Talon

Talon by Julie Kagawa is the first book of the series of the same name.

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary soceiety of dragon slayers.  Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dargonkind.  Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon.  But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon change everything Ember has been taught.  As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular.  But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill.  Face with Ember's bravery, confidence, and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

The Breakdown:
1.  Talon is a book full of secrets.  Everyone has a secret, and it is pretty amazing to watch each character deal with their own secrets and how they play into the relationships between the characters.  Kagawa was excellent at keeping the surprises coming, and I loved reading as the story unfolded.

2. Ember is a wonderfully vibrant character.  She is so excited to finally have freedom, and to be a part of the world.  She really embraces life, and I loved reading about her enthusiasm for everything from surfing to video games.

3. Kagawa has set an interesting love triangle in this series, with two very different males.  First there is Garret, the human, whose life has been all about following the rules set out by the Order of St. George.  I enjoyed his character, and it was interesting to watch him deal with normal life and falling in love.  Then there is Cobalt/Riley, a rogue dragon, who left all he has known in Talon because he no longer believed in their cause.  I am very curious to see how these relationships will play out, especially since the human side of Ember is drawn to Garret and the dragon is drawn to Cobalt.

4. The things that Kagawa reveals at the end will make the next book interesting.  I am dying to know what side Dante will ultimately end up choosing.  He is such a straight laced Talon guy through out this book, I am dying to know how Ember's choices will affect him.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Bane Chronicles

The Bane Chronicles are a series of short series about Magnus Bane, Cassandra Clare's Warlock from her Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series.

Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices can get to know warlock Magnus Bane like never before in this collection of New York Times bestselling tales, in print for first time with an exclusive new story and illustrated material.

The collection of eleven short stories illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality, flamboyant style, and sharp wit populate the pages.

The Breakdown:
1.  Magnus Bane is a fabulous character, and it was exciting to read this stories that shed even more light on the High Warlock of Brooklyn.  I loved getting see different aspect of Bane's personality, and his adventures outside the both series.

2. I really enjoyed in The Midnight Heir getting to see Tessa and Will as parents.  It was fun to see how they had grown and how strong their relationship remained.  Although, I  was left wondering what happened after Magnus left London at the end of the story.

3. In the The Last Stand of the New York Institute,  the story presented the Valentine's Circle  at their prime.  It also give the glimpse of the start of the falling out between Lucian and Valentine.  Oh, and bonus at the end got to see Tessa post Will.

4. I think my favorite story was The Course of True Love (and First Dates).  It was Magnus and Alec's first date.  I loved getting to see them interact as a couple without any other of their friends or enemies around.  I found it fascinating to see Magnus a little unsure of himself, both in this story and in What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who has Everything.  Plus this story also gave a little insight to Alec's character and the way Magnus sees him is unique to his compared to his family and friends.

3.  I thought some the other characters where great to see including Ragnor Fell, Raphael Santiago, Camille, and Edmund Herondale, Will's Father.  Oh, and I absolutely adored Isabelle's attitude in The Voicemail of Magnus Bane.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Bones Never Lie

Bones Never is the latest in the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs.

Unexpectedly called in to the Charlotte PD's Cold Case Unit, Dr. Temperance Brennan wonders why she's been asked to meet with a homicide cop who's a long way from his own jurisdiction.  The shocking answer: Two child murders, separated by thousands of miles, have one thing in common- the killer.  Years ago, Anique Pomerleau kidnapped and murdered a sting of girls in Canada, then narrowly eluded capture.  It was devastating defeat for her pursuers, Brennan and police detective Andrew Ryan.  Now, as if summoned from their nightmares, Pomerleau has resurfaced in the United States, linked to victims in Vermont and North Carolina.  When another child is snatched, the reign of terror promises to continue- unless Brennan can rise to the challenge and make good on her second chance to stop a psychopath.

But Brennan will have to draw her bitter ex-partner out of exile, keep the local police and feds from one another's throats, and face more than just her own demons as she stalks the deadliest of predators into the darkest depths of madness.


The Breakdown:
1.  I am a big fan of Reichs' Temperance Brennan series.  The stories at fast paced thrillers that keeps me turning the pages and engaged in the story.  This story was no different.  This may have been my favorite book since Spider Bones.

2.   I thought that after Bones of the Lost, that Reichs was done with Detective Andrew Ryan, but I was pleasantly surprised when Ryan was back in full force.  She did well having a nice balance between the old Ryan and the Ryan changed by the death of his child.  Super excited about how Reichs ended between Tempe and Ryan.

3. I really loved the story in this book.  Reichs really kept me guessing what exactly was going on.  She had some pretty amazing twist to added to the story.  I love how Reichs takes time to explain when she introduces a new crime solving techniques, or in the case of this book, the process of getting the sugar from maple trees.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Save Me

Save Me is by debut author Jenny Elliot.

Something strange is going on in the tiny coastal town of Liberty, Oregon.  Cara has never seen a whale swim close enough for her to tough it- let alone know her into the freezing water.  Fortunately, cute newcomer David is there to save her, and the rescue to a bond deeper than Cara ever imagined.

But then she learns something about David that changes everything, and Clara is devastated.  She turns to her best friend for support, but Rachel has changed.  She's suddenly into witchcraft, and is becoming dangerously obsessed with her new boyfriend...

Cara has lost her best friend, discovered that her soul mate is off limits, and has attracted the attention of stalker.  But she's not completely alone.  Her mysterious, gorgeous new friend Garren is there her.  But is Garren possibly too perfect?

The Breakdown:
1.  Elliot had a so much potential with this story, but her writing missed the mark on several occasions.  The writing came off as choppy, and she had trouble bringing her plot points together at times.  It felt like she was trying to give this book religious undertones at times, but they got weighed down by her writing style.

2.  Elliot's character development needed work.  Most of the characters felt very one dimensional.  I felt like she never gave clues to David, Rachel, and Cara's full personality. Then there was Garren who was extremely wooden. The antagonist, Amber, felt almost like she was an afterthought to the story.

3.  Then there was the whole Grey whales and the Orcas. I got that Cara was  passionate about the Greys, but they did not seem to fit into the story well.  They were thrown in awkward moments.

To Read or Not to Read:
Skip this One.

Champion

Champion by Marie Lu is the final book in her Legend trilogy.

He is a Legend.

She is a Prodigy.

Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic- and each other- and now their country is on the brink of a new existence.  June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working withing the government's elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Dya has been assigned a high-level military position.

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic's border cities.  This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one knows the key to her country's defense.  But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.

The Breakdown:
1. Lu has written a masterful dystopian society trilogy.  She does so well of not only creating the society of the Republic, but also creates two other unique societies in the Colonies and Antarctica.  Plus she adds an excellent conspiracy in to keep me on my toes.

2. Lu writes such amazing characters not only in just June and Day, but her supporting characters do so much for the story. I loved both Eden and Anden.  Eden is absolutely fabulous in his love for Day, and the heroic thing he does for the Republic even after what it did him. Oh, and Anden, I was not sure how it was going to go with him, but I really liked him.  He went to amazing lengths not to be his father.

3. The relationship between Day and June is a beautiful thing.  They are a wonderful compliment to each other.  Lu writes some really touching moments between them.  Plus each is willing to sacrifice their own happiness to save the other.

4.  The story in this book is an amazing conclusion to the trilogy.  It is a page turner the whole book, and the ending was just perfect. I have to be honest, there were some tears shed in the end.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Promised

Promised is the finally book in the Birthmarked trilogy by Caragh M. O'Brien.

After defying the ruthless Enclave, surviving the wasteland, and overthrowing Sylum, Gaia Stone now faces her greatest challenge yet-- to lead the people of Sylum back to the Enclave and persuade the Protectorate to grant them refuge.  But in Gaia's absence, the Enclave has become even more ruthless, picking girls from outside the wall to serve in an experimental baby factory.  Babies with the right genes are now priceless commodity with the potential to reshape life inside the wall and redefine humanity.  The key to it all comes back to one fearless, young midwife.  When negotiations devolve into terrorist threats, Gaia finds herself at the crux of an insupportable decision.

As a leader, a woman, and an idealist in love, Gaia must decide if she can sacrifice what-- or whom-- she values most.

The Breakdown:
1. O'Brien start this trilogy so strong, but I really felt that it just fizzled out at the end.  This book felt super rushed and like she was trying to fit puzzle pieces in where they didn't belong. Plus she through in some really disturbing things happen to Gaia during progression of the story.

2. Gaia's character feels like she is devolving as a character, not evolving.  She makes some incredibly stupid moves.  I don't understand why she is surprised that the Enclave arrest her as soon as she gets back.  She committed treason in their mind, and defied everything they stood for.

3. I thought it was strange that O'Brien went to the trouble of introducing the new character of Angie, but hardly gave her any page time.  She had the potential to be an interesting character with the few tidbits that O'Brien threw out, but she just let the character fizzle out.

4.  I found that I did still loved Leon.  At times he seemed like the only character thinking straight.  He is the only one that seems to fully see the Protectorate for how ruthless he is from the beginning.

To Read or Not to Read:
Unless you are gun-ho to finish the series, skip this one.

The Kraken King

The Kraken King is the latest book in Meljean Brook's The Iron Seas series.

A former smuggler and thief, Ariq- better known as the Kraken King- doesn't know what to make of the clever, mysterious woman he rescues from an airship besieged by marauders.  Unsure if she's a spy or a pawn in someone's else game, Ariq isn't about to let her out of his sight until he finds out...

After escaping  her fourth kidnapping attempt in a year, Zenobia Fox learned to vigilantly guard her identity.  While her brother Archeimedes is notorious for his exploits, Zenobia has no adventure to call her own- besides the stories she writes.

But when she jumps at the chance to escape to the wilds of Australia and acquire research for her next story, Zenobia quickly discovers that the voyage will be far more adventurous than any fiction she could put to paper...

The Breakdown:
1. The Iron Seas is one of my favorite steampunk series.  I am was pretty excited to see that Zenobia was getting her own book.  Brook originally released this as a series of novella.  I am so glad I waited for them to be combined into the full length novel before reading because having to wait for the next release would have driven me crazy.

2. I loved that Brook introduced characters that grew up in the heart of the Horde, or Golden Empire.  Ariq was an amazing character.  I loved the way his mind worked, and how he direct with his words.  I enjoyed his background story, and learning his secrets as he learns  Zenobia's secrets.

3. I liked that Zenobia different from Brook's previous heroines in that she is not trained any sort of weaponry or fighting styles.  She is extremely smart and witty.  I thought the conversations between her and Ariq were so well written. I very much enjoyed all their interactions.

4. Not only was the romance between Zenobia and Ariq wonderful, but the story was fun and exciting. Their quest to discover the marauders and save Ariq's town from the Nipponese empire was full of interesting twist and turns.  Plus the fantastic settings of Krakentown and the Red City.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Kiss of Deception

Happy New Year!  And the first book of the new year is Mary E. Pearson's The Kiss of Deception which is the first book in The Remnant Chronicles.

A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide.  Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to distant village on the morning of her wedding.  She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive- and unaware that one is the  jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her.  Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets- secrets that may unravel her world- even as she feels herself falling in love.

The Breakdown:
1. Pearson weaves a intriguing tale with first loves, political agendas, and legends of old coming to life.  She does an excellent job of keeping me guessing who is who, and what their plans are for Lia. It is amazing how well Pearson does at keeping the identities of the prince and the assassin secret.

2. I really loved Lia.  She was vibrant and fun.  She has so much love to give, and it is a little sad that her parents never took advantage of that.  And those she loves, she is fiercely loyal to.  I adore the way she protected Pauline, and how close her was with her brother.

3. Part of my enjoyment in reading the book was the guessing game for over half the book on who who was the prince and who was the assassin of Kaden and Rafe.  As Lia falls for one of them, I was kept on edge trying to guess why her love was following her.  Pearson was masterful at keeping the identities hidden until the perfect moment.

4. I, also, loved that there is more going on in the story than Lia even guesses.  With the book she has stolen, she has others in her father's cabinet willing to kill to get it back.  Plus there are secrets to be learned from the book, and Lia has so much more to discover about herself.  I am excited to see where Pearson takes this series.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read