Could have been a fabulous YA Fantasy series

The Last of the Firedrakes by Farah Oomerbhoy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

(Free copy in exchange for review)

I have mixed feelings about this one. It started off well enough - a young 16-year-old, Aurora, is an orphan living with her aunt, uncle and cousin who despise her. Her uncle sells her to a mysterious man from another world where she discovers her true identity. But it goes very, very slowly downhill from there. Enter many clichés and you get what I’m talking about - silly fairy names, a magical school, the fact that there has never been anyone more powerful than Aurora, mysterious, handsome stranger that she falls in love with instantly. It really is a shame because Oomerbhoy builds a fantastic world to have an adventure in.

The worst, however, is the heroine’s stupidity and inane questions. I remember being 16 but surely she could have connected the dots for SOME of this stuff, and her stubbornness to not plan ahead and to just run off into danger, regardless of consequences, over and over and over and over… she’s supposed to be a QUEEN?!

Will I read book 2? Maybe. If I have nothing else to read. Otherwise, Avalonia stops here for me.

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Fabulous Book 2 of Number Games Series

Numbers Ignite by Rebecca Rode
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(Free copy in exchange for review)

Numbers Ignite is just as fantastic as it's predecessor.

Feeling the death of hundreds on her hands, Treena escapes the city to find Vance and the other settlers to put the past behind her.

With his future looking short and bleak, Vance discovers what has been happening in the background – that he and Treena have been played all along.

The sequel continues where Numbers Game leaves off. The surprises never stop and grip you so that you can't put the book down. The only flaws were a slow start and a tad bit too tidy of an ending. But neither detracts from the greatness of the writing and plot.

The strong characters from book one remain strong throughout the sequel. I love the brutally honest reactions; nothing is off limits. The ending wraps up nicely and quickly but with all the heartache and suffering preceding, I will take the happy where Treena and Vance can get it!

I definitely hope to read more from Rode in the near future!

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Rough Read

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

(Free copy in exchange for review)

So difficult to write this review. The book started out great! Very exciting. The main character is on the run for her life. Love it. But then it just goes downhill. The idea, story line, premise, etc. is excellent. The telling of the story is horrible. Bad grammar, repeated words and phrases, reiterating information (sometimes unimportant information), along with the flow seeming to be made up as she wrote the book (making it all up as she goes along), it all amounts to a hard to get through the story. I also had to remind myself that Robyn, the main character, was in her mid-twenties. I kept thinking I was reading about an older teen and had to say “Wait, no! She's a full-grown adult!”

If the author can clean up the writing, any sequels will be a much easier read. I have to say the only reason I got through it all because I committed to this review. Otherwise, I would have abandoned it about 20 pages in.

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Fantastic Dystopian Novel

Numbers Game by Rebecca Rode
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

(Free copy in exchange for review)

This is a fantastic dystopian novel for young adults. Rode has created great characters in a unique, future Earth. This is not a feel-good story. There is no insta-romance and romance is actually in the background of the story.

Treena is poised to be the highest rated citizen of her class. She has been waiting for this day her whole life. This rating, this NUMBER, will define the rest of her life. But all does not go as planned and soon her life is spinning out of her control.

The characters are easy to love and/or hate. Their reactions are real and the situations are heartbreaking. There are lots of surprises that keep you reading til the end. I read this book in one day - I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.

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Has potential...

Faelorehn by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This story could have been better. It seemed that much of the book was boring everyday stuff that happened to Meghan, the main character. By the end of the book, she was annoying me. Did she really not put two and two together? For someone who has been different from everyone her whole life, she finally gets some explanations and starts to question everything she's being told?! I just don't get it. Overall, though, I really loved the history, the back story and where it could go if Johnson can get past the everyday mundane details and Meghan can get over her stupidity.

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A SNEAK PEAK at The Glittering Court

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a review for the *SNEAK PEAK* beginning on NetGalley. So keep in mind that I have not read the whole book...

This story has quite a few pluses but some negatives as well. I am hopeful that the book will get better with the next part of the story. Mead's world-building is good. Not much to the world yet in the first part of the book but I am confident Adoria will come to life when Adelaide and company reach it. A map, however, would do a world of good in this situation.

Speaking of Adelaide, she has the potential to be a strong character. Her bravery at finding a way out of her predicament was exemplary but then she morphs into a wilting lily. Mira and Cedric, to me, are stealing the show.

The bulk of the sneak peek is Adelaide's time at the school, which is quite boring. I think that the best part of the book will come when they reach Adoria. There are a few surprises that pop up before they leave/get there that will make the next part exciting if Mead pulls it off.

I am looking forward to the full published version and will be waiting to fall in love with Adoria.

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Sweet Romance

Marry Your Billionaire by C.J. Anaya
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ugh! I had a full day planned! But NO!! I had to sit and read this book from start to finish. I could. Not. Put. It. Down. It was funny, sweet, frustrating and heartbreaking in all the right places.

Madelyn Knightly just wants to finish her Master's degree without kowtowing to her producer father. Brody Prescott is trying to repair his playboy image after a date gone wrong. Little do they know that both of their worlds are going to get a whole lot more interesting as they're coerced to appear on a reality dating show.

The plot does not slow down. There's no good spot to just put it down for a bit. It's not a super steamy romance but it is undeniably sweet and REAL. I am very impressed with this story and am looking forward to more from Anaya!

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Dystopian novel Inspired by A Tale of Two Cities

Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

(Free copy for review via NetGalley)

I never read A Tale of Two Cities. I think I might be the only one who hasn't! But still, I enjoyed this story immensely. It was bittersweet, heartbreaking, poignant, touching, etc.! I couldn't get enough of Ethan and Lucie's love. At the same time, you could see the love growing between Lucie and Carwyn and was rooting for them as well.

The world-building is fantastic. But even better is her character-building. Brennan has a fantastic way of creating unique and unforgettable characters (Kami/Jared/Ash and Nick/Alan/Mae). You can now add Lucie/Ethan/Carwyn to that list. Even supporting characters have incredible depth to them.

I could feel the build up to the end. It was predictable but no less dramatic and heartwrenching. The only downfall to the book is how much Lucie talks to herself. I understand all the questioning, second-guessing, doubting but it did get old listening to her rambling on and on about it. A time or two, I just wanted to shake her or slap her.

An engrossing book that tells a significant moral. Brennan has written another compelling young adult novel!

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Much Better Sequel

Wildfire by J.D. Wright
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

(Free copy for review via NetGalley)

Hmmm, what to say about this book...I definitely liked it more than the first book, Everealm.

Pros:

---Much better world-building this time around. I felt like I have a much better feel of Everealm as a whole.

---Interesting developments in Bree and Rowan's relationship. Honestly, didn't see that one coming!!!

---Fae are added in! Finally, something other than just magic is added to the story.



Cons:

---Still way too many characters/couples. And Wildfire only adds more. It's just too much and there's not a lot of character depth because of it.

---Writing is still quite choppy and I feel it jumps from topic/situation to the next with no flow.

---No scary villain, this time around. Silas was actually pretty darn scary in book 1. No one in book 2 compares.

---Problems are still solved pretty simply and without much fear of defeat.

Overall, a better venture the second time around. I think book 3 will be better now that Wright has gotten some writing experience under her belt.


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Surprisingly sweet story

Songbird by Sydney Logan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

(Free copy from author in exchange for honest review)

Songbird was NOT what I was expecting. The story starts as a one night stand and ends up as a sweet, loving relationship. Both characters - Callie and Devin - have had hardships but I loved watching them grow together as they learn from each other.

It never gets really heavy. There's never really any real threat to the relationship, except the baggage each of them brings individually. The issues are authentic and the emotion is heartfelt. There were quite a few poignant moments and some that really hit home with me and my own baggage/relationship.

Logan did a fine job breaking down some issues that threaten to hurt relationships. I found myself rethinking my view on a few issues of my own. It was a great surprise and I will definitely seek out more Sydney Logan novels.

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Fantastic Beginning, Disappointing Ending

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wow! I started out absolutely loving the book. It was perfect Armentrout. Layla is a unique character and I loved her struggles to deal with her nature and her feelings for Zayne. Then throw Roth in the mix – watch out! It was fun watching her fall in love, even if she didn't know that's what was happening. Fast forward to the end. BAM! HATED IT! Hated the ending. I now know that the next book is about the 3 of them again but damn, I was not on board with the non-conclusion. At all.

I will read the next book like a dutiful JLA fan, but I am not happy about it.

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6 Great Romantic Suspense Series Book 1s

Dangerous Connections: 6 Romantic Suspense Series Starters + Bonus HEA Chapters! by Elisabeth Naughton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great group of 6 thrilling stories by 6 great authors.

STOLEN FURY - Elisabeth Naughton - Great story to start out the collection. Lisa is an archeologist who's found one of three relics she's been looking years for, but it's stolen out from under her by a handsome thief. They'll have to team up to find the other two relics because they aren't the only ones on the hunt.

AGAINST THE DARK - Carolyn Crane - This one is fantastic! Love Angel and Cole! They work great together! Angel is done with her old life as a safecracker. For the last 5 years, she's been on the straight and narrow. One last job to help out a dear friend threatens to destroy her perfect life she's made for herself.

MORGAN’S HUNTER - Cate Beauman - This story was so thrilling! Beauman does a fantastic job of keeping the story fast-paced. The ending was a surprise and the characters were fun. I will definitely check out the sequel. Morgan Taylor is on a mission to discover why her research team were murdered. Her father, concerned for her safety, hires a bodyguard to be with her as she investigates. Hunter Phillips has met his match in his feisty new client. But they will both have to be on their guard when they stumble upon the reason her team was killed!

A COLD DARK PLACE - Toni Anderson - This the one I felt was a weak link in the armor. It just seemed to drag and honestly I skipped ahead about 5 or so chapters to the last 3 or 4 and read from there. Didn't really miss much of the story at all. It was still a great premise and the characters were interesting. Not sure, though, if I'd continue with this series.
FBI Agent Mallory Rooney is on a mission to find who abducted her twin sister when they were children. Former CIA assassin Alex Parker works for a secret organization determined to take out serial killers before they enter the justice system. He's tasked with watching Agent Rooney to make sure she doesn't get too close to the truth before he does.

CONCRETE EVIDENCE - Rachel Grant - This book was extremely interesting. The characters have great chemistry and it was humorous to watch the intern try to be an intern! There were a few surprises at the end, as well, that were quite good. Underwater archeologist Erica Kesling needs to clear her name. However, a sexy, new intern is getting in the way, in more ways than one! When secrets start coming out, will Erica be able to salvage her heart as well as her career?

WILD - Jill Sorenson - This one was interesting! Very different. It was like reading a 2 for 1 romance. It had a great apocalyptic feel to it and a different vibe altogether from the rest of the collection. Zookeeper Helena Fjord loves animals. Humans, not so much. And handsome, laid back security officer Josh Garrison is exactly the type of guy she despises. She always steers clear of his pranks until disaster strikes.

Overall, I will probably check out the next book in each of the series except for the one. This a great starter collection to get into some new authors!

(free copy in exchange for review)

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Stand alone should be made into a series

Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was afraid to read this book at first because I absolutely LOVED the Lux series and was subsequently disappointed with the first book of the Covenant series. I'm so glad I broke down and read Cursed!! It is a wonderful story – on the same level as the Lux series.

Ember shouldn't be here. She died in a car accident but her sister, who has a life-giving gift, brought her back. Now everything she touches dies. After she and her family are essentially kidnapped, she starts to learn that the car accident may not have been an accident at all – and that person still wants her dead.

Not a super fast-paced story but there were no wasted pages/words. This is a stand alone novel but I SO hope she decides to add to this book and make it a series! The characters are fantastic and the villain is actually damn scary!

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Unusual premise in this paranormal romance

Soulless by Gail Carriger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a hoot! Alexia is HILARIOUS! And Lord Adekama?! I can't get enough. The premise is extremely interesting – there are naturals (humans), supernaturals (vampires, werewolves, etc.) and then there are preternaturals (those with no souls). Alexia is preternatural and can neutralize the effects of supernaturals. Unfortunately for her, she's a woman living in Victorian England.

The writing style took a bit to get used to but that's typical of the era. The characters and London life were effectively described. The conversations between characters were comical. Lord Maccon and Alexia have great chemistry but Lord Adekama just may be my favorite.

The mystery was NOT predictable, which added to the joy of reading the book. I will definitely continue on with this series.

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Every weekend...

Armentrout's first book of the Covenant series disappoints

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm not too sure about this series. I absolutely LOVED the Lux series. So much that I think it just might be my favorite to date. I was leery of reading others by Armentrout because I didn't want to be disappointed. And I think I was with Half-Blood.

I liked the premise well enough (playing off the demi-god legends of greek mythology) and I liked the characters well enough...except for Alex. I really disliked her and I think that's why I was so disappointed. I just couldn't relate to her bitchiness. It seemed unwarranted and I don't think she deserved Aidan. At all.

I am still trying to decide if I should keep reading. I have so many other books waiting for me to pick up, I think I'll put this series on hold for now.

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Slightly Disappointing Book 4

Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

One of the problems with a 5/6 book series is trying to tell the story through so many books. At some point, most authors end up with a book that is just filler to help get the story through to the end. Frozen Tides seems to be that book for the Falling Kingdoms Series.

The first three books were utterly magnificent. Every book was action pack, intrigue abounded, you never knew what was going to happen next. But Frozen Tides, to me, was full of predictability. There was no suspense, no adventure. I agree with others that it seemed most of the book was “teenage love angst” with very little plot development. The biggest surprise happened, literally, in the last sentence of the whole book. And even that was more of an “Oh geez. More teenage love angst.” moment for me.

Nevertheless, I will be awaiting book 5 with bated breath and I hope, HOPE that Rhodes brings her fierce writing abilities back for the conclusion of this amazing story.

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Munt makes a splash with The Marked Ones

The Marked Ones by S.K. Munt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ivyanne Court is next in line for the Mer throne. She's being pressured to marry to carry on the royal line. Feeling trapped, she runs off to the seaside resort of her youth to think things over. Should she marry the hottest merman alive, her closest friend or someone who seems to show no interest in her? They've all put their proposals in but she loves none of them. To complicate matters more the love of her life, Lincoln, is now the owner of the resort. The problem? He's human and off limits to Ivyanne. She's only allowed to marry a Marked One and Lincoln is not one of them. She must choose between the best man for her people or the best man for her heart.

This story grasped me from the start. I have yet to read a Mer story and Munt's plot is intricate and well thought out. Fantastic story of creation and history of the Mer people.

Munt has a way of making “to-die-for” men. Tristan is one of these. At first, you just want to kick him where it counts but halfway through you're wishing he'd come crashing through your bedroom door. I'm not a huge fan of love triangles, though, so that part for me was a little trying but it was also the antagonist in the story so I got through it.

This is the 3rd book by Munt that I've read and I'm currently reading a 4th. She has written about so many different paranormal beings, I believe she can write a book about paint drying at this point and I'll still read it. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.


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A Great Thriller with Memorable Characters - Sparked by Sheea Snow

Sparked by Sheena Snow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Deeply troubled Vienna Avery is highly disturbed her mother jumped on the household robot bandwagon. Sometimes she thinks it's watching her...but that's just impossible...right?

Snow does an imaginative job creating a world of robots. Sparked is equally thrilling and disturbing. Vienna's relationship with her family is authentic and sad. She is searching for her place in her family and the world. It is very easy to relate to both Vienna and her mother in this story.

The robots are fabulously done. At times, you forget they are robots and others you forget they are human. The plot is very fast-paced and the chemistry between the characters is superb. You find yourself falling for each one.

Snow does a great job with the world-building even though they move around quite a lot.

At first, I thought the ending was too easy...until I read the last pages. The HUGE cliffhanger leaves you dying for the next book. I hope Snow can keep up the pace and keep the story from feeling forced. If she can do, this will be an amazing series!

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Dystopian novel Life

Life by Rebecca Belliston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.)

This dystopian novel finds the USA in a state of ruin after a series of stock market crashes. It's a nice change from the usual alien invasion or world war 3 catalysts that we are used to reading. Although I believe the situation of stock market crashes would cause the mass chaos that ensued, I find it hard to believe that no major threat was issued from other countries. There's no mention of any military presence or of a force to protect the citizens - just the every day patrolling by local police whose main concern is arresting illegals.

The character building of the people living in the clan is wonderful. You get a great insight into how different personalities would react to the living circumstances.

Life is essentially a romance novel and the love blossoms realistically. No insta-loving, insta-infatuation or insta-attraction/lust.

Belliston does a fantastic job with the story and I look forward to the sequel Liberty.

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N.B. Roberts' Halton Cray (Shadows of the World #1)

Halton Cray by N.B. Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! This book was unbelievable! How to describe it - thriller? ghost story? otherworldy? It was ALL these things!

The plot was ingenious and I was continually surprised turn after turn. I love all the characters, even those you "love to hate". The moral of the story is a great one that needs to be reinforced more than it is.

Roberts has a distinctly British writing style that once adjusted to, was utterly fantastic.

I can't wait to delve into book two and get lost in Halton Cray again.

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Turned by Michelle Fox

Turned by Michelle Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Turned is a great 1-hour read. Need a quickie before bed, while waiting for your kids or at the doctor's office, then this is it.

There is no deep intricate plot, no underbelly backstory - just enough to keep you engrossed from start to finish.

I can see myself wanting to read more about, not only Dawn and Malachi but also the interesting world Fox has created where humans and vampires are living side by side.


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School of Deaths (The Scythe Wielder's Secret #1)

School of Deaths by Christopher Mannino
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

(Free copy of novel in exchange for honest review)

Christopher Mannino does a fantastic job of creating a new sci-fi/fantasy series for young teen girls. He provides a great message for young girls about courage and perseverance in the face of bullies and personal struggle.

Suzie Sarnio is the first female Death in, like, a million years. She has one year to learn all she needs to know about being a Death to pass her test to go back home to her family. Little does she know that there are those plotting against her and there's more at stake than her ability to go home.

Mannino does a wonderful job building the world of the Deaths, Elementals and Dragons. The complicated backstory/history adds to the richness of the storyline and characters. There is an intricate plot that begins to be unveiled and I think it will be fully revealed in the sequel. I am looking forward to reading book two.

(view spoiler)[My only complaint is Suzie's ability to dismiss her family so easily at the end. Her family should be more important than what she's dealing with, honestly, and her comfort of not going back to her family was a little disturbing. I am still undecided on whether I would want my 13-year-old daughter reading this book based on this fact alone. There should have been some out, some way she passed the test and then was able to go back after reassuring her family she was okay. It really bugged me a lot, enough to give the book 3 stars instead of 4/5. (hide spoiler)]

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Boston's Quest (Holoquest #2) by Shanae Branham

Boston's Quest by Shanae Branham
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

(Free copy in exchange for review)

 Boston's Quest is perfect for YA gamers, which I'm not, so take that into consideration when reading my review. 

This sequel to DiSemblance takes a different direction than the first book. Branham takes a long, long time to get to the point which is that there is a book three. The ending was very abrupt and ended at an extremely annoying spot in the story.

Once again, the story is told in three points of view – Jason, Boston and new main character, Oliver. We end up knowing Oliver at a deeper level at the conclusion of this book than we do Boston and Jason over two books. The character development has not been mastered by now and I have little doubt that book three will be the same. We barely get below the surface on many, if not all, of the characters so that it is hard to even care about them. 

The book is named after Boston but ultimately this whole series is about Jason and Isaac. At least, that's how it appears to me. I was really hoping to see the end to this series but honestly, I think I'm done here.


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DiSemblance by Shanae Branham

DiSemblance by Shanae Branham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

(free in exchange for review)

This story is extremely fast-paced. Told by 3 different points of view, it jumps around quite a lot but I found the differing points of view added to the story. Unfortunately, it also makes it harder to dig deeper into the main characters because you're spending so much time hearing from each one.

Jason and his brother are homeschooled by their father, who is secretly building a holographic machine. Boston lives across the street and finds Jason intriguing so decides to follow and photograph him. Their relationship begins from there and develops into something more when everything falls apart, for both of them.

Jason and Boston's relationship doesn't appear to be solid and maybe that's intentional. I found it hard to believe they would do some things without having more of a concrete relationship. But, like I said, the relationships weren't heavy due to the differing points of view.

I was expecting more of a sci-fi novel but it just touches on that. Overall, however, it was an enjoyable read with a nice conclusion. I will definitely check out the sequel.

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Christina Lauren's Sweet Filthy Boy (Wild Seasons #1)

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

HOT! HOT! HOT! And REAL! Everything about this book was real – the people, the places, the situations, the sex! I couldn't stop reading it. The characters are so magnetic! I laughed, I cried, I got excited!

Mia and Ansel's relationship starts off the way you'd imagine a crazy, wild night in Vegas would, but the morning after is not what you would expect next. And then the next morning, and the next. And soon you're swept up into their lives. If someone told me this story was true, I would believe it. It has such depth of emotion to it that a lot of authors can't convey.

This is a book I would read again and again. I can't wait to read the next book! These amazing novels will definitely be a time-hog, but OH what a way to spend it!

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