Review ~ Deception by CJ Redwine

Deception (Defiance Trilogy #2)
by C.J. Redwine
YA Fantasy Dystopia
Published: August 27th 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb:

Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need-with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.

But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone-possibly inside their ranks-is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great-and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive.

In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight.

My Review: 

**3.5 Stars**

An interesting continuation to a story with a great deal of potential. We see a drastic change in how people are treating each other in this book, and women are getting more rights. Deception is all about the journey of the survivors from Rachel and Logan's perspectives. There are a few new characters who come to the forefront and make a large impact on your emotions.

We see a great deal of development in Logan as he is now in charge of leading this rag-tag group of people through the wilderness and, hopefully, to safety. Rachel on the other hand, cannot get over the fact that she killed someone (albeit in self defense) and her character really doesn't go anywhere. She is pretty stagnant through the book. There was a spark of potential at the end for what may come in the next book.

I do look forward to reading the next book and cannot wait to find out what happens to - I mean with - Logan. :) If you liked Defiance, you will probably enjoy Deception. 

Review ~ Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender's Game (The Ender Quintet #1)
by Orson Scott Card
YA Sci-fi Dystopia
Published: January 1985
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Once Again, Earth is under attack. An alien species is poised for a front assault. The survival of humanity depends on a military genius who can defeat the aliens.

But who?

Ender Wiggin. Brilliant. Ruthless. Cunning. A tactical and strategic master. And a child.

Recruited for military training by the world government, Ender's childhood ends the moment he enters his new home: Battle School. Among the elite recruits Ender proves himself to be a genius among geniuses. In simulated war games he excels. But is the pressure and loneliness taking its toll on Ender? Simulations are one thing. How will Ender perform in real combat conditions? After all, Battle School is just a game.

Right?

My Review: 

**3 Stars**

I really struggled with the rating on this book. I wasn't sure if it was going to be 3 stars or 3.5, but I finally settled on 3. Having a child of my own has changed my perspective on some of the books I read. Ender's Game is all about little kids. I think the oldest one in the book is 14. These kids are having their childhood taken away and being put through a brutal military training regimen.

On a whole, I really enjoyed the story. If the kids had been teenagers, it would have made it a lot easier to read... at that age, I feel they would really have a choice to enter the school, rather than being practically forced.

As I said, I really did like the whole story line. The ending made me cry - even though I had a feeling that some of those revelations were coming. I do not plan to read any more in this series (as this felt like a stand-alone), but I do plan on watching the movie.

Review ~ What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

What's Left of Me (The Hybrid Chronicles #1)
by Kat Zhang
YA Science Fiction
Published: September 18th 2012
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

I should not exist. But I do. 

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else-two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren't they settling? Why isn't one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn't. . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she's still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

My Review: 

**1.5 Stars**

I was able to get about 150 pages into the book before I gave up. I did end up skimming a few parts to see if it got better, but it just didn't hold my interest. The two people in one body - and pretty much in one mind - made the book difficult to read. It was confusing at points and there was no character that I was able to connect with. Eva and Addie just didn't have a spark that drew me into their story.

Don't get me wrong, I applaud the author for trying to take that voice in the back of your head and make it into a story. It just didn't work for me. I also did like the author's writing style, it flowed really well, so I will look for more of her work - just not in this series.

ARC Review ~ Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Fire & Flood (Fire & Flood #1)
by Victoria Scott
YA Fantasy
Expected Publication: February 25, 2014
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life-and her own. 

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying-and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

My Review: 

**4.5 Stars**

I received a copy of this book from Scholastic for an honest review. 

Um... next book NOW! (Please) I don't even know where to begin. This book is an amazing must read. The story sucks you in right from the beginning and doesn't let you go... ever.

Tella's character is fascinating. On the outside she doesn't seem like the type of person who would risk her life to save her brother, but she is so much more complex on the inside. The one flaw I had with her is how she was able to survive on her own as long as she did. For someone who really wasn't that athletic and did not have much "outdoors" experience, she did really well.

The best.... and I do mean, best... character in the whole book is Maddox. The book is really all about him. Just kidding, but really, he is so cute and perfect! I love the connection he and Tella have immediately. I know it is engineered, but it just feels so much more than that.

If there is only one new release you read in 2014... make sure this is it!

New Year

Well, it has been a crazy year. I started an intensive program to complete my bachelor's degree so have been pretty absent.

I have a few review to get caught up on, but other than that, I will probably not be able to post one review a week.

Some good news.... my blog is featured in the Scarlet paperback. See if you can find me....

Review ~ Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

Mila 2.0 (MILA 2.0 #1)

by Debra Driza

YA Sci-Fi

Published: March 12th 2013

Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Mila 2.0 is the first book in an electrifying sci-fi thriller series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence. 

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past-that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do. 

Now she has no choice but to run-from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila's becoming is beyond anyone's imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life. 

Mila 2.0 is Debra Driza's bold debut and the first book in a Bourne Identity-style trilogy that combines heart-pounding action with a riveting exploration of what it really means to be human. Fans of I Am Number Four will love Mila for who she is and what she longs to be-and a cliffhanger ending will leave them breathlessly awaiting the sequel. 

My Review: 

**3.5 Stars**

Mila 2.0 is a very unique story and unlike anything I have read before. Mila is an android, only she doesn't know it. We all know it from the cover and synopsis, but it takes a little bit for Mila to find out in the book. The beginning dragged on for me because I was just waiting for her to find out about being an android so I could really start the story. 

Mila's character is interesting as she is fighting to suppress her android side and fully embrace her human emotions. Even though she is more "human" than the other androids that were created, she still comes off pretty callous and cold at times. Her emotions are not fully there, and it is just another apsect she is fighting to change. Mila starts to fall for a guy, Hunter, in the beginning, but he soon takes a backseat in the whole story. 

I do plan on reading the next book, but it is not high on my list of "to-reads." While I did enjoy the unique plot, it wasn't quite enough to hold my attention through the entire book, and I drifted at times.

Review ~ Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland

Vengeance Bound
by Justina Ireland
YA Fantasy/Mythology
Published: April 2nd 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

The Goddess Test meets Dexter in an edgy, compelling debut about one teen's quest for revenge... no matter how far it takes her. 

Cory Graff is not alone in her head. Bound to a deal of desperation made when she was a child, Cory's mind houses the Furies-the hawk and the serpent-lingering always, waiting for her to satisfy their bloodlust. After escaping the asylum where she was trapped for years, Cory knows how to keep the Furies quiet. By day, she lives a normal life, but by night, she tracks down targets the Furies send her way. And she brings down Justice upon them.

Cory's perfected her system of survival, but when she meets a mysterious boy named Niko at her new school, she can't figure out how she feels about him. For the first time, the Furies are quiet in her head around a guy. But does this mean that Cory's finally found someone who she can trust, or are there greater factors at work? As Cory's mind becomes a battlefield, with the Furies fighting for control, Cory will have to put everything on the line to hold on to what she's worked so hard to build.

My Review: 

**4 Stars**

While I can understand why some people did not like Vengeance Bound, I actually enjoyed it. I found the use of the Furies to be fascinating and interesting in how they have to be tied to a human at all times. They feed off desperation, anger, and violence.

The POV is from Cory's mind, and it is sad to read how much older she seems than her actual age. So much violence and vengeance has made her grow up faster than she ever should have. However, it has also saved her life. I do like how the author brought up this aspect of give-and-take. Normally, you wouldn't really see this in a book. Cory's need for salvation is what brings the Furies to her, and they save her life - just as she, in a sense, saves theirs.

Part of me wishes that there will be a sequel, but the book was left in a good spot. There isn't a need for another one. I do look forward to reading whatever Justina Ireland has planned next. She did a fantastic job integrating mythology into Vengeance Bound and I hope she does it again in the future.

Review ~ The Dragon Within by Cindy Lyle

The Dragon Within (The Creation Chronicles #1)
by Cindy Lyle
YA Fantasy
Published: October 22nd 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Deep within the mortal world of Eiddoril, war rages and the blood of innocents flows freely. Once protected by the four elements-Earth, Fire, Water and Air-Eiddoril was a peaceful, beautiful land. Now, after three hundred years of being ravaged by an evil lord and abandoned by their creators, the people and land of Eiddoril are dying. In the kingdom of Gareth, an orphan girl is raised as one of the royal family. But when she begins to have vivid nightmares it leads her to question where she really came from. Her questions lead her to Fitch, an old magic user, who helps her discover a shocking truth. Karah is not human, but instead part of a long-forgotten race. Desiring answers, she sets out to uncover the secrets of her past, and defeat the enemy wreaking havoc across the land. In this fantasy tale, Karah must somehow find the strength to fulfill a destiny that has been forced upon her and discover the dragon within. She cannot fail. The future of creation depends on her.

My Review:

**4 Stars**

I received a copy of this book for an honest review. 

Cindy Lyle has created a fantastic, large world with a rich history behind it. She has expertly woven the four elements into the tale, along with mythological creatures. The book is highly details, so it does take a bit to get through at points. However, the detail is necessary to the story and makes you appreciate all the work she has put into this creation.

Karah is a fantastic new heroine. She is strong, yet innocent, stubborn, yet foolish at times. It is a hard journey she takes to find out who she truly is, and one of her oldest friends raises more questions than she could have thought possible.

The end of the world is coming. Will Karah be able to save it? I don't know!!! The book ends with a huge cliffhanger and leaves you begging for more. I hope that Cindy Lyle is able to finish and release the next book soon. I cannot wait to read more.

Review ~ Charmed Vengeance by Suzanne Lazear

Charmed Vengeance (The Aether Chronicles #2)
by Suzanne Lazear
YA Steampunk Fantasy
Published: August 8th 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

In the Faerie realm, Noli Braddock's relationship with her best friend V has grown into something more. But V's mother, Faerie Queen Tiana, has ruled that they are forbidden to see each other. Returning to the mortal realm, Noli joins the crew of her brother's air-pirate ship, the Vixen's Revenge. There she discovers that her brother has hired the scallywag Faerie huntsman, Kevighn Silver. While serving as shipmates, Kevighn and Noli learn that the Earth Court King plans to find a forbidden artifact--one that will bring destruction to everyone Noli loves.

My Review:

**4 Stars**

So, I was a little nervous about reading Charmed Vengeance as I wasn't sure where the author was going to take the story. However, once I read that Noli joins her brothers' crew... well, nervous, me? What?

There is a lot that happens in Charmed Vengeance, and especially between Noli and V. They have their share of troubles they are trying to overcome. I just wish trying to turn Noli back to human was one of them. It seemed like, probably, the most pressing issue at the end of book one, yet they don't really search for the "cure" too much in this book.

Jeff is an awesome addition to the series, however, I do not like Vix. She starts to get better towards the end, but I still don't like her. My favorite addition was the rest of the "Vixen's Revenge" crew. They brought a different aspect to the story, and sometimes a humorous one at that. I cannot wait to read more.

Review ~ A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

A Darkness Strange and Lovely (Something Strange and Deadly #2)
by Susan Dennard
YA Steampunk
Published: July 23rd 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there's more trouble ahead-the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

My Review: 

**4 Stars**

While I didn't find Something Strange and Deadly quite as good as A Darkness Strange and Lovely, I did find it quite exciting. Eleanor's world is falling apart around her as she leaves for Paris to get some answers and escape.

I like the introduction of Ollie. He brings a different light to the story and also gives another perspective in the wake of Eleanor's emerging powers. Joseph actually made me mad a few times in this book. He was very black and white and couldn't see any gray. Sometimes you need that gray in life to get by.

Daniel was annoying at first but as he slowly became his normal self, he got less annoying. The tension between Eleanor and Daniel was hard to read at points, but fortunately was relieved towards the end. I look forward to reading more of their story and the story of all the Spirit Hunters in the next book.

Review ~ Shadowlands by Kate Brian

Shadowlands (Shadowlands #1)
by Kate Brian
YA Thriller
Published: January 8th 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Rory Miller had one chance to fight back and she took it. Rory survived and the serial killer who attacked her escaped. Now that the infamous Steven Nell is on the loose, Rory must enter the witness protection program. Entering the program alongside her, is her father and sister Darcy. The trio starts a new life and a new beginning leaving their friends and family behind without a goodbye.

Starting over in a new town with only each other is unimaginable for Rory and Darcy. They were inseparable as children but now they can barely stand each other. As the sisters settle in to Juniper Landing, a picturesque vacation island, it seems like their new home may be just the fresh start they need. They fall in with a group of beautiful, carefree teens and spend their days surfing, partying on the beach, and hiking into endless sunsets. Just as they're starting to feel safe again, one of their new friends goes missing. Is it a coincidence? Or is the nightmare beginning all over again?

My Review: 

**3.5 Stars**

Cause this is Thriller...  Yup, this book had me on the edge of my seat at points. In the back of my mind, I was always thinking that there was something not right with how Juniper Landings worked... and maybe, maybe they were dead. But I never really solidified that idea.

Darcy was annoying. It seemed like she didn't have any sympathy for Rory's situation... she had been attacked and could have been killed (and worse). Hello... get over yourself and think of her for a minute. Forget about what you are going to wear to the party on Friday, which you can no longer go to. I also don't think Rory's father really handled the situation correctly either. He also didn't seem to have a whole lot of sympathy and comfort to pass down to Rory. The whole "I almost got raped and murdered" thing just never really seemed to hit anyone but Rory.

I look forward to reading the next book. I would recommend Shadowlands to any fans of thrillers and mysteries. It really does keep you guessing.

Review ~ The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help
by Kathryn Stockett
Adult Historical Contemporary
Published: February 10th 2009
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step.

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women - mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends - view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't.

My Review: 

**3.5 Stars**

An emotional, yet sometimes hilarious, journey into the past. The Help chronicles the lives of two black maids in the 1960's and one white plantation owner's daughter. I don't normally read contemporary books, but I did enjoy this one. I liked seeing a different aspect of life than what I am used to. It really made me sympathetic to those who are treated differently. I would actually hope that this book became one read in high-schools. I feel that teenagers would get more out of this book than some of the "boring classics" they are forced to read now.

I wonder how a book, like the one Skeeter and Aibileen wrote, would have actually done back during the Civil Rights Movement. I wonder how many white people would have taken it seriously and actually thought about what they were doing and how they were treating blacks. I also wonder how many blacks would have suffered because of the book. If anyone would have mistreated their maids simply because "maybe" one of these stories is theirs.

It is a very interesting and emotional story. One that I would recommend to all audiences. I do plan on watching the movie as well. I have heard that it is very similar to the book.

Review ~ These Broken Stars (ARC) by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner (Go read this book now!!!)

These Broken Stars (Starbound #1)
by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
YA Sci-fi Dystopia
Expected Publication: December 10th 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they're worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other's arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they being to wonder-would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every stop. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won't be the same people who landed on it.

The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, These Broken Stars is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.

My Review: 

**5 Stars**

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

Ok, so my actual review is more like 4.99999 stars. I am still a little upset that Lilac... um... something with Lilac... towards the end. You'll just have to read it and find out exactly what happens to her. But I'm still upset.

I really, really, really loved this story. I don't normally pick up books that take place on spaceships because I feel that there just isn't room to move. Spaceships are confining and I feel that books centered around them tend to be as well. But the ship crashes and this ends up being a survival story. I could go on and on about this book, but I would end up giving too much away and ruining everything for you. So, I will just touch on a few key points.

L.O.V.E. Tarver!!! he is a poor kid - turned war hero - turned "babysitter" for a spoiled rich girl in a survival situation. I love how his and Lilac's relationship grows. There is the initial attraction, then loathing, then tolerance, then... well, you can guess where this is going. BTW... soooo book boyfriend material.

Lilac is a fascinating character as well. She is different from how society dictates she should be, and that helps her grow into a whole other person on the planet. Her transformation is based on necessity and I feel that the authors pulled it off really well.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to any fantasy, dystopian, and sci-fi fans. Even romance fans. Ok, I highly recommend it to anyone. I am just very, very sad that I will have to wait another year for the next book.

~*October Review Recap*~

~* October Review Recap *~

Defiance by C.J. Redwine
    ~ 3.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 Dystopia Reading Challenge (book 22 of 24) 
    ~ 2013 TBR Pile Reading Challenge (book 20 of 30)

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
    ~ 3 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 Dystopia Reading Challenge (book 23 of 24) 

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson
    ~ 4.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 Sequel Challenge (book 25 of 15)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (re-read)
    ~ 2 Star Review (Link)
    ~ Does not meet any challenges

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson
    ~ 4 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 Sequel Challenge (book 26 of 15)

No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
    ~ 2.5 Star Review(Link)
    ~ Does not meet any challenges

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
    ~ 4.5 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 Sequel Challenge (book 27 of 15)

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
    ~ 2 Star Review (Link)
    ~ 2013 TBR Pile Reading Challenge (book 21 of 30) 

Review ~ Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles #1)
by Kresley Cole
YA Post-Apocalyptic 
Published: October 2nd 2012
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

She could save the world - or destroy it. 

Sixteen-year-old Evangeline "Evie" Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future-and they're still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can't do either alone. 

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can't totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it's not always clear who is on which side.

My Review: 

**2 Stars**

So, what is Poison Princess about? 1) There are these people (ok... teenagers) who are like living Tarot cards. They can communicate telepathically and need to find each other to save the world. 2) There was a solar flare that destroyed every living thing on earth, except a few people who were "lucky." All the water is gone... except for the water in a few deep wells. 3) The flare somehow created Bagmen - slobbery, brainless.... ok, ok.... zombies.

If that wasn't enough for you, then throw in a spoiled, selfish, annoying, rich brat main character and a juvenile delinquent handsome bad boy who is equally annoying. Aside from all this, the 2 cores of the story were actually interesting. I just wish it would have stuck to either magic/arcana OR post-apocalyptic. It just didn't quite work well combined.

I don't think I will be reading the rest of the series. I might pick it up in the future, but probably not.

Review ~ Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)
by Sarah J. Maas
YA High Fantasy
Published: August 27th 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

An assassin's loyalties are always in doubt. 
But her heart never wavers. 

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown - a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade-while pretending to do the king's bidding-will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice.

Where do the assassin's loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

My Review: 

**4.5 Stars**

Perfection!!! I always get nervous when reading the 2nd book of a series... but Crown of Midnight delivered! I really feel bad for Celaena. She is on her way to winning her freedom, but of course the *&@*$&% king does not make it easy for her with his assignments and threats.

So much happens in this book that I don't even know where to begin. We delve into the magical mystery even more in this one, and it is fascinating. Also... CHAOL!!! Oh yes, there was more Chaol... and FINALLY some Chaol and Celaena. We don't really see much of Dorian, which I'm not sad about. He was not a favorite character and I didn't miss him. There was so much more going on to focus on.

Even with some of the horrible that happened, I look forward to getting my hands on the next book. I cannot wait to see where the story will take us and Celaena. Why do I have to wait????

Review ~ No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy **Adult Novel**

No Country for Old Men
by Cormac McCarthy
Adult Suspense
Published: October 9th 2007
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

In No Country for Old Men, Cormac McCarthy simultaneously strips down the American crime novel and broadens its concerns to encompass themes as ancient as the Bible and as bloodily contemporary as his morning's headlines.

My Review: 

**2.5 Stars**

This is a really short review, but there isn't too much I can say about this book. I will start with the good.... I really liked the story of the book. The whole man-hunt with the different perspectives was great. I know I would have liked it a lot more if it wasn't for all the bad.

Now, for the bad. The writing style is HORRIBLE. Everything is so disjointed and there is little to no punctuation. It made it very hard to tell who was speaking and when, and what was just thoughts vs. speech. The writing honestly gave me a headache.

I do plan on watching the movie so I can see the story without all the headache writing.

Review ~ The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

The Bitter Kingdom (Fire and Thorns #3)
by Rae Carson
YA High Fantasy
Published: August 27th 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb:

The epic conclusion to Rae Carson's Fire and Thorn trilogy. The seventeen-year-old sorcerer-queen will travel into the unknown realm of ht enemy to win back her true love, save her country, and uncover the final secrets of her destiny.

Elisa is a fugitive in her own country. Her enemies have stolen the man she loves in order to lure her to the gate of darkness. As she and her daring companions take one last quest into unknown enemy territory to save Hector, Elisa will face hardships she's never imagined. And she will discover secrets about herself and her world that could change the course of history. She must rise up as champion-a champion to those who have hated her most.

My Review: 

**4 Stars**

Not as good as the first two. Although, I can't believe it is over. The book was very slow in the beginning. It was a lot of travel, and not much going on otherwise. I do like how we bounced between Elisa's and Hector's point of views. It really added something to the whole story. The ending was very exciting though, but I wasn't happy with how Elisa acted towards her friend and sister. But, I understand her reasoning and need behind it.

Ahh... finally... Hector. There isn't anyone who didn't see this coming, but that doesn't mean it wasn't welcome. I am so very happy they ended up together. It was a much needed "happy" in a book filled with wicked secrets. I'm not quite sure how I feel about Mula. I saw her addition to the group coming, it was obvious when we first met her. She did grow on me though. The completion of Elisa's purpose was anti-climatic. But, then again, I guess it is supposed to be as we don't know the real purpose at this time.

I still can't believe the series is over. I look forward to reading whatever Rae Carson decides to write next... (I hope it is another awesome high fantasy).

Review ~ The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson **Adult Novel**

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium #1)
by Stieg Larsson
**Adult** Contemporary Mystery
Published: September 16th 2008
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Mikael Blomkvist, a once-respected financial journalist, watches his professional life rapidly crumble around him. Prospects appear bleak until an unexpected (and unsettling) offer to resurrect his name is extended by an old-school titan of Swedish industry. The catch-and there's always a catch-is that Blomkvist must first spend a year researching a mysterious disappearance that has remained unsolved for nearly four decades. With few other options, he accepts and enlists the help of investigator Lisbeth Salander, a misunderstood genius with a cache of authority issues. Little is as it seems in Larsson's novel, but there is at least one constant: you really don't want to mess with the girl with the dragon tattoo.

My Review:

**2 Stars**

This is the second time I have read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and hopefully the last. I dreaded reading it again, and was wondering why on earth I had given it 3 stars the first time.

The writing is way over done. The author goes into too many descriptions that he doesn't need to. I don't need to know that her office is 10x6 and every little thing that is in it. Too much info just made the book boring. The story does pick up around the middle and the descriptions do get a little less.

The locked room mystery is really interesting to try and solve and that is the only reason why this book got 2 stars in the end. The reasoning behind the mystery is horrifying and all the sexual abuse in the book is awful. I really don't want to read about that when I pick up a book.

Honestly, not a book I would recommend to anyone. I don't know why it is a best seller, but maybe it is the shock value that makes it popular. The is definitely not a book for younger audiences.

Review ~ The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

The Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns #2)
by Rae Carson
YA Fantasy
Published: September 18th 2012
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

In the sequel to the acclaimed The Girl of Fire and Thorns, a seventeen-year-old princess turned war queen faces sorcery, adventure, untold power, and romance as she fulfills her epic destiny.

Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds. A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume in the Fire and Thorns trilogy.

My Review: 

**4.5 Stars**

Oh boy, oh boy. What a great continuation. It is filled with just as much adventure as  The Girl of Fire and Thorns was. Elisa goes through even more in this book, and once again becomes stronger for it. She is now tasked with ruling the country of her former husband, the King. The council around her isn't making this task easy and you want her to just kill them all. To quote Sweeney Todd... "They all deserve to die."

Yes! Sorry, I will try not to give anything away, but what Elisa says to Ximena... AWESOME and FINALLY!!!! I know you always saw her as a friend, but come on. How much does she have to keep from you before you snap? I am also happy that the author broached the topic of birth control. Many books leave you wondering why no one gets pregnant when they don't mention BC. I always assumed it was a plant, but Rae Carson actually does a good job of creating it in her book. Oh... don't worry, still teen friendly - nothing graphic, or really anything at all.

Oh Hector and Elisa... you both need to Open. Your. Eyes! It is so obvious that they love each other, yet they keep hiding it. STOP!

I finished the book and immediately reached for the next one. It leaves readers with such a big cliff hanger that I am glad I had the last book ready and waiting for when I finished this one.