Friday, April 29, 2016

Review: Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

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Series: Study Book #2
Format: Paperback
Pages: 419
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Then bought)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, New Adult
Publisher: Mira

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

elena is a survivor. Kidnapped as a child, held prisoner as a teen, then released to act as a poison taster, she is now a student of magic. But these magic skills place her in imminent danger, and with an execution order on her head, she has no choice but to escape to Sitia, the land of birth
But nothing in Sitia is familiar. As she struggles to understand where she belongs and how to control her powers, a rogue magician emerges - and Yelena catches his eye. Suddenly she is embroiled in a situation not of her making. And once again her magical abilities will either save her life... or be her downfall.


Review

I'm obsessed right now. I want to live in this world. And I have like the hugest girl-crush on Yelena. She is amazing, strong in so many ways, and very kick-ass. To me, she is who Celeana from Throne of Glass is trying to be.

This book caused me a lot of stress just like the first one. I never knew who to trust and I felt betrayed when Yelena was. And it's hard to guess what's going to happen. I think this is because Ms. Snyder writes deep realistic characters. A character can be likeable and have positive attributes, but make a mistake or give into selfish desires.

Sitia is definitely different, but I'm so glad the world is expanding. In this world there is less good versus evil and more how to navigate diplomacy. This is definitely something I love reading about and I expect it will only continue.

Based on the title, it should be no surprise that the magic system is explored. I am still confused by some of it, but I think I just need to spend more time with it. It is cool that the magic works in different ways and strengths. Plus, the clans handle it in unique ways.

I'm so excited to read more about this world-especially Yelena. Good thing there is so much out there. Well, not good for my bank account.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Review: A Steel Town by Chloe T. Barlow

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Series: Gateway to Love Book #3
Format: Ebook
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Self-published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

How do you protect the woman you love, when you fear you are the very person who could destroy her?
Claudia McCoy has been told what she can't do enough for one lifetime. After a near-fatal childhood battle with juvenile diabetes and having to accept that her dreams of serving in the military would never come true, she's thrilled to begin a life on her own terms. Yet, when she finally starts her career in the FBI, Claudia is furious that her condition and overbearing big brother, Wyatt, have both once again interfered with her ability to have the life she truly wants. Now derailed from her high-profile aspirations of a position in the FBI's D.C. headquarters, she is instead planted far away from the real action, and practically right in her brother's Pittsburgh backyard.
Trey Adler is known for fixing things, but he's broken just as many — leaving him with regrets that never go away. He'd be the first to agree he should stay away from a nice girl like Claudia, but he can't deny his friend Jenna Sutherland's request when she asks him to use his position as a temporary FBI consultant to keep Claudia safe — especially as it's clear this little firecracker needs protecting. Far away from all the action she so craves, Claudia is more determined than ever to prove herself in her first major investigation at whatever cost — and those costs are proving to be dangerously high.
Their battle of wills turns quickly into a powerful need for one other, making them both rethink everything they ever wanted.
Will Trey be able to keep her alive long enough to give them an opportunity at something real together — a future that can survive the danger in their present, as well as the darkness of his past?


Review

Based on the synopsis, I was really prepared to love this book. I mean, the heroine is dealing with diabetes and people's treatment of her because of it. And Trey had that sweet bad boy thing going on. But it kind of let me down.

The writing was one of the disappointing thing. It was stilted and didn't always make sense. And every character had a nickname. This isn't horrible, but the constant switching between real names and nicknames which was confusing. I regularly found myself distracted and not paying attention.

Generally, I liked Claudia and Trey. I didn't really have any issues with Trey. My only complaint is that he's a little too protective. Claudia is likeable and feisty. But she want to be taken seriously when she constantly makes bad decisions with her diabetes. You can't have it both ways. Her past also wasn't as developed as it could've been. Maybe it would have been better if I read her brother's book, but I shouldn't have to.

This was a little bit of a suspense read which isn't my favorite. But there wasn't a lot of danger boner which I appreciated. I can't promise I will read another Chloe Barlow book, but I am mildly interested in the other characters so it might happen.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Monday, April 25, 2016

Review: One Night for Love by Mary Balogh

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Series: Bedwyn Saga Book .5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages:
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Dell

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
Enter the world of Mary Balogh—the glittering ballrooms and vast country estates of Regency-era England, where romance, with all its mystery, magic, and surprises, comes vibrantly alive.

It was a perfect morning in May . . .

Neville Wyatt, Earl of Kilbourne, awaited his bride at the altar—when a ragged beggar woman raced down the aisle instead. The cream of the ton saw him stare, shocked, then declare that this was his wife! One night of passion was all he remembered as he beheld Lily, the woman he'd wed, loved, and lost on the battlefield in Portugal. Now he said he'd honor his commitment to her—regardless of the gulf that lay between them.

Then Lily spoke her mind . . .

She said she wanted only to start a new life—wanted only a husband who truly loved her. She had to leave him to learn how to meet his world on her terms. So Lily agreed to earn her keep as his aunt's companion and study the genteel arts. Soon she was the toast of the ton, every inch a countess fit for the earl, who vowed to prove to his remarkable wife that what he felt for her was far more than desire, that what he wanted from her was much more than . . . One Night for Love.


Review

This was a very good book and definitely made me willing to read more Mary Balogh books. The first book had writing that wasn't quite for me, but this was exactly what I wanted.

Lily was great and went on quite the journey. Trigger warning for rape, but it was handled in such a respectful and non-dramatic way. She is so down to earth and naturally charming. But she does get embarassed and is very aware of the differences between her world and Neville's.

Neville is also a solid character, but I just like Lily more. I did love his loyalty to Lily even when she was trying to push him away.

Ms. Balogh did some interesting things with women in this story. They were very well-developed and diverse. You know like real people. Elizabeth-Neville's aunt-is probably my favorite and she's very wise. Then there are Gwen and Lauren. Now, I've read Gwen's story so it was odd to see such negative parts of her personality. In different ways, they had to deal with the pain Neville unnecessarily caused them. And it was very natural that they would be angry and "hate" Lily. I'm just glad Ms. Balogh was willing to go there.

The romance was solid and well-paced. The physical aspects are described, but on the tamer side. The main conflict is the class difference between Neville and Lily which is definitely a favorite of mine.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Friday, April 22, 2016

Review: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

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Series: Study book #1
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 361
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, New Adult
Publisher: Luna

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear...
 
Review

Where has this book been all my life? I must have the next book now, but I can't because it's late at night as I write this. And I feel a serious book hangover coming on.

I didn't read the synopsis before going in and I think that was the best decision. I had no idea what was going to happen. The tension was really high because of that. And I never knew who to trust or like. I still don't completely know.

Yelena was an amazing protagonist. I don't even know if I can explain why I love her so much. She wasn't perfect, but I understood why she did everything she did. And she didn't frustrate me at all which is pretty rare.


The other characters were also great. They were well-developed and intriguing. I want to know more about so many of them like the Commander. I basically want them all to have their own books.

And of course, Ms. Snyder did a good job with the world-building. Especially the government and politics. It felt very real and made sense. It was also different than I normally expect in these kinds of stories. She also laid a lot of groundwork for the magic system which I'm sure will be explored in the rest of the series.

I was hoping writing this would calm me down so I could go to sleep, but it hasn't. I can't wait until I get out of work tomorrow so I can go to the library and get the second book. I would've bought the whole series, but my local Barnes and Noble doesn't have them. Boo!

I haven't felt this way about a book in a long time. Curse you Maria V. Snyder and whatever crack you put in this book.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Review: The Proposal by Mary Balogh

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Series: Survivor's Club Book #1
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 311
Rating: 3.5 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Delacorte Press

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
Gwendoline, Lady Muir, has seen her share of tragedy, especially since a freak accident took her husband much too soon. Content in a quiet life with friends and family, the young widow has no desire to marry again. But when Hugo, Lord Trentham, scoops her up in his arms after a fall, she feels a sensation that both shocks and emboldens her.
Hugo never intends to kiss Lady Muir, and frankly, he judges her to be a spoiled, frivolous--if beautiful--aristocrat. He is a gentleman in name only: a soldier whose bravery earned him a title; a merchant's son who inherited his wealth. He is happiest when working the land, but duty and title now demand that he finds a wife. He doesn't wish to court Lady Muir, nor have any role in the society games her kind thrives upon. Yet Hugo has never craved a woman more; Gwen's guileless manner, infectious laugh, and lovely face have ruined him for any other woman. He wants her, but will she have him?
The hard, dour ex-military officer who so gently carried Gwen to safety is a man who needs a lesson in winning a woman's heart. Despite her cautious nature, Gwen cannot ignore the attraction. As their two vastly different worlds come together, both will be challenged in unforeseen ways. But through courtship and seduction, Gwen soon finds that with each kiss, and with every caress, she cannot resist Hugo's devotion, his desire, his love, and the promise of forever.


Review

This was my first Mary Balogh book and I picked it up because of the DBSA podcast. I'm sure you're surprised. It did have my catnip all over it-the whole series does.

It was a solid book with strong characters. Gwen and Hugo are well-written characters who have gone through a lot. And I appreciate that Hugo has so many emotions to deal with from is time in the military. He can be stoic, but also shows his emotions, at least to some people, which is nice to read about.

The romance was nice. They have good banter and joke a lot which I like in a romance. I also thought it was fairly tame sexually. She does go into detail but it isn't constant or too much. Plus, a huge part of it was social-differences story since Hugo comes from the working class. These are some of my favorite conflicts/story lines and Ms. Balogh navigated it well.

Overall, I enjoyed this, but there was something about the writing that bothered me. Sometimes I felt a little distant from the characters and that frustrated me.

I do pan on reading more Mary Balogh books to see if she could be for me. In fact, I already bought the book that follows Gwen's brother because that story interested me.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Monday, April 18, 2016

Review: Still the One by Jill Shalvis

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Series: Animal Magnetism Book #6
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 311
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
Publisher: Berkley

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
Darcy Stone is game for anything — except sexy Navy veteran and physical therapist A.J. Colten, the guy who'd rejected her when she'd needed him most. Now the shoe is on the other foot and he needs her to play nice and help him secure grants for his patients. Unfortunately, Darcy can't refuse. She needs the money to fund her passion project: rescuing S&R dogs and placing them with emotionally wounded soldiers.

A.J. admits it — Darcy is irresistible. But he's already been battle-scarred by a strong-willed, vivacious, adventurous woman like Darcy, and he's not making the same mistake twice—until he and Darcy are forced to fake a relationship. Growing closer than they'd ever imagined possible, Darcy and AJ have to ask themselves: how much between them is pretend? What's the real thing? And where does it go from here?


Review

I came for the physical injury and stayed for the general adorableness. There were some inconsistencies and repetitive unnecessary drama, but overall it was a good story. And it made me want to read the other books in the series which is always a good sign.

A.J. was definitely my favorite. He kept being described as an alpha, but he felt like a big puppy dog. I would've liked to learn more about his past. But I liked how Ms. Shalvis showed his personality through his job and treatment of others.

Darcy was likeable. Sometimes "independent" characters like her can be annoying, but she was likeable. And I really enjoyed reading about her struggles with her injury and showing weakness.

The romance was full of chemistry and cuteness. When A.J. and Darcy were a couple I loved it. They complimented each other very well. But the constant running away got annoying. I understand why, especially for Darcy, but it happened one too many times. Maybe create another conflict if you think the story needs more tension. But that's just my opinion.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Friday, April 15, 2016

Review: Because of Low by Abbi Glines

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Series: Sea Breeze Book #1
Format: Paperback
Pages:
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: New Adult
Publisher: Atria

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
layboy Cage owns the apartment, and he hosts a revolving door of people, in and out, at all times. Most of them are long-legged hot girls who are never there more than a night or two. When Cage’s new roommate, Marcus, enters the picture, he’s just looking to nurse a broken heart. But there’s one particular semi-frequent regular who catches his eye.

Willow—“Low”—is the one Cage wants to marry. But the two of them are night and day, and Marcus can’t see how Low puts up with all of Cage’s womanizing. What she really needs is a real man....like good-looking and sensible Marcus. But that’s going to get real complicated and real messy—real fast.


Review

I want to start this by saying I'm very meh about Abbi Glines books. I read them because they are easy to read entertaining in the way a soap opera can be. Sometimes I think there is unfulfilled potential. This was better than the first book, Breathe.

Generally, I lied both Marcus and Low. Marcus is a pretty typical Abbi Glines hero. He's very possessive and dramatic but isn't quite as bad as say Rush. Low was sympathetic and kind. Sometimes she felt a little innocent especially since she would talk about how hard her life was.

The romace was fast but pretty believable. It helped that the physical aspects of the relationship progressed slower than I'm used to. There was some snap judgements by both of them that could have been resolved by being a grown up and using your words. I've come to expect this kind of storytelling.

My big complaint with this and most of Abbi Glines books is the way women are portrayed. Now this is very common so it isn't just her. She often falls into the whore or virgin types. Women can be and are far more complex than that. And, to me, the fact that women slut shame other women is the worst. Low thinks she's so great and constantly tears her sister down which really bothers me. This would've been a four star read for me if this language and behavior wasn't so plentiful.

I will continue to read Abbi Glines books, because for some reason she interests me. So far I do still like the Rosemary Beach books better but hopefully this series will continue to get better.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Review: Whisper Falls by Toni Blake

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Series: Destiny #3
Format: Ebook
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
Publisher: Harper Collins

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
Welcome to Destiny, Ohio—where coming home means finding your true heart and maybe even your true love.

Tessa Sheridan came crawling back home to Destiny after her big city interior design career crumbled. Now not only must she struggle to make ends meet, she has to contend with a biker next door and the roar of Harleys shattering the serenity of her cabin in the woods. Worse still, her sexy bad boy neighbor makes her feel breathless and weak—and shy, petite Tessa knows what a major mistake it would be to get involved with someone so…dangerous.

They say that former teen rebel Lucky Romo has a dark, secret past—that he’s trouble with a capital “T.” Still, Tessa feels all tingly when she sees how well he fills out a pair of tight jeans. And when Lucky invites her into his world, she knows the intense heat sparking between them could lead her somewhere wild and wonderful…and, yes, dangerous!


Review

Surprise, I picked this up after hearing about this on the DBSA podcast. Sarah mentioned the heroine had Chron's and my ears perked up. I love these kinds of stories and I've never seen one that featured Chrons.

This was a very nice small-town contemporary romance. It had all those cute small town things I love. The writing was solid. Sometimes the word choice was odd. Tessa didn't always speak naturally. But it wasn't too jarring and Lucky's voice worked.

The romance was executed well. It was a little rushed like most romances, but still seemed believable. And it was nice to see bad-ass Lucky be so sweet and emotionally vulnerable. Not all authors would've made that choice. And the motorcycle club thing was handled well. Ms. Blake shows the good and bad sides of that culture.

I feel like I end a lot of my reviews this way, but this is my first Toni Blake and I do plan on reading at least the other books in this series.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Top 10 Books Every High Schooler Should Read

Top 10 Tuesday was created by the Broke and the Bookish. You can find more information here


Some of these I've felt this way about for a while. I tried to make it a pretty varied list, but not as much as I would like. A few of these books are on the mature side, but I believe teenagers shouldn't be babied when it comes to life.

1) Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
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It's been a long time since I read this, but I've always thought this was an important read. Appearance and image are so important, especially as a teenager and this examines that in the extreme.

2) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
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This is another one that's been on my list for a long time. Especially, for teenagers because they are forming political opinions and this helps you analyze options in a safe way.

3) Everybody Knows My Name/The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill
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First of all, diversity. There was almost none in my teenage reading which is sad. Personally, I learned a lot about slavery in school, but this really helped put the whole thing in perspective. It kind of humanized it.

4) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
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What teenage reading list doesn't have a classic on it? And they are incredibly important. Austen is always great. Plus, this book is fairly easy to read and like.

5) 1776 by David McCollough
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This is more for Americans, but it could be read more broadly. This is non-fiction, but is written in a very gripping way. It definitely made me more interested in American history.

6) Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman
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Just like the Lawrence Hill book, this helped me see the reality of a particularly horrible time in history.

7) Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Fangirl
Fangirl is a pretty good look at college life. Especially for introverts. It's nice to know you aren't the only odd one.

8) Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron
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This is definitely the random one on the list. But the writing and world building is so solid. Plus, it's a great example of what you can accomplish as a self-published author.

9) The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
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Obviously, I had to include another classic and this is one of my favorites. Classics don't have to be dark or depressing. And there's the added bonus of more diversity.

10) Local History/Biography
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This one is kind of a cop-out but it's important to know where you come from. I'm from Rochester, NY so I would maybe pick out books on the Erie Canal, Frederick Douglass, or Kodak.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Monday, April 11, 2016

Review: The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan

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Series: Brothers Sinister Book #2
Format: Ebook
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: self-published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Miss Jane Fairfield can’t do anything right. When she’s in company, she always says the wrong thing—and rather too much of it. No matter how costly they are, her gowns fall on the unfortunate side of fashion. Even her immense dowry can’t save her from being an object of derision.

And that’s precisely what she wants. She’ll do anything, even risk humiliation, if it means she can stay unmarried and keep her sister safe.

Mr. Oliver Marshall has to do everything right. He’s the bastard son of a duke, raised in humble circumstances—and he intends to give voice and power to the common people. If he makes one false step, he’ll never get the chance to accomplish anything. He doesn’t need to come to the rescue of the wrong woman. He certainly doesn’t need to fall in love with her. But there’s something about the lovely, courageous Jane that he can’t resist…even though it could mean the ruin of them both.


Review

It's official, I'm on the Courtney Milan trail. I already liked her, but now I have to read all the books. This book was like my crack, but also different. How does she do it?

First, there's Jane. She was basically perfect and I have no complaints. I loved that some of her ridiculousness isn't natural and other parts aren't an act. That helped me really connect with her. Plus, she has a great relationship with her sister.

Then, there's Oliver. Where the hell did he come from. Ms. Milan could've easily made him cold and bitter, but he's actually very kind and thoughtful. The way he feels about and treats his aunt Freddy makes my heart flutter. I loved looking at his journey of self-reflection which I don't often see done with male characters.

This is a perfect example of why self-publishing is great. Ms. Milan plays around with tropes and your expectations. It definitely feels like a historical, but stands out in the best possible way.

And the sequel bait. I want to read the next one so bad, but I'm to practice self-control and ration these books.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Friday, April 8, 2016

Review: A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan

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Series: Brothers Sinister Book #1.5
Format: Ebook
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Self-published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
Miss Lydia Charingford is always cheerful, and never more so than at Christmas time. But no matter how hard she smiles, she can't forget the youthful mistake that could have ruined her reputation. Even though the worst of her indiscretion was kept secret, one other person knows the truth of those dark days: the sarcastic Doctor Jonas Grantham. She wants nothing to do with him...or the butterflies that take flight in her stomach every time he looks her way.

Jonas Grantham has a secret, too: He's been in love with Lydia for more than a year. This winter, he's determined to conquer her dislike and win her for his own. It all starts with a wager and a kiss...

A Kiss for Midwinter is a novella (38,000 words) in the Brothers Sinister series. It follows The Duchess War. Each book stands on its own, but those who prefer to read in order might want to read that book first.


Review

This is the first disappointing book I've read by Courtney Milan. It was an ok read, but not as good as her others. It was especially sad because I was really excited for Lydia and Jonas' story after the previous book.

The language was kind of odd, not in a bad way though. Jonas is just so honest and straight forward. I guess I'm just used to the more physical prose kind of language.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Review: Long Way Down by Krista and Becca Ritchie

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Series: Calloway Sisters Book # 4/Addicted Book #3.2
Format: Ebook
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Self-published

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

With a seven-year age difference, Ryke & Daisy have faced an uphill battle in the eyes of the world and their families. Known as the most adventurous, fast-paced couple — their next step has always been elusive to the rabid media.

Behind the scenes, heartbreaking troubles continue to test Ryke & Daisy’s resilience and shape their future together.

They promise:

To never slow down.
To never compromise who they are.
To never abandon their love for each other.

But preserving their happiness also means adding more risks. Ones that Connor Cobalt wouldn’t even take. As a professional free-solo climber, Ryke is no stranger to risk, but his next step with Daisy wagers more than just his health.

With their lives on the line, Ryke & Daisy head towards the vast, wild unknown in this epic final conclusion to the Addicted series. 
 
Review

No...it's over...sort of. There's going to be an epilogue book thankfully. I definitely support the Raisy ship, but they aren't my favorite, so I wasn't as emotionally invested as I could've been. But it's still a great book and conclusion to the series.

I liked where Daisy and Ryke went as individuals and as a couple. Especially Ryke. I was devastated by some things that happened to him, but they needed to happen. Ryke has been one of those mentally strong characters throughout the series so it was nice to see some weakness.

My main complaint was that it felt jumpy sometimes. Several times there were moments that were skipped that shouldn't h ave been. It was kind of like a book that has a companion and the author doesn't want to be repetitive. But there isn't one.

I still love these characters and really recommend Krista and Becca Ritchie. Now, they just need to publish another book so I can read it.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Monday, April 4, 2016

Review: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

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Series: His Fair Assassins Book #2
Format: Paperback
Pages:
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Gift from family
Genre: Young adult, historical fiction, fantasy
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
When Sybella arrived at the doorstep of St Mortain half mad with grief and despair the convent were only too happy to offer her refuge - but at a price. The sisters of this convent serve Death, and with Sybella naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, she could become one of their most dangerous weapons.

But her assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to the life that nearly drove her mad. Her father's rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother's love is equally monstrous. But when Sybella discovers an unexpected ally she discovers that a daughter of Death may find something other than vengeance to live for...


Review

I thought I loved Grave Mercy, but this one blew it out of the water. I do want to give a quick trigger warning for sexual abuse. There isn't anything graphic, but I'm sure it would upset some people.

While Grave Mercy was deep-seated in politics, this was more character-driven. The overall political plot of the series was moved forward but this is Sybella's story. And she was heart-breakingly amazing. Nobody should have to go through what she does, but it shows how strong she truly is.

My favorite thing is Ms. LaFevers writing. She perfectly blends historical writing. She perfectly blends historical and fantastical elements. This goes for her writing style, too. And she does a good job of hooking me in a peaceful way. This may not make sense, but when I read fast-paced books they kind of stress me out. This is so easy on my brain and eyeballs.

I know I haven't mentioned the content much, but I think you should just read this book (and series) kind of blind. Just go on the amazing journey. Oh, and there is a romance but it's pretty low-key. And it's definitely not the main focus of the story. Thought I'd say something, because I know some people feel strongly about those kinds of things.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Sunday, April 3, 2016

March Wrap-Up (2016)

March started off a lot like February. My reading still felt a little disjointed. But towards the middle of the month I felt like I started to hit my stride.

It probably helps that I've been reading some very good books.

And this is the month I've completely fallen in love with Courtney Milan. I've been reading the Brothers Sinister series and it's great. I'm trying to go slow, but I'm  probably going to blow through all of her books.

Below are the books I read and their ratings.

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan-4 Stars
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The Duchess War by Courtney Milan-5 Stars
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A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan-3 Stars
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Chasing Impossible by Katie McGarry-4 Stars
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Long Way Down by Krista and Becca Ritchie-5 Stars
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Whisper Falls by Toni Blake-4 Stars
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Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers-5 Stars
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The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan-5 Stars
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Because of Low by Abbi Glines-3 Stars
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Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan-4 Stars
Archer's Voice

Still the One by Jill Shalvis- 4 Stars
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The Proposal by Mary Balogh-3.5 Stars
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Thanks for reading!
Holly