Category: Review (Page 248 of 295)

Awry (The Archers of Avalon #2)
by Chelsea Fine
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Scarlet has just died. Only, dying isn't unusual for a girl under a centuries old curse that left her semi-immortal. This time, though, she comes back to her current life instead of awaking in a new one, and she realizes her curse is changing. With the help of the immortal Archer brothers, Scarlet tries to piece together her life and break the curse before her impending death comes again.

Review:

**Spoilers if you haven’t read Anew**

The last two sentences in Awry have me ecstatic for the final book. I feel as though I should be jumping around my house, fist pumping the air. Seriously. No, seriously. I loved every single thing about this book. The dialogue is witty and hysterical. The characters quirks and strengths make them that much more lovable or loathable. And the element of having star-crossed lovers? Oh, this was done perfectly. Tristan and Scarlet broke me over and over again and yet somehow, I still have hope for their future. Please let there be hope for their future.

Stars filled the December night sky, peeking through the tall forest trees, and moonlight cast a soft glow against Scarlet’s cheek, making her look peaceful, healthy. The moonlight lied.

The beginning of this book is gut wrenching. Scarlet is dying in Tristan’s arms. It was supposed to be him, not her. But after Scarlet dies, something strange happens. Her body doesn’t disappear and they don’t have to wait years or decades for her to materialize again. She just comes back to life. While everyone is struggling with trying to figure out why the curse is changing, they make a decision to go into seeker mode. They are determined to hunt for the Fountain of Youth to break the curse and to keep Tristan from trying to kill himself again.

He placed a gentle finger below her chin and tilted her head up. “My care is not wasted. You are the best part of my day and what I look forward to when I’m gone.”
Scarlet looked into his eyes. “If you continue coming here, you are a fool.”
He smiled again. “Then call me a fool.”

There’s a different element in this book that didn’t exist in the first and oh wow, it made me fall even more in love with Tristan. We get to travel back in time and watch Scarlet, Tristan and Gabriel’s lives unfold. Sometimes flashbacks can be awkward and detach you from the story. But these were done seamlessly. I never knew if I wanted to stay in the past or come back to the present, because both stories were alluring. The only thing I did know was that I was desperate for a solution for Scarlet and Tristan’s current angst. Because nothing is right in the world until Hunter can be with his Scar again.

“First of all,” he said angrily, “I couldn’t stop loving you even if I tried. And I’ve tried.” He shook his head and laughed without humor, his hands balling into fists. “God, how I’ve tried. But I am completely lost to you. I am lost and empty and broken-“
“My heart is broken too-“
“My heart is not broken, Scar. My heart is dead!” His eyes were hopeless and wild. “It is a hollow black object that sits in my chest without purpose, haunting me with memories.”

Tristan was utter perfection in this book. We get to see the dark brooding Tristan and the Tristan that is thoughtful, caring and butterfly inducing. He is so selfless, honest, loyal, persistent, sweet, charming and breathtakingly beautiful. Now don’t get me wrong, I love dark brooding Tristan, but his other side made me weak in the knees. I now understand why Scarlet feels such a strong connection to him. And I couldn’t help but tumble even deeper into love with him as each piece of the puzzle came into play.

“I think,” she said quietly, now that their mouths were close to each other, “that easy and clean love is not true. It is simply convenient. Messy love, though…that is something to revel in.”

Scarlet was even better in Awry. Scarlett is so darn stubborn, but her stubbornness helped her persevere again and again. And while we get to learn about her past, we get a glimpse into a Scarlett that is truly remarkable. She is strong, brave and is a fighter through and through. She is definitely becoming one of my favorite heroines.

Scarlet was Gabriel’s one ray of light, one beam of hope. And Tristan had taken her away from him. He was always taking her from him.

Gabe is still righteous. How can one person be so obsessed with always knowing what is best for others? I understand it and maybe I’m being a little harsh, because in the flashbacks we get to see a beautiful side of Gabe. His actions were honorable and technically speaking it should have made me a fan of Gabe. But I’m stubborn, so maybe I’ll like him a little more in the 3rd book. Also, we get to see even more of Heather and Nate. They are both hysterical and I enjoyed every single moment they were in the book. You always knew that they were going to make you smile and laugh.

Heather plastered herself to Gabriel’s side, sinking her fingernails into his upper arm. “I’m not immortal. I’m totally killable.” She sucked in a breath as her pitch rose. “And I’m blond. Blonds always die first.”
“That’s true,” Nate said matter of factly.
Heather made a freaked-out squeaky noise. “I don’t want to die.”

I loved every single thing about Awry. I can’t wait to see how their journey proceeds and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a Tristan and Scarlett happily ever after!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Anew #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Awry #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Avow #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

Avow (The Archers of Avalon #3)
by Chelsea Fine
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

He leaned into her and his expression became very sincere. “And as far as where you belong…” He put a hand over his heart. “Right here. Always. In life and death and everything in-between.” He paused. “Never question it.”

Aaaaaah…and here we are. The final book!! This book pulled so much from me. The prior two installments had their fair share of angst, but nothing compared to a lifetime of missed chances, lost loves, misunderstandings, and waiting. Waiting and waiting and waiting for the one you irrevocably love and can’t/won’t replace. It’s heartbreaking. It’s tormenting. It’s angsty. It’s messy. It’s….beautiful.

She glanced at him under the yellow glow of the streetlamps above, running her eyes along his profile as he stared forward with a clenched jaw. He was fierce. He was patient. He was everything she loved.
And he was dying.

This is the part where I’ll either lose you or hook you-this book was predominately set in the past-The first 30% was set in the present, the middle was set in the past, and then at about 62% or something, it came back to present day. I really really love the flashbacks for these books, I really do. But it was a shock to me that so much was set in the past because I wasn’t used to it. In the last book, where the flashbacks started, it was every other chapter or every two chapters. But in this final one, it was one solid chunk in the middle so as to portray the heartbreak and turmoil the boys went through, and I think Fine succeeded in this feat. There were no present day interruptions and no breaks from the devastation these three went through…it touched me on a visceral level.

“How can we bring her back?” His palms were sweaty and his heart on fire but, God help him, he would do anything, kill anyone, and break any rule to bring her back.
Nathaniel said, “Her return is dependent on the magic in her veins. It could take decades-”
“I can wait decades,” Tristan said.
“Or it could take a hundred years,” Nathaniel said.
“I can wait a thousand years.”
The wizard cocked his head at Tristan. “I’m confused. Did you know Scarlet? Because I was under the impression you were gone when she first came to the castle. You seem to care deeply for Gabriel’s wife-”
“She wasn’t his wife.”

Fine was very clever with this one-she knew there wasn’t a whole book worth of a story so she used the flashbacks to show everyone different POVs about what happened in their past lives. Not everyone will love, but the angst, determination, and heart-break spoke to me and touched me more than I ever thought it could….my heart was in my throat for the entirety of the novel and I even lost sleep because it was so deeply rooted within me. I don’t much care for past lives, but I was clouded and overwhelmed with emotion-I couldn’t ask for more than that. My heart cracked alongside Scarlet and Tristan’s, I felt their annoyance and willingness for the inevitable to come and for a change to occur. I was there beside them every step of the way, and I loved it.

“Everything about you is my concern. You cannot just keep yourself in pain,” she said, filling up with all the fear and love she felt for him as she stepped forward again. “You are a foolish man.”
He stood still. “And you are a reckless woman.”
She smiled. “We are quite the messy pair.”
“That we are.” He searched her face then softened his voice. “You know you cannot stay here.”
“Then tell me to leave.” She stepped closer.
“Leave.”
“No.”
“Curse you woman,” he said. “You are a terrible pain.”

Even with all of Scarlet’s memories back, I think this was the strongest one with romance, yet-we still get forbidden, but for once they were on the same page and couldn’t do anything about it…this made for the sweetest and best sexual tension thus far, and I could hardly contain my sighs and stop biting my lips out of giddiness.

If it was possible to burn someone into your soul, Tristan was ablaze in hers, and had been for centuries. Seared into her flesh and permanently marked on her heart.

I am going to miss Scarlet and Tristan-that much is a fact. Tristan went through many lifetimes 100% loyal to Scarlet. He never looked at another girl, he never doubted his love for her, he only did what he had to do to keep her alive (even if it hurt him far more than dying ever could), and he lived with torment that no man should ever feel each and every time she would pass away because of his close proximity or the lack of finding a cure that would keep Scarlet out of her recurring cycle of painful deaths. I loved all these characters so much, but I’ll never forget Tristan-his clenched jaw, his need to do anything and everything to take care of Scarlet, and his selfless persona that almost cost him his life time after time. He was perfection to a stubborn nth degree, and I won’t be forgetting him soon.

They stared at each other for a moment. Because of her connection to him, Scarlet could feel the hurt and fear pulsing through his veins at the memory of her last life. But she could also feel the love heating his core as his eyes traced over her in the darkness. And it was the love-that undying fire that blazed in him and burned through her-that had her lost for words as she looked at him.

I have to mention that I actually liked Gabriel’s voice in this one. It was funny, relatable, and he and Tristan’s banter ricocheted off of one another making for laughter every five minutes. In the first twenty percent I giggled more than I did in the first two combined-and I had giggled a lot for those as well.

To hell with happily ever after.

So, with a heavy heart I say goodbye to them all. I do think every once in a while there was some repetitiveness, but overall the story was so good and pulled me in so quickly that it didn’t matter. What matters is what I felt-and what I felt was happy. So, read them, don’t read them, but know this-this was truly a star-crossed love, and I am so grateful to have been asked to read them. Otherwise, these would have sat on my shelf untouched forever. I’d have never read them. So, thanks, guys for a wonderful buddy read-it was so fun!!!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Anew #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Awry #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Avow #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

Awry (The Archers of Avalon #2)
by Chelsea Fine
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

*5 Star-crossed Stars*

Scarlet inhaled as she looked into his soft eyes and deep dimples. He smelled like leather and water. “I think,” she said quietly, now that their mouths were close to each other, “that easy and clean love is not true. It is simply convenient. Messy love, though…that is something to revel in.”

My thoughts are a jumbled mess and I am giant ball of giddiness. I can’t say this story had as good of an ending as the first (The first had an epic ending), but it did a better job of showing us peril throughout. Oftentimes authors tend to rely on cheesy dialogue and unrealistic situations to get them through a complete trilogy, but Chelsea Fine handled this second book with a grace unlike many other unmentionables do today. Sure, there was some repetitiveness and I would sooner punch Gabriel in the face than to have his grimey paws all over our dear Scarlet…..but that is neither here nor there. I loved this story, and I loved it despite these flaws.

She licked her lips. Tasting Gabriel. Feeling Tristan.
The three of them made a tragic triangle.

Probably my favorite thing about this story, aside from Tristan and Scarlet’s uber hot and forbidden relationship, was the flashback aspect of this story. Now, that is usually my least favorite part of a story, but in Scar and Tristan’s profound and utterly overwhelming journey, I think it added an intricate layer of heartbreak and desperation, loyalty and young love, and, ultimately, the foundation to one of the most beautiful and tear-inducing tragedies of, you guessed it, a star-crossed love that I have ever seen. It’s not about a clichéd back plot or the recycling of old ideas in a new story, it’s how it was executed. Execution is key if we are to care about what comes of these two romantically robbed teens. I’ve seen it happen time and again where there is a tragic story line that is literally above and beyond epic proportions…only to be floundered by poor execution. I do wish some things would have happened and that certain scenes had been extended, but overall, Fine created a flawless portrayal of desperation and impossible-but-all-consuming love, and that in itself is execution enough. And, guess what, I cared when Tristan cried in agony and I cared when Tristan’s heart was broken for the hundredth time…I just, simply, cared.

Slowly pulling back, Tristan murmured, “Is it okay if I love you?”
Scarlet tried to catch her breath as she looked into his beautiful eyes. “Only if it is okay that I love you back.”

Tristan. What a beautiful, broken boy. I must admit, I adored him over the ever-present Gabriel in book one with just a single dark look and the clench of a jaw…so sue me, I might be a tad easy. But in this book? My heart and soul shattered into a million tiny pieces as we learned the truth of what happened in the past. No detail was skimped on and no stolen moment was passed over. We learned how everyone met and what led to the death and betrayal of all our beloved-and not so beloved-immortal characters. I can’t say what I want to say, not really, but what I can say is this: If Tristan hadn’t won me over in book one, he certainly would have with these flashbacks. Every look, every touch, every ache and pain and grievance of the soul…it crushed me. Now, and don’t get me wrong, every moment from the past was absolute perfection, my favorite re-telling was the origin of the tattoo. How it came to be, what it represented, and why it meant so much to our dear Tristan. I loved it, and I likely won’t forget what it meant to him in every life any time soon.

His eyes blazed into her and he slammed the door closed. “First of all,” he said angrily, “I couldn’t stop loving you even if I tried. And I’ve tried.” He shook his head and laughed without humor, his hands balling into fists. “God, how I’ve tried. But I am completely lost to you. I am lost and empty and broken-“
“My heart is broken too-“
“My heart is not broken, Scar. My heart is dead!” His eyes were hopeless and wild. “It is a hollow black object that sits in my chest without purpose, haunting me with memories.”

Heather is back and zany as ever, along with the rest of (I swore I wouldn’t bring it up) Team Awesome. Ah, yes, they have a team name, did ya know that? Well, now ya do. And this is precisely why this series gives me the warm fuzzies on top of a heaping pile of angst-Fine can write literally the funniest conversations without making them completely over-the-top or cheesy. They are just short enough and they cut off just perfectly before they become redundant or rendered useless. They all banter and bicker, accuse and deflect, grouse and project, but they always make me laugh…and I really, really need that right now. It’s perfectly light but has just enough mystery, action, and emotional turmoil to keep me on my toes, and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s making me feel.

”So?” She threw her hands up, her chest tight with frustration. “Loving anyone is dangerous! There’s always going to be something at stake.”
“Your life is not just ‘something’, Scarlet.” He said her full name and Scarlet’s heart broke. “It’s everything.”

Sigh. I loved book one. I adored book two. Now, with one book left, I have to face the only book that ever tends to be over-the-top or annoying in a series to me. My friends all don’t understand why I like series to just…end…at book three. Why is that, they ask? Well, I’ll tell you why. I fall in love with books one and two in a trilogy, only to wait a year or however long for the impending wrap-up of said series that I do so cherish, only to be disappointed by the lackadaisical explanation of why everything is the way it is and what they are going to do about it. So, when I think of a series an author is debating on drawing out or finishing snugly at book three, I’ll always root for the trilogy. There’s a point where the line needs to be drawn-the heroine can only be rescued so many times, the hero can only be dark and mysterious for so long, the newly found relationship can only lead to complacency for me as a reader after such a long build-up, and we can only expect so much. So, after that long-winded affair I will wrap it up neatly: redundancy isn’t key, and I only hope this is all wrapped up as beautifully as I know it can be….that’s all I can ask.

Scarlet exhaled through her nose as she looked back at Kristy. “She’s such a flirt.”
Tristan tucked his lips in. “You don’t like her flirting with me?”
Scarlet looked at him and answered honestly. “No.”
Tristan nodded and looked away. “Kristy is just a girl, Scar.”
“So?”
Looking back at her, Tristan leaned in close and lowered his voice. “She’s not you.”

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Anew #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Awry #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Avow #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

Anew (The Archers of Avalon #1)
by Chelsea Fine
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

”Life isn’t about the past and the future. It’s about today. It’s about five minutes from now and two seconds ago. It’s moments, you know? Not years. Years aren’t what define us.”

Wow. Wow. Wow. The vast amount of emotions I felt for this story astounds me. I’m not going to lie-when I was asked to read this, I wasn’t sure how it was going to go. I was happy to be reading with my friends, but I didn’t know if I was going to like it. I’ve had this on my TBR for the longest time but had always skipped over it for whatever reason. Whether it was the cover, the lack of friends having read it, or just the overall description…whatever the reason, I’ve pushed it off. And speaking of one of those issues above…..Why haven’t more people read this?? It’s SO. DAMN. GOOD. For real!! I know it doesn’t seem like much, but this story rocked. Like…really rocked. I am still shocked even a day after finishing.

Heather took a bite of yogurt. “Kristy Stevens told me she saw Gabriel last night, talking to some creepy guy at Freemont Park.”
“I thought you hated Kristy Stevens?”
“I do.” Heather blinked.
“Then why are you talking to her?”
“Would you focus here?” Heather pointed her spoon at Scarlet.

So…Scarlet. I love this chick. She wasn’t overly anything. She was…hmmm, how do I say this?? Normal. Yeah, she actually handled things how I would handle them. She wasn’t too proud, she wasn’t overly pushy, she didn’t always trust people just because they told her to, but she did just enough….she followed this fine line that I can totally respect, and it was so refreshing. She wasn’t an unrealistic heroine-she was scared, fierce, protective, funny, kind….and confused, as anyone in her situation would be.

From the corner of her eye, she saw a sad smile tug at his mouth. “Your life has had more meaning than a thousand lives put together.” A few more leaves fell. “You don’t remember how beautiful your life has been, but someday you will. And I,” he cleared his throat, “Gabriel and I won’t let you die this time.” He turned to look at her. “So you have nothing to be afraid of.”

Oooooh and here we go-The boys. Oh. The. Boys. Not one, but two. Two wonderful boys who just happen to protect her at every twist and turn…oh, and did I mention they were twins? Dark haired, dark eyed (okay, okay, one boy has beautiful green eyes…but still), mysterious twins. Sound intriguing? Yeah, I thought so. And I don’t know about you guys, but one of them made my heart swell to immeasurable proportions. He was dark, sullen, moody, broody…and completely and utterly heartbroken.

It would happen. Tristan couldn’t stop it. And, if he really cared about Scarlet, he shouldn’t stop it. But that didn’t make the thought of them together any less gut-wrenching.
Tristan stared blankly at the floor as a piece of his heart broke.
His very real, very existent heart.
And so it begins.

Yes, one of the boys has stolen my heart and I don’t think I will ever be able to get it back. Their story, Scarlet and Gabriel and Tristan, is a tragic one. It’s not my story to tell, but just know, not all is as it seems. A completely enthralling and heartfelt story, I fell in love from Tristan’s first POV and on. Their story has been on repeat for centuries, but the love shared between these friends and lovers continues to break their hearts continually. But, even after all these years, they would do anything and everything for one another. And now, even better, we have Heather, Scarlet’s best friend, in the picture. She’s funny, smart, sweet, and loyal-I couldn’t help but to smile every time she said something ludicrous…which was literally all the time. But it was never cheesy or over-the-top. I loved every minute and wouldn’t change a thing. The ending? Epic. Definitely Chelsea Peril approved-which was a totally amazing surprise ;).

His gaze darkened as his eyes left hers and slid down the side of her face to her neck. She could feel them linger there, like her throat-her very pulse-belonged to him and the thought made her heart kick.
Desire…possession…
His eyes floated upwards, slowly and methodically, until they reached her lips. She watched him study her mouth and desire sparked in her lower stomach.
Longing…

Many lives have come and gone, but the story always remains the same. One boy’s soul is forever tortured. One girl will always be lost, but her heart tries to find a way. And one boy’s heart has been torn from his body time and again…..and it all makes for a completely forbidden, epic and angsty triangle.

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Anew #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Awry #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Avow #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

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Buddy read with some awesome Chicas!!!

Harriet, Laura, Jen, Elena, Alienortothemoon (Anna, as I call her), Portia, and Maria ♥