Review ~ Pieces of You (Shattered Hearts #2) by Cassia Leo

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: January 21st 2014

Publisher: Random House UK, Transworld Publishers

Description:
Claire Nixon and Adam Parker each have a painful past too heavy to carry alone. Claire once tried to push Adam away but his relentless pursuit of her heart made her walls come crumbling down, and now they know they’re much stronger together than apart. 

But now Claire's attending college a hundred miles away from Adam, and the distance is forcing a crack. To add to the strain, Adam is sent to Hawaii on business, and doubts start creeping into both their hearts. 

Claire’s also dealing with her ex, rock star Chris Knight, being back in her life. Chris wants Claire more than anything, and he knows just how to get her: only he has the power to mend the final missing piece of Claire's broken heart. How can Claire ever choose between taking a chance on new love, or a second chance at having a family and a home?

My Opinion

I was glad that I requested all three books at once when I saw them as after finishing Relentless I moved straight onto reading Pieces of You. This book did worry me slightly as Relentless gives a clear indication of how this story was going to go and it was the emerging love triangle that had me slightly worried as I didn't know where the main focus would be. However, I did find myself enjoying the book.

I found Pieces of You more emotional than the first as with the re-introduction of Chris as a main character it brought more baggage and old memories up as they try to deal with what Claire did when they were apart. I was torn between liking Chris for the way he coped with everything as he becomes a vital part of Claire's life again and disliking him because I favoured Adam. By the end I still preferred Adam, but I didn't find Chris annoying like with the first book as he seemed to have matured and was there at the right moments. The character development in this book was great.

As you can probably see from my vagueness, I'm trying not to give anything away in case you haven't read Relentless. I always find reviewing sequels hard as I don't want to ruin the plot for anyone so I'm going to limit most comments. However, one thing I liked was the point of view switch. Unlike in Relentless, you get Adam, Claire and Chris's point of view in Pieces of You. When I saw this in the table of content I was slightly hesitant and wondered if three people telling the story was going to be too much and overwhelming with information. However, I was surprised at how well the book flowed. Three people were just about right and it gave and insight into every important character what with being written in first person. It definitely gave you a lot of detail and it also created minor stories within the bigger picture to keep things interesting.

Overall Pieces of You was a good sequel. It was just as fast-paced and engaging, so much so that I didn't realise how long I had been reading it when I stopped. The love triangle does not overshadow the emotional content and it was great to read about the characters developing.

Oh, and it also leaves you on a terrible cliffhanger so you may want to get the third book at the same time to avoid shouting in frustration! 

Review ~ Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1) by Aimee Carter

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 26th November 2013

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN

Description:

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING. 

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. 

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter. 

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed…and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

My Opinion

Having never read anything by this author I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw Pawn. The Goddess Test never really interested me but this book caught my eye. Not only is the cover striking and stood out as something I may like but I really liked the title. It sums up the book in one word and although I didn't know that going in it sounded like the book would have a good concept behind it.

Basically, Pawn lived up to my expectations in what it was and the kind of things that would happen. It has the general dystopian aspects: tyrant/dictator, oppression of society, a strong character determined to do something about it and a hint of romance. It was the standard dystopian book but I found myself enjoying it. It was also a surprisingly quick read that moved at a fast-pace.

The start of the book really intrigued me, especially with Kitty's talk about not caring about death. From the start she seemed like a strong willed, determined character and I did find myself liking her. It set the scene and the tone of the book well and what life is like if you're not a VI or VII, where something as small as stealing an orange can get you killer. I also liked the way the plot unfolded and the idea of Masking people. It was like clones in someway but not in others. It was simple to understand without the need for genetic jargon and because of that I was glad that it didn't need to constantly be referred to or explained.

For me the only downside was up until the end there wasn't much explosive action. There were a lot of word games, threats and manipulating but not action which was slightly disappointing as when everything did kick off it was great. I didn't see some of the things coming and the ending was exciting and has me wanting to read book two, I just wished it was like that all the way through. Saying that though, because this book was short, I didn't find that the pace was affected by this.

Overall Pawn was an interesting read with a concept I really liked as it was solid and strong throughout. The characters were interesting and there was even a hint of romance added among the dystopian world Aimee Carter creates. I may have been persuaded to give The Goddess Test a chance after reading the author's writing now.

Review ~ Stranded with a Hero (Lone Pine Lake #2.5)

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 11th November 2013

Publisher: Entangled Bliss

Description:
Getting snowed in never felt so good as boundaries are crossed, opposites attract, and friends discovering more promise a Christmas no one will ever forget.

Loving Mindy by Karen Erickson
Mindy can’t believe she's stuck with her ex–best friend—and the man whose heart she broke years ago—for the holidays, though the tension between them is more than enough to keep them warm. Josh Powers never forgot Mindy, but he can’t risk his heart a second time. 

White-Hot Holiday by Coleen Kwan 
Naomi’s sworn off men like Aaron—rich, cocky, and dismissive of holiday traditions. Aaron decided to spend Christmas in sunny Australia to avoid snowy New York, not to fall for the woman his best friend warned him away from. But when a volcano grounds him, Aaron and Naomi's relationship becomes eruptive. 

An Officer and a Rebel by Cindi Madsen
The last person police officer Nate Walsh expected to discover in a snowstorm is his brother's ex and former town rebel, Kelsey Cooper. She’s his complete opposite and totally off-limits, but as they wait out the storm together, all he can think is how he wishes she'd stay forever. 

Saving the Sheriff by Roxanne Snopek
Frankie Sylva was determined to free the reindeer cruelly held for a holiday roadshow, even if it meant risking her own life. Deputy Sheriff Red LeClair set out to save a stranger in a snowstorm, never expecting he’d be the one to be rescued.

My Opinion

The four novellas in this anthology were exactly what I expected and needed: short, sweet, slightly cheesy and sappy romances that kept you reading with a smile on your face. Also, you add Christmas to the mix and some festivities and my heart just melts. This anthology was the perfect fireside read for dark winter nights.

They were short, feel good reads that flowed easily and were great to chill out to in the evenings. I read a novella a night and each time I fell straight into the story and world the author created. The relationships were playful and the authors crammed a lot of backstory and build up into the small amount of pages which was a nice change from the usual. 

Although the romances were instant, fast and slightly cheesy, they were happy and you couldn't help but smile from them. It's what I expect from a Christmas romance book really so it didn't disappoint on that side of things. My favourites where the first novella 'Loving Mindy' by Karen Erickson and the third 'An Officer and a Rebel' by Cindi Madsen. These were the sweetest novellas in the anthology for me. I wasn't as keen on 'White-Hot Holiday' but that was only because it was set in Australia so didn't have the winter wonderland theme. It just felt odd to me but everything else in the story was good.

Overall it was a sweet, fun, feel good anthology that is perfect for the Christmas season. An enjoyable read.

Review ~ These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 10th December 2013

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Description:
It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

My Opinion

When I started reading this I hadn't realised it still hasn't been released so I was excited to get into it as soon as possible. This book was a lot different than I expected - in a good way - and so far it has met all of my expectations.

I'm not normally a fan of sci-fi but something about These Broken Stars caught my eye. I think it was the beautiful cover that hooked me to begin with. Anyway, as I started reading I was a bit wary, especially as it was on a spaceship. I didn't know where the authors were going to go with the story but I was pleasantly surprised with the revelations. Most of all I'm glad the book isn't written on the confines of the ship all the way through. In fact, even for me the technology and terms were kept to a minimum which was great.

I liked that Tarver was a soldier and had that strong, determined and disciplined mindset to him. I especially like him in the snippets of interrogation we get at the end of every chapter. For me, the wit he used to answer questions was amusing. Also because of the soldier aspect it made everything a lot easier to follow as it didn't feel so spacey and out-of-this-world. For me it gave the book an earthy feel.

I will admit I did groan as the love/hate relationship started. I found Lilac's attitude to be annoying and pretentious. I know that she was acting her superior role but for me there wasn't enough consistency in her character in the way her thoughts were directed at Tarver. One minute she likes him the next she's cold. It went back and forth for too long. Saying that though, by the end I had fallen in love with both of them and just wanted the best for their future. I liked how Lilac grew stronger and was thankful she quit moaning so much.

One other thing I liked was how the authors set it on another planet. They described the landscape brilliantly so I could picture everything clearly however I found myself wanting more answers. It wasn't until around 91% that some of my questions were answered and personally I felt it was a little too late. I would have liked more information in drips rather than a big info dump t the end.

Overall though, These Broken Stars is unlike any other book I have read. It's an enjoyable read once you get into it and I would recommend checking it out when it's released.

Review ~ Deeper by Blue Ashcroft

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: August 3rd 2013

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Rain Wilson isn’t ever going to love again.

It’s a promise she made the day her boyfriend died in a water park accident, one she still blames herself for. Now she’s a senior lifeguard in a new town with a new pool and she’s just going to keep her head down and everyone safe.

Until a mysterious guy follows her into the waves at the pre-season bonfire and kisses her senseless. It’s just one mistake, and Rain is determined to put it behind her, until the dark haired, blue eyed hottie turns out to be her new co-supervisor Knight Mcallister.

Knight is hot, tatted, and carrying baggage of his own. He’s not happy about having Rain for a co-supervisor, and he’s even less happy about his attraction to her.

But between lifeguard drama, hot underwater kisses, and a growing attraction between them that can’t be stopped, Knight and Rain are being pulled deeper into their pasts, and realizing that sometimes too much broken can make a relationship impossible.

Then again sometimes it’s the broken parts of us that fit together best.

My Opinion

Deeper was a quick easy read that moved at a fast pace and kept me hooked throughout the entire book. I didn't really want to stop reading last night but eventually sleep won and I had to read the last forty per cent today. It's the type of book I can imagine this book being a great summer read though.

One thing I liked was the life guard aspect of the book. Rather than have a bunch of teens on a summer break, Blue Ashcroft described them all at work which was a nice change from the norm. It also helped make the seriousness of Rain and Knight's jobs believable. As well as this, the trauma they had both been through was not only believable but dealt with sensitively. I felt their emotions were real yet is was nice to see their development as you keep reading.

Another thing I liked was the romance. Although I would class this book as more YA than NA and there isn't any sex and the description is quite tame it was still enjoyable to read. Knight and Rain's personalities complimented each other's well and I loved it when they would be teasing or joking around with each other. It felt natural and easy. The conversations flowed well which helped engage me in their romance. I did feel how they met was a little strange and unbelievable but by the end I didn't really care that Knight started off slightly creepy. By the end he was sweet, caring and a good guy.

The only thing I can think of to criticize in this book is sometimes I felt the emotions took priority over the story and therefore became slightly repetitive. There was a lot of description/inner thoughts from Rain and Knight about their ordeals and how it was impacting their relationship and for me it got a little too much, especially when there were a few paragraphs repeating the same thing, only phrased slightly differently. Personally I would have liked less of that and maybe more depth to the description and story.

Overall Deeper is a good, quick read. It isn't too heavy in the trauma department as it is broken up with Rain and Knight's relationship. It keeps you engaged and I would recommend it to anyone who likes romances.

  

Review ~ All Over You (Unforgettable You #1.5) - Beverley Kendall

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 6th May 2013

Publisher: Season Publishing LLC

Description:
An ex is an ex for a reason

To Rebecca Winters, it’s not just a saying or the title to a catchy tune, it’s a rule she staunchly lives by. Especially since the break up with her ex. What’s the point in trying to fix the “unfixable”? Besides, only a girl hell-bent on more heartbreak would go back to the guy who bailed on her when she needed him most. But saying no to Scott is becoming more difficult than surviving the breakup itself. And unfortunately for her, the kind of pressure he's exerting is making her rule all too easy to break.

Scott Carver has given up trying to get over his ex. He’s still in love with her and their year apart has done nothing to change that. Yeah, he knows he screwed up. Just how royally, he wasn't aware of until now. So when Becca agrees to give him a second chance, he grabs on to it with both hands. But it’s clear the only way things will ever truly be right between them is if he comes clean…about everything. He can only pray the truth doesn’t send her running—for good this time.

*Due to language & sexual situations, recommended for readers 18+ yr. 
Warning: The sensuality level of this short novel is high

My Opinion

I didn't realise that when I requested this novella I had previously been accepted to review it with the former title Those Nights in Montreal. It was only when I went to download it to my kindle did I notice and although I prefer the new title, I really like the old cover better.

Anyway this book was a believable, fun read that included a lot of detail for a novella. The back stories with each character and the history between Scott and Becca was interesting and I liked how they developed emotionally throughout the narrative. I also loved that the author managed to create suspense in such a short amount of space and had me turning pages hoping to find out what was wrong with Scott's family. I was worried that it wouldn't be revealed as I watched the page count go down but thankfully it was and the suspense was left right until the end.

The characters in All Over you were believable and easy to relate to, which is unusual for me in a novella. Both Becca and Scott interacted nicely together and I loved Becca's stubbornness and Scott's cheeky side, for me they worked really well together. There were both sweet, funny and hot moments in the book and all were described in a nice amount of detail. I wasn't so keen on the start but as soon as they ended up in Montreal things really picked up and I was enthralled in the world the author created. A few times the book had me laughing out loud and once again a novella put a smile on my face.

The only thing that annoyed me slightly was there were a few references I didn't understand. This is probably down to my age but I do find it irritating when I read a comparison that doesn't make sense because I don't know who the person the character is being compared to.

Overall, although I haven't read the first book in the series it didn't hinder me in the slightest. This was a short, quick and easy read. It kept me hooked and there was a surprising amount of detail included for a novella. I would definitely recommend and will be checking out the rest of the series.

                 

Review ~ Origin of the Sphinx - Raye Wagner

ebook received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: June 6th 2013

ASIN: B00D9627O4

Description:
In Ancient Greece, the invocation "May the Gods watch over you" was more than a spoken blessing. It was an entreaty for divine benevolence.

When Damon sees a beautiful woman alone, far from civilization, he can’t help but be drawn to her. But his life–as it should have been– is altered and twisted by the immortal touch of deity.

Damon’s daughter, Phoibe, is raised to be wary and distrustful of the gods.

And so she must choose–

If Phoibe marries a mortal, she risks eternal solitude for a moment of love.

If she follows her heart, she risks spurning a god.

The gods are powerful, and their knowledge is vast.

But the gods…

The gods are far from perfect.

Origin of the Sphinx is a novella detailing the story leading up to the creation of the mythological creature, the Sphinx. It is the beginning of the Sphinx series.

My Opinion

I love ancient history, especially ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome. I also love the mythology that comes alongside it all so when I first saw the description for this novella I was excited to start reading it and see what the author did with it all.

Being a novella Origin of the Sphinx was a quick read that I finished in just over an hour. I was surprised by how much Raye Wagner managed to fit into the small amount of pages though. There wasn't plenty of detail but there was quite a bit of action and things moved at a swift pace and for once they weren't disjointed. I have read many novellas that skip from here to there and it makes the writing jumpy and irritating. Origins of the Sphinx didn't do this which I was glad about. The author timed the breaks well, where it felt natural to have a pause or shift in time period and it flowed effortlessly into the next section.

As I'm more into history that mythology I'm not sure how closely the novella follows the truth, yet for me I really enjoyed reading it. Normally I find it hard to connect with characters in a novella due to feeling there isn't enough time to learn anything about them or create a relationship and even though I didn't fully connect with the characters, it is definitely better than any other novella I have read previously. It was also a nice surprise that we got a back story for Damon and found out snippets of information on other characters throughout. There really was quite a lot of information in such a short story which was great.

My only complaint, and it's not really a complaint, is that I wish it were longer. I would love to see it developed into a full length novel with a detailed back story for most characters, and vivid description of actions, landscapes and relationships so I could picture everything and connect with the characters. However this is part 1 of a series so I hope to find out more in part 2.

Overall Origin of the Sphinx is a short and quick novella that is an enjoyable summer read which will keep you turning pages. I would recommend it to those interested in mythology or just a light-hearted read to relax with.

                 

Review ~ Ink (Paper Gods #1) - Amanda Sun

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 5th 2013

Publisher: Mira Ink

Description:

INK IS IN THEIR BLOOD.
On the heels of a family tragedy, Katie Greene must 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.

When Katie meets aloof but gorgeous Tomohiro, the star of the school's kendo team, she is intrigued by him...and a little scared. His tough attitude seems meant to keep her at a distance, and when they're near each other, strange things happen. Pens explode. Ink drips from nowhere. And unless Katie is seeing things, drawings come to life.

Somehow Tomo is connected to the Kami, powerful ancient beings who once ruled Japan-and as feelings develop between Katie and Tomo, things begin to spiral out of control. The wrong people are starting to ask questions, and if they discover the truth, no one will be safe.

My Opinion

It was the setting that first drew me to Ink, as well as the beautiful cover. Most YA books I have read are always set in America, which is becoming slightly boring and repetitive now so the Japanese setting intrigued me as I wondered how the author would develop their culture into the novel. 

I'm pleased to say that everything from the language, characters and description felt very authentic and immersed you in the Japanese culture and lifestyle. I did find myself struggling with some of the phrases in Japanese and it took me until the end of the book to find the glossary but it didn't detract too much from the writing. I kind of just brushed over them if there wasn't a translation - you get the gist of the meaning. As well as this I loved the description of Japan, it was vivid and you could really picture what the author was describing, especially the cherry blossom sections. I would love to see that in real life for myself.

The story was as original as the setting. The Kami were an interesting paranormal element that I have not heard of before - or anything close to what I've read about. I'm not sure if they really are derived from Japanese mythology and culture but personally it was refreshing to read something so different. Controlling ink was an unusual gift to have and in my opinion slightly random but it all tied in nicely with Japanese calligraphy and once again had originality.

Personally I did find Ink quite slow to start and hard to get into. I think this was down to the unusual names (not used to Japanese), switches in language and because of the different setting. It took me a while to get into Amanda Sun's world but once I did I really enjoyed it. When there was action is was described brilliantly, with tension and mystery in parts. As well as this once I got used to all the difference and a few chapters into the book the pace started to pick up and remained like that until the end.

With regards to characters I'm not really sure what to make of them. There were times where I really felt for Tomohiro and Katie but others where I felt incredibly distant and borderline not caring what they were doing. Katie did become a little repetitive with her "I don't fit in" or "I stand out" which may have been why I found myself lacking sympathy as it just went on too much; especially when a lot of people compliment her on her fluency of Japanese. She also came across as quite stupid at times which made her rather unlikable. As well as this I did feel a bit like I was reading Twilight at stages with the "Stay away from me I'm dangerous" aspect Tomohiro pulls all the time and Katie clearly not getting the message and stalking him.

Other than that, the only thing I hated in this book was the ending. It leaves you on a terrible cliff hanger and personally I felt there was little resolve. For me, although I liked cliff hangers, I feel there has to be a little resolve to satisfy the reader and there wasn't with Ink. Instead it seems to start off again and I wanted to scream when I saw that was it. I couldn't believe that was how the author ended things, it was so abrupt. Anyway Amanda Sun does succeed in making you want to read the next book.

Overall this was a refreshingly original read. It has a beautiful setting and an interesting paranormal concept. I would recommend this to someone looking for something different in the paranormal genre.

                   

Review ~ Gaming For Keeps - Seleste DeLaney

eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: 10th June 2013

Publisher: Entangled

Description:

Pen Holloway’s done with men—in real life. Guys in game are so much less drama. But when her partner from　Heroes of Fallen Gods　invites her to the convention of the year, she panics. What if he’s another jerk? What if he’s not?Cal Burrows is living his dream of being a spy. One of TRAIT’s misfit spies, but still a spy. It’s the perfect job… until an arms dealer with a taste for blood invades his not-so-secret geek haven. All Cal wanted from ConDamned was to meet his on-line girl. Now, with the threat of mass murder looming, he’s forced to choose between keeping his mission a secret and protecting the girl of his dreams.Despite their attraction, Pen can’t help but suspect Cal’s hiding something. She also can’t shake the feeling he’s not as much of a stranger as he seems.

My Opinion

It was the concept of online meeting and Cal being a spy that intrigued me into requesting this book. I wasn't so keen on the online gaming part, what with having no experience in it, and I was slightly worried I wouldn't understand but I went ahead and took a chance on it and I'm glad I did. Although some terminology was used and real games mentioned I did manage to get the gist of what everything was so I wasn't left confused as the tech-jargon was kept to a minimum. It was however obvious that DeLaney knows her gaming worlds well.

Gaming For Keeps was an incredibly short and fast read and although it kept my interest the whole way through with it's steamy romance, comical moments and action this was where my main problem lay. I wanted more! Because of the novella length everything seemed a bit rushed with little development or explanation. For example details were brushed over such as Cal telling Pen about him being a spy. I for one would have loved to read about her reaction but there was hardly anything written other than a few statements. It was how the whole story went really and although I loved the concept and what was written I just wanted more detail, especially with character development and Cal's job as a spy at the convention. 

Like I said, I had no problem with what was written. In fact I really enjoyed the story and finished it within an hour - it did hold my interest. However I feel there is so much more this story could give and had a much bigger potential than a novella. I would have liked to spend a few more hours reading about the characters and watching them grow and develop with each other, finding out their back stories and more detail of the terrorist. I really didn't want to stop reading.

I really liked the transfer from gaming to real life and how the two find each other without realising  I thought it was an original concept and liked how the author used online messaging to communicate at the start. As well as this I really liked the romance scenes, they were described vividly and it made you fall in love with Cal. As well as this I liked Pen's attitude. She was strong and funny with her wit but because of being hurt previously by a guy she had a vulnerable side and the lack of trust is mostly where the comedy came in which was nice as I could feel myself smiling while reading. She fitted well with Cal's confidence and matched him well in terms of fight skills. 

Overall Gaming for Keeps presents an original concept and a nice romance. I really enjoyed reading it however I just wish there was more as I could see this developing into a great novel or series. I would recommend this to romance and N/A lovers.

Review ~ Acid - Emma Pass

Paperback received via Corgi (Random House Children's Publisher) in a Goodreads, first reads giveaway

Release Date: April 25th 2013

Publisher: Corgi (Random House Children's Publisher)

Description
2113. In Jenna Strong’s world, ACID – the most brutal, controlling police force in history – rule supreme. No throwaway comment or muttered dissent goes unnoticed – or unpunished. And it was ACID agents who locked Jenna away for life, for a bloody crime she struggles to remember.

The only female inmate in a violent high-security prison, Jenna has learned to survive by any means necessary. And when a mysterious rebel group breaks her out, she must use her strength, speed and skill to stay one step ahead of ACID – and to uncover the truth about what really happened on that dark night two years ago.

My Opinion

It was the cover that drew me to enter the giveaway for this book. It looked like a kick-ass, action packed novel that is something I would usually read. As well as this the girl on the front led me to believe in a strong, independent, female protagonist which I love in a book and that's exactly what I got.

Acid starts off introducing Jenna as the only female in a maximum security prison and although this seemed a little weird it was interesting, especially when it became evident Jenna could handle herself in a fight and that people learnt the hard way not to mess with her. She started off really strong and the intrigue of why she was there - although quickly cleared up - hooked me into the fast pace start. Jenna was tough and strong but had moments of vulnerability, even if she didn't let others see. I really liked the action at the start and because of it I found myself quickly enthralled in the futuristic world created by Emma Pass.

I thought the book would continue along these lines, especially when she escapes and goes on the run. I thought we would really see Jenna come into her own at that point and fight for her life however after the initial escape things started to loose their impact for me. Jenna lost her kick-ass quality and her edge that made me like her to begin with. She conforms to this totalitarian regime with LifePartners and although she disagrees with it, she is more worried about being caught than doing anything. This made up most of the middle of the book and although it was interesting and engaging I felt Jenna's character left a lot to be desired for as it started off so well. I was just expecting more from her.

Thankfully towards the end Jenna did find her fighting spirit again and although she didn't seem as tough to me I was glad that she was once again fighting. For me this book had a strong start and finish but the middle was a bit weak in terms of character development.

As for the world created by Pass it was a nice change to read a book set in England rather than the US for once. I could actually picture things and understand where places were geographically. I've read so many books where issues are centred in America and it was great to read one in a different location. As well as this the totalitarian regime run by ACID was really intriguing. The system was constructed well and I liked how newspaper reports were dispersed throughout the book, I thought it was a really original idea and added the extra emphasis on the control held by ACID. 

One problem I did have with the futuristic world was the technology. Weapons like 'pulse guns' were used by ACID agents and I can't remember ever being fully told what they were. I know they needed charging so I thought it was like a taser but when it stated they kill the person and Jenna uses a taser instead, it left me a little confused as to what the difference between it and a normal gun was. As well as this other tech like Komms confused me slightly. Although this was easier to understand due to the concept I feel a little more description on what they look like and work was needed to gain a better understanding of the new world.

However besides this the plot was really engaging with plenty of action to keep my interest. It moved at a fast pace and I really didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. I just wish Jenna didn't turn so feeble in the middle so I could rate it 5 stars. I know there is a valid reason - which I won't reveal - but personally I wanted more ass-kicking Jenna.

The other characters surrounding Jenna were normally brief meetings and due to that I never really engaged with anyone other than Max. I didn't mind this however though because it fitted in with the fast pace, on the run nature of the book to make it more believable. As well as this the slight romance was a nice addition and I liked how it wasn't the main focus. Yes there were LifePartnerings but there was never any love so it didn't make Jenna's character vulnerable.

Overall this was a really enjoyable read that I had a hard time putting down. Yeah I would have liked Jenna to not lose her fight but that didn't stop it being hard to put down. There was a load of action and the plot was carefully constructed to create a believable world and although the ending was slightly predictable, and some of the secrets I guessed before they were revealed I still found myself hooked all the way through. I would really recommend this book and I'm glad I won a copy!

                  

Review ~ The Deepest Night (The Sweetest Dark #2) - Shana Abe (ARC)

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Expected Publication Date: August 13th 2013
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Bantam Dell

Description
It’s 1915, and sixteen-year-old Lora Jones is finishing up her first year as a charity student at Iverson, a prestigious, gothic boarding school on England’s southern coast. While she’s always felt different from everyone around her, now she finally knows why: She is a drákon, a rare, enchanted being with astonishing magical abilities.

As war hits Britain’s shores, and Lora reels from an unimaginable loss, she finds that her powers come with grave and dangerous responsibilities. At the request of Armand Louis, the darkly mysterious boy whose father owns Iverson, Lora will spend her summer at his lavish estate. To help the war effort—and to keep Lora by his side—Armand turns his home into a military hospital, where Lora will serve as a nurse. For Armand is inescapably drawn to her—bound to her by heart-deep secrets and a supernatural connection that runs thicker than blood.

Yet while Lora tries to sort out her own feelings toward Armand, fate offers an unexpected surprise. Lora discovers there is another drákon, a prisoner of war being held in Germany. And that only she, with her newly honed Gifts, will be able to rescue him.

With Armand, Lora will cross enemy lines on an incredible mission—one that could bond her to Armand forever, or irrevocably tear them apart.

Beautifully written, deeply romantic, and filled with daring adventure and magic, The Deepest Night is a mesmerizing novel of the enduring pull of destiny, and the eternal strength of love.

My Opinion
This book was so much better than the first (The Sweetest Dark)! I wasn't sure what was going to happen as the ending from the first didn't really follow a particular storyline that could be continued. It summed everything up really well and seemed final so I was glad to read that although the book picks up from where it left off most of it is about something totally different from the first installment.

The Deepest Night was better written and had a lot more action in it which I loved. It kept me hooked and I couldn't put it down for the solid 3 hour it took me to read. The aspect of the war has been brought into the limelight and even though some of the description did make my stomach feel a little queasy, the author did a great job of entwining the harsh realities among the main plot line to create a believable book. 

I liked how Lora morphed into a strong and more independent woman throughout this book and I loved it when she began to throw the etiquette rule book out the window, it was really entertaining to read. As well as this the romance was a lot more subtle in this book which I enjoyed as the two finally grew towards each other. It wasn't the whirlwind romance like with Jesse and it made me connect and engage with the characters more as it didn't seem so abrupt. 

This book is written from three points of view, Lora, Armand and Jesse. Although this was one of the things I disliked in the first book it seemed better executed and flowed with more natural breaks in The Deepest Night. I'm still not sure whether we needed Armands POV but I liked how Jesse wasn't written out of the story and we got to hear his thoughts every so often.

There are only two things I can think of that nagged me slightly while reading. This may be me being picky but a few times the author slipped into American English and although it wouldn't bother me for the main narrative when the characters use it in speech it detracted from the realism as people in the time period and setting would not be using the US version. One example of this was referring to the "fall term" and although it is minor it nagged me slightly.

The only other thing I have a slight problem with is that there isn't really a section in the book that explains what the stars are or what they are meant to do. You hear their comments throughout the book but I'm still unsure of what their main purpose is meant to be. 

Overall though, The Deepest Night was far better than the first book. It was action packed, hard to put down and fast paced. The writing has developed a lot and flows so much more than in the first book. The romances develop well and makes it easier to fall in love with the characters and sympathise with them as the story moves along. I also love this cover as well!

Review ~ The Angelites Book One - Richard Moran

Paperback received from author in exchange for an honest review

ISBN: 9781482738636

Description

Gina Vasquez was on top of her game in law enforcement. She graduated with top honors from the police academy and was the best detective for the NYPD.

Years later, after relocating to New Mexico to become a small town sheriff, Gina encounters a demonic cult, which were the first steps heading toward her true destiny, leading a group of special officers named The Angelites, to defend the earth and humanity against hell's army known as The Clucifix.

Gina must now make the choice on whether to accept her destiny or go back to the quiet life in New Mexico, allowing her keen skills to go to waste.

My Opinion
This book was definitely not what I expected, although I'm not entirely sure what I went in expecting as the description didn't give much away in regards to the paranormal element - which was the part I was most interested in.

Anyway this book was fast paced and action packed. There was a lot more violence than I anticipated but the author described it in a way that never became over the top. I have read a few books like this where an author goes over the top with gory detail and in the end it detracts from the book, however I think Moran struck a good balance between the gore and detail that actually described the fight, it didn't make me cringe or want to skip parts.

As well as this, this book had an interesting plot and used the themes of angels and demons in a different way to what I have read before. I liked the uniqueness and the fact that the angels where there as guides and to give powers rather than the center of attention. It was a nice change from all the paranormal romances I have read where the angels are hot guys.

The Angelites took a little while for me to get into as I found that the way the author kept switching from place to place in each chapter a little confusing (didn't help I am not familiar with all the places in the US) but as the novel went on and I started to understand who was who it became easier to follow when there was a switch in character and place and by the end I liked the style of knowing what was going on everywhere.

One thing I found annoying about this book was that I couldn't really connect with the characters. The storyline was great but the only one I felt myself feeling sympathy toward was Saxon and I think that was because his emotions felt real. Apart from him I did feel quite detached from the rest of the character and just couldn't connect with them. Maybe it was because the seemed a bit more ruthless or there wasn't enough of a back story to create a relationship. Other than that, the only other thing I struggled with as it broke up the fast paced nature of the book was there were a few typos and grammar errors that had me re-reading sentences a few times. Although it was easy to figure out what the author meant and they were minor it did detract slightly as I had to pause and question what I was reading.

Overall though The Angelites presented a unique spin on the angel/demon genre and I enjoyed the concept. The story, although a bit confusing at the start, is well structured, had a solid storyline and only got better as it went on. It was filled with loads of action and kept me turning pages at a quick pace. If you try this book I would definitely recommend sticking with it as it is an enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next installment. 

Review ~ Burning Bright (Flynn #2) - Sophie McKenzie

Purchased by myself from Amazon

Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 9780857071019
Released: 5th Jan 2013

Description
Four months have passed and River and Flynn are still going strong. But things are not perfect. Flynn continues to fly into unprovoked rages, and when River tells her mum, she is banned from seeing him. Fighting to stay together, they end up being torn apart. Is it all over for River and Flynn?

My Opinion

I was excited to hear that Falling Fast was going to have a sequel and after finishing it I was dying to know more. I have finally found the time to buy and read Burning Bright and wow it plays on you emotions! I thought Falling Fast was bad but this takes it to a whole new level.

I really enjoyed reading this book and finished it within a few hour, I just wish there was more. I liked how this book in the series had a slightly darker undertone and how Flynn was developing as a character. Also, the fact that his dad turns up made things more interesting as it bought out a lot of darker emotions. As well as this, I liked River's rebellious side that turns up during the middle of the story, it was a nice change from the 'unsure of herself girl' at the start.

Where as Falling Fast focused on Flynn and River getting together Burning Bright focused more on the struggles they faced four months into the relationship and how they try to stay together despite everyone's beliefs. At times it felt like the arguments were slightly petty and appeared to often but in general this book had me hooked from page one and changed my mood from happy to sad repeatedly while I read it.

The characters in both Falling Fast and Burning Bright were easy to relate to and sympathise with and I think that is why it played with my emotions so much. Sophie McKenzie did a great job of capturing the first few months and emotions of a teen relationship and the storyline - if a little predictable at times - was engaging and enjoyable to read. 

Overall I am eagerly awaiting Casting Shadows (Flynn #3) and hope it is out soon as with the way the author leaves Burning Bright I don't know how long I can wait to find out what happens next. I would highly recommend this series to any chick lit fans or someone looking for a quick and easy read to chill out with. For that matter I would recommend everyone of Sophie McKennzie's novels as they are all brilliant in my opinion, especially Girl Missing and Blood Ties!

Flynn Series:

Other Series by Sophie McKenzie which I loved: