Review ~ The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter #1)
by Megan Shepherd
YA Gothic Thriller
Published: January 29th 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London-working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward-both of whom she is deeply drawn to-Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius-and madness-in her own blood.

Inspired by H.G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

My Review: 

**3 Stars**

Ok, so now I have to go and read The Island of Dr. Moreau. Talk about creepy at points. I really enjoyed the story line and how the world was build. I'm just not so sure on the characters.

There were times when I liked Juliet, and times when I didn't. Mostly, I wanted to yell at her and tell her to open her eyes. But... Love is blind. Edward was interesting. I wondered at one point about who he was and had thought... maybe... but then changed my mind (you'll understand if you read it - don't want to give a major spoiler away). Hmm... Montgomery. While I like him when he is with Juliet, I don't like him for what he has done when he isn't with her. He seems really selfish and, while concerned for Juliet, not concerned for the right reasons.

It was a decent read and one I would recommend for lite-thriller fans. I will be reading the next book.

Review ~ Dark Triumph by R.L. LaFevers

Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin #2)
by R.L. LaFevers
YA Fantasy
Published: April 2nd 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Sybella arrives at the convent's doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge-but at a price. The convent views Sybella, naturally skilled in the arts of both death and seduction, as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. While she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

My Review:

**4 Stars**

Like Grave Mercy, Dark Triumph started out a little slow. I thought I wasn't going to like it as much as Grave Mercy, but I actually liked it better. I love how it picked up right before the last book ended. It was the perfect timing and I didn't feel like I missed anything from Sybella's POV when Grave Mercy took place.

Sybella is such a strong character. She has so much in her past that has hardened her, yet she keeps going. Ahh, Beast. He is a wonderful character. I really liked him in the last book and am so very glad we saw a lot more of him in this one. We also really get to see why he hates d'Albret so much.

I am a little nervous about the next book, I'm just not sure about the character. Honestly, I'd love to continue on with Sybella's story. A really good read - highly recommended, especially if you liked Grave Mercy. 

Review ~ SYLO by D.J. MacHale

SYLO (The SYLO Chronicles #1)
by D.J. MacHale
YA Mystery/Thriller
Published: July 2nd 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Does Tucker Pierce have what it takes to be a hero when the U.S. military quarantines his island?

Fourteen-year-old Tucker Pierce prefers to fly under the radar. He's used to navigating around summer tourists in his hometown on idyllic Pemberwick Island, Maine. He's content to sit on the sidelines as a backup player on the high school football team. And though his best friend Quinn tells him to "go for it," he's too chicken to ask Tori Sleeper on a date. There's always tomorrow, he figures. Then Pemberwick Island is invaded by a mysterious branch of the U.S. military called SYLO. And sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option for Tucker, because tomorrow may never come.

It's up to Tucker, Quinn, and Tori to uncover the truth about the singing aircraft that appears only at night - and the stranger named Feit who's pushing a red crystal he calls the Ruby that brings unique powers to all who take it. Tucker and his friends must rescue not just Pemberwick Island, but the fate of the world - and all before tomorrow is too late.

My Review: 

**4.5 Stars**

Yahoo! One of the rare books written from a guy's perspective. I always find these refreshing as most YA books are written from a girl's perspective. SYLO really keeps you guessing right up to the end. You think you know what is going on... but do you really? More information pops up throughout the book that makes you question what you thought you knew.

The characters were all well written. At times it was hard to remember that Tucker was only 14 years old. He acted more like a 16 or 17 year old with a lot of the decisions he had to make. The only part I didn't find really believable was the parents of the island kids. For the most part they didn't seem to care where their kids were and what they were doing.

I really look forward to the next book and finding out more about SYLO and who they are fighting. Highly recommended.

Review ~ The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa (ARC)

The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2)
by Julie Kagawa
YA Fantasy
Expected Publication: October 29th 2013
Goodreads Link

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.

My Review: 

**4 Stars**

I received an eGalley from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. 

Julie Kagawa... how dare you end the book like that! I was reading into the wee hours to finish the book and ended up waking my husband up with my sobbing. It just isn't right. Deep breaths... ok... next book please.

Normally Julie's books rate around a 4.5 for me, but I did have a few more problems with this book than her others. The first thing was that The Iron Traitor was very Keirran heavy. Even though it was from Ethan's perspective, Keirran seemed to take center stage. I wasn't a huge fan of Keirran in the last book, and this one didn't improve my opinion of him. I actually didn't like him in this book at all. The way I saw it was - Keirran is human, Summer Fey, Iron Fey, and Winter Fey - what side is going to win out in the end???

As always, I LOVE Ethan. Ethan is definitely book-boyfriend material. He is written perfectly and I wish we saw a little more of his and Kenzie's relationship. I also wish there was more Razor, Grim, and Puck (my favorites aside from Ethan).

Oh boy - the prophecy. This is what had me sobbing at the end of the book and the drama throughout just kept building up. I cannot wait for the next book (even though I am still mad at Julie for the ending of this one), and hope everything works out a little better (ok, a LOT better).