Icons by Margaret Stohl

Started reading this book today...another sci-fi alien story involving 4 teens...more to come!

Alienated....Invaded....by Melissa Landers

So I finished reading book one and just had to read book two!  Book one left me with a major cliffhanger! Thank goodness for my library's ebook collection!

In part one Ayilex is the alien he is sent to earth as part of an exchange...in part two...Kara is the alien.  She ends up in L'eihr.  Both of these planets are working on establishing an alliance. Obviously, alliances are not always that simple. There is always someone with evil in mind. That's fine because the good always prevails at the end. 

I really enjoyed both of these books and wouldn't doubt if the author decided to publish a third book to this series. 

For anyone who likes YA sci-fi with a hint of romance, these are the books for you!

Alienated by Melissa Sanders

Checked out this book today from my local library through the Hoopla software.  I've heard, read really good reviews. Student exchange, more like alien exchange... Hum, let's see... Review to follow...

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

I read the three books in the series and I was so upset with the ending! Double cliffhanger!!!!! Really!?!?!  

I enjoyed the book, though it wasn't my favorite. I was not so difficult read, but I found myself going back to re-read certain parts of the book because I felt I missed a detail and was not able to understand that section or chapter. 

It could have made for a really good series. The books followed one to the other. It picked up where the previous left off. 

I will be reading the Sinner though. I want to know what happens with Isabel and Cole....

Nail biting!!!!!

Forever....Maggie Stiefvater

Currently reading....Last book in the series...let's see how the story of Sam and Grace will end.....

Play on Review

At Lewis Creek, baseball is everything.
Austin is an all-star pitcher. He is a fun and loving kid with a past. Only those closest to him know the truth about his father’s death. That and being dumped by his ex-girlfriend, he feels a bit on the bad side. He has a one-way ticket out of this town with a scholarship to a top university. The only thing standing in his way is his last season and Chemistry. And he sure isn’t going to let that stop him!
He is seriously failing chemistry and because of this, Austin is running out of options to fix is problem before he fails. This will mean no play time and no scholarship. Coach has set strict rules; no grades, no play time.
Marisa is the new girl in town. She just started working at Austin's mother’s flower shop. Not only is Marisa a home-schooled super-genius, but she is also a baseball fanatic. She is more than willing to help Austin study for chemistry. What are the chances, she so happens to want to major in Chemistry? Coincidence?
As they grow closer, Austin starts to like Marisa; more than tutor to student, more than a friendship. Austin starts to want to be a part of Marisa’s life, he wants to learn more about her, including what is making her so distant and closed up. She has a past, she suffers from depression. But why? He wants to know.
Austin starts picturing a future with Marissa. Austin has to pass chemistry, achieve his goals and help Marissa overcome her problems. She needs someone and he’s going to be the one to do it. It is a win-win situation.
As he begins to figure out her deepest secrets, he is forced to look beyond what he thought he knew in his town, baseball. Austin begins realizing that baseball is not really everything, that what is, is actually the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with.
Within it you will find humor, tenderness and life lessons to be learned. I loved that it was a sweet and refreshing story. The plot development was great. The characters were easy to fall in love with. This is a definite gem waiting to be read.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity!

Flunked Review

Interesting twist…What happens when those we have known to be bad all our lives, are suddenly good and teaching us the right ways of doing things? Confusing? Wicked? Well….

We have always known famous villains obviously to be evil and wicked. In this books it’s all quite different. Maleficient, the Evil Queen, Cinderella's wicked stepmother, the Big Bad Wolf, and Ursula are "reformed" citizens and they are going as far as opening a reform school for the city of Enchantasia. Ha! That’s interesting…

Cinderella's not-so-wicked stepmother, Flora, is in charge, of the Fairy Tale Reform School. Her mission is to turn all the wicked and criminally mischievous kids or teens of Enchantasia into upstanding and correct members of the society.

Then there’s Gilly a 12 year old with a record. Gilly has a history of petty theft and she's not sorry about it. She has other things to worry about, petty theft is not one of them.
So she steals a hair clip and gets caught and the punishment is reform school for at least three months.

While attending this reform school, she meets Jax and Kayla. As time passes and she’s still attending reform school she comes to realize that there is more to life than just being bad and that there is more to this twisted school than what Flora is actually leading on. She’s going to find out just what it is.
Can villains actually become heroes? Read on and find out!
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was easy and simple, refreshing. I would have liked it if the ending wouldn’t have been so rushed. There was really no information provided about the characters backgrounds or character development. Who was Jax for example? What made him so bad? How were these alliances between the students form?

Then there’s Gilly a 12 year old with a record. Gilly has a history of petty theft and she's not sorry about it. She has other things to worry about, petty theft is not one of them.
So she steals a hair clip and gets caught and the punishment is reform school for at least three months.

While attending this reform school, she meets Jax and Kayla. As time passes and she’s still attending reform school she comes to realize that there is more to life than just being bad and that there is more to this twisted school than what Flora is actually leading on. She’s going to find out just what it is.
Can villains actually become heroes? Read on and find out!
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was easy and simple, refreshing. I would have liked it if the ending wouldn’t have been so rushed. There was really no information provided about the characters backgrounds or character development. Who was Jax for example? What made him so bad? How were these alliances between the students form?

The Girl at Midnight Review

This book takes us to modern day New York City, with two types of species roaming the Earth; the Avicen, who are an ancient race of people with feathers instead of hair and magic running through their veins and the Drakharin who are basically dragons. Both are at the edge of reaching their balance (patience) trying to out rule one another, when suddenly Echo comes into the picture. But who is Echo? What does she have to do with the legend?
Echo is an orphan considered a runaway "pickpocket" by some. She survives by selling stolen treasures in the black market and frequently visit the library to read books. One day when Echo is about 7, Ala (an Elder) from the Avicen tribe, spots her alone at the library and picks her up. The Avicen clan is the only family she’s ever known.
Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be extremely immature, but over all, she is fiercely loyal. When suddenly, the clan is faced with a centuries-old war on the borders of what she know as her home, she decides that it's time to act. She will not act like a typical 17 year old and run away. The time to act is now!
In this world there has always been a legend known by both species. To restore the balance, they must find the Firebird. The Firebird is a mythical entity believed to possess power likes no one in the world has ever seen. Echo takes the initiative and with the help of Caius (Drakharin), Jasper (Avicen), Dorian (Drakharin), and Ivy (Avicen), they go on the adventure of their lives, risking the balance between the two species, to find the mythical Firebird and save the only world they’ve ever known.
This adventure proved to be challenging, Echo’s background in thievery was an asset, coming in handy at times. So is falling in love, but not just with anyone, with a very powerful Drakharin. Adventure and Romance! Love it!
Secrets revealed, betrayal, and above all, Echo’s character develops tremendously throughout the book.
And sorry everyone but there is a Cliffhanger….get ready for the next book.
I’m super excited! Can’t wait! Loved it!
Will definitely read then next one!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity!
Loved Mortal Instruments, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and Shadow and Bone series, you’re sure to love this one!

Lion Heart Review

This is book #3 of the Scarlet series. Scarlet is now a princess. She is no longer a thief working with Robin Hood. She is learning the proper way to run the kingdom, while at the same time, face opponents, threats of the people who are making her kingdom fall, and her own heart. In this book you are finally provided the opportunity of finding out about the fate of the famous Lady Thief, in this retelling of Robin Hood.
This story beginning where Lady Thief left off. She is imprisoned by Prince John for months, finding herself a long way from Nottinghamshire; her kingdom.
After many months of being imprisoned and faking her own death. She is able to buy herself some time from Prince John who is hunting for her. She is able to escape with the help of Allan and David; two very important people in this book. While undercover, she learns that King Richard, who is her father’s life, is in jeopardy. Eleanor of Aquitaine, her grandmother, demands a service which Scarlet cannot refuse. She will spy for her grandmother and help bring King Richard home safely. But fate—and her heart—will not allow her to stay away from Nottinghamshire for long. Together, Scarlet and Rob, must stop Prince John from going through with his dark plans for England.
In this book, you will find a wedding, a runaway couple, and many fights against death, wars, deaths, action, cruel punishments, a baby, and then a predictable ending.
I was a constant fan of Scarlet’s. She was finally able to become the lady she was meant to be. Even though her thievery is still there present, she now has both parts close to her heart; thief and princess.
I would have liked to have learned what happened after? Children? Overall, the story was sweet, with a hint of romance and satisfying.

Southern Fried Wiccan Review

This is the story of Cilla. Cilla is a 17 year old military brat.  Her parents are deployed overseas and she is left with her grandmother to care for her.  It isn’t all that bad, so she thinks.  While in the south, she discovers Wicca and Magic.  Great….But not really….
She starts her new school and has to share her locker with who?  The “Goth Girl”.  Why don’t we know her name?  We don’t know it, because apparently she doesn’t like her, but still she goes with this “Goth Girl” to a coven “the Wiccan Clan”, that she isn’t even sure she has the guts to attend. Interesting….Why would she do that? Cilla starts believing in her new ability to conjure magic. 
We find out that Goth Girl is really Val midway through the book.  That is just strange. 
Emilio is introduced. Typical, popular boy who “awakens her inner goddess”. What is that about? 
Miranda, the popular girl, who can’t stand her, because Emilio likes Cilla and not her. 
The Play:  The school will be reproducing the play Macbeth for the end of the school year play.  Is this play really haunted as they are lead to believe?  The twist is that this version of Macbeth has 3 witches that will be played by Cilla, the Goth Girl and Miranda.  During the play Miranda releases the Goth Girls snake because she is jealous.  Emilio seems to like Cilla.  Cilla and Goth Girl get blamed for it.  Emilio takes blames. No one really cares, it’s Cilla vs. Miranda… Very nice.
Towards the end of the book Cilla goes to her second meeting of the Wiccan Clan.  There she decides to worship Artemis who is the god of Courage. 
I felt that this book had potential.  I was really interested in the story line and wished it would have been read by a few prior to release.  It really could have made for a great book.  I just felt that the book was a bit slow and the plot was not properly developed. I was unsure what the Wiccan Culture had to do with her and her self-discovery.   The Wiccan Culture was not really discussed and some of the parts in the book needed that for a better overall understanding.   
What about the Magic?  There was no magic.  More information would have made for a better book.    I am sorry for being a bit harsh.  I love all books, but I had an incredibly difficult time with this one. 
Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity!
  

The Summer after You and Me Review

Lucy loves to sunbathe, surf and eat funnel cake on the boardwalk of Jersey Shore. For her, it's not just the perfect summer escape, it is her home. As a local girl, she knows not to get too attached to the tourists; this can lead to a sticky situation. The breeze is in over Memorial Day weekend crowding the shores and the stealing of moonlit kisses. Only to those guests and beach goers to pack up their beach umbrellas in the morning, leaving empty promises on Labor Day. Lucy wants more from love than a simple fleeting romance, even if that means keeping her distance from her all-time summertime neighbor and crush, Connor.
Now with Memorial Day approaching and Connor returning, will it be a summer of fresh starts or second chances? Lucy has been having a nice, normal time in Jersey Shore, as always.  A very big and unusual storm named Sandy arrives tearing apart her home, suddenly bringing the local girl and vacationer Connor together in a very awkward situation. Nothing is the same in the wake of this horrible storm. Day after day, week after week, Lucy is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and broken home. Constant reminders that nothing is left of what she once knew.  One thing is different, Connor is present and there to help her wipe away her tears.  This boy always being a womanizer, is not really what he always seems to be.  What has changed now?
In this summer romance novel, you have a timidly, courageous heroine. She can break down and cry, while being strong and firm even in the midst of Jersey Shore’s destruction.  At the end of the day she fixes all her problems and begins her
“Happily Ever After”.
This is a typical summer, hot guy next door, tragically romantic book.  
It was a simply, sweet, refreshing summer vacation book from start to finish.  The character development was easily understood; I could relate to the characters. “I simply loved Jersey Shores from the way it was described in the book!” I really enjoyed how everything ended with a “Happily Ever After” even though they were faced with tragedy.  Sometimes good things come out of a bad situation and this was just that kind of story. 
Thanks for the opportunity NetGalley!

Untraceable Review

Grace, 16, has lived in the Smokies all her life. Her father is a Forest Ranger so patrolling the forest with her dad has taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. That's all she's ever known.
One day, her dad goes missing while on a routine patrol. That is so weird. That is unheard of. Grace refuses to believe the possibility that he may dead. Everyone seems to have given up shortly after 3 months. She is determined to fight the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.
Then one day, while out tracking some possible clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo. Mo is this hot guy with an intoxicating accent and secret. She is suddenly torn by this attraction to him, while still having feelings for her ex-boyfriend (Wyn). What is she going to do? Grace decides to travel to the depth of the wilderness to escape and find her father. Wyn begins acting weirdly towards Grace and in the end, turns into completely different person. Whatever…
Along the way, Grace learns of some terrible secrets that break relationships and lives. She is thrown into a world and situations that are filled with conspiracy, deception, and murder. What does this story have to do with bears? What does her dad have to do with the person who is hunting the bears?
It’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle for Grace to save everyone and everything she loves.
Surprise, Surprise! All I can say is that this author can surely write a nail biting mystery. I really enjoyed reading this book.
Most of the first part of the book was left to her father’s disappearance. One we got over that part, I enjoyed reading the twists and turns of this mystery novel. The last 10% of the book was such a nail biter. So many innocent people you grew to love die, and the prime suspect escapes and runs away! Will there be a sequel? AAAHHHH!

Portraits of Celina Review

Bayley has lost her father in an accident.  The mother being distraught relocates the family back to their hometown to an abandoned countryside home by the lake that the owned by their family.  This house is a wreck.  No one has lived there for 40 years, since the disappearance and death of Celina. 
Bayley gets her deceased cousin’s Celina’s room.  Celina disappeared 40 years ago and her soul has not been able to rest.  Ever since Bayle arrived, Celina's ghost has been haunting her.  She hasn't been able to move on to the afterlife.  She wants revenge and she will use Bayley to do it.
While organizing her room, she finds a wooden chest.  Wavering whether to do it not, she opens it! Welcome to Pandora’s Box…
Bayley finds herself not only sleeping in Celina’s room, but wearing her clothes, and hearing her voice everywhere. She knows more than she thinks.  
Bayley is possessed by her dead cousin Celina.  She begins trying to find out what exactly happened to her followed by the clues her cousin gives here.  Why was she killed?  Who killed her?  And who will suffer because of it?
There is some romance.  Bayley meets Oliver and they automatically hit it off.  His gramps is a bit awkward though.  There is something seriously wrong with that man.  Why does he act weird every time he sees Bayley? 
Read on to find out!
It was an incredible story.  I couldn’t put it down.  I enjoyed the plot, the pace was perfect and the characters were likeable.  Not going to give away the ending, but boy did it have twists and turns; kept me on the edge of my seat.  Loved it!  Looking forward to the author’s next book.  
Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity!

All the Light We Cannot See

Started to read this book today...interesting...let's see....

Reading the Raven Boys!!!

Wow!  What's up with that!!!! What does Noah have to do with Gansy?  

Blue and Gansy?  Or Blue and Adam? Who will she chose?  

Nail biting!!!!

Seeker

Reading the Seeker by Arwin Dayton. Can't wait!

Unhinged (Splintered #2) by: A.G Howard

FYI: Before I start this review, I just want to be clear about one thing... Morpheus is MIIIIIINE!!!!


My goodness that cover always makes me swoon and is so mesmerizing to look at :D


Title: Unhinged (Splintered #2)


Author: A.G Howard


Published: January 6, 2015 (Paperback edition!!!)


Rating: 4 swoony stars...


Wonderful. Just wonderful!!!Firstly: I'm team Morpheus all the waaaaay!!!
Second: Alyssa has really grown on me over the series.
Third: why does all of the action happen in the last 5% of the book? I've been experiencing that lately...
Fourth: I can't believe the author did that in the end... Atleast I have something to look forward to reading in the conclusion <3
Fifth: I need to read the next one nooooooooow.

Summary:
Alyssa in Splintered has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of, which is what this book was supposed to be about, but Wonderland has other plans for her...

Alyssa's mom is back and better than ever, being the overly protective and suspicious mother she missed out for 11 years, since being in the asylum to save her family from the "curse". Her mom has secrets that will be revealed in this book that adds a whole lot of problems into this book... Great.





Then there's Morpheus. -sigh- Morpheus. :) he's being the arrogant, know-it-all, pain in the rear guy by showing up at Alyssa's school glamoured into a mortal, because he has another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs. And he won't leave her world until he gets what he wants... Even if it mean getting close to the people she loves and is close to, to get her attention...





As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten, it happened in Splintered... Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind, because teu all lead to her and a big upcoming war in the finale.





Now Alyssa faces a very difficult decision. Either staying in the human realm, and possibly endangering Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves; or she steps through the rabbit hole again, and faces a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head, or there's an alternative. She can win the war, and have the future she is destined to have, saving both worlds and having a happily ever after <3




So as you can see this series is just getting better and better as I'm reading it. I read both books in a day, and cannot wait to pull an allnighter for the next one <3

Splintered by: A.G Howard (Splintered #1)

Title: Splintered (Splintered #1)


Author: A.G Howard


Published: January 1st 2013 by Amulet Books


Rating: 4 stars




Spoilers... BEWARE!!!


“Raising one hand, he tilts his hat to that sexy slant. "You want me. Admit it."
Even if he's partly right, I'll never tell him. "Why would I want you?"
He lifts three fingers to countdown. "Mysterious. Rebellious. Troubled. All those qualities women find irresistible."
"Such an optimist."
"My cup is never empty."
"Too bad your brain is." The words bite, but my smile softens with affection.”





-swoon- As you can tell, I'm on Team Morpheus all the way!!! Although, Jeb wouldn't be so bad ether... Considering the sacrifices he made for her in the realm and everything...
This book was a modern-retelling of Lewis Carrols classic Alice in Wonderland.
I always thought that if Alice was going to end up with anybody in Wonderland, it would be the Mad hatter; I never suspected it would be the <spoiler>caterpillar!!!</spoiler> And I never knew he can be so sexy. :)





In this book, instead of the main character's name Alice, her name is Alyssa.
This book starts off with her and always being able to hear the whispers of bugs and flowers; which was one of the reasons that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family "curse" stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.





This is how the book's version is supposed to be, all colorful, fun, and just a light-hearted place where there is no trouble, and can have peace and eventually go mad.


But Splintered does not have that here. The creatures are all disturbing, the magic is even weirder, there is possessing involved by the Red Queen, there is war, and promises and vows can be broken or messed with. Kind of like a mix between a faire realm, and war in general.


And unfortunately, Alyssa has to jump the rabbit hole and fix all of the mistakes Alice made on her last visit to help her mother's mental health, before it  takes a turn for the worse. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice's tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice's mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.


Alice in the end, passes all of her tests and officially becomes queen of the Red court, but she still has the mortal side of her that craves to go back to the mortal realm because she has unfinished business there, so she wishes that Jeb forgets the adventure, finishes what she started to set things right and remove the "curse" on her family, and tries to live a normal life in the end. But what she doesn't know is that once you have been to Wonderland, there's really no way to escape it...


Can't wait to read Unhinged!!!! I want more Morpheus :) <333

The Girl at Midnight by: Melissa Grey

No question about it

Title: The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight #1)

Author: Melissa Grey

Published: April 28th 2015 by Delacorte Press

Rating: 5 Stars

This book was amazing, I loved it :)

   

If you loved this series' that are listed above, pick up this book as soon as it comes out. This book will remind you about them.

This book takes place in modern time New York City, where Avicen who are an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and have magic running through their veins, and Drakharin who are basically dragons, roam the Earth.

We have Echo who is a runaway "pickpocket" Jasper likes to call her, who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known, since she got picked up by Ala when she was 7 years old from the library.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.

No not like that, but at time she does...
 

More like this

In this world there has always been a legend both species know, and it is to find the Firebird, which is a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen.
It of course will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

Characters:

Echo=Clary
Caius=Jace
Jasper=Magnus
Dorian=Alec
Ivy=Isabella

Sadly there wasn't a character I can point out was like Simon, I thought it was Rowan, but he wasn't in the story much and I didn't like him AT ALL, so he's out.



In this book Echo and her friends go through one heck of a journey to find the firebird. Secrets will be revealed, there will be betrayal, and above all, Exho develops a lot throughout the book, which I love in a book.

Can't wait till the next one comes out!!! You guys are in for a treat :)



Posted by: (;Lucy Lala;)

Exaltation by: Jamie Magee

Title: Exaltation (Insight #10)

Author: Jamie Magee

Published: February 10, 2015

Rating: 4 Stars

WHY DID THE AUTHOR DO THIS TO ME!!!??!
I can't believe it, this book had so much action, the way the characters developed was incredible, and then the big battle in the last 5% of the book?!!! That's crazy!!!



There's a death of a character you grow to love, but of course that somebody is not going to give up on dying (when you read the book this will make better sense)

Blurb:
Was one soul worth the lives of millions? The quandary was one that Rydell King had no choice but to face. No matter the answer, the truth remained—innocence was created to destroy him. She was beautiful…extinguishing her to save his people seemed impossible, and maybe it was. As an immortal, his focus was to destroy the curse upon his people, as he devoured the emotion that bore him—exaltation, no matter the cost. She made him question everything.

Mercy had never been crueler.




In this story, the author does such an amazing job with character development and them finally coming of age to fulfill a prophecy that has been on their back for centuries. And now the time has come to fulfill it.

This book gives an amazing lesson on how loved ones will literally do anything to protect you, because love is a very powerful thing.

One of the main characters, Raven, is destined for great and powerful things according to the prophecy.
Raven and her friends have to discover the details of the prophecy and what they all really are, because none of their family and friends are helping them to do so...

This book opens your eyes and tells you that the good can be bad, and the bad can be good.
Basically this book blurs the lines in between.

Wow, I just can't wait for te next book, because I was no AT ALL satisfied with that ending, YOUR CRUEL JAMIE!!! CRUEL!!! Now I have to wait a year to get the next one. Yaaaaaaay.



Posted by: (;Lucy Lala;)

An Ember in the Ashes by: Sabaah Tahir

Title: Ember in the Ashes (Ember in the Ashes #1)

Author: Sabaa Tahir

Published: April 28, 2015 

Rating: 5 stars

Wow that cover is beautiful...

Anyway, this story had a dual POV.

Laia, who is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire.

And Elias who is the Martial's finest soldier in the academy.

When Laia's brother is arrested for treason because he was working against the Emperor, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy (which Elias is in!!!) in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars (the resistance) who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution. Or do they?

While that is happening, Elias is considering deserting the military, but before he can, he’s ordered to participate in a ruthless contest, to determine who the next Martial emperor will be, since the Emperor will be stepping down this year...

In around 50% of the book, Laia and Elias’s paths cross at the academy, because Laia needs help from Marcus trying to rape her in the hallway. At that moment, they find that their destinies are more intertwined than either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.

Laia is risking her life to save her brother, and Elias is risking his life to reach freedom, they both have a common enemy, destination, and mission.

Laia the "Ember in the Ashes"
Elias the "legendary soldier"
Both will work together to put piece into their kingdom... 




Characters:

Laia: went from being a coward, to the leader and determined girl she was born to be. 
Elias: was always as charming as ever, and went from a love triangle to having one love, and kept his strong appearance in tact :)

The Commandant: hate her gutts, plain and simple.

Marcus: he can go jump off a cliff, and I'll laugh because he was such a terrible person.

Helene: I hated her for being so close to Elias, I want Elias and Laia to end up together. So she's on my hate list, no matter what good things she has done.

Keenan: I hated him for being so close to Laia, same description above...

Apart from the characters, while reading this book I was HOOKED!!! I read this in 3 hours. 3 HOURS!! And I'm craving for the second book but it comes out NEXT YEAR!!!! AHHHH!!!




The action, mystery, magic, adventure, character development was just AWESOME!!! And the romance didn't get in the way of the story. Which I LOVE!!!

This book= to-buy-when-releases!!! ;)

Posted by: (;Lucy Lala;)

Update: Autism Awareness Day

Today is Autism Awareness Day, which means we have to wear blue (or in my case I have to and like to) so to honor such a wonderful day, I'm going to read blue books since I'm feeling "bluey" today :D 

 

 

See anything you like? Let me know by commenting ;)

Posted by: (;Lucy Lala;)

As Red As Blood by: Salla Simukka

 

Title: As Red As Blood

Author: Salla Simukka and Owen Whitesman

Published: August 1, 2014

Rating: 3 stars

My first reaction of this book: 

OMG ITS A RETELLING OF SNOW WHITE?!?!

But it turns out it was just the name and new appearances that made it look like a remake if Snow White -sigh-. 

Well, that was quite a book. I don't know what to say about it, except that in a mix of emotions, it's more confusion and relief than anything else... But by the epilogue, all of my questions were answered which was good, but I'm still questioning some of the characters... But hopefully in the sequel it will clear things up... 

The story: 

We have a girl named Lumikki, which means Snow White, but I just called her Lu, because her name is reaaaally long. Basically her life was completely normal, until she goes into the dark room of her school and finds a stash of wet, crimson-colored money. Thousands of Euros left to dry, splattered with someone’s blood.

 

 

Lu lives alone in a studio apartment far from her parents and the past she left behind. She transferred into a prestigious art school, and she’s singularly focused on studying and graduating. Lu ignores the cliques, the gossip, and the parties held by the school’s most popular and beautiful boys and girls.

Until she finds that money, she starts hanging out with the most popular girl Elisa, because somehow she is involved in this because of her father. It turns out Elisa never knew her father at all. He turned out to be a cheater, criminal, and evil person under the nice, police officer she knew. 

There is a party, betrayal, shocking revelation, and death... But apart from all of that Lu still holds her ground and becomes he strong protagonist she was meant to be. 

The only thing I probably didn't like was the fact that the author added so many unnecessary characters, and them never explained about them, so when they got their own POV, the reader turns out to be confused, and not understanding that part of the story, which could be important. Then the fact that there was a lot of mambo-Jambo speaking which made me mad because I couldn't understand that part of the story either. But at least I got the plot, and it turns out that THIS IS NOTHING LIKE SNOW WHITE!!! 

 

What makes it like Snow White is Lu's name, and her new characteristics when she has to change her appearance since the bad guys ended up in jail and are out for her head now. Especially Polar Bear... 

Oh and to add to that, Polar Bear was totally predictable, I knew what they were, but I didn't exactly know who it was.

 

So yeah... That's pretty much what happens, and what I was able to gather, all I know is that I'm considering reading the sequel, it's a maybe, seeing how this one turned out...

 

Posted by: (;Lucy Lala;)

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

5 of 5 stars...
This book was amazing!  This title was suggested by a member of my Library's Book Club. I picked up an eBook copy and immediately began to read it. 
I was quickly drawn into it within the first couple of pages. All I can say is WOW!  The character introduction, the plot development, the flow...It was an incredibly well, written book.  
*The part where the narrator is describing her chest with all it's content in the first chapter or so. Right there I was caught.  The detail...
This is the story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle.  These two girls lost their mother early in life.  Their father placed them in boarding schools until they reached the majority of age.  Vianne was always more safe (being the older sibling), where Isabelle was the rebel or more daring one. 
Vianne has a child at a young age, which the father did not approve of and Isabelle, she just didn't fit in anywhere.  She always thought there was more.
These girls resided in Paris, during the time when it was taken over by the Nazi.  A huge war and devastation occurred in the land during that time.   
 
**Vianne is married and has a daughter.  Her husband is drafted and sent to war.  During that time, Isabelle gets expelled and is forced to move with her father, who sends her to her sister's with the coming of war. A captain is stationed at her home and Isabelle immediately disapproves.  Beck is a nice person though he is with the Nazi Government.  When Beck is shot and killed (by Isabelle), another soldier stations himself there and this one not being as nice. (The things Vianne has to deal with.) Vianne's pregnancy, her lost friends because they were on a list...
Where is Isabelle to go now?  To work with the rebels against the Nazi regime.  * She will be the Nighingale...During that trajectory, she meets a rebel and falls in love. They live a sweet, short romance.   

***Their dad was never really close to them.  It's funny how during those times, the one closest to him was his daughter Isabelle. Why is that, because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
War never really has happy endings...

**This is a story of two sisters; love, family during difficult and trying times. 
Read it!  I truly recommend it!

By Mimi Lala

A Court of Thorn and Roses by: Sarah J. Maas

 

 

Title: A Court of Thorn and Roses (A Court of Thorn and Roses #1)

Author: Sarah J. Maas (author of Throne of Glass)

Published: May 5th, 2015 by: Bloomsbury Children's 

 

Rating: 5 Stars

To start this review:







All of that was me when I found out I was able to read this book...

 I mean how would you not love to read this book?

1. The author of Throne of Glass wrote this book, so I think that already puts it on my TBR list.

2. That cover is gorgeous, I fell for the book immediately.

3. It is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

And 4. Its got one heck of an interesting blurb!!!

Before telling you a little about the story, just to let you know that if you liked Cruel Beauty, Graceling, and Throne of Glass, you'll definitely like this one. You'll like the main character, she's as awesome as the main character from all of those books listed above. 

Now... 

 

The story

This story begins with Feyre. She started as a 19 year old huntress, who takes care of her family of 4 ever since her mother passed away because of an illness. 

As the story continues, one day she is hunting in the woods, and sees a Wolf. So in instinct, she kills it, makes money off of it, and provides for her family for a month. 

The month passes, and then we have a beast come in and demands to know who killed the wolf. So she says it was her. And the Beast tells her that there is a treaty, either you die in the wolfs place, or a High Lord of his land comes and claims her and she has to do there bidding. That's a hard choice for her because both involve leaving her family. But she leaves with the Beast and hopes that her family does well. 

This is when it gets interesting, because as Feyre is building knowledge to the ways of the Faerie lands, like learning their events, magic, and tales, she starts to feel attracted to the Beast. When you read the book you'll know. 

That concludes the blurb, now for my personal thoughts:

All of the events could've been avoided, but there had to be a villain in the story. And her name is Amarantha. She's jealous. That's all it is. But she helps build this story up by bringing the right amount of action to the story. Which I liked. 
 

And Tamlin AKA the "Beast", brings the right amount of romance into the story as well, the romance isn't instant, and it's not lovey dovey, which is good, and Tamlin, he just makes me want to swoon...

Because the author was careful enough to mix both in together to create a story, this book turned into a success, and that's why it has so many positive reviews, mine included. 

Well out of the little blurb I just gave you, when you read this book you will fall in love with the characters because they play their roles perfectly, the romance develops and just makes you want to swoon (I'm still flushing), and the action. LETS NOT FORGET THE ACTION!!! It was fantastic!!! 

There was more where that came from in this book, trust me ;)

And the ending, ended like there's going to be more books in the series, and I hope there is because I'm dying for the next one already. 

You guys are in for a treat ;) this book is going to be so worth it!!!

By: (;Lucy Lala;)

The Girl Who chased the Moon bySarah Addison Allen

 

 

5 of 5 Stars...

Prior to reading this book, I had read the First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen, which I really enjoyed. :) Having, within the past couple of days, read and listened to some books that I considered very intense, this was a book in the opposite direction. Short, sweet and refreshing...and full of magic.

Within a couple of hours, I had completely finished this book!

This is the story of Emily. Her mother has recently died and she has traveled to Mullaby, NC, her mother's native town to be with her only living relative, her grandfather. As soon as she arrives she is given grief by everyone who knew her mother. People make her mom out to be some type of monster, someone she(Emily) didn't even know existed. Her mother couldn't possibly be like this! Wow! That is a major shocker to her. Determined to find out the truth and redeem her mother's name, she befriend's Julia, a prior schoolmate of her mother's with her own past, and a very friendly young man named Win Coffey. Both are determined to make things right, her and Win... Lights in the forest? of the Mullaby Ghosts? Where or what are they?

Yes, I know it seems a bit convoluted, but it was really a sweet story. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

As I read the story and understood the mystery of the Mullaby Ghosts, I realized that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, kids usually end up following in their parents steps. Emily was able to clarify the whole incident that ruined her mother's reputation in their small town as well as clarify her own feeling for Win Coffey; the nephew of the man her mother was accused of leading to suicide, causing her to leave her small town of Mullaby.

Pickup a copy today. It is definitely a GREAT read. :)

 

 

by Mimi Lala 



(;Lucy Lala's;) to read pile...

Got an amazing gift for my Birthday yesterday...

From the spine view...

 

And if you want to see the precious covers :) 

 

Now the hard part comes... What should I read first? O.O 

Any recommendations on what I should read next? Don't be afraid to comment! ;)

 

 

By: (;Lucy Lala;)

All the Bright Places....by Jennifer Niven

Started....poor Finch...poor Violet...two different kids from two different words...meeting in a common, not so common place. 

Progress...progress...

Reading....

Reading the Sin Eater's Daughter....

Making progress....love it...total nail bitter!!!! OMG!  I never thought!!!

First Day Post

First day of blogging! Really excited to my sharing my passion! Books, books, books!