Review: Healed (Scarred #2) by J.S. Cooper

Healed (Scarred #2) by J.S. Cooper

Publishers: Self

Published Date:  March 22nd 2013

From: Bought

My rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis:

Lexi Lord has dreamed of dating Bryce Evans for years. And now that her dream has become a reality, she is no longer sure that he is the man for her. When tragedy strikes in their lives, they take a good hard look at their relationship and their very existences.

There are some ties that can never be broken, but Lexi and Bryce have to decide what love can heal them from their scarred pasts and what love they have to let of of. Sometimes letting go is the greatest gift of all.

Review:

I liked this one a little more than Scarred. I won't write a long review because there isn't too much to say.

The story did get to be like a Love Musical Chairs, everyone move around one space and stick with the new partner. Add a bunch of Chinese whispers that everyone's involved with but no one tells the right person, only the wrong person. And concocted a few meaningful storybook metaphors to fill it out.

All the key characters grew up and had a new outlook on life in about...two weeks. But the Epilogue did make up for a lot. I wouldn't say this was a great series to read. It's interesting and passed the time nicely.

-CB

You can reach J.S. Cooper here: 

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Review: Scarred (Scarred, #1) by J.S. Cooper

Scarred (Scarred #1) by J.S. Cooper

Publishers: Self

Published Date:  March 1st 2013

From: NetGalley

My rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis:

Everyone in Jonesville thought that Bryce Evans had the perfect life in High School: he was the Mayor's son, the quarterback for the football team, the boyfriend of the head cheerleader and had a 4.1 GPA. His acceptance to Notre Dame came as no surprise but when he chose to enlist in the army instead everyone was shocked.

Lexi Jones was the quiet girl in school and kept to her small group of eccentric friends. She had no connection to any of the popular kids except for one incident on Prom Night when her path crossed with Bryce's.

When Bryce enlisted Lexi was the only one that wasn't disappointed and decided to send him anonymous letters as a way to feel connected to him. She stopped after a year because she felt there was nowhere for their relationship to go.

Fast-forward four years and Bryce is back in Jonesville and once again he and Lexi cross paths. Only he's no longer the seemingly perfect man and Lexi's no longer the quiet girl. 

This time their relationship is quite different but both of them have secrets from the past and friends that threaten to ruin their chance at happiness together

Review:

I started off really liking this book. I liked Lexi, Anna and Luke. They're a fresh, young bunch of twenty-two year olds who still live at home with their parents in their small town and just get on with life. Anna works at an animal sanctuary and Lexi works at the library.

I also really liked the two POV's being Lexi and Bryce. I got a little tired of the Golden Boy reflection that Bryce seemed to carry with him. Yes, he was a golden boy and the Mayors son. I got it! (There are 8 references to Golden Boy on my kindle...lol)

Bryce does come across as a sweetheart actually. He's been away in the marines, fighting for his country. While he's away he corresponds with a 'Miss' who he's become quite attached to, except she stops writing and this is one of the reasons why he's back in town. He has to find out who 'Miss' is. She doesn't realise that her letters helped him through all the bad times and the good while he was away. And he's almost in love with her even though he doesn't have a clue what she looks like. The writer of the letters is clear from the beginning and Lexi always did and always will have a crush on Bryce.

Personally I loved this part of the story because I know people in the military who live to receive correspondence. It really does lift their spirits.

Anyway, Bryce has a party and some bitchy girls from town take a chunk out of Lexi the first chance they get. Now while Bryce does stand up to them he doesn't do it to a full extent. Now I know that in whatever armed forces you are, your comrades come from all different backgrounds and soon enough it doesn't matter who your parents are or where you were brought up. The only thing that matters is that you have their back and they have yours. Especially for guys. So, back to the story, Bryce should have damn well stood up a little harder to the catty, derogatory girls who have small town brains.

So the story twists and turns. A lot of 'Oh my god' moments happened and was I the only one who thought the woman naked in his bed after the party was related to him? That would have been stomach churner for sure! I was still gutted when it revealed who she was but...it keeps the story going.

Lexi did change in the last third of the book and not for the better. After the big reveal she didn't once ask the question I was almost shouting for her to ask. WHY? Why did Bryce want Eddie to do that to her? My esteem for her dropped when she got over it so quickly and was then full of "It doesn't matter's" and "its not your faults" I really wanted to scream at her.

When Bryce and Lexi go out towards the end of the book, the situation doesn't feel right. This is when she's thinking about Luke more in a serious way. Suddenly I'm wondering if Bryce is really all he's cracked up to be and I worry for her.
The ending was pretty much the same as Twisted Perfection, a cliffhanger, without the 'Who'?

I'm going to reads Healed now, the follow up and I hope all the loose ends get somehow tied up. 

Overall I liked it, the two voices worked in making the story pan out a little giving us more idea on who is likable and who isn't. Anna was a big shock!

-CB

You can reach J.S. Cooper here: 

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Review: Twisted Perfection (Perfection #1) by Abbi Glines

Twisted Perfection (Perfection #1) by Abbi Glines

Publishers: Abbi Glines

Published Date:  April 20th 2013

From: Bought 

My rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis:

Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. There was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…
Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help.
What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came.
The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine…

Review:

If you want to read a book that is basically two characters having a lot of sex then this book is for you. If you want to read a New Adult book with a girl and a tragic, abused past then this is for you. If you want to read a story that is a bit cliché regarding southern American values and families stuck in the 19th century then yep, this book is for you too. 

Personally I didn't get on with it. It was a pleasant enough read but I wasn't wowed. Abbi Glines is a brilliant writer but the story wasn't really anything new although a great excuse to write lots of sex scenes. 

Della has had a cruel upbringing by her mother. I'm surprised she isn't more emotionally scarred from being locked in a house until she was 16. Cabin fever is a real thing and so is fear of the outside world. But the first chance Della meets a really hot guy she has dinner, drops her panties and gets some. The next chapter in the book tells us that she slept with her next boss. Up to this point I was feeling her pain and enjoying her having a good time but then she just came across as extremely slutty. Then she gets another job and her new boss, the really hot guy she met in the beginning is actually THAT guy. And yes, guess what happens. 

Now, there are a few things that I wanted to bring up at this point. Number 1) if you were locked up, abused and not allowed to go out I would imagine that even after 4 months you still would be slightly afraid of strangers. Especially in a sexual situation. You would have no worldly experience of meeting people, be naive and lack in social etiquette (and yes, I know she crept out of her house lots of times but that wouldn't change everything immediately). And Number 2) her character lacked depth. She appeared to have no friends except for Braden, no quirks, no personality apart from the night terrors that had her waking up screaming. Her dialogue was bland and didn't make her character grow at all throughout the book. The only thing she really liked to enjoy was Woods with his demanding hands and body. Oh, and the sex. 

I haven't read any of the Fallen series. I thought this was the first in a new series but I see on an Amazon page that its Book 4 in another series (confused?!). I have read Existence and the sequels so I know Abbi is a great writer and her storytelling skills are amazing but, and its a big but, I felt that Twisted Perfection was an excuse to get a book out in the ever growing New Adult market without really coming up with a new original storyline. Don't get me wrong. I didn't hate this book, and I actually stayed up and read the whole thing from beginning to end to see where I was being lead to. I hope the second book brings story depth.

Anyone who reads this, please don't hate me. I'm only writing what I feel :)

-CB

You can reach Abbi Glines here: 

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Review: Sacrifice (Legacy #3) by Cayla Kluver

Sacrifice (Legacy #3) by Cayla Kluver

Publishers: Harlequin Teen 

Published Date: October 23rd 2012 

From: NetGalley 

My rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis:

This is not the time for the fight to end. Now is when the fight will begin. This is the time to regain what has been lost.

Alera - Queen of a fallen kingdom, secretly in love with the enemy.

Shaselle - Daughter of a murdered father, rebel with a cause.

One lives behind the former Hytanican palace walls and walks the razor's edge to keep the fragile peace in her beloved homeland. The other slips through the war-torn streets, seeking retribution for her family's tragedy, following whispers of insurgency.

Both face choices that will separate them from those they cannot help but love. As their stories intertwine, a conspiracy ignites that may end in slavery or death—or lead to freedom anew, if only each can face what must be sacrificed.

Review:
I couldn't help being slightly disappointed with Sacrifice. Mostly because Alera reverted back to being idiotic and dense, a little like she was in Legacy and the beginning of Allegiance. I didn't like the way she lost her edge, nicely gained in Allegiance when she cut her hair off, wore trousers and finally acted like a ruler. In Sacrifice she seemed to go backwards and just became queenly without really getting to grips with the major problems of her city with a hands on approach.
I especially didn't like the new POV from Shashelle. I can only think the author added this so we could get more of an idea what Steldor and Cannan were up to. Yes, she was a feisty tomboy who hated the idea of marriage. Especially the suitors her mother was chosing for her, and her bittersweet liaison with the Cokyrian soldier was short-lived.

I think as characters are concerned Steldor showed real growth. I didn't like him in the previous books but he seemed to put aside his arrogance and stand up to the treachery that was happening around him. I actually liked him more in the end.
Narian also seemed to lose his edge. He was still amazingly sweet to Alera and I did feel sad for him that his father turned his back on him, but glad that his mother wanted to be given a chance in his life.
All things considered the story did get wrapped up. There weren't any real wow moments, and the conclusion of the war between Cokyri and Hytanica was a little bit of a let down considering the high paced action of the previous book. It just eased itself out and suddenly Hytanica is okay again. Hmm.
If you've read the series then obviously you've got to read this one to finally put it to bed, but I wasn't as thrilled about this as the other two.
-CB

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Review: Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun

Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun

 Publishers: Harlequin Teen

Published Date:  June 25th 2013
From: NET GALLEY
My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Synopsis:

I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look.

Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of a girl lying on a bench.

A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness.

And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine.

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive

Review:

It always feels new and exciting when you read a new twist on the paranormal phenomenon that hasn't been used before. 

While Ink is a school based story, the entire setting of Japan with its traditions, ceremonies and even the language was such a refreshing change and, being a lover of all worldwide historical lore, this was a perfect read. 

Katie is our blond haired American at a Japanese school. Her mother passed away recently and she's now living with her (very cool) Aunt Diane. Things start getting weird almost the minute you start reading Ink. Through Katie, we enter a break up scene between a guy and a girl. But Katie can tell somethings off about it. The guy is trying to make his girlfriend jealous but it doesn't come across as quite so real. When a sheet of paper falls at her feet, Katie is compelled to pick it up and view the drawing. But what she see's she can scarcely believe, the drawing of a pregnant girl moves. The girl actually moves her head and looks back at Katie. 

From here on in, Katie is determined to find out what Yuu Tomohiro's secret is. He comes across as cold, rude and clearly hates Gaijin (foreigners) but a chance meeting makes Katie believe its all an act.  

Katie starts falling into Tomo's world and slowly learns his secrets and pretty soon she's in so deep she can't get out. And that goes for her heart too. The dangers of Yakuza (Japanese mobsters) crop up and threaten Tomo's life and who is Takahashi, the Kendo champion? How does Katie think she knows him? 

This is one thrill of a ride book which has us journeying around Shizouka, old and new, and discovering what the actual life of teenage kids in Japan is all about (minus the Kami and all the weird stuff!). I found myself on Wikipedia (again) typing in place names, eager for pictures so I could place the various scenes. Katie and Tomo have a great relationship once they get all the early awkwardness out the way. Their banter is really great and Tomo is most definitely a new heartthrob of mine. The side characters of Yuki and Tanaka were also unique and different, but very likeable and good for Katie, keeping her grounded.

A definite favourite read of the year. And its all about the Ink. The only reasons I marked it down were a few too many pages about the pink blossom, and I still wasn't sure about Katie's link to the Kami in all of this, but other than that I loved it. Can't wait for the next one!

-CBx

You can reach Amanda Sun here:

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Have a break, have a giggle!

I know exactly how she feels!

http://pinterest.com/pin/58546863878227426

Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Publishers: HarperTeen
Published Date: April 23rd 2013
From: NET GALLEY
My rating: 3.5 out of 5

  

 My review of The Selection by Keira Cass

Synopsis:

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Review:


The much anticipated sequel to The Selection is almost upon us but is it as good as the first one I hear you ask? Well, it is and it isn't.

Firstly, the story continues pretty much where we left off. Six girls are now left in the competition except now the other girls actually mean to win Prince Maxon. This is no longer a test of the nice girls versus the nasty. It's each for themselves.

America begins still as Prince Maxon's favourite but now that ex-flame Aspen is on the scene whispering promises into her ear she's indecisive in what she actually wants. Maxon has blatantly told her he would call the competition off to announce their engagement, but America shies away. Aspen continues to fight for America in his own way and pretty soon America is all hither and dither about which way her heart lies. Maxons frustration becomes apparent when he chooses to spend more time with one of her competitors.

America could lose it all. The chance to be a Princess, the ability to give her family a better life, what must she do?

The rest of the behind the scenes parts of the story are good. The rebels try a few times to infiltrate the palace to capture the royal family, the King shows America exactly what he thinks of her, and she manages to find a backbone with an important project that goes out live on TV only to have the King almost expel her from the competition. And she discovers a shocking secret about Prince Maxon.

Its nice to continue with a story once you know who everyone is. That feeling when you're in a nice comfy sofa and you want the book to take you away and entertain you. To an extent The Elite did that, but not as much as I would have liked. America was annoying throughout a good part of the book. Her indecision leading to frequent tears didn't go down well with me, however Prince Maxon was the true hero of this book. He saved the day.

Knowing how this ended I have no doubt that the next one will be more in line with a stronger America. Now she knows who to fight for.

-CBx

You can reach Kiera Cass here:

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Review: Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Publishers: Spencer Hill Press
Published Date: April 4th 2013
From: Bought
My rating: 5 out of 5

Synopsis:
Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

Review:
So, on to Apollyon. This one really packs a punch. The adventure is really beginning and Alex, Aiden and their small band of refugees from Deity Island now have a huge task on their hands.

What I loved in this book first and foremost was how Alex changed. In the previous books she has acted like an immature madam sometimes but as she's growing up so is her attitude and this shows what a great author Armentrout is because young women do change when exceptional circumstances land on their shoulders. Now Alex has to step up to the plate. She is an Apollyon and a lots of people are relying on her. She's now proved that acting irrationally isn't always the answer, not unless you want to tick everyone off. Only one incident occurred when she went back to the old ways, the one where they are all training, but one rebuke from Aiden and she realises her error. She is still only human after all.

We journey from their hideout cabin to the Underworld to source out Solaris, and then on to the University where all the good guys are holding fort. The journey is an adventure in itself and all the while Alex is learning to get to grips with her new abilities. They don't always prove to be the best option as a key character falls right near the end in desperate circumstances.

Mostly this book cements the relationships occurring between the characters. Alex with Marcus, Deacon with Alex, Alex and Lea, even Alex and Laaden. And Alex and Aiden really prove that their love is of the purest kind. And no one can doubt that.

We don't get to see Seth in his true form in this book but he's ever present in Alex's mind thanks to their bond as Apollyons. Quite a few happenings occur where you think Seth has truly lost his mind but then right at the end...I'm not sure. I wonder what will happen in Sentinal because at one point Alex is heartbroken because of a death and I actually think this affects Seth also. With everyone talking about Seth being the God Killer I really believe that, after reading between the lines, he is worth saving and can be saved from wreaking absolute mayhem and chaos across the human world.

We have more interactions with the gods in this one too bringing in the Greek mythology nicely. But, as always, we reach another tragic point and the end and are left with a small cliffhanger of what happens next but its not so big that you're really hanging.

This is the best book yet in the Covenant series. Definitely worth picking this up if you get the chance!
.-CB x

You can reach Jennifer L Armentrout here:

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Review: Elixir (Covenant #3.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Elixir (Covenant #3.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout  

Publishers: Spencer Hill Press
Published Date:  November 27th 2012
From: Downloaded
My rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:
Aiden St. Delphi will do anything to save Alex.
Even if it means doing the one thing he will never forgive himself for.
Even if it means making war against the gods.

Review:
Finally we get a chance to see what exactly is going on in Aiden St Delphi's head. And...it's all good!


But Elixir is a tough read and an absolute MUST if you follow the series. You MUST read Deity beforehand and you MUST read Apollyon after. Sometimes I'm curious as to why authors do the middle novellas but in this case it's definitely an essential part of the Covenant series.

No one knows how to handle Alex now she's turned Apollyon. She has that bond with Seth and he's taking over her mind and her mouth. Everything she says is cruel and painful to Aiden. She mocks him, his love for her, and still he has faith in what he's doing...but even that can only last for so long. Eventually he has to do the unthinkable. He has to put Alex on the Elixir to eek her away from everything she is right now.

Reading from Aiden's point of view was everything I wished for. We've only really seen him from Alex's viewpoint but he has a lot of secrets behind those silver eyes and we get to learn about how he ticks inside.

His love for Alex is all-powerful, his adoration of his brother is wonderful. And he's respected by the other's in the house:- Marcus, Solos, Luke, Laaden, Lea, Olivia and Deacon. They all trust in his instinct when it comes to overcoming the bond, and while it all seems like a mutual lovefest Elixir proves that its anything but.

Alex also really stepped up in this one. Through Aiden's eyes she showed real character without the long drawn out explanations.

If it doesn't convince you of anything else Elixir shows what a great, admirable and loveable person Aiden St Delphi really is. Enough said!
-CBx

You can reach Jennifer L Armentrout here:

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Review: Deity (Covenant #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Deity (Covenant #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout  

Publishers: Spencer Hill Press
Published Date:  November 6th 2012
From: Bought
My rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:
"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time. "

Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden.

If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed.

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate..

Review:
Well, this just goes to show I am no judge of character. My last words on the Pure review were "I love Seth". Shameful!

This is going to be a back-to-back review with Elixir and Apollyon, but if you do a search you can read reviews for the first three Covenant Series books also.

So, Deity! This one took me by surprise and was a step up from the first books. After Pure I did begin to feel that the storyline was waning a little i.e. where do we go from here, however Deity really did pick up pace after about half way through.

Alex still has her love triangle thing going on. Seth, the one who she's meant to be with, and Aiden, the one she loves and can't have. During the story even I had to admit that Seth starts getting a bit creepy with his happy hands. And the gliphs that appear on Alex because of this really give you a clue as to his intentions. And then there's the whole incident where he's meeting 'boobs' while he's away--does he really think Alex is worthy after acting like that? He did show a redeeming quality with the Jackson incident, no doubt in my mind who was responsible for that. Personally I think he really does like her but as everything comes easy to him he's getting his way with whatever he can first.

And Aiden, well, he does act a bit of a jerk in the beginning but hell, the boy can't help himself when it comes to Alex. Now he does show signs of true love.

For me the whole book tilted in a better light after the stabbing. That was really when you had a clue as to who was who (and I mean Leon) and who was on what side. Without this I think they'd still all be going about their day trying to hide their feelings and intentions. We learn a top secret about Leon, and Marcus sheds his nasty cloak.

Aiden and Alex at last get some quality time together hiding away but the bittersweet moment is brought to a head when Seth returns and Lucian kidnaps Alex. Now we learn what the truth is behind all the devillry these two men have been conjuring. Sides are drawn up, the line on the ground gets chalked. Epic disaster meets our team but only some survive.

This for me was the book in the series that said "Stand up, things are going to change. Now I'm serious." Overall I thought the characters were as exemplary as ever. There were only a few times when Alex's snark became annoying, a sure sign of her immaturity.

Now I'm going to review Elixir!

-CBx

You can reach Jennifer L Armentrout here:

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ARC Review: The Morning Star (Katerina #3) by Robin Bridges

The Morning Star (Katerina #3) by Robin Bridges 

Publishers: Random House
Published Date:  August 27th 2013
From: Publisher
My rating: 5 out of 5

A huge thank you to Nicole of Random House for
letting me review this book to give my honest opinion.

Synopsis:
St. Petersburg, Russia, 1890

Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, wants to be known as a doctor, not a necromancer. But Tsar Alexander III forbids women to attend medical school; his interest in Katerina extends only to her ability to raise the dead. Twice now, Katerina has helped him by using her power to thwart the forces of darkness—vampires bent on resurrecting the lich tsar Konstantin Pavlovich so that he can take what he sees as his rightful place on the throne. Katerina thought she had bound Konstantin to the Greylands, the realm of the dead, but he has found a way out. Now he is searching for the Morning Star, a sword that will allow him to command a legion of supernatural warriors.

Katerina must find the sword before Konstantin does—and she must travel to Egypt to do so. Along the way, she puts up with unwanted attention from her former fiancé, the nefarious Prince Danilo, and struggles with her feelings for her true love, George Alexandrovich. But with the looming threat from Konstantin, Katerina's focus remains on the sword. Russia's fate will be determined by whoever wields the Morning Star—and delivers the final blow.

Previous Reviews of The Katerina Trilogy

The Gathering Story (#1)

The Unfailing Light (#2)

Review:
It's such a happy and sad moment when you reach the end of such an exciting series. The Katerina Trilogy is one of my all time favourite reads and I've read the first two books many times in eagerness, quietly waiting for the third and last book. I had so many expectations of what would happen. Would George be cured of his mystery illness? Would Katiya and George finally be able to marry? What would happen with the Lich Tsar and would they be able to finally get rid of his evilness from the face of the earth to let everyone live in peace at last? And what of Danilo, evil Crown Prince that he is. His plans may have been scuppered for now but he was surely going to make a return to finish off Grand Duke George for good. Now that Katiya's secret is out what would happen when the rest of her close family knew of her secret, being a necromancer would never be a story for the relations to discuss over afternoon tea.

What I truly loved about this series was the extensive research that Robin Bridges must be commended for. Anything to do with the Imperial family of Russia intrigues me, and Robin has had me researching the true stories of the family for my own personal pleasure. It was clear from the outset after reading The Gathering Storm that this series would be exquisitely represented as the characters deserved--in their true proper, elegant, and magnificent manner.

So, if you enjoy tales of intrigue wrapped around evenings of dinners, dances, with a bit of paranormal romance and mystery, then I must urge you to pick up this series.

In the final chapter of the Trilogy we are brought into a scene with Katiya doing what she wants to do most, and that is to study medicine to become a Doctor. I really loved her ambitiousness even when faced with such close relatives who would try and talk her out of it. At one point she even contemplated breaking off her arrangement with George to further her studies and her heart broke as did mine. They're meant to be together after all!

But even in the face of danger, Katiya and George decide to forego all the family's wishes to get married in secret. Once they're married then no one can interfere with their livelihoods any longer. George agrees that he might be struck off by his father, Tsar Alexander III, but he's willing to move to Zurich to enable Katiya to study at the University.

However, the past never stays away for long and disaster happens shortly after they leave. The evil Lich Tsar is looking for the one true Morning Star which will enable him to take control of the Grigori and using the Talisman of Isis (which is permanently around Katiya's neck) he can have what he believes is rightfully his--the throne of Russia.

Once again the story becomes a battle of Light against the Dark. The two Russian courts are involved, the Order of Lazarus (the revenants), Princess Alix and her werewolves, the Montenegran Vampires, Katiya's own Mother (who is now the Striga) and the Bogatyr. If ever there was a story that included all these magical creatures to their fullest it was this one! The only thing missing was unicorns!

We're taken on a thrilling journey of capture and conquest through Ancient Egypt and meet up with new and old friends. With magic now such a huge part of George's life I was never in any doubt that he would find Katiya eventually.

The final chapter was a heart in mouth moment. And a surprising gesture saved the day. I loved how it ended with all loose ends nicely tied up, and once finished I had to read the whole book again just to enjoy it one more time.

I really hope the author can bring us more from her wonderful world she's created using the historical people and sumptuous scenery. I feel like I'm waving goodbye as I finish this review but I'm so glad I read this series. And I can't not mention the wonderful Family Tree of all the characters on Robin Bridges website!

If you like historical books especially ones to do with royalty mixed with the paranormal and things that go bump in the night then this series is a must.
-CB x

You can reach Robin Bridges here:
Web  Goodreads

Book Trailer Reveal for The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

The trailer for THE ETERNITY CURE 

by Julie Kagawa has been revealed! 

What do you think? Excited?

 ~~

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Expected publication: April 30th 2013 by Harlequin Teen 

Cover Reveal: Elemental: The Circle of Fire by Alexandra May

I'm so excited to reveal the cover of Alexandra May's next book, sequel to Elemental: The First and Elemental: Origin!

I've been waiting for this for a while now. I hope there's lots of Aiden in this one!

Here it is!!

 

Elemental: The Circle of Fire
(Primord Series #2)

by Alexandra May

Rose Frost discovers from Aiden Deverill, the bad boy around town, that they are Primord Elementals in hiding. They may be from the same group of ancients, born way before humans existed on the earth, but that doesn't mean she has to like him.

Rose wakes up one morning in hospital having no idea how she got there. She soon learns that one of the Xipilé’s is dead. Rumours circulate that she killed Spencer Phillips, Aiden’s best friend, but Rose has no recollection. Her memory of that fateful night has been erased. Spurned by her friends and hated by the other Xipilés, Rose plunges to the depths of an emotional spiral that she may never get out of. The only person who can truly help her plays with fire.

On this heroic and fast paced journey, Rose begins with a key but poignant tragedy. Her time for the Unburdening and Integration into Halíka Dacomé draws near. The impeding arrival of the outer Xipilé clade, who want her dead, is looming. Strange asteroids in space draw in a new 21st century world-wide audience, linking their appearance to Halíka Dacomé. Is Ben’s plan of an apocalyptic disaster drawing near? Does he really want to rid the world of the human race and make way for the coming of the Primords?

The myth is becoming legend and Rose’s sanity is being tested. Rose Frost only has seven days to find out the truth, once and for all, before it’s too late.

Expected Publication: June 2017

Check it out here on Goodreads

ARC Review: True by Erin McCarthy

True by Erin McCarthy 

Publishers: Intermix
Published Date: May 7th 2013
From: Net Galley
My rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis:
When Rory Macintosh’s roommates find out that their studious and shy friend has never been with a guy, they decide that, as an act of kindness they’ll help her lose her virginity by hiring confident, tattooed bad boy Tyler Mann to do the job…unbeknownst to Rory.

Tyler knows he’s not good enough for Rory. She’s smart, doctor smart, while he’s barely scraping by at his EMT program, hoping to pull his younger brothers out of the hell their druggy mother has left them in. But he can’t resist taking up her roommates on an opportunity to get to know her better. There’s something about her honesty that keeps him coming back when he knows he shouldn’t…

Torn between common sense and desire, the two find themselves caught up in a passionate relationship. But when Tyler’s broken family threatens to destroy his future, and hers, Rory will need to decide whether to cut her ties to his risky world or follow her heart, no matter what the cost…

Review:
I liked True.I loved learning about Rory, she is an extremely likeable character. Her logical and simplistic way of thinking was refreshing and continued throughout the book no matter what circumstance she faced at that moment.Tyler is also a nice guy. I loved the TRUE family tattoo, his family except for the mother were all great people.The things that I didn't like in the story were a) the beginning - Rory is not desperate for attention. She knows she can spend her time studying, its what she likes to do. So why on earth was she sat at a friends boyfriends apartment while her two best friends spent time in their bedrooms with their boyfriends. Ummm. Third wheel. Would you really do that? Or if invited wouldn't you just say no, I have better things to do while you have sex with your boyfriend for an hour and leave me in the lounge sipping beer and watching TV with no-personality Grant? I don't know anyone, no matter whether they're shy or reserved or whatever, who would do this. And as for the almost rape? It just came over as a clutching at straws way to get Tyler and Rory together, and it was nasty. b) Very predictable especially when Tyler got arrested and put in prison for 30 days. And also predictable was her fathers reaction. I would have enjoyed it more if her dad had actually come out of his hideaway house and supported Rory. Not all parents are so stereotypical these days. It is a nice story in the end. It did end abruptly, but there was an HEA of sorts.Not the best NA book I've read lately but not the worst either.-CB x

You can reach Erin McCarthy here:
Web  Goodreads

Available from Amazon: