Tag: Paranormal (Page 16 of 51)

BOOK REVIEW – The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

October 23, 2015 / Jen / 2 Comments

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)
by Julie Kagawa
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood

She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever—and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago—and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.

Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make.

Review:

*Spoilers for The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)*

Eternity Cure was hauntingly dark and I found myself easily lost in this twisted world that had me terrified for what was to come. Because let me tell you, I love to guess how a book is going to proceed, and I came nowhere near close to a few of the unexpected events that happened. So I’ll clue you into a fun little fact before you venture into this book – while Eternity Cure was addicting, it was also devastating at times. It honestly felt as though someone reached into my heart and crushed it until there was nothing left. And while it hurt so bad, my dark side loved the utter perfection of how the story proceeded. Because the peril and that ending?! Oh my gosh, this is the type of story that will undue me every single time.

“Come on then, bitch,” the man beside me said, and grabbed my other arm, his face mean and eager. “Let’s do this. I can go all night.”
I smiled. “Can you now?” I said quietly.
And lunged at him with a roar, sinking my fangs into his throat.

What I want to talk about the most, sigh, I really can’t spoiler – View Spoiler ». So much of this book contains spoilers, but those spoilers are so insanely good! So I’ll stick to what I can talk about, like Allie. If you loved her in the first book, she is even better in Eternity Cure. She has grown and learned so much from all of that life has thrown at her. Allie is still the smart, compassionate, kick-ass heroine that I love! While she tries her hardest to stick to her human morals while fighting her vampire demons, it was fascinating watching her struggle to hold onto her morality! And she is tested time and time again because she embarks on a journey that seems almost impossible at times! She’s on the hunt for psycho vamp (best nickname ever…well besides the one she earns later on in the book) aka Sarren because he is holding Kanin captive. But in her search for Kanin and Sarren, there are twists thrown at her. Such as a character that I easily despised at first. But when my feelings changed from black and white to grey I was livid. Because I started to laugh and even smile towards this character, and I didn’t want to at all. The characters she creates are so multi-faceted and real, it’s easy to grasp their many sides unfortunately haha!

I didn’t want to be in this underground labyrinth of death, with this vampire I didn’t like and certainly didn’t trust. Because watching him fling himself at the rabids, grinning demonically as he tore them limb from limb, reminded me too much of myself. That thing that I kept locked away, the beast that goaded me into raw animal rage and bloodlust. The part that made us dangerous to every human we encountered. The part that kept me from ever being with Zeke.

Probably one of my favorite things about this book, besides the characters I dearly love, was the jaw dropping peril. I couldn’t believe some of the things that happened. Many times I would pause staring at my kindle thinking no way. No way she took the story in that direction. I thought I had to have read it wrong. But nope, she did take it in those directions. I got to a scene where I desperately tried my hardest to turn off my feelings. But it was too late. I was too invested, and I went right along with Allie and her feelings. Because Julie Kagawa dangerously weaves together despair and a beautiful story.

Zeke was a brilliant light that cut through the evil and darkness and bloodlust, down to that tiny part struggling to stay alive. I’d been clinging to his memory, that small piece of hope, ever since I left Eden, and I couldn’t let it go.

Oh, I couldn’t let it go either! So yeah, I am officially addicted to this series. I love the world that she has created that is ruled by vampires. And I love all of the characters who invoke such strong feelings in me! Well love is too strong of a word for a character I definitely despise. I kept hoping that fate would deliver this character a brutal case of death and you probably will too! So if you haven’t read this series yet, it’s a definite must!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
The Immortal Rules #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	The Eternity Cure #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	The Forever Song #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

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BOOK REVIEW – The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa

October 14, 2015 / Jen / 7 Comments

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)
by Julie Kagawa
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
To Survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies…and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what—and who—is worth dying for…again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

Review:

Dark and enchanting, The Immortal Rules pulled me in quickly and held me in a death grip through parts of the story. It was so easy to slip into this messed up world. The writing had a way of making me become easily lost in the pages and caring for our heroine and the companions that she finds. But I honestly had no clue what I was getting myself into. Reading the blurb over a year ago, I decided to step blindly into into this series. My only knowledge was that it contained vampires. Julie Kagawa already made me fall for her Iron Fey Series, and I was hoping that I would fall in love with this series too. I never should have hoped. I should have known it was inevitable, and that I would be left begging for more!

Vampires had no souls, no emotions and no empathy to appeal to. If the bloodsucker wanted to drain me dry and leave me here to rot, there wasn’t anything I could say that would stop him. But I’d give him one hell of a fight.

Allie lives in a world that is run and owned by the vampires, whom she loathes. They have walled off the cities to protect their human cattle from the mindless despicable creatures that wanders the land, looking for their next kill. In exchange for a “safe” place to live, they have been branded and are forced to supply blood to the Vampire King and his followers. But Allie is one of the people who refuses to be branded and in exchange for living in the Fringe, between the city and the wall, she has to search and scavenge for her food. And each day is a fight to stay alive.

“All we have left is our faith.” His voice dropped even lower as he looked toward the horizon. “And sometimes, I wonder if that will be enough.”

Upon the beginning scene, I knew that I liked Allie Sekemoto. She had to be tough to survive this type of life, which I respected, but she had such an amazing heart and conscience. She also scavenged for her friend, Stick, who was too terrified to search for his own food. And as her daily struggle became something I absorbed with a morbid fascination, I watched and listened to Allie be extremely blunt and realistic (at times) to herself. I couldn’t help but love her voice! She was someone who had me rooting for her to beat the odds. But life in that world could be horrific at times, and Allie was forced to make a choice. Die or become a thing that she despises with her whole heart.

Nothing lasted in this world; it was everyone for himself. Allie the Fringer knew that; Allison the vampire just needed the reminder.

This story became brutal in the last third. But the best kind of brutal! In case you’re not familiar with her work, she writes such a well crafted novel filled with peril so horrific that it makes me want to curl into a ball and sob. And, well, I did just that. But it’s worth every single tear and held breath! Because it feels as though I’m watching my friends go through these moments. I swear they are real! And here lies the real danger in her writing – she makes me care for people that I should just write off. Yet I don’t. And then I am left struggling, making incoherent sounds, finding myself caring for too many of these characters and scared out of my mind for their fate. Bad move on my part. Bad, bad move.

As I smiled back and followed him to where he had set up watch, I couldn’t help thinking that this boy—this helpful, friendly, genuinely nice human being—was probably going to get me killed.

There were a few slower parts in the middle of the book, but after reading and falling madly in love with The Iron Fey Series, I get it now. I am sucked into the beginning of the first book and it’s ending left me clutching my heart wondering if I safely made it through all of the angst, grief, and horror. But the middle part that runs a little slower, it works. Because I found myself being pulled further into the hearts of all of the characters. And do you remember what I said above? That’s dangerous territory.

“I’m not like you. I’m not like the vampires in the city. I might be a monster, but I can be human, too. I can choose to be human.” Reaching back, I gripped my sword and drew it out, a bright flash of steel in the darkness.

So yes, please devour this book! Even with my heart in a holding pattern and knowing that the future events will most likely have me freaking out for who she will graciously spare and keep alive, it’s a must read. You must meet Allison and the future characters that I want to scream my head off about. Ok I will for just a tiny second….there’s this human named Zeke, sigh doesn’t it always end up with me and falling for a guy, and he made me want to sneak into this horrific world to see him for myself. He was that beautiful of a person inside and out. I could write paragraphs about him and his little group, but I won’t because that’s something you must learn for yourself. Now don’t mind me as I try my hardest to shake off the sadness that is stuck to me and jump head first into the second book!

Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
The Immortal Rules #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	The Eternity Cure #2 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	The Forever Song #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea

BOOK REVIEW + RELEASE DAY + GIVEAWAY – Snapragon Way (Firefly Hollow #8) by T.L. Haddix

September 29, 2015 / Anna

Snapdragon Way (Firefly Hollow #8)
by T.L. Haddix
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
When Eli Campbell is discharged after an accident ends his career in the Army, he isn’t sure what kind of homecoming to expect. Shoot, he’s not even sure what kind of homecoming he deserves. He did a lot of stupid things as a teenager, and he made a lot of rash decisions that hurt several people.

Regardless, he’s determined to set things right with his family, particularly his brother Noah. So as dismayed as he is to be facing life with the unforeseen challenges related to his accident, he’s also grateful to have a second chance. A chance to make amends for all the damage he’s done. To prove to his family and to himself that he’s a better person, a good man.

When he meets Haley Buchanan, his physical therapist, he’s turned head-over-heels. With a heart-stopping smile, a kind nature that’s like a balm for his soul, and enough sass and backbone to enchant him, she represents another example of a second chance he’d never thought to have—a second chance at love.

Haley wasn’t expecting anyone like Eli to come along, particularly not as one of her patients. She’s not prepared for the longing and need he stirs up inside her, as her life is nothing approaching simple and uncomplicated at the moment. With the weight of her elderly, invalid grandfather’s care resting on her shoulders alone, she barely has room to breathe, much less fall in love.

Once the professional complications are out of the way, though, she finds herself drawn more and more to Eli, coming to rely on his stability and warmth in a way that she’d never expected.

“Snapdragon Way” is the eighth book in the Firefly Hollow series, Women’s Fiction Romances set in Appalachia. Fair warning - it isn’t a book that deals just with Eli and Haley’s budding romance and all the tangled complications that entails. It also focuses on the rebuilding of a devastated relationship between Eli and Noah, and how the brothers have to find common ground with each other before either of them can get on with other parts of their lives. It’s about second chances and homecomings, forgiveness and hope.

Why should you read the Firefly Hollow series?

In the beginning of this year, I was lucky enough to stumble upon Firefly Hollow, the first book of what quickly became one of my favorite romance series. Oh, I know what you think : Another paranormal series? Yikes. No thank you. You couldn’t be more wrong. Far from saying that these books are flawless, they remain incredibly refreshing and heart-warming : trust me, as soon as you’ll meet the Campbells, you’ll never be able to forget them.

If the way they care deeply about each other is adorable, their teasing never fails to bring huge smiles to my lips. Truth being told, they are completely unable to mind their own business. Does that make them infuriating? Of course it does. But, more important, that makes them utterly likeable, real, and fun to follow.

I love them. I want to move in with them. I think I want to be a deer. Or a wolf. Or see the dead. Whatever, I’ll take what I’ll get, because they aren’t only nice and supportive when one of them needs it. They’re an incredible family. Period.

As for any family, even though they all have something interesting to offer, I have my favorites (Ben, Amelia and Logan, I’m pretty sure that I worship you). Sorry, should I say that I love them in the exact same way? It would be a lie, guys. I genuinely think that we’re never completely objective when reviewing books, and the way some of them relate to me on a stronger level could be completely different for you. However, they all find a place in my heart, and I can only hope that it will be the same for you.

And can I say? I’m pretty curious to know who will make your heart beat faster^^. Logan is mine, though. Just saying.

But let’s come back to the Appalachias, okay?

My review

snapdragon2

What a sneaky bunch, these Campbells. If I had to choose one thing that impress me the most about these books, it would have to be that they slowly sink into your heart until you fall in love without even realizing it. Indeed I was ready to give it 3 stars, maybe 3.5, because as much as I genuinely liked the first half, there were aspects that bothered me (I’ll come back to that in my review). Yet here I am, a strong 4 stars in hands and my love for this family confirmed. Sneaky sweethearts indeed.

snap3

Eli is full of guilt because of his actions toward his family back when he was a teenager and in his early years as an adult. You see, he was in couple with a woman who acted like a total sociopath…. And this, my friends, is what prevented me from fully enjoying the story at first. Let me explain : I know I can’t say that it never happens, because it does. Sometimes our love – or what we think is love – for someone drives us to act in a way we wouldn’t have otherwise. In no way does that excuse whatever mean things we do, but unfortunately it does happen. Humans, especially teenagers, tend to crave for fitting in, and it needs a strong personality, family and friendship to resist the sirens of acceptation, whether by a group, or a love partner. I do know that. Sadly, I can’t deny that the way this – now dead – woman was portrayed irked me during the first half of the book, and even if I got past it in the end (I’ll explain why after), I’m really sensitive about how women’s behaviors are described and I struggled to accept it.

How could I accept it, then? Because when I tried to switch roles and imagine how I would have reacted if the devilish character was a man, I realized that I was fucking hypocrite, because it wouldn’t have bothered me one bit. Moreover, Snapdragon Way does picture other women in a completely different way, so I was able to accept that Erika’s character wasn’t, in any case, meant to lead to a generalization that all women are bitches.

Haley appears to be our typical quiet girl, who doesn’t want to be involved in conflicts and such. However, she is aware of her strengths and doesn’t belittle herself : yes she’s pretty ; no she won’t use her charms on Eli (yet). Big deal. To be frank, I found her refreshing. Moreover, I appreciated the fact that she wouldn’t go all judgmental on other women’s dating habits, and even though her friendship with Jenna made me narrow my eyes a few times, I’m looking forward to seeing her relationship with Sophie evolve, because mark my words : Sophie is my girl. I can see it.

Sadly, as far as Campbells heroines are concerned, Haley is probably one of my least favorite. This being said, did she annoy me? No. Did I want to strangle her? No. Did I respect her opinions? Yes. If I’m being honest, even though I can’t relate to her, I know that she will move many readers. Yes, I am aware that as far as life is concerned, there’s no right choice, but the ones that will make you happy, and if anything, I respect that.

As usual in this series, family ties own the show – and what family! I can’t begin to express how much I love the Campbells. Generation after generation, their struggles and loyalty speak to me and make me care for them like few characters can. Noah, Eli’s brother, particularly interested me, and I can’t wait to read his book – because a book there will be, right? RIGHT? As Noah rightly said, family isn’t about keeping score. If there’s something in what I believe, it’s that. Noah and Eli’s relationship was heartwarming and beautiful. What can I say? Brothers always undo me.

snap4

The romance contains no instalove but a slow burn… Aren’t those the BEST? Their shyness toward each other is adorable, not to mention that there’s this *cough* annoying *cough* concept as doctor/patient no fraternization policies… Yet it doesn’t prevent them from flirting, but shhh I did not say it *wink*

Not to mention that as usual the inability of the Campbells to mind their own business led to the best embarrassed scenes that made my day 😀 (Bad, bad Anna :P)

But limiting this book to a romance would be a mistake : indeed Eli’s journey is one of forgiveness and acceptation. How to move on with your life when you don’t even know who you are anymore and what you want? How to overtake the past and create a new life without forgetting the mistakes that have been done? In the end, I appreciated that Eli was willing to redeem himself and to own his past actions.

Finally, I CAN’T WAIT TO READ NOAH AND SOPHIE’S STORY.

“She glanced at him and nodded. “I’m fine. I slept wrong last night, kinked up my hip. It’s nothing.”
The frown turned to a scowl. “How’d you manage that?”
“Well, the wild orgy didn’t help,” she said, lifting her chin. Her arms, which had been by her sides, crossed loosely over her chest as she narrowed her eyes. “I think it was the threesome with the acrobats that really put the kink in. It was worth it, though.”

Oh boy. She. Is. My. Girl.

As for Noah…

**“I’m thirty-one years old, pratically a virgin and a hermit to boot, I talk to ghosts, and I have a cat. Fig [said cat], I think I need a life.”**

It’s bound to be fucking awesome right?

*The book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review (thank you!). It did not, in any case, influence my opinion.*

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BOOK REVIEW – Stepping Stones (The Stone Series #1) by Kacey Vanderkarr

September 6, 2015 / Jen / 2 Comments

Stepping Stones (The Stone Series #1)
by Kacey Vanderkarr
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Onnaleigh Moore is part of a plan—and it isn’t hers. When her brother dies in a car accident, Onna is desperate to preserve the tatters of her family. Any hope of finding normalcy vanishes when her mother runs off and her dad turns to booze to numb his pain. Onna’s grief is crippling, but the boy who showed up just when she needed him is helping her cope.

Everett’s presence is comforting, though he knows things—Onna’s name just before they met, where she lives, and sometimes he comments on thoughts she doesn’t say aloud. She pegs him for a stalker, or maybe psychic, but the truth is deadlier than she imagines. As their feelings for one another deepen, Everett confesses a horrifying secret: Onna’s brother is only the beginning of the plan, and some fates are worse than death.

Review:

I felt utterly conflicted while reading this book. On one hand, I found Stepping Stones fascinating. The storyline was incredibly unique and while I can’t say why, since that would be a spoiler, just know that it was a lot of fun. I quickly consumed what I learned, and I wanted to know more. But on the other hand, I wasn’t able to connect to any of the characters. I couldn’t find anything to bridge the gap between us, and I never cared for them deeply. And with all of the doom and gloom that happened in the first part of the book, I needed to feel connected. To feel Onna’s pain. I hate being an outsider just watching the story go by. But that’s where I stood, and it made me sad.

“And your parents?”
Onna shrugged. Her mom hadn’t spoken to her at the funeral. Like she didn’t exist anymore. Emotion burned her throat and Onna pressed her forehead to the passenger window, fighting it down. “We’re all okay,” she said, but it tasted like a lie.

Onna is in the midst of her parents announcing that they are getting a divorce. And from there, her world spirals down and crashes into the ground. Her dad succumbs to being an alcoholic, her mother abandons them, and her brother dies in a car crash. Did you just read that last line? To have that much happen to you is beyond horrific. It felt as though Onna was drowning. Again and again. And I hated having to watch her struggle that intensely.

But thankfully Onna does have someone that loves her with their whole heart. Her best friend Parker. She would scoop Onna up and try to help her when she was struggling. Parker was a true a friend that Onna could always count on. But despite Parker being there for Onna, she could be such a bitch to people. She claimed to love her boyfriend, but would cheat on him multiple times. She was rude to people, ridiculously rude. And at times, I just wanted to shake common sense into her. Parker gave me serious whiplash throughout Stepping Stones, but hopefully she’ll grow up as the series progresses.

“……I’ll be whatever you want me to be. You choose.” – Everett

But what I enjoyed the most, besides the unique part of this book that I can’t mention, was Everett. He was sexy, smooth, caring and mysterious. His words could be so raw and perfect. I just wish that I enjoyed this book more because he was amazing. He walked into Onna’s life just when she needed hope and he gave it to her. Well kind of. You see Everett has a lot of secrets. Of course he does when he knows things that he shouldn’t. And one of those things is that Onna’s life is part of a plan.

There’s a silence that death leaves. It’s more absolute than the absence of sound.

So in the end, Stepping Stones was definitely an enjoyable book! It had depth, an insanely hot mysterious male, and was without a doubt unique. Plus, we had a heroine who was cautious at times, yay! Onna wasn’t always trusting and had no problem pushing people away when she couldn’t decipher what was going on. I loved that about her! But even with all of those wonderful things floating throughout the story, I struggled to find a connection to any of the characters. And for me, I desperately need that to enjoy a story and to want to continue on. But everyone can have a different take on a book sometimes, so hopefully you can connect to Onna and the story better than I did.

***ARC was kindly provided by the author, via YA Bound Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review***

BOOK REVIEW: Poison Study (Study #1) by Maria V. Snyder

August 17, 2015 / Chelsea / 4 Comments

Poison Study (Study #1)
by Maria V. Snyder
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Choose: A quick death…Or slow poison...

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear..

Who better to have on my side? Rand, the cook, whose food I’d be eating on a daily basis, or Valek, the assassin, who had a nasty tendency of poisoning my meals?

Ahhh where do I even begin??? Is there even an adequate place to start? Wellll, first I’d like to give a shout out to my two vacant besties who did a ~~wonderful~~ horrible job of reading this with me-Hello, Bitches (you know who you are, my lovelies). They really missed out. While subtle in it’s charm, this book sneaks up on you like poison in your veins (Muaha I went there).

With a soft, languid pace, this book tricks you with it’s addicting nature-It isn’t rushed, hurried, nor overly stuffed with information, yet each chapter something significant happens that has you on the edge of your seat. Whether it’s an attack on Yelena to abduct her, a poison lecture on what to watch out for, or an actual tasting for the commander, I was never once bored and found myself idly wondering how this book could so be wonderful with it’s understated simplicity.

Shouldn’t, should, shouldn’t, should. So easy to say but so hard to believe.

I think that’s my favorite part, if I’m being honest-aside from the romance, duh-the beautiful writing. I don’t know why, but each page that passed had me begging for more even as plenty was happening. For such a simple job, Yelena has a lot of enemies, and with those enemies comes attacks, training, and so much more. I yearned for those moments when Valek had to come save the day because there was yet another threat on her life (and no, it wasn’t a tacky nine-lives deal like the Kathleen Turner series…this chick had real enemies). But he’s another story altogether…

I moved. In a heartbeat I twisted her arm behind her back. She yelped as I raised her hand up high, forcing her to bend forward.
“I am not a rat,” I said through clenched teeth. “I’ve proved my loyalty. You will get off my back. No more nasty messages in the dust. No more prying into my things. Or the next time, I’ll break your arm.” I shoved her hard as I released my grip.

Yelena. Omg I loved her. She was strong, determined, cunning, and brave. She was weak, scared, and the target of an evil man. She was so many things all wrapped up into one small package, and she was on the last leg of her life. A convicted and admitted murderer, she is next in line for noose. But then an opportunity arises where the next in line to die is to be offered the position of poison testing the Commander’s food. He is a powerful man who has many powerful enemies-all who want to be his successor and take his position as their own. So Yelena has a choice-die by noose the following morning, or agree to be the guinea pig and possibly die by poison on any given day if she doesn’t detect all traces of poison at any given time. But, in the end, there’s really no choice at all-Live with danger, or die.

Damn it, I thought, angry at myself. As if I didn’t have enough to worry about. I shouldn’t miss Valek; I should try harder to escape. I shouldn’t figure out the bean puzzle; I should sabotage it. I shouldn’t admire and respect him; I should vilify him.

Valek. Oh gosh he was perfection. A trained assassin loyal only to the Commander, he is appointed with teaching Yelena the art of poisons so she can be the food taster for the commander. Up until Yelena, Valek has been filling in the position after the last food taster met his untimely end. He is fierce, loyal, and a total hardass when it comes to training Yelena…but the same could be said of his defending her. A convicted felon is nothing in comparison to keeping his commander safe, but what happens when she starts to show her strength and determination? Her willingness to do whatever needs to be done to stay alive? What happens when attack after attack, he grows more and more desperate to keep her alive….even as he implies it’s nothing more than him doing his job and not wanting to have to train another poison tester.

My interactions with Valek resembled a performance on the tightrope. One minute I was confident and balanced, and the next insecure and unstable.

Come on, Valek, you adorably sly dog. We all know after training you should be moving on…Anywho, I adored them. They were absolutely adorable. He is a busy bee and she is doing everything she can to stay alive…but each time she thinks she’s alone and there’s no way she’ll get out of her predicament, who’s right behind her to save the day? A slow burn romance at it’s finest, we see them gradually falling for one another as each day passes, more confusion and desperation in preventing each action that might cause them pain or suffering…I couldn’t help but to become addicted, now could I?

Even more than the romance, though, was the friendships formed. I mean, it was absolutely adorable when she befriends two soldiers and they do everything in their power to keep her safe when Valek can’t. Loyal friends who train her in combat and watch out for her at every turn, I was almost as obsessed with them as I was the romance. It’s not often I find a friendship addicting, but this one got under my skin.

“It’s a dirty way to fight, but I’m late for lunch.”

So, you know, I loved this one. And why wouldn’t I? Romance, betrayal, a mercurial assassin, and a ton of action that never seems to cease no matter how breezy the pace, I was hooked from Valek’s first smirk (Chapter one, duh). I know there was much more I wanted to say, but sometimes it’s best to leave things be. I will try to chill out and let you all decide on your own if this is for you or not-but just know: It’s not only a romance, though there is an ample amount of longing you’ll do for she and Valek to just kiss already!!! It’s a story of strength and strong-will, a determination to break free and save what you hold dear, and a wonderful world of castles and watching your back even though you have a group that supports your every move…I just loved it so much. Literally my only problem? I wanted more. Sigh…such a horrible predicament, isn’t it? Ciao, Bellas.

Jen	Chelsea
Arielle	Cassie

Jen	Chelsea
Arielle	Cassie

BOOK REVIEW – The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

Synopsis:

Review:

“Come on then, bitch,” the man beside me said, and grabbed my other arm, his face mean and eager. “Let’s do this. I can go all night.” I smiled. “Can you now?” I said quietly. And lunged at him with a roar, sinking my fangs into his throat.

Zeke was a brilliant light that cut through the evil and darkness and bloodlust, down to that tiny part struggling to stay alive. I’d been clinging to his memory, that small piece of hope, ever since I left Eden, and I couldn’t let it go.

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BOOK REVIEW – The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa

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Vampires had no souls, no emotions and no empathy to appeal to. If the bloodsucker wanted to drain me dry and leave me here to rot, there wasn’t anything I could say that would stop him. But I’d give him one hell of a fight.

“All we have left is our faith.” His voice dropped even lower as he looked toward the horizon. “And sometimes, I wonder if that will be enough.”

Nothing lasted in this world; it was everyone for himself. Allie the Fringer knew that; Allison the vampire just needed the reminder.

As I smiled back and followed him to where he had set up watch, I couldn’t help thinking that this boy—this helpful, friendly, genuinely nice human being—was probably going to get me killed.

“I’m not like you. I’m not like the vampires in the city. I might be a monster, but I can be human, too. I can choose to be human.” Reaching back, I gripped my sword and drew it out, a bright flash of steel in the darkness.

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BOOK REVIEW + RELEASE DAY + GIVEAWAY – Snapragon Way (Firefly Hollow #8) by T.L. Haddix

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“I’m thirty-one years old, pratically a virgin and a hermit to boot, I talk to ghosts, and I have a cat. Fig [said cat], I think I need a life.”

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BOOK REVIEW – Stepping Stones (The Stone Series #1) by Kacey Vanderkarr

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“And your parents?” Onna shrugged. Her mom hadn’t spoken to her at the funeral. Like she didn’t exist anymore. Emotion burned her throat and Onna pressed her forehead to the passenger window, fighting it down. “We’re all okay,” she said, but it tasted like a lie.

“……I’ll be whatever you want me to be. You choose.” – Everett

There’s a silence that death leaves. It’s more absolute than the absence of sound.

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BOOK REVIEW: Poison Study (Study #1) by Maria V. Snyder

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“Come on then, bitch,” the man beside me said, and grabbed my other arm, his face mean and eager. “Let’s do this. I can go all night.”
I smiled. “Can you now?” I said quietly.
And lunged at him with a roar, sinking my fangs into his throat.

**“I’m thirty-one years old, pratically a virgin and a hermit to boot, I talk to ghosts, and I have a cat. Fig [said cat], I think I need a life.”**

“And your parents?”
Onna shrugged. Her mom hadn’t spoken to her at the funeral. Like she didn’t exist anymore. Emotion burned her throat and Onna pressed her forehead to the passenger window, fighting it down. “We’re all okay,” she said, but it tasted like a lie.