Outcast by Adrienne Kress

              Another ARC from NetGalley and Diversion Books.  Now I know there are a few different books on angels, I have read some, others are on my infinite TBR list.  Though Outcast was handled in a way that felt completely unique which I think is key in writing a book in a 'hot' area.

                First I have to say I love the cover.  It's simple but beautiful.  A dark stary night sky with wings picked out of the stars all framed with trees and Spanish moss or willow switches, I can't be sure, and 2 people on a motorcycle.  It made me want to go look at the stars and the beauty they hold when you just take a moment to look.  Yep I saw cover love.  Now what can I say about the book? 

                It has a very self conscious, awkward, and kick butt female lead in Riley and a sexy, confident, bad boy with a lot of 50's charm with Gabe.  From the very start we see who they are, Riley always unsure but fed up and pushed too far.  She snaps and shoots the 'angel' taunting her right in the face.  Then when she goes to get rid of the body, this is a religious town in the south, and shooting an 'angel' probably wouldn't go over well.  Only to her surprised instead of the huge and creepy looking creature she shot she finds an unconscious, very sexy, and oh yeah very naked boy.  What to do now?  Tie him up in the shed to get answers of course. 

                Come on admit it, that is pretty funny and intriguing right?  I thought so.  Things take an even crazier turn when they realize he doesn't remember being an 'angel' or being shot in the face, hell he still thinks it's 1956.  Yep, now what?  They must work together to figure things out.  Even if Gabe is more focused on the second chance at life he has been given than looking for answers as to how he stumbled upon this.  Riley on the other hand is confused, part of her likes that Gabe is around and has a connection to him, but the other part of her misses her best friend and first kiss, Chris, who had been taken by angels the year before.  All of this while trying to deal with normal teenage stuff.

                I really enjoyed this book and I read through it pretty quickly.  I did find that it had some parts that did seem a bit drawn out at one point but it was easily overlooked and it fit the story so much better.  The status of the relationship that starts out as captive and captor turns into a friendship beyond anything you would think is possible.  Then again when you stay in a town that willingly accepts that angels come down once a year and take people, well all bets are off.  Watching them unravel the mystery and grow as people was well worth it.  I had a bittersweet moment towards the end and I just couldn’t decide if I liked it or not but once my emotions settled down I knew I did really like it.

                Outcast came out yesterday, June 11th.  So it's available to check it out!  I give it 4 solid handcuffs.  The book was left in a way that I could be a stand alone book but there was also more to draw on should it be a series and if that is the case I look forward to reading the next installment.  

A Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke

                My latest ARC from NetGalley and Strange Chemistry.  Here is a link to my review of the first book in the series The Assassin's Curse.  So yes this is a sequel, that means there are spoilers ahead from book 1.  You have been warned and should proceed at your own risk oh and if you haven't read book 1 check it out you scally wags!

 

That would be the manticore I assume!

                We left Ananna and Naji on the mysterious Island of the Skyes with no way off other than a promise from a good woman Marjani to return for them.  Recap, they went to this place to find a cure for the curse.  You see Ananna and Naji have to stay together, she sort of saved his life when he was trying to kill her (yep strange huh), and activated a curse put on him.  Now they have to find a way off of the island and a way to complete the 3 impossible tasks.  Naji feels the task is truly impossible, given one of the tasks, however, Ananna knows they aren't she already knows one is practically completed, 'experience true loves kiss'.  Some say cheesy, I say classic, especially with characters with such insecurities as these. 

                If you read my previous review you already know my thoughts on the main characters.  I like Ananna and Naji, the last book really set the stage but this book, in The Pirate's Wish we really get to see them grow and develop and gave you lots to devour.  We also get a more in depth look at Marjani who I really was sad we didn't get to know as well in the previous book.  We also get more action from pirates, and even new magical creatures like the manticore, a lion like creature with wings, a tale that shoots out poisonous spines, and a taste for human men.  I really enjoyed the balance, Naji and Ananna go back and forth many times, but with Marjani and Ananna it is always a strong bond of understanding and feminine strength that keeps them on the same page. 

             

Book 1 because it was also pretty!

   The world in this one is the same, we do get much more of life at sea and being a pirate, much to Naji's displeasure.  They are on a mission to break the curse and they make other discoveries along the way and fight battles on the sea and within themselves.  The book flew off the pages and I couldn't stop reading and then when it was over I was left both happy and sad.  Clarke does a wonderful job of building and expanding on what she already had created.  Sure I loved the plot, even when I was a bit leery of one small part, but it did lend a very interesting turn and interpretation which I am hoping will be used and expanded on more in the next book. 

                I am giving this book 5 Manticore Spines, because I liked it and the manticore.  The Pirate's Wish comes out tomorrow.  I suggest you check it out and get your dose of magic.