{Book Review} Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Title: Sweet Peril
Series: The Sweet Trilogy #2
Author: Wendy Higgins
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Genre: Young Adult

Blurb:

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

I spent two days reading Sweet Peril & Sweet Reckoning, and they were both brilliant. I'd heard rumors Sweet Peril had been difficult for Ms. Higgins to write, and she stated as much in her acknowledgements, but Sweet Kaidan Rowe, did she get this book right. Heck, she pulled together quite a trilogy and I look forward to reading much more from this beautiful author.

Not having read Sweet Evil in quite sometime, I wished I had set aside time to reread it before hopping right into the second and third books. I found I'd forgotten some things, though Wendy set us up with a very nice reference for the Aura colors at the front of the book, and a "Duke Names and Job Descriptions Index" following the book, including their children. And lets be honest, there are 12 Dukes and many more Nephilim, it takes a bit of time to remember all their nefarious ways. 

Anna and Kaidan are currently living on opposite coasts from each other due to the problems they faced in the debut novel. Anna's having a difficult time "working" as she's not comfortable with risking other lives, because as the Daughter of Duke Beliel, she is supposed to lead people astray via substance abuse. While most 18 year old girls live to party, Anna doesn't just get to be the guest, she has to push alcohol and drugs on the party-goers who happen to be her friends. On nights when she's been using her demonic ways, she turns to her angelic side and makes sure everyone has a safe ride home so no one gets hurt. Honestly, she'd rather just not work, but...

After the New Year's Summit, the Dukes decided to have several of the Nephilim followed by whisperer demons who reported back to them if something looked wonky. Anna was top priority for the Dukes, especially Duke Pharzuph, Kaidan Rowe's hostile father. He's hell bent on getting rid of the goody two shoes Anna forever, too bad Kaidan and Anna love each other and are not willing to just give up.

I enjoyed Sweet Peril for several reason. I always enjoy a well thought out struggle between good versus bad. I think we all struggle with this on a daily basis. Perhaps not to the extent Anna and her Neph friends do, but I often feel the weight of any decision I make, good or bad. And teenagers, as a parent, I feel blessed when my children even recognize the differences, though they've been pounded into their brain since birth. 

Next, the journey in book 2 kept me hopping. Sister Ruth's spirit brought Anna a prophecy, and now Anna must find a way to help "fix" the situation. In an attempt to fulfill the prophecy Anna's father sends her to fetch other Nephilim who would make good allies. I should probably mention, Duke Beliel is one of the good Demons. An oxymoron, I know. Anna and Kope fly to Syria to fetch Zania, a Nephilim who is the daughter of Duke Sonnellion, Demon of Hatred. Her job is to promote civil unrest, but she dislikes her job so she'll make a good ally down the road. They travel to Australia for another, then Anna finally gets to start seeing the old gang. Ginger, Marna, Blake, and Kaidan. *SWOON*

I think Ms. Higgins put together a fine novel, dwelling on good vs. bad, misunderstood love, and personal moral integrity. The steamy appearances of Kaidan Rowe (Chapter 2, guy - that's all I can say) mixed with the action and adventure of pulling a group of misfits together to accomplish a goal unlike any other made for one heck of a ride. As I neared the end of Sweet Peril, I grabbed my youngest and pulled her to the bookstore with me so I could get Sweet Reckoning. I knew I would want to start on it right away, and I read it in one sitting. Crazy, I know. I'll have that review for you tomorrow.

{Book Review} The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Traitor
Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Publication Date: October 29, 2013

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Blurb:

In the real world, when you vanish into thin air for a week, people tend to notice.

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as normal as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for; his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again.

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, normal simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.

Hmmm, so all I needed was a deep immersion into one of my favorite series to brighten my week. There will be people, especially after The Iron Traitor, who will disagree with me on so many levels I may lose friends, but Keirran may be even hotter than his father, and how I do love me some Ash. But... Keirran is broken in ways Ash never was, so...

One of my favorite things about Fey is the way they can be adapted, sculpted, and completely reinvented by an author to do anything, be anything, AND then be interpreted by the reader to look or sound or, again, be anything. What I love about Julie Kagawa's IRON FEY SERIES is the way she can shift between writing terrifying, monstrous creatures who cause my insides to quiver, then write a breathtakingly heartwarming, and surprisingly human scene the very next paragraph, and everything coheres.

Let's take Keirran as an example. While The Iron Traitor is told from Ethan's POV, I think we can all agree, the CALL OF THE FALLEN is a story about both Ethan and his nephew, Keirran. One human, and one Fey. Throughout the novel, Keirran shifts back and forth between cold, and sometimes sinister, to warm and sorrowful. Granted, Keirran is only half-Fey, he's been raised in the Nevernever, Mag Tuiredh, to be exact. He's born of a Winter Prince (Ash) and half Summer Fey Princess/half human turned Iron Queen (Meghan). A boy who possesses the blood of Winter, Summer, Iron, and human... talk about confusing! And all he really wants, is to save his love Annwyl from Fading. You might think with his extensive bloodline he'd have plenty of family and friends to support him, but you would be mistaken. Aside from his parents, he has a few Iron gadgets, Razor, and Ethan. Fey politics aside, the prophecies revolving around both he and Ethan are enough to keep most Fey far away.

The journey to stop Annwyl from Fading is plagued with trouble from the beginning. Keirran is determined to pay whatever price he must to keep his love alive. Her disappearing from existence is not an option, and how often do teenagers, even those not of this world, make well-formed and sound choices when pushed into a corner? (PLEASE, leave me a comment if you know one. I now have 2 and I'm not sure either of them will ever complete this task when not backed against a wall.) Lucky for Keirran, he has a trusty uncle who will fight with him until the end. Too bad they're both seventeenish.

Ethan, my dear sweet, naive Ethan. When will you learn? So, yeah, Ethan hears his nephew is missing. Meghan and Ash are searching both sides of the Veil for him, and finding nothing. The winds whisper where he's been, but by the time someone can catch him, he disappears again. Ethan gets pulled into the chase when Annwyl shows up begging for his help. Meghan also took time away as the Iron Queen to make a quick house call, hoping Ethan would have heard from Keirran. No such luck. And, well, if Ethan's going, then Kenzie's going too. 

Anyone see how this could go wrong? 

Did I mention Puck? Yep, you'll see him too. Guess what... they're off to see Titania to ask her to reinstate Annwyl into the Summer Court so her Fade will stop. Titania despises Keirran almost as much as she hates humans and Puck.

Even to obtain Queen Titania's consideration, the two humans and Keirran will be given an almost impossible task. A task they should probably think through, consult a few bazillion people, and then just not do, but as lovesick teenagers, they run straight ahead.  It's entirely possible that Keirran doesn't have all the facts associated with Annwyl's exile either. However, I'm going to go on and say... Puck could have hindered them some. Seriously.

Now, the title of this book is ominous in itself. The Iron Traitor? I'm sure you picked up on that, so I'll leave you with that thought, and also a couple of my favorite passages from this book.

"That's quite an offer," he said, lowering his arm. "But I think you're forgetting something."

"Oh? And what is that, boy?"

Keirran dropped to one knee, driving his fist into the wooden floor. There was a blinding  flash of blue-white, and I fliched, turning away, as roars and screams erupted around us. But a second later, they cut out as if someone had flipped a switch. My skin burned with cold, and I opened my eyes with a gasp...

"I don't sell out my family." - page 164

"This was different," I told her. "I wasn't forced to do anything. This was a choice."

"Yes, it was," Kenzie agreed solemnly. "You chose to help a friend. You chose to go along with this request because it was the only way to save his life. To save both their lives." - page 316

And the reason I will insist on reading Faery Tales to my children, and their children:

"But now—" the Lady made a hopeless, weary gesture "—we are all but gone from their minds. Our stories have been sanitized and made into children's tales. The Nevernever still exists on the dreams and fears of mortals, but even it grows smaller with each passing year. For those cut off from the dreamworld, we cannot help but Fade into nothing." - page 339

*While I was fortunate enough to receive an e-ARC from HarlequinTeen via NetGalley, this review is of the finished copy which was purchased by me from Barnes & Noble. All quotes are from finished product.

{Series Sunday} The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Series: The Mortal Instruments
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderberry Books

Synopsis:

Clary Fray is a normal teenage girl, until she sees an apparent murder in a club, and then her mother goes missing and she learns about the Nephilim -- half angel, half human demon hunters -- and that she is one of them. Clary will be thrown into a world of demons, werewolves, vampires, Fair Folk and warlocks. In the midst of this, she will fall in love, with perhaps the worst possible person...

Okay, I know most people who read this blog have long since read this series, but since I just blasted through it in a week and a half, I thought I'd do a Series Sunday and give my thoughts (trying to keep spoilers to a bare minimum). Keep in mind, I audiobooked the series, so a week and a half for five books is no slow pace.

To start, there weren't many twists for me in the first book, by virtue of the fact I saw the movie first. That's okay as it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the series.

Here are what I feel the series' strengths.

Characters: I have had issues with lead female characters fairly often, especially when she's a heroine up against the so-cool bad boy. I kind of expected to be irritated by Clary, but I'm not. I actually really like her. She does have her faults--and occasional bouts of horrible judgement or obliviousness (which I feel are more realistic than plot device)--but on the whole, she's well-developed and relatable. I care about her and empathize with her.

I heart Jace. The tormented jerk with a heart of gold. He's intelligent, surprisingly deep, snarky, but charming. He walks the line of too perfect, but he does enough aggravatingly stupid (and very guy) things while attempting to protect himself or others that he keeps (for me) from being too perfect. And don't jump on me when I say stupid.I mean it in a surprisingly good way. I don't find his bad decisions random or meaningless. They're real, believable, they're just bad decisions. Though I will say of the audiobook for City of Fallen Angels, the narrator gives Jace a Brooklyn accent that was sooo at odds with how I hear Jace in my head... not to mention quoting poetry in a Brooklyn drawl is just wrong. Stereotypical, yes, but true.

The supporting cast are equally as well-built and flawed, but in a way that works really well for me. Everyone makes bad decisions -- teenagers more than most -- but those decisions have consequences and fall out. I really enjoy Alec, Magnus, Isabelle and Simon.

Setting: I don't know NYC well, but I know that the author does. She knows in her mind exactly where everything is taking place and brings the city to life in a way that adds a great dimension to this world.

The magic: The magic system of the Nephilim is original and cool. The runes and the consequences of using them. I just thought it was a pretty unique idea. I really enjoy it.  Although, I admit, as the series progresses on, the overall magic of the world is getting sort of loosely defined and little free-handed (the magically-traveling house, anyone?) However, still really love the runes.

The overall story arc is pretty good, too. Not blow me away with it's amazingness (in fairness, not much does from a plot standpoint), but strong.

Things I wish I had a little more of: Alec and Magnus. I got my fill in City of Lost Souls, but I wish I had a little more to establish them earlier in the series. I (being the crazy slashy fangirl I am), adore them, but even I have a hard time seeing how they came together. There is so little that seems to be common ground for them. I'd just like it built out a little more. They're rather fully developed individually, but as a pair, less so.

A minor pet peeve of mine is pop culture references. I dislike them in my books, because I think it can so very easily date the books. They're fun now, but if I want my kids to read them 10/15 years from now... they may not get them (or they'll be really dated). Even a silly thing like Clary's flip phone dates them slightly, and the first book came out in 2007. Yet almost every instance of someone using a cell phone mentions it being closed--how many people do you know who actually have flip phones anymore? 

There's also a sort of continuity flub, almost. Isabelle is deathly terrified of anyone finding out Alec is gay, yet, once he comes out, it's a relatively minor event. Granted, there's a lot going on around the situation, but her extreme apprehension is at odds with the fact that there's virtually no fallout that isn't common to a mundane coming out after the fact. Alec isn't the main character, so taking time to highlight that may just not be in the cards for the series, but I would still expect to see a little more reaction.

My biggest issue with the books is: Spoiler

Maia and Jordan kind of irk me. Extenuating circumstances or no, something about her going back to him really rubs me the wrong way. Strangely, for me, worse than biting her (which I can buy as part of the first turning and whatnot), he hit her. And she gets back with him. I don't know if it's in spite of or especially because of her age that it bugs me, but I don't like it. Her loving him doesn't make him hitting her okay. There's also an age thing there--this happened when she was 14. She was introduced as 15, she was bitten about a year before. It just... it really rubs me the wrong way.

Overall, though, I'm really interested to see how this series resolves itself. It has far more strengths than weaknesses. I like Clary and Isabelle -- they're strong female role models, and pretty kicka$$ in their own rights. Simon is geek done right. Jace is Jace, charismatic and hard not to be drawn to. Although this is common in YA, the sheer uselessness of most of the adults is annoying (Luke notwithstanding).

Still, very worth the read, and I'm definitely looking forward to the last book and to the Infernal Devices.

{Series Sunday} The Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Series Title: The Caster Chronicles
Authors: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.

Kami's Website  Margaret's Website



Synopsis:

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. Mysterious, suspenseful, and romantic, Beautiful Creatures, Beautiful Darkness, Beautiful Chaos and Beautiful Redemption introduce a secret world hidden in plain sight. A world where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen. Sometimes life-ending.

So, I only started this series ten months ago. I got interrupted by the encyclopedia that  is the Wheel of Time and life in general. I finished the other three books a couple of months ago--and because I'm terrible at writing reviews for series unless I'm stuck with time between them--decided to do a Series Sunday about the whole thing instead of one-offs. So here it is.

When I started this series, I loved it. I was charmed by Ethan's voice and narration. The setting was spectacular, the supporting characters solid. It was campy in places, and a little trite, but I was deeply engaged.

I blew through Beautiful Darkness nearly as well, and still really enjoyed it. Maybe not quite as much as Beautiful Creatures, but still a lot.

I have no idea what happened with Beautiful Chaos and Beautiful Redemption. I really do not. I just know that I struggled to finish them--and probably wouldn't have if I hadn't been listening to them on audiobook (which, while driving, is fairly effortless). I just got lost somehow. I really struggled with Beautiful Chaos. I'm not sure why. Maybe because it was interrupted by another series (which, admittedly, was my fault). Maybe it was the turn that that plot took. I'm not sure. I just know, that when I did finish it, I gave it two stars on Goodreads. I disliked it that much.

I suspect things started falling apart for me when Amma goes to see the bokor. That's about where I allowed myself to get wrapped up in WoT. Something about that move, that decision, was just... I'm not sure if "out of character" is the right description or unexpected, but it turned me off. Badly.

Chaos never really recovered for me. I felt like it was predictable--and painfully so. I saw what was coming, and I didn't like it. I didn't want to read it. I wasn't surprised by the ending. I was annoyed.

I didn't really care much for John Breed, either, incidentally. And he becomes much more
important in the last two books. I've mentioned that character is really big for me, and it's odd, because John would usually be a character I liked. I don't know what it was, but I just didn't like him, didn't like the whole setup. It felt forced. It was "let's set up these characters together because they don't get to be with who they want to anyway."

Redemption didn't really redeem itself for either. I had read so much in the series that I felt I had to finish it, and it was easier than Chaos, but I still was left feeling indifferent. I have to admit to some really original ideas of death and afterlife in it, but overall, when I was done, I felt "meh."


Another symptom of my "meh" reaction is the fact that I didn't go searching for more information about the series and what would happen. In series, I am a sucker for searching out spoilers. I'm terrible at letting the intensity build and hanging on the edge of my seat to find out. I want to know more, and I want to know now. Even with the arguably huge cliffhanger ending in Chaos, I felt no compulsion to find anything out. As I'm writing, I think it may have been a lack of depth to the world. I just didn't feel like there was much beyond what we were seeing. While the concept was original and a new take, I felt a distinct lack of deeper worldbuilding.

I didn't understand the Council of the Far Keep, didn't understand their function or how they really worked or why. I don't think it was fully developed and it left me feeling indifferent. Parts of the world portrayed didn't feel real, didn't seem to fit to me, just didn't make sense.

You'll have to forgive the negative-sounding review. I'm much better at picking apart things I don't like than pinning down things I do.

However, in spite of the feeling the last two books left with me, I still really enjoyed the first two. The character building and setting are excellent, the concept an original take, and a fun, charming narrator makes the first two absolute must-reads on my list.

For the second two, well, you'll have to decide that for yourself. For me, I wouldn't have felt bad just reading a detailed summary--I don't think I would have felt I missed much.

So, definitely encouraging the first two. 4.5 stars for them overall. 3 stars for the series as a whole.


Books in the Series:

1) Beautiful Creatures
2) Beautiful Darkness
3) Beautiful Chaos
4) Beautiful Redemption 

{Cover Reveal} Grimnirs by Ednah Walters

Book Title: Grimnirs
Series: A Runes Novel
Author: Ednah Walters
Release Date: December 2nd 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Firetrail Publishing
Presented by: Twisted Book Tours and More & As You Wish Tours
Banner Made by: Camelia Miron Skiba

 

BLURB

One lost love.

One lost best friend.

One hot soul reaper.

Straight out of the psyche ward, Cora just wants her life to be normal. She doesn’t want to see souls or the reapers collecting them. The love of her life, the guy she’s loved from a distance for years, has moved away without saying goodbye. So yes, she’s nursing a serious heartbreak. It’s no wonder love is the last thing on her mind when Echo storms into her life.

The chemistry between them is mind-blowing. The connection defies logic. It doesn’t help that Echo is the poster boy for everything she hates in a guy—hot, beautiful, and cocky. A general pain-in-the-butt. Being around him makes her feel more alive than she’s ever felt before. But more important, the souls leave her alone when he is around.

Echo is perfect for her. Echo might even be her soul-mate. There is only one problem. Echo is a freaking soul reaper. A Grimnir. The very beings she wants out of her life. Maybe normal is overrated because Cora wants it all. Answers. Love. A life. You see, once you fall for a Grimnir, your life will never be the same again.

AUTHOR BIO
EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Visit her at www.ednahwalters.com

Ednah also writes YA paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. IMMORTALS is book 2. She is presently working on book 3, GRIMNIRS (Release date TBA). Read more about this series and the world she's created here www.runestheseries.com

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published four more books in this series. She's presently working on book six. You can visit her online at or www.ebwalters.com.

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{A Kristin Book Review} Runes by Ednah Walters

So, I backed off on doing blog tours for awhile, and am still being very picky about them. But when I saw Ednah Walters, author of the Guardians Series published by Spencer Hill Press, had a new series, I had to jump on it. First, the cover is amazing, and I have this thing about magic. A pretty big infatuation, in fact.

Title: Runes

Series: Runes #1

Author: Ednah Walters

Publisher: Firetrail Publishing

Publishing Date: May 20, 2013

Genre: Young Adult; Paranormal Romance

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Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.

Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.

Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about Torin. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only are she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.

Before I get on with my review, I must pimp my boy out for the YA Crush Tourney! Torin St. James -- motorcycle riding, mystically magical, sinfully hot boy made the top six for Indie boys. And if you haven't read Runes yet, do so before June 17th so you can vote for Torin. I suppose you don't really have to read it, but you should!

June 17 at YA Sisterhood!!!

Now, let me tell you a little about the book, because it is so AMAZING!!! Ednah pulled me into Raine's story from page one with the dialogue between Raine and her best friend Cora. They sounded just like my oldest daughter and her best friend complaining when one of them is in trouble and it had me giggling. And not five pages in, we meet the mysterious Torin St. James. I love that Raine is so upfront and forward with him. She doesn't hold back. Example:

"Stop being rude and condescending for starters," I said.
He chuckled, the sound rich and throaty. Sexy. A delicious shiver ran up my spine. "I thought I was being extremely polite."
I snorted. "Right."
"Do I need to apologize?" [Torin]
"Not if you don't mean it." [Raine]
"Then I won't."                 [Torin]

Of course, judging by that example, Torin's not giving her a lot of room either. They have a chemistry that catches the pages on fire. Sometimes I worried for my Kindle's life. 

So, Raine's dad disappeared three months ago and she starting to give up hope, even though her mom is still holding on to every lifeline she has. From the beginning, I had a tickle at the back of my mind telling me her mother had secrets stuffed away in her dresser drawers. She just seemed too, um, well, just too... 

As school begins, Raine's life starts returning back to normal, sort of. She's going to classes, doing homework, going to swim practice and activities, but strange things are happening too. She backed into her neighbors mailbox, nearly demolishing it, but they weren't home, so she left a note and told Torin she'd be back to talk to them after practice. When she returned home, it was in pristine condition. At this point, Raine realized she needed to avoid Torin, but something about him wouldn't allow it. So she went and thanked him, and everything went just fine. Platonic. Like Raine wanted, right?

Raine's been best friends with Eirik since they were children and it was only normal for her to fall for him, but he never seemed to want anything more than friendship until she turned seventeen, which seems to be a magical age, for those with magic running beneath their skin. Eirik claimed Torin was his cousin, and Torin definitely knew who Eirik was, but Torin's arrival to town was the first time Raine or Cora had heard of him. And now Eirik's breaking the news that his parents want to take him home, possibly because Torin's in town. I hope to find out much more about that storyline in Ednah's next book, Immortals.

Along with Torin, other's like him join Raine's school and they were a perpetual threat to her and the entire swim team. Every time they came around, something lethal happened. One member of the swim team died, and on other multiple occasions, several members were trapped or severly injured. If not for Torin, many more would have died.

The end was somewhat bittersweet, but I think I can wait until Immortals releases to find out what happens, if not, Ednah will be getting a tear-stained email from me.

Ednah's writing is perfect. The intensity of the action scenes leaves you on the edge of your seat, chewing at your finger nails; and there's just enough of it to make the book feel like much more than a romance book. But, speaking of romance, Torin drives up the heat to the WOWZA level! Raine is a great herione, and a friend I would love to have. I'm seriously looking forward to Immortals.

And, if you haven't signed up to do the Immortals cover reveal, we're still looking for a few hosts. Hop over HERE!

{A Kelly M Review}: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Princess
Series: The Infernal Devices #3
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Walker Books

Synopsis:


Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.

Ok so I have been steadily avoiding writing this review. I just did not want to. I’m probably gonna end up pissing through my eyes anyway but let’s give it a go.

When Clockwork Princess got delivered to me I ran out of the house so fast I sprained my ankle and fell on my face. Not a pretty picture I know but this series and Cassie Clare has seriously messed with my brain. So I ripped off the packaging and just sat and stared at it for a good fifteen minutes. It was so beautiful. AND I had to hypnotize myself into NOT looking at the family tree and I am so proud of myself because I didn’t.
I was so terrified of reading this book because the entire twitterverse was mourning and some even screaming in pain. Normally those types of feelings scare people away, but I know the Cassie fandom just craves for it more!

Anyway on to the actual book!

THERE WILL BE SOME SPOILERS!!!!!

Right off the bat something happens. That’s the thing with Cassie’s books they are so action packed, that the story never drags! Gabriel comes in covered in blood because of what the Demon Pox has done with his father. I loved the TMI parallel here where Gabriel talks about his father being a worm in the same way that Isabelle spoke about Simon becoming a rat. I found it quite hilarious.

Jem ends up getting sicker and we realise that he is near his end. Immediately this sets of a somber atmosphere to the story and you know that this is not going to end well. So Will, Tessa and the gang are working fast trying to find a cure for Jem.

Mortmain also steps up his game into getting Tessa and force her to marry him and have his children (sick right???). He ends up capturing her and then Will is torn between staying at Jem’s side and going after Tessa, the girl he loves. Jem finds out that Will is just as in love with Tessa as he is and he tells Will to go after Tessa and basically gives Will his blessing to be with Tessa, because Jem is just as selfless as Will.
So that is part of the story in short, really short, so now on to individual characters. I’m going to do Will, Tessa and Jem last.

Charlotte and Henry we see finally being comfortable in their marriage because they finally know how the other is feeling. Even though they are still so young they are basically the parents of the institute, especially Charlotte. She always looks after everyone and is very worried about Will’s emotional and mental health because of Jem’s death being so alarmingly close. Henry get’s more inventive and he and Charlotte realise how deep their love really goes.

Cecily, Will’s sister, is freakishly like Will and not just the physical appearance. She is just as stubborn and fierce as he is! She wants to be a part of his life even though she has a hidden agenda, to save Will from the evil Shadowhunters whom he has fallen prey to. She realises that this is not the case, that the entire institute operates as a family and Will is very happy, well as happy as Will can be, there. He has Jem and that is all he needs really. Cecily develops a relationship with Gabriel and it is utterly hilarious. She keeps him on his toes and I really ended up loving Cecily.

Gabriel IS AWESOME!!!!! He turned out to be one of my absolute favourite characters. The dude is hilarious and he is like a younger version of Jace and Will mixed together. It was quite awesome to read about him. He has a temper and it sometimes leads to hilarious scenariors. There was a part where I thought he might be a traitor but luckily he was the guy I always thought he was.

Gideon and Sophie, dear God but watching this relationship develop was so funny. Sophie rebuking him and Gideon who keeps asking for scones, just to see her, even though he hates them and ends up shoving them under his bed which infuriates Sophie. I laughed so so much! But luckily it’s a happy ending for them!

I’m going to do Will, Tessa and Jem together coz really how can I even separate them? This was the most complicated and heartbreaking love triangle I had to deal with and I already have tears in my eyes. I am not Team Will or Team Jem, I find that you cannot love the one without the other, but hey to each their own right? Anyway I wanted Jem to be alive and happy and I also want Will to be happy so how the hell does that work right? Jem doesn’t die, thank God but he turns into a Silent Brother. So he cannot marry Tessa and therefore Will and Tessa can be together. They have a happy life with children and grandchildren and Will dies of old age. My God but did I cry when that happened. It was the worst moment of my life and I’m still not over it. After like eighty years Jem finds a cure and he can switch back from being a Silent Brother and then he and Tessa can have their chance at a relationship! YAY right?? Like Woolsey said Tessa is lucky enough to have two great loves of her life and I am so happy that they could have their time together.

Okay so some people were sad that Tessa and Jem had to say goodbye and not get married and some people were sad because Will died and left Tessa behind. Me? I was sad because Will and Jem were separated! They had to live their lives basically apart from each other and then Will was dead when Jem finally got the cure. I find it unfair that they had to and have to live their lives without each other. That was the most heartbreaking thing of the entire story for me

Cassie is the most amazing writer under the son and she deserves to win a Nobel Prize for literature for this story. If you want your heart shattered and your soul shredded then read this series.

This is my Will and Tessa song: 1949 by Mallory Knox

This is my Will and Jem song: Don't Go by Bring Me The Horizon

{A Kelly Coffee Review} Beautiful Creatures

Title: Beautiful Creatures

Autor: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Series: Caster Chronicles

Genre: Young adult Paranormal

Publisher: Little Brown Books


 

Synopsis:

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

 

I know that Kelly M. and Kristin have already been over these roads, but I legitimately just read the book (and hadn't heard of it until I saw the stunning trailer on Breaking Dawn) and thought I'd go ahead and give my take on it in celebration of the movie release.


To begin: 5 stars. Why? Because I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to pick it up and read it in the middle of my workday, as I waited in line for things. I thought about it, thought about the characters and the world and the concepts even when I wasn't reading it. Was I totally 100% blown away? No. The prose didn't make me swoon or sit back in awe. It made me laugh but didn't  move me to tears. There were bits I thought were somewhat overdone or repetitive (dream sequences, anyone?), but I simply couldn't rate anything that engaged me this much as anything less than a 5.

I love Lena--the outsider who wants to belong but isn't willing to compromise who she is in order to fit in. She reaches out to that misfit, teenage part of me that makes her easy to identify with. Her strength, her intelligence, her vulnerability--I just want to follow her story. And I love Ethan--his devotion, the fact he's real, and scared and still refuses to be scared away.

The setting is so strong, so real that it's effortless to fall into. The supporting characters are strong. The concepts of Casters and their world are, I feel, very original takes on a theme that has become very now and "in", to the point of losing the edges that made vampires and witches and magic so appealing. I feel like Beautiful Creatures brought back those edges and the darkness that I loved so much about these paranormal novels.

Is it perfect? A paragon of the witchy, paranormal novel? Maybe not. Is it compelling, and original and just fantastic? Yes. There are places where it's a little campy, a little unbalanced, but the strength of the overall story and characters more than make up for it. Five stars, and I'm dying to dive into the rest of the series.

{Music Monday}: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones
Series: The Mortal Instruments #1
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Synopsis:


When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

The song i chose for this is As You wish by Alesana. It explains Jace and Clary perfectly for me. Do you agree, do you disagree? I want to know!!!

{A Kelly M Review} Opal by Jennifer L Armentrout

Title: Opal
Series: Lux #3
Author: Jennifer L Armentrout
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: Entangled

Synopsis:

No one is like Daemon Black. When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on. But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love. After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

Holy freaking HELLL!!!!!!! Can I just say HOW COULD YOU MS ARMENTROUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think this woman lives to torment and destroy our souls because honestly the ending of Opal was brutal to put it mildly. My jaw hit the floor when it ended like I honestly couldn’t believe that this is the cliffhanger she went with. It’s terrible and now I have to wait until JULY FOR ORIGIN?????? Yeah I’m not gonna make it. Be prepared to plan my funeral people because I’m gonna shrivel up and die while waiting for this book.

This is by far my absolute favourite JLA book ever! Three reasons why that is.

Reason 1: DAEMON DAEMON DAEMON DAEMOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!!!!! The dude steps up his game in a huge way. Here we see his romantic side and boy what a romancer he is. The guy made my insides all gooey and I melted so many times I have no idea how I am still fully functional. He and Katy are the perfect couple and he does everything to show her he loves her, even though he doesn’t say it till later. He is a tad over protective of Katy during times where she calls him a he-man (giggles) but I loved his over protectiveness. Rather have a guy who cares too much, than a guy who cares too little is what I always say.

Reason 2: This reason might be a bit spoilery if you haven’t read Onyx so If you don’t want the spoiler skip over this reason!!!!!!!!!!

I must say that I completely love Dawson just as much as I love Daemon. It was a bit sad that he was so distant from his sibs but I loved the fact that he felt so comfortable with Katy and that he would mostly talk to her and stay close to her side. Like at least he approves ya know? Dawson isn’t as screwed in the head as I feared he would be. I think that he will actually really recover.

Reason 3: Katy! I love this girl so much. She is so funny and I really love that she is as much of a book freak as I am. She goes through so much crap but she still keeps her wits about her. She is so stong and admirable. She always puts everybody else’s needs before her own. She really is just an amazing person.

What I disliked about this book is Dee. I had a huge problem with her attitude and how she acted. I know she lost Adam but seriously? She didn’t have to make Katy feel worse than she already does. It may have been her fault but it’s not like she did it on purpose.  I really wanted to slap her most of the time. 

Other than that this book was CRAZY GOOD IN EPIC PROPORTIONS!!!! It’s a bone-chilling, toe-curling, inside-melting, arms-flailing and bouts of rageful screaming read. If you haven’t read this series yet I am ordering you to drop everything you are doing, run to the bookstore, or drive you know whatever, screaming with your arms flailing above your head until you have it. People might think you are weird OR they could join you and you would have started a mass trend in buying the book!

{A Kristin A Review} Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Title: Of Poseidon
Series: Of Poseidon #1
Author: Anna Banks
Publisher: MacMillan
Imprint: A Feiwel and Friends Book
Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Source: Purchased from Barnes & Noble

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Synopsis:


Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

What? Kristin's writing a review? Has the world ended? Well, no...not yet, but give those Zombies time. Until then, let's talk about my new favorite Mermaid, oops *smiles apologetically to Galen*, I mean Syrena book...Of Poseidon.

I'm not exactly sure what I expected from this book, but it turned out much different than I thought. My newest reading obsession has been Greek Mythology and when you see a book called Of Poseidon, you think Greek Mythology, right? However, Ms. Banks put her own spin on the lore and created something even better.

The idea of there being two races of Syrena, one led by Poseidon, the other by Triton. The two races agreed on very little and were, in fact, in some semblance of war. Even at that, once every three generations a direct descendant from Poseidon's crew and Triton's crew marry to assure both races survive. Poseidon's children can control fish, guiding them to any Syrena who might need to feed in extreme circumstances. When Galen intervenes in an accident where Emma sends a bull shark packing, he knows he's been guided to something extremely rare and talented. Question is: who is she and who are her parents, because the last direct descendant of Poseidon was killed before her marriage to Galen's older brother, Grom.

From the first page, Ms. Banks had me laughing so hard I cried. Emma was a klutz  but for a good reason. As mentioned in the synopsis, she's a fish-out-of-water trying to navigate her way on land. She's never known about her heritage, so she's completely unaware of her ability to compel fish to do her bidding. As a young child, she had a near-drowning incident where she "imagined" catfish saved her. I wouldn't say Emma hates water, because her and her friend Chloe take a trip to Florida and swim in the ocean. Also, she lives on the Jersey Shore and frequently swims with her friends. I would say she's very cautious of the water. She respects its unwavering power.

"Uh, we didn't get your name. Did you get his name, Emma?" she asks, as if on cue.

"I tried, Chloe. But he wouldn't tell me, so I tackled him," I say, rolling my eyes.
-Chloe and Emma, Page 4

Galen's sister, Rayna, is a Royal Pain in the A$$! Seriously. She and Galen are even Royals...I didn't just make that up. But I loved Rayna for reasons I don't even understand. Maybe because I felt like she was fighting so hard to be normal somewhere. In the ocean she's a Royal whose choices have already been made for her, though she's unaware of her fate. On land, she's temperamental and downright bitchy. Although, I got the feeling that she cared much more than she let on. There are times when I felt she said or did certain things to reveal secrets or truths her brother wasn't willing to tell Emma. No matter what, I loved Rayna and it's quite possibly because she's a lot like me. Just ask my husband, I'm prone to tell people things I think they need to know, even when he's sure his mom absolutely does not need to know. *grins devilishly*

"Why are you still here, Galen? It's obvious she's just a pathetic human who couldn't even save her own friend. Course, we know how bloodthirsty they are, how little a reason they need to kill each other. Maybe she let her die on purpose." ... Rayna's smile is vicious when she says, "Oh, yes, I do, Emma. I know exactly what I'm talking about. You. Killed. Chloe."

I've never been in a fight before. Technically though, this won't count as a fight--this will be murder. For the first time in my life, precision replaces clumsiness. - Emma and Rayna, page 100

Then, there's Galen's best friend, Toraf. He's so sweet and protective over the girls, but a huge amount sneaky. I mean, he went to Galen's brother and became "mated" with a very feisty princess without even telling her. Who does that? Apparently, creatures who live beneath in the sea. He's also a very talented tracker, sent on a mission to find a Syrena who is believed to be a hidden member of Poseidon's family. As Galen and Emma become closer, everyone hopes the girl he hunts exists, otherwise Emma is going to be Grom's mate...though, this is another secret the boys are hiding.

Galen laughs. "How do you know about Batman?"

"I saw him on that black square in your living room. He can do all sorts of things other humans can't do. Maybe Emma is like him." - Galen and Toraf, page 176

Galen has been appointed as a type of ambassador with the humans in case they should ever need to know the Syrena exist, so he's a little more acquainted with human ways. Rayna and Toraf are hysterically uninformed though. Often lending comedic dialog and scenarios to intense scenes.

He brushes his lips against hers, cutting her off. They're softer than he ever imagined. And it's not enough. Moving his hand from her jawline to entwine it in her damp locks, he pulls her to him. She tips up on her toes to meet him and as he lifts her from the ground, she folds her arms around his neck. Just as hungry for him as he is for her, she opens her mouth for a deeper kiss, pressing her soft curves into him. And Galen decides there is nothing better than kissing Emma. - Page 265

Okay...that's my last tease, just know there's much more that happens after this moment, because a happily ever after never happens in the first book of a series, right?

I have only one complaint, okay - not complaint, confusion about the writing of the book. It's told from Emma's and Galen's POV, which is fan-freaking-tastic, but Emma's is in first person and Galen's is in third-limited. I've never seen this done before and only wonder what the reasoning is. Most of the time, when multiple POV's are used, they're in first person. The writing didn't interrupt the story, mainly just left me curious. If anyone has an answer...let me know.

I loved the cuteness of this story, the innocent sweetness twisted with humor and heart-ache. The secrets, the lies, the destinies of those involved. I appreciated Emma's few moments of weakness in an appropriate place, and thrived on her strength throughout the rest of the book. Galen left me wanting more. Always more.

My suggestion - if you're looking for a funny and entertaining read, run straight out and buy Of Poseidon. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

{A Kelly M Review}: The Rise Of Nine by Pittacus Lore

Title: The Rise Of Nine
Series: The Lorien Legacies
Author: Pittacus Lore
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: HarperCollins

Synopsis:

Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive.

Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others. . . .

I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others--including John.

But so are they.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They caught me in New York--but I escaped.
I am Number Six.
They want to finish what they started.
But they'll have to fight us first.



So I was walking casually past the book store, adamant that I wasn’t going to go in, because I was so behind on books that I had to read! I turned my head, ever so slightly just to have a lil peak at the new releases and then I saw The Rise Of Nine. All my good sense left me. I ran into the store and bought it without even blinking. Thank God is all I have to say. This was by far THE BEST one of the Lorien Legacies so far. I absolutely adored this book from start to finish. I was so excited because we finally got to read more about Nine. He and Six are my two absolute favourite and let me say, I’m rooting for them to get together. Awesome + Awesomeness = Awesomesauce!!

Nine is the most awesome Garde next to Six. His legacies are amazing and he is just so arrogant and cocky that I had to love him and besides, so far with the guys I only had to compare him to Four, whom I am not a fan of. He is a whiny little baby through most of the book and just couldn’t stop talking about Sarah  and blah blah, yadda yadda, shut your face. So Nine made the book for me.

So it starts where we left off. Four is recuperating from the force field that he tried to run through to save Sam from inside the Mog cave. He and Nine are on the run to get as far away from the Mogs as possible and Six, Seven and Ten are on their way to find Eight in India. If he is even there. There was so much action in this book and that is something I love immensely.  I don’t like when a book drags on in the middle. This wasn’t the case. There were so many fights. People got captured and people escaped. Some died and some came back from the dead, just barely though.

You also meet the super villain in this book, which is awesome. Even though it’s only for a small fight scene at the end. I’m glad we got a glimpse of him. It changed things a lil bit. Luckily Four improved and I ended up really liking him! There is a huge huge huge HUGE twist in the story! I was like excuse me? Dafuq did I just read?? It was a complete shocker for me, and even though you think you know, you don’t really know, you know? And yes that was very confusing but you get the idea

The Lorien Legacies comes highly recommended. If you want a fast-paced, action-filled, jaw dropping, kid forgetting book, read this series just so you can read The Rise Of Nine!

~Only the very weak minded refuse to

be influenced by literature and poetry- Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel

{Blog Tour & Review} Brightest Kind of Darkness by P. T. Michelle

Welcome to day 3 of the Brightest Kind of Darkness Tour. I'm extremely obliged to Dani at Refracted Light for allowing me to join in on such an awesome tour. Brightest Kind of Darkness rocked! Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the page, so you can have a chance to win some really fun prizes! And just in case you've missed one or two stops, find the whole tour HERE.

Title: Brightest Kind of Darkness

Series: Brightest Kind of Darkness #1

Author: P.T. Michelle

Self-Published

June 27, 2011

Synopsis:

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

Read an excerpt

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What can I say? Brightest Kind of Darkness is one of the most unique and beautifully written books I've read in a very long while. I'm a sucker for stories revolving around fate and destiny and, on a highly philosophical level, if either can be altered. I've read shelves full of books on the subject, but few capture the essence quite so perfectly.

Nara is in possession of a unique talent: she sees the next day of her life, dawn until dusk, every night in her dreams. This skill has allowed her to be Queen Goalie of the girls' soccer team, an exceptional student, and allows her to prepare for all the drama that comes from being a teenage girl. She avoided situations that might cause her discomfort, but she had never tried to interfere with fate until the day she dreams something that could possibly kill several students at her school...and thus begins the rollercoaster that loops, twists, and turns you on your head for the rest of the ride.

Ethan, the all too misunderstood bad-boy, and Nara share something in common. They both have a hero complex, a need to save the world. Wait, wait, wait...I know what you're going to say if you've already read Brightest Kind of Darkness. But consider for one moment what the world might represent. To one person, it might be the literal meaning, everyone and everything. To another, the world might be a single person. While Nara dreams of saving all her friends and family from harm, Ethan strives to keep Nara safe from Fate. And the more she alters fate, the more she has to fear from Fate.

Ethan has a curse. He absorbs people's negative energy, filling his nights with dreams of monsters and blood. But once he moved to Nara's little town, Ethan's once dark world lightens. He and Nara have a plan and are making Fate their bitch. If only Fate would just shrivel up and die, life would be much easier, but then the story would suck.

I loved this story for so many reasons. Nara is a kick-ass girl, who always attempts to do the right thing, even if it's completely wrong. She's loyal to her family and friends, with one exception and I'm not sure her father deserves her loyalty, so I'm completely fine with Nara giving him a one-fingered salute and never looking back - although, I should mention, Nara's dad may redeem himself in Lucid. We'll see. Ethan's everything Nara deserves. He's kind, trustworthy, and he loves her. Not to mention, I wanted to fall into his deep blue eyes every time he touched Nara.

I also love the mythology woven into the story. For some reason, I have a somewhat sick fascination with the lore behind Ravens. They've been known to do everything from predict the weather to being carriers of death. They are said to be highly intelligent, even trainable. Authors across time have used Ravens to depict different aspects in their books. Shakespeare used Ravens as messengers, Edgar Allen Poe's alludes to the birds in relations of love, loss, and despair in one of his most famous works, simply titled The Raven. The predatory birds have been accused of being witches' familiars. For more Raven Lore, click the link and learn some interesting facts. The day can't be over until you learn something new, so go do it...well, when you're done with this review.

And, as I've already mentioned, I love the philosophy and all the what-ifs surrounding Fate. Is there such a thing as fate? If so, can fate be altered? If fate is altered, does fate still extract its revenge? Does the balance of nature shift, demanding consequences? Yeah, a little to deep for a silly little book review, but this one left me questioning life in general and when a books does that, it's a keeper!

*I received a free eBook from the author in exchange for my unbiased and honest review. No money changed hands.

ABOUT P.T. MICHELLE

P.T. Michelle is author of the young adult series BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS. When P.T. isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading or taking pictures of landscapes, sunsets and anything beautiful or odd in nature.

LINKS: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Newsletter

LUCID: BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS, BOOK 2

Once Nara combines her prophetic ability with Ethan’s power to outsmart Fate at his own deadly cat-and-mouse game, she’s more determined than ever to help Ethan learn the meaning behind the raven sword tattoo that suddenly appeared on his back after their confrontation with Fate.

During her quest to uncover the tattoo’s secrets, Nara enlists the help of some new friends and discovers her own surprising connection to Ethan.

While Nara digs deeper into the mystery, her desire for answers leads her down a dangerous path full of powerful and ruthless enemies. Swept into an age-old battle, Nara quickly learns that keeping one’s enemies close can be a necessary evil, making an intangible enemy she can control far more preferable to the human enemies she can’t.

Read an excerpt

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One quick question before you enter. What is your take on Fate and Destiny? Feel free to leave me a comment telling me your theory!

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