Jaime's Thoughts












Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So I'm sitting here staring at this blank box trying to figure out what I want to say that would be meaningful about Siege and Storm because if I just typed what I felt it would be the word equivalent of these gifs.

Siege and Storm picks up shortly after the end of Shadow and Bone. Mal and Alina have escaped the Fold and are trying to keep her identity a secret while they earn money to make their way north. And from the very start of this book I'm reminded why I fell in love with these characters so much.

Alina and Mal have a sweetly beautiful relationship and the way they tease really added the necessary lightheartedness to the story. I think it adds a wonderful dimension to their relationship... everything that is going on with them is so serious and complicated that to see them be able to take that step back from all that and remember where they came from and who they are to each other was done perfectly.

He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I thought he'd spotted trouble, but then his arms were around me and his lips were pressed to mine.

When he finally drew back, my cheeks were warm and my legs had gone wobbly.

"Just to be clear," he said, "I'm not really interested in defending your honor."

"Understood," I managed, hoping I didn't sound to ridiculously breathless.

Dear Mal:

Of course... they couldn't hide forever from The Darkling.

Upon his return into their lives, they realize that he has a terrifying new power now and a plan in place that he needs Alina for. The Darkling elicits the help of a notorious privateer named Sturmhond.

Sturmhond and his crew turned out to be a wonderful addition to the cast of characters that Bardugo has already created and I adored their parts in this epic story. Sturmhond brought a bit of levity to the drama and there were times that he had me laughing out loud!

Mal scowled then turned on his heel and strode across the deck, disappearing into the ordered chaos of rope and sail. I took a step after him.

"Might want to leave him alone," Sturmhond said. "That type needs plenty of time for brooding and self-recrimination. Otherwise they get cranky."

But everything isn't as it seems and as Alina and Mal are returned to Ravka, the country they were determined to leave, Alina realizes how much she wants to fight The Darkling and keep him from his plan.

Alina's journey isn't easy though and as the Sun Summoner she comes forward and attempts to lead her people in a victorious fight that she knows is soon approaching with The Darkling.

Mal throughout everything tries to support Alina but is battling his own personal issues at the same time. The moments between the two were some of my favorite... mostly because I absolutely adore Mal. He struggles in this book though to figure out who he is supposed to be and where he fits into her life and there was definite flailing happening in regards to him.

Do you practice being wonderful?"

"Daily," he said with a grin. Then he winked, "But I prefer 'useful'."

Then we have The Darkling. Come on ... you all know you love him as much as I do. He is DELICIOUSLY EVIL!!

I'm not going to get into the big plot points, (you should know my reviews by now) but I will say that I never once had any inkling at all of where Bardugo was taking this story. I couldn't even hazard a guess because when I thought one thing was going to happen... something completely unexpected did and it was genius every. single. time.

This book will give you the sweet swoons, the epic flails and the heart pounding action. It will give you incredible characters who are written with such detail and care and it will give you an incredible story to delve into, losing yourself in the world of Alina and the country of Ravka.

I can't recommend this series enough. Even if you wait until a series if complete to read, this might be one to break your rules for. When it comes out in June run... I mean it... run to get your copy!

P.S. THANK YOU MEG FOR SHARING WITH ME... xoxox
P.P.S. THANK YOU MacMillan for sending me a beautiful ARC  xoxox (inappropriate I know but still...)

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Erin's Thoughts

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 gazillion stars...I have no words right now other than I need the next book immediately.

Ok - after a few days of thought...My love for this series knows no bounds. These are some of my favorite characters and storylines ever.

Anything I write here will not do this book justice so just trust me when I say that if you haven't started this series yet, you should. The characters and world that Bardugo creates are amazing and you have to read her stories to understand.

Siege and Storm picks up with Mal and Alina traveling undercover to escape The Darkling. Alina is back to hiding her power which means she isn't at 100%. The beginning of the book where it is just Alina and Mal is one of my favorite parts. We get a glimpse into the feelings they have for each other as well as how their relationship was when they were at Keramzin. Mal is swoony - no question about it and I liked him a lot more in book 2 because we get more of him.

Unfortunately their escape isn't long-lived. They do meet with The Darkling again and find out he has gained additional power. At the same time, we are introduced to a new character, Sturmhond. He is absolutely one of my favorite characters in this series now. Some of his dialogue actually had me giggling out loud.

Throughout the story we know Alina's goals and reasons for doing the things she does but one of the best parts of the story was seeing how her decisions impacted Mal. He struggled throughout the entire book with who he is and what his purpose is. Their relationship changes along the way and it is clear that they are no longer the orphans they once were.

As per usual, I have no words for The Darkling. There will be those out there that disagree with me on this but I can't help myself - I just love him. Despite everything he is doing, I think deep down he really does love Alina for more than just her power.

I refuse to give anything away in this book - so I feel like I should stop here. Trust me when I say that this series is by far one of the best out there and you should get started reading it immediately - if you haven't already. I myself will be reading this over and over...it's that good.

I will close with this note to Leigh Bardugo:

         

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As a side note to our flails - Fic Fare is part of the Siege and Storm Blog Tour and we couldn't be more excited - make sure you are following so you don't miss out on anything!

Posted by jarkin33 at 7:25 AM | Labels: Book Review, Fantasy, GoodReads | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook

It Had to Be You by Jill Shalvis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved the seventh book in the Lucky Harbor series.

First of all, Ali might be one of my favorite romance heroines. She's smart and while everything in her life isn't perfect, she's trying to make the most of it, and she isn’t depending on anyone to make her happy.

Ali has had a shitty day. She's finally home after finding out her live-in boyfriend has left her and surprise! He hasn't renewed the lease for the house they were renting. She first encounters Luke Hanover after giving her ex a piece of her mind via his voicemail... in only her bra and underwear.

When Ali spills that she has no place to go she makes a deal with Luke – he won’t even notice she’s there and she’ll cook for him. Sounds perfect right? Only of course it’s not that simple.

Luke owns the house and all he’s looking for is a bit of peace and quiet from the stress of having a case go south on him. He’s a detective in San Francisco and he feels as though he’s failed at it because he couldn’t save someone who ended up a victim in a high profile case. He hasn’t been home to Lucky Harbor in 10 years for reasons he isn’t ready to share… and he doesn’t intend to stay either. There are too many memories for him that he’s tried to keep buried. Let me just say that I loved Luke. The man can wear some board shorts, that’s for sure… and his need to take care of everyone makes him wonderfully sweet. But of course he’s a boneheaded guy sometimes too.

Unfortunately, because it seems Ali has some of the worst luck on the planet, she’s suddenly accused of stealing money that was in her ex’s office. She was the last one to access it and there is circumstantial evidence against her. Luke can’t sit and watch Ali get railroaded for something she didn’t do and quickly realizes that having her around is going to be more trouble than he expected.

“Damn,” he said, stroking the pad of his finger over her wet lower lip. “Did not see that coming.”

“Didn’t see what coming?”

“You.”

It Had To Be You has everything Jill Shalvis is best at… humor, romance, a sweet plot and excellent characters. The Lucky Harbor series is on my favorites list for a reason. If you’re looking for something light and fluffy… hot guys and a sweet romance you can’t go wrong with these.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review!

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 ALSO - Jill just announced that for a limited time if you order It Had To Be You in digital form you will get a bonus book with it for free! Blue Flame an an older book of Jill's that hasn't been available in eBook until now!  Click here for pre-order information! 

Posted by jarkin33 at 10:52 AM | Labels: Book Review, Contemporary Romance, GoodReads | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook

After Hours by Cara McKenna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars - Dear Cara McKenna... are you kidding me?

Erin Coffey is an LPN and has spent the last six years caring for her grandmother but that definitely didn't prepare her for Larkhaven Psychiatric Hospital. She's spent most of her 27/28 years caring for those around her, including her mom, her sister and her nephew. Taking this job, as scared as she might be of it, guarantees her a salary and insurance and it's close to her family.

Kelly is one tough motherfucker. That is all I can say. He's not your typical hero, he doesn't have gorgeous, floppy hair, or the perfect job, or a college degree, and he comes across a bit cold and calculating.

His head was shaved to brown stubble, and even from twenty feet away I could make out the scar running from beneath his ear down his neck. More inmate than a patient he seemed to me, fresh from a brawl in the exercise yard.

Picture 6 foot 4 and packed with muscles.

But he's survived his younger years and has spent the last 4 years at Larkhaven excelling.

Their attraction isn't immediate, in fact Erin is determined to stay away from the man who reminds her of all the men in her mom and sister's lives. But they are drawn to each other, and it turns out she can't resist Kelly's offer... 2 days, no strings, just pleasure. The catch is that she has to do what he says.

What I wanted from Kelly was base and pornographic, the clapping of flesh against flesh; ugly, thrilling moans and grunts; cuss words. Spit and sweat and scraping nails. I wanted his hands on my hips, fingers digging too hard into my skin.

I know, I know... let all your feminist ideas go, because while it sounds horrible, McKenna writes Kelly in a way that it isn't overbearing or eyerollingly obnoxious.

Kelly ... the man doesn't hide much. He's straightforward with Erin and tells her exactly what he wants, what he expects...and holy crap the dirty talk...

"I'm gonna make you so wet."

The words alone were realizing his promise.

He fanned his fingers, thumbs tracing the uppermost creases of my thighs and the hems of my panties.

"I'm gonna make you want me so bad it'll hurt," Kelly whispered. "Make you want me so much, you'll come the second my cock sinks inside you."

But he is hiding something from his past. And ultimately there are a few hangups between both Erin and Kelly that intrude on what could be something wonderful. Erin, lacks the confidence in herself and Kelly deals with trust issues.

I will say that this book wasn't really on my radar until my lovely friend pointed it out to me. I struggle with bossy guys and while I've always liked McKenna's stories (what I've read) I haven't loved them. I think some of that super alpha male scares me a bit, and while Kelly at times came across as cold and hard, he had a gooey caramel center and when that man begged "Please." I was a goner. I couldn't even put it down while making dinner!

The ending was perfection... not rushed like I often run into with the romance genre so I was incredibly happy when I turned that last page.

Definitely check this one out if you're looking for a hot, naughty (FILTHY) read because Kelly... he will become everything you never thought you wanted.

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Posted by jarkin33 at 8:07 AM | Labels: Book Review, Erotic, GoodReads | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook

What Jaime Thinks

 
The Collector by Victoria Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think Dante is one of those characters you love to hate. At least he was for me.

He makes good girls...bad

Dante is a soul collector, and he's awesome. He's got looks, charm and he uses both to his advantage working for you know how down below, and he's become one of the best soul collectors out there. He's up for a promotion that will allow him to be on the surface for good, but he has one last job to do before he gets what he wants.... Collect Charlie Cooper's soul in the next ten days.

Dante has spent his life ... and his after-life caring about no one but himself, and Charlie Cooper isn't going to derail his plans to get what he wants, no matter how undeserving she is of what he's got to do.

I promise, you are going to think that Dante is the biggest douche ever when you first meet him.

"I say it slowly because patronizing people is fun."

or

She looks like a porcelain doll... beat three times with an ugly stick.

or

"I could have you kicked out of here."

"For what? Being awesome?"

or

"You don't know who your fucking with, princess. Ain't no one do bad like I do."

The boy has an ego the size of ... I don't even know - but it's damn big. Most of the time I found it amusing though, because he truly does think he's this amazing being.

What I liked though, was the evolution of his character. When we first meet Dante we know nothing about him. We don't know how he died, what his life was like prior to dying ... none of it. But as it's slowly revealed you get this sense that there is more to Dante. He's deeper than he appears and his reasons for working so hard for the man below become apparent. Yeah, he's selfish but I could forgive him it because once I knew why he was doing what he did you could almost see the sweetness inside him.

Charlie was a wonderful addition though, quite naive. I felt sorry for her and Dante was pretty awful to her in the beginning. I think, Dante got a much needed lesson in looking beneath the surface... people aren't the clothes they wear, or the hair they have on their head or how straight their teeth might be or even how big their boobs might be. It's absolutely what is in their hearts what matters. I loved that despite where she came from, her past and background, she was able to spin it into something positive and when Dante recognizes that it's a beautiful moment.

Maybe it's that I'm accustomed to her face, the way her cheeks glow when she's excited, or the curve of her mouth when she smiles. It's her face - Charlie's face - and in a strange way, I like it the way it is now. Without any changes.

I never expected Charlie and Dante to connect though. Even though, by the end, Dante had redeemed himself, you (or maybe just I) begin to wonder if even if she had never made any changes to her outward appearance if he would still have admitted to any feelings towards her. Yeah, he recognizes her inner beauty by the end, but it also now comes with a pretty outer package.

The plot of the story was good, it managed to bring elements of Heaven and Hell in without being preachy... the story was unique and well written, though the plot wasn't as fast-paced as I would have liked. There were definite times the story dragged. Occasionally I found the style of writing to be irritating and to be honest, if it wasn't for Dante, I might have set it aside.

With all that said, I would recommend The Collector to anyone who's looking for something fun, with a character you'll love to hate ... and eventually (hopefully) just plain love. It was definitely a book that made me laugh and cringe... and laugh some more. I'm looking forward to The Liberator to find out a more about Dante and Charlie's story!

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What Erin  Thinks

The Collector by Victoria Scott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Collector is one of those books that I heard everyone raving about but I had to hold off on reading it due to some other deadlines. I am actually happy I waited a bit.

The story itself may sound familiar…good vs. evil, heaven vs. hell, etc. but what makes it different (at least for me) are the characters. Ok, specifically Dante and Charlie.

Dante is a Collector and he works for the “boss man” down below. He is one of 6 guys who wander the earth and collect souls. He also really enjoys it. I won’t lie – at first I was a bit put off by Dante and his ego/arrogance. If I would have ever met him in real life my first response would probably have been “Are you for real?” to which he probably would have had some sort of smart ass response that would have either made me laugh or just walk away. Surprisingly, it works for him and eventually becomes a part of his charm. Yes, I said charm.

Charlie is the unexpected surprise of the story. When we first meet her, she is described as having frizzy blond hair, crooked teeth, and bad skin. Definitely not someone that Dante would normally associate with but he has a job and as the story progresses, she wins him over with her personality. The catch I guess is that when all is said and done and both are sharing their feelings about each other, Charlie now has a very different outside package. The bigger question in my mind is would Dante truly have fallen for her if she still looked the same? I like to think that with the growth I saw in his character that the answer is yes.

Overall I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone who wants a quick, engaging read with some interesting characters. I am definitely going to continue with book two, The Liberator, when it comes out as I am very interested in seeing what happens both with Dante and Charlie as well how Dante adjusts working for the “big man”.


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Posted by jarkin33 at 7:33 AM | Labels: Book Review, GoodReads, Paranormal, Young Adult | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook

Drowning In You

by: Rebecca Berto

Publication Date: April 5, 2013

Summary:

Secretly crushing

Crushed by a tragedy

Charlee May’s been crushing on Dexter Hollingworth since she was fifteen. Five years later, a horrific skiing disaster at Mason’s Ski Lift Resort leaves her millionaire dad critically injured and her mom dead at the hands of Dexter operating the lifts. Charlee is suddenly the sole caretaker for her little brother while their world falls apart. 

Dexter couldn’t be more different from Charlee. He’s tattooed, avoids exclusive relationships and his Dad has a fair share of illegal dealings. With Dexter’s reputation, almost everyone believes he planned the Mason’s skiing disaster.

And after all these years he’s still crushing on Charlee May, the girl who’s too good for him.

When this cruel twist of fate ties Charlee’s family and Dexter’s reputation together, Charlee and Dexter wonder if their feelings are reciprocated, while Dexter discovers his dad is trying to steal the May’s millionaire fortune. 

But like an addiction, one look, one touch, one taste—they’re hooked no matter the consequences.

Read an Excerpt

Dexter

Charlee looks like her mind’s in another world for a moment, staring at me. She’s not looking at my eyes, but through me. She grins, but she turns before I can see it light up her face. Her hair covers her expression as she tucks her chin away. What on earth has she got to be embarrassed about?

“Hang on a sec,” Charlee says to me. She steps out of her car, into the drizzle. She tucks some wild hair blowing in the wind behind her ear and I still see it. That grin. But she’s trying to desperately to hide it.

Maybe I’m already in? No, Dex, no. There’s no way that fucking angel is in any way “in” with you. Or that you deserve her or any reward.

Thinking of this makes my head spin, reminding me I absolutely need sugar right now because I’m not sure this stupid body can walk itself back home, argue with Dad for ten minutes and then manage to sneak into the pantry for sugar before completely collapsing.

I hate this all-too-familiar sensation—the wobbling, separating from my thoughts, as if this isn’t my body and I’m stuck in this useless thing that won’t do as I say.

“Dex!” Charlee has my arm. She has my arm—my arm that’s rigid from pleasure, from her touch—in her little fingers. She holds my other one, too and she’s right there, that sweet candy perfume stripping the rest of the strength from my body, and it escapes in a soft, breathy sigh.

Having her sweet candy scent in my head is going to be hell from now on.

“Here, get in my car. It’s pouring!”

Now I notice the rain. Was it like that earlier? Maybe it was always raining this hard. All I know is if I can make out the two melons of her breasts through her loose top, the rain must be coming down. And I must be out of it to not have realized the weather before.

It would be so easy to slip into her car. I’d make her laugh again, so she’d do that thing where she would grin and tuck her chin into her chest, yet she couldn’t wipe me from her mind, and then I could brush my fingers over her cheeks to behind her neck where I could pull her to me. I know she’d like that. All girls do.

But this can’t happen. I killed her mom. I’m responsible for her dad’s life hanging in the balance—which I hear about daily, thanks to mom’s updates. I deserve punishment. Why am I allowed to live my life as if nothing happened? I hate being let off without resolution. As much as I didn’t want to lose my friends, as much as I hate the stares, the egg-throwing and mass public hate, it gives me something to feel. I should be hated for ruining Charlee’s family. She should hate me.

Right now, all I know when I see her grin at me, and grip my arm and look like an angel is that I do not deserve this. I don’t deserve any pleasure from Charlee when I’m the one responsible for taking away all her pleasure in life.

What I really deserve is to watch her slip away. It would be the only real thing I’d feel when I’m confused and hating myself. It would hurt so bad that it would have to be real compared to the nightmare I now live.

But that means using her as a prop in my punishment, and that’s worse.

We share the same look for a moment, her eyes on my face and mine on hers. This moment is ours. My hand is so close to her hip that I could…

“Is he coming, Charlee?” Darcy yells over the rumble of the rain.

Charlee says, “Coming back now. Don’t worry.”

I can’t stop myself from wondering if her bra is black or gray.

She gives me a weird look so maybe she caught me. Good. Maybe now she’ll go and leave me—but then she does something really stupid and says, “You’re absolutely coming with me, Dexter. It’s pouring and you look like you’re going to faint.”

“Actually,” I say, and I’m grinning from ear to ear, like a total douche, “I think…”

My cell goes off. Saved by the bell. My crotch hates this moment, but my head knows I’ll look back and remember this as the best possible interruption.

AUTHOR BIO

Rebecca Berto is the author or the dark contemporary/literary novella, PRECISE and the upcoming new adult contemporary romance novel, DROWNING IN YOU. She is also a freelance editor.

She writes stories that are a bit sexy, and straddle the line between Literary and Tear Your Heart Out. She gets a thrill when her readers  are emotional reading her stories, and gets even more of a kick when they tell her so. She’s strangely imaginative, spends too much time on her computer, and is certifiably crazy when she works on her fiction.

Rebecca Berto lives in Melbourne, Australia with her boyfriend and their doggy. 

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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ALL OUR PRETTY SONGS

By: Sarah McCarry

Publication Date: July 2013

This book caught my attention because of the cover but the story sounds pretty interesting.  I am looking forward to getting my hands on a copy when it comes out.

The first book in an exciting YA trilogy, this is the story of two best friends on the verge of a terrifying divide when they begin to encounter a cast of strange and mythical characters.

Set against the lush, magical backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, two inseparable best friends who have grown up like sisters—the charismatic, mercurial, and beautiful Aurora and the devoted, soulful, watchful narrator—find their bond challenged for the first time ever when a mysterious and gifted musician named Jack comes between them. Suddenly, each girl must decide what matters most: friendship, or love. What both girls don’t know is that the stakes are even higher than either of them could have imagined. They’re not the only ones who have noticed Jack’s gift; his music has awakened an ancient evil—and a world both above and below which may not be mythical at all. The real and the mystical; the romantic and the heartbreaking all begin to swirl together, carrying the two on journey that is both enthralling and terrifying.

And it’s up to the narrator to protect the people she loves—if she can.

 So...What are you waiting for this week?

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine - make sure you head over and see what other people are waiting for!

Posted by erinlee20 at 7:33 AM | Labels: Waiting on Wednesday | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook

Jaime's Thoughts:

Tremble by Jus Accardo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Have you read book 1 and 2 yet? If not, don't read this review... You've been warned!! Also - I may include some spoilers here - so don't read on if you don't want to know what's happening!!

Dez isn't having the best luck lately. Tremble picks up shortly after Toxic left us and Dez is struggling for a couple reasons. First, she's a six and the drug she was given to enhance her abilities is now a deadly countdown to insanity and death. Second, she's on Denazen's hitlist because of it. And finally, her father is using Kale, the love of her life, against her and ultimately to kill her.

At the end of Toxic, Kale trades his life for hers, and Denazen did their worst to him. They erased Dez from his mind and replaced his memories with false ones and they gave him a new trial drug called Domination. Now he's doing things the old Kale never would have considered... including kissing her half-sister.

The underground group is trying to save all of the six's and so a lot of this book is finding them and hopefully getting there before those who want to get rid of them, and convincing them to return with them. Along the way, we find that the Denazen agents and Dez's group are working from the same list hoping to get to the one person who's blood may hold the cure for those on the termination list.

I will admit up front that I wasn't as happy with book 2, (probably because of Jade) but book 3 came back with a bang. I sympathized with Dez much more in this book ... the hurt of seeing him with Kiernan and the pain of knowing the relationship they shared, and Kale not having a single recollection and the anger and coldness he had toward her. It just about did me in.

Dez, while always a pretty strong character in the other books, really stepped it up in this book. She was prepared to fight for Kale and prove to him who she truly was even if it endangered her life. But she didn't take his crap either. Even with the effects of the Supremacy project slowing her down, she pushes through it.

I was wondering what Denazen was going to do with Kale once they got their hands on him, and I wasn't disappointed. I absolutely didn't expect this. Kale has become someone else in the time they've been apart, and this new version isn't who Dez would have fallen for, but she gets hints of her Kale throughout. Even though his memories have been taken, his body and mind deep down know Dez and so he fights to know the truth. I loved seeing this other side of Kale and I am interested in seeing how once more and more of his memories return, The Domination project will affect who he was and is.

Accardo fills this book with tons of action and suspense. Throwing in twists that I didn't even see coming. I'm incredibly excited to see where she takes us in book 4.

Erin's Thoughts:

Tremble by Jus Accardo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tremble picks up shortly after Toxic leaves off. A lot happens in this book and it was great to get deeper into Denazen and not only how it all began but also what they have been up to. I will attempt this with no spoilers but be warned…it might be tough.

Kale is back with Denazen but Dez has no idea what has happened to him and although she has tried to dig up what she could on Kiernan that could help she has continued to come up empty handed. Because Alex and Jade (yes, her) have made it their mission to get Dez back to her old life, she finds herself at a nix rave. While there, something (or someone) catches her eye. In typical Dez fashion, she follows and happens to find that the person is Kiernan. After a bit of a confrontation, Dez happens to come face to face with Kale…but not the Kale she knows. As Alex joins the party it becomes very clear that something is off. Kale keeps referring to Kiernan as Roz and tells him Dez is Kiernan…the person responsible for his memory loss and accident.

With all of the stuff with Kale going on, Dez is also dealing with the side effects of the Supremacy project. She has begun to show signs of decline and everyone knows they need to find the cure soon. Through an informant Ginger has working at Denazen, they find that Cross has started a third Supremacy trial called Domination. Because of the success, Cross has declared the “old” model obsolete and has assigned Kale and Kiernan the task of eliminating all of the Supremacy subjects. At the same time, Dez and the Underground are hunting them down to try to bring them in to safety.

Again, Dez never changed from being the tough, funny, and sarcastic character despite the fact that her world is falling apart. Kale was different because of the circumstances but underneath it all he was still Kale. Dez’s relationship with Jade and Ginger seem somewhat strained but they all work together for the greater good. I guess that makes her a better person than me because I’m not sure I would be able to be in the same room with either of them after their actions in book two.

I enjoyed the third installment of the Denazen books and found myself unable to put the book down. Accardo does a wonderful job of moving the story forward, revealing some of the secrets, and keeping the characters true to who they are. I am looking forward to the next book to see how things go for Dez and Kale. I am also curious about how Alex’s life will be impacted and knowing how this book ends, am very interested in finding out more about the secret Cross revealed (no spoiler but for the record, I have my own theories on this one).

Thank you to Entangled Teen & Netgalley for the advance copy for an honest review.

Posted by jarkin33 at 11:57 AM | Labels: Book Review, GoodReads | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook

Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So I was dying to get my hands on this book. This is probably my favorite series by Armentrout, and I love what she's done with it as a whole.

This book picks up shortly after the end of Deity and Elixir (if you haven't read Aiden's pov you MUST it will give you some insight into his struggles later). Alex has awakened and become the Apollyon that they feared, and with that she is now tied to Seth and he's consumed her. She's no longer the Alex that Aiden and everyone else knew. Her main concern is getting to Seth and letting him have her powers.

Aiden isn't going to let that happen.

He's willing to let Alex kill him if he has to just to make her realize that who she is when she's connected to Seth, is not who she really is.

Apollyon is filled with action... more so than any of the other books I think. Once Alex breaks the connection with Seth, they are on the search for a way to avoid him taking her powers and becoming the God Killer that everyone fears. But along the way, they find that Lucian and Seth are being assisted by someone they couldn't have expected. Which means that Alex may have to face her own mortality... even as an invincible Apollyon.

I really love Alex - she's a kick-ass heroine who can always crack a joke at an inappropriate time. But she's loyal and she's strong. The things she's faced and is facing going forward would be enough to break a normal person, but she's stronger than that. And she's willing to fight for the people she loves. Maybe even Seth.

Aiden. I have the biggest crush on this guy. Seriously.

He fights for her... he won't give up and even though he's a pure and she's technically a half, at this point he's all EFF THE RULES YO!!!

"I'm not going to leave you. I'll never do that."

The man could be reciting the phone book in Greek, by the way, and I'd probably be completely okay with it.

If you're expecting a lot of other characters in this book, you're going to be disappointed. (also... really you don't need more than Alex and Aiden js js js) Apollyon really revolves around Aiden and Alex and their journey... while you do get glimpses of Apollo and Seth, they are just here and there and really just to move the story forward.

I'm really incredibly interested to see where book 5, Sentinel, goes.... especially after the end of this book.

The ending... that's where I dropped this book a star. Don't get me wrong, it was okay. It just wasn't what I was expecting. I get that this was already pretty long, but it just kind of ... ended. There was no real wrap up for me if that makes sense. I sat there thinking, at least give me something to smile about - where is everyone, what is happening, WHY CAN'T I KNOW SOME OF THESE THINGS!!! lol

So... again, I'm looking forward to the next to see where Armentrout brings us back into the story and we can find out exactly what's going on. (I know that's all vague and stuff, but I'm trying not to give anything away about what happens!!)

Okay, so if you haven't started The Covenant Series you need to get on that so that we can flail together about the ending and also so you can experience the swoon that is Aiden St. Delphi. no joke.


View all jaime's reviews

Posted by jarkin33 at 7:54 AM | Labels: Book Review, GoodReads, Swoony Boy, Young Adult | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the awesome and wonderful people over at The Broke and The Bookish

This week the topic is: Top Ten Books Dealing With Tough Subjects- These are the hard books to read, the ones that might break you, but could be incredibly written and wonderfully told stories.

This is a book about depression and suicide and how people cope with loss and pain but it is about so much more than that.  To take the words right from the description, My Beating Teenage Heart paints a devastatingly vivid picture of both the heartbreak and the promise of teenage life - a life Ashlyn would do anything to recover and Breckon seems desperate to destroy.  

UGH - this book. It was heartbreaking.  Jackson broaches the topics of bullying and abuse and cheating and lying... and ultimately keeping secrets in If I Lie.  There is definitely a 'gray space between truth and perception' and this book really makes you realize that what you think you know about something may not be the reality of it. I can't recommend this one enough.  

This book was so heartbreaking.  Ethan was abducted from his yard at the age of 7 and 9 years later he is returned to his family.  McMann does such a wonderful job of showing the impact of the abduction on his entire family.  The end of this book killed us and left us wanting more...a lot more.

I am sure this book will be on everyone's list.  Despite the tough subject of death and cancer, it is one of those books that I recommend to anyone who asks me what they should read.  John Green has written some of my most favorite characters in Hazel Grace and Augustus.  Hazel Grace and Augustus meet at a cancer support group for kids and he helps her rethink how she approaches life and death.  I probably spent an equal amount of time laughing, crying and then swooning for Augustus.  I still have not worked up the courage to write an actual review for this book as I know I won't do this one justice.  If you haven't gotten up the courage to read this one yet, just do it.

Me Before You is going to be on my list of favorites this year. Moyes approaches the topic of assisted suicide and the life of a quadriplegic in a realistic and heartbreaking way.  Moyes makes you really look at what your stance might be in a similar situation and how you would react.  The characters in this story gripped me from the very start and someday soon I hope to revisit this story.  If you haven't read this one yet, run out and get it today! 

This is a wonderfully written story about first love and life and as the description states, Eleanor & Park is the story of two star-crossed misfits - smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. Eleanor's life isn't easy but she is a survivor and Park is one of the bright spots.  

Stolen is another book about abduction but what makes it so different is the way it was written.  Lucy Christopher created this as a letter the main character, Gemma, writes to Ty, the guy who kidnapped her.  It was beautifully written and being able to read the story in her voice allowed me to see how Gemma's feelings evolved for Ty throughout the novel.  We know he did a horrible thing and see through her eyes just how broken he was.  There were definite moments in this story that were difficult to read but I encourage anyone to go read this if you can.

The Sky is Everywhere is another one of those books for us that gets recommended whenever someone asks for something to read.  Lennie's sister died unexpectedly and she is struggling with how to deal with the loss.  It's also about falling in love, family, friends, and opening your eyes to others around you...seeing how your actions and reactions can really hurt some of the most important people in your life. 

Pretty Girl-13 is another book about abduction but also includes mental illness as the main character, Angie, remembers nothing of the 3 years she was gone.  It turns out she has developed multiple personalities which evolved due to something painful that happened when she was young.  If you enjoy a book that is considered a "psychological mystery" you may enjoy this one.  

If you haven't read the summary of this book you can tell just from the title that this is going to cover a tough subject.  I hesitated to read this based on the subject matter but as I was flipping through books I thought I would read the first few chapters just to see if I should continue...I ended up finishing the book within a day.  If you can get past the idea of what is included in this book, you will find a heartbreaking story that puts these kids in a situation that is tragic and destined to end badly.

So ... Tell us in the comments... what books are in your top ten that deal with tough subjects?

Posted by jarkin33 at 7:34 AM | Labels: Top Ten Tuesday | 0 comments | Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook