ARC Review: Wicked Kiss

Title:  Wicked Kiss
Author: Michelle Rowen
Series: Nightwatchers #2
Release Date: Feb 26, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format:  eARC
Source: Publisher via NetGalley


Summary:

MY KISS CAN KILL.

I used to be ordinary Samantha Day, but that's changed. Now, after one dark kiss from a dangerous boy, I can steal someone's soul...or their life. If I give in to the constant hunger inside me, I hurt anyone I kiss. If I don't...I hurt myself.

Bishop is the one whose kiss I crave most, but if I kiss him, I'll kill him. Then there's another boy, one I can't hurt. One whose kiss seems to miraculously quell my hunger. They're both part of a team of angels and demons that's joined forces in my city to fight a mysterious rising darkness, an evil that threatens everyone I know and love. I just wonder if I'll be able to help Bishop-or if I'm just another part of the darkness he's sworn to destroy....

NIGHTWATCHERS

When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...


Review:

Wicked Kiss is the second installment in the mystical tale of the Nightwatcher series.  This is one series that you wont soon forget.  Wicked Kiss offers a variety of mystery, love and jealousy that will keep you guessing.  It is one of the best Fallen Angel series on the market.

Michelle Rowen makes her world of Fallen Angels and Demons come alive!  She writes her books with a beautiful and heartfelt imagination.  Its the kind of story that I want to read again and again.

Samantha has had a really hard time.  She still cares for Bishop but when she kisses him she hurts him.  However when she kisses his brother her hunger is sated.  This makes for an interesting beginning to a possible love triangle. 

Samantha learns more and more about what she is up against.  She takes a lot of turns while figuring out the truth about what is plaguing the city, but once discovered she knows that she has to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the ones she loves. 

Wicked Kiss is an emotional rollercoster that just keeps going.  I don't ever want this ride to stop.  While the end of this book cleans up nicely, I'm still hoping for an encore!! 

About the Author:

National bestselling author Michelle Rowen writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and young adult fantasy. She was the winner of the 2007 Holt Medallion for Best First Book and the 2009 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for Vampire Romance. Michelle also writes YA high fantasy as Morgan Rhodes.






Buy Links:

Amazon


Barnes & Noble

ARC Review: The Goddess Inheritance

Title:  The Goddess Inheritance
Author:  Aimee Carter
Series:  Goddess Test #3
Release Date:  February 2013
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Format: Ebook
Pages:  384
Source:  Harlequin Teen and Netgalley







Summary:

Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity.

Review:


Aimee Carter has created a masterpiece. The Greek Gods are incredible by right but when you have an author that can humanize them the way that she has then what you get is simply incredible.

This book was magnificent.  It had the humor, the danger, the bickering between every single God and Goddess.  It had relationship problems, love and oh did it have some raging hormones going on!  It just doesn't get much better!

Kate and Henry were phenomenal in this book.  They love each other and in comes through on every page. 

They now have a reason to fight in this war.  Kate has given birth to her son, Milo, only to have him taken from her by Calliope and Cronus.  They have to get him back no matter what because he is more important to them than anything else in the world.

Kate is a bit of a martyr in this book and she is willing to sacrifice herself over and over again to save her family, but what mother wouldn't?  She would have been better off to have talked about her plans with Henry.  If Henry had known what she had gotten herself into then things might have gone a bit differently.  Lives might have been saved.

Henry knows that Kate is planing to give herself over to Cronus to save her family but he know there is a better way.  He knows that while he might get Milo back there is no family without Kate and he will do everything in his power to save her and his son.

The other Gods and Goddesses have plenty of page time.  James is still there helping Kate every step of the way even when it gets him into trouble.  Diane, Walter and even Ava are also trying to help in any way they can.


The Goddess Inheritance is the final book in this series. 

Wait? 

What? 

No. 

I don't think its over!

Seriously after finishing this book I don't think we have seen the end of this gang.  There were several ways this story could continue on.  It could continue with Kate and Henry or maybe even have a few spin offs.  I mean come on James has to find his HEA and according to Kate he is supposed to do that within a short amount of time.  Ava's son Eros makes an appearance and I can see that story going somewhere.  So yeah I don't think that this lovely world will be ending anytime soon.  We just might have a longer wait than any of us had hopped for.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author:

 

 Aimée Carter was born in 1986 and attended the University of Michigan. She started writing at age eleven, focusing first on fan fiction and later on original work, and hasn't stopped since. The Goddess Test is her first novel.

 

Purchase:

 

 

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

 

  

 

 

 

 

Review: Dark Kiss

Title:  Dark Kiss
Author:  Michelle Rowen
Series:  Nightwatchers #1
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Format:  Paperback
Pages:  352
Source:  Purchased


Summary:

I don't do dangerous.

Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back.

Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me....

NIGHTWATCHERS

When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

Review:

This is the first book by Michelle Rowen that I have read and I am impressed.  The world building was completely unique.  I dont think I have ever read anything quite like it. 

Samantha is an anomaly in the world she just doesnt know it.  She gets her soul sucked out when she is kissed by her long time crush.  Now she is a gray.  She is overwhelmed by all of this but when she meets the dark and sexy if not a little crazy Bishop things start to make a little bit of sense. 

Bishop is an angel that is on a mission from heaven to stop the problem of the grays but when he fell from heaven something went wrong.  His mind is not quite right.  The only time he is himself is when Samantha touches him.   

They work together in this exhillartating tale of heroism and forbidden love.  Samantha helps him find the other angels and demons to help witht the mission.

My favorite character in this book is Kraven.  He is not only Bishops brother but also a demon.  He has secrets but seems to be a part of the team.

Overall I really enjoyed this book!  I cant wait for the next in the series because there is a bit of a cliffhanger. 

Review: Stolen Nights

Title:  Stolen Nights
Author:  Rebecca Maizel
Series:  Vampire Queen #2
Release Date:  January 29, 2013
Publisher:  St. Martin's Griffin
Format:  eARC
Source:  Publisher via NetGalley

Summary:

 

Lenah Beaudonte should be dead. But having sacrificed herself to save another, she finds herself awakening with strange powers that are neither vampire nor human—and a new enemy on her trail. In her vampire life, Lenah had thought that being human was all she ever wanted; but the human heart suffers pain, heartbreak and loss.

With her new powers growing and the dark force of the Nex after her soul, Lenah faces a choice: between the mortal love of gorgeous Justin, whose passion fed her human soul, and taking a different path to become the mistress of her own destiny, wherever that may lead...

 

 

Review:

Stolen Nights started off where Infinite Days ended.  Lenah is dealing with the fact that the ritual that was supposed to kill her didn't work and that that very same ritual left her soul mate Rhode alive as well, but this is the kind of magic that is never supposed to happen and there are consequences.

Lenah is given the choice to go back in time to where she was human girl where she will never meet her soul mate or stay in the present but not be allowed to be with him.  She chooses the present where she has her memories but can still see Rhode even if not in an intimate way.

This is a series that had me going though so many emotions it was incredible.  The love that these two share is beautiful.  The tragedy that befalls them is devastating and even the end we are left with uncertainty. 

Rebecca Maizel writes a twisted and complicated tale about what it is to love as a vampire and live with the desire to be human.  As soul mates Lenah and Rhode will forever be connected.

Sometimes love is so strong that it will defy even the hands of time.

We are left with one heck of a cliffhanger and I really hope we don't have a long wait for book three.

 

 

 

 

Buy Links:

 

Amazon

 

Barnes & Noble

 

Review: Finale

 

 

 

 

Title: Finale

Author:  Becca Fitzpatrick

Series:  Hush, Hush Book 4

Release Date:  October 23rd 2012

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Format:  Hardcover

Pages:  454

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary:

 

 

Will love conquer all?

Nora and Patch thought their troubles were behind them. Hank is gone and they should be able to put his ugly vendetta to rest. But in Hank's absence, Nora has become the unwitting head of the Nephilim and must finish what Hank began. Which ultimately means destroying the fallen angels - destroying Patch.

Nora will never let that happen, so she and Patch make a plan: lead everyone to believe they have broken up, and work the system from the inside. Nora will convince the Nephilim that they are making a mistake in fighting the fallen angels, and Patch will find out everything he can from the opposing side. They will end this war before it can even begin.

But the best-laid plans often go awry. Nora is put through the paces in her new role and finds herself drawn to an addictive power she never anticipated.

As the battle lines are drawn, Nora and Patch must confront the differences that have always been between them and either choose to ignore them or let them destroy the love they have always fought for.

 

 

Review:

This is the final installment in the Hush, Hush series and I found that I was extremely sad to let this world go.  I have really gotten attached to Patch and Nora.

This time around we find Nora and Patch finally working together.  The whole world thinks they have split up and it shakes everything up on both sides of the war.  No one knows what is going to happen if Nora cant change the course of things.

There is a ton of action in this book.  Even the romantic stuff has you wondering what is going to happen next.  We get a good dose of fighting and confrontations too and a huge betrayal that you wont see coming.  This is one of those books where you might not be sitting on the edge of your seat but you are trying to figure out the mystery the entire book.  Nothing is revealed until the perfect moment.

In the end Patch and Nora sacrifice everything for each other. It truly is a romantic love story of forbidden love and overcoming all odds for true love.  Its about learning that the small moments are the ones that will last you to the very end.

If you are a fan of fallen angels and epic battles then this one is for you!

 

 

Purchase Your Copy Of Finale

 

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Books A Million ~ Simon and Schuster

 

Help spread the word about Poison Princess!
 

 Grab the countdown widget below and be entered to win a new Ipad or a new ereader.

Go to The Arcana Chronicles for more details on how to win!

New Young Adult Series by Kresley Cole

Poison Princess

The Arcana Chronicles #1

I know this doesn't come out until later this fall but I just couldn't wait any longer to tell you guys about it!

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. 

 Poison Princess is going to top every single chart!! If you are in doubt about reading it don't be. Go preorder in 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!

This is by far the BEST young adult book that I have ever read!

Description from The Arcana Chronicles website:

In her young adult debut, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces a dark and intriguing world, full of unspeakable danger and irresistible romance.

22 Arcana cards. 22 young assassins. May the best hand live.

Sixteen-year-old Evie Greene’s horrific hallucinations predicted the apocalypse, and the end of the world brought her all sorts of new powers. With the earth scorched and few survivors, Evie teams up with handsome and dangerous Jack Deveaux in a race to find answers. They discover that that an ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of teens have been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side…

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

Preorder

at

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books A Million

Simon and Schuster

Help spread the word.  Grab the countdown widget from my left sidebar!!



Review: The Golden Lily

Title:  The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)

Author:  Richelle Mead

Release Date:  June 12th 2012            

Publisher:  Razorbill

Source:  Purchased

Hardcover:  418 pages

 

 

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

Review:

The Golden Lily was beautifully written and full of entertainment.  I really enjoyed it.  It seemed to me that is was a bit of a bridging book.  It helped to clear up any questions from Bloodlines while setting the scene for the third book The Indigo Spell, which I assume will be an action packed, sit on the edge of your seat and stay up all night to finish kind of book. 

 

 

The character development was intense.  I really enjoyed watching Sydney grow as a young woman.  She tries so hard to do her job but she has too good of a heart to turn her back on those she has grown to love.  She does love all those vampires even if she wont admit it. 



I think that Sydney having to do magic was epic.   I liked that her teacher took a round about way of having her learn magic and I was happy to see Sydney complete the spells on her own.  That girl needs to let go of other peoples beliefs and learn to stand on her own two feet.  She is so smart and I think as the series progresses we will be seeing her become a force to be reckoned with.


Adrian was as handsome as ever and I loved watching all his feelings play out!  He seems to have grown the most.  I really hope that he learns to stick to his commitments.  He has the ability for greatness and I cant wait to see how he gets there. 



You can tell that he is falling for Sydney but it kills me that she is so oblivious about relationships.  I cant wait until they get together.  I will be thrilled to see Adrian happy.



We learned a lot about the Vampire Hunters and what they plan to accomplish.  I think that it was an interesting twist to bring in the hunters.  The fact that they used to be a part of the Alchemist team just makes for perfect drama. 


The Golden Lily wasn't as action packed as the previous books but it was a fun and adventure filled read.  I cant wait for The Indigo Spell which is the next installment in the Bloodlines series.

Review: Before I Wake

Soul Screamers #6

Paperback

339 pages          

June 26th 2012            

Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

I died on a Thursday-killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it. The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school... 

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend. But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life....

Review:

Before I Wake was just AMAZING.  Kaylee has become this incredibly strong women and I am so proud of her.  She has a series of ups and downs through out this book and I loved it.  She feels everything whole hearted and that is what makes her so great.  

Then there is Tod!  Tod is sweet, strong and completely in love with Kaylee.  He has already offered up his life for hers and he would do it again and again.  He is the only thing keeping Kaylee connected to her humanity.   I swear I love Tod just as much as Kaylee does.  He is why she keeps moving forward.  I was so excited that they finally moved their relationship to the next level.   He offers her sanctuary in this book and I see them having a great future together.

The action was great.  I never expected the Hellions to figure out a way to cross over to the real world.  This changes all the rules.  People die this time and it takes its toll on everyone.  There are deals being made and truths being revealed.  All Hell is about to break loose. 

Before I Wake was an emotional roller coaster for me.  One minute I was wanting to smile and laugh the next I was grabbing the tissues.  Then there were several time that I was mad enough to go up against a Hellion myself.  I loved it!!

Before I Wake is the sixth book in the Soul Screamers series. There is only one book left until it is over. I have grown to love all the characters in this series and I hope they all get happy endings.  Who knows maybe we will get a spin off?

I cant wait for the next book With All My Soul

 All I can say is...

Watch Out All Hellions!!

 Kaylee is pissed off and about to kick some ass.

ARC Review: The Goddess Legacy

Young Adult
July 31st 2012
Harlequin Teen
ARC from Netgalley
Ebook
395 pages






Summary:

For millennia we've caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus. Now Aime e Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.

Calliope/Hera represented constancy and yet had a husband who never matched her faithfulness....

Ava/Aphrodite was the goddess of love and yet commitment was a totally different deal....

Persephone was urged to marry one man, yet longed for another....

James/Hermes loved to make trouble for others-but never knew true loss before....

Henry/Hades's solitary existence had grown too wearisome to continue. But meeting Kate Winters gave him a new hope....

Five original novellas of love, loss and longing and the will to survive throughout the ages.


Review:

The Goddess Legacy exceeded all of my expectations.  This is a book with five back stories.  I think that when authors try to blend that many stories together sometimes the stories just get lost.  Aimee Carter is not one of those authors.  I have never read a multiple back story book that was written so seamlessly.  This was just magical.  I loved every second of this book.  I really felt like I could connect with each and every character.  It made me understand the choices that I have seen them make throughout this series.  I look forward to seeing what will happen as this series progresses.

Hera/Calliope:

This book takes us back thousands of years to start with our most hated character Hera/Calliope.  I never expected to like Hera but after seeing all of her pain, well I still don't like her but I understand her a little more.  Hera's biggest problem is her pride.  She is in love with Hades/Henry but winds up married to Zeus because she felt that he had changed and she believed that he would keep his promises to her.  Zeus had promised her the world and while for a while he delivers it was only a matter of time till his true colors showed.  Her was unfaithful to her and winds up stripping her of everything she has ever loved.  She begins to hate everything and everyone over the years.

Aphrodite/Ava:

Next comes Aphrodite/Ava.  She is the goddess of love.   She falls in love with Hera's son Ares even though she has been promised to Hephaestus by Zeus.  Ares and Aphrodite run away together to a remote island to be together.  After a few years and one son later Ares decides he must return to his duties as the god of war.  He leaves and Aphrodite is left alone till she rescues a shipwrecked mortal.  While she nurses him back to life she realizes that she needs to be with someone who can understand her for who she is.  Hephaestus winds up becoming that man for her.  He agrees to marry her even if she chooses to have affairs with others, which she does, a lot.  Aphrodite went though a lot in this book but in comparison to the others she seems to have it made in Olympus.

Persephone:

Persephone's Story is tragic.  She is a young women betrothed to Hades.  She has known him her whole life but only as a friend.  She doesn't want to marry him but Zeus and her mother Demeter demand that she go through with it.  After a very horrible wedding night she realizes that it will never work and she leaves.  Once back on Olympus Zeus demands she return to her duties as Queen of the Underworld.  She resents being stuck in the underworld and in a attempt to make her happy Hades grants her six months on the surface every year to do whatever she would like.  She winds up spending those months having an affair with Hermes/James. 

Hades/Henry is heartbroken by the affair but says nothing.  Once Persephone learns what an affair feels like she promises to never cheat on Hades/Henry again.  She keeps that promise for many years but then she falls in love with a mortal and when that mortal is killed she gives up her immortality to spend their afterlife together. 

I found that Persephone is hard to dislike.  She is stubborn and a little selfish but she does care about everyone.   She could not break the wall in her heart that blocked Hades/Henry and even though we were never told why I think Hera had everything to do with it.  I hope we get to see more of Persephone in future books.

Hermes/James:

Poor, poor Hermes/James.  He has been outcast from his family ever since Persephone gave up her immortality.  He loved her and hates what happened but is was his choice.  He just wants to have a family again. 

The council realize that Gods and Goddesses are fading and they don't know why.  Hermes/James heads to the surface to find the answer.  He is led to a girl named Tuck.  She has run away from the evil Earl and she has banded together with three other boys.  Hermes/James quickly realizes that she has no idea who the Gods are and it quickly becomes clear that the Gods are fading because the mortals have forgotten them. 

Hermes/James finds a sort of family with Tuck and the band and decides to stay with them.  The band gets captured by the Earl and just when Hermes/James gets ready to rescue them Zeus pulls him back to Olympus and forbids him from going back.  Hermes/James loses everything in this story.  I really hope we get to see a happy future for him in the next book.


Hades/Henry:

Last but certainly not least we hear Hades/Henry's story.  Henry is my favorite because he has such a pure heart.  He loved Persephone with everything he had and when she gave up her immortality it nearly ruined him.  He decides to fade but eh council demands one more century to find him a new queen.  It starts with Ingrid a seven year old orphan who he befriends.  Once she becomes of age he tells her the truth about who he is and the tests begin.  Before she can complete her test to become a goddess she is murdered.  Hades/Henry is devastated however they must try again.  Ten more times they try and ten more girls die.  He says he wont do it anymore but then Demeter/Diana convinces him to let her go to the surface to be a mortal so she can have another daughter.  This time her daughter will have a choice.  That daughter turns out to be Kate.

ARC Review: Throne of Glass

Young Adult

ARC ebook

350 pages

August 7th 2012

Bloomsbury Children's Books

Summary from Goodreads:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.


Reveiw:

I'm going to try to keep this spoiler free.

I will be honest I didn't think I would like this book very much so you can understand my surprise when I realized that I LOVED it.  The whole idea for this story is truly amazing.  There is a young girl named Celaena that has been forced into being an assassin at a young age.  She is then betrayed, captured and sent into slavery in a salt mine to die.  She gets a reprieve when the Crown Prince shows up to offer her freedom in exchange for her to compete in a competition to become the Kings Champion. 

Once she gets to the castle everything changes.  We get to see a side of Celaena that is a bit more relatable to.  Even though she is an assassin she is still just a girl.  She wants to forget about her past, have friends and fall in love.  I just feel so badly for her. 

There is a small love triangle that forms but I find that it was done very well.  Both men are amazing and I didn't find that I picked a side.  I love them both and I feel like I will be happy no matter who she chooses.

Once the competition gets started champions begin to get murdered.  Even though Celaena is scared for her life she begins to research how they die.  It is something evil.  Magic is still alive in this world.  It gave the novel a wonderful twist.  I believe that Celaena has some magic in her blood and I cant wait to find out what happens next in her story.

There is such a large mix of things going on but Maas tells the story impeccably.  I truly recommend this book to everyone.  I think that whether you like paranormals, romance or even contemporary books you will love Throne of Glass.  It has a little something for everyone!!

*I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Guest Review: Pushing The Limits

I want it introduce Joanna Martin to you today! She has wrote a review on Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry. I hope you enjoy! Lets be sure to leave her some comment love!

Young Adult

ARC

384 pages

July 31st 2012

Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:


So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible. Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

Joanna's Review:

This book was above and beyond what I thought it was going to be.  Even though the book took place in a senior year high school setting it was relatable to even myself that has not been in high school for almost 10 years!

She kept you wanting to keep reading to find out what really happened to Echo.  There were also circumstances in the book that everyone has experienced in one way or another to make you feel even more connected to the characters.  She even wrote it to where you experienced life lessons such as “not judging a book by its cover” (no pun intendedJ).

I would recommend this book to anybody and can’t wait to read the story she is writing next about Beth called “Dare to you”.  I’m sure it will be just as thrilling and will draw me in as much as this one!

Pushing The Limits will be released on July 31, 2012.

You can preorder your copy at Amazon or Barnes and Noble

Cover Reveal: Stolen Nights

Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel

February 5th 2013

I really like this cover.  It is a big change from the first cover.  I love that the dress is all smoky and that the girl is barefoot. 

What do you think?  Do you love it or hate it?

Review: Intangible by J. Meyers

Young Adult

Ebook

264 pages

January 31st 2012
Self Published






Summary from Goodreads:

Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.


Review:

I was asked by J. Meyers to read and give a honest review of her book and that is what you are going to get today. Meyers has just made it to my top ten favorite authors list. She writes with such a new and unique voice. I just cant get enough.

Intangible sucked me in before I could finish the first chapter. Sera and Luke are just an amazing set of twins with the coolest powers. They are Gifteds. Sera can heal and Luke sees the future but there are consequences that go with not understanding where their powers come from or how to control them.

Luke keeps having a vision where Sera dies. He knows that he is powerless to stop it but that doesn't mean he isnt going to try. Sera learns that she can change a vampire into a human again with her healing power but the vampire leaders are not very happy about this. They want her dead.

The secondary characters in this novel are what really set this book apart from the masses. Marc is so intriguing. I feel so badly for him but I'm wary of him all at the same time. He is such a sweet guy but I just think he is wrong for Sera. Fey is the big sister type with a big secret but I think Luke might have some romantic feelings for her. I hope to see that relationship develop more in the coming books.

My favorite character is Jonas. He is a vampire with a little bit of humanity left in him. I found myself looking forward to moments when he would make an appearance. I loved that he is afraid of Sera changing him into a human with her touch but will still hold her hand to lead her through the dark no matter what.

I loved the flow of this book! It changes perspectives fluidly which was very refreshing. I loved that we could go from person to person to see what they see and to feel what they feel. I felt like I really got to know every ones inner workings that way.

The Realm was impressive. It is a parallel world that the non humans live in. The description was so vivid. I felt as though I was there myself. I enjoyed the vampires, dark elves and light elves. It was a very different concoction that was just inspiring. I hope we get to spend more time in the Realm. (cough, cough, with Jonas! cough)

No spoilers but the end of this novel opens up a world of questions for me. I think we will be seeing great things in the future for Luke and Sera. I really hope we get several more books. Thank you J. Meyers for such a wonderful read!

5 STARS

Review: My Soul To Lose

ebook

87 pages

July 1st 2009

Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it's the worst day of her life.
Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.
She tries to convince everyone she's fine--despite the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities....
"An eBook exclusive prequel to Rachel Vincent's SOUL SCREAMERS series."



Review:

I loved the suspense in this prequel.  It's supposed to be just a fun day shopping but everything goes wrong with Kaylee see a shadow surrounding a boy.  She starts screaming and cant stop.  The screaming lands her in a mental institution for having panic attacks. 

Rachel Vincent never tell us what Kaylee is.  Kaylee's aunt and uncle are hiding something from her but we don't find out what.  Most of this story takes place in the mental instituition while Kaylee is trying to figure out what is wrong with her if anything.  Mostly she just wants to go home. 

She meets a very strang girl named Lydia while there and while they dont really become friends in the end she really helps Kaylee out.  There is something special about Lydia but we dont find out what she is either. 

This one is just full of mysteries but I am glad I started this series with this novella.  It really helps fill the gaps in the rest of the series. 

3 STARS