Wednesday, January 22, 2014

The Grimm Chronicles, Volume Two

The Grimm Chronicles,Volume Two
By Isabella Fontaine & Ken Brosky

"200 years ago, the Brothers Grimm unleashed their stories upon the world. Literally. Now the characters of the Grimms’ stories walk among us. With every day that passes, they grow more evil. They are the Corrupted, and only a hero can stop them.

For 18-year-old Alice Goodenough, that means taking precious time off from her summer vacation. In addition to volunteering at the local library, Alice must stop the Corrupted who are now actively hunting her down. With the help of her magic pen and her trusty rabbit friend, the world has suddenly gotten a lot more complex. The Corrupted are everywhere, and only Alice can see them for what they truly are.

This book contains 3 episodes of the critically acclaimed series:

Episode 4: The Orphanage of Doom
Episode 5: Blood and Thunder
Episode 6: The Order of the Golden Dragon"
Courtesy of Goodreads

Rating: 5 of 5

I definitely enjoyed this book a lot more than I did the first one. The part that was most enjoyable was that it not only dealt with the supernatural aspects ,but it also dealt with real world problems facing teens today. Subjects such as drinking, fitting in, bullying, and finding your place in this world is some things every teen goes through. I think it makes this book easier to relate to. 

I love that Seth has stuck by her through all of this and is so willing to help her. I hate that Trish is so lost from the group, and I believe it is only right that her new boyfriend is part of the corrupted plan. I'm sorry but I enjoyed that bit of Karma. What sucks the most is, I believe Alice will need all the friends and help she can get to survive and live a long life. I know that her and Seth have kept it a secret from Trish, but Trish knows that Edward left and that Alice has changed, but I guess some friendships just drift apart. I am very excited about Chase. I love his story and cannot wait to see where the story takes him and Alice. 

I am very concerned about Briar. The fact that he cannot control his invisibility worries me that the corruption is in fact getting to him, and I do not look forward to the day Alice might have to deal with that. 

I think Eugene Washington was a more interesting and likable character than Grace was in the previous one. Eugene felt more connected to the story, and I enjoyed his entries a much more. (Not to mention her created Briar!)

I would like to see not only the stories that Alice encounters, but I would like to see a list of the name of the characters and those dealt with crossed out, much like the book Alice carries in the story. I'm just one that like to keep track though. :)

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The Iron-Jawed Boy

The Iron-Jawed Boy
By Nikolas Lee

"Year 2300
Protea: Capitol of the Eldanarian Isle

Two hundred years have passed since the lands of the Outerworld humans were destroyed, save but a handful of rebellious cities. In their ruin, the last gods of Earth, the Illyrians, rose victorious. And ever since, it's with a cruel iron fist they've ruled over their subjects--desperate to keep their thrones.

Fast approaching his teens, Ionikus Reaves knows the gods' malevolence all too well, orphaned by them after their call for a military draft on Eldanar, his home island. But when a power once dormant in Ion boils to the surface, he's whisked off to a hidden world of the island, where he comes face-to-face with the mighty Illyrians.

For Ion is a Guardian--a reincarnated god bound to serve and protect the pantheon he's so quickly learned to hate. Now torn between his obligations as a Guardian and his hatred of the gods he's to guard, Ion finds himself in the middle of a war within himself. A war that could uncover a dark secret of the gods'...and split the pantheon in two." Courtesy of Goodreads

Rating: 5 of 5

I will admit I was very skeptical of this book. I kept coming to on my "to read" list and trying to decide how I felt. I was then asked by the author to read and review it. I am very glad I accepted. I absolutely loved this book. 

Ion is such a great character. I automatically felt for him from the beginning. He is ripped from his family, has a piece of iron sealed to his face, sold into slavery to a complete jerk, nearly killed and then told he is a guardian for the society who caused all of this. This poor child. How do you cope with all of that? I understand how conflicted he feels throughout the book and how skeptical he is of the whole situation. I love how Vinya reassures Ion and makes him feel more comfortable in his new surrounds and with his powers. The climax of the story was one I hoped wouldn't happen, but I was blindsided by the help from the outside. The resolution was bittersweet. I only have one reaction to the ending: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I'm dying to read the second book. I have added this book to my favorites.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Thrall

Thrall
By Jennifer Quintenz

"Braedyn is a normal girl just trying to survive high school with her two devoted friends, Royal and Cassie. Together they’re doing a pretty good job of shrugging off the slings and arrows cast their way by the popular crowd when a new boy, Lucas, moves into the house next door. Suddenly Braedyn finds herself falling in love for the first time.

But as her sixteenth birthday approaches, Braedyn discovers humankind is at war with the Lilitu, an ancient race of enticing demons that prey on human souls. Her father is a member of the Guard fighting against the Lilitu - and so are the new neighbors, including her crush, Lucas. 

As her world starts to unravel at the seams, Braedyn learns the right answers aren’t always clear or easy. And as for “good” and “evil” – it all depends on how we choose to act.

Inspired by the ancient Mesopotamian myths of Lilith and her offspring, Thrall explores first love, strong friendships, and taking on adult responsibilities against the backdrop of powerful supernatural forces and life-and-death stakes." 

Rating: 5 of 5

This novel was so good. I received it this morning and just finished it a bit ago. I absolutely loved it. 

Let me start by saying poor Braedyn. Everything was going her way for once, and then rug is pulled completely out from under her... multiple times. You feel so bad for her! The life she has known is a lie. She is keeping a huge secret from the guy she loves. She has an inner war waging that could mean losing the world as well as herself.  I love how strong of a character she is. Everything that happens to her, and she still manages to come out on the right side.  Honestly, Braedyn's transformation from a girl who only wants to blend in to a woman who can't is amazing. I love that the physical transformation isn't drug out. So many books ruin themselves by doing that. It is so easy to feel the way Braedyn does. This character is so easy to relate to despite the supernatural atmosphere of the book. The relationship between her and Lucas is so intriguing and complex.  Her dad is by far the best father ever. He loves her through everything. This book ends with a choice, and I would have made the same one she did. 

This novel is supernatural, but it feels like it could happen to anyone at anytime. I think that drew me in more than anything. I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I have added it to my favorites collection.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones

The Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones
By Cassandra Clare

"When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know... 

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end." Courtesy of Goodreads

Rating: 5 of 5

Let me start by saying, I love snarky characters. This book is full of them.  I loved this book. It is just dripping with sarcasm. Clary is such a great main character. I felt like she was thrown in the deep end of the pool with the way she found out about having the Sight. It all just snowballed from there. Love triangles, jealous friends, demons, vampires, Forsaken. It's cray. I absolutely love Jace. He is so honest and snarky. I definitely like him more than Simon, but the twist in the story hit like a ton of bricks. If i hadn't saw the movie first, I would have been blindsided. I'm so looking forward to picking up the next book.

Sisters Red

Sisters Red 
By Jackson Pearce

"Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.
Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?" Courtesy of Goodreads
Rating: 5 of 5
I am  definitely one for retellings of classic stories. I loved this book. I was action from the very first page. I adore the strong bond between Scarlett and Rosie. I hate how hard the wolf attack made Scarlett though. She lost so much including the life she could have lead if it would't have happened. I hate that the hunt is the only thing that drives her now, but it did make it possible for Rosie and Silas. I kept waiting through most of the book for it to happen. I found myself getting frustrated waiting for it to happen, and terrified that Scarlett and Silas would wind up at the end. I was so scared that Silas would wind up turning. The ending turned out great. This book was a roller coaster, and I loved every bit of it. 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Everneath

Everneath
By Brodi Ashton

"Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

Everneath is a captivating story of love, loss, and immortality from debut author Brodi Ashton." Courtesy of Goodreads

Rating: 4 of 5

I really liked this book. I love Greek mythology, and this retelling of Persephone is brilliant. I love all the romantic twists and turns of this story.  In the beginning, I can't say I pitied Nikki at all. She chose what she chose, but as the story went on you saw what she was going through and can actually understand why she made the decision she made. I definitely liked the book the more I read. I do hate however at the end of this book that it feels like her best friend is long gone because of the whole Jack situation. I'm hoping this is resolved in the next book. I hated that Jack had to make the sacrifice that he did, but I know Nikki will try every way to get him back. I just wanna say that I kind of feel bad for Cole. I mean,really. He only did what she asked, and then she has completely pushed him away when she didn't like what she got. I believe some part of him really wanted to save her, and wasn't just trying to get her to choose him just for his own agenda.  This book was definitely a pretty good birthday present.