Wait for You by J. Lynn Review (Jennifer Armentrout)

Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing…

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…

This book had absolutely no paranormal or urban fantasy aspect to it at all, which made me put off reading it for almost a year. I'm not a huge fan of romance novels with nothing else going on; I tend to need that extra craziness factor thrown in there to truly enjoy a romance. This book surprised me in so many ways, and yet, I should be used to Ms. Armentrout and her amazing writing skills. She writes the perfect male characters, the ones that you fall in love with over and over with throughout the book. I heard this quote once (I don't remember from who) that said, "Women fall in love with book characters because men like that don't exist", and I couldn't agree more! Cam is everything you could want in a man; sweet, sexy, thoughtful, and completely devoted to Avery. Even with her not so great past, he can see past everything and love her for the person that she is. Cam is a wonderfully written, fall in love with character. Avery is more complicated; her past still threatens her constantly, regardless of the fact that it's been almost six years since 'the incident'. I cannot imagine what she is going through, and I can't say that I wouldn't act the same way in her situation. She is an intense character, wonderfully written and impossibly jaded. I usually am not overly excited about a character with psychological problems and a tendency to whine a lot, but the author nailed this one! The plot line was strong and twisted. If you have read my reviews, you know that I live for insane twists and what the fuckery moments, and this book didn't let me down. I enjoyed the fact that the reader had no idea what exactly happened to Avery until the end. There is nothing worse to me than to know exactly what is going on in a book, and to be able to predict how it will end. So thank you Miss Armentrout for another, wonderfully amazing, delicious, in your face story of real love, not the cheesy 'love at first sight and everything is perfect' love. A love with issues that can either tear your heart out, or can be overcome to realize that they didn't really matter that much in the first place.

'Brit followed my stare and sighed. "I don't know which one is hotter". Cam, to me, won hands down. "Me neither." "I'd take them both," Jacob commented. "At the same time?" Curiosity filled Brit's tone. Jacob grinned. "Hell yea." "A Cam and Jase sandwich." Brit shivered. "I wish that was on the Dollar Menu." I laughed. "I think they'd cost more than a dollar." "True," she murmured and then sighed out a, "I need to get laid." Jase elbowed Cam and said something. A moment later, Cam looked in our direction. A wide smile broke out across his striking face. He put his cup down on the edge of the ping pong table. "And here comes one of them," Jacob said, looking at me slyly. "It's about to become a Cam and Avery sandwich." "Shut up," I said, flushing. People got out of the way for Cam. He was like a hot Moses, parting a sea of drunk college students. I took a step back, suddenly nervous.'

Connect with J. Lynn (Jennifer Armentrout): JenniferArmentrout.com; Goodreads; Twitter; Amazon; Barnes & Noble.

Tags: romance, Jennifer Armentrout, J. Lynn, Stay With Me Series, book reviews, love.

Stacking the Shelves - September 2014 - New & ARCs!

Welcome to September, my favorite month of the year! Autumn is upon us, the perfect time to take a trek through the forest with nothing but a good book. Maybe some coffee, of course! These are the reviews that I have committed myself to reading this month. Some are grouped with book tours, some just caught my attention and I couldn't resist! This post is really for me, so that I can keep track of what I'm supposed to be doing here (:

I recently purchased the first two Stay With Me books by J. Lynn (Jennifer Armentrout), and am looking forward to the third coming out later this month! This woman creates the most amazing male characters EVER! Sigh.

I loved Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey Series, so I recently got all three books in the Blood of Eden Series. If it is anywhere near as good as Iron Fey, I will be falling in love with this series soon!

I've been looking forward to reading The Broken Series by Jen Wylie for a while now. It has crazy high ratings on Goodreads, so I purchased both books in the series, and plan to read them soon!

Josephine Angelini's new book, Trial by Fire releases September 2, 2014, and I fully intend to buy it the day that it comes out! I loved her Starcrossed Series, and hope this book lives up to the reviews it's already gotten!

Look for my reviews for these upcoming books and more this month!

Faelorehn - The Otherworlds book 1 by Jenna Johnson

I never heard him come after me and even as I climbed the slope and stumbled onto our shaded back lawn, I didn’t look back. It was like the day the gnomes chased me all over again, but this time I was not escaping some horrible little creatures, I was fleeing from an incredibly good-looking guy who could very well understand me completely. I was either saving myself from that serial killer I always imagined lived down in the swamp, or I had finally gone over the deep end . . .

Meghan Elam has been strange her entire life: her eyes have this odd habit of changing color and she sees and hears things no one else does. When the visions and voices in her head start to get worse, she is convinced that her parents will want to drag her off to another psychiatrist. That is, until the mysterious Cade MacRoich shows up out of nowhere with an explanation of his own. Cade brings her news of another realm where goblins and gnomes are the norm, a place where whispering spirits exist in the very earth, and a world where Meghan just might find the answers she has always sought. But at what cost?

Meh. I really liked the concept of this book, and the world building was well done. I just never connected with any of the characters. Meghan, the protagonist, was completely obnoxious. She constantly asked herself ridiculous questions, regardless of the situation at hand: why, who, what, etc. It was fine at first, I enjoy to hear what's going on in a character's head, but it proceeded to irritate the hell out of me the more frequent it became. The Celtic research was well done; having been raised in a pagan family with a rich Celtic background, I was impressed that the author was accurate with the legends. The plot line was pretty slow though; the entire book, the reader is basically waiting around for Cade to come back. Following Meghan to and from school, out with her friends; it was like a really boring diary! There was little humor, which maybe would have helped break up the monotony a bit. I had high hopes for this series, especially with my fae obsession, but I was sadly let down. Maybe the next book in the series will be better, but it will take a lot to get me to continue reading this series.

"If I were an ordinary high school girl and if he were an ordinary high school boy, I would be hoping for some romantic liaison on his part right then. But neither of us was ordinary and he was definitely not a high school boy." - Jenna Elizabeth Johnson

Connect with Jenna Johnson: JennaElizbethJohnson.com; Twitter; Goodreads
Tags: Fae, faerie, faery, otherworld, urban fantasy, series, paranormal, goblins, gnomes, spirit animals

Liebster Award Nomination!

This is my first year blogging, and I'm so happy that I was recently nominated for the Liebster Award! This is an award given to new blogs, to get followers and views. Talina at Sassy & Dangerous and Tikaa from fanGIRLconfessions both nominated me, so thank you so much girls. Your blogs are amazing, and if you ladies feel the same way about mine, I must be doing something right!

The Rules

1. Thank the blogger who nominates you.
2. Answer the 11 questions she/he asks of you.
3. List 11 random facts about yourself.
4. Nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers.
5. Ask these 11 bloggers 11 questions of your own.
6. Let them know you have mentioned them.

So let's start with the 11 questions from Talina..

1. What do you like most about blogging?

This is a tough one, because I'm so new at blogging. Well, I started doing it for myself, to remember what books I've read and what books I'd like to read. It began as my personal journal, and people ended up liking it. I really enjoy letting everyone know about a particular book that I absolutely loved, as well as a book that I didn't feel was worth the time to read. I give my own opinions and there are people out there that actually want to hear them! (:

2. Where is your favorite place to read?

I have my back deck of my second floor apartment set up with a cozy reader's nook. There is a super comfy chair there, a table for my coffee of course, and a ton of plants. As soon as it gets dark, I retreat to the cave, as my roommate calls it.

3. What is your favorite book series?

Ouch. Do I really have to pick just one? I think that's honestly impossible for me. How about one for NA & one for YA? (:
New Adult: The Fae Chronicles by Amelia Hutchins
Young Adult: Lux Series by Jennifer Armentrout

4. Do you have any books that you disliked or hated?

Not really. I've read books that I just can't get through because they start off slow, but I don't necessarily dislike them. Oh, wait, I can think of a few.. all by Nicolas Sparks. I think that man hates women; he must have had some sort of bad experience with a woman he loved because he sure loves to make us all sob our eyes out uncontrollably.

5. What is your favorite tv show/movie?

Well, I'm in college and I'm really poor (lol not joking!)so I don't own a TV. I used to watch SyFy a lot though.. especially shows like Ghost Hunters and Destination Truth. My favorite movie.. a toss up between The Longest Yard and Jerry Maguire.

6. How many books do you own in physically and in e-book?

So, the previous question where I mentioned that I'm really poor.. that could be because I spend all of my money on books. I own around 700 paperback / hardback books and another 500+ on my Nook. I have a ridiculously huge book collection that I refuse to move.. ever. Who is going to carry all of those books from my second floor apartment?

7. What is/was your favorite subject in school?

I'm an English major, but my favorite subject was always Social Studies- I wanted to major in Archaeology but apparently, archaeologists are glorified hobos, and I'm not cool with that.

8. Who is your favorite author?

Another one of these questions..(: I absolutely love Jennifer Armentrout.. her Covenant and Lux Series both were amazing, but I am slightly disappointed with her newer stuff. Age of X was good, but not amazing good. I also really love Anne Rice for birthing the entire gothic / paranormal genre.

9. If you were stranded on an island, what three things would you bring with you?

My first thoughts were my coffee pot and my Nook, but this island most likely doesn't have electricity. A charged cell phone so that I can get the hell off of this so called island? (: No, seriously, I would bring a copy of Stephen King's It because I have never had the time to get through that crazy big book, a gallon of soap because, let's face it, no one likes a stinky beach bum, aaaand.. I'm still saying the coffee pot. I would be lost without coffee.

10. Who is your favorite actor/actress?

I really don't watch TV/Movies all that much. I really love Adam Sandler and the host from Destination Truth, Josh Gates. I love men that can make me laugh!

11. If you could date any fictional character in any book, who would it be?

I love this question Talina, thank you! I would, hands down, kidnap Daemon from Lux and keep him tied to my bed for eternity. Sigh.

Questions from Tikaa

1. What do you like the most about being a book blogger?

The fact that people actually want to hear my opinions..(:

2. What book has been your hardest to review. Why?

The Elementalists by C. Sharp. It was not what I was expecting at all. The blurb mentioned dragons, so I'm thinking.. fantasy. It turned out to be something so different, deep and meaningful to me. It took me a while to collect my thoughts and actually review it.

3. What was your favorite book(s) growing up?

The Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine, Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell, anything by Christopher Pike.. too many to name. I've always been a huge book nerd!

4. What is your favorite trilogy? (not series)

hmm.. I really liked The Sweet Trilogy by Wendy Higgins.

5. If you were living in a Dystopian world where as a team, you had to overthrow the government or society, what 4 other fictional characters would you choose to assist you?

Wow. I'm gonna say Jayne from War of the Fae by Elle Casey, cause she's totally badass. Seth from the Covenant Series by Jennifer Armentrout because everyone needs an Apollyon now and then. Atticus from Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne; he's like the MacGyver of the Fae. And Daemon from the Lux Series by Jennifer Armentrout, just cause we all need a little eye candy! (:

6. If you could re-write any book, what would it be? Why?

These questions are crazy Tikaa! I would totally rewrite Twilight so that she ends up with Jacob. Come on, don't hate. Jacob is crazy sexy, whereas Edward is a creeper. For real.

7. What is your all time favorite book? (just one, I wanted to make it a bit difficult lol)

Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. Or Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice. It's impossible to only pick one!

8. Do you have any other hobbies besides reading and blogging?

Creating, art, sewing, hiking, rock climbing.. I love being anywhere in the middle of nature.

9. Even though it's a bit early for a top 10 list of your favorite books for 2014, what 3 books are you 100% certain will make it on the list this year.

1. Opposition - Book 5 of the Lux Series by Jennifer Armentrout
2. Haze - Book 2 of the Rephaim Series by Paula Weston
3. Silver Shadows - Book 5 of Bloodlines Series by Richelle Mead

10. Hate is a strong word, but what book(s) do you absolutely despise?

Anything by Nicolas Sparks. I 'dislike' sobbing hysterically while reading. It makes my eyes blurry and I can't see the words. (:

Yay, that was more fun than I thought it would be. Thanks Talina and Tikaa for the wonderful questions! Now here are my questions to the 11 nominations...

1. What is your favorite genre of book to read and your favorite book from that genre?
2. If you could live in any world from a book, which would it be and why?
3. Who is your favorite fictional character of the same sex? Does this character remind you of yourself, or someone you would like to be?
4. Who is your favorite fictional character of the opposite sex? Why? (:
5. Tell me the most random fact about you.
6. When did you start your blog, and why?
7. If an alien invasion started tomorrow and you had to hide in a bomb shelter, name three things you would bring with you.
8. How many books do you own? (Physical and e-books included)
9. If you could pick one supernatural trait to have, what would it be?
10. What is your all-time favorite book or series?
11. What book are you most anticipating reading, whether it not be released yet, or you just haven't gotten around to it?

11 random facts about me...

1. I was raised by pagans. (haha, really, not joking :)
2. My family is Irish and Native American, and I was raised to believe in faeries. The real ones. Seriously.
3. I have been to over a hundred concerts. (and loved every one of them!)
4. I design clothing in my spare time, with crazy artwork either sewn or airbrushed onto it.
5. I want to get into the editing/publishing field when I finish school.
6. My body is 75% Ramen noodles and take out Chinese, because that's all I eat. I would kill for a home cooked meal. Ahem, mom.. if you're reading this, hook a daughter up!
7. My nickname from my grandmother is Spirit Wolf. I don't know how that's a nickname, but it's what she always called me.
8. I am a closet Air Supply and Bon Jovi fan. Yes, sad, I know..
9. I had a pet pig (best friend) named Arnold when I was 7. My parents butchered him and tried to make me eat him. I still love me some bacon though..(:
10. I was obviously raised on a farm in Amish country. I thought horses and carriages were the best way to get around until I was 10.
11. Uhh.. I have an unhealthy addiction to reading. I would much rather finish a good book than be a coherent person the next morning!

And the nominees are....(in my best TV show host voice)

1. May Huang at Miles to Go Before I Sleep
2. Noelia at A Day in Bookland
3. Bee at Let Books Bee
4. Emma at The Book Brief
5. Mallory at Mallory Books
6. Melissa at In a Bookish World
7. Ericka at Highway-YA
8. Busy Brunette at Busy Brunette's Bookshelf
9. Swathi at Give Me the Books
10. Tanya at Tanya's Imagination

Again, thank you so much Talina at Sassy & Dangerous and Tikaa at fanGIRLconfessions for the nominations! Good luck everyone, and I can't wait to see your answers. (:

Book Tour Fridays - Reviews, Giveaways & More

Fall classes started this week, so I thought I would do something different here at Elysian Fields Book Reviews. Unfortunately, my time for reading for pleasure will decrease dramatically, and I will not be able to review as often. I will now be hosting Book Tours throughout the month of September, on Fridays only. While adjusting to my new classes and work load, I don't want to make any commitments that surpass one review a week. I will still post other reviews that I have time for occasionally, but I have a feeling they will be few and far between. Thanks for your time everyone, I will post the Book Tours that I have already committed to. Please feel free to comment with any suggestions about tours you think I would be interested in!
-Morrighan

September 5, 2014

September 12, 2014

Soulless by Amber Garr (ARC)

*This is an ARC from Hallowed Ink Press

*When it comes to death and love, only one is guaranteed..
Nora died over forty years ago. Instead of her death being the end, it was a new beginning. She was given the chance of a lifetime, literally. To become one of the elite Death Wardens. The Wardens escort newly dead souls to their place in the light. As always, there are two sides to everything; the Shadow Hunters try to sway the souls to the dark side. Nora's souls are becoming targets, and she realizes there is a power at force beyond anything she could have imagined. The balance between dark and light is precariously held in the hands of her shamanic powers, as well as her new ward, Jason. He is a healer, one with amazing powers that she has never seen before. But will he stay on the right side when the approaching battle is imminent? Nora's connection with him is instant, as is the attraction she feels for him. When she is forced to face her ex, Theron, now on the side of the Hunters, can she forget her feelings for him with the help of Jason and her friends?

This is a wonderful start to a new, promising series. Death Wardens is original, fast paced, and addicting. Nora is a well written protagonist; she's not whiny about everything wrong in her life, even though her heart was shattered by the man she is still in love with. Jason is a wonderful character.. I fell in love with him instantly. As far as love triangles go, the one between Nora, the jerk- Theron, and Jason is typical 'girl can't make up her mind' drama. I'm team Jason all the way. He's a sweetheart; sexy and confident, yet mysterious and powerful. The world building in this book is just alright in my opinion, and hopefully it will get more intricate with future books in this series. The only complaint I really have is that it was way too short for an introduction to a new series. I felt like I didn't have time to get to know the characters and the world before the final page. It was a great book though, and definitely worth a read for the urban fantasy junkie in all of us.. :)

"No one invites Death to a party. Luckily, I wore a disguise... and I wasn't Death, exactly. It's true I might linger around humans on their way out of this world, but I wasn't the one who decided their fate. I just had to explain it all." - Nora by Amber Garr

"I wasn't expecting a fight over this one, but any chance I get to wrestle with you is an experience worth treasuring. The glint in his eyes represented a threat, just as it did his longing for our past physical relationship." -Theron and Nora by Amber Garr

Connect with Amber Garr: AmberGarr.com; Goodreads; Amazon

Tags: paranormal, book reviews, urban fantasy, soul, angel, demon, death, amber garr, death wardens, series, book reviews, ya, young adult, new adult

Haze - Rephaim Book 2 by Paula Weston (ARC)

*This is an ARC from Tundra Books

Gaby used to be fairly normal; with a job at a library and a house she rented with her best friend, Maggie. Sure, her nights were filled with dreams of slaughtering monsters from hell. Definitely, she lost her twin brother in a horrible accident a year earlier. But her entire life twists upside down the night Rafa comes to town. Gaby finds out that everything she knows is wrong, everything she believes happened never actually did. Her memories of her previous life are gone, all 139 years of it. Gaby is a Rephaim, part of a group of half angels that hunt demons and The Fallen. Gaby is stuck between two groups of Rephaim, with no memory of which one she should owe allegiance to. The Outcasts are a group of Rephaim that left the sanctuary. Rafa and her brother, Jude- a part of this group that left had to have a reason for their rebellion. And why didn't Gaby go with them? And if she is still alive after they all thought she was dead, can Jude be alive too?

This book picked up exactly where Shadows ends. The sexual tension between Rafa and Gaby is palpable. I don't want to give any spoilers, but the ending was awful Ms. Weston. Sigh. The third book has already been published in Australia and I am tempted to see if I can purchase it out there somewhere. The cliffhanger at the end of this book is worse than any that I've read before. I have a feeling that Nathaniel is a traitor, working with the demons as well as the Rephaim. (Just a prediction) I really want to like Jason as well, but he has done nothing but lied and avoided telling the truth since the beginning of this series. My fingers are crossed for Maggie that he doesn't end up turning his back on his Rephaim cousins. This book kept me in suspense the entire way through, just like the first one. I hear there will be four in the series, so please write quickly Ms. Weston! I couldn't put this down, and I cannot wait until Shimmer comes out in the U.S.!

“I know things are messy with us, but do you really think I could just walk away from you?" This time he doesn't look away. "Do you really think I'd let you?” - Rafa and Gaby - Paula Weston

“You believe what he's saying - that they're demons?"
Simon nods.
"Like, from hell?'"
"No," Rafa says, "from Comic-Con." He shakes his head. "Yes, from hell.” - Paula Weston

Book reviews relating to this one: Shadows - Rephaim Book 1
Connect with Paula Weston: Paula-Weston.com; Twitter; Goodreads; Amazon; Barnes & Nobles

Tags: angel book, book reviews, paranormal, urban fantasy, angels, demons, nephilim, heaven, ya, young adult, fantasy, book reviews, series

Shadows - Rephaim Book 1 by Paula Weston

Gaby is an 18 year old backpacker who settles in a quiet tourist town on the beach with her best friend, Maggie. Only a year prior, she watched her twin brother- Jude die in a horrific car accident that should have killed her too. Now, she is running from the memories, trying to escape the guilt and pain that she feels constantly. It doesn't help that every night, she dreams of killing demons and hellions with a mystery man that she has never met. Until he shows up in her tiny town, and blows Gaby's world apart. Rafa looks exactly like the man she has dubbed Matt in her hellish dreams, but she has never met him before. Or has she? Rafa claims that he was her brother's best friend for years, that he even knows Gaby. Has the accident erased all of her memories, or is it something more sinister? She is forced to accept that everything she thought she knew about herself is only a shadow of what she really is. Her nightmares are most likely her reality that she has been running from. Is she part of an ancient race of angel/human hybrids, or is she a demon like the ones in her nightmares?

I started reading this book at 3am, and swore to myself that I would only read one chapter. Yeah, right. I noticed the sun peaking over the horizon, and realized that I was hooked. This book was wonderful, I loved every minute. The twists and turns kept me guessing constantly. Rafa is my new book boyfriend for sure. He is sexy, dangerous, deadly, and yet so gentle with Gaby and the craziness that she has going on. Gaby isn't the typical 'save the world heroine' and for that, I am thankful. The girl that ultimately excels in everything gets boring after reading so many books with the same character. Gaby has no idea what she is doing and what's going on throughout the entire book; she has the ability to flow with the changes and not overly whine about her life, which is another plus. I ultimately want to trust Jason, but I don't think he is who he says he is. The book hints at Gaby and Rafa previously hating each other, and I am secretly hoping Gaby never gets her memories back. Their connection is filled with sexual tension, constant bickering, and just plain 'yum' that I would be devastated if she truly hated him. This book leaves so many questions about Gaby's role in the Rephaim, where she stands with Rafa, whether Jason can be trusted, and if Jude really did die. I cannot wait to read the second one, and will probably start as soon as I write this review. How much sleep does one really need when there are so many good books in the world...?!

"We're quiet for a moment. And then: 'Why did you call me Matt?' 'It seemed like a good idea at the time. Now that I know you, I realise I should have called that character Dick.' He laughs, and then the couch shakes. 'Honestly, Gabe, I forgot you could be this much fun."
-Rafa by Paula Weston

"I hear you've been with every Rephaite in a skirt.' Crap. Where did that come from? 'Who told you that?' HIs smile shifts into something less amused. 'Daniel. Who else? The prick.' Is he a liar?' Rafa leans against the pale wall. 'I haven't been with everyone.' 'What about Taya?' 'Hell, no. I'm no monk, but I have standards.' I wonder what else Daniel was wrong about. 'What about me?' Rafa's teasing smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. 'You had standards too."
Rafa & Gaby by Paula Weston

Book reviews relating to this one: Haze - Rephaim Book 2
Connect with Paula Weston: Paula-Weston.com; Twitter; Goodreads; Amazon; Barnes & Nobles

Tags: angel book, book reviews, paranormal, urban fantasy, angels, demons, nephilim, heaven, ya, young adult, fantasy, book reviews, series

Gameboard of the Gods - Age of X Book 1 by Richelle Mead

In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.
When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.
Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

Having read Richelle Mead's other series, I was not expecting this book by a long shot. The idea is wonderful; a post apocalyptic world controlled by a fierce government and strict laws. A world where citizens must have chips implanted into their bodies to track them, and pregnancy is punishable by law if not first approved through the hierarchy of rule. Where a race of humans, implanted with a chip that controls their neurotransmitters, are transformed into deadly killing machines. It is a terrifying futuristic world, yet every scenerio proposed by Mead is highly plausible in our world as it is today. The possibility of this someday becoming our world is in the back of the reader's mind, mentally creating an immediate sense of connection to the story. My biggest problem with the world was the class system in place. It brought me back to my Theology class and the Hindu caste system. In a world as modern as the one that Mead creates, racism at this magnitude is unrealistic.

I found myself not really connecting with the characters as well as I have in previous books by the author. Written in a dual POV, I could not find a connection with Mae or Justin. They never seemed entirely real to me. The dual POV didn't flow as well as it should, having to read an event happening again from another perspective a couple of pages later was frustrating at times. The sexual tension between the two main characters was palpable throughout the entire book, so much so that I felt it. Although the plot itself was original and creative, and the world was crafted wonderfully, the flow of the book felt off to me. Richelle Mead went out on a line here with this one, and I hope it will pay off in future Age of X books. Will I continue to read this series? Absolutely! Was it the author's best work? Not by a long shot...

"Mae removed a gun from her purse and laid it on a nearby table. Then she took out a smallergun that had been at her waist, hidden by the knee-length jacket she'd put on in the plane. Lastly, she pulled out a knife from her boot. Really, asked Justin. Who keeps a knife in their boot? No one ever expects the knife, she said..."-Richelle Mead

Connect to Richelle Mead: RichelleMead.com; Twitter; Barnes & Noble; Amazon

Tags: urban fantasy, book review, richelle mead, age of x, vampire academy, bloodlines, mythology, like covenant series, like percy jackson series, paranormal, adult, young adult book review, ya

The Elementalists by C. Sharp

Chloe's first day as a sophomore in high school couldn't have possibly gone any worse than it did. She makes an enemy of one of the most popular girls at school, her best friend wants nothing to do with her, and she gets struck with lightning. Wonderful. She gains instant attention as "the lightning girl", with a mixture of awe and avoidance from her peers. There are gaps in her memory, and strange pieces start to come to her in dreams. Something about a dragon, and an end of the world prophecy. With the help of her friends, the star quarterback- Ezra, the stoner- Stan, and the gorgeous surfer- Kiran, can Chloe put the pieces of the puzzle together in time to save the world? Or will ecological disaster wipe the humans from the planet, with the help of five terrifying dragons?

It took me a bit after reading this book to gather my thoughts. I was expecting a typical fantasy, demons and dragons taking over the world story. It turned out to be so much more. With the rippling undercurrents of global warming and the murder of our planet at our own hands, it truly was terrifying in a non-paranormal kind of way. Natural disasters are occurring all over the planet, while Chloe learns of an ancient prophecy that predicts the rise of five dragons. The dragons represent the Elements- Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Lightning- or Spirit, and they will only awaken when the planet is dying at the hands of the humans. This book isn't your average paranormal read, it is well beyond that. It was well researched, with mythological creatures, (or so we all hope) and ancient Eastern prophecies. I was able to connect with the characters fairly easily; Chloe and Kiran balance each other perfectly. I'm sure everyone can also relate to Stan and Ezra, the jock and stoner friends. But most of all, Uktena is a powerfully written character. His age and wisdom seep through the pages, as does his hatred for the human race. It was a wonderful balance that was pulled off well. Thank you, Mr. Sharp for this wake up call book that I hope gathers a large following. I cannot wait to read the follow up in this series!

"Those were just the new, big, and sexy stories; there was no more mention of the chronic mudslides in Brazil, the ongoing toxic leak in the Gulf of Mexico, or the water riots that had consumed large swaths of Africa and Southern Asia. War and tragedy had become so common-place that after a week or so, no one bothered to talk about it any more. Someplace, far away from here, people are fighting and dying- the end... In other news: NATURE WANTS TO KILL YOU!"

Contact C. Sharp: Twitter; Goodreads

Tags: paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy, dragons, elements, book review, romance, sci-fi, science fiction

Divinity by Michelle Johnson

Julia has had a horrible life- filled with orphanages, sexual abuse by her new "family", homelessness, and heartache. She tries to take her own life, but is unsuccessful. And then she meets Alex. He is her everything, the person she is meant to be with. The day she pulls a baby out of a burning vehicle without injuring herself or the baby, she begins questioning herself. She should have died in that fire, or at the very least, been burned beyond recognition. But something, or rather, someone saved her. Little does she know that it was herself. Julia receives a rather unexpected and terrifying visit from the Archangel Gabriel. That family that Julia never had growing up, well here it is. She is the daughter of Gabriel, half angel and half human, bred for the use of the angels to balance out the darkness on Earth. All she feels for the angel standing before her, claiming to be her father, is anger. Where was he all of her life, through the abuse and molestation? With no trust for her father, the Archangel Michael, the most powerful of all the angels steps in to guide Julia. He begins teaching her about her history and the hidden powers she possesses. But when a dark force that even the angels can't explain forces its way into her life, Julia will have to step up and fight alongside the Angels. Can she trust them? Can they trust her? And can she defeat this dark force before it takes the few remaining people she has in her life?

I could not put this book down, and ended up being bumped in my nose with my Nook at 3am. This was not your typical "girl finds out she is an angel and cannot be with the boy she loves" kind of story. It is so much more. The plot line is completely original, and I loved the presence of the Archangels throughout the story. Gabriel and Michael are wonderfully written characters, everything we expect from some of the most powerful creatures in existence. I appreciated that religion did not have a whole lot of play in this book, and if anything, the idea was given that all religions have their place in the world. Thank you, Michelle Johnson. What an amazing concept that I believe wholeheartedly. Julia is a well written protagonist, and her strength through really tough times shows that she is not just one dimensional. I hated one part of this book so much, and the reader will understand what part that is when it happens. I did cry, which is usually not my style, but dang Michelle. Did you have to? I believe this book will have a large following of readers, and I am hoping it will turn into a series. There were a lot of unanswered questions, and the unaccepted offer from Michael at the end makes me believe there will be more. I will definitely be looking forward to reading the next in the series if that is the case. Wonderful story, original plot line, well rounded characters. Can a reader ask for more? I loved it, and look forward to more from Michelle Johnson!

"The mating of an angel and a human creates a child that is capable of hosting an angel's spirit in a way that will allow that spirit to avoid the limitations of humans. A heavenly spirit- an angel- can come to Earth, and be born into a human body. But then it has all the limitations that a human being has. Five senses only, limited communication and perception, and the physical sensations that a human experiences are so intense that often angels will become sidetracked with the pursuit of physical pleasures. You mean like... sex? Julia asked, her eyes wide. Yes. Michael laughed. Show me a Sex Addicts Anonymous meeting, and I will show you a room full of distracted angels." -Michelle Johnson

Contact Michelle Johnson, Twitter: @MjsRetweet; Goodreads

Tags: angel, demons, archangel, urban fantasy, series, book review, book review, like hush hush, like unearthly, like mortal instruments, book review, fantasy, paranormal, romance