"I have your back. I didn't mean only when it's easy. All the time."

Enclave (Razorland #1)
By Ann Aguirre

For the first few chapters I thought that this book was the love child between The Hunger Games and Divergence. I was happy to see that this dystopian novel evolved into something else giving it a nice twist of the setting.

The world is now made of enclaves underground that people now live in. And by people I mean teenagers. It seems that no one really lives to see their 20's. As a "brat" you can  choose on of the three fabulous job occupations; Breeders, Builders, or Hunters. Deuce has chosen to be a huntress. On her naming day she  is given her new name, Deuce (no longer just "Girl 15" followed by a number) and the scars to show her new found career. Deuce is paired with a seemingly mysterious partner Fade. Fade is different than the others in the enclave as he was not born there. In fact, he was found in the pathways between enclaves where the Freaks live. Even more shocking Fade says he's not from an enclave but from Topside, a place which is thought to be desolated and destroyed. Fade is ostracized by the others in the enclave because of his aloofness. Deuce soon find out that this aloofness is the outer layer covering a much different true nature.

Deuce's character traits of being a huntress with feelings, paired with her growing wariness that the things she was told may not be true builds to her complexity. Fade's character is portrayed as dark and dangerous but slowly we learn (along with Deuce) the true nature of Fade. The character development was strong in the first part of the book but began to lack in effectiveness at the end. The new characters added seemed to be weakly built secondary characters but that could be because we haven't had enough time to get to know them and we're left with a torturous cliff hanger.

As of now their seems to be no love triangle. That may change when it comes to the second book but I found it refreshing that the romance aspect was so subtle. Negatively, I felt not real climax point. Sure, there were ups and downs but it seemed as if some editor said "Hey this is a good story. Let's cut it in half and we can make everyone by TWO books."

Now for my favorite part- the research. I'm a huge stickler for making things accurate. I know that seems odd because this book contains the aftermath of an apocalypse but I am also the reader who becomes angry with books about werewolves because they don't follow the general mythology.
Ms. Aguirre DID her research. She even cites articles in her notes. Because of this I believe she created the most BELIEVABLE setting of a post-apocalyptic world. From the imagery given of the "topside" to the products found, everything makes perfect sense. Even Deuce's weapon's are post-apocalyptic. She carries a wooden CLUB for half of the book.

Although no climax  was reached and some characters remained under developed, their was a steady sense of building up to something good. Enclave was a good quick read and I will be awaiting the second book.

"He's the bad one, you know. The dangerous one. Girls like bad boys."

 Abbi Glines writes a book = Nerd girl must review it.

I was happy to see that Ms. Glines gave us a second part to the story. It was clear what happened between Ashton and Beau was going to stick. No more love triangle. No more hiding it. But what happens to Sawyer? And that's were this book picks up.

First up the cover. Delicious! Makes me want candy. I'm not much of candy eatter. The last book's cover had one of those dinky heart lollipops that come in a bazillion pound bag so you can give it to everyone in your class, your brothers class and most of the neighborhood. But this one is the gourmet lollipop from that wooden stand that you almost never got to get because it was "too much money for a lollipop" but now you're an adult and you can get whatever lollipops you want... I really want candy.....

Lana and Sawyer's story was an enjoyable, easy read. Turns out Ashton's cousin Lana has been nursing a crush on Sawyer all these years   Now that things are over between Ash and Sawyer, Lana visits, hoping to snag herself the "boy next door" Vincent Brother. (You know-- the unbad one.)

Now what I liked about the book is that prim and proper Sawyer Vincent manned up and took what he wanted. It was clearer in this book that Sawyer never really loved Ashton because the way he is with Lana and the way he was with Ashton were totally different.

Lana was a little too trusting for my taste. She is so sweet, understanding, and innocent.There were a few time where she need to be angry with Ashton.

Overall it was a nice ending to a good story. And I have decided that I need a boy with a truck....

Premonition Series

            

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The Premonition Series Books 1-3
I liked this series. Even though my rant may seem like I hated it I didn't. I liked this story line and I'm sticking to it.
Evie  is immediately drawn to Reed when she meets him. Unfortunately, he doesn't feel the same way... at first. He's torn between killing her or just stay quiet about her existence as an Angel with a soul. However, Evie has no idea she is a half-breed between human and Seraphim angel or a fallen angel (Which we don't know). Reed is torn about what to do since as a warrior angel his is committed to fighting evil and Evie may be part fallen. After Evie's existence has been exposed to others, she's in a constant danger because of what she is.

 Through a series of events we find Evie stuck between a warrior angel, Reed, and her soul mate, Russell. Oh yeah and then there's the king of Gancanagh who she goes all Stockholm on but really this book has no love triangle because in Evie's eyes no one beats her angel, Reed.

Let me first address Russell. Many reviewers either hate him or love him.  I am a member of the latter and don't approve with Evie's puppetry of him. He's sweet, funny and totally devoted to Evie. Can't knock a guy like that. However, let me address the "whole southern people don't have that accent" topic. I am a northerner and, while some southerners have a cute little twang, there are most definitely those southerns who speak like Russell. In fact, my husband is from Georgia (He often needs to translate when we go there.) and has a friend who's speech is VERY similar to Russell ( I picture him as Russell, too).

Now for research part. I'm a stickler of finding parts in the story that align with fact or common mythology. Although I am not one of those people who believe in many grim reapers there is some angelology that states there are more than one. However, I have not found anywhere in religion, mythology and angelology where angels have wings such as Evie's red one's or Bunn's and Brownie's insect like one's. That irked me to no end.

Over all the book was well written and the characters were thought out and developed. Therefore, I'll be awaiting the last book.

And the Angelfucker makes his move...

Gabriel's Inferno By Sylvain Reynard

I'm over whelmed with the feelings I have for this book It was recommended to me from a friend because I had read Fifty Shades of Gray (who hasn't) and Trust in Advertising (nothing to scream about). After reading the summary I was determine to read it. Romance and Dante? That's a nerd girl's DREAM and it didn't disappoint.

From a passing moment between her and a friend's brother Julia fell in love with the work Dante. Now as a graduate student studying the work of Dante she is given to opportunity to study with Gabriel Emerson a renowned Dante specialist. It would be a dream come true. If only he could remember their one beautiful  fleeting moment from years ago. All he can remember is that "Emerson's an ass" note that he caught Julia passing in his class.

This is not just a romance novel but a story of personal strength, redemption, and forgiveness. If you're looking for another Fifty Shades, THIS IS NO IT. The writing is beautiful, intellectual and creates such an appropriate ambiance for the story. Julia is a  REAL girl. She's relatable and intelligent. Her hold life doesn't just revolve around the love she has for Gabriel. She has other plans and, while she would be utterly upset if things don't go her way in the love department, it doesn't seem to end her entire being (Someone has to know what book I'm hinting at). Gabriel is my new favorite contemporary romance character. He's dark without brooding. He's intelligent and although obnoxious at first, doesn't fit the normal bad boy persona by the end of the book.

Kudos to Ms. Reynard for creating an engaging, though provoking, and deep romance.

eek!

I'm so excited I may just BUST!

No along have a found a new Series - Premonition Series by Amy Bartol



BUT ALSO the sequel to  Sylvain Reynard's Gabriel's Inferno is out



I'm planning on reviewing both eventually......

It's ALIVE

One of my fave authors just had her new book go LIVE on Nook!

Check it out!

Gio By Elizabeth Reyes


Hurry up Amazon!!!

Sookie Stackhouse: Team Just end this series

Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse #12)
By Charlaine Harris


And all together now... exasperated sigh. This series has peeked (for me it was in the third and forth books) and just won't DIE. Hey, much like a vampire...

First, let me start, by saying if I was ever given the choice to read this series or another Vampire series (Twilight anyone?) Sookie Stackhouse would win. Hands down. Charlaine Harris is one of the godmothers "makers" of vampire pop culture and literature. (See what I did there?) No matter how many books are in this series I will continue to faithfully read each one.

Mostly this book dragged for me. It's all about the girl found on Eric's lawn and does he really love her and when to use the magical Fae token her gram left her.  The dialogue was lackluster. The inner dialogue was annoying. The plot was slow. However, let me give props where they are do. The last few pages of the book- well, not expecting that.

What this all boils down to, and what everyone is really reading this for is to see who Sookie is going to end up with. Eric? Bill? Sam? Alcide? She even brought Quinn back for this one! (Quinn= the most pointless character in literature EVER). Ms. Harris adds bits and pieces with each male to throw you off but quite honestly I think she is going to surprise us all in the end. Personally, I love Alcide but he shouldn't be with Sookie. He needs to be with a certain red headed book reviewer but I digress. I think she may pull this thing full circle and end with Bill. She certainly left an opening for it. However slight it may be. Yes, we all were mad at Bill for lying and being a jerk. Yes, he is no longer mysterious, dark and brooding but nerdy and sad. BUT I can't let go of the magic in the first two books.

Bottom line, FINISH THIS THING! Tell them no more books, Ms. Harris. Tell them you're done. This story is done and put a stake in it. Even vampires know when it's the end.

It is not the critic who counts.....

Girl in the Arena

By Lise Haines

 

I downloaded this book because it reminded me of my favorite Teddy Roosevelt quote. The first time I picked up this book I read a chapter and left it for a long while. Then I picked it up again. I'm kind of happy I did.



Looks like a basic dysopian novel from the cover (Great cover and if you haven't figured it out by now I DO judge books by their covers). Several pop culture references arise so, in actually, it's set in an modern time alternate reality.



Lyn lives in a culture obsessed with Gladiators. As a daughter of seven Glads, she has had her fair share of run ins with the culture. (I realize now you're going "Seven dads?" Let me clarify: 1 biological father and 6 step fathers) Lyn has had the privilege of being taught by most of her fathers, before they all died in the arena, how to fight but Lyn is a pacifist-kind of. Because of her mom's status as a "Glad wife," Lyn has also had to live her life according to the bylaws put forth by the Gladiator Sports Association. It's because of these by laws that she finds herself forced to marry Uber, the glad that killed Tommy, her seventh father. In order to save her  "banished glad wife" of a mom and her prophetic little brother, it would be easy just to marry Uber but as a daughter of seven glads, she does not take the easy way out.

Although Uber is a professional killer, you can't help but feel for the guy behind the dust and sweat and blood (see what I did there?). Maybe in a different time, under a different situation this would have worked.  That, among other events, really pulls at your heart strings.

This book was better than I expected but I still feel more could have been done with the story line. Lyn, her brother, Thad and her seventh father Tommy were really the only developed characters in the book (and Tommy was dead for most of it). In addition, I wish the setting was more developed. I know it's not a dystopian but I still would have liked some explanation of what brought the world to idolize a death sport.

All in all, I'll recommend it. It's a good read. Although I don't know if I'd classify it as a YA novel. The way Lynn grows, takes care of her brother and realizes she may like the 'enemy' all comes together to make a good read.

*Note: While I love the cover, it's inaccurate according to the story. Lyn actually enters the arena with a shaved head and a 'T' stitched into the back of her skull. THAT would have made a bad ass cover

It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
-Teddy Roosevelt

”Cruelty does not make a person dishonest, the same way bravery does not make a person kind. "

Insurgent (Divergent #2)


Now I usually don't review series or trilogies because there is always that danger of me spoiling the previous book for my reader. However, I *heart* this series and because classes don't start for another two weeks I have ample time to review whatever I choose. So, BEWARE OF SPOILERS.

Insurgent picked up right where Divergent left off. (So really no need to reread, just skim).

In Insurgent we find out that there's more than just Tris and Four who are  Divergent (able to fit into more than one fraction) and we also learn that in every fraction people you thought you could trust, people thought to be "good" suddenly may not have the best intentions. In a world where  everyone is suppose to be but into a little "box" there sure is alot of that gray fuzzy area. You can see it in the Dauntless fraction. In the first book you think these guys are bad ass and heroes. Then they spilt (into traitors and non-traitors, which by the end of the book leave you going 'Who's who?'). The split irked me to no end. I wanted Dauntless to be strong and heroic and kick ass but turns out even they are slave to their human instinct to survive. In fact, all the fractions are. Which is why everything is now shot to hell.

 Now this isn't really a question of which side is right and which side is wrong but more of 'which side has all the information.' Roth really knows how to pace this trilogy, dropping little bits here and there to tell you there's more to this story. EVERY character is intricate and complex; bringing something to the story. Tris constantly changes her mind and the battle within herself shows she's truly Divergent. You  can actually see what part of her is taking over in the moment. Who she trusts end up affecting the actions she takes. Which may not be the smartest (especially if she doesn't have all the information) By the end of the book (JAW dropping cliffhanger here. My blood pressure does not thank you, Roth), it's very clear to see that series was meticulously mapped out from the beginning.


* Let me just point out that I did NOT read this book for the romance. Sure it's a slight added perk but there's so much more to this story.

Abbi Glines

I  have read every single one of Abbi Glines' books and why I never thought of doing a review is beyond me.

The Vincent Boys

Remember your best friend growing up? The one that that saw your bruises or stood by you when you made a fool of your self. Well Ashton has two of those-the Vincent Boys (should NOT be  SOLD separately). Theu're opposite cousins who make Ashton act in opposite ways. When good boy Sawyer decides to go on a camping trip leaving his girlfriend Ashton (and her God loving parents) behind. No biggie. Ashton will be with  Beau, and they all grew up together so why would Sawyer worry? I'll tell you why because Beau is a bad boy with a pick up truck (I find that incredibly appealing). So Ashton gets to finally see what the being with the other Vincent boy is like. Her head may be determined to walk the straight and narrow with Sawyer, but when Beau shows up and tries to end her good girl ways, she can't just follow her head anymore.

Now you know I love my bad boys but Beau was a little too country for me. But I actually want to give props to Ms. Glines for that. Bad boy Beau, preacher's daughter Ashton, and the all American hero, Sawyer, had a little edge to their stereotype. Personally, I liked two unlikely characters. There was something about Beau's mom and Ashton's cousin which made me love them for being so real and level headed. Having both Ashton's and Beau's voice thought the book was a wonderful touch.
Must read for YA romance


Breathe (Sea Breeze, #1) 

Sadie grew up being the adult in  her house. With her mom currently pregnant and refusing to work, Sadie has no choice but to  take her mother's job at a swanky mansion. This isn't just any mansion, but the mansion of yummy rock star, Jax Stone (girl scream here). Now Sadie knows EXACTLY who Jax is but drooling over him like most girls her age isn't an option.

This was a sweet Cinderella story, which every girl needs once in a while. I like that Sadie wasn't your typical princess. She had other things to be worried about. Like dealing how sucky her mom is or what's going to happen when the baby is born. Again,  I loved the secondary characters. Marcus, the college-student hottie who you couldn't help but feel bad for (don't feel too bad, he gets some love in the next bookBecause of Low). For the most part this was an all around feel good book. HOWEVER, I highly recommend the next book...

Because of Low (Sea Breeze, #2)

Now if you loved Marcus in Breathe (like ME!) you'll love him in Because of Low. Different than Breathe this was more of a realistic story. Again, girl with crappy life gets swept off her feet by a dreamy guy.
Marcus is the all American, witty, good looking, heart on his sleeve kind of guy meets Low through his roommate, Cage. Low's life is less than perfect. In and out of her sister's house and in love with her niece, Low is not the usual girl Marcus would go for but he can't help feel for this girl. Oh except that Cage has marked her as off limits because "she's the girl I'm going  to marry."

With refreshing characters, this book is a must read. I liked Breathe but Because of Low was emotional and real. I loved Low because I had a childhood friend that repeatedly say he would marry me. Marcus was amazing to take up the challenge and the book was well written with well developed characters. Can't wait for Cage's book (gotta love a man-ho)

Existence (Existence trilogy)

Who WOULDN'T fall in love with Death? It's just the right amount of creepy, dark romance I LOVE.
Pagan has seen souls her entire life. So when one begins to speak to her (Not the norm) she's freaked but he's incredibly hot for a dead guy. Dank (What a name!) will  not leave her alone and  but Pagan is fascinated by him. So much so, that the hot popular guy she's now dating, Leif, doesn't stand a chance.  But Little does she know that dead guy following her around isn't a soul and her time  in this world is up..

I love paranormal books. So when I heard Abbi Glines had one I gobbled it up. Actually the first thing I did was judge the book by it's cover, which is AMAZING! Kudos for that. I keep my interest the whole way through and wasn't exactly what I expected especially with the cliff hanger at the end (WHY wouldn't you do that to us, Abbi?) So if you liked the Abbi Glines YA you'll LOVE the start of this trilogy.

Predestined (Existence #2)

When Lief goes missing from school he doesn't exactly leave all together. He shows up in Pagan's dreams and she finds out that there may be more to their relationship than  meets the eye. Dank knows Lief is soulless but when he finds out why Leif is hanging around, he realizes Pagan's soul has bee marked. Again, Death will have to break all the rules to save her.

Wow. This did not go where I expected. If you have noticed I read a bunch of paranormal about angels and I was thinking that where this was headed. The spin it took was delightful and original. Way to go Abby for not making this just another paranormal trilogy. Oh and again, beautiful cover.