A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Read from May 23 to June 2, 2015

A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES
Published: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 416 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

SHE STOLE A LIFE. NOW SHE MUST PAY WITH HERS.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

You know that feeling when you are so ecstatic for a book you can hardly stand it? And even better, when that book exceeds all of your expectations? I'm so pleased to say that A Court of Thorns and Roses was wonderful in every sense of the word. Brimming with magic between the pages, ACOTAR is a spectacular start to a very promising series. Sarah J. Maas is easily one of my new favorite fantasy writers.

I've been looking forward to ACOTAR ever since it was first announced. Not only was I excited to see a new series from Maas (I adored Throne of Glass), but the concept for this one was so intriguing: a re-interpretation of Beauty and the Beast with fae and hunters; sign me up! ACOTAR did not disappoint whatsoever. Maas perfectly blended together this new fae world with Beauty and the Beast. Feyre was such an awesome heroine to follow around. She was headstrong, determined, and wasn't afraid to stand up for herself; I can always count on Maas to give me a hero that doesn't need anyone else to save them, and it's so refreshing to see that in YA. Tamlin's two personalities were really stunning: you have his calm, good-natured side and you have his wild, beastly (literally) side. Even though they both have their flaws, I never once stopped rooting for Feyre and Tamlin. These characters were wonderful to follow, but then again, this is Sarah J. Maas book, so I didn't expect anything less.

My favorite part of any novel is the world-building, and ACOTAR's world was incredible. I loved seeing two sides to this world: there's the harsh, winter landscape of the mortal world that is crumbling to pieces, and then you have the lavish, rich world of the fae. Both sides are vast opposites, but Maas does a spectacular job entwining them together. And there's so many layers to this world! From dark, creepy forests to marvelous castles to mountains that will scare the heck out of you, ACOTAR has everything you could possibly want in a fantasy novel.

Maas can write a storm of a novel. I was hooked from page one, and it was nearly impossible to put down ACOTAR. The action sequences were thrilling, the romance was realistic and wasn't forced, and I loved the drops of foreshadowing that Mass included throughout the book. The ending! Mind = literally blown. No spoilers here, but seriously, I was so pleased with this ending; I didn't see it coming, and it made the story 10x better. Book two, please!

Overall, A Court of Thorns and Roses lives up to all the hype it has garnered. Burning bright with magical elements and nail-biting sequences, ACOTAR is a true gem. I can't wait for the sequel!

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Read from April 9 to 12, 2014

DOROTHY MUST DIE
Published: April 1, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 452 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Dorothy Must Die, #1

I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.

But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling.

What happened?

Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.

I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.

I've been trained to fight.

And I have a mission:

Remove the Tin Woodman's heart.

Steal the Scarecrow's brain.

Take the Lion's courage.

Then and only then—Dorothy must die.

Brimming with phenomenal world-building and irresistible characters that you'll fall in love with instantly, Dorothy Must Die is one of the most captivating, addictive books I've read in a very long time. One of the most outstanding debuts I've read that's sure to never die down in hype. 

I had ridiculously high expectations for Dorothy Must Die, since it was amongst my top most anticipated books for 2014. You have no idea how happy I was to find that all my expectations were met and exceeded. I have to start off with my favorite part about Dorothy Must Die, and though it's usually my favorite part about any novel, there was just something different with this one: the world-building. The world in this novel was spectacular. I'm a sucker for any re-telling, and when I heard that this was a Wizard of Oz re-telling, I was ecstatic. Oz is such a dark, sinister place in Dorothy Must Die. Paige does an exceptional job at turning this once lush, ravishing, and beautiful place into a twisted, morbid, and gloomy place of disaster - and I loved every second of it. There's so much detail put into this new world, and I applaud Danielle Paige for being able to pull off this re-telling with this world. The world was frightening and filled with darkness, but it made the story even stronger and more addicting. I can't even with this book. Fantastic!

Amy Gumm is a heroine worth rooting for. I will admit, I had my ups and downs with Amy. Sure, I can totally see where she's coming from with being thrust into a new landscape (especially Oz of all places), and I can see where she could be wary of being trusting or stubborn, but she was too stubborn at times. However, that didn't stop me from loving Dorothy Must Die. Also, can I just say that Dorothy is one of my new favorite villains ever?! Imagine a reality TV star with an ego 10x the normal self-esteem and you've got yourself Dorothy. She was psychotic and monstrous, and I absolutely loved to hate her and hated to love her. The fact that the wicked witches were basically the good guys was really cool to read about. I loved how Paige still kept their roots of darkness and evil within them, but she truly does show that there can be two sides to people. All the characters in Dorothy Must Die (especially the Lion! Oh my gosh, he was insane!) were marvelous, and I can't wait to see their development in the sequel.

Speaking of the sequel, I need it now! Though this novel is pretty hefty with its 450+ pages, it moves so quickly, and there's hardly ever a dull moment with this book. If you're looking for something that will consume you whole until you've finished it and something that's never been done before, Dorothy Must Die fits the bill. With its exciting plot, fantastic villains, and one of a kind twists and turns, Dorothy Must Die is a nail-biting, pulse-pounding read that will make you question everything you know about Oz. One of my new favorites, for sure!

Overall, Dorothy Must Die was everything I wanted from a book and more. Fantastically woven together and masterfully pulled off, Dorothy Must Die is the kind of book that was still tattooed on my mind long after I turned the final page. More, please!

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Cold Spell by Jackson Pearce

Read on July 4, 2013

COLD SPELL
Expected Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Format: ARC
Page Count: 336 pages
Source: ALA
Series: Fairytale Retellings, #4

Read my reviews for previous books in this series (you do NOT have to read the books in order): 

Sisters Red • Sweetly • Fathomless

Unforgettable love. Unforgiving magic.

Kai and Ginny grew up together–best friends since they could toddle around their building’s rooftop rose garden. Now they’re seventeen, and their relationship has developed into something sweeter, complete with stolen kisses and plans to someday run away together.

But one night, Kai disappears with a mysterious stranger named Mora – a beautiful girl with a dark past and a heart of ice. Refusing to be cast aside, Ginny goes after them and is thrust into a world she never imagined, one filled with monsters and thieves and the idea that love is not enough.

If Ginny and Kai survive the journey, will she still be the girl he loved–and moreover, will she still be the girl who loved him?

Jackson Pearce, author of the acclaimed SISTERS RED and FATHOMLESS, has returned with a unique vision of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” one about power and redemption, failure and hope, and the true meaning of strength.

Cold Spell is a phenomenal, spellbinding novel that can melt any icy heart and will make readers fall in love with Jackson Pearce even more. This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books of all time. From the world-building to the characters to the romance, everything about Cold Spell is fantastic. 

Pearce can weave together one brutal, beautiful world. We've been through so many worlds throughout Sisters Red (the woods), Sweetly (the hidden South), and Fathomless (the ocean), but Cold Spell brings something even more epic than before. We get to see the heart of an endless winter, and the way Pearce brings this world to life off the page was amazing. The endless winter put our protagonists, Ginny and Kai, to the test, and I loved how Jackson Pearce wasn't afraid to knock her characters down. Speaking of which, Kai and Ginny made a fantastic duo. They complimented and contrasted each other in a wonderful balance; they're one of my favorite pairs of all time. Cold Spell knocked it out of the ballpark. I absolutely adored this book.

The writing style is so unique and captivating. It lures you in - almost like Mora! - and you can't escape this book. If I set it down for a single moment, it was the only thing that was on my mind. And oh Mora, how I love thee. She's so interesting and deadly, and I was never quite sure if she was all wicked or if there was some good buried within her. I loved the contrast of light and dark that was played on Mora - she was an exceptional character.

Oh man, how this book took so many plot twists! So many turns! All the feels! If you're needing a series to get attached to and fall head over heels in love with, this is the series for you. They're fun, addictive, and overall, an original gem that shouldn't be missed. I absolutely love this series to pieces. I'm sad to see it go, but every single book was phenomenal in its own way. Jackson Pearce, thank you so much for this series. It was marvelous!

Overall, Cold Spell is a fantastic novel that leaves a mark in YA. What a finale to a stunning series! Love, love, love. So incredible.

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Fathomless by Jackson Pearce

Read on May 6, 2013

FATHOMLESS
Published: September 4, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 291 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Fairytale Retellings, #3

THE OCEAN KEEPS HER SECRETS.

Celia Reynolds is the youngest in a set of triplets and the one with the least valuable power. Anne can see the future, and Jane can see the present, but all Celia can see is the past. And the past seems so insignificant -- until Celia meets Lo.

Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality.

When a handsome boy named Jude falls off a pier and into the ocean, Celia and Lo work together to rescue him from the waves. The two form a friendship, but soon they find themselves competing for Jude's affection. Lo wants more than that, though. According to the ocean girls, there's only one way for Lo to earn back her humanity. She must persuade a mortal to love her . . . and steal his soul.

Fathomless is an electric, astonishing novel that had absorbed every part of me - I couldn't shake this book loose from me. Everything about this book is unique and stunning, and it has easily became one of my favorite books of all-time. The world-building, the characters, the writing, everything was flawless. Phenomenal.

It's no secret that I adore all of Jackson Pearce's books, and I was so excited to dive (no pun intended) into Fathomless. And with every Pearce novel, I was blown away immensely. Pearce has such an original and captivating writing style - what I especially loved about Fathomless was the dual perspective between Celia and Lo. Both girls are totally different, but they're both striving for the same goal - wanting more in life. Celia can only see the past, so her and Lo make a perfect team. I loved how the suspense of Lo was kept consistent throughout the entire novel. I wasn't always positive Lo was totally innocent and good, and I loved that suspense dangling in front of my face. So, so amazing.

I'm a huge fan of fairytale re-tellings, and I adored how Jackson Pearce tackled Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid. She wasn't afraid to get dark and morbid (like the original tale) with the story - how she executed the storyline to fit the original tale, while making it her own still, was absolutely brilliant. Fathomless wrapped itself around my mind and never let me go. If I wasn't caught up in these pages, it was the only thing on my mind. The suspense, the characters, the haunting and dark past: they haunted me long after I turned the final page. And I loved every second of it.

That ending was so smart! I didn't see the plot twists coming in Fathomless - every one of the turns took me by surprise and had me invested even further into the story. I loved how each novel in the Fairytale Retelling series intertwine with each other in some way; it just proves how flawlessly Pearce plotted out the series. If you're needing a great paranormal read that will keep you up late at night, this is the series for you. Fathomless is a true gem.

Overall, Fathomless is a marvelous, one of a kind story that shouldn't be missed. Love.

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce {Re-Read Review}

Re-read on May 6, 2013

SWEETLY
Published: August 23, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 310 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Fairytale Retellings, #2

As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a beautiful candy maker who molds sugary magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel gradually forget their haunted past -- until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel. He tells her the witch isn't gone -- it's lurking in the forest, preying on girls every year after Live Oak's infamous chocolate festival, and looking to make Gretchen its next victim. Gretchen is determined to stop running and start fighting back. Yet the further she investigates the mystery of what the witch is and how it chooses its victims, the more she wonders who the real monster is.

Gretchen is certain of only one thing: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.

Sweetly is a rich, fantastically incredible story that captured me right from the beginning and never let me go until the chilling, epic ending. Sweetly enchanted me with its wonderful writing and stunning characters!

This is one of my favorite series of all-time, and I just had to re-read Sweetly - and it was just as amazing the second time around. Jackson Pearce retells these fairytales in such a way that grabs the reader right from the first page. It's absolutely impossible to put this book down. Gretchen and Ansel have run out of luck and must stay with Sophia, a mysterious, yet beautiful candymaker, and Pearce creates a marvelous suspense that looms over the reader and will have them biting at the nails, turning pages as quickly as possible. I lost myself in this world, but I never wanted it to end. Incredible.

Gretchen and Ansel are stunning characters. They're flawed and broken, but they still have each other in this world. And I loved the brother-sister relationship between them; they fight, don't always agree, but at the end of the day, they love each other and would do anything for the other. Jackson Pearce does a phenomenal job at building their relationship. Sophia is so creepy! She's very sweet and nice, but there's just something off about her. I knew that Pearce could make fantastic characters, but Sweetly definitely proves it. 

The world-building? Brilliant. The idea of setting a Hansel and Gretel re-telling in the south was incredible, and it really added to the eerie factor. Everyone seems friendly and knows each other, but there's a darkness swirling around in the shadows in Live Oak, South Carolina, and Gretchen is determined to find out what. Every dark corner, nook, and cranny was masterfully plotted, and I absolutely loved this book to pieces. So, so amazing.

Overall, Sweetly is an enchanted, fantastic tale that had me entangled with these characters and world - it was unputdownable. If you're needing a story like none other, Sweetly is definitely for you.

M Y   R A T I N G

Waiting on Wednesday (26): Evertrue

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine!

This week, I am DYING for...

Evertrue (Everneath, #3) - Brodi Ashton

January 21, 2014

Balzer + Bray (Harper)

Since this is the third and final book in this awesome trilogy, I will be posting the synopsis to book one, Everneath, to avoid spoilers:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

Everneath is a captivating story of love, loss, and immortality from debut author Brodi Ashton.

Guys. Guys. GUYS. I love this series so, so, so much - it's ridiculous how much I adore these books. And I'm so sad to see this series ending, but I cannot wait for Evertrue. I must know what happens to Nikki, Cole, and Jack! January 21, can you come sooner? Please?

What are you waiting on this week?

Brad About Books: Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Read on June 21, 2013

FURY
Published: August 30, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 370 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Fury, #1

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better—the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay. Em and Chase have been chosen.

Sometimes sorry isn't enough.

I have no idea why this book and I didn't click. While Fury brought a unique plot and an outstanding premise to the table, it didn't deliver for me. I guess this book just wasn't for me.

Oh my gosh, this book sounded awesome. And the crazy thing? It was awesome! But unfortunately, the keyword is was. I was really loving the first 75 pages of this book - they set up the suspense and world so nicely, and I was excited to see where the story would go next. That's the thing though: it didn't go anywhere. After page 150, I noticed that nothing was pushing the plot along. It was staying still and repeating the same techniques, and I just wasn't a fan of that. The first 75 pages were epic, but the book went downhill after that for me.

Greek myth re-tellings are great in my book. They're actually one of my favorite genres to read about. But never had I read a book about the Furies (directly about the Furies, anyway), so I was very eager to see how they would be handled in Fury. And the actual Furies were very interesting! They're deceptive and a bit disturbed, but Miles created them to be such twisted and awesome characters. And I did enjoy some other characters! Em was a great protagonist (I connected to her right away), but I can't say the same about Chase. He was too whiny and oblivious for me to like.

Even though I've had a month to decide why I didn't enjoy this book, I still can't come up with a clear answer. Was it the pacing? The characters? Certain scenes that gave me chill bumps, and not in a good way? I can't decide. I just know that this wasn't the book for me. I might be for you! Who knows. I wish I could've liked it better, though. I really, really do.

Overall, Fury disappointed me on major levels. Though the plot sounded epic and I knew it was destined to be a great book, it didn't live up to my expectations.

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Sweet Legacy by Tera Lynn Childs + GIVEAWAY (US/CAN Only)

Read on July 14, 2013

SWEET LEGACY
Expected Publication Date: September 3, 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen (Harper)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 384 pages
Source: ALA
Series: Medusa Girls, #3

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't started this series.

Read my reviews for the first two books in this series:

Sweet Venom • Sweet Shadows

Sweet Legacy is an epic and pulse-pounding conclusion to one of my favorite series of all time. Tera Lynn Childs has done it again - Sweet Legacy is marvelous!

I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology re-tellings, and the Medusa Girls trilogy is my favorite Greek re-telling series... ever! They're so good! And upon finishing Sweet Legacy, I knew that this was the best book of the series. The characters have developed so much since we first met them - the cool part? Every character develops. Not just one. All of them. - and I absolutely adored that. Childs's vivid and wonderful trilogy comes to a stunning conclusion in Sweet Legacy, and it will not disappoint readers whatsoever.

WAR. WAR WAR WAR. There is so much of it in Sweet Legacy! Like the first two books, it's impossible to set this novel down. Especially since we have a stranger toying with one sister's mind, another sister is falling hard for someone she isn't suppose to, and the last sister is warrior who is on the verge of being completely shattered. Sweet Legacy throws so many plot twists at the reader, and there is never a dull moment. I was actually shocked at some of the events! Sweet Legacy is more brutal and darker than the previous novels (with war coming, it has to be - and it's totally awesome!), and it is just so. good. If you haven't picked up this trilogy, you must! Fantastic!

And oh my gosh! That ending! I kid you not, I was freaking out during the final 30 pages of Sweet Legacy - I had no idea what in the world to expect! Some endings aren't satisfying and leave you hanging, but that's not the case with this amazing trilogy. Childs wraps everything together so perfectly. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this book and this trilogy. I'm so sad it's over, but I couldn't have asked for a better ending. Phenomenal.

Overall, Sweet Legacy is one of the best endings I've ever read. Tera Lynn Childs is one master of storytelling! Brutal, original, and wholly captivating, Sweet Legacy is magnificent!

And since I love Sweet Legacy so much, I'm giving away an ARC of it! This contest is US/CAN only. Be sure to enter down below - you won't want to miss this ending! It's so good!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs

Read on July 9, 2013

SWEET SHADOWS
Published: September 4, 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen (Harper)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 328 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Medusa Girls, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, Sweet Venom.

Sweet Shadows is an electric and dazzling sequel that captured me immediately, shook me around, and never let me go. This second novel not only surpassed the ever-awesome first installment, it blew it out of the water.

After reading Sweet Shadows, I can confirm that the Medusa Girls trilogy is one of my favorite series EVER! I'm a huge fan of re-tellings and Greek mythology, so the two of them put together is awesome. Believe me when I say, this series is addictive. They're impossible to put down, and the action scenes are irresistible! And I love that this trilogy has triplets - not twins, but actual triplets. With that being said, there are three POVs in this series, and Childs handles each character so well. They're all different in their own unique way, and they all have qualities that I love about them! Gretchen has to be my favorite - she's the kick-butt-now, take-names-later kind of girl, and she's just so awesome. Plus, who doesn't like a monster huntress? But she's not the only huntress: Grace is the nice one of the girls, but don't get on her bad side. She's also a great huntress. And Greer is naïve going into the "business" (who wouldn't be?), but she definitely redeems herself in Sweet Shadows. I love all of these characters, and this series, so much!

I have to talk about the plot of Sweet Shadows. While Sweet Venom was engaging and awesome, Sweet Shadows knocked it out of the ballpark. I'm a huge fan of Greek re-tellings, and though this isn't a direct re-telling, it's still one of my favorite series. Monsters are leaking into the human world, and it's up to the triplet huntresses to seal them away where they belong. And Sweet Shadows makes these monsters even more terrifying. The stakes are raised higher more than I dared to imagine, and I adored it for that. I like it when an author makes a daring sequel, and Sweet Shadows definitely was. This series is an absolute must-read!

I didn't see that ending coming! As I was flipping these pages, I had NO idea what to expect or have any clue what was going to happen next. And I will admit, some sequels fall to the dreaded Sequel Slump Syndrome, but that totally passed over Sweet Shadows! I have no clue how Tera Lynn Childs did it, but she made this sequel even better than its predecessor! So good!

Needless to say, Sweet Shadows was incredibly epic and utterly jaw-dropping. Tension-filled and fast-paced, readers won't be able to tear their eyes away from this phenomenal second installment!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Romeo Redeemed by Stacey Jay

Read on July 14, 2013

ROMEO REDEEMED
Published: October 9, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Press (Random House)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 384 pages
Source: Arcycling
Series: Juliet Immortal, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, Juliet Immortal.

Romeo Redeemed is a dazzling sequel that burns bright with irresistible romance and a timeless love story. Not only did this book surpass the first installment, it shattered it completely. Loved it so much!

I'll be honest: I thought Juliet Immortal was good, but not as good as I hoped. And I despised Romeo in that book. So reading about his story? I wasn't too thrilled. But woah! One of the biggest surprises I've ever read! I was very shocked at how... authentic Romeo felt. In Juliet Immortal, he was a jerk that only wanted one thing - to save himself. And while in Romeo Redeemed that's his goal, we get to see a new side of him that wasn't presented in book one. And I liked that! I love it when a character flip flops from bad to good over time, and Romeo is one of the most shocking characters I've come across in YA. So obviously, I thought Romeo Redeemed was way better than Juliet Immortal!

I am a huge sucker for re-tellings, and Romeo Redeemed is a new favorite re-telling. I have read Romeo and Juliet before (insta-love, much?), but I have to be quite honest - I prefer this series to the original! It's just much more interesting and captivating. And Romeo Redeemed captured me wholly. I didn't want to set the book down for a minute, and while I did have problems with it (see next paragraph), I found it to be a highly enjoyable and stunning read. 

I didn't find too many flaws with Romeo Redeemed actually! But there were a few. My biggest was Ariel. Gosh, I couldn't stand her! While she is thrust into an odd and different situation, she was way too naïve for my likings. And I felt that Romeo Redeemed detoured away from the plot at times - it switched from Romeo trying to save himself, to Romeo trying to fall in love. Which is interesting, but some scenes were executed that well. But still, Romeo Redeemed was an awesome sequel.

Overall, Romeo Redeemed is an electric and one of a kind sequel that had me in its clutches and biting at my fingernails. A satisfying and epic ending!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Awaken by Meg Cabot

Read on May 17, 2013

AWAKEN
Expected Publication Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Point (Scholastic)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 343 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: Abandon, #3

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't started this series.

Check out my review from other books in this series:

Abandon • Underworld (spoilers for Abandon)

Awaken is a stunning conclusion to a fantastic re-telling series. Fast-paced and shocking, Meg Cabot has done it again!

The characters are just wonderful in Awaken. Awaken starts off with a bang and never stops. The action, tension and suspense was almost overwhelming - I had to know what in the world would happen next! And after Underworld, I had no clue what to expect. I think that Underworld was my favorite of the trilogy, but Awaken is a very close second. The entire ensemble is fantastic, and I applaud Cabot for making each and every character a vital piece to this massive and epic storyline. Bravo!

I'm a sucker for Greek re-tellings. And while it seems that the Persephone myth is the most common in YA, Meg Cabot's Awaken trilogy is definitely one of the best Persephone re-telling series out there. It's fun, it's fresh, and it's fast-paced. These books are so extremely hard to put down - I think Awaken was the hardest! I never wanted to tear my eyes away from the page; Meg Cabot is a master of storytelling! Love!

But I guess what kept me from giving Awaken a full-blown 5 stars was the lack of plot. It's there, but it doesn't always move forward. The suspense of what would happen next definitely kept me on the edge of my seat and eager, but I noticed that Awaken seemed to be character driven. I believe there were some new characters introduced, so of course, we had to get to know them. I caught myself drifting off from time to time, but usually very soon, the plot would pick back, and Awaken would become epic again. Which is always a good thing.

Overall, Awaken is a masterfully executed and well thought-out conclusion to a mind-bending and enticing trilogy! I'm so sad to see this series go, but Meg Cabot couldn't have ended it any better.

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