Under the Never Sky

Publisher - HarperCollins
Published - December 4, 2012
Page count - 400
Series - Under the Never Sky (Book 1 out of 3)

Blurb

Fighting to survive in a ravaged world, a Dweller and a Savage form an unlikely alliance in New York Times bestselling author Veronica Rossi's "unforgettable dystopian masterpiece" (Examiner.com).
Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—known as The Death Shop—are slim. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild—a savage—and her only hope of staying alive. A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption.

In alternating chapters told in Aria's and Perry's voices, Under the Never Sky subtly and powerfully captures the evolving relationship between these characters and sweeps readers away to a harsh but often beautiful world. Continuing with Through the Ever Night and concluding with Into the Still Blue, the Under the Never Sky trilogy has already been embraced by readers in twenty-six countries and been optioned for film by Warner Bros.

Review

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi was and interesting story that takes place after an apocalypse type event, and no, its not about zombies, but how the world and its people find different way of surviving. While there is plenty of action and gore that many boys would like I believe this book is based toward the female population because so much of the book is written about what the main characters think and feel. I know many readers like reading a male perspective like you get in this book and I loved how the Author was able to write so well in each person pov.

Aria and Perry were almost constantly on the move but unfortunately there were moments the book got a little slower. Over all I'd give this book 3 and half stars and look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

The kiss of Deception Review

The Kiss of Deception

 

Publisher : Henry Holt and Co.

Published : July 8, 2014

Page Count : 485

Series  : The Remnant Chronicles (Book 1)

First Line : Today was the day a thousand dreams would die  and a single dream would be born.

Blurb

In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia's life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight―but she doesn't―and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom―to a prince she has never met.
On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive―and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets―even as she finds herself falling in love.
The Kiss of Deception is the first book in Mary E. Pearson's Remnant Chronicles

Review

 The Kiss of Deception is about a girl who is determined to make her own Destiny. she's a pincess wed to a distant prince whom she doesn't know or want, so she runs. Both the prince and an assassin follow her on her journey to the unknown while she works to build a new life. I was drawn into the book almost immediately and love how that author wrote in three different points of view. One frustrating thing with this though was that it is hard to tell who the assassin is and who the prince is. The author does eventually answer the question, but only after she has made you fall in love with both of them. Beside this minor problem I found the book enjoyable and it kept me at the edge of my seat throughout the entire read. 

Next book in the series is The heart of Betrayal released July 7, 2015.

The kiss of Deception Review

The Kiss of Deception

 

Publisher : Henry Holt and Co.

Published : July 8, 2014

Page Count : 485

Series  : The Remnant Chronicles (Book 1)

First Line : Today was the day a thousand dreams would die  and a single dream would be born.

Blurb

In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia's life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight―but she doesn't―and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom―to a prince she has never met.
On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive―and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets―even as she finds herself falling in love.
The Kiss of Deception is the first book in Mary E. Pearson's Remnant Chronicles

Review

 The Kiss of Deception is about a girl who is determined to make her own Destiny. she's a pincess wed to a distant prince whom she doesn't know or want, so she runs. Both the prince and an assassin follow her on her journey to the unknown while she works to build a new life. I was drawn into the book almost immediately and love how that author wrote in three different points of view. One frustrating thing with this though was that it is hard to tell who the assassin is and who the prince is. The author does eventually answer the question, but only after she has made you fall in love with both of them. Beside this minor problem I found the book enjoyable and it kept me at the edge of my seat throughout the entire read. 

Next book in the series is The heart of Betrayal released July 7, 2015.

Ice like fire review

Publisher : Balzer + Bray

Published : October 13, 2015

Page count : 496

Series : Snow like Ashes (#2)

Authors blog : http://sararaasch.tumblr.com/

Blurb

It's been three months since the Winterians were freed and Spring's king, Angra, disappeared—thanks largely to the help of Cordell.
Meira just wants her people to be safe. When Cordellan debt forces the Winterians to dig their mines for payment, they unearth something powerful and possibly dangerous: Primoria's lost chasm of magic. Theron sees this find as an opportunity—with this much magic, the world can finally stand against threats like Angra. But Meira fears the danger the chasm poses—the last time the world had access to so much magic, it spawned the Decay. So when the king of Cordell orders the two on a mission across the kingdoms of Primoria to discover the chasm's secrets, Meira plans on using the trip to garner support to keep the chasm shut and Winter safe—even if it means clashing with Theron. But can she do so without endangering the people she loves?
Mather just wants to be free. The horrors inflicted on the Winterians hang fresh and raw in Jannuari—leaving Winter vulnerable to Cordell's growing oppression. When Meira leaves to search for allies, he decides to take Winter's security into his own hands. Can he rebuild his broken Kingdom and protect them from new threats?
As the web of power and deception is woven tighter, Theron fights for magic, Mather fights for freedom—and Meira starts to wonder if she should be fighting not just for Winter but for the world.

Review

Maria has officially taken her rightful place as queen, but is it what she truly wants? She's in an awkward situation with no one to believe in her. Not even her best friend Mather. With Maria becoming Queen the book is centered around her politic and her own thought. I was reminded of the calm before a storm which did make the book a slow read. I'm hoping it gets picked up in the next book of the series.

One thing I did love was that you got to get insight into Mather and see into his head. I don't know about other readers but I tend to like male pov's more, and I was not disappointed. While Maria tries to find herself, Mather has it figured out. He just doesn't know how to get what he wants. I'm excited for the next book and felt like this one was a bit of a filler in the story line so I'm awarding this book 2 stars

Ice Like Fire

Ice Like Fire

 

Published : October 13, 2015

Publisher : HarperCollins Publishers

Page Count : 496

Authors Blog : http://sararaasch.tumblr.com/snowlikeashes

Series : Snow like Ashes (Book 2)

 

 

Blurb

 

 

A striking fantasy tale of dark magic, dangerous politics, and discovering your true self—perfect for fans of Game of Thrones, An Ember in the Ashes and A Court of Thorns and Roses.
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. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, Winter's future king—she would do anything to help Winter 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—only to find 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.

Review

 

Snow like Ice should've been a nail biter as Maria finally takes her crown and becomes Queen of Winter and Mather sit as a lowly lord. Unfortunately for reader's much of a queen's duty reside in politics and thoughts, so much of the book is slow. Though slow tension builds up in the corners of the story till it all burst forth, and once that occurred I fell in love with this story all over again.

 

As the reader's, we get to see both Maria and Mather grow into themselves as they learn what's wrong and right without the guiding hand of William. your able to get a look into Mather's thoughts which is new from previous books, and if you don't love him now you will when you finish with this book.

 

As far as the story and timeline go, its becoming far fetched and your losing your sense on where the story is going. There is still plenty to be uncovered and I have great hopes for the next book, Frost like Night, which is will be released September 20, 2016.

 

In the end I am giving this book 4 stars for its outstanding character development,

creativity, and mystery.

 





Ruin and Rising Review

Ruin and Rising

 

Publisher : Henry Holt and Co
Published : June 17, 2014
Page Count : 432
Authors Blog : http://www.leighbardugo.com/books/ruinandrising-2/
Series : Grisha trilogy

Blurb

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne. Now the nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army. Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives. Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova’s amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling’s secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

Review

 

Ruin and Rising started off slow in a confusing place. There wasn't much action for the first few chapters as Alina was being held in the white chapel and under the guard of a priest. Thankfully the reading didn't stay uneventful for long. This book was centered around seeing the prominent changes that had accrued in Alina and in Ravka throughout the series. It had a wonderful ending that more than made up for the terrible beginning. Alina learns to except what may become of her, her friends, and her country. She fights for what she believes is right and learns to except the help that she desperately needs to finally beat the darkling. The final installment of the Grisha trilogy is a bit more depressing then others, but it was an entertaining read. 

 

I would give the book 3.5 stars out of 5 for entertainment, a well constructed world, and an amazing ending to the entertaining series that has kept many of us on our toes.  

 

 

If you would like any teasers or extra knowledge let me know. 





 

Wake trilogy by Lisa Mcmann

Publisher : Simon Pulse
Published : March 4 2008
Page count : 225
Series : Wake Trilogy

Blurb

Not all dreams are sweet.

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody- notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....

 

 

 

 

Review

Wake by Lisa Mcmann was an entertaining read with a new idea to draw in young adults. I love the idea of being able to manipulate dreams and I'm interested to see where the trilogy will lead. It was a new idea and wasn't the typical cliché story, so I have continued reading into the next book.  Wake was and incredibly quick read, I finished in five hours, and I had many interruptions, so its not very long all together if your avoiding a book commitment. I was entertained while reading the book but I found it to lack a strong plot.  The books written in a journal format which creates gaps in the plot or prevents the story from flowing for me. I understand some people enjoy that style of writing and if you do this book may be for you. The only other time I found it difficult to read was when Janie, the main character, was in a dream. At the beginning this was my main confusion. I never did fully understand what Janie was thinking or where the plot was going until I started reading Fade, the second book in the trilogy.

 

I would recommend this to young adults around the age of 14 and 15 that is looking for something a bit more relatable and yet still unique in its own way.

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. - Does anyone else think that cover looks like Adele?

 

 

 

 

Fade

Fade is the second book in the Wake trilogy and while I believe its better then Wake I'm not interested in the story so I only made it half way through the book. Perhaps one day i'll continue reading it, but its turned into a crime solving book which i've never found enjoyment in reading. If you enjoy crime solving books with a twist then perhaps this book is for you, so check it out.

 

 

 

Oblivion by Kelly Creagh

 Publisher : Simon and Schuster
 Published : 2015
 Page count : 434
 Series : Nevermore book
 First line : "I beg of you to hear me, Helen!"

Blurb

The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins? —Edgar Allan Poe

The fine line between life and death blurred long ago for Isobel Lanley. After a deadly confrontation with Varen in the dreamworld, she’s terrified to return to that desolate and dangerous place. But when her nightmares resume, bleeding into reality, she is left with no choice. Varen’s darkness is catching up to her. To everything. Threatening to devour it all.

Isobel fears for her world. For her sanity and Varen’s—especially after a fresh and devastating loss. To make matters worse, the ghostly demon Lilith wants Varen for her own, and she will do anything to keep him in her grasp—anything.

Review

Oblivion was an excellent final to the Nevermore trilogy. You get to see much more of Varen, and I hope I'm not giving anything away by saying that. I loved the action in this final book. I love the romance. I love the ending. I still believe that Kelly creagh is a good writer and I believe it takes talent to write such a book about Edgar Allen Poe. No one can deny that it takes an imagination to come up with the nevermore series.

One problem I faced when reading this book was that it was a bit repetitive. I know that someone will be able to argue that it was incredible and had no faults but its always been hard to get through the slow parts in the book which is understandable but when that happens you need to have compensation by adding some incredible scene. I personally felt that while those scenes were suspenseful and exciting, the same thing continuously happened and it became a bit predictable by the end of the book.

All in all I would give this book three and a half stars for its imaginative and romantic writing. I hope that we'll be seeing something new from Kelly Creagh soon. I'll actually be meeting her in about two weeks so i'll see what she's working on or any new Ideas she might be willing to share with us.

P.s. I'll try to get teaser up of this book soon.


 

The Young Elite

 Publisher : Penguin group

 Published : 2014

 Page count : 343

 Series : The Rose Society

 First line : I'm going to die tomorrow morning.

 

Blurb

Adelina amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the affected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina's black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family's good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of  the fever's  survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars- they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. as leader of the inquisition axis, it is his job to seek out the Young elites, to destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elite to be dangerous and vengeful, but it's Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young elites seeks out other like them before the inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they've never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side and that Teren is the true enemy. However, the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that don't belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare cross her.

 

 

Review

I grab this book off of a library shelf because I had seen it so many. I didn't know what it was about or who it was by, but I needed a new read. Thankfully I did because "The young Elite" Is an incredible book for young adults. Its full of thrilling twist and sad betrayals. The way its written does lean towards a dark more dangerous tone, but I don't believe that its depressing. Adelina Amouteru has alot to think about. No matter her choose she'll end up betraying someone. The question is does she have a big enough heart to try to save them all. She's already been through a hard life being a malfetto. Her face, forever scared from the illness. Will she hand over the luxury of the life she's always craved or will she choose to be with someone who has shown her a kindness she has never received? These are all questions to answer when you read.
Is the book going to become some classic story forever remembered and read in school? Is a teachers ever going to use a line from the book to display perfect sentence structure? NO, but for Marie Lu's intended audience its perfectly written. Its a creative idea with fine details that put you into the world that Adeline lives in. I give the book four stars, and highly recommend it to teens needing something different and a bit more dangerous to read.