ARC Review: Mystic City

Title: Mystic City
Author: Theo Lawrence
Release Date: October 9th 2012
Publisher:  Random House Children's Books
Format:  Hardcover
Source:  ARC from NetGalley
Pages: 352







Summary from Goodreads:

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.

Review:

Wow!  Just Wow!  Mystic City was an exhilarating ride from beginning to the end in this tale of a modern day Romeo and Juliet.  Aria and Thomas are star crossed lovers from feuding families.  The only problem is that Aria has no memory of Thomas.

Aria has been told by her family that she is desperatly in love with Thomas and that this marriage will end the feuding and unite the families so that they can gain complete power over the city. 

When she finds that no matter what she does she still can't remember she decides to fall in love with him all over again.  The problem with this is that he seems distant and doesnt seem to really like her all that much.  So when she finds herself in trouble in the Depths and a strange mystic boy named Hunter comes to the rescue she can't seem to stop thinking about him. 

Hunter is a rebel Mystic.  He has full access to his powers not to mention that he is incredibly cute!  He is sweet and charming and he proves that he would do anything for Aria no matter what the price is.  He loves her.  His only problem is trying to find a way to make her remember what she has lost.

I think that the political aspect of this book was really fun to watch play out,  I liked the family drama but the romance is what really made this story come alive.  Mystic City was everything I could have hoped for.  This truly is a forbidden romance with a twist that just leaves you wanting more.  I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book!

 

 

 

 



ARC Review: Poison Princess + Ipad contest

 

Title: Poison Princess

Author: Kresley Cole

Release Date: October 2, 2012 

Publisher:   Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Source:  ARC won (thank you Mundie Moms)

Hardcover:  384 pages

She could save the world—or destroy it.

Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can’t do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side… “

Review:

I managed to get my hands on an ARC of Poison Princess and can I just say that this may very well be the best and most original book that I have ever read.  Kresley Cole has created this amazing post apocalyptic world where 22 real kids have superhuman powers.  They each represent a card from a tarot deck.  The kids find that they have to form alliances to win each hand against their enemies.  However in the end only one "card" can win the war. 

This book is so intense you will find yourself holding your breath and gritting your teeth while each scene plays out.  There are so many twists that I couldn't find it in my power to put it down for even a second.  I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat constantly wanting to know more.  The mystery surrounding the Arcana was just too intriguing.  I have never read anything like it.

Kresley Cole has created some amazing characters.  They are easy to relate to.  Evie is this helpless girl that can't do anything for herself and Jack is this tough guy who will stop at nothing to protect her.  The chemistry between Jack and Evie is simply combustible. Their banter is fun yet so serious.  When Jack speaks you are left with no choice but to listen.  I have to be honest I never knew that Cajun French could sound so sexy!  Jacks accent was enough to make my heart flutter.  Yes that's right I hear characters speak when I read!   That's normal, Right?

As Evie grows into her power as The Empress she starts to change.  Suddenly she finds that she is not so helpless anymore.  She has an affinity for plants which she uses to protect herself.  As she gets stronger and starts to learn more about who she is she keeps Jack in the dark about what is going on with her because she is afraid of what he would think. 

There is some serious sexual tension between the two of them and I think it is more than just the fact that Evie is one of the last surviving girls on the planet.  Jack gets so frustrated with her but I think it is because he is falling in love with her.  He knows that he has to protect her at all costs even when she doesn't think she needs protecting. 

I wonder if Jack and Evie are going to save what's left of the world or if the world is going to tear them apart.  The future of Jack and Evie has yet to be seen.

The other Arcana cards that we met in this book were equally interesting.  Selina is The Moon, the bringer of doubt.  She has amazing archery skills but she isn't telling anyone the truth about what she knows.  Matthew is The Fool.  He sees visions of the past, present and future but he speaks in riddles so he is little help right now.  Finn is The Magician.  He can go around undetected which allows him to score supplies that help to keep everyone alive.  They all play a role, I'm just not sure yet who is on which side of the deck.

I cant wait to see what is going to happen in the next book.  Poison Princess is going to top every single chart!!  If you are in doubt about reading it don't be.  Go pre order it right now.  You are going to devour this book in just a few short hours and when its over your going to be left wanting more! 

 

 

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole will be released on October 2, 2012.

Preorder

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Review: Word and Breath

Title: Word and Breath
Author: Susannah Noel
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Source: Review copy from Author 

Format: Ebook

Summary from Goodreads:

Riana has learned how to stay out of trouble. She spends her days studying written texts in the government’s Office of Readers, and she spends her nights taking care of her sick sister. She always—always—follows the rules. Despite her low profile, she has mysteriously become a target. Someone has kidnapped her sister. Someone else is trying to kill her. And someone has sent a Soul-Breather to beguile her out of her secrets.

Her help comes from the mythic leader of an underground rebel movement. A man who used to be her friend. A man who has silently loved her for years. He disappeared from her life without a word, and now he expects her to trust him again.

Then there’s the Soul-Breather, a man who can taste her spirit with only a touch. He makes her feel things she’s never experienced before, but she doesn’t know if the feelings are real. Hired to deceive and betray her, he offers to help her instead.

Without both men, she can’t rescue her sister. And she can’t discover the world-changing knowledge—buried in her memory—that has made her a target in the first place.

Review:

Word and Breath is unlike any book that I have ever read.  The layers in this book were just remarkable.  Susannah Noel did her homework when writing this novel.    The world that she created was dangerous and fun all at the same time.  Her characters were witty, charming and just plain fantastic. 

While I was reading this book I felt like I was watching one of those old time black and white movies set in a dystopian world.  The suspense was slowly killing me while I was reading.  Even when I thought I had it all figured out something subtle would happen that would change it all.  Everything and everyone is revealed at just the right moment.  Even the bad guy has a noble motive!

I don't think I have ever been so engulfed in a story.  I felt like I was right there and I even tried talking to the characters more than once to give advise on what I thought they should do next.  Good thing they didn't listen to me.  I would have gotten everyone killed!  (Yes that's right I was talking to fictional characters in a book, but they didn't talk back so I guess I'm still okay!)

The paranormal aspect of the book came in the form of a Soul-Breather.  This is a new species to me but I quickly fell in love with them.  The idea of being able to taste someones spirit with one touch was sexy as hell.  I loved it!

Word and Breath is filled with mystery, suspense and lots of romance.  I am impatiently awaiting the next novel in this series.  I have to know what the answers are and how this amazing group of people are going to change the world.