Monday Morning Line Up September 30, 2013

Monday Morning Line Up is a weekly post where I attempt to give us all a reason to be happy it's MONDAY!! (I know I may be asking a little much of you) It will consist of upcoming new releases for that week.

 

 

 

New Releases For The Week Of September 30, 2013

-There are a TON of new books coming out this week.  Hopefully you find something worth reading!

 

Oath Of Servitude by C.E Wilson

This is the story of Teague and Cailin, two teenagers who have been brought together by fate. Teague, a human, struggles to come to terms with the consequences of a recent accident that has destroyed the happy life that he had once enjoyed. Cailin, a pixi, is trying to stay true to herself while fighting against forces beyond her control that have exiled her from her home into this strange world of humans. She fears the darkness. He cannot escape it. But when the two of them are thrown together, they begin to discover the light inside of themselves.  (Picture and Summary from Goodreads)

**I received Oath of Servitude from the author in exchange for an honest review.  In no way does that influence the thoughts or opinions of this review.

Review:

 

"A human life span is but the blink of an eye for a true pixi.  We open and close again before those around us, those we love, can ever really come to understand who we truly are."

-Owen to Cailin

 



I have never read a book about pixi's but after reading the summary of Oath Of Servitude, I was excited to dive into the story.  I have also never read a book where there is such a difference in size between the characters so for me it was hard to comprehend that, but that's because of my lack of creativity, not the author's descriptions.  Good thing there are writers like C.E. to cause me to excercise that creative muscle!

Cailin is a young pixi who does not want to conform to pixi ways, because of this the Portune (pixi council) have sentenced her to serving out an oath owed to a human by her father.  She is sent to live with Owen and his son Teague; her job is to come into their home and help Teague adapt to his new life and environment after an accident has left his life forever changed.  If she doesn't fulfill her oath, or breaks it, she will be sentenced to the Darkness; which evidently is terrifying, though we don't really know what it is.  While staying with Owen and Teague she learns about humans and develops a relationship with the two of them.  Towards the end of the book an event happens causing all sorts of chaos, which in turn caused me to hold my breath till it was over. 

I must admit, I don't really like Cailin.  I feel like she NEVER listens and is a tad bit whiny.  I would really love for her to learn to stand her ground and grow a backbone.  Teague is how you would expect a moody teenage boy to act after having his world ripped away from him.  And Owen is the type of parent who makes all sorts of excuses for their kid in order to baby them.  He wants Cailin to get Teague out of his funk but as soon as she treats Teague harshly, Owen is angry with her!  Frustrating!  I really love the relationship between Cailin and Teague and I'm excited to see how it continues to develop.  Though the moody girl in me really wishes Cailin would have been a little harsher on Teague at the end of the book, you know, make him suffer!

The book kind of starts off slow, it wasn't until halfway through that I was really captivated.  So make sure to hang in there if you feel like it's dragging.  The main thing I had a hard time with was the third person narrative.  I prefer to be in the head of one person and have the story be told from their point of view.  That way I get really connected and invested in the character.  I didn't really get a chance to connect with any of them, so I really struggled with that.  I also felt like we were left wondering about a lot of things, especially since they kept getting brought up only to be left unanswered.  My hope is that the next book really dives into the pixi world and hopefully we get more answers.  Like I said, I'm excited to see what develops!

 

 

 

 

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Stacking The Shelves (1)

Hey ya'll! Stacking The Shelves is a meme hosted over at Tynga's Reviews  It's a chance for us to share what books we have added to our bookshelves recently.  Click on the name of a book to be directed to B&N so you can get yourself a copy.        
 

Aren't they pretty?  I love new books!!  Too bad the bank account doesn't...

 

 

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

 

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust. (Summary from Goodreads)

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending. (Summary from Goodreads)


The Program by Suzanne Young

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them (Summary from Goodreads)


The Coldest Girl In Coldtown by Holly Black

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.  (Summary from Goodreads)

Thoughts On Thursdays #2

 



There are a TON of good books being turned into movies lately.  I am always excited for an author who has this honor bestowed upon them, I mean its a great opportunity to reach a whole other audience.


That being said, am I the only one who cringes at the thought of a book you love being put on the big screen?  Even though I try not to be, I'm always excited by the time it comes out but when I watch it disappointment always sets in.  No matter how hard they try it just isn't the same; things get cut, details are left out, emotions aren't as deep.  I'm pretty sure for one amazing book to be turned into one good movie it would need one hell of a narrator and it would have to be at least 5 hours long...at least.  Besides, why does it even need to be made into a movie??  Haven't they heard "if its not broke, don't fix it"??   I guess it goes back to that new audience part.  Someone really needs to get them a library card.


What are your thoughts?  Are you excited when you hear your favorite book is going to have a spot on the big screen? Or do you secretly dread it?



Through The Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

 

Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.

 

(Picture and Summary from Goodreads)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review:

 



The great thing (bad thing) about Kindle is the ability to download the app onto my phone which makes it incredibly easy to read books wherever I am.  I am a mommy to two, aaand a wife, aand a full time employee but I do not remember anything about yesterday other than I had made it halfway through Through The Zombie Glass by the time 5:00 came around.  I'm pretty sure my coworkers hate me and possibly my husband....oops....

Now I'm not just fighting the zombies.  I'm fighting to save the life I've grown to love.

I will succeed.

Tick,Tock.

It's Time.

 

Through The Zombie Glass starts back up pretty much where Alice In Zombieland ended.  Ali is still "recovering" (Cole's word) from the wound she sustained during the last zombie battle at the hands of Cole.  Cole is acting all broody and moody because he feels bad for almost killing her.  He also is driving Ali crazy with his overprotective attitude saying that she can't train, kiss, or get out of bed because of her injury.  *I swear, Men!*  We also find out that since Ali's injury her and Cole, for reasons unknown, haven't been having any visions.  Ali believes this may be because Cole feels so guilty about her near death experience that he is putting emotional walls up, effectively blocking the visions.

 

At the end of AiZ we lost a couple of slayers opening up some spots that needed to be filled.  Enter Gavin and Veronica, slayers Cole knew from Georgia.  In walks Gavin and BAM visions are back, but between Ali and Gavin.  Lets just say that's bad news bears.  Justin also makes a reappearance that we aren't sure how to feel about.  Personally, I hate him.

 

Not far into the book Ali gets attacked.  Afterwords she has a surprising development that leaves me panicking about her future.  It doesn't help that the summary of the book indicates all sorts of bad things happening.  But try not to get ahead of yourself while you're reading, you'll make yourself have a panic attack.  Ater this new discovery all sorts of drama happens causing me to seriously hate Cole, did I mention that him and Veronica have a past? Yeah.  All this and it's only halfway through the book.

 

So after tons of action and drama AND a kidnapping the book comes to an end.  That's all I will say about the end because if I say anything else it will be spoilerific.

 

Long story short I LOVED this book.  Gena did not disappoint, there was action and suspense with every page turn.  You are constantly wondering about everyone's motives and dying to know how things are going to end.  My only wish is that all of the books were out RIGHT NOW.  But what can ya do?  If you're on the fence about whether or not to start this journey, stop thinking about it and go get Alice In Zombieland and Through The Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter NOW!

 

 

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"Waiting On" Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine It features books we are eagerly anticipating getting our hands on.

The book I'm anticipating this week is:

 

 

 

World After

 Penryn & The End Of Days, Book 2

By: Susan Ee

Expected Publication Date: 11/19/2013

 



In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

~~Summary and Picture by Goodreads

 

 

 

Angelfall was amazing. If you haven't read it you should.  I plan on rereading it closer to World After's pub. date and I will do a full out review then.  The last chapter of Angellfall really left readers hanging on to the edge of their seat for dear life and I can't wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds in this next installment.



 

Preorder It:

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

Monday Morning Line Up September 23, 2013

Monday Morning Line Up is going to be a weekly post where I attempt to give us all a reason to be happy it's MONDAY!! (I know I may be asking a little much of you)  It will consist of upcoming new releases for that week.

New Releases For The Week Of September 23

Now buck up!  You can do this!! 

Alice In Zombieland by Gena Showalter

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….

I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish

 

(Picture and Summary from Goodreads)

Review

 



I feel like I should give you some warning. So many people seem to be mad that this book wasn't what they were expecting. If you are expecting it to be some dark, twisted, grotesque form of Alice In Wonderland you will be disappointed.  Expecting it to be such will just ruin it for you.  In fact there aren't a ton of things that are even closely related to Alice in Wonderland aside from some subtle references. To really enjoy the book for what it is you should go into it with an open mind with no intentions of comparing it to the zombies you think you know and just enjoy the ride Gena Showalter takes you on.

Having said that let me say how much I seriously LOVE this book!  It's about Alice who comes head to head with the reality of real life zombies (who doesn't love zombies?) after the tragic death of her family and how she learns to fight said zombies (total badass BTW).  There are some definite teary eyed moments which you would expect when the book starts off with tragedy but there also laugh your head off experiences that totally make up for it (not that I minded crying).  The book never leaves you feeling bored instead you're caught up in the action constantly wondering what we will discover next and wondering when Cole will realize he can't live without Alice?! 

I love all of the characters in this book (except for the obvious bad guys) but Kat is my most favorite.  She is actually my favorite best friend character that I have ever read!  She's just so energetic and sassy, I need her in my life every day!  I was saddened at a discovery we make about two thirds through the book and I really hope Gena comes up with a way to make it all okay in the next book.  Lets just say I will be sad if something bad happens.  (I know that was a very mysterious couple of sentences but I hate spoilers)  Then there is Cole.  Breath taking, blood pressure raising, swoon inducing Cole.  He is constantly giving me the warm fuzzies while also making my blood boil.  I think he is good for Alice though and I enjoy how easily she stands up to him, even if on the inside she just wants to give in, at least she puts on a good front. There are a few heated make out sessions but mostly there is a bunch of sexual tension between Cole and Alice.   I love sexual tension.  Through becoming friends with Kat and meeting Cole & company; Alice comes to terms with the death of her family and finds purpose in her life.  And what would a book about zombies be without some zombie slaying?  So yeah there is some of that too without it being horribly graphic and gross.  Hot boys, good friends, zombie slayings?  What more could you ask for?

The end of the book was a nice wrap up, not leaving you dying in suspense but at the same time subtly hinting at bad things to come.  In just a couple of days the second installment to this series comes out and I'm so excited by that fact.  I feel like I need to be bossy now and demand you go out and buy Alice in Zombieland.  While you're at it go ahead and preorder Through The Zombie Glass.  Trust me in this, you're going to want it.



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Thoughts On Thursdays #1

What are your thoughts on e-books?

Personally I find them extremely convenient.  Living in a small town really hinders your ability to get your hands on books, especially if the only place books are available is at the local Wal-Mart.  So I find myself browsing B&N or Amazon and getting really good deals on digital books that are delivered instantaneously to my device, I don't even have to change out of my pajamas.  E-books are also a little bit cheaper and if you are like me that can totally make your mind up for you.  But I really, really, really love having the physical book in my hands.  I love to smell that new book smell, to not have to charge batteries to be able to read it.  I love displaying them on my bookshelf and being able to say to a friend "Sure, I have that and yes you can borrow it" even if that does cause a mild panic attack.  And if the cover is GORGEOUS I am more likely to buy the physical book rather than an e-book.  I also secretly fear electronic devices failing us one day and if all my books are on a device then I would never be able to read them again *Oh The HORROR*

So what's your take?  Do you have a preference? Do you also fear the fall of technology?

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life

(Picture and Summary from Goodreads.)

Stars: 4/5


I HATE love triangles.  I HATE cliffhangers.  I HATE LOVE TRIANGLES AND CLIFF HANGERS!!!!!


*Deeeeeep Breath*

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Review

 

He's come to fight.

For Me.

Now that I have calmed myself let me just state that Unravel Me was sooo much more exciting, and intense, and suspenseful than Shatter Me.  I literally did not want to put the book down!  And let me just say I love angst. Seriously, it's a guilty pleasure of mine and the first third of Unravel Me was total angst, LOVED it!   Don't worry you anti-angst people out there, eventually Juliette gets semi knocked out of her self pitying stupor and starts to embrace her gift.  Remember how I was all kind of freaked out by Thereh Mafi's writing style in Shatter me?  I am sooo over it!  It totally grew on me, she describes things so deeply and elegantly, its almost poetic.

 

Adam has no idea that Warner can touch me.

 



Unravel me gives us an insider's glimpse into Omega Point, the secret underground rebellion against The Reestablishement.  We meet a few new characters and become more familiar with Adam, Kenji, and Warner.  A little too familiar with Warner if you ask me. (Team Adam)  Like I said during the first part of the book Juliette is pretty much *Wah, Wah! Poor Me! Everyone hates me because I'm evil*  but Castle and Kenji get tired of that act real quick and give her a dose of reality, which allows her to focus on her gift to discover what she is really capable of.  We also find out about Adam and his ability to touch or is it to not die by Juliette.  This new development leads to the entry of a love triangle (hate it) and causes me to have several anxiety attacks.  There are a couple of hostage situations along with some combat between Omega Point and The Reestablishment.  By the end of the book you're sitting on the edge of your seat only to find out that Juliette changes her outlook on everything and nothing is going to be straightened out because THE END.  Yup, Tahereh Mafi effectively pulls a cliff hanger leaving readers dying for more.  I suggest that if you read Shatter Me you definitely follow up with Unravel Me, it is SO worth it!



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Tahereh Mafi's Website

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior

(Summary and Picture from Goodreads) 

Stars: 3/5
Do I Recommend:  It's a little to early to say.  If the next book makes it worth it, then yes.

Review

First off allow me to say that the writing style of this book is different and it took me a few chapters to look past it.  I believe the idea was to make Juliette sound just a tiny bit crazy, possibly a little broken, and so her inner musings are a little disorganized but at the same time very deep.  Tahereh Mafi has a great way with words, throughout the book she paints a clear picture of Juliette's surroundings and the people she meets, so clear that you can easily see through Juliette's eyes.

I've been locked up for 264 days.

The book centers around Juliette, Adam, and her captor Warner.  The world they live in has fallen apart, very much the dystopian, they lack food, money, decent medical care, pretty much all basic necessities.  Out of the ashes has risen a group by the name of The Reestablishment who promises to fix everything by getting rid of the old, sick, and insane.  At the start of the book Juliette is in an asylum and has been in solitary for 264 days.  Turns out Juliette has a deadly gift that caused her parents to be terrified of her so they turned her over to the authorities, it is because of this that she ends up in the asylum.  Warner is part of The Reestablishment put in charge of one of the many sects that make up their new world by his dad.  He discovered Juliette and after putting her through a test takes her out of the asylum.  He has high hopes of getting her to play on his team.  He knows about Juliette's gift and will do anything to get her to use it to torture his prisoners.  Unfortunately for him Juliette doesn't want to become his monster and so turns to Adam who reappeared earlier from her past.  Adam is the only person Juliette has met that is not affected by her gift and from that grows friendship and love.  Ultimately it is Adam who helps her escape.

Because I am a Venus flytrap.  And I am lethal.

Shatter Me turns out to be one heck of a ride but I must admit the ending is a little disappointing.  I feel like there was this huge build up to something exciting happening that never came.  In fact shortly after Juliette and Adam make their escape the book ends.  To me (and many of you may disagree) I feel like it cut off in an awkward place.  It wasn't dramatic enough to really be a cliff hanger but yet it left ends untied.  It is kind of like the author decided "eh, I'm just going to stop here."  I do still have the second book to read, my hope is that things are a little more intense and fulfilling.


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"Waiting On" Wednesday: Through The Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine  It features books we are eagerly anticipating getting our hands on.

The book I'm anticipating this week is:



Through The Zombie Glass

by Gena Showalter

White Rabbit Chronicles Series

Published by Harlequin, 480 pages

Expected US Release Date: 9/24/2013

 

Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all. ~Goodreads Summary

 

 

 

 

Ok so I am soo excited about this book.  So excited that I plan on reading Alice In Zombieland, AGAIN, this weekend to prepare for Through The Zombie Glass.  I actually preordered the electronic format for Kindle so that I could have it as soon as it is released!  (Drawbacks of living in a small town, no major bookstore {Wal-Mart so doesn't count} so I have to wait for things to be shipped).  I plan on reviewing it in detail for you so I'm only going to touch on a few things that make me love it without having read it.   First off, the cover is GORGEOUS and I love the whole hint of Alice in Wonderland.  Second it's about a girl who kicks serious zombie butt!  I totally want to be her!  Third, there is an uber smokin hot costar!  How can it not be good?!  I have a feeling that this series is going to quickly become a favorite and will have a special place on my bookshelf!

Origin (Lux Series #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.
After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.
All Katy can do is survive.
Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?
Together, they can face anything.
But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?
And will they even be together?

 (Picture and Overview from Goodreads)

 

Stars: 4/5

Laugh Out Loud Moments:  Not much laughing going on but there were a couple chuckles

Did You Cry: Off and on throughout the whole dang book!

How Did The End Treat You: Son of a cliffhanger end....

"An engrossing, sexy, nail biter!  I'm delighted to join the Daemon Invasion!"

Nancy Holder, NYT Bestselling Author, Wicked

(quote from cover)

 

 

 

Review:

 

 

I wasn't sure Daemon even had a choice.

I wasn't sure I did, either.

 

 

Good Gracious that is one mighty fine looking cover!  Seriously, I could look at it for hours...

 

So remember how at the end of the Opal review I was all like "if you're going to read Opal might as well buy Origin" I take it back.  You may want to wait till Opposition Lux book #5 comes out (which isn't expected until summer 2014) because if you thought the ending of Opal was bad wait till you get to the end of Origin.

 

Aside from that this was another great installment to the Lux series.  Remember Blake?  Lets just say he gets what's coming to him, I am surprised by how Jennifer delivered it, but I think he deserved it.  Does that make me a bad person, possibly. 

 

With Origin we get an insight into the world of Daedalus and trust me it ain't pretty.  Turns out they have been formulating a new serum that I'm not sure we know what it's full purpose is for, even at the end of the book.  They have also been busy creating their own army of Origins (I will let you discover what that is on your own).  Basically if it does come down to a war between Daedalus and the Luxen I believe Daedalus has a pretty good defense laid out.

 

"...it's time to introduce the world to a little bit of extraterrestrial awesomeness."

 

Every action has a consequence.  In deciding to save Katy, Daemon angers his own people, who in response shut him off from the clan.  Meaning he isn't welcome into any colony and won't receive any help from them.  They should have known that Daemon going after Katy was the least of their problems.  His actions later on in the book will have them making a surprise visit that will leave you shocked.  His actions also cause a buttload of devastation and sadness that really had me hating Jennifer for a while.  I'm still not sure that I'm completely over it but the ending took my mind off of it due to it being a mother of a cliff hanger.  I suppose I may be a bit dramatic about that.  It may not be THAT bad but in my current state of mind it's the end of the world! (You will see how clever that thought is when you get there.)

 

"...Sweet Evil is one of my favorites..."

 

 

On a side note I really love how Jennifer throws in subtle references to other books.  None of them are as in your face obvious as the one she makes towards Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins.  When Daemon and Katy escape Daedalous they have to take on new identities.  Daemon's new name is Kaidan Rowe.  For those of you who haven't read it (you should by the way) Sweet Evil is a book about angels and nephilim and Kaidan Rowe is like the demon of lust.  Nice one Jennifer!

 

 

When all is said and done I still think you should read Origin.  It's up to you if you want to suffer through a year or more wait with me.  You know what they say, Misery LOVES company!!

 

 

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Poison Princess Free Preview

She could save the world or destroy it...

Ohh look what I stumbled across!! For all of you out there with the ability to read ebooks (Nook books especially) Barnes and Noble is giving you the chance to download a free preview of Kresley Cole's Poison Princess (which just so happens to be on my Future Reads list).  You get the first 17 chapters free! Wowza that's a lot of chapters!  You better jump on this chance now who knows how long it will last!  What are you waiting for, click on the pic and go get it!



Opal (Lux Series #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it

(Picture and Overview from Goodreads)

Stars: 4/5
Laugh Out Loud Moments: 2
Did you cry: Yes, right before throwing the book. (except I couldn't throw it because it's an ebook and those are fragile)
How did the ending make you feel:  Angry.  Just Angry.

"Oh for the love of backwoods babies"

 

Review:

 

Oh Good Lord.  I think I just died.  Talk about a major cliff hanger.

Opal was pretty much a tense situation leading up to a major situation.  Even though it didn't come across as angsty as the other two books I still loved it and didn't have any trouble turning pages.  But allow me to say Blake is EVIL.  I swear Katy should have killed him or at least let Daemon when he betrayed them the first time.  I get the moral compass telling her its bad to kill but he is nothing but TROUBLE!  I also hate that Dee and Katy have this huge rift between them.  It's a hard situation to correct so I get that it couldn't be an instantaneous "I forgive you lets hug and have a sleepover!" but I really wish there was some work around so that they can get past this. 

Sometimes a book series can lose it's fire but Jennifer doesn't disappoint and finds new ways to latch onto you to keep you coming back for more.  All I have to say is if you buy Opal you better just go ahead and buy Origin because you are not going to want to wait.

"Holy country roads take me home"

 

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Onyx (Lux Series #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…
Thanks to his alien mojo,

Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.
Something worse than the Arum has come to town…
The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.
But then everything changes…
I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies
 

(Picture and Overview from Goodreads)

Stars: 4/5

Scream Out Loud Moments: At least 10!

Did you cry: Yes, once

How did the end leave you feeling: Warning its a cliff hanger! But not a book throwing cliff hanger. Definitely leaves you with unanswered questions.

 

 

 

Review:

Another action packed, tension thick, emotion throwing book.  This book did not disappoint although I do want to slap Katy for most of the book for being such a stupid girl, she eventually gets over it in case you were wondering.  But seriously she spends half the book being all "confused" about Daemons real feelings, since he was such a jerk face in the first book, when really she should be jumping on the opportunity to jump him since really he's admitting, in his own way, his feelings for her!  

 

We find out a lot of new stuff about the Lux and Daemon and Katy's new "connection" and no I do not mean love connection.  We are also introduced to a couple of new important characters, neither of which I personally like, you'll have to let me know what you think in the end since I don't want to give away too much by elaborating on my opinion ;). It leaves us with the surprise appearance of someone who right of the bat seems different.  Just as soon as said person shows up the book ends.  Insert cliff hanger here.  Basically this book is a great follow up to Obsidian and I highly recommend reading it.  So do it now.  Tell me what you think!

 

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Obsidian (Lux Series #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don't kill him first, that is.

(Picture and Overview from Goodreads)

Stars: 4/5
Did you bond with the characters: We are like one
Laugh Out Loud Moments: 2
Did you cry: Yes but only once
Did the ending make you throw the book or sigh with contentment: Definitely a sigh tinged with needing more but no book throwing required.

 

Review:

 

This is actually my second time reading Obsidian.  Sometimes you start to read a book for the second time and realize the excitement is, sadly, gone.  So not the case here!

Obsidian is about a girl named Katy originally from Florida who moves to a small non existent town in West Virginia.  It's just her and her mom since her dad died of cancer three years prior to the start of the book.  She finds out that the kids next door are actually her age, turns out they are twins.  Daemon is just the type of guy I love in a book; hard sexy shell soft caring inside.  And then Dee his sister is the type of girl that's easy to become quick pals with.

There is awesome chemistry and sexual tension between Daemon and Katy but half the time you can't help but hate Daemon because he can be a serious dickweed.  There are times when Katy is quick to forgive where I would prefer she held her ground and really make him pay for it but I can get past that.

About halfway through the book we finally get told to our faces that Daemon and Dee (and their triplet friends Adam, Andrew, Ashley and Mr.Garrison (Katy's teacher)) are all aliens.  SURPRISE!!

There are a couple of "fight" scenes between the good aliens(Luxen) and bad aliens(Arum) one being a super blow out with a crazy result.  But there are also plenty of scenes between Daemon and Katy that will have you wanting to either shake something or hug the person closest to you  Between the suspense of being hunted and the tension between Daemon and Katy this book really had me turning the pages, even the second time through.  I'm leaving out quite a few details because if I told you everything then you wouldn't need to read it yourself and you need to...right now!  Go!

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