ARC Review: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Title: Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes #1)
Author: Sara Raasch
Genre: High Fantasy, Romance, Magic
Source: Edelweiss 
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: October 24th, 2014

Summary:

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making. 

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. 

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

~~~

 I was overwhelmed at first, a lot of information was given to you You have eight kingdoms, eight capital cities, and eight rulers! It was like a tumbling washing machine, I couldn't get a grip of it all. Eventually I did though. But all you really needed to focus on was Spring, Winter, Cordell and a bit of Autumn. After you reach a certain point though it was easy to keep track of who was who. 

I loved the characters in the book. Meira was my favorite though, she was strong, stubborn, kick ass and knew what she wanted. She grew a lot from the beginning of the book, and she has two other books to grow into. Especially after what she learned about herself, I can't wait to see that come into play a bit more. She had me cheering for her though! 

Magic is where I got lost the most, I didn't catch the full gist of it but it was still pretty interesting. There were a few questions I still had at the end of the book involving magic and conduits. But it was a cool concept and I liked that how the conduits were created was touched upon. I am real excited though to learn more about magic in the next books. 

I have mixed feelings about the romance part. Not that it was bad, I loved it! I rooted for one side through most of the book and then half way through the book Theron appears, and then I am like a child then with a shiny new toy because Theron is hot, and sweet and understand Meira. I do hope to see at least one Meira and Mather kiss, I know that is horrible to say considering she and Theron or together, but it has happened before. I am just mixed because both boys are someone the Meira needs, they both give her new strengths that she is going to need. 

Considering the second half of the book, I thought the beginning was a bit slower, even if it did have fight scenes. This book was just packed with action from the start! Miera was chopping people's legs and heads off and it was so kick ass that I was up until 3 in the morning because I just had to know what was going to happen next! I am really excited for the next two books now. 

Raasch created a world that sucked readers in, leaving them on the edges of their seats wanting to know what was going to happen next! 

RATING: ★★★★★

Review: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Title: Fire & Flood (Fire & Flood #1)
Author: Victoria Scott
Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 305
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: February 25, 2014

Summary:
Time is slipping away.... 

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

Victoria Scott's breathtaking novel grabs readers by the throat and doesn't let go.

~~~

As the GIF above says, I have all these feels that I didn't have when I started reading. Including millions of unanswered questions, and an almost eight month wait to get the answers. Oh boy. 

Did Fire & Flood remind me of The Hunger Games? Yes. There were some things I found similar, but a majority of it wasn't even remotely the same. Which made me happy because I wanted to love this book and guess what!? I do! (I have read enough reviews to see that people are torn) There are similar themes and settings, but every book has to start somewhere and this is totally different. 

I have two brothers, one seven and another fifteen. I would easily give my life for either of them. (No matter how much I say I hate them.)  I can see Tella's determination to get through The Brimstone Bleed successfully. Though she questions herself throughout, or makes stupid decisions. But she is sixteen, sixteen year olds can make stupid decisions. 

The Pandora's reminded me of Pokemon. Only these were animals with genetically altered abilities. Some that were really cute, then some that are really scary. Madox, if he was real I would probably kidnap that poor thing because he was so cute. I worried about him more then the main characters sometimes. 

As usual I fell in love with the boy who the main character is lusting after. This time his name is Guy, we are totally going to get married. You know if he was real and all. Guy was very mysterious and I feel we learned the most about him in the last 1/4 of the book. 

I don't have much to say about this book. Have you ever loved something so much you have no words for it? Well that is me right now. 

RATING: ★★★★★

ARC Review: Contact by Laurisa White Reyes

Title: Contact
Author: Laurisa White Reyes
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy 
Publisher: Hallowed Ink Press
Release Date: June 23, 2014

*I received an ARC ebook copy of Contact By Laurisa White Reyes via Netgalley and Hallowed Ink Press in return for an honest review*

Summary:
Mira wants to die. She’s attempted suicide twice already, and failed. Every time she comes in contact with another person, skin to skin, that person’s psyche uploads into hers. While her psychologist considers this a gift, for Mira, it’s a curse from which she cannot escape.

To make matters worse, Mira’s father is being investigated in the deaths of several volunteer test subjects of a miracle drug. Shortly after Mira’s mother starts asking questions, she ends up in a coma. Although her father claims it was an accident, thanks to her “condition” Mira knows the truth…but proving it just might get her killed!

~~~

"It takes only half a second…

…Like those commercials where a crash test dummy rockets forward at high speed and slams into a wall.
…In that instant, every thought in Emma Lynn Walsh’s head collides with mine—every thought, memory, hope, disappointment and dream.
…I open my eyes to see Dr. Walsh peering at me, a puzzled expression on her face.

“Let—go—of—me,” I order though clenched teeth."

I was hooked at chapter one. I was able to relate with Mira and that is what I like most in any story, when a reader can relate to the main character, or any character for that matter. It gives the story a whole knew perspective when you can. 

The book opens with Mari in the hospital after her latest suicide attempt, this time she cut open her wrists. All she wants for it to stop, the memories, the feelings, the emotions, just everything and since she was immunized with the new drug, Gaudium is as only gotten worst.  

Gaudium is the new miracle drug, the cure to mental illnesses and Autism. All sixteen year olds must receive the vaccine. I loved the idea behind a drug that eradicated mental illnesses, and how I wish this was real. One dose and your depression is cured, that would be amazing!

The story begins with in the middle of the conflict. Mari's father, the face and  CEO of Rawley medical is being accused of running illegal drug tests along with his dead colleague, Gregory Stark. But when Mari's mother starts to question her husband the plot thickens. Fallen into a mysterious coma, she leaves Mari with many unanswered questions.  

I liked how the author described what Mari felt when she touched someone, it made a better understanding of why she stayed so far away from people. But does the no touch rule apply to David as well? 

I also really liked David's character. He was adorable, I just felt like he went along with what ever Mari said. Like think for yourself a bit dude, maybe she is going to end up almost getting herself killed, stop her!. I liked the romance too, it wasn't forced, it developed through out the book. 

The beginning was slow, but that was to introduce everything. Once Mari's mother falls into the coma the book is one thrill ride. There are so many "oh shit!" moments that I lost count by the last page. 

My favorite part was that Mari is Hispanic, I haven't read many books with a Hispanic main character. I think I need to look into books with characters of other races as well. 

The book is open ended, meaning that Contact could be part of a series *crosses fingers* and we will get to see more of Mari's story. Until I know I am just going to have to wonder what happens next. *sigh*

RATING: ★★★★

Waiting on Wednesday: Opposition (Lux #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Opposition (Lux #5) 
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Aliens
Page Number: 400
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Release Date: August 5, 2014

Summary: 

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

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

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

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

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

ARC Review: Lost in Starlight by Sherry Soule

Title: Lost in Starlight (Starlight Sagas #1)
Author: Sherry Soule
Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance, Aliens
Publisher: Disenchanted Publishing 
Release Date: June 26, 2014
Number of Pages: 350

***I recieved an ebook copy of this novel directly from the author in exchange for an honest review***


Summary: 
High school reporter Sloane Masterson knows she has one helluva story when she witnesses hottie Hayden Lancaster bending forks with his mind.
Like any good journalist, Sloane sets out to uncover the truth, even if it includes a little stalking. When the superhuman feats start to pile up and the undeniable heat rises between them, Hayden has no choice but to reveal his secret: he’s an alien hybrid.
They’re as different as night and day—she’s a curvy, purple-haired, horror junkie and he’s a smoking hot, antisocial, brainiac—yet the intense fascination between them refuses to go away. Even at Hayden’s insistence that dating each other is “off limits” and crazy dangerous, their fiery attraction threatens to go supernova. 
Now Sloane’s dealing with creepy government agents, über snobby extraterrestrials, and a psycho alien ex-girlfriend out for revenge. After a crash course on the rules of interstellar dating, Sloane must decide if their star-crossed romance is worth risking her own life...

~~~

I don't believe we are alone in the universe. Have you seen the size of it? Have you listened to what NASA has believed they have found through out the years? Strange sightings? Getting my vibe here? I am serious. Lost in Starlight by Sherry Soule can be real in a sense that it kind of scare me. But if one of those alien hybrids happened to be Hayden....I would super alright with that.

Soule created a character I could immediately relate to. Sloane works on the school newspaper and her latest story is to dig up dirt on the sexy new student Hayden Lancaster. But she got more then she bargained for when she witnesses him bending a metal fork with nothing but his mind. She admitted that she was stalking him to get the information she needed, and yes she was obsessed with him at times but she is seventeen years old. Us teenage girls tend to be boy crazy.

"I've never been what most people would consider skinny and over the years, the extra poundage has crept on slowly..." 

-Slaone

I was easily able to relate with her. I struggled with my weight (I still do) for all my life. Most heroines are super skinny, not that that is anything wrong with that but not every heroine has to be a size five. It made me happy to see the Soule broke through the stereotype.  I was even angry every time someone would pass a comment about her weight. She is curly okay? For most of the book she would pretty cool with her size and I admire that in a character a lot. A lot of things with Sloane made her different from other female heroines as well.  

When I saw extraterrestrials I expected Hayden to be an Alien. The actual aliens are called Zeta's who had come to earth, experimented on willing humans, and then left. That made Hayden a hybrid who has both human and Zeta DNA. I wasn't unhappy with that though. I liked it. It actually seems more realistic in a sense that actually aliens. That is the part that scared me.

But just because Hayden is a hybrid doesn't mean he doesn't have a strict code of rules to follow. What is the biggest rule you ask? No dating humans. That is a problem when Sloane and Hayden have a growing attraction for each other. The romance in Lost in Starlight had my heart melting. It was so sweet. They have so much against them but they still try to make it work. 

Soule mentions a lot of bands and TV shows in the book and if Sloane was a real person I think we would get  along great! I was bouncing up and down when they were discussing The Walking Dead. Who knew alien hybrids liked zombies? Not me!! 

On the downside I wish the government was a bit more involved. The Sector Thirteen agent wasn't in the story as much as I hoped he would be. Which actually isn't as much as a bad thing. But they are still another book for that to happen! 

I have nothing but amazing things to say about this book. I loved the characters, the setting, the whole idea behind it. It was an easy read that I could have finished a lot faster if I didn't have family commitments. 

I am such a picky person with endings, of course this ending makes me want to have the second book in the series in my hands right about now. I need to know what happens. I expected that ending though, in all honestly, so I was easily prepared instead of completely blind sided.

RATING: ★★★★

Waiting on Wednesday: Echoes of Us (The Hybrid Chronicles #3) by Kat Zhang

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

~~~~~

Title:  Echoes of Us (The Hybrid Chronicles #3)

Author: Kat Zhang

Genre: Science Fiction, Romance, Dystopia, Fantasy

Page Number: 368

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Release Date: September 16th, 2014

Summary: 

Addie and Eva barely survived the explosion at the Powatt institution, but they refuse to sit still as the nation ripples with rebellion. Then Marion, an ambitious reporter, offers Addie and Eva the chance to go undercover and film the wretched conditions of a hybrid institution. The girls are hesitant—things didn't turn out well last time they took such a risk. But Marion promises to free Jackson, the boy Addie loves, in return for their cooperation. As Eva and Addie walk into danger, they cling to each other and the hope of a better future. But the price they might pay is higher than they ever could have imagined.

This final installation in the Hybrid Chronicles explores the search for identity, independence, and love with beautiful language and emotional depth that will captivate readers and fans of Ally Condie, Lauren Oliver, and Scott Westerfeld.

Review: Unchained by J. Lynn

Title: Unchained
Author: J. Lynn (a.k.a. Jennifer Armentrout) 
Genre: Adult, Supernatural, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 400
Publisher: Entangled: Edge
Published: September 17, 2013

Summary: 

Between the pissed off creatures that want demon-hunter Lily Marks dead and the fallen angel who just...wants her, Lily is about ready to trade in forever for a comfy job in a cubicle farm.

The fact that she and Julian are civil to one another is enough to have her thrown out of the Sanctuary, but she can't shake her not-so-angelic stalker or how he brings her dangerously close to ecstasy.

Her forbidden relationship with Julian provides the perfect fuel for suspicion when a traitor is discovered to be working within the Sanctuary. Lily quickly finds herself hunted by well, everyone.

Her only hope is to discover the real traitor before she loses everything--and she'll need Julian's help. That is, if Julian is really there to help her...and not destroy her.

Yeah, being a Nephilim isn't everything it's cracked up to be.

~~~~~

When I bought this book I thought it was YA. When I heard it wasn't I just shrugged and figured I read it anyway, because I have to admit. I love Jennifer's writing.  So, yes I am briefly reviewing an adult book. 

I liked the characters for the most part. Lily was brave and stubborn, things I liked in a heroine and Julian is just yummy. The book starts out with them already knowing each other, were he provokes her and claimed she is turned on by him. Now I don't know about you, but if a guy said that to me I would be running for the hills.

Micheal doesn't know he is a Nephilim so when Lily knocks him out (after he tried to shoot her of course) she knows she is in some deep trouble. Not only does she save him, she has to train him as well. Only problem is Lily has the patience of an ant and wants to stab him in the eye with a spork. 

Down to the interesting bits now. I was expecting sex, it is in the romance genere, an adult book. But I didn't think there would be a lot. Or graphic (That is my opinion. Remember I am only 16. In my defense I bought it thinking it was a YA book) It is graphic and paints the picture in your mind.

All in all the story was interesting and I liked it. Like I said, I'm briefly reviewing this because we are a YA book blog. 

Rating: ★★★

Waiting On Wednesday: Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

~~~~~

Title: Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance
Number of Pages: 304
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: October 28, 2014


Summary: 

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

~~~~~

My mind won't even work right now. I keep thinking "I need Roth. I need Roth. Why isn't Roth real?"  White Hot Kiss left me wanting so much more that is hurts, I don't know how Jennifer Armentrout does it. Her books always make me feel like this. 

ARC Review: The Revealed by Jessica Hickam

Title: The Revealed
Author: Jessica Hickam
Genre: Sceince Fiction, Dystopia, Fantasy, Romance
Number of Pages: 314
Publisher: SparkPress
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Received From: Netgalley and SparkPress 
Summary:

Lily Atwood lives in what used to be called Washington, D.C. Her father is one of the most powerful men in the world, having been a vital part of rebuilding and reuniting humanity after the war that killed over five billion people. Now he’s running to be one of its leaders.

But in the rediscovered peace on Earth, a new enemy has risen. They call themselves the Revealed – a powerful underground organization that has been kidnapping 18 year olds across the globe without reservation. No one knows why they are kidnapping these teens, but it’s clear something is different about these people. They can set fires with a snap of their fingers and create a wind strong enough to barrel over a tree with a flick of their wrist. No one has been able to stop them, and they have targeted Lily as their next victim.

But Lily has waited too long to break free from her father’s shadow to let some rebel organization just ruin everything. Not without a fight.

~~~~~

I don't have one negative thing to say about The Revealed. It captured my attention from the first word. There was and equal amount of everything I enjoy in a book. Romance, action, and adventure. With several "What the....!?" moments. 

Here is the book in my own words: 

Since Lily's eighteenth birthday she had been stuck in her home. In a world were eighteen year olds are kidnapped by a terrorist group called The Revealed, she's vulnerable. Especially because she is the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the world. 

All Lily wants is her freedom back. To be able to go out and be a teenager. But instead she is locked in her house until her nineteenth birthday. To make matters worse she is receiving threatening letters from The Revealed. Turning to her parents and best friend Rory for help she soon discovers that that the most unlikely person will become her biggest ally. 

Kai, the nineteen year old son of her father's rival in the presidential campaign is back, on leave from the military were he still has to serve for another year. But never in a million years did Lily expect she would fall head over heels for the boy he disliked her in high school. But now things are different. 

Not everyone is who they say to be in the book. With betrayal and loss Lily must look inside her self for what she wants the most. 

My thoughts feelings and everything in between: 

Politics aren't my thing, I don't understand them and probably never will. Though this book had part to do with the political campaign of her father Jessica Hickam made is interesting. The book had a realistic feel to it, maybe not The Revealed's power but the future of America part. 

I really liked the characters. At first I wasn't a fan of Lily. I thought she was a bit ungrateful what she has. Pretty quickly though she proved her self and fell in love with her as the main character. I just wished she touched back more on her and Kai's childhood together.

Kai, well at first, I didn't like him. He was sketchy and seemed to be trouble. But he is another one who grew on me. He seemed to genuinely care about Lily. Even betraying his own father to help her. 

I am very picky with the endings of book. It is just how I am. I always want a happy ending and that doesn't always happen. This ending is the first one in a long time that I was actually content with. Do I want more? Yes, and I happy to know that there will be another book in the series. (That makes me very very happy because I need more Kai and Lily).


Jessica Hickam created a realistic world about betrayal and loss and one girl's challenge of finding her place in this world. Be on the look out on June 17th to get your copy of The Revealed!

Rating: ★★★★

*I received an ARC ebook copy of The Revealed via Netgalley and SparkPress in return for an honest review*

Review: The Taking by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Taking             
Author: Kimberly Derting
Genre: Science Fiction, Paranormal, Aliens
Year Published: 2014
Number of Pages: 368
Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary: 

A flash of white light . . . and then . . . nothing. 

When sixteen-year-old Kyra Agnew wakes up behind a Dumpster at the Gas ’n’ Sip, she has no memory of how she got there. With a terrible headache and a major case of déjà vu, she heads home only to discover that five years have passed . . . yet she hasn’t aged a day. 

Everything else about Kyra’s old life is different. Her parents are divorced, her boyfriend, Austin, is in college and dating her best friend, and her dad has changed from an uptight neat-freak to a drunken conspiracy theorist who blames her five-year disappearance on little green men. 

Confused and lost, Kyra isn’t sure how to move forward unless she uncovers the truth. With Austin gone, she turns to Tyler, Austin’s annoying kid brother, who is now seventeen and who she has a sudden undeniable attraction to. As Tyler and Kyra retrace her steps from the fateful night of her disappearance, they discover strange phenomena that no one can explain, and they begin to wonder if Kyra’s father is not as crazy as he seems. There are others like her who have been taken . . . and returned. Kyra races to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had, but what if the life she wants back is not her own?

~~~~~

I loved Kimberly Derting's The Body Finder series. So when I saw that she wrote another novel I was really excited. I was even more excited when my library finally had it. 

I really did enjoy The Taking. It was about a young girl accepting her faith, and trying to make her life normal after being "returned" from being abducted five years earlier. There were many things how ever I did not liked and made this harder for me to get into the book. 

First, Kyra awakens behind a dumpster 5 years after she is abducted, still in the same clothing (Softball uniform, with her hair entwined with ribbons) and looks exactly the same. Like she hasn't aged in five years. The only person who mentions this is Tyler. I don't know about you but if someone I cared about returned after being abducted for the amount of time and still looked like they did when they were abducted I would be quote curious. 

Second, Kyra was 16 when she disappeared, which was five years ago. So now she would be around 21. 

"This was Tyler Wahl. Tyler, who looked far too much like his older brother—my seventeen-year-old boyfriend—in looks, in stature...and, most of all, in age.
Tyler, who, the last time I’d seen him just the day before, had been only twelve years old."

Five years and a day to be correct. Whether she looks 16 or not she is still technically 21 years old. I found it kind of weird. 

Third, The Taking takes play over eight days. eight days. Saying "I love you" after only eight days doesn't sit right with me. On day two when Kyra started saying how she got butterflies looking at Tyler and how he made her smile I knew what was coming. I just expected it to be a lot slower. Especially she still had to deal with Austin. 

Fourth, Kyra didn't make a big attempt to hear Cat or Austin out. She kept saying how they are so important to her but she wouldn't communicate with them. She avoids Cat's phone calls, when she comes to see her Kyra runs inside. I was expecting Cat to be in more of the book were she was really only in five pages. Austin was in like three. 

Enough with what I didn't like. There was a lot I did like about this book. The idea especially. Alien's seem so cliche and overdone so I wasn't expecting much from this. The last thing I expected was fire flies. 

I grew up with these little bugs living in my backyard. I have caught jars and jars full of them. But aliens? I really liked that idea. Though I was a bit confused. Were the fireflies aliens? Or like transporters? Lets just say I will never look at the little suckers the same again. (Though I am now really itchy after reading a certain part in the book. That would be my worst nightmare. No matter how harmless they are.) 

Though I was unhappy with how fast Tyler and Kyra's romance progressed I did enjoy it, I always enjoy romance. It was cute and simple, not much of a science behind it. Never mind the fact it is her ex-boyfriend's kid brother. How crazy is that? Like the ultimate F you. 

Kimberly knows how to leave us all hanging. That ending? Oh my. My heart is pounding. I need to know what happens. Like now. 

All in all I did enjoy The Taking very much and I am eager for the second book in the trilogy to come out. (So far no release date) 

Rating: ★★★ (3 1/2 Stars)

Review: Opal (Lux #3) by Jennifer Armentrout

Title: Opal (Lux #3)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: Romance, Supernatural, Science Fiction
Number of Pages: 382
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Year Published: 2012

Summary: 

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

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

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

~~~~

Thirteen hours later and I still can't wrap my head around that ending. I am an emotional reader, and that ending. Whoa. I just want to cry. Jennifer Armentrout did in amazing job with her third book in the Lux series. 

Kat and Daemon are official! Ahh! (I think we all knew this though, right?) Their relationship is my favorite part of this series. They aren't a typical couple. They aren't even of the same species but that is beside the point. They are all lovey and mushy with each other, but they still argue and bicker. Deamon still has major ego issues, that Katy has fed into this book. 

The development of Deamon and Katy since Obsidian is amazing. Daemon isn't as infuriating anymore. Don't get me wrong, he is, just not as much. Example: 

“A slow, wry smile teased Daemon’s lips. "Simmer down, Kitten, before I have to get you a ball of yarn to play with." 

Annoyance flared deep inside me. "Don’t start with me, jerk-face.” 

"There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on..." You can say that again. I love books with lots of kissing in it. I am not embarrassed to admit it. This book did not fail to deliver at all. Especially in the romance department. Especially on Prom night what Daemon sets up for Katy. Talk about swoon worthy. 

 I will never like Blake. I don't care if there is money on the line. There is no way I will ever like that boy. After what he pulled last book and now he has black mailed Katy and Daemon into helping him or he will turn them into the DOD. Freaking weasel! 

Just when I thought Katy learned not to trust the boy. My blood is boiling over the end still. They should have never helped him and took their chances. Nothing good comes from helping Blake. I did enjoy the amount of time Daemon threatened to kill, maim, hurt, or destroy Blake, it was pretty entertain and earned a few laughs. 


I am keeping this review painfully short because I am afraid if I write anymore I would give away important things that will happen. Both good and bad of course! 

Rating: ★★★★★

HERE ARE A FEW QUOTES AND SAYING FROM THE BOOK I ENJOYED: 

“Oh, dear God and baby Jesus in the manger, my eyes!” Dee shrieked. “My eyes!”
My own eyes snapped open. Daemon lifted his head, eyes luminous. Then I realized my hands were still up his shirt. I yanked them out.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, mortified.
Daemon said something that burned my ears. “Dee, you didn’t see anything.” And then he added much lower, “Because you have impeccable timing.”
“You were on…her and your mouths were doing this.” I could just imagine her hand signals at that point. She went on. “And that’s more than I want to see. Like, ever.” 

- Dee to Katy and Daemon 

“I have the feeling we just made a deal with the devil, and he's going to come back and want our first-born child or something."

Daemon waggled his brows. "You want kids? Because you know, practice makes--"

"Shut up." I shook my head and started walking.”

- Katy and Daemon

 “A few seconds after he stepped out into the hallway and closed the door behind him, there was a fleshly smack and then Andrew yelling, “Ouch. What in the hell was that for?” “Your timing sucks on an epic level,” Daemon shot back.”

- Daemon to Andrew (What could he have been interrupting? *wiggles eyebrows*)

 “He was such an asshole, and I loved him.” 

 - Katy about Daemon

“Daemon snatched the yellow packages from my hands. “Oh! Books! You have books!”
I laughed as several people waiting in line looked over their shoulders. “Hand them over.”
He clutched them to his chest, making moony eyes. “My life is now complete.”
“My life would be complete if I could actually post a review on something other than the school library computers.”
I did that about twice a week since my latest laptop went to the big computer heaven in the sky.” 

- Daemon to Katy  

*My parting message to Daemon*

-Amber xoxo