Initial Reaction:



Wow...just WOW!!!

Fairest by Marissa Meyer is a wonderful addition to the Lunar Chronicles as it tells the evil queen's story. Literally we get the juicy details behind Queen Levana's rise to power and just what made her so evil. And dang you Meyer for making me like her!!!! I'm a sucker for a good villain, but Levana's life is just so dark and twisted that you wind up not only liking her but feeling sorry for her and even understanding what she does. Seriously though it made me question myself for liking this woman!

The story starts when Levana's parents are killed. She's young, a bit lost, naive, and has extreme self-confidence issues thanks to her brat of a sister. But she did love once. An all-consuming, all-in, stalkerish type love, but the point is she did love in her own, twisted, psychotic way.

And Channary....evil incarnate! This is the sister, Cinder's mother, the one rumored to be even worse than Levana. Well she is and I just couldn't like her from the moment she opened her mouth. She's evil, ruthless, cruel in a way that can cause someone to be twisted and evil. She made Levana. Want someone to blame...blame Channary!

She wanted him to think about her, even if only for a moment. She wanted him to admire her.

Then there's this handsome guard who takes pity on the princess who is always alone, always to herself, and never shows her true face. It's this poor guy's kindness that Levana twists into her own version of love. It's deplorable, shocking, and heartbreaking for all involved. I couldn't help it. I'll admit I cried a bit for not only Levana but the poor guard stuck with her. It was twisted and sick and I just can't believe that the author who wrote Cress wrote Levana!!!!

If you're a fan of the Lunar Chronicles than this is a must read! It sets up Winter well as I am now eager to see the step-daughter that Levana has loved, again in her own twisted way. I want to see Levana fall and I want to see her get the justice she deserves!

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Initial Reaction:



AND



AND



WHY INGRID? WHY?!?!

Killing Time by Ingrid Nickelsen is the follow-up to her debut novel [b:For Better or for Worse|20883236|For Better or for Worse|Ingrid Nickelsen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393031736s/20883236.jpg|40223964] and picks up immediately where the story left off. (SPOILER NOTE: If you haven't read book one, there are minor spoilers in this review) Evangeline has not transitioned and is running to her old section in the hopes to warn Will about James's betrayal. Joining with the Wanderers, Eve sets off and ultimately she must chose between Will and Josh, but who and how will she chose? Back in section 47, Will is mourning Eve when the Midnight Riders appear and take him. Now he along with Brielle must find a way to escape, but at what cost?

I waited a year for this book and I have to say it did NOT disappoint! Eve is the same girl I remember: strong, independent with her own view on this in-between world. She's also extremely heart-broken. Her memories are back. She lived an entire lifetime with her husband Josh after her first-love Will died in a tragic accident. Now how is she to chose between the two of them? I can't imagine how hard this choice is for her and easily empathized with her.

Will is different than I remember him. Maybe it's because I know who he is now and I had such high expectations for him. I was in love with him during book one, but that all changed this go around. He has this hero-complex going on and it's what gets him into trouble. It cost him his life and now it may cost him his soul too!

Then there's Josh <3 I adore him and am #TeamJosh all the way! Josh is Eve's husband in life and in death. He's sweet, devoted, and reminds me of my own husband. Maybe that's why I love him so much ;) He follows Eve when she doesn't transition even though he knows why she didn't. He loves her and follows her and helps her throughout the book. Is that not love or what?!

The plot of this story is two fold as it is told in dual, alternating POV. Eve is set on finding and saving Will. Will is set on a new, darker path as he becomes engrossed in the Midnight Hunters' world. The plot is dark with lots of twists and an absolutely heart-breaking ending!

I loved getting to know more about Eve's time with Josh after Will's death and how she ultimately went on living. As I did with the first book, I love all the characters Nickelsen's created. The godparents are back along with a few new characters, Baptiste specifically, that I loved. And the world of this series just keeps getting bigger, more intricate, and is full of surprises! I can't wait for more :D

If you enjoy young adult, paranormal romance, and some fun afterlife fantasy than this book is for you!

I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Fury by Steven James is the second book in the Blur Trilogy about a young man with the extraordinary ability to pick up the details of a crime and piece them together through hallucinations. For Daniel Byers, life returned to normal after solving the death of a classmate last fall. Now the blurs are back, and they are worse than ever. Can Daniel and his friends find the cause before reality blurs with fiction?

The protagonist can also be the antagonist.

So poor Daniel is seeing things again and this time he has no way of telling if they are real or just in his head. Literally he feels like he is going crazy and who can blame him? If I were seeing dead girls who talk to me in the middle of the school bus I would be freaking out. Instead Daniel stays relatively calm, though inwardly questioning his sanity, and calls his best friend and their girlfriends to help him. I guess this is a smart call as the last time his blurs appeared a girl was murdered and it needed to be solved. To Kyle, Mia, and Nicole's credit they did not accuse him of going crazy. Instead they sided with him and pretty much followed Daniel's lead as he went further down the rabbit hole.

The plot of this story is fairly intricate as there are three sub plots tied together. First, someone is poaching wolves, a big no-no in Wisconsin. Daniel believes that his blurs are to help his father solve the case. Then his father goes missing and Daniel is accused as the culprit. Poor Daniel has enough on his plate people without thinking he's done something to his dad!!! Lastly there's the girl in his vision and her link to a barn he played in as a kid.

I love how the author tied these plots together in the mind of Daniel and just how Daniel's mind works. It's amazing. As I said in my review of book one, Daniel is like Rainman without the social stigma. He's very smart and a genius when it comes to numbers. He picks up on details others wouldn't notice and then his brain pieces the information together and voila! He has a blur. It's all fascinating and the nurse side of me is screaming that he is a bit obsessive compulsive with counting, but I digress ;)

Daniel and his friends make for a fun cast of characters, though I wish there was a bit more depth to them. There's only surface details, not much personality aside from Daniel. Oh! And mystery man who is introduced in this book is quite intriguing. I can't wait to learn more about him in book three :D

Once again the author surprised me with a few twists I didn't see coming and in no way could I have predicted them. I think I'll go back and do a reread now that I know the ending and see if I can pick up any details that I may have missed. If you enjoy crime mysteries and young adult fiction, then this book is for you!

Review in a Gif:

Initial Reaction:



It's taken me a couple of weeks to regroup after reading Victoria Aveyard's debut novel Red Queen. I devoured this book and fell in love with the characters and the world they live in. Set in a dystopian world were the color of your blood determines your rank in society, Red Queen is full of romance, action, and betrayal.

Mare is now my new favorite heroine. She's 17 when her world literally falls apart. Her best friend is drafted into a war that is a century old and it's up to her to find a way to save him. She's quick-tempered, snarky, and loves her family. In fact she would do anything if it meant she could save them. And save them she does :D

Told only from Mare's perspective, the author does an amazing job of building the world and making it believable. Not only that but I fell in love with the other characters as well and I'm just as invested in them as I am Mare. Throughout the entire book, the author kept me guessing and had me falling in and out of love with the different men in Mare's life. And I can honestly say that I was shocked at the twist ending even though I knew a twist was coming. It was nothing that I could've predicted and my heart ached for Mare and everyone involved.

Overall I loved this story and if I could give it more than 5 stars I would. I CANNOT wait for book two and I'm so eager to learn more about the mystery surrounding Mare and her powers. If you enjoy fantasy with a little romance I highly suggest you check out this series!

Quote to sum it up:

Many things led to this day, for all of us. A forgotten son, a vengeful mother, a brother with a long shadow, a strange mutation. Together, they have written a tragedy.

I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Initial thoughts:



Light of a Thousand Stars Light of a Thousand Stars by Siobhan Davis is a short novella for the True Calling series, told from Zane's POV and set prior to the Skyee family leaving for Novo. First of all bravo Siobhan Davis for making me squall like a baby in this book AND for giving us a back story to Novo all in under 100 pages :) This novella truly made me happy!

*Note: If you haven't read the prior books in this series, there are minor spoilers in this review.

Zane is definitely one of my favorite characters in this series and I've been rooting for him since before Ari realized he was real person and not a figment of her dreams. He is caring, head over heels in love, and fully devoted to his family. Despite his heart condition, he is strong and Ari's rock. I just <3 him!!

And Ari in this book....wow!!! What a different girl we see! She's your typical teenager and I love it. There's no worry about Novo or the future or any of that. She's a girl in love and you gotta appreciate that.

The plot of the story revolves around not only their love story but also the move to Novo, why Zane didn't get to tag along, and my personal favorite this little mystery that has Ari all upset. (Sorry no spoilers there) Honestly if you enjoy the True Calling series, than this novella is an absolute must! It adds so much to Ari's story and Zane....ugh....if Ari doesn't straighten up in book three I'm gonna have to come through the pages and get her!!!! #TeamZane all the way right here!

Review in a Gif:

Collide by Ashley C. Harris is book three of her Shock Me series and picks up right where we left off in Sparks. **Note unavoidable spoilers ahead. If you haven't read the first two books of this series, read at your own risk** Donna and Spencer are under attack by the first Biomax soldier, he's stolen her powers and somehow she has to best him to save herself and Spencer. Randy and Ryan are at the football game in the middle of town when the Biomax soldier shows up with the Electrolyte's powers and is chasing Donna. Now how will they keep the whole town from finding out their secrets? This addition to the Shock Me series is one intense read from start to finish. All my favorite characters are back and there's a lot of suspense, lying, and just all around confusion as Donna and her friends hide from the Applegates.

Donna is by far one of my favorite superheroes. She's witty, smart, and not afraid to protect those she loves. But how far will she have to go? In this book we see just how far she is willing to go and truthfully it breaks my heart. She is willing to die for these people, she's willing to let a friend's mind be completely erased of her to save him, and she gives up Cody. It's just heartbreaking!

Ryan is still my favorite baddie/goodie (does that make sense?!) He loves Donna, it's no secret except to the clueless Donna. He let them erase her mind of his abilities when they were kids, he's kept his distance, all in an effort to keep her safe from himself. However when the Biomax soldier appears chasing Donna, the animal side of him takes over and he's no longer willing to keep his distance. He loves her, he will protect her, and if it's the last thing he ever does he will save her from the Electrolyte (Note that that means he will be killing the girl he loves....gotta love irony ;) )

Randy however will always hold my heart :D I just love him! In this book, Randy's character really grows into himself. He gets out from under his father's leash and finds his own cause in....Rebecca. Yep, that's right. Little shy Rebecca, Donna's BFF, Paul's ex, and genius! It's kinda cute, but maybe I'm reading into things ;)

And then there's Spencer. Can't write a review without mentioning him.....I just....I really have no words for him. He risks his life at the end of Spark to save Donna. He has no clue about his real father, though Donna finds out from the Biomax soldier. Then he gets his mind wiped of everything/anything to do with Donna's abilities. Also Saul (the mind wiper) erases their close bond so when Spencer's mom suggests a move back to Florida, he goes for it. AND DONNA DOES NOT STOP HIM!!!!! My heart is broken :(

The plot of this story really focuses on Donna and keeping her secret from the Applegates who are hot on her trail. There's a couple of side plots as the Applegates track down the escaped Biomax kids from the NY facility and of course the first Biomax soldier as well. Then there's David who Donna is trying to figure out. There's a lot going on in just 200 pages!

Unfortunately because there's so much going on at times I got a little lost in the story and felt like maybe I had skipped a page or something. Also the head hopping. I kinda like it for this series but at times it's a little overwhelming. I mean you have the main character Donna, but then there is also Rebecca, David, Randy, Ryan, and Spencer all who get points of view (though Spencer is the exception this book). It can be a bit much, especially during intense scenes that the characters switch POV every few paragraphs!

And the ending!!!!!

Spoiler

I CANNOT believe that Spencer SHOT Randy and took Rebecca!!! What the heck?! What's going on?! What has happened to my Spencer :(

Overall I enjoy this series. I love Donna and her X-men-ish abilities! The Biomax soldiers and the background story that is starting to take shape is just amazing! I can't wait for more from this world and I'm SO excited the author is releasing a short from Spencer's POV as he is not in this book very much! I <3 Spencer :D If you enjoy young adult, action, adventure, superheroes, and a tiny bit of romance, check out the series! You will not regret that decision :D

Review in a Gif:

I received an eARC of this book from the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

I feel like I lived three lifetimes in the span of this book!!! Beyond Reach by Siobhan Davis is a continuation of her series True Calling and is one intense read from start to finish. Ariana is on Earth, having been rescued by Zane and Clementia. She still carries the information her late father entrusted her with and her sixth sense is screaming not to give it up. Cal is still on Novo, having been left there to save herself, the Clementia crew and anyone else that was able to escape (which included her little brother Deacon and his sister Mel). Can Ari save her mom, sister and Cal from Novo, can she uncover what is really going on at Clementia, and when everything turns upside down who will she turn to?

Ari is one of those characters that you love and hate all at the same time. She is brave, strong-willed, and determined but also a bit stubborn, overly dramatic and wholly confused on who she should believe. Presented with evidence that Cal betrayed her on Novo prior to their escape, she doesn't know who to trust and she certainly doesn't trust the Clementia leaders. So she keeps secret the information her father gave her, protecting it with her life, only telling Zane where it really is.

Then there is Zane, who I just feel so incredibly sad for. He did not get to go with Ari and her family to Novo, so he has all his memories intact while Ari didn't even know he existed until she started having dreams of him. She is the love of his life and all he wants is for her to remember, thinking that it will fix everything. He is devoted to her and her family in a way that is both endearing and heartbreaking. He is Ari's constant and because she doesn't remember him, he takes the role of her best friend.

And Cal...I honestly don't know how I feel about him. As I said in my review of book one, Cal is handsome, charming, and seems to really care about Ari, but it is borderline obsession and not just on his part. I feel Ari is more obsessed than in love with him and I have to wonder if it has something to do with the hormones they were given during the Calling. Also with Cal I just don't trust him, something is off and I'm determined to figured it out!

I wonder if it's morally right to allow one boy to comfort me when all my thoughts are consumed with another?

I think that quote sums up everything I have to say about the love triangle that I predicted would start in this book. As I'm indifferent to Cal, I actually don't mind it and I'm obviously rooting for Zane (#TeamZane)! The plot though revolves more around Clementia and the information they wanted from Ari's father. Clementia is the head of the rebellion on Earth and something is shady about them as Ari's sixth sense tells her.

Overall I LOVED Beyond Reach just as much as I did book one of the series and I can't wait for the conclusion in August! Suspense, romance, and lots of action in this book along with more than a few plot twists :D make it one intense, can't-sit-it-down read. If you enjoy science fiction, dystopians, and young adult literature, put this one on your list. You don't want to miss it!

Review in a Gif:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Initial Reaction:



Ummm...yeah so Lovestruck by Siobhan Davis is a quick, short story (like only 30-40 pages) told from Cal's point of view and set just before the Calling in book one.

*Note: If you have not read book one True Calling, read this review at your own risk as there will be minor spoilers.

*Another Note ;) Since this is a SHORT story, my review will also be short.

So you know how I keep saying something is off with Cal? That I just don't fully trust him? Well....I was right. Something is off and you MUST read this short to get the full of it!

Cal is tired of going from one girl to the next and then he sets his sight on Ariana Skyee, a fellow cadet at the training academy, yet she doesn't see him. And when she does she ignores him or insults him. As a result he becomes a tiny bit obsessed....

I'm hiding carefully in the shadows at the edge of Ariana's house, secretly watching her. I come here most nights, though she has no idea that I do.

So yeah...can we say stalker?!

What I really liked about this story is that we do get to see inside Cal's head. It's nice to get other POV in a story, it gives the characters more character ;) Also can I just say I love Ben, Cal's BFF?! He's awesome and definitely a moral compass for our Cal.

Overall if you enjoy the True Calling series, than this short is a must. It gives you a little insight into Cal and his odd behavior, specifically going into Beyond Reach. I really enjoyed getting into Cal's head and wish it could've been a little longer. Can't wait for more from this series!

I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Note: If you haven't read the previous books of this series, there are some unavoidable minor spoilers. Read ahead at your own risk!

I'm heartbroken!!! I adore...no I LOVE this series and have since Fall but this installment just didn't meet expectations for me :( In Rise, Braita and Jax are taken into custody by the Plumas after their joyride to and treason on Joyal. Faced with the death penalty, Braita does the only thing she knows will work and reaches out to Phila and Killeg for the help she so desperately needs.

This installment we see a different Braita and I was both horrified and heartbroken and just overwhelmed for her. After all she's been through with the Plumas and all her misplaced trust, she is literally broken both physically and mentally and you can't help but cringe with her.

So I'll admit with this being the next to last book in the series :::sobs::: I thought some of the loose ends in the plot would start tying together. I thought wrong!!! Major plot twist with the possibility of a spin-off series was thrown into this story and now all I can think is HOW will Scarlett be able to sum up this series in one more 80~ page book?!?!

As I already stated, I'm heartbroken that I didn't love this installment as much as I have the others! I felt like this book was a filler and building up to the finale. There was little romance, lots of violence and more questions than answers leaving me worried that the last book will be rushed. Of course it wouldn't hurt my feelings any though if the author decides to extend the series a little ;) If you enjoy science fiction, new adult paranormal romance, than I highly recommend the series. It's full of everything I love in just over 80 pages :D

Review in a Gif:

I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

A Hope Remembered by Stacy Henrie is such a sweet story of friendship, love, and the ability to overcome even our darkest hour. Nora Lewis is starting over after the war took her fiancé and the Spanish flu took her parents. She has inherited a distant relative's sheep farm in the Lake District of England. So selling her small farm in Iowa, she sets off on a new journey, both excited at its possibilities and grieving the loss of the familiar. Colin Ashby is back at his parents' estate Elmthwaite Hall after losing his older brother in the war. Colin feels the life he had before the war is unattainable as he now stands to inherit the title meant for his brother, but it isn't what he thought. Elmthwaite is facing bankruptcy and to save his childhood home may mean sacrificing a new life with the pretty American girl who just took over the sheep farm down the way.

I LOVE these characters and their story! In fact, this one may be my favorite of the entire series. Nora is such a treasure. She has faith that God is in direction of her life, moving halfway across the world to take over a sheep farm and start over. I can't say I blame her. If I had lost everyone I love as she has, I would want a new start too. Except for Nora she has closed off her heart and is unwilling to open it back to love and the potential of loss. It's sad and such a heartrending story as she slowly opens herself to new possibilities throughout the book. I loved reading her journey as she realized loving is a part of life and blood doesn't necessarily equal family.

And Colin :D I adored him! He is such a lost character at the beginning of the story. He had big plans and dreams for when the war ended. He wanted to travel and see the world. But with the death of his brother, those dreams have to be put on hold. He now stands to inherit his father's title of baronet, a title he doesn't want, but a promise to his brother to never turn his back on Elmthwaite keeps him from leaving. What I love about Colin is that he is a good man at heart. He loves his family, his friends, and he has big dreams, dreams he's willing to give up for his family.

Nora and Colin's relationship is complicated to say the least. Nora finds a friend in Colin, but ignores her attraction to him as she feels it would be a betrayal to her fiancé. Colin is also attracted to Nora, in fact he finds himself falling for her, but to save Elmthwaite he needs to talk her into selling the sheep farm to his family. I loved reading as their relationship grew and ultimately they developed a friendship that is a strong foundation for any love story :D

Overall I love this series and was happy with the conclusion the author gave to the characters. Nora and Colin are wonderful and I loved reading their story! Nora is quick-witted and her faith in God leads Colin back to his own roots. Colin is wonderful as he learns to stand up for what he believes is right and follow his own heart. If you enjoy historical fiction, a clean romance then I highly recommend you check out Stacy's Of Love and War series. I promise you won't be disappointed!