October 31, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #36 - Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland

Hi!


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick today...



Vengeance Bound 
by Justina Ireland

Release date: April 2nd 2013
by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages

Goodreads:

The Goddess Test meets Dexter in an edgy, compelling debut about one teen’s quest for revenge… no matter how far it takes her.

Cory Graff is not alone in her head. Bound to a deal of desperation made when she was a child, Cory’s mind houses the Furies—the hawk and the serpent—lingering always, waiting for her to satisfy their bloodlust. After escaping the asylum where she was trapped for years, Cory knows how to keep the Furies quiet. By day, she lives a normal life, but by night, she tracks down targets the Furies send her way. And she brings down Justice upon them.

Cory’s perfected her system of survival, but when she meets a mysterious boy named Niko at her new school, she can’t figure out how she feels about him. For the first time, the Furies are quiet in her head around a guy. But does this mean that Cory’s finally found someone who she can trust, or are there greater factors at work? As Cory’s mind becomes a battlefield, with the Furies fighting for control, Cory will have to put everything on the line to hold on to what she’s worked so hard to build.


This one pretty much had me at the The Goddess Test meets Dexter tag line. I love mythology books and the Furies always seem to be scary, yet fascinating. Having them in your mind constantly can't be fun. I can't wait to find out how Cory deals with them and what's up with this mysterious boy!

So... What are you waiting on this week?:)

Waiting on Wednesday #36 - Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland

Hi!


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick today...



Vengeance Bound 
by Justina Ireland

Release date: April 2nd 2013
by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages

Goodreads:

The Goddess Test meets Dexter in an edgy, compelling debut about one teen’s quest for revenge… no matter how far it takes her.

Cory Graff is not alone in her head. Bound to a deal of desperation made when she was a child, Cory’s mind houses the Furies—the hawk and the serpent—lingering always, waiting for her to satisfy their bloodlust. After escaping the asylum where she was trapped for years, Cory knows how to keep the Furies quiet. By day, she lives a normal life, but by night, she tracks down targets the Furies send her way. And she brings down Justice upon them.

Cory’s perfected her system of survival, but when she meets a mysterious boy named Niko at her new school, she can’t figure out how she feels about him. For the first time, the Furies are quiet in her head around a guy. But does this mean that Cory’s finally found someone who she can trust, or are there greater factors at work? As Cory’s mind becomes a battlefield, with the Furies fighting for control, Cory will have to put everything on the line to hold on to what she’s worked so hard to build.


This one pretty much had me at the The Goddess Test meets Dexter tag line. I love mythology books and the Furies always seem to be scary, yet fascinating. Having them in your mind constantly can't be fun. I can't wait to find out how Cory deals with them and what's up with this mysterious boy!

So... What are you waiting on this week?:)

October 30, 2012

Contemp Favorites - Part II - The Not for the Faint of Heart Edition (1. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay)

Hey everyone!


First off, let me warn you that this is not a review post, but mostly a long, fangirly, rambling post. The last time when I got so off the script and rambled on and on about a book was when I reviewed Flat-Out Love - and that should tell you something (and in my recommendations post before that).

Anyway....

You know those books that get to you on a very deep level? That make you connect emotionally with the stories and feel everything the characters feel - and then some? That make you fall in love with them so hard, you wish they were real? That make you want to jump into the book to be there for them, or into the author's brain and yell "what the hell were you thinking by torturing these poor souls like that?" Books that make you loose any sense of reality, that make you cry, frustrate you, squeeze your heart, make you pace around the room or stare off into space with a crazy dreamy look on your face, but you still want to read more? Because there's something so spellbinding, addictive and heart-melting about them that you can't. Stop. Reading? Those stories that are so incredibly beautiful, that you can't find the exact words to describe them? Those stories that pull at all your heart strings, no matter how sad and depressing, or sweet, passionate and hopeful they might be? Those books that are life-changing - and when you finish them, you feel like you just lived another life and you'll never be the same again?... Well, I've been lucky enough to read a few such books in the past few months and they really set a new standard for what I like in my books. And if you want to read just one book I've recommended this year, pick one of these (or, you know, one from my recommendations, part I). 


I ranted about them on Goodreads when I read them (I'm a little more active there than on the blog, as I update my status about the books I'm currently reading constantly), but I suck at multitasking, so thinking in English (which is obviously not my first language), trying to be coherent, to keep my excitement in check, to explain myself very well and to be at least a bit objective and not just yell "OMFGDASHFAZ  this book was amazing go read it now now now!!!" is not that easy.

So this is me just trying to bring these books to your attention. And ok, yes, fangirling a bit. Even if I wanted to write a review, there's not much to say, really. Not if you want to make them justice and capture all the awesomeness. You just have to read them and see for yourself. And, like I said on Goodreads a few days ago, now I can classify some of the books I've read lately in two categories: the mind-blowing, breathtaking, heart-stopping, life-changing books... and the rest (not saying they were bad, on the contrary, I read a lot of 4, 4.5 or even 5 stars books lately, but... these are more special and have their very own category and place in my bookworm heart).

Let's start with The Sea of Tranquility. This is YA, so it's safe to read for everyone. Well, maybe not for very young YAs, since there's mention of abuse, drug and alcohol use, profanity etc.


The Sea of Tranquility 
by Katja Millay

Published September 5th 2012
by Antisocialite Press LLC
Format: Kindle Edition, 380 pages

Goodreads:

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Full of rage and without a purpose, former pianist Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone discovering her past and to make the boy who took everything from her pay.

All 17 year-old Josh Bennett wants is to build furniture and be left alone, and everyone allows it because it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, a hot mess of a girl who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. The more he gets to know her, the more of a mystery she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he may ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a slow-building, character-driven romance about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

Please Note: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language.

My thoughts (sort of):

In a nutshell, this is the story of a seriously broken girl and the boy who helps her put the pieces of her life back together and heals himself as well in the process. 

Something terrible happened to Nastya a few years ago and it changed her forever. She's just a shell of the person she used to be. No one can understand her, no one can help her. And she doesn't really want anyone's help anyway. She's angry, closed off  and mysterious. She just wants to be left alone and to finish high school - and secretly to make the boy who destroyed her life pay for it. Josh has his own troubled past and lives under his own "don't f*ck with me" bubble. That's the only reason they can stand being around each other. They have their own baggage and don't need to open up or to make too big of an effort to spend time together. But slowly, Nastya's impenetrable, protective cell begins to crack. But instead of helping them get closer, it only makes things more mysterious and complicated. Their entire life is wrapped up in secrets and questions they can't ask because they're not ready to find out the answers - or they're not ready to give any answers in return. But as times goes by, Nastya's story begins to unravel. And it's heartbreaking. It's moving. It's incredible. Josh becomes a very important part of her life - her relationship with him is the only thing that helps her feel sane. But will the revealing of her past and darkest secrets finally manage to push him away? How long can he wait for her to trust him, to be honest with him and to open her heart to him? And when everything goes completely out of control and things get messy, is it too late to work out something together, or are they too shocked, hurt and afraid to try to have a normal relationship? Will love be enough to fix things between them? Is there any chance for happiness for them? 

There are so many questions! And every answer just rises even more questions. This story was such an emotional rollercoaster and had such an impact, that by the end, I didn't even know what to think or how to feel anymore. But I loved every second of it, nonetheless.  And I wish I could read it for the first time again, to feel that powerful connection with the characters and their story. Lucky for you, you can still do that.:) Oh, and this book couldn't get any better, there's the occasional sarcasm, dry humor or banter that's always a WIN with me. Oh, yes. And two alternative POVs. Double win!

My only regret right now is that I don't have a paperback copy. It would look nice on my all time favorites shelf. *sigh*

Favorite quotes: 

“People who go around advertising their birthday are douchebags. It’s a fact. You can look it up on Wikipedia.”

“When you look at her what do you feel?"
“Are you f*cking serious? Forget it.” He can kiss my ass if he wants to start talking feelings with me."
[...] "Joy, fear, frustration, longing, friendship, anger, need, despair, love, lust?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“All of it,” I reply, because I’m all in now whether I like it or not.

We have an unspoken agreement. I let him watch me. He lets me watch him. We never call each other on it. It’s a gift we give one another. No strings, no expectations, no reading between the lines. We’re like mysteries to one another. Maybe if I can solve him and he can solve me, we can explain each other. 

“You are distractingly, even-if-that-is-not-a-real-word, pretty. You are so pretty that I bullied Clay Whitaker into drawing me a picture of you so I could look at you when you aren’t around. You are so pretty that one of these days I’m going to lose a finger in my garage because I can’t concentrate with you so close to me. You are so pretty that I wish you weren’t so I wouldn’t want to hit every guy at school who looks at you, especially my best friend.”

And why I say this is not for the faint of heart? Well, my first reaction after I finished it was something along the lines: With this story, Ms Millay broke my heart in a million pieces, allowed me some time to heal and then did it all over again and stomped on the pieces for good measure, before putting it back together. BUT because she had the power to do so with her wonderful words, because the story was just as incredibly beautiful as it was heartbreaking and for a gazillion other reasons, I can't give this book any less than 5 stars.


Get the book (It's only $2.99!) Amazon / B & N

Stalk Kaja: Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Ok, I'll stop gushing now and be back later with my thoughts on The Dark Duet by CJ Roberts. That one is a little disturbing, dark, intense, extremely hot and definitely not for young readers, so stay tuned. :D


Contemp Favorites - Part II - The Not for the Faint of Heart Edition (1. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay)

Hey everyone!


First off, let me warn you that this is not a review post, but mostly a long, fangirly, rambling post. The last time when I got so off the script and rambled on and on about a book was when I reviewed Flat-Out Love - and that should tell you something (and in my recommendations post before that).

Anyway....

You know those books that get to you on a very deep level? That make you connect emotionally with the stories and feel everything the characters feel - and then some? That make you fall in love with them so hard, you wish they were real? That make you want to jump into the book to be there for them, or into the author's brain and yell "what the hell were you thinking by torturing these poor souls like that?" Books that make you loose any sense of reality, that make you cry, frustrate you, squeeze your heart, make you pace around the room or stare off into space with a crazy dreamy look on your face, but you still want to read more? Because there's something so spellbinding, addictive and heart-melting about them that you can't. Stop. Reading? Those stories that are so incredibly beautiful, that you can't find the exact words to describe them? Those stories that pull at all your heart strings, no matter how sad and depressing, or sweet, passionate and hopeful they might be? Those books that are life-changing - and when you finish them, you feel like you just lived another life and you'll never be the same again?... Well, I've been lucky enough to read a few such books in the past few months and they really set a new standard for what I like in my books. And if you want to read just one book I've recommended this year, pick one of these (or, you know, one from my recommendations, part I). 


I ranted about them on Goodreads when I read them (I'm a little more active there than on the blog, as I update my status about the books I'm currently reading constantly), but I suck at multitasking, so thinking in English (which is obviously not my first language), trying to be coherent, to keep my excitement in check, to explain myself very well and to be at least a bit objective and not just yell "OMFGDASHFAZ  this book was amazing go read it now now now!!!" is not that easy.

So this is me just trying to bring these books to your attention. And ok, yes, fangirling a bit. Even if I wanted to write a review, there's not much to say, really. Not if you want to make them justice and capture all the awesomeness. You just have to read them and see for yourself. And, like I said on Goodreads a few days ago, now I can classify some of the books I've read lately in two categories: the mind-blowing, breathtaking, heart-stopping, life-changing books... and the rest (not saying they were bad, on the contrary, I read a lot of 4, 4.5 or even 5 stars books lately, but... these are more special and have their very own category and place in my bookworm heart).

Let's start with The Sea of Tranquility. This is YA, so it's safe to read for everyone. Well, maybe not for very young YAs, since there's mention of abuse, drug and alcohol use, profanity etc.


The Sea of Tranquility 
by Katja Millay

Published September 5th 2012
by Antisocialite Press LLC
Format: Kindle Edition, 380 pages

Goodreads:

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Full of rage and without a purpose, former pianist Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone discovering her past and to make the boy who took everything from her pay.

All 17 year-old Josh Bennett wants is to build furniture and be left alone, and everyone allows it because it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, a hot mess of a girl who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. The more he gets to know her, the more of a mystery she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he may ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a slow-building, character-driven romance about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

Please Note: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language.

My thoughts (sort of):

In a nutshell, this is the story of a seriously broken girl and the boy who helps her put the pieces of her life back together and heals himself as well in the process. 

Something terrible happened to Nastya a few years ago and it changed her forever. She's just a shell of the person she used to be. No one can understand her, no one can help her. And she doesn't really want anyone's help anyway. She's angry, closed off  and mysterious. She just wants to be left alone and to finish high school - and secretly to make the boy who destroyed her life pay for it. Josh has his own troubled past and lives under his own "don't f*ck with me" bubble. That's the only reason they can stand being around each other. They have their own baggage and don't need to open up or to make too big of an effort to spend time together. But slowly, Nastya's impenetrable, protective cell begins to crack. But instead of helping them get closer, it only makes things more mysterious and complicated. Their entire life is wrapped up in secrets and questions they can't ask because they're not ready to find out the answers - or they're not ready to give any answers in return. But as times goes by, Nastya's story begins to unravel. And it's heartbreaking. It's moving. It's incredible. Josh becomes a very important part of her life - her relationship with him is the only thing that helps her feel sane. But will the revealing of her past and darkest secrets finally manage to push him away? How long can he wait for her to trust him, to be honest with him and to open her heart to him? And when everything goes completely out of control and things get messy, is it too late to work out something together, or are they too shocked, hurt and afraid to try to have a normal relationship? Will love be enough to fix things between them? Is there any chance for happiness for them? 

There are so many questions! And every answer just rises even more questions. This story was such an emotional rollercoaster and had such an impact, that by the end, I didn't even know what to think or how to feel anymore. But I loved every second of it, nonetheless.  And I wish I could read it for the first time again, to feel that powerful connection with the characters and their story. Lucky for you, you can still do that.:) Oh, and this book couldn't get any better, there's the occasional sarcasm, dry humor or banter that's always a WIN with me. Oh, yes. And two alternative POVs. Double win!

My only regret right now is that I don't have a paperback copy. It would look nice on my all time favorites shelf. *sigh*

Favorite quotes: 

“People who go around advertising their birthday are douchebags. It’s a fact. You can look it up on Wikipedia.”

“When you look at her what do you feel?"
“Are you f*cking serious? Forget it.” He can kiss my ass if he wants to start talking feelings with me."
[...] "Joy, fear, frustration, longing, friendship, anger, need, despair, love, lust?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“All of it,” I reply, because I’m all in now whether I like it or not.

We have an unspoken agreement. I let him watch me. He lets me watch him. We never call each other on it. It’s a gift we give one another. No strings, no expectations, no reading between the lines. We’re like mysteries to one another. Maybe if I can solve him and he can solve me, we can explain each other. 

“You are distractingly, even-if-that-is-not-a-real-word, pretty. You are so pretty that I bullied Clay Whitaker into drawing me a picture of you so I could look at you when you aren’t around. You are so pretty that one of these days I’m going to lose a finger in my garage because I can’t concentrate with you so close to me. You are so pretty that I wish you weren’t so I wouldn’t want to hit every guy at school who looks at you, especially my best friend.”

And why I say this is not for the faint of heart? Well, my first reaction after I finished it was something along the lines: With this story, Ms Millay broke my heart in a million pieces, allowed me some time to heal and then did it all over again and stomped on the pieces for good measure, before putting it back together. BUT because she had the power to do so with her wonderful words, because the story was just as incredibly beautiful as it was heartbreaking and for a gazillion other reasons, I can't give this book any less than 5 stars.


Get the book (It's only $2.99!) Amazon / B & N

Stalk Kaja: Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Ok, I'll stop gushing now and be back later with my thoughts on The Dark Duet by CJ Roberts. That one is a little disturbing, dark, intense, extremely hot and definitely not for young readers, so stay tuned. :D


October 27, 2012

Review: Just Remember to Breathe by Charles Sheehan-Miles

Hi!

Today I'd like to recommend you Just Remember to Breathe by Charles Sheehan-Miles, a very touching and inspiring New Adult Contemporary Romance: 


Just Remember to Breathe
by Charles Sheehan-Miles

Release date: November 12th 2012 
by Cincinnatus Press
Format: Paperback, 290 pages
(e-book released on August 30th)

Goodreads

 Alex Thompson’s life is following the script. A pre-law student at Columbia University, she’s focused on her grades, her life and her future. The last thing she needs is to reconnect with the boy who broke her heart.

Dylan Paris comes home from Afghanistan severely injured and knows that the one thing he cannot do is drag Alex into the mess he’s made of his life.

When Dylan and Alex are assigned to the same work study program and are forced to work side by side, they have to make new ground rules to keep from killing each other.

Only problem is, they keep breaking the rules.

The first rule is to never, ever talk about how they fell in love.

My thoughts:

You know I love writing quotes in my reviews. But sometimes, there are books I can't choose quotes from because they were so gripping or there was so much going on in them, that I couldn't be bothered to stop reading enough to save a few lines. And then there are books I can't choose quotes from because they were just full of awesome and I'd have to quote the whole thing. Just Remember to Breathe fits in the second category, no questions asked! Seriously, read it and you'll see for yourself what I mean!;) There's something so raw, natural and beautiful about this story and the characters that you can't not love! 

Alex and Dylan had a messy break-up - and that's putting it mildly. They ended up on different sides of the world, heartbroken and not hearing from each other again. But when Dylan comes back from Afghanistan, he has to get his life back on track, and circumstances bring him and Alex at the same college. They haven't talked to each other since they ended things, but the pain of their lost love is still there, so they need to protect themselves against another potential heartbreak; they must do their best to be around each other without thinking or talking about their past, ignoring their feelings and trying not to kill each other. Not such an easy task.

They are forced to work together. And as time goes by, they spend more and more time together (and not only at collage), talking about things they shouldn't talk about, reliving things that should have stayed in the past... And before they even realize it, they start falling in love all over again. But they're not the people they used to be anymore; everything that happened in their life in the past few years changed them and their relationship could never work again (or so they think): 

There was no question Dylan was not the same boy I’d fallen in love with. He’d grown, matured in ways I couldn’t have foreseen four years ago. [...] The Dylan I’d fallen in love with was gentle, and kind. Thoughtful. Funny. He was still all of those things, but had an edge to him that was new and, to be honest, it was frightening. 

I'm not getting into any more details here, but I loved reliving their memories with them, good and bad. The past and the present blend together and create a beautiful story that will melt your heart!

I said in one of my updates on Goodreads when I read this book that it was like My Heart for Yours (Jolene Perry and Steph Campbell) met Something Like Normal (Trish Doller). Well, for those of you who are familiar with those stories (they are both awesome Contemporary books released this past summer),  Just Remember to Breathe is not as depressing as My Heart for Yours was and it also had that something that I thought was missing in Something Like Normal. It's pretty amazing! The characters and their story are very realistic, it's like you're right there with them, feeling and seeing everything. It has a sense of raw and natural, a sensibility that makes all thoughts and emotions seem very authentic, both from Dylan and Alex's POVs (yes, we have alternative POVs). Their inner pain and struggle pull at your heart strings and you just want to reach into the book, hug them and promise them everything will be all right. Dylan's time in Afghanistan left him hurt and scarred on the inside and on the outside, and coming to terms with everything that happened and moving on is very hard for him. Only Alex with her love and understanding can help him move forward. And despite all their hurt and problems, they show an incredible strength too, all thing things considered. Many people would have probably given up at some point, but they don't, not even when the temptation is there and it feels like it's just. Too. Much. 

Now, this story is not as sad or depressing as it seems. There's the occasional dry humor, banter and awkward situation between the characters, the way they affected each other and sweet moments that always made me smile. 

Oh God, I was a mess. I was a mess because of his impossibly blue eyes, because of how in the Army his arms and chest had become … so developed. He smelled the same as always, and being around him was impossible. Sometimes when he was close to me I couldn’t even breathe. How in hell was I supposed to stay detached and professional when he set off every single nerve in my body?

They're both like-able characters and have great voices, it was very easy to connect with them and their story. I also really liked the secondary characters. They weren't there just for comic relief, but also to show their love and support and to help the main characters realize they're perfect for each other and to find their HEA. By the end, they're all like a big family who would do anything for each other. 

Dylan: “Why? Why in God’s name do you care?”
Sherman: (his friend from the Army): “Because we’re brothers, man. We’ve been through shit no one else knows about. We’ve been through shit they don’t want to know about. And I don’t want to see you f*ck your life up. And, I care about Alex and her sister [...]!”

Alex and Dylan's relationship wasn't perfect before they broke up either, so seeing them putting together the pieces of their past, learning to forgive, trust and love each other again was bittersweet.

A tear ran down her face, and she said, “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
I gave her a half smile and said, “You’ve got that backwards, Alex. I’m the one who … who is undeserving.”
“Don’t ever say that,” she said.
“Why not? It’s the truth.”
She shook her head. “You’re wrong, Dylan Paris. About this, you are so wrong. We were made for each other.”

I had a few minor issues with the book (like some parts of the dialogue), but by the end, I forgot all about that - the ending was absolutely amazing! I almost feel like reading the whole thing again just to get to that part. :D


Just Remember to Breathe is the impressive love story of two people separated by long distance and war, pain and mistrust, who learn to forget and forgive, to get over the grief and betrayal of the past, to trust, help and support each other, no matter what, to believe in the power of love and in themselves, in happiness and second chances.


Get the book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble 

Stalk the author: Website / Twitter / Facebook


*ARC provided by the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
**Quotes taken from ARC and subject to change in the final edition of the book.

I have an extra ARC from the author to give away on the blog next week, so stay tuned!:D

Happy weekend!

Review: Just Remember to Breathe by Charles Sheehan-Miles

Hi!

Today I'd like to recommend you Just Remember to Breathe by Charles Sheehan-Miles, a very touching and inspiring New Adult Contemporary Romance: 


Just Remember to Breathe
by Charles Sheehan-Miles

Release date: November 12th 2012 
by Cincinnatus Press
Format: Paperback, 290 pages
(e-book released on August 30th)

Goodreads

 Alex Thompson’s life is following the script. A pre-law student at Columbia University, she’s focused on her grades, her life and her future. The last thing she needs is to reconnect with the boy who broke her heart.

Dylan Paris comes home from Afghanistan severely injured and knows that the one thing he cannot do is drag Alex into the mess he’s made of his life.

When Dylan and Alex are assigned to the same work study program and are forced to work side by side, they have to make new ground rules to keep from killing each other.

Only problem is, they keep breaking the rules.

The first rule is to never, ever talk about how they fell in love.

My thoughts:

You know I love writing quotes in my reviews. But sometimes, there are books I can't choose quotes from because they were so gripping or there was so much going on in them, that I couldn't be bothered to stop reading enough to save a few lines. And then there are books I can't choose quotes from because they were just full of awesome and I'd have to quote the whole thing. Just Remember to Breathe fits in the second category, no questions asked! Seriously, read it and you'll see for yourself what I mean!;) There's something so raw, natural and beautiful about this story and the characters that you can't not love! 

Alex and Dylan had a messy break-up - and that's putting it mildly. They ended up on different sides of the world, heartbroken and not hearing from each other again. But when Dylan comes back from Afghanistan, he has to get his life back on track, and circumstances bring him and Alex at the same college. They haven't talked to each other since they ended things, but the pain of their lost love is still there, so they need to protect themselves against another potential heartbreak; they must do their best to be around each other without thinking or talking about their past, ignoring their feelings and trying not to kill each other. Not such an easy task.

They are forced to work together. And as time goes by, they spend more and more time together (and not only at collage), talking about things they shouldn't talk about, reliving things that should have stayed in the past... And before they even realize it, they start falling in love all over again. But they're not the people they used to be anymore; everything that happened in their life in the past few years changed them and their relationship could never work again (or so they think): 

There was no question Dylan was not the same boy I’d fallen in love with. He’d grown, matured in ways I couldn’t have foreseen four years ago. [...] The Dylan I’d fallen in love with was gentle, and kind. Thoughtful. Funny. He was still all of those things, but had an edge to him that was new and, to be honest, it was frightening. 

I'm not getting into any more details here, but I loved reliving their memories with them, good and bad. The past and the present blend together and create a beautiful story that will melt your heart!

I said in one of my updates on Goodreads when I read this book that it was like My Heart for Yours (Jolene Perry and Steph Campbell) met Something Like Normal (Trish Doller). Well, for those of you who are familiar with those stories (they are both awesome Contemporary books released this past summer),  Just Remember to Breathe is not as depressing as My Heart for Yours was and it also had that something that I thought was missing in Something Like Normal. It's pretty amazing! The characters and their story are very realistic, it's like you're right there with them, feeling and seeing everything. It has a sense of raw and natural, a sensibility that makes all thoughts and emotions seem very authentic, both from Dylan and Alex's POVs (yes, we have alternative POVs). Their inner pain and struggle pull at your heart strings and you just want to reach into the book, hug them and promise them everything will be all right. Dylan's time in Afghanistan left him hurt and scarred on the inside and on the outside, and coming to terms with everything that happened and moving on is very hard for him. Only Alex with her love and understanding can help him move forward. And despite all their hurt and problems, they show an incredible strength too, all thing things considered. Many people would have probably given up at some point, but they don't, not even when the temptation is there and it feels like it's just. Too. Much. 

Now, this story is not as sad or depressing as it seems. There's the occasional dry humor, banter and awkward situation between the characters, the way they affected each other and sweet moments that always made me smile. 

Oh God, I was a mess. I was a mess because of his impossibly blue eyes, because of how in the Army his arms and chest had become … so developed. He smelled the same as always, and being around him was impossible. Sometimes when he was close to me I couldn’t even breathe. How in hell was I supposed to stay detached and professional when he set off every single nerve in my body?

They're both like-able characters and have great voices, it was very easy to connect with them and their story. I also really liked the secondary characters. They weren't there just for comic relief, but also to show their love and support and to help the main characters realize they're perfect for each other and to find their HEA. By the end, they're all like a big family who would do anything for each other. 

Dylan: “Why? Why in God’s name do you care?”
Sherman: (his friend from the Army): “Because we’re brothers, man. We’ve been through shit no one else knows about. We’ve been through shit they don’t want to know about. And I don’t want to see you f*ck your life up. And, I care about Alex and her sister [...]!”

Alex and Dylan's relationship wasn't perfect before they broke up either, so seeing them putting together the pieces of their past, learning to forgive, trust and love each other again was bittersweet.

A tear ran down her face, and she said, “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
I gave her a half smile and said, “You’ve got that backwards, Alex. I’m the one who … who is undeserving.”
“Don’t ever say that,” she said.
“Why not? It’s the truth.”
She shook her head. “You’re wrong, Dylan Paris. About this, you are so wrong. We were made for each other.”

I had a few minor issues with the book (like some parts of the dialogue), but by the end, I forgot all about that - the ending was absolutely amazing! I almost feel like reading the whole thing again just to get to that part. :D


Just Remember to Breathe is the impressive love story of two people separated by long distance and war, pain and mistrust, who learn to forget and forgive, to get over the grief and betrayal of the past, to trust, help and support each other, no matter what, to believe in the power of love and in themselves, in happiness and second chances.


Get the book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble 

Stalk the author: Website / Twitter / Facebook


*ARC provided by the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
**Quotes taken from ARC and subject to change in the final edition of the book.

I have an extra ARC from the author to give away on the blog next week, so stay tuned!:D

Happy weekend!

October 26, 2012

Cover Reveal: Embers in a Dark Frost by Kelly Keaton

Happy Friday everyone!


I'm super excited to take part in the cover reveal for Kelly Keaton's upcoming book, Embers in a Dark Frost! You might be familiar with Kelly's YA series, Darkness Becomes Her and she also writes an Urban Fantasy series  under the name Kelly Gay.

The cover is designed by the amazing Claudia McKinney at Phat Puppy Creations (and Hot Damn Designs did the typography). I LOVE it! 


Embers in a Dark Frost
by Kelly Keaton

Release Date: November 15, 2012

Goodreads:

The Fire Breathers have come. The Underworld calls. A choice must be made…

With her feared half blood and flame-colored hair, DEIRA D'ANU is a constant reminder of human betrayal and the war that claimed the light from Innis Fail. Now, darkness and frost creep across the land, strengthening the Lord of the Underworld. War is imminent—an allegiance with the Fire Breathers is vital. When their champion, Balen, sees Deira, he believes she is the key to finding the light and stopping the dark frost....

But the Underworld calls to Deira, tempting her to turn her back on a world that never cared and betray the champion willing to sacrifice everything to keep her safe and save his world from darkness.

This is a New Adult Fantasy book and according to Kelly, it's heroine driven and inspired by Irish mythology. That sounds really awesome and right up my alley, so I can't wait to read it!:D And I love how the cover seems to fit the story perfectly! That background gives me chills.



About the author:


Kelly is a multi-published author with six novels currently in print. She writes the YA series, Gods & Monsters (Simon & Schuster), and the Charlie Madigan series (Pocket Books), which are written as Kelly Gay. She is a two-time RITA nominee, an ARRA nominee, a Goodreads Choice Award finalist, and has landed on the Southern Independent Bookseller's Alliance's Book Awards Long List and their Okra Picks List. Kelly is also a three-time Golden Heart Finalist and a recipient of North Carolina Arts Council's fellowship grant in Literature.

On the personal side, Kelly loves ancient history, fantasy, and mythology. She dreams of one day attaining magical powers, discovering the secret to immortality, ridding her home of pet hair, and being crowned Mardi-Gras queen. She likes pre-Raphaelite art, moonlight on snow, and RPGs. She lives in North Carolina with her family, one Great Dane, and two incredibly hairy cats.

Find Kelly: Website / Twitter / Facebook


What do you think about the cover? What about the story? It sounds so original!



Have a fab weekend!:)

Cover Reveal: Embers in a Dark Frost by Kelly Keaton

Happy Friday everyone!


I'm super excited to take part in the cover reveal for Kelly Keaton's upcoming book, Embers in a Dark Frost! You might be familiar with Kelly's YA series, Darkness Becomes Her and she also writes an Urban Fantasy series  under the name Kelly Gay.

The cover is designed by the amazing Claudia McKinney at Phat Puppy Creations (and Hot Damn Designs did the typography). I LOVE it! 


Embers in a Dark Frost
by Kelly Keaton

Release Date: November 15, 2012

Goodreads:

The Fire Breathers have come. The Underworld calls. A choice must be made…

With her feared half blood and flame-colored hair, DEIRA D'ANU is a constant reminder of human betrayal and the war that claimed the light from Innis Fail. Now, darkness and frost creep across the land, strengthening the Lord of the Underworld. War is imminent—an allegiance with the Fire Breathers is vital. When their champion, Balen, sees Deira, he believes she is the key to finding the light and stopping the dark frost....

But the Underworld calls to Deira, tempting her to turn her back on a world that never cared and betray the champion willing to sacrifice everything to keep her safe and save his world from darkness.

This is a New Adult Fantasy book and according to Kelly, it's heroine driven and inspired by Irish mythology. That sounds really awesome and right up my alley, so I can't wait to read it!:D And I love how the cover seems to fit the story perfectly! That background gives me chills.



About the author:


Kelly is a multi-published author with six novels currently in print. She writes the YA series, Gods & Monsters (Simon & Schuster), and the Charlie Madigan series (Pocket Books), which are written as Kelly Gay. She is a two-time RITA nominee, an ARRA nominee, a Goodreads Choice Award finalist, and has landed on the Southern Independent Bookseller's Alliance's Book Awards Long List and their Okra Picks List. Kelly is also a three-time Golden Heart Finalist and a recipient of North Carolina Arts Council's fellowship grant in Literature.

On the personal side, Kelly loves ancient history, fantasy, and mythology. She dreams of one day attaining magical powers, discovering the secret to immortality, ridding her home of pet hair, and being crowned Mardi-Gras queen. She likes pre-Raphaelite art, moonlight on snow, and RPGs. She lives in North Carolina with her family, one Great Dane, and two incredibly hairy cats.

Find Kelly: Website / Twitter / Facebook


What do you think about the cover? What about the story? It sounds so original!



Have a fab weekend!:)

October 24, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #35 - Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

Hi!


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's a book I've heard great things about lately, and I can't wait to add to my reading pile:

Level 2 (The Memory Chronicles #1)

 by Lenore Appelhans



Release date: January 15th 2013
by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
 Format: Hardcover, 288 pages

Goodreads:

In this gripping exploration of a futuristic afterlife, a teen discovers that death is just the beginning.

Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow drones, Felicia passes the endless hours reliving memories of her time on Earth and mourning what she’s lost—family, friends, and Neil, the boy she loved.

Then a girl in a neighboring chamber is found dead, and nobody but Felicia recalls that she existed in the first place. When Julian—a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life—comes to offer Felicia a way out, Felicia learns the truth: If she joins the rebellion to overthrow the Morati, the angel guardians of Level 2, she can be with Neil again.

Suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself at the center of an age-old struggle between good and evil. As memories from her life come back to haunt her, and as the Morati hunt her down, Felicia will discover it’s not just her own redemption at stake… but the salvation of all mankind.



This one seems to be a perfect mix of Dystopia and Paranormal. I love books that explore the afterlife and the good vs evil eternal battle, so seeing both of those elements in one book should be interesting. I love the kickass cover as well, so I can't wait to read this original story and to see if it's as gripping and edgy as it seems!:)


So... What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday #35 - Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

Hi!


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's a book I've heard great things about lately, and I can't wait to add to my reading pile:

Level 2 (The Memory Chronicles #1)

 by Lenore Appelhans



Release date: January 15th 2013
by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
 Format: Hardcover, 288 pages

Goodreads:

In this gripping exploration of a futuristic afterlife, a teen discovers that death is just the beginning.

Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow drones, Felicia passes the endless hours reliving memories of her time on Earth and mourning what she’s lost—family, friends, and Neil, the boy she loved.

Then a girl in a neighboring chamber is found dead, and nobody but Felicia recalls that she existed in the first place. When Julian—a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life—comes to offer Felicia a way out, Felicia learns the truth: If she joins the rebellion to overthrow the Morati, the angel guardians of Level 2, she can be with Neil again.

Suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself at the center of an age-old struggle between good and evil. As memories from her life come back to haunt her, and as the Morati hunt her down, Felicia will discover it’s not just her own redemption at stake… but the salvation of all mankind.



This one seems to be a perfect mix of Dystopia and Paranormal. I love books that explore the afterlife and the good vs evil eternal battle, so seeing both of those elements in one book should be interesting. I love the kickass cover as well, so I can't wait to read this original story and to see if it's as gripping and edgy as it seems!:)


So... What are you waiting on this week?

October 23, 2012

Book Trailer: ICED by Karen Marie Moning

Hey guys!

Today we continue the ICED love-fest with the book trailer. This is my most anticipated release of the year and I can't believe I'll be able to finally read it in a little over a week. Eeeep! *bounces*

And this little trailer is perfect to set the mood and to prepare us for what's to come. Can you believe this guy's voice and tone? *faints* And those ice effects are amazing!



Chills, anyone? OMG!

Do let me know what you think about the trailer and how excited you are about this release, I obviously can't be too coherent when it comes to Karen Marie Moning. LOL


Iced (Fever #6) 

by Karen Marie Moning
Release date: October 30th 2012

by Delacorte Press
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages

Goodreads

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning comes the first book in her hotly anticipated new urban paranormal trilogy, set in the world of her blockbuster Fever series.

The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.


Book Trailer: ICED by Karen Marie Moning

Hey guys!

Today we continue the ICED love-fest with the book trailer. This is my most anticipated release of the year and I can't believe I'll be able to finally read it in a little over a week. Eeeep! *bounces*

And this little trailer is perfect to set the mood and to prepare us for what's to come. Can you believe this guy's voice and tone? *faints* And those ice effects are amazing!



Chills, anyone? OMG!

Do let me know what you think about the trailer and how excited you are about this release, I obviously can't be too coherent when it comes to Karen Marie Moning. LOL


Iced (Fever #6) 

by Karen Marie Moning
Release date: October 30th 2012

by Delacorte Press
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages

Goodreads

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning comes the first book in her hotly anticipated new urban paranormal trilogy, set in the world of her blockbuster Fever series.

The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.


October 21, 2012

Review: Angel's Ink by Jocelynn Drake

Hi!

Angel's Ink (The Asylum Tales #1)

by Jocelynn Drake


Released:  October 16th 2012
by Harper Voyager
Format: Paperback, 368 pages

Goodreads:

Buyer beware . . .

Looking for a tattoo—and maybe a little something extra: a burst of good luck, a dollop of true love, or even a hex on an ex? Head to the quiet and mysterious Gage, the best skin artist in town. Using unique potions—a blend of extraordinary ingredients and special inks—to etch the right symbol, he can fulfill any heart's desire. But in a place like Low Town, where elves, faeries, trolls, werewolves, and vampires happily walk among humanity, everything has its price.

No one knows that better than Gage. Turning his back on his own kind, he left the magical Ivory Tower where cruel witches and warlocks rule, a decision that cost him the right to practice magic. And if he disobeys, his punishment—execution—will be swift.

Though he's tried to fly under the radar, Gage can't hide from powerful warlocks who want him dead—or the secrets of his own past. But with the help of his friends, Trixie, a gorgeous elf who hides her true identity, and a hulking troll named Bronx, Gage might just make it through this enchanted world alive.

My thoughts:

After reading the two prequel novellas, The Asylum Interviews: Bronx and Trixie, I' ve been eager to get lost again in this fantastic world Jocelynn Drake has created. And I loved this first full length novel; The Asylum Tales series goes right on my auto-buy list! If you like Urban Fantasy, you'll definitely want to try this one!

I read Angel's Ink a few days ago, but I had to let it sink in between writing my review. It's a very complex, well developed novel and a lot of things happen in it! 

Gage is a strong, unique, very likeable main character. You don't see a Urban Fantasy series told from a guy's POV very often, so this was refreshing and I really liked his voice. He's witty and fun, but he's also powerful and  kind of mysterious. He used to be a warlock in training, but the world of warlocks and witches, ruled by the Ivory Towers, was nasty and dangerous, because they thought they were above everyone else and used their powers to control everyone. So he didn't want to be a part of that and he stepped out of their world. They allowed him to stay alive and live outside the Towers only as long as he didn't use magic in any other way than for self defense.

“Why you’ve chosen to live among these useless flesh bags is beyond me.”
“That’s why,” I said in clipped tones. I refused to view humans as little more than chattel.

But Gage's power is unique and stronger than anyone else's and he always seems to be in some kind of trouble with the other creatures, so he lives on the edge, constantly in danger of being captured by the evil warlocks who watch his every move. 

The world lived in daily terror of seeing one of them. Damn warlocks. F*ing witches. Because of them, fields had been dug up for enormous mass graves during the Great War. Because of them, both unicorns and dragons were now extinct, while others dangled on the cusp. Because of them, we all lived in fear.

Gage is also the best tattoo artist in the area, so he goes by with his tattoo shop, Asylum, using his incredible talent and many special potions and ingredients to give people more than a simple tattoo.

Tattooing in itself could be a lucrative business, but it was the potions added to the ink that made this venture truly worthwhile.

You'd think he'd be fine with his tattoo shop and his friends and co-workers, Bronx and Trixie, at least at the beginning of the story - but you'd be wrong. Trouble seems to follow him everywhere and it knocks on his door from the very first few pages and then he can barely catch his breath for the entire novel. Phew, what a rollercoaster of a ride! 

The story has many layers and sub-plots, but it still seems like we only got a glimpse of this character and his world. With every deadly situation he seems to overcome, another, more dangerous one appears. And like that wasn't enough, the warlocks are always waiting for him to make the wrong move so they can finally get rid of him - for good. You never know what's going to happen next, what to expect from this world. There are lots of twists and suspenseful situations that keep you on the edge of your seat. Seriously, at some point, it was like every creature in town was gunning for Gage for some reason or another and they had incredibly bad timing - not only did they catch him all in a very small time frame (he was almost killed several times in one single day!), but he was already in the process of solving another deadly situation. 

Anyway, Gage is a very complex character, who always seems to have a few tricks up his sleeve. He has lots of connection and resources and the support of his friends, who help him every time he needs them, despite the fact that he has always been secretive and closed off about who and what he is or what he can do. But it's hard to keep a low profile in this dangerous, complicated world where all sorts of the creatures roam the city and want something from you. Speaking of creatures, wow, there are so many of them and I loved learning a bit about them too! It's fascinating, really! Elves, warlocks, witches, trolls, vampires, werewolves, goblins and even the Grip Reaper made an appearance. :D

It also helped that the sun was still high in the sky. The vampires were still abed and the trolls were lurking in dark homes, waiting for the sun to finally set. While goblins could come and go during the day, they preferred to wait until at least dusk before showing their ugly mugs out of doors. There were a few other faerie folk that could be a nuisance, but I wasn’t likely to find them here unless they were really down on their luck.

I really liked the main story of the book - well, the story that started it all. It was very touching. Tara, a human girl, stopped by his parlor to get a tattoo for a... special occasion. Someone had recommended him and he did, indeed, an amazing, beautiful tattoo for her (see the cover). But he was touched by her story and wanted to help her, so he added some never-before-used ingredients to the ink - and it all went wrong. The tattoo had some very powerful, scary side effects that caught the attention of the wrong people and put the balance of the supernatural world at risk. Trying to fix that only got him into more serious trouble, since he had to go to questionable sources for help and to do all sorts of things that he wasn't allowed to. 

And speaking of tattoos, I really loved how Ms Drake approached this subject. It's all very detailed, specific, imaginative and realistic at the same time. You get to see what ingredients the artists use, what colors, the technique, everything. This was one of my favorite part of the novel. I mean, magic and tattoos? Yes, please!

Like I mentioned in my mini-reviews for the prequels, I really liked both Bronx and Trixie and the way they all supported and completed each other as a group. At the beginning, they all have their secrets and try keep a relative distance from each other, but by the end of the book, that barrier between them disappears and they make an unbreakable connection. Trixie was awesome as the love interest: she was fun, compassionate, loyal and also very mysterious. She has her own secrets and troubled past and when it catches up with her, Gage and Bronx don't hesitate to help her. The romance part of the story feels very natural, subtle, yet undeniably powerful by the end:

Laying both of my hands flat against her back, I held her tight for a second, not moving, savoring the feel of her. “Trixie . . . I can’t do this if it’s just . . . I need more than . . .” My rough voice drifted off as I struggled to find the right words. I knew the timing was bad. Her life was a mess and mine was a national disaster, but I couldn’t stop myself from grasping this one perfect moment even if I was forcing her to slip through my fingers. Trixie stopped kissing me to meet my gaze, tears glistening in her eyes, looking so much like ivy leaves after a summer rain. Taking my right hand, she placed it on her chest so that I could feel her frantically pounding heart under my fingertips. “I give you the beat of my heart, the breath in my lungs, and the joy in my soul. You are mine and I am yours.” ♥ ♥ ♥

I haven't read Jocelynn Drake's other series (I know, shame on me!), but after reading the two novellas, I though I had an idea of what to expect here. And wow, was I wrong! When the most dire crisis comes, things get seriously dark, messy and downright scary! There are some badass fighting scenes, with all sorts of kickass effects and magic. Awesomeness!

Pushing to my feet, I thrust one hand toward the sky, summoning a boiling cauldron of black clouds. Thunder rolled above us and lightning jumped through the sky. A part of me longed for a nice sharp blade, but I would make do with the power from the heavens.

And it's all very well done and well placed - you can tell that the author has experience with the UF world - with dark, twisted, complicated plots and with writing strong, complex characters. You can see it in the masterful writing style and in the way everything seems natural and flows easily, even though lots of things happen and there are many new elements introduced. Everything is very well thought out and balanced. There's nothing tentative, sloppy or hesitant about this book - not even when it comes to hurting the characters - she doesn't shy away from putting them trough hell or from pushing all their limits. And I loved that, it gave the book an edgy feeling and made me connect with the characters better.

Gage kind of reminded me of Rachel Morgan (The Hollows by Kim Harrison) sometimes. He has the snarky attitude, stubbornness and knack for getting into trouble when he acts before he thinks that Rachel has sometimes as well (I think they'd go along very well - and we'd all be lost if the safety of the world was in their hands. :)) *just kidding*)

“So you took a chance with some powerful magic without actually considering the consequences of your actions? What were you thinking?” 

Anyway, there were a few moments here and there where the story seemed kind of slow or when too many things happened at once and it was a bit confusing, but overall, this was a great first novel in a series! It's unique, refreshing and very interesting and I'm looking forward to following the characters on more crazy adventures!


Get the book: Amazon / B & N / The Book Depository

Stalk Jocelynn: Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

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