Review: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Title: Falling Kingdoms

Author: Morgan Rhodes

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Exhilarating and exciting!

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power--brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished--and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past--and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword . . .

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

"Falling Kingdoms will gut you emotionally. It will make you ache, cry, and beg for the sequel as you turn the last page. I absolutely loved it." --Julie Kagawa, New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Queen

"This triple-layered tale of bloodshed, heartbreak, and tangled court intrigue kept me turning pages very late into the night."--Lesley Livingston, award-winning author of Wondrous Strange

Falling Kingdoms was one heck of a ride. The plot is breathtaking and exhilarating, taking you from different points of the world. Four completely different young adults clash together in a world-changing power struggle. Fascinating characters tie up any loose ends, so if you're looking for an action-packed fantasy that sucks you into its world with tons of action, this is your book.

With a variety of POVs, I must say many different, fascinating characters were created. We have . . .

Magnus: Probably my second favorite main character. 

He's got a horrible, disturbing secret: he's in love with his beautiful, younger sister. It's all he can do to stop from saying something. No one loves him, except her, and one day he knows he won't be able to keep himself from admitting his love to her. All he can hope is that she doesn't run screaming from him. But the way she always says she loves him so much, more than anyone else . . . How loving and nurturing she is to him . . . Maybe, just maybe, he can have a sliver of hope that she'll love him as something other than an older brother. (anybody think of Commodore from the movie Gladiator?)

Jonas: Probably my favorite main character.

Jonas was the best of friends with his older brother, Tomas. They could barely be told apart and rarely strayed from the other's side. That is, until, someone kills Tomas. The rage Jonas is filled with is something like no other. He's going to kill Tomas's murderer and get vengeance. He's obsessed, absolutely, with Tomas's murderer, and the murderer's sinfully beautiful and absolutely treacherous companion. Nothing can stop him- if he has to convince the ruler of his kingdom to help him, then so be it. He'll get them, no matter what. Nothing can stop him.

Lucia: My least favorite character

Lucia has been kept in the dark from so much. Her whole family has lied to her- even the one whom she trusted most. They say she's powerful-one of the most powerful there ever was in a thousand years. She's the source of a prophecy, one that will change the whole world, and she doesn't even know what it is. But if it means helping her kingdom-and the ones she loves or trusts- she'll do it. She'll do whatever they ask of her. Because she should. She should, right?

Cleo: My favorite female character

Cleo is a princess in the prospering kingdom of Aurenos. Nothing serious has really concerned her- that is, until, she's witness to a murder. Whispers fly, fingers point. She's guilt stricken, desperate, and now concerned for her the health of her older sister- the heir to the crown. She sets out on a journey to find a long forgotten magic, while in the process, finds herself and what she must do, and comes back to chaos. Will she even be able to change anything?

Basically, it's a good read. I had some issues with the female characters (they were portrayed as weak or too willing, etc. etc.) but I look forward to the next book!

Enter our giveaway for Velveteen by Daniel Marks? 

Until next time-

Cassie

Review: False Memory by Dan Krokos

Title: False Memory

Author: Dan Krokos

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Action-packed and amusing!

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

Miranda wakes up alone on a park bench with no memory. In her panic, she releases a mysterious energy that incites pure terror in everyone around her. Except Peter, a boy who isn't at all surprised by Miranda's shocking ability.

Left with no choice but to trust this stranger, Miranda discovers she was trained to be a weapon and is part of an elite force of genetically-altered teens who possess flawless combat skills and powers strong enough to destroy a city. But adjusting to her old life isn't easy--especially with Noah, the boyfriend she can't remember loving.

Then Miranda uncovers a dark truth that sets her team on the run. Suddenly her past doesn't seem to matter . . . when there may not be a future.

Dan Krokos' debut is a tour-de-force of non-stop action that will leave readers begging for the next book in this bold and powerful new series.

False Memory is action-packed with a fun yet enthralling with an almost comic-book like plot and settting.

Miranda, the heroine, is generous with her punches in the face and doesn't mind a stab wound or two. With no memories, she is thrown into a dangerous world where she must kill to survive and be free. With that in mind, and a team of similarly gifted teens who claim to be her friends, she sets out.

While I did like that she was tough, I felt it was a little overdone. She never had a weak moment- not even a close meltdown. As a male author, I don't think Dan Krokos can really understand that female hormones can really just attack us randomly and one moment we're just randomly having a meltdown.

The other characters are nice, if a bit flat. Hopefully, Krokos will elaborate on them and make them more dimensional.

Like I said, the plot is very interesting. I think you'll enjoy this and find it a quick read.

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget we have a giveaway for Velveteen by Daniel Marks!!

Cassie

Review: Dark Star by Bethany Frenette

Title: Dark Star

Author: Bethany Frenette

Reviewed by: Cassie

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human--something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile.

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers--livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin.

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as a human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight.

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything--and everyone--she loves.

Dark Star is advertised as a book about superheroes and a dark evil. Well, it kind of is, but Audrey doesn't become a superhero. More like, she wants to save people but doesn't have the power to (yet).

I liked it, I did, but unlike other readers I was not majorly disappointed by this turn-out. I wasn't expecting some teenage love-child of Clark Kent and Louis Lane. The idea Bethany Frenette paints is very original and intriguing. She creates her own take on superheroes and demons, and what made them so. It's really fascinating, actually. And, best of all, Audrey is a little sassy-pants. 

Audrey didn't make me laugh, but she did make me smile. If she hadn't been strong but not too serious, I don't think I would've liked the book. Her snarky attitude is a relief from the overall darkness of the problem in the book, and also slightly annoying at times. 

The other characters were decent- a bit "blah", but I didn't hate any of them, so that's a plus! In fact, I'm kinda crushing on one of the demons (Shane, for any of you who are gonna read it) ;)

I didn't really have any issues with it- just that the world-building could have been better. And the setting is unclear-- was it in the future in fifteen years? Now? 

Overall, though, it was nice. No romance, really, though a hint at a possible one towards the end. It wasn't a fast read, but it also wasn't a slow read.

Thanks for stopping by! ALSO: enter the giveaway below for Velveteen! Seriously, there's a huge chance you'll win . . . Seeing as no one has bothered entering :)

Review: The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

Title: The Eternal Ones

Author: Kirsten Miller

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Intriguing!

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

Haven Moore can't control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan, and a life in New York that ended in a fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmother's house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then, an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is and who she was.

In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves, before all is lost and the cycle begins again.

So I'd like to say there wasn't really any rant-worthy material in this book, which is good! It's a bit confusing at first, and there are times where things are ambiguous and should be better explained, but overall this is a good book.

It begins with Haven having a vision of a past life. Her name is Constance, and she is in the era of flappers. And, she happens to be in love with a passionate, lovable Ethan.

Haven reminded me of Nora from the Hush, Hush series, somewhat. See, she has this overly curious personality and is too easily influenced. So, whenever she becomes paranoid or jealous, she decides to do some horrible spying on her boyfriend. And then, she finds 'evidence' or insinuations of something, and has a major tizzy and gets all worked up. HOWEVER. While this annoyed me, Haven was actually pretty chill. She was hard-working, stubborn, and didn't give up. Her personality flaw didn't distract me much.

The other characters are interesting (ESPECIALLY Adam), although I do feel as if they're stereotypes. There's the gay best friend, the voluptuous and absolutely evil temptress, the psychotic obsessed guy, and a ton of random people who are all either super nice or creepy/evil.

Overall, I think it's a nice book. I think you all should try it, but as I usually say, if you don't like the first fifty pages, drop it and move on.

Thanks for stopping by!! xoxo-

Cassie

Review: Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Title: Shade

Author: Jeri Smith-Ready

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Deliciously dramatic

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

Love ties the together. Death can't tear them apart. Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-part, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding-and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart . . . and clues to the secret of the Shift.

So I have to admit, there's nothing I have to say that's negative, really.

I found myself worrying and sympathizing Aura. I found myself hoping Logan could stay forever with her, yet also leave and be in peace. I hoped that Zachary would make the first move already. I hoped Aura could heal.
The only negative thing I have to say about it is that barely any of the book is dedicated to the plot that I thought would erupt. It was mostly just dealing with a somewhat-there mystery and the two boys.
Otherwise, I liked it!
Thanks for stopping by! xoxo
Cassie

Review: Velveteen by Daniel Marks

Title: Velveteen

Author: Daniel Marks

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: dark and delicious

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that's not the problem.

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it's not a fiery inferno, it's certainly no heaven. It's gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn't leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what's really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she's figured out just how to do it. She'll haunt him for the rest of his days.

It'll be brutal . . . and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen's obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she's willing to take-except fate has just give her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker/

Velveteen can't help herself when it comes to breaking rules . . . or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.

Velveteen had me extremely excited and hopeful. See, as you may know, I have this wish for an amazing heroine who is not only strong, but also psychotic and really, really MAD. And this made me squeal, and go "Oh my GOSH!! CAN IT BE???"

Eh . . . Not really.

It begins with Velvet haunting Bonesaw. She's messing up his home, screwing his life up, and the regular. And I thought, "oh yes, we're in business". But then it went downhill. Because that's not the main story.

A bad revolution is.

How boring. How cliche. How un-creative.

*bangs head against the wall*

Basically, this depends on your tastes and expectations. If this seems like your book, great!! If you're thinking it'll be awesome because of the summary, be cautious. Try it out, but don't get too excited. Here's why:

1.) Velveteen is strong and angry, yes. But she gets really distracted, and her actions are puzzling. She's kind of psychotic, but her character was really messy. She supposedly was a goth chic who was failing most of her classes, but her vocabulary in this book is pretty dang spectacular for that type of student. Also, her taste in men goes against the goth "regular".

2.) If you read the summary and are drooling over the cover, thinking "My, oh my, this guy seems H-O-T-T! Might he be broody and dark, or maybe sexy and charming?"

STOP RIGHT THERE. BIG RED LIGHT. NONONO.

Well, one, his name is Nick. And two, he is a jock. And three (slap me, please) he is described as "looking like Adonis". Like, he actually had blue eyes and blonde hair, NOT gray-green eyes and black hair like the COVER MODEL. And four . . . Well he was just boring. Nice, but infinitely boring.

3.) [The biggest one for me]

The writing was so dang choppy. Took me a whole week to finish this one, setting me back on my weekly book quota.

I still advise you to try this out, but the summary is really misleading and it really depends on your taste. If the first three or four chapters don't appeal to you, you won't like the book at all. But you never know- you might end up loving it!

Thanks for stopping by! xoxo-

Cassie

Review: The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Lost Prince

Author: Julie Kagawa

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: *fainted from excitement*

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan CHase's unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs--including his reputation--begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he'd dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister's world-the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a dangerous, long long forgotten.

This novel is one of Julie's books that will have you demanding for the second one as soon as you finish your read.

I think we all can admit that we are serious Julie Kagawa fans. I mean, first we had the Iron Fey series. THEN we had The Immortal Rules (Which, by the way I'm dying for May 2013, when its sequel is out, to come faster!) and NOW we have a NEW series. And it's in the Iron Fey series world. So it's understandable that I was disappointed by this because I thought it was going to be 100 gold stars and a big squeal.

Don't get me wrong- I liked it a LOT! I had trouble putting it down, it's just I felt it was a bit shallow. What I mean? Well. Let me start.

Ethan, Meghan's younger brother, would be a GREAT guy to read about, not really to read from his POV. Because, honestly: how fun is it to read from a broody, moody, hostile, and intense guy's POV? That we know nothing about really. Then we get shoved into a love interest. And action. Not the best.

The love interest, Mackenzie, didn't grow on me. In the beginning I thought she was annoying. In the middle she was just sort of "mleh". And in the end she was "eh, decent". She felt flat for me.

Even Kierran, Meghan/Ash's kid, felt flat. Maybe it's because he was too serious and was consumed in his little love/affair, but he seemed "blah".

I really miss Puck (the moments he popped up brightened the book) and Meghan and Ash and Grimalkin. Yeah, basically the whole crew.

BUT don't get me wrong! I'm just comparing this with the other series (bad idea, I know) and I hope the next books will improve. I would still say it was really good for a book, but not Julie Kagawa's best. I still recommend everyone out there to try it out :)

Thanks for stopping by! xoxo-

Cassie

Review: Deity by Jennifer Armentrout

Title: Deity

Author: Jennifer Armentrout

Reviewed by: Both of us!

The Fairies Say: Intense and impressive!

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time."

Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden.

If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed . . . and destroyed.

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate.

Cassie-

So I'd like to get out there that this totally made me happy and laugh uncontrollably and also blew my mind. I must hand it to Jennifer Armentrout once again. I love reading her books, plus they keep getting better as time goes on, and I CANNOT wait for the next ones!!

[SPOILER] I'm just gonna put it out there- if an author teases me with wickedly awesome romance but only puts in a few kisses, maybe some heavy duty making out, I get angry. (Dodgeball scene, anyone? "You gotta get angry!!") Because, really, how can two teenagers keep their pants on for several months when the tension is palpable? This sounds really bad, but it's reality- if there's no sex within the first three/four books, I get really annoyed. I did not get annoyed with Deity...

Anyways, I loved Alex just as much. She made me guffaw (I know, such a sexy laugh), made me feel her pain, and made me see Aiden in a whole 'nother light. (Refer to picture above)

Aiden in this book . . . WOW. In the past two I felt as if he was an obsession of hers, and he took advantage of it when he found out how pretty she became. I WAS WRONG. Oh my gods, my heartstrings were being hammered. Not pulled. Hammered.

Seth made me sad. I found him way, WAY more interesting than Aiden in Pure, the second book. But then in Deity, he comes a total asshat. I sort of understand why, but REALLY? I liked him a lot! But now I only wish we could get the old Seth. In the end he gets way interesting though.

The plot was great- way more action and story than the previous ones, in that's possible with Pure. It totally blew my mind. On to you Rafia!

Rafia- 

I have to say, I wasn't a superfan like Cassie about the first few books in the Covenant series, but this one blew me away! The twists, the romances, the plot! Normally by the third book in the series, its hard to impress the reader, but boy was I impressed...

Ok, call me prudish (is that even a word?), but I wasn't as enthusiastic as Cassie about the whole sex thing, but maybe I was still cringing from Embrace (review will be coming soon!) but I am glad they finally did it! I guess it was time...

Ahh Alex, she is one of my favorite badass heroines of all time. She has spunk, is funny (I am more of a chuckler <--another made up word), and has a really strong personality. I like that she has a backbone and you see her emotions and how Seth really affects her, even though she obviously belongs with Aiden! And Aiden...he is possibly the sweetest male role I have seen! I love watching how much he cares for Alex and how protective he is. I am a sucker for protective guys!

Lastly...Seth. This just expresses my emotions:

 

And this:

 

Sorry guys, but I was on Team Seth and to see him go bad was devastating! Luckily Aiden helped me through it...if you know what I mean (refer to image uno). 

The plot was remarkable and I just wish I had remembered more from the other books so I could have picked up earlier but other than that, I LOVED IT! There were enough twists and emotions to keep me interested and I couldn't put it down! Possibly the reason I didn't do too well on my trig test... I am dying for Apollyon, but remember, you can read Elixir (book 3.5) on the publisher's (Spencer Hill Press) website so don't miss that! Be sure to comment and follow!

xoxo

Rafia and Cassie

Review: Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Finale

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Satisfying and So cute!

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

Will love conquer all?

Nora and Patch thought their troubles were behind them. Hank is gone and they should be able to put his ugly vendetta to rest. But in Hank's absence, Nora has become the unwitting head of the Nephilim and must finish what Hank began. Which ultimately means destroying the fallen angels - destroying Patch.

Nora will never let that happen, so she and Patch make a plan: lead everyone to believe they have broken up, and work the system from the inside. Nora will convince the Nephilim that they are making a mistake in fighting the falling angels, and Patch will find out everything he can from the opposing side. They will end this war before it can even begin.

But the best-laid plans often go awry. Nora is put through the paces in her new role and finds herself drawn to an addictive power she never anticipated.

As the battle lines are drawn, Nora and Patch must confront the differences that have always been between them and either choose to ignore them or let them destroy the love they have always fought for.

Okay, so before I can begin I have to get some stuff out there:

1.) While I liked the idea of the cover pose, I was really embarrassed to show this around. It looked way too much like a hardcore romance novel for my taste (which, admit it- you get weird looks if you tote around romance novels in high school or home around your overprotective father)

2.) I still don't like Nora.

3.) Some parts had me squealing like "ERMERGERSH! There is hope!" and other parts I was contemplating banging my head against the refrigerator until I conked out.

Finale begins with um . . . Let's see. A prologue showing Nora's 'admittance' to the Nephilim society. Then, it's Chapter 1 with Nora and Vee at a club. ( . . . Why am I not surprised?)

Character-wise, I actually thought we could get somewhere.

Marcie I actually liked in this book, actually better than Nora.

Dante was her trainer/protector and I dunno, I was kinda neutral with him.

Vee didn't get much showtime. That made me sad because while I would hate to have Vee as a best friend in reality, she makes for funny scenes.

PATCH- Patch transformed in this book, it seemed to me. In the first book(s) he had the "I'm-a-bad-boy-mess-with-this-sexiness-if-you-dare" vibe going. This one he had a "I-shall-protect-Nora-and-love-her-and-still-be-naughty". I don't know which one I prefer. In Finale, I admired his efforts but they bugged me. He got way too protective (cough-sexist) and he just didn't have as many funny/supposed-to-be-sexy lines.

Nora- Oh lordo. See, I admire an author who gradually makes her heroine tough and warrior-like. I dislike authors who make their heroine BAM! Badass xTWO! In three seconds, no less. Nora is a wannabe-detective who is moderately narcissistic, extremely paranoid, and clingy. People like that don't just SNAP! become tough. At some parts, Nora just blew my mind by being so paranoid, and then twenty pages later so lax with her trust I wanted to punch her in the face. And her issues with a drug-like drink really bugged me.

And, I kept coming back to the thought that Nora is totally modeled after the author. *shakes fist at world*

I don't know what else to say so . . .

Thanks for stopping by!
Cassie

Review: Reached by Ally Condie

Title: Reached

Author: Ally Condie

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say:

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising-and each other-Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again.

In this gripping conclusion to the #1 New York Times-bestselling Matched trilogy, Cassia will reconcile the difficulties of challenging a life too confining, seeking a freedom she never dreamed possible, and honoring a love she cannot live without.

Just a forewarning, I am not a hardcore fan of this trilogy and this was only an "eh" series for me, so if you really loved the first two, you'll love this one for sure. Just skip the rest of the review :)

First off, I forgot how the book started. I know, really bad . . . But in all honesty, it was five-hundred pages, so I figure I'm allowed to forget a lot of it. And, unlike some books, this was not a quick five-hundred. It probably took me half a week to finish it. (Which is really long for me)

I don't think I have to describe Cassia (almost perfect name, btw ;) or Xander, or Ky . . . Except, I must say this.

I felt that this book was really unemotional / flat in voice compared to the other two. Maybe it's just me, but in the first, we got love and the dangers Cassia goes through for first love. In the second, we get desperation, need, and hope. In this, all I got was " *yawn* uhh *scratches neck* let's see. We could do 'survival'? How does that sound?"

This may be because half the book (TWO HUNDRED FIFTY PAGES MIND YOU) was of the three separated. Okay, I get that they can survive on their own. Must I read that many pages describing the issues of Society and other mindless crap?

Although, I must say this: for anyone who felt that Xander was about to get way sexy, HALT. Nope. Doesn't happen.

 ( <-- Image I hoped Xander would become . . . And yes it's a drawing of Alex Pettyfer. Who is immensely attractive.)

I had this nice image that Xander was part sexy-Rising, part deviously sweet. No. All I got was "BLAHBLAHBLAND". And I don't mean I didn't like him- I just found him extremely tasteless and boring.

As for the plot, I have to stress the first two were just "blah" to me. If that wasn't the case for you, don't take my opinion seriously. I felt that it was extremely stretched out and slow, and didn't really have an impact. We already knew what was going to happen . . . 

But, alas. This was a very satisfying ending to the trilogy, even for me. I think you should try it out if you have the time, and if you liked the other two, definitely try it!

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo

Cassie

Review: Black City by Elizabeth Richards

Title: Black City

Author: Elizabeth Richards

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Interesting and intriguing

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable-they fall in love. Bounded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash's long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they're caught they'll be executed-but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

 Before we get started, I must tell you all that this wasn't my cup of tea. I encourage you to try this and see if you like the first few chapters, but if you don't, you'll probably feel like me. Let's begin.

Black City begins with Ash dealing the Darkling drug Haze. It comes from their venom sacks in their teeth, so when a Darkling (or twin-blood, like Ash) bites a human, the drug gets released into the human, and Ash gets the much-needed blood. Unfortunately, the girl is a new customer and has drugs in her system, and Ash spits out the sour-tasting blood.

Onto the characters. This was what got me. Natalie is a spoiled brat in the first part, and in the second half of the book she's a love-sick, stupid teenager. She's a Sentry brat, but then she meets ASH.

Ash is half Darkling, half human. He thinks he's the only one and neither side embraces him fully. He craves blood, but has always grown up with humans. He does what he does to survive, and during one of these Haze dealings, he meets Natalie.

And then BAM. Insta-love.

Or, at least, as much as insta-love as we can get, because they hate each other for a while. But, of course, good girl falls for the bad boy and la-dee-da.

Honestly, I found nothing appealing about Ash. Whenever I thought of him Julie Kagawa's Ash popped into my mind, and this guy was dirt compared to faery Ash. Honestly, Black City Ash is a dick, no beating around the bush, and what he does is despicable.

Natalie is just as disgusting. She first is kinda tough, sassy . . . But then she can't stop thinking about Ash and whoop! Her building mediocre-ness was just defenestrated. And she became a sappy, die/kill-for-love sorta girl. I must admit, I wouldn't mind pouring hot tea on her.

The plot was decent; I saw the twist coming though. The world is actually pretty good-really creative- but there's so much history lacking.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy December!

xoxo

Cassie

Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Pledge

Author: Kimberly Derting

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Creative and cute

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlies is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

Interestingly enough, I felt as if The Pledge had a fairy-tale feel to it. I doubt it was intentional, but the way things played out made me feel as if this was transported to the past in a place of princes and princesses. Of course, that's not what happens at all, but I just sort of got that vibe.

The Pledge begins with Charlie listening to her friend's dad scorning the lowest class in merchant-tongue, which the lowest class can't understand. She then goes off to school, and is offended by upper class girls who don't think Charlie or her friends can understand them. But Charlie can . . .

Charlie didn't really seem like a Charlie to me. Charlotte? Yes. But Charlie felt way to masculine for her. She's sort of delicate. She loves her close ones with a passion, and would do anything to save them. However, she did end up following people around and only showed sass to Max. Which, by all means, is great. But eventually even that dies down.

The other characters are interesting. Brook, the most. She seems like an attention-high, seductive dark beauty. But is she really? And then there's Eden. She was cool with her blue hair and tough personality. 

The world was a bit confusing. While we had our caste system and queens, we also had automobiles and lights. I'd think that the surroundings would be more explained and elaborated on, but we only get a cursory glance. We get maybe a page on the country's history, and that's all. How the queens developed special powers, we don't know. I guess we'll find out in the next book. Not sure if I'm going to read it.

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo

Cassie

Review: Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck

Title: Tiger's Destiny

Author: Colleen Houck

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Sweet and sweeter!

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

With three of the goddess Durga's quests behind them, only one prophecy now stands in the way of Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan breaking the tiger's curse. But the trio's greatest challenge awaits them: A life-endangering pursuit in search of Durga's final gift, the Rope of Fire, on the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. It's a race against time--and the evil sorcerer Lokesh--in this eagerly anticipated fourth volume in the bestselling Tiger's Curse series, which pits good against evil, tests the bonds of love and loyalty, and finally reveals the tigers' true destinies once and for all. A smart phone tag code on the back cover links readers the series website.

As with the other three books in the series, Tiger's Destiny has adventure, romance, and a captivating world. It begins with Kelsey in Lokesh's care, and begins almost right after the third one left off. While it does start rather abruptly, Colleen Houck does a wonderful job easing the previous books' details into Tiger's Destiny. So, despite having read the third book in the series a while ago, I was able to pick right back up where I left off.

If you hated Kelsey in the last books, I fear you won't like her any better. She's still extremely stubborn and needy, stereotypically jealous, and likes to think she's tough stuff. She's super self-conscious still and immediately hates gorgeous women. Every single man she encounters falls at her feet. However, I found her tolerable.

Ren and Kishan (and all the other characters) all make the book. They're very nice to read about, and we connect with them all in the fourth book again.

The plot, as with the others, is well-done. This particular one was a bit confusing, but then again we're talking about fantasy here, so hey! The world is just as lush and enthralling as the past ones.

There is a fifth and final one supposed to come out, but I wonder how a fifth one will be relevant. Everything works out as the curse says it will, so what's left? But hey, if we get more Kishan/Ren, I am ALL for it!

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo

Cassie

Review: Witch World by Christopher Pike

Title: Witch World

Author: Christopher Pike

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Thought-provoking

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

Witches are real-and each of us may be one-in this all-new paranormal suspense novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christopher Pike. Heading off for a weekend in Las Vegas with her friends, Jessie Ralle has only one wory-how to make it through the road trip in the same car with her Ex, Jimmy Kelter. The guy who broke her heart five months ago when he dumped her for no reason. The guy who's finally ready to tell her why he did it, because he wants her back.

But what Jessie doesn't realize is that Jimmy is the least of her problems.

In Las Vegas she meets Russ, a mesmerizing stranger who shows her how to gamble, and who never seems to lose. Curious, Jessie wants to know his secret, and in response, alone in his hotel room, he teachers her a game that opens the door to another reality.

To Witch World.

Suddenly Jessie discovers that she's stumbled into a  world where some people can do the impossible, and others may not even be human. For a time she fears she's lost her mind. Are there really witches? Is she one of them?

In all honesty, I disliked this book SO MUCH. Okay, yes, I'll admit it; I read books to give my brain a break, you know, escape into a NICE world. I like to laugh when I read books, think like a teenager, and most importantly judge the characters without being a snob really.

This book is for readers who really enjoy books that make them THINK. If you like books with mature POVs and more intense plots and darker settings, you should definitely try this out. Ignore the rest of the review. However, read on if that doesn't apply to you and you're curious.

For starters, the first 200 or so pages were amazing. I was a bit confused but the pages kept turning and turning! And then it got weird. Really weird. Let me just say the positives and negatives:

 Positives:

-it shows readers that you should always, always have safe sex OTHERWISE you just might have a baby of doom and power (dun dun dun!)

-it's in Vegas.

-there's blackjack

-great cover

-Russ is a cool name

Yeah. That's it.

NEGATIVES:

-EVERY single teenager speaks way, way too old. I really don't care if Jessie was in the 5th percent, TEENAGERS DO NOT SPEAK LIKE THIS! And, they were all WAY too serious. It was either sex or life/death. Um, yeah . . . Totally up my alley . . .

-It basically said babies conceived out of lust (or not "true love") are doomed and born to be evil. That's totally incorrect- there are always going to be shining children in bad situations.

-They were focused so much on sex. *bangs head on wall* This is way bad for my teenage image. (And honestly, they ALWAYS called it "making love". NO. NO. NO.)

-Anyone cool (which there weren't many cool people . . .) got killed.

-Stupid ending

-It was a pain to read through. I honestly had issues trying to pick it back up.

-Jessie has so much hubris it disgusted me. This is a quote, "I liked to think I was pretty hot shit . . ." and then she goes in the beginning how she's actually way prettier than Alex but somehow no one notices her and all the guys go after Alex to reasons unbeknownst to Jessie.

A possible answer? You're just ugly.

Also: Jessie goes on about how sweet and innocent she was/is and all the while she is NOT. She's a crazy bitch and she's not even a cool one.

And finally, the last one I can think of off the top of my head (this one really made me annoyed) . . .

Jessie never had a boyfriend before Jimmy. Nothing. She says he was hesitant to make sexual moves on her, but after ONE MONTH of dating, she decides to make the move because she was tired of waiting. Oh, her innocence? Pshhh no such thing. She lures him into the shower (dunno about you, but I don't think any INEXPERIENCED dater would do that . . .) and then "makes love to him". I'm sorry, was that one month I read? I think that counts as "screws" not "makes love". But really, she sounded way to experienced for having no past experience and overall, her character doesn't add up. For her age, at least.

Now, I'm sorry you had to read my rant, but I do thank you for stopping by.

xoxo!

Cassie

Review: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Title: Mystic City

Author: Theo Lawrence

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: FANTABULOUS

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

For fans of Matched, The Hunger Games, X-Men, and Blade Runner comes a tale of a magical city divided, a political rebellion ignited, and a love that was meant to last forever. Book One of the Mystic City Novels.

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long politcal feud-and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection-and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city-including herself.

Ahhh okay, so I may be half-delirious because of the time. But I just HAD to review this baby. So, yes. It had many flaws (most of them editor ones) and yes I may have a crush on Hunter, but. Alas.

Mystic City begins with a mysterious little prologue. A girl and her lover are kissing passionately in the rain before her family rips them apart. She screams in defiance as her father raises a gun to her head.

Hello wowzers! Basically, I thought this was going to be a waste of my time. I put it down 100 pages through to work on my mac n' cheese (yummy yummy) and then I just couldn't stop thinking about it . . . So, yes. I recommend you try it. Plus, it was a GUY who wrote this! Love it.

Aria was tolerable. I didn't love the book because of her, I'll tell you that. But she's definitely tolerable. She's a high society girl who falls in love with a poor boy. Yawn yawn, heard it before, but NO. NO. Theo Lawrence works some magic because all of a sudden I'm seeing it. Basically, her situation is really constricting and aggravating and you want to punch the wall. Yes, she makes some stupid idiotic choices. But in the end she is redeemed.

The other characters are what made the book. Good God I loved Davida. She was loyal to a fault, passionate, sweet, and dedicated. Aria's family is despicable. Turk was freaking wicked. Mohawk, motorcycle, ripped? Hell yeah! And then there's other great people, but then we have Hunter.

*drools*

Ahem, erm, what was I saying?

Oh. RIGHT.

Yeah . . . This is what popped up whenever I thought of Hunter. Alex Pettyfer, baby.

But he's not just an Alex Pettyfer bookified. He's actually pretty funny, sweet, lovely, strong, and did I mention he's aesthetically pleasing?

The world could've been better, but I still really liked it! It's got the same technology renamed but then there are the mystics. Their power can be harnessed and used as energy and drugs. That's all I'll say.

Couldn't put it down, though! Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo

Cassie

Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

 
Title: The Evolution of Mara Dyer

Author: Michelle Hodkin
Reviewed by: Rafia

The Fairies Say: Intensely Breathtaking!

Summary (from Goodreads.com):
 

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

Congratulation, Michelle Hodkin. You have successfully done it again. Completely and utterly blew my mind with Noah Shaw’s sexualness alone. Err, I mean that among other things, which are obviously as important. Obviously. Honestly, the Evolution of Mara Dyer was everything I wanted and so much more. The tension between Noah and Mara, their struggle, Jude’s evilness, and the PLOT TWISTS. Oh the plot twists…I just couldn’t even handle it. Evolution was amazing and I am absolutely dying for Retribution! Michelle Hodkin, kudos to you! Its hard to follow up with an extraordinary second book in a trilogy but Evolution just blew me away.

Mara’s background started developing more of a mystery with so many things slowly coming together. I really just didn’t like her lack of personality. She seemed like she could be a strong character though and her struggle with the madness is really scary, but I just wish she had some more traits that I could admire. But then we come to Noah. Learning so much more about him and watching him around Mara and her family just leaves me like this:

Alas, his tortured past is revealed in this book. He’s a really deep character and there is so much more to him than his extremely sexy body and pretty face and that’s really what makes a good character. I love how supportive he is and how much he cares for Mara. It really is aww worthy. I’m also glad Jamie comes back in this book, although he doesn’t really play a huge role, it’s still nice to welcome his sass.

The plot is so intense! Everything comes together so seamlessly, I just couldn’t even. Jude and his madness really scared me, but he’s an evil genius who drives Mara to the point of insanity. I really don’t have any complaints about the plot, but the twists and the suspense will possibly be life altering. It really was like a psychological thriller at time when certain scary things (trying really hard not to give anything away) are happening and you don’t  know why and its driving you insane. I like how things are constantly being mixed up and I definitely was hooked.

So now before I spontaneously combust, please please PLEASE go out and buy The Evolution of Mara Dyer and fangirl with me over Noah. Don’t forget to comment and follow, and thanks for dropping by!

xoxo

Rafia