Review: Avow by Chelsea Fine

Avow
The Archers of Avalon #3

Author: Chelsea Fine

Publication Date: December 11, 2012

Publisher: Firefall Publishing

Genre: Fantasy

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Synopsis:

Scarlet remembers. Everything. Her past lives, Tristan, Gabriel, Nate: she remembers it all--including how to get to the Fountain of Youth. But time is running out.

Heather and Gabriel have been kidnapped by Raven, while the curse that has plagued Scarlet and Tristan for centuries has shifted, putting the star-crossed lovers in more danger than ever before. Water from the Fountain of Youth is the only thing that can save Scarlet and her loved ones. But the water comes at a price.

With lives--and hearts--at stake, Scarlet leads her friends on a dangerous journey to the Fountain of Youth. Where eternal life is possible, but death is certain.

My Thoughts: This is a series that I bought as eBooks by chance on my Kobo and I am so glad that I did! This has turned into one of my top series and I love it to death, in fact I almost wish it hadn't ended.  I am so attached to these characters that I feel like they are going to stick with me for a long, long time.

In Avow, the final book in the series, Scarlet finally remembers her past lives.  Which means she finally remembers where the Fountain of Youth is, and why she was so secretive and ran away in her last life in the 80s.  Everything in this book that has been building up finally comes to an head and the only question that remains is who will make it through the dangerous journey to the Fountain and back?

There is something about forbidden love that gets me every time. Tristan and Scarlet are something much more intense than that.  Cursed, just touching each other can kill one and not being near each other kills the other.  It is very heart tugging at every moment they are in the room together.  It is surreal.  Normally, I am holding on for my favourite book couples to kiss and be together - with Scarlet and Tristan I was giddy if their hands touched.  It is really amazing how involved I got with them, they are truly an electrifying power couple.

I wasn't a fan of half of the book being in italics as flashbacks into Scarlet's past lives, but I really liked finally getting the whole story instead of Tristan, Gabriel and Nate constantly referring to things and being as lost about them as Scarlet was.  It was also satisfying to find out why she had taken off in her last life with an arsenal of weapons (Tristan's weapons, I might add).

This was a wonderful series, everything was wrapped up pretty neatly and I was satisfied with the ending.  I enjoyed this series so much that I read a book a day and it took me only three days to get through them.  I would have taken me a lot less too if I hadn't had to work all three of those days as well as I could hardly bare to put my eReader down for the duration of it.  Well done, Chelsea Fine.

Review: Independence by Shelly Crane

Independence
Significance #4

Author: Shelly Crane

Publication Date: December 18, 2012

Genre: Fantasy

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Synopsis:

In the fourth and final installment, Maggie and Caleb must tie up all the loose ends of their lives and make a way to be together completely on their own. With everything that happened with Bish and Maggie's father, she's almost reluctant to move on and move out. And now she must figure out all of this...stuff...with Haddock. But of course, nothing can stay simple for the Jacobsons. Enemies who were thought to be dissolved have decided to not go down so easily. And old flames come calling for more than just Maggie. Caleb is torn between leading his family and personal wants. Maggie is torn between Caleb and being the leader of their people. But neither will let what they need most to be pushed to the wayside. They are determined to make it all work, design a plan toward destiny, and make everything right again for themselves and their family. 

And then there's a wedding...

My Thoughts: I had been waiting on this novel for what seemed a very long time.  When I finally held it in my hands (or rather, my Kobo with it newly loaded) I almost did a happy dance.  Okay, maybe I did do a happy dance.  I was so completely invested in Caleb and Maggie that it took no time for me to pick up exactly where I left off in the series.

This is the last book in a four book series that I adore.  If you check out my review for the first one, here, then you will know that I love the premise, background, lore and characters that are present throughout the series. It is also the first book that I wrote a review on, so the series has a special place in my heart.  But regardless of that, it is still one that is definitely worth checking out.

Maggie and Caleb are finally getting everything they have wanted, dreamed of and even seen.  Now that they both have their own places carved out for them in their world everything is beginning to come together.  That doesn't mean that they aren't overcome with hardships on the way though.  I did find that in this last novel, things weren't quite as dramatic as the previous ones.  Some of the tie-ups were very anti-climatic and almost strange how they happened, but at least everything got settled.

By the end of the novel, everything was tied up in a neat little bow - just as the end of the series should be.  It didn't leave you asking questions.  I also LOVED how at the end in the epilogue you get a sneak peek into the future after all of this is finished.  It really just added the icing to the top of the cake and made me feel like the story was really complete.

Given how much I loved the Significance series, Shelly Crane anything from Shelly Crane is definitely on my TBR pile.

Review: Daughter of Earth and Sky by Kaitlin Bevis

Daughter of Earth and Sky
(Persephone #2)

Author: Kaitlin Bevis

Publication Date: December 21, 2012

Publisher: Musa Publishing
Thank you Musa Publishing for the review copy

Genre: Mythology

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Synopsis:

Some vows can never be broken.
Persephone thought she could go back to her normal life after returning from the Underworld. She was wrong. The goddess Aphrodite is born among the waves with more charm than she can control. Zeus is stalking Persephone and her loved ones, and Thanatos is no longer content with Persephone’s silence.

He wants her soul.

Persephone can’t tell anyone about Thanatos’ betrayal, and it drives a wedge between her and Hades. Her mother is still keeping secrets, and Melissa’s jealousy of Aphrodite threatens to tear their friendship apart.

Alone, Persephone turns to a human boy for comfort. But will their relationship put him in danger? Sacrifices must be made, and Persephone must choose between her human life and her responsibilities as a goddess. If she doesn’t, she could lose them both.

But will either life be worth choosing once Zeus is through with her?

My Thoughts: I love the first book in this series and I was ecstatic when I received Daughter of Earth and Sky to review.  If you follow my reviews at all, you know that I am a big fan of mythology and a huge fan of Hades.  So, safe to say that this book is right up my alley.

A lot of things that were started in the first book (Persephone) came to a head in Daughter of Earth and Sky, things that I was really excited to see the resolution to and Bevis didn't disappoint.  This novel is full of emotional highs and lows .  It was a roller-coaster of emotion that I just didn't want to get off of... and I didn't until it was finished. In fact, once I opened the book I very rarely strayed away from it.

I enjoyed the character development in this book. We get to see more sides of Hades than we did in the first book and Persephone seems to grow into herself and her new roles.  Hades is more willing to drop his guard around his wife (most of the time) and he is put through situations that really show his character.  Persephone seems to have come to terms with being a Goddess and Queen of the Underworld... well, a lot more than she had before.  By the end of the novel, she really has a better understanding of who she is, what she wants, what she doesn't and some of her (im)mortal flaws.

I think that the villains in this novel were spectacularly done.  I mean, I hated them.  Some of the things that they put Persephone and Hades through were enough to make me scream.  Just typing about them now is enough to make me super mad when I think about them!

All in all, I think I may have liked this book more than the first one - which is saying something.  This is an excellent series and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for their next read.

Review: Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Defiance
(Defiance #1)

Author: C.J. Redwine

Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Genre: Dystopian

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Synopsis:

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father's apprentice, Logan--the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same one who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but a fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city's top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor's impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this novel.  After the first chapter I was completely hooked and could barely put it down.  It reminded me a lot of The Inheritance Cylcle, only with a bit more romance (not that I don't love Eragon and Aria, because I totally do) and some tech.

Trying to find a new fuel source, fifty years ago people released something they never knew existed.  These creatures destroyed mass population areas with the fire breath.  Only those who were living in the middle of nowhere were left unharmed.  Now, people live within the protection of cities guarded by their leaders and the remaining beast leaves them mostly unharmed, but under the strict tyranny of the people who are supposed to protect them.

This is quite the "coming-of-age" novel. The evolution of Rachel Adams, the main character, from the time mentioned when she was fifteen even up to the end of the book is fast but believeable.  At fifteen, she was a gulliable girl who believed in a fairytale ending, but could take down grown men in a fight.  She had her heart broken, but was determined to only get stronger from it.  Then, a series of events happen that make her question herself, her abilities, her decisions and even her moral system.  Some of these get compromised and some end up excelling.  By the end of the novel, Rachel is almost unrecognizable as the same girl she was at the beginning, but she is unsure if it is for the better or worse.

Logan McEntire is a genius with technology and was Rachel's father's apprentice.  He suffered at the hands of their tyrant Commander (who believes women are pretty much useless and need to be escorted everywhere, lest they be raped in the middle of the street or something).  Logan inwardly hates the Commander, but up until now only had a faraway plan to get out of the city that he never felt welcome in, other than from the Adams' family.

I loved this book.  It was dark and lots of tough decisions about life and death in extreme situations happen, which made the characters question themselves.  It was a trek of self-discovery for them, I found, and really just not letting go of what you love and not letting moments pass you by - you never know when or if you will have another one.  It is a coming to terms with death of loved ones, rebellion against worse than a dictatorship and above all, knowing yourself when the time comes.  I would definitely recommend this book.

 

Review: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Unspoken
The Lynburn Legacy #1

Author: Sarah Rees Brennan

Publication Date: September 11, 2012

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Genre: Fantasy

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Synopsis:

Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

My Thoughts: This book was one that I picked up from the library on a whim, really, and I am really glad that I did. It was a pleasant surprise and took me almost no time to read through the whole thing. It was really hard to put down.

Kami Glass has spoken to a boy in her head since she can remember. He is her best friend, they have no secrets from each other and are always there for each other. Imagine her surprise when she meets him in real life, after which a series of tragic events start happening and she is determined to find out what is happening in the small, ancient town of Sorry-in-the-Vale.

Kami Glass was a hoot to read about. Imagine a young Lois Lane and you pretty much have her down. She is head-strong, curious, an intrepid reporter who will do anything to get the scoop and pretty stubborn once she has her mind set on something. She doesn't hesitate when she has to dive head-first into something to get some answers, which inevitably leads her to trouble.

Jared Lynburn is a troubled guy. His parents weren't exactly the parents of the year and he has always gotten into trouble and reveled in it. Kami seems to be the only one to be able to keep him centered and grounded, and even she has a hard time sometimes. He and his cousin, Ash, are nearly identical (their mothers are twin sisters) but couldn't be more different in terms of personality. Jared is all rugged tough-guy while Ash is sweet and charming.

The ending of this book made me mad, want to cry, furious and crazy with anticipation for the next one. I can't wait to see what Brennan has in store for us next. I love the dynamic of the story starting with the mind-reading already established and that they could do it back and forth rather than just one or the other being telepathic. It is a beautifully frustrating love story that leaves you begging for more at the end. If you haven't read it yet, you should definitely check it out!

Review: Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

Sapphire Blue
Edelstein Trilogy #2

Author: Kerstin Gier

Translator: Anthea Bell

Publication Date: October 30, 2012

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Genre: Fantasy/Sci Fi

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Synopsis:

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

My Thoughts: Sapphire Blue is the continuation of the first book, Ruby Red, in the Edelstein Trilogy. Gwen Shepherd grew up her whole life thinking that her cousin, Charlotte, inherited the time-travelling gene that ran in their family. In fact, everyone believed that until the time came and Charlotte couldn't elapse. Instead, Gwen had elapsed several times without the aid she needed to do so safely. So, unprepared and surprised, Gwen is launched into the world of secret societies, time travelling and paired with her time-travelling partner - Gideon de Villiers.

I really, really like Gwen. She wanted to be normal and never wanted Charlotte’s life. She didn’t want to time travel or do anything that came with it. However, she had to learn to deal and she did so rather reluctantly. Despite how people put her down and constantly question her ability, she proves them wrong and always manages to come out on top. Although, she hates all the secret in the secret society she has to deal with and the fact that Gideon, even Charlotte, seems to know more about it than her. So, of course, she looks for her own answers while everyone around her questions whether she could be a traitor.

Gideon de Villiers, the time traveller from the other family, is two years older than Gwen and had always expected Charlotte to be his partner. Gideon is gorgeous and everyone knows it. He is always hot and cold though. One minute he is all about Gwen and the next he is giving her the cold shoulder. It is enough to give the reader (and Gwen) whiplash - even though he seems to want to protect her. The truth (I think) about his true feelings comes out at the end of Sapphire Blue though, so hang in there!

I love the concept of time travelling and just how funny it is when they talk about visits. You’ll know what I mean when/if you read the book. The rules aren’t as stiff as some of the other time travelling theories around and I enjoy watching them interact with people from the past. I especially like her new gargoyle friend, even though I was expecting not to. Overall, I enjoyed this one probably more than the first one (if possible). I would recommend it to anyone!

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Publication Date: September 18th, 2012

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Genre: YA/Paranormal

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Synopsis:

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble. But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little. For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

My Thoughts: Here I am! Finally writing a review for The Raven Boys. I have been awaiting this book so impatiently and the day I finally got it in my hands was no doubt one of the best days ever. I have been hopelessly in love with Maggie's books ever since I started the Wolves of Mercy Falls series last year. So starting a brand new series by her is incredibly exciting  and wonderful to me.

If there was one word I could use to describe Stiefvater's work I think it would have to be captivating. Her books just always suck me right in. Her books are like a whirlpool of fantasy and adventure. There's no way you can get through it without getting pulled down into the depths. And yes, this story falls right into that description as well. I started this book with pretty darn high expectations, and you be assured I was not even slightly disappointed.

Yet again I've met these characters that I just love. I feel so personally attached to them. I don't know exactly how she does it, but somehow I always feel like the characters are my closest friends. I struggle with them, hope for them, laugh/cry with them, and just straight out love them.  Blue is this adorably quirky girl, who's also really smart and his a sense of self and confidence in her own decisions that I envy so much. The four Raven boys, these boys that Blue has never wanted anything to do with, they go against everything she supports and believes in. But here she finds herself on an incredible paranormal adventure with them, and she even becomes quite attached to them. There's only one major problem. One of them, Gansey, is going to die before the end of the year. Blue seen him on the corpse road. Which can only mean one of two things, she was able to see him because he is her true love, or because she herself will be the one to kill him. Considering the fact that Blue has always been told if she kisses her true love he will die, I guess it could very well be both.

It was a super suspenseful, exciting, paranormal adventure. I love being surprised by books and even more I love being creeped out by books. I experienced both of these things and more. If you are into the paranormal  at all, I'm sure you will love this book. It's full of information and oozes with the paranormal. As I was getting closer to the end of this book I kept thinking, no I'm not ready, the end can't be that close because I am not ready to let go! But as usual, it's over way too soon and we're forced to let go. Let's just say I will be sitting here biting my nails and counting down the days to the sequel. Thanks again Maggie for captivating me. I can't wait to walk beside Blue and The Raven Boys again!!

T.G.I.F. (16)

Thank Great Illustrators Fridays is a book meme created and hosted by Owl Read It.

They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but a lot of the time the cover is what draws you to the book in the first place. This meme is to show appreciation to the artists who put their time and effort into creating the great book covers of our beloved series.

To Participate:

• Pick a book cover you love (any book will do - released or not)
• Post the picture of the book along with the author & publisher 
• Post a brief summary of why you like the cover. 
• Take the pic above and link back to us :)

This week's TGIF cover:

Dust

Author: Devon Ashley

Publication Date: September 18, 2012

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Genre: Fantasy

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Synopsis:

4. The number of times my delicate wings have been broken and clamped behind my back.

68. The number inked upon my skin, marking me the sixty-eighth pixie to be stolen.

87. The number of days I’ve been wrongfully imprisoned.

88. The first day the faeries will regret stealing me.

Healthy. Cheery. Vivacious. All traits Rosalie has before becoming enslaved by the faeries to make an endless supply of pixie dust. Now that Rosalie has been traumatized by slave labor, extreme desolate conditions and multiple deaths, this hardened pixie is anything but. When this rebellious teenager attempts an escape, she’s isolated in cramped quarters until she learns her place. Just as she begins to let go of all that hope, she finds an unlikely friend in Jack, the faerie assigned to guard her. Interspecies dating is forbidden in the fae world, so their growing attraction is unacceptable. And even if Jack can find a way to free her, they know the prison is the only place they can truly be together.

What a beautiful cover! I think it really captures fairies/pixies and the title is pretty awesome too. I picked this one on a whim and I am glad that I did, because I really want to read it based on the cover and description.

What are your favourite book covers? Leave us a link to your own T.G.I.F! :)

Review: Waterdancer by Samantha Combs

Waterdancer

Author: Samantha Combs

Publication Date: September 7, 2012

Publisher: Musa Publishing

Thank you Musa Publishing for the review copy

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal

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Synopsis:

For Bailey Wasserman, being Bailey has recently become an incredible challenge. It's not enough that she must come to terms with her mother's new husband, their new life, and a new surfer boyfriend. When she meets her real father for the first time, she discovers a secret family trait that will alter the course of her own life and those she loves…maybe forever.
Bailey and her mom have always met life’s challenges as a team of two, more like best friends than mother and daughter. But her mom’s recent marriage has changed all of that, and having her little brother Landry is the only good Bailey can find in that union. The move to wealthy Del Mar from their humble beginnings has turned Bailey sour, until a chance meeting with surf hottie Jack West. Then Bailey’s father, with his annoying Zen-surfer lingo and a talking turtle he claims is no less than her spirit guardian, reenters her life and threatens the only relationship Bailey thinks is working in her world. She soon finds out that’s not all his arrival will do. His presence and their shared family trait could ultimately force Bailey to make a decision that will alter the course of her own life and those she loves…forever.

My Thoughts: I’m not entirely sure what I thought of this book, which is strange for me since I normally have quite strong opinions. There is a bunch of ways I could examine this novel and come up with a variety of different conclusions on it. I have decided to treat Waterdancer like a fairytale, because it certainly reminded me of one.
The surfer-lingo in this book had me laughing at times and gave me a throw-back to the 90s, but I found it hilarious. I don’t know much about surfing, even though I lived by the ocean my whole life. We got the highest tides, not the highest waves.
The characters, for the most part, were likeable. I wish the book had been a little longer only so that we could have seen more character development.
The novel is a short, quick read which I strangely liked. It moves fast and some parts are kind of hard to believe (like reactions from people), but I believed it flowed with the feel of the whole story and worked. There were a few things that I would have liked clarification on, since it went so fast, but since it had a fairytale sort of feel to it, I can forgive it for that. An explanation as to why the whole curse happened in the first place, for instance, would have added.
I enjoyed Waterdancer as a quick, light read. If I had been looking for something more I would have been disappointed. It would make a great addition into the classic fairytales.

Review: Ember by Jessica Sorensen

Ember
(Death Collectors #1)

Author: Jessica Sorensen

Publication Date: August 29, 2012

Publisher: Borrowed Hearts Publishing

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy

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Synopsis:

What if you knew when someone was going to die?
For seventeen-year-old Ember, life is death. With a simple touch, she knows when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person who knows her secret is her best friend Raven.
Then she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous, mysterious, and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. So when he pushes into her life, she doesn’t mind.
But when unexplained deaths start to haunt her town, Ember starts questioning why she can’t sense Asher's death and what he may be hiding.

My Thoughts: This is one of the books that once I started reading I didn't stop until I finished.  I simply couldn't stop until I found out what was going on!

Ember's life is complicated.  She can't touch anyone, not even her own family, without knowing how they will die.  Not only that, insanity runs in her family and she has to do everything she can to keep it together while her mother and brother act strangely.  Couple that with the fact that everyone believes that she is responsible for her own father's death/disappearance and you pretty much have Ember.

I sympathies with Ember throughout the whole book.  She has a good head on her shoulders (so far) and, quite frankly, she is surrounded by people who are absolutely nuts and lives in a community where she is completely ostracized. No wonder she spends her time hanging out in cemeteries!

Now, I am a little bit disappointed that the summary above only includes Asher Morgan because Cameron is also an integral part of this story (and just as yummy!).  Both Asher and Cameron move to Ember's small town from New York around the same time and both lavish attention on Ember - something she has never had before. Cameron is cocky and sometimes abrasive while Asher is sweet, protective and caring.

But when both Asher and Cameron seem to know what is going on with her "gift" and bodies start piling up, Ember has to decide which one, if either, she can trust.

I just have to say here, I am in love with Cameron.  He made me really mad sometimes, but he is just the kind of guy I float towards in the Young Adult novels.  A bad boy with a little mystery is totally someone to get the blood flowing!  I just felt like Ember had more of a connection with him too.  But, who knows until the end of the series (other than Jessica!)?

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  It had a lot of plot twists and really kept me on my tows.  This book almost always managed to stay one step ahead of me and I like that.  It also introduced a new kind of Supe (supernatural creature) which means it wasn't overdone.  It was a pretty awesome read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal/fantasy YA novels!

Review: Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck

Tiger's Destiny

(Tiger's Curse Saga #4)

Author: Colleen Houck

Publication Date: September 4, 2012

Publisher: Sterling Publishing

Genre: Fantasy

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Synopsis:

With three of the goddess Durga's quests behind them, only one prophecy now stands in the way of Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan breaking the tiger's curse. But the trio's greatest challenge awaits them: A life-endangering pursuit in search of Durga's final gift, the Rope of Fire, on the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. It's a race against time--and the evil sorcerer Lokesh--in this eagerly anticipated fourth volume in the bestselling Tiger's Curse series, which pits good against evil, tests the bonds of love and loyalty, and finally reveals the tigers' true destinies once and for all.

My Thoughts:  This book was everything I thought and hoped it would be and more.  I have loved the Tiger's Curse series from the first moment I opened Tiger's Curse.

The beginning of the book starts off right where Tiger's Voyage ended.  There is a lot of action in Tiger's Destiny, more so than any of the previous books in the series.  Kelsey, Mr. Kadam, Ren and Kishan have to find the last remaining items and free Ren and Kishan of the curse that has plagued them both for centuries.  It turns out to be a lot more work than the previous objects, especially with Lokesh gaining power.

There were definitely parts in this book that pulled on my heartstrings.  There were parts where my eyes were filled with tears.  There was also triumph and love and all of those other things that make books so deliciously good.  This is the final book in the series, so all of the characters come into themselves and everything that the series has been setting up for has come to pass.  I was delightfully and sorrowfully surprised on many occasions. In fact, I am still on the book-high of just finishing it, so please forgive me if I am not making much sense here.


Tiger's Destiny is a must-read and so is the whole series.  It is one of my favourite series of all time and the ending is bitter-sweet for me.  Tiger's Destiny wrapped up the story perfectly and gave closure on every aspect, character and relationship in the entire series.  It made me want to re-read the every book from start to finish again.  I could never get enough of this series and encourage anyone who hasn't read it to read it now - you won't regret it!

Review: Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole

Dante's Girl

Author: Courtney Cole

Publication Date: June 24, 2012

Publisher: Lakehouse Press

Genre: Contemporary

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Synopsis:

I have spent every summer since I was ten years old with my father in London. Every summer, since I was ten years old, has been uneventful and boring.

Until this year.

And this year, after a freak volcanic eruption strands me far from home, I have learned these things:

1. I can make do with one outfit for three days before I buy new clothes.

2. If I hear the phrase, “You’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,” even one more time, I might become a homicidal maniac.

3. I am horribly and embarrassingly allergic to jellyfish.

4. I am in love with Dante Giliberti, who just happens to be the beautiful, sophisticated son of the Prime Minister of a Mediterranean paradise.

5. See number four above. Because it brings with it a whole slew of problems and I’ve learned something from every one of them.

Let’s start with the fact that Dante’s world is five light-years away from mine. He goes to black-tie functions and knows the Prime Minister of England on a first name basis. I was born and raised on a farm in Kansas and wear cut-off jeans paired with cowboy boots. See the difference?

But hearts don’t care about differences. Hearts want what they want. And mine just wants to be Dante’s girl.

My heart just might be crazy.

My Thoughts: I would first like to say that I am completely in love with Dante Giliberti. He has is as charming as they come and is the kind of gentleman that just doesn't seem to exist anymore. Jeeze, that boy had me at "Hello" in this one. I mean, what other kind of wonderful man sweeps you off of an airplane, into a private helicopter and takes you to his home in paradise?

Did I mention he was rich?

Well, enough about wonderful Dante.  This story is also about Reece.  Yes, she knows it is a boys name.  Her father, an ISA agent, had his heart set on a boy.  He was certainly surprised when a daughter was put into his arms.  After her parents' divorce, her father moved to London for work, where she has spent every summer until this one.  Instead, she ends up taking off with the son of a Prime Minister of a Mediterranean country she has never heard of.

I loved this book.  It was something like out of a fantasy. A rich, gorgeous, nice boy comes and takes you on a summer adventure. I'll admit I wouldn't put it down, as I was living vicariously through Reece. A  Maserati, palace, formal dining, and a few bumps along the way.  This is a summer love story that I would gladly read again.

Review: Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto

Heaven
Halo Series #4

Author: Alexandra Adornetto

Publication Date: August 21st, 2012

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Genre: Paranormal

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Synopsis:

Bethany, an angel sent to Earth, and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier, have been to Hell and back. But now their love will be put to its highest test yet, as they defy Heavenly law and marry. They don’t tell Beth’s archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, but the angels know soon enough, and punishment comes in a terrifying form: the Sevens, who are rogue angels bent on keeping Beth and Xavier apart, destroying Gabriel and Ivy, and darkening angelic power in the heavens. The only way Bethany and can elude the Sevens is to hide in the open, and blend in with other mortals their own age. Gabriel and Ivy set them up at college, where they can’t reveal their relationship, and where there is still danger around each corner. Will Bethany be called back to Heaven – forever – and face leaving the love of her life?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading Heaven and wrapping up this series.  It tied up most of the loose ends, there was only one thing that left me unsatisfied and that was the ever-turbulent sort-of relationship between Bethany's best friend Molly and the Archangel Gabriel.  Other than that, I think that Heaven did an extraordinary job at tying up.
I enjoyed the change in dynamic after Bethany and Xavier got married.  Too bad their honeymoon involved college and them pretending to be brother and sister!  Their college life really got a few good laughs out of me and really put into perspective how much Bethany and Xavier have given up to be with each other.  If they hadn't fallen in love they would have both been able to have a regular college experience after high school with their peers.
Bethany grew up.  After being in Hell in the last book, she has certainly come into her own.  No longer the little angel we first got to know, Beth gets a bit more bite in Heaven.  Xavier is still a quick-tongued smart ass who is nothing but protective and tender to Beth and that is one of the things I love most about him.  
Oh, and we get to see another side of Gabriel.  He certainly comes out of his shell in this book.
All-in-all, I think Heaven was pretty great.  I could totally see a spin-off series around Gabriel though, which I would pick up in an instant since he was one of my favourite characters.  If you haven't read Heaven yet, you should pick it up.  If you haven't read the series yet, I encourage you to look into it!