Everbound by Brodi Ashton

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Nov 062012
 

Everbound (Everneath #2)

Author: Brodi Ashton

Publisher: Balzer + Bray/Harper Collins

Published Date: January 2013

Softcover ARC; 368 pages

Genre: YA Paranormal

ISBN# 978-0-06-207116-3

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: read a softcover ARC which was then passed on to another reviewer

****Summary contains possible spoilers for Everneath. Read at your own risk.****

Summary

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.

Review

Nikki is struggling. She puts on a good front, doing what she’s expected to, but her heart’s not in it. She’s desperately looking for Cole, the Everliving who fed off of her for a hundred years. He has the answers she needs. He knows how to help her. She doesn’t think he will, but she’s got to try.

Then Cole is there, standing right behind her, speaking her name. From that point on I was hooked, anxious to see what would happen, sure there was no way this would end well yet knowing there must be a way or what would be the point of these 300+ pages.

I loved Everbound. I was sucked into the story, surprised more than once by twists I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I’m glad to be part of the Everbound ARC tour, but now I’ve put myself in a torturous situation. Reading Everbound almost four months before it’s released to the public means that I have to wait that much longer, in suspense, for book three. Why do I do this to myself?

Well done, Brodi. P.S.- Type faster.

Content

Language- some swearing (no f-bombs)

Sexual- kissing, nothing graphic; no sex

Violence- some fighting; a few events that were a little disturbing but I didn’t find them excessively graphic

Drug Use- no illicit drug use; we learn one character had been drinking prior to the scene

Find Everbound:

GOODREADS | AMAZON (Pre-order) | KINDLE (Pre-order)

 

 

 

 

 

BOUND by C. K. Bryant – Dark C.A.R.M.A Blog Tour

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews, Special Features
Nov 172011
 

Bound (The Crystor #1)

Author: C.K. Bryant

Publisher: Dragonfly Press

Published Date: October 2011

Paperback/Kindle/E-book; 398 pages

Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: I received a free e-book copy in exchange for an honest review

Back cover:

When a photo shoot ends in tragedy, Kira discovers her best friend, Lydia, has been keeping a secret. Knowing the truth, and accepting it, will change Kira’s life forever and thrust her into a world of ancient curses, magical objects, and savage enemies. What happens next will challenge everything Kira knows about her world, herself and the shape-shifting warrior she’s falling in love with. No longer the timid mouse her mother accused her of being, but a woman who finds the mental and physical strength to endure and survive.

BOUND is a heroic tale of true friendship, infinite sacrifice and untamed love.

Find out how you can enter to win prizes galore during the Dark C.A.R.M.A. Blog Tour below.

BOUND begins with Kira and Lydia in gym class on a seemingly ordinary day. By the weekend, though, everything has changed and the reader is swept quickly into a fast-moving tale that involves characters who aren’t what they seem and a history that belongs to another world.

I was pulled quickly into the story and it held my attention easily. I was interested in the history of Lydia and Octavion and I’m looking forward to learning more about their world. It looks like book two will take place on Ophira so readers will have the opportunity to learn more about Lydia and Octavion’s home world.

I liked seeing the growth of Kira throughout the book from an unwanted, unloved and abandoned child to a strong young woman who won’t give up without a fight. Lydia was fascinating with her own internal struggle balancing two spirits. Octavion was a little frustrating for me, at least at first. As the dangerous, even ferocious, young prince of another world at times he felt a little cliche, but by the end of the story he was really growing on me.

I know I’m invested in a story if I get to the end and keep flipping pages as if more story will magically appear. BROKEN, book two in The Crystor series, is scheduled to be released in Spring of 2012.

BOUND is an interesting story that left me wanting more. Readers who like to read YA Fantasy and YA Paranormal will enjoy BOUND.

Content: A few incidents of swearing limited to “he–” and one occurrence of “a–“; kissing but nothing too graphic; a bad guy attacks a main character and touches her breast but is stopped.

 

To purchase an autographed copy of BOUND by C.K. Bryant visit the author’s website here.

The Kindle version of BOUND can be purchased here.

To enter to win one of several prizes, including a grand prize, visit the Dark C.A.R.M.A. website.

Have you read BOUND? Tell me what you think of the hunky hero Octavion!

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Nov 042010
 

Halo


Alexandra Adornetto
Publisher: Fiewel and Friends
Published: August 2010
ISBN: 978-0-312-65626-3
Hardcover: 484 pages
FTC… Borrowed from the library

Halo page 1 “Our arrival didn’t go exactly as planned. I remember it was almost dawn when we landed because the streetlights were still on. We had hoped our descent would go unnoticed, which it mainly did, save the thirteen-year-old boy doing a paper round.”
“Halo” is the story of three angels that are sent to earth to find and fight, if necessary, the agents of darkness. Gabriel, Ivy, and Bethany are the sibling angels. They are the agents of light. Ivy and Gabriel are centuries old. Bethany is only 17 in mortal years. Each sibling has a different gift and their gifts and strengths are why they were sent for this mission. Gabriel is an archangel, a warrior. Ivy is a seraphim and she has the gift of healing. Bethany’s gift hasn’t been revealed yet, but her ability to relate to humans was why she was sent. Ivy and Gabriel have both fought many battles against the dark forces, this will be Bethany’s first. The three are sent to Venus Cove because of the surge of unusually evil activity occurring.
In order to fit in, Gabriel is hired to be the music teacher at the local high school, and Bethany enrolls as a student. Ivy is too old to be a student, so she spends her time volunteering at nursing homes, helping in soup kitchens, knitting hats for clothes drives… Whatever she can do to help around the community. The three of them really stick out because of their beautifully flawless skin, perfect bodies, and if you looked close enough, you could catch their halos. In school, Bethany meets Molly who introduces her to life as a teenager. Bethany is very naive, of course, and makes some silly choices. Eventually, she meets Xavier, and is instantly drawn to him. He has a sad history, and for that reason, Molly warns her not to waste her time, but Bethany can’t help herself. Xavier is the captain of the school, and he’s a really nice guy, who is nice to everyone.
Xavier and Bethany hit it off. Some surprising things happen, that have to do with wings… :). Later, the bad guy shows up. Luckily, because that’s when the story really started to pick up for me. His name is Jake Thorn, and… well, I’ll let you find out.
**Heads up: There is a scene with two main characters that is sexual where they don’t have sex, but where their clothing is removed, and they lay together in bed. Also, there is some teen-age drinking. Parental discretion should be used for how old the individual should be to read this book.**
I enjoyed this book, but thought it was about 100 pages too long. The story is good and even though, it was slow in parts, it did hold my attention. The climax was exciting and it is set up for a sequel. The coolest part about this book is the author. She is only 18! I couldn’t believe it when I read that, and this is her second book. Alexandra’s first book is “The Shadow Thief”, she wrote that when she was 14. The writing was done well, characters were developed, and there was a good flow to it. I just thought there was some things that weren’t necessary, and repeated too much. Oh, to be a teenager again :).
3 stars out of 5, and I will read the sequel, “Hades”, when it comes out.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Oct 142010
 


Clockwork Angel

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster Books
Published: September 2010
Hardcover: 478 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4169-7586-1
FYC FYI: Borrowed from library, but will be purchasing own copy.
I read the first three books in this series last year. The series is “The Mortal Instruments” and the books are “City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass”. “Clockwork Angel” is the first of three prequels. The story is dark, and there is some violence, but that didn’t stop me from reading and loving these books.
“Clockwork Angel” is set in London in 1878. Will and Jem are Shadowhunters. They hunt and kill troublesome demons and help protect mundanes (humans) and downworlders (warlocks, vampires, etc). Shadowhunters have “Marks” on their bodies, that help them fight stronger, heal them, and can even open doors with certain tools. Will and Jem are tracking a troublesome demon, and find a dead girl in the street. She was killed by a demon, and Will wants to find out why… That takes us to Tessa Gray. She is an orphan who’s aunt has just died. Her brother, Nathaniel, sends her a ticket to London and right away, just off the stream boat, she is kidnapped by the Dark Sisters. Mrs. Dark and Mrs. Black promise her that if she behaves, they will take her to her brother. However, the Dark Sisters know Tessa is different. They know she is a shape-shifter. The sisters are training her to use her power and are preparing her for the Magister. Enter Will, who tracks down the pair and helps Tessa…
I’ve been thinking about this next thing a lot since I finished. I think in order to understand and appreciate the story, you should read “The Mortal Instruments” first. The author goes into more detail about the Shadowhunter world. Saying that, if you wanted to start with “Clockwork”, you could. There are just more explanations of this different world in the first three, and I think the characters and this cool world would be understood more with some extra background. What I like most are the Shadowhunters. They are very cool and mysterious.
Cassandra Clare is an amazing author. She truly brings these characters to life and each character is so unique. I will read all of the books in this series, and I’m quite bummed that I have to wait two years for this series to be finished. “Clockwork Prince” will be released in September 2011, and “Clockwork Princess” in November 2012. Some extra good news to Shadowhunter fans… the fourth book in the “Mortal Instruments” series, “City of Fallen Angels” will be released April 5, 2011. (Great birthday present for me :)
Four stars for this book and four for the first three released.
To purchase, click here.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Sep 232010
 

Fallen

Author – Lauren Kate
Publisher – Delacorte Press
Published – December 2009
IBSN13 – 9780385738934
Hardcover – 452 pages
ftc fyi – Borrowed from the library
This was one of those books that caught my eye with the cover. I’d seen it around for a few months and wondered what the story was about, and I was always thinking that I needed to read it. Then, a couple weeks ago, my friend called raving about this book she finished in one day, she knew I would like it too.
“Fallen” is a book about mystery, questions, and figuring out the past. Lucinda Price is sent to Sword and Cross because she is thought of as a menace, someone who is possibly dangerous. Something happened in her past that even she can’t remember all the details about. In Sword and Cross the reds (cameras) follow you everywhere and you can’t even have your cell phone. Luce meets some bizarre kids on her first day. Many she’s not sure she can trust, but hopes that she can. Yet, the first time she sees Daniel Grigori, there is a hint of recognition there she can not place and things about him she can’t ignore.
I liked most the mystery of it all. Not the mystery of crime solving :), just the figuring everyone out and their intentions toward Luce. Luce is pursued by Cam, a repeat at Sword and Cross. He brings her in and shows her the ropes. Arriane, and Penn are friendly too. They are always trying to get her away from Cam, but why? But, Cam wants her away from Daniel… What will she do and who will she choose? Luce does have some secrets of her own. As she is tries to figure out her surroundings, the past, what happened and why it happened on the night that changed her life forever, she could even be in danger.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a darker story, but I was fascinated by all the characters. Some were spookier then others, and a few have wild secrets of their own. I mostly enjoyed Daniel, figuring him out, and why he did what he did, and why all out avoids anything to do with Luce at first. As I was reading, I felt on edge, with butterflies in my stomach wondering what would happen next. (but all in a good way)
The sequel “Torment” comes out September 28, and I will read that.
4 stars

The Necromancer by Michael Scott

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Aug 052010
 


The Necromancer

Author: Michael Scott
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Published: 2010
Hardcover: 385 pages
ISBN: 978-0-385-73531-5
FYC FYI- I bought my own copy
“The Necromancer” is the fourth book in the ” The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel” series. This book was awesome, held my attention, and left me wanting more. “The Warlock” will be the next released and last in the series is “The Enchantress”. I did some research to try and find a release date for “The Warlock”, but I was unsuccessful. (So, if you find anything, let me know.) I’m sure it’s because “The Necromancer” was just released :). That’s what is so hard about loving a series, is you have to learn to wait.
I would not read this book without reading the other three. Only a week has passed since the start of the series. And, a lot has happened. You might ask yourself, “Why is she reviewing book four then?” And, I really don’t have an answer, only that I would want you to read the whole series. You won’t be sorry.
Here’s the basics on the story: Josh and Sophie Newman are twins. Josh works for Mr. Fleming at his book store and Sophie works at a coffee shop where Mrs. Fleming is a customer. However, The Flemings have a secret. They aren’t who they say they are, and the two have been searching for the twins of legend… for centuries. There is an enemy of “Fleming’s”, his name is John Dee, he is also searching for something. Something that will help him complete all his plans of destruction and earn him favor with the Dark Elders.
There isn’t much else I can say without revealing anything spoilerish. However, every book brings interesting problems, magic, power, mystery, and mind-blowing characters. I love this series. It is very fast-paced and well written. I didn’t want to read it too fast in order to savor every detail slowly, but I couldn’t put it down. I love how the author executes the chapters. They are short, but you jump back and forth from one exciting situation to the next, and there’s always a cliffhanger that makes you continue reading. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book, or the series for that matter.
4 1/2 stars for “The Necromancer” and the other three in the series.
I cannot wait for the next and I would read anything from this author.
Reviewed by Mindy