Review: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles, #2) by Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin Australia
Publication date: October 1st, 2013
Number of pages: 480 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon |  The Book Depository | Bookworld Australia

Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.

Ever since I devoured Alice in Zombieland I have been anxious to read the sequel to this unique and fascinating story. There is nothing from this author that I would not read. Her adult books devour me. And just as much so, this YA series is just as interesting as her PNR ones.
I fell in love with Ali and Cole.. with all of the characters, the world. I could not wait until to read what this installment had in store for us.
I was lucky to be able to get an ARC a few weeks before the release date and I couldn't have been anymore happier.

This is a dark saga, but those are the best kinds, right? It takes a fairytale story and Gena has made it work in her own, interesting way. To bring Ali to such limits, to make her into this character which you never ever saw before. She had her ups and down in the first book to this series as she dealt with the deaths of her family, and then being forced to live with her grandparents. Then there was dealing with the fact she can see  monsters out there in the world that not many people can, only a select few, but she was lucky enough to be able to befriend some of these unique people and form her own new group of friends, a surprisingly new relationship which did not come easy, and found that life might not be so bad after all in this new town.

When we pick up this story, not much time has passed and Ali is still recovering. She yearns to be in Cole's arms, but when he suddenly starts ignoring her, she discovers that a new batch of Zombie Hunters have arrived in town, and not only does she have to deal with his recent ex, yet another girl from Cole's past makes her entrance, and she sure does not like Ali. That's not all she has to deal with... the moment she gets a look at one of the new guys.. something strange happens --- yep, you guessed it, a vision, which is something, I felt she thought her and Cole only shared. The question is.. what do these visions actually mean, and what really is the whole purpose of them? I want to know this answer too.

Ali and Cole are my favourite part of this series, and this book is no different. There are some scenes... well, you just know she has an PNR background because of how hot and saucy they are. There is something to say about a sexy scene without sex being involved -- yet. And these two are the perfect counterparts to a hot duo. There is nothing Cole wouldn't do for Ali, although, yes, he can be overprotective but I think it's because he has never felt like this for someone else and so it's new territory for him as well.
They have their issues during this book.. some which make me scream and pull out my hair, but with all great romances, things end up where they belong.

Ali goes through a crazy, dark and interesting period that involves the Zombies, and it provides a different take on her character. Some will like it, some won't. Ali was battling more than Zombies in this installments --- in more ways than one, she was also battling herself. 

I loved the direction of the relationship between Kat & Frosty, they don't have the easiest relationship either, maybe moreso than most, but I loved we got to see more of them and understand Kat a little more, getting more into her personal life. These two are meant for one another, no matter how many times they may break up and get back together.

There was lots of action and heartbreak to go along with the romance.  There was new characters, I really liked Gavin. He is a major flirt, actually more than that, but I liked that in the end.. he wanted something more someday. It was progress I felt. I hope he does find the happiness he deserves.

I look forward to the next (Last?) installment to this epic, fascinating story.

Thanks to Harlequin Australia for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5

Review: Nameless by Lili St Crow

Nameless (Tales of Beauty & Madness #1) by Lili St Crow
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication date: April 4th, 2013
Number of pages: 304
Format: E-format
Source: E-copy via Netgalley and publisher.
Preorder a copy: Amazon | The Book Depository

When Camille was six years old, she was discovered alone in the snow by Enrico Vultusino, godfather of the Seven—the powerful Families that rule magic-ridden New Haven. Papa Vultusino adopted the mute, scarred child, naming her after his dead wife and raising her in luxury on Haven Hill alongside his own son, Nico.

Now Cami is turning sixteen. She’s no longer mute, though she keeps her faded scars hidden under her school uniform, and though she opens up only to her two best friends, Ruby and Ellie, and to Nico, who has become more than a brother to her. But even though Cami is a pampered Vultusino heiress, she knows that she is not really Family. Unlike them, she is a mortal with a past that lies buried in trauma. And it’s not until she meets the mysterious Tor, who reveals scars of his own, that Cami begins to uncover the secrets of her birth…to find out where she comes from and why her past is threatening her now.

I was THRILLED when I discovered that Lili was coming out with a new YA series. A fairytale re-telling at that. It seems this kind of thing is quite the thing these days.
If you couldn't tell by the description, then I am sure the cover is a BIG hint as to what re-telling this novel is about. Yes. Snow White, but it's certainly not your average version of the story.
No. This is a version you have never seen before.
This story will leave you panting with anticipation and breathless from excitement.

After my disappointment toward her ending of her Strange Angels series. Yes, that is NOT how I envisioned it ending, and I am still bitter about that to this very day. Lili, if you are listening... how about like.. a novella that will tell the events of after the ending... after like Graves returns, eh?
Anyway different story. Lets keep to topic now.

Lili does an amazing job on this re-telling. It's dark, romantic and dangerous.

We are first introduced to Cami as a young girl as she is found by the head of one of the most powerful families residing in magical-town, New Haven. She is mute. We then skip over the next ten years and things have changed. Sure,  Cami can now speak, but there are certain factors that have stayed the same.

Cami finds herself falling in love with the one person who hated her as a child. She is someone close to her, and the story between there is sweet, sensual and perfect. Niko, is the son to  Papa Vultusino, he will do anything for Cami. Protecting her. Loving her. There is nothing.. no cost less. Nothing that will change the way he feels about her. But Niko himself has Family stuff to deal with when things suddenly change in the household.

Cami knew she was different from them. She is Mortal, and they weren't... and she has always felt that she shouldn't be included as one of them. We soon discover there is more to her past than she knows, or remembers.
Things start to come to light upon the new arrival of Tor.. who seems to know more than he is letting on, and the friendship he forms with her will either help or destroy her.
It's knowing who to trust, and whether to believe in what feels the impossible.
Does Cami's flashes of memory mean something? Or are they just useless pieces of information that will lead nowhere?

I'm interested to see whether these characters will carry on throughout the series and the characters connect to one another like Marissa Meyer's series does, or whether each book will be a stand alone story. I suppose we'll discover at some point that answer.

I do look forward to see the next installment. To see what fairytale it shall be. 

If you are wondering on whether you want to read something else by Lili after the disaster of the ending to Strange Angels, fear not... this is not a book which will disappoint. It will take you through twists and turns. It's a journey of self discovery, of a love so tender and passionate. 
This is a story you will never forget....

Be sure to pick this book up once it releases in April.

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Puffin
Publication date: January 5th, 2012
Number of pages: 387
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

I had put buying this book off for the longest time. I was very hesitant that it would be something that I'd like. But after some friends telling me how great it is and seeing some wonderful reviews, I decided to bite the bullet and take the chance.
I think what put me off was by the word "cyborg", for some reason I thought that meant some kind of... err monster. I think I was thinking more on the lines of Percy Jackson for some reason, hah. After giving it a shot, I now could smack myself for not getting this sooner. This seems to happen to me a lot of the time lately, where I think something of a book and it turns out to be so completely different from my expectations.

This is a re-telling of a beautiful fairytale, and it's one which you'll never forget. I think it's also one that will expand the entire series, bit by bit before a happy ending can occur.
We are introduced to Cinder, who is half machine and half human. She doesn't remember anything from before her father adopted her from overseas and brought her into his family.  After being the best mechanic in New Beijing, Cinder soon meets the royal Prince Kai. And that is only the beginning of their story.
As these two young people soon discover they have more in common than they may realize, Prince Kai will have to decide which he can live with --- happiness, or doing what is right for his people when the time comes when everyone has to rely on him for guidance.

Cinder is everything I love about a female lead. Strong, honest who loves her family. She is willing to do whatever it takes to saves the ones she loves, and her loyalty knows no bars. I really adored the relationship she has with her younger step-sister, who is certainly not as bad as her other step-sister, who takes the word 'evil' to a new level.
Don't even get me started on her step mother. If you didn't know this was a re-telling, then this family situation should clear up any misunderstandings.
Cinder goes through so much in this story to understand who she really is, and just what she does discover may shock her system to the core. She won't see the reveals coming.
I saw clues throughout the book, and I was glad when they were confirmed. It's gonna be interesting to see how things progress from here on out, given the kind of cliffhanger we were left with. Marissa gave you enough to keep wanting and needing more.

This story has a mixture of mystery, greed, jealously and death.  If you are looking for a full-on romance between Cinderella and her Prince, this isn't it. I have a feeling a happily ever after for these two won't come easy, but who said love stories were anything but?

Thankfully, Scarlet just came out here, and I hope to start it soon. I know it focuses on a new couple, but I look forward to reading about new developments in this story.

Verdict: 5/5