Review ~ The Sin Eater’s Daughter

Title: The Sin Eater’s Daughter

Series: The Sin Eater’s Daughter #1

Author: Melinda Salisbury

Publication Date: March 1, 2015

Genre: YA Fantasy

I am the perfect weapon.
I kill with a single touch.

Twylla is blessed. The Gods have chosen her to marry a prince, and rule the kingdom. But the favour of the Gods has it’s price. A deadly poison infuses her skin. Those who anger the queen must die under Twylla’s fatal touch.

Only Lief, an outspoken new guard, can see past Twylla’s chilling role to the girls she truly is.

Yet in a court as dangerous and the queen’s, some truths should not be told…

Goodreads * Amazon

My ****4 Star**** Review

So I wasn’t crazy about Twylla when she was first introduced, but I still found myself intrigued with where the story was going. I felt hopeful for a redemption of her character. I did slowly get that, although it takes quite a while before she seems to start thinking for herself. My very slow to come liking of her was one of my downsides to this story.
It was the introduction of Prince Merek, and Twylla’s guard, Lief that made things interesting. If you’re into love triangles, then this book might just be for you. Twylla is betrothed to Prince Merek. This is an arranged marriage and the two hardly know each other. Merek seems to have some opinions that differ from his stiff and vicious mother, but Twylla isn’t sure that she can trust him. Is he sincere or is he trying to set her up?
Then there’s Lief. Lief slowly starts to open Twylla’s eyes to the truth around her. She has a hard time not developing feelings for Lief in the process.
There are some serious twists and turns in this story. There’s more than one whopper that will be dropped on you. The twisted character of the queen will truly astound you! But, evil could be lurking behind the warm eyes of anyone.
The end will leave you gasping and wanting more!
So, overall, I enjoyed this on a whole. I’d recommend this to those that like YA fantasy with some romance blended in.

Happy Reading,

Alison

Review ~ Dreamfire by Kit Alloway

Title: Dreamfire

Author: Kit Alloway

Publication Date: Feb. 24, 2015

Genre: YA Fantasy

Joshlyn Weaver has always lived with a big secret. Ordinary kids spend their free time going to the movies, hanging out with friends, and searching on the internet.

But for her, an evening at home usually means entering people’s dreams. For many generations, her family has been part of a very powerful and very secretive society of dream walkers. Tasked with the responsibility of lowering the world’s general anxiety — which only leads to war and strife in the waking world — their job has always been to stop nightmares before they go too far.
By stopping nightmares while sleeping, they help to stop nightmares in real life.

But when an ancient feud within the dream walker society resurfaces right when a seemingly unconnected series of very strange and very scary events start occurring during her dream walks, Josh finds herself in a race against time. The one true dream walker has never been known. Could she be the one?

Goodreads * Amazon

My ****4 Star**** Review

It was the uniqueness of this story that grabbed me the most. I enjoyed the fantasy elements and unpredictableness of them.

This book has a young YA feel to me. The characters are interesting but not extremely complex. Josh’s emotions seem to be all over the place. She can be very fickle. I think I would have enjoyed this book better if she would have been a little bit more mature. It became annoying that she was always saying one thing and then doing another. She’s supposedly falling for a boy, but with her reactions and thoughts all over the place, I didn’t feel it as strongly as a typical YA romance. So, I wouldn’t even really classify this as romantic, as it was the plot and fantasy elements that really drove this story for me.

It didn’t suck me in immediately, but it was always intriguing enough to make me want to keep turning the pages. There were some high intensity moments and plenty of mystery. There were times that I felt like I was begging for answers, and it really added to the story for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I just think that if Josh would have acted just a little bit more mature – adding to the romance side, I would have not liked this story, but loved it. I will warn you that you’re going to get a crazy whack ending!

Happy Reading,

Alison

Review ~ Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everneath

Series: Everneath #1

Author: Brodi Ashton

Publication Date: Jan. 24, 2012

Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance

Review ~ Opposition

Title: Opposition

Series: Lux #5

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: Aug. 5, 2014

Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Paranormal Romance

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can’t believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

Opposition

My *****5 STAR***** Review

Is it okay if I take a moment to mourn before I start this review? Seriously? It’s been 13 days since I’ve finished Opposition, and I am so missing Daemon. I knew this would happen. I’ve been dreading the separation books ago, knowing the end would eventually come.

Aside from Daemon, this book was an exciting read. It’s loaded with action and Kat has grew into this serious kick butt, take no prisoners chick worthy of admiration! Oh, and she still loves her books.

This book doesn’t skimp on the intensity of the previous one, either. I went into full-fledged freak out mode in this one! I almost think I could have gotten away with suing JLA for the heart attack she about gave me!

Seriously, though, I have to give Jennifer some serious love for all the awesome book blogger love happening in this series. I’m a forever fan, for sure! I can’t wait to read more from her! Oh, and if you’ve stumbled onto this review without reading any of the series yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON!?!?!?!?!

Happy Reading,

Alison

Review ~ Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Shadows

Series: Lux #0.5

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: Feb. 21, 2012

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane.

Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in.

Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence…and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

Shadows

My ****4 Star**** Review

Not reading this book until way after I was fully in love with Daemon, I didn’t know how I would feel about Dawson. I knew I wanted the story, though. While I didn’t fall for Dawson like I did Daemon, I’m still so glad I took the time to read it.
It’s the type of story that I’m sure would leave any high school girl swooning. There are times that you’ll completely forget that you’re reading about aliens because the scenes are so very real, and so very reminiscent of falling in love for the first time.
I didn’t find myself emotionally invested in Dawson and Bethany’s story like I was with Daemon and Kat, but this book was still filled with some great scenes! I was surprised at the length of it, too. Usually when you get a .5 version of any series, its length is brief. JLA didn’t do that.
I definitely recommend this book to all fans of the Lux series, and if you haven’t already read any of it, WHY NOT?!?

About the Author ~ Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia.

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true.

Well, mostly. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don’t Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen.

Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Happy Reading,

Alison

Review ~ Cinder by Jessica Sorensen

Title: Cinder

Series: Death Collectors #2

Author: Jessica Sorensen

Release Date: Nov. 18, 2013

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Until Asher Morgan came along, nineteen-year old Ember’s life had always been about death. Being around Asher, though, and being able to be near him and touch him, changed her and made her feel alive for the very first time. But now he’s gone and she’s left dealing with her seclusion again, the emptiness of not being able to be touched, and the curse of the Grim Angel.

As a battle breaks out between Angels and Reapers, she desperately searches for answers about who she is, where she came from, and what she needs to stop the battle. But things get complicated when Cameron returns to her life and begins messing with her thoughts and emotions.

Ember tries to hold onto her sanity while the line between life and death begins to blur. Lives are threatened and taken. Murder is everywhere. She needs to figure out what’s real, what’s an illusion, and who she really has feelings for before it’s too late.

My ****4 Star**** Review

I have to say that I’m not wholly in love with this series. I personally prefer her Fallen Star series. However, I still want to keep reading and get all the answers. I can’t even figure out who I want Ember to be with now. In the first book I was all about Asher, but now I don’t know. It’s sort of driving me crazy! If you’re into love triangles, then this might be the series for you! Then again, if you haven’t read the first book, then you probably need to stop here and go do that before reading this review. 🙂

I have to confess that some parts of the story came across as a little weird for me and some parts were confusing. I was able to get the overall idea, but sometimes the details were so great, and yet so new with it being a whole world building thing, that I couldn’t keep up.

I think the worst thing for me, though, is not connecting with the characters emotionally like I do in most of Jessica’s other books. So Asher is gone at the end of the first book, and let me just say that that makes the beginning of this book drag. I was at 51 % before I really got into the book. Because of that, I wavered between 3.5 and 4 stars for this book. The beginning half I would have been closer to 3 stars, but then I started getting really interested in where it was going. So, the second half of the book is redeeming. It does end on a cliffie, though, and with a major love triangle going on. I almost think I’m leaning towards the dark side now…Nonetheless, I want to know how it all ends! Spark, the next book, is set to be released on Mar. 31st.

About the Author ~ Jessica Sorensen

Jessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Happy Reading,

Alison

5 STAR Review ~ Origin (Lux #4) @JLArmentrout

Title: Origin (Lux #4)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: Aug. 27,2013

YA/NA Paranormal/Sci-fi/Romance/Urban Fantasy

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?

And will they even be together?

Origin

My *****5 STAR***** Review

OH. MY. GOSH. I cannot believe she went there, and I NEVER saw it coming! I mean she had me all gushing, I mean I was MELTING!!! and then WHAM! WHAT?!? Yes, she did! And I NEVER saw it coming! How did I NOT see it coming? Looking back I can see a bit of foreshadowing, but I still would have thought that there was NO FREAKIN’ WAY! Now I’m totally freaking out!!

Ok, let me go back to the beginning. If you read Opal then you know how that ended in totally dramatic fashion and made up for any flaws that book may have had. If you didn’t read Opal, then you shouldn’t be reading this unless you’re looking for spoilers of the previous books. My advice – GO READ THE BOOKS!!! Okay, so this book picks right up where Opal left off. It is action-packed from the start. There is NEVER a dull moment in this book. It’s one heart pounding moment after another.

Oh, but then there’s just a small little moment of peace that leaves you melting, melting, melting. No, not like the wicked witch. Trust me, you’ll be perfectly happy staying wrapped up in your ball of mush!

You won’t stay there. Nope. Ms. Armentrout apparently thought that would be BORING! So, insert more drama and some highly upsetting losses. Oh, but if your heart is hurting here, that isn’t even a smidgen of what you’ll feel in the end. Because, in the end you’ll be searching the floor for the scattered pieces of your heart everywhere.

MASTERPIECE. Oh, and I might add here that if I actually had to wait for the release of the next book, I might be ready to kill someone…

Go read the books!! There’s nothing more to say.

Warnings: There’s sex in this book, but it doesn’t head towards erotic. There’s some language, but its use is rare.

Happy Reading,

Alison

Review ~ Never Never

Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of fourteen. Complete strangers since this morning.
He’ll do anything to remember. She’ll do anything to forget.

Never Never

My *****5 Star***** Review

What the CRAP?!? Colleen and Tarryn are MADDENING eeeevil geniuses. Now we’re all throwing around theories as if this was as important as discovering who assassinated a president. People are spending hours googling up voodoo and New Orleans. I wouldn’t be surprised if some fangirls are planning trips there now in hopes of figuring out this story!!!
Ok, so, if you haven’t read it, then you should know that it’ll leave you screaming! I’m talking MAJOR cliffie, and you’ll be wondering what the heck just happened. How it happened? Why it happened? Who made it happen? Yeah, LOTS and LOTS of questions! You’ll have lots of ideas, but you’ll be praying they’re all wrong!
What’s super amazing about this is that you’re able to follow along and get sucked in! Most thrillers I’ve read that are even remotely similar leave you wondering if the author is making any sense through parts of it. It all makes sense! But it all doesn’t!!!
I honestly was leaning for 4.5 stars on this book until I learned how Colleen and Tarryn had dropped clues in every line. Freakin’ genius I tell you. This wasn’t just enjoyable writing that leaves you rooting for two teens that you know should be together but have had some rough circumstances. This was well thought out and perfectly executed! 5 AMAZINGLY BRILLIANT STARS!!!! Can NOT wait for Never Never: Part Two!

Happy Reading,

Alison

Review ~ Opal (Lux #3)

Title: Opal

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Lux #3

Release Date: Dec. 11, 2012

Genre: Sci-fi/NA/Romance

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

Together we’re stronger… and they know it.

Opal

Opal

My ****4.5 Star**** Review

The ending is what did it for me with this book. I honestly wasn’t feeling this book as much as the previous ones (although I still love the series as a whole), but the ending completely made up for the slow parts. I would be absolutely freaking out if I had to wait on the next book right now! I have to say that I’ve already read the next book, Origin, and it’s probably my favorite of the whole series, so keep reading if you’ve made it this far!

Don’t get me wrong either. This book didn’t suck. I just didn’t find myself as taken in on a whole. There are still some very exciting and intense moments. Kat faces some really big trials in this one. There’s also some heart-melting moments with Daemon. But, hey, almost all moments with Daemon are spectacular!

You can check out a little teaser from Opal HERE. I’ll be posting my review of Origin this Sunday, so be sure to check that out! I love to hear from other fans of the series!

Happy Reading,

Alison

Teaser Tuesdays #13

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today my teaser is from ~ Opal

“He…he kisses like he’s dying of thirst, and I’m water.” I smacked my hands over my hot face. “I can’t believe I just said that out loud.”

So that’s Kat going on about some Daemon goodness. I absolutely love the two of them together. Plus Kat’s a book blogger, so I can totally relate to her!!!

Synopsis

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

Together we’re stronger… and they know it.

***********************************

Opal is the third book in JLA’s Lux series. I’m absolutely loving it!!! I’ll be posting my review of Opal on Thursday. Then on Sunday I’ll be posting my review of Origin, the fourth book in the series.

What’s your teaser this week??? Leave me a link or comment!

Happy Reading,

Alison