Review: Twisted Palace

Title:  Twisted Palace
Series:  The Royals #3
Author:  Erin Watt
Genre:  Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher:  Everafter Romance
Publication Date:  October 17, 2016
Source:  An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

These Royals will ruin you…
From mortal enemies to unexpected allies, two teenagers try to protect everything that matters most.
Ella Harper has met every challenge that life has thrown her way. She’s tough, resilient, and willing to do whatever it takes to defend the people she loves, but the challenge of a long-lost father and a boyfriend whose life is on the line might be too much for even Ella to overcome.
Reed Royal has a quick temper and even faster fists. But his tendency to meet every obstacle with violence has finally caught up with him. If he wants to save himself and the girl he loves, he’ll need to rise above his tortured past and tarnished reputation.
No one believes Ella can survive the Royals. Everyone is sure Reed will destroy them all.
They may be right.
With everything and everyone conspiring to keep them apart, Ella and Reed must find a way to beat the law, save their families, and unravel all the secrets in their Twisted Palace.

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**Warning: Review contains mild spoilers from the previous two books**

If there's one thing Erin Watt knows how to do, it's how to make insanely addicting stories.  Seriously, I found myself completely wrapped up in this story throughout the entirety of this series and this last installment was no exception!  It was packed full of drama, twists, and mystery; I couldn't stop myself from reading.  

The best thing I can think to compare this series to is a soap opera.  The characters, the plot, the scenarios are all just so outlandish and unbelievable but it's impossible to tear your eyes away exactly for those reasons.  The twists that Watt throws in leaves me with my mouth hanging open, especially the twists at the end of the last book.  I was dying having to wait for this book to release after that huge cliff hanger.  But the wait was worth it.  Seeing the Royals and Ella work through the problems thrown their way and the conflicts from the people around them was so awesome.  I absolutely love their tight knit relationships with each other.  Although, I will say that I found it pretty surprising just how close knit they all were.  Like . . . it's only been 3 months since Ella first met the guys and they're all ready to risk everything for each other.  It was sweet but felt kinda improbable.  

The majority of this book focused on solving the mystery surrounding the murder of a previous character.  While I found that aspect really interesting and enjoyed trying to work out who did it, nothing else really happened throughout the rest of the book.  A lot of it just felt like it was trying to fill up pages.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading the filler stuff because it mainly focused on Reed and Ella's relationship - I just wish there had been a bit more action scattered throughout the entirety of the book.

I enjoyed seeing the characters all together - their interactions were always emotionally charged and entertaining.  I was particularly interested in the new characters introduced.  Seeing how they impacted the plot and the roll they played in the lives of the Royals was really cool.  

Overall, I'm happy with how this series wrapped up.  Most of the loose ends were tied and the ones that weren't well . . . I've heard that Erin Watt is planning on writing a book about Easton which will most likely resolve those things.  

"This house is ridiculously large, ridiculously beautiful, but everyone inside of it is so messed up. Including me. I guess I really am a Royal."

Four Teapots

  

Cover Reveal: Every Last Breath

We are so excited to bring you the Cover Reveal for EVERY LAST BREATH, the hotly anticipated conclusion to the Dark Elements trilogy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout!! EVERY LAST BREATH is a Young Adult Paranormal being published by Harlequin Teen and is a part of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s The Dark Elements Series. It is being released on July 28^th, 2015. Pre-order EVERY LAST BREATH and then be sure to read the first books in this amazing series before its release!

Some loves will last 'til your dying breath Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust. Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction. Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell… “Armentrout is a major talent…I just can’t stop reading!” --New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter “Armentrout works her magic with swoon-worthy guys and a twist you never see coming.” --#1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines on White Hot Kiss

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And we have a surprise for you! The first books in the series have been given a new look too!!

Don't miss the previous titles in The Dark Elements Series-now with new covers! Readers interested in downloading the new cover jackets for their previously purchased Dark Elements Series titles, can download them HERE!

For best results when downloading the new cover jackets:

Print on 8.5x14" (Legal paper)

Use landscape or horizontal setting = 8.5" tall x 14" wide

Print at 100% scale or "actual size"

Print with the image centered on page

Fold and trim to fit

One kiss could be the last. Seventeen-year-old Layla 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 end the world.

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Every touch has its price
Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could. But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay… "Constantly entertaining...the narrative sizzles with as much tension as romance." —Kirkus Reviews on White Hot Kiss 

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And the Prequel Novella, BITTER SWEET LOVE...

 

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series The Dark Elements, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.  Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining the balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally. And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again… "With her signature flare for combining humor, romance and action, Armentrout weaves a fast-paced read that will have readers' hearts racing in more ways than one. Like Armentrout's previous heroines, Jasmine is fun and full of attitude, while Dez is as snarky as he is sexy. This is a must read for new and old fans alike!" -RT Book Reviews  

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About the Author

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads | EVERY LAST BREATH Goodreads | STONE COLD TOUCH Goodreads | WHITE HOT KISS Goodreads | BITTER SWEET LOVE Goodreads

 

Review: The Retribution of Mara Dyer

Title:  The Retribution of Mara Dyer
Series:  Mara Dyer #3
Author:  Michelle Hodkin (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date:  November 2, 2014
Source:  Bought

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.

Find The Retribution of Mara Dyer online

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My Review:  It's sort of amazing to me right now that I'm actually writing a review for this novel.  It has been pushed back so many times and the wait has seemed endless but now, it's finally here.  And holy cow, guys.  The wait, I am thrilled to say, was totally worth it.  This had the same smarts, snark, romance, and mind-blowing revelations as the previous two novels and I am so happy with the way this trilogy has wrapped up.  I can safely say this in my top five favorite trilogies.  

Possibly my favorite thing about this series is the characters.  They are all gold.  Seriously, I love them so much.  Mara is a wonderfully complex character and every time I get a chance to see from her eyes, it's amazing.  As Mara struggles with right and wrong, so does the reader.  I find myself sympathizing and cheering her on, even when she does some pretty horrible things.  She has her good and bad qualities and her flaws really only make me like her more.  That, and her amazing sense of humor.  Another character I came to appreciate a lot more in this novel is Jamie.  I mean, I knew I liked him before but now I just adore him.  The way he supports Mara is great and I like his blunt way of saying things.  He's a very interesting side character.  

And, of course, there's Noah.  

This guy.  THIS GUY.  I love him.  Simple as that.  He's sort of a terrible person and he is definitely twisted but I just can't get enough of him.  He's so just....ARG!  I can't even explain the feels that I'm feeling about him.  His humor, his dedication, his loyalty, his undying and unwavering love for Mara...I can't.  I can't with any of it.  My heart is bursting with love for him.  And the fact that we were able to see from his POV in this novel basically made my entire month.  I loved being able to finally get into his head and see how he feels about these situations.  

I am completely, totally, 100% satisfied with the ending to this series.  I want more but I'll always want more just because it is so amazing.  Michelle Hodkin could write a book of just Mara and Noah bantering back and forth and I'd pay money to have it.  I'm sad this trilogy is over but I'm so excited to see what she comes up with next!

“Names?' the receptionist asked us.

“Jesus,” Jamie answered.

“Mary,” said Stella.

“Satan,” I said as I walked past her and pushed open the door to Ira Ginsberg’s office.” 

As a special treat, I've also been offered a sound clip of the audio book of The Retribution of Mara Dyer by the wonderful people over at Audible!  If you want to hear a bit of this awesome reading, go here! 

Five Cards

Review: Opposition

Title:  Opposition 
Series:  Lux #5
Author:  Jennifer L. Armentrout (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult 
Publication Date:  August 5, 2014 by Entangled Teen
Source:  Bought

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

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My Review:  Oh, wow, this is a painful review to write.  I honestly can't even believe that this series is over.  I remember finding Obsidian for the first time, picking it out on a whim, and falling in love with Daemon the characters.  This series has been such a huge part of my life and it's sad to see it go.  But I'm so happy that I picked it up because it introduced me to the wonderful writing of Jennifer L. Armentrout and I have many more of her books to read, thank goodness!

The character development within this book was amazing considering how much the characters have grown already.  It seems every time we see more of Katy and Daemon and Dawson and Dee, we uncover another layer to their personalities and their thought processes.  I especially liked seeing a different dynamic between Daemon and Katy.  It was reminiscent of past books and I enjoyed seeing that again, even though it was agony.  Also, seeing them work together and the teamwork they'd developed had me flailing and giggling all over the place.       

The plot was just as fast and exciting as all of JLA's previous books.  There wasn't a single moment when I wanted to put this book down.  My mom literally had to steal the book from my hands at one point so we could go school shopping (yay college).  It was bad, guys.  But really...

Also, Jennifer did not disappoint with the wit and sarcasm in this novel.  I was laughing out loud all the time while reading.  Mix in that with all the awesome pop culture references, and I was completely in love.  It added a realistic layer to the novel that I just couldn't resist, not that I wanted to.

Opposition was a beautiful end to one of my favorite series.  I will always love these characters and know I'll be picking up these books again sometime in the future.  I don't want to leave this world but I'll comfort myself with the thought that at least I have more JLA books to look forward to!  

“It’s not like I’m going to run up and hug him.” 

His expression turned bland. “I’d sure hope not. I might get jealous.” 

“You’d get jealous if she hugged a tree,” Archer tossed out. 

“Maybe.” Daemon coasted to a stop in a parking space behind the car. “I’m needy like that.”   

Five Cards

Review: City of Heavenly Fire

Title:  City of Heavenly Fire
Series:  The Mortal Instruments #6
Author:  Cassandra Clare (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publication Date:  May 27, 2014 by Margaret K. McElderry
Source:  Bought

In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.
Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.
The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?
When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...
Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!

 Find City of Heavenly Fire online

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*Mild Spoilers for the previous Mortal Instrument books and The Infernal Devices*

My Review:  By the Angel, this review is hard to write.  I honestly don't even know how to start.  This series has been a part of my life for so long that I can't believe it's over.  I procrastinated so hard with this book.  It was sitting on my shelf staring at me for a good month before I gathered up the courage to start it.  I thought I could just live in denial and never leave these characters and this story but I was too curious - I needed to know what happened.  

Just like in all previous Cassandra Clare books, the character continued to hold my heart.  I love this cast so hard.  Jace, Clary, Simon, Izzy, Magnus, even Alec.  I couldn't get enough of them.  They have all grown so much since the first book - especially Jace.  His maturity in this installment was a pleasant surprise.  I'm so used to having him hold in his emotions until they disastrously explode all over everything.  Having him actually be up front and honest about things was a refreshing change.  Clary was also amazing.  It was so awesome seeing her kick butt in this book!  Her maturity this time around was such a relief and very believable.  We even got introduced to the main characters in Cassie's next series, The Dark Artifices.  I already love them!  

The action was, unsurprisingly, kick ass.  Cassie Clare has a way of making it feel like you're right there with the characters as you're reading, especially in the fight scenes.  I get really stressed out during those fights!  I was constantly on edge, waiting for something terrible to happen and ruin everything.  Because, really, when does that not happen for this group of characters?  Every scene was high-stakes and thrilling. 

I loved how well this book tied in with The Infernal Devices.  Every single time the characters were mentioned from TID, I cried.  Not even lying, just the mention of Will and Tessa and Jem was like a punch in the stomach.  Just thinking about it now, I'm tearing up.  THIS IS WHAT YOU DO TO ME, CASSIE CLARE.  THIS IS WHAT YOU DO.  

City of Heavenly Fire was honestly not at all what expected but I loved it all the same.  Some of it was bittersweet but for the most part, I was left feeling satisfied and with a smile and waterfalls of tears on my face.  The conclusion to The Mortal Instruments series will not disappoint.  It is the perfect ending to a beautiful series and I'm anxious to get my hands on the next Cassandra Clare novel.  

“We are all the pieces of what we remember. We hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who love us. As long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss.” 

Five Cards

Review: Sweet Reckoning

Title:  Sweet Reckoning
Series:  The Sweet Trilogy #3
Author:  Wendy Higgins
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publication Date:  April 29, 2014 by HarperTeen
Source: Bought

It’s time.
Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.
The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.
In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

Find Sweet Reckoning online

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My Review:  This series holds a seriously special place in my heart.  The first installment, Sweet Evil, was the book that pushed me to create my blog.  I was so excited about it that I just needed to share my thoughts with others.  Seeing this story come to a close is bitter sweet.  I hate to see these characters go but, with this book, it ended so perfectly that I can't help but be happy.

I thought I loved these characters in the first book, but as the series has gone on, I've found myself loving them more and more.  They have all grown so much throughout this series.  I loved how much more sure of herself Anna was.  Seeing the way she was able to hold her own in a fight and use the abilities she has was amazing.  She was so brave throughout the book and did what had to be done, but still held onto the goodness and the love that she started the series with.  And, of course, there was Kaidan.  Can we all just take a moment and appreciate him?  Because, seriously, holy crap, I love this guy so much.  Everything about him is, of course, outrageously attractive, but I adored seeing more of his sweet, caring side in this novel.  He's the perfect book boyfriend and I love him.

All of the other characters were amazing, too.  I loved the sense of kinship between all the Nephilim. Seeing the way they all came together and were working toward a common goal maybe me all giddy and excited.  I liked seeing the way their own stories were developing and growing in this book and we got to know a little more about them.  If there was one thing I wish we could have seen more is Anna having time to get to know them alone and not with the whole group.  I feel like we would have seen even more of who they are and what they're doing.  

The plot was really exciting!  It took a little bit to get rolling in the beginning but I still enjoyed reading it.  I was entertained the entire time and rooting for the characters.  There was so many things that happened that sent my heart racing (in both good and bad ways).  One moment, I was swooning and the next I was staring at the book in shock.  My emotions were on a roller coaster but I loved it.

Sweet Reckoning was a beautiful and perfectly fit end for an amazing series.  This is a series I will miss dearly but know I will go back and reread!  These characters have all found a special place in my heart and I'm excited to see what Wendy comes up with next! 

“This is right, Kai. We love each other.'

He closed his eyes. 'I'd do anything for you.'

'Just love me,' I whispered” 

Five Cards

P.S. Wonderland's Reader turned 2 recently!  To celebrate, I'm hosting a giveaway where you can win an Amazon gift card and some awesome books!  Check it out here.

Review: Bitterblue

Title:  Bitterblue
Series:  Graceling #3
Author:  Kristin Cashore
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publication Date:  May 1, 2012 by Dial
Source:  Gift.  Thanks, Mom!

Eight years have passed since the young Princess Bitterblue, and her country, were saved from the vicious King Leck. Now Bitterblue is the queen of Monsea, and her land is at peace.

But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisers, who have run the country on her behalf since Leck's death, believe in a forward-thinking plan: to pardon all of those who committed terrible acts during Leck's reign; and to forget every dark event that ever happened. Monsea's past has become shrouded in mystery, and it's only when Bitterblue begins sneaking out of her castle - curious, disguised and alone - to walk the streets of her own city, that she begins to realise the truth. Her kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year long spell of a madman, and now their only chance to move forward is to revisit the past.

Whatever that past holds.

Two thieves, who have sworn only to steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, who possesses an unidentified Grace, may also hold a key to her heart . . .

My Review:  First of all, can I just say how impressed I am with Kristin Cashore?  She is such an inspiration for me in my own writing and reading her works is an experience.  I open the pages and it feels as though I have been transported to another world.  Everything is so incredibly vivid.  Not to mention, she weaves all of the worlds that have been in the three books of this series together flawlessly.  The way everything tied together - especially in this book - was applaud-worthy.  

It never fails to amaze me how easily I fall in love with the characters in these books.  Even though they are all very real and very flawed, they easily secure places in my heart.  Bitterblue, just like Katsa and Fire, was a heroine that I could both relate to and sympathize with.  The amount of pressure she is under is unbelievable.  I loved seeing the process of her discovering her kingdom and learning what it took and how to be a queen.  

I also just completely adored Saf.  Saf reminded me a bit of a Peter Pan type of figure and I truly could not get enough of him.  His entire personality and attitude made me just fall in love with him.  From the very beginning, I loved seeing his reactions to Bitterblue and the things he discovered and was apart of.  I also really liked that the relationship between him and Bitterblue wasn't the main focus.  The romance was an element but it didn't overtake the entire story.  Another character I really liked was Giddeon (Giddon?).  He was a surprising character for me.  I hadn't expected him to have as large of a part as he did and I definitely hadn't anticipated liking him as much as I did.  I thought he was very sweet and I liked the way he and Bitterblue supported each other.  

The plot, while slow at times, never dropped my interest.  I enjoyed every moment while reading this, even though a lot of it was world building and descriptions.  Normally, I enjoy more action but I didn't mind not having that as much in this one.  Like I said before, it was really interesting to me to learn about the world that Bitterblue was in.  

While Graceling will always be my favorite in this series,  Bitterblue is a close second.  It had everything I loved in a book: amazing characters, intricate and strong world building, and a plot that kept me engaged and interested.  I'm so sad this series is over but I'm very happy with how it came to a close.

Five Cards

The Warrior Release Day Blast!

Entangled Teen is so excited to announce the release of The Warrior, the third and final installment in the Dante Walker trilogy, which readers are already raving about!

Title:  The Warrior
Series:  A Dante Walker Novel #3
Author:  Victoria Scott
Age Group:  Young Adult
Published:  May 6, 2014 by Entangled Teen

 War between heaven and hell is coming, but Dante Walker makes it look damn good.

Dante’s girlfriend, Charlie, is fated to save the world. And Aspen, the girl who feels like a sister, is an ordained soldier. In order to help both fulfill their destiny and win the war, Dante must complete liberator training at the Hive, rescue Aspen from hell, and uncover a message hidden on an ancient scroll.

Dante is built for battle, but even he can’t handle the nightmares where spiders crawl from Aspen’s eyes, or the look on Charlie’s face that foretells of devastation. To make matters worse, the enemy seizes every opportunity to break inside the Hive and cripple the liberators. But the day of reckoning is fast approaching, and to stand victorious, Dante will have to embrace something inside himself he never has before—faith.

 Find The Warrior online

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Goodreads 

I know that I am absolutely so excited to finally be able to read this book!  I've been with this series from the beginning (just like many of you reading this, I'm sure :) ) and it's so surreal that it's actually coming to a close.  I can't wait to see what's in store for Dante, Charlie, and Aspen. 

About Victoria Scott

 Victoria Scott is a teen fiction writer represented by Sara Crowe. She's the author of the FIRE & FLOOD series published by Scholastic, and the DANTE WALKER trilogy published by Entangled Teen. Her books have been bought and translated in eleven foreign markets including the UK, Turkey, China, Poland, Germany, Australia, Israel, Taiwan, Brazil, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

Victoria lives in Dallas with her husband and hearts cotton candy something fierce.

 Find Victoria online

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

 

 

Review: Ignite Me

Title:  Ignite Me
Series:  Shatter Me #3
Author:  Tahereh Mafi
Age Group:  Young Adult
Published:  February 4, 2014 by HarperCollins
Source:  Bought

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.

My Review:  Ignite Me is, by far, my absolute favorite book in the entire Shatter Me series.  It had me laughing, crying, smiling like a lunatic, and desperately wishing certain characters were real.  This novel was a game changer in the series and bumped the entire thing up into my Favorite Series Ever list easily.  This was a finale I won't soon forget.  

First and foremost, Juliette completely did a 180 in this book.  I'm so used to her being timid and unsure of herself, constantly frightened of her own body and abilities.  Well, no longer.  Juliette was exactly what we've wanted her to be in the last two books: Badass.  She just kicked some major butt in this novel and I was cheering her on the entire way.  Seeing her embrace and begin to love her powers was just such an amazing thing to see and experience.  Her character growth throughout this trilogy has just completely blown me away.  She has grown so much and I adored her in this book.  The way she stood up for herself and spoke her mind - while still staying level-headed and kind - was amazing and I definitely admire her for that.  

And then there are the boys...let me just get one out of the way: Adam.  Yeah, dude, you can go.  I could not even believe him in this book.  He did a 180 just like Juliette but his was not for the better.  He was incredibly rude and cruel and I was hoping that Juliette would punch him or slap him or kick him in the shins or something.  His ongoing temper tantrum rivaled that of a two year old who has told that they couldn't get a new toy.  On a more pleasant note, we have Warner.  This man....I love him, you guys.  I love him.  If he walked up to my right now and asked me to marry him, I would not even hesitate to say yes.  He is so multi-layered and three dimensional.  I love the persona he projects to everyone and also his true self that he lets only Juliette see.  There was so much growth in this novel and Warner was no exception.  I love him.  That's really all I can say.  

The plot of this novel was full of action and suspense and I loved every second of it!  There was so much happening but it never moved too fast or too slow.  The pace was absolutely perfect.  Everything was so exciting and the way things unfolded never felt unnatural or stiff.  I enjoyed it immensely.  

Just writing this review about Ignite Me has made me eager to reread it.  I want to fall back into this world and experience more of these characters!  This is the last book in a beautiful series and it was the best of them all.  I'm sad I have nothing more of this series to look forward to but I'm satisfied with the way everything wrapped up.  I'm eagerly awaiting the moment I have enough free time to reread this story!

Five Cards

Waiting on Wednesday #41

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.  It's where we share the upcoming releases we're most eagerly anticipating and can't wait to get our hands on!  This week . . .  

Title:  The Warrior
Series:  A Dante Walker Novel #3
Author:  Victoria Scott
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publisher:  Entangled Teen
Release Date:  May 6, 2014

War between heaven and hell is coming, but Dante Walker makes it look damn good.

Dante’s girlfriend, Charlie, is fated to save the world. And Aspen, the girl who feels like a sister, is an ordained soldier. In order to help both fulfill their destiny and win the war, Dante must complete liberator training at the Hive, rescue Aspen from hell, and uncover a message hidden on an ancient scroll.

Dante is built for battle, but even he can’t handle the nightmares where spiders crawl from Aspen’s eyes, or the look on Charlie’s face that foretells of devastation. To make matters worse, the enemy seizes every opportunity to break inside the Hive and cripple the liberators. But the day of reckoning is fast approaching, and to stand victorious, Dante will have to embrace something inside himself he never has before—faith. 

Why I'm waiting on The Warrior:  I absolutely adore everything that Victoria Scott has written and this is the last novel in the first series of hers.  I am so excited to see what happens to these characters that I love and I'm totally ready to get my next Dante Walker fix.  That guy is just too addicting!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Leave your links in the comments below and I'll be sure to check out your post!

 

Waiting on Wednesday #40

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.  It's where we share the upcoming releases we're most eagerly anticipating and can't wait to get our hands on!  This week . . .  


Title:  City of Heavenly Fire
Series:  The Mortal Instruments #6
Author:  Cassandra Clare
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry
Release Date:  May 27, 2014

ΕRCHOMAI, SEBASTIAN HAD SAID.

I am coming.

Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Nothing in the world can defeat him — must they journey to another world to find the chance? Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last installment of the Mortal Instruments series!

Why I'm waiting on City of Heavenly Fire:  I have been anticipating/dreading the ending of this series for years.  Years, I tell you. Though I'm not as big of a fan of the last two books or the cover of this one.  This covers really went down hill after City of Glass that have been released compared to the original three books, I'm still a huge fan of this series.  I think this will be a great conclusion and I'm hoping all the loose ends we were left with are tied up. 

What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Leave you links in the comments below and I'll be sure to check out your post!