Review: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Title: Cruel Beauty

Author: Rosamund Hodge

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Retellings

Reviewed by Cassie

Summary (from goodreads.com)

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

For some reason, I was INSANELY CONFUSED the majority of the book. Like, my mind was being molested and I tried to comprehend what the heck was going on . . . But I COULDN'T.

UGHHHHHHHH I can't describe my dissatisfaction and grumpiness and crankiness and general unhappiness with you right now. I read conflicting reviews- some loved it, some hated it, BUT NO ONE WAS AS CONFUSED AS I AM.

I think it takes a lot for me to be muddled whilst reading a story, and perhaps even a certain kind of writing style, so I don't know what that says about Cruel Beauty. Unique writing? I . . . I DON'T KNOW!

I wanted to like this. I DID!! I just couldn't. It was like eating ice cream and being assaulted (yes, ASSAULTED) by so many different flavors, leading to you being lost in the midst and mix and you are so unsettled and unhappy that you can't enjoy the ice cream before you.
Are you confused right now? Because that was me, THE ENTIRE BOOK.
Sigh. Let's move on.

The characters?
Besides being confusing . . . I found them all annoying and conflicting. They didn't make sense, and a lot of the romance felt forced and artificial.

The plot?
ANNOYED ME TO NO END. I'm keeping it tame and refraining from swearing because I'm trying to stay appropriate, but.
But.
You know how readers are promised Graceling mixed with Beauty and the Beast? Henceforth implying that not only will there be adorable slow-build romance, but ALSO badass female strength (and ninja-assassin action).
We get neither.
Instead, we are presented with insta-lust/ insta-lurrrv and NO BADASS FEMALES.

YOU TELL 'EM ADAM!!! PREACH.

The world: CONFUSING
The story: PERPLEXING
The ending: BAFFLING (just kidding. it was really only melodramatic and completely understandable)

This book has thrown me off my A-game I'm sad to say, so if I go all crazy during the next reviews, BLAME CRUEL BEAUTY.

Hugs and kisses~~~
Cassie

Review: Debt by Nina G. Jones

Title: Debt

Author: Nina G. Jones

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Dark, Contemporary, Sociology

Reviewed by: Cassie

Summary (from goodreads.com)

I don't know what I was thinking when I hired someone to attack me. Maybe I was bored, or lonely, or there was a void so deep inside of me that I needed something explosive to fill it.

It was supposed to be safe. A thrill. A way to break through the monotony of everyday life. It was an illusion of danger that I could walk away from as soon as it was over.

Except that it wasn't. Because I had been in danger long before I ever invited it into my life.

-------

My mission is almost complete. The bubbling boil of vengeance that heats my blood might finally simmer.

She is the last piece of the puzzle. Once I destroy her, everyone who ever hurt me will have paid their debt.

It was supposed to be quick and easy, but as soon as I met her it got complicated.

Very complicated.

Well, I'll say this: not my usual.

And with that in mind, I must also say I could NOT put this down. Did I want to? Um, YEAH. I felt hella dirty reading this, like I was actively committing some sin or corrupting my (somewhat questionable) innocence by continuing this beast of a story.

The plot?

Sinfully delicious. I don't even know if delicious is the right word, but it's captivating. You can see it's going down a dark, dark road . . . And you just can't help wanting to see it through the end.

The characters?

Oooooh, perfectly messed up. Maybe they didn't mesh quite right and I questioned whether or not their chemistry/romance would work--but alas, I came to the conclusion that they were meant to be. One problem I just couldn't let go of though: TAX IS NOT A SEXY NAME. NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I saw it and I laughed and I wondered if this was seriously happening. And it was.

My thoughts?

A mixture of disgust, morbid curiosity, disbelief, and dirtiness accompanied me throughout the entirety of the read.

Did I question Mia's sanity?

Yes. Yes I did. This girl was not right in the head.

Did I enjoy Tax's insanity?

In general, yes. 

Did I have my doubts about their romance?

YES.

A man attacks a woman, yet she finds it acceptable and somehow excusable? And she then finds him HOT and strangely MAGNETIC? And the way he treats her--like a cheap ho who deserves degradation?

Um. Normally I'd slap them both silly, and then the author once or twice for making me experience such stupidity.

But . . . Somehow Nina G. Jones weaves her magic and made me think,

Because, obviously, Nina G Jones shows us readers the TRUTH: the aforementioned scenario is NOT crazy, and if it is, IT IS A DELECTABLE CRAZY.

Reckless. Irresponsible. Dirty. Dangerous. Exhilarating. Erotic. Wild. Euphoric. How can one thing be all of those? How can peering into the gutter of my soul feel like I just touched heaven? 

It's raw. Gritty. Disturbing. Dark. Dirty. And utterly, utterly captivating.

Don't fucking act like you don't like this shit, Mia. I know you want someone to dirty you up. I'll make you fucking filthy.

Not a book for everyone; it's a dark, dark read.  But if you're feeling adventurous one day . . . Perhaps.

Hugs and kisses, everyone!
Cassie

Review: The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley

Title: The Golden Dynasty

Author: Kristen Ashley

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Adult

Reviewed by: Cassie

Summary (from goodreads.com)

Circe Quinn goes to sleep at home and wakes up in a corral filled with women wearing sacrificial virgin attire - and she is one of them. She soon finds out that she's not having a wild dream, she's living a frightening nightmare where she's been transported to a barren land populated by primitive people and in short order, she's installed very unwillingly on her white throne of horns as their Queen.

Dax Lahn is the king of Suh Tunak, The Horde of the nation of Korwahk and with one look at Circe, he knows she will be his bride and together they will start The Golden Dynasty of legend.

Circe and Lahn are separated by language, culture and the small fact she's from a parallel universe and has no idea how she got there or how to get home. But facing challenge after challenge, Circe finds her footing as Queen of the brutal Korwahk Horde and wife to its King, then she makes friends then she finds herself falling in love with this primitive land, its people and especially their savage leader.

So. Basically, I'm in fantasy rut right now; like, I honestly can't read something that's not fantasy, unless it's freaking fabulous. Dunno why, it just is.

Sooooo, I know that cover isn't that pretty. But when I read the summary of this baby, I knew I had to have it. NOT TO MENTION the fact that I saw Game of Throne gifs in reviews, comparing Circe to Daenerys Targaryen. Similar situation, similar characteristics, etc.

And then I knew.

I ABSOLUTELY had to have it.

Because?

Well, I freaking love Dany. She's my fave from Game of Thrones, in both the TV series and the books.

Yeah, I pretty much treated this as an alternative story for Dany. I honestly imagined her and Khal Drogo as the characters in this book. SUE ME.

Now.

Did I enjoy it? Yes.

Did I like the characters? Yes. 

But it's questionable as to whether or not I would still enjoy them,had I not imagined Dany/Khal Drogo as the pairing. 

Why? Uh . . . I don't know. I just found the characters a bit bland, and somewhat lacking. So I made up for it by blotting out the parts I didn't like and pretending they were from GOT.

. . . And then I was satisfied. BECAUSE LOOK AT THAT, AND TELL ME THAT AIN'T ADORBS.

Did I like the world?

Hmmmmmmm. Yes. I did. It was a bit underdeveloped for my liking, but it was still interesting. Reminded me a lot of the Dothraki world, but no complaints there.

Did I like the plot?

Difficult question to answer. I want to say yes, but when I think back to it, I have a hard time saying there even was one. Drama? Plenty!!! Storyline? Not so much . . .

Should you read it?

If you like fantasy romance, yes! If you like Dany from GOT, YES! If you're bored and found the summary interesting, yes! If you like Kristen Ashley, sure!! Give it a shot, even if none of the above applies. I liked it.

Look forward to some more fantasy reviews, blogettes (OOOOO RAFY STOLE YOUR TERM)

Up next is probably Shielder by Catherine Spangler (if it's good), something by Kele Moon perhaps, or mayhap something new I find and like. Suggestions are welcome!

Kisses and hugs,

Cassie

Review: Storm Siren by Mary Weber

Title: Storm Siren

Author: Mary Weber

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Reviewed by: Cassie

Summary (from goodreads.com)

"I raise my chin as the buyers stare. Yes. Look. You don't want me. Because, eventually, accidentally, I will destroy you." 

In a world at war, a slave girl's lethal curse could become one kingdom's weapon of salvation. If the curse- and the girl- can be controlled.

As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-year-old Nym isn't merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and always killed at birth - meaning, she shouldn't even exist.

Standing on the auction block beneath smoke-drenched mountains, Nym faces her fifteenth sell. But when her hood is removed and her storm-summoning killing curse revealed, Nym is snatched up by a court advisor and given a choice: be trained as the weapon Faelen needs to win the war, or be killed. 

Choosing the former, Nym is unleashed into a world of politics, bizarre parties, and rumors of an evil more sinister than she's been prepared to fight . . . not to mention the handsome trainer whose dark secrets lie behind a mysterious ability to calm every lightning strike she summons.

But what if she doesn't want to be the weapon they've all been waiting for?

Set in a beautifully eclectic world of suspicion, super abilities, and monsters, Storm Siren is a story of power. And whoever controls that power will win.

Let's just take a moment to admire that cover.
And that title.

Because, WOW. It's so purty that I couldn't help myself.

. . . Buuuuuuuuuuuuut.

It was a bad decision.

The regret.

(hollah for Game of Thrones, anyone?)

Well, it wasn't that bad. Almost. Not quite.

Let us begin.


The world:
I liked it. I thought Weber is a great story-teller and she has a knack for fantastical worlds/kingdoms/etc. Was it creative? Eh . . . Not REALLY. But it was nice.

The plot:
NO.

The characters:
I WILL STAB ALL YOU BITCHES WITH A SPORK.
Fear me.

Guhhhh. Shudder.

THE PROTAGONIST:
Nym, our tragic heroine, what shall we do with you?!? You're such a poor girl who is so admirable because she manages to stay strong!!! The determination and inner-battle is just-- I can't even---I just want to smother you . . . with kisses of course!!

No. Imma smother this hooker for realz.
I can understand some self-doubt here and there, even some pity-partying and "oh poor me" moments.
BUT NO. NOT FOR NYM. SHE EXHAUSTED THAT IN THE FIRST HALF.

THE LOVE INTEREST:
Oh. This is awkward. I can't recall this guy's name, even though I literally finished it five minutes ago. Huh.
I'll let that speak for itself.
On another note, I'd like to say how UNAPPEALING AND BLEGH-WORTHY this guy was.
He was boring. He did not make me like him. I found nothing good about him, except perhaps that he was an evil gangsta in his early years, but the fact that he repented and became 'good' (which I have my doubts about) ruins all of his possible appeal.
While we're at it, let's just cram all possible romance cliches into this one boring guy. Oh, so all the women around love you? That's nice. Oh, so you have a special and mysterious talent that is never fully explained? Even sweeter. Oh, so you soothe the storm in the heroine's mind/soul? Interesting. And, what's that? You also manage to overcome your emotion-less default nature, because of love?

That's hilarious.

Anyways, I'd like to say I liked ONE of the characters, but I fear-
OH WAIT.
I liked Lord Myles or whatever his name was. Yeah, apparently he's uber handsome and shit, AND he's demented/power-obsessed, so he was actually interesting. (Though somewhat stereotypically evil, and never explored in-depth)
Whoa. Now that I think about it, yeah. Everyone's either good or evil. No fine lines or anything cool.
BORING.

Storm Siren started out entertaining, but ended with me eager to get it over with.
Sigh. Oh well.

Hugs and kisses!
Cassie

Daily Post: What's On My Bedside Table?

Ahh, take a deep breathe in.

Can you smell that?

Peppermint, Christmas, and procrastination at its finest.

Rafia, your #1 source on the Upper East Side here.

Jk.

Yes, I should be studying for my Calculus test and doing that thirty page history reading on Lincoln, but I am a proud member of the procrastination nation. And this week, I decided to share the books currently piling up on my bedside table. I have some goodies here, but I haven't finished all of them yet, so here's how its going so far!

This 700 hundred page monstrosity about a young lady in Industrial Era Britain will haunt me forever, but because Jennifer Donnelly is one of my all time favorite historical fiction authors, (Revolution, A Northern Light), I decided to persevere. AND it takes place during my favorite historical era (late 1800s anyone?).

History geek alert!

But I'm a hundred pages in and I think its perfect for the 14 hour drive to South Carolina. Definitely going to enjoy this one.

Ahh, cancer books. We love to hate them. But Side Effects May Vary is not really a cancer book. Its about a girl with terminal cancer who gets revenge on the people who wronged her, but is forced to pay the consequences when she goes into remission.

I love the idea, I really do, but about fifty pages in, and I'm not really a fan of the writing, and the characters are kinda iffy. I'm sticking it out because of the potential, and I'm hoping it doesn't fall into every cliche pothole, because it can easily.

I AM A DIE HARD PERCY JACKSON FAN. He was my second book character crush (first being Alex Rider), and I could not wait to read the final book in this series. After successfully stealing it from my eleven year old sister, I powered through it.

And I loved it.

Rick Riordan, my man, you never disappoint, and I'll be waiting for the next brilliance you publish.

**Disclaimer** If you are a pragmatic reader who despises cliches and seeing their characters happy and unrealistic expectations in love, you'll hate this book.

But I'm not *squeals* and I totally reveled in the sappiness of this book. It was about two people with an "undeniable connection and true love", but it was kinda a feel good paranormal book, that gave me warm fuzzies.

Those warm fuzzies, however, disappeared by the third book. *shudders* More on that later bloggettes.

All I have to say is blah.

Blah blah blah.

I got twenty pages into this and felt nothing. It would have been a bestseller five years ago, but now this sci-fi paranormal stuff has to be extraordinary to hold my attention. And this was kind of mediocre.

But 14 hour car ride may lead me to succumbing to its mediocrity, so who knows what will happen?

If it's any good, I'll post a review. If it's not, you won't see one. :)

After the author coming to visit our school and a friend constantly extolling it's virtues, I decided to give it a shot.

But I haven't started it yet. Oops...

BUT the idea seems fascinating and I love suspenseful books (not movies), and I think I'll like it.

As for the summary...the title kind of says it all.





 And that, ladies and gents, damas y caballeros, are the wonderful books about to break my bedside table, but eagerly awaiting winter break.  I hope you all have wonderful two hells weeks before we all drown in snow and sand for break.

If you have any interesting books on your bedside table/in your backpack/in your Hermione bewitched handbag, comment below and we may just review it. ;)

And with that note...

Adios blogettes.

Rafia

Daily post! November 23

Hey guys! This week I'm doing a daily post since I haven't had the time to read a book yet. Instead, I guess I'll share something interesting I did this weekend; I saw the movie Interstellar!

Now. . . There is a TON of stuff I liked about this movie.

First off, I liked the themes and symbolism Nolan portrayed. I'm not going to say too much, except that there was a lot of things he said about human nature, love, ambition/regret/mistakes, greed, and great stuff. If you like that sort of thing (which I love), you'll be a happy camper.

Now for you brainy movie-goers: my brother, who is definitely a enjoys "cerebral" movies, said he "thoroughly enjoyed" Interstellar. Lots of theoretical physics and theory and science to wrap your head around, but not necessarily too brainy to take away from the overall movie.

The feels: BUENO. Um, I'm not even ashamed to say I cried twice during this movie, and I held back! A couple times I was like "I WILL NOT CRY!! NO."

Lastly . . . The soundtrack. I wholeheartedly enjoy Hans Zimmer's music, I admit, but . . . It's freaking amazing. It goes flawlessly with the scenes, and gave me the tingles, and GEHHHH feels.

My favorite scene? Well, I'm big on cinematography, so I'd have to say the scene Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) docks the ship, and the stars are swirling and spinning around them. I just thought it was beautiful.

There were definite flaws in the movie, but I'd rather be positive and focus on the goodie-feels I got from it.

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: I GOT PAID FINALLY! Yeah I was overly ambitious back a few months back and took on a part-time job, and found it wasn't for me. I didn't think I was going to get paid (because they never gave me my debit card), but I did! It finally came in the mail, so me happy

 Alrighty then.
Kisses and hugs~~~~~
Cassie

The Retribution of Mara Dyer Part 2

So I know Cassie already reviewed The Retribution BUT

MICHELLE HODKINS IS THE QUEEN AND I NEED TO LET MY FEELINGS OUT.

And then reread.

At first I was like:

And then I was like:

And then:

But then:

And to top it all off, a bunch of Taylor Swift aggression:

So thank you, Ms. Hodkins for taking us on this woeful journey, making us all cry and laugh while restoring our faith in YA lit. I can't even categorize this series, but I don't need to because it (and Noah Shaw) will always hold a special place in my heart.

***SPOILER ALERT***

**I THINK**

P.S. Thanks for giving me the chance to do this:

Shoutout to autocorrect for the misspelling.

Peace out blogettes.

Rafia

 

Review: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Title: Fire & Flood

Author: Victoria Scott

Reviewed by: Cassie

Genre: Young adult, science fiction

Summary (from goodreads.com)

Time is slipping away . . . 

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to mote to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying-and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

Victoria Scott's breathtaking novel grabs readers by the throat and doesn't let go.

WHEW. I was not expecting that!! I went in thinking it'd be a 'meh' read, but that was a great surprise!!!

It hooked me from the start.

It kept me hooked.

And then the ending... Well. Twas a cliff-hanger.

So yes. I was hooked throughout the whole dang book.

First off, lemme say Victoria Scott writes some wicked great characters. They're original, funny, and interesting, not to mention you find yourself loving them to bits and pieces.

Tella's narrative is HILARIOUS. Like, so many lines I just burst out laughing. 

For example.

"Today, I will die at the hands of a misconception."

and

"Homeboy's got a flag!"

In context, it's a lot funnier. I can't even explain it right.

Next.

I'd like to give a round of applause to Guy.

Because he's awesome.

And I like to think he's a babe.

But mostly he's awesome. In a totally un-cliche way and I totally got him and I was like

Because Guy is awesome.

He goes from "probable serial killer" to "I wanna have yo babies. Right here. Right now."

He's not sassy or snarky or witty or anything, he was just... Guy. And it worked.

Guy in all his model-esque glory

Yeppers.

Now, some may say "HOLD UP CASS, THIS REEKS OF BLASPHEMY!! IT'S A CARBON COPY OF THE HUNGER GAMES!!"

And I say to thee:

Have an open mind. Hunger Games is NOT 100% original either--the idea of a competition to death is not copyrighted, nor is revolution. (My parents say to look up The Running Man (1987))

Now. Do I think it was a tad fishy? Towards the end, yes. Yes indeed. It began to stank of Katniss-ery.

BUT ALAS.

Enjoy it. Because you probably will, if you don't get stuck up on the whole "IT BE HUNGER GAMES, YO".

Hugs and kisses~~

Cassie

Review: Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Page

Title: Dorothy Must Die

Author: Danielle Paige

Reviewed by: Rafia

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy

Summary (from amazon.com):

I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.

But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling.

What happened? Dorothy.

They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.

I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, and I've been given a mission:

REMOVE

The Tin Woodman's heart,

STEAL

The Scarecrow's brain,

I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.

But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling.

What happened? Dorothy.

They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.

I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, and I've been given a mission:

REMOVE

The Tin Woodman's heart,

STEAL

The Scarecrow's brain,

TAKE

The Lion's courage,

And then—

DOROTHY MUST DIE.

****************************

At first, I was like:

 

And then I was like:

And THEN I was like: 

(this is me trying to out-gif Cassie. Is it working?!?)

But! On to actual words...

As you guys may know, I'm a total sucker for fairy tale retelling. Especially if they are super morbid, bad meets evil (points if you got the Eminem reference), AND THIS WAS ALL THE ABOVE.

So the story starts out with Amy Gumm, our totally not cliched protagonist (SHE LIVES IN A TRAILER PARK) getting tossed around in a tornado. Turns out its not as fun as it sounds... 

Judy Garland made it look cute.

She arrives in Oz, but its not like any other magic Oz. It's this morbidly dark version of Oz controlled by the evil yet slutty Dorothy. She rules with her minions, Glinda the Good Witch, the Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman, all equally horrific. 

Kudos to Danielle Page for the sick descriptions. I'll never look at monkeys the same...

But after many escapades, Amy is recruited by The Order of the Wicked (WICKED!!), who are involved in badassery and what not and train Amy to take down Dorothy. Yes, beloved blogettes*, AMY WAS TRAINED. She didn't wake up with cool magic or awesome reflexes, and I totally loved it.

Training with the Wicked included:

 and

And even more badassery. I will leave it at that, fair blogettes.

This book is a lot of plot development and background, but I would LOVE to see it as a movie or TV show, because the morbid, dark Oz, was described so perfect. The characters were really appealing and while there was a bit of romance, it wasn't so super overpowering but definitely promising.

 I'm so glad I picked this up (and kept with it), and I can't wait for the next killing Dorothy book!

And on that note... 

Peace out homies~~~

Rafia

PS: You guys have no idea how glad we are to be back. Finally breaking out my gif collection was the best feeling ever, and we can't wait to review more AWESOME and not so awesome books.

LOTS OF LOVE BLOGETTES.

*For our beloved followers. Rafia coined this term first.

Review: White Hot Kiss by Jennifer Armentrout

Title: White Hot Kiss

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Genre: Young Adult/ New Adult / Fantasy

Reviewed by: Cassie

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layal just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens-a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe-Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth-a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to-especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne . . . it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

I'm not sure how I felt about this book to be honest. It was like a hybrid mix of new adult and young adult, and didn't work out.

The plot: Decent? Kind of boring . . . I skimmed a crap ton of pages and that NEVER happens.

The characters: 

Because, really. All of them were boring and stale and bland.
I CAN'T EVEN SAY THE GUYS WERE HOT. Do you know how WRONG that is for a Jennifer Armentrout book???? So wrong.

My brain is in recover mode, because it couldn't handle the stupid it kept having to process.

Wish me luck my next book isn't a bust <3
hugs and kisses~~
Cassie

Review: The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Title: The Retribution of Mara Dyer

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Reviewed by: Cassie

Genre: Young Adult (Fantasy/Romance/Thriller/Mystery)

Summary (from goodreads.com)

Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she's been told.

There is.

She doesn't stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.

She should.

She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.

She will now.

Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer's story.

Retribution has arrived.

************************
My thoughts starting the book:

My thoughts while reading the book:

and

My thoughts finishing it:

mixed with

The good:
-kept me on my toesies

-I love me some crazy... and Mara went crazy. Like so.

-Michelle Hodkin = fantastic writer
-devoured this book

The questionable:
-NOAH. WHAT THE HECKS. I started this baby thinking I would get my Noah fix, and let me just tell you... I was left hanging FOR TOO LONG!! Jesus, how many pages did I read, thinking "okay, this is fun and all... But give me my Noah Shaw, dammit."

Noah Shaw in all his glory. (or Max Irons if you prefer)

And then when he finally decided to make an appearance, I was... dismayed. Disappointed? Distressed.... Dis-SOMETHING. Where was my beautiful, tortured, sarcastic and adorable book boyfriend?? ME = ANGRY

-The ending.
Yeah. Imma leave it at that. It was....

As in, Michelle Hodkin, did you really just do that?
Somehow I feel... betrayed? And that it was cliche.
But...
I'll still reread the series. Probably.

Cheers!!! Hugs and kisses,
Cassie