The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

Title: The Kiss of Deception
Author: Mary E. Pearson
ISBN: 9780805099232
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Series: The Remnant Chronicles #1
Released: July 8, 2014
Page #: 489
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia's life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight - but she doesn't - and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom - to a prince she has never met.

On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive - and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself of the brink of unlocking perilous secrets - even as she finds herself falling in love."
_________________________________________________
First Lines: (quote from the galley - see final version for edits)

"Today was the day a thousand dreams would die, and a single dream would be born.
The wind knew. It was the first of June but cold gusts bit at the hilltop citadelle as fiercely as deepest winter, shaking the windows with curses and winding through drafty halls with warning whispers."
Page 3
_____________________________________________
Review:

It's possible that this book has just claimed the spot for my favorite book ever, right now. This is me... attempting to write a review without gushing. Go!

Princess Lia is about to get married to a prince she has never met before. Her family is trying to create an alliance with a nearby kingdom, so it is her duty to marry this man and move away from everything she knows. She's never been much for royal protocol, so it's not surprising that she doesn't want this life. On the day of her wedding, she runs away. With the help of her friend Pauline, Lia finds a new home and a life she had only imagined. And one thing she wants the most - the possibility of love that is not forced on her.

This book was... in a word... brilliant. I mean, seriously. I love the kickass princess who defies her duty and finds a new life for herself. I love that she is willing to do anything to get what she wants. I love how fiercely Lia protects and takes care of her friend Pauline. I love that family is still important to her - even though she has run away from them. I love her devotion to her brothers and their families. I love how she's not willing to give up - even when she's facing probable death. She's just... amazing. And I want to know everything about her!

So, yes. She's got these two guys who arrive on the same night to the tavern where she is now working. They're very different and she cannot place why they stand out so much. But they both catch her eye. They are our two dashing love interests. Unfortunately, one is an assassin and there to kill her. Then there is the prince she just avoided marrying. She finds herself torn between the two and starts to really fall for one of them.

Honestly, about halfway through the book, I got the biggest shock when I realized that I had the guys figured out all wrong. There isn't a point before then that tells you exactly who is who... just hints as you go along. You can only imagine my shock when I realized which one was which. I think I actually exclaimed out loud and startled some coworkers at lunch. :) That alone made me think this book was brilliant - it had me going down the wrong path, only to turn the tables on me. Loved that!

The whole second half is sort grueling. Things seem dire... life is horrifying... Lia is on the trek of a lifetime - and may not make it much longer. It's seriously intense. Plus, there are still people out there trying to kill her. She's now in a world she doesn't understand in a situation she doesn't know how to get out of. This book ends on a serious cliffhanger. You really don't know whether she's going to make it much longer. I'm totally sucked in by the whole thing and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. In a word, this book is breathless.

I've already recommended this book to many, many people. It was actually recommended to me first by one of my coworkers. I can't believe I put it off as long as I did. I really think lots of people will love this story as much as I did... and I imagine the next book is going to be just as amazing. _________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews: 

Books YA Love
Rainy Day Ramblings
Ink and Paper
There Were Books Involved
Writer of Wrongs
Loving the Language of Literacy
The Lit Bitch
M. Kircher
In Case of Survival
Read. Breathe. Relax.

Talon by Julie Kagawa

Title: Talon
Author: Julie Kagawa
ISBN: 9780373211395
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Released: October 28, 2014
Series: Talon #1
Page #: 449
Source: My own copy

Summary:
"Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragonslayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey - and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the order has ingrained in him - and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons."
_______________________________________________
First Lines:

"'Ember, when did your parents die, and what was the cause of death?'
I stifled a groan and tore my gaze from the car window, where the bright, sunny town of Crescent Beach shimmered beyond the tinted glass."
Page 11
_______________________________________________
Review:

Undercover dragons living among humans - researching humans - trying to go undetected? I'm totally in.

Ember and Dante have been given the opportunity to live among humans and learn as much as they can until they are given their official assignments. They've been extremely sheltered until now, so this is a huge change for them. Ember greets the challenge head-on. She makes friends, meets a guy, learns to surf... until she meets a mysterious stranger who seems to know all about her. Not to mention she is trying to avoid being detected by their nemesis - the Order of St. George.

While I know the bones of this story are a little silly... this book was awesome. It's the perfect mix of light-hearted fun and surfing, but serious danger and training. The whole concept of undercover dragons is a total new one for me and I love it. There are some pretty epic battle scenes that will make this book very appealing to action lovers, and I think there's plenty of relationship stuff that will appeal to the romance lovers. Shall we say that this book has something for everyone? Maybe. :)

You get hints about where Ember and Dante have come from, but there's never a clear picture of their home. Their training. Did they have friends there? Did they have family? You get the feeling that they have come from a scientific lab... that they have never interacted with anyone. But I also find their relationship very interesting - especially if they come from that sort of background. They're very protective of each other, as twins often are. But That's not something they were taught and not something their parent organization (Talon) is a fan of. So I found them to be very interesting. I get the feeling that we'll get a lot more of Dante's side of things in the next book.

As you can imagine, there is a definite love triangle going on here. The guys could not be more opposite - one is a rogue dragon that he denounced anything Talon-related and wants Ember to join him, the other is a dragon hunter who doesn't really know who she is, but has his suspicions! I mean, how much more emotionally charged can you get? Why couldn't she just find some cute surfer boy? Alas!

Seriously, though... I totally bought into the story. I wanna know what's going to happen next. I want to see where all of the characters end up. I feel pretty invested. I will say that I don't think this is Kagawa's best book to date. I mean, can you ever live up to the Iron Fey series? I think not. :) But honestly, I think it's an original story that people will love. Especially those fans of paranormal romance. You don't get much more paranormal than dragons, right?
_______________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Star-Crossed Book Blog
Bookish Broads
The Irish Banana
Read. Breathe. Relax.
Words Read and Written
Fictional Thoughts
Musings of a YA Reader
Reading Bifrost
Icey Books
Goldilox and the Three Weres

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
ISBN: 9781619630659
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Released: September 02, 2014
Series: Throne of Glass #3
Page #: 562
Source: My public library
 
Summary:
"Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak - but at an unspeakable cost. Now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth... a truth about her heritage that could change her life - and her future - forever.

Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena must find the strength not only to fight her inner demons but to battle the evil that is about the be unleashed.

The king's assassin takes on an even greater destiny and burns brighter than ever before in this follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Crown of Midnight."
___________________________________________________
First Lines:

"Gods, it was boiling in this useless excuse for a kingdom.
Or maybe it felt that way because Celaena Sardothien had been lounging on the lip of the terra-cotta roof since midmorning, an arm flung over her eyes, slowly baking in the sun like the loaves of flatbread the city's poorest citizens left on their windowsills because they couldn't afford brick ovens."
Page 3
___________________________________________________
Review:

If you haven't read Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, please do so. You won't regret it. Epic magical adventure and love story? GO! And I can't promise no spoilers of the first two books.

As the King's Assassin, Celaena has basically been to hell and back. She's fought for her position, her life, her past, her future... and everything in between. Now she's on a quest to get answers from her evil, magic-wielding aunt. But, of course, not without being fully tested and trained to her specifications. And there's larger evils happening back at home - things that Celaena has the ability to fix, but she doesn't know how yet. Training, fighting, and learning are her entire life now.

There is A LOT going on in this book. You've got probably four different storylines with about six or seven different perspectives. It's really a lot to keep up with. And if I am going to say there is any flaw in this book (which is really, really hard to do), I would say that my interest in each of the storylines was varying. Honestly, I could have just stuck with the Celaena/Rowen story the entire book. But I understand how all of the others are going to come into play and be very important as things go along. I just found myself irritated sometimes when I was stuck in another storyline when I really just wanted to know what was happening elsewhere.

So... beyond that, I absolutely loved this book. And have loved this series since the beginning. It's just so well written and you can see that the author does a fabulous job pulling all of the magical concepts together. She's really created a whole new vocabulary and world for you to explore. Things are uncovered at every turn - mysteries start to get solved, other concerns come up. There's so much that has yet to be explored that I look forward to future volumes.

There are a lot of new characters to figure out in this latest book. You've got an entire new city of people who are trying to feel out Celaena and figure out exactly who she is. Then you've got more seedy underworld characters who begin to create drama in another place. There is just a host of new characters! And while that does help keep the story fresh and interesting, there's a lot to keep up with.

I've realized that my only complaints about this book are about its complexity. And that really isn't a problem at all - it may be more of a personal issue because of my current attention span. This book took me a long time to get through, but it was because I wanted to make sure I got all of the details. I made the mistake of flying through the first book and realizing I needed to back up and make sure I understood what was going on. But if you're looking for a story to really dig into, you can't get much better than this.

The ending of this book makes me excited for the next one - which I know is the point. But there is something calming and steady about the way Celaena faces her future and what is going to happen next. And you never know! I was shocked by a few things in this story, so I can only imagine what's going to come next!

I'm absolutly continuing to recommend this series to fantasy lovers. It's a solid story that is very well thought out and you know the author already has a plan for all of these amazing characters. Honestly, I would love to see this as a movie or even as a TV series. It's epic and sometimes spooky and the battles are awesome... there's just a lot to sink your teeth into.
___________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Bookables
Books for a Delicate Eternity
Alexa Loves Books
Novel Thoughts
Read Breathe Relax
Behind the Pages
Sarcasm & Lemons
Head Stuck in a Book
Book Rock Betty
Novel Heartbeat

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Title: Second Star
Author: Alyssa B. Sheinmel
ISBN: 9780374382674
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Released: May 13, 2014
Page #: 248
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"An irresistible summer romance about two young men who refuse to grow up - and a troubled beauty who is trapped between them.

This contemporary seaside adventure about loss, lies, and first love is tinged with darkness and a touch of magical realism as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy's journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove's charismatic leader, Pete, but she also becomes entangled with Pete's nemesis, the dust-dealing Jas, who lurks nearby. A radical reinvention of J.M. Barrie's classic, here is Peter Pan as you've never imagined it, a love triangle set in the endless summer of modern-day coastal California."
_____________________________________________
First Lines: (Quoted from the galley. See final version for edits.)


"I can smell the bonfire before I even get out of the car. It's dusk, and the sun is low on the water. According to my watch, it's only been four hours since I officially graduated high school."
Page 3
_____________________________________________
Review:

I'm not sure I've loved any retelling more than this one. It makes me wanna pack up and move to California to live the life of a surfer. With my zero athletic skill and pretty awesome stable job. Seems reasonable.

Wendy's twin brothers (John and Michael Darling, aww) went missing after traveling the coast to find a huge wave. It seems like they're gone forever, but Wendy can't accept that. She goes on a journey to find her brothers at whatever cost. She doesn't expect to find herself caught up in the surfer/runaway lifestyle, but she falls for it hard. Almost as hard as she falls for Pete. But soon she starts unraveling what may have happened and has no idea which way is up anymore.

I am going to admit that it's been a really long time since I've read/watched anything Peter Pan related, so I don't have the best knowledge of the story. That really didn't matter all that much to understand this book, but there were some things that brought back my memory of the original. The dog named Nana. The rival groups. The runaway kids. But I think this story is more subtle than that. It doesn't seem like an actual remake... just loosely pulling themes and characters from another. And I think it succeeds in that.

One of my favorite things about this story was the "second star" explanation. It made me really think about the original story and how the stars are such an important part of their lives. In this book, it's all about wishing on the stars. There is something very sweet, beautiful, and innocent about the way it's portrayed in this story. You find yourself wishing along with Wendy and hoping she finds everything she needs. 

While the book is based on Peter Pan, there's a lot that separates it. The setting is obviously California surfer culture... that easy, breezy lifestyle where nothing but the next big wave is important. It's easy to see how Wendy would fall down that rabbit hole. There's also the love triangle between Wendy, Pete, and Jas. The two tribe leaders that hate each other. One huge thing that seems different (unless I'm not remembering correctly) is the drug use. There's a drug called Dust that Jas sells to anyone willing and people almost immediately become addicted. It's actually an interesting cautionary tale in that way, but the semi-fantasy element of it makes it somehow more accessible.

I absolutely LOVED this book and I know it will find that perfect summer read sweet spot. There were some surprising twists and turns that keep you wondering what is going to happen next. In fact, the ending leaves you hanging a little bit - but in the best possible way. I've already got at least three or four people in mind that I need to pass this book to.
_____________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Verbosity Book Reviews
The Reader Bee
Miss Fictional's World of YA Books
Cape Cod Scribe
Amanda's Daily Grind
Scott Reads It
Fiction Addiction
What Comes Next Reviews
The Busy Book Belle
The Airship Library

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

Title: Antigoddess

Author: Kendare Blake
ISBN: 9780765334435
Publisher: Tor Teen
Released: September 10, 2013
Page #: 336
Series: The Goddess War #1
Source: My public library
 
Summary:
"Old gods never die... Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.

Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra - an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.

These days, Cassandra doesn't involve herself in the business of gods - in fact, she doesn't even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with others of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these antigods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get because immortals don't just flicker out.

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.
The Goddess War is about to begin."
_______________________________________________
First Lines:

"The feathers were starting to be a nuisance. There was one in her mouth, tickling the back of her throat. She chewed at it as she walked, grabbing it with her molars and pulling it loose. Warm, copper-penny blood flooded over her tongue."
Page 9
_______________________________________________
Review:

Athena. Hermes. Apollo. Hera. Aphrodite. Poseidon. They're all dying. Strange things are happening to each of them and they don't know why. But there has to be a solution and someone has to be behind all of this! They just don't know who... or how to stop them.

Cassandra has always felt that she was weird because of her ability to see the future. Usually it's just in the form of a coin toss game, but she starting to have vivid visions. But she has no idea what they could mean and who they are about. When things start to come together, she realizes that not everyone is who they seem. And now she's somehow become the center of a war between the most powerful gods.

Sometimes I get a little confused when there are varying perspectives in a book. Especially when the different two are dealing with totally separate storylines - even when they eventually converge. So I had a little trouble keeping up with what was going on. I think I would have preferred to follow Cassandra's story and then have the gods stuff figured out as you go along. Alas! It also got a little murky in the ending and the stories had finally come together. The switching in perspective happened much more often and with less warning. There were several moments of thinking, "wait, why would she think that? Oh. Right. That wasn't her."

I think part of me had a hard time sympathizing with Athena as a character. You immediately know that she's dying... that feathers are taking over her body. Which is really gross when you think about it. This author does a really good job writing those squicky bits... so gross and slimey! blech. Anyway, Athena has lived for thousands of years. So why do I feel bad that she's dying now? And that she's willing to sacrifice just about anything to stay alive? She turns to people who used to worship her - which puts them in danger. Truly, I'm a huge fan of mythological characters - especially Athena - but I have a hard time thinking "poor you" about them. :)

Speaking of the gods, I wanted to know much more about Apollo. How did he get where he was? Why is he basically living like a human? What has he been up to all these years? You know there had to be way more to his story and how he became a lovestruck teenager. If I recall, there wasn't much explanation given... besides love. And I'm not sure that's enough for me to make it believable. Give me more, Apollo! You're a badass god! Uhm.... also, I took issue with the gods dying - which a few of them do. So, each of the gods has a purpose in mythology. Love. Sea. Sun. Moon. War. What happens when that god dies? Something catastrophic, surely. But that didn't play out here. I'm hoping those deaths will have some major impact on the world in the next book.

Honestly, this book took me a while to read. I've been staring at the ARC for months, but I expected to fly through it when I did sit down and read. But there was something about the story about Troy and all of those characters that I sort of had to wade through and digest. Who those characters were and what part they played in the Trojan War... It's not something that I know offhand, so it slowed me down a bit.

The whole concept of this book was fascinating to me and I did enjoy it - even though it seems like I didn't. The ending was a little shocking and I'm wondering what in the world will happen in the second book! Which looks like it will come out in October. I haven't read this author's other books, but I have heard great things about them. I may have to give them a shot... even though they look super scary. :)
_______________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

More Than Just Magic
Great Imaginations
The Book Addict's Guide
A Book Obsession
YA Book Reviews
Redhead Reader
Reading Between Classes
Teen Librarian's Toolbox
Living for the Books
Pen to Paper

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Title: The Winner's Curse
Author: Marie Rutkoski
ISBN: 9780374384678
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Released: March 4, 2014
Page #: 355
Series: Winner's Trilogy #1
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"Seventeen-year-old Kestrel is an aristocratic citizen of Valoria, a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers. Here, a girl like Kestrel has two choices: to join the military or to get married. Despite her skills in military strategy, Kestrel's real passion is music. Which is why she feels compelled to buy Arin, a slave sold as a singer, at auction. It's not long before he begins to change the way she sees everything... but he himself is not what he seems. Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for him is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

The first novel in a brilliant new series, The Winner's Curse tells of the star-crossed romance of Kestrel and Arin. It is a story of masters and slaves, spies, rebellion, ballroom dances, wicked rumors, dirty secrets, and games where everything is at stake. The gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart."
____________________________________________________
First Lines:

"She shouldn't have been tempted.
This is what Kestrel thought as she swept the sailors' silver off the impromptu gaming table set up in a corner of the market."
Page 3
____________________________________________________
Review:

Any time I see a book cover like this, I get a little concerned that it will be just like every other book with a girl in a pretty dress on the cover. While there were hints of that, this girl was way more kick ass than all those fluffy girls. Not to mention she's the daughter of a warrior.

Kestrel lives in a world where women are expected to be a part of the military - unless they get married. She lives in a world where her people have conquered most of the known world and are used to being the ones in charge. Those people they conquer become slaves and learn quickly how to serve a master. Then she goes and turns society on its head by purchasing a slave and becoming a little too attached to him. But he's not all he seems, either. Arin lets nothing effect him and will do anything to take back their land. He wants to learn anything and everything he can about the Valorian military and their weaknesses. The general's daughter will help him find that information, but she gives him way more than that.

The whole idea of buying a slave is super foreign to me (obviously). So I really hoped that we were going to have a situation where she buys him in order to set him free... or something like that. Which isn't the case! In fact, she straight up ignores him for the first month that he's there! You can tell that Kestrel is sensitive to the needs of the slaves - especially since she set free the woman who helped raise her. But I sort of appreciated that the story didn't pan out the way I thought it would. Not to mention, Arin doesn't want to be freed. He can see that she cares about people, but that's not his endgame. Which reveals itself with force throughout the book.

I'm having a really hard time sticking this book in any genre. Is it fantasy? Well, yes... it's set in a world that doesn't exist. Is it historical? It sort of feels like it with the fancy balls and old-school thinking about having an escort everywhere you go. And riding horses and carriages. It is romance, for sure... but not fully! There's so much more to it than that. It's probably a good thing that I can't stick this book in one genre. That's what an author wants, right? :)

Kestrel is the daughter of the military general and has a great mind for strategy. She plays games with people and always wins and can see military movements as pieces of a game. This gets her into trouble a couple of times - even gets herself into a duel with one of the most cruel men of their society. But that's what also gets her out of it alive. I really loved having a heroine who uses her head to prove herself. She understands the world and knows how to manipulate it. And that's what brings me to the ending...

Seriously, the end of this book was above and beyond everything I had hoped. It's a huge cliffhanger, but I feel like I can see where this story might be going. And I can't wait to get there! If you're really into the romance side of this book, you won't believe what happens! I had a few moments where I found myself thinking, "She's not really going to do that. No way. Wouldn't that ruin that other thing? But what about...?!" Yep. It was a little mind blowing, but it all comes together in a really interesting way. I was impressed!

I feel like I need to tell y'all that I was picturing Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones for Kestrel. You know, minus the dragons and magic. They have the same sort of fierceness and coloring (I think). Which may have made her way more kick ass in my head than she might have been. This book has a great balance between characters, setting, and action and I'm definitely giving it two thumbs up. I sort of wish for a little more world building, but I think that's where we're headed in book 2. Definitely give this one a shot!
____________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

The Book Smugglers
Alice Marvels
Book. Blog. Bake.
The Book Cellar
Confessions of a Bibliovore
Novel Novice
Snuggly Oranges
The Flyleaf Review
Alexa Loves Books
Consumed by Books

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
ISBN: 9781611137743
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Released: October 12, 2011
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1
Duration: 12 Hours, 32 Minutes
Source: eAudio from my public library

Summary: 

"Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?"

________________________________________________
First Lines:

"Walking to school over the snow-muffled cobbles, Karou had no sinister premonitions about the day. It seemed like just another Monday, innocent but for its essential Mondayness, not to mention its Januaryness."
Page
________________________________________________
Review:

There are about three or four people in my life who have been waiting for me to get to this book. They loved it so hardcore that it was mentioned constantly. And now I sort of see what they were talking about. This is quite the epic love story.

Karou doesn't know much about her past - just that it wasn't normal. She was raised in another world, where teeth are currency and people have all manner of animal characteristics. She now lives in the human world and continues to run errands for her adoptive family. Until one day, all of the portals to the other world are destroyed and she is left abandoned. She goes out looking for answers and comes across them in the most unsuspecting places.

This is a pretty intense romance. I mean, it's almost less about the setting, less about the situation... more about the relationship. This isn't something you realize until at least halfway through the book. As I said - epic love story. And it's taken beyond anything you can imagine. It's not a simple demon-meets-angel book. There's a ton of back story that totally changes the course of everything.

I sort of loved the whole concept of a girl being raised by demons and living in the normal world. With her blue hair. And crazy tattoos. It's just a cool idea and I think it reads really well. Uhm, also... Akiva? Hello. I don't even want to tell you which celebrity I was picturing in that roll. Let's just say that if this becomes a movie, he better be hot.

There was a point in the story that I really got worried that I was going to get lost. The whole perspective changes. Things get really backtracked and you are learning about Karou's life before. It's all necessary information, but the setting of the whole thing is different from where you were originally. It's an interesting way to tell a story. And it really makes me curious about where the second book will take place. And how much of that backtracking will be a part of it.

Huge bonus: The audiobook was awesome. The reader did a wonderful job with all of the various accents and crazy creatures. There was a ton going on and it could have totally fallen flat. But it didn't. And I truly recommend that you listen to this one. I don't often get so pulled into the story that I just have to listen to it all in one sitting (which I didn't, but it was close!). It was truly good enough that I am looking up that narrator to listen to other things she has done.

I believe all of those people who told me to read this book were right. It's an awesomely told story that many teens already are in love with. I will definitely be working on getting my hands on the audio of the second book.
________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Whispering Words...
Never Ending Stories
Sparkles and Lightning
Book Hooked Blog
Cece's Steaming Mug of Books
Book. Blog. Bake.
Book Brats
YA Love
Confessions of a Bookaholic
Abnormally Paranormal Reviews

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Title: Scarlet
Author: Marissa Meyer
ISBN: 9780312642969
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Released: February 5, 2013
Page #: 452
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #2
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison - even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother of the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, and her prisoner."
__________________________________________________
First Lines: (Quote from the ARC, subject to change.)


"Scarlet was descending toward the alley behind the Rieux Tavern when her portscreen chimed from the passenger seat, followed by an automated voice: 'Comm received for Mademoiselle Scarlet Benoit from the Toulouse Law Enforcement Department of Missing Persons.'"
Page 3
__________________________________________________
Review:

It took me forever to get to this arc... but I have a reason. I absolutely loved Cinder! I knew that when I received Scarlet, it was still months before it actually would come out. And then I'd have to wait even LONGER for the next book! So I put it on the backburner and made everyone else I know read it first. Now I'm in the same boat with the third book. We'll see when I get to that.

So, this second book focuses on Scarlet's life. She lives on a farm with her grandmother who has recently disappeared. At the same time, a mysterious stranger came to town - named Wolf. He pledges to help her find her grandmother and even has some information about where she might be. They go on a quest to find her and things end up even more messy than before.

I was honestly a little worried about this second book. I loved Cinder so much that I wondered how good a book would be without her as the main character. But the author really pulled it out. Scarlet is much more human, much more emotional, and much more driven than Cinder. She has to find her grandmother and knows that nothing will be right until she does. She even trusts a stranger when no one else steps forward to help her. I will say that I wished Scarlet would stand up for herself much more than she did, but it's understandable in the situations she found herself in.

Even though this was Scarlet's story, Cinder and the Eastern Commonwealth is still very much present in this book. You still see Kai and his struggle against the Lunar Queen. Cinder is exactly where we left her at the end of the first book and you see what becomes of her. It's really brilliant the way the author weaves these stories together. In the first half of the book, it was a little difficult to go back and forth between the two or three story lines, but the ending made it totally worth it.

I sort of loved Wolf's character. He's got that whole damaged, dark, mysterious vibe. We all know that's super appealing. And he plays into it perfectly. I was really worried about his loyalties - I mean, come on... he's the big, bad wolf. But I think he's written very well because you start to really think he's a good guy. And someone Scarlet should trust - even though he basically tells her not to. It's an epic love story!

Marissa Meyer's ability to twist a fairy tale is truly magical. It's seamless. The original story is still really there and obvious, but it's taken to a whole new level. I really think her books should be studied in classes that look at fairy tales. She's truly a master and I am excited to read Cress. If you're still waiting to read Cinder, I suggest you get on that immediately.
__________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Mermaid Vision Books
Melissa's Bookshelf
Snuggly Oranges
Red Reader Reviews
Geek Girl's Book Blog
Reading for Sanity
Helen's Book Blog
Blog of a Bookaholic
The Reading Fish
Istyria Book Blog

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J. Maas
ISBN: 9781619630628
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Released: August 27, 2013
Series: Throne of Glass #2
Page #: 417
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"From the throne of glass rules a king with an iron fist and a soul black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown - a secret she hides from even those closest to her. Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult as Celaena tries to untangle the mysteries buried within the glass castle, and she struggles to tell friend from foe. It seems even the Crown Prince, the Captain of the Guard, and her best friend - a foreign princess with a rebel heart - are not above questioning her allegiance. Then, one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to a tragedy that shatters everything."
___________________________________________________
First Lines: (Quote from the ARC, subject to change)

"The shutters swinging in the storm winds were the only sign of her entry. No one had noticed her scaling the garden wall of the darkened manor house, and with the thunder and the gusting wind off the sea, no one heard her as she shimmied up the drainpipe, swung onto the windowsill, and slithered into the second-floor hallway." 
Page 1
___________________________________________________
Review:

I was a huge fan of Throne of Glass - action, romance, drama, castles and princes, lots of death... Obviously it was meant for me. Such a good book. And I'm excited to report that Crown of Midnight lives up to my excitement.

Celaena has won the contest to become the king's Champion. He's now sending her all over to kill his enemies. Unfortunately, she's not willing to carry any of those out. So when she comes back to the castle, she has to keep the truth from her closest friends. And the castle itself has even more secrets than she realized. Everyone seems to have power that they shouldn't have and the mysteries in the castle are building up.

I think Celaena is one of my favorite characters in YA Lit. She kicks so much ass, but she's super girly, too. There's something so refreshing about a woman who can live in all of the different worlds. There is a part of this story where Celaena goes full-on assassin. It's pretty magical. The hard core, almost not human, crazy woman. This second book just really goes into the psyche that allows her to do the things she has to do to survive.

You can't talk about her without mentioning the guys in this story. Dorian... becomes even more lovable and wonderful in this second book. And Chaol... even more sexy. Sigh. They both really cater to her in all of the ways she needs them. They also have new secrets themselves that create all sorts of rifts in the friendship/love triangle. Just so much drama! I can't imagine how things are going to turn out for the three of them! There is also a lot more of the varying points of view, but it becomes important because so much is going on.

I honestly can't even get started on the ending. Not only because I'm not going to spoil it for you, but also because of its epicness. I reread the last couple of chapters immediately after I finished them. There was so much to sift through and get excited about. Things are going to get crazy before the end of this series. And I cannot imagine how Celaena is going to come out on top.

There are lots of new mysteries in this one - the castle has even more hidden secrets that Celaena has to sniff out. Which means a new monster, too...  even more scary than before. I will say that I was a little confused by the riddle and such at first. Which is probably how it should be. But beyond that confusion, it was a cool the way those things came together.

I was really worried that this book might suffer from the sophomore slump, but it really came through strong. There were enough details in the beginning to remind me of the first book and it took off like a freight train. I feel like all YA lovers will get into these books, but especially fantasy fans. It's just so well done and I am definitely a fan of Sarah J. Maas. This book comes out next week, so definitely get your hands on it soon!
___________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Talk Supe
Alexa Loves Books
A Reader of Fictions
My Guilty Obsession
The Eater of Books
Planet Print
Rainy Day Reads
Krista's Dust Jacket
Serendipity Reviews
WinterHaven Books

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Eternity Cure
Author: Julie Kagawa
ISBN: 9780373210695
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Released: April 30, 2013
Series: Blood of Eden #2
Page #: 446
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary:

"In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood.

She has done the unthinkable: died so that might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever—and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago—and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.

Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make."
_____________________________________________________
First Lines: (From the ARC, subject to change)

"I smelled blood as soon as I walked into the room.
A blast of snow-laced air accompanied me, swirling around my black coat, clinging to my hair and clothes as I shoved back the door."
Page 9
_____________________________________________________
Review:

While this book did take me an eternity to finish, it wasn't the fault of the book. Life got in the way (darn life!). If this is the first you are hearing of the Blood of Eden series, I highly suggest you go pick up a copy of The Immortal Rules. It's a perfect vampire novel. Plus, there might be spoilers in this review....

So, Allison is finally getting used to being a vampire. She's learned how to deal with her urges, and even how to stay up a little past the sunrise. She's making huge progress. And now she is on a quest to rescue her sire. She can tell he is in great danger and wants to help. But once she finds where he is, she realizes there are much bigger things at stake. There is a new human virus that is making people go crazy and attack. Plus, it does something wicked to vampires. She's between a rock and a hard place, but she is back where she started. Where she grew up. One would hope that might give her the upper hand.

Quite frankly, I was really worried that Zeke wouldn't be in this book. The first book left him in Eden. A human refuge. Allison had walked away from him and all of the other people they met on the journey. I'm not going to get into specifics, but he does appear in this story again. And things really heat up. He becomes even more of a badass than he was before ... and don't even get me STARTED on the ending! Whew!

I don't recall much about Sarren from the first book, but he becomes the ultimate baddy in Eternity Cure. He's vicious and unrelenting and just plain intense. There are times that Allie has to get into his head and figure out what in the world his grand plan could be. He also pulls no punches and will use the weakest thing about you in a fight.And I love how Jackel is the guy you can't trust, but you sort of have to. It's hard to know what side of the fence he lives on, but he definitely keeps you on your toes. I sort of can't wait to learn more about him.

You can see where the focus of the next book is going to be - on Eden again. And on Sarren and his plans for the world. I absolutely cannot wait. And I promise not to take so long reading that one. I'm definitely hooked into the story. Kagawa has a gift for telling rich, amazing stories. I am definitely a fan and will read just about anything from her. So, now comes the waiting game for book three.

This series really is great for those vampire lovers who are still out there. The main character is a reluctant vamp and you get the feeling that she really doesn't want to give in to the dark side. It makes her lovable and relateable. I think a lot of teens will identify with some of her struggles (outside of the wanting to drink blood thing). I have recommended these books several times and will continue to do so.
_____________________________________________________
Other Book Reviews:

I'm Loving Books
Candace's Book Blog
Bookish Ardour
Musings of a YA Reader
ReadBreatheRead
Anna Reads
Writing is a Blessing
Fiction Frenzy
Book Chick City
Book Brats

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Princess
Author: Cassandra Clare
ISBN: 9781416975908
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Released: March 19, 2013
Series: The Infernal Devices #3
Page #: 568
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan.
He needs Tessa.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are engaged, Will is still in love with her.

The last words of a dying Shadowhunter provide the clue that might lead Tessa and her friends to Mortmain. But their small group cannot stand alone, and the powerful Consul doubts that Mortmain is coming. Deserted by allies, the Shadowhunters find themselves trapped when Mortmain seizes the medicine that keeps Jem alive. With his best friend at death's door, Will must risk everything to save the girl they both love.

To buy Will time, the warlock Mangus Bane joins with Henry Branwell to create a device that could help defeat Mortmain. As they all work to save Tessa and the future of the Shadowhunters that resides with her, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself - for in the discovery of her own true nature, Tessa could become more powerful than she ever dreamed possible. But can a lone girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy."
__________________________________________________
First Lines:

"'I'm afraid,' said the little girl sitting on the bed. 'Grandfather, can you stay with me?'
Aloysius Starkweather made an impatient noise in the back of his throat as he drew a chair closer to the bedside and seated himself."
Page 1
__________________________________________________
Review:

In my opinion, you can never go wrong with a Cassandra Clare book. This is the third (and final) book in the series. So if you haven't read the rest, I suggest you do so.

Tessa and Jem are finally getting married. Will, of course, isn't happy about it. And there are more people living in the London Institute than before - some of which have only just begun training to be Shadowhunters. Charlotte is being undermined and Jem's medications are becoming scarce. One attack on the Institute throws everything into a whirlwind. Will has to make a huge trip on a whim and Jem is fighting for his life. It is an epic conclusion to an already epic story.

Honestly, I didn't know this was the last book in the series. I could feel that it was getting there when I neared the end, but I wasn't expecting that. I'm notoriously bad about not reading book flaps of series' I'm already involved with. I already know I'm going to love it, so why read about it beforehand? :) So, even though this is the end, the book really captivated me.

In the previous books, there is a huge emphasis on Tessa, Will, and Jem - as to be expected. It's really their story, after all. But this last book pulls in a few more interesting characters. Gabriel and Gideon - brothers that I continually got confused. Even more about Will's sister and his family before he left them. And other fringe characters really started making a name for themselves. It was a really cool way to end the story.

Obviously, I'm not going to tell you what happens. But for those people who have chosen a side (Will or Jem), I think everyone will be happy. I haven't read a book that crafted that particular aspect so well - especially the link between the two boys. You end up loving them both and being torn - just like Tessa. It's a well crafted love story and I think will be appreciated by all fans of the series.  

Even if you haven't read the Mortal Instruments series, I think this story of the Infernal Devices stands well on its own. I do like that you have characters that you can keep up with in the future. But I really think you can get into this earlier story and be just fine. Especially if you're a fan of magical historical fiction. It's all really well thought out and I love how things come together in the end. Cassandra Clare is a true artist.
__________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Under the Covers Book Blog
The Mountains of Instead
Kala's Book Blog
Readers in Wonderland
Booktastic Reviews
Books Complete Me
A Beautiful Madness
A Walk on Words
Random Things in Action
The Reader's Den

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Title: Carrier of the Mark
Author: Leigh Fallon
ISBN: 9780062184825
Publisher: HarperCollins
Released: November 29, 2011
Duration: 7 hours, 58 minutes
Source: Audiobook from my public library

Summary:
"Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRis.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction."
____________________________________________________
First Lines:

"My first day at a new school... again. I pulled on the school uniform and eyed myself critically in the mirror. A uniform! I couldn't believe it."
Page 1
____________________________________________________
Review:

Girl meets boy. Girl falls madly in love with boy within six seconds. Boy is mysterious, but for a good reason. Girl gets pulled into his world and finds out she belonged there all along. It's a pretty solid base for a teen novel :).

So, Megan is new to Ireland. She's used to moving and changing schools, but the life in Ireland is totally different. And for some unknown reason, she has attracted the attention of Adam - a guy every girl fantasizes about. She soon finds out that his family is shrouded in mystery and there are lots of urban legends about them. But once she starts to get to know the family, Megan realizes how much deeper that legend goes - and how much of it is true. But little did she know that she has her own mysteries. She can only tap into her potential if she sticks with them.

Ah, love. Young love. I know this is a staple for every teen novel of all time. And this one fits firmly into that category. It almost takes on its own persona in the story. The beginning of the relationship happens so quickly at the start of the story that it hardly seems possible. But such is a teen novel. :) Adam and Megan are the living embodiment of love at first sight. By the end, they are willing to die for each other. It's sort of sweet, I suppose. Very Romeo and Juliet without the star-crossed bit.

Throughout this love story, you've also got the magic and the mystery and the intrigue. I'm not going to give up what Adam's family can do, but it's very interesting that Megan showing up is what makes the circle complete. They are powerful, but with her around they are so much more. So it becomes more about the relationship with the entire family - not just the guy. I sort of liked that aspect of the book. It was a little less overwhelming with all the mush :).

I did listen to the audiobook on this one. The narrator did a really good job - especially with all of the various accents. Set in Ireland, so you have lots of that. The main character is American. And then you have various English accents that pop up as well. I was a little worried about that when I first started. Not nailing an accent could throw off the entire audiobook. But she did well and it was super believable.

In terms of recommending this title, I think you'll love it if you're into either YA fantasy or romance. It probably pulls in both of those audiences. It's a pretty epic love story, that's for sure. I would love to read a second book about one of the side characters. I feel like we've got a handle on Adam and Megan, so moving to a new perspective would be pretty cool. But I do think there is a second book scheduled to come out this summer. It will probably be worth checking out! 
____________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

A Bookworm's Haven
Read. Breathe. Relax.
Dreaming in Books
We Fancy Books
Confession of a Bookaholic
Gobbledygook Book Hooked
Imaginary Reads
The Bibliophile's Corner
Down the Rabbit Hole
One Librarian's Book Reviews

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Title: Through the Ever Night
Author: Veronica Rossi
ISBN: 9780062072061
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Series: Under the Never Sky #2
Released: January 8, 2013
Pages: 341
Source: From my public library

Summary:
"It's been months since Aria learned of her mother's death.
Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.

Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at first. Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night? In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and sci-fi elements to create a captivating adventure—and a love story as perilous as it is unforgettable".
____________________________________________________
First Lines:

"Aria was here.
Perry followed her scent, moving swiftly through the night. He kept his stride even as he scanned the darkened woods, though his heart hammered in his chest."
Page 1
____________________________________________________
Review:

If you haven't read Under the Never Sky, I would suggest you do so. I don't think I can leave out any spoilers from that one in this review. Plus, it's really good. You'll be happy you did.

This second book is still about Aria and Perry and their newfound relationship. They have been apart for months, but not by any choice of their own. Both of them have had huge life changes. Perry is now the leader of the Tides and Aria has lost her mother. She has also been given the task of finding the Still Blue - a place where the Aether doesn't attack. Unfortunately, they can't spend time together because of their quests. They are pulled in different directions, and only find themselves together in the heat of a crisis.

I have to say, this was a solid sequel. Most times, I go into these things with a bit of caution. I know many second books suffer from the slump - where you adore the first book and the second one falls flat. But truly, this one was just as good as the first one. In fact, I might think it was better. You have gotten to know these characters and you can imagine the things they have gone through. This second book just builds on all of that base knowledge. You now get to know more about them - more about where they came from, more about who they are. And you really find out just how awesome the characters are!

Typically, when I start reading a second book, I have to go back to my review of the first one to even remember what it was about. This one? I didn't have to remind myself at all - I remembered the first book with pretty striking clarity. I think that's one of the tests of a great book. If you can remember it without any trouble, it was well done. And I don't think I will be getting this one out of my head any time soon.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the emphasis on Roar and his life. You get a peek into that through the first book, but you start to understand him better. He becomes a real and important person. I think the author did a great job setting up the story like that. You get all of the love and romance and drama from the first book, but it is compounded by the amazing characters introduced in this one.

As usual, I'm not going to spoil the ending for you. But can I just say that there is a huge shocker toward the end? I mean, huge. It changes the course of the story. And I'm going to put this in writing - I think what happened may not have actually happened the way we think it did. You don't get a firm look at the situation. You just remember it through Aria... And you never know! Maybe that will be the twist in the next book. But it's a shocker... so get ready for that!

All you dystopian lovers out there - this book is 100% for you. It's definitely in my wheelhouse. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book. The mystery is about to be solved and I can only imagine the drama of trying to get there! I'll definitely be waiting impatiently for the next installment. Has it even been announced yet?
____________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Cuddlebuggery
Katie's Book Blog
Two Chicks on Books
Nick's Book Blog
A Life Bound By Books
Lily's Book Blog
Melissa's Bookshelf
Ivy Book Bindings
Once Upon a Bookcase
The Bookish Babe

Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Title: Carnival of Souls

Author: Melissa Marr

ISBN: 9780062201911
Publisher: HarperCollins
Released: September 04, 2012
Series: Carnival of Souls #1
Duration: 8 hours, 5 minutes
Source: Audiobook from my public library

Summary:
"In a city of daimons, rigid class lines separate the powerful from the power-hungry. And at the heart of The City is the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered up for sale. Once in a generation, the carnival hosts a deadly competition that allows every daimon a chance to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures—if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.

All Mallory knows of The City is that her father—and every other witch there—fled it for a life in exile in the human world. Instead of a typical teenage life full of friends and maybe even a little romance, Mallory scans quiet streets for threats, hides herself away, and trains to be lethal. She knows it's only a matter of time until a daimon finds her and her father, so she readies herself for the inevitable. While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence and danger that is the Carnival of Souls."
_________________________________________________
First Lines:

"The man - witch - who'd summoned Selah was nothing like what she'd expected. In truth, he looked no different than many daimons she'd met: implacable expression and a musculature that would serve him well in one of Marchosias' fighting competitions."
Page 1
_________________________________________________
Review:

Talk about a book in my wheelhouse. Witches, daimons, cute boys, fighting girls, family intrigue...  I was sold on this book before I really knew what it was about. I blame my love of masks and the pretty cover.

True to Melissa Marr style, we are taken into a whole new world - one where daimons rule. Witches have been given the human world to rule over. Mallory is caught in the middle, but she has no idea. She just knows that there is a cute boy who sort of shows up everywhere she goes and that her father is a witch - keeping them on the move and trained for any danger. As she begins to uncover the truth about the world around her, things start to go wrong.

I love the world building of The City. The rules are all different and the way people are ranked in society is totally foreign. Women are required to breed once they hit a certain age - they are even given something to make them more breedable. That's the one and only reason Aya has chosen to fight society and compete in the Carnival of Souls. It's a dark and sinister world where people are fighting - literally - for their lives and positions in society. Just to throw this out there, though... the Carnival is a little Hunger Games. People fighting to the death for a better standing. I'm just sayin.

It was hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that all of the daimons could transform into some other animal. Of course, it's a scary, wolf-seeming animal. But there wasn't much description there. It's probably on purpose so you can conjure up  your own scary versions of them. I personally would have liked a little more specific information about the creatures, though. Also, the whole pack mentality made this seem a little more werewolf than anything else.

As an audiobook, this one gave me a little trouble. I know I liked the story, so it had nothing to do with that. The reader was male and I sort of wished for a switch in voices when you were listening to the female characters (I know not everyone is a fan of the voice switching). In fact, there were more female voices than male. It wouldn't be bothersome, except some of his inflections for the way the girls talked... it was just wrong somehow. Everything else was really good. But the voice of Mallory seemed a little too meek and whiny the way it was done. Otherwise, the reader did a good job.

As a whole, I really enjoyed this story. There were some things that I wasn't a fan of, but that didn't keep me from having fun with this one. I think if you're a Melissa Marr fan, you will definitely want to check this one out. It seems like lots of the reviews are a bit on the fence. So I am hoping that the next book will give us even more to work with - this one totally leaves you on a cliffhanger. So, of course, I'm sucked in :).
_________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

Candace's Book Blog
A Beautiful Madness
The Soul Sisters
Mundie Moms
The Midnight Garden
Curling Up with a Good Book
That's What She Read
Obsession with Books
Realm of Fiction
Adina's Book Blog