Unforgiven

Unforgiven by Lauren Kate is a follow-up in her Fallen series that revolves around Cam.

High school can be hell.

Cam knows what it's like to be haunted.  He's spent more time in Hell than any angel ever should.  And his freshest Hell is high school, where Lilith, the girl he can't stop loving, is serving out a punishment for his crimes.

Cam made a bet with Lucifer: he has fifteen days to convince the only girl who really matters to him to love him again.  If he succeeds, Lilith will be allowed back into the world, and they live their lives together.  But if he fails...there's a special place in Hell just for him.

Tick-tock.

The Breakdown:
1. Honestly, I was a little skeptical about this book, by the end of Luce and Daniel's story, I was a little tired of series.  But, I really loved Cam's character, and since Kate did show that glimpse earlier in the series of Lilith and him, I wanted know a little more.  I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  I really enjoyed both Cam and Lilith. Plus, they do not come off quite as sickly sweet as Luce and Daniel do.

2.  I enjoyed the deeper look that Kate provides into Cam's character.  In the previous books, he comes off confident to the point of cocky.  In this book, there is a more vulnerable side to him, and he shows his insecurities as he tries to win Lilith over.  Plus, because of Lucifer's meddling, he cannot rely on his looks alone.

3.  Lilith is definitely a darker character than Luce could ever even think about being.  She has lived centuries in different forms of Hell that Lucifer dreams up for her.  Her soul is bitter over the heartbreak from her life with Cam.  I loved seeing the change in her as her walls come down, and she develops feels for Cam.

4. Another bonus to the story were the interludes that Kate had which told Cam and Lilith's original story, how they met and fell in love and how she came to Hell. Plus, a couple of old friends show up toward the end to help Cam win his bet and win his love.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Library of Souls

Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs is the final book of his Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series.

As the story opens, sixteen-year-old Jacob discovers a powerful new ability, and soon he's diving through history to rescue his peculiar companions from a heavily guarded fortress.  Accompanying Jacob on his journey are Emma Bloom, a girl with fire at her fingertips, and Addison MacHenry, a dog with a nose for sniffing out lost children.

They'll travel from modern-day London to the labyrinthine alleys of Devil's Acre, the most wretched slum in all of Victorian England.  It's a place where the fate of the peculiar children everywhere will be decided once and for all.

The Breakdown:
1. Riggs is a master of developing unique characters in his stories.  Plus the amazing use of interesting pictures that he weaves into the stories makes them all the more intriguing.  The story keeps me interested beginning to end, partly because I can't wait to see who Jacob and Emma will meet along their journey.

2. I love that this book shows more of the darker side of Peculiardom, and I am not just talking about the Hollows and Wights.  Riggs takes this book through wehre the Peculiar's outcast and wanted live.  It shows that not all Peculiar's respect the laws of Ymbrynes.   Along with this, Riggs uses this book to explain the story of how Hollows and Wights came to be.

3. Jacob makes strides as a character in this book, both his personality and his powers.  He learns just how powerful he is and how important he is in the war with the Wights/Hollows.  He also learns how to be brave even when he is scared. Plus, the internal struggle whether to stay with Emma or return to his family makes him feel very human.

4. I thought that Riggs ended this series beautifully.  The ending made sense, plus it did not leave me with lingering questions.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The White Rose

The White Rose by Amy Ewing is the second book of her Lone City series.

Violet is on the run.  After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel of face certain death.  So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude.

But no one said leaving the Jewel would be easy.  As they make their way through the circles of the lone City, Regimentals track their every move, and the trio barely manages to make it out unscathed and into safe haven they were promised- a mysterious house in the Farm.

But there's a rebellion brewing, and Violet has found herself in the middle of it.  Alongside a new ally, Violet discovers her Auguries are much more powerful than she ever imagined.  But is she strong enough to rise up against the Jewel and everything she has ever known?

The Breakdown:
1. After the ending in The Jewel, I could hardly wait for this book, and Ewing reward my wait with quite the exciting story.  Daring escapes, chases through the circles of the Lone city, and surprising revelations, all these things made this book hard to put down.  Even with all the action, Ewing manages to get good continued character development into the story.

2.  Speaking of the character development, I loved the change in Garret.  He makes interesting turn from the bored royal to the rebel.  At first, he appears to just be repaying a favor, but as the story goes on he because involved in the cause.  I also really like the developing chemistry between him and Raven, and can't wait to see where that goes as the series progresses.

3. Ewing also expands more on Ash's past and what he went through to become a companion. She also gives a look at the home he came from, and while he loves his sister, his home life was not an easy or happy one.

4. Of course, Violet has huge development, especially with the discovery with truth of the power she actually holds.  She learns what exactly the Royals have done to gain their power, and how they keep their power.  She shows tremendous strength and determination in this book.

5. Ewing, like The Jewel, leaves this book with a dozy of a cliff hanger. She definitely has me wanting more, and wanting it now.  I can't wait to see where the changes and turn events lead to in the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Go Set A Watchman

Go Set A Watcheman is the much talked about follow up novel to To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.

Maycomb, Alabama. Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch-- "Scout"-- returns home from New York City to visit her again father, Atticus.  Set against the backdrop of the civil rights tensions and political turmoil that were transforming the South, Jean Louise's homecoming turns bittersweet when she learns disturbing truths about her close-knit family, the town and the people dearest to her. Memories from her  childhood flood back, and her values and assumptions are thrown into doubt.

The Breakdown:
1.  To Kill A Mockingbird is probably my all time favorite book. (I have read it more times than I can remember.)  So when this book was announced, I was half excited, and half dreading it.  It is definitely nearly as amazing as To Kill A Mockingbird, but it was a decent read.  It was a more choppy read than its predecessor, and my favorite parts were the flash backs to Jean Louise's childhood. Plus there is the great coming into your own person for Jean Louise, and learning that while your heroes aren't perfect, you can still love them even you don't agree.

2.  So I know one of the biggest controversy about this book was that Atticus was a racist.  For me, that wasn't not really a surprise.  He was a man born in the 19th century.  He was in his 40s during To Kill A Mockingbird, and was in his 70s in this book.  I expected he to be somewhat racist because that is the time and place he was raised in.  He was a just man, and believed that everyone, no matter their color, deserved a fair trial.  He never told Jean Louise she was wrong because she believed that white and black were equal, in fact he encouraged her to stand up for her beliefs.

3. The were a few things that did bother me about this book.  Fair warning, there is a spoiler in this part, but it is something revealed at the beginning of the book.  First more shocking for me than Atticus being a racist, is that Jem is dead.  That completely caught me off guarded. Second, when the trial from To Kill A Mockingbird was mentioned, there was some glaring inconsistencies, such was the describe of what happened and the description of the man Atticus defended, Tom Robinson, who is not mentioned by name in this book.  Most importantly the outcome of the trail was different in this book.  I get that she wrote this book first, but someone should have picked up on that and had that part cleaned up.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Christmas Songs Book Tag

That Artsy Reader girl has presented new fun seasonal book tag.  Since I had so much fun doing the Monster/Halloween one, I thought I would give this one a try.

1. "All I Want For Christmas is You" Name your favorite bookish couple.
After much internal debate, because there are so many book couples that I love.  I have to go with Tessa Gray and Will Herondale from Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices series.  These two have so much stacked against them, but they make it work and have a beautiful love.

2. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" Name a book where the character is away from home (school, vacation, etc.)
Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson.  Ellie and her brother Graham go to visit their grandmother in Norway for the summer, and Ellie learns some very interesting things about her heritage being a thing of legends.

3. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Name your favorite little book (Children's books, short stories, novella, etc)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi & Ron Barrett will always hold a special place in my heart.  It was a childhood favorite of mine, and may be part of the reason I am such a foodie now in my life.

4. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" What book(s) do you hope Santa brings you this year?
This is a tough one since many of the books I really want don't come out until next year.  Probably the book on my list I want the most is Tricky Twenty Two by Janet Evanovich.  Her books can always make me laugh.

5. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" What book turned your nose red? (made you cry)
Deadline by Chris Crutcher, a boy with cancer determined to live his life on his terms, so obviously there were copious amount of tears on my end.

6. "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" What is favorite book to read during the holidays? (re-read or specific genre?)
I don't really read much holiday themed books, but I did enjoy Mary Kay Andrews' Blue Christmas, which is a novella part of Savannah Blues/Breeze series.

7. "We Three Kings" What's your favorite trilogy?
Oh, how do I pick just one. There is always favorite of Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the trilogy the really introduced me to the wonders of the dystopian genre.  Or my personal favorite dystopian trilogy Legend by Marie Lu.

8. "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow"  Which character would you not mind being snowed in with?
Just one? Impossible? Tucker Avery from the Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand, or Aiden St. Delphi from The Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

9. "Last Christmas" Which book seriously let you down?
Still bitter about the ending to Allegiant by Veronica Roth

10. "White Christmas" Which upcoming release are you dreaming of?
I am super excited about several books coming out next year, but probably most excited about The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski.  Close runner ups are The Shadow Hour  by Melissa Grey and Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Becoming Darkness

Becoming Darkness is by debut author Lindsey Francis Brambles.

Like everyone else living in Haven, seventeen-year-old Sophie Harkness is an Immune-- a carrier of the genetic mutation that protects her from the virus Hitler unleashed upon the world more than half a century ago.  A virus that wiped out most of humanity and turned two-hundred million people into vamps. But after her best friend is brutally murdered and several attempts are made on her own life, Sophie becomes determined to find answers to what seems to be a conspiracy running generations deep.  And when she questions the peace treaty that keeps her small community protected, Sophie begins to discover terrible truths about herself and what it means to be human in a world ruled by darkness.

The Breakdown:
1. Brambles has an interesting mash up of genres in this book.  A little paranormal, a little dystopian, and alternate history tied together with a suspense/thriller bow.  On the surface, it seems like a lot to swallow, and I have to admit, I was unsure how he would pull it all together.  But surprisingly, it worked out well.  This book has a lot of twist and turns, and kept me guessing on what was going on and how it affected Sophie.

2. Sophie is an interesting character.  At first Sophie seems like your average girl, but as the story progress, Brambles lets on there is more to her than a normal human.  She is surrounded by secrets, some of which are life threatening to her. She is very headstrong, and that gets her into trouble a few times.

3. Brambles does some interesting world building with both Haven and Third Reich New York.  The scenes he sets with them gives the stark contrast between the Immune world and the world of the vamps.  Haven being on a tropical island, sunny and warm.  The descriptions have me imagining a place washed in bright colors and warmth.  The Third Reich New York on the other hand is city that seems to be crumbling and dark.  The colors there have me seeing grey and blacks.

4. Sadly the ending left me with more questions than answers.  There are a lot of issues and secrets left unanswered at the end.  It left me feeling a little empty.  I do hope there is another book in the works to resolve everything.

To Read or Not to read:
Read

Sentinel

Sentinel is the final book in Jennifer L. Armentrout's Covenant series.

It's a beautiful day for war.

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworth Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

Alex must face a terrible choice: destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear...or the end of herself.

The Breakdown:
1. JLA packs a lot of action into the final book of the Covenant series. I really enjoyed the conclusions to this series.  It had several unexpected twist, which kept the story interesting.

2. I think one of the best things about this book is seeing the change in Seth, after what Aries did to Alex in the last book.  He comes to realize the path he was on was not the right path.  He seems to want to honestly make amends, and what he does to for Alex at the end was amazing.

3. Speaking of journey's, Alex makes a pretty big one in this book.  She stays true to herself and her beliefs.  She finally meets her father, and her and Aiden have a pretty solid relationship.  She is amazing in the final battle.  I was very happy with her ending.

4. Oh, and that ending, it was not what I was expecting.  JLA surprised me quite a bit with how things ended, and the deals that were made in the end.  I have to say I was very pleased with it.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Winter

Winter is the final book in Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles.

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend- the handsome palace guard, Jacin.  But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years.  Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

The Breakdown:
1.  I cannot say enough on how awesome this entire series has been, and Meyer has really outdone herself  with this final book.  This series has some of my favorite elements to it, re-imagined fairytales, a little dystopian, and science fiction. The characters are so beautiful written with both their strengths and their flaws.  Plus the story itself really kept me engaged from beginning to end.

2.  I was super excited to see how Meyer delved into the character of Winter after her brief appearance in Cress. I loved that Winter is so very different from the world she has grown up in.  She is kind and brave, and despite the pressure she refuse to manipulate others with her gift.  I loved reading the reason why she would rather face madness that use her gift, it was very interesting and thought provoking.

3. The relationships between the characters are a big part of why Meyer's story works so well for me.  The shifting dynamics as new alliances are formed, and the parts that each character plays in the group.  I really feel that while the revolution is exciting and all, that this truly is a character driven story.

4. Without giving too much away, I want to say that Meyer's did wrap up this series beautifully.  The ending makes sense, and does not leave me with any lingering questions. Well done Ms. Meyer.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Wicked Charms

Wicked Charms by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton is the third book in the Lizzy & Diesel series.

Murdered and mummified more than ninety years ago, bootlegger Collier "Peg Leg" Dazzle once found and re-hid a famous pirate's treasure somewhere along the coast of New England.  A vast collection of gold and silver coins and precious gems, and the bounty also contains the Stone of Avarice- the very item reluctant treasure seeker, Lizzy Tucker, and her partner Diesel, have been enlisted to find.  While Lizzy would like to live a quiet, semi-normal life, Diesel is all about the hunt.  And this hunt is going to require a genuine treasure map and a ship worthy of sailing the seven seas... or at least getting them from Salem Harbor to Maine.

Greed is eternal and insatiable, and Lizzy and Diesel aren't the only ones searching for the lost pirate's chest.  There are people who have dedicated their entire lives to finding it, and are willing to commit murder to make a deal with the devil, just to hold the fortune in their hands.  One of those people may even be Wulf, Diesel's deceptively charming and enigmatic cousin.  Wulf desires the Stone of Avarice.  He also desires Lizzy.  It's hard to say how far he's willing to go to gain either one.

It's a swashbuckling adventure full of raiders, monkeys, minions, and mayhem.  Lizzy and Diesel are going to have to do everything they can to keep their heads above water and hope they are living a charmed life.

The Breakdown:
1. I will pretty much read anything that Janet Evanovich is involved in writing. This book, like so many of hers, is a fun quick read with lots of quirky characters.  These book keep me entertained and laughing through out the story.

2. I love Lizzy's character.  I can't decided if it more that she longs for a normal life, but still saves the world with Diesel, or that she is pastry chef. Everyone knows that cupcakes are my weakness, and I seriously wish I could try Lizzy's cupcakes.

3. As I said before, I really enjoy the cast of quirky characters.  Like Glo, the counter girl at the bakery, who thinks she is a witch and carries around Broom and a spell book.  Or Ammon, the eccentric billionaire who thinks that he is the incarnate of one of the princes of hell.  The characters keep the books interesting.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Shutter

Debut author Courtney Alameda's Shutter is the first book of the series of the same name.

Micheline Helsing is a tetrachromat- a girl who sees the auras of the undead in a prismatic spectrum.  As one the last descendants of the Van Helsing lineage, she has trained since childhood to destroy monsters both corporeal and spiritual: the corporeal undead go down by the bullet, the spiritual undead by the lens.  With an analog SLR camera as her best weapon, Micheline exorcises ghosts by capturing their spiritual energy on film.  She's aided by her crew: Oliver, a techno-whiz and the boy who developed her camera's technology; Jude, who can predict death; and Ryder, the boy Micheline has known and loved forever.

When a routine ghost hunt goes awry, Micheline and the boys are infected with a curse known as  a soulchain.  As the ghostly chains spread through their bodies, Micheline learns that if she doesn't exorcise the entity in seven days or less, she and her friends will die.  Now pursued as renegade agent  by her monster-hunting father, Leonard Helsing, she must track and destroy an entity more powerful than anything she's faced before... or die trying.

Lock, stock, and lens, she's in for one hell of a week.

The Breakdown:
1. With Shutter, Alameda is expending the legend of those who fought against Dracula down through the generations.  Micheline, Oliver Stoker, and Jude are direct descendants of those who originally brought down Dracula.  Alameda creates an interesting world where they live, monsters are abundant and the Helsing corps are America's best defensive against them.

2.  With Micheline's family recent tragedy and what she faces now, there is definitely a darker undertone to this book than most of the books I read.  That being said, it has a great horror vibe to it, and was perfect reading for Halloween.  There is some great dynamic between Micheline and her boys.  From the strong friendships between them, and the love between her and Ryder, I really liked their interactions.

3.  I have to say that the character that I hated the most was not the ghost behind Micheline's curse, but rather her father.  He is unkind, and downright abusive at times. He blames her for things that happened in the past, and obviously does not understand she is just as broken from their family tragedy was he is.

4.  The ghost, and the past issues, make it obviously that something is out to get the Helsing family.  There is definitely a bigger conspiracy going on behind the story, and Alameda's ending left it open to finding out more behind it.  It will be interesting to see where she chooses to take the story.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Apollyon

Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the fourth book of her Covenant series.

Fate isn't something to mess with...and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods- and Alex herself- to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex's power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer.  But breaking Alex's connection to Seth isn't the only problem.  There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole "an Apollyon can't be killed" theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for the one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer...or she might become the God Killer herself.

The Breakdown:
1. This books picks up from after Elixir ends, with Alex's off the Elixir and back to being Seth's minion.  I like that this book shows how Alex finally breaks her connection with Seth, and proves that love is strong than Fate.  JLA definitely takes this book to interesting places, like the Underworld among other things.

2.  I think my favorite thing about this book is the relationship between Alex and Aiden.  They really learn to rely on each other, and would do anything to protect each other.  Both of them have their broody moments about things past and the way it affects their relationship, but the other is able to bring them around. I so want a happily ever after for them.

3. Although probably one of my favorite moment of this book was the conversation between Alex and Marcus after she breaks her connection with Seth.  Marcus lays out how much he cares about her, and tells her more of her parents.

4.  Oh, in this book, JLA reveals the god that has been working with Seth and Lucian.  While I was not completely surprised by it, I was surprised to find out the human form he had taken.  I cannot wait to see how JLA ends the series.  (Don't worry the book is already on reserve at the library.)

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Creatures of the Night Book Tag

I am a big fan of That Artsy Reader Girl's blog, and she has posted a super fun book tag. It is especially great since Halloween is this week.  The idea is that come up with a book that matches the creature.

1. Vampire
After much internal debate I am going have to go with Adrian Ivashkov from Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series.  He has some great character development in the books, and I just love him and Sydney together.

2. Werewolf
Derek Souza from Kelley Armstrong's The Darkest Powers trilogy.  He is smart and loyal, and all around pretty awesome.

3. Zombie
So I have not read in really traditional zombie books, but Amy Plum's Revenants are basically zombies without the eating of humans.  Therefore, I am picking Vincent from that series.  He is French and when he was alive, he was part of the French resistance during World War 2.  It does not get much cooler than that.

4. Ghost
Amelia from Tara Hudson's Hereafter series. She died at her own birthday party, but learns there are darker things than being a ghost.

5. Witch/Warlock/Spellcaster
No contest, Ron Weasley from the The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

6. Fairy/Fae
Prince Ash from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.  He is a son of Mab, a dark, ice prince, but the power he holds and gives up to be with the one he loves is amazing.

7. Demon
Roth from Jennifer L. Armentrout's The Dark Elements series.  He is the freaking crown prince of hell with a snake tattoo/familiar called Bambi, enough said.

8. Angel
It took me all of two seconds to pick Akiva from Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone series.  He has some serious hotness going on for him.

9. Alien
Hands down for me Daemon Black from the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout.  He is sarcastic, hot, and protects those he loves.

10. Superpowered Human
This one may be a bit of a stretch since she is a Shadowhunter, but those are basically superpowered humans.  I am going with Clary Fray from Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series.  Clary lives a mudane life until her mother goes missing.  She adapts so well to her changes, and becomes quite the strong Shadowhunter.   

Dragonbane

Dragonbane is the latest book in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series.

Out of all the mysterious boarders who call Sanctuary home, no one is more antisocial or withdrawn than Maxis Drago.  But then, it's hard to blend in with the modern world when you have a fifty foot wingspan.

Centuries ago, he was cursed by an enemy who swore to see him fall.  An enemy who took everything from him and left him forever secluded. 

But Fate is a bitch, with a wicked sense of humor.  And when she throws old enemies together and threatens the wife he thought has died centuries ago, he comes back with a vengeance.  Modern day New Orleans has become a battleground for the oldest of evils.  And two dragons will hold the line, or go down in flames.

The Breakdown:
1.  After the last book, Son of No One, I was worried that Kenyon had peaked with the series, but in this book she gets back to the heart of her stories.  I liked that this one tells the story of how the Were-hunters were created and why the Fates cursed them to hate each other.

2. I really liked Maxis character.  He is super protective of those he cares about.  Even when the one he loved the most hurt him, he took care of her. Plus the way he took care of his brothers made him super hot.

3. Sera was interesting character.  I like that she learned from her mistakes.  While she was not kind to Max when they first met, she realized what she lost and did her best to make amends.

4. It was interesting to see old enemies come back.  I am curiously to see where Kenyon takes the next book with the story she has set out with Max's brothers.  Plus, I would definitely love to see more of Max's brothers.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read if you are a fan of the series.

Six of Crows

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is the first book in the series of the same name.

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price- and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker.  Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams.  But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts.  One impossible heist.  Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction- if they don't kill each other first.

The Breakdown:
1. Bardugo returns to the universe that The Grisha trilogy was set in, but it is very different from the Grisha books.  This one takes place in a whole new setting, and she shows more of the world outside of Ravka, and takes place after the event of the Grisha books.  It has the feel of Ocean's 11 with a bit of magic thrown in, so of course I loved it.

2. Bardugo did a fantastic job of writing the book from different perspectives.  She gave each character a unique voice and incorporating their back story into the story line.  I loved how the characters interacted with each other, how different the places they come from are, and how they learned to depend on and trust each other.

3. As amazing as the characters are, and they are pretty awesome, it is the story that really made it hard for me to put this book down.  There are many twist and turns in the story.  The plan for the heist seems to be constantly unfolding and changing making me wonder how they will pull it all off, or will they end up in prison or dead.  Then there is the ending, and holy cliffhanger batman.  It has me dying to know what Kaz's next plan will be and how he will have them pull it off.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Queen of Shadows

Sarah J. Maas's Queen of Shadows is the latest novel in the Throne of Glass series.

The queen has returned.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her.  But she's at last returned to the empire- for vengeance, to rescue her once- glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past...

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galthynius, Queen of Terrasen.  But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin,a warrior prepared to die for her.  She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison.  And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

The Breakdown:
1.  I am absolutely in love with this series.  In each book, Maas does a fantastic job of weaving an intriguing story that I can hardly put down. This book had such amazing plots and Maas starts to weave to together the storylines from Heir of Fire with the characters and having them intersect in this book.

2. I love that Celaena/Aelin has really come into herself in this book.  Maas is really what kind of queen she will be in her character development in this book.  She is strong and fiercely protective of those she loves.  The things she does not only to save Aedion, but Lysandra are amazing.  I love that Aelin is such a complex character with secrets and a hard a soft side to her.

3.  Super excited to get to see more of Aedion in this book.  I love how easy that he and Aelin fall back into the closeness they shared as children.  Also, loving Manon's character.  She is dealing with some tough realizations in this book, and I cannot wait to see what choices she makes and the path she takes.  Plus, I absolutely loved her meeting with Dorian and her meeting with Aelin and outcomes.

4.  I have to say my one compliant for this book is that Aelin and Choal spent too much time angry at each other.  I get why they are each angry, but it does sadden me.  I am a little sadden that Maas makes is very apparent early in the story that their romance is at an end, but I am happy with where she is taking each of the characters romantic lives.

5. And the revelations that Maas presents in this book blow my mind on more than one occasions.  From what the plan is with the Ironteeth witches and what Aelin has planned for Arobynn to why the King of Adarlan has done everything he has done.  I can hardly contain my need for the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read because Sarah J. Maas is a genius!

Life After Theft

Life After Theft is by Aprilynne Pike

Moving to a new high school sucks.  Especially a rich-kid private school. With uniforms.  But nothing is worse than finding out the first girl you meet is dead. And a klepto.

No one can see or hear Kimberlee excpet Jeff, so-- in hopes of bringing an end to the snarkiest haunting in history-- he agrees to help her "unfinished business."  But when the enmity between Kimberlee and Jeff's new crush, Sera, manages to continue posthumously, Jeff wonders if he's made the right choice.

The Breakdown:
1. So when you look at the cover, you think it is about a girl, right, but you would be wrong.  The book is entirely written from Jeff's perspective.  It threw me off a little at first.  One of the taglines held as a modern day retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel, but I did not get that feel from the story at all.

2.  For me, Pike's characters fell a little flat.  Many of them felt very one dimensional, especially Sera and Khail.  I thought she could have done so much more of them as characters.  It was also weird for me that Jeff had multiple interactions with separately, but never together even though they are sibling and close to each other.

3. This story had the potential to be interesting, and funny, but it just did not work out that way.  There were characters who's story was left a little unresolved.  The ending felt very rushed.

To Read or Not to Read:
Skip this one

Magic Shifts

Magic Shifts is the latest book in Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series.

After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate- former Beast Lord Curran Lennart- are adjusting to a very different pace.  While they're thrilled to escape all the infighting, Kate and Curran know that separating from the Pack completely is a process that will take time.

But when they learn that their friend Eduardo has gone missing.  Kate and Curran shift their focus to investigate his disappearance.  Eduardo was a fellow member of the Mercenary Guild, so Kate knows the best place to start looking is at his most recent jobs.  As Kate and Curran dig further into the merc's business, they discover that the Guild has gone to hell and that Eduardo's assignments are connected in the most sinister way...

An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it- before it takes their city apart piece by piece.

The Breakdown:
1. I really enjoy this series.  Andrews has the right combination of action, humor and romance in this series.  I love the strong characters and the relationships between them.  Plus, I really love the universe they have created in this series where magic and technology are constantly battling for supremacy in the world.  The waves that shift the world from magic ruled to tech ruled make for some interesting situations and complications.

2.  I love that this series takes place in my home town of Atlanta.  I like knowing exactly where things are that Andrews goes to in the books.  I enjoy the imaginary created with the changes caused by magic, and picturing how different things look in this version of Atlanta.

3.  Probably my favorite thing about this book is Kate and Curran's relationship.  I love that they were not a couple that had love at first site, in fact, it took several books for them to get together.  They continue to evolve as a couple, and are equals in the relationship.  They rely on each other both in battle physically and in life emotionally.

4. This book definitely has some pretty great moments, but my favorite was probably when many of the shapeshifters are gathered at Kate and Curran's and their enemy attacks them.  Curran gets to shock his normal people neighbors, Kate yells at Andrea for eating mystery meet, and Mahon and George have a shouting match.  It reminds me why I love Andrews characters so much.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl is by debut author Paige McKenzie, and is based off her YouTube series and the first book of the series.

In that place where you're more asleep than awake any more, I hear something else.  A phrase uttered in a child's voice, no more than a whisper: Night Night.

Something freaky's going on with Sunshine's new house... there's the chill that wraps itself around her bones, the giggling she can hear in the dead of night, and then the strange shadows that lurk in her photographs.  But the more weird stuff that happens, the less her mum believes her.  Sunshine's always had a quirky affiliation with the past, but this time, history is getting much too close for comfort...

If there is something, or someone, haunter her house, what do they want? And what will they do if Sunshine can't help them?

As things become more frightening and dangerous, the giggles she hears turn to sobs and screams, Sunshine has no choice but to accept what she is, face the test before her and save her mother from a fate worse than death.

The Breakdown:
1. I have to be honest, I have never seen the YouTube series or even heard of it until I picked up the book.  I mainly picked up this book because around this time of year, I like to read a horror book or two.  It gets me in the mood for Halloween, although I do not watch many horror movies. I did really like the creepiness of the book, and the characters that McKenzie creates.  She did a wonderful job of picking the perfect setting to compliment the mood of the story.  Washington with its wet and cold climate just made the story better.

2. I loved Sunshine's character.  Her quirkiness and  love for her mother were enduring to me.  I thought that McKenize did a wonderful job of making me empathize with her struggle to understand what is going on around her and accepting what she is, despite never having been close to being in those situations. Plus, I liked that Sunshine has no desire to change how she dresses or what she loves just to fit in better at school.

3.  Nolan was adorably nerdy, which I love.  I like the connection that he and Sunshine have, and how well they work together.  I am interested to see how his role will evolve in the next book.

4. McKenzie had an excellent creepy factor in this book. At times, I could almost feel the chill that she describe when the ghost were present.  Although, I am not sure what was more scary, the changes in Sunshine's mother, or the way her mentor set up the test and manipulated Sunshine's world.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Every Last Breath

Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the final book in her The Dark Elements series.

Some loves will last 'til your dying breath.

Every choice has consequences- but seventeen-yeear-old Layla Faces tougher choices than most.  Light or darkness.  Wickedly sexy demon prince, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers.  Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too.  A Lilin- the deadliest of demons- has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her... including her best friend.  To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city- and her race- from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has not certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all.  But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side- and then fight like hell...

The Breakdown:
1. Anyone who has ever read this blog knows I have a deep love of all things JLA writes, and this book is no exception.  I loved how she brought Layla's story to an end, and the revelations she brought in this book, at times, blew my mind.  I, also, appreciate that she did not draw out Layla's choice between Roth and Zayne.  It was made very close to the beginning of the book, but you will have to read it yourself to find out who she chose.

2. I have loved Layla's character from the beginning, plus she has a pretty awesome name. I was so glad that she comes to terms with who she is and where she came from in this book. She really grows into herself in this book, and is so much stronger for it.

3.  I think that my favorite part of this book was Layla's trip to Hell and her meeting Grim.  With him, JLA reveals so much about Layla's origins and what she is exactly.  Plus, it was with Grim that Lilith finally makes an appearance, and boy is she a piece of work.

4. JLA wrapped up things beautifully in this book.  Although, I did have a few moments of wondering if Layla would be able to get her happily ever after, but in the end it worked out perfectly.  Plus, I always love the Supernatural references in JLA's books.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Book Giveaway!

I subscribe to Bookworm Box, which is pretty amazing.  Every month I get a book of with book swag, books, and other cool stuff for the the book lover.  Plus the proceeds from the boxes go to charity.  You can check out here: http://www.thebookwormbox.com/.

Since you don't get to pick out what is in the box, I do get things and books I am not really interested in.  So I have decided to share the wealth with my readers.  Now, I am giving away a signed book: Fury by Fisher Amelie.  Also, leave a comment as to your favorite authors/books since I have many items of signed swag that I may be giving away in the future.




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A Great and Terrible Beauty

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray is the first book of her Gemma Doyle trilogy.

Gemma Doyle finds an icy reception at the the Spence Academy in London, the boarding school to which she's sent after tragedy strikes her family in India.  Lonely and guilt-ridden, Gemma taps into her power to attract the supernatural.  Dark visions fill her mind that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true.  Trying to survive at Spence, she becomes entangled with Felicity Worthington, leader of the school's most powerful clique... and discover's her own mother's connection to the shadowy group called the Order.

Secrets haunt the halls at Spence, with its mysterious burned out East Wing, and after a diary lands in Gemma's hands, it leads her to a world she cannot fathom- one where her destiny waits, if only she is brave enough to face it.

The Breakdown:
1. Bray's book is wonderful Victorian Gothic tale that has many secrets to the story and fantastic characters. I love that Bray portrays both how London society was that in that day, with the rules, the beliefs, and attitudes, and gives glimpses in the other ways of life with the gypsy troupe and the scenes in India.  I love that her characters have such depth to them.

2. Gemma starts the book as your typical moody teen, but in an instant her life is turned upside down, and she is struggling to adjust to the changes. She makes an interesting personal journey in this book, learning to deal with her visions, and making friends, plus her first crush. There are times that Bray shows, despite her faults, that Gemma really does have a kind heart, and those are my favorite moments of Gemma.

3. I like the mysterious character of Kartik.  He shows up warning Gemma not use her visions, but is very vague as why and how to avoid them.  Gemma is also attracted to him, and has visions of him which only increases my need to know more about him.  He is definitely a character I am looking forward to reading more of in the future books.

4. As for Gemma's friends, Felicity, Ann, and Pippa, they make for an interesting combination.  Each girl struggling with their own fears and insecurities, but doing their best to be what society expects of them.  Felicity and Pippa, at first, seem like the Victorian era mean girls,  but as the book progress, Bray reveals more of their personalities and their lives.  Then there is Ann, the girl that no one expects anything of, but does not want to spend her life as invisible.

5. Bray fills this book with so many secrets, Gemma's family secrets, the school's secrets, and Kartik's secrets.  She definitely keeps the story interesting from beginning to end.  I cannot wait to see how the next book goes.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Elixir

Elixir is a novella of Jennifer L. Armentrout's Covenant series and falls between Deity and Apollyon.

Aiden St. Delphi will do anything to save Alex.
Even if it means doing the one thing he will never forgive himself for.
Even if it means making way against the gods.

The Breakdown:
So I know I usually give you a numbered breakdown of the books, but this one is so short, only about 75 pages, that I am not going to bother with that. I was so excited to see a story from Aiden's perspective.  I love that JLA shows the struggle that Aiden is going through with Alex's Awakening, and how to he is dealing with the choices that have to be made.  Although, I think my favorite part is when Aiden is describing the first time he saw Alex.  It just went to show how much he loves her, and how long her has waited for her.  I cannot wait to see how his decision in the end affects the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Becoming Jinn

Debut author Lori Goldstein's Becoming Jinn is the first book of the series of the same name.

Forget everything you thought you knew about genies!

Azra has just turned sixteen, and overnight her body lengthens, her olive skin deepens, and her eyes glisten gold thanks to the brand-new silver bangle that locks around her wrist.  As she always knew it would, her Jinn ancestry brings not just magical powers but the reality of a life of servitude, as her wish granting is controlled by a remote ruling class of Jinn known as the Afrit.

To the humans she lives among, she's just a girl working at the snack bar at the beach, navigating the fryer and her first crush.  But behind closed doors, she's learning how to harness her powers and fulfill the obligations of her destiny.

Mentored by her mother and her Zar "sisters," Azra discovers she may not be quite like the rest of her circle of female Jinn... and that her powers could endanger them all.  As Azra uncovers the darker world of becoming Jinn, she realizes when genies and wishes are involved, there's always a trick.

The Breakdown:
1. Since I read Exquisite Captive by Heather Demtrios, I have been a little fascinated by Jinn stories.  Goldstein definitely put an interesting take on Jinn, why they grant wishes. I loved the way she built her magic into the world, and why Jinn must grant wishes.  The whole magic world building was super interesting to me after going to a panel on it at Dragon*Con this weekend.

2. Azra as a character has some very interesting internal conflicts.  On one hand she hates being Jinn, the secrets, the magic, and being told who deserves her wishes.  On the other, she learns very quickly that she is very good with magic, and as the book progress, that her magic is more than the average Jinn's. She wants so badly to be an average teenager, and yet, as Goldstein shows through other characters thoughts and reactions to her, she is anything but average.

3. I loved the way Goldstein goes about revealing the secrets in this book.  From Azra's secrets to her human friends and other Jinn friends, to Azra's mother's secrets about her father and the Afrit.  I can't wait to see what kind of role they will play in the next book.  Plus the dilemma that ends the book with has me want the next book, like yesterday, to see how Azra handles the problem.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Spelled

Spelled is by debut author Betsy Schow.

Fairy Tale Survival Rule #2: If you find yourself at the mercy of a wicked witch, sing a romantic ballad and wait for your Prince Charming to save the day.

Yeah, no thanks.  Dorthea is completely princes out.  Sure being the crown princess of Emerald has its perks- like Glenda Original ball gowns and Hans Christian Loutboutin heels.  But a forced marriage to the brooding prince Kato is so not what Dorthea had in mind for her enchanted future.

Talk about unhappily every after.

Trying to fix her prince problem by wishing on a (cursed) star royally backfires, leaving the kingdom in chaos and her parents stuck in some place called "Kansas." Not it's up to Dorthea and her pixed off prince to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz and undo the curse... before it releases the wickedest witch of all and spells The End for the world of Story.

The Breakdown:
1. Schow uses elements of many fairytales, and pulls heavily from the Wizard of Oz, to create Spelled. The story has quite the magical adventure.  To keep it interesting, Schow does not always make it clear who are friends and who are foes.  I love that the cover and shoes that Dorthea wears pay respect both to the book and movie Wizard of Oz, because int the book they are silver and the movie, of course, they are the iconic ruby slippers.

2. I have to admit as was not a fan of Dorthea at first.  She is epitome of a spoiled princess who does not realize how good she has it. Even after her wish curses all of Story, she does accept any responsibility for her actions.  But she does start to question her role in the story, even wondering if she is not the heroine but rather the villain. She does prove to have courage and a kind heart in the end.

3. I would not say that Kato is your typical prince.  He is not looking to save Dorthea, but rather thinks she has a purpose to serve.  He and Dorthea understandable, dislike each other quiet a bit at first.  I like that they are not love at first site couple.  It takes them getting to know each other for them to develop feelings for each other.

4.  Schow adds quiet the cast of supporting characters.  From Rexi the kleptomaniac kitchen girl that becomes Dorthea and Kato's companion on the adventure to the Wizard of Is, who is in love with Dorthea and is more than he seems. The different characters definitely keep the story interesting. And of course, there is Griz, the wicked witch, that gives Dorthea the cursed star.

5. The story has a pretty great adventure, some pretty funny parts,  and quite the ending. Schow has definitely left a big hint that this book will be a series.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Midnight Thief

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne is the first book of a series of the same name.

Growing up on Forge's streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin.  And when that's not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her to take what she needs.

But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates.  She knows how to get by on her own, and she's not sure she wants to play by his rules.  But he's persistent- and darkly attractive- and Kyra can't quite resist his pull.

Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission.  After his best friend is brutally murdered by Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthristy wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down.  But as his investigation deepens, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with uncanny ease.

When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival- and vengeance- might be to join forces.  And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra's past that threatens to reshape both their lives.

The Breakdown:
1. Blackburne's story was fantastic.  It was engaging from beginning to end.  She paints an interesting picture of the city of Forge, where there is quite the divide between the haves and the have nots.  I also love that the story comes from the perspective of a person on each end of the spectrum.

2. Kyra is an interesting character.  While she has no problem with being a thief, she definitely has issues with killing.  She cares deeply for those close to her.  She can be very impulsive at times, but is quite street smart, and talented.

3. Compared to Kyra, Tristam appears to be more even keeled. He knows his path, and is determined to do his duty.  It is Kyra that has him questioning things around him, and even bringing out a little rebellion in his nature.

4.  I like that while there is a subtle attraction between Kyra and Tristam, especially toward the end, the story does not revolve around their romance.  It focus mostly on Kyra, her secrets and her past. I like the interesting twist that Blackburne has, and I am interested to see what happens in the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The New Order

Chris Weitz The New Order is the second book of The Young World trilogy.

Jefferson and Donna were sure the arrival of the military meant an end to this nightmare- a hellish two years full of enemy gangs, gunfire, and lost loved ones.  But the cruel plans the government has for the remaining teens are beyond anything they could've imagined.

All Jefferson and Dona want is to have a future with each other, but fate has different plans, and they soon find themselves pulled apart.  Jefferson returns to New York City with a cure for the Sickness, and a hope to unite all the tribes.  And Donna finds herself in England, facing an unimaginable world.

With the help of new and familiar faces, their survival and the hope for a new world hang in a delicate balance.  Can the two reunite and prevent an even greater disaster than the Sickness?

The Breakdown:
1. It took me a little longer to really get into this book than the first book, but once Weitz gets into the meat of the story, it gets hard to put down.  I loved learning about the world outside of New York and how they handled the Sickness.

2. Love how Weitz gives Donna and Jefferson such distinct voices in their own chapters.  In this book, other characters start getting their own chapters, and they are just as unique as the original characters.  Although, it was a little rough reading Brainbox's chapters.

3.  I loved that there were deeper agenda's going with both Donna's group in England and Jefferson's in New York.  This gave the story some real depth, and really threw some surprise punches in there.  Again, with the ending, Weitz has me dying for the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Heart of Betrayal

The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson is the second book of her Remnant Chronicles.

Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save her life, Lia's estwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar's interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen.

Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: there's Rage, who lied to Lia, but has sacrifices his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life;, and the Vendas, whom Lia always believed to be barbarians.  Not that she lives amongst them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth.  Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country... and her own destiny.

The Breakdown:
1. Pearson has out done herself with the second book of the Remnant Chronicles. The books picks up pretty much where The Kiss of Deception left off.  She does an amazing job of building Venda and the people of it. At the same time, she continues to bring to new dimensions to her already existing characters.

2. I love that Lia continues to explore her gift and grow in it in this book. She is also learning to play the political game so well in this book.  Plus, I love the way she grows to care for the people of Venda.

3. I really enjoyed learning more about Kaden in this book.  Pearson revealed his past, and why he is so loyal to the Komizar.  Plus, I love the way he starts to question the motives of the Komizar and growing more into his own person.

4. I did feel like I did not love Rafe as much in this book.  Not that he wasn't great, because, he was, but I felt like he was not fleshed out as much as Lia and Kaden in this book.  Although, Pearson did explore how good he is at playing the role need to accomplish his goal, and what an excellent soldier he is.

5. Wow, the things that are learned about Venda, it's origins and the prophecies, and the secrets between Venda and Morrighan were quite shocking.  Oh, and that ending, Pearson has me dying to know what will happen in the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Secret of the Sevens

Secret of the Sevens is by debut author Lynn Lindquist.

Everyone at Singer, a boarding school for underprivileged kids, knows the urban legend of the Society of Seven.  Decades age, the original members of the secret guild for elite students murdered the school's founder and then perished in the fire they lit to hide the evidence.  Or so the story goes.  

Talan Michales doesn't care about Singer's past.  He's too focused on his future and the fact that he'll be homeless after he graduates in May.  To take his mind off it, he accepts a mysterious invitation to join a group calling itself the Sevens.  He expects pranks, parties, and perks.  Instead, he finds himself neck- deep in a conspiracy involving secret passages and cryptic riddles about the school's history.  Even worse, he's now tangles in a web of lies someone will kill to keep hidden.

The Breakdown:
1. Lindquist spins a fantastic mystery in this story. She lays out an intriguing mystery behind the Sevens and what happened to them.  She kept me guessing on not only what is going on, but who is behind the clues and who is betraying the school.

2. Talan was definitely an interesting character.  He is not the typical hero that I go for in a book, but I really enjoyed him.  He has serious abandonment issues, and trust issues, but despite this he is loyal to his friends, and tries to protect them even if it means isolating himself.  I love his character development as he learns to believe in a cause bigger than himself and his trust and feelings for Laney.

3. I like that while there is romance between Talan and Laney, that it is not the main focus of the story.  Lindquist does an excellent job of keeping the story focused on the Sevens and what happen to them and what is happening to the Singer school.  I also like that Talan and Laney that is a gradual attraction that has developed over most of their lives.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Talker 25

Talker 25 is the first book in Joshua McCune's Talker 25 series.

Melisa Callahan has always hated the dragons.  They destroyed her mother, her family, her home.  And now she's been charged with collaborating with them, with being an insurgent, and she's been thrown into a cell to... well, to what?  Think about her nonexistent crimes? Think about how great her life once was? Think about James and her father, and her brother and the lies? Think about escaping, when everyone knows that's impossible since the ice stretches forever and the cold is unbearable and the dragons can't hear her any more.

Melissa Callahan is OTG.  Off the Grid. And so is Talker 1 and Talker 2 and Talker 3, 5, 7, 11, 22, 26... all of them talking, constantly talking, into the void. All of them waiting for an answer.

The Breakdown:
1. I really enjoyed the concept behind this book.  How does the world react to the sudden appearance of dragons and are they friend or foe? It was interesting how he developed both the human and dragon characters, and gave the different colors of dragons very distinctly different view points on the world.

2. Found the character of Melissa interesting.  On the one hand she really wants to hate the dragons for her mother's death, but on the other, once she talks to them, she begins to see more and starts caring for the youngest dragon.  Despite all that she has gone through, she is not broken by her imprisonment.  She is a super strong, and takes care of those she sees are needing it.

3. I loved that the story was broken down into two parts.  One Melissa's life before and the events that lead up to her being charged with being an insurgent, and then her life imprisoned.  There are some really interesting surprises thrown in by McClune that kept me guessing at times. Definitely can't wait to see what happens next for Melissa.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Shards of Hope

Shards of Hope is the latest book in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series.

Awakening wounded in a darkened cell, their psychic abilities blocked, Aden and Zaira know they must escape.  But when the lethal soldiers break free from their mysterious prison, they find themselves in a harsh, inhospitable landscape far from civilization.  Their only hope for survival is to make it to the hidden home of a predatory changeling pack that doesn't welcome outsiders.

And they must survive.  A shadowy enemy has put a target on the back of the Arrow squad, an enemy that cannot be permitted to succeed in its deadly campaign.  Aden will cross any line to keep his people safe for this new future, where even an assassin might have hope of a life beyond blood and death and pain.  Zaira has no such hope.  She knows she's too damaged to return from the abyss.  Her driving goal is to protect Aden, protect the only person who has ever come back for her no matter what.

This time, even Aden's passionate determination may not be enough- because the emotionless chill of Silence existed for a reason.  For the violent, and the insane, and the irreparably broken...like Zaira.

The Breakdown:
1. I love Singh's Psy-Changling series for both its romance and its thriller components, and this book did not disappoint in the least. I very much enjoyed the romance between Aden and Zaira.  Plus the conspiracy that Singh develops in the book is one that kept me guessing, and I can tell is going to be playing a part in future books.

2. In past books, Singh has offered glimpse of Aden, the man that the Arrow squad chose as their leader. I was super excited to see him get his own book. I very much enjoyed Aden as a character.  A man, whose own parents, thought him a disappointment because he was not powerful enough, but won the loyalty of the Arrows.  He cares so much about his people and making their life better. The way he cares for Zaira is so enduring, and how he refuses to give up on her, even when she has given up on herself.

3. Zaira, despite what her childhood was like, has amazing strength.  Her faith and trust in Aden is such a wonderful character trait.  I especially loved reading her interactions with children, even through she thinks she is broken, she cares for and protects the children around her with such fierceness.

4. Another thing I loved about this book is the deeper look into the mysterious Arrow squad and what lead to their rebellion from Ming LeBon.  I loved seeing how Aden, Zaira, and Vasic are working to improve Arrow life and easy them into the post-Silence era.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Terminal

Terminal by Kathy and Brendan Reichs is the last book of the Virals series.

The Virals are back- but they're not the only pack in town anymore.  Terminal finds Tory Brennan- grandniece of the famous forensic anthropologist- and the rest of the Morris Island gang tracking a pack of rogue Virals who call themselves the Trinity.  The new pack was infected by a strain of supervirus created by Tory's nemesis and sometimes-crush, Chance Clayborne, who accidentally infected himself, too.

These red-eyed Virals have openly challenged Tory's pack for domination of Charleston, bringing on the attention of shadowy government organization intent on learning the secret to their powers.  Surviving it all is going to test the limits of the gang's abilities.

The Breakdown:
1. The Reichs do a great job of wrapping up the series in this book.  The bring the Virals story to a nice close, tying up any loose ends, and they did not leave me with any lingering questions when all was said and done.

2. I felt that Tory's character had some serious development in the this book.  She matures in the book, and is learning to deal with her feelings better in this book. Plus she finally confronts her feelings for Ben, which I have been waiting to happen for quite a while.

3. I liked that this book had a few surprises that I did not see coming.  The identity of the Trinity was a surprise, and I was not expecting the ending.  Overall very well done, in my opinion.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Bonus Book: The Infinite

The Infinite by Lori M. Lee is the second book of the Gates of Thread and Stone series.

The walls of Ninurta keep its citizens safe.

Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within.  Now, with a rebel force threateding the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever.

To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles wot remind him what it means to be human.  And she fears her brother, Reev, is involved with the rebels.  With the two people she cares about most on the opposites of a brewing way, Kai will do whatever it takes to bring peace.  But she's lost her power to manipulate the threads of time, and she learns that a civil war might be the beginning of something far worse that will crumble not only Ninurta's walls but also the entire city.

Kai must decide how much of her humanity she's willing to lose to protect the only family she's ever known.

The Breakdown:
1. In this book, Lee picks up a few months after the end of Gates of Thread and Stone. The changes in Ninurta are bringing about some interesting developments, and on the biggest thing, not even mentioned in the summary, is there is another city across the Outlands. Lee set some very interesting character struggles in this book with both Kai and Avan, and to some extent Reev.

2. Kai struggles in this book in accepting her  fate at Kronos heir.  She even subconsciously blocks her ability to manipulate the threads of time because of guilt and her desire to remain human. She is also struggling with the fact the Avan does not remember being human, and he is uncertain if he wants to remember.  I really think she grows as a character in this book, and learns to trust her herself and her gut feelings.  I cannot wait to see how she further develops as a character in the next book.

3. Avan, also, is undergoing many changes.  He has lost his inhumanity in becoming an Infinite and is slowly letting the powers and ideas Conquest over take him.  Despite his lost memories, he still has a very strong connection to Kai.  It is easy to see he cares deeply for her, and it is she that helps him to see good in humans.  I really loved Avan and Kai together in the first book, and I hope in the next book they can find their way back to each other and happiness.

4. Lee had some pretty exciting action in the book.  From dealing with rebels, finding new cities, and fighting monsters, there was hardly a dull moment.  There are definitely big things to come in the next book with problems within the Infinites, and magic making its way back into the world.  I can't wait for the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

An Ember in the Ashes

Debut author Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes is the first book of the series of the same name.

Laia is a slave.

Elias is a soldier.

Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother.  The family ekes out an existence in the Empire's impoverished backstreets.  They do not challenge the Empire.  They've seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia's brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision.  In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire's greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school's finest soldier- and secretly, it most unwilling.  Elias wants to be free of the tyranny he's been trained to enforces.  He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined- and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

The Breakdown:
1. I very much enjoyed reading this book.  Tahir was a master of the dual perspective, which many authors cannot pull off well.  Elias and Laia had very unique voices and personalities that made reading both their chapters enjoying and different.

2. Tahir, also, mastered the subplots that really gave this book so many layers. She kept me guess at every turn at to what the end game was going to be, and what side all the characters would fall on.  Her characters are complex, and many of them had me wondering whether they were really friend or foe.

3. Loved both the characters of Laia and Elias.  Laia who loves her family, but is so afraid she is not brave enough, and not smart enough to be her dead parents legacy.  Despite how terrible things have gotten, she is determined to save the person that matters the most to her.  She has a quiet bravery and an unwavering loyality that I love about her. Elias is amazing is that he has not let the harshness of his schooling break him.  He is determined not to become a cruel man or let the darkness he sees in his mother overtake him.

4. Tahir created an amazing world in this book.  A mix of ancient Rome with bits of Persian legends and magic.  It makes for a interesting situations and settings.  I think one of my favorite scenes was at the Moon Festival where she presented the Scholar's not being beaten down, and where Laia and Elias really first encounter each other without having their guards up.  She uses such lovely imaginary that it was easy to see the colorful clothes and hear the music being played.

5. Wow, that ending really had me on the edge of my seat.  She sure knows how to end with a bang, and leave me dying for the next book. I cannot wait to see how things will play out, and how relationships will change because of it.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Jennifer L. Armentrout Fans

Calling all JLA fans.  She is having a fantastic swag and book give-away to celebrate the upcoming release of Every Last Breath.  You can check it out, and read the first chapter of the book here: http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/every-last-breath-2/

I don't know about y'all, but I am super excited about this book.  You cannot go wrong with a JLA book, especially when the title character is named Layla.

Deity

Deity is the third book of Jennifer L. Armentrout's The Covenant series.

"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time."

Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday-- to her Awakening.  A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden.

If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"-- which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time-- she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule.  Awesome.

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate.  One will do anything to protect her.  One has been lying to her since the beginning.  Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocable changed... and destroyed.

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...

The Breakdown:
1.  JLA really steps up the story in this book. She brings to light Lucian's plans for Seth and Alex, and also brings the gods into the mixture. There is plenty of action in this book, both in the literal sense and in the romantic sense.

2. Finally, in this book Alex and Aiden are on the same page.  Things really heat up between them in this book.  Not ashamed to admit, I am firmly on Team Aiden.  He is willing to do anything to protect her, even ignoring his own feelings.  Plus, he has some serious heart-melting moments with her.

3. I knew that Seth could not be trusted.  There is so much he lies about to Alex.  I do not think that he is a bad person underneath it all,  but he is definitely following the wrong leader, and has a serious power trip going on whenever he and Alex connect.

4.  Alex's Awakening was super intense, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.  What happens between both her and Aiden and her and Seth, and what the gods are going to do about everything?

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Retribution of Mara Dyer

The Retribution of Mara Dyer is the final book of Michelle Hodkin's Mara Dyer trilogy.

Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she's been told.
There is.

She doesn't stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.
She should.

She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.
She will now.

Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer's story.

Retribution has arrived.

The Breakdown:
1.  This was the much anticipated conclusion to Mara Dyer's story, but to be honest it was a bit of a let down. I felt the story took a long time to get to why Mara is the way she is, and who was behind the whole Horizons thing.  It really dragged in places, and I felt like there were still a few unanswered questions at the end.

2. I did not like the change that Mara undergoes in this book at points.  I know that her power makes her dangerous, but in the first two books, she was not malicious about it.  In this book, she seems to have less of a conscience about using it, and I just could not get on board with that change.

3. Then there is the fact that Noah is missing for about 75% of the book.  He was such an important character in the first two books, he absence is keenly felt in this book. I know that she has Jamie and Stella in the book, but they are not as an important factor has Noah has been for her.

4. I know that Hodkin explains why it is important that Mara and Noah were born the way they are, but I felt she does not explain why others like Jamie, Stella, and even Lukumi exist.   Then there was the genetic memory in Mara, and why does she have it and no one else with this gene have it.  Just some things did not make sense for me.  I felt unsatisfied at the end of the book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Skip it, especially if you have not even started reading the trilogy.

The Winner's Crime

The Winner's Crime is the second book of Marie Rutkoski's The Winner's Trilogy.

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria's crown prince means one celebration after another.  But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making.  As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement... if she could only trust him.  Yes can she even trust herself?  For- unknown to Arin- Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country's freedom, he can't fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows.  In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth.  And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

The Breakdown:
1. Rutkoski's follow up to The Winner's Curse, is just as amazing, if not better than the first book. The intrigue and court games games make this a hard book to put down. This book definitely kept me on my toes, and guessing on how everything would come together, and who would lose at the game they are playing.

2.  Not going to lie, there are many times I just wanted to shake Arin in this book.  He could incredibly dense at times. He so easily dismiss's Kestrel's motives at times as self-serving, when really she is trying her hardest to protect him.  He confronts her several times, without even thinking about the consequences.

3. This book had some seriously heartbreaking moments. I think one of the saddest was seeing Kestrel and Jess grow apart, and the sadness that it brings to Kestrel. Of course, there is the distance that is between Kestrel and Arin,, and his bitterness because he does not understand why she did the things she did.

4.  Rutkoski introduces some new characters in this book that keep the story interesting.  There is Prince Verex, who I really did not want to like, but there was something enduring about him.  He is very different from his father, and I wonder what role he will play in the final book. There is Tensen, the Herrani Minister of Agriculture/ Spy Master.  He plays his role well, but at times he also plays Arin and Kestrel against each other.  The royalty of East, the Queen, Risha, and Roshar, all of who I think will be important in the last book.  And most importantly the Valorian Emperor.  He is someone that is definitely not to be trusted.  He is intelligent, and cunning, and always seems to be two steps ahead of any plot.

5. Good lord the ending of this book, it killed me. Talk about a serious cliff hanger, and oh the feels!  I am super sad to have to wait until March of next year for the conclusion of the series.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

The Wrath & The Dawn

Debut author Renee Ahdieh's The Wrath & The Dawn is the first book of the series of the same name.

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in the land ruled by a killer.  Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise.  So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid.  But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls.  Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch... she's falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls.  Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.

The Breakdown:
1. I am in love with this book.  Ahdieh does an amazing job using the inspiration of A Thousand and One Arabian Nights.  The story is beautifully written, and she does a wonderful job of building the world from the palace to the nomadic desert tribes.  The story is engaging from beginning to end with wonderful characters, lots of mystery and intrigue and a little bit of magic.

2. I absolutely adored the characters of Shahrzad and Khalid.  Shahrzad is a vibrant and intelligent girl, whose love for her friend drives to try the impossible.  She goes through so much in the book emotionally and personally, and learns that she is not only one who has lost so much.  Khalid is an enigma of character that has experienced so much loss in his young life, and the curse that is further tearing him apart.  I truly enjoyed reading as Shazi and Khalid's relationship progressed through the book.

3. Ahdieh not only spins the tale of Shazi and Khalid and the reason for the dawn deaths and Khalid's curse, but there other subplots to keep the story from growing stagnant.  From the rebellion brewing because the people do not understand Khalid's actions to the hostilities with the neighboring Sultan.  I cannot wait to see how will proceed in the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Silvern

Silvern by Christina Farley is the second book of her Gilded series.

Jae Hwa Lee has destroyed Haemosu, the dangerous demi-god that held her ancestors captive, and now she's ready to forget about immortals and move on with her life.  Then the god of darkness, Kus, sends an assassin to kill her.  Jae escapes with the knowledge that Kud is seeking the lost White Tiger Orb, and joins the Guardians of Shinshi to seek out the orb before Kud can find it.

But Kud is stronger and more devious than Haemosu ever was.  Jae is soon painfully reminded that by making an enemy of Kud, she has placed her closest friends in danger, and must decide how much she can bear to sacrifice to defeat on the most powerful immortals in all of Korea.

The Breakdown:
1. This book has a darker feel to it than Gilded had.  Jae has become more paranoid, rightly so, after the events in the first book.  Marc is far more protective of her, and as her best friend Michelle says, he is stalkerish at times in his worry about her. Plus there is the strain in the relationship between Jae and her father, who refuses to believe in the Spirit World and thinks that Jae needs therapy.  Of course, there is Kud is a much darker and crueler antagonist that Haemosu.

2.  Despite the the darker tone to this book, I think that it goes well for the progression of the story and the development of both Jae and Marc's characters.  They both learn what true sacrifice is in the this book, and that somethings there is nothing you can do to save the ones you love. Both have to make some pretty tough decisions.

3.  Farley introduces Kang-dae in this book, another Guardian, like Marc.  Not going to lie, I did not like him from the beginning.  At first I thought Farley was trying to force the whole YA love triangle by introducing him, but as the story progressed that did not really fit.  Although multiple times, he just gave me the feeling of being untrustworthy, and it seemed every time something from the Spirit World was warning Jae about danger, he was involved.

4. The darker tone of this book carries through the end.  There are definitely some heartbreaking moments during this story that a tissue is needed for.  I have the admit that I was a little surprised by the ending, and it will be interesting to see where Farley takes the next book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

ARC: The Novice

Debut author Taran Matharu's The Novice is the first book of his Summoner series.

When blacksmith apprentice Fletcher discovers that he has the ability to summon demons from another world, he travels to Adept Military Academy.  There the gifted are trained in the art of summoning.  Fletcher is put through grueling training as a battlemage to fight in the Hominum Empire's war against orcs.  He must treat carefully while training alongside children of powerful nobles.  The power hungry, those seeking alliances, and the fear of betrayal surround him.  Fletcher finds himself caught in the middle of powerful forces, with only his demon Ignatius for help.

As the pieces on the board maneuver for supremacy, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie.  The fate of an empire is in his hands.  

The Breakdown:
1. I really liked the concept behind Matharu story, but in someways if fell a little flat for me.  Matharu spends a lot of the first half of the book setting up the background and history of Hominum.  I feel like the way he did it that showed that he was a new author. That being said, I do think that the overall story was good, and the last half of the book was much better than the first half.

2. I did think that Matharu did a good job of developing Fletcher as a character.  He is smart, inquisitive, and kind, but does have flaws, like being a little bit of a hothead.  Matharu does use his questions at times to have other characters tell the history of their people, like the dwarves, and the laws for bastard children of nobles.

3. Matharu has definitely set up some interesting political situations with the dwarves and the elves, and things that some of the nobles are plotting.  There is a lot of potential in this series in the books to come.  Plus he ends this book with quite the cliff hanger, so it will interesting to see where the next book goes, and how these events effect his characters.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Pure

Jennifer L. Armentrout's Pure is the second novel of her Covenant series.

There is need. And there is Fate.  Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome-- especially when Alexandria's other half is everywhere she goes.  Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom-- so not cool.  Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden.  Or what he will do-- and sacrifice-- for her.  

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies-- lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon-- and Alex.  And if that  and hordes of aether-sucking monster didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude-- or killing her.  When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

The Breakdown:
1. In this book, Armentrout further explores the politics of the Covenant.  There is a serious division in the Pures on how to deal with Halfs, and whether the should be made equal.  Not going to lie, to see how the servant Halfs are treated is a little disturbing.

2. There is also the whole daimons making their move on the Covenant in this book.  It does leading to some pretty exciting things, including the appearance of the furies, and one tear-jerking scene, so have your tissue ready. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book after what happened at the end of this one.

3. As much as I loved Aiden in the first book, he made me a little angry in this one.  He is putting Alex through an emotional roller-coaster, one minute pushing her away, and the next showing so much care for her.  I get that he trying to protect her from a fate worse than death, but seriously stop being such a tool about it.

4.  Not going to lie, I don't trust Seth.  There is just something about him that seems so false.  I feel like he is hiding some major secrets, and using Alex for what she is going to become.

5. Oh and then there is a prophecy that the Oracle gives Alex in this book.  It really has me questioning everyone around her, since someone is playing both sides.  Does that mean the Pures and the Halfs, or does it mean the Covenant and the gods? Then there is the clues about Alex's father, and the Half servant that does not appear drugged, how are those going to be significant in the story? So many questions!

To Read or Not to Read:
Read