous. More attacks. More rebellion. It also had more romantic moments, with more than one boy. But I think America had made her choice very early on... and even though some things have challenged that decision., there is no doubt it sticks and will continue to do so throughout the final book.
I know there are many people who didn't like some of the things, actions that took place... but when I actually thought about the reasons.. I understood why they did the things they did, and I forgave them. They are still... after all young people trying to understand the laws of nature and find their place in the world.

While the actions of both America and Maxon could sometimes get on your nerves, in the long run.. I don't think those problems will cause any affect.


There are some characters like Aspen and Celeste who got on my nerves. Celeste, well.. nobody likes her and she has always been on my last nerve since she was introduced...but Aspen, I felt was in the background and really didn't serve any purpose apart from being in this so-called triangle. Although, toward the end.. I did feel a bit of a hint that he might be able to move on.. with someone else *cough*.

WHY does THE ONE have to be a year away? Since Kiera just announced it won't be released until May 6th, 2014! Ahh.. well, she better give me plenty of AM stuff to tease me with until it comes out.

Review: 5/5

Teaser Tuesday 22

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

Even though I was pretty disappointed with Chosen at Nightfall by C.C. Hunter, the book had some humorous lines that we have grown to love with her books. Here's one of my favorites.

"Does anyone listen to me around here?" Burnett asked, his frustration making his tone sound almost comical. "Obviously not," one of the FRU agents said, and chuckled. 

Review: Chosen at Nightfall by C.C. Hunter

Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5) by C.C. Hunter
Publication Date: April 23, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Number of Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to Goodreads

Kylie Galen's life hasn't been the same since her world was turned upside-down in Born at Midnight, Shadow Falls #1, and now an epic conclusion to her journey—not to mention a tough choice between two guys!—is brewing in Chosen at Nightfall:

When Kylie Galen left Shadow Falls, she thought it was the hardest decision of her life. Heartbroken and separated from everyone she loves, she has to embrace her abilities and what it means to be a chameleon. But as Kylie's journey comes to a close, she must return to the camp that started it all...and she must finally chose between the two boys who love her. The werewolf who broke her heart when he chose his pack over her, and the half-fae who ran from their intense attraction before they ever really had a chance. For Kylie, everything will finally be revealed and nothing will ever be the same.

 The final installment in the Shadow Falls series picks up about two weeks after the last book. Kylie has left Shadow Falls and gone to the chameleon compound with her grandfather and great aunt. But it's not what she thought it would be.The chameleon are in constant fear that they will be discovered, and they keep the teens isolated from the world. No phone, internet or anything. Only when they mature, which means they are able to change their pattern at will, are they allow out in the world. Kylie has never felt more alone then she does hidden away. Her grandfather does allow her limited phone access. And of course like every book, this one starts off with a new ghost. This one insists that Kylie needs to kill him or she will be killed. It took her most of the book to figure out who is the he. Which the whole time I just wanted to slap her. I knew from the beginning who the ghost was referring to.

It doesn't take Burnett to find where their hidden lair is located. Mario has been spotted in town and a fellow camper has been attacked, and Burnett is pretty sure Mario was behind it. As Burnett points out he found the compound, it's only a matter of time before Mario finds her. And back to Shadow Falls Kylie goes.

You have to feel sorry for Kylie. A psychopath is after her, she has a ghost that claims that it's a big possibility she will be killed, issues with parents and even grandparents, plus she still has boy trouble. This book kind of annoyed me, or at least I found Della annoying. I'm not even sure why. I feel like the book lacked Miranda. She just wasn't in it as much as Della. I love both girls, but I find Miranda a lot more interesting. Burnett and Holiday were amazing as always. Now a spin off series or even a short story with them would be fantastic. There's even a little twist in the story concerning these two, a very happy ending.

Kylie finally gets to meet her father's adoptive grandparents, and her mom is not too happy. Speaking of her mom, we learn who exactly is her boyfriend. I knew from the first moment that he was evil and after Kylie.

I'm sure you heard of saving the best for last? Well in this case I'm saving the worst for last. I loved the last book because it seemed that Kylie would end up picking Derek. This whole book to me felt like a cop out where Lucas was concerned. Even though he had pledged his soul to another girl and promise to marry her, he has to sign a contract afterwards to make it official. And guess who didn't do it?! What the hell was the point in having Kylie witness all of that?! I'm sorry not signing some paper doesn't and shouldn't change the fact that you pledge YOUR SOUL to another girl. Oh he gave up everything for Kylie? This is coming a little too late. The whole series he has put his pack before Kylie, and then in the last book he just gives up everything for her? Not buying it. Not to mention they kept bringing up when Derek slept with his ex and "cheated" on Kylie. Umm excuse me, Kylie and Derek were NOT together. And Kylie even said they weren't together when it happened so it wasn't cheating. And now all of a sudden in this book it's changed to cheating on her?! Really?! It was like Hunter twisted everything so it would be ok for her to end with Lucas. Honestly I lost respect.

Ok rant over. Besides a huge amount of Lucas in the book, the book was really good. Just what you come to expect from a book in the series. And everyone gets their "happy ending". Which I don't agree with the choices. Well everyone but Della who is being stubborn. But I guess the ending sets up nicely for the spin off about Della. Which honestly I won't be reading.

In all I couldn't get past Kylie's choices and how details gets twisted around. I'm really disappointed in the book and feels like everything was a cop out.

Rating: 2.5/5

 

Prodigy by Marie Lu

Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu
Publication Date: January 29, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenille
Number of Pages: 371
Format: Hardback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

June, once the Republic's adored prodigy, is now on the run and wanted for treason against the Republic. Their only chance of survival is to find the Patriots and convince them to help them find Day's brother and escape to the Colonies. But having no money is a problem, but the Patriots agree with one condition, they assassinate the new Elector. 

The leader of the Patriots, Razor, is actually a high ranking military officer. He claims that Andan, the new Elector will only enforce his father's ways. By assassinating him will bring about a revolution that the Republic needs and one step closer to bringing the United States as a while once again. Hearing about Andan's infatuation with June, he sends her as bait. But after spending time with him she starts to realize that Andan is nothing like his father. Andan wants to change the Republic and he needs both June and Day's help to win the people over. She knows something isn't adding up and stops the plan even if it means the Patriots will be out for her.

I wished we got more information about the Colonies and even what happened to split the two sides up. But I do love all the references to American history. And it even reminds me a bit of the tv show Revolution. In the first book it seemed there were so many possible love triangles. It really seemed like they might do one with Day, June, and Thomas. This book ruled out a Thomas love triangle, but what we see emerged is more of a love square. And the part that involves June, as much as I love her and Day I wouldn't mind seeing her with the other either. In the first book I didn't mind Tess. I even kind of liked her. Well how the tables turned. In this book I couldn't stand her. I just wanted her to go far far away and stay there.

The one thing I hate about YA is how predictable the books are. Now there were a few twists like who were really funding the Patriots to kill the new Elector. I stared at the page for five minutes to make sure I was reading it right. Even though looking clues were present all a long. We had assumed the Colonies were funding them, but a little half way through I just knew it wasn't the Colonies. Day has to decide to keep his rebellious ways or announce to the whole Republic that he supports the new Elector. And the ending! Oh Day how you break my heart. I saw it coming the whole time.

I often forget that they are only 15 years old. Seems they should be much older than that. And now the wait for the final book begins....

Rating: 4/5

 

Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead

Iron Crowned (Dark Swan #3) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Publisher: Zebra
Number of Pages: 375
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land's queen, she's fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear...

Who Eugenie can trust is the hardest part. Fairy king Dorian has his own agenda for aiding her search. And Kiyo, her shape-shifter ex-boyfriend, has every reason to betray her along the way. To control the Crown's ever-consuming powers, Eugenie will have to confront an unimaginable temptation - one that will put her soul and the fate of two worlds in mortal peril...

Iron Crowned picks up where Thorn Queen left off. Eugenie and Dorian are not only back together as a couple, but are united in a war against Rowan Land and Queen Katrice. Desperate to end the war in a peaceful way, Eugenie hears stories of the legendary Iron Crown. A crown hidden somewhere and one must venture through mines of iron along with other obstacles to obtain it, not to mention the crown itself is made of iron. Dorian claims the crown has no real power, that it's just a symbol of the trails one goes through to get it. And that enough would make Katrice end the war. Not initially wanting to go after it, Dorian pushes her towards it. He even convinces her to take Kiyo with her, who even though isn't involved wants to see the war ended peacefully.

Getting the crown wasn't easy, but she realizes that Dorian had lied to her about the crown. Unable to trust his motivations anymore she breaks things off with him. And this is the one thing I hate about this series. The back and forth between Dorian and Kiyo. Not to mention she jumps right into bed with Kiyo after the breakup.

I really loved the fact that Jasmine has turned over a new leaf, or maybe not so. But the two have become closer and towards the end of the book Eugenie feels she can trust her enough to take off her cuffs and even takes her back to her house in the human world.

If you've read any other Mead's series you should noticed that the third book in the series is a heart breaker.  Not only does Eugenie find a way to end the war without anymore bloodshed, which is a big shock. At first reaction the twist at the end will make you gasp. But at the same time it's kind of foreseen, especially with earlier events in the book. Now fearing for her life from one man in her life she must seek protection from the other man. She's not entirely sure she can fully trust either one.

Rating: 4/5

 

Teaser Tuesday 21

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 re reading Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead. One of the things I love about adult urban fantasy is the humor you find in it.

Later, I would ask Shaya to help me compose a formal response to Katrice's letter, something a long the lines of "I am the Thorn Queen. Fuck Off.

Review: Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead

Thorn Queen (Dark Swan #2) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: August 1, 2009
Publisher: Zebra
Number of Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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Eugenie Markham is a shaman for hire, paid to bind and banish creatures from the Otherworld. But after her last battle, she's also become queen of the Thorn Land. It's hardly an envious life, not with her kingdom in tatters, her love life in chaos, and Eugenie eager to avoid the prophecy about her firstborn destroying mankind. And now young girls are disappearing from the Otherworld, and no one--except Eugenie--seems willing to find out why.
Eugenie has spilled plenty of fey blood in her time, but this enemy is shrewd, subtle, and nursing a very personal grudge. And the men in her life aren't making things any easier. Her boyfriend Kiyo is preoccupied with his pregnant ex, and sexy fey king Dorian always poses a dangerous distraction. With or without their help, Eugenie must venture deep into the Otherworld and trust in an unpredictable power she can barely control. Reluctant queen or not, Eugenie has sworn to do her duty--even if it means facing the darkest--and deadliest--side of her nature. . .

Eugenie can't deny her Otherworld heritage, having inherit a kingdom she didn't want. In which Eugenie's solution is to ignore all problems. She still pops in every now and then since she's connected to the land. But all other problems she lets her servants handle. Not to mention Eugenie has conflicting feelings about Kiyo and Maiween. Yes Kiyo claims to love Eugenie, but Maiween is the mother of his child. That's a connection that is hard to overcome. Traveling back to her castle from the baby shower she comes one of her villages, and she realizes how bad off her kingdom really is. Which makes her more involved. And to find out young gentry girls are being kidnapped from her kingdom.

In the process of looking for missing girls, her guards eventually find Jasmine, Eugenie's 15 year old half-sister, who is determined to get rid of Eugenie and have the Storm King's heir. Even for a re read the book is a big page turner. I began to hate Kiyo even more than I did in the first book, if that's even possible. Yes I understand he wants to be there for Maiween, but I don't understand why he needed to spend majority of his time with her before the baby was born. Not to mention when the baby was born it took him at least two days to contact Eugenie to let her know the baby was born. I don't really use love or connection like she has with Dorian. All I see between Eugenie and Kiyo is really good sex.

And it wouldn't be a book without some traumatic event. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read. But the fallout of the event brings about a war between the kingdoms. I wanted to shoot Kiyo for not standing up and being a man and doing everything he could to protect Eugenie.

Once again Richelle really hit the nail with this one. I can't wait to finish my re read.

Rating: 5/5

Review: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: March 19, 2013
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Number of Pages: 568
Format: Hardback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy

Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.

The conclusion to Clare's The Infernal Devices trilogy is probably one of most anticipated books of the year. The book picks up not long after the last one left off. Tessa is busy planning her wedding, while Will trains his sister Cecily to be a Shadowhunter. And due to tragedy, which honestly I thought was very clever of Ms. Clare, Gabriel comes to the Institute to live.

Even though it's been quiet, Mortmain looms over everyone's minds. Having brought all of the drug Jem needs and even stopped shipping, Jem doesn't have much time left. In which Mortmain makes his move and kidnaps Tessa. Jem, on his death bed, tells Will to go after her and bring her back safe.

I don't want to go into much detail, trying to keep everything spoiler free. But there are a few twists. Most of the theories out there are right in some way. I wished Magnus was in the book more than what he was. But he was amazing as always. And the couples that end up together! Everyone is perfect!

One of my favorite quotes, it's just perfect and I can't stop laughing everytime I read it.

"The next time one of our esteemed members turns into a worm and eats another esteemed member, we will inform you immediately."

Most of our questions were answered in the book. I was more surprised what Tessa ended up being, and thinking about it more raises a few more questions. I'm still not sure how I feel exactly about the ending. One part of me feels like it was a copout. But the majority what I feel is it's perfect ending.

This book was an emotional roller coaster.It will make you laugh, cry, even cuss and want to throw the book out the window. Which I will admit I had wanted to do a few times. Did I mention that it will make you cry? There were several times I had to stop reading because I couldn't see the words through my tears. YOU WILL NEED TISSUES WHEN YOU READ THIS BOOK. This book was just about perfect. A few issues I had, but overall amazing.

Rating: 4.5/5

 

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Walker Books
Publication date: December 6th, 2011
Number of pages: 496
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

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.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review: Everbound by Brodi Ashton

Everbound (Everneath #2) by Brodi Ashton
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: February 14th, 2013
Number of pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

Nikki Beckett has been to hell and back, literally. She has loved and lost. This time it's the love of her life, Jack who is now trapped in Hell, aka The Eveneath and she will do whatever possible to get him back.

The cliffhanger to Brodi Ashton's 'Everneath' was one of the most talked about endings to a debut book I have seen in a while. The true meaning of sacrifice. The true meaning of love. There isn't anything these two teenagers would not do for one another, and during the course of this novel, Everbound -- that is true more than ever.
The story picks up not too soon after the end of Everneath, as Nikki gets questioned about the whereabouts to where Jack could be since she was the last person to ever see or hear from him last. Nobody knows the full story, except Cole, Nikki and Jack's brother.
Nikki begins to understand that the only way for her to get Jack back is to gain the help of Cole. He would be the last person she would turn to, but since he is an everliving, he seems to be the only one that could and would help her.

As Cole and Nikki descend into the Everneath, Nikki has to hold onto her dreams of Jack as that seems to be the only thing keeping him alive, and the closer she gets to Jack, she starts to fear that she might be too late.

I felt the love triangle in Everbound was tolerable, but that was until the end... until certain things were revealed that made me hate Cole yet again.
During a good portion of the book, I begun to think that Cole wasn't such a bad guy... that he might love Nikki, but now I just see it as obsession. I have been Team Jack since the beginning of the prologue in Everneath, and my stance on that has not changed one bit.
I have felt since the start one clear winner in this triangle, where one pairing stands out more than the other. I don't believe that a triangle has to be on equal footing to be classified as one, as always in these sort of situations that's clearly the case.

Cole really disapppointed me. I really had some hopes he would change and be someone respectable. To be someone I could understand, and that started out... but then, of course his true motives came through and I was disgusted once more.
Jack. Even though we don't see much of him.. we do see flashbacks and dreams where we understand more about their past, which was nice to see.

We also have a cliffhanger that makes you want to pull out your hair, but it also it gives you hope and understanding on where the final book might take us.

Brodi goes beyond expectations. She has built up this world of Greek mythology, and goes further than one thought possible.
I can't wait until the final book in this compelling trilogy comes to a head.

5 Stars