Hexed

Hexed is by debut author Michelle Krys and is the first of The Witch Hunter series.

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made.  Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won't stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school.  Who wouldn't want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes.  And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen.  But it's when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie's world that she learned her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties.  Id she doesn't get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die.  And that's seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she's a witch too.

Suddenly force into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie's about to uncover the many dark truths about her life- and a future unlike any she ever imagines on top of the cheer pyramid.

The Breakdown:
1. Overall the plot of Hexed was decent with some good twist and interesting concepts, but there are some things that Krys does not explain well, and her characters kind of kill my interest. First, I felt she never gave a really good explanation of the difference between witches and sorcerers. Plus why in the world do the sorcerers think that Indigo places a spell on the Bible when she has just come into her powers, that never made any sense to me.

2. Honestly, I was not really a fan of Indigo.  In the beginning, especially, she comes off as a popular snob, and her best friend, Bianca, is more like a frenemy, and her boyfriend is a tool.  She is mean to her neighbor, Paige, who has never been anything but nice to her.  Plus it seems like every few pages she is crying, and just wanted her to man up and do something about her problems besides crying.

3. Speaking of Paige, she is in the beginning, and her and Indigo make up and become bff's, but then she totally disappears for the middle third only to show back up at the end.  It seems like if they were suddenly such good friends, that there would have been more interactions between them.

4. Bishop is the redeeming character of this book.  I liked his attitude, and his style.  He can be very serious and sweet when he wants to be.

To Read or Not to Read:
Skip it

Currently Reading:
Save the Date
by Mary Kay Andrews

Another Gamble

Tempting the Player by J. Lynn is the second of the Gamble Brothers books.

Chad Gamble, all-star pitcher for the Nationals, is one the best players on- and off- the field.  And right now, the notorious bad boy wants Bridget Rodgers.  But with her lush curves and snappy comebacks, the feisty redhead is the kind of woman a man wants to settle down with.. and the that's the last thing Chad needs.

When the paparazzi catch them in a compromising position, Chad's manager issues an ultimatum: clean up his act or kiss his multi-million dollar contract goodbye.  To save his career, his meddling publicist says he'll have to convince everyone Bridget isn't just his flavor of the week, but his girlfriend.

Being blackmailed into a fake relationship with Chad Gamble isn't easy, especially when the sizzling physical attraction between them is undeniable.  With a month to go on their arranged pretense, it's going  to take every ounce of willpower they have not to fall into bed together... or in love.

The Breakdown:
1. I actually liked this book better than the first one, Tempting the Best Man.  I felt that the story and the characters were better developed in it. Lynn had a nice balance of sweet moments and steamy moments and some really funny moments in there for good measure.

2. I really liked Bridget as a character.  First off, she is a curvy girl, and proud of it.  I always find it refreshing when authors write their female leads, especially in romances, as more than supermodel type body. Plus Bridget's love of color in her wardrobe and decorating make me like her even more.

3. Lynn does a good job of making Chad a different character from his brother, Chase.  He is has his own hang ups and quirks, and even his style with Bridget makes him memorable characters.

4. I liked that Lynn did give us glimpse of Chase and Madison in this book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read, especially if you need a little steamy romance in your life.

Heavenly Ending

City of Heavenly Fire is the final book of Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series.

Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter.  Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadwohunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.

The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris- but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay.  And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?

When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have even known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee- even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned.

The Breakdown:
1. Let's all take a minute to appreciate the amazingness that is Cassandra Clare's writing.  She has become quite the master storyteller, and each book improves from the last. City of Heavenly Fire is definitely the crowning achievement of this series. It is a page turner beginning to end, and Clare makes sure all my favorites make it into the book along with introducing some amazing new characters.

2. I was super excited that this book explained how Jem, from The Infernal Devices series, is no longer a Silent Brother.  I simply loved the conversation between him and Jace, one of my absolutely favorite scenes of the whole book.

3. This book gave the first real interaction between Jocelyn and Sebastian.  It was interesting to watch their relationship and them discussing the reasons for their actions with each other.  I love that Jocelyn points out that there are things about Sebastian that he got from her, especially since before now he has only been compared to Valentine.

4. I am already in love with Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn. They have already been through so much at a young age.  Emma is strong and loyal to her friends, and Julian is caring and responsible.  I cannot wait to see how they continue to grow in Clare's new series,The Dark Artifices, due out next year, because I honestly cannot get enough of the Shadowhunter world.

5. Be warned that Clare knows how to pull at ones heart strings.  There were multiple points in the book that I need a tissue hand.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Currently Reading:
Hexed
by Michelle Krys

Doing Grimm Right

UnEnchanted is the first book of Chanda Hahn's An Unfortunate Fairly Tale series.

Mina Grime is unlucky, unpopular, and uncoordinated; that is until she saves her crush's life on a field trip, changing her High School status from loser to hero overnight.

But with her new found fame brings misfortune in the form of an old family curse come to light.  For Mina is a descendant from the Brothers Grimm and has inherited all their unfinished fairy tale business which includes trying to outwit a powerful Story from making her it's next fairy-tale victim.

To break the fairy tale curse on her family and make these deadly occurrences stop, Mina must finish the tales until the very Grimm end.

The Breakdown:
1. My vet school bestie recommended this book to me, and I am happy to report that she did very well. Hahn brings a freshness to old fairy tales.  She keeps the to the essence of the original tales' darker side, but she makes it so the tales are ever evolving because the Story has life to it. I just loved this fresh idea of where fairy tales come from in that they are created by actual Fae crossing into the real world. Plus with the deal the Fae strike with the Grimm brothers, we are once again reminded not to trust them.

2. At the beginning of the book, Mina really reminds me of Mia from Princess Diaries, trying her best to be invisible.  She comes a long way in this book, and steps up when she has to.  I love that she is playing her role in the curse for the love of her brother, so that hopefully the curse will never fall to him.

3. Mina's best friend, Nan, is wonderfully entertaining, with her constant need for social media and her Twilight shirts. She is definitely a girl of this age.  She is a loyal, if a little flightly at times, friend. She sticks with Mina, despite all the craziness going on around her.

4.  Hahn introduces two very interesting male characters in Brody and Jared. Brody is the popular rich boy that Mina saves, who is more than just a pretty face.  He is sweet and caring, and I really enjoyed reading his and Mina's scenes together. Jared has a mysterious bad boy about him.  He arrives just in time to save Mina, but he is more than what he seems.  He is some kind of Fae, but he is not telling Mina any of his secrets.

5. Hahn gives quite the ending, and has me wanting so much more.  I am very excited to see where she will take this series, and how the characters continue to develop.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Currently Reading:
City of Heavenly Fire
by Cassandra Claire

Everbound

Everbound is the second novel of Brodi Ashton's Everneath series.

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

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

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

The Breakdown:
1.  Not going to lie, but at the end of the first book, Ashton had me wondering how she was going to pull off this love story between Nikki and Jack, and boy did she do it in a fantastic way. She does such an amazing job of describing the Everneath as Nikki, Cole, and Max journey through it.  It is part labyrinth, and part circles of hell as described by Dante.  The setting alone makes this book worth the read.

2. Ashton is a master at blending the present and past of her characters seamlessly.  Her flashbacks of Nikki remembering Jack never feel awkward, and do so much to enhance the story.  Her past, present, and dream scenes all do so much for her story.  She even manages to throw a few really great storyline twist into the book that I cannot wait to see where the final book goes, and how it all will end.

3.  Nikki really develops as a character in this book.  In the first book, she definitely was not my favorite, a little too woe is me and needy for my taste, but she has develop quite the courage and back bone in this book.  She does what needs to be done to save Jack.  The ending has me very excited to see where she goes as a character in the final book.

4.  I was really starting to like Cole between this book and him in the novella Neverfall (which you should definitely read before reading this one).  He really seemed to start being a good guy, maybe even have a soul, but he pulls quite the kick at the end. So now I can't decided if I love or hate him, I guess the last book will be the real deciding factor.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Currently Reading:
UnEnchanted
by Chanda Hahn

The Girl Who Never Was

The Girl Who Never Was by debut author Skylar Dorset is the first book in her Otherworld series.

In Selkie's family, you don't celebrate birthdays.  You don't talk about birthdays.  And you never, ever revale your birth date.  Until Now.
The instant Selkie blurts out the the truth to Ben in the middle Boston Common, her whole world shatters.  Because her life has been nothing but a lie- an elaborate enchantment meant to conceal the truth: Selkie is a half-faerie princess.
And  her mother wants her dead.

The Breakdown:
1. Dorset does a fantastic job in her debut book creating both the Otherworld and Thisworld.  She weaves in wonderfully interesting characters in orges, wizards, Seelie, faeries, and even humans. Her characters are unique, and each one is, even the minor ones, stands out during their role in the story.

2. The plot was engaging, and with all the different interpretations of the prophecy going around,  it kept me guessing on how exactly Selkie's story would play out in this book. Plus, Dorset keeps reminding the reader of my favorite rule, never trust a faerie, even when the faerie in question is your mother.

3. I loved Selkie from the very beginning.  She is a bit of a introvert, and her own way of looking at the world around her.  I like that Dorset shows that Selkie has a human side to her before bringing in her heritage, half-orge, half-Seelie, I think it really allows the reader to connect more with Selkie before her magic enters the picture.

4. Kesley, Selkie's human best-friend, is probably my favorite supporting character. She is loyal and funny. Despite having no idea about what Selkie's world is really like, she whole-heartedly  jumps in to help Selkie in her time of need.

5. So I liked Ben, but I still don't trust Ben.  He is definitely an interesting faerie, and there are times he seems very genuine, but there are times I really feel he is holding back the truth.  Plus his tract record is not always stellar.  I am very interested to see how he will continue to develop as the series progresses.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Everbound
by Brodi Ashton

Dragons & Dirigibles

First Book Review of the day, I will probably post a second one sometime this evening.


Dragons & Dirigibles is the newest book in Cindy Spencer Pape' Gaslight Chronicles series.

When airship engineer Melody McKay's dirigible explodes and plunges her into the yard of a gothic manor, she suspects foul play.  With her ankle injured-- an indignity far too feminine for her taste-- she resolves to crack the mystery while in the care of Victor Arrington, the stuffy-yet-disarming Earl of Blackwell.

Ex-Royal Navy Captain Victor runs a tight house and is on a mission to protect his niece and foil a ring of smugglers using fire-breathing metal dragons.  He has no tome for romantic attachments.  Particularly not with women who fall from the sky wearing trousers and pilot's goggles.

As he and Melody navigate a treachery so deep it threatens the lives of everyone in Black Heath, the earl becomes unexpectedly attached to his fiery houseguest, and Melody discovers a softness in her heart for him.  But when the smugglers strike, there's more at risk than just their future together.

The Breakdown:
1. After the last book in the Gaslight Chronicles, Ashes & Alchemy, I thought that Pape had lost her touch with the series, thankfully, this book was much improved from the last.  She did a better job of bringing these characters to life, and the plot was more fun and exciting.  In fact, the plot had several twist which I enjoyed immensely.

2. I really loved Melody as heroine.  I had liked her in her previous appearances in other books, and was glad to see her as the lead in this book.  She is smart, brave, loyal, and kind, all things I like in my fictional characters.

3.  It took me a minute to warm up to Victor, mainly because of his antiquated ideas of what a lady should be, but over the course of the book, I really started to like him.  Partly because of how he was with his niece, and partly because I could see how his views slowly changed over the book.

4. Super excited to have some Tom and Nell in this book.  I have my fingers crossed that the next book is their book, especially after the bomb that Tom dropped at this end of this book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Neverfall

I just got back from being in Florida for my Graduation from Vet school, so I have several book reviews to post.  I give you this one today, and two more tomorrow.


Neverfall by Brodi Ashton is a novella in the Everneath series that come between the first and second book.

Jack is trapped for eternity in the Tunnels while Nikki has managed to evade Cole's grasp... for now.  But Cole is more desperate than ever to find answers about Nikki, his best chance for taking over the throne of the underworld.  How did she survive the Feed? Can Cole find another Forfeit like her who can survive it too?

Cole's quest leads him to the other side of the world, to a mysterious, dangerous society known as the Delphinians, whose price for information might be higher than Cole can pay- a price that could destroy Nikki.  But when Cole attempts to steal the answers instead, his mission ends in disaster.  Faced with centuries in a Delphinian dungeon, Cole is confronted with questions he's been too scared to ask himself: Is he really absessed with the throne- or is he obsessed with Nikki? And can she really give him a new beginning as the Everneath's king... or will she instead bring about his tragic end?

The Breakdown:
1. While the first book in the series is told entirely from Nikki's perspective, this book is all about Cole.  Ashton gives a unique look into the Everliving's world through Cole's eyes.  Plus, Ashton expands on the world of the Everliving, Daughter's of Persephone, and introduces the Delphinians.

2.  I really liked getting a closer look at Cole in this story.  It gives his motivation behind wanting Nikki as his Forfeit begin with, and Ashton slowly reveals why Cole still has uses for Nikki. It makes Cole a little more likable for me.

3.  I love the way Ashton weaves mythology into this story while thoroughly making it her own.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read (especially if you plan on continuing with the series)

Gambling with Temptation

J. Lynn's Tempting the Best Man is the first of her Gamble Brothers series.

Madison Daniels has worshipped her brother's best friend since they were kids.  Everyone thinks she and Chase Gamble would make the perfect couple, but there are two major flaws in their logic. 1) Chase has sworn off relationships of any kind, and 2) after blurring the line between friends and lovers for one night four years ago, they can't stop bickering.

Forced together for her brother's wedding getaway, Chase and Madison decide to call a truce for the happy couple.  Expect all bets are off when they are forced to shack up in a tacky 70's honeymoon suite and survive a multitude of "accidents" as the family tries to prove their "spark" can be used for more than fighting.  That is, if they don't strangle each other first...

The Breakdown:
1. Lynn's Tempting the Best Man is a little cliche in its premise of girl and brother's best friend, but she makes it work.   She writes a nice combination of fun, sexy, and frustrating.  Plus, despite the fact that her characters are strong and confident people in life, they can be very awkward around each other and  still have misunderstandings which I like because it makes them connect more with the reader.

2. Chase Gamble has quite the sex appeal, but the man has serious father issues.  He worries so much that he will be like his father that he ignores his own wants. He is super smart, but it takes others pointing out what is right under his nose before he is willing to take a chance with Madison.  He also pulls some pretty boneheaded moves with Madison, and I get the feeling he is not always as suave as he wants to be with her.

3. Madison has her own hang ups a times.  Sometimes she jumps to conclusions on what Chase wants, and that leads to crazy misunderstandings. Overall I like her, partly because she is a history geek and partly because how she loves so fiercely, both Chase and her family.

4. I do wish that Lynn had shown more interactions with Chase and Madison with his brothers since they are the stars of the other two books in the series.  And I kind of wanted an epilogue, but hopefully the other books will allow for Chase and Madison glimpses.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Neverfall
by Brodi Ashton

Push Girl

Push Girl by debut authors Chelsie Hill and Jessica Love, and which Hill used her real life experience to help write.

Kara is a high school junior who's loving life.  She's popular, has a great group of friends, and an amazing boyfriend, and she's a shoe-in for homecoming queen,  Even though her parents can't stop fighting and her ex-boyfriend can't seem to leave her alone, Kara won't let anything get in the way of her perfect year.  It's Friday night, and Kara arrives at a party, upset after hearing her parents having another one of their awful fights, and sees another girl with her hands all over her boyfriend.  Furious, Kara leaves to take a drive, and, as she's crossing an intersection, a car comes out of nowhere and slams into the driver's side of Kara's car.

When Kara wakes up, she has no memory of the night before.  Where is she?  Why are her parents crying? And, most importantly-- why can't she feel her legs? As Kara is forced to adjust to her new life, where her friends aren't who they seemed to be and her once-adoring boyfriend is mysteriously absent, she starts to realize that what matters in life isn't what happens to you-- it's the choices you make and the people you love. 

The Breakdown:
1. Hill and Love present a fantastic story of lose and triumph.  They show so easily how life and plans can change in a blink of an eye.

2. I find Kara an interesting character.  She lose her dream of becoming a dancer because of someone else's bad decision, and while she is angry, she does not give up on life. I like that the authors allow us to follow Kara through her stages of grief.  While she does not always handle her change well, and who would really, she makes great strides as a character as the book progresses.  She eventually learns that being the wheelchair girl does not define her as a person.

3. The authors bring into sharp focus on how tragedy shows who are real friends and who are fair weather.  Kara gets some super loyal friends in Jack and Amanda, but she also loses other friends and her boyfriend because they can't deal with her change.  Jack and Amanda are awesome.  They stick with Kara through the accident, and even when she is not handling life well, they are still there for her.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read (especially for anyone who tragedy has changed their life)

Currently Reading:
Tempting the Best Man
by J. Lynn

Summer Love

Wish You Were Italian is by debut author Kristin Rae.

Pippa has always wanted to to to Italy.. but not by herself.  And certainly not to sit in art school the entire summer learning about dead guys' paintings.  When she steps off the plane in Rome, she realizes that traveling solo gives her the freedom to do whatever she wants.  So it's arrivederci, boring art program and ciao, hot Italian guys!

Charming, daring, and romantic Bruno is just the Italian Pippa's looking for-  expect she keeps running into cute American archeology student Darren everywhere she goes.  Pippa may be determined to fall in love with an Italian guy... but the electricity she feels with Darren says her heart might have other plans.  Can Pippa figure out her feelings before her parents discover she left the program and- even worse- she loses her chance at love?

The Breakdown:
1. Rae does a great job and makes this a fantastic summer/beach read.  The story gives the reader a chance to live out a beautiful Italian vacation without bogging it down with everyday touristy scenes. The book only ramps up my desire to visit Italy.

2. Pippa is a wonderful character. She is your average American girl who decides to try to be something different.  She has the same issues we have all experienced like being unable to relate to your parents,  and struggling with feelings for boys. At times she has this enduring awkwardness that I just love in characters.

3. The character of Darren is great.  He is cute, sincere, and funny.  He is not necessarily a sweeping you off your feet with his lines and looks kind of guy, but he feels way more real than any of those guys ever could.  Not that he doesn't have romantic moments, but he also gets in a few cheesy moments, which are some of my favorites.

4. I loved the romance between Pippa and Darren, mainly because of the way it progresses.  They start as strangers with a friendship connection that slowly develops into more. They are cute to watch the other try to analyze their feelings, and if there is more to them than friends. It just reminds me of how many relationships progress.

5. I was a big fan of Chiara.  She and Pippa are fast friends, and they are great friends.  Chiara's honesty with Pippa is wonderful, and her love of her family is sweet.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read for summer

Currently Reading:
Push Girl
by Chelsie Hill & Jessica Love

The Indigo Spell

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead is the third book in her Bloodlines series.

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires.  They protect vampire secrets-- and human lives.
In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do.  Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch-- a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run.  Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemist are hiding from her.  But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds breaking free is harder than she thought.  There is an old mysterious magic rooted deeply within her.  And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood-- or else she might be next.

The Breakdown:
1. Bloodlines really starts to pick up in its story line in this book.  Things are getting more complicated, and the characters are starting to developed more to them. This book brings more light to what exactly in going on with the Alchemist, and just how talented Sydney is in her magic.

2. I liked Adrian in the Vampire Academy books, but I have really started to love him in these books. He proves he is more than a pretty face. I simply love his interactions with Sydney, and seeing just how much he cares for her just goes to show how wrong Rose was for him.

3. Sydney is really going through some great character development in these book.  When we first meet her in Blood Promise, she is very up tight, and kind of prujudice toward the Moroi and dhampirs.  She has become much more accepting.  She is also learning that there is nothing wrong with being yourself.  She has a little ways to go, but I like her better every book.

4. I was not impressed with the character of Marcus.  He was a lot of talk, and willing to risk others doing his dangerous business without any concrete plans. You would think that someone who was able to break the Alchemist hold would be brave and a better planner.

5. Tell you want the developments at the ending will make the next book in the series very interesting.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Currently Reading:
Wish You Were Italian
by Kristin Rae