The Rebels of Gold (Loom Saga #3)

                Hello happy readers and Happy New Year!!!  I can’t believe  2017 is over.  December came and went so fast I am still trying to figure out everything I forgot to get to.  One thing I did do was finish a new release and series ender on my way to the signing event for said book so I call that a huge win.  I made a day trip down to the Tampa area to meet Elise Kova for her latest book, The Rebels of Gold (Loom Saga #3), the third and final book in the series.  I previously reviewed the first two books if you need a refresher: The Alchemists ofLoom and The Dragons of Nova.

Rating:  5 Stars

                A new rebellion is rising on Loom.  They no longer will stand for the dragons oppression and seek their freedom from tyranny.  While on Nova, many dragons are also fighting their own battle against the current political situation.  With both fighting the same enemy, teaming up is the best solution to get everyone what they want.  New leaders rise as the final battle is on.

                I have loved this series since the first audiobook.  I fell into this unique world filled to the brim with magic, interesting characters, and action.  Yveun Dono is straight up vicious and a tyrant who wants to rule and be loved.  He wants the little fenthri under his boot where he feels they belong, feeling he saved them from themselves.  He is not only ruthless to the fenthri but to the dragons that are out of favor as well.  He is not a good leader by any means and as we learned sometimes it’s the woman behind the man that is calling the shots and not just his rider leader Leona.  Arianna was last seen falling hard from Nova and her run in with him, worse yet an old customer of hers finds her and knows instantly what and who she is and he is always one to spot a deal to be made.  Meanwhile Cvareh is still on Nova unaware that his sister, and leader of their house was murdered.  And Florence may be young but she is fighting with everything in her to rebuild a better Loom.  I love how Florence has really come into her own and become stronger with each book.

                This story is full of so many different aspects.  The rebellion first and foremost yes but this is a multi-stage process.  Getting everyone working together and fighting for the same purpose is a battle in its own right and this goes for both Fenthri and Dragon.  Then there is the matter of the perfect chimera and what that would mean for Loom and Nova.  Many things will change in the world both good and bad.  Alliances are built and broken just as relationships between worlds and characters.  I loved how as everything moved forward at a fast pace it also left us room to develop the characters and really lead them into the ending.  This world is so full of information and wonder it is hard to leave.  The guilds, the houses of Nova, and the magic systems.  Serious work has went into this and it shows as everything comes across as so vivid.

                I really loved the different POVs and how they gave different perspectives and attitudes to things.  Ari is more methodical and rational where as Cvareh may lead with his heart a bit more than her. Flor sees everything with different eyes and has a different take on things with great hope.  I also really loved how in each book you got to see a piece from House Rok and each time it moves a bit and you think you know who the real evil is there but each time you learn there is always more to be learned.  That was really interesting to me how that continued to play out.  I was so excited as everything started to come to a head and I had so many different thoughts about how it might play out and hoping for a happy ending, or at least as happy an ending as one can get with all out war.  In the end the story really did leave me with this feeling of contentment.  Yes I want more, I’m greedy like that.  But I also totally get the ending and it seems like the fit that was meant for the story from the start.  It isn’t perfect but it’s perfect for the characters we have and the story that has been told.  I loved it and highly recommend this series!

                Until next time…

~Stacking the Shelves~

                Welcome to Stacking the Shelves was created by Tynga and the full details can be found on her page.  Basically you showcase the books you bought or received each week.  Little, or not so little, weekly book hauls. So this is for the last two weeks, I have been on hiatus with the holiday. 

E-Books:

City of Demons (Georgina Kincaid #2.5) by Richelle Mead

Audiobook:

Succubus on Top (Georgina Kincaid #2) Richelle Mead

Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid #3) Richelle Mead

Succubus Heat (Georgina Kincaid #4) Richelle Mead

Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid #5) Richelle Mead

Succubus Revealed (Georgina Kincaid #6) Richelle Mead

                That's if for the last two weeks and believe it or not I didn’t get a single book for Christmas (yet).  Still I got lots of goodies for my house which I am beyond thankful for.  Share a link below with what goodies you got this week.  Tomorrow I plan to announce my challenges and bookish goals for 2018 so check back by then!

~Waiting on Wednesday~ The Last Star (The 5th Wave #3)

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The Last Star (The 5^th Wave #3) by Rick Yancey

Out: 5/24

From Goodreads:

                We’re here, then we’re gone, and that was true before they came.  That’s always been true.  The Others didn’t invent death; they just perfected it.  Gave death a face to put back in our face, because they knew that was the only way to crush us.  It won’t end on any continent or ocean, no mountain or plain, jungle or desert.  It will end where it began, where it had been from the beginning, on the battlefield of the last beating human heart.

                Master storyteller Rick Yancey invokes triumph, loss, and unrelenting action as the fate of the planet is decided in the conclusion to this epic series.

Why I’m Waiting:

                I read the first book only hours before watching the movie when it opened, year I was late to the party.  As it stands now I haven’t read the sequel yet because, well I’m behind on some other titles I want to get to and while I’m excited to continue on I figure waiting until closer to the release date of the conclusion means I won’t be stuck waiting….So basically I’m waiting for this to come out so I can marathon The Infinite Sea and The Last Star and know how it all ends.

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out!

Deliverance~ The Conclusion to a Series

                Happy Monday!  I had a very interesting weekend, I finished a couple of books, watched some movies, and tried sleeping off a possible on-coming cold.  So far so good there.  So real quick there is still time in my open giveaway for a signed copy of The Rose Society by Marie Lu, here.  Don't forget you can get one entry each day for just tweeting about it!  Now you may remember I mentioned that I was near finishing a series I started back in 2015, Defiance or The Courier's Daughter trilogy by C.J. Redwine.  I previously reviewed Defiance and Deception if you want to catch up there.  I have also finished the last book, Deliverance and can't wait to share my thoughts with you.  If you haven't finished the first two books there will be spoilers for those two.  

Rating:  5 Stars

                When we left off in Deception things were bad.  Really horribly bad.  Logan was incarcerated with Willow with two parties wanting him and the device both willing to destroy the city to get their way and both stopping him from going after Rachel.  Rachel who was injured and taken by Ian who has a serious rage hate going for Logan wanting him to suffer and hurting Rachel is a good place to do that.  Rachel is fighting for her life trying to escape at any opportunity but as she learns a secret that could put everyone she has left at risk she must hatch a new plan.  Logan our master of plans and last stitch schemes must join forces with the one man he has sought to kill since childhood.  At least until he can take down the larger threat. The enemy of thy enemy is thy friend they say.

                So I was a bit of a wreck through a majority of this book.  I did not in the least like Rachel in Ian's custody but even less as she was injured and not able to fully defend herself against his cruelty.  Thankfully we have Samuel there who is not the most likeable guy but at least he has a strict set of we'll call them morals and is determined to make sure Rachel makes it to the destination without Ian killing her.  I did almost grow to like him and I enjoyed getting to know a somewhat sane person from Rowansmark.  This book was rather dark, with lots of violence and pain happening.  Now the other two books aren't rainbows and sunshine by any stretch but this one seemed more vicious to me, maybe it was that it was the end and our MC's were in the thick of it and really struggling with everything but yeah it was serious.

                One aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was getting to see more of the world.  In Deception we moved in not only more of the Wasteland but also into Lankenshire which was progression.  In the conclusion not only do we get those but we also get to travel to Hodenswald, Chelmingford, and the evil power of Rowansmark.  I loved the travel and getting to meet different heads and seeing how everyone interacted not only with the Commander but with Logan and their band of unlikely allies.  I also just adored that Connor came along and kept on the journey with them.  He was one of my favorite new characters because well, he was kind of a book nerd and he spoke so well and with such purpose and poise that I just kind of swooned for him a bit.  He was a bit of a weakling in the more physical aspects but he could lay a verbal beat down like no ones business.  Such random awkward spills that come out of his mouth just loved him and he was the perfect Lankenshire ambassador. 

                Rachel in the last book was in a very dark place.  She was making decisions and going down a path of revenge and letting nothing or no one stand in her way.  Others were hurt in her blind and sometimes suicidal quest and she didn't care, any cost would balance out if the Commander died.  Quinn, oh wonderful Quinn, took it upon himself to try and make her see things clearly.  That the pain inside bottled up was not helping her and she had to choose to feel to let it in to be able to move on.  That struck true and as much as her stubborn self didn't like it, given what Quinn scarified for her she knew he was right and she turned a corner.  Seeing her whole journey through the books was amazing.  She grew so much and there is a specific moment in the book that basically sums it all up and when you get to it you will know it.  Seeing her in even more dyer circumstances than before but more determined to make it and move through it was beautifully written. 

                Logan is also forced to come to terms with his own issues.  He feels he is a failure and that most things can be traced back to him in some form or fashion and how can everyone not look at him and see that.  He also has to work with the man he's wanted to kill since he was but a child, brutally orphaned.  I really enjoyed watching him continue to work his wonderful mind and try to see every possible outcome and grow more confident in his choices for his family.  When he makes a stupid and crazy decision that goes against the odds and rational thought, soft for women, it was so very Logan.  Also his scenes with Willow, just loved them.  She warmed up several degrees since we first met her.  She is still everything we loved about her but she also has some softness.  As Rachel is with enemies Logan is with, well technically enemies and friends, but he has that group that support system.  We got to see more of Jodi, Adam, Nola, Smithson, Frankie, Drake and so on. 

                Everything was so beautifully written from the characters and the world to the pain both emotional and physical it just came off the page.  I cringed so many times throughout because while I knew it was just a book I still was so invested in the outcome it felt real.    I just loved it!

                I highly enjoyed Deliverance as a book and as a conclusion to the series.  I feel it wrapped up the storylines in a strong finish and also left the world there rip for another story maybe sometime in the future.  Also I should point out after finishing this book I found out there was a Quinn/Willow novella from when they were still with the tree people called Outcast available on kindle which I can't wait to read.  In case you didn't know about it I figured I'd help you out!  Anywho that is all for me today, I would love to hear your thoughts on this series in the comments below. 

                Until next time…

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo ~The conclusion of a trilogy~

                Happy Monday!  So jumping right in today with another book review.  This one will wrap up a the Grisha Trilogy.  That's right, Ruinand Rising by Leigh Bardugo.  I've been reviewing this series for the last month and the links for the first two books are found at Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm.  As this is the wrap up of the series there will be some spoilers if you haven't read the first two books.  Be warned.

Rating: 5 Stars

                I really liked this entire series. I have seen where some people lost the plot at points or had other issues throughout but for me it was a quick and enjoyable read.  I also had the benefit of reading all three back to back and didn't have to take the time to dive back into the world between books, which from experience can make some books lose a bit of love.  We left things in a bit of a precarious spot.  Alina almost died and her people are beaten down and also they are living with the creepy Apparat and the zealots who worship her as their Saint.  Still even as their Saint she has no power.  She still needs to find the last amplifier, the elusive firebird to have a hope of finally defeating the Darkling once and for all.  Oh and she still hopes everyones favorite outlaw Prince Nikolai survived the attack and got away.  She has to make new alliances and put aside her issues with some to find the amplifier.  Still as she gets closer to the bird she comes closer to understanding why she and the Darkling are connects and as she gets closer to claiming the last amplifier she understands she could save the world for everyone but lose her own future.

                Okay I will say right off the back, I did have part of it pegged from the start.  I'd had suspicions from the first book.  Things did play out differently in the way it happens but overall I was on point.  Still I enjoyed the journey.  I enjoyed the battles that took a lot out of everyone and pushed our group to their limits.  I liked getting to know more about the past and how the amplifiers came to be.  We also finally got some of the answers to things we had been waiting for since book one.  Everything came full circle. 

                Ruin and Rising kept everything going, from the action and adventure on their quest while also fighting a war to the internal conflict and drama of our main characters.  Even the romance was in there, and for me I liked the way it was there but not the most important aspect when the world is on the line.  Mal and Alina had a job to do.  We also got to have some much needed cute moments, as the book is rather dark.  Genya was one of those.  I was upset with her through most of the previous book.  I wasn't sure even reading this if I trusted her 100% given her betrayal but I loved that Alina made herself clear that she was not to be mocked still standing up for her.  Then when she had to face the king, and she stood up to him and told him that she used her body against him just as he did.  I just loved that and it cleared up any lingering doubt I had about her.  And David!  OMG I just adore that man, he is so cute.  Nik also really shows his stuff there and shows he will be a good and true leader one day.

                For me Ruin and Rising really took everything from the first two books and just rounded it all out into a great adventure.  I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how broken I would feel at the end but still I couldn’t look away.  I wanted to know more.  I had to know.  Bardugo has a way of weaving everything together and making no character truly white or black but all shades of grey.  Everyone has evil inside of them, it's life.  But what you do and how you choose to live your life is another beast all together.  That really came through.  And the world of the Grisha was simply so flushed out, even the dark and evil bits that are creepy as hell, you don't want to leave it.  Though thankfully Six of Crows is out tomorrow and it apparently takes place in the same world so I'm excited to have more of the world to live in. 

                 That's all I have for this one.  I recommend anyone who enjoys a good journey/quest story, or just a high fantasy read.  Also any who started the series but might have doubted it to give it a try and see how it all wraps up.  How can you not know?  Share with me below in the comments your thoughts and feels?  Did you see the ending coming?  Were you satisfied?  What was your favorite part?    Let's discuss like the book nerds we are! 

                Until next time…

Such pretty covers!  And the all match!

End of Days: A Fitting and Fulfilling End

                I did a giveaway for the release of End ofDays by Susan Ee a few weeks back if you remember as I talked about the premise of the book and how excited I was for the conclusion of this trilogy.  My previous book talk can be found here.  I have now read it and I am dying to share my thoughts with you all.  I’m going to do a brief talk about the book without any spoilers for End of Days, but as it’s the final book in the series it will have spoilers for the first two books for obvious reasons.  Then I’ll move to a spoilery section.  But don’t worry I will warn you before I get there so if you haven’t read it yet you can skip to the comments.  If you haven’t read any books in the series yet, GO DO THAT ASAP they are amazing.  If you read further the first two books will be spoiled for you so if you don’t want that skip on down to the comments and share why you haven’t started them yet.

                For the first non-spoilery side of things End of Days picks up where we left off in World After with Penryn and Raffe sailing through the air away from their latest fight w/ her sister and a few of those locust things with them.  No time loss at all we are right back to it.  They are on the run and are desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes that were put on both Raffe and Paige.  New things come to light about Raffe’s past, things that could threaten them all.  Add that to the angels releasing their apocalyptic nightmare on the humans and both sides are headed to a full out war.  Sides are chosen.  Strategies formed.  The fate of Earth hangs in the balance and a choice made.  When the time comes Raffe and Penryn are forced to choose between their own kind, or each other. 

Pooky Bear!

                There is so much going on and tensions are rising both on a personal level and between the ragging war there is never a dull moment.  I know all through the first two books I could feel the tension between Raffe and Penryn.  I wanted something to happen but at the same time it’s clear he is an Archangel and she is a Daughter of Man, that would cause him to fall just like his Watchers did.  So huge conflict there.  Plus the whole human vs. angel war going on, it was star crossed in that way.  It was all from Penryn's POV so we knew her conflicted emotions on the whole mess and I liked being in her head and seeing how equally rational and emotional she was.  She tried to keep things in check and focus on the big picture but the heart is a different beast and doesn't always listen to the head. 

                From the previous two books we know there is a war coming and both humans and angels have some things up their sleeves.  The human resistance is fighting tooth and nail to stay alive and find some way to rid the world of angels, while the angels are superior beings and are from Uriel we know he has been creating monsters to bring about his own apocalypse.  We have been along with Penryn the whole time and Raffe has been with her through the vast majority of their story and even as they are on opposite sides in End of Days we see from Penryn more understanding of the angel perspective which really balances it out.

                That's about all I can say without giving away any spoilers to End of Days.  So if you haven't finished the series yet then you should leave now and skip to the bottom to the comments to tell me what you think of the series thus far and what your hope for a satisfying conclusion of the trilogy is?

*****SPOILERS BELOW*****

How I imagine his Angel wings just a
tad bit shorter ;)

                You've been warned.  Okay so can we just take a moment to appreciate the way everything came together.  I was worried towards the end at first thinking how much was still left unresolved and how much I had left in the book.  I was concerned things would be rushed or skipped over.  That was thankfully not the case in my opinion.  It didn't drag at all but just kept moving hit after hit.  I know Penryn was ready for a long nap at the end of this. 

                The way everything was resolved…I was satisfied.  I enjoyed the way things turned out.  I felt that everything was well thought out and explained just enough to give us closure but also didn't bog us down with specific details so we as the readers could see use our own imaginations.  I admitted I hadn't figured out how the story would work out/resolve at the beginning but I had it pieced together about 50%-75% through.  I could see the pieces falling into place. 

                Still though some parts I didn't see coming.  I really enjoyed the overall turn of things. I figured we would learn more about Raffe's Watchers, since their past with Daughters of Man would play a part in the forbidden romance between himself and Penryn but I wasn't expecting what happened.  I liked getting to meet them and have more of a back story for Raffe and his Watchers.  The way they interacted around one another, the camaraderie between them.  It was great to see that side of Raffe to, since he has been on his own among the angels since we meet him.

Beautiful Matching Covers!

                We get to know many of the characters better in this final installment.  I even almost felt bad for Beliel.  Almost and I never thought that could be possible.  Paige grows more and she grows into who she is now and is able to help instead of being the helpless one in need of saving, which I really liked seeing.  We also get more from their mother who has been a bit of a mystery since the first book, unsure if she's certifiable or the smartest of them all.  I still think the answer is 50/50 depending on the moment.  Dee and Dum, oh I love them.  They remind me a bit of the Weasley twins able to find the comedy and the revenue in any situation.  Given the seriousness of the plot there was a surprising amount of comedic relief that is sprinkled subtly throughout to help lighten the mood.

                I also LOVED the final battle scene.  It was on point and I could envision it in my head.  The teaming up and fighting together.  Filling in the blind spots for one another.  That the humans stood up and came together for a final battle gave me hope for humanity in the book, which is the whole point worth fighting for.  After seeing the Pit and what could become…yep it was worth risking everything to prevent that. 

                My one negative which isn't even a negative but just my curious mind wishing I had a solid answer to one question I had been mulling over since book one.  The Watchers fell because they married Daughters of Man and had babies.  Well what if they just lived among them and loved them but didn't marry and they never had kids?  Would that had been okay?  It says they are leery of crossing the line and sleeping with humans, hence Uriel tempting them, but as things went on it became unclear if it was doing the deed or mixing the bloodlines that was forbidden.  I was just curious because that had been my loophole theory while waiting for End of Days.  Live in sin and don't make babies lol.  I also had been tossing around the idea that Penryn had some type of special thing about her, like angel blood in her or something which would explain why her mom was a bit crazy on point sometimes but also maybe a loophole.  Hey I reaching for anything really. 

*****END OF SPOILERS*****

                End of Days was a spectacular ending to the Penryn and the End of Days series.  Susan Ee managed to give us everything so beautifully and bring us a different take on things.  I enjoyed each book but I admit that End of Days was my favorite.  It left me satisfied and happy in a way only a well written ending can.  I doubt there is any question on my rating but just in case I give it 5 Angel Swords!

Rating:  5 Angel Swords

End of Days is Almost Here! Giveaway!

                Hello everyone!  So today I have some exciting news and a giveaway, more on that at the bottom.  So a few months ago I reviewed the first two books in the Penryn & the End of Days trilogy, Angelfall and World After by Susan Ee.  I adored these books.  My review can be found here.  If you're unfamiliar the series follows Penryn as she makes her way through the new world order where angels roam the Earth and are not the friendly and benevolent creatures some think of.  They are more like nightmares than dreams but she finds she must work with one, Rafee, to find her sister.  How Penryn and Raefe work together as the books progress make an interesting story that leaves you wanting more.

                If you haven't checked them out I highly suggest you give them a try they are beautiful and dark all at the same time.  I completely enjoyed them and have been eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the story.  Well it's almost here.  End of Days the final book in the trilogy is set to come out next Tuesday, May 12th.  That’s right only 7 days!  One week and I can read it!  Here's the description of what we can expect, which contains some spoilers if you are not caught up. 

End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee's bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy.

After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run.  They're both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn's sister.  As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe's past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war.  As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious?  Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose:  Their own kind, or each other?

                From someone who is caught up this sounds amazing.  I have so many questions and things I'm hoping to see in this book.  I have some theories and have been tossing about speculations of my own that I can't wait to see if they pan out or not.  I honestly have differing ideas and haven't pinpointed what I think will happen yet which is a great surprise for me.  I feel it could go one of several routes.  You can go ahead and pre-order your copy using the widget on the side>>

                Now onto the good stuff.  I mentioned a giveaway.  Here it is.  End of Days comes out on the 12^th and I’m leaving this giveaway open until end of the day Friday May 15^th and I’ll post the winner Monday May 18^th.  You will get a paperback copy of said End of Days and some swanky Angelfall and World After temporary tattoos that Susan's people were kind enough to send me for such a giveaway.  Use the do-dad thing below to enter.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
                Thanks for stopping by and entering.  That's all I have to share with you today.  Check back for more of these fun times.  As usual share your thoughts and feels below.  Do you like the giveaways?  More interviews?  Tell me what you like best.  What do you think about angels?  Have you caught up with the books thus far, if so what is one thing you hope/think will happen? Until next time, peace out!

Ignite Me and my imagination a Shatter Me conclusion

                Okay so this is the end of the Shatter Me series and my reviews on it.  I'll discuss the last novella Fracture Me and the final book Ignite Me.   You know the drill there will be spoilers for the previous books in the series so read at your own risk of being spoiled. 

                Fracture Me is the second novella in the series that takes place during the end and just after book two Unravel Me.  We get to see things from Adam's perspective.  We see the battle and the aftermath.  Adam isn't in the best place emotionally.  He's reeling from his breakup and trying to make do with everything else happening. When he nearly loses the person who means more to him than even Juliette he is a mess.  He has to find a way to keep moving on.

                Now we move onto Ignite Me, a heart-stopping finale.  Omega Point is gone.  Juliette doesn't know if any of her friends are left alive.  She was nearly a goner herself.  But now she has to trust Warner, the one who saved her, and who she never thought she could really trust.  But he promises to help her master her power and save their world, even if he wants more than that. 

               

Basically everything I loved in the previous books is still things to enjoy in this one.  It keeps building the characters and developing their stories.  Secrets come out and powers are focused.  There is action and political power games/struggle.  It's a full package.

                 My love for Kenji only grew as you see just how important he is to her and their friendship is tested a time or two.  The emotional drama meter is through the roof, there is some serious tension happening in the book.  Mainly between Juliette, Warner, and Adam.  I've talked about the triangle of sorts in the series and this was the final part.  It was never a real triangle.  She and Adam broke up, not because of Warner but because of other issues in the previous book, and she didn't run right to Warner to get with him.  She took time to herself not knowing what her heart was saying.  I love this.  Take some me time to get your head clear and don't rebound.  This, for me at least, makes both relationships seem complete.  We also as a result get to know a lot more about Warner and our suspicions are confirmed on a few things as well, or at least mine were.  I'll talk a little more about that in a bit once I move to spoilers.

                The conclusion of the series met my expectations.  I was expecting some bad ass action scenes using a combination of powers and good old fashioned human means.  You get some good military plotting and strategy and such and the powerful feeling of going against a corrupt government.  The David verses Goliath feeling.  I was not disappointed.  I was on the edge of my seat at some points, those intense scenes that as you get into them everyone and their mother wants to suddenly distract you and you strangle them in your mind so you can finish.  Yep that happened.  Now I just need to talk about things that will involve some spoilers because this was the end and I need to talk about it.  If you haven't finished the series skip ahead to the bottom and share your thoughts on the series thus far.  What do you think of the Juliette/Warner/Adam situation or whatever else is on your mind in the comments below. 

*****SPOILERS*****

All the covers are so PRETTY!

                For those of you who have finished this series, or those who don't care if some of the major things are spoiled for you (weirdos) let's discuss shall we.  I said I would have to bring up the relationship drama again so here goes.  I've made it clear I was anti-Warner in the first book, I was so upset at the prospect of him being a love interest to her.  However, I did soften overtime and not just to his character as a whole once he was developed more and away from his normally perfect routine/act he plays but also as Juliette grew and changed.  I could see that she was growing and Adam was still in love with the helpless and broken Juliette.  I still loved him but he wasn't right for her as she came more into herself.  Then Adam lashed out proving he wasn’t the guy I fell for in the first book any longer.  He was the perfect guy in book one.  He was just what book one Juliette, nearly broken and terrified of her own shadow, needed.  Not so much for the Juliette she became.  He helped her and she will always love him but they grew apart.  Just like I don’t think her and Warner ever would have worked if she hadn’t loved Adam first.    

               

                Adam got the short end here, I felt more for him before he went and made her touch Kenji.  His actions are that of a hurt person and I get that, minus trying to hurt Kenji, no one can do that.  Even in the heat of battle he was busting jokes about Bruce Lee.  He helped her become confident in her own beauty and showed her that she can be loved.  Warner grew as a person and he knew he screwed up but he admitted it and apologized for the unnecessary pain and explained the other areas that he didn't apologize for.  I liked that.  He didn't change completely.  He warned her not to try and change him, and their relationship helped them both grow and change yes but in a way that is substantial and done for oneself not for another.  In my opinion that is why it works.  In the end it worked out and I have to wait to admit defeat when my book buddy finally finishes the books (she hasn’t started Unravel Me yet) and her warm spot for Warner and our back and forth before I moved ahead of her.  I’m going to happily eat my words and admit she was right.  You were right Bo.  I did warm to him. 

                The ending.  There was also the battle at the end and the take down of Warner and Adams evil daddy.  Yep that sicko had to go.  I really enjoyed how they pulled everyone to come together.  It was an amazing standoff at the end.  And the way it ends…it left it open for more in the series, in this world if Tahereh Mafi decided to do more.  It was satisfying but also left you able and wanting a bit more. 

Rating: 5 Stars

                That is it.  An entire series knocked out.  I'm still catching up on some amazing books but that just means more reviews for you all.  I'm working on some giveaways and such to make everything more interactive.  So please share your thoughts in the comments below.  Tell me what you thought of the series.  What couple did you ship?  Did you swap sides like me?  What book/series do you think I should start next?  Thanks for reading.  

Isla and the Happily Ever After...a satisifying conclusion

                So continuing on with the last book in Anna and the French Kiss companion series (previous reviews Anna & Lola), we have Isla and the Happily Ever After.  Now this book affected me differently than the other two did.  It has a different flow to it, which I adored, but is the type that hits at my feels with more power to the punch. 

                Some of you may remember Isla from the first book.  Yep we go back to the School of America in Paris.  Isla was a shy and quite girl we got a brief glimpse at in the first one.  She wasn't part of the main group but everyone knew of them.  She even had a huge crush on Etienne's best friend Josh.  One that Anna noticed.  Well Josh is single now and on his own in his last year, still the introspective cartoonist who doesn't take school seriously.  After a chance meeting in Manhattan over the summer romance between these two is on the brink.  But being in their senior year they are forced to deal with the challenges of every young couple from family drama, college and the possibility of being apart. 

                I mentioned this one had a different flow, unlike the others where we spend the whole book building up to that happy moment where things come together and we get some sweetness, this one starts out with the cuteness and then as things progress and life happens we see them struggle with their relationship and if they can last.  To me this hit me so much more.  To have the happiness and then see it start to crack.  For me I'm just more invested, seeing the happiness they bring to one another and don't want it to mess up vs the hope for something to come, if that makes any sense.  Plus come on she had a crush on him in the first book and she's adorkable plus I adored Josh in the first one so yeah. 

                Isla for me might be the most relatable.  She doesn't have a ton of friends, accept her one friend whom she protects against all others and if others don't accept their friendship then; screw them.  I love her loyalty.  New people in your life must accept this.  No friend worth having in life suddenly drops their longtime friends to have new ones, in my opinion.  She also has no idea what she wants to do with her life.  She doesn't have this life plan or really any dream job she wants to strive for.  She doesn’t have it figured out yet.  And Josh, well I knew him already from the previous book but to see him from Isla’s POV was fresh and new.  He was still artistic and spirited.  He wants to live and experience life.  Plus we get to see better who he is because Isla really wants to know him and he opens up. 

 

                They are adorable.  I don’t think I can say it enough.  They are similar in some ways but also polar opposites in others.  It made their connection very unique for the series.  Now there were some things happening that just about broke your heart.  I mentioned earlier I got upset.  I was reading the book with a friend, we started reading it at the start of the day and finished.  She finished first because I got so upset I put it down.  We discussed and I vented about my feelings on the book, but I did continue.  Honestly, I always knew I’d finish it that night but I was near tears and I was at work and refused to cry at work with a book stating a happily ever after in the title.  I’d never live it down. 

Yes they both make mistakes and things happen, or there wouldn’t be a story of course.  But the real truth is they both have to grow in order for things to move forward.  Both individually and together.  They are both dealing with their own issues, like every teenager struggling to figure out their place in the world in their senior year of high school.  Watching them take charge of their life and make changes to allow themselves the chance to grow was inspiring.

                Now the ending.  Not only of Isla and the Happily Ever After but to the companion series as a whole.  Oh did I swoon.  The pessimistic part of me saw some flaws in how things could have turned out badly at some assumptions made, but that part was easily shut up and my gushy romantic part just about fell off her chair.  It was beyond sweet and summed up the books perfectly but the overall way everything lined up, with all the characters in the series was just beautiful.  Now I don’t want to spoil it for you if you haven’t read it yet but the one part, the last I think 20 pages or so I was fighting back more tears at work as my heart raced. 

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on Isla and the Happily Ever After and the series as a whole, complete LOVE.  I highly recommend the series.  My only small complaint, which could easily be turned into another book is all I’m saying, is that Meredith, from Anna and the French Kiss, never got a happy ending and I always wanted her to find someone.  So I vote for another book focusing on giving Mer a happy ending.    I can’t wait to re-read this series.

Rating:  5 Full Page Illustrations  

Pretty good assessment!

The Ruby Circle the last Bloodlines book

                Back to some book reviews. On February 10^th The Ruby Circle came out.  For those of you who are unfamiliar that is the sixth and last book in the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead.  This is, at this time anyways who knows what the future may hold, the last book in the overall Vampire Academy world.  It was bittersweet.  Like most series ends are, especially those you have been reading for several years.  I counted down the days for this release since finishing book five, Silver Shadows both anxious and happy given how the previous book ended.  I picked this book up, on my third store, the morning it came out, so I could have it with me for my shift at work, all 12 hours for which I could love this book.  I found it and I finished it before I went home that night. Here are my thoughts on The Ruby Circle as a book but also my thoughts on the Bloodlines and by extension Vampire Academy series as a whole.  So it goes without saying that if you are not caught up with both series then you should leave now, but come back when you have caught up, so we can discuss.

                Last chance if you don’t want to be spoiled for the other books. 

                Fellow Bloodlines lovers, you remember we left off in Silver Shadows at both a happy and sad place.  We had some amazing Sydrian moments but then that last line….yeah it brought it all down a notch.  I might be horrible but that was not nearly as bad of a cliff hanger as the previous one, I was royally pissed with how book four ended leaving me hanging.  Don’t get me wrong I was worried about Jill and what that meant for Lissa and such but I was still overjoyed by Sydrian and their nuptials and them finding at least temporary sanctuary in court that I was high on love.  After everything they did to find one another again nothing could bring me down.  And besides Sydney had just showed how bad ass she was, okay we already knew but that helipad stuff was hard core.  I had confidence that everything would be okay.

                Then we pick up in The Ruby Circle and have Sydrian hiding out in court.  They are not on a blissful honeymoon and in tight quarters with Adrian’s mom.  Not being able to go out and help search for Jill because your old people want to find you and lock you up in a torture ward is taking its toll.  Oh and the Mori who are technically hiding you, a majority of them don’t like you because of the taboo nature of it all, it’s rough.  Plus they are dealing with issues together, things they have been working on through the series but didn’t discuss in full depth before with the tight time constraints.  Still they have to work through their issues and risk everything to find their friend.  While Adrian is also pulled into a mystery all his own and that could change everything in more ways than one.

 

Sydrian from the book trailers!

                 There were the things we expect in the books, like Adrian’s witty commentary.  I LOVE him.  Now I always wanted Rose with Dimitri because they were just the right fit but I still loved Adrian and wanted him to be happy and Sydney is perfect for him.  They complement and challenge each other.  Favorite line every might just be “Am I still married to a cat?”  Classic Adrian.  Only he could say some of the things and get away with them.  Sydney is her usual smart and determined self.  She feels responsible for people and she wants to do everything she can to help even if it puts her in harms way.  But what is refreshing about her brand of heroism is that she is also super smart and usually thinks things through a bit whereas someone like Rose would have rushed in ready to kick butt first ask questions later.  We also got more Eddie, Trey, Ms. Terwilliger, Wolfe, Neal, Sonya, Rose, Dimitir, and everyone we love and some we love to hate.  We got a book with our main Bloodlines crew but also we added in the originals which warmed my heart so much.  And to see Sydney, Adrian, Rose, and Dimitri working together.  AWE.  Power couples unite!  Yes I’m a nerd.

                I was shocked.  Normally I have things pretty figured out.  I might be shocked at where things are left for a particular book but I usually have a good feeling about some things.  Not going to lie, I didn’t see some things coming until a few pages before.  Then it was like, oh wow.  Nicely done.  I was also expecting a longer draw out to part of the story but it played out differently than I thought in a wonderful way.

                My heart was filled with happiness and dread as I read through this book.  I knew going in that it was the last book in the Bloodlines series but also as of now, though she said no one can predict the future, the end of the Vampire Academy world.  Meaning no immediate follow up sequel series, but I’ll always be hoping for more.  Plus I was looking to see how everything would wrap up.  I admit there were a couple things that didn’t get resolved for me, that I was hoping might have some type of hint as to the result, but hey again leaves room for a short or more.  Just saying.

More Sydrian because they are the best!

*****Spoilers for the ending of the series ahead*****

                Overall if it isn’t clear I love this series.  Both of them.  I think The Ruby Circle did a good job at keeping the story and the action we’re used to seeing going while at the same time wrapping up some loose ends and rounding out the series.  The way Sydney wheeled and deals with the Alchemists making it all about logic was perfect, something the Alchemists could understand.  My original idea was for them to blackmail the Alchemists with exposing them, the Mori, and Strogoi something they fight to keep under wraps.  Kind of like a dead mans switch, if you hurt us we take you and everything you work for down too.  That would also hurt the Mori which is the downside of my plan so I like Sydney’s plan better.  Her way was so much cleaner and to the point.  The magic was taken up a notch as well with some new spells to intrigue us.  If only we all could do magic, I know some of those spells would make life so much more interesting. 

                Adrian.  I just love the way he has grown through both series.  He has stayed the same in many aspects, the real part of him, but he has grown as we all do through our experiences.  He comes a long way all the way up to the little one year later bit.  Total awe moment.  The way he battles with his spirit use.  He wants so much to help.  It comes from a good place and Sydney is worried about him and losing him to madness.  She is so used to having answers and solutions for things, sprit is something she has only one solution for.  But it’s up to Adrian and he has to make a choice and make it for himself not to please anyone else.  I liked the symmetry from the first books where he gave up things to impress rose but then later found he wanted to give them up and be better because of Sydney not to impress her but because she made him want to be better for himself. 

Now can we discuss the ending? 

A little normal family.  A cover up.  Sydney living a normal, rather semi-normal, life.  Domestic selves with jobs and Sydney finally getting to fulfill her dream of going to college.  Things didn’t turn out exactly how they planned but nothing ever does.  I understand needing to keep the bebe hidden, I do but I still wonder about what this could mean for others. This could mean something huge for Rose and Dimitri in the future.  Also with Sonya not brought into the fold with this, what happens if she and her hubby have an accident?  Just a small fault I think was overlooked in who was told what.  I understand Olives need to protect her secret, even if it cost her everything.  Neil just walked away for with the best intentions; that could cause trouble later.  I still have my questions as to why he couldn’t stick around as a “friend”.  

"This is the only escape plan we need."

"Centrum Permanebit.  The Center will hold.  Our center will hold."

"Am I still married to a cat?"

 But back to happier things Eddie and Jill finally had their moment.  Only took six books but they finally admitted their feelings.   Nothing like near death loss to put things into perspective.  Poor Eddie he gets put through the ringer in this series for sure; he deserved a happy ending.  Though this does bring up one question, I may have been so excited about everything I overlooked it, but I don’t remember them clearing up the legal issues and what put Jill in danger in the first place.  She went back to court so you assume all got cleared up but I would have liked to know more.  Also Zoe really surprised me.  I hopped she would come around but given her attitude and how eager she seemed to please her dad I was leery. 

I am sad to see the series come to an end.  I’ve been reading these books for years.  They have made me laugh, cry, swoon, scream, and every other emotion on the spectrum.  Sadly the movie, which I adored, didn’t do so well and we never got Frostbite to be made into a movie, which sadly means we probably won’t see the Bloodlines books into a movie either.  Though if they do I would totally vote for them to use the people from the book trailers for Sydrian they are so cute and who I picture.  In the end, this series will always hold a dear spot in my heart and I look forward to re-reading them from the start again in the future and letting the world and the characters pull me under their spell once more.  I have given every book in both The Vampire Academy and Bloodlines 5 Stars, The Ruby Circle is no exception.  I’d also like to make a special rating for the series as a whole, 10 Stars, since both series have 5 Stars each ;)

 How did you feel about the end of the book and the series?  Are you happy with how it turned out?  Sad to see it go?  Share your thoughts below I need to talk to someone about all the feels I have over the ending. 

               

                

A Legendary Series

                So I know I said Monday...but yesterday I left my apartment for one thing then kinda didn't come home until bed time.  But better late than never.  Let’s discuss this little series that starts with Legend by Marie Lu, who is ubber sweet by way.  I’ve read the entire series at the end of last year and WOW.  The last book, the whole series if I’m honest, made my top books of 2014 and today I am finally getting my thoughts about the first book, Legend, and the series as a whole down.  I’ll keep the first part spoiler free for those who are as behind as I was.

                The story is a futuristic dystopian that takes place in what used to be the United States, now it’s divided into the Republic and the Colonies.  Both are perpetually at war.  The story is told from two sets of view, one from one of the Republics wealthiest districts, June, who is a prodigy and is expected to rise to success in the highest military ranks.  And then we have Day, the country’s most wanted criminal who was born in the slums.  They are from very different worlds but their worlds collide when June’s brother is murdered and Day is the prime suspect.  Day races to stay alive and save his family while June is looking for revenge.  But as things progress the two uncover secrets and the truth about what sinister lengths the country will go to keep its secrets.

                June and Day.  Okay I admit one thing that in the first part of the first book was that they were so young, 15 I believe.  That seemed a bit young for me with everything they were going through but once I ignored the age thing I pictured them a bit older and all was right in my internal picture.  Though I think that may just be a me thing.  Also, something I thought was pretty cool, in the physical copy of the books (I don’t know if it would do this on e-readers) is that as it changes from Day to June it changed ink color.  I found it pretty interesting that the ink color also matched the books covers (Legend= Gold, Prodigy= Blue, and Champion= Red).  Noting to do with the story really but the attention and unique detail made me smile.

                The first book is packed with so…much.  We fall into this world and we have two characters we see the world from, two completely different people.  The way the world of the Republic is for someone on the poor side and someone raised with the best of everything.  We see the motivations behind each of their actions as we go along their journey.  It’s hard to pick a side when you want to agree with both of them.  Each one is biased over their past experiences both good and bad.  I loved the dynamic there.  Getting to know both June and Day, seeing what made them tick and watching as they developed over the course of the series was great.  The entire world is like one big nightmare but still I couldn’t help trying to figure out if the system would work for me or against me.

                Action galore.  Day the criminal is always working on a plan, always coming up with something to provide him and his friend and family with food and supplies but also ways that fight against the Republic and make him the people’s hero.  June on the other hand is a finely tuned machine ready for action, just itching to use her schooling and show she the best.  Be it brawls, chases , flash backs, break-ins, break-outs, whatever these two characters like to be moving and doing. 

With the action comes plenty of meat on the bones of the story.  There is a lot of political motivation, revolution and rebellion in the story that spurs it along.  And still there is a balance with learning about them and watching as the characters get to know one another both before either knows the other and after.

That’s all I can really say without being a bit spoilery so if you haven’t read the whole series then you should skip right to the comments to share your thoughts and come back to finish reading once you’re all caught up! 

*****Slight spoilers ahead if you haven’t read the first 2 books yet*****

                LOVE!  I had to share.  I LOVED this series.  Everything from the characters, June and Day, down to the lesser supporting characters, the ones we keep and the ones we lose, the different structure, the world itself and what devastation it has fallen into.  It’s hard to pick a favorite part but some of my favorite parts include the way the world was portrayed.  Neither system, the Colonies, the Republic, Antarctica, each system seems to have its own flaws, there is no system that is 100% great to everyone.  To be able to write a balanced world and not skew it one way or the other for the reader is a real treat; to be shown so much and allowed to make up my own mind with the characters.

 

                Another favorite is the development in both Day and June.  They go from complete opposites, enemies really, with such skewed views of one another to be much closer.  They both have lost so much, and in the war, in a place where everything isn’t sunshine and rainbows that is important to the development.  Now yes, I do feel Day suffered more losses than one should have to in their life.  But it changes them into who they are through each book, they continue to grow and change.

               

                Amazing.  And one last thing.  The ending!  I won’t spoil it but the last little bit I was beyond myself thinking it just could not end that way, then we get that fast forward and it was a balm to my heart.

*****End Spoilers*****

She is super sweet and stylish!

                So if it isn’t clear I rate all three books, Legend, Prodigy, and Champion 5 Stars.  I hope you all will take the time to check them out and give them a chance.  I look forward to reading Marie Lu’s other book series that has started, The Young Elites.  Please share your thoughts down below on the Legend series, if you’ve read it, want to read it, whatever I love talking books and want to start a discussion!