So I may have just binged (as a re-read) all four books and all of the bonus scenes in a day and a half. My love for this series is cupidly serious!

Full review to come

Princess Ballot is the first book in Royals of Arbon Academy series by author duo Jaymin Eve and Tate James. When I first saw that a series was coming out by these two authors, I was super excited! I have read series by them though kindle unlimited and both of their series were 5 star reads all the way through for me. (Jaymin Eve's Curse of the Gods series is one of my all time favorites, and I am currently LOVING Tate Jame's Royal Trials series. Both are sooo good if you have not read them.) To say I was excited about Princess Ballot was an understatement. I knew I was going to be getting something dark and delicious from these two. And they did not disappoint. At all.

The Princess Ballot takes place in a future version of our world. After another world war, the countries and democratic systems we know fell apart, and in their place rose 50 kingdoms, each ruled by a monarch. In this new world, there is a central world academy that is revered above all other schools. The Arbon Academy is where all of the world's important, rich, famous or royal young adults receive an education. Yes, all of the royal families send their children to Arbon Academy (hence the call out to Royals and Princess in the series and book title). Our main character, Violet is an orphan. At the start of the book, Violet learns she won the Princess Ballot and she is whisked away on scholarship to attend the Arbon Academy. Once every 5 years, the Arbon Academy offers one scholarship from a lottery system. Violet is that one. 

The idea behind the Arbon Academy, the new world order, and the concept that Violet is to be the only scholarship student in a sea of privileged rich and royals was the perfect mix of intriguing and improbable that set the stage for a yummy book. I absolutely loved this set up. Yes, it is not super realistic, but I loved the world that these authors created. I love the atmosphere of stuck up brats and royals, of an uber competitive boarding school, and political intrigue, psychological warfare and everything else that takes place in a school for bratty royals. Throw in the fact that because it is a world wide school, there are heirs to kingdoms that are bitter enemies, all in one class. It leads to some explosive encounters, and honestly I gobbled it all up. Tate James and Jaymin Eve know how to write stories that ensnare all of your senses and make you not want to put the book down. I read way past my bedtime for the Princess Ballot, and I am already on the edge of my seat for the next book. 

When Violet gets to the Academy, she meets all kinds of people. Some that I loved (like Mattie and Nolan) Some that I hated and some that I loved to hate. ON her first day she captures the attention of not one but two princes. Prince Rafe of the Switzerlands and Prince Alex of the Australasias. Rafe is dark, broody and kind of a jerk right off the bat. Prince Alex is light, fun and flirty from the jump. I am not going to get too much into each of the princes. I will let you see that for yourselves, but these characters gave me so many mixed emotions. They toyed with my feelings throughout the whole story in a way that I completely loved. (even when I hated them.) The ending of the book left my poor heart completely in shreds, and I absolutely positively must have the second book right now, or I just don't know how I will survive. If you are a fan of dark college romance featuring warring royals, then Princess Ballot is the book for you. 

Scavenge the Stars is a young adult fantasy retelling by Tara Sim. It is the first book in the scavenge the stars duology, which is a gender flipped retelling based on The Count of Monte Cristo. I have never read the Count of Monte Cristo, but I did really enjoy Scavenge the Stars. It is the first book I have read of Tara Sim's, and now I am already excited to read more from her. One thing that I knew going into this book is that it is a revenge story, which I normally really enjoy. Plus, I love retellings, so I was in!

In Scavenge the Stars, we meet our main character Amaya. Amaya starts out as a slave on a ship. Through a series of events Amaya is able to escape the ship and go on a different sort of quest. I liked the characters in Scavenge the Stars, but I think the best part of the story was the plot and the way the story was presented. Scavenge the Stars is told in dual narrative, and in multiple timelines. Sound confusing? Yes, it could be at times, but if you stick with it, the story all comes together in a fun way. I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure that Tara Sim took us on, and a lot of my enjoyment I am attributing to the storytelling technique.

Amaya meets several characters throughout the course of the adventure. There is her cruel captain, and then Boon, the guy that assists Amaya with her escape. Boon has an agenda of his own, which leads the two of them to our other main character Cato. Other than the way the story was presented, I also loved the world that Tara Sim created. It is full of secrets and intrigue and it is gritty, raw and dark. I recently listened to Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody, and the setting in Scavenge the Stars, reminded me a lot of the city of sin from Ace of Shades, which is high praise from me. It was fantastic. Everyone has their own agendas, and revenge weaves throughout many of the storylines.

Overall, if you are a fan of gritty adventure tales full of surprises secrets and a unique story telling method, I think you will really enjoy Scavenge the Stars. I can't wait to read the conclusion to this duology. I think we are not only going to get some more answers, but I am super excited to see all of the character relationships progress. This was a really strong first book in this series.

Demon Bound is a young adult paranormal romance by author Chris Cannon, and is the first book in the Crossroads Chronicles series. I have been reading so much fantasy lately that it was nice to read a paranormal romance for a change. I enjoyed this fast paced, young adult paranormal story and I think the series shows a lot of promise. I did have a few issues with the pacing of this book, but overall I did enjoy this novel.

In Demon Bound, we meet our two main characters Meena and Jake. Meena has grown up in the small town of Crossroads, and she is looking for a summer job. Her options are limited to flipping burgers, until she sees an ad to become a personal assistant to one of the town's more eccentric inhabitants.On the same day that she takes the job, things start to get a bit strange. Jake is in town staying with his aunt, who is a town fortune teller. Demon Bound is told in dual narrative between Meena and Jake. I really liked both Jake and Meena, which helped with my enjoyment level of the story, and is the main reason that I want to continue on with the series. There are a few interesting twists and turns involving Meena herself, but I am personally hoping that we see a bit more character development in future novels. 

I liked that Demon Bound started off with a lot of action very early on in the story. I enjoy a fast paced plot; however this book felt a bit too fast. I would have liked a little more character development early on before we were dumped into the demon business. The attraction and romance, as well as plot felt a bit rushed and surface level. I enjoyed it all, and I did end up liking the story more as the novel progressed, but I do wish we slowed down a bit on all fronts in the story telling. 

The demon, Bane plays a large role in the story. He creeped me out right from the start. If you are a fan of paranormal romances involving demon's witches and magic, then I think the Crossroads Chronicles might be a good series for you to check out. Especially if you enjoy fast paced stories and younger end young adult. I am excited to see where this series goes. I can see lots of potential in the town of Crossroads.