Monday, January 27, 2014

Control (Control #1) by Lydia Kang

Synopsis:
When a crash kills their father and leaves them orphaned, Zel knows she needs to protect her sister, Dyl. But before Zel has a plan, Dyl is taken by strangers using bizarre sensory weapons, and Zel finds herself in a safe house for teens who aren’t like any she’s ever seen before—teens who shouldn't even exist. Using broken-down technology, her new friends’ peculiar gifts, and her own grit, Zel must find a way to get her sister back from the kidnappers who think a powerful secret is encoded in Dyl’s DNA.

A spiraling, intense, romantic story set in 2150—in a world of automatic cars, nightclubs with auditory ecstasy drugs, and guys with four arms—this is about the human genetic “mistakes” that society wants to forget, and the way that outcasts can turn out to be heroes.
My Rating
-3/5-
Right from the beginning you can tell that some thing is going to go wrong. As soon as Zel's dad dies things take a turn for the worst. 
Some of this book is really interesting while some of it isn't. What's interesting is the futuristic world, like how it's set up and everything, it sounds like a cool world. What isn't to interesting is how a lot of the twists and turns of this book were predictable, nothing to exciting that throws you way off. 
Most of the characters are really fascinating. All the side characters were really unique and well developed. There was a whole story to them each had a story and good depth, and the mutations only made them harder to forget. As for our main character Zelia she was rather boring. Not as well developed as the other characters I thought, and just so uninteresting. 
This book has a lot of good but also quite a bit of not so good. Though I found it a nice fast read that was fun, and at times exciting to read. 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Token (Token Chronicles, #1) by Ryan Gressett

Synopsis:
Fifteen-year old Kincaid (oft referred to as Trainee 15892 by the controlling entities of his Island) has never had a birthday party. He has never indulged in cake, cookies, or other scrumptious treats. He has never met his parents. He has not had what one would call a normal upbringing. Sold into bondage as a child, just as every other Trainee on the Hawk Islands, Kincaid has been raised from infancy into young manhood cast away from the war-ravaged mainland of Knav (a war his parents helped ignite). He has been strictly trained and even jolted for one sole purpose: to mold himself into the perfect Token, an obedient and ever-serving slave meant to conform to every expectation of the select Elitists of the country. Upon reaching his sixteenth birthday, there will be no sweet party, but he will, instead, become eligible to be sold as a Token at auction to the highest bidder. 

But life is not all doom and gloom on the sun-drenched Hawk Islands. Kincaid has a family of hundreds of brothers and sisters on the Island. Most importantly, he has found the love of his life in the captivating young Hadley. But when Hadley is unprecedentedly sold months early at auction, Kincaid’s world is turned upside down as he prepares himself to do anything to get her back. On his journey to find her, Kincaid begins to slowly discover the heroic and troubled secrets of his family’s past. His path back to Hadley runs straight through embracing his birthright and accepting his unlikely destiny as the Savior of Knav.

My Review
-4/5-
A free copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
This book was pretty good, I just constantly wanted to keep reading it.
I found some of the names for characters and places and things to be slightly weird, but it wasn't to bad I just have no clue how you would say some of the names.
There is a lot of characters and lot of things going on. So it's cool to see how it all unfolds but it was mainly just a lot of information to try and keep straight. The book also in a way had a informative ton. Like everything was more fact and details than emotional. It worked out really well though, I actually liked that because this book there is a lot to take in so it helped that Kincaid wasn't talking about his feelings most of the time.
Most of this book is in Kincaid's point of view but a few chapters through out this book are in other peoples point of view, like Benja and Hadleys'.
So the first half is pretty good basically a lot of what the synopsis is talking about. Half way through the book however we get a really nice twist and turn to the book that makes it more interesting, though it was pretty interesting to start with.
Lots of people crossing other people. Lots of rebelion going on and stuff like that. Which adds to the information of trying to know who is the traders who isn't.
The ending is also one of those that is unexpected. To see that this is going to be the first in a series it shall be interesting for sure to see where the next book goes and how it is told or even who it is told by. Honestly there is a lot of ways a second book can go with all that happened in this one.
I really liked this book and can't wait to see a second!

Friday, January 24, 2014

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis:
This is a stand alone novel that is an adult spin-off of the Lux Series You do not need to read a Lux book to read Obsession and vice versa.

He’s arrogant, domineering, and... To. Die. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something... unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life… or is it Hunter?

My Rating 
-4/5-
So first off it is an adult-spin off of the Lux series for a reason. This book has a lot of sexual content.
It covers a lot of details, like basically the whole alien thing what each one is, what weaknesses they have, how the government is involved and all that. It basically covers a lot of information in one book that Lux series took about 4 books to uncover. Though it all worked out, its nothing to over whelming. 
This book is very fast paced a lot of action usually going on, lots of fighting. 
You get to see Serena and Hunter fall for each other, which is interesting cause Serena is freaked out a lot and Hunter is like a bad boy hates everything kind of person.
It is in two points of view Serena's and Hunter's. Armentrout does a really good job at making them seem very different when they are telling the story.
Oh and this book makes Luxen seem really mean even though the Lux series makes them seem nicer. It makes Arum seem not so bad but it doesn't make them seem to good either. So this book make things, if you read the Lux series more grey then black and white with both the Arum and Luxen.
Also this book and the Lux series over lap for a part which is pretty cool if you ask me.
If you haven't read the Lux series or don't plan to its still a really good Adult paranormal romance.
I really didn't hate much of anything at all about this book, but maybe that's because I really love paranormal romance books. 

Safe Haven by L.E. Fitzpatrick

Synopsis:
It's Christmas time and snow is falling over Red Forest. Isobel is nine years old, she is running with her father and sister, trying to escape the gunfire tearing through the trees. Civil war is erupting and the family are right in the middle of the battlefield. With nowhere else to go they have to somehow make it our of the forest, but can they all make it out alive?

Safe Haven is a short companion piece to the novel The Running Game. Set two decades earlier this is the story of where the Reacher girls came from.

My Rating
-3/5-
Save Haven is a short novella. So doesn't have to be read.
It's a good little book if you like The Running Games by L E Fitzpatrick. It helps you get a little extra information.
Like when the Isobel and Rachel were on the run what happened to them how they got to safty. It also talks about what Isobel gave up just to keep her sister safe.
Lastly its about Isobel and Frank like the last day she spent with Frank and what she did that day before the bomb went of.
If you like The Running Games and want to know more about everything. I suggest finding and reading this really short Novella. 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler

Synopsis:
Emma is tired of being good. Always the dutiful daughter to an overprotective father, she is the antithesis of her mother -- whose name her dad won't even say out loud. That's why meeting Siobhan is the best thing that ever happened to her...and the most dangerous. Because Siobhan is fun and alluring and experienced and lives on the edge. In other words, she's everything Emma is not.

And it may be more than Emma can handle. 

Because as intoxicating as her secret life may be, when Emma begins to make her own decisions, Siobhan starts to unravel. It's more than just Dylan, the boy who comes between them. Their high-stakes pacts are spinning out of control. Elaborate lies become second nature. Loyalties and boundaries are blurred. And it all comes to a head at the infamous Afterparty, where debauchery rages and an intense, inescapable confrontation ends in a plummet from the rooftop... 

My Rating
-1.5/5-

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. At first I thought it would be amazingly good I mean it sounds like a really good book. 
Unfortunately it wasn't that great. The writing wasn't very good. It kept you unattached and distracted. The words 'says' 'said' 'say' was used way to much, which isn't a big deal but it seriously was annoying. Also at times it was hard to really understand what was going on. Even if you payed really close attention, which was extremely hard with this book, things still where confusing most of the time.
The characters seemed to lack good emotions at the start. It is also really boring at the beginning and I would  see how some people wouldn't even want to finish the book or make it half way through for that matter. 
It wasn't all bad though. Some of the book was really good if you could look past some of the bad things. I liked where the story went, I liked how Emma changed. There was a good amount of drama concerning her Siobhan and her and Dylan. Overall it wasn't horrible, it just wasn't great, it was okay-ish more or less. 
I did not like this book but it was okay. 

Monday, January 20, 2014

The Running Game by L.E. Fitzpatrick

Synopsis:
Her father called it the running game. Count the exits, calculate the routes. Always be ready to run because they'll always be coming for you. Whatever happens, they'll always be coming for you.

Rachel had let her guard down and they had found her. She could run now, leave the city and try her luck beyond the borders, but with no money and a dark secret to hide her chances of survival are slim.

But then she meets two brothers with a dangerous past and secrets of their own. Can they help her turn the game around?

This is the first installment of the Reacher series. Set in a grim and not too distant future, this urban thriller will keep you hooked until the last page.

My Rating
-3.5/5-


A free copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
I found this a pretty good book. I liked the style of it. It is like 3rd point of view but it follows different people around. So like you start out following Rachel for a chapter then the next chapter its one of the Smith brothers. It works out really well in this book because it's pretty short less then 200 pages plus it takes place in only a matter of a few days. Getting to know everyone's sides of the story helps you not only understand why everything is happening but it also makes the story feel less short. Also it's like a puzzle trying to connect everyone's individual stories to see the whole picture.
I liked the whole idea and what happened. All the events that lead together. I liked pretty much all the characters. Even the small ones seemed to make a huge difference in the book, and I liked that.
Honestly not much to say other then I enjoyed the book. I also hope to see another one and see if there is any where else this story can go.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Infinitely Gilded (Gilded Feathers #4) by J. Woods

Synopsis:
What if everything you thought to be true... wasn’t?

After a year of perishing in a desolating inferno, Cole Evans is surprised when her senses develop an intrigue for the savagely mysterious Dash. 
Determined to uncover the secrets hidden in the dark depths of his entrancing eyes, Cole finds herself torn between guilt and temptation. 
Her wandering soul fights relentlessly for answers only to find the darkest one of all followed by a series of extraordinary events. Unraveling with devastating and profound realities at the heart of danger, Cole’s fate is illuminated by an altering course where fears and dreams, loss and love converge into a symphony of spectacular - infinitely gilded.

My Rating
-5/5-
This is the last book in the Gilded Feathers series, so at first I was scared to read it. 
This book is my favorite in the whole series!!!! There is a lot that goes on in this book, a lot of secrets uncovered and lots of twists and turns. It gave me tons of feelings from happy, to sad, angry, shocked. It was amazing. I absolutely loved this book and the ending it has. I am sad to know it's over I really loved all 4 books but I'm so glad I read these amazing books. A roller coaster of emotions with these books but it is so worth it. 
The series as a whole was one of the best series I have ever read, and J. Woods is definitely one of my favorite authors now.
When she comes out with other books and other series I can't wait to read them.



Saturday, January 11, 2014

Gilded Promise (Gilded Feathers #3) by J. Woods

Synopsis:
Drowning endlessly in her sorrow, Chloe Collins tries desperately to breathe life back into the lost girl Cole has become. But as she refuses to let go of memories past, her journal remains the only escape from her constant inner turmoil. 
In the midst of it all Chloe is enchanted in her own passionate romance with the rogue and untamed Tommy. Their love is tested against the uprising of demons from the past in a time where it seems everyone is hiding secrets. 
Captivated in the battle between love and betrayal Chloe faces new obstacles and the undulating force of a gilded promise.

This New Adult book is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult language, sexual content and adult situations.

My Rating
-3/5-
This is the third book in the Gilded Feathers Series, Gilded Promises is in Chloe's point of view. I also believe (but am not sure) it takes place around 9 months after the last book. It has flash backs to fill you in but I believe most of it is 9 months after the last book ended.
I didn't really enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed the first two, but that is probably because I missed Cole so much. I just love Cole and not having her tell the story made me a little sad.
At first the book is focused on Cole but then quickly becomes more about Chloe's life. Which is cool because we have the chance to see what Chloe is like, her life and what her and Tommy are like. We also get to know new people like Chloe's sister.
Even though it's a lot about Chloe every now and then we get a journal entry from Cole, so we know what's going on in Cole's life too which I love because if Cole was completely cut out I would probably stop reading. Also Cole writes some of her dreams in there and a lot of them seem like they are the same person. I know there is probably a reason for that but I have no clue what the reason is yet. 
This book has lots of details that raised questions for me and didn't really give me the answers and I am so confused and have no clue on what is going to happen. Or even what has happened. There is some mystery right now. Hopefully the last book in the series will clear that up!
Didn't love it as much as the first two but still a good book. 

Monday, January 6, 2014

Deviation (The Sophisticates #1) by Christine Manzari

Synopsis:
Being a Sophisticate of the Program seems like it’d be a pretty sweet deal: a little genetic alteration and anyone can be smarter, faster, and stronger. It’s a dream come true. All you have to give up is your freedom. 

Cleo is a Sophisticate and she has a bright future in the Program. But she has a secret. When she gets upset, bad things happen. Explosive things. Things she can’t control. 

When her secret is discovered, she’s sent to the Academy to train in the military branch of the Program. She’s destined to be a human weapon in the war that’s been going on since Wormwood occurred nearly 30 years ago. She soon learns that although her ability is unique, there are others like her — other Sophisticates with lethal skills and odd code names like Archerfish and Mimic Octopus.

Immersed in a dangerous game of supernatural powers and dubious motives, Cleo doesn’t know who to trust. Ozzy, the annoyingly attractive cadet who has perfect aim in weapons class and deviant lips behind closed doors, begs her not to use her powers. He’s the golden boy of the Program, but can she trust him? Or will she find herself a target, caught in his crosshairs?

My Rating 
-4.5/5-
A free copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
Cleo or Clementine is are main character. She is part of the program altered to be faster, stronger, and smarter than most people. These people are called Sophisticates. Though when Clementine gets angry things explode on her and it's something she can't control. When it discovered Cleo is removed from the learning part of the program (as a Vanguard) to the military part of the program (as a mandate). While a now a mandate Cleo must learn to fight, she can't just depend on book smarts anymore.
Also Cleo discovers that her new friends -she makes as a mandate,- her, and Ozzy -the guy she is falling for- are special Sophisticates. Not only do they are possess powers and codes names they are part of a group called the Deviant Dozen. The Deviant Dozen are suppose to be the only ones with powers. Pretty cool but also slightly not for Cleo, when she can't control her own and doesn't always trust the others.
I really like all the characters in the book. Even though there is a lot like all the Deviant Dozen and some teachers, it wasn't really hard to keep them all straight. Usually with lots of characters it is so easy to get confused, not here though! 
The characters are put through all kinds of exercises and it was pretty neat to see how each character had a different personality and how they reacted. No two people really seemed to alike so it made it feel like they could almost be real people.
I loved the powers each of them has. I mean they are all really cool and that was amazing in my mind.
Like super speed, perfect aim, poison bits, seeing through things, electric shocks! It was pretty cool plus they all got code names like Archerfish, Bull Shark, Ring Tailed Cat, Tiger Moth, Malaysian Fire Ant, or at least that's what their powers are named after! Pretty cool I think.
At the ending of the book there is kind of a pretty cool twist which sets up a pretty cool idea for the second book and I want to see how that turns out, probably going to be pretty good! 

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Stella: A Novel by Helen Eve

Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Stella Hamilton is the star blazing at the heart of Temperley High. Leader of the maliciously exclusive elite, she is envied and lusted after in equal measure. And in the Hamilton tradition, she is in the final stage of a six-year campaign to achieve her destiny: love with her equally popular male equivalent, and a triumphant election to Head Girl.

Caitlin Clarke has lived a quietly conformist life in New York City – until, with the collapse of her parents’ marriage, she’s sent across the Atlantic for a strict English boarding school education. As soon as she arrives at Temperley, she learns that the only important rules are the unwritten ones. The upper echelons of her new society are marked not by neat dresses and Kate Middleton hair, but by skinny jeans, cigarettes and scars.  It's a world of the beautiful and the dangerous, and acceptance means staying on the right side of the most beautiful and dangerous of them all.

As Caitlin’s popularity grows, she discovers that not everyone is happy under Stella’s rule – that it might finally be time for a new order among the Stars and the civilians. Fighting the system, however, means Caitlin must tread the same dark path as Stella, where absolute power and absolute destruction are only a breath away . . .
My Rating
-3/5-
I was lucky enough to win a advanced readers copy of this book. 
So Stella is in the point of view of two characters Stella herself and Caitlin. Which I have to say I liked Stella a lot more then I liked Caitlin. 

Stella is the blonde popular girl who gets everything she could ever want. Seems perfect right? Well taking a closer look and she really isn't that perfect. Yes most of the school looks up to her and idolizes her. Though also most of the school thinks she is mean and controlling. But honestly she is just fighting to be feel close to her older sister Siena, and win Head Girl and to love her boyfriends Luke. 


Caitlin, as her parents divorce and she is sent away from her mom and brother to a new school she just tries to fit in. She amazingly gets into Stella's group called the 'Stars.' At first Caitlin doesn't see the big deal and and tries to be nice to everyone. Caitlin really wants to be like Stella though, so she soon starts to try and be exactly like her, not matter the cost, like dumping the great friends she has or ignoring her family. She gets so consumed in being exactly like Stella.


As Caitlin starts to become as popular as Stella and more girls are competing for Head Girl even Caitlin, the two start to fight it out. Who can be more popular and who has more people on there side. Stella starts to de-friend girls on Caitlin's side. Also she gets so caught up in betting Caitlin that she jeopardizes her relationship with Luke. Caitlin tries to take Stella's boyfriend Luke away from her. Also she starts treating her friends as game pieces, and becomes mean and controlling just like Stella. Stella and Caitlin quickly become enemies.  It is definitely a high school popularity contest filled with drama. 


During the two fighting both girls change, for better and for worse. Stella for slightly better and Caitlin for worse.


The ending though is shocking and sad. Definitely a part I hated reading, because of what happened. Though not all endings in books can always be happy.


This book is filled a ton with teenage drama, family drama and love drama with love triangles every where. Also has a lot of hate, love and sadness, and sadly hardly any happiness.  

Friday, January 3, 2014

The Body In The Elevator by M.L. Space

Synopsis:
After witnessing a murder, teen Jack Brown turns crime sleuth to find the killer. Joining forces with veteran detective Manny Ramirez and his beautiful tongue-pierced daughter Mia, can they catch the killer before the killer finds Jack?


My Rating
-3/5-

Won a copy in a Goodreads Giveaway.
The Body In The Elevator. Is a fast paced young adult crime novel, with a hilarious main character, Jack Brown. Jack is an average teenage male with his rampaging hormones, which just makes situations funny. He is acts a bunch on impulse which helps the story, cause if he didn't he wouldn't get him self into deadly situations.
The story was short but defiantly filled with humor and suspense.
Not much to say about it though. 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Gilded Faith (Gilded Feathers #2) by J. Woods

Synopsis:
To find that forever love with a Guardian is both her dream come true and worst nightmare entwined into a dangerously bizarre reality for Cole Evans.

Tangled in the art of passion she tries to find balance within the explosive converging of two separate worlds. Peeling back the layers of past, present and future through the disjointed answers in her mother’s journals, Cole’s life becomes equal parts mystery and spellbinding romance.

Until terrifying threats and wicked encounters drag her back into the source of her nightmares.

Stuck in a poetically volatile rebellion of revenging rage, Cole battles with the desolation of survival and separation and the reliance on gilded faith.

This New Adult book is intended for readers over the age of 18 due to adult language, sexual content and adult situations.

My Rating
-5/5-
A free copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
More extraordinary writing done by the wonderful author J.Woods! Places and people that fill your mind and make you forget about the reality around you as you read and really get pulled in to this wonderful story telling. I am truly astonished at how the you can really see the places and people in your head exactly how its described.
I love the depth of the characters, the scenes J. Woods can make unfold like scenes perfectly detailed on the big screen.
I don't think I can say too much with out giving away the first book which sucks! Though this book is just as great as the first! Truly amazing.
At the end of the book we get a little look at other peoples point of views, which is neat and awesome. I really would have liked to see a little bit of Drex's point of view just to know what he thinks and feels. Sadly though that didn't happen all well. I know the third book is suppose to be done in Chloe's point of view. So that will be interesting to see how that turns out and i'm excited for that. Though it may be a week or two sometimes you need time to come down from a good book before jumping into the next for fear of overload.
This book defiantly had my emotions on overload so I will need a little time to calm down but the next book shall be stunning I bet!