Category: Review (Page 219 of 295)

BOOK REVIEW: The Wicked Will Rise (Dorothy Must Die #2) by Danielle Paige

August 10, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

The Wicked Will Rise (Dorothy Must Die #2)
by Danielle Paige
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In this dark, high-octane sequel to the New York Times bestsellingDorothy Must Die, Amy Gumm must do everything in her power to kill Dorothy and free Oz.

To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die...

But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?

When you claim your name, what will it be?

I think there’s a certain standard in which second books are expected to live up to. In no way is it fair, because, especially with me, the first book in a series is always leagues above the rest-it’s just the way it is. When I fall in love with a series, it’s no light thing. I become obsessed and nothing is likely to please me any time soon. That being said-I have high standards. After devouring a 100% 5 star book, I want the same superiority of action and angst in book two. Sadly, though, this rarely happens. And I’m just going to come right out and say it: Compared to book one-a now absolute favorite of mine-this book paled in comparison.

Some people spend their whole lives searching for the one thing that they can do to say, I changed the world. I had found that thing. I might not be able to accomplish it, but I was going to die trying. So call me selfish.

Second books aren’t all bad, though. They get a bad rap, sure, but there are many good things that come from them, as well. Sometimes it’s the opposite, actually. There have been a few times when the second book by far outshines its predecessor and makes up for boring build-ups with no results. In this case, though, I definitely was missing….something. And while that’s not always a problem, it was in this case-for me.

It was frustrating that everyone was so convinced that I had this great potential to be evil, when all I’d done was show up, get thrown in the dungeon by Dorothy, and then follow the Order’s instructions pretty much exactly. I’d fought for what I thought was right. For what I believed in. And now even people like Lulu-people who were supposed to be on the same side as me-seemed suspicious of me because of it. It all felt a little unfair.

One: The action. My God I missed the action. There was plenty, I suppose, but the level of intensity was severely lacking based on what I know this author can do. For example, in book one, not every scene was full of fights and battles, but there was just this level of dread with each passing chapter that brought forth a sense of doom and foreboding that made you feel as though something terrible could happen at any minute….whereas in this story it was all build up. It was book two hell, if I’m being honest. With all that foreboding and dread in book one, when a battle scene would actually happen it was like when you poke a hole in a balloon-it was as though this pressure that had been pressing down on your chest was finally released and you could just breathe, because it had finally happened. But it was so intense that you didn’t care if you were breathing at all, anyway, because wasn’t this exactly what you’d been waiting for? It was the sweetest of evils. In this book, while the action scenes were epic in their own right, they were few and far between and I almost felt….sad….when they happened because I knew there wasn’t much left of the book….and I never felt my breath release like I wanted. Which brings me to my next point.

I may not have known how I was doing it, but every time I rose back up, reshaping myself into my own form, I knew what I was doing when I was under there. I was touching the darkness.

Two: The length. Talk about wanting to cry…I almost started bawling-no joke-when I saw how short this book was. It was barely even (if at all) half the length of the first book. And the first book was The perfect length, by the way. It was perfect because of how wonderfully paced everything was-every little part had ample time to unwind, to grow, to pull you deeper-you never wanted to stop reading. Never once did it feel rushed, overdone, drawn out, NOTHING. I fell hard and I fell fast and I fell deeper under it’s spell-I STILL think about book one and my heart STILL goes into overdrive as my stomach simultaneously drops out of the bottom of me. This is the biggest downfall for book two, I have to say. The chapters were way too short. You would just start to get into a scene and then it would be over and we would have to move on. There were times where it was nicely paced, but most of the time it didn’t feel…quite right….which was shocking to me after seeing how amazing book one’s pacing was. And, if I’m being completely honest, I’m pretty bitter about the length of this book. I love this author, this series, for life, but I feel cheated. I was ecstatic to pick up book two, only to find out that we were getting such a short story. And I know I know, this is a bridge book for the final story…but never has a book felt like a literal bridge before-because this is exactly what this is-bridging to the fanatical last story (I will be a happy little lark when book three comes out, but, for now, let me just pout).

Despite what I’d said to Dorothy’s Fantasm in the Fog of Doubt, and as wicked as I knew I could be when I had to, I had one weakness: kindness.
And kindness is a weakness. I can see that now. But it’s a weakness I’m still not sure I’d want to give up entirely.

Three: The World Building. I didn’t think I’d ever say this in a review because I really could give two shits less but…..I wanted more. I don’t know what but…more. It was great, it was wonderful but..yeah. That’s all.

All over the place, when you looked a little more closely, traces of the city’s former grandeur remained. Amidst all the wreckage, the streets had a sheen that I realized was coming from millions of scattered jewels-emeralds, obviously, but diamonds and rubies and amethysts, too. Here and there, pools of gold melted and then hardened again, like puddles lingering after a thunderstorm.

Four: The romance. Believe me when I wholeheartedly say-I LIVE FOR NOX AND AMY’S RELATIONSHIP. I ship them so hard-Especially Nox. He is just…ugh. But that’s why this is [partially] in the negative category. I wanted more. There-I SAID IT. I really, truly, wholeheartedly, needed more. I craved it, I ached for it, and when it finally was within in my clutches, it felt like it was over too soon. See reason two above-I am still a pissy pink elephant about this. Every little bit of the romance was perfection. Well…or Nox was. But I think I’m going to put him in his own little category….just because I can. My point? The romance, while exactly what I wanted, inexplicably Just. Wasn’t. Enough.

It was like I was entering a world of shadows. I wasn’t sure how I was doing it, and I wasn’t sure where I was going when I disappeared like that-only that wherever it was, it was cold and foreign and deadly silent. From down there, everything was hazy and slow-motion, and I was outside reality, looking up into it from the darkness like gazing up through a layer of black, muddy water.

So, as you can see, while I love this story, it had detrimental issues that stunted my enjoyment. And isn’t that the best way to describe a short story? Choppy, stunted, without the growth I so desperately needed? But here comes my favorite part: The GOOD.

Once upon a time a girl named Amy Gumm had come to Oz on a tornado. She had fought hard; she had been loyal and fierce. She had done things she’d never in a million years imagined that she would.

One: Amy. Amy might possibly be my favorite heroine ever-at the moment. I think this second book sold her a little short, if I’m being completely honest, but I can’t forget how epic she was in the first….and how epic she continues to be. She’s in the midst of an internal battle within herself that continues to confuse and conflict her. She has conquered the use of magic by learning from Nox and the rest of the order from book one….but this is exactly how it all started with Dorothy, isn’t it? She got a taste of the power, and then it wasn’t enough. She wanted more and more and more…until eventually ruling an entire kingdom wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough to control everyone, she needed them to fear and worship her, as well. And now the dark magic is making it’s way to Amy, and she struggles to stifle it with each new battle and after every new hard decision is made. She is becoming someone she doesn’t recognize….and I loved every minute of her internal conflicts. And perhaps the brightest point of her life, her most grounded ally, is the adorable warlock, Nox.

She had been both good and wicked and everything in between. She had been both at once, too, until it was very hard for her to even tell the difference anymore.

Two: Nox. My beautiful, messy-haired boy, Nox. He is just so wonderful. I absolutely adored him-from book one until now he has left such a mark on my heart. I can hardly think about this series without getting all mushy and sighing when I think about this poor orphaned boy who fights for the only thing he has ever known to strive for-his freedom from Dorothy. But what he doesn’t know? What happens after. Who will he become? What will he do? What will his purpose be? We get to see a more vulnerable side to Nox in this book, and I devoured each and every moment he was a part of. I almost would go so far as to say I didn’t think he was treated the way he should have been…I’m very protective of my boy. A beacon of light for Amy’s impending darkness, her voice of reason, and her greatest ally and friend. Nox, just like in book one, stole the show. I am obsessed with him and CANNOT WAIT for more of him in book three-I need his HEA.

My last glimpse of Nox back in the city kept flashing through my mind: his dark, always-messy hair, his broad shoulders and skinny, sinewy arms. The determined tilt of his jaw, and that look of almost arrogant pride. The anger that was always coiled deep in his chest finally ready to burst out and strike down everything that stood in his way, all of it to save Oz, the home that he loved.
No, not just that. To save me, too.

Three: The villains. I love these guys. They are complex. They back up what they say. They do what’s best for THEM. They are truly evil. You don’t get false threats with any of them-They say what they mean and they mean what they say. You will feel the pain. You will hurt. You will be upset by what they do-they sugar coat nothing. They are the true definition of evil…and they blur the lines of hate/like/love-because they are truly addicting in their ruthlessness. Wicked-Wickeder-Wickedest-who would you want to go up against? I’m not so sure.

“I. Know. Who. I. AM,” I said again, more confidently this time with each word bringing forth every bit of the power, the rage, and-yeah-the wickedness, that had been building inside of me since I was just a little girl. “And I’m willing to fight for it.”

Four: Everything I don’t have time to mention. The beautiful descriptions. The amazing world and everything that pulls me so deeply out of reality-when I’m in this world, there’s no where else I’d rather be. That’s so hard to achieve these days. The writing-it’s so amazing. How every little detail matters. Amy’s inner monologues. The vivid imagination that goes into each and every moment….the list goes on and on. There is no end to how engrossing this series is.

The rainbows washed over me. It was like I was being spun in some Willy Wonka version of a washing machine. A neon palette swirled around me as I tumbled: hot pink, electric blue, candy-apple red, grape-soda purple, and every color imaginable in between, all of them zooming downward into infinity in a twisting, death-defying flume, carrying me faster than even seemed possible.

So, while this was not what I wanted it to be, I still loved it. I love this series, this world, these characters-I am obsessed with them. Be it good or evil, each and every character is so addicting. We even get more of the lovable Pete in this one!! And, in a super weird way, I get so excited when Dorothy appears. She is so sickeningly sweet…it’s endearing. She might even be my favorite villain EVER. Amy’s journey is one that I can’t seem to get out of my head, and she and Nox’s relationship brings me to a whole new level of fangirling. Maybe that’s why I had so many things I was disappointed about…I just needed so much more of what I loved, and I didn’t get it. So, without making this even longer than it really is, just know that I am going CRAZY knowing I have to wait for book three. It might just kill me…but it’s one of those wonderful pains-you know it’s worth the wait.

BOOK REVIEW: Out of Turn (Kathleen Turner #4) by Tiffany Snow

August 7, 2015 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Out of Turn (Kathleen Turner #4)
by Tiffany Snow
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Breaking up is hard to do, as Kathleen Turner discovers. After a falling-out with her ex, high-powered attorney Blane Kirk, she’s moving on the best she can. Unfortunately, someone from her past is set on revenge and nothing short of killing Kathleen will stop them.

Keeping his brother’s ex-girlfriend alive isn’t something new to assassin-for-hire Kade Dennon, but this time can he protect her from himself? She’s a woman he can’t convince himself to walk away from, no matter what it costs him.

Regret is a constant companion for Blane as he realizes the truth behind the lies he’s been told. Can love heal the past, or can some mistakes not be undone?

Murder reunites Blane, Kade, and Kathleen as the police put Blane in their crosshairs. Blane may lose everything unless he and Kade can find the real murderer before it’s too late. But if they can’t set aside their love for the same woman and work together, it will tear them apart.

In Out of Turn, Kathleen is caught between two warring brothers, and the consequences may be fatal.

*I have chosen to aptly compare this to a Katy Perry song as to express the nature of our beloved love triangle in the form of Katy Perry GIFS….and a FRIENDS one, because….reasons*

“I need you,” Kade said. “I’ve never needed anyone the way I need you. You and I have something, and if this is the only chance I’m going to get to convince you of that, then I’m going to take it.”

I can’t believe I’m saying this but….this might just be my favorite book of the series. Yeah, it was still super annoying when she was being abducted or bullied or having a knife drawn on her every other chapter, but for some reason this one just made me very happy. And also annoyed lol-that seems to be a consistent with this series, though.

No one had shot at me in weeks, or beat me up. I hadn’t been cut, punched, or slapped. No one threatened me, stalked me, or stabbed me.
It was a nice change.

Ya don’t say?

It’s no secret that the Kathleen Turner series is over the top crazy and wholly unbelievable. And anyone that has read even just one of my reviews knows that this is what annoys me most in books-cheesy dialogue, unrealistic scenarios yada yada. I mean, these are her thoughts on Kade while being with Blane, and even for Blane, too, a lot of times:

Girl has issues.

But where all the others in the series were about Kathleen acting like a total whore, this one separated itself (at least in my mind) as one of the only stories where I could, and I cannot believe I am going to say this, begrudgingly find a minuscule piece of respect for the harlot.

Choosing to be with either one of them at this point would ruin their relationship forever, wouldn’t it?

*Face palm*

It’s so funny, because she’s maybe even more morally corrupt than usual, but I respected her, here and there-not much, though, mind you. She went for what she wanted (we all know what the fuck she wants) and she didn’t get walked on the whole book *busts out laughing*. Okay okaaaaay, I can’t say that with a straight face-she maybe stood up for herself, but she’s still the neediest damsel in distress if I’ve ever seen one. I just liked how she did what she wanted, I guess-finally. I mean, she’s been bordering that invisible line in the sand for three books, why not step over the ledge and take the plunge? Seriously, though, this is her relationship with Blane, anyway-

I caught Blane looking sideways at the bread and noodles.
“So is there an assassin hiding in the frozen foods?” I asked snidely, my pride stung when I suspected he was looking down his upper-class nose at my food.
His gray eyes met mine. “None that I can see.” His serious reply took the heat from my snit and I heaved an inward sigh.

Oh look at me. Here I am harping on dear Kathleen, and, oh yes, she’s mostly to blame for this love triangle from hell, but the men are hardly on the up and up…take a look:

We have Blane, the overprotective, but probably most consistent, hero who is madly in love with Kathleen-but he sure fucks shit up a lot-I blame him for a lot of things. But not once has he let anyone believe he doesn’t love Kathleen-it’s been crystal clear from the beginning. Not like some people, who I will get to in the next paragraph. But, even after saying all that good stuff about Blane, he made me see red in this story, and I can’t say what, and I can’t say why, and I can’t say how, but just know that *COUGH WHORE COUGH* he does some inexcusable things in the aftermath of book three’s finale-no matter what happened, I do believe this is a blurred line I was speaking of.

“I’m not the hero, princess,” he said roughly. “Hell, I’m not even the good guy. Don’t try and pretend I’m something I’m not.” He untangled my fingers from his shirt and got out of the car.
-Kade

And Kade. My beautiful, tortured, Kade. I adored him in this book….but he acted like an utter moron at times. And not just in this book, if I’m being honest.

He’s been my favorite-for more reasons than I can count-since book one. He’s dark, he’s mysterious, and he’s so sweet and tortured (I might be exaggerating on the sweet part-that’s just the girl in me making him sweeter than he is). But, as sad as it is to say, it’s wrong how he went after Kathleen. She was Blane’s girl and he was always all up on her. One minute he needs her like the air he breathes, and the next he’s pushing her away to be with Blane because it’s ‘right’. Can anyone say…

I mean, you can see he’s madly in love with her….why won’t he just go to Blane, or Kathleen for fuck’s sake, and say he’s in love with her and it’s killing him inside? Well, then, I suppose we wouldn’t get the trashiest books ever like the author so clearly wants to produce.

Kade’s fingers caressed my jaw. “It means you’re beautiful. Desirable. That I can’t keep my hands off you any more than I can tell my heart to stop beating. It means I listen for your voice when I know you’re near and love it when I can smell your perfume on my clothes at the end of the day.”

I dunno, guys. It’s hard when you’re reading a series that borders on mentally insane and you are actually enjoying it. It’s the oddest feeling. I love both guys, they are so frikkin’ addicting, and I don’t like Kathleen. She’s an air-head moron who can’t decide who the hell she loves to save her life (no worries, she has, like, fifty million lives to spare, and even if she didn’t, Blane or Kade always save her). But can I just say….

HOTTEST. SEX SCENE. EVER. Like…ever. And can I also just say-Finally. I was…I just…I loved…Agh. Nothing. That is all.

Kade straightened and once again took my hand. “Your choices are your own, View Spoiler »Gage « Hide Spoiler,” he said. “But hear this-if anything else happens that so much as harms a hair on her head, my face will be the last one you see.”

So, yeah. This book is no different than the rest, but for some reason I enjoyed it the most. Maybe because of the situation and turn of events in the aftermath of book three, but either way, it had me the most enthralled. You know my team, I’ve been on it since day one, but that doesn’t make it right. Still stupid, still completely unbelievable, she still does the most annoying shit, and everyone continues to treat Kathleen like a brothel employee….but eh. I liked it. Sue me.

BOOK REVIEW: The Seers (Holders #2) by Julianna Scott

August 4, 2015 / Chelsea / 2 Comments

The Seers (Holders #2)
by Julianna Scott
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
After nearly being drained of her ability and betrayed by a man her father trusted, Becca Ingle was left with one clue — Ciaran Shea. He holds the key to the downfall of the power-mad Holder, Darragh, and can ensure the safety of both Holder and Human kind alike... but is he willing to help?

Becca, Alex, Jocelyn, and Cormac set out for Adare Manor to meet with the Bhunaidh, an aristocratic group of pure blooded Holders of whom Ciaran is a rumored member. However, when Becca discovers that they might not be the only ones after the information Ciaran has, everyone begins to wonder if Bhunaidh might not be as uninvolved with Darragh as they claim.

A race to uncover Ciaran’s secrets begins, where the line between friend and foe is blurred, and everyone seems to have their own agenda. Becca will have to call on every ability at her disposal to uncover the truth, all the while knowing that sometimes the answer is more dangerous than the question.

“…For a long time it was enough-more than enough. More than I ever thought I’d have.” He paused again, swallowing twice before continuing. “But then I met you. And feeling the way I do about you…having what we have…if you were to…” He tried again. “If…” He took a deep breath. “All that other stuff, it isn’t enough anymore. I couldn’t go back.”

Awww…this series is just too cute. No, really, it’s way too cute for it’s own good. Where this one excelled in character growth and adorable situations involving my absolute favorite character, Alex, it also lacked the drive with which I wish it would go. It has so much potential, and I really did start to see it break through those barriers here, but it never takes that leap, you know? I crave the intensity that this series lacks…but I still find myself soaking in all the perfection that is the characters (or rather-Alex and and Bastian).

“For the record,” I glared. “I’m not like the other girls you know; I will throw a book at you.”
“And I’m not like the other guys you know,” he smiled, glancing up. “I’ll throw it back.”
-Bastian lol

I think my largest problem, in part, is that I read some pretty intense YA (I mean, as intense and gritty as YA can get) and I just expect that out of all of my YA books-which is wrong anyway. I just love an intense build up and the execution that follows-nothing is more gratifying than a high-powered finale. And this book does that-it builds up beautifully…but then the fights are all like wah wah…

See the contradiction, for me, here? This big scary thing is looming…but there’s no follow through. Aside from the writing, which is my only other problem with the series, as I mentioned in book one, this is my largest gripe with the stories.

I scowled at the floor as we stepped off the last stair and into an empty hallway. “I don’t know, maybe…”
“What did you want him to do? Sneak off to some secret lair with a sign on the door: ‘Bad Guys Only, Mwa-ha-ha’?”

-Alex and Becca spying (I don’t know why I found this so humorous)

But, what I like most about these stories is the general happy tone on each and every page and the fact that it’s all actually pretty good. I mean, I hardly have any issues with the story, aside from a lack of build up and cheesy writing-that’s all in all a pretty good book these days, which is sad to say. Anyways, my point is that these books just make you feel good, and I don’t think we get enough feel good books these days-there’s too much drama riddled with angst, deception, lies…it’s nice to read a book about good, pure characters who fall in love and would do anything for one another. So refreshing. But I do love my angst, deception, and lies….lol

The people who love us most can always find a way to make us smile, even if we are dead set against it-a fact that was often as annoying as it was comforting.

And my least favorite thing from book one was taken care of pretty well in this installment. As in, it was almost non-existent. Alex and Becca’s love felt authentic and unforced (again, refer to review one-I didn’t dislike their romance and it wasn’t forced, but, anyway, look back to it if you don’t understand my rambling) and completely natural. And with that natural little romance came natural little jealousies and insecurities…awwww my little Alex!

The question should never be “do you fight,” but “can you fight,” because fights happen, that’s just the way it is. What’s important is how you handle it. The strongest couples aren’t the ones who avoid fighting, but the ones who do fight and are able to grow from it, and come out on the other side with something better than they had before.

This is where my love for book two really won out-I like seeing these little quirks in a relationship (but mostly on the boy side-shut up) and I was worried from the first book that this wasn’t possible. Sorry, I just don’t like reading happy-go-lucky and I always have a perfect relationship books-can you say boring?? (We women are a fickle breed, aren’t we?).

So anyway…my favorite thing about this story was Alex’s love and devotion to Becca. He was sweet, kind, understanding, and he was always there for her-forever a support system when she doubts herself. I don’t think I would have found half the enjoyment I did if it wasn’t for my adorable, tortured Alex. He was so sweet beyond words in this one.

We all want to stand up for ourselves when the hateful people of the world put us down, unfortunately most of us rarely do. We’ll defend others to the grave, but when we are the ones attacked, most of our snarky comebacks and witty retorts go unsaid to everyone but our own bedroom mirrors.

And Bastian! I was ecstatic about this addition to the story. I can’t say much, but his cavalier and I’m better than you attitude cracked me up beyond words and I was never without entertainment when he was on the scene. I had a perpetual smile every time he was around and I couldn’t help but be addicted to him as a side character. Especially when he and Alex were there together :P. Happy happy me.

So, all in all this was a wonderful story that overcame a lot of faults from the first story. And, might I say, it is totally underrated. No, it’s not perfect and yes it screams a tiny bit juvenile from time to time….but it’s eons better than some of the drivel making a ton of money out there. It’s so odd to me how some books make no waves whatsoever, yet they are a million times better than some of the highly anticipated and hyped books out there. It’s just so weird! Where these books lack in hype and street cred, they shine with heart and substance. I only hope that people start seeing how amazing this understated series is, and begin to let it worm it’s way into their hearts. It certainly did, mine.

BOOK REVIEW – Shooting Scars (The Artists Trilogy #2) by Karina Halle

August 4, 2015 / Jen / 2 Comments

Shooting Scars (The Artists Trilogy #2)
by Karina Halle
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A Dangerous Kind of Love . . .
When Ellie Watt offered herself to her thuggish former lover Javier to save Camden's life, she never imagined the twisted game Javier had planned for her. Trapped by him and his entourage of killers, Ellie is forced to commit a dangerous, heinous crime-or Javier will kill Camden. Now ex-con artist Ellie must find a way to stay ahead of the game . . . before it destroys her and the only man she ever loved.
Camden McQueen can't forget Ellie Watt. Seeking revenge and pursued by the authorities for a crime he didn't commit, the talented tattoo artist does things he never thought himself capable of to save Ellie. As Camden straddles the line between love and retribution, he vows to do everything in his power to get her back. But if Camden unleashes his dark side, will Ellie still love him?

Review:

*Spoilers for Sins and Needles*

I was the angel of death, walking arm in arm with Lucifer. – Ellie

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. Wait, let me take a deep breath because that was amazing! Shooting Scars was a phenomenal second installment that was even more dark and twisted than the first! Not only was I glued to the pages, but I loved that I could never truly guess all that would eventually unfold. Ellie, Camden and Javier could be such wild cards at times, and I loved that about them. Their emotions, motives and persona’s always kept me on the tip of my toes. Just like the storyline!

Even at her very worst, she made me want to be a better man. To be good enough for the both of us. – Camden

Elie has sacrificed herself for Camden’s happiness. She has agreed to go away with Javier and his entourage of killers, so Camden can have his family back. But what she doesn’t realize, is what is in store for her. Ellie is going to be forced to commit a horrific crime, and if she doesn’t comply then Camden will be killed. Now for a girl that I found myself struggling with liking from time to time, she had this amazing ability to pull vasts amount of sympathy from me. Because in this story, she goes above and beyond what I consider forgivable. My ability to like or even root for her was obliterated. Or so I thought. But somehow she managed to swing back around to my good side. Again. Ugh, I don’t even know how it happened. Maybe it’s the sympathy or the way she is manipulated and brainwashed to think that she is truly bad?! I don’t know. But somehow by that last page I liked her again. Ellie constantly messed with my head!

All I knew is what I felt. And that the woman I loved, had always loved, had sacrificed herself for me. There was no getting past that. She’d embedded herself in my skin, like a tattoo I could never give myself. – Camden

Do you want to know what my favorite thing about this book was? That we got to alternate between being in Ellie and Camden’s head. Listening to Camden’s thoughts…..sigh, I was ecstatic to be there. But at the same point, we truly got to know him inside and out. And ohhhhh Camden, how dark can one person turn?! The things that he thinks and the things that he does, well at times it was horrifying. There’s this one part where uhhhhhh I never thought of something turning out that way and my stomach twisted again and again. *shudders* I was terrified that Camden was teetering on the edge of becoming someone evil. Someone like to Javier. And if you read my ON EVERY STREET review, you’ll know how much I despise that man. But I’m holding out hope for Camden, just like he holds out hope for Ellie. Because Camden is sweet, faithful, has so much love in his heart, and always tries his hardest to do what’s right! I’m rooting for him all the way!

“Sometimes I’d do anything to be good.” – Ellie

Shooting Scars encompassed love, revenge, torture, hope and despair while keeping me on the edge of my seat. While I wish there wasn’t so much time spent between Ellie and Javier, because I loathe that man, I get why it had to happen. The conflict and struggles it created was paramount to this story. BUT that ending?!?! Must start the third and final book now!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Sins & Needles #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Shooting Scars #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Bold Tricks #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

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BOOK REVIEW – On Every Street (The Artists Trilogy 0.5) by Karina Halle

August 4, 2015 / Jen / 0 Comments

On Every Street by Karina Halle
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
When young con artist Ellie Watt decides to call herself Eden White and go after the drug lord who ruined her as a child, she never expects to fall for one of his henchmen. But Javier Bernal is no ordinary man. Subtly dangerous and overwhelmingly seductive, Eden finds herself passionately in love with Javier, the very person she's set-up to betray. With her body and heart in a heated battle against her deep need for revenge, no one will walk away from this con a winner.

Review:

*Spoilers for Sins and Needles* *If you’re on Team Javier, then you’ll probably want to skip this review*

I loved Sins & Needles (My 5 Star Review can be found – here)! I tumbled happily into Ellie and Camden’s world, and fell madly in love with their twisted story. But I was a little nervous to start the second book, Shooting Stars. Because I was terrified of what could happen since Javier had captured Ellie. Would she kiss him, touch him, do more? Would her old feelings slowly reappear? Would she betray Camden? The Camden I am obsessed with and love! So I realized that I needed to have a better understanding of Ellie and her past. I wanted to know why she fell in love with Javier. I wanted to see exactly what their love was like. And I was hoping that I would slowly fall in love with their past. That way I wouldn’t be resentful or hold a grudge if Ellie did something stupid. I know, I know, I’m making a HUGE guess on what could happen in book #2! But it could happen, and I like to be emotionally prepared lol. BUT, I should have stuck with my gut reaction while I contemplated reading this book, because it screamed at me to avoid this story at all costs! I had a feeling that I would loathe watching Ellie with Javier be together and I was so right. I hated Ellie and Javier together. Hell I hated every single thing about Javier!

I could probably write a few pages on all of the reasons why I hate Javier, but I won’t. I’ll just list my top three reasons instead. 🙂

Strike #1 – Instead of Javier coming off as sexy and suave, he just kept reminding me of a snake. It felt as though he could wiggle himself out of any situation. Time and time again he would slither out from underneath yet another sin that he would commit. I could rant about him asking for redemption (which I don’t think he deserves). but instead I’ll share a quote that made me shudder and laugh because SEE he is a snake! (Ellie went by Eden in the past)

“Eden,” he whispered, squeezing my hand.
I looked up at him. He looked so serious, his dark brows knitted together.
“You’ve gotten under my skin,” he said.
I wasn’t expecting that.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to shed you.”

Strike #2 – I hated the way he talked about sex. His words felt dirty and not in the good way. When Camden would talk about sex or talk while they were having sex…..ohhh sigh……it felt as though the words were pouring out of his heart. You could feel the passion. It was sexy and beautiful. But with Javier, it never felt as though he was talking from his heart or his soul. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t have either? (sorry, I have to throw a dig in here and there lol) Here’s his idea of sexy, which definitely isn’t the same as mine.

“I want to come on every inch of your body,” he whispered, and somehow it didn’t sound dirty at all. It sounded clean, pure, like rainwater. “I want to rub it in you, like this, until it’s a part of your skin. I want to stain you, Eden. I want myself embedded in your skin, in your heart, in your soul.”

Strike #3 – I become annoyed when Javier would talk about owning Ellie or having her surrender to him. No. Just no. Again, not sexy in my eyes.

“I won’t hurt you,” he said, reading my thoughts. “But you can’t just hand over your virginity to me, Eden. I have to take it from you. I have to make you surrender to me , to everything, in every way possible. I want your heart, your soul, and your body. I want the you that you’re hiding deep inside. I must have her.”

So yeah, I despise Javier. I tried my hardest to find anything redeemable or attractive in him, but I found nothing. Nothing at all. So now I am counting the seconds until Camden comes roaring back into the series and knocks Javier out for good! Or kills him. Tomatoes tomato, cause you know that either way will be fine by me as long as it happens. Keeping my fingers crossed! Come on Camden!!!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Sins & Needles #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Shooting Scars #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Bold Tricks #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea