Morrighan's Book Reviews: October 2014

Friday, October 31, 2014

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole - Arcana Chronicles 1

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She could save the world—or destroy it.

Sixteen-year-old Evangeline "Evie" Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they're still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can't do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can't totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it's not always clear who is on which side.

Holy hell! I really have no explanation why this book sat on my TBR shelf for so long, almost two years in fact. Sigh. I have no excuses, and I am more than thankful that I finally read it. I loved every. single. thing. about this book. The plot line was beyond original; it was creative and masterful, each card of the major Arcana in the Tarot is a person somewhere in the world. How phenomenal is that..?! Miss Cole didn't make it as weird as it sounds, in fact, the plot line flowed so well that I didn't even question it. Tarot cards are people; check. Totally acceptable! I fell in love with each of the characters, and connected with every single one of them. Evie is an exceptionally strong, wonderfully written protagonist. She doesn't whine very much, even though her entire world, literally, is falling apart around her. She had visions of the coming apocalypse, yet did nothing about it, believing herself insane. She does blame herself for her friends' deaths, but she doesn't let it control her. I tend to get really irritated at the self loathing, guilt ridden characters, and thankfully, Evie is not that girl at all! Jackson's character is my favorite, though. He is the male character that I tend to find myself falling in love with. The irritating, cocky asshole male- with a well hidden soft side. He is strong, powerful, and totally sexy, of course! The Moon Card- the bringer of doubt, is the only character I really didn't like, and that's only because she's trying to sleep with Jackson, even though she knows that Evie cares about him. Selena also lied to Evie about a lot of things, and I don't think she is a card to be trusted; although she did help them out and saved their lives a few times. Matthew is crazy like a fox, literally! I think his character is intricate and mysterious, and the way that he talks in riddles drives Evie crazy, as well as me. It adds an extra layer to his personality that I find intriguing. Like Jackson, I love solving puzzles, and I cannot wait to find out more about his character in the next book.

The world building is incredible - a post apocalyptic setting that sounds terrifying, yet intriguing all the same. After the Flash, basically a solar storm that killed most of the humans on the planet, the world has changed completely. No one can be trusted. There is little food or water, let alone transportation. Everything acquired must be fought for, and a typical day is spent searching for nourishment, fighting off slavers and bagmen- humans transformed by a virus that turns them rabid, and fighting through the constant wind storms that sweep across the desert-like landscapes. Plants do not grow anymore, and most of the water was flash evaporated during the solar storm that hit earth. It is a desolate life, but Evie is happy to just be alive. I love that her character tries to find the good in everything; everything except her gifts that she has as the Empress Card. She can communicate with all plant life, as well as grow thorns from her fingernails to use as weapons. These so-called gifts terrify her, and she has no idea how to use them. I am looking forward to her learning more of her powers throughout the rest of the series, as well as solving the puzzle of Jackson and his brooding personality!

To wrap up this review, I loved everything about this book. It was phenomenal; the characters, the world-building, the plot line- everything flowed so perfectly! Thank you, Miss Cole, for this refreshingly original story! I recommend this to everyone, EVERYONE! Read it now, right now!

""This year, I'm taking our flirtationship to a new level," Mel informed me. "He just needs a nudge in the right direction." Unfortunately, Mel didn't know how to nudge. She play-punched hard, titty-twisted with impunity, and wasn't about the occasional headlock. And that was if she liked you."
""Come. Touch," she'd murmered to him. When he'd tripped over his feet to reach her, she'd opened up her palm and a flower had grown- from her skin. With a sensual wink, she'd blown him a kiss across the bloom, releasing deadly spores. He'd started choking, dropping to her feet. His skin had swelled until it split open in places. Putrid boils welled and spurted. She'd gazed on, cheerfully telling him, "How artfully we plants beckon; how perfect we punish.....""
"And his comment about crawling to the hospital Sunday mornings after being kicked in the ribs? I'd just assumed he was referring to injuries from his wild Saturday night bar brawls. Or had he been talking about an earlier time in his life, when he'd been a scared little boy, beaten by his mother's drunken... dates? Maybe that was why he traced his scars. They might be records of near misses or hard-earned victories. No wonder he could be so brutal. I felt a spike of shame that I'd judged him for thrashing that man in his home. No more. "Evie, bed down." Scanning the dark, he murmured, "You doan have to be scared. I've got you." You do, don't you? Here we were in the Bagmen's lair, and I wasn't terrified for my life. Jackson would kill any that strayed too close. In fact, they should fear him. I was with the boy that monsters should fear."
"Soon, I was gasping and he was groaning. His hands cupped my waist, descending to my wriggling hips. He squeezed them, then reached for my ass, gripping me with splayed fingers, wrenching my body even closer to him. Was he shuddering against me? No more control for either of us. I loved his abandoned groans, loved that I could feel them because we were pressed so tight together. Just as he'd promised, we were breathing for each other- and I still couldn't get enough. For me, this was the game changer, a line in the sand. Life before our kiss; life after."

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Related Reviews
Endless Knight - Arcana Chronicles 2

Connect with Kresley Cole
| Official Site | Twitter | Facebook |

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Black Ice
By Becca Fitzpatrick
Hardcover: 392 pages
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Rated:

2.5 out of 5 Stars

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Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late.

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

BLACK ICE is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…

This was NOT what I was expecting, at all.. Especially from Becca Fitzpatrick, author of the Hush, Hush series. I can imagine it is tough switching from the paranormal genre to thriller, but I can't make any excuses for this book. My natural inane curiosity is the only reason that I even finished it. I was not impressed, at all. I really did try and like this book, but there are numerous reasons why I couldn't. First of all, if I ever have a daughter, and she acts like either of these two girls do, I will lock her in her bedroom until she grows some damn common sense! Seriously. Britt and her best friend, Korbie are the kind of girls that I avoid attempting to have a conversation with, at all costs. Basically because a conversation is impossible for someone with little to no common sense. I found myself cringing at some of the things that they said and did, and wanting to throat punch someone, mainly myself, before the end of the second chapter. Honestly Miss Fitzpatrick, I need a level headed, semi-intelligent protagonist, and this book did NOT provide that. Second, I am all for best friend relationships in a book. In fact, I truly enjoy reading about these friendships almost as much as a good romantic relationship. But Korbie and Britt were so far from best friends, it honestly made me sad. Best friends do not make lists to compare themselves, and think they are so much better than the other one. Ridiculous! Some of the things Korbie said to Britt were downright assinine, and I would have thrown her ass out of the Jeep and left her in the snow! Third, the obsession that Britt had with Calvin was unhealthy, to say the least. He was obviously as psychotic as his sister, and I don't understand her fascination with him. He never even told anyone that they were together, for months. They dated in secret, him not even allowing her to tell her 'best friend,' his sister. Can we all say 'creeper?' And last but not least, this book was so predictable. About a quarter of the way through the book, I basically knew how the plot line would play out, and who exactly was behind everything. Maybe it was my previous obsession with crime novels, or maybe Miss Fitzpatrick needs to spend a few weeks watching Law & Order or CSI to brush up on her 'how to twist a plot line with a serial killer involved' skills. Sigh. So yea, to wrap up this ugly review.. the characters were shallow as hell, and the relationships between characters were even worse. The only silver lining was Ace/Mason/Jude.. haha, whatever his name is. He was a well written character, and I really did connect with him. He was twisted and jaded- my favorite kind of man! His character was difficult to figure out, with an air of mystery wrapped around him that I totally appreciated! I wish the other characters were as well written as him. Sorry Miss Fitzpatrick, but your first attempt at a romantic suspense novel was a total letdown for me, and I don't recommend this book to anyone with half a brain!

"They say that when you're about to die, your life flashes before your eyes. They never tell you that when you watch someone you once loved dying, hovering between this life and the next, it's twice as painful, because you're reliving two lives that traveled one road together.” -Britt
"“When was the last time you were kissed?" he went on easily. "And I'm not talking about the dry, noncommittal, meaningless kiss you forget about as soon as it's over." I scrambled out of my stupor long enough to quip, "Like last night's kiss?" He cocked an eyebrow. "That so? I wonder, then, why you moaned my name after you drifted to sleep." "I did not!" "If only I'd had a video recorder. When was the last time you were really kissed?" he repeated."You seriously think I'm going to tell you?" "Your ex?" he guessed. "And if he was?" "Was it your ex who taught you to be ashamed and uncomfortable with intimacy? He took from you what he wanted, but never seemed to be around when you wanted something back, isn't that right? What do you want, Britt?" he asked me point-blank. "Do you really want to pretend like last night never happened?" "Whatever happened between me and Calvin isn't your business,” I fired back. "For your information, he was a really great boyfriend. I-I wish I was with him right now!" I exclaimed untruthfully. My careless comment made him flinch, but he recovered quickly. "Does he love you?" "What?" I said, flustered. "If you know him so well, it shouldn't be a hard question. Is he in love with you? Was he ever in love with you?" I tossed my head back haughtily. "I know what you're doing. You're trying to cut him down because you're-you're jealous of him!" "You're damn right I'm jealous,” he growled. "When I kiss a girl, I like to know she's thinking about me, not the fool who gave her up.”" -Britt & Jude

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Related Reviews: none

Connect with Becca Fitzpatrick
| Official Site | Twitter | Facebook |

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Snow Like Ashes
By Sara Raasch
Snow Like Ashes Series 1
Hardcover: 422 pages
Publication Date: October 14, 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Rated:

4.5 out of 5 Stars

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A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

I am blown away by this debut novel from Miss Sara Raasch. It took me a while after finishing to fully collect my thoughts, and even when I did, I am still at a loss as to how to convey my complete and utter immersion into this world that the author creates. There are basically 8 territories in the world of Primoria; four seasons- summer, fall, winter, and spring, and four rhythms- Cordell, Paisly, Ventralli and Yakim. The eight kingdoms are ruled by either a Queen or a King, and each ruler has a magickal Conduit- basically an object that they receive their magick through. Certain kingdoms can only be ruled by a woman, and vice versa. The kingdom of winter, where our main character, Meira comes from, was destroyed by Spring before Meira was old enough to remember much about it. She was raised as an orphan with a band of outcasts, trained to fight with weapons at an early age. Her band of rebels has dwindled over the years and now consists of only eight people- the future king of Winter one of these rebels. Mather is an unwilling king, thrown into this life before he had a say in the matter. With most of the Winterians locked up in the land of Spring as slaves, a lot is resting on this young king's shoulders. He must fight to free his people with only his small group of rebels standing by his side. Without the magickal conduit that his mother possessed, he cannot ask for help from any of the other territories.

A quest for the pieces of the stolen conduit leads to Meira almost becoming captured as well, but she is able to bring back half of the necklace that holds her people's power. With this piece, they are able to request the help of a neighboring land, the kingdom of Cordell. But in exchange for their help, Meira must agree to marry their prince and bind herself to the kingdom for life. And the prince is actually a really great character- Theron is nothing like his father. But is the king really willing to help the land of Winter, or is this another game of power and lies?

The characters are wonderfully written- Meira is incredibly selfless and so strong. I connected with her immediately. Her personality leaked through the words and pages like a beacon of hope in a dark sky, and I knew that she would be something more than what the author hinted at in the beginning. No spoilers, I promise! I also connected with Mather's character; he was incredibly strong yet gentle, intelligent yet made the typical stupid male decisions! Sir was a character that I never really liked, yet in the end, his distance and discipline definitely made more sense. And Theron. I truly liked him, but at the same time, I felt that Meira and Mather were better matched. I guess we will see how the romance plays out in the future books in this wonderfully new series!

The world building was hands down, phenomenal. No other word to describe it! I could picture the lands in my mind; Miss Raasch did an amazing job with her descriptions of the different Kingdoms. I loved the idea of Kings and Queens, rulers with a magickal icon that controlled their power, and a land that helped to increase that magickal power. It was an original, creative idea, and the plot line flowed very well. The twists and turns definitely caught me by surprise, and I can't tell if the author just wrote it so well that it wasn't predictable, or if I was too immersed in the story to pay attention to the hints that she left? All in all, for a debut novel, I am again blown away and stunned by the awesomeness of this book! I would recommend this book to any fan of the dystopian genre; hell, any urban fantasy fan in general!

"I aim my chakram at the captain with his boots mucked up in sewer gunk. His eyes swim over me. "The Winterians are sending girls to do their dirty work now?" he sneers. "Why don't you put that thing down before someone gets hurt?" I push out my bottom lip and widen my eyes. "This?" I lower the chakram. It's now aimed at the captain's left thigh. "They gave it to me and said throw! I don't even know how it works-" The soldiers jeer, a deep-throated chuckling that says this is a fight they're sure they'll win. I let the chakram fly as the captain moves forward, my body bending into an arch. The chakram soars through the sewer, slices clean through the captain's leg, and continues its spin back to me in one elegant circle of purpose. He screams and drops into the sewage, grabbing his thigh like, well, like I just sliced through it. "Oh." I run one hand down the flat side of the blade. "That's how it works." -Meira
"Will this be enough? Will reuniting our conduit halves restore our magick, or will Winter forever be the only kingdom in Primoria without magick to make it whole? If so, how will we defeat Spring, a kingdom steeped in magickally induced strength, when all we have are eight refugees and a pretty necklace? Will another kingdom even ally with us once we have the locket whole again, if our only heir is unable to use it?"
""Just once, I'd like to see you leave a meeting with William like a lady, instead of a panting bull."" -Dendera
"My heart thwump-thwumps against my ribs and I don't look away from him, hating how with one glance he can crack me open. Anyone else I'd be able to ignore, to hide my fear from them behind a cocky smile, but Mather sees everything. I know he sees it, because for the briefest moment, he drops his expressionless mask and the look in his eyes shows me he feels the same way. A mirror of every part of myself I can't bear to face."

Related Reviews
The Darkest Minds; Blood of Eden

Connect with Sara Raasch
| Official Site | Twitter | Facebook |

Monday, October 27, 2014

Broken Promise by Jen Wylie - The Broken Ones 3

Broken Promise
By Jen Wylie
The Broken Ones Series 3
Ebook: 286 pages
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Untold Press
Rated:

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After delivering the Elven prince to his homeland, they decide to ride out the winter in the city of Westport before starting their quest to heal the Fey. Like most things in Aro’s life, nothing goes according to plan.

As Kei struggles with the prophecy bound within him, his sanity begins to unravel. A prophecy and a promise are broken, and forgotten threats resurface with dire consequences. The Dragos is watching and the Were king is displeased with the disregard of Were law. Aro scrambles as yet another threat emerges. The Elves, displeased with their prince, exploit his only weakness…her.

Aro is forced to find a new ally, a cold-hearted, ruthless pirate named Roan. He is more than he seems and Aro must learn who she can trust, or it will cost more than just her life. She has grown stronger, but is it enough to save herself, her family, and the Elf she loves?

Ugh, Miss Wylie, that rotting elf! Why?! His character can be such a jackass, seriously. This story continues right after Broken Prince leaves off. They have just returned Prince to his home, after his long over-due, heart stopping kiss with Arowyn. She demanded that he not kiss her again until he knew that he loved her, and dammit if that jerk didn't kiss her before he left her for.. basically forever. The remainder of the pack travel on without Prince to the home of Rhee-En and his weres. There, Rhee-En informs her that the King of all the Weres has discovered that she created a pack using Were magic that he did not approve, especially because she is not a Were. The king is angry, and Aro doesn't know if he will kill her. Just another issue to add to Aro's ever-growing list of enemies.

The remaining members of Aro's 'pack' settle in the city of Westport for the winter, where they will hopefully be safe. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Through multiple kidnappings, murder attempts, and new friends that cannot be trusted- Aro wants nothing more than Prince at her side and to begin with the prophecy. Healing the Fae has become her top priority, and she will do it alone if she has to. Her bonded Fae- Kei really isn't in this book all that much, and I can't reveal the reason without giving away too many spoilers. I can say that his visions of the prophecy are becoming increasingly stronger, and it has begun to drive him insane. The words of the fated prophecy are all that he can see, night and day, and he becomes irate and distant. Aro's character continues to amaze me, with the amount of heartbreak and stress that she is under every day- the fact that she is able to remain strong and function is testimony to her strength of heart and mind! I fully respect and admire her character. Bo and Garen are also wonderfully written characters- both of them are always there whenever Aro needs them. They are loyal friends that are always there when needed, yet know when to stand down when Aro's strength can handle a situation.

With new characters being introduced throughout this novel, the reader really has no idea who to trust. Enemies sprout from the woodwork, so to speak, and friends turn to enemies in a heartbeat. The plot line is thick and twisted, well thought out and deliciously dark! I loved every minute of it. The only reason I cannot rightfully give it a full 5 stars is because of Prince. Damn him. I am really beginning to not like him, sadly, and I am beyond upset that he still hasn't pulled his elf head out of his ass yet! It is beyond frustrating Miss Wylie! And now, when the group is getting ready to go heal the Fae, he is still nowhere to be found. Hiding in his castle, afraid of his parents?! Are you kidding me?! Ugh! Ok, I'm done ranting this time, really! All in all, The Broken Ones series is increasingly becoming one of my favorites, and I highly recommend it to everyone! Urban fantasy junkies, fae obsessed readers, and especially fans of dystopian novels- as this reminds me a lot of a dystopian style world; read this series! You will not be disappointed! (:

"He pulled her off to the side of the road and turned her to face him. Her fingers trembled in his hand and she pulled away. "I'm fine." "You're not." Closing her eyes, she took a slow breath. Too many men. Scruffy and dirty from a long day's work, they reminded her of other men, the ones who had cornered her and beat her and almost.... "Aro," Kei said softly. "I'm fine," she whispered hoarsely. She wanted to be. She tried to be. It hadn't been so bad the last city they'd been in, but then, she'd had Prince, Bo, and Cain with her, too. She didn't now, and that brought a different kind of pain. Kei took her face in his hands. "Look at me." She did and struggled to stay strong. "We will always protect you." "I know." He shushed her. "But you don't need it."" -Kei & Aro
"Staring up into her darkness, she sucked in a deep breath, trying to push away her growing fear for Kei. "Do you believe in them? The prophecies?" "There is always truth in prophecy. Yet often, you don't know what that truth is until afterward." -Garen & Aro
"One moment, Kei stood before her, the next, enormous talons encircled him. Wind sent her flying backward as Damon launched himself into the air. Kei was gone, jerked up into the sky as the dragon's powerful wing strokes buffeted her to the ground. "Kei!" She scrambled to her feet. Let him go! Damon's amused laugh filled her mind. Do you really want me to? You were warned, Arowyn. You did not listen, and now you face the consequences. You had your chance and wasted it. Now it is my turn. I will have the prophecy." -Damon & Aro
"Glancing down, every thought left her as she stared. Lips trembling, heart suddenly pounding in her chest, she raised her hands. A scream erupted out of her as she scrambled back until she smashed into the wall. Shaking fingers fumbled and slipped as she tried to push the bands of metal off her wrists. The chain between them rattled, but she barely heard it over her frantic screams. Her body shaking uncontrollably, no amount of pushing or pulling or tearing would remove the horrible things from her. This wasn't happening. She wasn't in chains. She wasn't! Not again. Not again." -Aro

Related Reviews
Broken Aro; Broken Prince

Connect with Jen Wylie
| Official Site | Twitter | Facebook |

Betrayals of Spring by L.P. Dover - Forever Fae 2

Betrayals of Spring
By L.P. Dover
Forever Fae Series 2
Ebook: 300 pages
Publication Date: February 13, 2013
Publisher: Independant
Rated:

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The smell of rain vastly approaches as we are lying on the ground in a sea of flowers. They surround our bodies while the fresh Spring wind caresses our skin with its soft, gentle touch. Combined as one, we stare into each other’s eyes as we bask in the pleasure of our love and OUR land.

The Land of the Fae has flourished bringing a new beginning and a new court, the Fall Court. Five years have passed since then along with the dreaded day that Meliantha, Summer Court Princess and one of the powerful Four, was betrayed and broken-hearted by the sexy and alluring Winter Prince, Kalen. Spurned by the man she loves, Meliantha has turned and fallen into the arms of the fierce and handsome warrior, Finn, who understands she can never love him, but wants more than anything to mend her broken heart. The Winter Solstice Ball is approaching, meaning Meliantha will have to face the Winter Prince and make it out of there with her heart intact. But what does she do when Prince Kalen acts as if nothing ever happened and seems more in love with her than ever before?

The dark sorcerer has planned his twisted game of lies and deceit well, and has enjoyed making himself a player without anyone’s knowledge. The game is almost over and the players are exactly where they are needed to be. Will Meliantha figure out his twisted game and save all the players? Or will the dark sorcerer once again obtain the power of the Four and take everything away from her…..even her one true love?

*This book could be read as part of a series, or as a stand-alone. The story sort of starts with Forever Fae. Meliantha is Calista's younger sister, and Kalen is Ryder's younger brother. They began to feel a connection in the first one, but they were not main characters and their story really didn't go anywhere in the first one. The second one begins with Meliantha's memory of Kalen coming to her after the wedding, and basically rejecting her. Unfortunately, it was not the real Kalen, but the dark sorcerer playing games with them. She didn't talk to Kalen for almost five years after he supposedly rejected her, but her heart was always drawn to him, as was Kalen's heart drawn to her. This story, like the first, is told with three different view points; Meliantha's, Kalen's, and the dark sorcerer's. It flows better than the first one with the separate view points, and I enjoyed reading events from both Meliantha's and Kalen's POV. Over the five years that Kalen rejected her love, the princess has changed. She has become stronger both emotionally and physically. She has begun training to fight with her guardian and the soldiers of the Summer Court. She also has closed her heart off from everyone, including the man she has been seeing for a few years, Finn. He knows that someday, she will meet the man that the prophecy claims will steal her heart, and he has accepted that Meliantha is not his. When Meliantha has to go to the Winter Court for a celebration, she knows that she will see Kalen again. Is she strong enough to resist the connection she feels towards him, or will fate prove to be too strong an enemy to fight?

This story was wonderful. Well-written, with characters that the reader can't help feeling a connection to. Meliantha is a strong protagonist, both physically and emotionally- unless it comes to Kalen. He is her weakness in every way. When she finds out it wasn't him that rejected her, the frozen walls around her heart crumble, and she finally opens herself up to him. But is it too late? The evil sorcerer already has his plan in place, and it will take every drop of magic inside both of them to stop his plan from coming to fruition. Kalen is also an amazing character- he is sexy and mysterious, yet heartbroken over the events with Meliantha. But when he sees her, everything melts away. The past doesn't matter, only her in this moment. And when they come together, finally, the prophecy is sealed and they both see their future. They will form the 'Spring Court' together, her as Queen and Kalen ruling as the King. Their own court will be powerful and will aide in the capture of the dark sorcerer. But without this court, the evil will win and nothing will be able to stop him from ruling Faerie. Can Kalen and Meliantha fight the evil to be together, or will the dark sorcerer win the game this round?

"I can't believe how stupid I was thinking that Kalen, the prince of heartbreak, would actually settle down with me and be the one the prophecy had foretold would be mine. I thrust the necklace out to him. "Take it back! I don't want it! I thought you were different... that you actually cared," I scream. Kalen rushes over and pulls me into his arms. I stand motionless as he leans down to place his cold, Winter lips onto my forehead. The searing pain of his frozen kiss has branded me a fool. I want him gone and out of my life. "I did care, my sweet princess, but I can see now that it was a wasted effort. Besides, you're a little too timid for my tastes. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but it's a good thing we found out now before things were taken further." He reaches down and touches the necklace in my hand. "Keep the necklace. It's the least I can do for the heartache I have caused. You need to forget about me, Meliantha."" -The dark sorcerer posing as Kalen
"Being so close to Meliantha is going to kill me. I felt the connection we had years ago and I thought she did, too, but she denied me when I went to visit her. I had planned to tell her how I felt and to possibly see if I was the one to complete her, but the door was slammed in my face. I am hoping to get the chance to talk to her tonight to see what I did wrong. Being rejected by her devastated me. She's probably not going to want anything to do with me now, once she finds out I am to marry another." -Kalen
"This can't be happening, I scream at myself. How can I be feeling this connection to Kalen after everything that's happened and after everything he's put me through? I can see Kalen's hands clench when Finn possessively wraps his arm around me. I kept repeating to myself over and over that I can do this and keep my distance; however, some strong force is urging me to look up. I tell myself not to look at him, but my eyes have a mind of their own and betray me. They search for his eyes and find them staring back intently at me. The pull to him is so strong, it makes me weak in the knees. I thought hearing his voice earlier was a shock to my system, but nothing compares to this. My heart flutters at the sight of him, and I grab my chest hoping it'll stop. I don't want to feel this way for the man that broke my heart. I need to feel the anger." -Meliantha

Related Reviews
Forever Fae 1

Connect with L.P. Dover
| Official Site | Twitter | Facebook |

Luathara by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson

Luathara
By Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
The Otherworld Series 3
Ebook: 331 pages
Publication Date: December 30, 2012
Publisher: Independant
Rated:

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Suddenly, my pain and anger honed themselves into a sharp point, one aimed directly at the goddess's heart. She had been controlling Cade’s life, my life, for far too long. And then, in a powerful wave of realization strong enough to sweep the frantic tornado in my mind off course and force the air from my lungs, I understood what I needed to do . . .

Meghan Elam knows that she belongs in the Otherworld, but she doesn't know if she's quite ready to take that leap. With Cade on the mend and her mortal family aware of their daughter's true identity, everything seems lined up for her to make a smooth transition into her new life. Unfortunately, Meghan has a mortal enemy, an angry goddess who has not yet given up on her chance for revenge.

As Meghan struggles to find her place in Eile, secrets from a past she knows nothing about well up and threaten to tip the scales even further. And when the Morrigan vows to bring a war down upon the Otherworld, she finds herself stuck in the middle of an epic battle, one that promises to destroy all that she holds dear. In order to save the ones she loves the most, Meghan must be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice and hope that she will be strong enough to vanquish her enemy once and for all.

After the slow start of the first book, Faelorehn, I really had no intentions on finishing this series. Thankfully, my obsession of all things Fae took over my brain, and I continued reading this wonderful series. The second book, Dolmarehn and Luathara made up for the slow start ten times over! Wow, I was definitely not expecting the turn of events that this book took, and I'm still collecting my thoughts after the craziness that happened.

Meghan's character grows in leaps and bounds in this final book, and her maturity and selflessness amazed me. Her love for Cade and her willingness to sacrifice herself for his happiness was heartbreaking. Meghan is the daughter of the high queen, and Cade is the son of her enemy, The Morrighan. Queen Danua insists that Cade is not good enough for Meghan, but she doesn't let her mother control her. She knows that she is in love with Cade, and that's all that matters. She doesn't care what other people say about him, and she doesn't let Cade believe what they say either. I somehow fell in love with Cade even more in this book. He is an amazingly written male character- the ultimate book boyfriend! The world building was amazing, and the descriptions of the creatures and the world itself is phenomenal! I felt like I was there in the Otherworld, and the descriptions were written across my mind. I enjoyed the powers that Meghan continued to find, and the twists and turns in the plot line were unexpected and incredible. All in all, this series turned out to be wonderful, and I am more than happy I continued reading!

""There's an elf on the porch!" I almost choked. Oh crap! Several things happened at once. First, Mom's attention got divertetd from me. Okay, good. Then, all of my other brothers promptly stopped what they were doing to run to the window and peek through the blinds like Bradley. Third, my father stood up and set the newspaper down on the coffee table with a slap. And finally, Mom said, "What on Earth are you talking about?" By this time, everyone had migrated to the window. I could only bury my face in my hands, my cheeks turning bright red in mortification. Eventually, I said, "That's not an elf, that's Cade. And he's come to stay with us for a while. If that's okay." Good. I'd said it. But now everyone nwas staring at me as if I'd sprouted feathers. Ugh. This was not how I wanted this to go.... "Your boyfriend's an elf?" Logan asked."
"Cade emerged from the hall ten minutes later with a water gun in his hand. I arched a brow and paused in my current task of setting the table. He had a huge grin on his face and his eyes glinted. "Bradley and Logan have challenged me to a battle," he proclaimed. I heaved a great sigh and placed my hands on my hips. "You know you don't have to cater to their childish demands, right?" I told him. The look he gave me was one of pure disbelief. "What? Forfeit and lose my honor? he asked, placing a hand over his heart. I couldn't help it, I laughed, and then my two younger brothers emerged from the hallway with their own weapons."
"I meant what I said the last time I saw you in Eile, before I fought the Morrighan's hounds. All uncertainty was gone from his eyes. The entire week he'd kept his distance, being careful not to touch me too often or let his gaze linger too long. Now he looked as if he saw nothing else in the world but me; as if he had given himself a pep talk after my rude departure earlier that night and was ready for the challenge ahead of him. This was the Cade who had held me close before taking on the Morrighan's monsters; he was holding nothing back. My toes and fingertips started to tingle, and I bit my lip, not allowing myself to breathe. I am in love with you, Meghan Elam, and you mean more to me than you can possibly know. The proclamation was so soft, so sincere, his words in my head so pale blue they were almost white. Tears began to form in my eyes and a cloud of butterflies took flight in my stomach. I love you, he sent again, his thumb continuing its soothing caress, but I don't want you to think that you own me anything for what I did for you. I don't want you to feel that you need to love me ba- I cut off his thought process by leaning forward and pressing a kiss against his mouth. I don't know what possessed me to be so bold. It was as if my mind had stopped working and my heart had taken control."

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Friday, October 24, 2014

Forever Fae by L.P. Dover

Forever Fae
By L.P. Dover
Forever Fae Series 1
Paperback: 316 pages
Publication Date: December 7, 2012
Publisher: Independant
Rated:

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He leans down, lips parted, and then our lips connect... We didn’t know that this one kiss has FOREVER changed the Land of the Fae.

According to the Prophecy proclaimed many years ago, Princess Calista of the Summer Court is destined to change the Land of the Fae from the evil determined to destroy it. Her powers are phenomenal, and she secretly trains for battle with her handsome warrior friend, Merrick, who unbeknownst to her protects her heart as well, in hopes of keeping it for himself. At least, until the seductive Prince Ryder attends the Guardian Ceremony and instantly sends a fire burning through her veins and a connection so deep they both discover a love above anything imaginable.

No one knows how Calista is destined to change the kingdoms, but there is one that does. He not only craves Calista’s power, but her body as well, and his goal is to steal her power, make her his Dark Queen, and take over the Land of the Fae.

Will the evil succeed in claiming Calista’s soul? Or will the two men that fight for her heart save her from despair, and help her fulfill her destiny to become what she was meant to be.

I enjoyed the fact that this story was told completely in the Fae world. There were no surprises, such as, Calista has always been different and then she finds out she is from this alternate world of Faeries.. type thing. It began with her being a Princess of the Summer Court, having been raised in the world of Faerie, all she has known is this life. It was almost refreshing in a way; definitely not the same typical synopsis of a large percent of fantasy/paranormal books out right now. Although she is the eldest Summer Princess, with Titania and Oberon for parents- she is not stuck up in the least. Calista is very down to earth, she even learns to fight with the rest of the fae soldiers. For her 21st birthday, a group of these soldiers will fight to become her Guardian- the male that will protect her for as long as she lives. Her best friend, Merrick, is in the running, as well as a handful of other soldiers that she was raised with. The night of this ceremony, she meets the Winter Prince- Ryder for the first time, and immediately feels a connection to him.

The story is told from three different points of view; Calista's, Ryder's, and the Dark Sorcerer's. It switches off chapters, and at first, the flow was kind of awkward. The author worked it so that it did eventually flow perfectly. It gave the impression that the narrator was omniscient, and the reader got to experience things from different points of view. The characters are all written wonderfully, and I found myself connecting with each of them, save of course for the dark sorcerer. He really has no attributes that are not inherently evil, and I grew to dislike him more as the story went on. Calista's character is down to earth, sarcastic, and strong, and I really felt like I connected with her immediately. Ryder's character is also strong, tall, dark, handsome, and his sarcastic humor pulled at my heart. He is the perfect book boyfriend in every way! The plot line does focus around their romance, but there are underlying reasons for that.

There is a prophecy in the Land of the Fae- that the heirs to the throne will have to come together to defeat the growing evil surrounding them. Ryder and Calista are the beginning of this prophecy, and their destinies are intertwined. It was an insta-love sort of romance, but the prophecy makes that fact insignificant to me. The two will face numerous obstacles before they can fulfill their destiny, including the dark sorcerer and his minions. But if they cannot rise about the turmoil, the Land of the Fae will be lost forever to the evil.

I really enjoyed this book. It was so much more than the typical, insta-love, forbidden romance stuff that has been filling the paranormal shelves as of late. There is a great deal of history of the Fae thrown in, as well as magic and mystery. This installment only deals with the first part of the prophecy, and there are four parts altogether. I am very much looking forward to the next in the series, Betrayals of Spring!

"I recognize almost everyone in the room until my gaze finally lands on a pair of piercing, ice blue eyes. Our eyes lock and I can't bring myself to look away from him. It's like my universe has stopped and the only people in the room are him and me. It feels like a shock wave travelling throughout my body, it is so intense. He seems to be feeling the same way, according to his wide-eyed expression. I can feel my face flushing and my lungs feel like they can't get enough air. I really need to calm down and figure out what is happening to me. The attraction is uncanny. It is ridiculous to feel this way over someone I haven't even met." -Calista
"As soon as my gaze finds the princess, our eyes meet. My heart goes into overdrive and a shock reverberates through my body. I have never had this kind of reaction to a female before. Her eyes grow wider and I know mine have, too. She obviously had the same reaction as me. Her lips part slightly and I imagine what it would be like to kiss her luscious lips and have her moan in pleasure from my touch. Here I go again thinking these strange thoughts about a girl I've never actually met, but looking at her feels otherwise. I bet her lips taste sweet, like apples in the summer orchards. The idea sends a stirring throughout my body and I chide myself for it because it is not the time to be having this kind of problem." -Ryder
The Prophecy
Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring
Two courts to four is what it will bring.
Without the four, the evil will spread.
The Land of the Fae will fall into dread.
The next generation will provide the four.
The maiden souls and nothing more....

Related Reviews:

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Thursday, October 23, 2014

Dolmarehn by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson

Dolmarehn
By Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
The Otherworld Series 2
Paperback: 324 pages
Publication Date: September 8, 2012
Publisher: Independant
Rated:

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A year ago, Meghan Elam learned that she was Faelorehn, a being of the Otherworld. Immortal. Only when her visions grew worse and when a mysterious boy appeared to help guide her, did she finally come to realize exactly who and what she was. But the questions didn’t end there, and Meghan is only just beginning to find the answers. Now she must juggle her life in the mortal world with the one she has started to build in the Otherworld. However, keeping her identity secret from her friends and family while trying to avoid a wrathful Celtic goddess is no easy task. With the help of her newfound friend and savior, Cade MacRoich, Meghan will gradually learn that not only does she come from a place full of magic and wonder but that she, too, is far more powerful than she ever thought possible.

Faelorehn, the first in The Otherworlds Trilogy was a major letdown, and if you remember my review, I was beyond disappointed with the first book in this series. I decided to give this series another try because of my absolute infatuation with everything Faerie. Wow, am I glad that I did. The second book, Dolmarehn, was so much better than I could have ever expected. I'm not sure how Miss Johnson turned it around so much, but she pulled off an amazingly written second book! The world, finally, began to come together- the reader gets to experience the Faerie world and it is described phenomenally. The many different creatures that reside there are creative and original- including faelah, which are sort of like the demons of the fae world. They are connected with The Morrighan, the one member of the Tuatha de Danaan that hates Meghan. The goddess wants Meghan's power, and will stop at nothing to obtain it. But there is no way that Cade will let that happen, regardless of his relationship to the Morrighan. I can't give much away without spoiling the entire series, but there were unexpected twists and turns in the plot line that blew me away. If you folks remember my review of the first in this series, it was more like the diary of a really boring high school girl, save for a couple tense moments with a demented goddess. This installment was filled with so much more excitement, drama, and adventure. Meghan and Cade got to explore a lot of the Otherworld, meet a few Gods and Goddesses of the Tuatha de, and Meghan finally learns who her parents were. She also begins to learn how to use her magick, which turns out to be far more powerful than anyone could have expected. The Celtic mythological research was historically accurate, as I remember hearing these stories of the Tuatha de from my childhood. The characters are wonderfully written- especially the Gods and Goddesses. Their personalities shine through the words, and I fell in love instantly with the Dagda! He reminds me so much of my grandfather. All in all, this book was so much better than Faelorehn, and I am beyond grateful that I decided to give this series a second chance! Fans of the Faerie world, and any mythology buff will absolutely love this book. My biggest complaint is the fact that Meghan's internal dialogue is still as obnoxious as it was in Faelorehn. She is constantly asking herself a million questions inside her mind- to the point where I wanted to throat punch her. Seriously! Because of that, I can only give it 4 out of 5 stars.

"After floating in the air for a few minutes, the fairy landed among a thicket of ferns. Fergus pulled away from me then and trotted alongside the fronds, brushing them with his legs. What followed completely transfixed me. As he moved down the line of ferns, hundreds of the little fairy creatures took to the sky, chirping in agitation and flashing their multicolored wings. A living, breathing rainbow."
""Eile isn't like the mortal world Meghan." Cade's voice took on a somber note. "Children are often born here, ones that are, I guess unplanned is the kindest term to give them. Sometimes acknowledging them can bring about severe repercussions, for both the parents and the children, so they are abandoned to the wilds."
"Who is your foster father?" Cade grinned with mischief, "the Dagda." "Oh! The Dagda? Really? Like, the one from the Second Battle of Maige Tuired? The god with the magic cauldron?" Cade smiled, relaxing back against the stone on his side of the fire ring. The Dagda, like the Morrighan, was a legend of Celtic lore. He was said to be one of the few gods who excelled at many things, and he had a reputation for being... I guess saying he was friendly with women was a civilized way of putting it. I snorted as I conjured up the image I had of him: an older, pudgier man with an unkempt beard and mustache. Now that I knew he existed, I wondered if the picture in my mind matched the reality. "And yes, he does live up to his wild reputation," Cade said cheerily."
""Live where you wish, but I will demand one thing of you." I spun around in a flash, my teeth gritted and my eyes most likely flashing several different colors. "You will demand me? You didn't even want me, what gives you the right to demand anything of me?" "The right a queen has over one of her subjects. And the right of a mother over her daughter. I do not want you to associate with Cade MacRoich. He's not good enough for you," my mother continued. "Oh really," I countered, "not good enough for the illegitimate, half-breed daughter you cast aside?" "No, not even good enough for that."

Related Reviews:
Faelorehn - The Otherworld #1

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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer Armentrout

Stone Cold Touch
By Jennifer Armentrout
Dark Elements Series 2
Hardcover: 446 pages
Publication Date: October 21, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Rated:

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Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

Oh JLA, the heartbreak that you put me through.. Sigh.

This next installment in the Dark Elements Series picks up a couple weeks after White Hot Kiss leaves off. The battle between Paimon and the Wardens where Roth sacrificed his life is still fresh in Layla's mind. She misses him more than she cares to admit, yet Zayne is always there for her. He's helping her to forget about Roth, the demon that she had her first kiss with, the one that understood and accepted her for who she is. She thinks that she is starting to move on.. until Roth shows up at her home. The home of the Wardens, his enemy. She is so excited to see him, but something about him has changed. Everything that they shared together is pointless, because he tells her it meant nothing to him. She was only a way to ease his boredom. Ugh JLA, are you serious?! I didn't like Zayne from the first book, and now I have to read about this douche canoe and Layla trying to have a relationship with each other, while Roth is obviously in love with her. It's traumatizing, seriously. Roth returns to school as if nothing happened. But now there is another problem, something that is changing her classmates and teachers. A Lilin was born the night of the ritual with Paimon, and it has returned to the school to steal souls. Can Roth, Layla, and Zayne come together to find this creature before her entire school are turned into wraiths? Or is it Layla herself, with her changing powers, the one stealing the souls? Dammit, thankfully JLA is allowing her readers to choose who Layla will end up with, because if it turns out to be Zayne, I cannot promise to control myself in the final review of this wonderful series. Just saying. The plot line was wonderful as always, the characters are well written- complex and real, and the world is phenomenal. Modern day D.C. with a supernatural twist. I fully recommend this series to everyone- read it! It will not disappoint. JLA has made herself my favorite author- hands down! <3

"The other guy shot up like an arrow, hands clenching into meaty fists at his sides. "What the hell is wrong with you?" He rounded the table, shrugging out of his zipped hoodie. "You want some of this?" Stuff always got real when the clothes started to come off."
"This just got real awkward," Stacey murmured, but her dark eyes glimmered with interest. Not as awkward, surprisingly, as when I'd licked Zayne's thumb like.. I didn't even know what. But dinner was painful. Roth and Zayne spent the whole time trading snide remarks, Sam and Stacey were too busy watching them as if each word they slung at one another was a tennis ball, and by the time I asked for a check, I was ready to throat punch someone. Mainly myself.
"You need to make this quick," Zayne said. "Because I'm not sure how much more of your presence I can stomach." Roth faked a pout. "You're so mean, Stony. Perhaps you have something shoved up your ass that you need to remove?" "Roth," I said, gripping the edge of the table. "Knock it off." "He started it." I gaped. "What? Are you guys two years old?" He glanced at a stewing Zayne and that faint twinkle in his eyes was back. "Well, he does look like he shit himself and needs his diaper changed."
Whatever control I had was stretched too taut and snapped like a rubber band pulled to its limits. I moved faster than I probably ever had. Shooting forward, I snatched the thick bible out of the man's hands. Whipping my arm back, I swung it around and the sound of what had to be the most epic biblical bitch snack on Earth echoed through the garage. Roth's surprised laugh shook me to the core. "Damn. That's getting served. In the biblical sense."

Related Reviews:
White Hot Kiss - Dark Elements 1

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| Official Site | Twitter | Facebook |

*Voting for who Layla ends up with here
DarkElementsSeries.com

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