Tag: Young Adult (Page 2 of 158)

BOOK REVIEW: The Exiled Queen, The Gray Wolf Throne & The Crimson Crown (Seven Realms 2, 3 & 4) by Cinda Williams Chima

October 22, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

The Exiled Queen (Seven Realms #2)
by Cinda Williams Chima
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden's Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn't mean that danger isn't far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana'Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden's Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen.

Everything changes when Han and Raisa's paths cross, in this epic tale of uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction.

Review:

I didn’t even realize The Exiled Queen had the academy trope and I absolutely ate it up! With treachery, secrets, lies, and friendships I loved the second installment of this series. But my favorite thing was how Princess Raisa made me so proud of her! I loved how grown-up she has become, and the choices she made! She was what anyone would want as a true queen! Han is still my top favorite, and I couldn’t wait to see what he got into and learned next! Micah, I still want an anvil to fall on his head haha. And my heart bled for Amon and his duty. This is a fabulous YA fantasy that I can’t recommend enough!

The Gray Wolf Throne (Seven Realms #3)
by Cinda Williams Chima
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Han Alister thought he had already lost everyone he loved. But when he finds his friend Rebecca Morley near death in the Spirit Mountains, Han knows that nothing matters more than saving her. The costs of his efforts are steep, but nothing can prepare him for what he soon discovers: the beautiful, mysterious girl he knew as Rebecca is none other than Raisa ana'Marianna, heir to the Queendom of the Fells. Han is hurt and betrayed. He knows he has no future with a blueblood. And, as far as he's concerned, the princess's family as good as killed his own mother and sister. But if Han is to fulfill his end of an old bargain, he must do everything in his power to see Raisa crowned queen.

Meanwhile, some people will stop at nothing to prevent Raisa from ascending. With each attempt on her life, she wonders how long it will be before her enemies succeed. Her heart tells her that the thief-turned-wizard Han Alister can be trusted. She wants to believe it—he's saved her life more than once. But with danger coming at her from every direction, Raisa can only rely on her wits and her iron-hard will to survive—and even that might not be enough.

Review:

In The Gray Wolf Throne, so many secrets came out! I was floored with not only all that we learned, but what the characters finally got to learn too. Especially since they realized that truths could cut just as deep as a sword! With plenty of action, the characters we have come to love were put through the ringer. I truly couldn’t figure out how everyone was going to get their HEA, and that made me listen to this story so quickly! This book was so much fun and a great addition to this series. Han, Raisa, Amon, Dancer and Kat are everything!

The Crimson Crown (Seven Realms #4)
by Cinda Williams Chima
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A thousand years ago, two young lovers were betrayed Alger Waterlow to his death, and Hanalea, Queen of the Fells, to a life without love.

Now, once again, the Queendom of the Fells seems likely to shatter apart. For young queen Raisa ana’Marianna, maintaining peace even within her own castle walls is nearly impossible; tension between wizards and Clan has reached a fevered pitch. With surrounding kingdoms seeking to prey on the Fells’ inner turmoil, Raisa’s best hope is to unite her people against a common enemy. But that enemy might be the person with whom she's falling in love.

Through a complicated web of lies and unholy alliances, former streetlord Han Alister has become a member of the Wizard Council of the Fells. Navigating the cut-throat world of blue blood politics has never been more dangerous, and Han seems to inspire hostility among Clan and wizards alike. His only ally is the queen, and despite the perils involved, Han finds it impossible to ignore his feelings for Raisa. Before long, Han finds himself in possession of a secret believed to be lost to history, a discovery powerful enough to unite the people of the Fells. But will the secret die with him before he can use it?

A simple, devastating truth concealed by a thousand-year-old lie at last comes to light in this stunning conclusion to the Seven Realms series.

Review:

I’m so happy I read this young adult fantasy; it was so easy to fall for! With tensions running high and so many moving parts, there was so much happening in this final book! And while the politics of court, along with the wants and needs of other groups of people played such a large role in this book, what I adored most was how the characters carried out the story. It was so easy to become invested in their lives. I loved how they pulled us along on their journeys and we watched as love, betrayal and friendship laced through the pages. This is definitely a series I will always remember, and I loved how it wrapped up!

BOOK REVIEW: AVA (International Sensory Assassin Network #4) by Mary Ting

July 30, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

AVA (International Sensory Assassin Network #4)
by Mary Ting
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
The final installment of the Multi-Award-Winning series.

The days of hiding are over.
The battle for supremacy is here.
The fate of the rebels is at hand.

Ava heads to South Korea to bring down the facility that manufactures the CODE army. But she can't do it alone. She'll have to trust fellow conspirators and put her life on the line.

When the South rebel leader searches for missing team members, she's captured and taken to the Korean ISAN base. There, she discovers a secret that could change the course of the war in their favor.

After the rebel mountain base is threatened, Ava has no choice but to comply with Korean ISAN demands—or end up killing everyone she loves.

Review:

AVA was a wonderful conclusion to the International Sensory Assassin Network Series! Those we love got the happily ever after we had been hoping for, but it was such a challenging journey. And I closed the book smiling with that fabulous conclusion. If you love dystopian, sci-fi, action, found family, and romance then definitely check this series out!

She had always put her people first and had promised herself never to fall in love. But the thing about love… there’s no reasoning or predicting when and why it happens. Sometimes love happens when you least expect it.

Rhett and Ava will always be my favorite! But there were other romances within this series, and we got to see where some of them led! On top of the romances, I loved watching how trust played such an important part in this story. With double agents, and those they weren’t sure they could trust, they had to learn to work together for the greater good. It was nerve wracking, yet so fun seeing how it all would unfold!

Renegades forever.

Sacrifice was another important element in this series. The threats that were forced upon them. And the situations they were put in were gut wrenching. Yet those with pure hearts and bravery in their veins stood up and did all they could to protect those that they loved and cared for. Those that they realized had become their family. It was such a powerful recurring theme within this book that I loved!

We would make a difference.

Also, we were introduced to new characters, from the Korean ISAN. Quite a few of the chapters were narrated by Hae Jin, who reminded me of Ava in certain ways. She had a boyfriend, a found family, and was desperate to get out of the clutches of ISAN. But I was never able to find that connection to her, or her team members. Regardless, she was so easy to like and I loved her fearless ways!

Sometimes wishes do come true when you blow on a dandelion.

With different teams working together for the greater good, life and death situations, and love gracing the pages, this was such a fabulous wrap up to this series. Yet, there were still things that needed to be done in the world. Other countries where ISAN needed to be brought to their knees. So, Ting skillfully set up this series to have spinoffs, which I’m sure fans will adore.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Reading Order:
Amazon (click on covers) & iBooks (click on titles)

ISAN (International Sensory Assassin Network #1) Review: Jen	HELIX (International Sensory Assassin Network #2) Review: Jen	GENES (International Sensory Assassin Network #3) Review: Jen
CODE (International Sensory Assassin Network #3) Review: Jen	AVA (International Sensory Assassin Network #4) Review: Jen

BOOK REVIEW – Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

June 17, 2024 / Jen / 2 Comments

BOOK REVIEW – Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout Obsidian (Lux #1)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring...until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

Review:

*I reread this book and updated a few parts of my review from a decade ago ♥*

The Lux Series is what made me become obsessed with the enemies to lovers trope. This book was everything! Whether it was the infuriating, smug, sexiness that was Daemon, or the strong-willed Katy, or the energetic lovable Dee, or the duo that was Ash and Andrew, I LOVED all of the characters in this book. And the story-line? Not only did it have me grinning from ear to ear, but I kept finding myself saying “oh, just one more chapter”, and you know how that usually ends. Hours later and I couldn’t put this book down. JLA created the perfect world that I wanted to get lost in again and again.

For a moment, all I could do was stare at him. He was probably the hottest guy I’d ever seen in real life, and he was a total douche. Go figure.

Katy’s father passed away, and her mom was in desperate need of a fresh start. So they moved from Florida, to a small little town in West Virginia. And in need of getting directions to the local supermarket and a place to buy plants, Katy had one of the most memorable meet cutes. That had no part of cute in it lol. Daemon was sexy, shirtless and beyond exasperating. He seemed to know how to push Katy’s buttons without a second thought. From there I was glued to the pages. I loved following Katy on her journey to discovering that Daemon and his lovable sister, Dee were aliens. And how being friends with aliens can most definitely turn your life upside down and scrambling just to stay alive!

Okay. That was it. “You know, you’re right. How wrong of me to call you a douchebag. Because a douchebag is too nice of a word for you,” I said, smiling sweetly. “You’re a dickhead.”
“A dickhead?” He repeated. “How charming.”
I flipped him off.

Katy is by far one of my favorite heroines. She never backed down from a challenge, didn’t take any of the garbage Daemon was constantly throwing at her, she tried her hardest to be fearless, while also being the best friend ever! She was an admirable girl that anyone would be lucky to call their friend. But my favorite thing about her? Her sassiness! She was one of the few people who took a stand against Daemon, and put him in his place. Her comebacks were hilarious, yet at the same time I couldn’t help but have my heart break each time Daemon was cold to her. What did she ever do wrong? Why couldn’t she be friends with his sister Dee? And why does he radiate so much pain when he lets his guard down for two seconds?

My lips pressed into a hard line. “You’re such an ass. Has…anyone ever told you that?”
He flashed a genuinely amused smile. “Oh, Kitten, every single day of my blessed life.”

Daemon was the ultimate book boyfriend! He made aliens sexy, and I never thought that was possible. Daemon had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He alone felt responsible for past horrific events, taking care of his sister, and sending Katy running away as far as humanly possible. Yet, Daemon’s feelings towards Katy were a conundrum, that at times felt like whiplash. You never knew if you were going to get the cold Daemon, or the one that had you begging for more. Daemon will lull you into his web, and even if you want to hurt him, it’s impossible. His heart shines through in moments that will have you clamoring for more. Plus he was the embodiment of infuriating sexiness. And heaven help me, but I fell so hard for him.

Holding my breath, I reached up and brushed back a strand of hair. My fingers barely grazed his skin, but he sucked in a sharp breath and closed his eyes. I pulled my hand away, not sure why I’d done that.

The characters were addicting and impossible to get out of my head! The chemistry between Katy and Daemon was through the roof hot. I found myself smiling so much at their passionate banter! And the story progressed at a perfect pace that always kept me intrigued and begging for more. Obsidian was an enchanting story that effortlessly captured my heart. And a decade later, this is still one of my top favorite series ever!

Then I shifted my gaze, and my eyes locked with Daemon’s. Even though several tables separated us, my breath caught. There was something…wicked in those emerald-colored eyes. Consuming. I couldn’t look away, and he didn’t either. The distance between us seemed to evaporate.

PS I highly recommend reading Shadows (A Lux Novel) by Jennifer L. Armentrout before reading this book!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
Shadows #0.5 Reviews: Jen	Obsidian #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Onyx #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea
Opal #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Origin #4 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Obsession (Companion novel) #4.5 Reviews: Jen Chelsea
Opposition #5 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	Oblivion #Companion Novel OBSIDIAN, ONYX & OPAL Told by Daemon Black Reviews: Jen

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BOOK REVIEW: Finale (Caraval #3) by Stephanie Garber

May 14, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Finale (Caraval #3)
by Stephanie Garber
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Welcome, welcome to Finale, the third and final book in Stephanie Garber’s #1 New York Times bestselling Caraval series!

A love worth fighting for. A dream worth dying for. An ending worth waiting for.

It’s been two months since the Fates were freed from a deck of cards, two months since Legend claimed the throne for his own, and two months since Tella discovered the boy she fell in love with doesn’t really exist.

With lives, empires, and hearts hanging in the balance, Tella must decide if she’s going to trust Legend or a former enemy. After uncovering a secret that upends her life, Scarlett will need to do the impossible. And Legend has a choice to make that will forever change and define him.

Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun. There are no spectators this time: only those who will win, and those who will lose everything.

Welcome, welcome to Finale. All games must come to an end.

Review:

Finale was a fabulous conclusion to the Caraval Trilogy! We alternated between Tella and Scarlet in this story, and I kept my fingers crossed that they would both get their happily ever afters! As someone who read OUABH first, I lost a lot of the peril that could be found in the pages. I knew the ending, and how quite a few pivotal moments would unfold. While it affected my reading of this story, there was still so much to love. The characters made this final book, and I loved watching them fight for their happiness every step of the way!

Her steps faltered, but she didn’t stop. If anything, she ran harder. The Fates had won another round.

Finale was so different from the previous two stories. There wasn’t a Caraval, so the magic, intrigue, and mystery from the games were missing. Yet those elements could still be found elsewhere, in the characters and the world around them. And as someone who adored Scarlett and Julien’s book a little more than Tella and Dante, I was shocked that Tella and Dante stole the stage. While I still loved my moments with Scarlett and Julien, Tella and Dante felt otherworldly to me. When they were around one another, it was like the sun shined brightly. The tension between them was palpable. I just wanted to push them together!

He smelled like dirt and tears and perfection. And she decided then that she was never, ever letting go of him.

But then there was also Jacks, and he was the prince of pulling on one one’s heart. I never knew if I could truly trust him, yet I wanted to! And the moments that Tella was in the middle of Jacks and Dante, oh it all made me so giddy! I loved the jealousy and strong emotions that were invoked. While I only had my heart set on one boy, I loved that he gave her an impossible choice. Yet Tella had such a strong head on her shoulders and ultimately knew what she wanted. I loved that she wasn’t willing to bend for her HEA!

Tella had never been attracted to Julian, but for a moment she’d hated how jealous she’d been of what her sister had with him. Enough would never be enough for Tella.

Finale was filled with revelations, twists and happily evers for both sisters. While the ending wasn’t exactly perfect in my eyes, I felt like we got to see more of Scarlett’s than Tella’s ending. Regardless, I still adored how the story ended. This is a series I’ll definitely want to reread down the road, and I can’t recommend it enough for ya fantasy fans!

PS On page 255, there was something foretold…..does this mean we will get another series in this world? I have my fingers crossed!

BOOK REVIEW: Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber

May 10, 2024 / Jen / 0 Comments

Legendary (Caraval #2)
by Stephanie Garber
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Donatella and Scarlett Dragna escaped their cruel father and made it out of Caraval alive, but the games aren’t over yet. What Scarlett doesn’t know is that, in order to gain their freedom, Tella made a deal with a mysterious stranger and now it’s time to pay.

Except what Tella owes is something that no one has ever been able to deliver: the true name of Caraval Master Legend. Tella’s only chance at uncovering Legend’s true identity is to enter the dangerous game of Caraval once more, and win. But what will she have to sacrifice to do that?

Review:

Legendary started right after Caraval ended, and Tella had made a dangerous bargain. She was to obtain Legend’s real name, and for that she had to win the next Caraval. Back are the mysterious moments, the what ifs, and not knowing what was going to happen next. Legendary took us through another game that twisted and turned as the story unfolded. The journey was magical, and I loved seeing it through Tella’s eyes. If you adore YA fantasy, definitely give this series a try!

He cradled her sobbing head to his chest. “Can you open your eyes for me?”
“Maybe I want to sleep here,” Tella mumbled. “I’d wager it’s safer than in your arms.”
“What’s so dangerous about my arms?” He murmured.
“For me, everything.” Tella slowly lifted one lid open.

Tella was a sneaky little soul. I was intrigued that she kept one of the Fate cards that she had stolen. It showed her pictures of the future, or possible futures. Her decisions could change what it showed her. So as Tella worked her way to winning Caraval, it was impossible not to feel everything that she did. She was brave, focused, and loved her sister fiercely. And even though Tella didn’t believe in true love, watching her interact with Dante and Jacks were my top favorite moments in this book!

Dante’s voice rumbled with a laugh. “If I were Legend I’d definitely never tell you.”
“Because you don’t trust me?”
“No,” he answered slowly, gently tugging her even closer. “I’d hold onto my secret because I’d want to keep playing the game with you, and if I told you the truth it would spoil all the fun.”

Dante, oh my heart. When Dante created a situation pushing her closer to Jacks, I was intrigued that he would play such a dangerous game. I had already fallen for Dante in the previous book. He was a man surrounded by darkness and the unknown. Yet Dante also came through time and again. I couldn’t help but love him.

His laughter was surprisingly disarming. “Then tell yourself everyone wishes they were me, dancing with you.” With a grin he must have stolen from the devil, Jacks looped an arm around Tella’s hips and swept her on the dance floor.

Jacks created jealousy and tension that was so delicious and palpable. He was a man who was so much more than what he seemed. And I don’t want to say more because of spoilers, but just know that both of those men were so easy to love and obsess over. Yet as someone who read OUABH, I definitely recommend reading this series before Once Upon a Broken Heart. Or else you’ll spoil so many pivotal moments in this story.

He was supposed to break her heart.
She wasn’t supposed to break his.

Legendary was shrouded in mystery, and the story wove itself together so beautifully. With characters that were so easy to like, a story-line that kept you turning the pages, and magic sprinkled throughout the book, Legendary was such a fabulous YA fantasy!