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BOOK REVIEW – These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman

August 13, 2014 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

These Broken Stars (Starbound #1)
by Amie Kaufman
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

I’m not even close to the type of girl he’d want, just as I’ve been signaling at every opportunity that he’s the last man in the galaxy I’d want to touch. The only difference is that I was wrong.

Awwww….that was SUCH a good book. And the kicker is that I haven’t been able to devote the time to this book that it deserves and I STILL teared up a few times and found myself wishing I had more time to finish it-inevitably, I didn’t get to immerse myself fully and that really blows. Imagine if I had had time to really dig into this-I’d have been a mess! This book was heartbreaking, beautiful, both sad and happy, and it was about self-discovery-taking what you want from the world even if it doesn’t want you to have it ….I was all over the place with emotions.

BOOK REVIEW – Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi

August 13, 2014 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2)
by Veronica Rossi
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Aria laughed. That was attractive. She smelled like a horse. “Do you ever miss anything?
Perry smiled. “You, all the time.”

Wow. Just wow. A heartbeat-quickening, pulse-pounding second installment that completely knocked me off my feet. I immediately started TTEN after finishing the first book and I had no idea what was to come. Boy was I surprised. Romance so sweet it gave me an ache, action that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and the idea that you never know who you should trust-how much more could you ask for???

Perry held her against him. “I missed you,” he whispered in her ear. He couldn’t hold her close enough. “I should never have let you go. I missed you so much.”

In the first installment, we got to experience a relationship unfold from enemies, to reluctant allies, to lovers, but we never really got the chance to see where it could go because their days were numbered and they both knew they had to take separate paths at the end of their journey. In this one, though, Perry and Aria show just how much they adore each other with every look, touch, and secret embrace. I was smiling like a goofball every time they were together and couldn’t seem to stop no matter how hard I tried.

Before he could finish, her arms closed around his neck and they were kissing-a clumsy, hasty kiss. They were both breathing too hard. Smiling too much. Perry wanted to slow down and savor everything, but he couldn’t find a scrap of patience. He wasn’t sure if he started laughing first or if she did.

The magnitude in which Perry has grown to care for her has such an intensity that you can’t help but to fall in love with him more and more and root for them to make it as a couple, even if it isn’t acceptable in their mixed society. You get drawn in and feel yourself being swept away by their feelings for one another while everything falls apart around them.

She’d been seeking the comfort of a place. Of walls. A roof. A pillow to rest her head on. Now she realized that the people she loved were what gave her life shape, and comfort, and meaning. Perry and Roar were home.

The aether storms are happening frequently and becoming fiercer, causing unsafe living conditions and upset among the Tides (Perry’s tribe). Not only that, but Perry has welcomed Aria into the tribe and people are not happy-they don’t think that a Dweller should be living among them and they start to question Perry’s judgement.

Soon, Perry isn’t sure who he can trust any longer and he starts to question his own beliefs-but he never once questions his feelings for Aria. She is the one thing he is absolutely sure of-she’s the only person (aside from Talon) that makes him truly happy. When he’s sad he wants to see her face, it’s her voice he wants to hear, and no one’s opinion can alter that.

“We’re together now,” he whispered against her forehead. “The way we should be.”
She closed her eyes and relaxed her breathing, seeking calm. He was rendered to her. Maybe he’d feel it too. “Sleep, Perry.”
“I will,” he said. “With you right here, I will.”

I can’t even begin to explain how hard it is to express how much I loved this book. I feel like everything I’ve written above is so inadequate as to how strong my affections are for TTEN. It was dramatic, it was sad, it was lovely, it was fierce, and, ultimately, it was much, much more. Every character is so great no matter whether they are good or evil, which is part of the reason I have enjoyed this series so much. Like Roar, for instance-he is an amazing friend and ally, and his loyalty shows no bounds. He protects Perry and Aria with everything he has, and he really stepped up in this novel. I grew to love him just as much as the dynamic duo, making for an even more addicting read.

…”It was my idea. It’s the safest way, but it’s strange pretending to be something different. It’s like there’s a glass wall between us. Like I can’t touch him or…reach him. I don’t like the way it feels.”
Roar wiggled his knee, upsetting her sand pile. “Does his voice still sound like smoke and fire?”
Aria rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why I told you that.”

Perry and Aria still have a long way to go-I can’t say how it will all end and whether they will find the still blue or not. What I do know is that I can’t stand the thought of not having the final installment within my fingertips yet. It absolutely kills me to know that I have to wait a month to see what happens and how it all ends. I felt what they felt, I grew melancholy when they became depressed and my heart broke alongside them as their world tumbled in around them. I love all these characters dearly, and I love that some got a chance at redemption. Now, I will wait eagerly for book three, hoping only for the best.

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Under the Never Sky #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Roar and Liv #0.1 Review: Jen	Through the Ever Night #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea
Brooke #2.5 Review: Jen	Into the Still Blue #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

BOOK REVIEW – Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3) by Veronica Rossi

August 13, 2014 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3)
by Veronica Rossi
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

“What I was trying to say,” he whispered, “is that I see you in everything. There isn’t a word for you that means enough, because you’re everything to me.

Not so long ago I picked up the first installment in this series and fell undeniably in love with Perry and Aria, and even Roar. Now it’s a little bit later and the finale is finally out. I can’t say that the gap I had to wait didn’t influence the rating of this book, because it did, but there were many more outside circumstances that played into it as well. I didn’t have any time, so when I did get to read, it was in choppy lengths. I couldn’t find any peace and quiet, which drives me mad when I’m trying to read lol. And I just was soooo tired that I could not completely engage-this novel was expertly written and I truly regret it came at such an exhausting, busy time.

“What brought you out here, Aria?” he asked.
She looked up, right into his eyes. “I needed to find you.”
“I know,” he said. “The second I left you, I felt the same way.”

Perry has done it again, came in and stole my heart with a single sentence proclaiming how much he loved Aria. Everytime I read about him, I melt into a puddle of goo, because really, how sweet is he? How loyal is Perry? He is fierce, protective, caring, kind, and let’s face it-he actually listens to Aria and values her opinons. He never tries to squash her thoughts or make her feel smaller, he puts her above the rest-her opinion means everything to him. And then there’s just his personality…he would put his whole tribe in front of himself, if only to get them another day to live. He is selfless and everything a leader should be, and I enjoyed reading about him dearly.

He was terrible at falling-Roar was right about that-but nothing ever kept him down.

Aria is an amazing heroine. She has flaws, but she is fierce and just as loyal as Perry. She isn’t a completely unbelievable heroine and it’s refreshing to see the realistic and brave lead female in a story. And then there’s Roar. He was still a favorite of mine, but he did grate on me at a certain point in the story. Unnecessary anger, misplaced judgement, and hasty actions almost caused more devastation than was necessary, and it was sad to see him in such a state after the events of book two. Other characters like Brooke, Soren, Talon, and Cinder all made the story that much better. I loved seeing some of them become tolerable and likeable-I ended up loving Brooke and Soren, two of the more annoying characters in previous books. Talon and Cinder were adorable and sweet and it was champ getting to know them on a deeper level.

“I feel like every story you tell me, he gets his nose broken.”
Roar raised an eyebrow. “You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”

So many emotions were pulled out of me-from a deep-hearted tenderness all the way to heartbreak and devastation that had me tearing up from the intensity of it. You won’t know who to trust, you will find yourself second guessing what you do know, and you will be surprised when you are proven wrong about someone’s character time and time again. Every emotion is covered in this story-you won’t be lacking on feeling.

“When I showed up at the cave, you couldn’t even stand to look at me.”
“That’s in your head.”
“It’s not. You’re hardly subtle.” Roar waved a hand. “About anything.”
“You vain bastard. I wasn’t avoiding you. You just sulk whenever you’re not the center of attention.”

The only thing that I think the story suffered from (FOR ME-SPECIFICALLY) was the alternating POVs. What worked flawlessly in books one and two completely hindred my reading in book three. Again-I loved this element in the former books, but I had so much time when I read those. It was beautiful and filled with seamless transitions, making the reader strive to be in either mind they were given. In ITSB, I would pick up the book and read for ten minutes and have to put it down, only to pick it back up two minutes later. What had once been effortless for me became disjointed and jumpy because I couldn’t give it the time of day. And finally, I guess I just never doubted what would happen. There was a bone-deep inevitability that things would happen, and I wasn’t surprised by much. I loved the story, I just didn’t find it altogether unpredictable.

“You think Soren and I saved your life by getting you out of Reverie? We didn’t. We gave you a chance. You have to choose whether you want to live or die, not me.”

Reviews and opinions on books are speculative-remember this. I know with absolute certainty that if I had a good couple hours at a time to read, this would have been five stars and knocked out of the park. But as it is, I didn’t have that time, and the story suffered severely. So even if I SHOULD have been mindlessly in love with it, I wasn’t. It is what it is. I still love this series and will always consider it a favorite. I will come back someday and read the trilogy in a chunk when I have time and re-acquaint myself with Perry, Aria, and Roar. I am sad to see them go, but any more problems and I don’t know that many more people could survive. I am so glad I read this series and gave it a chance-it oozed excellence and individuality.

So that we’re clear,” Perry said, “I don’t care if it means everyone on this earth loses any chance of surviving. If you mention her to me again, I will take your head off and watch your blood pool at my feet.”

Mmmmm protective Perry 😛 ♥

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Under the Never Sky #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Roar and Liv #0.1 Review: Jen	Through the Ever Night #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea
Brooke #2.5 Review: Jen	Into the Still Blue #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

BOOK REVIEW – Desires of the Dead (The Body Finder #2) by Kimberly Derting

August 13, 2014 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Desires of the Dead (The Body Finder #2)
by Kimberly Derting
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

So here I am again with a short and sweet review. Violet and Jay are only continuing their journey from book one, and there’s no need to write a long, drawn out review about their undying love for one another and Violet’s ability to ‘sense’ the unsettled dead that call to her.

More than anything, this book was based around the growth of Jay and Violet’s relationship-the trust that is earned and given between a new couple. But Jay and Violet have been best friends since they were young, so the trust is already there in spades…until she has to tell Jay what she believes about his new friend’s family, causing a rift among them they’ve never experienced before.

I loved how the ‘killer’s’ POV was represented in this story-through the seven deadly sins. I thought it was cool how she began the incorporation of the sins into the mind of the weirdo that was supposedly stalking Violet. It did become a little forced and a bit of a stretch when the sins started to dwindle down to gluttony and sloth, but I still liked what came of the story because of this creativity. I do wish the author chose to keep the identity somewhat mysterious for us to figure out as readers in each installment of this series, but the story is still good enough to keep me interested without the mystery. Even with the ‘twists’ she generally throws in, they aren’t hard to figure out. But, as I said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story despite the lack of unpredictability.

There’s still a somewhat corny feel to the story, but I think it was less so in this second one. I am used to the writing and it’s so subtle that I can hardly complain about it-I’ve chosen to continue the series so why not enjoy the light, fun read? I still love Jay and Vi, they make an adorable couple despite their little fight that ultimately tested how strongly they felt for one another, and I am excited to finish this series with books three and four on a strong note.

BOOK REVIEW – Shadowfever (Fever #5) by Karen Marie Moning

August 13, 2014 / Chelsea / 0 Comments

Shadowfever (Fever #5)
by Karen Marie Moning
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Thanks to all my bestest bestie GR buddies for joining me on my Birthday Buddy Read-Jennifer, Kristin (KC), Sarah, and Sharon chatted along and it was a really fun time. I’ll be happy to reciprocate! Thanks, ladies!!!

Fire to my ice. Ice to my fever.

I’ve really and truly dropped the ball on writing reviews for this series. I can easily blame it on the holidays and even the fact that I read this series so fast that there just wasn’t enough time to write a review for each individual title…but make no mistake, they all deserved a review. Any series that can keep me addicted for five books strong deserves a medal of some sort.

There was something very cold inside me. Always had been. I wanted to welcome it now. Let it chill my blood and frost all my emotions until there was nothing left in me that was haunted because there was nothing left in me.

In my review of book one I struggled with words and what to say. Moning created such intricate worlds that left you grasping for explanations and begging for more. Like many series, the build up and tension of the romance presented in these stories got under your skin, making it the sole reason to push and claw forward, making you crazy with anticipation. That was the case for me, at least.

Shadows are wonderful things. They hide pain and conceal motives.

Jericho Barrons got really deep under my skin. He was such an amazingly strong, broody character with so much mystery woven into everything he said. Protective and fierce, he and Mac had the hero rescuing the damsel in distress bit down, and that’s one of my many favorite things that can happen in books. I love when the mysterious and protective alpha male saves the not-so-helpless heroine-when her will to battle dims and all seems bleak-Moning did an amazing job with that plotline throughout the entirety of the Fever series.

Good and evil, in their purest form, were as intangible and forever beyond our ability to hold in our hand as any Fae illusion. We could only aim at them, aspire to them, and hope not to get so lost in the shadows that we could no longer see the light.

I will admit I was nervous about Jericho for the first couple books. He had something somewhat mean inside him, and he was hardly around. So when he would show up, he was grumpy and would say unnecessary things to Mac-he was still that mysterious, funny guy, sure, but there wasn’t enough information to process what we needed to know about him, thus the basis of his appeal. Yes. I’ll admit it. The only reason I was so inexplicably drawn to this series was my attraction and curiosity for the mysterious Barrons. I would finish one of the books, only to curse silently because I STILL didn’t get what I wanted, and quickly slide right along to book two immediately. It was an obsession-I had to get more of Barrons. And so began my one week reading spree of the Fever series-I was a tornado of reading and I would get headaches from having my nose stuck to the screen for each page that slid by. It was ludicrous, I was a madwoman, and while it hurt when I finally finished and I knew I’d never get to read more about their shenanigans in Barron’s Books and Baubles, I was also relieved to be free of the never ending spell that was Jericho.

I’d snort, but then his tongue is in my mouth, my jaws are wide, and I can’t breathe, and he’s right. One day you do meet a man who kisses you and you can’t breathe around it and you realize you don’t need air. Oxygen is trivial. Desire makes life happen. Makes it matter. Makes everything worth it. Desire is life. Hunger to see the next sunrise or sunset, to touch the one you love, to try again.

I also loved their interactions with one another, Mac and Barrons. He would almost always walk in all broodily with an heir of stealth and silence. They would then bicker and banter with each other and he’d leave just as hurriedly as he had arrived (always with stealth). Their wordless conversations, however, were by far my favorite thing between these two. It was so funny and almost always had me laughing or smiling.

“Ms. Lane.”
“Barrons.”

^^^ALWAYS how they addressed one another, lol. Cracks me up.^^^

The million-dollar question: What are you, Barrons? His answer, on those rare occasions he gave one, was always the same.
The one that will never let you die.

These books went by in a whirlwind that makes it difficult to decipher what happened in each story-yet another reason I am writing one review to cover four books. There was just so much information to sift through and so much mystery. We never knew who Mac could trust and who she should confide in with valuable information. There were generally three evils to choose from: Barrons, Rowena, and V’lane. More often than not, Barrons was her choice of poison, the lesser of three evils-every once in a while she would confide in V’lane, the death-by-sex fae. He proved to be a funny distraction and a comic relief in most situations. I loved all these characters dearly. (Okay, Okaaaaay-FECK Rowena.)

Time is neither scalpel nor bandage. It is indifferent. Scar tissue isn’t a good thing. It’s merely the wound’s other face.

So to sum up-this was a big surprise for me, in part because I pushed it off for so long and didn’t know whether the story would resonate with me. But it did, it got into my bloodstream and deep into my soul-that’s right, I’ll say it-I got the FEVER. 😛

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Darkfever #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Bloodfever #2 Reviews:	Faefever #3 Reviews: Jen Anna
Dreamfever #4 Reviews: Jen Anna	Shadowfever #5 Reviews: Jen Chelsea Anna	Iced #6
Burned #7	Feverborn #8

Jen	Chelsea
Arielle	Cassie

Jen	Chelsea
Arielle	Cassie

BOOK REVIEW – These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman

I’m not even close to the type of girl he’d want, just as I’ve been signaling at every opportunity that he’s the last man in the galaxy I’d want to touch. The only difference is that I was wrong.

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BOOK REVIEW – Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi

Aria laughed. That was attractive. She smelled like a horse. “Do you ever miss anything? Perry smiled. “You, all the time.”

Perry held her against him. “I missed you,” he whispered in her ear. He couldn’t hold her close enough. “I should never have let you go. I missed you so much.”

She’d been seeking the comfort of a place. Of walls. A roof. A pillow to rest her head on. Now she realized that the people she loved were what gave her life shape, and comfort, and meaning. Perry and Roar were home.

“We’re together now,” he whispered against her forehead. “The way we should be.” She closed her eyes and relaxed her breathing, seeking calm. He was rendered to her. Maybe he’d feel it too. “Sleep, Perry.” “I will,” he said. “With you right here, I will.”

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BOOK REVIEW – Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3) by Veronica Rossi

“What I was trying to say,” he whispered, “is that I see you in everything. There isn’t a word for you that means enough, because you’re everything to me.

“What brought you out here, Aria?” he asked. She looked up, right into his eyes. “I needed to find you.” “I know,” he said. “The second I left you, I felt the same way.”

He was terrible at falling-Roar was right about that-but nothing ever kept him down.

“I feel like every story you tell me, he gets his nose broken.” Roar raised an eyebrow. “You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”

“When I showed up at the cave, you couldn’t even stand to look at me.” “That’s in your head.” “It’s not. You’re hardly subtle.” Roar waved a hand. “About anything.” “You vain bastard. I wasn’t avoiding you. You just sulk whenever you’re not the center of attention.”

“You think Soren and I saved your life by getting you out of Reverie? We didn’t. We gave you a chance. You have to choose whether you want to live or die, not me.”

So that we’re clear,” Perry said, “I don’t care if it means everyone on this earth loses any chance of surviving. If you mention her to me again, I will take your head off and watch your blood pool at my feet.”

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BOOK REVIEW – Desires of the Dead (The Body Finder #2) by Kimberly Derting

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BOOK REVIEW – Shadowfever (Fever #5) by Karen Marie Moning

Fire to my ice. Ice to my fever.

There was something very cold inside me. Always had been. I wanted to welcome it now. Let it chill my blood and frost all my emotions until there was nothing left in me that was haunted because there was nothing left in me.

Shadows are wonderful things. They hide pain and conceal motives.

Good and evil, in their purest form, were as intangible and forever beyond our ability to hold in our hand as any Fae illusion. We could only aim at them, aspire to them, and hope not to get so lost in the shadows that we could no longer see the light.

“Ms. Lane.” “Barrons.”

The million-dollar question: What are you, Barrons? His answer, on those rare occasions he gave one, was always the same. The one that will never let you die.

Time is neither scalpel nor bandage. It is indifferent. Scar tissue isn’t a good thing. It’s merely the wound’s other face.

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Aria laughed. That was attractive. She smelled like a horse. “Do you ever miss anything?
Perry smiled. “You, all the time.”

“We’re together now,” he whispered against her forehead. “The way we should be.”
She closed her eyes and relaxed her breathing, seeking calm. He was rendered to her. Maybe he’d feel it too. “Sleep, Perry.”
“I will,” he said. “With you right here, I will.”

“What brought you out here, Aria?” he asked.
She looked up, right into his eyes. “I needed to find you.”
“I know,” he said. “The second I left you, I felt the same way.”

“I feel like every story you tell me, he gets his nose broken.”
Roar raised an eyebrow. “You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”

“When I showed up at the cave, you couldn’t even stand to look at me.”
“That’s in your head.”
“It’s not. You’re hardly subtle.” Roar waved a hand. “About anything.”
“You vain bastard. I wasn’t avoiding you. You just sulk whenever you’re not the center of attention.”

“Ms. Lane.”
“Barrons.”

The million-dollar question: What are you, Barrons? His answer, on those rare occasions he gave one, was always the same.
The one that will never let you die.