Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.07k reviews by:
erinarkin20
3.5 stars.
I found One Past Midnight interesting and if you enjoy stories that include time jumping and parallel lives, I think you will enjoy this one. The story pulled me right in and I couldn’t put it down until I figured out what Sabine was going to do.
We find out fairly quickly that Sabine isn’t like other teenagers. She has always had two lives and every night at midnight, she shifts from one to the other. While she is Sabine in each life, the other aspects of her lives are different. She has a sister in one and two brothers in the other; she is a straight A student and popular boyfriend in one and is considered a “delinquent” in the other, and so on. The shift has always been something that scared Sabine and she knows that she has to be careful in her lives to not create any questions or issues. That means no major changes in her appearance or how she acts. When Sabine accidentally falls down the subway stairs and breaks her wrist, she scrambles to figure out how she is going to make it work in her other life.
Imagine Sabine’s surprise when she wakes up in her other life and her wrist isn’t broken. She begins to doubt whether she really has to follow the rules she has always thought she had to. Since Sabine has always wanted to live one life, this new change prompts her to begin thinking of ways to test what she thinks she knows and eventually she hopes to make a choice where she can live only one of her lives.
I liked Sabine in both her lives and Shirvington did a great job of showing how much pressure she felt. I loved the introduction of Ethan and the role he played in Sabine’s life. He made her think about her situation and not just look at it as a bad thing. I didn’t really see what happened with him coming – don’t get me wrong, I knew something was up but I had no idea what it was. The way his story ties back into Sabine’s, was perfect.
One thing I wish we would have gotten into in the story was why Sabine was the way she was. I found it interesting that she just accepted things as if they were normal and when she found out they weren’t, she didn’t really do anything to figure out why she was different from everyone else. Granted…I’m not sure how she would have gone about finding out why she is how she is, but I would have liked to know.
I have to admit, I preferred the Sabine in Roxbury to the one in Wellesley. Mostly because the Sabine in Wellesley was trying to be perfect all the time and she only did what she thought everyone expected of her. Her relationship with Dex was frustrating and I wanted her to figure out what she needed to do sooner. I will say, I was happy to see her relationship with her brothers change – I didn’t understand if they really just didn’t like Dex and that was the reason for their mutual dislike of each other but once she took care of that situation, they appeared to have a better relationship.
If you are looking for an interesting story that has some interesting twists and turns and keeps you turning the pages, definitely check this one out when you can.
I found One Past Midnight interesting and if you enjoy stories that include time jumping and parallel lives, I think you will enjoy this one. The story pulled me right in and I couldn’t put it down until I figured out what Sabine was going to do.
We find out fairly quickly that Sabine isn’t like other teenagers. She has always had two lives and every night at midnight, she shifts from one to the other. While she is Sabine in each life, the other aspects of her lives are different. She has a sister in one and two brothers in the other; she is a straight A student and popular boyfriend in one and is considered a “delinquent” in the other, and so on. The shift has always been something that scared Sabine and she knows that she has to be careful in her lives to not create any questions or issues. That means no major changes in her appearance or how she acts. When Sabine accidentally falls down the subway stairs and breaks her wrist, she scrambles to figure out how she is going to make it work in her other life.
Imagine Sabine’s surprise when she wakes up in her other life and her wrist isn’t broken. She begins to doubt whether she really has to follow the rules she has always thought she had to. Since Sabine has always wanted to live one life, this new change prompts her to begin thinking of ways to test what she thinks she knows and eventually she hopes to make a choice where she can live only one of her lives.
I liked Sabine in both her lives and Shirvington did a great job of showing how much pressure she felt. I loved the introduction of Ethan and the role he played in Sabine’s life. He made her think about her situation and not just look at it as a bad thing. I didn’t really see what happened with him coming – don’t get me wrong, I knew something was up but I had no idea what it was. The way his story ties back into Sabine’s
Spoiler
both of themOne thing I wish we would have gotten into in the story was why Sabine was the way she was. I found it interesting that she just accepted things as if they were normal and when she found out they weren’t, she didn’t really do anything to figure out why she was different from everyone else. Granted…I’m not sure how she would have gone about finding out why she is how she is, but I would have liked to know.
I have to admit, I preferred the Sabine in Roxbury to the one in Wellesley. Mostly because the Sabine in Wellesley was trying to be perfect all the time and she only did what she thought everyone expected of her. Her relationship with Dex was frustrating and I wanted her to figure out what she needed to do sooner. I will say, I was happy to see her relationship with her brothers change – I didn’t understand if they really just didn’t like Dex and that was the reason for their mutual dislike of each other but once she took care of that situation, they appeared to have a better relationship.
If you are looking for an interesting story that has some interesting twists and turns and keeps you turning the pages, definitely check this one out when you can.
From the moment I heard about The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye I needed to have this book! If you love the mix of magic, friendship, and romance, you should go get this book now. Add in the fact that the cover is perfect for the story and so, so pretty and I think you will want this!
One of the main things that drew me in was the Russian influence and the idea that there are only 2 enchanters in the whole country. Because of a decision the current Tsar has made, the enchanter’s fates are changed and they have to make choices around what happens even though there may not really be a “right” choice. Once the Tsar has activated the game, the enchanters have to meet the requirements and the end result means only one of them will survive to become the Imperial Enchanter and an advisor to the Tsar.
As the story begins we are introduced to the main characters, Vika and Nikolai and before the game kicks off, we get to learn a bit about their backgrounds and how they ended up where they are today. I loved getting a glimpse of who and how they were raised as it plays a part in how they both engage in the game.
I loved both Vika and Nikolai and they are put in a pretty impossible situation. They both approach the game with confidence but as they learn more about each other not only through their interactions but also through their magic, they start to realize that they will need to figure out just how “in the game” they will be. The development of their friendship/relationship was fantastically done and I loved every minute of it.
The secondary characters were well developed and really helped to push the story forward. Both Vika and Nikolai have people they rely on as the game progresses as both are without their mentors. Renata, Pasha, Ludmila, Yuliana all had key roles in the story. Pasha is the son of the Tsar but he is also Nikolai’s best friend. Both his friendship with Nikolai and his attraction to Vika provide some twists to the story and when the secret of the game is revealed to Pasha, things change for everyone. Ludmila was wonderful. I loved her relationship with Vika and the interactions she had with Pasha were always entertaining.
Skye has done a fantastic job developing the world these characters live in. When she adds in the magic that both Vika and Nikolai create within the world, it gets even better. I loved seeing what they would each come up with in the game.
Here is where I talk about how the ending KILLED ME!! I have no idea what to expect in the next book of this series but I may have cursed Skye a little bit and referred to her as “evil”. Don’t let that scare you off. I really did enjoy this book and absolutely will be lobbying everyone I possibly can to get my hands on the next book as soon as I possibly can because there are so many questions I have around what will happen next.
That’s it friends! I know I haven’t given you a ton of detail (on purpose) but it’s because I want you to experience all the things that happen as you read. Spoilers are the worst! Just trust me, if you love fantasy, you should consider grabbing this book. I was thoroughly impressed with Skyes’ debut and look forward to more from her.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
One of the main things that drew me in was the Russian influence and the idea that there are only 2 enchanters in the whole country. Because of a decision the current Tsar has made, the enchanter’s fates are changed and they have to make choices around what happens even though there may not really be a “right” choice. Once the Tsar has activated the game, the enchanters have to meet the requirements and the end result means only one of them will survive to become the Imperial Enchanter and an advisor to the Tsar.
As the story begins we are introduced to the main characters, Vika and Nikolai and before the game kicks off, we get to learn a bit about their backgrounds and how they ended up where they are today. I loved getting a glimpse of who and how they were raised as it plays a part in how they both engage in the game.
I loved both Vika and Nikolai and they are put in a pretty impossible situation. They both approach the game with confidence but as they learn more about each other not only through their interactions but also through their magic, they start to realize that they will need to figure out just how “in the game” they will be. The development of their friendship/relationship was fantastically done and I loved every minute of it.
The secondary characters were well developed and really helped to push the story forward. Both Vika and Nikolai have people they rely on as the game progresses as both are without their mentors. Renata, Pasha, Ludmila, Yuliana all had key roles in the story. Pasha is the son of the Tsar but he is also Nikolai’s best friend. Both his friendship with Nikolai and his attraction to Vika provide some twists to the story and when the secret of the game is revealed to Pasha, things change for everyone. Ludmila was wonderful. I loved her relationship with Vika and the interactions she had with Pasha were always entertaining.
Skye has done a fantastic job developing the world these characters live in. When she adds in the magic that both Vika and Nikolai create within the world, it gets even better. I loved seeing what they would each come up with in the game.
Here is where I talk about how the ending KILLED ME!! I have no idea what to expect in the next book of this series but I may have cursed Skye a little bit and referred to her as “evil”. Don’t let that scare you off. I really did enjoy this book and absolutely will be lobbying everyone I possibly can to get my hands on the next book as soon as I possibly can because there are so many questions I have around what will happen next.
That’s it friends! I know I haven’t given you a ton of detail (on purpose) but it’s because I want you to experience all the things that happen as you read. Spoilers are the worst! Just trust me, if you love fantasy, you should consider grabbing this book. I was thoroughly impressed with Skyes’ debut and look forward to more from her.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
Ahhh...this was so good and I'm going to need book two IMMEDIATELY!!
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
Warrior Witch is the final installment of The Malediction Trilogy by Danielle L. Jensen and if you haven’t started this series yet, please fix that. I know, you’re probably wondering…trolls? TRUST ME – these aren’t the trolls that live under bridges and are creepy and scary…well most of them at least. I loved this series and have to say that although I am sad that Cecile and Tristan’s story is complete and I won’t get to hang out with these characters anymore, I thought Jensen did a wonderful job of concluding the series.
For those of you who have not read books one and/or two yet…be warned. I will do my best not to spoil anything but this is a book three and I’m not sure I can promise the same for what might have happened in any of the other books.
Warrior Witch picks up right where we left off with Hidden Huntress and so much happens in this book that there is no way to talk about it all. Cecile and Tristan are now facing the dangers they unleashed on the Isle and not only are they in trouble but everyone who is between them and Trollus are in danger as well. I love these two characters both separately and together. Admittedly I love a bit of romance with my fantasy so seeing their relationship evolve across all three books made me happy. It is clear these two truly care about each other and while there were tough times, there were also some really good times between them. I loved seeing the “softer side” of Tristan when he let his walls down.
I loved that the whole group were back together for this book…for the most part. While they aren’t always fighting together, they are all fighting for the same thing. In my opinion, the secondary characters are what helped make this book so good. Marc, the twins, Roland, the king…all of them were important and Jensen definitely doesn’t pull any punches in this book. All the things happen and all the secrets are told. Nope…I’m not telling anything here. Just know that you will find out what really has been going on and Jensen did a wonderful job of tying all the pieces together.
Outside of the characters, the world building continues to be a big piece of the story. Going back to Trollus was important in this one and it was definitely in a different state than it was the last time Cecile was there.
As a book three, there isn’t much more I can say without potentially ruining anything. In the end, I completely understand the ending Jensen wrote but I’m not going to tell you any of it. When you read it, if you want to chat we can talk about all the things. If you are looking for a new series definitely check this one out. If you have read the first two books and enjoyed them, I think you will be satisfied with the conclusion and ultimately the entire series. On a side note, if you like audio – I listened to the first two and loved them both. They were a great reminder of the story before I jumped into book three and totally recommend listening if you enjoy the books!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy!
For those of you who have not read books one and/or two yet…be warned. I will do my best not to spoil anything but this is a book three and I’m not sure I can promise the same for what might have happened in any of the other books.
Warrior Witch picks up right where we left off with Hidden Huntress and so much happens in this book that there is no way to talk about it all. Cecile and Tristan are now facing the dangers they unleashed on the Isle and not only are they in trouble but everyone who is between them and Trollus are in danger as well. I love these two characters both separately and together. Admittedly I love a bit of romance with my fantasy so seeing their relationship evolve across all three books made me happy. It is clear these two truly care about each other and while there were tough times, there were also some really good times between them. I loved seeing the “softer side” of Tristan when he let his walls down.
I loved that the whole group were back together for this book…for the most part. While they aren’t always fighting together, they are all fighting for the same thing. In my opinion, the secondary characters are what helped make this book so good. Marc, the twins, Roland, the king…all of them were important and Jensen definitely doesn’t pull any punches in this book. All the things happen and all the secrets are told. Nope…I’m not telling anything here. Just know that you will find out what really has been going on and Jensen did a wonderful job of tying all the pieces together.
Outside of the characters, the world building continues to be a big piece of the story. Going back to Trollus was important in this one and it was definitely in a different state than it was the last time Cecile was there.
As a book three, there isn’t much more I can say without potentially ruining anything. In the end, I completely understand the ending Jensen wrote but I’m not going to tell you any of it. When you read it, if you want to chat we can talk about all the things. If you are looking for a new series definitely check this one out. If you have read the first two books and enjoyed them, I think you will be satisfied with the conclusion and ultimately the entire series. On a side note, if you like audio – I listened to the first two and loved them both. They were a great reminder of the story before I jumped into book three and totally recommend listening if you enjoy the books!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy!
The Glittering Court is a book I have been looking forward to for a while. I have loved Richelle Mead’s stories since I cracked the cover of the first Vampire Academy book and once I read the summary of this book I knew I needed to have this in my hands.
The main character, the Countess of Rothford, is facing a future she isn’t completely on board with. While she has a title and pedigree, she and her grandmother don’t have the means to do anything other than seriously consider the first good offer she gets for marriage. Unfortunately for Elizabeth, that means considering her cousin who happens to be the exact opposite of everything she wants for herself. As their household is downsizing, Elizabeth meets Cedric Thorn, the son of the proprietor of the Glittering Court and immediately she decides what she needs to do and her life changes completely.
Elizabeth takes on the identity of her maid and going forward is Adelaide, a former ladies maid on her way to becoming an upper-class marriage in the new world. See, the Glittering Court trains young ladies on all of the areas of etiquette and high society to transform them into women fit for marriage to the wealthy in the New World.
As Adelaide embraces her new life, she becomes friends with two other girls. Tamsin is ambitious and motivated while Mira is quiet. All three of these characters have secrets but despite that, they build a friendship that allows them to be able to count on each other. There are definitely some bumps for them all along the way and their secrets definitely create issues but I loved how despite all of that, when they really needed help, they were able to count on each other.
Adelaide does her best to stay in the middle of the pack during her training. As a former lady, she definitely has knowledge and experience that will help her stand out but because she is trying to hide, she knows she can’t come out on top. That is, until she finds out something about Cedric that influences her to rethink what she needs to do. Since he helped her escape, she feels she owes him and the only way she knows of how to do that is to be the top ranked girl (the Diamond) and get him a big commission.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was the historical feel. It felt like a combination of Victorian and new frontier to me with the class structure and nobility and then add to that the voyage across the ocean to the New World along with the conflict with the native people for land and that is where my head went.
One of the things Mead always does well (in my opinion) is the swoony stuff. As Adelaide is planning to marry a wealthy man, what began as a friendship with Cedric, eventually becomes something more which is dangerous for both of them. When something happens that forces them to admit their feelings, the story shifts and puts them both in danger. Despite that, the way their relationship develops was great and I loved the way things progressed because…kissing and stuff is always good.
I absolutely didn’t get even close to talking about all the other pieces that tie this book together which means I didn't give anything away. There are bad guys, great friends, adventure and action, and a story that will have you wondering what is going to happen next. Definitely consider checking this book out when you can. I can’t wait to add a finished copy of this to my library!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
The main character, the Countess of Rothford, is facing a future she isn’t completely on board with. While she has a title and pedigree, she and her grandmother don’t have the means to do anything other than seriously consider the first good offer she gets for marriage. Unfortunately for Elizabeth, that means considering her cousin who happens to be the exact opposite of everything she wants for herself. As their household is downsizing, Elizabeth meets Cedric Thorn, the son of the proprietor of the Glittering Court and immediately she decides what she needs to do and her life changes completely.
Elizabeth takes on the identity of her maid and going forward is Adelaide, a former ladies maid on her way to becoming an upper-class marriage in the new world. See, the Glittering Court trains young ladies on all of the areas of etiquette and high society to transform them into women fit for marriage to the wealthy in the New World.
As Adelaide embraces her new life, she becomes friends with two other girls. Tamsin is ambitious and motivated while Mira is quiet. All three of these characters have secrets but despite that, they build a friendship that allows them to be able to count on each other. There are definitely some bumps for them all along the way and their secrets definitely create issues but I loved how despite all of that, when they really needed help, they were able to count on each other.
Adelaide does her best to stay in the middle of the pack during her training. As a former lady, she definitely has knowledge and experience that will help her stand out but because she is trying to hide, she knows she can’t come out on top. That is, until she finds out something about Cedric that influences her to rethink what she needs to do. Since he helped her escape, she feels she owes him and the only way she knows of how to do that is to be the top ranked girl (the Diamond) and get him a big commission.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was the historical feel. It felt like a combination of Victorian and new frontier to me with the class structure and nobility and then add to that the voyage across the ocean to the New World along with the conflict with the native people for land and that is where my head went.
One of the things Mead always does well (in my opinion) is the swoony stuff. As Adelaide is planning to marry a wealthy man, what began as a friendship with Cedric, eventually becomes something more which is dangerous for both of them. When something happens that forces them to admit their feelings, the story shifts and puts them both in danger. Despite that, the way their relationship develops was great and I loved the way things progressed because…kissing and stuff is always good.
I absolutely didn’t get even close to talking about all the other pieces that tie this book together which means I didn't give anything away. There are bad guys, great friends, adventure and action, and a story that will have you wondering what is going to happen next. Definitely consider checking this book out when you can. I can’t wait to add a finished copy of this to my library!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani is the second book in the Sunbolt Chronicles series. I just happened across book one earlier this year and was completely impressed with both the writing and the story.
This book picks up shortly after Sunbolt left off and as I began this one, I pulled right back into Hitomi’s story. Just when you think things might be getting a bit better for Hitomi, the High Council summons Stormwind to stand trial for treason. They both know that Stormwind has to go but she doesn’t leave Hitomi empty handed. As Stormwind heads to face the council, Hitomi holds back until she knows for sure what Stormwind is facing. Once things head the wrong way and Hitomi confirms that Blackflame is sending mages to find out who is on the otherside of the mirror Stormwind had, she decides she will do whatever it takes to save Stormwind, even if that puts her directly in the path of Blackflame.
One of the things I love in these books is the character development. Hitomi is the main character we follow throughout but as she is on her journey, she crosses paths with so many that make an impact on her. Khanani does a fantastic job of providing more than just the introduction and high level interaction with these characters. Both the bad guys and the good guys are well-developed and help to move the story forward.
Hitomi herself is strong and daring. I love that she is willing to do whatever she needs to in order to protect the people she cares about. It was very clear in Sunbolt when she routinely sacrificed her safety for her friends and it is just as apparent in this book when she does something similar. On the other side, I think her friends are just as selfless and do what they can to help and protect Hitomi but she doesn’t always let them do so as much as they would like.
Khanani did a great job of introducing new characters into the story but she has also brought back some favorites from Sunbolt and I was super happy to see them show up on the pages. I’m hopeful we will see more of them throughout the rest of the series and look forward to seeing where their stories intersect.
Of course, magic plays a large role in this series and it is mixed in so well to the story that while it is a central piece of the story, it doesn’t overtake the character driven aspects. The characters continue to keep me turning the pages and the magic is one piece of the entire puzzle that makes it interesting and engaging.
I can’t say a lot about what actually happens in this book as there is A LOT and if you haven’t read book one yet I don’t want to ruin anything. With that said, you should definitely go read these books as they are available at a good price and totally worth it. If you are looking for a solid fantasy that weaves in solid characters, some magic, and strong friendships, consider picking these up. I am glad I found them and definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to the author for the review copy!
This book picks up shortly after Sunbolt left off and as I began this one, I pulled right back into Hitomi’s story. Just when you think things might be getting a bit better for Hitomi, the High Council summons Stormwind to stand trial for treason. They both know that Stormwind has to go but she doesn’t leave Hitomi empty handed. As Stormwind heads to face the council, Hitomi holds back until she knows for sure what Stormwind is facing. Once things head the wrong way and Hitomi confirms that Blackflame is sending mages to find out who is on the otherside of the mirror Stormwind had, she decides she will do whatever it takes to save Stormwind, even if that puts her directly in the path of Blackflame.
One of the things I love in these books is the character development. Hitomi is the main character we follow throughout but as she is on her journey, she crosses paths with so many that make an impact on her. Khanani does a fantastic job of providing more than just the introduction and high level interaction with these characters. Both the bad guys and the good guys are well-developed and help to move the story forward.
Hitomi herself is strong and daring. I love that she is willing to do whatever she needs to in order to protect the people she cares about. It was very clear in Sunbolt when she routinely sacrificed her safety for her friends and it is just as apparent in this book when she does something similar. On the other side, I think her friends are just as selfless and do what they can to help and protect Hitomi but she doesn’t always let them do so as much as they would like.
Khanani did a great job of introducing new characters into the story but she has also brought back some favorites from Sunbolt and I was super happy to see them show up on the pages. I’m hopeful we will see more of them throughout the rest of the series and look forward to seeing where their stories intersect.
Of course, magic plays a large role in this series and it is mixed in so well to the story that while it is a central piece of the story, it doesn’t overtake the character driven aspects. The characters continue to keep me turning the pages and the magic is one piece of the entire puzzle that makes it interesting and engaging.
I can’t say a lot about what actually happens in this book as there is A LOT and if you haven’t read book one yet I don’t want to ruin anything. With that said, you should definitely go read these books as they are available at a good price and totally worth it. If you are looking for a solid fantasy that weaves in solid characters, some magic, and strong friendships, consider picking these up. I am glad I found them and definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to the author for the review copy!
You guys...just go read this.
Burn by Paula Weston is the final book in the Rephaim series and I have been waiting, waiting, waiting to get to read this book. I have loved it since Jaime told me about Shadows, book one. If you haven’t started this series (WHAT??) go get Shadows now. Then pick up the other three so you can read all of them back to back. For those that have not yet read this book, or potentially any of the others, you may not want to continue reading this review. I am going to do my best to not spoil anything but can’t promise anything.
Gaby’s story has been developed so well over the course of the first three books and diving into Burn, I was immediately pulled back into her world. I thought the way that Weston structured the story was perfect. Sometimes I struggle with the flipping back and forth in timelines only because tend to get invested in the timeline I’m reading and all of a sudden I have to adjust to another timeline. I didn’t find this to be a problem for me in Burn. Right from page one, Weston delivers a mix of the current state as well as all the backstory we were missing because Gabe was missing them so as it all comes back to her, we get to find out ALL THE THINGS!! No…I’m not telling you what but trust me, it was well worth the wait.
In this book we get the usual cast of characters – Rafa, Jude, Jason, Daisy, Maggie, Daniel, Nathaniel, and demons. There are a bunch more but I can’t list them all here. One of the things I have been waiting for throughout this series is more information and interaction with Semyaza and the rest of the fallen angels. The story comes together completely and we find out what Nathaniel was thinking when he did what he did and how they all ended up where they are in this book.
Since this is the final book I can’t say much about what actually happens but I will say that the growth I saw in all of the characters was fantastic. Gaby and Jude / Gaby and Rafa didn’t go back to hating each other when everything came back to them which I was super happy about. As Gaby realizes who she was when she was Gabe, she makes the decision to not be the person she was back then. Don’t get me wrong, she is still tough and smart and cares a lot about the people around her but she comes to realize her pride isn’t worth giving up her friends and family.
A good portion of this book, outside of the relationships, is the group preparing for the impending demon attack at Pan Beach. There is a ton of action and eventually fighting and I loved every minute of it.
While all the other books tended to leave me on a cliff at the end, this one wrapped everything up fantastically. All of the questions I had were answered and I had plenty of Gaby and Rafa swoons. I can’t say much else without potentially ruining everything but what I will say is that Weston did a wonderful job of keeping me interested in the series from the start of Shadows. I am absolutely going to be looking forward to what Weston writes next. If you like a story that includes mystery, fallen angels, swoons, friendships, and just a fantastic story, you should pick this series up immediately.
Burn by Paula Weston is the final book in the Rephaim series and I have been waiting, waiting, waiting to get to read this book. I have loved it since Jaime told me about Shadows, book one. If you haven’t started this series (WHAT??) go get Shadows now. Then pick up the other three so you can read all of them back to back. For those that have not yet read this book, or potentially any of the others, you may not want to continue reading this review. I am going to do my best to not spoil anything but can’t promise anything.
Gaby’s story has been developed so well over the course of the first three books and diving into Burn, I was immediately pulled back into her world. I thought the way that Weston structured the story was perfect. Sometimes I struggle with the flipping back and forth in timelines only because tend to get invested in the timeline I’m reading and all of a sudden I have to adjust to another timeline. I didn’t find this to be a problem for me in Burn. Right from page one, Weston delivers a mix of the current state as well as all the backstory we were missing because Gabe was missing them so as it all comes back to her, we get to find out ALL THE THINGS!! No…I’m not telling you what but trust me, it was well worth the wait.
In this book we get the usual cast of characters – Rafa, Jude, Jason, Daisy, Maggie, Daniel, Nathaniel, and demons. There are a bunch more but I can’t list them all here. One of the things I have been waiting for throughout this series is more information and interaction with Semyaza and the rest of the fallen angels. The story comes together completely and we find out what Nathaniel was thinking when he did what he did and how they all ended up where they are in this book.
Since this is the final book I can’t say much about what actually happens but I will say that the growth I saw in all of the characters was fantastic. Gaby and Jude / Gaby and Rafa didn’t go back to hating each other when everything came back to them which I was super happy about. As Gaby realizes who she was when she was Gabe, she makes the decision to not be the person she was back then. Don’t get me wrong, she is still tough and smart and cares a lot about the people around her but she comes to realize her pride isn’t worth giving up her friends and family.
A good portion of this book, outside of the relationships, is the group preparing for the impending demon attack at Pan Beach. There is a ton of action and eventually fighting and I loved every minute of it.
While all the other books tended to leave me on a cliff at the end, this one wrapped everything up fantastically. All of the questions I had were answered and I had plenty of Gaby and Rafa swoons. I can’t say much else without potentially ruining everything but what I will say is that Weston did a wonderful job of keeping me interested in the series from the start of Shadows. I am absolutely going to be looking forward to what Weston writes next. If you like a story that includes mystery, fallen angels, swoons, friendships, and just a fantastic story, you should pick this series up immediately.
So, so sneaky! Well played Melinda Salisbury...now when can I have the next book? Full review to come.
Ahh - I love this book so much! The narrators were fantastic and even though I knew who was who (because I read it already) the audio still played up the mystery well of which character is the prince vs. the assassin. I recommend reading the book before listening to the audio though.