Book Review: Freeks by Amanda Hocking

Release Date: January 3rd, 2017
Read: December 26th-27th, 2016
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 400 pages
Source: McNally Robinson/ Two Thumbs Up Program

Description from GoodReads:

   Welcome to Gideon Davorin’s Traveling Sideshow, where necromancy, magical visions, and pyrokinesis are more than just part of the act…

   Mara has always longed for a normal life in a normal town where no one has the ability to levitate or predict the future. Instead, she roams from place to place, cleaning the tiger cage while her friends perform supernatural feats every night.

   When the struggling sideshow is miraculously offered the money they need if they set up camp in Caudry, Louisiana, Mara meets local-boy Gabe…and a normal life has never been more appealing.

   But before long, performers begin disappearing and bodies are found mauled by an invisible beast. Mara realizes that there’s a sinister presence lurking in the town with its sights set on getting rid of the sideshow freeks. In order to unravel the truth before the attacker kills everyone Mara holds dear, she has seven days to take control of a power she didn’t know she was capable of—one that could change her future forever.

Review:

   God is good, but the devil is not so bad to those he likes.
   I've been a huge fan of Amanda Hocking since I picked up Switched, back in 2012. I've read her Trylle series, her Watersong Series, and I've even picked up her Kanin series, although I haven't read them yet. So when Freeks was announced, I obviously had to get my hands on the book. McNally Robinson's Two Thumbs Up program came to the rescue, just like usual.
   Freeks ended up being something different than what I was expecting, but never the less it was still something I found myself really enjoying. Where I expected a story almost completely based on Carnival life, I found myself more focused on the people with exceptional abilities and the surrounding town where the Carnival sets up. It was really intriguing to see all these different abilities that the people had, along with being able to learn about the different mysteries that the town had in store.
   It took me roughly half the book to realize that the book took place in 1987. Most of the time, you find that newly released books either take place in the present or in an obvious time where things are almost completely different like in the Wild West, or in the future with really new technology, etc. With Freeks, having it take place in 1987 you still get that feeling that you're in the present but with a lot of little things that are different. You'd think that the tarot card headers with the date on the front would be an indicator, or even the way the characters dressed would have tipped me off, but apparently not. Even though I was completely clueless for half the book, I was really intrigued with the setting for the other half of the book. Once you paid attention to it, you began to notice a lot of minor world details that Hocking put into the book. It was definitely a time period I'd like to find more YA books set in.
   Although the book is a standalone, I felt like the book could have also been a series. With the way things ended, I feel like the characters still had a large mystical world to discover. If Amanda Hocking decides that she wants to continue the series, you'll find my name #1 on the list to read the next one.
   Filled with magic, creatures, and tattoos, Freeks was just what I needed to settle my paranormal book love. I can't wait to see what Amanda Hocking has in store for us next. 

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"I've been alive for thirty-seven years, and I have seen all kinds of things that defy the laws of nature. But I've never seen a monster. Only those that are misunderstood and mistreated." 

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Circus', Carnivals, Magic, Werewolves, Monsters

Book Review: Unspoken by C.C Hunter

Release Date: October 27th, 2015
Read: October 10th-13th, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Series: Shadow Falls: After Dark, #3
Format: ARC, 416 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for review

Description from GoodReads:

   Despite her superhuman strength and enhanced senses, Della Tsang's life as a vampire certainly hasn't been easy. Especially since she was reborn and bound to the mysterious, infuriating, and gorgeous Chase Tallman. 

   But if there's one thing that's always kept Della going, it's her dream of being an elite paranormal investigator. Her newest case is the opportunity she's been waiting for, but as Della tries to solve the twenty year old murder and clear her father's name. She uncovers secrets about the vampire council. And about Chase. 


   Feeling betrayed by all the secrets he's kept hidden from her, Della is determined to keep him as far away from her heart as she can. But she'll need his help to solve the case that will lead them into the darkest and ugliest vampire gangs in town and into the scariest reaches of her heart.

Review:

Contains Minor Spoiler:

   I would have liked the choice!
   Shadow Falls was one of my all time favourite series, when I heard of Shadow Falls: After Dark I couldn't have been more excited. The first two books definitely had a different feel than the original series, the same went with Unspoken. Where the original series was all about the supernatural, Shadow Falls: After Dark was more about the FRU, like I said in my Eternal review. The FRU being the supernatural investigation group in the series, so like the FBI but supernatural. If you enjoy'd the original series, and crime then this prequel series is for you.
   Della being the main character, we obviously saw a lot of her. Where I love Della, I had really hoped we'd see a bit more of Kylie and Miranda, especially them all together. After Della and Kylie have gotten their own series, I get this odd feeling that Miranda will be getting one soon.
   I became used to the investigation feel to the series when I started Unspoken, so I was able to enjoy the book to its full extent unlike Eternal. The investigation was finally solved in this final book and I couldn't have done it better myself. Especially with the way it ended, the truth coming out at the end.
   I really like how Hunter established the connection between Della and Chase, where I was always team Steve, I can see still admit to saying Hunter knew what she was doing with the two. In the end, I was okay with who Della ended up with.
   With Unspoken being the last book in the After Dark series, we probably won't be seeing the characters anytime soon. But with both endings that we got, I couldn't be happier with where we stand! If Hunter decides to write another prequel series, you can sign me up for that waiting list!

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"She ... wanted to know what love tasted like." - Della

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Supernatural, Vampires, Shape shifters, Witches

Waiting on Wednesday (36)

Ice Kissed

Amanda Hocking

Kanin Chronicles #2

St. Martens Griffin

Expected: May 5th, 2015

Description from GoodReads:

   Bryn Aven has always longed to be a part of the Kanin world.

   Though she has no social status because she’s a half-breed, she refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It’s a dream that brings her to a whole new realm . . . the glittering palace of the Skojare.

   The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal rival who’s been threatening the Kanin, and, being half Skojare herself, it’s a chance for Bryn to learn more about her heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing her mission and wants to help. He’s always been her most trusted friend—but as their undeniable attraction heats up, he becomes a distraction she can’t afford.

   Brynn is about to discover that the Skojare world is full of secrets, and as she’s drawn in deeper and deeper, she doesn’t know who to trust. As she gets closer to Ridley, she realizes she may not even be able to trust her own heart.

Why I Want It:

  I love both of Amanda's other series, while I still haven't read Frostfire I'm still really excited for Ice Kissed. Just look at that cover!

Why You Should Want It:

   Troll Retellings, Kingdoms, adventure, this is a series you're going to be dying to get your hands on!

   That's my Waiting on Wednesday for today. Will you be picking up Iced Kissed? What are you waiting on this week? Let me know in the comments!

Book Review: Eternal by C.C Hunter

Release Date: October 28th, 2014

Read: December 2nd- December 24th, 2014

Publisher: St. Marten's Griffin 

Series: Shadow Falls: After Dark #2

Format: Paperback, 386 Pages

Source: Received from publisher in exchange for honest review.

Description from GoodReads:

   All her life, Della's secret powers have made her feel separated from her human family. Now, she's where she belongs, at Shadow Falls. With the help of her best friends Kylie and Miranda, she’ll try to prove herself in the paranormal world as an investigator—all the while trying to figure out her own heart. Should she chose Chase, a powerful vampire with whom she shares a special bond? Or Steve, the hot shapeshifter whose kisses make her weak in the knees? When a person with dark connection to her past shows up, it’ll help her decide which guy to choose–and make her question everything she knows about herself. 

Review:

   Ready or not, here we come.

   After Shadow Falls ended, I was heartbroken. I needed to know how their lives went on, Kylie and Lucas, Miranda and Perry, Holiday and the baby. Shadow Falls: After Dark was another chance at living the lives of those wonderful characters. Everything we wanted more of, we got.
   The only thing with both Reborn and Eternal, was that I felt like I couldn't connect with Della as well as I did with Kylie. There was too much tension going on that I felt like there was a barrier between Della and I. I did enjoy learning more about Della's secretive family, she just does not click with me like Kylie did.
   In the first Shadow Falls we had Kylie uncover secrets and work a bit for the FRU. Eternal was almost all of FRU rather then about the camp. To be exact it felt more of a crime mystery than a supernatural book. Sure they had their powers shown here and there, but that's not why I wanted to read Eternal for. I wanted the magic and teen angst, not a cop book.
   No matter the problems I had with the book, I was still delighted by the story that is of the people of Shadow Falls. I look forward to Unspoken when it releases July 2015.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

“Della's heart did a dip, feeling the emotional tug of seeing two people who were so right for each other." 

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, Romance, Vampires, Ghosts, Witches

Waiting on Wednesday (19)

Frostfire

Author: Amanda Hocking

The Kanin Chronicles #1

Expected: January 6th, 2014

St. Martin's Griffin

Description from GoodReads:

   Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes.

   Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who's determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite King’s Guard to protect the royal family. She's not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss Ridley Dresden.

   But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin– a fallen hero she once loved – begins kidnapping changelings. Bryn is sent in to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process? 

Why I Want It:

   I adored the series that started it all, the Trylle series. The books were a very entertaining and thrilling read, the books were also my first encounter in books with *Spoiler* homosexuals. I definitely felt like we needed more books with characters like Tove. Along with the storyline of the Trylle series, it was one heck of a series. This is why I'm excited to see where Hocking takes us with this next series!

Why You Should Want It:

   This series fantasy element is trolls! The Trylle series is the only series I've read that featured troll, besides the odd sighting here and there in other books! I don't want to pull you in because of this, but with the latest excitement that is Frozen. If you happen to be in the mood for a troll book, this series and the Trylle series are your pals!

   That's my Waiting on Wednesday for this week! Will you be picking up Frostfire? What are you waiting on this week? Let me know in the comments!