Review: Witch's Pyre (Worldwalker, #3) by Josephine Angelini

Witch's Pyre (Worldwalker, #3) by Josephine Angelini

Published:September 20th 2016 by Feiwel and Friends
Rating: 4 out of 5

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Synopsis:

Lily Proctor has come a long way from the weak, sickly girl she used to be. She has gained power as a witch and a leader, found her way home, chosen to face battle again, and (after losing her first love and being betrayed by her new love) she has learned more about loss and grief than she ever wanted to know.

Thrust once again into a society different from anything they have ever seen, Lily and her coven are determined to find answers―to find a new path to victory, a way to defeat the monstrous Woven without resorting to nuclear weapons or becoming a tyrannical mass murderer like her alternate self, Lillian. But sometimes winning requires sacrifices . . . and when the only clear path to victory lies at Lillian's side, what price will Lily be willing to pay?

Internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini takes us on another emotionally wrenching thrill ride in the stunning conclusion to her Worldwalker Trilogy.

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Review: Firewalker (Worldwalker, #2) by Josephine Angelini

Firewalker (Worldwalker, #2) by Josephine Angelini

Published: September 1st 2015 by Feiwel and Friends
Rating: 5 out of 5

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Synopsis:

 

Worlds divide, magic slays, and love lies in the second book of Josephine Angelini’s The Worldwalker Trilogy.

"You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified."

Lily is back in her own universe, and she's ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good.

Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves.

Picking up right where Trial By Fire left off, Firewalker is another sexy, fast-paced, heartbreaking thrill ride from internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini!

 

 

Review: Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

Trial by Fire (Worldwalker #1) by Josephine Angelini

Published: September 2nd 2014 by Feiwel & Friends
Rating: 5 out of 5

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Available from:

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Synopsis:

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies make it increasingly difficult to live a normal life, and after a completely humiliating incident ruins her first (and perhaps only) real party, she's ready to disappear.

"Come and be the most powerful person in the world."

Suddenly, Lily finds herself in a different Salem. One overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women--including Lillian, this world's version of Lily.

"It will be terrifying. It was for me."

What made Lily weak at home, makes her extraordinary here. It also puts her in terrible danger. Faced with new responsibilities she can barely understand and a love she never expected, Lily is left with one question: How can she be the savior of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy?

Review and International Giveaway: Burn Mark by Laura Powell

Burn Mark by Laura Powell

Publishers: Bloomsbury
Published Date UK: June 7th 2012
From: Publishers
My rating: 4 out of 5

Thanks to Emma at Bloomsbury for allowing me to read this book and give my honest opinion

Synopsis:

Glory is from a family of witches and lives beyond the law. She is desperate to develop her powers and become a witch herself. Lucas is the son of the Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition—the witches’ mortal enemy—and his privileged life is very different to the forbidden world that he lives alongside.

And then on the same day, it hits them both. Glory and Lucas develop the Fae—the mark of the witch. In one fell stroke, their lives are inextricably bound together, whether they like it or not . .

Review:

Firstly, let me just say that Burn Mark by Laura Powell is no light or fluffy read. If its quick reading you're after then this isn't the book for you. But what you do get is such an intricately detailed quasi-London world that is rich in description right down to the English language and slang used by the east end people of London. And it’s about modern day Witches, lots of them!   

Personally I loved this book. An alternative England, run by Parliament and Ministers with Witchkind Inquisitors and a Directorate to keep the witchy people abiding and on the right side of the law. This is an England where every teenager will dread the day that they may find the Devils Kiss on their body, and feel the witchcraft soaring through their veins. That day their lives will change. That day happened to both Glory and Lucas. Both on each side of the law line. Gloriana, who prefers to be called Glory, comes from a witchkind background with famous Aunts who used their gift for personal gain. She lives in the Cooper Street coven where illegal trafficking rackets are a daily occurrence and every member of her family has a police record. Lucas comes from a long line of Inquisitors. Gentlemen of esteem who hunt out the witches who do wrong and burn them on a balefire. Their punishment after trial, the burning, is available for the world to see as a lesson.

Lucas and Glory are brought together, both flawed by personal tragedy, and form an unlikely union to eek out an undercover plot that's been trying to blame witchkind for terrorism on the London streets. The Inquisitors want to blame the covens and the covens want to blame the Inquisitors. There's family pride at stake on both sides but only together can Lucas and Glory play both sides of the witch/inquisitor fence to uncover the truths behind the terror acts. If the acts continue, and people continue to get hurt then the Witchkind Directorate will pass out Acts of Parliament that will eventually diminish the Witchkind forever. And it will be brutal.

The lives of Lucas and Glory are expertly written. They both clearly have flaws from the beginning. Glory with her attitude, dark hair roots and heavy make-up. Lucas has a privileged upbringing from a family whose roots lead back to the original Inquisitors. Family pride and a stiff upper lip is all that counts in his father’s eyes, so Lucas bends against the tradition and gets on with his life as best he can. When he discovers with horror that he's turning into a witch, its shame and humility that clouds his judgement as he faces his father.

As Glory and Lucas's lives merge together in the conspiracy plot the story screams from the pages. We have high-flying mobsters, car bombs and family secrets all being unravelled as the two get to the bottom of the murky waters that reveal more than a few surprising twists.

As I wrote earlier Burn Mark is a serious read. For those reading this that aren't English, you might find the book even humourless in its extent. However the brilliance of Laura Powell’s writing is that she intersperses what we Brits do best. Sarcasm and Irony. And there's plenty of it. This very British book may not appeal to all but under the plot lines are incredibly well thought out sentences with amazingly creative writing. You can't miss a word or a sentence without feeling like you're about to miss something from the story.

A modern day, modern world story of Witchcraft that should not be missed!

Burn Mark comes out on 7^th June 2012 in the UK.

-CB x

 About Laura Powell
 Laura Powell was born in London but spent most of her childhood in the Brecon Beacons. The Welsh side of her family are direct descendants of the Physicians of Myddfai, a family of twelfth-century herbalists who claimed to be the offspring of the Lady of the Lake.

Laura studied Classics at Bristol and Oxford before going on to work in the editorial departmend of both adults and children's publishers. She now focuses on her writing, but has a part time job at English National Ballet, which she loves as she gets to spend her office hours surrounded by tutus, sequins and exquisite people in leotards!

Want to know more? Just ask!
 
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Review: Shadow Moon (Unbidden Magic #4) by Marilee Brothers

My Rating: 5 out of 5

THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND BELL BRIDGE BOOKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO REVIEW THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION

Synopsis:
Allie Emerson is hoping for a few quiet months to catch her breath after a summer that included the discovery she is not only a twin and of faery blood, but also destined to play a pivotal role in faery world. School has barely begun when Allie must kiss her hope of a normal year goodbye.

She can't escape her unfinished business with the fae, the Trimarks, or Junior Alvarez, who is making it clear he plans to win her back. Signs, portents and whispers are pushing Allie to "find the girl" before it's too late. Hoping her twin can help her solve the riddle of their destiny, Allie uncovers old secrets and begins a cross-country journey that puts her in more danger than ever before. If she succeeds, she may just find the answers that can save everyone she loves. 

Review:
Shadow Moon affirmed everything that I loved about this series so far. Allie Emerson has grown up so much since Moonstone and she proves so many times that she's now a force to be reckoned with. And woe betide anyone who steps in her way. In the beginning she was meek but with a little attitude, and now she's full on 'don't mess with me!'.

The characters in the series all play their parts, and its Junior, her love interest in the first book, that comes to her rescue this time. The trimarks have involved a cult religious group and scour towns to bring in new followers. When they arrive at Peacock Flats everyone in Allie's confidence can tell somethings not right about them. Even Nicola, twin to Allie's ex boyfriend Beck, wants to find out what their plans and how they mean to rid the world of supernatural and demonic forces.

Ryker's gone back to faery land, Beck is still away at college (they're now 'justfriends') but Junior decides he's had enough of his TV stardom and settles back into town. He backs up Allie's decisions and becomes her voice of reason, and even wins Allie's mum over in the end.

While Allie is worrying about the new cult, a special government agency pop into town too to recruit Allie. But she proves she's got a good head on her shoulders and checks up with her FBI source, and with the help of her father (part faery) she discovers they may have ulterior motives.

But the main adventure in this book is Allie's quest to find her unknown twin sister. With the help of Sammie (who she meets telepathically at the cult show), her mom and Junior they visit California to pay a visit. But the trip dooesn't go as planned at all and with disasterous repercussions.

This really has been an exciting series so far. In the beginning I was dubious. I thought it would be a little too young for me but I've laughed and been thoroughly entertained throughout. Book 5, the last in the series is being written right now and I hope Allie finally can put the past behind her and find a bit of happiness.

You can reach Marilee Brothers here: 

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Review: Moon Spun (Unbidden Magic #3) by Marilee Brothers

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5

THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND BELL BRIDGE BOOKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO REVIEW THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION

Synopsis:

Junior's back from Mexico with his movie-star entourage. Beck's using his half-demon charms to "heal" a new girl. Mom's still wacky and now she's dating Principal Hostetler. High school is still an obstacle course of drama queens, bullies and nutjobs. The Trimarks are still a menace, and the moonstone pendant has revealed even more mind-boggling powers. In other words, Allie Emerson's life as the Girl Voted Least Likely To Save The World From Evil has gone from Weird to Super-Charged Super-Weird, and it's about to get even weirder. You're a faery princess. So says the mysterious Ryker, whose handsome talents include turning himself into a hawk. By the way, he and Allie are destined to marry. In faery land--Boundless. If they can save it from forces even more deadly than Trimarks and high school. The third book in the Unbidden Magic series plunges readers into a rich other-world of danger, humor, romance, fable, fairytale and magical destiny.

Review:

No matter how much you think you know about Allie Emerson there's always something else that crops up into her life and surprises you. This time its when she discovers she's part faery. Not just from one side of her family but a part from her mother side and her fathers side. Allie has a destiny involving the Moonstone and in this installment she must travel to Boundless, a faery kingdom to help save her sick faery grandmother and free the forest faeries from the dark fae.

Ryker is introduced as the hot new guy to help her with the travel arrangements. He's a faery prince and Allie, or should I say Avalon, is destined to be his mate. But Allie being Allie is having none of it. She's over boyfriends. Junior disappeared off to Mexico without so much as a phone call and then arrived back with a fan club entourage. Beck is now at college and can scarsely spare the time for a phone call, and although Ryker seems nice enough he's not a strong character like the other two.

I'm not a big faery fan. I liked the Iron Fey series but everything I've read fae related tends to be unoriginal. What I liked most about this installment of the Unbidden Magic series is that Brothers made it seem new and unexpected, and the folklore aspect was closely stuck to. I couldn't compare many parts to anything else I'd read so the faeryland, Boundless, was an almost whimsical world and a real treat to read.

When Allie gets back to Peacock Flats she also experiences some very awkwards when all three ex and present- love interests meet unexpectedly (I really did squirm on this occassion) and also her Grandfather Claude turns into an unpleasant old man and shows his true colours to Allie.

Whether Allie is in this world or the other she's still funny and interesting though. I'm happy she stood her ground with Ryker and her grandmother, and again showed her true grit in the right places. But learns what its like to feel sorrow also, and Beck, of all people (I loved him in Moon Rise) is the cause.

Probably not as enjoyable as Moonstone or Moon Rise but still an enjoyable read. Any readers who enjoy Faery books will love it!

You can reach Marilee Brothers here: 

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Review: Moon Rise (Unbidden Magic #2) by Marilee Brothers

My Rating: 4 out of 5
THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND BELL BRIDGE BOOKS  FOR ALLOWING ME TO REVIEW THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION

Synopsis:
Her mom's still dating losers. Her boyfriend's gone back to Mexico. Dad still hasn't told his wife and kids that she exists. At school, the drama queens and bullies still rule. But worst of all for Allie Emerson--aka the Star Seeker of an old Gypsy prophecy--is that her powers have taken a hike. She can't read minds anymore. She can't move stuff just by looking at it. The other Star Seekers are counting on her psychic gifts more than ever, and the evil Tri-marks are closing in, eager to snatch her magic moonstone necklace while she's helpless. The hot new guy at school is ready and willing to fight her battles, but he comes with some wicked baggage. Dear Diary: I'm a little worried. My new BF is a demon. Welcome again to Allie Emerson's funny, scary, amazing, and always unpredictable life, as the girl voted least likely to save the world from evil.

Review:
I had so much fun reading Moonstone that I had to follow straight on to Moon Rise. Again this book is quirky, funny with great humour moments but Moon Rise brings a darker side to Allie's life. The Trimarks are proper evil, no doubt about that, and her biggest danger is not only the lose of her powers but also who to trust.

With her boyfriend Junior making a quick exit prior to the start of this sequel, we feel Allie's pain as she's let down again by someone close to her. Her mother still drags home the obnoxious loser boyfriend and disregards her feelings on the matter, and her father still holds her at arms length. But things turn out more terrible when Allie finds out that the only person who can help regain her powers is the hot new guy at school with his own secrets and a weird stare. He's half-demon with a twin sister who looks at Allie like she's puddle mud.

The secrets come out and Allie begins to experience new adventures, especially when she's near Beck Bradford. His psychic healing involves a lot of touching, not something she's comfortable with. He can daze people with his amber eyes and draw in their emotions, turn them around and project a sense of calm. But does he only affect Allie this way because she's the bearer of the Moonstone. He says not but she's unsure.

An old enemy comes back to school which turns everything on its head in a bad way. Can anyone rescue her in time?

Again Brothers pulls it out of the bag. The romance and the boys are hotter, the emotions are more acute and Allie still treats us to her quirky life full of twists and turns. I loved this one a little more than Moonstone and will continue with Moon Spun to discover whats next in Allie's quest for the Moonstone secrets. Will she fulfill the prophecy? I can't wait to find out!

You can reach Marilee Brothers here: 

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Review: Moonstone by Marilee Brothers

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Thank you to Net Galley and Bell Bridge Books for allowing me to review and give my honest opinion.

Synopsis:
A sickly mom. A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil. Geez. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a good-hearted "Star Seeker" is meant to command. "Who, me?" is Allie's first reaction. But as sinister events begin to unfold, Allie realizes she's got a destiny to live up to. If she can just survive everyday life, in the meantime.

Review:
Aimed at 14-17 year olds, The Moonstone tells the story of Alfreido, or Allie to her friends, who discovers she from a long chosen line of Star Seekers. This isn't just a story about a girl discovering magic. Allie's life is complicated enough. She looks after her mother and lives in a tiny trailer in Uncle Sids back yard. Allie knows nothing about her father because her mum won't tell. So when the Child Protection Service come knocking on the door to investigate her mother, Allie learns how to do magic with the help of a Moonstone, given to her by an adult friend whose family are romany gypsies. When a group known as the Trimarks start making things difficult for Allie she must put her trust in her friend Junior to help. But Junior is two years older than her and rigged with a bad reputation, especially when it comes to girls. Was her trust in vain?

This book was so much fun with proper laugh out loud moments. I loved the writing style. Yes, its written for the younger YA age range but it made me love Allie for all her zany thoughts and quirkiness, she's gutsy and thinks on her feet. This adventure story flowed so easily and the characters were all terrific. Ah, Junior!! Be still my heart..

This ARC came as a series so I'm off to continue Allie's adventure now in Moon Rise.

You can reach Marilee Brothers here: 

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Review: White Witch by Trish Milburn

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5
THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND BELL BRIDGE BOOKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO REVIEW THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION

Synopsis:
Witchcraft Is Her Family’s Business.No One Quits The Family And Lives To Tell About It. “Jax” Pherson has power, enough power to know her future will end in service to the dark coven her father controls. Unless she can stay hidden in a small community in the mountains of North Carolina.

She must find a way to live without magic and deny the darkness she feels welling up inside her—the same dark power that fuels the covens around the world. All she wants is a normal life. A boyfriend. Friends. Some place to belong, but all too soon Jax’s barely begun new life hangs in the balance when she discovers that the boy she’s attracted to is sworn to kill her kind. He’s a hunter with good reason to kill everything that goes bump in the night. Even the most fleeting use of her power is tantamount to signing her death warrant and will bring both hunter and coven down on her. But can she walk away when her friends are threatened by an old evil? Something created by the magic of witches? Jax’s only hope of survival is to convince the boy she loves to forget everything he’s ever been taught and help her find a way to fight the covens. To believe there is some good in her

My Review:
This is a sweet, younger age YA Paranormal book. The main character, Jax, is 16 years old, a renegade witch who's run away from her coven. She wants to go to high school, have a best friend, even date. But mostly she wants to be a normal teenager. She gets her wish albeit for a short while before an event happens that almost destroys her new friendship with Toni and new boyfriend Keller. She confesses her history to them and though Keller isn't thrilled, him being a supernatural hunter and all, he comes around.More badness and mayhem happens and before you know it Jax is facing her greatest evil, her father.

I enjoyed this story. The constant references to Joss Whedon and Buffy made me smile. I'm just worried they might be a little lost on the age that this book is aimed at.

There was nothing really intense or heavy, a few moments of passionate kissing, a camaraderie that unites the friends in question and I just felt the book was a little lacking. Backstory from Keller, maybe, was needed. A little more information on Jax's family as we only get a few sentences about her sister. Not even a great amount about her dad who is the big bad (even I can do the Buffy thing!). This book skims the surface and tells a story rather than shows it. Don't get me wrong it's good, the writing style is fluid and pacy, but it isn't anything that I haven't read before hence the 3.5 out of 5.

With an ending like that however I'm intrigued as to how the author will unite everyone and continue the story. Bane (Book 2) has no release date as yet.

You can reach Trish Milburn here:

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Review: Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz

THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY AND HARLEQUIN FOR ALLOWING ME TO REVIEW THIS BOOK AND GIVE MY HONEST OPINION


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Synopsis:
Finding your eternal soulmate - easy.

Stopping a true-love-hungry evil - not so much…

After breaking a centuries-old romantic curse, Emma Connor is (almost) glad to get back to normal problems. Although...it's not easy dealing with the jealous cliques and gossip that rule her exclusive Upper East Side prep, even for a sixteen-year-old newbie witch. Having the most-wanted boy in school as her eternal soul mate sure helps ease the pain-especially since wealthy, rocker-hot Brendan Salinger is very good at staying irresistibly close....

But something dark and hungry is using Emma and Brendan's deepest fears to reveal damaging secrets and destroy their trust in each other. And Emma's crash course in über-spells may not be enough to keep them safe…or to stop an inhuman force bent on making their unsuspected power its own.

Review:
When I read Spellbound I only gave it a 3 out of 5. I think I should have given it a 4. Firstly what struck me overall about this book is that the premise of the story is incredibly simple. Once we figure out who the evil witch is, most of it is plain sailing from there. There aren't that many twists and turns, but the writing is beautifully done and the romance between Emma and Brendan is wonderful, pure (they are soul mates after all), and a delight to read. There is no bickering, or the arrival of another teasing male to form a triangle, its exactly what a gorgeous romance should be. And neither characters deviate from their feelings which, again, in the YA age of unpredictability is a good role to teach teens.

In this episode of the series we get a lot more 'witchy' which (!) I loved. We have more Angelique and her great cousin Randi (both witches). But the witchyness isn't OTT. And Angelique and Brendan bury the hatchet and actually get nice with each other.

The main character, Emma, left me disappointed in the previous book. I just felt she was lacking and a tiny little bit wussy whereas here we get a much different and more grown up version. I liked her a great deal more and by the end I thought she was amazing.

This is a great follow-on from Spellbound. If you had any misgivings towards the first book then this one will capture you in.

Expected publication: March 27th 2012 by Harlequin Teen

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Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Synopsis:
Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.

Review:
This is one of those confusing ones where you really enjoy it even till the end, but then when you analyse it, its not so great. The author must have held me in by the writing which flows well and is exceptionally emotional.

The evilness in this story comes in two very churly and horrible school mates. When I write mates that just means they go to the same school. But apart from bad attitudes and a whole lot of nastiness there was not a great deal of bad bad bad stuff.

Ok, I get it that the two main leads are both reincarnations of the historical figures but I just couldn't help feeling that half way in, we got lost in all the gossip, bickering and he-said, she-said stuff. I really did loose focus at this point.

Then the big climax is just not that huge, in my opinion. Sure, Brendan got thrown off a cliff and was rescued by Ethan but I just couldn't get fired up about the intrigue. There wasn't even that much witchyness either.

One good point is that the romance is good. Very dreamy, very wish-he-was-my-boyfriend like! Sigh!

PS. Note to author. Ladybugs in England, even in Middle England are called Ladybirds not Ladybug.

You can reach Cara Lynn Shultz here:

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So many books for 2012...

2012 is going to be sooo exciting! With so many books coming out this year plus new and exciting author debuts, we've updated our Most Wanted books page and added more.

Check it to see if we've missed any...!!

What is your 'Most Wanted' book of 2012? We'd loved to know!

Review: Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I liked this book and I'm glad I read it, but I didn't love it. The story is wonderfully set in Ireland which I enjoyed. The characters are mostly great and the writing is good but sometimes a little oversimplistic.

Symopsis:
From the moment she sets foot at her new school in Ireland, Megan is inexplicably drawn to the darkly handsome Adam DeRis. But Megan soon discovers that her feelings for Adam are tied to a supernatural fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that unites them could be their ultimate destruction.

Review:
While reading the story I felt a little disengaged from the main character-Megan. I don't know whether its because she seemed to have little personality or whether it was her seventeen year old POV but at times I wanted to scream at her for her one-tracked mind. Especially when it came to Adam.

Personally, if I'd meant an eighteen year old boy that was so compassionate about me, I too would probably never want to leave him. But at times I felt the romance was a bit overkill. I love a nice swoony lead man but it was a little too much in very inappropriate places. Such as the training session where they seemed unable to take their hands (or eyes) off each other. I mean, there were three other people there trying to help with her training and all she can do is snog Adam in front of them? Awkward!

The story continues and picks up the pace to a suitable conclusion however another thing that affected me was the fact that Adam had to have a kidney removed. A KIDNEY REMOVED-SERIOUS STUFF!!! And all Megan can do is go gooey over his love for her, his kisses and caresses....yeah, that didn't ring true either.

Overall I will read the next one, and am keen to find out where the story takes me but at little less self-indulgence wouldn't go amiss.

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Review: Crave by Melissa Darnell

Crave by Melissa Darnell

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Teen for allowing me to review this book.

4 out of 5

Synopsis:
Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.
For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

Review:

So the two warring factions, Vampires and Witches (the Clann) have both agreed to a Treaty. The Vampires stay away from the Clann and vice- versa. Except a miracle happens and a vampire and witch have a child (about a billion to one probability).

Savannah has grown up in the same town all her life. In 4^th grade her best friends were the Clann’s sons and daughter’s, when suddenly, after a mock wedding between Savannah and Tristan, they’re all told by their parents to stay away from the ‘Colbert’ girl.

From here on in, Savannah makes her own life away from the Clann and leads a relatively normal life at that. Except she feels a stabbing pain in her stomach whenever Tristan is nearby. Bloodlust? Witchy charms? Or just a love connection? This is the story of Crave.

If you love a 15 year olds High School Paranormal Romance then this book is for you. If you prefer something a little older, then you’ll hate this book.

The premise of the story is great and Savannah really draws you into her world. We also get to read what happens from Tristan’s POV also which is a nice touch.

The pros of the story are these. It’s a nice, sweet story. Nothing major happens until near the end. The build up is steady and Savannah is not the kind of girl to break rules set by her family. She even gets the boy in the end but at a price.

The cons. Well, there’s a few story issues, or just issues, I can’t decide which. Firstly, the eye-gaze thing. Can you really go out with a boy for 5 months and NEVER look him in the eye? When you catch someone’s attention its eyes all the way for me. And it’s not just the guy she dated. She doesn’t look at anyone in the eye. Wouldn’t someone be trying to get you to the nearest eye specialist if you never looked at anyone properly?

This part of the story troubled me because we evolve through life learning to judge people’s actions and reactions from eye contact so if you never looked anyone in the eye how do you learn.

The second thing for me was while I enjoyed the story (and didn’t go to school in the US) the normal everyday stuff seemed to take up too much space. Just walking up stairs to set up for the Charmers, the dancing thing, and the Manager stuff. It was all a bit too much of …ordinary. Some of this could have been cut out I’m sure, but instead we’re left with reading someone’s everyday diary instead of a paranormal romance.

That being said I DID enjoy this book and would be keen to read the next one. The writing is okay but not outstanding. I wanted to feel a little more emotion from Savannah but I guess because she’s so young, maybe she doesn’t understand her own emotions yet? Especially as she’s part witch, part vampire and in love with the enemy…..cb

 Here's the book trailer! Enjoy!

Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Synopsis:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Review:
I always wonder why authors spend so much time building up a setting and then completely switch to another for a sequel. I was all ready for another year at Hex Hall but, no, we're off to England to Thorne Abbey.

Once I get settled into my new abode (with the help of Sophie, of course) I actually liked it. All the English-isms were a little cliche (not all English people like fish and chips - i don't!) but I expect overseas readers will feel at home with them.

The story carries on a few weeks after the last book ends. But this time Sophie is in so much danger it's untrue. The author steps up the tension and suspense and with a smidgen of romance, Spellbound lives up to the expectations of Hex Hall.

Again, the story is evenly paced, clues drop in nicely every now and again, and I must admit, I thought the Dad was in on it so much to my surprise the twists are even better than the last book.

We have more of a love-triangle going on too as Cal enters the story in small doses, and Archer makes a welcome return.

All in all, I loved it, and couldn't put it down.

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