REVIEW {47} SNOW LIKE ASHES by Sara Raasch *Spoiler Free*

Snow Like Ashes
AUTHOR: Sara Raasch
SERIES: Snow Like Ashes [Book #1] | Ice Like Fire [Book #2] Release Date: October 13, 2015
PUBLICATION INFO: Harper Teen | RELEASE DATE: October 14, 2014
CATEGORY: Young Adult, Four Star Rating, Fantasy, Romance, Kick Ass Heroine
ACQUISITION: Library | EDITION: Hardcover; First Edition, 416 pages
RATING: 3 STARS | GOODREADS RATING: 4.05/5.00
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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

MY THOUGHTS: Snow Like Ashes was one of my most anticipated reads for 2014. Unfortunately, I didn't get to it last year, and I also didn't get it for Christmas - even though it was on my Wishlist. So, when I was recently at the library and saw a copy sitting there on the shelf, my greedy little hand grabbed it so fast I swear there were flames!

REVIEW {46} Nowhere but Here by Katie McGarry

NOWHERE BUT HERE
AUTHOR: Katie McGarry
SERIES: Thunder Road [Book #1]
PUBLICATION INFO: Harlequin Teen | RELEASE DATE: May 26th 2015
CATEGORY: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Motorcycle Clubs, First Love, Four Star Rating
ACQUISITION: Own | EDITION: Hardcover; First Edition, 496 pages
RATING: 4 STARS | GOODREADS RATING: 4.06/5.00
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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible.

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

MY THOUGHTS: This one has been compared to the TV Show Sons of Anarchy, but having never seen the show, I cannot offer my opinion on that.

What I can do however; is tell you that if you loved McGarry's Pushing the Limits series as much as I did (Which is a whole freaking lot!) then you will love this first entry in the Thunder Road series. It has all the bad boy yumminess, flawed characters, and a whole lot of anxiety-inducing action to keep  with Julie Kagawa (double-freaking-awesomeness!) and while I knew I'd read Nowhere But Here, it wasn't until after I heard Katie speak that I got super pumped for this book, and decided that I was going to buy it instead of waiting for a copy from the library. These books are ones that I can see myself rereading in the future.

What I love about Katie's books is that she isn't afraid to take her characters anywhere she wants them to go - whether that puts them in danger or a dangerous downward spiral - she will have you laughing, crying, and screaming page after page at characters so real that they feel like they're your friends in real life.

For me, I had a little trouble getting into Emily's character at the start of NBH. She was so innocent and naive, so trusting and believing in her parents that she was completely ignorant to an entire other part of her life... that included her bio-dad. I came to care for Emily as the chapters flew by, and by the end of the book I was definitely happy to see the person she became over the course of the book.

The whole premise of the book, being based around a motorcycle club, was a refreshingly new idea that I fully embraced and was very curious about. While seeing Katie speak, she explained how she had actually spent time with a real motorcycle club - to remove the stigma that is associated with them. Not all clubs are bad, illegal, or gangs - and that is what she proved with this book.

I was not expecting the big secret of the book to end up being what it was. It was an awesome curve ball that she threw, and I think it was awesome the way the whole story was centered around this big secret, and the whole time I was thinking how this secret is being so over-hyped and it probably won't even be that big of  a secret, but yes, it is quite a doozy - and the consequences are dire.

Overall, I fell in love with a little town called Snowflake, Kentucky and the Reign of Terror Motorcycle Club, and all of the characters that I got to meet and spend time with. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves contemporary stories, romance done well, and some seriously sexy bad boys you can't help but fall for too.

NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES:  Walk the Edge | Expected Publication Date: March 2016

OTHER BOOKS BY KATIE MCGARRY: Pushing the Limits | Dare You To | Crash Into You | Take Me On | Crossing the Line | Breaking the Rules | Chasing Impossible

SIMILAR READS: Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid | Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally | The Lies About the Truth by Courtney C. Stevens | Another Little Piece of my Heart  by Tracey Martin | What You Left Behind by Jessica Verdi

Happy Reading!
Laura

REVIEW {45} THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING

The Beginning of Everything
By: Robyn Schneider
Published By: Katherine Tegen | August 27th, 2013
Edition: EBook | Library Loan
My Rating: 2.50/5.00 | Goodreads Rating: 3.82/5.00
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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.

But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings.

LIKES

• How Ezra changed over the course of the novel.
• Toby's character. He didn't let his personal tragedy ruin his life. He is completely confident in who he is.
• The writing; Schneider is a good author.

DISLIKES

• Cassidy Thorpe.
• Ezra and Cassidy's relationship.
• What happens to Cooper.
• The End.
• All of Ezra's old friends - the jocks/song squad.
• Comparisons to The Great Gatsby.
• Ezra's entire book-long Pity Party.
• Cassidy's "personal tragedy".

MY THOUGHTS: Upon initially finishing this book, I gave it a 4 star rating. I couldn't write the review immediately though, I needed time to digest what I'd just finished reading. Over the past day or two, I've decided that this book is not a 4 star for me. In fact, I am bumping it all the way down to a 2.5, which pains me to do. I did find some enjoyment in this story, and I did enjoy portions of it. However, I did not really like or love enough of it to warrant a higher rating.

We start out the book learning about Ezra's past friendship with Toby Ellicott, and how it fell apart after a day at Disneyland when they were on a roller coaster and someone a few seats up on the train stood up and was beheaded. Toby caught the severed head. This was his 'personal tragedy'. Throughout the book, Ezra is fixated on tragedy, and how everyone has a personal tragedy that completely changes the course of their life. This was an interesting concept, but ultimately set up the book for Ezra really to just pity himself the whole time.

There are a lot of references throughout the book towards F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. I've read the book a couple of times and seen both of the movies, and I must say that I cannot figure out the meaning of it. It doesn't seem like a parallel to the story, though I can pick out a few things that may seem similar. Ultimately, I think it's just Ezra's dog calling him 'Old Sport' in his mind. Or Ezra thinking he is, anyway. 

As the story goes on, I started to enjoy the building of Ezra and Cassidy's relationship. I really thought that it was going to be one of those epic love stories and that they would save each other. But when I started really thinking about it after I finished the book, I realized that their relationship sucked! First off, Ezra fell in love with her really fast. Which is okay to a point because there were some really cute one-liners about how beautiful she was in his eyes. It felt real and believable. But once they were together and I really got to see how big of a train wreck Cassidy is, it started to go downhill for me.

What I liked the most is how Ezra started seeing that popularity didn't equal lifelong friendships and loyalty. He lost his friends and girlfriend but gained a group of really great and loyal friends - including Toby, whom he ditched all those years ago. This is a wonderful book when it comes to friendship and realizing that sometimes the people you think are your friends - aren't. 

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? I think that this book would really resonate with some people. It was likeable and had tons of funny and sweet moments while also exploring heavier topics like grief, death, and losing the person that you once were - but finding a new, better version of yourself.

Happy Reading!

REVIEW {44} - SILVER SHADOWS by Richelle Mead

SILVER SHADOWS
Series: Bloodlines - Book #5
Author: Richelle Mead
My Rating: 3.50/5.00 | Goodreads Rating: 4.40/5.00
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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

LIKES

• Sydney and Adrian's love for each other.
• Hopper - the dragon!
• Sydney and Adrian's relationship status - at the end of the book.
• How fast paced and full of action this book (and ultimately the entire series) is.
• How strong the bond of friendship is between Jill, Angelina, Eddie, Sydney, Neil, and Adrian. In a world where dhampirs and vampires do not have relationships (friendship or otherwise) with Alchemists, the way they've banded together and the loyalty towards each other is insane!
• Sydney's magic. I love this aspect of the book, I truly do!
• Carly Sage.
• Rowena.
• Jill's bond with Adrian - and her maturity.
• Jill and Eddie. Please, get together! I'm OTP'ing it! Jeddie? 
• Diversity in characters and lifestyles.

DISLIKES

• The Re-education center and the Alchemists.
• Queen Tatiana's voice in Adrian's head. (Curious to see what that's all about.)
• Adrian's negative Spirit attributes.
• Some parts that seem to lag and drag.
• The Alchemists. Did I already mention them? I hate them.

MY THOUGHTS: 

*I cannot promise that this is a spoiler-free review. If you haven't read the first 4 books of the series, I recommend not continuing with this review!*

 I have been obsessed with the Vampire Academy world from the first page of Vampire Academy, and when I found out that there was a spin-off series, it made my little vampire-loving heart leap with joy! So far, I've loved Sydney and Adrian's story, told throughout the Bloodlines series.With  every book, I've closed the cover and had the worst book hangover - desperately awaiting the next book to come out.

While I did enjoy the continuation of the story, I felt that this one was just a little stagnant. At the end of The Fiery Heart, Sydney was taken by the Alchemists for re-education, and Adrian is left fighting to find her. But in his spirit-wielding way, Adrian falls back into old habits at the start of Silver Shadows, and Sydney is wasting away in a dark cell, drugged until she admits she sinned, and is willing to undergo re-education to find her way back to the light. She is in this dark place both physically and emotionally - as it was her own sister, Zoe, who betrayed her, and her father who committed her to this place. She leaves her hopes of rescue in Adrian - who is back at Court, after his mother came to get him and bring him back after Jill contacted her. Back at Court, Adrian teams up with Nina - another Spirit user - who joins him in his drinking escapades, and makes sure he gets back to his room. She also has feelings for him.

Mostly, this book just starts to tie up the loose ends from the series, getting ready to end it all in just one more book.

While it ended on a cliffhanger in true Richelle Mead style, I found large chunks of this book leaning towards boring. Even though we get the typical unexpected - like what Sydney and Adrian do in the end - that I can say that I wasn't expecting AT ALL - for the most part it's Sydney in re-education, confirming what we already know - that she is a bad ass - and Adrian falling back into old drinking patterns and we follow him around Court while he parties. I don't feel like a lot happens, which I suppose being the last book before the finale, it can happen. 

I still love Mead's writing style, and her characters feel like they are really some of my BFFs. Her characters have such depth and emotion that it's hard not to get invested in them. Even though this was not one of my favorite books in the series, I still fully enjoyed it and I am so sad that when I read The Ruby Circle, that this series will be finished. I don't think I am ready for that!

Would I recommend it? Obviously, if you've read the first 4 books then YES you need to read it!

Happy Reading!

REVIEW {41} - THE DEMON KING by Cinda Williams-Chima (Spoiler Free!)

THE DEMON KING
BY: Cinda Williams-Chima
SERIES: Seven Realms #1
GOODREADS RATING: 4.21 out of 5.00 Stars
MY RATING: 5.00 out of 5.00 Stars
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WHAT THE BACK OF THE BOOK SAYS: 

Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for his family. The only thing of value he has is something he can't sell—the thick silver cuffs he's worn since birth. They're clearly magicked—as he grows, they grow, and he's never been able to get them off.

One day, Han and his clan friend, Dancer, confront three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to keep him from using it against them. Soon Han learns that the amulet has an evil history—it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

Meanwhile, Raisa ana'Marianna, princess heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight. She's just returned to court after three years of freedom in the mountains—riding, hunting, and working the famous clan markets. Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea—the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But her mother has other plans for her—including marriage to a suitor who goes against everything the queendom stands for.

The Seven Realms tremble when the lives of Hans and Raisa collide, fanning the flames of the smoldering war between clans and wizards.

LIKES

•  Princess Raisa! My goodness, I didn't realize how badly I've been in need of a strong heroine. One thing that I love is when a character completely transforms over the course of the book, and Raisa is no exception. She starts out as a naive, ignorant princess heir but who she is at the end of the book is not the same girl.
• Han Alister. Or Cuffs Alister. Or Hunts Alone. You know - whichever name you decide to call him! Han is such a unique character as well. He is often thought of as this vicious street gang leader who has no care or regard for anyone, but that is so far from the truth! He is a complex character, and I cannot wait to see where the rest of the series takes him. He has immense potential, so it will be interesting to see if he ends up as a hero or villain.
•  The world-building. This is a giant world - uh, hello, it's called the Seven Realms series - and it's incredible how easily the landscapes come to life right off of each page! From the grimy, dirty streets of Ragmarket or Southbridge, to the royal castle of Fellsmarch to the Vale and the camps - Marisa Pines and Demonai - each is unique and incredibly detailed.

DISLIKES

• It started off reading a little young, but the content didn't match that. I enjoy the writing, but it did take me a few chapters to really connect.
• A few events were predictable.

• I didn't realize that there was a map - my Kindle copy opened to chapter one, skipping the title page etc., so I didn't know there was a map included! Duh!

MY THOUGHTS

I don't know how I haven't read this book yet. I mean, seriously - it was THAT good. It just really missed my radar. We start the book thrown immediately into action, and pick up information about the main characters and the realm along the way. I enjoyed that the story was told from alternating perspectives as well. It was a great way to contrast Raisa's life growing up as royalty, and Han's life, growing up as a street thug. I thoroughly enjoyed Williams-Chima's writing style. She writes in such a fantastic way, that the characters came to life on each page. I was able to feel everything that Raisa and Han did - from happy moments to really heartbreakingly sad ones.

I also love the character growth in this book. Raisa becomes such an admirable character by books end, that it's hard to believe she came from where she did. She always had it in her to start a revolution, and now she's ready to carry it out. She isn't the type of future monarch to sit around and let her people live in squalor while they live in grandeur in the castle.

Another great part of this book is the range of characters. From humans, to those who wield magic, to those who create magical amulets. I love, love, loved the magical themes in this story! We had good magic users and of course, bad. It was written beautifully, and I cannot wait to see how the magical use will evolve in the next books. It was nice to see such an array of characters as well, from all races and walks of life. It really added a diversity to the book that was wonderful.

The world building was helped greatly by the provided map in the beginning of the book of the Seven Realms. It can be a little overwhelming at first, since the books takes place in many different parts of the world - and different areas are mentioned often. But once you really get a handle on it, it's incredible how author's can create these worlds in their minds!

WOULD I RECOMMEND IT? Whether your a newbie to fantasy or an avid fantasy reader - you'll love this book!

Happy Reading!
Laura

REVIEW {43} THE THORN AND THE SINKING STONE by CJ Dushinski

Hey Bookworms! Today I am sharing with you my review of this paranormal dystopian as my stop on the tour! Continue through the review to the end to enter the giveaway! Leave comments and let me know if you plan on reading this one! Check out the rest of the stops on this book tour HERE.

THE THORN AND THE SINKING STONE
SERIES: Thorn and Dagger Series - Book #1
AUTHOR: CJ Dushinski
RELEASE DATE: March 2015
PUBLISHER: Entangled Teen
MY RATING: 3.00/5.00 Stars | GOODREADS RATING: 3.61/5.00 Stars
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WHAT IT'S ABOUT:  Warring families. Forbidden love. And danger they can’t escape…

Daggers. Roses. Cowboys. Boat Men. Survivors of Earth's Last War, four “families” vie to rule the dreary streets of Rain City through violence and blood. Valencia Hara, Princess of the wealthy Black Roses, is raised in warrior ways with sharpened steel. But she is no ordinary Rose. She is Cursed—tainted with the ability to see seconds into the future…

To avenge his father's death, Sebastian Leold, of the rival gang Two Daggers, must face off against the Black Princess, he with his dagger, she with her katana sword. Yet a secret from a shared past leaves him unable to kill beautiful Valencia; nor can she kill him. For they once knew each other beyond their blood feud…and they have more secrets in common than they know.

But in a world filled with vengeance and violence, there can be no room for love…

MY REVIEW:  A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The first time that I read the summary for this book; I realized that it was one that I wanted a copy of ASAP.

My first thoughts were that it was a futuristic, dystopian re-telling of Romeo and Juliet - which I see lots of other reviewers saying they thought the same thing - even though this book isn't marketed as such. Personally, I feel that I'd have picked this one up without a second thought if it had been marketed as such. Romeo and Juliet is one of my fave stories of all time!

The world-building in this story was pretty remarkable. I think that the author had a clearly defined world in her imagination and was able to perfectly portray her visions onto the pages.

I liked the characters too. Each was 3d and able to stand out from the rest. There was such an array of different types of characters too - apart from the main characters that really made this book stand out in its genre.

The writing style was just okay - I don't think that there was anything that would make it stand out or have me remember it as being incredible.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you love sci-fi/dystopian/paranormal/tragedies. 

Will I continue this series? Yes, I anticipate finishing the series.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO BOOKS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  While attempting to navigate life as a responsible human being, CJ graduated from university with a B.Comm and worked her way along as a marketer, copywriter, and graphic designer to earn a paycheck while pursuing her passion for creating fantastical stories set in dark and wondrous corners of the world. Born amongst the wheat fields and open skies of the Canadian prairies, CJ's imagination has always run wild, taking her on adventures across the world from modeling in Seoul, South Korea to backpacking through Europe and surfing (poorly) in Hawaii.

After wandering through ancient cities and civilizations, learning from diverse cultures, and surrounding herself in new experiences, CJ was inspired and began work on her debut young adult novel THE THORN AND THE SINKING STONE, to be published by Entangled Publishing 2014/15. CJ currently resides in Calgary, Alberta Canada - home of the Canadian Rockies - and keeps one hand on her passport and pen at all times, ready to pick up, see the world, and weave her experiences into stories.

CJ is represented by Marlene Stringer of the Stringer Literary Agency LLC.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook  

GIVEAWAY

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Reading!

REVIEW {42} - Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
By: Morgan Matson
Paperback, 344 pages | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
My Rating: 5.00/5.00 Stars | Goodreads Rating: 4.06/5.00 Stars
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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it's Amy's responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn't ready to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip - and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar - especially with their friendship venturing into uncharted territory - but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.

MY THOUGHTS: There is just something so perfect about a Morgan Matson novel. You can expect awesomeness, and it will be delivered. She manages to do Contemporary Romance perfectly - there's no insta-love, and her character's are each flawed and struggling in their own ways. In Epic Detour, we have Amy Curry - fresh off the loss of her father in a car accident that she is convinced was her fault; and Roger Sullivan - who is still reeling from a recent breakup. They are thrown together on a cross-country road tour, and of course, they both get more than they bargained for.

For the past month, Amy has been living alone - her father is gone, her twin brother is in rehab, and her mom picked up and moved to Connecticut - which is the destination of the road trip with Roger. She is horribly depressed, blaming herself - wallowing in a pool of self-pity, and basically has become an empty shell of herself. She's abandoned all of her friends, including BFF Julia who is officially giving up on her. 

 "The best discoveries always happened to the people who weren't looking for them."

Roger is back in California from Colorado, where he attends college, and is heading to Philadelphia to spend the summer with his father. He was dating Hadley Armstrong - the pretty girl who's M.O. is to leave guys high and dry, with no explanation of why it went bad. She's basically not a nice girl. But Roger needs closure - and wants her back. He agrees to this road trip thinking he can drive to Colorado and win Hadley back. 

Day One - Amy and Roger decide to throw her mother's four day itinerary out the window, and make their way from California to Colorado, stopping to see the sights. What they find on the way is more than either thought they'd get.

***

I cannot tell you how much I seriously HEART this book. It is so perfect, well, except for the end - I want MORE! Please, write a sequel, Morgan, I beg of you! I need to know where our characters end up after this. 

  

I picked this book off my shelf looking for a light read, which I did and didn't get. Sure, there's the contemporary part of this book, but there are some pretty hefty topics in this book too - death, addiction, breakups, and finding yourself - and your way out of grief and depression. Matson does this is such a wonderful way too, mixing the good with the bad. You can feel Amy or Roger's despair one second, and the next you're laughing. It's wonderful! 

WOULD I RECOMMEND IT? Oh my gosh, YES! In a heartbeat, I would recommend it to any Contemporary Romance lovers looking for a five-star read.

Happy Reading,

Laura 

BOOK CHAT {1} City of Bones - The Mortal Instruments - Cassandra Clare

Hey Guys!

So today I am doing my first Book Chat post, which will be replacing my old style of reviews. I hope you like it! Be sure to comment below and let me know if you do, and what you thought of City of Bones.

CITY OF BONES

The Mortal Instruments #1

Cassandra Clare

My Rating: 4 Stars Goodreads Rating: 4.12 Stars

ADD TO GOODREADS

LIKES

- Unique story and ideas

- Good cast of characters with lots of potential - Excited to see the character development throughout the remainder of the series.

- Variety of supernatural races - Downworlders.

- Good world-building.

- Fast paced. 

DISLIKES

- Third person narration. It made it difficult to connect with and give individual voices to the characters.

- The writing wasn't the greatest.

- The characters felt 2 Dimensional; lacking depth.

- The Jace and Clary spoiler.

- There was not a lot of development in Clary as a character, considering what she is going through and learning. There is a lot of potential as she is witty and snarky.

- Info dumping - there is A LOT of information to sort through and remember.

- The characters didn't feel as close as they were supposed to be. Jace to the Lightwoods for example.

- Jace is really actually a giant douche.

MY THOUGHTS

It took me forever to finally read this one - and having added it to my Winter 2014-2015 TBR I finally gave in and read it.  Though I rated it a 4 out of 5 Stars on Goodreads, I think I'm leaning more towards a 3.5. I liked this book but I didn't really like it, and I didn't love it. I know there is a lot of articles online about plagarism with Cassandra Clare, and while reading it I didn't pick up on that, but afterwards I read a few articles and yes there are similarities, cliche even to the genre, BUT I think the story was unique enough that it captured my curiosity and held my interest.

Clare's writing style really leaves a lot to be desired. There are horrible similes littering the pages, and there is little to no character development in my opinion. But there was enough good to keep me reading, and I do look forward to finishing the series - even though I'm currently forcing myself to keep reading the second book. There is just that je nais sais pas that is missing that keeps me from really loving this series and wanting to read the books. I'm taking longer reading them than is necessary because I find myself getting bored with the characters. It could also be that I'm sort of on the edge of a book slump that it's hard to keep me focused, but I'm taking a break and will come back once I find my drive to read.

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK? I think so. I think there is enough good that I'd happily suggest it to other paranormal fantasy readers.

Happy Reading!
Laura

REVIEW {35} This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

THIS LULLABY

SERIES: Stand Alone

AUTHOR: Sarah Dessen

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: March 8th 2004 by Speak

EDITION: Paperback; 345 pages

ACQUISION: Purchased

CATEGORIES: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, 4 Star Rating, Speak, Review, Sarah Dessen

RATING: 4.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 4.07/5.00

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: She's got it all figured out.

Or does she? When it comes to relationships, Remy's got a whole set of rules.

Never get too serious. Never let him break your heart. And never, ever date a musician.

But then Remy meets Dexter, and the rules don't seem to apply anymore.

Could it be that she's starting to understand what all those love songs are about?

MY THOUGHTS: There is something about a Sarah Dessen novel that just keeps me coming back for more! I don't read very much contemporary romance, but when I do get in the mood for a good love story, I find myself reaching for a Sarah Dessen novel because her characters are so real, so flawed and imperfect, that you can't help but love them!

I instantly loved Remy's character, and was completely smitten with Dexter! I will admit that I was annoyed with how long it took Remy to realize that Dexter is completely amaze-balls, but she did, eventually, and everything was right in the world again!

I could definitely relate to the whole band scene too, and loved how passionate the boys in Truth Squad are about their music - doing whatever was needed to make money to succeed. 

Another great element is Remy's group of friends. They really remind me of the girls on the Carrie Diaries. I wish I had a group of friends like these when I was in high school!

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves contemporary romance and just an all around feel good story without a perfect heroine thrown at you. I'm a Dessen fan for life!

SIMILAR READS: Bloom by Elizabeth Scott | When it Happens by Susane Colasanti | Second Helpings (Jessica Darling #2) by Megan McCafferty | The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti | It's Not Summer Without You (Summer #2) by Jenny Han | Going too Far by Jennifer Echols

Happy Reading!

Laura

REVIEW {40} A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller

A Mad, Wicked Folly

SERIES: Standalone

AUTHOR: Sharon Biggs Waller

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: January 23rd 2014

EDITION: Hardcover, 448 pages

ACQUISITION: Borrowed | Library

CATEGORIES: Young adult, Review, 5 Stars, Historical Fiction, Romance, Art, Feminism, Coming of Age, Cultural

RATING: 5.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 3.96/5.00

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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Welcome to the world of the fabulously wealthy in London, 1909, where dresses and houses are overwhelmingly opulent, social class means everything, and women are taught to be nothing more than wives and mothers. Into this world comes seventeen-year-old Victoria Darling, who wants only to be an artist - a nearly impossible dream for a girl.

After Vicky poses nude for her illicit art class, she is expelled from her French finishing school. Shamed and scandalized, her parents try to marry her off to the wealthy Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. But Vicky has other things on her mind: her clandestine application to the Royal College of Art, her participation in the suffragette movement; and her growing attraction to a working-class boy who may be her muse - or may be the love of her life. As the world of debutante balls, corsets, and high society obligations closes in around her, Vicky must figure out: just how much is she willing to sacrifice to pursue her dreams?

MY THOUGHTS: Considering historical fiction is one of my top genres to read, and I was an art major in college, I didn't think there could be anything to make me dislike this story - and guess what? I was right, because I adored this book! Like wanted to hug it to my chest and dance around my room with it, loved it!

Let's talk about how amazing Vicky's character is. She is so strong willed and dream driven that nothing - and no one - will stop her from getting what she wants! At the beginning of the book Vicky did what she was passionate about, but was still held back by her station in life, thanks to her wealthy upbringing. Once she's kicked out of her school in France and moves back to London, Vicky finds herself living the life she's always wanted - except she's doing it in secret.

I am not very knowledgeable about the suffragette movement, so that was an aspect of the book that I quite enjoyed. To see how these women fought and endured for their freedom - the freedom we as women still benefit from today - is quite incredible. And to have Vicky become a part of that world makes me see her as an even stronger character than I had already come to see her as.

Another wonderful character is Sophie Cumberbunch, Vicky's lady maid. She is living a similar "Hidden" life like Vicky is forced to - keeping her involvement in the WSPU a secret so that she may gain employment with families such as the Darlings. It is Sophie who really helps Vicky become the person she wants to be. She dresses her in art-centered clothing to bring out Vicky's passion for art. She helps her sneak out to WSPU events and also art events under the guise of charity work. Luckily Sophie gets her happily ever after at the end, because she really deserves it!!

The romance that blossoms between Vicky and Will is so real and believable. It wasn't a passing fancy, no matter how hard Vicky tries to convince herself that she doesn't love him, and can make herself love her fiance, Edmund. It's sad that at this time in history, this is probably how a lot of young women felt. 

This book is a wonderful read, and I would recommend it really, to anyone!! The only thing I noticed that kind of upset me, is that it seemed to end a little abruptly. I wasn't ready to end my adventures with Vicky yet! But we get a nice ending with sufficient closure, so there really isn't much for me to complain about there.

Happy Reading!

Laura

REVIEW {37} The Diviners by Libba Bray

THE DIVINERS

SERIES: The Diviners #1 | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Lair of Dreams #2 (Releases August 5th 2014)

AUTHOR: Libba Bray

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: September 18th 2012 by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

EDITION: Hardcover, 578 pages

ACQUISITION: Own

CATEGORIES: Young adult, Review, 4 Stars, Libba Bray, The Diviners, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Mystery, Horror, Supernatural, Ghosts

RATING: 4.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 3.98/5.00

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WHAT THE COVER SAYS: Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

MY THOUGHTS: Horror is not a genre that I typically read, and when this book came out, it was the setting - 1920's New York City - that drew me in. Whatever I expected this book to be, it wasn't. Immediately I was absorbed in Evie's story from her small town life in Zenith, Ohio to her adventures in New York City and new friends Mabel, Theta, and Henry, while appeasing her guardian, uncle Will, and his assistant Jericho.

What I didn't expect, were the multiple story lines. We followed Evie as well as Memphis Campbell, and even got other little side stories of the murders. There were tons of characters, but it was pretty easy to keep everyone and everything straight.

I am not the type to really read books that delve into the horror of murders. This book doesn't spare too many gory details. 

I enjoyed the writing style, but felt the book was overly long. While it didn't feel like it dragged too bad, I did find myself rushing through pages at some points.

The romance of the book doesn't even occur until the end, and I didn't feel it was very believable. Throughout the whole book Evie didn't have any feelings whatsoever about Jericho, and even wondered what Mabel saw in him. But then suddenly she's daydreaming about his sweaty muscles and kisses on her lips.

Overall, I will definitely be picking up the sequel because I am curious and interested enough and invested in the characters to see where the future takes them.

SIMILAR READS: The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron | The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater | Ask the Passengers by A.S. King | Fathomless by Jackson Pearce | Necromancing the Stone by Lish McBride | Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama | Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys | The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan | Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Happy Reading!

Laura

REVIEW {39} Elusion by Claudia Gabel & Cheryl Klam

ELUSION

SERIES: Elusion | Book #1

AUTHOR(S): Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: March 18th 2014 by Katherine Tegen Books

EDITION: Paperback, 400 pages

ACQUISITION: ARC from publisher

CATEGORIES: Review, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Fantasy, Romance, Virtual Thriller, 2 Star Rating, 2014 Release

RATING: 2.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 3.60/5.00

ADD TO GOODREADS

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Soon Elusion will change the word and life as we know it. 

A new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. An app, visor, and wristband will virtually transport you to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications - or consequences - of real life.

Regan is an Elusion insider. Or at least she used to be. Her father invented the program, and her best friend Patrick, heir to the tech giant Orexis, is about to release it nationwide. But ever since her father's unexpected death, Regan can't bear to Escape, especially since waking up from the dream means crashing back to her grim reality.

Still, when there are rumors of trouble in Elusion - accusations that it's addictive and dangerous - Regan is determined to defend it. But the critics of Elusion come from surprising sources, including Josh, the handsome skeptic with his own personal stakes. As Regan investigates the claims, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets. She will soon have to choose between love and loyalty ... a decision that will affect the lives of millions.

Suspense, thrills, and romance fuel this near-future story about the seductive nature of a perfect virtual world, and how far one girl will go to uncover the truth behind the illusions.

MY THOUGHTS: I went into this book unsure of whether I'd really enjoy it, because virtual thrillers really aren't my cup of tea. Dystopians - yes, computer ruled futures - not so much. But the cover of this book was just too beautiful to ignore, so when I ended up with an ARC, I knew I had to give it a go.

The first thing that I noticed, is that the concept of the story really didn't seem that unique to me. I didn't at any time really find myself wanting to continue reading the book so much as I wanted to finish it so I could get a review up. The writing itself was okay, I don't think it was necessarily spectacular or horrible in any way. I did have issues with the world-building though. It's set in a "Near Future" Detroit, but they are suffering from pollution (and something called Florapetro?) and acid rains which require 02 masks and special umbrellas to be used nearly 24/7. There is mention that the rich usually are above the pollution clouds in their penthouses and offices, so they can go without and even open their windows sometimes. While this leads me to believe there is a caste system of some type, this isn't really explored past explaining vaguely the different Sectors the residents live in, and what they are like now. There also isn't any explanation of why the world is so polluted, so you're left assuming why it happened.

There were only a few instances as well, where we got to experience Elusion with Regan, the main character. Users can go into Escapes (pre-existing destinations such as mountains or Thai beaches. etc) with other people using an invite code, and no one is supposed to be able to be injured in an Escape. Users can experience Escapes in 1-hour increments and they are equipped with wristbands that have an emergency button that yanks them out if trouble occurs. But no trouble should ever occur, right?

The main character Regan lacked in my opinion, the characteristics of a kick-ass heroine. In fact rarely did she manage to do anything on her own, and required damsel-in-distress saving from either her best friend, Patrick, or the new hottie bad-boy, Josh. I really had no connection to Regan whatsoever, and never felt for her. She seemed quite gullible, and didn't seem to have much common sense. She tended to believe what she was told, and acted really offended and surprised when she realized that the bubble she lived in was slowing losing air.

The fact that Patrick was supposed to be Regan's best friend was lost on me. I didn't feel any type of connection between them, and even Patrick's affections towards Regan bordered on creepy-stalkerish. Especially considering he kind of had something going on with one of Regan's classmates, Zoe. I never at any point wanted these two to get together.

Josh's character wasn't one I connected with either. He was fueled by his own personal problems - his missing, possibly Elusion-addicted sister, Nora. When he meets up with Regan, she suddenly finds her world turned upside down - not sure who to trust and believe - but she seems to put all her faith and trust into Josh... even though they barely know each other.

Overall, I just wasn't able to get into any of the characters, and with the lack of world-building I wasn't able to really enjoy this one. I know it's gotten good reviews and ratings on Goodreads, but this one just wasn't for me.

I RECOMMEND THIS TO: Fans of sci-fi, virtual thrillers where society relies heavily on technology and giant corporations willingly risk the health and safety of citizens with little or no remorse, leaving it to a group of teenagers to bring them down.

SIMILAR READS: Starters by Lissa Price | Glitch by Heather Anastasiu 

Happy Reading!

Laura

REVIEW {38} SECOND CHANCE SUMMER by Morgan Matson

Second Chance Summer
SERIES: Stand Alone
AUTHOR: Morgan Matson
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: May 7th 2013 by Simon & Schuster for Young Readers
EDITION: Paperback, 468 pages
ACQUISITION: Own
CATEGORIES: Review, Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Friendship, Family, Death, Loss, Four Star Rating, Morgan Matson, Second Chance Summer
RATING: 4.00/5.00
GOODREADS RATING: 4.13/5.00
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WHAT IT'S ABOUT: From the Flying Start author of Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, a powerful novel about hope in the face of heartbreak. 

Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.

MY THOUGHTS: Rarely will I ever pick up a book that deals with the C-word... Cancer. It's a topic way too close to home for me, as I know it is for many people. I like my stories upbeat and happy, but this one just called out to me and I decided to go ahead and read it.

What I liked about the book, is that there was equal parts fluff and heavy stuff. Even though it's technically a beachy summer read, I needed a break from the doldrums of this snowy, cold winter and joined Taylor Edwards and her family on their vacation in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania.

I really liked the growth in Taylor's character throughout the book - even though there were moments where she drove me crazy! She was likeable enough, but she just annoyed me at times. Throughout the beginning of the book, we learn that something happened between Taylor and her first boyfriend, Henry, and best friend, Lucy. I spent all this time thinking, oh man! What could she have done to make them hate her this much? And then when I found out I was like, oh. That's it? So I think that was a little let down.

Another enjoyable aspect of the book is watching the Edwards family come together and change into something they never had been before. They all rally around Mr. Edwards to give him the best last few months of his life, and learn things about each other that they had never known before. Out of grief comes a sense of togetherness.

The friendship between Taylor and Lucy was fun to read about, and once they talk again they are able to pick up right where they'd left off all those years ago. The relationship between Henry and Taylor is sweet and endearing. They truly make a great, cute couple but I definitely think Warren and Wendy getting together is even sweeter!

Overall, if you're looking for a quick, cute summer (or a break from winter) read, I'd recommend this one at will.

SIMILAR READS: Unbreak My Heart by Melissa C. Walker | In Honor by Jessi Kirby | The Story of Us by Deb Caletti | Being Friends With Boys by Terra Elan McVoy | Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams | Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf | Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti | Kiss the Morning Star by Elissa Janine Hoole | First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky 

Happy Reading! 

Laura

Review {36} HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins

HEX HALL

SERIES: Hex Hall | OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: Hex Hall #1 Demonglass #2 Spell Bound #3

AUTHOR: Rachel Hawkins

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: March 2nd 2010 by Hyperion Books

EDITION: Paperback, 323 pages

ACQUISITION: Own

CATEGORIES: Hex Hall Series, Young Adult, Review, 4 Stars, Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Vampires, Witches, Faeries, Shapeshifters, Supernatural, Demons, Rachel Hawkins, 2014 Read

RATING: 4.00/5.00 | GOODREADS RATING: 3.99/5.00

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WHAT THE COVER SAYS: Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she is a witch. Her non-gifted mother has been supportive, consulting Sophie's estranged father - a warlock - only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who exiles her to "Hex Hall", an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, fairies, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day, Sophie has three new enemies, a futile crush on a warlock, a tag-along ghost, and a vampire roommate. Worse, Sophie soon learns that an unknown predator has been attacking students. As a series of blood-curdling mysteries converges, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: An ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

MY THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this book more than I expected to! I first picked this book up from the library when it first released, and had trouble getting into it, and ultimately didn't finish it. But then the reviews started pouring in, and some of my favorite fellow bloggers really enjoyed it and were saying great things about it. So, I bought it when it released in paperback. 

Sophie was a likable character because it was easy to sympathize with her when she starts learning all of the secrets that have been kept from her all of her life - important secrets that probably could've really been useful to know! When she attempts to help a girl at the prom get her dream date, the spell goes horribly wrong - landing Sophie at Hecate 'Hex' Hall as punishment. 

There weren't many elements of the story that I didn't like. I really enjoy that there are many different paranormal creatures - Prodigium - at Hex Hall, but I feel like there were too many to really get to know any one group more than just on a superficial level. I am really hoping that in the next two books we get to know more about the workings of the faeries, shifters and witches. We get a main story on how they were "Created" from angels/fallen angels, but I did want more background.

The pacing of the story moved quickly, and there was always some type of action or event occurring on each page. I liked the dynamics of all of the characters, each was different and individual and held their own. I really enjoyed Jenna's character, and how she and Sophie work together as roommates-turned-friends. 

I didn't like how secretive everyone was; however. It wasn't just Sophie's parents (including her Warlock father whom she's never met) but Ms. Casnoff, the head of Hex Hall as well. Nobody wanted to tell Sophie who she truly is, her family lineage, or the dangers that face her now and in the future. I feel like keeping everything a secret was even more detrimental, than had everyone been open with her. I cannot imagine the feeling of finding out these secrets about yourself and your family from other students, especially when you're already new and feel out of place.

The aspect of the book that I really liked, was the ghost of Sophie's great-grandmother, Alice, who takes it upon herself to teach Sophie how to protect herself. But things aren't always as they seem, and when things start to get a little weird, Sophie starts to piece everything together and we are left with a pretty crazy cliffhanger. I do like that Hawkins isn't afraid to kill off characters and not give them happy endings, but I'm curious to see how the series proceeds now without a few key players.

SIMILAR READS: AWAKE AT DAWN (Shadow Falls #2) by C.C. Hunter | THE GHOST AND THE GOTH (The Ghost and the Goth #1) by Stacey Kade | Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy #1) by Kiersten White | SHADE (Shade #1) by Jeri Smith-Ready | ONCE A WITCH (Once a Witch #1) by Carolyn MacCullough | FIRESPELL (Dark Elite #1) by Chloe Neill

Happy Reading!

Laura