Mortal Danger

Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


There were things I liked and things I didn't like about this read. Making it meh on the rating scale.

Edie is a girl that has been bullied for years. Her parents are nerdy and have been no help in the matter and Edie is at the end of her rope. She's done her research and is preparing to commit suicide when she is stopped by a gorgeous guy and made a Faustian offer that she can't refuse. A great premise that goes awry from there. Edie wishes to be made beautiful so that she can get back at the Teflon group at school. Wait....what? ..... Yep, beauty will be the answer to all her problems and turns out it is. Along with beauty she gained instant confidence and turns out she can overlook the transgressions of the bullies. (And actually what they did to her would have been a prosecutable offense.)


The love affair with stalker Kian is somewhat believable. After all, they share a bond of the knowledge of what is really going on. However, my feelings toward Kian are in a gray area. I'm not so sure I believe him. I think there may be more there than Edie realizes. Her instincts are screaming and her hormone induced feelings are not listening.

The world building is interesting, too bad the plot is somewhat ify. Too much has been left unexplained. We have two "companies" that are fighting over the world. But they aren't sure why and its not really the outcome of the game that its important. Ok.... so are they just bored? or is there some other point here. And then there are all these sideline players who are interfering but again we don't really know why. The rules of the game are what? Again, no one seems to know.


Overall, I rated it meh mainly because its really shallow. Beauty doesn't solve all your problems and it doesn't make someone being mean to you ok. The Faustian contract is interesting and the world building is unique although the plot needs work. I'm hoping that some of my questions are answered in the next book and give me hope that the series will get better.



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Humming of Numbers

The Humming of Numbers by Joni Sensel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I thought this was quite an interesting read. Aiden is a young novice monk, getting ready to take his final vows to enter the monastery. Living in 11th century Ireland and coming from a large family, he really has few options open to him. He also has a special talent that allows him to hear numeric vibrations from everything and everyone around him. He meets up with Lana who has been drug to the monastery by her biological father, and he hears an 11. This is the highest number he has ever heard from a person. He soon learns there is much more to her besides an 11.

After meeting Lana, a raid by Vikings is thrown into the mix and this gives a little drama and adventure to the story. We learn more about Lana and Aiden through all this but its never really explained why he hears numbers. Quite possibly its a form of synesthesia which really could not be explained at this time in history.

Overall, I really enjoyed this YA book. Even with the violence its not too over the top for the age group. It drew me in from the beginning and I had difficulty putting it down.



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Witch Song

Witch Song by Amber Argyle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is an interesting take on witches. Set in a world where witches control the changing of the seasons and the growing of crops and even the wind currents, Brusenna finds that she is the last after all have been captured by an evil witch. In this book, witches achieve their results by singing their spells, and usually with seeds instead of potions or wands.

In this world women have all the power and men are only protectors. There are no worlocks. And while I am all for the empowering women, I still find this a bit sexist as it completely negates half the population.

Brusenna's protector and love interest is Joshua: strong, handsome, brave, and supportive. Brusenna, while being a strong female character, sees herself as just the opposite. She believes herself to be inadequate and can't believe that Joshua could ever love her. And she has been thrust into a society that she has no understanding of because her mother has kept her hidden from it.

Overall, I liked the story. There is more intrigue woven in that is subtle and you don't realize til the ending because not all is as it seems.



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Clockwork Princess

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Out of all the books that I have read by this author this one is by far my favorite. There is so much character development you tend to forget the main plot of the Infernal Devices being the war with Mortmain. But you are never allowed to completely forget, its still there in the background, however the drama with the characters is so good you don't care.

We already knew that Tessa is preparing to wed Jem and she is dealing with her feelings for Will. But now we are facing the reality of Jem's mortality. It is heart wrenching seeing them all have to say good bye along with the guilt that Will and Tessa feel over their feelings for each other.

We also get to know the other characters so much more. The Lightwood brothers as well as Sophie and Will's sister Cecily are much more developed. There are new love interests and we learn just how complicated these characters are. Gideon and Gabriel are so much more than I realized in other books and they are both great characters both similar and different from each other as brothers usually are.

I loved the way all the loose ends were tied up and nearly all the questions explained. We learn more about what Tessa actually is and how she came to be. We learn her true identity and that is certainly a surprise. And I certainly never expected how the love triangle with Her and Jem and Will would be but it was a great ending to a great love story.

Overall, it was a great final book full of love and loss, tears and joy, endings and beginnings. If you enjoyed the other books in the Infernal Devices series you won't want to miss this one. Loved it! Awesome end to a great trilogy.



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Severed

Severed by Megg Jensen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

Although I liked this book I liked it the least out of the trilogy. Reychel is suffering from headaches like the first prophet and the cause is found to be from an unusual source. Afterwards, Reychel has decisions to make that not only will affect her and Mark but all of those in the kingdom.

The pace of this book is a much faster rate than those that came before it. And it feels like the level of magic is also at a much higher degree than before. It seems like anything is possible however improbable. If there is an issue with plot or timeline or a battle just use magic instead of coming up with a likely scenario. Reychel is also so worried about her visions of the future. But if she had paid any attention at all she would know that the future for her as any of us is uncertain. Her visions for her future changed with each decision that she made about her life. No two ever showed the same sequence except for her madness near the end and even those were different each time.

I was a bit disappointed in comparison with the rest of the trilogy. The story line was a bit all over the place and the ending seemed a bit unlikely. I'm glad I continued with the series and found out how things were all wrapped up even if I thought it could have been better.



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Obliette

Oubliette by Megg Jensen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.


Obliette is the second book in the Cloud Prophet Trilogy and picks up right where Anathema leaves off. Reychel finds herself in the Southern Kingdom with Nemison's daughter Krissen. Nemison was left behind on the other side of the portal in the Northern Kingdom and Reychel is on her own and unsure who to trust.

I love the world that Jenson has created as well as the new characters that have been introduced. However, Krissen goes beyond getting on my nerves. She is the princess and prone to tantrums but her mood swings make me want to find her some medication. The other characters are much more interesting and the intrigue definitely adds to the story. Nothing is as it really seems and just when you think you have it figured out you find you have it all wrong.

Its true that Reychel is a bit naive and it seems like everyone, especially the headstrong princess, is taking advantage of her. But you must remember that she hasn't lived out in the world long and her knowledge and judge of human nature is limited.There was one thing about this part of her story that didn't seem right to me. She spent a good deal of her time pouring over the journals of the first prophet. However, she spent the biggest part of her life as a slave. Who taught her to read? What purpose would it have served to educate slaves? She wasn't born knowing how so how did she read all those journals?

Overall, I loved the book. If you enjoyed Anathema you should continue with Obliette. This is a fun series, if you like fantasy this is a good one to pick up.



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Anathema

Anathema by Megg Jensen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this read from the very beginning. Reychel is a slave and wakes on her 15th birthday to find that her best friend is gone and a coin is left in her place. We quickly begin to learn about her life as a slave. How they shave their heads every morning as a sign of their place in life. How Reychel is treated differently from the rest by their master.

Once I started this read it was very hard to put down. I was quickly drawn into this story and loved the flow and pace of it. It has a definite fairy tale feel to it as we see the use of magic as well as magic cloaks and portals to other places. There were a few things that seemed unlikely. The use of wigs to hide the mark of a slave while may seem like a likely disguise I wondered where they got such elaborate wigs. The wigs were apparently so lifelike no one could tell it wasn't real hair. Maybe there was magic involved?

Early on a fast pace was set for this read, leaving little time for other characters to doubt Reychel and who she really was. All it took was a look in her eyes and all seemed to accept it. That didn't really make her a leader but that was never disputed either.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read and am continuing on with the next in this series. I am hoping to learn more of this world and about who exactly these people are. We have been dropped into the conflict between the slaves and the Malborn with little explanation so far. But I hope more becomes clear in time.

If you enjoy a good YA fantasy you are sure to enjoy this one. I know I did.



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Splintered

Splintered by A.G. Howard

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If you enjoy all things Alice in Wonderland then this is one for you. If you love new twists on old fairytales, then you will definitely like this one. Author AG Howard gives an updated twist on a much loved fairy tale and she does an awesome job.

Alyssa's life is turmoil: her mom is in a psychiatric instituion soon to get shock, she herself hears the whisperings of bugs and flowers, and her secret crush has another girlfriend. Finding herself pulled through the looking glass she inadvertently brings her love with her and they find themselves in Wonderland.

Wonderland is a dark and magical place, full of talking plants as well as animals. And things here are never as they seem. Just when you think you have things figured out there is another twist in the story. As with most YA books, there is the ever prevalent love triangle. And I can see why Alyssa would be pulled in two different directions even if I don't always like her choices. I had a hard time deciding if this truly is a YA because it leans more toward New Adult. Although there are no sex scenes there are some pretty steamy parts.

I definitely enjoyed this read even though it really didn't end the way I would have wanted it to. I love new twists on fairytales and this one definitely fit the bill. Not to mention, the cover alone is enough to make you want to pick this one up.



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YA Paranormal Giveaway Hop

Young Adult Paranormal Giveaway Hop

February 21st - 27th

Co - hosted by YA Between the Lines

Featuring Young Adult Books with Paranormal elements.

 

 

 

Paranormal Fantasy, YA or otherwise, is one of my favorite genre. So needless to say, I was excited about this giveaway hop. Up for grabs is a book that I have recently read and reviewed, The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. You can find my review here. This giveaway is open internationally and as always its not a requirement to follow me but its always appreciated.

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Florence

Florence by Ciye Cho

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun read. It had a bit of a slow start but once I got into it I couldn't put it down.

Florence Waverly is a plain girl who tries to stay in the shadows. She really doesn't fit in anywhere. She still grieves for her dad and is unwanted by her mother. On a school trip to the beach she finds herself abducted by a mermaid and thrust into their world. And what a world it is. Deep beneath the ocean, breathing with the aid of a creature on her neck, she finds an entire world of mer-people, Niemela.
There are definite influences from stories like the Little Mermaid with a young mermaid completely obsessed with humans. There is also an intriguing love triangle with Florence and the two princes.

This story is full of life, adventure, and wonderful creatures both from the world of light and darkness. There is also a bit of mystery and intrigue as we try to figure out what is behind certain actions. Florence is a wonderful character that we see change and grow throughout the story. She begins very meek but towards the end certainly finds a place for herself.

Overall, I really enjoyed this different twist on the traditional mermaid story. I will definitely be continuing this series. I can hardly wait to see how things turn out for Florence.



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This read is currently 99c for kindle

Beastly: Lindy's Diary

Beastly: Lindy's Diary by Alex Flinn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


LOVED!!! For so many reasons.

This is essentially Beastly told from Lindy's point of view. Its written in diary form which gives us such an insight into her character. We get not only what goes on in the story but also her thoughts and emotions not only about Adrian/Kyle but also about her life before with her father. We learn a lot about her background and what she has been through before coming to live with Adrian/Kyle. We also see how coming to live with him has affected her.

I really loved this novella. Its so full of emotion that there were times I almost cried. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoyed Beastly. It can be enjoyed without reading Beastly but I assure you that if you read one you will want to read the other. Also, I am one that really likes books written in diary form, so if you do too you should try this one.



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The Dragon's Egg

The Dragon's Egg by Resa Nelson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Such a bittersweet ending to a wonderful series.

We continue to follow Astrid as she makes the decision to release her brother from Dragon's Head. Astrid takes his place only to realize she herself isn't dead. Trep, realizing she is gone, begins his search for her and finds someone he does not expect. Given a quest of his own he must make the decision to let Astrid follow her own path.

Being the last in this series there were so many questions that needed answers. So many lives we wanted to know what happened to. Nelson does an excellent job of tying up all these loose ends. We finally come to understand the essence of the Dragons that inhabited Tower Island and how Astrid and her brother are connected to them. We also get the background for the enemy Mandulane. We see what happened in his childhood to make him the monster that he became.

The ending was not something that I had expected. Without giving any spoilers, I'll just say that the war didn't go as I had thought that it would. Trep's quest in itself was bittersweet. And Astrid got what she didn't know she really wanted. I know that in life there are never any fairytale endings. And compromise and closure are important. But I will admit, in my reading I am a sucker for a happy, happy ending.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read. It was a fitting end to this great series. If you have read the other books in the Dragonslayer Series you will want to read this one. And if you haven't read them then you should check them out.

I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.



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Pasadagavra

Pasadagavra by Marta Stahlfeld

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

This is the second book in the Darkwoods series and it picks up right where the first one leaves off. The war with the Darkwoods Foxes continues and its escalating. All the other woodlands creatures are uniting to try and defend Pasadagavra.

There is so much going on in this series that occasionally its hard to keep up. It reminds me of Narnia melded together with the Lord of the Rings. It is a great war of good verses evil. And like in all wars, not everything is as it seems. Those you think are with you actually have their own agendas. Those you think are your enemy, may not actually be.

There are several side stories taking place amongst the main tale of the battle. Zuryzel has her own quest to undertake and we meet many new characters and say sad farewell to some old ones. The animosity between the River Otters and the Sea Otters is continuing with Anamay in the middle with her love for Mollusk.

This is a great series for middle grade age kids especially or even for those of us that enjoyed Narnia. With promises at the end that there is more to continue, I look forward to continuing this series.



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Darkwoods

Darkwoods by Marta Stahlfeld

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

What a wonderfully vivid world created by author Marta Stahlfield. This is a world full of talking animals embroiled in a war for survival. Foxes, squirrels, mice, otters, and other animals are brought to life in this wonderful book that has a Narnia feel to it but is uniquely its own.

With the death of the fox Oracle Scythe, the other foxes that are under the influence of the Serpent Blight have decided it is time to take over the world of Darkwoods. The other animals are fighting against this. The castle of Pasadagavra seems to be their best hope. Full of characters such as Princess Zuryzel, who is a strong female character, who not only fights for her home and friends but who is also a much respected leader of the Wraith Mice. There are also many other strong female characters on both sides of this war.

There's a lot going on in this book. Its full of all kinds of characters and in the begining its a bit difficult keeping it all straight. And I came to the conclusion that all the animals are about the same size, not like in this world where mice and foxes aren't the same size. There is also much more than just the war going on. There are issues that relate to our own world that are dealt with such as stereotyping and discrimination. There are also a bit of romance woven throughout the book but its not portrayed in such a way that younger readers would be lost.

Throughout the book there is a religious theme woven into it like with Narnia. The Bear King and the Serpent are the opposing deities and told in such a way that younger readers can relate.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone that liked the Chronicles of Narnia or Redwall by Brian Jacques. Its full of well developed animal characters that make it a very fun read.



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Mark of Athena

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the third installment in the Heroes of Olympus series, and altho I really enjoyed it I don't understand how people can rate it without having read it. It seems like that makes the overall rating misleading.

The Mark of Athena picks up immediately where The Son of Neptune left off. I wish that I had gone back and refreshed myself with what happened in the last book because so much carried over that I had forgotten about. Riordan does a good job of reminding you what happened that was important but some points I had forgotten about. It has been a year after all.

Sword of Time

Sword of Time by A.M. Sawyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

Overall, I found this to be a good read with a lot of potential. Its a story that will be more appreciated by a young adult crowd, especially boys, than older adults. Its a story full of magic and action as 4 teens that have just graduated high school embark on a trip to the Outback and find themselves on an adventure to save the world.

Libyrinth

Libyrinth by Pearl North

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was an interesting idea about three different societies living at odds in the far future on a different planet. The Libyrarians and the Singers are at odds with each other with the Librarians embracing the written word and the Singers only following the oral traditions with religious zeal. Based on the premises of Fahrenheit 451 with the burning of books and the belief that written words corrupt the people, the Singers (also known as Eradicants by the Libyrarians) go about burning books to liberate the murdered word. Haly is a clerk with a unique ability to hear books without ever opening them. Fearing ridicule and persecution she keeps her ability hidden, but in her quest with her friends Selene and Clauda this ability is discovered and she is named Redeemer.

The Dragon Within

The Dragon Within by Cindy Lyle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely love the world created by Cindy Lyle in The Dragon Within. You can almost feel the Tolkein influences on this work but at the same time its entirely her own.

The Dragonslayer's Sword

The Dragonslayer's Sword by Resa Nelson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for review.

This was such a fun read. We follow the life of Astrid from the time she is a small child that is bought from a bad place by a child seller. Alone and horribly disfigured she is terrified of the world but at the same time determined to find a place for herself in it. In a world full of dragons and lizard and shapeshifting humans Astrid grows up to make a life for herself and learn what true friendship is.

BookPushalooza!

Welcome
to the FIRST EVER BookPushalooza!

July 26^th ONLY

9
Books, only .99.