Tag Archives: 4.5 stars

Magic Bleeds Book Review

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magicbleedsTitle: Magic Bleeds
Series: Kate Daniels #4
Author: Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: May 25, 2010
Genre: Adult – Urban Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 349
Format: Gifted Paperback

Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren’t for the magic. When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose.

Kate Daniels works for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, officially as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle – especially if they involve Atlanta’s shapeshifting community. When she’s called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar on the border between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers that there’s a new player in town. One who’s been around for thousands of years – and who rode to war at the side of Kate’s father. This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Beast Lord, to handle. Because this time Kate will be taking on family.

As this is the fourth book, there will most likely be some spoilers.

This fourth installment was probably my favorite so far, and that’s probably because of the plot in this specific book and my growing attachment to the characters.

In this book the plot continues to wrap itself more around Roland – an undead piloter, and possibly undead himself – who happens to also be Kate’s father. She knows she has to kill him eventually, and I know that the major overall plot is leading up to that, but the plot in this book is about a plague bringing person who has ties to Kate that neither of them knew about until one day when they run into each other.

I think that the plot in this one intrigued me the most so far is partly because, 1) the fighting scenes in this one are kind of kickass, 2) the sexual tension between Kate and Curran finally reaches a climax (omg bad pun), and 3) I felt that I learned so much more about the characters as a whole in this book in particular.

So first, let me talk about the fighting scenes: now with each book we get fighting scenes as it’s just the nature of the story and the characters themselves. But when Kate would go up against some of the people in this book in particular I felt that the descriptions were a lot more detailed and that there was just a lot more going on.

It wasn’t so much that I couldn’t keep up and I knew all of the characters that were taking part in some way or other. I think that the authors really did a great job in this book showcasing how strong of a character Kate is while also showing that she is also human and is prone to getting her ass kicked just as much as she kicks others’.

And the romance! Whew! Bring me a fan because it’s getting hot in here. I think one of the best things about this series is the slow burn romance between Kate and Curran – and that there’s also no third party to get in the way because I’m kind of over it. But these two, though they’re always at each others’ throats, they know their feelings for each other.

I know that Kate has an extremely hard time letting people in with how she was raised and how things usually go in her life, but once she lets Curran in, she knows that she can’t leave him. I never thought that that made her seem clingy or in any way made her relinquish any sort of power; in fact, I think Curran really compliments her well and makes her stronger.

Overall, I felt like I just really learned so much about the characters in this book. I’m really starting to connect with them and react more if something bad happens to certain characters, or even if something good happens or if humor is used.

I found a lot more humor in this book than in the previous ones and I just thought that it was executed in a fun and engaging way. And even though new characters seemed to be introduced left and right, I still got a feel for who they are and what sort of significance they hold in Kate’s life and to the story as a whole.

I really enjoyed this installment of the series and I highly recommend it if you haven’t read it yet. It’s definitely made me want to keep going and see what Atlanta’s got in store next for Kate and Curran.

I rated this book 4.5/5 stars.

Destroy Me & Fracture Me Novellas Reviews

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I just finished both of the novellas from Tahereh Mafi‘s Shatter Me trilogy, one from Warner’s point of view and the other from Adam’s, and so I’m going to put both of my reviews for them here.

destroymeTitle: Destroy Me
Series: Shatter Me #1.5
Pages: 101
Format: Purchased eBook*

In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

My love for Warner just increased, I think.

I loved being able to see from his perspective and the different voices all of these characters have. Tahereh Mafi has a way with words, crafting them into beautiful sentences, and it makes my heart flutter.

Warner was actually really creepy to me in the first book, less so in the second, and definitely not in the third. For this novella, he was still kind of weird and foreign to me, but as it continued I really saw his struggle to maintain control. He likes order, he likes control; it’s what makes him feel most comfortable with the world, so for the world to be in disarray after the events of Shatter Me, it’s kind of eye opening to see how he reacts in the situations that are being thrust upon him.

I think that this novella definitely improved his character arc and I wish I had read it sooner. Not only do we get a look into why he did some of the things he did, but we got to understand that he’s human just like everyone else and, though he may try to hide it, he does have emotions and weaknesses and insecurities.

The plot followed the events right after the first book and into the second book, and I like that we got to see more of Delaliu and even his father. The plot itself was simple: find Juliette and the others, and even then that was a challenge given his injury and other factors. I thought that it was engaging and interesting to see what happened from the other side where Juliette and Adam weren’t at.

I really enjoyed this novella and definitely recommend it to Shatter Me fans and if you want to get a bit more out of Warner.

4.5/5 stars

fracturemeTitle: Fracture Me
Series: Shatter Me #2.5
Pages: 67
Format: Purchased eBook*

As Omega Point prepares to launch an all-out assault on The Reestablishment soldiers stationed in Sector 45, Adam’s focus couldn’t be further from the upcoming battle. He’s reeling from his breakup with Juliette, scared for his best friend’s life, and as concerned as ever for his brother James’s safety. And just as Adam begins to wonder if this life is really for him, the alarms sound. It’s time for war.

On the battlefield, it seems like the odds are in their favor—but taking down Warner, Adam’s newly discovered half brother, won’t be that easy. The Reestablishment can’t tolerate a rebellion, and they’ll do anything to crush the resistance . . . including killing everyone Adam has ever cared about.


Though I find Adam to be a pain in the butt, I’m actually really glad to have read this story from his perspective. To be able to see such brotherly love and affection overtake any other emotion is incredible, especially given the circumstances.

I kind of already had a feel for who he was as a character, but just knowing how much he cares for his brother and how he would put him before anyone else kind of makes him a little less of a jerk and a little more over protective older brother.

I get that he felt the need to protect Juliette – I do, I get it – and that he wrestled with himself as to who was more important to him was kind of eye-opening for his character: was he ready to risk the girl he loves, or his only little brother, the only person he has left in the world from his family? But I think that he made the right decision.

The plot followed the story during Unravel Me when everything kind of went to hell, which was an interesting place to see his perspective. I think he thought he was too needed, when in reality Juliette was fine without him. I found this novella to be a good edition to the trilogy.

And as always, the writing is lovely and descriptive without giving too much away.

3.75/5 stars

*Both eBooks were purchased for my nook Simple Touch.

Days of Blood & Starlight Book Review

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daysofbloodandstarlightTitle: Days of Blood & Starlight
Series: Book 2 in Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy
Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Publication Date: November 6, 2013
Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 513
Format: Purchased Paperback

As this is the sequel, there will be spoilers in this review.

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.
This is not that world.

Art student and monster’s apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is–and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she’ll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

This sequel held many aspects I wasn’t expecting, and it was just as beautiful, if not more intense, than the first.

I found this sequel to be a little slow at the beginning, but I don’t know if that was because I was in a reading slump at the time. But once I got more into the story and saw a lot more happening than what I first thought, I was hooked.

The storyline picked up right where it left off, or just a short time after, and it was interesting to see just how different the characters were for one reason or another: Karou knew the truth of her past; Akiva had his own guilts to deal with; many things had happened in the time between what happened in the last book until now and it was just mind blowing to see just what was going on.

I thought that this book was a bit more intense and serious than the last. It focused more on the war aspect, and a lot more on resurrection and plots and vengeance than I was expecting. It did have a few light-hearted moments, but this book was mostly one in which dealt with a lot of different action sequences from one to the next and the next.

This book followed a lot more perspectives than the last, too, where it included not on Karou’s and Akiva’s points of view, but also a seriph soldier, the White Wolf, a new/old friend, and several others. I thought that the way Laini Taylor placed those new voices into the story truly benefitted it rather than hindered it as it was good to see what was happening in both worlds and in completely different places in those worlds.

As for the characters, I thought that Karou was being a bit too rash when it came to some things, though I could understand where her anger was coming from. She tried to do her best with what she had to do, but I also just think that she could have tried to be stronger or acted more on certain things. Though she was broken emotionally and tried to be strong in front of others for her own safety, when she was around friends and finally had some glimmers of hope, I think that’s where she really shined.

I really enjoyed getting to see more of her knowing that she’s chimera, as well. Though she struggles in her environment, and with her memories, I think that by having her memories unlocked she was able to deal with a lot more than if she hadn’t had those memories back in the first place. And a few times I wanted to smack her because I thought she was just trying too hard to be mad at Akiva. Or maybe that was just me wishing for some more romance. Who knows?

At first I thought Akiva was just being too… emotionless? Reckless? I’m not sure what the word is that I’m looking for, but I thought that he was just kind of floating there for a while. But I did love that he was extremely brave and tried to save as many chimera as possible before the seriph slaughtered them. I think those moments really showed his character and how much he changed from before and after he met Karou/Madrigal.

As time progressed in the story, I thought that Akiva was holding a lot more secrets than he originally let on, but I also think that he, himself, doesn’t know what those secrets are. The fact that he was able to experience certain things was interesting and I really want to see it come into play in the next book.

We also got to see parts of the story from Thiago, whom I dislike greatly; Ziri, who is an awesome friend for Karou and just a gentle soul for sure; Zuzana, whom I love because of her fiery spirit and her willingness to just chill with some monsters; and others. It was definitely a treat to be able to read parts of the story from these other perspectives because it showed multiple events happening at once, but in different places and in different worlds. Plus there was some extra backstory in a few places, which is always nice to have.

I think that the next book is going to be an epic one. There’s going to be a lot more battling and war, and probably more loss occurring, but I also have hope for Karou and Akiva, and all the others, and I really am excited to see what happens next.

Overall, I thought this was a strong sequel. It didn’t falter from the original storyline, but added to it, and I think that we definitely got to know the characters better and that we got to see more of who they are and just what they’re fighting for. And as always, Laini Taylor’s writing is beautiful and strong.

I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and highly recommend it if you’ve read the first book.

The Raven Boys Book Review

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theravenboysTitle: The Raven Boys
Series: Book 1 in The Raven Cycle
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Genre: Young Adult – Paranormal
Pages: 408
Format: Gifted Paperback

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue never sees them–until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks to her.

His name is Gansey, a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul whose emotions range from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She doesn’t believe in true love, and never thought this would be a problem. But as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

This first installment of this series was, in my opinion, amazing. I thought that the premise of it being about psychics and some huge mystery was actually very unique and exciting. In fact, I didn’t think I would like it as much as I did for some reason, and I’m not sure why.

I thought that the plot itself was driven by the characters and their actions, but also just by the sheer fact that they exist in the universe that they exist in. It’s hard to explain, really, but I thought that the plot kept moving forward, even though some of the slow times, as if those times were purposeful and meant to be there.

At the end of each chapter I wanted to continue to flip the page, to find out more, to have answers to my unanswered questions. I just feel like the plot really delivered, and I think a huge part of that had to do with the characters.

When I first read about Blue, I thought that she was just… different. She, herself, was unique in this unique setting, and I found it to be entertaining where she lived and who she lived with. Her personality was subtle, a little sheltered, but still one that was down to earth and in control of her emotions. She understood more than what many might not, especially given the circumstances for which things were happening. She was strong, but not overpowering, and I thought that she was actually kind of cool in her own way.

Gansey was super formal and tried too hard to please others, I think. He always had a mask on and would only let it slip on occasion, so I’m really interested to see how much that mask falls off later down the road. And even though he was the “leader” of the Raven Boys group, he didn’t really act like he had all of the power and the most money; he was just trying to be helpful. I think part of his personality bordered on innocent, while the rest bordered on, well, an excited teenaged boy on an adventure. I think that he’ll definitely grow in the future books and I’m intrigued to see what happens with him next.

Ronan was the badass of the group, and rightfully so. His whole posture and demeanor screamed “troubled teen,” but he also surprised me in more ways than one. Not only was he a badass with daddy and sibling issues, he also holds dark secrets and he has a soft side. I mean, what more can you ask for? Frankly, I just want to be his friend because he proved himself more than just once in this book that he cares greatly for his friends, even if he doesn’t always show it.

Adam was like the outsider of the group – the one who was raised in a different situation than the rest of the boys – but I think that really humbled him. He was kind and generous, but he also had a lot of moments where his pride took over. I thought that he was trying so hard to be so strong, when really, he was crumbling on the inside. I am interested to see if certain events take place and how he pans out as a character, but so far I like him.

Noah was the super quiet, mysterious one, that you almost forget is that. And, hell, that’s how he’s even described as in the book! I figured out who he was a few chapters before it was found out, and I loved that whole mystery around him. I think that he adds a definite calming aura for the group, as well as just a little bit of light when it’s needed. I hope there will be more of him in the future because he just seems like one of those characters you can’t help but love.

There were also the side characters of Maura, Persephone, and Calla, who were all fun and witty and each their own person and I liked greatly, as well as Neeve, who was mysterious and creepy. And then there was Whelk, who, well… I didn’t really like. I wonder what will happen in future books with some of these characters?

So, all in all, I really loved this book. I only I had a few problems, which were a few typos and the big resounding question of why anyone is actually going along with these things that take place without asking more questions, but alas, maybe those questions will be answered later on, or maybe they won’t. But overall, I think that this was a really enjoyable read and I would recommend this to those who love paranormal, mystery, and books that keep you wanting to turn the page.

I give this book a 4.5/5 stars.

The Heart of Betrayal Book Review

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theheartofbetrayal

Title: The Heart of Betrayal
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Series: Book #2 in The Remnant Chronicles
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publication Date: July 7, 2015
Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 470
Format: Purchased Hardcover

“The Heart of Betrayal” continues to follow Lia, Rafe, and Kaden as they are now in Venda, Kaden’s homeland. Lia and Rafe are both prisoners, but as things begin to unfold in Venda, more lies are starting to trickle their way into their lives. This sequel is definitely riveting and it includes more heart-pumping, jaw dropping events that are sure to make fans of the first book crave more.

I know I do.

This sequel was slow to start out, but it quickly grew and built into a fantastic installation that had me craving more and wanting to find out what happened next.

As this is a sequel, there will probably be spoilers ahead.

Let’s talk characters.

Lia is becoming a lot stronger in this book. She had just gone through hell and back with her emotions and to then be thrust into a world where she believed only cruel barbarians lived was just the icing on the cake. She quickly learns, though, that she can’t let any weaknesses show lest the Komizar play with those weaknesses. I thought that she did her best trying to grasp not only the concept of what it was like to live in Venda, but what it was like to be a strong, independent person. She couldn’t rely on anyone but herself to get her through to the next day, let alone the next moment. She did find confidences here and there in some people, but in others she knew she couldn’t trust them. I felt that she grew throughout the book, but she also definitely let her heart lead sometimes instead of using her head. At times she did act stupidly and some of her thought processes made me mad, but I understood that she was raised to believe a certain way, and the fact that she’s opening up to this new way is actually refreshing.

Rafe kind of grew on me a little more in this book. I thought that he wasn’t so arrogant in this sequel and that he was definitely not only the prince – and a skilled liar – but that he was a warrior and that his first instincts were to protect those he cared for – namely Lia. I thought that he was kind of slopping at times, his temper and emotions leading him into near consequence, but he had help one way or another to remind him that this wasn’t a land he could stand out in; he needed to play the part he set out to play, and that was all he could do. I didn’t appreciate some of the lies that he weaved throughout the book, with or without Lia, but I knew that was part of how they’d have to eventually escape.

Kaden, I think, was caught between a rock and a hard place when they reentered Venda. His loyalties to his country and the Komizar run so deep that sometimes I thought he’d abandon Lia for stupid reasons, but I think that as his feelings for Lia continued to grow his loyalties were tested. He showed more of his true self, of the wounded boy he once was and the strong Assassin he had to be. I totally felt for him on a deep level because, well, I love him, and I think that he’s just one of those people that grew up too hard and too fast. Yes, he acted impulsively and rudely sometimes, but I knew that he also had a part to play if he wanted to keep not only Lia, but Rafe, alive (even if he wanted to kill Rafe with his own two hands, he did it for Lia).

The Komizar was the newest character introduced and boy oh boy, did I not like him. I thought he played the part of the vicious, cruel leader well, holding himself on a high pedestal and wanting all the power and control for himself. He had a few tender moments, but they were all just a game he was playing with Lia and the others. He seemed always to be a step or two ahead of everyone and it made for an interesting story for sure. I wasn’t sure how it would end with him because of his cunning, but he got what he deserved, suffice it to say.

We even got a few chapters with Pauline as our main girl and I really missed her. She’s so kind and innocent and I love how her faith in Lia never falters. I think that doubt does creep in, though, toward the end, but I’m wondering what will happen in the next book and whether or not her loyalties and faith with still remain with her best and closest friend.

Now as for the plot, I did think that it was a bit slow at times and I was unsure of where it was actually going. I did appreciate the glimpses of Lia’s gift here and there and that we got to see it more developed than before. I’m hoping more will come in the next book. In terms of the main plot, there were a lot of loose ends to either tie up or continue to draw on and I thought that it was executed really well, especially in the second half of the book. We got to see political drama, an army beyond imagining, the world of Venda and its people, and so much more.

I really had a lot of emotions in this book that made me feel for the characters, making me want to keep them close and take care of them – or strangle them. There were many parts where my jaw dropped open or where I rolled my eyes or sighed with relief.

I do wish there was a little more romance in this book with a certain someone… I’m still rooting for a certain team! But now I have some theories about what may or may not happen in the next book…

Anyway, I give this book a 4.5/5 stars and highly recommend it!