Tag: Paranormal (Page 10 of 52)

BOOK REVIEW – The Power (Titan #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

BOOK REVIEW - The Power (Titan #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I re-read this book in anticipation for the final book releasing this month. And it was even more amazing the second time around, so I tweaked some stuff in my review. Here it is.......

BOOK REVIEW – The Power (Titan #2) by Jennifer L. ArmentroutThe Power (Titan #2)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

With any great change, there is always strife, and the Covenant University has become the frontline between pure-bloods who want the Breed Order reinstated and the half-bloods who want the right to control their own destinies.

Fate has other plans.

The violence is escalating and war between the races seems inevitable, and it couldn’t come at a worse time. Hyperion may be out of commission, but Josie and Seth know they have only earned a reprieve. Seth must get Josie fully prepared, which means controlling her newfound abilities, and they need to find the other demigods before the Titans do.

But the gods are sensing a greater threat.

Only one thing is more dangerous than a bunch of starved Titans, and that’s an out-of-control Apollyon. The aether in Josie is drawing Seth in deeper, and when lust mixes with love and gives way to power, he knows being close to her is not only dangerous to her, but to everyone around them, but letting her go requires a level of selflessness that just isn’t Seth’s style.

The paths taken in the past are becoming the roads of the future.

Just as chaos breaks out, familiar faces from the past return, complicating the already strained bond between Josie and Seth, and when the danger from the Titans erupts with devastating consequences, the dark allure of power calls to Seth again, but this time Josie might not be able to pull him back.

And when the struggle between power and love becomes the deadliest battleground, there may be no salvation.

Review:

The Power was emotionally gripping and powerful!  Even though my adrenaline was still running high after those last few scenes, I kept swiping at the tears falling from my eyes.  I couldn’t seem to shake off the heartache, fear, and nervousness that was still thrumming through my veins.  But that’s not all that I was feeling.  The Power captured my heart all over again.  It was hilarious, heartwarming, sexy and extremely addicting.  Seth and Josie’s story is a must read for all paranormal lovers out there!

I didn’t . . . I didn’t deserve this with her.
I didn’t deserve her in general. – Seth

Seth continued to pull at my heartstrings.  He tried so hard to be good,  yet he had this innate ability to tap into the darkest part of himself.  It always seemed to just be a breath away, even with Josie in the picture.  But I didn’t care how dark his demons were.  And I sure didn’t care that he was judged and looked down upon by others.  Because he had the most pure feelings when it came to Josie.  He sent my heart into a tailspin with just the way he protected, cared and touched her.

There would be no room for anything else, because after this—after having her, after knowing that she was mine—there was no way I could stay away from her.
So I would do right by her.
Even if it killed me. – Seth

After how The Return ended, Seth was even more adamant about training Josie in not just hand to hand combat, but in learning to control and use all five of her elements.  The Titans were still out there, and they would try to get their hands on Josie again.  She had to learn to protect herself and be ready to go to war with them in the future.  And just like how Alex and Aiden’s training sessions were sizzling hot, Seth and Josie’s were scorching.

“I know I have the power,” she argued. “Duh.”
I arched a brow. “Yeah, you know you do, but you don’t really believe it or trust yourself.  If you did, you wouldn’t be setting every damn thing on fire every time you get horny.”
Her cheeks flushed pink. “I do not!”
I smirked.
“That was like once or twice.” She threw up her hands. “Okay, maybe four times.  I didn’t this morning.” A light sparked in her eyes. “Then again, maybe that just means you were slacking.”

By that last page, I was so proud with how far Josie had come!  She continued to find her voice while being determined to protect herself and fight right alongside with the others.  And I loved that some of her mannerisms were so relatable.  I mean she loved french fries and saw running as a necessary evil.  Hello, welcome to my life lol.  But again, I found that my favorite thing about Josie was the way she saw Seth.  Her faith and hope in him shined brightly.  She didn’t care about his past and what others thought.  She saw the good in him and believed he deserved his happily ever after, just like every one else does.

I felt bad poaching the dagger from him, but it was heavy and warm in my hand as I forced myself forward, knowing I was making the right choice. I was not a weakness that needed to be hidden away.
I was a mother-freaking demigod. – Josie

And Josie and Seth were surrounded by characters that I loved from The Covenant Series – Luke, Deacon and Solos.  But this time we got a few more additions……  (view spoiler) I loved having them back in the mix.  And seeing them through Seth and Josie’s eyes felt so very different from how we viewed them through the Covenant Series.  Eeks, you must read this!

Pressure increased in my chest and more tears snuck free. They kept falling silently, and I squeezed my eyes shut. By the time exhaustion dragged me under, I wasn’t sure who I was crying for the most. – Josie

So I closed the book in complete awe of my feelings.  While my heart is sad over some things that happened, I can’t deny how elated I still feel!  From that first page I was utterly addicted and so happy to be in a world that feels like home!  The Return and The Power are both books that I can’t wait to pick up and read all over again!

*ARC kindly provided by Spencer Hill Pres via Inkslinger in exchange for an honest review*

 

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
the return titan jennifer armentrout
The Return #1
Reviews:

Jen
The Power Jennifer L. Armentrout Titan
The Power #2
Reviews:

Jen

The Struggle #3
Reviews:
Jen

The Prophecy #4
Reviews:
Jen
About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

Jennifer Armentrout JLA_Author-photo# 1 New York Times and #1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.

She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

 

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BOOK REVIEW – The Return (Titan #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

BOOK REVIEW – The Return (Titan #1) by Jennifer L. ArmentroutThe Return (Titan #1)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

The Fates are cackling their bony asses off...

It's been a year since Seth made the deal with the gods that pledged his life to them. And so far, the jobs they've given him have been violent and bloody--which is kind of all right with him. But now Apollo has something else in mind for Seth. He's got to play protector while keeping his hands and fingers off, and for someone who really has a problem with restraint, this new assignment might be the most challenging yet.

Josie has no idea what this crazy hot guy's deal might be, but it's a good bet that his arrival means the new life she started after leaving home is about to be thrown into an Olympian-sized blender turned up to puree. Either Josie is going insane or a nightmare straight out of ancient myth is gunning for her.

But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and the golden-eyed, secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all.

Because history has once again been flipped to repeat.

Review:

The Return was amazing.  Absolutely, brilliantly done amazing.  It was more than I ever could have asked or wished for.  Not only did I get to step back into a world that felt like home, but I got to be with so many characters that I loved.  But somehow, that wasn’t even the best part.  Because Seth and Josie made this book.  Their interactions of banter, animosity, anger, laughter and sexiness were perfection.  I fell hard for them and this story.  But, if you haven’t read The Covenant Series yet (Half-Blood #1), I highly recommend it before reading this series!  While Jennifer does an astounding job of pulling in previous information to keep a new reader abreast, I’d still want my friends to meet those characters and watch the events unfold firsthand.  Trust me, you’ll fall in love with that series too!

“Go away,” Seth said, his voice low.
Jesse blinked slowly, his lips forming a word that never came out, and then he pivoted around, stiffly walking off. What in the holy hell?
My mouth dropped open as my heart kicked in my chest. Jesse seriously had just turned and walked away, leaving me with Crazy Hot Guy! I spun back to Seth, and he was closer now, maybe a foot away.
He winked at me.
– Josie

I am so over the moon excited that Seth got his own story!  I loved Aiden, don’t get me wrong, but I always wanted so much more for Seth.  My heart always ached for him because even though he could be a pompous ass or a manipulative little shit at times, there was always that part of him that constantly suffered.  From not having a mother that wanted him, to then being manipulated and used by a Pure and the God Ares to help take over the world (uh yeah, huge screw up on his part), he somehow always seemed to get the raw end of a deal while trying to find acceptance, family and love.  But after all of the horrible things he did, I still could never hate him.  He was just Seth.  Sexy, cocky, beautiful, infuriating, playful Seth.  And the fact that I got to read almost half of this book in his head still has me going hamana-hamana.  Lol.  I love him completely, flaws and all.

His gaze flew back to mine and for a long moment he didn’t speak. A sense of hyperawareness rushed over my skin, forming tiny little bumps. Tension poured into the air like kegs of it had been tapped open above us. My pulse picked up as I drew in a shallow breath. A muscle spasmed along his jaw and his lips parted as he said, “What in the fuck are you?”
– Seth

We also got to hear the story from Josie’s point of view.  Josie was a girl that Seth had been ordered to protect by Apollo.  I had an easy time warming up to her.  Probably my favorite things about Josie was that she was understanding and pragmatic.  She owned up to her screw ups and realized what she did was wrong.  She didn’t make the same mistakes again and again, thank goodness!  When she was introduced to Seth’s world, she definitely fought it.  Not only because there was this whole other world that she didn’t know about but because her mindset would have to change.  Heck, I’d have a hard time coming to terms that it’s ok to kill certain people/creatures.  But she got it, understood it and dealt with it even though she doesn’t have to like it.  Wait!  Scratch what I said earlier, because my favorite thing about Joise was the way that she viewed Seth.  She saw him how I always did.  That Seth was someone with the potential and heart to be a true friend because he was a good person.  That he was someone that deserved to be trusted and cared for.  I love that she got that about him!

When I opened my eyes, she was staring at me with those big, blue ones. “When I’m with you, I don’t feel like a monster. I forget.” And that was the damn truth—a scary truth. “I forget all the things I’ve done that make me not deserve this.” – Seth

The Return was such a page turner.  It literally pained me to put this book down so I could get more than 4 hours of sleep at night.  That’s because Jennifer Armentrout has this ability to make me become completely swept away with my emotions.  I become lost in the story and the peril that she weaves throughout it.  The characters she creates become an intricate part of me while I’m reading and I truly feel as though I become invested in them and their story!  Sigh, I always find myself getting too attached to her characters, can you tell?  But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

She had no choices now. She had a destiny she’d never known about, probably didn’t want, and might end up getting her killed. I got how much that sucked. My heart pounded in my chest for no reason. “I’m sorry.” – Seth

So for anyone who loves paranormal, mythology, or is looking for a story that will make you become lost in the pages, well then this is your book!  And in case you didn’t know, Jennifer L. Armentrout is on my “I-will-buy-whatever-she-writes-list”!  I can always count on laughing, swooning, being over the moon happy, then scared shit-less, and of course the sexiness is so insanely hot!  If you can’t tell already, this is a definite must read!

PS YES, there are characters from The Covenant that are in this book.  Want to see an example?  Then read the quote below!!  EEKS!!

“This is Josie,” Seth continued. “Please don’t be weird and scare her.”
“Be weird?” Deacon rolled those gray eyes. “Ha. Whatever, dude. All you need to know about me is that I’m like a dolphin in a sea of less-smart fish,” he announced, spreading his arms with a flourish.
Luke turned to him slowly as his eyebrows inched up his forehead. “What?”
He shrugged. “Just saying I have a lot in common with dolphins. They’re smart. I’m smart.”
Seth rubbed his hand down his face.
There was a beat of silence, and then Luke sighed and shook his head, lips twitching. “It’s a good thing I think you’re fine as hell.”

PPS There were SO many quotes I wanted to use BUT I couldn’t because it would give too much away.  Quotes that made me sigh, quotes that made me cry and quotes that made me feel so much!  Not fair….I just wanted to whine about that for a minute haha.

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
the return titan jennifer armentrout
The Return #1
Reviews:

Jen
The Power Jennifer L. Armentrout Titan
The Power #2
Reviews:

Jen

The Struggle #3
Reviews:
Jen

The Prophecy #4
Reviews:
Jen

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BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Haven by Mary Lindsey

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY - Haven by Mary Lindsey

I’m so happy to be on the tour for Haven! This paranormal tale wove mystery and suspense throughout the pages and was a lot of fun! So check out my review below and enter a fabulous giveaway! Enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Haven by Mary LindseyHaven by Mary Lindsey
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

"We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."

Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere. He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in, and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike Burkhart.

Freddie isn’t like normal teen girls, though. And someone wants her dead for it. Freddie warns he’d better stay far away if he wants to stay alive, but Rain’s never been good at running from trouble. For the first time, Rain has something worth fighting for, worth living for. Worth dying for.

Review:
Time had simply been a bookmark. Something that held his place while he waited to finish the story.

Haven was a paranormal tale that wove mystery and suspense throughout the pages.  It definitely leaned heavily on the mystery side, and we started out just as clueless as Rain Ryland.  When Rain arrived in the little town of New Wurzburg, to live with his Aunt Ruby, he realized that something felt off.  And as Rain started school, met his Aunt’s coworkers and even got a job, things become even more confusing.  While little clues appeared here and there, Rain became more than determined to get to the bottom of whatever was going on in New Wurzburg.

He’d never feared losing something before because he’d never had anything worth keeping. This girl, though. She was different. And he wanted her.

While I easily guessed what the paranormal element was, there was so much shrouded in mystery that I wasn’t able to decipher.  I loved being as lost as Rain sometimes, and I had fun trying to figure it all out right along with him!  Rain was by far my favorite thing about this book.  You know I’m a sucker for a tortured soul, and with his history of a hard life and being raised on the streets, it drew me right into him.  Rain wasn’t expecting much in this little town, but moving in with his Aunt Ruby was the new start he desperately needed.  He slowly started to make connections, find hope and even some happiness.  And I have a good feeling that a lot of people will fall in love Rain just as much as I did.  He was intense, put his heart on the line and I loved that he jumped in feet first.  His intentions proved again and again that he had a heart of gold, despite his hard past.  And when Rain first met Friederike Burkhart, I loved how he saw her.

“So, you want me to listen to my instincts.”
“Yes.”
He reached out and pulled her to him by a belt loop on her jeans. Her eyes widened as she crashed into him. The contact with her long, muscular body made the blood roar in his ears and other places. “My instincts aren’t telling me to go home. They’re telling me to do this.” He took her face in his hands and covered her mouth with his.

I was so addicted to Rain, that I thought I’d easily love Freddie and their romance too.  And while Freddie was intense, tough and struggled with her father’s recent passing, I just couldn’t connect to her.  Which made me not connect to the insta-love romance either.  But I still loved watching him fall in love with her.  And I loved even more how Rain vowed to protect Freddie, when he learned that her life was on the line.  Sigh, Rain was beyond amazing.  I desperately wanted to love and be obsessed with everything that he was, yet I wasn’t.  So I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you connect to Freddie and the romance much better than I did!

Never had he been kissed like that— like the world revolved around that moment. And he wanted more. He wanted everything.

But I still had a lot of fun reading Haven despite my inability to connect to Freddie or the romance.  So if you love stories that keep you guessing until the very end and have characters that will do anything to protect the ones they love, then definitely check this book out!  After finishing Haven I picked up Shattered Souls by this author, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I completely connect with that duology!

“I’m not afraid of dying,” Rain said. “I’m afraid of dying for nothing.”
Looking up, Petra met his eyes directly, and it struck him again how large and nonhuman they looked. “You’ll make a difference. It’s not for nothing.”

PS I loved Petra!  She’s a girl who is hmmm yeah I’m not going to tell you that lol.  But she was by far my favorite secondary character and I wish I got to spend more time with her!

*ARC kindly provided by Entangled:Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

 

About Mary Lindsey:

Mary Lindsey is a multi award-winning, RITA® nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on an island in the middle of a river. Seriously, she does. When not writing, she wrangles her rowdy pack of three teens, two Cairn Terriers, and one husband. Inexplicably, her favorite animal is the giant anteater and at one point, she had over 200 “pet” Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. The roaches are a long story involving three science-crazed kids and a soft spot for rescue animals. The good news is, the “pet” roaches found a home… somewhere else.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

 

REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Wolves and Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1) by Christina Bauer

REVIEW + GIVEAWAY - Wolves and Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1) by Christina Bauer

Wolves and Roses was soooo much fun and I can’t wait to devour the rest of this author’s books! Check out my 4.5 Star Review below and enter a fabulous giveaway! Enjoy!

REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Wolves and Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1) by Christina BauerWolves and Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1)
by Christina Bauer
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Bryar Rose has a problem. She’s descended from one of the three magical races—shifters, fairies, or witches. That makes her one of the Magicorum, and Magicorum always follow a fairy tale life template. In Bryar’s case, that template should be Sleeping Beauty.

“Should” being the key word.

Trouble is, Bryar is nowhere near the sleeping beauty life template. Not even close. She doesn’t like birds or woodland creatures. She can’t sing. And she certainly can’t stand Prince Philpot, the so-called “His Highness of Hedge Funds” that her aunties want her to marry. Even worse, Bryar’s having recurring dreams of a bad boy hottie and is obsessed with finding papyri from ancient Egypt. What’s up with that?

All Bryar wants is to attend a regular high school with normal humans and forget all about shifters, fairies, witches, and the curse that Colonel Mallory the Magnificent placed on her. And she might be able to do just that--if only she can just keep her head down until her eighteenth birthday when the spell that’s ruined her life goes buh-bye.

But that plan gets turned upside down when Bryar Rose meets Knox, the bad boy who’s literally from her dreams. Knox is a powerful werewolf, and his presence in her life changes everything, and not just because he makes her knees turn into Jell-O. If Bryar can’t figure out who—or what—she really is, it might cost both her and Knox their lives… as well as jeopardize the very nature of magic itself.

Review:

Wolves and Roses captivated my attention with unique ideas, characters that I quickly loved and a story-line that was tons of fun!  I was hoping to pick up a book that was entertaining and enjoyable, and by that first page I knew I had found the exact book I was looking for.  So if you adore paranormal romance that has a strong and snarky heroine, a fabulous best friend, a swoon worthy guy and a mystery that pulls you in, then definitely check out this book.

Now is not the time to worry about Knox. It’s the time to tell my best friend that I killed someone and burned her house down.
Yipes
.
Straightening my shoulders, I knock on the door. – Bryar

I’ve never read a story where characters are supposed to live out their lives according to their fairy tale theme.  What a fun idea!  They’re referred to as Magicorum and they belong to one of the three magical races: shifters, witches, or fairies.  Bryar Rose is supposed to be following her Sleeping Beauty life template, but she’s definitely failing at that.  Yeah she has three fairies watching over her, a charming Prince who wants to marry her, and she has to use an inhaler to keep from falling asleep.  But the girl could care less about following her path because she’s obsessed with finding papyri from ancient Egypt.  And she dreams about this hot guy, Knox, that is definitely not the Prince she is supposed to marry lol.

“Don’t order me around.”
Damn. I want to do more than order her around. I want to build my life around this girl . Know her thoughts. Touch her skin. Bring her into my world and never let go.
How can one woman upend your entire existence so quickly? – Knox

Ohhh I loved Bryar Rose!  From her brutally honest thoughts to letting others know her opinion, she had me cracking up with her snarky ways!  She definitely doesn’t take anyone’s garbage and I loved how she stood up for herself and those she loved.  She’s fiercely loyal, especially with her best friend Elle who is also failing at following her life template.  Elle’s is Cinderella btw.  So between Bryar hunting for papyri and Elle being an expert jewel thief and con artist, they quickly find themselves in some situations that has them befriending two guys that I love, Knox and Alex.  I loved how the four of them formed a friendship and worked together.  The way they interacted made me into a smiling and laughing fool.  

I gently stroke Wolf-Knox’s neck. “What can I do to help?”
“Run from here.” Wolf-Knox’s voice is so low I can hardly hear him. “Never come back.”
My blood turns cold. “But you’ll die.”

Oh my gosh, I heart Knox so hard.  He’s a powerful werewolf and I couldn’t help but love his growly ways.  We quickly learn that he is protective, fierce and oh so sexy.  Thankfully some of the chapters are in Knox’s voice, and I loved seeing the world through his eyes.  I loved hearing what he thought of Elle, the extra clues we learned from him and the internal fights he had with his inner wolf had me cracking up.  Knox is definitely book boyfriend material!  So I desperately wanted Bryar to fall for him as fast and as hard as I did.  But here’s the thing, Bryar is stubborn and fights her attraction to Knox.  

This isn’t the ending to any fairy tale template, but I’m not sure I want to follow someone else’s path anymore.
This time, the choice is mine. – Bryar

So I’m going to be purposely vague about how the plot unfolds, because it’s more fun not knowing what’s going to happen!  Just know that the ending was perfect!  It wrapped up some pressing issues, but there’s still a lot that needs to be resolved or figured out.  So yes, I can’t wait to read the next book!  I can’t wait to be surrounded by these characters I loved again.  Even if I did guess how a few things turned out, I didn’t care at all.  This book was too much fun and the writing was so easy to devour.  So until that next book releases, I’m definitely looking forward to reading other books this author has written!

*ARC kindly provided by Monster House Books LLC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Reading Order & Links:


Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)


Wolves and Roses #1
Review:

Jen

Moonlight and Midtown #2
Review:

Jen


Shifters and Glyphs #3
Review:

Jen

 

About Author:

Christina Bauer knows how to tell stories about kick-ass women. In her best selling Angelbound series, the heroine is a part-demon girl who loves to fight in Purgatory’s Arena and falls in love with a part-angel prince. This young adult best seller has driven more than 500,000 ebook downloads and 9,000 reviews on Goodreads and retailers.

Bauer has also told the story of the Women’s March on Washington by leading PR efforts for the Massachusetts Chapter. Her pre-event press release—the only one sent out on a major wire service—resulted in more than 19,000 global impressions and redistribution by over 350 different media entities including the Associated Press. Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn

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BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY - Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel

Black Bird of the Gallows is definitely one favorite books from this year! So check out my 5 Star Review below and enter a fabulous giveaway, enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg KasselBlack Bird of the Gallows (Black Bird of the Gallows)
by Meg Kassel
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

A simple but forgotten truth: Where harbingers of death appear, the morgues will soon be full.

Angie Dovage can tell there’s more to Reece Fernandez than just the tall, brooding athlete who has her classmates swooning, but she can’t imagine his presence signals a tragedy that will devastate her small town. When something supernatural tries to attack her, Angie is thrown into a battle between good and evil she never saw coming. Right in the center of it is Reece―and he’s not human.

What's more, she knows something most don't. That the secrets her town holds could kill them all. But that’s only half as dangerous as falling in love with a harbinger of death.

Review:

Black Bird of the Gallows was hauntingly addicting, and I found myself completely mesmerized as the story unfolded.  The creatures and curses were not only unique, but an eerie combination that at times terrified me.  There were so many moments of subtle humor that had me laughing out loud and kept a smile on my face.  And when you add to that characters that won my heart, well Black Bird of the Gallows easily became one of my favorite books from this year!

What are you?” The question slips out— suddenly, vitally relevant.
For a moment , we just stare at each other, our mingling breath making white puffs in the cold air. He drops his gaze. I know, then, the answer is horrible. He’s kept his secrets for a reason, and that reason may be as scarring as the scene before us.

The book started out with Angie learning she has new neighbors.  And her first interaction with Reece, a boy about her age, had so many unexplainable moments.  He was speaking to a man whose face constantly changed, crows seemed to follow yet be playful with him, and he reminded her of something she couldn’t quite pinpoint.  Despite all that, they started towards a tentative friendship.  While there was a few bumps in the road, the way it developed felt so sweet and innocent.  But there was also moments between the two of them that made my heart race.  And I’m not one to usually talk about butterflies, but I SO did have them!  Watching Angie and Reece together made me feel like I was falling in love for the first time all over again.

I hold my breath and watch the crow glide away. It melts into the blackness, silent as a ghost. Lonely as the night.
Dark as a boy’s eyes.

Yet their relationship was forbidden.  It shouldn’t have grown the way it did.  It seemed like they were destined for broken hearts.  And because of them growing closer, creatures took interest in Angie.  That could only lead to horrific things.  You see, Reece’s arrival in her town was a horrible sign, since he’s a harbinger of death.  Once he was in her town, there was a shift in the demeanor of the town’s people.  Violence and chaotic events started to become more commonplace.  Then it all started to take an even darker turn.  I was terrified yet intrigued with how it would all play out.  Especially in regards to the bees.  When I fully understood the bees *shudders*, I realized that I will forever be haunted by them.  I can’t ever look at a honeybee normally again. *sobs*

He leans his terrible face close. Way too close . “He watches you. Why?”
My heart smashes against my ribs. His nightmare face is inches from mine, but no breath comes from that changing mouth. No puff of white in the cold darkness. Only the disorienting scent of honey and a skin-crawling drone that sounds an awful lot like bees. A lot of bees.

And while I LOVED the storyline, I was even more obsessed with Reece and Angie.  Oh my gosh you guys, Reece may be one of the most tortured souls I’ve ever read about.  He gutted me.  He broke my heart and then shattered it into the tiniest of pieces.  But he also had the ability to completely captivate my attention and melt my heart.  And did I mention he was full of secrets?  He was such a complex soul and was deliciously addicting!  I loved, loved, loved Reece!

Reece goes perfectly still. “You are important to me,” he says finally. “More important than anything any cursed creature thinks he could do to me.”

And then there was Angie.  From the moment Angie stated that she preferred footwear that wasn’t practical, I just knew her and I were going to be bffs!  But seriously, she had such a huge heart and a good head on her shoulders, I easily liked Angie right away.  While she had a troubled past, she tried her hardest to not let that define her.  And I was so grateful to see she had a wonderful support system with her two best friends and father.  The relationship she had with her father was realistic, and I loved that he played an active role in her life.  It was so refreshing to see that in a YA book!

His lips brush against mine in the whisper of a kiss. It’s different from any other. It tastes of certainty and sadness and promises that can never be made.

With curses, love, friendship, trust, and sacrifice, Black Bird of the Gallows truly had it all!  It was a page turner, it was impossible to put down, it made me sob out of happiness and sorrow.  And did I mention it reads as a standalone?!  So now I will patiently wait until I can read every single future release from this author.  She has made me a fan for life, and I’m so grateful I got to pick up this book and discover what was inside!

*ARC kindly provided by Entangled Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Purchase Links:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

And to the first 100 people who leave a review on Amazon for Black Bird of the Gallows & fill out this form, you’ll received a Book Nerd T-shirt.  You can fill out your info here.

 

 

About Meg Kassel:

Meg Kassel is an author of paranormal and speculative books for young adults. A New Jersey native, Meg graduated from Parson’s School of Design and worked as a graphic designer before becoming a writer. She now lives in Maine with her husband and daughter and is busy at work on her next novel. She is the 2016 RWA Golden Heart© winner in YA.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 
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