Book Review: Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: July 28th, 2015
Read: August 6th, 2016
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Series: The Dark Elements, #3
Format: Paperback, 400 pages (Wrong cover for edition.)
Source: Bought

Description from GoodReads:

   Some loves will last ’til your dying breath

   Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

   Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.


   Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…

Review:

   I saw you kiss the stars.

   As most of you already know, I am a huge fan of Jennifer L. Armentorut. Especially her Dark Elements series, Every Last Breath being the last one in the trilogy. After finishing Stone Cold Touch some time after it's release, I was over the moon excited for Every Last Breath. Unfortunately a few things happened between then, first of all the series got a cover change. No one was happy about this change, the new covers in my opinion are hideous, then when the book finally released, it was at least a millimetre shorter than the rest of the series. With a height difference and a hideous new cover, why in the world would I want to go out and buy the book for full price? Eventually a year a bit later, I found a copy at a used bookstore and decided that I had waited long enough for finishing the series.
   Every Last Breath picked up a mere second after Stone Cold Touch left off, and was never a dull moment when it came to the action. In the first two books, Layla had to decide between two boys, Roth and Zayne, and where everyone had their own team that they were rooting for. (*cough*Team Roth*cough*) In the first few chapters Layla picks her guys and we no longer have to survive through the agonizing wait. When first starting the book, I thought for sure that she'd take the whole dang book to decide but in the end it worked out perfectly because we actually got to see them happy together for a good period of the book.
   Besides guy problems, the rest of the book was put together nicely. The battle against the Lilin, the problems of Wardens v.s Demons, everything worked out perfectly, as well as answering a bunch of questions that we thought we'd never get answers to.
   Every Last Breath was the perfect conclusion to The Dark Elements series, and I couldn't be happier with the way things turned out in the end. I highly recommend this series to anyone who has a love for paranormal and romance.


   With the cover change, and height change, it definitely effected my opinion and actions when picking up a copy at the bookstore. The story didn't have anything to do with it, the story is still one that everyone should pick up and read.

Check out my review for White Hot Kiss here. 

Check out my review for Stone Cold Touch here.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Everyone pays a price of blood in the end."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Angels, Demons, Gargoyles, Apocalypse

Book Review: Bright Smoke, Cold Fire by Rosamund Hodge

Release Date: September 27th, 2016
Read: August 8th-10th, 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Series: Bright Smoke, Cold Fire, #1
Format: ARC, 448 pages
Source: McNally Robinson/Two Thumbs Up Program

Description from GoodReads:

   When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the walled city of Viyara was left untouched.

   The heirs of the city’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life itself. But the magic laid on Juliet at birth compels her to punish the enemies of her clan—and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die.

   Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his own clan.

   Mahyanai Runajo just wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl. Runajo quickly discovers Juliet might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara.

Review:

   The world is bought in blood and pain.

   I've wanted to read a Rosamund Hodge book for a while now, I've wanted to since I first heard of Cruel Beauty and then again when Crimson Bound was announced. It wasn't until I saw Bright Smoke, Cold Fire on the Two Thumbs Up shelf at McNally Robinson that I was finally able to read one of her books.
   The first thing I noticed when starting the book was that for a Romeo and Juliet retelling, our protagonists weren't actually Romeo and Juliet, but rather Paris and Rosaline. I found it to be a new twist on a R&J retelling, although we did see a lot of the two characters Shakespeare protagonists. The book also took place after the main events in the original story, making the retelling something new entirely.
   A lot of things happened in Bright Smoke, Cold Fire, and I would say they all sort happened all at once, which confused me a bit. When I say all at once, I mean that with our two protagonists, each chapter rotated between the two, then we'd get the odd little chapter that was a flashback to Romeo and the Juliet before Bright Smoke, Cold Fire's story takes place. So if something big was happening with one of the protagonists, then you had to keep track of that, along with pay attention to what was occurring with the other character. Then there was the fact that I would enjoy one character's story over the other, so my brain was constantly going back to their prospective even when I was in the other characters mind.
   Besides that little problem, Hodge had a beautifully put together story. She had magic, sacrifice, monsters and ghosts at every corner, it was a very interesting experience to read, and it was definitely something I'd never experienced before. I hope in the sequel that we learn more about the Sunken Library, as well about the curse and monsters that plague Viyara.
   Bright Smoke, Cold Fire was a slower paced read, but none the less entertaining. I look forward to seeing how Hodge ends the series, and how everything turns out in the end. 

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

I can bear any terror. I am that strong, and that ruthless.

The gods have died, and in their blood, we live as those already dead.

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Retelling, Romeo and Juliet, Monsters, Magic

Book Review: The Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes

Release Date: May 17th, 2016
Read: July 24th- August 3rd, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Standalone
Format: ARC, 400 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for honest review

Description from GoodReads:

   Maguire is bad luck.

   No matter how many charms she buys off the internet or good luck rituals she performs each morning, horrible things happen when Maguire is around. Like that time the roller coaster jumped off its tracks. Or the time the house next door caught on fire. Or that time her brother, father, and uncle were all killed in a car crash—and Maguire walked away with barely a scratch.

   It’s safest for Maguire to hide out in her room, where she can cause less damage and avoid new people who she could hurt. But then she meets Jordy, an aspiring tennis star. Jordy is confident, talented, and lucky, and he’s convinced he can help Maguire break her unlucky streak. Maguire knows that the best thing she can do for Jordy is to stay away. But it turns out staying away may be harder than she thought.

Review:

   It's hard to let yourself be happy, isn't it? 

   I received Girl Against the Universe oh so long ago to review, and I just haven't been in a contemporary mood until these past weeks. So out of my pile of realistic fictions books that was starting to get pretty big, I decided to finally pick it up!
   Girl Against the Universe got to me more than I thought it would, it usually takes a bit for contemporaries to have some sort of effect on me. It had a bunch of deep topics in it, rather than the usual bubbliness like other contemporaries do. GATU dealt with with multiple different health issues, including some mental health ones. Maguire had to deal with guilt from more than one occasion, because of the many accidents that she was apart of, as well as PTSD. Throughout the book, Maguire had to deal with a lot, and where I could not relate to everything she was going through, I could understand why she felt the way she did. People all recover from things differently, with Maguire's history, it made for a very interesting story to read about.
   I enjoyed reading about all the characters from the book, they all had their roles to play. Although I did not like every single one of them. Jordy for example, I just couldn't wrap my heart around him. Something about him would just mess with me, so I couldn't enjoy Maguire's and his relationship as much as I should have. I did in fact, love Maguire's Step Dad. He almost felt the same way about how things turned out after the accident. In order for him to be happy, someone else had to die. In the end, after that one evening scene, I think he and Maguire finally understood each other to the point where they could both help each other.
   Girl Against the Universe was a deeply emotional read, filled with overcoming guilt, overcoming fear and lots of tennis. I would definitely recommend Girl Against the Universe to people who are looking for a serious contemporary. 

   

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Sometimes terrible things happen and it's no one's fault. Sometimes we do the best we can and still have bad outcomes."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Tennis, Bad Luck

Waiting on Wednesday: (59)

Like A River Glorious

Rae Carson

The Gold Seer Trilogy, #2

Greenwillow Books

Expected: September 27th, 2016

Description from GoodReads:

   After a harrowing journey across the country, Leah Westfall and her friends have finally arrived in California and are ready to make their fortunes in the Gold Rush. Lee has a special advantage over the other new arrivals in California—she has the ability to sense gold, a secret known only by her handsome best friend Jefferson and her murdering uncle Hiram.

   Lee and her friends have the chance to be the most prosperous settlers in California, but Hiram hasn’t given up trying to control Lee and her power. Sabotage and kidnapping are the least of what he’ll do to make sure Lee is his own. His mine is the deepest and darkest in the territory, and there Lee learns the full extent of her magical gift, the worst of her uncle, and the true strength of her friendships. To save everyone, she vows to destroy her uncle and the empire he is building—even at the cost of her own freedom.

Why I Want It:

   Last year, roughly about the same time as now, I picked up an ARC of Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson, and fell in love with it. To this day it is one of my most prized possessions. Since then, the wait has been never ending for Like A River Glorious. I just can't wait anymore.

   Walk on Earth a Stranger contained western adventure, gold, and magic. I'm hoping that Like a River Glorious will be the exact same way!

   That's my Waiting on Wednesday this week! Will you be picking up Like A River Glorious? What are you waiting on this week?

Book Review: Heir to the Sky by Amanda Sun

Release Date: April 26th, 2016
Read: August 3rd-5th, 2016
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 293 pages
Source: Bought

Description from GoodReads:

   As heir to a kingdom of floating continents, Kali has spent her life bound by limits—by her duties as a member of the royal family, by a forced betrothal to the son of a nobleman, and by the edge of the only world she’s ever known—a small island hovering above a monster-ridden earth, long since uninhabited by humans. She is the Eternal Flame of Hope for what’s left of mankind, the wick and the wax burning in service for her people, and for their revered Phoenix, whose magic keeps them aloft.

   When Kali falls off the edge of her kingdom and miraculously survives, she is shocked to discover there are still humans on the earth. Determined to get home, Kali entrusts a rugged monster-hunter named Griffin to guide her across a world overrun by chimera, storm dragons, basilisks, and other terrifying beasts. But the more time she spends on earth, the more dark truths she begins to uncover about her home in the sky, and the more resolute she is to start burning for herself.

Review:

   A monster is a monster.

   As you all know, I'm a rather big fan of Amanda Sun. I adored her Paper Gods series, and couldn't wait for her to release something new. With her being an insta buy, I went straight to the bookstore come April when Heir to the Sky released. 

   Monsters, who doesn't love them? At first when going into the book, I thought for sure that the monsters that the people of the continents meant, were 'savage' humans, that kind of thing. To my surprise they were real monsters, chimeras, dragons, leviathans, the whole bunch. Being mythology obsessed, I couldn't have been happier.

   Griffin was perhaps one of my favourite parts about the novel, I really enjoyed seeing him have so much hope in such a dire situation that was his world. Not to mention that he was a sweet, and very skilled monster hunter, talk about intriguing to read about. I didn't mind for Kali a whole lot, even if she was our main character. She reminded me of multiple characters that I've met before in other novels, a character that thinks her ways could not do any wrong, then deny the truth until finally giving into it. I just found nothing new with her. 

   I feel like if Sun really wanted too, she could have nicely managed to make Heir to the Sky a trilogy or a series. With so many monsters to discover, the rebellion, and all the different villages on the earth, I think there was definitely enough material to do a series. I'd certainly read more books if there were!

   Heir to the Sky was a stunning standalone, it was sweet and quick, with just enough mystery to let your imagination wander, not allowing you to stop thinking about it, and I once again can't wait to see what Amanda Sun has in store for us next. 

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"I must burn for others, even if it means I will burn and crumble for whose path I light."

"I survived a whole day in a land overrun by monsters. I will survive another."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Dystopian, Monsters, Survival, Rebellions

OwlCrate Monthly Haul: July Box 2016

   Hi y'all! So today I wanted to show everyone my sister's July box from OwlCrate! In order to not spoil anything for anyone, I decided to wait and post it a good while after most people have received theirs already.

   My sister and I share my monthly subscription for OwlCrate, so every other month I'll be showing off what my sister received instead of me!

   OwlCrate is a monthly bookish YA subscription box, which every month features a new theme. Each box features a recently released YA book, along with a few bookish goodies created specially for the box.

   

This months theme is: Good Vs. Evil!

We received the Good box!

This months box includes:

-Harry Potter: Dobby Funko Pop Vinyl

-Millennium Falcon necklace from VectorEngraving

-Alice magnetic bookmark from Jane's Tiny Things

- Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff sticker by Drop And Give Me Nerdy

- YA Colouring Book

- This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab, and a letter + signed book plate from Victoria Schwab

Next months theme is: Fast Times at YA High!

Stay tuned to see what is in-store for that box!

Book Review: The Witch Hunter Series by Virginia Boecker

The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker 

Release Date: June 2nd, 2015

Read: July 20th, 2016

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Series: The Witch Hunter, #1

Format: ARC, 363 pages

Source: Gift from Joyousreads

Description from GoodReads:

   Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. But when she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake.

   Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that's been laid upon him.

   But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth's witch hunting past--if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she's thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate.

The King Slayer by Virginia Boecker

Release Date: June 14th, 2016

Read: July 21st, 2016

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Series: The Witch Hunter, #2

Format: ARC, 368 pages

Source: BEA 2016

Description from GoodReads:

   Former witch hunter Elizabeth Grey is hiding within the magically protected village of Harrow, evading the price put on her head by Lord Blackwell, the usurper king of Anglia. Their last encounter left Blackwell ruined, but his thirst for power grows stronger every day. He’s readying for a war against those who would resist his rule—namely Elizabeth and the witches and wizards she now calls her allies.

   Having lost her stigma, a magical source of protection and healing, Elizabeth’s strength is tested both physically and emotionally. War always means sacrifice, and as the lines between good and evil blur once more, Elizabeth must decide just how far she’ll go to save those she loves.

Review:

Contains Minor Spoilers:

   Damnation.
   I heard about The Witch Hunter way back in 2014 when the ARCs were just beginning to be distributed. I had originally planned on picking up a hardcover when it released, having not received an ARC, but time past and I just never got around to doing it. It wasn't until BEA 2016 that I really got the push to find myself a copy, and that's because I had received a ARC of it's sequel The King Slayer. Returning home, picking up a copy was one of the first things I wanted to do. But as luck would have it, my friend Joy from Joyousreads had an ARC that she was giving away, so I grabbed it! Then in one whole shot, I binged both books.
   The Witch Hunter was fabulous, I couldn't put it down for even a minute once I started. The writing was fast paced, the characters had so much going on with them, and the action was non stop, I couldn't get enough. I only had one problem when it came to it, and that was that I wish that Virginia Boecker had thrown in some more Witch hunting action rather than just the one case they had to deal with. I would have loved to see more of Elizabeth doing her job.
   There wasn't a huge cliffhanger when finishing The Witch Hunter, but I was still anxious to start The King Slayer right away.
   I knew the series was to be a duology, but throughout The King Slayer, I couldn't help but feel like it should have been a build up for a third novel. To be honest, because I continuously felt this way throughout the book, I felt like the ending of the novel was sort of weak. The build up was there throughout the whole thing, then within a snap of the fingers the battle had ended. I was disappointed.
   Finally, I adored John and Elizabeth together in the second book, until the stigma turned him into a dick. I understood it's importance, but I really wish it didn't happen, I would have loved to see more romantic scenes between the two.
   The Witch Hunter duology was a beautifully written series, that has definitely become a favourite of mine. I can't wait to see what Boecker has in store for us next!

   P.S I gave my sister the two books to binge after me, and she wouldn't stop screaming at me, that she hated me. That means they were great right? HA!

Overall Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Your greatest enemy isn't what you fight, but what you fear."- The Witch Hunter

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Witches, Hunters, Magic, Rebellions, A bit of Historical Fiction