Prodigy

Marie Lu's Prodigy is the second book of her Legend trilogy.

Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him.  June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor.  Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots- a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic.  But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

The Breakdown:
1.   Lu does an amazing job with this book.   It is just as good, if not better than, Legend.  The story is the perfect progression from the ending in Legend. It is filled with intriguing plots, and excellent twist.  The characters have amazing development with questioning of motives and loyalties.

2. Lu is a master of the duel perspective.  She gives unique voices to both Day and June.  Day's reflect easily that he has grown up in the poor sector, and spent much of his life on the streets.  In June's voice it clearly represents her upper class up bring along with her military training.

3. I very much enjoyed getting to know Anden, the new Elector.  He is unique combination of confidant and vulnerable in his meetings with June.  He appears to be genuine in his want to change the system of the Republic. I am excited to see how see how he continues to develop in the next book.

4.  Oh my, the things Lu reveals in the ending.  I wanted to to cry and scream at her at the same time.  I cannot wait to read the last book to see how everything turns out for June and Day.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

The Death Cure

The Death Cure by James Dashner is the final book in his The Maze Runner trilogy.

It's the end of the line.

WICKED has taken everything from Thomas: his life, his memories, and now his only friends- the Gladers.  But it's finally over.  The trails are complete, after one final test.

Will anyone survive?

What WICKED doesn't know is that Thomas remembers far more than they think.  And it's enought to prove that he can't believe a word of what they say.

The truth will be terrifying.

Thomas beat the Maze.  He survived the Scorch.  He'll risk anything to save his friends.  But the truth might be what ends it all.

The time for lies is over.

The Breakdown:
1.  I think that Dashner poses an interesting concept with this final book.  How far is too far, even if it is for the good of mankind?  WICKED used the trials to try for a cure for the Cranks, but is way they used people right?  This book really made me think about the idea of is the harm of few right if it benefits the many.

2.  Dashner threw is quite a few surprises in this book.  He killed a couple of characters I did not expect, and then the return of a character I did not see coming.  He kept me guessing on what WICKED's goal was with the trial outcomes. I liked that this book was not predictable.

3. At first, I was not crazy about the ending.  I thought it was lacking something, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was perfect for the series.  The world in the series is very unstable and harsh, but the end provided a way to a stable future with a little bit of uncertainty to it that fits the series well.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Prized

Prized is the second book of Caragh M. O'Brien's Birthmarked trilogy.

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives, only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime.  In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code and the oppressive rules of Matrarc Olivia.  Meanwhile, two brothers claim her attention as they attempt to understand the environmental trap that keeps the people of Sylum captive, and suddenly Gaia must contend with the exciting, uncomfortable, and altogether new feeling of being desired.

But when someone from her past shows up, Gaia discovers that survival alone is not enough and that justice requires sacrifice.

The Breakdown:
1.  In this book Gaia goes from one dystopian society to another.  The very definition of out of the frying pan and into the fire.  I honestly thought that the structure and rules of Sylum were worse than the Enclave.  At least when Gaia lived outside of the Enclave, she was fairly free to live her life, but in Sylum the rules were quite ridiculous at times.  Plus, the Matrarc was quite manipulative under the guise of doing what is right for the society.

2.  So I really liked Gaia in the first book, Birthmarked, but her perosnality change in this book turned me off to her.  She stops standing up for what she believes in, and lets the Matrarc manipulate her into the position she wants her.  It is no wonder that Leon is so angry with her.

3. I was not a fan of the weird love rectangle going in this book.  Gaia is so mixed and confused about the brothers, Peter and Will, but of course then there is Leon, too.  It makes me a little crazy at times.  Especially when she tells Peter that Leon is the one for her, but she won't commit to being with Leon.

4.  I did like that at the end Gaia finally found herself again, and the interesting revelations about the Sylum community that came to light.  While this book was not as good as the first book, I am interested to see how O'Brien will end the series.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Birthmarked

Caragh M. O'Brien's Birthmarked is the first book of the trilogy of the same name.

In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the walled Enclave and those, like sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone, who live outside.  Following in her mother's footsteps Gaia has become a midwife, delivering babies in the world outside the wall and handing a quota over to be "advanced" into the privileged society of the Enclave.  Gaia has always believed this is her duty, until the night her mother and father are arrested by the very people they so loyally serve.  Now Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught, but her choice is simple, enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.

The Breakdown:
1. O'Brien has created an very interesting dystopian society in this book with those within the wall/Enclave live is luxury and have amazing amenities, and those outside the wall live in almost primitive conditions.  The Enclave is very much like modern society, but outside the wall reminds me of turn of the 19th century conditions.  Being that way establish a quite unique relationship between the two sets of citizens.

2. I loved the way O'Brien showed the transformation in Gaia from a trusting citizen to someone who questions the rules and accepted culture.  She learns to be strong and to do what she thinks is right, even if it not what her society accepts as right.

3. I found the dynamics of the relationship between Gaia and Leon interesting. The way they start as adversaries, but there is a chemistry there from the beginning, leading to them becoming allies and more. It will be interesting to see how O'Brien continues to develop their relationship,

4.  Speaking of Leon, he is an interesting enigma of a character.  A man raised in the Enclave, and seemingly loyal to their values, but is going through his own identity crisis.  The life he started with and the punishment,both from his family and himself, he has endured.

5. The things that O'Brien slowly reveals about why the Enclave needs the advancement of children from outside the wall makes this story so fascinating.  I am excited to see where the series will go.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Seeing Redd

Seeing Redd is the second book of Frank Beddor's The Looking Glass Wars trilogy.

Alyss of Wonderland's rule has only just begun, and already those who prefer chaos to peace are threatening to destroy everything worth imagining.  Trailed by newly appointed royal bodyguard Homburg Molly, Alyss is doing her best to keep pace with the non-stop demands of being queen while attempting to evade Molly for a few private moments with Dodge.

Alyss' life is challenging mix of duty, love, and tough decisions, and then a series of phantom sighting set fire to an urban myth of Her Imperial Viciousness' return and have everyone... Seeing Redd.

Has Redd somehow freed herself and her chief assassin, The Cat, from the confides of the Heart Crystal? If not, who has resurrected Redd's brutal foot soldiers the Glass Eyes and set them loose to attack Wonderland on all sides?

The Breakdown:
1. The thing about Seeing Redd is it is less about Alyss than The Looking Glass Wars, and more about Hatter Madigan and the development of King Arch.  To read the description, one would assume this was mostly about Alyss and dealing with being queen and her love for Dodge, but one would be wrong.  While there are a few of those chapters of Alyss, her and Dodge's story seemed more of an after thought in this book.

2.  Even in the Alyss/Dodge chapters, it was as if they were still dancing around each other.  Admittedly it is more a slow couples dance now, but they are not quite a couple, yet.  There was a kiss, but it lacked the chemistry I expected from them.

3. There are times that Beddor's writing style really annoys me.  I get that in a way he is trying to imitate Lewis Carroll's style, but the whole writing out of the sounds gets old.  Plus he over uses the sentence trail off.  In one place there were four trail offs over two pages.  It loses its dramatic effect when used that much.

To Read or Not to Read:
Personally I am going to finish the series, because I am curious to see how it ends, but if you haven't started reading, I would not bother with it.

The Scorpio Races

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is a stand alone novel.

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races.  Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line.  Some riders live. Other die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion.  He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different.  She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races.  But fate hasn't given her much of a chance.  So she enters the competition- the first girl ever to do so.  She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

The Breakdown:
1.  I have to admit this is not my favorite of Stiefvater's novels.  Not to say it isn't beautifully written, because it is, but I felt as though the characters were not quite as charming as her norm and the story felt overly drawn out at times.

2.  In the beginning for me, Puck felt very young.  Just her actions and thoughts made her seem like her she was around 14 years old, but as the book progressed, I felt that she began to mature more.  I think that the reality of her situation along with her budding relationship with Sean helped her to truly grow up.

3.  Sean is an interesting character.  He has one real desire is to be the owner of Corr until he meets Puck.  He is the definition of a strong, silent type.  He is quite the horseman, but he understands horse much better than he understands his own emotions for Puck.

4. I did like the budding relationship between Puck and Sean.  They have an easy way of communicating with without words.  They both understand what it is to lose things you love and to love horse like family.

5.  One of my problems with the story is that it left some ends undone.  Stiefvater dangles out their what Gabe, Puck's older brother, reason for leaving and issues without explaining.  Then where was Holly and his suggested relationship with Annie, but there is never more explained about it or why Malvern is upset about their relationship.  I just wanted more answers about the side stories that were never given.

To Read or Not to Read:
Maybe skip this one

Legend

Marie Lu's Legend is the first book of her trilogy of the same name.

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors.  Born into an elite family in one the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles.  Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal.  But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

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

The Breakdown:
1. Legend is a novel that reminds me why I fell in love with dystopian books in the first place. The secrets that the government is keeping, and the dichotomy between the haves and the have nots all come together so well in Lu's story.  Lu had me glued from the very first chapter.  I have to admit that I finished this book in one day because I could not put it down.

2. I loved the family loyalty and love in this book, both in June and Day's family.  Although their were not many scenes together, I really enjoyed June and Metias interacting with each other.  I could really feel the love between them, and I my heart did break for June at Metias's death.  The way Day cared for his family, even if he couldn't be with them, made me fall in love with him. While it would be easy for him to escape the Republic, he stays because he worries for his mother and brothers.

3.  Lu did a great job with writing the dual perspectives between June and Day.  They each had their own unique voice that brought their personalities.  I found it interesting that while they are from very different backgrounds and had very different outcomes to their Trials, they are remarkably alike in many ways.  It is easy to feel the chemistry between them.

4.  I am excited to read the rest of this series, and see where Lu takes these characters and how the story continues to develop and evolve.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Mortal Heart

Mortal Heart by Robin LeFevers is the final book of His Fair Assassin trilogy.

Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death.  Bu her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent.  Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to stike out on her own.

She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin.  Just because the convent has changed its mind doesn't mean she has...

The Breakdown:
1.  I love the way the LaFevers blends her fantastic story with real historic people and events. The way she weaves the story is wonderful with unexpected twist.  I thought LaFevers did a great job of tying all the books together and bringing out the deception on the abbess out in this book.

2.  Annith maybe my favorite heroine of the series.  She has lived her whole life devoted to Mortain, and while she starts questioning the abbess and the convents motives, she never waivers in her belief in Mortain.  I think she handles herself remarkably well when she learns that her most everything she thought was true,  was a lie.

3.  Balthazar was a wonderful match for Annith.  He was mysterious and brooding.  He is loyal to his men, the hellequin, and protects Annith when she needs him.  Oh,  and his secret is so awesome and a perfect fit for the story.

4.  I enjoyed learning of the hellequin and their stories while Annith was with him.  I thought they were an interesting aspect to the story, and they demonstrated one of the many sides of Death in the story.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

A Town Called Dust

Debut author Justin Woolley's A Town Called Dust is the first book of The Territory series.

Stranded in the desert, the last of mankind is kept safe by a large border fence... Until the fence falls.

Squid is a young orphan living under the oppressive rule of his uncle in the outskirts of the Territory.  Lynn is a headstrong girl with an influential father who has spent her entire life within the walled city of Alice.

When the border fence is breached, the Territory is invaded by the largest horde of undead ghouls seen in two hundred years.  Squid is soon conscripted into the Diggers- the armed forces of the Territory.  And after Lynn finds herself at odds with Territory's powerful church, she too escapes to join the Diggers.

Together Squid and Lynn form an unlikely friendship as they march to battle against the ghouls.  Their journey will take them further than they ever imagined, leading them closer to discovering secrets about themselves, their world, and a conspiracy that may spell the end of the Territory as they know it.

The Breakdown:
1.  I loved Woolley's post- apocalyptic society created in this book.  It has interesting characters and wonderful intrigue throughout the story.  I thought the setting of Australia lent itself so well to the setting of the story, although it is really based on Woolley's descriptions and animals mentioned that I really figured out it was in Australia.  Plus the hints of steampunk thrown in make me like it even more.

2. I found the ghouls, which are very zombie like creatures, fascinating.  I hope that Woolley continues to expand on what they are and how they were created.  In their extreme dryness, and search for moisture, they remind me a bit of the zombie like creatures in Kresley Cole's The Arcana Chronicles.

3.  I liked the character of Squid.  He was socially awkward, boarding on Aspergers, but he still managed to come off as kind and extremely smart.  There is more to this boy than even he knows.

4.  I was not a big fan of Lynn.  While she sees the error of her ways, in the beginning she is definitely prejudice to those not living in Alice.  Too many times she acts before she thinks, and lets her temper get the best of her.

5.  I really enjoyed reading the power struggle between the Administrator and the High Priestess.  The way the Priestess manipulated the Administrator was masterful.  That being said the views and the power of the church in the Territory was very scary.  Oh and the prophecy revealed at the end has me excited to see where the series goes.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Mortal Heart
by Robin LaFevers

Blue Lily, Lily Blue

Maggie Stiefvater's Blue Lily, Lily Blue is the third book in her The Raven Cycle.

There is danger in dreaming.  But there is even more danger in waking up.

Blue Sargent has found things.  For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong.  The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own.  Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.

The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray.
Mothers can disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.

The Breakdown:
1.  Stiefvater keeps the surprises and the mysterious coming in her Raven Cycle series with this book.  She tells us where Maura has, but notes that there is more than Glendower sleeping.   Greenmantle makes an appearance in town.  Noah starts changing, and Adam is really embracing his power.  Ronan is trying to breathe new life into the things his father created for reasons that could save his family, and Gansey is getting closer to the sleeping king.  There is plenty going on, but Stiefvater presents so well that I never felt overwhelmed by all that is happening.

2. I feel like that the fragile peace between Blue and the Raven Boys hangs on a razors edge at times.  Gansey is trying hard to maintain the peace all the while denying his feelings for Blue.  Blue denies her feelings because of her curse and what she knows of Gansey's future.  Adam figures out what Blue's family already knows, that they have seen Gansey on the on the road of the dead.  So the peace is so fragile, but I feel that all the characters have grown so much in these books.

3. Boy does Stiefvater know how to make an exciting ending.  She does it once again in this book, and still leaves you wanting so much more.  The last chapter has me wanting the last book, yesterday!

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
A Town Called Dust
by Justin Woolley

Fragile Spirits

Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsey is the second book in her Souls series.

Paul has always known he was a Protector, fated to serve a Speaker who could hear the voices of spirits lingering after death and help those souls find peace.

Vivienne ignores the voices of the dead.

Paul has always followed the Protector's rule book, preparing diligently for the day when he'd be matched with his Speaker and fulfill his destiny.

Vivienne never does what she's told.

So when Paul is matched with Vivienne, they both find the paring less than satisfactory.  But kidnapping, a malevolent spirit and power stronger  than both of them just prove that they are two halves of the same whole.

The Breakdown:
1. This story takes place several months after the end of Shattered Souls, and Smith is back.  Lindsey spends a lot of the book developing the relationship between Paul and Vivienne.  It is only in the last half of the book that the action with Smith really begins. Despite all the background story development in the first half, Lindsey does a great job of not making the story drag.

2. I enjoyed the dynamic between Paul and Vivienne, At first they seem like quite opposites, but they have more in common than they initially think.  Paul's background is not as privileged as Vivienne assumes, and Vivienne is not as reckless as she appears to Paul at first. I liked seeing how they slowly learn about each other and learn to trust each other.

3. I loved Vivienne's personal style, both rebellious and fun. She is unorthodox in her handling of ghost, but it works so well with her personality. She starts off very abrasive, but underneath she has a kind heart.  She cares immensely about her grandmother, and tutors underprivileged kids.

4. I was fun to watch Paul loosen up a bit as his relationship was Vivienne.  He is very by the book at the beginning, but as their relationship progress he learns to trust Vivienne's instincts, even if they are unorthodox.  Plus it is amazing how far he has come from his rough childhood.

5.  I enjoy the supporting character of Race.  I find his background story, what as been told at least, fascinating.  I do hope that Lindsey will give him is own book.

6. I loved watching Vivienne deal with Smith at the end.  They way she worked was amazing, and the way Paul was able to read her was great.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Blue Lily, Lily Blue
by Maggie Stiefvater

Unbinding

Unbinding is the newest book in Eileen Wilks's Lupi series.

After questing through the sidhe realms with her ex-hellhound lover, Nathan, Kai Tallman Michalski has finally returned home.  But she knows Nathan will eventually be called back to serve his queen- and Kai will have decide whether to enter her majesty's service as well.  Sure, the job comes with great bennies, but there's one big downside: she would have to swear absolute fealty to the Queen of Winter.

For now, though, Kai is glad to be home, and glad that Nathan completed his mission for his queen with surprising ease.  But what seemed to be a quick conclusion turns out to be anything but.  The two of them helped thwart the sidhe god of chaos- and he is not happy about that.  He's got plans for them.  Plans, to, for the sidhe who killed him some three millennia ago.  Not has be abandoned his plans for Earth, as they learn when chaos begins bursting out all over...

The Breakdown:
1. I really liked the pairing of Kai and Nathan in the short, Inhuman, and was pretty excited to see them get their own novel.  I loved the way that Nathan day always improved when Kai came into the room with him.  Their bond was great in this book, and I was glad to see how their relationship had progressed, and continued to evolve in this book.

2. Another relationship I found fascinating is the familiar bond between Kai and Dell.  They need each other to survive, but their bond is more than survival.  It is respect and love between them.  They each care so much for the others well being.

3. I thoroughly enjoy the intricacies that Wilks puts into the planning of the antagonist goals in her book, and this book is no different. There are always little twist and turns to the story, and just when I think I know exactly what the baddie wants, there is more to it than I expected.

4. I thought the ending in this book was great.  There were things relieved about Dyffaya that I did not expect.  I really hope to see more of Kai and Nathan in future books.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Fragile Spirits
by Mary Lindsey

The Looking Glass Wars

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor is the first book of the trilogy of the same name.

Alyss of Wonderland?
When Alyss Heart, heir to the Wonderland throne, must flee through the Pool of Tears to escape the murderous aunt Redd, she finds herself lost and alone in Victorian London.  Befriended by an aspiring author named Lewis Carrol, Alyss tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life.  Alyss trusts this author to tell the truth so that someone, somewhere will find her and bring her home.  But he gets the story all wrong.  He even spells her name incorrectly!

Fortunately, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan knows all too well the awful truth Alyss' story and he is searching every corner of our world to find the lost princess and return her to Wonderland so she may eventually battle Redd for her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.

The Breakdown:
1. I loved the concept of this book, but Beddor spent too much time building up the story.  It made the story really drag at times.  Since there was so much time spent building, that once Alyss returned to Wonderland, the confrontation between Redd and Alyss felt rushed.

2. I liked the child that Alyss was, but it was hard to get a feel for her character as an adult. With how she was in England compared to how she became in Wonderland it was hard to grasp her personality.  I hope that in future books that Beddor develops Alyss character more.

3.  There was some interesting chemistry between Dodge and Alyss.  As children Dodge was very in love with Alyssa, but Redd's coup drastically changes his life and motivations.  While he tries deny that he still has feelings for Alyss, there is definitely something there, plus Alyss will not let him go that easily.  It will be interesting to see how their relationship continues to progress.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read, because I am hoping the rest of the series lives up to its potential.

Currently Reading:
Unbinding
by Eileen Wilks

Exposure

Exposure is the newest book the Virals series by Kathy and Brendan Reichs.

When twin classmates are abducted from Bolton Prep, Tory and the Virals decide there's no one better equipped than them to investigate.  But the gang has other problems to face.  Their powers are growing wilder, and becoming harder to control.  Chance Claybourne is investigating the disastrous medical experiment that twisted their DNA.  The bonds that unite them are weakening, threatening the future of the pack itself.

The Virals must decipher the clues and track down a ruthless criminal before he strikes again, all while protecting their secret from prying eyes.  And everyone seems to be watching.

The Breakdown:
1. The last book ended with a pretty big confession by Ben, and I am so glad that the Reichs addressed that so well in this book.  I found that I liked this book more than the last one.  I thought the plot was more involved, and there was more character development in this book compared to previous books.

2.  That being said, Tory is still my least favorite character in this series.  I did like that she finally made a girl-friend in this book. Although, she is really bad about keeping secrets from her friends that are important in what they are investigating or will effect their lives.

3. Chance Claybourne is like the herpes virus of their lives.  He keeps popping up at the most inopportune times.  Although, what he has done in this book will certainly have a big impact in the series.

4. I really liked Ella.  Tory really needed a girl-friend.  I do hope she continues to play a big role in the series.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
The Looking Glass Wars
by Frank Beddor

Dreams of Gods & Monsters

Dreams of Gods & Monsters is the final book in Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy.

By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance.  The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.

Common enemy, common cause.

When Jael's brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat.  It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.

And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.

But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing.  A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz... something is happening.  Massive stains are spreading like bruises from the horizon to horizon; the great winged stromhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.

What power can bruise the sky?

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.

At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?

The Breakdown:
1.  Laini Taylor is a genius.  She writes so beautifully, and ended this trilogy just perfectly. She was a master of subplots, and had them come together so well at the end.

2. I loved the introduction of Eliza, and how she was integrated into the story. At first, it seemed as she was around to give a human perspective of the events, but Taylor did a masterful job of unfolding her true purpose.

3. Kudos to Taylor for not dragging out the truth of Thiago/Kiri between Karou and Akiva and not dragging out their angst feelings about their love.  The bathroom scene in Morocco between Karou and Akiva was one of my favorites.

4. I simply adore Zuzana and Mik.  They are terribly cute together, and very cunning.  I love that they can hold their own against chimeara and serphim.  Plus Mik was amazing in Rome.

5. Taylor does a marvelous job of adding some unexpected twist, and some unexpected love stories to the book.  I thought the ending was a beautiful realization of the dream that started with Akiva and Madrigal so many years ago.

To Read or Not to Read
Must Read

Currently Reading:
Exposure
by Kathy Reichs and Brendon Reichs

Strange Sweet Song

Strange Sweet Song by debut author Adi Rule.

A young soprano enrolls in a remote music academy where nothing, not even her mysterious young vocal coach, is as it seems.

Outside Dunhammon Conservatory, there lies a dark forest.  And in the forest, they say, lives a great beast called the Felix.  But Sing da Navelli never put much faith in the rumors and myths surrounding the school; music flows in her blood, and she is there to sing for real.  This prestigious academy will finally give her a chance to prove her worth- not as the daughter of world-renowned musicians- but as an artist and leading lady in her own right.

Yet despite her best efforts, there seems to be something missing from her voice.  Her doubts about her own talent are underscored by the fact she is cast as the understudy in the school's production of her favorite opera, Angelique.  Angelique was written at Dunhammond, and the legend says that the composer was inspired by forest surrounding the school, a place steeped in history, magic, and danger. But was it all a figment of his imagination, or are the fantastic figures in the opera more than imaginary?

Sing must work with the mysterious Apprentice Nathan Daysmoor as her vocal coach, who is bother her harshest critic and staunchest advocate.  But Nathan has secrets of his own, secrets that are entwined with the myths and legends surrounding Dunhammond, and the great creature they say lives there.

The Breakdown:
1.  Rule weaves the cut-throat world of opera with a magic myth in this story.  The idea had great potential, but Rule never quite pulls it off. She has flips chapters back between Sing, The Felix, and Nathan's past, and they make the book feel choppy in the flow.  At times there was a lot of opera technical stuff and inside stuff, that as someone without any experience in the area, those scenes really dragged.  Then there is the Felix which somehow fell from the heavens but is now a vicious cat that attacks things.  I felt that what the Felix is and and how it sometimes grants wishes was never adequately explained.

2. I never really grew to like Sing's character.  She spends most of the book wavering between a total diva and a mousy girl who lets everyone walk over her.  She has trouble with the concept of friendship, which annoys me to no end.  Clinging and sticking up for her rude, latter climbing friend, and pushing away the girls who are truly nice to her.  When she finally does figure out who she is, it is too late for me to like her.

3. I did like the character of Nathan.  His secrets and past were the best part of the book.  He seems to be the only one who sees the true potential in Sing, and does let her get away with this back and forth act in her personality.

To Read or Not to Read:
Skip this one

Currently Reading:
Dreams of Gods & Monsters
by Laini Taylor

Cruel Beauty

Cruel Beauty is by debut author Rosamund Hodge.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom- all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate.  Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex.  Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected.  The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle- a shifting maze of magical rooms- enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him.  Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never suppose to love.

The Breakdown:
1. If you haven't guessed by now, I am a fan of the re-telling of classic fairy tales.  Hodge does a fantastic job with her spin on Beauty and the Beast.  She adds in elements of Greek mythology, which is another thing I love. I love the enchanted castle with secrets behind every door, and tale that Hodge spins in it to reveal the curse and how to break it.

2. I find Nyx and intriguing character because she is not your typical fairy tale heroine. She does not believe that there is a happily ever after for her, and she resents being the one chosen to break the curse.  I like how she slowly learns to love without the underlying resentment she has always felt toward her family.

3. I loved Ignifex.  He reminded me a lot of The Erlking from Jenna Black's Faeriewalker series.  He is generally perceived as evil, but he is more than Gentle Lord who people bargain with. He has this easy charm to him, and a little bit of sarcasm that is wonderful. I feel for him at times that the people blame him for the bargains, but it is not he that seeks them out and it is their own hearts that bring about their sorrows.

4.  Shade is an interesting character.  He is the shadow servant of the Gentle Lord, but there is more to him than just a servant.  He definitely knows more about the curse than he can say but there is also something a little devious about his motives.

5. Hodge does a fantastic job of being about to wrap up this story in a stand alone novel.  I really loved the ending, it was just perfect for the story she has created.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Currently Reading:
Strange Sweet Song
by Adi Rule

The Cabinet of Wonders

The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski is the first book of The Kronos Chronicles.

Petra Kronos has a simple, happy life.  But it's never been ordinary.  She has a pet tin spider named Astrophil who likes to hide in her snarled hair and give her advice.  Her best friend can trap lightening inside a glass sphere.  Petra also has a father in faraway Prague who is able to move metal with his mind.  He has been commissioned by the prince of Bohemia to build the world's finest astronomical clock.

Petra's life is forever changed when, one day, her father returns home- blind.  The prince has stolen his eyes, enchanted them, and now wears them.  But why? Petra doesn't know, but she knows this: she will go to Prague, sneak into Salamander Castle, and steal her father's eyes back.

Joining forces with Neel, whose fingers extend into invisible ghosts that pick locks and pockets, Petra finds that many people in the castle are not what they seem, and that her father's clock has powers capable of destroying their world.

The Breakdown:
1. I am big fan of Rutkoski's The Winner's Curse, so I decided to give some of her other books a read.  For me, this book is not as beautifully written as Winner's Curse, but does have a certain charm to it.  It has an interesting mix of magic and history.  The characters are well written and I really liked the way the aspects of magic worked in the story.

2.  When Petra is first introduced she is lazy and kind of directionless in her life, the loss of her father's eye at the prince's hand. While she is in Prague, she finds friends and herself, but at times she is very reckless.

3. I found Astrophil, the tin spider, fascinating.  He is a wonderfully inquisitive creation of metal and magic.  I love that he acts a conscience of sorts for Petra.

4. I kind of loved Neel.  His casual disregard for the rules, especially if he can help his family by breaking them. Plus his ghost fingers were awesome, and his stories of the Roma were interesting.

5. The Prince is quite the enigma of a character.  He comes off as charismatic and friendly, but he is truly conniving and cruel. He definitely has some interesting secrets yet to unfold.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Cruel Beauty
by Rosamund Hodge

The Kingmakers

The Kingmakers is the final book in Clay and Susan Griffith's Vampire Empire trilogy.

Empress Adele has launched a grand crusade against the vampire clans of the north.  Prince Gareth, the vampire lord of Scotland, serves the Equatorian cause, fighting in the bloody trenches of France in his guise as the dashing Greyfriar.  But the human armies are pinned down, battered by harsh weather and merciless attacks from vampire packs.

To even the odds, Adele unleashes the power of her geomancy, a fearsome weapon capable of slaughtering vampires in vast numbers.  However, the power she expends threatens her own life even as she questions the morality of such a weapon.

As the war turns ever bloodier and Adele is threatened by betrayal, Gareth faces a terrible choice.  Their only hope is a desperate strike against the lord of the vampire clans--Gareth's brother, Cesare.  It is gamble that could win the war r signal the final days of the Greyfriar.

The Breakdown:
1. The Griffiths do a beautiful job of resolving their Vampire Empire series. They are able to resolve the issues presented in the series.  I was worried that I would not like the ending because it was would be too heartbreaking, but they find a wonderful solution to the problem.

2. I love that this book finally gets to the mystery that was Adele's mother.  With the discovery of her journals and her sister, the Griffiths let the reader know what kind of person she was, and why Adele is what she is.  Plus, her journals give such insight to geomancy, and ulitmately help Adele to save the world.

3.  I was a little sad to see what happened to Mamoru, Adele's mentor.  He seemed liked such a great character with his support of Adele, but he kind of lost his mind.  It was to see what became of him.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Cabinet of Wonders
by Marie Rutkoski

Days of Blood & Starlight

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor is the second book in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone series.

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought.  She knows who she is- and what she is.  But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people.  Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

The Breakdown:
1. Taylor continues her amazing story in this book. She does not lose any of the magic in the second book, and her imagery is second to none. From the kabash in the Moroccan desert to the Serphim capital city, she brings the places to life.  Plus I love the additional minor characters she brings in to help tell the story.

2. There are many times in this book  that I just want to shake Karou and demand to know what she is thinking allying herself with Thiago.  Chick, you did not even like him really before he beheaded you.  I get that she is hurt by Akiva actions, but she does not even take the time to look at it from his point of view, after all when he acted, he thought the Chimera had killed her because she dared to love.  When she finally starts to see Thiago's true color, I practically leap for joy and screamed it is about time.

3. Speaking of Thiago, I did not like the little taste of him given in Daughter of Smoke & Bone, but this book really made me despise him. He is suppose to be some great champion of his people, but he leaves them vulnerable in order to carry out revenge.  He is cruel, and a sociopath.

4. I was so proud of Akiva's reaction to everything.  He makes a stand to start the dream of peace that he had with Madrigol. My heart breaks for him because of Karou's treatment of him when he loves her so much.

5. I really grew to like Hazael in this book.  He has an easy going charm to him, and more than once he shows he has a kind heart.

6. Wow, the last third of this book is so packed with important developments that really set the stage for the last book.  A division among the Serphim ranks, and Karou makes her stand for what she believes in.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Currently Reading:
The Kingmakers
by Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith

Defy

Debut author Sara B. Larson's Defy is the first of the series of the same name.

Alaxa Hollen is a fighter.  Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting  to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard.  But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian.  With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

The Breakdown:
1. If you, like myself, are a fan of Graceling and Throne of Glass series, you will like this book. Larson sets up a story with lots of action, secrets and a little bit of magic.  I liked that the setting of the two kingdoms, Antion's rain forest and Blevon's arid landscape, shows the contrast between the kingdoms that is reflected even in their leadership.

2.  Alaxa/Alex is my favorite type of heroine, strong and awesome. She does not need a man to save her.  She does have some serious emotional upheaval in her life with finding out the two guys she is attracted to know that she is a girl, and dealing with her role in saving Antion.

3. Damian is quite the enigmatic character.  When first introduced, he has a cold mask of indifference and appearance to be pampered, lazy prince.  When that mask starts slipping, he has so many secrets that learning who he really is takes the whole book. It will be interesting to see how he develops in the next book.

4. I loved that Rylan was so loyal to Alex.  He has a little bit of the boy next door vibe to him, but he is definitely capable of some serious angst moments.

5. With the way this book ended, it will be interesting to see where Larson takes this series since she resolved most of the major issues from this book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Days of Blood & Starlight
by Laini Taylor

Shifting Shadows

Shifting Shadows is a collection of short stories from Patricia Briggs world of Mercy Thompson.  I have read a couple before, Seeing Eye and Alpha and Omega, so I will not be reviewing those.

Silver: Story of the first meeting between Samuel and Ariana.

The Breakdown:
1. I loved that in this story Briggs gives not only how Samuel and Ariana meet, but of Bran and Samuel's captivity with the witch, Bran's mother.

Fairy Gifts: Thomas, a vampire, saves a Fae and she repays him with a wonderful gift.  Years later he is able to repay her gift.

The Breakdown:
1.  Thomas is an interesting vampire, who is turned to be his father's enforcer in his beginning, and he ends up with interesting gifts because of his saving of a powerful Fae's daughter.

2. Proves once again that the Fae are untrustworthy, even when dealing with their own. It is always interesting to see how well an author can have the Fae avoid the truth without out right lying.

Gray: Elyna's Mistress is no longer living, and with the ties broken she returns home to Chicago and to memories of her life before being a vampire.

The Breakdown:
1. I loved this story because it shows that some vampires never wanted to be what they are. Elyna was taken and turned against her will, and missing nothing more than her life with Jack, her husband.

2. This story goes a long way to show that true love cannot be effected by evil.  Plus I love the love Elyna develops for those humans she considers family.

The Star of David: David confronts his past regrets as he comes to the aid of his daughter.

The Breakdown:
1. I like that this story explains why David hates being a werewolf so much.

2.  It is was touching to see the father and daughter rebuild the bonds that had been broken so many years before.

Roses in Winter: Kara's story after she moves to Montana to join the Marrok's pack.

The Breakdown:
1. I really likes Asil, the Moor, character in the Alpha and Omega series, and this story made me love him even more.  He is kind and patient with Kara, and I think she has given him something to live for despite his protest.

2.  I liked Kara's character.  She is a frightened child but she is determined too.  She has a way of worming her way not only into Asil's heart, but Bran, Leah, and Devon's too.

In Red, with Pearls: Story focused on Warren and Kyle.

The Breakdown:
1. This was probably my favorite story of the collection.  I have loved Warren since the beginning of the Mercy Thompson series, and I think he and Kyle make a fantastic couple.

2.  This story has a little bit of mystery to it which is always a plus.  And I think it goes a long way to in helping Warren and Kyle have a closer relationship.

Redemption: Ben's story and how he is changing since becoming part of Adam's pack.

The Breakdown:
1. Briggs has always hinted that Ben has had a rough past, and in this story she gives his story finally. Which honestly was a little darker than I had originally expected, but it explains so much about him.

2.  This story always show how he has changed since being with Adam.  He still very rough around the edges, but he is learning to protect others.

Hollow: Mercy is called to rid someone of a ghost haunting them.

The Breakdown:
1. I always love seeing Mercy at work with her senses and powers.  She has a big heart, and does what it takes to help.

2. I always love reading scenes with Mercy and Adam. They are one of my favorite couples because they are equals in their partnership.

Outtake from Silver Borne: Reunion between Samuel and Ariana.

The Breakdown:
1. Since Silver started this book, it was nice that Briggs came full circle with the reunion and rekindling of the relationship between Samuel and Ariana.

Outtake from Night Broken: Adam at the hospital with Mercy at the end

The Breakdown:
1. Loved the scene between Adam and Coyote where Coyote wants to know if Adam is brave enough for Mercy.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Defy
by Sara B. Larson

Sirensong

Sirensong by Jenna Black is the final book in her Faeriewalker series.

When Dana is invited to Faerie to be officially presented to the Seelie Court, it's no easy decision. After all, everyone knows Titania, the Seelie Queen, wants her dead.  But Titania claims not to be the one behind the death threats; and her son, Prince Henry, makes the decision a whole lot easier when he suggest Dana might be arrested for (supposedly) conspiring with her aunt Grace to usurp the Seelie throne.  So she and her father better do as they're told...

The journey through Faerie is long- and treacherous. Dana thought it would be a good idea to have friends along, but her sort-of-boyfriend, Ethan, and her bodyguard's son, Keane, just can't seem to get alone, and Kimber's crush on Keane isn't making things any easier.  When a violent attack separates Dana from their caravan, the sexy Erlking saves her just in the nick of time... and makes it clear that he hasn't given up on making her his own.

Arriving at Titania's beautiful palace should be a relief.  But Dana is soon implicated in an assassination attempt against Titania's granddaughter, and is suddenly a fugitive, forced to leave her father behind as she and her friends flee for their lives.  Will she be able to prove her innocence before the forces of the Seelie Court- or worse, the Erlking- catch up with her? And will she save her father before he pays the ultimate price in her stead.

The Breakdown:
1.  Black does a great job of concluding her Faeriewalker series in this book.  She does a great job of not only introducing Dana to Faerie, but in finally getting all Dana's secrets out that she has been keeping from her friends and family.

2. I still really like the Erlking.  While he definitely has his own agenda to keep, he never outright lies to Dana, and really does his best to protect her.

3. I really like that the relationship between Dana and her father continues to develop.  While he is very reserved at times in his feelings, I can tell he really loves her.  He does what he can to protector her, even when it could possibly cost him his life.

4. I like that Dana is slowly dealing with her trust issues.  She is learning what it means to be a true friend, and while she has some miss steps, she is starting to really get it by the end.

5.  I do like that this book did not magically solve all of Dana's problems, but resolved the major issues that the series presents. She still has to deal with her life as a Faeriewalker and a teenager with an alcoholic mother, but things are easier for her by the end.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Shifting Shadows
by Patricia Briggs

Heir of Fire

Heir of Fire is the latest Throne of Glass novel by Sarah J. Maas.  WARNING: If you have not read Crown of Midnight, do not read this review because there are spoilers for that book.

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien's only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan's Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did.  Any hope of Celaena has of destroying the king lies in the answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King's Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in the same place.  If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan's biggest threat- and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly fore is preparing to take to the skies.  Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

The Breakdown:
1. The Throne of Glass series is one of my favorite, and Maas did not disappoint with this installment of it.  There is lots of excitement and development for the characters in this book.  A couple of great twist, and just one more reason not to trust the Fae. Maeve is treacherous Faerie queen, and definitely has hidden agendas where Celaena is concerned.

2.  I loved that Celaena made some real character progress in this book. She finally deals with her past, and Maas does a great job of giving the story of her when she was just Princess Aelin, She, also, learns to accept who and what she is, and what she is meant to do.

3.  Choal, also, made some great progress in his book.  He has been struggling with knowing who and what Celaena is, and now knowing that Dorian has magic, how to protect him.  He seems so unsure, at first, where he will stand in the battle.  I was excited when he finally drew his line and picked where he stood.

4.  My heart breaks a little for Choal and Celaena as a couple.  It is obvious that they both care for each other so much, but they don't know how to deal with the secrets and truths revealed between them.  It will be interesting to see how things play out once they are reunited.

5. Maas introduce several new characters into this book.  Rowan, the Fae warroir prince, sent by Maeve to train Celaena.  At first he is so cold and cruel, but as he learns more of Celaena, he really starts to open up.  By the end, I simply adored his character, and what he means to Celaena.  Manon is a Ironteeth witch who has been recruited by the King of Adarlan to fly wyverns.  She is interesting in her fierceness, and cruel way of life, and it will be interesting to see what role she will play in future books and where she will fall once the true battle begins.   Then there is Aedion who is a general for the King of Adarlan, but happens to be Aelin's cousin and was to be her sworn sword.  He is playing a dangerous game, but I like his attitude and his determination to be by Aelin's side once more.

6. Oh, and the ending has me wanting the next book like yesterday. I can't believe the next book's title has not even been announced. I don't want to wait!

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Currently Reading:
Sirensong
by Jenna Black

2 for 1 Nikki Glass

Pros and Cons by Jenna Black is a Nikki Glass novella.

As a living descendant of Artemis the Huntress, private investigator Nikki Glass knows how to track someone down- but this time, her latest case leads to unexpected revelations of lies and betrayal...

The Breakdown:
1. It was nice to see Nikki in a normal case in this story.  No descendants of gods, just your everyday humans with some dangerous secrets.

2. This story did give a little deeper glimpse of Jack, which it was nice to see beyond his trickster face.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read



Rogue Descendant by Jenna Black is her third Nikki Glass novel.

No longer the leader of the Olympians, Konstantin has now gone into hiding. Konstantin is vulnerable and Anderson believes now is the perfect time to destroy his nemesis.  He orders private eye Nikki Glass to use her powers to locate Konstantin, and she balks at the idea until a series of attacks leads her believe that Konstantin is gunning for her and Anderson instead of remaining safely in hiding.

Nikki's search is complicated by Cyrus- Konstantin's son and the new leader of the Olympians- who threatens retribution should his father be killed.  The complication mount up as Nikki begins to suspect that Konstantin might be behind the attacks after all.  The only person who hates Konstantin more than Anderson does is Anderson's estranged wife, Emma, who has joined the Olympians.  And Nikkie knows Emma would be more than happy if Anderson and his people embroil themselves in an all-out war against the Olympians- a war they cannot hope to win.

As Nikki tries to figure out who the true enemy is, she deals with her tumultuous relationship with Jamaal, who struggles to control his death magic.  But being loved by a descendant of a death goddess is the least of Nikki's worries...

The Breakdown:
1.  Black does an excellent job of keeping me guessing during the story.  There are several twist that it is shocking when the culprit behind everything is finally revealed.

2.  I like that there was some quality Nikki-Jamaal time. It is nice to see them getting closer, even if Jamaal continues to fight the attraction.

3. I did feel that Nikki character developed was a little stalled in this book.  She continues to battle her issues with abandonment, and holding those who love her at arms length without really making any progress.

4. I have searched Black's website and Goodreads, and I can find no news of the next book.  I sure hope this is not the end because it leaves too many things unresolved, like Nikki and Jamaal's relationship and the impact of what happened at the end and what it has to do with Anderson's secret.

To Read or Not to Read:
If there are not plans for more Nikki Glass novels, Skip it.

Currently Reading:
Heir of Fire
by Sarah J. Maas

Bonus Book: Daughter of Smoke & Bone

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor is the first of the trilogy of the same name which I listen to on my recent trip to Raleigh.

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winded strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages-- not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color.  Who is she? That is question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers-- beautiful haunted Akiva-- fixes his fire- colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the results is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

The Breakdown:
1.  Like Karou, Taylor is an artist, but she uses words instead of drawings.  She creates such vivid imagery with her descriptions. I can picture the elegance of old city Prague, and the vibrancy of the Marrakesh market place.  I can easily conjure the imagine of the monstrous beauty of the Chimaera, and the inhuman and hard beauty of the Seraphim.

2.  Karou is wonderfully talented, and entertainingly smart and sardonic.  She quest for what most people want, a place that she belongs, to know who she is. I think she is one of the most well written characters in YA fiction.  Taylor develops her so thoroughly that I really feel like she a personal friend.

3. I simply adore Karou's best friend, Zuzana.  She is proof that great things come in small packages.  She is caring and loyal to Karou, despite Karou's many secrets.  She supports Karou through her darkest hour.  She got such a fantastic attitude and personality that I found myself laughing in many of the scenes she is in.

4. Then there is Akiva, who is the very definition of a tortured beauty. It was amazing how Taylor takes him from a soulless warrior who feels so little, to a character that feels too much.

5. I have not been writing reviews of my audio-books recently, but this one was so amazing I had to share my thoughts on it. Taylor unfolds this story so well. The journey from Karou's naive life to one that is full of knowledge of who she is, and Akiva with his determination.  Karou and Akiva's pull toward each other was so beautiful. Plus what is learned at the end has me wanting to know so much more, and how their story will play out.

6. My only disappointment is learning that The Poison Kitchen in not a real cafe in Prague. Because I would eat at a place like that in a heartbeat.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Gilded

Debut author Christina Farley's Gilded is the first book in her series of the same name.

Sixteen-year-old Jae Hwa Lee is a Korean-American girl with a black belt, a deadly proclivity with steel-tipped arrows, and a chip on her shoulder the size of Korea itself.  When her widowed dad uproots her to Seoul from her home in L.A., Jae thinks her biggest challenges will be fitting in to a new school and dealing with her dismissive Korean grandfather.  Then she discovers that a Korean demi-god, Haemosu, has been stealing the soul of the oldest daughter of each generation in her family for centuries. And she's next.

But that's not Jae's only problem.

There's also Marc. Irresistible and charming, Marc threatens to break the barriers around Jae's heart. As the two grow closer, Jae must decide if she can trust him. But Marc has a secret of his own- one that could help Jae overturn the curse on her family for good.  It turns out that Jae's been wrong about a lot of  things: her grandfather is her greatest ally, even the tough girl can fall in love, and Korea might just be the home she's always been looking for.

The Breakdown:
1. Farley makes a wonderful mix of today's Korean culture and the Korean mythology. I really loved the mythological aspect of this book. It was so beautifully written that I could believe that the myths of old have no problem coming to life in the modern day Korea. This makes me want to visit Korea, now.

2. Jae is one bad-ass girl, black belt in Tae Kwon Doe and an expert archer with the Korean Horn Bow. Girl can take care of herself which I love in my heroines.  She can be funny at times, and she is loyal to her family and friends. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly she accepted what was happening to her. Farley could have easily made the story drag with Jae coming to grips of the myths becoming reality.

3. I was slightly disappointed with the character of Marc.  Don't get me wrong, he seems like a great guy, but I felt like Farley needed to develop him more.  Farley makes him smart, and he cares about Jae, but I feel like he need some more substance to him.  I do hope that Farley continues to explore his character in future books.

4.  I am excited to see where the rest of this series goes. Farley has hinted that Jae is more than a normal girl, and that the Spirit world of Korea is not done with her yet.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Rogue Descendant
by Jenna Black

The Rift Walker

The Rift Walker by Clay and Susan Griffith is the second of their Vampire Empire trilogy.

Princess Adele struggles with a life of marriage and obligation as her Equatorian Empire and their American Republic allies stand on the brink of war against the vampire clans of the north.  However, the alliance's horrific strategy for total victory drives Adele to abandon her duty and embark on a desperate quest to keep her nation from staining its hands with genocide.  Reunited with her great love, the mysterious adventurer known to the world as the Greyfriar, Adele is pursued by her own people as well as her vengeful husband, senator Clark.  With the human alliance in disarray, Prince Cesare, lord the British vampire clan, seizes the initiative and strikes at the very heart of Equatoria.

As Adele labors to bring order to her world, she learns more about the strange powers she exhibited in the north.  Her teacher, Mamoru, leads a secret cabal of geomancers who believe Adele is the one who can touch the vast power of the Earth that surges through ley lines and wells up at the rifts where the lines meet. These energies are key to defeating the enemy of mankind, and if Princess Adele could ever bring this power under her command, she could be the death to vampires.  But such a victory will also cost the life of Adele's beloved Greyfriar.

The Breakdown:
1.  In this book, the Griffiths throw in some pretty great twist.  Not all the characters' allegiances are where they are suspected to be. Plus, this book travels down the Nile to some pretty cool places.

2. Adele certainly comes into her own in this book.  Not only is she gaining better control and understanding of her powers, but she truly becomes a leader to her people.  I do feel bad for her at times, because it seems like almost everyone close to her wants to use her for some sort of gain of their own.

3. I have to say that this book seem to drag a bit at times, which made it harder for me to get through. I did love the Greyfriar/Adele reunion. It was quite the romantic hero gesture.

4. This book does have me wanting to know more about Adele's mother. She inspired such loyalty in both Anhalt and Mamoru.  How much did she know about her daughter's destiny before she died?

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Gilded
by Christina L. Farley

The Scorch Trials

The Scorch Trials is the second book of James Dashner's The Maze Runner series.

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end.

Thomas was sure the escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers.  But WICKED isn't done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch

There are no rules. There is no help. You either make it or you die.

The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch- the most burned out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off.

There are others now. Their survival depends on the Gladers's destruction- and they're determined to survive.


The Breakdown:
1. First off, the Scorch makes the Glade and the Maze look like a garden party. The sun is intense, the storms are killer, and then there are the Cranks.  Cranks are the victims of the Flare disease, and as the disease progresses, the crazier they get.  Dashner, also, explains what happened to to world to make it what is in the books.

2.  This book definitely kept me guessing right up to the very end. Who are the girls or Group B? What is the meaning of the mysterious tattoos and signs, and what is WICKED's plan for the groups?  Even the ending left me with lots of questions, and I can't wait to read the next book.

3. Poor Thomas in this book.  His life is so confusing, not only is he trying to figure out what is going on, but he has to do it all while trying to survive the Scorch Trial.  Then there is the fact that Teresa has been ripped away from him both physically and telepathically. Oh, and he is having dreams of his past.

To Read or Not the Read
Read

Currently Reading:
The Rift Walker
by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith

Shadowspell

Shadowspell by Jenna Black is the second book in her Faeriewalker series.

On top of spending most her time in a bunker-like safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hun have descended upon Avalon.  With his homicidal appetite and immortal powers, the Erlking have long been the nightmare of the Fae realm.

A fragile treaty with the Faerie Queen, sealing with a mysterious spell, is the one thing that keeps him from hunting unchecked in Avalon, the only place on Earth where humans and Fae live together.  Which means Dana's in trouble, since it's common knowledge that the Faerie Queen wants her- and her rare Faeriewalker powers- dead. The  smoldering, sexy Erlking's got his sights set on Dana, but does he only seek to kill her, or does he have something much darker in mind?

The Breakdown:
1.  Black continues the story of Dana in Shadowspell, along with expanding with Faerie world and Avalon. This book adds in the danger of the Wild Hunt, something even the Sidhe queens are afraid of.

2. For Dana, she still struggling with all that being a Faeriewalker means, especially since she has some unexpected powers.  She has trouble trusting those around her, and it is no wonder since everyone seems to have lied to her at some point. She does manage to get herself into trouble with her independent streak.

3. So I know the Erlking is suppose to be quite the bad guy, but I can't help liking him. While he does not tell Dana everything, he does not lie to her like many of those around her, including her dad and Ethan.  Plus there is something hot about his bad boy image.

4. Erlking and Dana come to quite the interesting deal.  I can't wait to see how things will play out in the next book, and what it will mean for her relationship with Ethan, and others.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
The Scorch Trials
by James Dashner

The Assassin's Blade

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas is a series of Novellas that are prequels to Throne of Glass.

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam.  In these action-packed novellas, Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free?

The Breakdown:
1. Maas novellas tell the story of the events that lead up to Celaena's betrayal and imprisonment in Endovier. The novellas have some great action, and interesting twist to them, and go a long way to explaining Celaena's motivations in the Throne of Glass series.

2. These stories give the first hint of the kindness that Celaena has underneath her tough assassin exterior. It is interesting to watch her deal with her feelings for Sam, and how awkward she is in admitting her connection to him.

3. Speaking of Sam, I simply adored him. He is sweet, and does so much for Celaena, even when she has no idea about his feelings for her. It is no wonder that Celaena falls for him, and once Throne of Glass starts is still dealing with what happened.

4. In one of the stories, gives the first covert glimpse of Prince Dorian and Choal.  Although their names are never said, but the attitudes and actions make it pretty obvious it is them.

5.In the last story, Maas tells how Celaena was betrayed, by who, and why. It will be interesting to see if the things that happened in this story, and the others will end of playing a role in the rest of the series.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Shadowspell
by Jenna Black

Son of No One

Son of No One by Sherrilyn Kenyon is the newest  Dark Hunter novel.

It's not easy being life's own personal joke, but Josette Landry has made an unstable peace with the beast.  Life will continue to throw every bad thing it has at her, and she will continue to not put her head in an oven.  But that's okay.  That which doesn't kill her will just require a few hours of mental insanity.  Completely down on her luck, Josette takes a job with a local paranormal group trying to get their own cable show as a photographer and camerawoman.  Yeah, they're even crazier than she is.  The only paranormal thing she believes in is the miracle that keeps her rusted out hoopty running. But when her group accidentally releases something truly evil into the world, they are forced to call in reinforcement.

From the moment Josette meets Cadegan, she knows something about him isn't quite right.  And it's not just because can't even begin to pronounce his last name: Maboddimun.  Mysterious and armed with lethal sarcasm, she seems a lot older than his apparent age...

Centuries ago, Cadegan was viciously betrayed into an immortal prison by the only person he'd ever trusted.  Forced against his will to do good, he hates everything in life.  All he wants is a way out.  But for the damned there is only eternal suffering.  And yet, there is something about Josette that intrigues him.  Something he can't seem to fight and the last time he felt this way about a woman, it cost him everything.

He knows he has to stay away from her, but the unleashed demon is hellbent on consuming her soul.  If one more innocent is taken, he will be sent back to an unimaginable prison that makes his current hell look like paradise. But how can he keep her sage when his being with her is the greatest threat of all?

The Breakdown:
1. This is not my favorite of Kenyon's Dark Hunter books.  I felt like that Kenyon used some strange plot device in this story, like the whole body-switch between Josette and Cadegan.  It was really confusing to read.

2.  I did enjoy the banter between Cadegan and Josette.  They have several misunderstandings due to the difference in the vernacular.

3. Kenyon left a lot of lose ends in this book. The one that annoyed me the most was the scene where Artemis visits Cadegan and Josette. Almost nothing that she said to them was explained, and it left me with a lot of questions.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read, mainly because I think that some stuff revealed in this book,  and the unanswered questions might become important later in the series.

Currently Reading:
The Assassin's Blade
by Sarah J. Maas

The Young World

Debut author Chris Wietz's The Young World is the first book in the trilogy of the same name.

After a mysterious Sickness wipes out the rest of the population, the young survivors assemble into tightly run tribes.  Jefferson, the reluctant leader of the Washington Square tribe, and Donna, the girl he's secretly in love with, have carved out a precarious existence among the chaos. But when another tribe member discovers clue  that may hold the cure to the Sickness, five teens set out on a life-altering road trip to save humankind.

The tribe exchanges gunfire with enemy gangs, escapes cults and militias, braves the wilds of the subway and Central Park... and discovers truths they could never have imagined.

The Breakdown:
1. I love post-apocalyptic worlds, especially when the apocalypse was created by a mysterious disease. The Sickness kills children and adults, but teens appear immune to it.  A world run by teenagers certainly makes for one scary scenario.  The way that tribes are assembled reminds me a little of the different sects of people in Mullin's Ashfall series.

2. Weitz has duel narrators for the story in Jefferson and Donna, which makes for a very interesting combination.  Jackson is very cultured and more of an optimist. He chapters are more prose like, and he wonders about the deeper meaning of things.  He is not what I think of as your average teenager in his thoughts. Donna is more of a realistic, and calls things like she sees them in her chapters.

3. I liked the pop culture references strewn throughout the book, and like the idea that things like that continue on ever after the apocalypse.  A personally favorite was the reference that both Jefferson and Donna made to The Mixed-Up Files of  Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which was one of my favorite childhood books.

4. Weitz did a great job of making some pretty scary tribes in this world.  Their were the creepy cannibalistic librarians and the drug crazed teeny boppers.  I think for me that the scariest of all where the Uptowners, who tried to outwardly present a picture of culture and society structure, but were committing racial genocide and participating in the sex trade.

5. The ending left me with some many questions.  The next book cannot come soon enough.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Son of No One
by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Bonus Post: Stay with Me

The latest book in J. Lynn's Wait for You series is Stay with Me.

At 21, Calla hasn't done a lot of things.  She's never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park.  But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona- secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.

But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name.  Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she'd left behind and clean up her mom's mess again.  Of course, when she arrives at her mother's bar, Mona is nowhere to be found.  Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.

Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla's business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona.  And the way her looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal... and maybe something more.  Before Calla can let him get close, though, she got to deal with the pain of the past- and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn't give them her mom.

The Breakdown:
1. I was surprised that this book was not a Calla-Brandon book, but I really liked the character of Jax. I thought that Calla and Jax made a good pair.  Both understood losing a loved one to tragedy, and both carried the scars from it.

2. This book explains Calla's scars both physical and emotional, and the reason she let her friends think that her mother was dead. Calla has had some seriously messed up stuff in her past.  It is amazing how capable and strong she has become, but is no wonder she has a wall up around her heart.

3. Jax was a tough guy with a good heart. He genuinely cares for those who work with him.  He takes care of Calla even when she being super stubborn about having help.

4. I loved the character of Katie, a stripper with psychic abilities.  She is hilarious with her attitude and her outfits.

5. It was interesting to watch the interactions between Roxy and Reece.  There is definitely a past there, and it looks like the next book will be all about them.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Prisoner of Night and Fog

Prisoner of Night and Fog by debut author Anne Blankman is the first book of her historical fiction series of the same name.

In 1930s Munich danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep withing the city.  But Gretchen Muller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society even since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.

Uncle Dolf is non other than Adolf Hitler.  And Gretchen follows his every command.

Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen.  Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father the adored Nazi martyr was actually murdered by an unknown comrade.  She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews.

As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth- even if it could get her and Daniel killed?

The Breakdown:
1. Blankman takes on a tremendous task of writing a historical fiction set during the rise of the Nazi party, and does an excellent job of it.  She does an amazing job of capturing the mood in Munich during this time, both the fear in the Jewish community, and optimism of the Nazi, and tensions between the the Nazis and the Communist.

2. Gretchen is a smart and kind character.  She shows kindness to a Jew at the beginning, which goes against everything she has been taught.  She finds the courage to question everything she has been taught in a time when questions had fatal consequences. She has been the darling girl of the Nazi party, but she does not lose her humanity, and she learns to see past their teachings and fall for the "enemy."

3. Daniel is an extremely courageous character.  He is a young Jewish man, and even knowing the risk of opposing the Nazi party, he continues to report the truth because he believes in doing what is right. He takes a big risk when he see something more in Gretchen and confides in her despite her status in the Nazi party.

4.  For me, Reinhard, Gretchen's brother was a terrifying character. It is clear from the beginning that there is off about him.  He is cruel and enjoys tormenting others. It is scary knowing the kind of people the Nazis attracted to their cause.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Currently Reading:
The Young World
by Chris Weitz

Deadly Descendant

Deadly Descendant by Jenna Black is the second book in her Nikki Glass series.

As a living descendant of Artemis the Huntress, private investigator Nikki Glass knows how to track someone down.  But when an Oracle shows up, warning the Descendants about wild dog attacks in Washington, D.C. Nikki is afraid it might be a trap.  The Olympians believe the "dogs" are really jackals controlled by a blood-crazed descendant of the Egyptian death-god Anubis.  Whatever...If Nikki hopes to muzzel Dogboy, she's got to catch him in the act. But when she stakes out a local cemetery, she ends up face-to-snout with a snarling pack of shadow-jackals whose bite is worse than their bark.  These hellhounds are deadly-- even for an immortal like Nikki.  "Dog" spelled backward my be "god," but that won't stop Nikki from teaching these old gods some new tricks. Like playing dead.

The Breakdown:
1.  In this book Black gets deeper into the world of the Descendants, and she really shows that the Olympians are a cruel lot.  I like that she continues to explore the powers of the Descendants in this book, and even show that older ones don't know everything about their power.

2. I am a fan of this budding relationship between Nikki and Jamaal.  Despite their very rough start, I have a feeling they could be good for each other.  Each knows their pain of rejection from a parent, and both have some pretty thick defenses.

3, Speaking of Jamaal. I loved learning about his past.  That poor guy has had quite the life, and it has left some marks on him.

4.  Anderson's wife, Emma, is not only crazy from her ordeal with the Olympians, she is raving bitch.  She is definitely making things more difficult for Nikki to settle into being a Descendant.  Plus what she does at the end is not only horrible to Anderson and Nikki, but I think is going to have some serious effect on the next book.

5. Learned in this book that the virus that causes rabies, the Lyssa virus, is named after the Greek spirit of madness/rage.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Prisoner of Night and Fog
by Anne Blankman

2 for 1 Revenants

Die for Her is a novella by Amy Plum from her Revenants series.

Jules Marchenoir is a revenant- an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save human lives. He's spent the better part of the last century flirting his way through Paris, but when he met Kate Mercier, he knew his afterlife had changed forever and he had found the love of his life.  Until Kate fell for his best friend, Vincent.  Now Jules is faced with an impossible decision: choosing between his loyal friend and a love truly worth dying for.

The Breakdown:
1. I loved this short story from Jules perspective. It follows Jules from the beginning of Die for Me to the start of If I should Die. I loved that in this story. Plum showed when Jules and Vincent first saw Kate, even if she did not notice them and how strong the friendship between Jules and Vincent is.

2. I find Jules simply adorable.  I loved his personality.  He was a hopeless flirt, but a loyal friend.  I liked being able to watch as he slowly falls for Kate. I really want to give Jules a big hug because the poor boy is totally gone for Kate, who only sees him as a friend.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read



If I Should Die is the final book of Amy Plum's Revenants trilogy.

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered.  He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France's  immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn't be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality.  I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he's not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we've already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable.  He once swore to avoid dying- to go against his nature forsake sacrificing himself for other- so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

The Breakdown:
1.  Plum ended this trilogy beautifully.  She did an excellent job answering any lingering questions. She through a couple of unexpected twist into it, and expanded more on what the Champion is capable of doing.

2. I do have to admit that I had an inkling of who the Champion was in the last book. There were in definitely clues, and in this book she gives clues that it becomes very apparent in the first half of the book who the Champion is.

3. I simply love Kate as the herione.  She is strong, and does not give up on what she wants even when it seem impossible to obtain. She refuses to let Violette rule her life, and end everything she has with Vincent.  It is her courage and determination that saves them and rekindles the Revenant and guerisseur  relationship.

4. I found Georgia simply charming in this book.  She is such a great supporting character, and a wonderful sister.  Her flirtations and playing hard to get with Arthur were highly entertaining.

5. The final showdown between the Bardia and the Numa was pretty epic. Kate was amazing in it, and support she brought was awesome. I did shed a couple of tears over some of the losses in the fight.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Currently Reading:
Deadly Descendant
by Jenna Black