Take a photo of a barcode or cover
DARK PHOENIX BY: ELISE FABER
I have some mixed feelings about this book. While I think the story itself is pretty awesome, I have simply come to the conclusion that I don't really care for Daughtry being the one to narrate it. Sometimes I felt like her self-doubt and incapability to express herself to the ones that consistently wronged her took away from the interesting plot line. I thought the world Faber created is fantastic, I was instantly drawn into the magical world of LexTals and their plight against the Dalshie. I just had trouble fully appreciating them while Daughtry was constantly engrossed in her own emotional issues. I get why she had so many confidence issues, I just wanted to see her really rise up above them and demand the respect that, she as human being, is entitled to. By the end I think she did grow a lot, and I am so glad, I only wish it would have been a little earlier on.
I was definitely surprised at the way some things turned out! I had my own theories about what was going to happen and the connection between Daughtry and the nefarious leader of the Dalshie, but what ended up coming to light was so much better than what I was thinking! I really liked getting to more of some of the side characters, namely Morgan. And I am incredibly intrigued the past between him and a certain surprise addition to the LexTal gang. I LOVED the addition of the Forgotten as well! I'd love to see more of them!
All in all I thought this was a good read! I am really looking forward to reading the next book, From Ashes, it looks as if there is a narrator change in that one and I think that could take this series to the next level for me!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I have some mixed feelings about this book. While I think the story itself is pretty awesome, I have simply come to the conclusion that I don't really care for Daughtry being the one to narrate it. Sometimes I felt like her self-doubt and incapability to express herself to the ones that consistently wronged her took away from the interesting plot line. I thought the world Faber created is fantastic, I was instantly drawn into the magical world of LexTals and their plight against the Dalshie. I just had trouble fully appreciating them while Daughtry was constantly engrossed in her own emotional issues. I get why she had so many confidence issues, I just wanted to see her really rise up above them and demand the respect that, she as human being, is entitled to. By the end I think she did grow a lot, and I am so glad, I only wish it would have been a little earlier on.
I was definitely surprised at the way some things turned out! I had my own theories about what was going to happen and the connection between Daughtry and the nefarious leader of the Dalshie, but what ended up coming to light was so much better than what I was thinking! I really liked getting to more of some of the side characters, namely Morgan. And I am incredibly intrigued the past between him and a certain surprise addition to the LexTal gang. I LOVED the addition of the Forgotten as well! I'd love to see more of them!
All in all I thought this was a good read! I am really looking forward to reading the next book, From Ashes, it looks as if there is a narrator change in that one and I think that could take this series to the next level for me!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
HER SWEETEST DOWNFALL BY: KELLIE WALLACE REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!! Synopsis:
At the height of the London Blitz, Viola Craft, a sexually repressed young woman is trapped in a loveless marriage to her God fearing husband Vernon. She spends her days working in her mother’s dress shop while Vernon pulls the dead from the rubble with his rescue crew.
Their marriage is turbulent and Viola feels pressured to bear a child. After failed attempts, Vernon believes she’s barren and alienates himself from their marriage. One night during an air raid, she meets alluring German born Kristoff Richter. They make an in-stant connection. He’s young, good looking and emphatic. They embark on an illicit affair that leads to tragic consequences.
About the Author:
Born in Sydney, Australia Kellie Wallace developed a love for the written word early in life, recalling her earliest memory when she was three years old. She has been writing ever since. After finishing high school, Kellie moved to the sunny Northern Beaches from the Central Coast and carved a successful career in the media/advertising industry writing for numerous Sydney based publications. An aspiring novelist, Kellie fulfilled a dream in 2008 having her first book All She Ever Wanted published by Zeus Publications at the age of 22 years old. In her spare time she loves to write, game and draw.
Connect with Kellie:
Kellie Riek
Facebook.com/kelliewallacebooks
Twitter.com/kelliewallace85
Kelliewallacebooks.com
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7190543.Kellie_Wallace
My review:
3.5 out of 5 stars
Historical Romance is not typically one of my favorite genres to read. I think one of the main reasons being that most of the time periods they are set in were times that weren’t exactly the best for women. Not a lot of freedoms. It’s hard for me to envision a time when the men dictated everything and your sole purpose as a woman was to marry well, produce heirs, and keep house. And that’s just really naming one of my larger issues with it, there are more….so like I said, not my favorite genre, but there are a few that I have read that stick out and have been quite enjoyable, and I can now add Her Sweetest Downfall to that list.
I actually really lost myself in this time period, I’m no history buff, but I have a fair share of knowledge about World War 2, I blame my guy and his making me watch Band of Brothers (which was AMAZING and gut wrenching and so devastating). So the setting was really well done here, and it was interesting to see how what was happening around the characters played a part in the what drove them. It was a different side to that war that I hadn’t really experienced before, not being in the middle of the battle, but being terrified in your own hometown. Losing friends, neighbors, your livelihood, home, etc. It was just as horrible to watch from this side. It also set the tone for the relationships too. When nothing is certain, not even your future, do you take more chances at living your life to the fullest regardless of the consequences, do consider what it might mean to start a family in these trying times, do you stay in a loveless marriage because it’s the “right thing to do”? I felt every choice Viola had in front of her, I considered what I would do along with her.
“You must never blame yourself, Viola. The longer this war goes on, the weaker we become. We do things we shouldn’t, love people we shouldn’t. You act foolishly to keep them close, only for a second, all the while war rages on, and people around you lose loved ones. In the end, you have to stop and think if it’s worth the risk.”
While I really enjoyed this story, I did struggle with the characters at times. I didn’t always understand the choices Viola made, or that of those around her either. I don’t know if this was mostly due to the societal beliefs at this time, or they were just things I couldn’t grasp because of my own outlook on the situation. A few of the characters ultimately felt a little flat to me as well, Vernon was so single minded in his pursuit of a child that I never really noticed much more than that about him, with the exception of the cruelty and lengths he would go to in his pursuit. Kristoff was another one that I never really connected with, he really just seemed to represent Viola’s chance at happiness. Oddly enough I felt more from a few of the side characters, Beatrice the mistress especially. I found her relationship with Vernon, and eventually Viola so compelling! I was fascinated with her and her thought process about the situation she found herself in, right up to the very end.
I was quite surprised with many of the events that took place throughout the story, especially in the last half. I was not expecting things to work out the way they did. I think it ended on a bittersweet note, and which really stuck with the tone of the entire book. By the end I had this thought about the relationships in this story, how they started, what they endured, and ultimately how they ended. I kind of felt like they were possibly a metaphor for war itself, something that can happen suddenly, turn your world upside down, and end abruptly leaving you to collect the ashes and rebuild from the destruction in new, and unexpected ways. And that, I thought, was masterfully done.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Now for the GIVEAWAY!
Kellie Wallace is generously giving away a (mobi file) copy of Her Sweetest Downfall to one lucky winner! Just leave a comment on the original blog post.....
https://bookwormcoalition.wordpress.com/2015/10/02/her-sweetest-downfall-by-kellie-wallace-review-giveaway/
to be entered to win, easy peasy! This giveaway will be open until Friday Oct. 9th, and we will announce the winner the following day, Saturday Oct. 10th. And as always…
At the height of the London Blitz, Viola Craft, a sexually repressed young woman is trapped in a loveless marriage to her God fearing husband Vernon. She spends her days working in her mother’s dress shop while Vernon pulls the dead from the rubble with his rescue crew.
Their marriage is turbulent and Viola feels pressured to bear a child. After failed attempts, Vernon believes she’s barren and alienates himself from their marriage. One night during an air raid, she meets alluring German born Kristoff Richter. They make an in-stant connection. He’s young, good looking and emphatic. They embark on an illicit affair that leads to tragic consequences.
About the Author:
Born in Sydney, Australia Kellie Wallace developed a love for the written word early in life, recalling her earliest memory when she was three years old. She has been writing ever since. After finishing high school, Kellie moved to the sunny Northern Beaches from the Central Coast and carved a successful career in the media/advertising industry writing for numerous Sydney based publications. An aspiring novelist, Kellie fulfilled a dream in 2008 having her first book All She Ever Wanted published by Zeus Publications at the age of 22 years old. In her spare time she loves to write, game and draw.
Connect with Kellie:
Kellie Riek
Facebook.com/kelliewallacebooks
Twitter.com/kelliewallace85
Kelliewallacebooks.com
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7190543.Kellie_Wallace
My review:
3.5 out of 5 stars
Historical Romance is not typically one of my favorite genres to read. I think one of the main reasons being that most of the time periods they are set in were times that weren’t exactly the best for women. Not a lot of freedoms. It’s hard for me to envision a time when the men dictated everything and your sole purpose as a woman was to marry well, produce heirs, and keep house. And that’s just really naming one of my larger issues with it, there are more….so like I said, not my favorite genre, but there are a few that I have read that stick out and have been quite enjoyable, and I can now add Her Sweetest Downfall to that list.
I actually really lost myself in this time period, I’m no history buff, but I have a fair share of knowledge about World War 2, I blame my guy and his making me watch Band of Brothers (which was AMAZING and gut wrenching and so devastating). So the setting was really well done here, and it was interesting to see how what was happening around the characters played a part in the what drove them. It was a different side to that war that I hadn’t really experienced before, not being in the middle of the battle, but being terrified in your own hometown. Losing friends, neighbors, your livelihood, home, etc. It was just as horrible to watch from this side. It also set the tone for the relationships too. When nothing is certain, not even your future, do you take more chances at living your life to the fullest regardless of the consequences, do consider what it might mean to start a family in these trying times, do you stay in a loveless marriage because it’s the “right thing to do”? I felt every choice Viola had in front of her, I considered what I would do along with her.
“You must never blame yourself, Viola. The longer this war goes on, the weaker we become. We do things we shouldn’t, love people we shouldn’t. You act foolishly to keep them close, only for a second, all the while war rages on, and people around you lose loved ones. In the end, you have to stop and think if it’s worth the risk.”
While I really enjoyed this story, I did struggle with the characters at times. I didn’t always understand the choices Viola made, or that of those around her either. I don’t know if this was mostly due to the societal beliefs at this time, or they were just things I couldn’t grasp because of my own outlook on the situation. A few of the characters ultimately felt a little flat to me as well, Vernon was so single minded in his pursuit of a child that I never really noticed much more than that about him, with the exception of the cruelty and lengths he would go to in his pursuit. Kristoff was another one that I never really connected with, he really just seemed to represent Viola’s chance at happiness. Oddly enough I felt more from a few of the side characters, Beatrice the mistress especially. I found her relationship with Vernon, and eventually Viola so compelling! I was fascinated with her and her thought process about the situation she found herself in, right up to the very end.
I was quite surprised with many of the events that took place throughout the story, especially in the last half. I was not expecting things to work out the way they did. I think it ended on a bittersweet note, and which really stuck with the tone of the entire book. By the end I had this thought about the relationships in this story, how they started, what they endured, and ultimately how they ended. I kind of felt like they were possibly a metaphor for war itself, something that can happen suddenly, turn your world upside down, and end abruptly leaving you to collect the ashes and rebuild from the destruction in new, and unexpected ways. And that, I thought, was masterfully done.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Now for the GIVEAWAY!
Kellie Wallace is generously giving away a (mobi file) copy of Her Sweetest Downfall to one lucky winner! Just leave a comment on the original blog post.....
https://bookwormcoalition.wordpress.com/2015/10/02/her-sweetest-downfall-by-kellie-wallace-review-giveaway/
to be entered to win, easy peasy! This giveaway will be open until Friday Oct. 9th, and we will announce the winner the following day, Saturday Oct. 10th. And as always…
THE DIVIDE BY: E.J. MELLOW
Okay, I am having some serious issues forming complete thoughts at this moment. That was....awesome! The Divide was everything that I hoped for in a sequel. It was one of those reads where you want to devour it all at once, and simultaneously savor it slowly so you spend as much time as possible immersed in this dreamy world. I absolutely loved the fact that we got to spend so much of this book in Terra!! I was so intrigued by this wondrous dreamland in The Dreamer, but I really fell in love with it in this book. And the fact that Dev was there, well it certainly added to the appeal.
Seriously, I was so wrapped up in the dream guy that I completely forgot about the waking world boyfriend, Jared. I was kind of disappointed once I did remember about him. I've been team Dev since the beginning. But I am a sucker for the slow budding romance, and Mellow did this perfectly! It was done with my preferred romance cocktail of internal longing, humor, and that glorious balance of not knowing whether they want to shin kick each other or kiss.
"Dev pins me with his beauty, his desire, and- I take note- his anger. Every one of my cells jump with his sudden presence, and in this precarious place, with this hedonistic music spinning around us, the Molly that's telling me I should step away and clear my head, at this point, is a shell of a woman. But the other Molly, the one who wants to push Dev into the shadows, well, she just downed a protein shake and is stronger than ever."
I really enjoyed seeing Molly come into her role as the Dreamer, and what being such really means. I think we have only just begun to learn some of the amazing things she can accomplish. I also thought the correlation between the brewing war with the Metus in Terra and the rise of awful things happening in the real world was a neat idea. It was especially interesting to see how that had previously played out throughout history. The Metus are a fearsome foe. To think that all it takes is a touch to be totally consumed by the evil and complete hopelessness, just to become the very thing that you were fighting against a moment before. Good or bad, I just can't get enough of Terra and all it's inhabitants. Which is what has me kind of worried, because as we all know...
"But then all too quickly, like a Metus invading, I'm reminded of something, We must all wake up from dreams."
I'm so freaking nervous for what is going to happen in the next book....that ending was crazy! I'm devastated by it, and yet, still holding onto hope. Now begins the torturous wait to see what happens next.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, I am having some serious issues forming complete thoughts at this moment. That was....awesome! The Divide was everything that I hoped for in a sequel. It was one of those reads where you want to devour it all at once, and simultaneously savor it slowly so you spend as much time as possible immersed in this dreamy world. I absolutely loved the fact that we got to spend so much of this book in Terra!! I was so intrigued by this wondrous dreamland in The Dreamer, but I really fell in love with it in this book. And the fact that Dev was there, well it certainly added to the appeal.
Seriously, I was so wrapped up in the dream guy that I completely forgot about the waking world boyfriend, Jared. I was kind of disappointed once I did remember about him. I've been team Dev since the beginning. But I am a sucker for the slow budding romance, and Mellow did this perfectly! It was done with my preferred romance cocktail of internal longing, humor, and that glorious balance of not knowing whether they want to shin kick each other or kiss.
"Dev pins me with his beauty, his desire, and- I take note- his anger. Every one of my cells jump with his sudden presence, and in this precarious place, with this hedonistic music spinning around us, the Molly that's telling me I should step away and clear my head, at this point, is a shell of a woman. But the other Molly, the one who wants to push Dev into the shadows, well, she just downed a protein shake and is stronger than ever."
I really enjoyed seeing Molly come into her role as the Dreamer, and what being such really means. I think we have only just begun to learn some of the amazing things she can accomplish. I also thought the correlation between the brewing war with the Metus in Terra and the rise of awful things happening in the real world was a neat idea. It was especially interesting to see how that had previously played out throughout history. The Metus are a fearsome foe. To think that all it takes is a touch to be totally consumed by the evil and complete hopelessness, just to become the very thing that you were fighting against a moment before. Good or bad, I just can't get enough of Terra and all it's inhabitants. Which is what has me kind of worried, because as we all know...
"But then all too quickly, like a Metus invading, I'm reminded of something, We must all wake up from dreams."
I'm so freaking nervous for what is going to happen in the next book....that ending was crazy! I'm devastated by it, and yet, still holding onto hope. Now begins the torturous wait to see what happens next.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
Ok...forgive me but I'm still kind of reeling from that ending. That was about as far from what I was expecting when I picked this book up than I can imagine. I'm left with a some mixed feelings, quite honestly. And I think it was mostly Destiny that was doing the mixing. Even after that whole story, I still don't know what to think about her. I knew she was going to be rough around the edges, but apparently on a whole different level than I was anticipating.
I had a hard time picturing this being the girl for Topher. Topher who has already walked through hell and back. I get he was kind of a jerk in the beginning of the first book, Learning to Live, but he was also a spoiled teenage boy, who started maturing and mending his jerky ways. I felt like he was somehow atoning for those sins in this book by so fully involving himself with Destiny and her many troubles, and that bummed me out a little.
On the flip side of all that, I was really happy to see Topher still the sweet guy that we left him as in Learning to Live. It was nice to see how much he learned from his harsh experiences. I loved that he still maintained relationships with his father and his partner, and also Ciera's family. I was grateful for those glimpses of them, to know that they were carrying on and starting to flourish even. I felt like that brought a sense of closure to Ciera's story that I didn't even know I needed.
As much as I was not impressed by Destiny, I also pitied her. I felt sorry for the life that she never really got a chance to enjoy, and the childhood that she lost. Hers was a sad story, and one that you don't recover from overnight. So in that sense, I understood why she was the way she was. It was just hard for me to really see what Topher was seeing. I could see that he felt he failed Ciera in certain ways but I do believe that he might have been overcompensating for that in his relationship with Destiny.
I can also say with damn near 100% certainty that the last few chapters will surprise the hell out of you. That's not always the easiest task to pull off, so hats off to you Adams! The bottom line is, if you read and loved Learning to Live, like I did, than Life After is an absolute must read. You have to see how Topher's tale turns out, because you truly never could have guessed!
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Ok...forgive me but I'm still kind of reeling from that ending. That was about as far from what I was expecting when I picked this book up than I can imagine. I'm left with a some mixed feelings, quite honestly. And I think it was mostly Destiny that was doing the mixing. Even after that whole story, I still don't know what to think about her. I knew she was going to be rough around the edges, but apparently on a whole different level than I was anticipating.
I had a hard time picturing this being the girl for Topher. Topher who has already walked through hell and back. I get he was kind of a jerk in the beginning of the first book, Learning to Live, but he was also a spoiled teenage boy, who started maturing and mending his jerky ways. I felt like he was somehow atoning for those sins in this book by so fully involving himself with Destiny and her many troubles, and that bummed me out a little.
On the flip side of all that, I was really happy to see Topher still the sweet guy that we left him as in Learning to Live. It was nice to see how much he learned from his harsh experiences. I loved that he still maintained relationships with his father and his partner, and also Ciera's family. I was grateful for those glimpses of them, to know that they were carrying on and starting to flourish even. I felt like that brought a sense of closure to Ciera's story that I didn't even know I needed.
As much as I was not impressed by Destiny, I also pitied her. I felt sorry for the life that she never really got a chance to enjoy, and the childhood that she lost. Hers was a sad story, and one that you don't recover from overnight. So in that sense, I understood why she was the way she was. It was just hard for me to really see what Topher was seeing. I could see that he felt he failed Ciera in certain ways but I do believe that he might have been overcompensating for that in his relationship with Destiny.
I can also say with damn near 100% certainty that the last few chapters will surprise the hell out of you. That's not always the easiest task to pull off, so hats off to you Adams! The bottom line is, if you read and loved Learning to Live, like I did, than Life After is an absolute must read. You have to see how Topher's tale turns out, because you truly never could have guessed!
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
VERUM BY: COURTNEY COLE
How fitting that Cole would quote Alice in Wonderland in this book
Because reading this story felt just like Alice falling down the rabbit hole into Crazytown.
Seriously. In the first book, you knew something was off, there was a sense of unease, an increasing build of tension that snapped in the end, And once it did and you discovered things weren't what they appeared, even though devastating, you had that few minutes where you thought that maybe, just maybe after some therapy and time, healing could begin. And then WHAM! You get clobbered with a hell of a cliffhanger letting you know that things still aren't finished and you don't even know the half of it.
So if the first book, Nocte, was unsettling, than you could say that Verum was unhinged. It was a slightly different experience, as most crazy people don't know that they're crazy, and Calla was actually hip to the fact that her mind wasn't exactly the most reliable of sources. But I actually think that amped things up to a whole new level. To be aware that you can't trust what you see, what you hear, what you know. That's enough to drive you over the edge that you're already teetering on, don't you think?
While I loved trying to discern reality from fantasy, grasping at the thinnest of straws and all that, I was disappointed to not really get any answers until another major cliffhanger at the end of this book. I mean obviously I really dig this story, but I kind of wanted to drop kick my kindle across the room after that ending.
It was an awesome twist, don't get me wrong. But yet again we are left with a few nagging questions answered just to raise even more unabatingly maddening questions! Clearly I will be reading the next book because...
I received a copy of this book from Badass Marketing in exchange for an honest review.
How fitting that Cole would quote Alice in Wonderland in this book
Because reading this story felt just like Alice falling down the rabbit hole into Crazytown.
Seriously. In the first book, you knew something was off, there was a sense of unease, an increasing build of tension that snapped in the end, And once it did and you discovered things weren't what they appeared, even though devastating, you had that few minutes where you thought that maybe, just maybe after some therapy and time, healing could begin. And then WHAM! You get clobbered with a hell of a cliffhanger letting you know that things still aren't finished and you don't even know the half of it.
So if the first book, Nocte, was unsettling, than you could say that Verum was unhinged. It was a slightly different experience, as most crazy people don't know that they're crazy, and Calla was actually hip to the fact that her mind wasn't exactly the most reliable of sources. But I actually think that amped things up to a whole new level. To be aware that you can't trust what you see, what you hear, what you know. That's enough to drive you over the edge that you're already teetering on, don't you think?
While I loved trying to discern reality from fantasy, grasping at the thinnest of straws and all that, I was disappointed to not really get any answers until another major cliffhanger at the end of this book. I mean obviously I really dig this story, but I kind of wanted to drop kick my kindle across the room after that ending.
It was an awesome twist, don't get me wrong. But yet again we are left with a few nagging questions answered just to raise even more unabatingly maddening questions! Clearly I will be reading the next book because...
I received a copy of this book from Badass Marketing in exchange for an honest review.
NAMELESS BY: JENNIFER JENKINS
First off a huge thank you to Jennifer Jenkins and Goodreads for having this awesome giveaway so that I was able to win a signed copy of Nameless!
I loved this book. It grabbed me from the very first page and would not let go until the very end! I couldn't get enough of this intriguing world that Jenkins created! I found it especially interesting and unique to have this series start out on the "bad guy's" turf. Right from the get go you are thrust into this dangerous world right along side Zo, infiltrating the enemy's camp and trying to find answers. The Ram were a fascinating bunch. It was hard to believe that people could be so cold and harsh. And in turn it was compelling to see the few that were such a contrast to the norm there.
The characters were well developed and you felt for them instantly. I loved Zo, her strength, courage, and cleverness completely reeled me in. I also appreciated that she wasn't perfect. Her hatred for the Rams as a whole sometimes clouded her judgement, but I enjoyed the fact that she was slowly learning a valuable life lesson, you can't condemn all for the acts of some. Well in the Ram's case it was the acts of many of them, but after seeing the way they are raised to be cruel and unyielding it was honestly hard to imagine how any of them could turn out much different from the killing machines they were molded to be. It made those few exceptions shine especially bright, even if some of them were just starting to realize that their way of life might not be the best way.
I liked that all the new relationships forged in this book were slow building. Trust was not something that was handed out freely here, and that made sense. It ultimately made those relationships feel stronger in the end. There wasn't exactly a romance going on in this story, but there was a start of something that could be pretty amazing, which I always love. The slow burn gets me every time! The end leaves you wanting more in every aspect! I am so excited at the prospect of exploring the world outside the Ram walls! I can't wait to see more of the other clans and what their lives are like. And I am DYING to see what will become of each of the characters that I have grown so quickly attached to. I'll be lining up for this next book the minute I catch wind of it coming out!
First off a huge thank you to Jennifer Jenkins and Goodreads for having this awesome giveaway so that I was able to win a signed copy of Nameless!
I loved this book. It grabbed me from the very first page and would not let go until the very end! I couldn't get enough of this intriguing world that Jenkins created! I found it especially interesting and unique to have this series start out on the "bad guy's" turf. Right from the get go you are thrust into this dangerous world right along side Zo, infiltrating the enemy's camp and trying to find answers. The Ram were a fascinating bunch. It was hard to believe that people could be so cold and harsh. And in turn it was compelling to see the few that were such a contrast to the norm there.
The characters were well developed and you felt for them instantly. I loved Zo, her strength, courage, and cleverness completely reeled me in. I also appreciated that she wasn't perfect. Her hatred for the Rams as a whole sometimes clouded her judgement, but I enjoyed the fact that she was slowly learning a valuable life lesson, you can't condemn all for the acts of some. Well in the Ram's case it was the acts of many of them, but after seeing the way they are raised to be cruel and unyielding it was honestly hard to imagine how any of them could turn out much different from the killing machines they were molded to be. It made those few exceptions shine especially bright, even if some of them were just starting to realize that their way of life might not be the best way.
I liked that all the new relationships forged in this book were slow building. Trust was not something that was handed out freely here, and that made sense. It ultimately made those relationships feel stronger in the end. There wasn't exactly a romance going on in this story, but there was a start of something that could be pretty amazing, which I always love. The slow burn gets me every time! The end leaves you wanting more in every aspect! I am so excited at the prospect of exploring the world outside the Ram walls! I can't wait to see more of the other clans and what their lives are like. And I am DYING to see what will become of each of the characters that I have grown so quickly attached to. I'll be lining up for this next book the minute I catch wind of it coming out!
SHADOW AND BONE BY: LEIGH BARDUGO
What can I even say about this book?! I loved it! Why have I waited so long to read this?! I couldn't get enough of this world of Grishas and their unique gifts. Alina was an amazing leading lady. I really loved discovering her powers and the mysterious hierarchy that was the Grisha fold!
Along with Alina I also felt enamored and slightly weary of the new life she had been thrust into. My emotions were constantly at war with one another. I loved the Little Palace and the things they were learning there, but at the same time there was a sense that things weren't right. The extravagant balls and demonstrations of powers, the ever present posturing and hunger for more...more power, a higher ranking, etc. I also sorely missed Mal right along with Alina. He seemed to give her a sense of peace and acceptance that was lacking at the Little Palace for her. While I wanted the comfort that Mal provided for Alina, I did appreciate seeing her start to come into her own. Discovering her power and what she was capable of seemed like a journey she needed to take alone, and I think she flourished while doing so.
You got the feeling that Alina fully coming into her own would maybe knock some much needed sense into Mal when they met again. I liked to think of her taking back some of the power that he unknowingly held over her with the whole unrequited love vibe going on there.
The Darkling was a complex piece of work. I found it rather fitting that he seemed to be the opposite of Alina in almost all ways. The darkness to her light. I had a hard time throughout most of the book deciding whether or not to trust him. There's just something inherently sinister about someone who wields darkness as his weapon. It's hard to trust a shadow, isn't it?
His interactions with Alina were always interesting, and I often wondered if this was going to end up some kind of Beauty and the Beast scenario. I am really pleased with the twists and turns the plot line ended up taking though.
All I know is that after that ending I need to get book 2 in my hands immediately. I am way behind on this enchanting world that Bardugo has created and I'm eager to catch up!
What can I even say about this book?! I loved it! Why have I waited so long to read this?! I couldn't get enough of this world of Grishas and their unique gifts. Alina was an amazing leading lady. I really loved discovering her powers and the mysterious hierarchy that was the Grisha fold!
Along with Alina I also felt enamored and slightly weary of the new life she had been thrust into. My emotions were constantly at war with one another. I loved the Little Palace and the things they were learning there, but at the same time there was a sense that things weren't right. The extravagant balls and demonstrations of powers, the ever present posturing and hunger for more...more power, a higher ranking, etc. I also sorely missed Mal right along with Alina. He seemed to give her a sense of peace and acceptance that was lacking at the Little Palace for her. While I wanted the comfort that Mal provided for Alina, I did appreciate seeing her start to come into her own. Discovering her power and what she was capable of seemed like a journey she needed to take alone, and I think she flourished while doing so.
You got the feeling that Alina fully coming into her own would maybe knock some much needed sense into Mal when they met again. I liked to think of her taking back some of the power that he unknowingly held over her with the whole unrequited love vibe going on there.
The Darkling was a complex piece of work. I found it rather fitting that he seemed to be the opposite of Alina in almost all ways. The darkness to her light. I had a hard time throughout most of the book deciding whether or not to trust him. There's just something inherently sinister about someone who wields darkness as his weapon. It's hard to trust a shadow, isn't it?
His interactions with Alina were always interesting, and I often wondered if this was going to end up some kind of Beauty and the Beast scenario. I am really pleased with the twists and turns the plot line ended up taking though.
All I know is that after that ending I need to get book 2 in my hands immediately. I am way behind on this enchanting world that Bardugo has created and I'm eager to catch up!
SIEGE AND STORM BY: LEIGH BARDUGO
Now that's how you do a freaking sequel!
Bardugo hit this one out of the park! I was truly enamored with Siege and Storm throughout the entirety of the book. Everything that I really enjoyed about Shadow and Bone was amped up to the max in this addition to the series. The character growth was just what I had hoped for, Alina really stepped up her game this time around. I was so thankful that her running from her problems did not last long. There really wasn't a dull moment in this one. By page 20 Mal and Alina were already thrust right back into the thick of things between the Darkling, and you were already on the edge of your seat thinking, how could they possibly escape this time?!
It was interesting to see the direction a lot of characters went in this book. While Alina shinned with her determination to defeat the Darkling, save Ravka, and unite the Grishas in a new and brilliant way, Mal seemed to drift further and further from his high pedestal that Alina held him on, and Alina himself. There were times when his petty jealousies and the way that he shied away from Alina's responsibilities as the Sun Summoner and her power in general, really grated on my nerves. It was sad to see Alina finally start to find herself and watch how that, in a way, started the deterioration of their relationship. I hate to think that he preferred her the walking shell that she was without a place in the world.
The Darkling is such an enigmatic, alluring character. Even with the countless atrocities he commits, and his abhorrent disregard for human life, there's still something about him that draws you in. He's like this dark puzzle that needs solving.
Is he just someone that possibly unwittingly became corrupted by his acquisition and thirst for power? Could this be Alina's fate as well? Oh and his new "gift" is truly frightening. I wonder just what it is costing him to perform these dark deeds. I am kind of dying to know what he truly thinks and feels! It's hard to decipher with him, and I really, really want to.
Now can we please talk about probably the BEST addition to this story....yes I am talking about Sturmhond. His addition was nothing short of absolutely brilliant! He's sheer entertainment.
Not only was there a HUGE unexpected plot twist concerning him (that was awesome!) but he also brought some incredible elements to this story that quite honestly took it to the next level. Probably most notably the comedic relief factor. He was so damn charming, cocky, quick witted, adventurous and mysterious...you were never sure what was going to happen next when he was involved, but you knew that it was going to fantastic! He just may be one of my new favorite characters EVER!
The ending of Siege and Storm was, in one word, EXPLOSIVE. I was shocked with how things happened and what ultimately went down. So many shock and awe moments.
I have no clue what will happen next, but I know that I have crazy high expectations at this point and I can't wait to find out!
Now that's how you do a freaking sequel!
Bardugo hit this one out of the park! I was truly enamored with Siege and Storm throughout the entirety of the book. Everything that I really enjoyed about Shadow and Bone was amped up to the max in this addition to the series. The character growth was just what I had hoped for, Alina really stepped up her game this time around. I was so thankful that her running from her problems did not last long. There really wasn't a dull moment in this one. By page 20 Mal and Alina were already thrust right back into the thick of things between the Darkling, and you were already on the edge of your seat thinking, how could they possibly escape this time?!
It was interesting to see the direction a lot of characters went in this book. While Alina shinned with her determination to defeat the Darkling, save Ravka, and unite the Grishas in a new and brilliant way, Mal seemed to drift further and further from his high pedestal that Alina held him on, and Alina himself. There were times when his petty jealousies and the way that he shied away from Alina's responsibilities as the Sun Summoner and her power in general, really grated on my nerves. It was sad to see Alina finally start to find herself and watch how that, in a way, started the deterioration of their relationship. I hate to think that he preferred her the walking shell that she was without a place in the world.
The Darkling is such an enigmatic, alluring character. Even with the countless atrocities he commits, and his abhorrent disregard for human life, there's still something about him that draws you in. He's like this dark puzzle that needs solving.
Is he just someone that possibly unwittingly became corrupted by his acquisition and thirst for power? Could this be Alina's fate as well? Oh and his new "gift" is truly frightening. I wonder just what it is costing him to perform these dark deeds. I am kind of dying to know what he truly thinks and feels! It's hard to decipher with him, and I really, really want to.
Now can we please talk about probably the BEST addition to this story....yes I am talking about Sturmhond. His addition was nothing short of absolutely brilliant! He's sheer entertainment.
Not only was there a HUGE unexpected plot twist concerning him (that was awesome!) but he also brought some incredible elements to this story that quite honestly took it to the next level. Probably most notably the comedic relief factor. He was so damn charming, cocky, quick witted, adventurous and mysterious...you were never sure what was going to happen next when he was involved, but you knew that it was going to fantastic! He just may be one of my new favorite characters EVER!
The ending of Siege and Storm was, in one word, EXPLOSIVE. I was shocked with how things happened and what ultimately went down. So many shock and awe moments.
I have no clue what will happen next, but I know that I have crazy high expectations at this point and I can't wait to find out!
This box set is a steal at only 99¢ If you're looking for a realistic contemporary romance than look no further! My favorite thing about each of the stories in this box set is that they deal with real life issues. Things like depression, suicide, dealing with loss, and just growing up in general. Adams has a way of taking these tough subjects and weaving something truly beautiful out of them. Each of these stories are an emotional rollercoaster ride, in their own unique ways, and you don't want to miss this ride!
BOUND BY PROPHECY BY: STORMY SMITH A JOINT REVIEW FROM BOOKWORM COALITION!! Wow. Bound by Prophecy, the much anticipated ending to the Bound series...I feel like this is usually the point where I tell you how bittersweet this ending was, because while it was AWESOME, it was also the END. But here's the thing, I can't say it was anything other than sweet. Smith did a wonderful job wrapping everything up while still leaving other story lines open for more to come in the future, which I LOVED! So you really got the feeling that while this particular story line has come to it's end, the fantastic world that has been created here is not finished yet.
I thought I had a good idea of what was going to happen in this book before hand, but let me tell you it went about things in a very different way than I had anticipated. I thoroughly enjoyed some of the twists and where they took the story as a whole. Even one of the romance plot lines threw me for a loop, but I actually thought it made a lot of sense in the end, and it made me super excited for the way that it left a certain someone open for new and thrilling possibilities! It was really fabulous to see everyone come back together in the end. I loved that you got lots of Aidan and Amelia time. Even while things were moving forward full force, there was plenty of growth and sweet moments between the two lovebirds which I appreciated.
Now we desperately need to talk about Micah *ahem...Jennifer*
It's no secret that Micah has been my championed underdog in this story since book one, which is really saying something since he definitely made some mistakes and was a part of things that made his alliances seem sketchy. But I KNEW in my heart that he was a good guy and he would come through it all on the right side! And if you've read our previous reviews here at Bookworm Coalition then you already know that Jen and I have never seen eye to eye when it comes to dear Micah.
NOW after the dust has settled, the million dollar question I am dying to know....what say you now Jennifer????!!!
Now seems as good of a time as any to hand over the reigns to Jen and let her tell you her thoughts on everything (like her newfound Micah love!)... NOOOO!!
Ok, so maybe, just maybe I like Micah a tiny small itty bitty more. Doesn't change everything that has happened in this series. That's all you get about that. I have been burned too many times by Micah and it takes way more than a few hundred pages to change my mind. I mean, really...even Bethany (literally all I heard was, "Yes, Tricia, you were right all along!")
HA!!
I will not even tell you!
Let me just say that Charlie and Onyx...mind blown!
There are so many different things that happened in here that I would love to shout out to the world and spoil the whole damn thing for you, but I think this one needs to be a surprise.
I'm not going to lie, I had a certain expectation before I started this book. I did not get what I was expecting, I got something that was completely different. One of my all time favorite things made an appearance towards the end, and quite honestly it was the one thing that I loved most.
There is so much character growth in this book. People maturing, and taking charge. Doing what needs to be done to take their world back. The evil of the Queen and the surprisingly deceptive Rhi. Reading what the Queen didn't know was almost heartbreaking. Then of course, I remembered that she was batshit crazy!
I love how this book has been left an open ending. Bound by Prophecy was an ending to a chapter in the lives of Aidan, Amelia, Micah, Bethany, Cole, Baleon and all the others we have come to love. Prophecy is not the end of this amazing world, there is still a whole world of Immortals that is waiting to be explored.
Thank you so much Stormy Smith for allowing us to be included in this amazing journey! Yes, thank you Stormy, and I know I speak for both of us when I say we really look forward to what you come up with next!
We received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thought I had a good idea of what was going to happen in this book before hand, but let me tell you it went about things in a very different way than I had anticipated. I thoroughly enjoyed some of the twists and where they took the story as a whole. Even one of the romance plot lines threw me for a loop, but I actually thought it made a lot of sense in the end, and it made me super excited for the way that it left a certain someone open for new and thrilling possibilities! It was really fabulous to see everyone come back together in the end. I loved that you got lots of Aidan and Amelia time. Even while things were moving forward full force, there was plenty of growth and sweet moments between the two lovebirds which I appreciated.
Now we desperately need to talk about Micah *ahem...Jennifer*
It's no secret that Micah has been my championed underdog in this story since book one, which is really saying something since he definitely made some mistakes and was a part of things that made his alliances seem sketchy. But I KNEW in my heart that he was a good guy and he would come through it all on the right side! And if you've read our previous reviews here at Bookworm Coalition then you already know that Jen and I have never seen eye to eye when it comes to dear Micah.
NOW after the dust has settled, the million dollar question I am dying to know....what say you now Jennifer????!!!
Now seems as good of a time as any to hand over the reigns to Jen and let her tell you her thoughts on everything (like her newfound Micah love!)... NOOOO!!
Ok, so maybe, just maybe I like Micah a tiny small itty bitty more. Doesn't change everything that has happened in this series. That's all you get about that. I have been burned too many times by Micah and it takes way more than a few hundred pages to change my mind. I mean, really...even Bethany (literally all I heard was, "Yes, Tricia, you were right all along!")
HA!!
I will not even tell you!
Let me just say that Charlie and Onyx...mind blown!
There are so many different things that happened in here that I would love to shout out to the world and spoil the whole damn thing for you, but I think this one needs to be a surprise.
I'm not going to lie, I had a certain expectation before I started this book. I did not get what I was expecting, I got something that was completely different. One of my all time favorite things made an appearance towards the end, and quite honestly it was the one thing that I loved most.
There is so much character growth in this book. People maturing, and taking charge. Doing what needs to be done to take their world back. The evil of the Queen and the surprisingly deceptive Rhi. Reading what the Queen didn't know was almost heartbreaking. Then of course, I remembered that she was batshit crazy!
I love how this book has been left an open ending. Bound by Prophecy was an ending to a chapter in the lives of Aidan, Amelia, Micah, Bethany, Cole, Baleon and all the others we have come to love. Prophecy is not the end of this amazing world, there is still a whole world of Immortals that is waiting to be explored.
Thank you so much Stormy Smith for allowing us to be included in this amazing journey! Yes, thank you Stormy, and I know I speak for both of us when I say we really look forward to what you come up with next!
We received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.