Author: Chelsea (Page 57 of 111)

BOOK REVIEW: Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1) by Kasie West

May 22, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1)
by Kasie West
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Knowing the outcome doesn't always make a choice easier...

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through... and who she can’t live without.

He grabs hold of my hips and pulls me forward. “You didn’t fail me tonight. You saved me. I must’ve looked like the biggest idiot.”

I shake my head no, his hands on my hips making my breath come in shallow sips.
“What’s wrong?” He asks.
“You’re confusing me.”
“Really? And here I thought I was making things more clear.”

Phew! Now that all of THAT is out of the way….lol….I feel like I can say what I want to say. Or maybe I’m simply stalling. Hmm. That seems more like me, doesn’t it? It’s not often that I am so confused and conflicted about a story that I go to sleep not knowing what to rate and then wake up and feel the same way. It’s more….was this a 3 star or 4 star quality book? And that is SUCH a hard question for me-Normally it’s easy as breathing.

“When I read, I feel emotion all on my own. Emotion no living person is making me feel…”

On one hand-it’s Kasie West. I mean, come on, there’s not one boy she has created that hasn’t made my heart erupt in the warm fuzzies. And it’s truly a wonderful feeling to finally meet the absolutely adorable Trevor I’ve been hearing about. So, it goes without saying that I loved the writing-as always.

My dad shakes Rowan’s hand. “You guys having a good night?”
Really? My dad is going to analyze Rowan’s answer to a question about enjoyment? I give him the are-you-serious? look and he gives the I-know-I’m-overprotective-but-you-are-my-only-daughter look back. How can I argue with that look?

But then there are all these negatives. These negatives that screamed at me from the moment she split her future in half to decide what was best for her. Fuck knows why I Am. Such. A. Freak. About time travel/fake futures yada yada. I have absolutely zero clue as to why I get so overwhelmingly depressed when it comes to false scenarios and interchangeable events-but I do. And not since All Our Yesterdays have I felt so worried and flighty as I read. You see, I like certainties. I like knowing the sky is blue (most days) and that the grass is green. I love knowing that I love steak, so guess what, I’ll always choose steak, or that chicken fingers, no matter my age, will always be my jam. I like knowing that I have Keaton every day, no matter what, by my side. And I sure as hell like knowing that if I invest time into a certain book scenario…that it well and truly exists. Is that weird? Well…whatever.

So when I realized that this book was split by her two possible futures, it immediately punched me in the gut. Not because it wasn’t well-written-it was. No, it got to me because I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she was falling in love with a guy (or two guys, if you wana get all technical about it), but really wasn’t. She just knew she would-If she chose that path. In fact, she was actually laying on her bed hanging out with her friend Laila.

And how can I fault a book for being exactly what it said it was? What right do I have to say I didn’t like it. It was executed beautifully (in my opinion-Kat may have other ideas- ‘s okay, Kat, you know more than me, anyway lol) and it made me smile when the two worlds would parallel the same event but in different ways. It was just sort of….cool. I liked it. So, see, it wasn’t the book’s fault that it was what it said it was. It’s my fault that I picked it up in the first place, because I just really think I need to add this to my (LONG) list of rules: No time travel or fake reality.

So, now that I got why I felt so negative from the beginning, it’s easier to break it down and say what really worked for me. I clearly wouldn’t let myself connect with anyone because I kept waiting for the inevitable ‘end of the vision’ moment, but when I finally let go, I started to finally devour it. But maybe a lot of that has to do with one certain boy…

“She loves to read, Mom. Like these really old, boring books. The ones Dad likes.” He points to the graphic novel on his desk. “Plus lame ones, like I do. And she’s not a huge football fan. I think she only tolerates it for our sake. She’s supersmart, my main competition in Government. And since coming into my room, she has probably had to stop herself several times from cleaning up the shoes spilling out of my closet.”

Ahhhh Trevor. So flippin’ cute. P.S. That’s another reason I wasn’t happy-I really really really reeeeeeaaaallllyyy wanted more Trevor time, but instead I had to share it with her other path. Bah. Screw her other path (barely refrained from an unnecessary expletive there…)!! I just wanted Trevor time. Sweet, funny, kind, and a total nerd, he was a perfect Kasie West book boy. And while we got very little of him (I think, but that’s a subjective opinion) I still felt the rightness of him down to my core. Oh wait, but maybe those were the barely sustained butterflies that wouldn’t explode until after 60%…

“In the six years I’ve had this ability, nobody has ever asked me that question. Nobody has ever thought they were negotiable.”
He takes a deep breath. “I want you to choose me, Addie,” he whispers. “I want this to be real.”

Now how is that last quote not supposed to rip me to shreds?! Come on. Ugh. So, no, this isn’t my favorite West novel. There was a lot of good and probably more bad, on my radar, but it doesn’t change the amount of feels I received in the end. I’m a sucker for badass endings, and this one was pretty flippin’ awesome. My heart was warm from the beginning, concerning Trevor. But after 60%, I finally got those explosive feelings (both good and bad) I am accustomed to getting when I pick up one of her stories, instead of the lukewarm base I started at. Anyway, I still don’t know if this is the right rating, but for now it will suffice. Please note use of the ‘Blur rating’ shelf. It comes in handy on all these super confusing matters of the heart.

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Buddy read with my Fab-tastic and wonderfully sarcastic Katerina and crazy Mela (whatever that means) 😛

BOOK REVIEW: Lion Heart (Scarlet #3) by A.C. Gaughen

May 20, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Lion Heart (Scarlet #3)
by A.C. Gaughen
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The eagerly-awaited conclusion to the Scarlet trilogy delivers another action-packed and romance-filled adventure.

Scarlet has captured the hearts of readers as well as the heart of Robin Hood, and after ceaseless obstacles and countless threats, readers will finally find out the fate of the Lady Thief.

Imprisoned by Prince John for months, Scarlet finds herself a long way from Nottinghamshire. After a daring escape from the Prince's clutches, she learns that King Richard’s life is in jeopardy, and Eleanor of Aquitaine demands a service Scarlet can’t refuse: spy for her and help bring Richard home safe. But fate—and her heart—won’t allow her to stay away from Nottinghamshire for long, and together, Scarlet and Rob must stop Prince John from going through with his dark plans for England. They can not rest until he’s stopped, but will their love be enough to save them once and for all?

***“I’ll never leave you,”* he told me, and I felt his arms on me. *“As long as you love me, I’ll be here, hidden somewhere in your heart.”***

I speak repeatedly of my all time favorite series. They have remained the same three since 2012/2013 and not much has touched them. It probably even gets to the point where people are like, yeah, dude, we get it, stop! But I think it speaks volumes when we can say that no other story touches us after 3 years even after reading, what, 100-120 books a year. Think about that. We meet couple after couple, star-crossed lover after star-crossed lover, see perilous scenarios and heart-breaking stories time and again, and yet those those three stories can’t be touched with a ten foot pole. My point in all this? Nothing has touched my top three favorite series of all time…..except this one. And that, to me, speaks louder than any words could.

What I’m trying to say is that this is now my fourth favorite series of all time. And. That. Is. Huge. You have no idea HOW huge. I don’t give away those spots easily. Something has to really claw into me for those spots to be given away, but my darling Rob and Scar have earned it. From their first tortured story to the final heart-wrenching finale, these two have not had it easy.

“Have you…” I drew a breath, trying to find the words. “When did you last-when did you see him?”
He swallowed. “A few weeks ago.”
I just looked at him.
“He…he would greatly benefit from hearing you’re alive,” he told me.
His careful words stabbed me. “He’s not doing well,” I said.

Book one was the one that got me, if I’m being honest. Actually, the most candid thing I could tell you is that once I finished book one, I was biased beyond compare. I don’t think there could be much that would have knocked this series down a peg. Book two, while so strong, didn’t touch book one-Gisbourne was a bastard who meddled heavily in their relationship, and we didn’t get as much one on one Rob and Scar time. So, naturally, I’d be pissy about that. But it’s more than that. From the moment we met them in book one, they only had eyes for one another…but they sure as hell wouldn’t admit it. Risking their lives to save one another, sacrificing all they had, doing all they could to keep the other alive-Come on, that’s a prime fucking story, guys. Action, conflicted and convoluted feelings, self-loathing, despair, a tortured (And I mean the best kind of tortured) hero, and a non-stop plot, I couldn’t breathe. So, yes, I was hooked from the beginning.

That’s not to say these last two didn’t have strong points, they did, but the first will always hold a very special place deep in my heart-after all, it got me addicted to this series, right?

In this story, Rob and Scar are separated by the hands of Prince John after View Spoiler » I think I had imagined the beginning of this book being different, but by them being apart for a little bit, the love they had for one another grew with each passing page, even as each day became harder than the last. My desperation to see Rob became this obsession, the rumors going around about Scar’s death causing me to panic for dear Rob’s sanity, seeing as he has been through so much and all he wants is her-No matter what. At all costs. He knows, in his heart, that there is no way she’s dead-So, her knowing this, she pulls a Scarlet and tries to make an escape so Little John isn’t lead to Nottingham, where Rob resides as View Spoiler »Sheriff. « Hide Spoiler She knows he would risk life and limb and burn down every town to save her, because his love for her is that strong. But what happens when running only makes things worse?

I pulled away from her.
He will die.
Rob’s face, frozen like View Spoiler »John Little’s « Hide Spoiler, with shock and sudden knowing, like he could see Death creeping toward him over my shoulder.
He will die.
Blood running out of Rob like a swollen spring river gone red.
He will die.
Rob’s blood staining the snow, staining the stones in the courtyard, staining my eyes.

This was a love story through and through. There was a lot of strategizing and tons of destruction, but through it all it was Rob and Scar still fighting and finding a way to ultimately be together. Rob was loyal, self-sacrificing, and perfect in this final installment. He took my breath away with his looks and love for Scar more than once. I was telling a friend yesterday that, yes, no one will ever take my number one BBF spot away, that spot is closed and vacuum sealed, but if these guys were real, and I had to choose one to marry, I really think Rob is that guy. I KNOW. That’s a bold statement coming from ME, but think about it: Heroic, tortured, self-sacrificing, loyal, kind, jealous, protective, and not a supernatural being…though, there’s an argument for those guys, too. And after I said it of course I was like, ‘Wellllll, but what about…’, so I am flighty about that. But, the point is, I said it. I thought it. Rob is a hero first and foremost, but Scarlet is his one and only, and his fierce and undying love and devotion to Scarlet makes it hard to breathe. If the writing isn’t for you in this series, that’s fine, but don’t go through life not meeting my dear, loyal Rob.

I pushed him back with a grin. “Posturing braggart, show-off peacock!” I accused.
“If by that you mean I’m the best damn archer you’ve ever seen and you’d like to reward me with a kiss,” he said, drawing me back to him. “Then I accept. And yes, I will continue to give you generous lessons to achieve my epic-nay, legendary-skill.”

The writing ~~were~~ was the same as always with it’s fun (though, in book one it took some getting used to, I thought it was a typo!) substitutions of ‘were’ instead of ‘was’ with a quick pace and vivid imagery. After I became accustomed to the style of speak in book one, I really came to adore Gaughen’s writing. It is addicting and flows seamlessly from page to page, making this an uputdownable page turner. So, while this style is a shock at first, it immediately becomes addicting in a way you would never imagine. I wouldn’t pass this one up because of that, but who am I to say? I already told you I’m horribly biased.

Even as the words left my mouth, they didn’t feel true. Rob’s and my love had always been made in the cracks, the jagged little edges that came from the ruin of something else. It were a place that weren’t supposed to be filled with love, but that’s how it had always been. Our love filled the broken bits and made us whole again. There weren’t no perfect time to love him, not ever, and it had always been with the threat of death and hurt hovering around us. And we’d love each other anyway. Sure, and true.

So, while this was my least favorite of the series, it still brought tears to my eyes and I gasped more than once. I still got butterflies every other page and the book was like a night-light from all the highlights (Cough, I highlighted most full pages in a rainbow of colors, cough) I used on my IPad. Just because I preferred the first two in no way lessens my affections for this book as a whole, it just had a lot to live up to. Scarlet was still Scarlet, doubting herself and putting the good of the people ahead of herself, and Rob was still Rob, self-sacrificing and all for Scarlet and starting their life together. I adored Much, just as I have from the beginning, and I was obsessed with his role in this final story. And I missed a certain character so much it hurt, and I didn’t realize I would until he/she was gone, forever snuffed from existence. So, I could keep going on and on and on even as I’ve lost many of you one paragraph three (Most likely earlier, but shut up, it’s my send-off to Rob), but that would be redundant. I love this series with my whole heart, and I am about to cry even as I think about posting this review, because I will never read a new story about Rob and Scar again….And I don’t want to say goodbye to all of these wonderful characters. But there’s one thing I’ll never stop doing: Re-reading this wonderful series from beginning to end, forever looping and repeating the moments where Rob and Scar realized they loved one another and risked it all to be together. That sounds like heaven to me.

Nuzzling against his head, I whispered to him, “This is freedom, Rob.”
Using our twined hands to tuck our arms close around my body, he murmured into my hair, “You were always my freedom, Scar.”

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Scarlet #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea Anna	Lady Thief #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Lion Heart #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

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Let me express my displeasure of having to wait….in Sailor Moon GIFs. Girl’s got some super canny facial expressions.

*Cue the lights*

That’s the end of book 2??

Hmph. Okay, I’ll just pick up book three-

WHAT?! 2015!!!!!????!!!!!!

You have GOT to be kidding me

Denial.

Yeah that’s cool. I’m fine….I’ll just sit over here and wait.

Seriously. I’m fine. Catcha later, Rob.

*And scene*

BOOK REVIEW: Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

May 19, 2015 / Chelsea / 2 Comments

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
If you could read my mind, you wouldn't be smiling.

Samantha McAllister looks just like the rest of the popular girls in her junior class. But hidden beneath the straightened hair and expertly applied makeup is a secret that her friends would never understand: Sam has Purely-Obsessional OCD and is consumed by a stream of dark thoughts and worries that she can't turn off.

Second-guessing every move, thought, and word makes daily life a struggle, and it doesn't help that her lifelong friends will turn toxic at the first sign of a wrong outfit, wrong lunch, or wrong crush. Yet Sam knows she'd be trulycrazy to leave the protection of the most popular girls in school. So when Sam meets Caroline, she has to keep her new friend with a refreshing sense of humor and no style a secret, right up there with Sam's weekly visits to her psychiatrist.

Caroline introduces Sam to Poet's Corner, a hidden room and a tight-knit group of misfits who have been ignored by the school at large. Sam is drawn to them immediately, especially a guitar-playing guy with a talent for verse, and starts to discover a whole new side of herself. Slowly, she begins to feel more "normal" than she ever has as part of the popular crowd . . . until she finds a new reason to question her sanity and all she holds dear.

Praise for Time Between Us
"A beautifully written, unique love story."
-Melissa Marr, New York Times best-selling author of The Wicked Lovely series

"A compelling story of love, fate, and consequences with plenty of sigh-worthy moments, this novel is the perfect choice for readers who want a romance that leaves them with something to think about when it's over."
-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A warm, time-bending romance [that] will have readers rooting for the couple that keeps daring fate."
-Publishers Weekly

"The story will hold readers with its twists and turns, present and future; its love, sadness, and anger; and especially, its surprising secrets."
-Booklist

"Romantic and passionate, Stone's debut novel is swoon-worthy...will resonate with readers who enjoy their romance mixed with adventure."
-School Library Journal

"Time Between Us is the very best kind of love story --heart-pounding, intense, and unputdownable!"
-Elizabeth Scott, author of Bloom and Perfect You

**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

If you could read my mind, you wouldn’t be smiling.

Sometimes a book just calls to you. Sometimes it consumes your every waking thought until you can finally pick it up. Sometimes…..when you get an opportunity to read a book before anyone else you realize just how lucky you are, because you just knew from the moment you saw it that it was going to be special, perfect, just what you’ve been dying to read. That’s exactly how I felt about this book-From the moment I saw this book, I knew I had to have it. There was just something about the blurb that spoke to me on a visceral level, and I knew that if I got it from the publisher, I’d love it. Not often do I like my ARCs…but from the moment I opened this book, it owned my soul.

This is a story about a girl with OCD. A girl who, for all intents and purposes, hasn’t told anyone about her condition. The dark thoughts that plague her mind daily make it difficult to function in every day activities that others take for granted. She struggles to maintain the facade of being a ‘normal’ girl around her popular friends who expect only the best from her, and she can’t find peace at night, so she has to take sleeping medications. Her nature is to latch onto something and grip it tight, to search and investigate until all outlets are exhausted and she has enough information to satisfy her hunger for any information concerning what she became obsessed with in the first place.

Then one day she meets a new friend, Caroline, and what she shows her will change her life. But at the head of Poet’s Corner (The place Caroline showed her) is a boy who doesn’t like her much, but she can’t seem to figure out why. She’s told she isn’t allowed to join the secret club, that she isn’t welcome. But Samantha knows in her heart that this club is just what she needs-she knows that it’s just the outlet her OCD and inner turmoils need and that it could possibly change the way she thinks every day-it might be the thing that helps her focus her thoughts and dilute the obsession she feels at every waking moment. So, she sets out to prove herself not only to the group, but to the boy who has shunned her without a backward glance. Why does he look at her like he can’t stand to be near her…and why does it bother her so much?

This book touched me so deeply. It isn’t simply that Samantha has OCD and struggles internally, it’s how she struggles. It’s the way it crushes her spirit again and again, yet she continues to fight and claw and strive to be the person she wants to be. She broke down so many times, yet she let no one see how broken she was. I loved that. I loved how strong her character was and how she never pitied herself…well, not a ton, anyway.

But what I loved most?? I’ll just come out and say it: AJ. I loved loved loved AJ. He was sweet, kind, thoughtful, and he induced so many butterflies that I was choking on them. I think there’s something to be said for a subtle, YA romance. Every look, every touch, every moment means something…it’s not fleeting and the romance doesn’t rely on sex or physical contact. We get to build a deep, meaningful relationship through words and crucial experiences. And when they finally do touch, kiss, or get physical?? It’s explosive.

Without being able to use quotes I feel a tad naked, but I think I said everything that needed to be said without them. I loved reading this story so much, and I was so so sad when it started to come to an end. AJ and Samantha were two amazing characters that I became viscerally attached to and I never wanted their story to end. It was beautiful, heartfelt, and I never once felt the writing was forced when it came to her OCD. It was as natural as breathing and the author’s words flowed so seamlessly that it became difficult to put the book down and separate myself from this amazing story. I am so appreciative I got this ARC, but I cannot wait to read the final work-I am pre-ordering the hardback as soon as I finish this review. I will definitely be looking at other works from this author and I will be re-reading this story over and over again. Every Last Word.

**I will be adding quotes once the book is released**

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MY FIRST NETGALLEY APPROVAL FROM DISNEY!!!

And wouldn’t ya know it, I really wanted this one XD

BOOK REVIEW: Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

May 18, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Neil Gaiman’s Stardust meets John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars in this fantasy about a girl caught between two worlds... two races…and two destinies.

Aza Ray is drowning in thin air.

Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live.

So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn't think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.

Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who’s always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia.

Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—and as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war is coming. Magonia and Earth are on the cusp of a reckoning. And in Aza’s hands lies the fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie?

“You hold no horrors for me.”

I’m not guna lie….this book is weird. Beyond weird. And it is what I would normally say was ‘too out there, for me.’ But, once again, a little birdie told me how amazing it was and hell, here I am again adding another favorite to my list. I think it’s safe to say that no amount of weirdness could have quelled my instant, butterfly-induced reaction to Jason and Aza’s heartbreaking friendship from the very beginning of this story. It was instantaneous, the visceral reaction I had to this guy, and very rarely do I fall so hard, so quick, for a dude. I mean, come on, they generally have to work a little bit for my affections. But, this book, breaking all of my carefully placed rules and guidelines, broke the barrier and became an instant-I need to re-read this immediately story, and, for that, I will never forget it.

I never thought this would happen.
I thought this would probably happen.
I knew this was coming.
I didn’t see this coming.
-Jason

While I don’t feel like I should say much, seeing as I don’t really know what all people are supposed to know, I have to comment on the two main characters and the attachment they have to one another. Being an outsider, Aza didn’t have many friends growing up. She has a rare disease they can’t even put a name to because no one else has it. Well, okay then. So, one day when little boy Jason meets little girl Aza, he knows he MUST meet her, despite being a bitey, mean specimen of a girl. I think it was this moment (Eh, okay, I loved him before but…) when I truly knew how much I loved Jason and Aza’s relationship. He knew he had to know her, and what followed after are years of amazing and adorable friendship. They speak in their own special way (as friends tend to do) and don’t care what anyone thinks of them, and it was beautiful to see the support he gave her. And omg-His note to her. I { } you more than ((([ ])))) The way they just know…God I love it.

I feel bitey. He should believe me. He’s the person who always believes me. I count on him to be my primary enabler of Vivid Imagination.

Another thing I absolutely adored was Aza’s unique voice. Being inside her head was just so funny. Every minute had me laughing or smiling because, I’ll say it, she’s abrupt and rude and, frankly, a bitch. But I loved this. She had so much snark and such a funny way of talking about her condition that it really just spoke to me and made it impossible for me to put the book down. One minute I was obsessed with Jason, but when he wasn’t around, I adored her voice, as well. This was just such a fun and different read, and I cannot wait to re-read this story again, in spite of the weirdness that ensued in the middle.

Bang, bang, you’re dead. Close your eyes and go to bed.

And that’s another thing. Right when I got to the middle, I lost all of my reading time. It was dreadful, and it horribly effected the story-Reading 10% at a time, with such a short book, is terribly distracting. And this is a lot of the reason why I MUST read this again soon. Too many wonderful (and not so wonderful) things happened that I felt betrayed by my own lack of time because I couldn’t give the story my full focus…this is one of my pet peeves, but, for once, I really mean it and will fulfill my statement when I say that I will be reading this again very, very soon.

I know that’s trite. Yes, I’m a reader. Kill me. I could tell you I was raised in the library and the books were my only friends, but I didn’t do that, did I? Because I have mercy. I’m neither a genius nor a kid destined to become a wizard. I’m just me. I read stuff. Books are not my only friends, but we’re friendly. So there.

So, yeah, I could go on and on and on about wild and weird things, but it would defeat the purpose of what I’m trying to do here-create an heir of mystery. Now, if you don’t like to stray into fantasy very much, I really wouldn’t read this story. While Jason and Aza’s relationship and the things that happened were enough to counteract the weird, for me, it might not be the same for you. Because…Birds. Yeah. So. Make a wise decision when you pick this one up. Nothing aggravates me more than someone saying they hated a book they damn well knew was going to be different-These people have only themselves to blame-plenty of people said this was odd, and you have been warned thusly.

No one asked ME when the lab published a paper in Nature and gave this disease my name. I would’ve said no. I’d like to have named my disease myself: the Jackass, or maybe something ugly, such as Elmer or Clive.

Now, I don’t know how I can so easily skirt around a subject and talk about a whole lot of nothing, but I sure as hell did it. So, pick this one up, don’t pick it up, just know, the writing is fresh and fun and the story is funny while being incredibly bizarre and a little bit heart-breaking. In a word?? It was wonderful.

BOOK REVIEW: End of Days (Penryn and the End of Days #3) by Susan Ee

May 13, 2015 / Chelsea / 2 Comments

End of Days by Susan Ee
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy.

After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

“It’ll be tough for them to take any action while I’m pummeling their faces. Disrespect will not be tolerated.” I half smile at him. “Because you’re all about respect.” He sighs as if a little disgusted with himself. “Lately, I seem to be all about you.”

Beautiful, mesmerizing, addicting….perfect. It’s no secret to anyone that knows me that this is my second favorite series of all time-not even close. I have fangirled about this series to friends and enemies alike, if only to spread a little more of the Raffe love-oh yeah, did I mention he’s my number one book guy?? EVER? Yeah, well, most people know that as well. But what most people don’t know, seeing as it’s my darkest secret, is that I was so terrified I’d hate this book that I almost wasn’t excited about it’s upcoming release. Yeah. Shocking. But as I picked this story up and began zooming through the story, pages of the book simply evaporated into thin air as if they were never there in the first place-I was a torrential reading storm. It was as if I had never left this world…and maybe I never truly have.

Sometimes, I wish I could take a vacation from myself.

What began as a story about an archangel losing his most coveted possession, his snowy white wings, and a girl taking him ‘hostage’ to get her sister back became an all out war between the two races. It’s almost as if Penryn was meant to run across the de-winging of my beloved Raffe all those days and nights ago. Humans are scared of angels. Angels believe man to be inferior and not worth questioning when told to slaughter them all. That is, until a certain cocky angel gets taken in by a stubborn and determined girl and they are forced to travel together for what they both want most. But what happens when what they want most becomes the one thing they were taught to despise: Each other.

He looks down at me with sincere eyes. “If I were human, I would have been the first in line for you…”

I’d have to say that, even through all the searching and war and battles, this has to be my favorite forbidden love story. And no, there’s so much more to this series than an angel bereft of his wings who has ‘secretly’ fallen for a daughter of man. I realize this. I’ve processed that. And my conclusion is this: While the story is amazing, unforgettable, and utterly epic, it wouldn’t mean half of what it did to me without Penryn and Raffe’s unattainable love for one another. They are by far the cutest, sweetest, fiercest enemies I’ve ever stumbled across, and I highly doubt I’ll cross paths with a couple that will ever mean more to me than them….and that’s a bold statement on my part: I’m the whore of ships.

He’s still scrutinizing my outfit. “Are you wearing men’s shorts?” “I guess so. But they fit.” “Whose are they?” “Nobody’s. I found them in a drawer.” He reaches over and pulls a thread off the frayed leg. It unravels, slowly winding it’s way around my thigh and incrementally shortening the already short shorts. “What would you do if you had to make a run for it?” His voice is husky as he stares, mesmerized, at the unraveling thread. “I’d grab my shoes and run.” “Dressed like this? In front of lawless men?” His eyes drift up to my midriff.

Every character was beyond wonderful in this story (main characters, let’s not be hasty). We got more Paige, some of Penryn’s crazy mom (Whom I absolutely adored in this installment), and some wonderful new Watchers. Each character added an intricate layer to the story that made it impossible not to fall harder and, in the end, they even added to Raffryn’s (YES, I WENT THERE-WHAT OF IT?) relationship. An amazing love scene is one thing, but added laughter, friendship, awkward instances, family love moments…that all makes it even better. One minute I’m swooning, then two seconds later I’m giggling and squeeing all at once (Keaton avoided me at all costs during this voyage through my beloved Raffe land-I was not to be trifled with as I fangirled openly) and unable to control the RIDICULOUS smile on my face.

The sun is beginning to set, adding a golden glow to the water. Wisps of mist begin creeping over the bay. It should be a peaceful scene, only my blood feels like it’s freezing by the second.

I can’t sign off of this series without saying something that is very important: Susan Ee is the Queen. Elaborate? Of course, my mistake. She’s the Queen of: Writing, characterization, gore, disturbing images, forbidden love, epic battle scenes, epic tormented love…. Need I really go on? This woman is my hero, from her creepy locust thingies that tore my heart out in book one to the creepy monster we see in the finale, no one has ever made me love evil (and now sometimes lovable, thanks to a certain sister) beings more than this author. She made me smile maliciously so many times I swear you could have caught me twirling my metaphorical mustache more than once in each installment. Breathless, heart-pounding, soul-crushing moments are her specialty, and I am in first in line when she serves them up…and no one is likely to take that accomplishment from her in my mind anytime soon (Kagawa is the only one likely on the same playing field, but I refuse to give either of them a step above the other-they’re both wonderful, sick, evil beings). Anyone over my fangirling yet? Too bad.

You don’t have to keep reading lol, but this is my final Raffe review and I will not stop before it’s all out.

Without his feathered wings, the angels won’t accept him. And regardless of what kind of wings he has, humans won’t accept him either. Uriel or someone in his crew once said that angels were made to be part of a pack, but no matter where Raffe goes, he always seems to be the outsider.

The way Raffe protects, takes care of, treats, saves, lives for Penryn shattered my heart into a million tiny pieces. The love he tries to hide so he can save his brethren throughout the series crushed my soul (in the best possible way). And the way he longs for Pen…..it made me so beyond happy I could barely breathe. Nothing compares to his jealousies, his devastation that he can’t be with her because it could never be in the world they live in. This installment capitalized on all those wonderful feelings we got from book one and multiplied them into this tragic and epic betrayal of what they both want more than their next breath-I teared up so many times it bordered on crazy. Even after they repeatedly say goodbye, is there a way to make it work?

I could not have loved this more. I don’t care about literally any of the flaws, any world-building faux pas my lovely and aggravating friends found to be incriminating, or any of the beyond disturbing and nightmare inducing images. Any flaw is minuscule to the immense enjoyment I found while reading this wonderful, addicting, and, again, UNFORGETTABLE series about a beautiful, tormented, and lonely angel who feels the only person he can trust in the world is the daughter of man who once took him hostage. Nothing compares to the feelings I got while reading this and I will perpetually re-read this series until I know it word for word and scene by scene. I would say, ‘Hey, you HAVE to read this,’ but everyone and their brother has read it. Dude, my GRANDMOTHER has read this and began this final installment yesterday, like me. What kind of person hasn’t? Do you live under a rock?? Bro, step it up! And seriously, Raffe, enough about the farming lol. That won’t win Penryn-we don’t live in 1950 (or whenever-psh).

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OMG SO PRETTEH!!!!!! AGHHHHHH!!!!!

RAFFEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! I NEED YOU, LIKE, YESTERDAY ♥

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Angelfall #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea Laura Anna	World After #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	End of Days #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

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BOOK REVIEW: Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1) by Kasie West

Synopsis:

He grabs hold of my hips and pulls me forward. “You didn’t fail me tonight. You saved me. I must’ve looked like the biggest idiot.”

I shake my head no, his hands on my hips making my breath come in shallow sips. “What’s wrong?” He asks. “You’re confusing me.” “Really? And here I thought I was making things more clear.”

“When I read, I feel emotion all on my own. Emotion no living person is making me feel…”

“In the six years I’ve had this ability, nobody has ever asked me that question. Nobody has ever thought they were negotiable.” He takes a deep breath. “I want you to choose me, Addie,” he whispers. “I want this to be real.”

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BOOK REVIEW: Lion Heart (Scarlet #3) by A.C. Gaughen

Synopsis:

“I’ll never leave you,” he told me, and I felt his arms on me. “As long as you love me, I’ll be here, hidden somewhere in your heart.”

Nuzzling against his head, I whispered to him, “This is freedom, Rob.” Using our twined hands to tuck our arms close around my body, he murmured into my hair, “You were always my freedom, Scar.”

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BOOK REVIEW: Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

Synopsis:

If you could read my mind, you wouldn’t be smiling.

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BOOK REVIEW: Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

Synopsis:

“You hold no horrors for me.”

I never thought this would happen. I thought this would probably happen. I knew this was coming. I didn’t see this coming. -Jason

I feel bitey. He should believe me. He’s the person who always believes me. I count on him to be my primary enabler of Vivid Imagination.

Bang, bang, you’re dead. Close your eyes and go to bed.

No one asked ME when the lab published a paper in Nature and gave this disease my name. I would’ve said no. I’d like to have named my disease myself: the Jackass, or maybe something ugly, such as Elmer or Clive.

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BOOK REVIEW: End of Days (Penryn and the End of Days #3) by Susan Ee

Synopsis:

“It’ll be tough for them to take any action while I’m pummeling their faces. Disrespect will not be tolerated.” I half smile at him. “Because you’re all about respect.” He sighs as if a little disgusted with himself. “Lately, I seem to be all about you.”

Sometimes, I wish I could take a vacation from myself.

He looks down at me with sincere eyes. “If I were human, I would have been the first in line for you…”

The sun is beginning to set, adding a golden glow to the water. Wisps of mist begin creeping over the bay. It should be a peaceful scene, only my blood feels like it’s freezing by the second.

Without his feathered wings, the angels won’t accept him. And regardless of what kind of wings he has, humans won’t accept him either. Uriel or someone in his crew once said that angels were made to be part of a pack, but no matter where Raffe goes, he always seems to be the outsider.

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I shake my head no, his hands on my hips making my breath come in shallow sips.
“What’s wrong?” He asks.
“You’re confusing me.”
“Really? And here I thought I was making things more clear.”

“In the six years I’ve had this ability, nobody has ever asked me that question. Nobody has ever thought they were negotiable.”
He takes a deep breath. “I want you to choose me, Addie,” he whispers. “I want this to be real.”

***“I’ll never leave you,”* he told me, and I felt his arms on me. *“As long as you love me, I’ll be here, hidden somewhere in your heart.”***

Nuzzling against his head, I whispered to him, “This is freedom, Rob.”
Using our twined hands to tuck our arms close around my body, he murmured into my hair, “You were always my freedom, Scar.”

I never thought this would happen.
I thought this would probably happen.
I knew this was coming.
I didn’t see this coming.
-Jason