Review: Echo

Echo by Alicia Wright Brewster

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Echo is a well written book with a great story that you simply dive into and find hard to put down until you turn the last page. Taking place on Earth-Two, I find it fascinating that humans now are born with a little something extra.

I don't want to give away too much about this book, but I do have to say I love the dynamics between all of the characters and the stress that they go through to save their beloved home. With the end of the world impending, it's a fight to save Earth-Two and everyone they love.

The only issue I had with the book, which is why it gets 4 stars instead of 5, is that the ending seemed to come very abruptly. With all the build up of the final scene, you feel almost like a ride cut short and lacking a little bit of oomph that matched the rest of the book. I honestly felt that a little bit more could have fit in at the end where more could have been explained. Other than that, this was a very excellent book and I highly recommend it!

*This book was given freely by the author for my honest review.*



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Review: Pretties

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



We meet up with Tally again in this book to discover that what she ended up fighting against at the end of the last book has come to fruition.

Being Pretty seems to be a wonderful way of life. No anger. No jealousy. No hatred. No freedom of choice... Wonderful? Tally soon comes to realize that this way of life is not what she had originally planned for herself and she needs to find some way to break herself of the mindless daze she's been put under.

In this continuing saga of Tally Youngblood, we go on a journey of fears and struggles that many of us endure whether we realize it or not. To fit in or to stand out?

This book really was an excellent continuation from the first book. You cannot help but cheer for Tally as she pushes through her daze and overcomes so many obstacles. My only complaint is the Pretties' language... it can get rather annoying. But it is the way they speak and we have to understand that from that perspective to understand just how badly their minds are altered to think and act in one way and one way only.

Excellent book.



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Review: Uglies

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



In a post-apocalyptic world, the world has moved on. But for the better or for worse? In this world, you're an Ugly... someone who hasn't gone through the rite of passage of massive surgery and cannot mingle with the others. The Pretties. This book preys upon the idea of being individual. Where everyone is cookie cutter perfect and being different is to be wrong and ugly.

We follow the story of Tally Youngblood and what she goes through, first fighting to be a Pretty... then the discovery of inner beauty and her fight to save people she loves from becoming just another mindless drone.

I loved this story. I loved following Tally on her journey and seeing what the world is like from Scott Westerfeld's mind when the world is ruined. Truly, it's interesting and scary. The idea that to fit in and belong in that society, one must undergo massive cosmetic surgery, changing just about everything in the way we look and think is horrifying! I cannot wait to begin the second book and follow Tally even more.



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Review: Revival

Revival by Jena Leigh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This book was amazing! Jena Leigh did an astounding job with this book.

Dealing with stress alone is horrid... but when the stress causes changes in you that are absolutely sudden and major and not quite normal, we could all be so fortunate to handle it as well as Alex did. Alex struggles to stay alive, so she thinks, as someone constantly tracks her down and attempts to kill her. Turns out, life is much more complicated than she thought and not everyone is telling her the truth. Is it for her own good? Or are there ulterior motives?

I honestly couldn't put this book down. I had to know what happens next! And then I reached the end of the book and I knew I was hooked to this series. I love how we switch points of view between Alex and most of the other main characters of the story. It's nice to see and know about events from their point of view and get a different perspective.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves YA or paranormal with a touch of romantic tension. This book is very well written and I'm glad to have read it.

*This book was given freely by the author for my completely honest review.*



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Review: Broken Faith

Broken Faith by Brandy Nacole

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Overall, I absolutely LOVED this book! The fight for belief and redemption and saving souls and yet keeping it all in the mortal world was wonderful. This was an excellent beginning to a new series and I look forward to reading more.

My only issues were that sometimes a character name was used that hadn't been used before and that would confuse me for a minute or two. Other than that and a few typographical errors, I enjoyed the book immensely and read it all in one night.

Bravo to the author for her grand imagination. I look forward to following Emma and how she deals with this battle of good and evil. I also want to see if Sabrina can be redeemed... Even I believe she can!

*This ARC was given freely by the author for my honest review.*



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Review: Night Bites

Night Bites by Amber Lynn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The story continues for Nyx Slaughter and her two mates, Sebastian and Alex. Even more problems arise as they struggle to find solutions and get used to this odd relationship they all find themselves in.

This book is on par with the second one in terms of emotional connection and such. It's a little hard to connect with Nyx, all of her angst makes you feel a little put off. But being inside her mind is amusing and seeing how she thinks.

I do think this story is a great addition to the series and I wonder how the new arising problems will be solved.

I believe this series could be absolutely fantastic with a little more editing, but give it a try for yourself and see what you think!

*I received this book for free from the author for my honest review.*



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Review: Night Marks

Night Marks by Amber Lynn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This book is better written than the first book in the series, in my opinion. The emotions are better to understand and you can connect with the characters on a much better level.

The reason I still only give 3 out of 5 stars is that sometimes, it still is hard to understand why a character suddenly switches moods and gets upset or happy.

However, I like the way the story progresses and how the complications in the relationships are dealt with in a comical manner. Nyx, Sebastian, and Alex make quite the trio.

I recommend this book to those who read the first one and do enjoy vampire/werewolf series. This is NOTHING like the famous Twilight series, so no worries to those who did not enjoy that series.

*I received this book for free from the author for my honest review.*



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Review: Night Calls

Night Calls by Amber Lynn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This book has an excellent premise and idea behind it. I love the idea of it. However, it was very hard to connect with the characters. Understanding their emotions was difficult. There were times when I wasn't sure if they were joking with one another or if they were truly mad at each other.

There was a lot of interaction between characters, which is a bonus for me. I like seeing how characters react and interact with one another, not just inner interaction with the self.

I give this book three out of five stars because I do really like the idea of this book, but to be honest, I think with a little more editing, this book could become excellent. But don't take my word for it. Give it a try yourself!

*I received this book for free from the author for my honest review.*



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Review: Beautiful Redemption

Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



The 4th and final book in the Caster Chronicles, Beautiful Redemption begins a short time after Beautiful Chaos leaves off.

The last book left you in tears and wondering what happens next. Honestly, the series could have left off with the last book and been alright. But these authors took it further...

Is Ethan content to simply remain in the afterlife? What happens there? How does Lena and Amma cope with losing the boy they love the most? How does Ethan's father take it?

This book does NOT disappoint in answering all of those questions and more. The typical view on the afterlife is usually shared amongst books, but this book takes a different spin on it and I must admit, I absolutely love it.

Unlike the first 3.5 books, which focus on events from Ethan's perspective, this book switches back and forth from Ethan's to Lena's to Ethan's again, so you know what is happening in both the living realm and afterlife.

The ending... the ending will leave you happy and yet sad all at the same time. Does Ethan succeed? I will leave that for you to find out. And believe me, it is well worth finding out.

I highly recommend this book. It is a wonderful ending to the series and resolves a lot of loose ends.



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Review: Beautiful Chaos

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Book 3 of the Caster Chronicles, Beautiful Chaos picks up where Beautiful Darkness left off. Plague-like occurrences begin to affect Gatlin and Lena and Ethan try to understand why and what's going on.

Since Lena's claiming at the end of the last book, things have been going crazy and only head further down that route as time progresses. Just when you think it couldn't get more insane... it does.

Somehow, you can feel everything coming to a crescendo. There has to be a big clash somewhere and you know it's around the corner. You anticipate it and yet... you don't want it to come.

You cheer throughout the book, especially as Link comes into his newfound abilities and gains actual courage and self-esteem in himself.

But in the end, you are left with a shocker; nothing really fully prepares you for what happens, even though you know it's coming. I won't lie... I cried. An excellent addition to the series, I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!



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Review: Dream Dark

Dream Dark by Kami Garcia

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Book 2.5 in the Caster Chronicle series, this book focuses on Ethan's best friend, Link. In book 2, Beautiful Darkness, you are left wondering what is to become of Link. This book answers it wonderfully.

Left with a curse and a gift, Link makes the best of his predicament and becomes an even bigger asset to Ethan and Lena's cause. Also, you can't help but love the guy. He makes the best of any situation.

While it isn't vital in the continuity of the series, I highly recommend reading this between books 2 and 3. It is well worth the little bit of extra read.



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Review: Beautiful Darkness

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



The second book in the Caster Chronicles series, Beautiful Darkness was an excellent follow up to Beautiful Creatures. The darkness Lena falls into is utterly believable. Ethan's journey is full of trials and tribulations. It isn't too easy for him to rescue the heroine, which is what I like to see. Sometimes, when something comes to you so utterly easy, it's a personal disappointment. You feel let down. This was absolutely not the case for this book.

You begin this book where the last one leaves off. There is only a tiny gap, and I absolutely love that. I don't feel like I missed anything vital in the interim. The emotions feel real.

There are twists, turns and surprises that make you keep going until you turn the last page and leave you wanting more.

If you're a lover of paranormal and supernatural, I highly recommend this series!



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Review: Stitch

Stitch by Samantha Durante
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis: Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa's body screams at her to run... but yet she's powerless to move.

Still struggling to find her footing after the sudden death of her parents, the last thing college freshman Alessa has the strength to deal with is the inexplicable visceral pull drawing her to a handsome ghostly presence. In between grappling with exams and sorority soirees - and disturbing recurring dreams of being captive in a futuristic prison hell - Alessa is determined to unravel the mystery of the apparition who leaves her breathless. But the terrifying secret she uncovers will find her groping desperately through her nightmares for answers.

Because what Alessa hasn't figured out yet is that she's not really a student, the object of her obsession is no ghost, and her sneaking suspicions that something sinister is lurking behind the walls of her university's idyllic campus are only just scratching the surface...The opening installment in a twist-laden trilogy, Stitch spans the genres of paranormal romance and dystopian sci-fi to explore the challenges of a society in transition, where morality, vision, and pragmatism collide leaving the average citizen to suffer the results.

So many reviews kept saying what a twist this book had how it utterly surprised them... how it turned out so much better and was not the typical book you go in thinking it was. That piqued my interest, to be sure... but I was , naturally, skeptical.

At first, it does seem to start off like so many other paranormal books. Interesting and well written, to be sure! But it felt like we had been here before. Then... suddenly... BAM! The twist hits and your jaw drops and you cannot put the book down. This is exactly what happened to me. In a matter of 14 hours (with interruptions due to cooking for the family and napping due to being sick and having a movie night with the husband), I finished the book and knew without a doubt that I would be eagerly awaiting book 2.

This is a book I highly recommend if you love a good twist that takes you by surprise.

*This book was given freely by the author for my honest review.*

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Review: Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Synopsis: Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

I am... wow... I've heard so many things about this book and finally decided to see for myself what all of the commotion was about. I am so glad I did. Beautiful Creatures is a book that is so hard to put down once you start it. The connection you form with each character makes everything so much closer.

I love this take on the supernatural, how everything just isn't how we thought it would be, ultimately. Everything is slightly twisted. Ethan and Lena form a realistic bond that have you cheering for them even when odds are against them. And facing a small town mentality puts up a huge obstacle for them. You can really FEEL that tension.

The ending... ah, the ending really tore me apart.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves the supernatural and good tension in a storyline.



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Review: Ties to the Blood Moon

Ties To The Blood Moon by Robin P. Waldrop
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the beginning, I will admit, this felt so very similar to Twilight. So many elements felt familiar. But I will quickly add that it did change about a third of the way in. I began this book at about 11:30 at night... I finished it at 5 in the morning, having been unable to put it down. Without realizing it, I was pulled into the entire story! It utterly shocked me when I was finished and realized that my alarm was due to go off in 30 minutes. Oops!

My only couple of complaints, really, are how highly emotional our heroine was... at times, it seemed a little overboard. And also how quickly the romance/love triangle thing developed. It was quite a bit rushed and felt a tad bit unnatural. Though, we are talking about extraordinary beings here. Still, I would have liked to have seen the tension of that drawn out a bit further.

Overall, I think this was a fairly well written book and I will be beginning the second one soon! Though... I may give it a night's rest before I start the second one to catch up on what I missed by reading this first one!

*This book was provided freely by the author for my honest review.*

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Review: Shadow of the Blood Moon

Shadow of the Blood Moon by Robin P. Waldrop

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Shadow of the Blood Moon came out MUCH better than the first book! This is a case where the author begins to shine more and more as she goes. The characters are much more easier to identify with. The story line flows so much better and you can delve into this one easily. In the first book, it was a little harder to do that.

With that said, this definitely takes little twists and turns! Especially when you find out that Genevieve has a twin who has been living with the big bad man who kidnapped her mother. And then to see Zane being so gentle with her mother once she is killed? Oh my! That puts a huge twist on things!

The angst in this book is a little higher and there is a lot of times when you want to just scream at the characters. Then you're also left wanting to sympathize and feel your own heart breaking. There is lots of comedy as well, to balance it all out. I must admit, I'm left a little wondering about Guinevere's loyalty... it seems a little... off. But that may just be me.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves vampires, werewolves, hybrids... or just fun adventure!

*This book was provided freely by the author for my completely honest review.*



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The Initial Hello!

I am a self-confessed bibliophile. I can't get enough of books! I also know I'm not the only one out there! Sometimes, I have come across books and wished I knew what other readers thought of them before cracking them open myself. Other times, I just want to share what I am thinking and see what everyone else is thinking too! This blog is for readers of every level.

I vow to do my best to not give away spoilers. After all, how fun is that? I know I cannot personally read a book if it has been spoiled for me. I will rate based on a 5 star system, that way it will be easily understood. I will give a synopsis and I will explain why or why I didn't love a book. Follow me on this literary journey!

-Ki