Tag: Young Adult (Page 28 of 159)

BOOK REVIEW: Bloodwitch (The Witchlands #3) by Susan Dennard

BOOK REVIEW: Bloodwitch (The Witchlands #3) by Susan DennardBloodwitch (The Witchlands #3)
by Susan Dennard
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Fans of Susan Dennard's New York Times bestselling Witchlands series have fallen in love with the Bloodwitch Aeduan. And now, finally, comes his story.

High in a snowy mountain range, a monastery that holds more than just faith clings to the side of a cliff. Below, thwarted by a lake, a bloodthirsty horde of raiders await the coming of winter and the frozen path to destroy the sanctuary and its secrets.

The Bloodwitch Aeduan has teamed up with the Threadwitch Iseult and the magical girl Owl to stop the destruction. But to do so, he must confront his own father, and his past.

Review:

“From the day she had stabbed Aeduan in the heart, that heart had become hers—and she would not let this be his end.” 

Why. Aren’t. More. People. Reading. This. Series?!@?!?! WHY. I’m serious. Sooz’s writing is on an entirely different level than like 80% of the stuff currently out right now in YA fantasy. Yes it’s complex. (When has that ever been a bad thing?) Yes, sometimes you can lose track of what’s happening and where it’s happening. (That’s what a map is for) But isn’t that sometimes part of a series’ appeal?! Getting so caught up in a story that sometimes you stop and think about all these ~threads~, lol see what I did there, and realize there are so many awesome plot points and you don’t know where any of them are going but you KNOW that since you’re reading a book by Susan Dennard that all of your questions eventually WILL get answered and probably in a super dramatic, crazy-ass way that you weren’t expecting AT ALL.

“I was supposed to tell you somethin’ else, sir. Something to make you believe Captain Sotar really sent me and that raiders are really coming. She said, ‘Noden and the Hagfishes ought to bend to a woman’s rule.’” 

One piece of advice I will give to those of you who do have trouble with complex story-lines, though, is to read all four one right after the other. I picked up Truthwitch earlier this year and read Windwitch and Sightwitch right after. I started this one but got distracted by who knows what and then didn’t start it again until about a week ago. And then, I actually started listening to this on audio (which was awesome btw because the narrator did a ton of different accents that I didn’t expect) while at work in my free time so I created a bit of a disconnect for myself. However, all I really had to do was google whatever questions I had (and mostly those came from the stuff we learned from Sightwitch—SO DON’T SKIP THAT ONE) and the lovely world of bookish wikis saved me.

He was a Bloodwitch no longer. He was a monk no longer. He was man, just a man. It would have to be enough.

Now to the nitty gritty of this book. Aeduan’s book. I LOVED learning more about him, even though what we learned is enough to make my heart feel like it was ripped out and stomped on, tbh. My poor bloodwitch boy. At this point, all of our main characters—Aeduan/Iseult/Owl/kinda Leopold, Merik/Esme, Safi/Vaness/Hell-Bards, and then Vivia—are scattered across The Witchlands so we have a lot of different POVs that are entirely different from one another. Sometimes it would bother me if I didn’t want to leave a particular group just yet but books that are told like this always seem WAY more intense once the story picks up and gets more frantic and you find that some of their paths might start to intersect again. I love the drama that it builds. Just like with its predecessors, the last quarter of this book is INSANE. Like…..insane. I waited to start that entire chunk until after my daughter went to bed because I knew it was going to be non-stop crazy until the last page. Thank God I did that.

Going to throw in a spoiler paragraph real quick so I can really flail without ruining things for anyone…

View Spoiler »


So yeah basically if anyone has any thoughts/answers about all that I put under the spoiler tab PLZ MESSAGE ME ASAP. I loved this book and Aeduan and I CANNOT wait for Iseult’s book, holy crap. I NEED IT BAD.

Te varuje.
I trust you as if my soul were yours.
 

BOOK REVIEW: Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

BOOK REVIEW: Sky in the Deep by Adrienne YoungSky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

A 2018 Most Anticipated Young Adult book that is part Wonder Woman, part Vikings—and all heart.

OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE.

Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient, rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.

“THIS IS A GRIPPING STORY, RICHLY TOLD.” —Renée Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling author of Flame in the Mist
"FIERCE, VIVID, AND VIOLENTLY BEAUTIFUL.” —Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval
“A STUNNING DEBUT” —Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen
“BLEAK BEAUTIFUL AND DEADLY” —Traci Chee, New York Times bestselling author of The Reader
“WHOLLY UNIQUE AND INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE” —Kerri Maniscalco, New York Times bestselling author of Hunting Prince Dracula
“HEARTRENDING, HEART-MENDING” —Kayla Olson, bestselling author of Sandcastle Empire

“Does it hurt?” He leaned closer.
My stomach dropped, pulling my heart down with it and the pulse in my veins beat unevenly. He was too close to me.
I stood, the bench scraping on the stone beneath us. He looked up at me, and I tried to find something to say. But there was too much. It was all buried too deep. I couldn’t reach it.
“Everything hurts,” I whispered.


Hollllyyyyy BLEEP. Guys. GUYS. I started this in audio ON A WHIM yesterday because I needed something new and honestly it was one of the first books that was available on Overdive as I was scrolling through. I hate admitting this but I actually got a copy of this in eARC form from Netgally but got busy and pushed it aside (obviously) and am only just now reviewing it. I’m a terrible person. BUT BETTER LATE THAN NEVER RIGHT?! Especially after this glowing review that’s trying to burst out of me.

“I feel like…” I caught the sob in my chest and swallowed it, suddenly embarrassed. He leaned in closer to me. 
“Like what?” 
My eyes ran over his face. The scruff on his jaw. The dark lashes around his blue eyes. “Like I’m a flame about to burn out.” 
My voice was so thin it sounded like I could reach out and break it with my fingers. “Like I’m going to disappear.”


I think I also might have put this off because I thought that the Viking aspect might be too much. I’m not a person who loves that extra dose of violence that Vikings are sure to always provide. I mean it’s common knowledge. Rage and duty and honor practically runs through their veins. They are warriors through and through and this book did indeed have it’s fair share of visceral, gory scenes. However, it’s more than that. It’s about family and love and realizing that someone you’ve been taught to hate all your life might just be the person who is going to save you. 

Like I loved the entire process that Eelyn goes through throughout the entire book. From a proud, I’d rather die than be in a room sharing breath with a Riki, stance to a hmm they are kind of similar to my own people, to okay, um, now I’m in love with one and I can accept that my brother is now one, lol. I loved seeing Fiske’s relationship with Iri, and how Inge took him in as one of her own. How right after she came to be with them, how Halvard was always kind to her and wanted to impress her and learn things from her. I mean this really is a book about family in every sense of the word imaginable. Family doesn’t have to be blood to be family and Fiske and Iri were a perfect example of this. 

Fiske in general was just…a treat. I don’t know if I’d exactly call it hate to love…though I guess it was. ANYWAY I loved that progression as well. There was no insta love at all. It was a gradual, but inevitable thing and I just…*shivers* I love it so damn much. So many perfect scenes and lines come to mine I will definitely be re-reading this again in the future.

“I’ll go where you go.”
This time, the words were unyielding.


Finally…the writing. This writing is 100% on brand with what I love in a book. It made me feel every single emotion. Fear, anger, love, hurt, disgust. And my heart swelled. Boy did it swell. There were so many lines of just pure feeling that enveloped me and carried me away. Since having my daughter there have been few times where I have pushed my valuable sleep aside to stay up reading and this was one of those times. I honestly probably could have finished it all in one day but I didn’t want my tiredness to impact me loving the ending. ASKLGNSEKVSLIEHGE. So yeah. This was an excellent book and I honestly can’t wait to get my hands on the next.

“Ond eldr,” I whispered his people’s battle cry against his lips. Breathe fire.

BOOK REVIEW: Storm and Fury (The Harbinger #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

BOOK REVIEW: Storm and Fury (The Harbinger #1) by Jennifer L. ArmentroutStorm and Fury (The Harbinger #1)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Enter a world of gargoyle protectors, rising demons and one girl with an explosive secret.

Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.

When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…

Review:

Storm & Fury was an addicting, emotional ride!  I absolutely loved being back in this world and that Zayne got his own story.  It was so much more than I ever could have hoped for!  There was a slow burn romance, a kick ass girl, a sexy protective male and friendship, lust, sacrifice, trust and banter filled the pages.  If you’re a fan of JLA or paranormal romance, then you definitely have to add this one to your tbr!

“Are you sure you’ve had years of training?”I taunted, steadily approaching him.
Several strands of hair had fallen free, brushing his cheeks as he faced me. “Are you sure you’ve just had a few training sessions?”
“Guess what?”I darted under his swing and hit the floor, planting my palms on the mat as I kicked out, taking his legs out from underneath him. “I lied.”

We started out this book meeting Trinity Marrow, who was going blind, but could see and communicate with ghost and spirits.  She lived in the middle of nowhere and within a Warden community, even though she wasn’t a Warden.  Wardens were gargoyle shape-shifters who protected humankind from demons. But if the demons ever discovered Trinity, they would destroy her.  So when three men I cherished from The Dark Elements Series came to her compound, her whole life was about to change.  They informed her clan that something out there was hunting Wardens and demons, and before she knew it, it became critical that they work together.

Zayne let go of my hand . “Only you would argue with me over the condition of your back.” He placed the jar on the counter. “I need you undressed from the waist up.”
“What?” I gaped at him. “Usually a guy tells me I’m pretty before he demands that I take my shirt off.”
He shot me a bland look. “Is that all it takes for you to take your shirt off? You’re very pretty, Trinity.”
My eyes narrowed as I placed my OJ on the sink so that I wouldn’t throw it in his face.

I absolutely adored Trinity.  This whole story was from her point of view and I loved how she was so easy to connect with.  Trinity was kind, smart, compassionate, but she was also brave and had so much heart.  I loved that she could be fearless, especially when it came to her diminishing eyesight.  She didn’t let not being able to fully see hold her back, whether it came to training, fighting or even just life in general.  She was someone one could look up to.

“What are you going to do if it does get worse?” he asked.
“Maybe I’ll get myself a seeing-eye gargoyle.”
Zayne chuckled. “I can be that for you.”
“Uh, yeah, I feel like you’d grow very bored of that.”
“I don’t think so.” His fingers curled around my chin, bringing my gaze back to his. Air hitched in my throat. “I don’t think… there’s ever a boring second around you.”

When Trinity and Zayne met, sparks flew.  There was a lot of friction between them, and they didn’t get off on the best foot.  So they constantly threw barbs at each other and it was hilarious and addicting to watch.  It was impossible not to smile at their antics.  But underneath that banter was an element of lust.  And there were some moments that left me fanning my face.  As they got to know each other, I couldn’t help swooning and hoping they’d turn into something more.

His touch was featherlight, but I stirred restlessly. Lust pricked my skin as he moved his fingertips down my throat, over my shoulder. A small sigh escaped me.

Zayne always had a special place in my heart from the White Hot Kiss Series.  But I was never on Team Zayne.  Not because I wasn’t obsessed with him, it was just that I always felt like Layla and Roth were meant to be together forever.  So after everything went down in the previous series, I desperately wanted Zayne to get his happily ever.  Especially since I had fallen so hard for him.

I…I wanted him.
I’d never really felt desire before, but it was burning me up from the inside. Want. Need. This was what had been missing when I’d kissed someone before. This was what yearning really felt like, and as I lifted my head off the mat, bringing our mouths so close that I could taste his breath on my lips, I thought I might drown in it. Zayne didn’t pull away. Instead, it seemed as if he became even more still.
I kissed him.

While Zayne was jaded from his past, he was still beautiful inside and out.  And it was addicting how he was not only sexy but tenacious and brave.  But there were so much more to him, like I absolutely loved how he could be funny, and then in the next breath he could be so emotionally deep.  When Zayne opened up, even a little bit, it always stole my heart and soul.  I was obsessed with Zayne and I thought Trinity would be the perfect fit for him.

“This seems very un-Warden-like,” I whispered.
The hand at my hip tightened. “You’d be shocked by all the un-Warden-like things going through my head right now.”
I shuddered, feeling dizzy and warm and alive. “Then show me.”
And he did.

While you can technically read this spin-off series as a standalone, I highly recommend you start with The Dark Elements Series first.  There were so many little moments or references that linked us to that first series.  And I loved how things pulled at my heart, made me smile or I had tears in my eyes because I was able to realize the importance of a certain moment since I had already read The Dark Element Series.  Even if it happened in the blink of an eye, the significance was there.  On top of that, I loved that we got to see all of our favorites!  Roth and Layla played such an important role!  Cayman was still making me laugh so hard.  And we even got to see Bambi, I’ve missed that snake so much!  But there was also new characters in this world, like Peanut, who I came to adore with all of my heart.  Peanut was hilarious and made me laugh so much.  And I loved how he helped out Trinity.  He was such a good friend, even if he was a ghost.

His breath coasted over my lips as he spoke. “We got this, Trin. We only have to stop the end of the world with little to no direction.”
“No big deal.”
He chuckled, and my lips curved up at the sound and the feel. “None at all.”

Action and moments that made my toes curl swirled together and it made this book beyond phenomenal!  And by that last page we had a lot of questions answered and stopped at a spot where I could breathe.  So while we got some closure to some issues, I can’t wait for that next book so we can dive into more of the unknowns.  And hopefully we’ll also get some more sigh inducing moments between Zayne and Trinity.  Fingers crossed!  So yes, I definitely recommend this book and I can’t wait to see how the rest of this series goes!

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

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)

Storm and Fury #1
Reviews:

Jen
 
Rage and Ruin   #2
Reviews:

Jen

Grace and Glory #3
Reviews:

Jen

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. Nguyen

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. Nguyen

I am so excited to be on this tour because Fake It Till You Break was beyond adorable! So check out my review below and enter a fabulous giveaway! Enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. NguyenFake It Till You Break by Jenn P. Nguyen
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Mia and Jake have known each other their whole lives. They’ve endured summer vacations, Sunday brunches, even dentist visits together. Their mothers, who are best friends, are convinced that Mia and Jake would be the perfect couple, even though they can’t stand to be in the same room together.

After Mia’s mom turns away yet another cute boy, Mia and Jake decide they’ve had enough. Together, they hatch a plan to get their moms off their backs. Permanently. All they have to do is pretend to date and then stage the worst breakup of all time―and then they’ll be free.

It’s the perfect plan - except that it turns out maybe Mia and Jake don’t hate each other as much as they once thought…

Review:

Fake It Till You Break It was absolutely adorable!  If you’re looking for a book that will make you smile and laugh, then look no further.  This hate to love and fake romance story was a ton of fun.  I got sucked in right away and I loved how it all unfolded.  So if you’re a fan of YA romance, Kasie West or cute movies like To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, then you definitely have to pick this one up!

When he hooked his pinkie against mine, I couldn’t help remembering all the times we had done this when we were kids. All the promises and secrets. Then it all went away.
We haven’t been friends for nearly ten years, but today it felt like we never stopped. And I was glad some things never changed.

Mia and Jake had known each other since they were babies.  Their moms were bbfs and just knew that their children were destined to fall madly in love someday.  So both of their mom’s made numerous attempts to make their dreams come true.  And it was all over the top.  It was impossible not to laugh or roll my eyes at their crazy antics.  But all of their efforts were in vain since Mia and Jake became enemies over the year.  In an attempt to get their moms off their backs, they decided to fake date and then break up.  That way they’d never get shoved together again.

A small smile played on his lips. “Good night, Brat.”
“Good night.” The way he said “Brat” this time didn’t sound like an insult anymore. It almost sounded . . . nice. Sweet. Like an endearment.
Oh, God, what was wrong with me? This was Jake. He wasn’t nice or sweet. Ever.

I liked both Mia and Jake from the start!  Mia could be so sarcastic, but she felt like the sweet, girl next door.  Well except when she liked to mess with Jake, which was hilarious.  And even though Jake messed with Mia too, it was impossible not fall for him.  He was such a good guy who was not only kind, but thoughtful.  Jake also had this boy next door vibe, even though he was a neat freak.  So when I watched Mia and Jake interact, I realized they could be such good friends to each other.  Well, when they wanted to be lol.

“For future reference, that’s what a kiss on the cheek is supposed to be.”
Not sure why, but the kiss took me by surprise . I stared at Mia for a moment before finally pushing her away.

When Mia and Jake pretended to date, they could be so awkward.  Yet they knew each other inside out.  There was a comfort level to them that made them smile.  I loved that not only did they tolerate each other but they had fun together.  But to make their relationship believable, there had to be touching and kissing.  And when they threw that into the mix, lines between them became completely blurred.  It should have just been pretend.  What they felt for each other wasn’t real right?  But if that was the case, then why were they excited to see each other next?

Jake pulled back slightly, and the cool air hit me in my face, bringing me back to reality. My head swirled like I had stood up too fast. What the heck just happened?

This book was so much fun, that when I was in the middle of reading this story, I went and bought Jenn P Ngyen’s other book!  So if you love fake romance, hate to love and adorable stories then you definitely have pick this one up.  It kept me smiling and laughing till the last page and I can’t wait to read this author’s other book!

He let out a short laugh as he reached out to touch my arm. “To be honest, I want a lot of things. But at top of the list is that I always want to see you.”

PS I would LOVE to read Finn’s story!!

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

 

 

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

 

 

About Jenn Nguyen:

Jenn Nguyen fell in love with books in third grade and spent the rest of her school years reading through lunchtime and giving up recess to organize the school library. She has a degree in business administration from the University of New Orleans and still lives in the city with her husband. Jenn spends her days reading, dreaming up YA romances, and binge watching Korean dramas all in the name of ‘research’.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

 

 

Review:

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BOOK REVIEW: Breakout by A.M. Rose

BOOK REVIEW:  Breakout by A.M. RoseBreakout by A.M. Rose
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Six days.

That’s the amount of time until Lezah’s execution.

She’ll die never knowing what got her locked up in that godforsaken prison in the first place. Her only chance of survival is to escape. Except the monitoring bracelet that digs into her wrist, the roaming AI, and the implant in her neck make freedom close to impossible.

Her best chance is to team up with the four other inmates who are determined to break out, even if one of them is beyond gorgeous, annoying—oh, and in for murder. But he has a secret of his own. One that could break Lezah if she finds out, but could also set him free.

Figuring out how to work with him and the rest of this mismatched group of criminals is the only way Lezah will survive to see the outside world again.

But nothing in this prison is as it seems. And no one.


Review:

Breakout was an intense ride that kept me on the edge of my seat.  I found myself completely captured by this story and had to know what happened next.  So this book refused to be put down and I needed to know that everyone I cared for survived.  There were lots of twists and turns and while I tried my hardest to put the clues together, I was still left in the dark at times. I loved that this book challenged me.  So if you’re a fan of dystopian, then definitely give this book a try!

My legs beg for me to run, to find a way out, but all I’m trying to do right now is survive. Live one more day to figure out how to crack the system. Find a flaw they don’t even know exists to escape.

From that very first page, I was sucked in and terrified for Lezah.  She found herself in a horrific prison, and she didn’t know what she did to end up there.  But there was a countdown for her death, and if she wanted to survive then she had to escape.  The scenes that unfolded were so intense. I was literally scared to move or make any noise at all.  I felt like I was trapped in that hell with her.  And that was only the first chapter.

Something out there’s hunting us, and I don’t have the time to be quiet or think about where I’m going, I just have to go.

But escaping wasn’t easy.  The prisoners were not only monitored by a device they wore, but also by WALTERS.  WALTERS were artificial intelligence that were self aware and could think on their own.  They added another level of intensity and terror to the prison Lezah was in.  So by the second chapter I jumped and gasped out loud from being scared and startled.  And my claustrophobic self was dying in some of the situations Lezah found herself in.  It just kept getting worse and worse and as the story progressed I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

His aren’t just gray; they look like the clouds, with swirls of blue around the middle. That weird feeling in my stomach is back, and I’m warm, maybe a little hot even with the chill in the air. He’s so close. Closer than he’s ever been, and for a second I allow myself to forget about the past and look at the boy who was willing to risk everything for us today.

Lezah was so easy to connect with, even if her past was fuzzy and she wasn’t able to give us a full picture of who she was.  She was brave, smart, resourceful and she listened to her heart and brain, which I loved.  We got introduced to other characters, but I’m keeping them a secret because this book is best going in blind in regards to them.  Each one stood out brightly and it was interesting to see how they played into this puzzle.  Just know that the love interest?  Sigh.  He was everything I love in a guy.  And the tentative friendships she created with the others gave me the hope and lightness I needed in this story.

“They have to know by now that we’re all gone anyway.” And possibly they know exactly where we are, too.

So while this story was action packed, it was also filled with deception, friendship, lies, trust and love.  Breakout was the perfect balance between a gripping storyline and emotional characters that pulled at my heart and grew as the story progressed.  Looking back, I loved how Breakout was a maze of twists and turns the whole way through.  Just when I thought safety was within reach, I had to think again, because everything would change in the blink of an eye.

“What is this place?”
He turns toward me and tilts his head. “Why do you ask questions you already know the answer to?”

This book ended at a fabulous stopping point.  Lots of questions were answered and problems were solved.  But there’s still so much that can happen in this world, so of course I’m hoping for that next book.  That way I can get a few more answers and be back with this group of characters that captured my heart.  So if you’re a fan of The Matrix or dystopian books that have sci-fi twists then definitely pick this one up.  I’m so glad I did!

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

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