Review: Goddess (Starcrossed #3) by Josephine Angelini

Goddess (Starcrossed #3) by Josephine Angelini

Published: May 28th 2013 by HarperTeen 
Rating: 4 out of 5

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Available from:

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Synopsis:

After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched.

Review: Dreamless (Starcrossed #2) by Josephine Angelini

Dreamless (Starcrossed #2) by Josephine Angelini

Published: May 29th 2012 by HarperTeen 
Rating: 5 out of 5

✤✤✤✤

Available from:

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Synopsis:

Can true love be FORGOTTEN?

As the only Scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out - a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling STARCROSSED delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds all expectations.

Review. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1) by Josephine Angelini

Published: May 31st 2011 by HarperTeen
Rating: 3 out of 5

✤✤✤✤

Available from:

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Synopsis:

How do you defy DESTINY?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is - no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood... and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together - and trying to tear them apart.

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

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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

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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

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Review: The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter

Publishers: Harlequin Teen
Published Date: February 26th 2013
From: NetGalley
My rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis:

Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity

Review:
I championed and loved the Goddess Series, and devoured all the in-between books also.

This book completes the series with a full on battle right at the end. Some of our favourite characters make it through, some do not.

I was a little disappointed with this book. I thought the storyline wasn't as strong as previous books. Henry just seemed to arrive on a cloud and attempt to rescue Kate as if it was just another day. He had 9 months to do it, why wait until that moment?

Kate and Henry have settled into marriage like any married couple, was I the only one who was expecting a few more fireworks into the blend? They just became ...average. Nothing sparkled, nothing jumped in me when they came into the story together.

Cronos is obviously the main enemy. Kate has an affiliation with him still, he in turn spent time looking after Kate's child, Milo, however I think because of this he wasn't as fearsome an enemy as he'd appeared to be in previous books. Again, we have Hera/Calliope as Queen Bitch. She's throwing all the daggers in Kate's direction again. All of the main characters change roles. We don't know who is on who's side.

Ultimately, this is a good book to finish the series. I wasn't overwhelmed with this one. The strength of the story seemed to fall short a little. But I'm glad it finished how it did.
-CBx

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Review: The Goddess Legacy (Goddess Test, #2.5) by Aimee Carter

The Goddess Legacy (Goddess Test, #2.5) by Aimee Carter

Publishers: Harlequin Teen
Published Date:  July 31st 2012
From: NET GALLEY
My rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:
For millennia we've caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus.

Now Aimee Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.

Five original novellas of love, loss and longing and the will to survive throughout the ages.

Review:If ever there was a way for Aimee Carter’s wonderful Goddess series to turn on its head it was by bringing out this wonderful Novella of 5 stories giving us an insight to our favourite Olympians background.

•    CALLIOPE/HERA REPRESENTED CONSTANCY AND YET HAD A HUSBAND WHO NEVER MATCHED HER FAITHFULNESS....

•    AVA/APHRODITE WAS THE GODDESS OF LOVE AND YET COMMITMENT WAS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT DEAL....

•    PERSEPHONE WAS URGED TO MARRY ONE MAN, YET LONGED FOR ANOTHER....

•    JAMES/HERMES LOVED TO MAKE TROUBLE FOR OTHERS—BUT NEVER KNEW TRUE LOSS BEFORE....

•    HENRY/HADES’S SOLITARY EXISTENCE HAD GROWN TOO WEARISOME TO CONTINUE. BUT MEETING KATE WINTERS GAVE HIM A NEW HOPE....

The stories are all wonderfully crafted bringing in the small details that I’ve learned from the first two novels. Of course I’m gripped to find out what happens, especially after reading Goddess Interrupted, and the cliff-hanger ending. But while I want to feel sorry for Calliope it is very clear that her mind has twisted a great deal in the in-between years.

For anyone who, like me, loves the first two books then this is a must read.
An exemplary and insightful read, tantalising us for the 3rd book in this wonderful series due out April 2013.

-CBx

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Cover Reveal: The Goddess Legacy (#2.5) by Aimee Carter & Goddess Interrupted Book Trailer

Oh! Giddy, giddy, giddy, giddy, giddy, giddy.....!

I love the Goddess Test Series by Aimee Carter and here is the new cover for The Goddess Legacy!!!

This is a #2.5 in the series. I thought it would be another novella but its listed on Goodreads as a paperback of 304 pages and is due out July 31st 2012 by Harlequin Teen.

As the ending of Goddess, Interrupted is a HUGE cliffhanger I'm even more excited!!!

Anyway, here's the cover!! (sorry, got carried away!)

 Harlequin Teen have also released the Book Trailer for Goddess Interrupted which is due to be released on March 27th.

(Still giddy!!)

Review: Pure (Covenant) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:
There is need. And then there is Fate...

Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.

When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

Review:
To be able to appreciate Pure fully I made my own sacrifice (of my time!) and reread Half Blood to be absolutely certain I remembered everything. Half Blood was as amazing as I remembered so to delve straight back into the characters and the story was as thrilling and exciting as I hoped it would be.

Alex is a great character and underneath her mouthy, almost arrogant at times exterior she has a certain vulnerability about her. She absolutely knows where she stands in the order of things except where her relationship with Aiden occurs in the grand scheme of things. She's got over the whole Pures can't mix with Halfs, mostly because of how Aiden reacts to her. Does he lead her on? I'm not so sure. Personally I think Aiden is as lost in his feelings as Alex is in hers. Except one moment really highlights the downfall of everything between them and it was the moment of the 'I love you.' From here on in we see Aiden taking very big steps backwards to the point that he hurts Alex in a way she's never hurt before.

Seth is always on the periphery. Whether its to help sooth Alex through her nightmares by staying with her and emphasising the bond of the Apollyon between them, or even being the sounding board for all her angst, he doesn't take it to heart but in fact encourages her.

Despite the heartache and extreme loss that Alex goes through in Pure she must endure the court proceedings that resulted from her actions in Half Blood but everything starts going wrong when an unknown person wishes her removed. My only gripe with this is that even at the end of the story we are none the wiser as to who it is although we have a rough idea.

The action in this book is full on all the way through, the pace is extremely fast and the story exceptional as Armentrout treats us to another superb book. Now all we have to do is wait until Deity is out at the end of the year!

PS. I love Seth, Seth rocks!

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Review: The Goddess Hunt (#1.5) by Aimee Carter

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:
A vacation in Greece sounds like the perfect way for Kate Winters to spend her first sabbatical away from the Underworld...until she gets caught up in an immortal feud going back millennia. Castor and Pollux have been on the run from Zeus and Hades's wrath for centuries, hiding from the gods who hunt them. The last person they trust is Kate, the new Queen of the Underworld. Nevertheless, she is determined to help their cause. But when it comes to dealing with immortals, Kate still has a lot to learn...

Review:
This is an inbetweener, a novella between The Goddess Test and Goddess Intterupted. I was lucky enough to get an Arc of the latter so this was a great opportunity to fill in the gaps as Kate's six month Greece vacation isn't really discussed in Interrupted. However this story only takes place within the first few days of her holiday and is staged only over two days.

This is a moral story. One of those where we all learn something from. Despite the newness to Kate's new family, she isn't going to let being an outsider get in her way of focusing on family issues. Zeus and Hades have been hunting Castor and Pollux, mostly for selfish reasons, but Kate ensures that they see the error of their ways by the end.

Told from Kate's 1st person POV and Henry's 3rd person, we also get a small insight into Henry's mind, albeit slight. His feelings towards Kate are genuine but he's unsettled when he hears that Kate's holiday companion is James. He's mostly afraid of history repeating itself but as he spies on Kate he's reminded of why he married her in the first place. But its still early days into her sabbatical - will she return to him the same person at the end of the six months?

 The Goddess Hunt took me a pleasant hour to read. If you like Carter's writing and her rich storytelling then you'll love this great addition to the Goddess Test series.

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Waiting on Wednesday (#3) by Bookworm Blogger

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

This is this weeks edition! If you've read Daimon and Half-Blood you're probably itching (like me) to get your hands on the next installment.

Here's the blurb!

There is need. And then there is Fate...Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.
When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

It's going to be a tough call for Alex between the gorgeous Seth and equally studley Aiden. 

Expected publication: April 3rd 2012 by Spencer Hill Press 

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Cover Reveal: The Goddess Hunt by Aimee Carter

I'm so excited by this!! The new cover has just been revealed for 

The Goddess Hunt by Aimee Carter

 It's a novella telling a story between The Goddess Test and Goddess, Interrupted.
 I haven't found a synopsis anywhere yet, but its either going to be about Henry
battling Calliope or something happening to Kate and James in Greece.

 All I know is that I CAN'T WAIT !

Update: 6th March 2012: Read my Goddess Hunt review here

Review: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Synopsis:
Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone

Review:
This is one of those books that gets into your emotions, rips you up and down, inside out, outside in and just when you think you're back to normalcy you'll get a sucker punch in the gut.

Kate returns from her six month sabbatical hoping for open arms and a warm welcome from Henry...but she gets nothing like. Henry is back to being the broody Hades, King of the Underworld and the big fight now involves Cronos, thanks to Calliope, who broke all the rules and escaped from Kate's penance and helped in his release.

While Kate copes with being second-best again, Persephone plays the evil on her with Henry but thanks to Kate's new ability she sees the whole thing...or does she?

War takes over the Underworld and all of the Gods are involved this time and just when you think the war could be won...

...well, I won't spoilt it any more. The ending is one of those jaw-smacking ones that send you spiralling, and hoping the author has quick fingers to type up the next installment incredibly fast.

Be prepared to spend a few hours being unable to put this one down!

Publication: March 27th 2012 by HarlequinTeen

Note to Readers: I was given the Arc copy of this book for review before the publication date. Recently on Aimee Carters website she promised that when the book was officially published there would be a small scene addition. This being a scene from Henry's POV.
After the book was released I bought a copy straight away from Harlequin directly (an epub copy for Adobe Digital Editions). I love the book anyway so felt willing to pay Aimee for filling my life with joy, a small price to pay.
Unfortunately the copy I received was identical as the Arc. Harlequin replied to my querying email almost immediately and are still trying to work out the technical problem. I'll keep you updated on when the 'newer' edition will be available but at the moment Harlequin only have the original.

~

See Q and A Session - Goddess Interrupted with Aimee here!

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Here's the Book Trailer! Enjoy!

See also: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Note to Readers:

Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Synopsis:
It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

Review:
When I first started this and got into the 2nd and 3rd chapter, all I could think was - what? how can they believe so quickly? why are they accepting this so calmly? how is she taking this so easily?

And that's pretty much how I felt throughout the first half. Kate was too understanding and accepted the chance to live with Hades for SIX MONTHS (!) without much thought process. Except that it would prolong the life of her mother, but as her mother was in a coma I thought that in itself was cruel and selfish. But hey, it is a story after all!

Gradually as I got more immersed I began to really root for Kate. I began to understand that really she had no other option. Her life choices were about zero and this was a great opportunity for her. She would have friendship and be looked after, and not have to worry about what to do when her mum died. Her love for Henry developed slowly and so naturally that I was a little put out for her when she finally becomes honest to him about her feelings. He reacted so coldly that I wanted to dunk him in the river.

In the end all my first thoughts were crossed off. All the answers became apparent and reason-worthy.

This is a beautifully told story, and if you've read reviews about historical inaccuracies then don't worry about it. That isn't what this book is about. It's about love, romance, betrayal, murder and discovery and is told in the very best way.

I can't wait to read Goddess, Interrupted next!

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Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Synopsis:
The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.
Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.
Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Review:
This is an interesting one because for the first half of the book I couldn't help but see similarites between this storyline and another series I've read. So much so that scenes almost appear to have been copied. This is the first time that I've really read a book that is SO similar. Bearing in mind I probably read a book a day I'm surprised it hasn't yet happened.

Saying that, I loved the prequel, Daimon, and once I got into reading this for its own merits its actually a great story. With a mixture of greek mythology, gods wreaking havoc, good guys and bad guys, and the fated/forbidden loves that are going on, this story pretty much has it all.

The only thing that slightly bothered me was Alex. I liked her, she's gutsy but I didn't get on with her and I don't know why. Sometimes it felt like her dialogue was a little forced. There was nothing really shocking or any twists that made you think of her differently. Its hard to put my finger on but, yeah, I didn't think she was that great a character. For me the lead needs to be alot stronger and Alex was a bit too away with the fairies sometimes. She lacked conviction in places.

However, despite that her back up team are great. And so are the two guys in her life, Aiden and Seth. I thought they were both incredibly well fleshed out.

On the whole I liked this, especially after half way through when the story finally found its true form. I'm looking forward to reading Pure and wish I didn't have to wait until April for Pure!

 CB

~

Extras:

Half-Blood - Chapter 1 - Aiden's POV

Half-Blood - Chapter 16 - Aiden's POV

Aiden and Alex Christmas Special Exclusive 
 

Here's the book trailer! Enjoy!

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