Jen's review of 'Rapture' by Lauren Kate

Rapture (Fallen #4) by Lauren Kate
Publication date: June 12th, 2012
Publisher: Random House
Number of pages: 448
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository
Description: The sky is dark with wings . . . .

Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.

Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.

For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.

In the fight for Luce, who will win?

In the shocking and thrilling conclusion, Lauren Kate brings out all the stops to end this series as the best book to date. 

The end of Luce and Daniel's journey was revealing, shocking and heartfelt. We discovered things that I was even shocked about, and I didn't think there was anything this series could shock me.
I was wrong.
While this book might have started off slow, things sure picked up in the second half of the book. From that point forward, especially the last 100 pages, I could not put it down.
There was things that was discovered from the past, of Luce, Daniel and Lucifer's past that will throw you through hoops.

There wasn't enough Cam, and I wish there was more of him, and the side characters, but what we got was nice, and I think their stories in, FALLEN in LOVE proved to give some backstory to them that served a point.

Luce is no ordinary human..

The story between Luce and Daniel goes back further than even they can even imagine. Shocking reveals get turned inside out, and I can guarantee that there will be a point your jaw will be on the floor from absolute shock.

After everything these two have gone through, RAPTURE explores the rest of their history together and why they are important, not only to each other, but also to heaven and hell.
There are some things that can't be told to you. Sometimes, you have to discover them all by yourself otherwise the impact won't be as great.

Luce soon finds out that she stands in the middle of this whole war between each of the sides, and she'll have to make a choice that could change everything.

This is my favourite book of the series, because of how it reveals everything comes together and gets all out in the open.
If you loved the first 3 books, then you are sure to love this conclusion to an epic story.

Rating: 5/5

Jen's review of 'Fated' by Alyson Noel

Fated (Soul Seekers #1) by Alyson Noel

Publication date: May 24th, 2012

Publisher: Macmillan

Number of pages: 448

Format: Paperback

Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description: Strange things are happening to Daire Santos. Crows mock her, glowing people stalk her, time stops without warning, and a beautiful boy with unearthly blue eyes haunts all her dreams. Fearing for her daughter’s sanity, Daire’s mother sends her to live with the grandmother she’s never met. A woman who recognizes the visions for what they truly are—the call to her destiny as a Soul Seeker—one who can navigate the worlds between the living and dead.

There on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico, Daire sets out to harness her mystical powers. But it’s when she meets Dace, the boy from her dreams, that her whole world is shaken to its core. Now Daire is forced to discover if Dace is the one guy she's meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.(

In the first book of Alyson Noel's new series comes an exciting and beautiful story of one young girl discovering her destiny.
Daire is quite the girl. She has grown up in the life of a daughter of a hollywood makeup artists, which means, on the road going from film set to another. But sometimes, and I felt this was natural, that as much as it was exciting, it would also be lonely. 

The secret that she discovers will change her life. She isn't an ordinary sort of girl. She comes from a long bred history bloodlines called Soul Seekers.

I really enjoyed Daire as a character. She was very relatable, where she wants what every girl wants. A normal home and happy. But some things just don't come easy.
She does meet a new and mysterious boy. His name is Dace, who she feels a connection to, especially when she realizes that she also has been dreaming about him.
He also has an identical twin brother, Cade. Who isn't as good as Dace, and sets his sights on Daire and its something that could have terrible consequences.

I really loved the mythology that Alyson has written for this story. I have never read anything like this before, and that's one of the things I liked about it.
I adored her previous, Immortals series, which I know not everyone did, so I wasn't surprised to see that I also fell for this book, story and its characters.
I felt the book set things up nicely for the series, and it sets up its characters and the plot to a point where it introduces you to this world.

I loved Dace. I love her imagary of him in her descriptions. I love that there is more to him than we knew, and what Daire knew. The connection between them is strong and honest and so down to earth. Not every boy needs to be bad to swoon over.  Dace is nothing like his bad boy brother who seems to have his own agenda, and it isn't a good one.

If you enjoyed a good mythology and liked Alyson's writing and previous series, then you might enjoy this book.
I personally look forward to see where the stories goes next.

                                                           Rating: 4/5

April's reveiw of 'Fever Moon: The Fear Dorcha' by Karen Marie Moning

Fever Moon: The Fear Dorcha (Fever 5.5) by Karen Marie Moning, Al Rio (artist), David Lawrence (scripter), Cliff Richards (illustrations)
Publication Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Del Rey
Number of Pages: 184
Format: Hardback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Description: 

An all-new Mac & Barrons story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning, marvelously adapted into a full-color graphic novel by writer David Lawrence and illustrator Al Rio

In Fever Moon, we meet the most ancient and deadly Unseelie ever created, the Fear Dorcha. For eons, he’s traveled worlds with the Unseelie king, leaving behind him a path of mutilation and destruction. Now he’s hunting Dublin, and no one Mac loves is safe.

Dublin is a war zone. The walls between humans and Fae are down. A third of the world’s population is dead and chaos reigns. Imprisoned over half a million years ago, the Unseelie are free and each one Mac meets is worse than the last. Human weapons don’t stand a chance against them.

With a blood moon hanging low over the city, something dark and sinister begins to hunt the streets of Temple Bar, choosing its victims by targeting those closest to Mac. Armed only with the Spear of Destiny and Jericho Barrons, she must face her most terrifying enemy yet.

If you haven't noticed, the new trend is creating graphic novels for your series, whether it's making the series into graphic novels or just creating a original storyline for it. I enjoy comic books when I was younger, and really love the graphic novels. It's bring the book and characters to life. This is the number one graphic novel I have been waiting for. The Fever series is my favorite series ever. And this graphic novel doesn't disappoint. 

The whole book is gorgeous. There is so much details in each scene. The coloring is beautiful. The story itself is short and I want to say cute, but not sure if that's the right word since there's nothing cute about this series. I found it interesting that Ryodan's whole face was never shown. And kind of sad that V'lane isn't in it. But at the end there is a behind the scenes section, where it has notes on various characters and sample drawings and V'lane is in there. I just can't get over how gorgeous this book is. If you are a fan of the Fever series this is a must have. If you haven't read the series, do it now! 

Rating: 5/5

  

April's review of 'The Golden Lily' bye Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead
Publication Date: June 12, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Number of Pages: 418
Format: Hardback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Description:  The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

I absolutely loved Bloodlines. But with this one, I didn't have the same feeling. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. Put it wasn't one of those were I finished in a day because I couldn't put it down. I also feel like the only one that didn't automatically start shipping Adrian and Sydney before the first book came out. I do ship them, and ended up falling in love with them by the end of the book. What he said at the end on how he feels about her is exactly how he should feel, and what Rose at told him he should feel at the end of Last Sacrifice in the Vampire Academy series. I couldn't help but laugh on how clueless Sydney is though. Especially when Jill started acting like she develop a girl crush on Sydney, and she knows that sometimes Adrian's feelings comes on too strongly through the bond. 

I did enjoy seeing Sydney and Brayden together. I think he's exactly what she needed for her first boyfriend. Even though after the dance I started to like him less. At one point I did get a bad feeling about him and thought he was some kind of evil after her.

I wish there were more interaction with Dimitri and Adrian. I wanted some witty banter between them. And I'm hoping soon we'll able to see Sydney interact with Rose again. I loved that Sydney's eating habits reasons were pretty much confirmed, and hope to see that she sees beyond that. There's some twists throughout the book that give you the wow factor. Overall the book is an awesome read. 

Rating: 4/5   

 

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

Ashes of Midnight (Midnight Breed #6) by Lara Adrian
Publication Date: May 26, 2009
Publisher: Dell Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble 
Description: A woman driven by blood. A man thirsting for vengeance.
A place where darkness and desire meet...

As night falls, Claire Roth flees, driven from her home by a fiery threat that seems to come from hell itself. Then, from out of the flames and ash, a vampire warrior emerges. He is Andreas Reichen, her onetime lover, now a stranger consumed by vengeance. Caught in the cross fire, Claire cannot escape his savage fury—or the hunger that plunges her into his world of eternal darkness and unending pleasure.

Nothing will stop Andreas from destroying the vampire responsible for slaughtering his Breed brethren . . . even if he must use his former lover as a pawn in his deadly mission. Blood-bonded to his treacherous adversary, Claire can lead Andreas to the enemy he seeks, but it is a journey fraught with danger—and deep, unbidden desires. For Claire is the one woman Andreas should not crave, and the only one he’s ever loved. A dangerous seduction begins—one that blurs the lines between predator and prey, and stokes the flames of a white-hot passion that may consume all in its path. . . .

I've loved Andreas throughout the books, and was excited to finally reading his story and see him get his happy ending. I just couldn't get into the book. And I think it has to do with Andreas and Claire knowing each other, and Claire already being a breedmate. It just took the fun and mystery out of it. I'm not even sure that I even liked Claire. Plus this book almost felt like a filler for me. 

Even though I didn't quite loved this book or the one before it, I can't wait to read the rest in this series. 

Rating: 3/5 

April's review of 'The Iron King' by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King (The Iron Fey #1) by Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: Feb 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Number of Pages: 363
Format: Paperback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble  
Description:  Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

 This book had been on my TBR list forever. All I've heard how amazing and wonderful this series is. Don't get me wrong I liked the book, but I was rather disappointed. I usually always end up shipping the ship that you're "suppose" to ship. But I just couldn't get into Meghan and Ash. Don't get me wrong I loved Ash. Very intriguing character. But I found their romance very unrealistic. He had even told her in the beginning that he would kill her given the chance, and what does she do? She willingly goes off with him. The next thing you know she's in love with him, and she's barely spent any time with him and knows nothing about him. 

Now Puck on the other hand. *sighs* I fell in love with him immediately. He's amazing and by far my favorite character in the book. Not surprise by a love triangle between the girl, the best friend, and a new guy. It never ends well for the best friend. My second favorite character is Grimalkin. He was just amusing as ever. Reminded me very much of the cat from Alice in Wonderland. Now Meghan on the other hand, still not sure how I feel about her. I felt sorry for her. It seemed that her family always forgot about her. But at the same time I wanted to smack her. No matter how many times she was told not to ever thank a fairy or even make a bargain with one she just would not listen. 

I do like the concept of the Iron Fey. Very original. Overall the book was a descent read. Not the best, but not the worst I've read. Not completely sure if I'm going to continue the series though. 

Rating: 3/5

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
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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 

April's review of 'The Girl in the Steel Corset' by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1) by Kady Cross
Publication Date: May 24, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Number of Pages: 473
Format: Hardback
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Description:  In 1897 England, 16-year-old Finley Jayne is convinced she's a freak. No normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch. Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special . . . that she's one of "them."






Only one word can describe this book. AMAZING. I just couldn't put the book down. I love books with kickass heroine, and Finley Jayne is just that. While she is learning to control and merge both sides of her in one, she can't help but feel a connection to Griffin, the duke who took her in, and has his own band of super heroes that has their own special abilities like Finley. The dark side of her is attracted to Jack, a very dangerous man. 
 
I was immediately on Team Griffin. Even though I do love Jack, and love that he makes Griffin jealous. Griffin is just the perfect gentleman. This book is filled with everything: romance, murder, mystery. Historical romance at it's best with a twist. 

Rating: 5/5

 

Jen's review of "The Immortal Rules" by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa

Publication date: May 1st, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia

Number of pages: 451

Format: Paperback

Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description: "In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and who--is worth dying for.

In the first of a new series, Julie Kagawa brings out something different than what we are used to from her. It's dark. Full of mystery and suspense. It has a different feel than her Iron Fey series, and in such a good way. 

Hold onto your seats, folks, because you're in for quite the ride of a lifetime.

This novels is set in parts. I like to think of them as the "The setting - the before."  "The After the event." and "The aftermath".
You'll understand what I mean when you read this. The pace of the book picks up quickly, and you begin to say. O M G.. to a point where you can't believe what has happened and wonder what will happen next.

This is a beautifully written story. Allison is a really good protagonist, and we see everything and feel everything she is feeling. And boy was there so much happening to her. More than one normal person should have been able to handle.
The moment she is attacked and wakes up changed is the moment the story changes pace. It's when the story really starts, and from that point onwards is non stop action and suspense to the next.
I have to say my favourite male character was her mentor, vampire, Kanin. I know he will never be her love interest, but he is just too amazing not to love.
There is so much deep within him that yearns to be known. Allison doesn't get to spend too much time with him when he puts her on her two feet.

One thing that is forbidden to vampires are to fall for a human. Kanin tells her this, but that doesn't stop her from falling for a boy who she starts to get to know while she is in his company.
Zeke is a fun and interesting character, but if I was honest, after all the talk I had of him.. I expected to be wowed more than I was. It was kind of a disappointment. There is nothing wrong with him, that's true.. but there was something missing that I couldn't quite put my finger on.
Oh well, hopefully my opinion will change over the course of the series.. as I have a feeling this is not the last we see of him.

Julie does a great installment and introduction to the dystopian vampiric world. I feel there is still so much yet to explore, and I am sure we'll discover those things as we go through the remaining of the series.

                                                             Rating: 4/5

Jen's review of 'Glitch' by Heather Anastasiu

Glitch (Glitch #1) by Heather  Anastasiu

Publication date: August 7th, 2012

Publisher: St. Martins Press

Number of pages: 320

Format: Kindle via Netgalley

Preorder/Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description: In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

I would like to thank Netgalley and St.Martins Press for giving me this chance to review this amazing title in exchange for my honest yet sweet review. 

It's interesting where there is a world where technology has cleared all humanity of any pain or emotion, and it has been working for them fine, until Zoe starts to 'glitch' out of nowhere and she has no idea what is happening or where it has been coming from.
She then starts to feel things and have her own thoughts, which is not something she is used to. When she discovers she isn't the only one this has been happening to... that's when the story really starts.

I really liked Zoe as a character. I felt she was relatable. Glitching isn't something she is proud of, nor does she understand all of what is happening to her..
And then there is hottie, Adrien. He is someone who knows more than she does about what is happening to her, but she isn't sure she can trust him, especially since her new boyfriend, another glitcher tries to get her to trust him instead. But does he has ulterior motives?

Heather builds such a great story that you can't help but feel compelled reading about the world Zoe and her friends live in. It's not a normal one, but it is one that has been normal for the for such a long period of time and they know no different.

I look forward to see what is next for Zoe and Adrien, especially with the way, Glitch ends. It sure makes things a little more interesting, and I can't wait to see things play out.

Rating: 4/5