bandherbooks's Reviews (3.65k)

Satisfying conclusion to Carson's trilogy. Queen Elisa really comes into her own power, and learns some really excellent woman-empowering lessons along the way. I truly enjoyed seeing her as the hero, rescuing her man (a la Princess Leia) and learning that it is her brain that is the true source of her power and strength, not some mystical stone in her stomach. AND FINALLY, there was a map. If you are doing fantasy and your characters are roaming all over kingdom come, you need a map.

My gripe with this series remains I am still wanting some back story to the godstone, the power it draws upon, and the mythology of this deity that is constantly referred to. However, still a ton of fun.

**Review based on a free digital ARC received from Net Galley**

When Alexa and her twin brother lose their parents and livelihood at the tender age of 14, they don't have many options. Instead of choosing the only path open to her as a girl, namely the "pleasure house" where she would endure rape and constant pregnancy, Alexa instead poses as a boy and joins the royal guard with her brother. The deception works for 3 years, and Alexa becomes the best fighter in the royal guard and personal protector to the Prince. However, after some shocking twists, Alexa soon finds herself in a fight to protect her prince, her identity, and her realm.

Do I recommend? Not really. The entire focus of this tale is the love triangle between Alexa, her prince and her closest friend in the royal guard. For reasons unclear to the reader, both boys are very entranced by this girl and instead of focusing on the dangers at hand, there is much flushing, blushing, and shirt whipping off. Read Graceling instead. I had high hopes, so I hope the author takes some time to flesh out her characters. I felt like I barely knew them.

A bland "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" cum romamce. While Meyers intended this tale for Adults (as opposed to her Twilight 'teen' audience," I didn't see much difference between the writing style or any inclusion of more adult themes. While I found the philosophical questions raised by the existence of two women in one body and how others dealt with this intriguing, the overall story was just meh. Overall it was a bit too contrived and neatly wrapped up for me.

Cassie's mother, a stage psychic was brutally murdered 5 years ago. After being shuffled around her family and never really feeling like she fit in thanks to all of the people reading skills her mother taught her, she is pegged to join a special school for "naturals," basically teenagers who are natural at profiling, lie detecting, etc. She joins this elite group in Washinton DC, where she is to be further trained and then work on cracking FBI cold cases. Little does she know she will soon be drawn into an active serial killer's game, and it may be her mother's killer.

A fun, modern YA title that depends on natural (not super-natural) abilities of teenagers. Of course it has a love triangle, but at least the two boys involved are pretty interesting. I only wish Cassie's character was a bit more fleshed out. I will keep my eye on this series. Definitely recommended for fans of crime shows (Criminal Minds, Law and Order). ALso nice for those sick and tired of dystopians, werewolves, and angels (not that I am :))