Review: The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson
Series: Fire and Thorns #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 27th 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback
Source: won an ARC from a giveaway on Epic Reads

The epic conclusion to Rae Carson’s Fire and Thorns trilogy. The seventeen-year-old sorcerer-queen will travel into the unknown realm of the enemy to win back her true love, save her country, and uncover the final secrets of her destiny.

Elisa is a fugitive in her own country. Her enemies have stolen the man she loves in order to lure her to the gate of darkness. As she and her daring companions take one last quest into unknown enemy territory to save Hector, Elisa will face hardships she’s never imagined. And she will discover secrets about herself and her world that could change the course of history. She must rise up as champion-a champion to those who have hated her most.

Wow. I… I don’t even know what to write. Where to start. I really don’t think I can do this book justice. Well, I can at least say that I l o v e this book with all of my heart. The Fire and Thorns series is one of my absolute favorites, if not my very favorite fantasy series of all time. I am completely in love with this series. And I am so very happy with this last book in the trilogy. Oh and I just want to give a humungous THANK YOU to Epic Reads for the ARC! Totally squealed when I found out I won 🙂

So I had been dying to read this book ever since I finished The Crown of Embers, since CoE ends with a wicked cliffhanger. But not only that, I fell completely head-over-heels in love with the series, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the final book. The fantasy world-building is absolutely divine. It’s so well created, so fleshed out, that it feels like a real world to me. And I just love the Spanish influence Rae Carson has put in the world building (and I’m so grateful that I took Spanish classes in school!). I’m sure I’m pronouncing some names and words wrong, but whatever! The world where Elisa and Hector and Mara and Belén and Storm live in is so incredibly well written, so alive, it’s like its own character.

Elisa is a badass. She is one fantastic heroine. I love that she changes so much throughout the entire series, starting from an insecure, nervous girl, to one who reaches her full potential. She’s the damn queen of her kingdom, for christ’s sake, and she’s only 17! If there’s any heroine I would look up to, it would be Elisa, and I admire her inner strength, her intelligence, her independence, and basically everything about her because she’s amazing! I have a total girl crush on her. Throughout the entire book, she proves to everyone that she is fully capable of leading her kingdom, that she has what it takes to rule firmly, but compassionately. She doesn’t take anything for granted, and she values her life, the lives of those she loves, and the lives of those who live in her kingdom. And every time she comes up with an idea (which are always so epic and badass), I’m just like, You go, Elisa. Show ’em who’s ~~boss~~ queen. And at the heart of the series, I love that Elisa shows that you can pretty much do anything you set your mind to, if you give it all your effort. You don’t need to rely on outside forces to do what you want, because you have always had the capacity to accomplish what you want inside of you. And Elisa proves that even though she has the Godstone, she doesn’t always need its help to accomplish a goal.

It was a huge, lovely surprise when I started reading, and all of a sudden, there were chapters in HECTOR’S POV. I was so shocked, but excited, because Hector is the. b e s t. The BEST. He is one of my favorite book boyfriends ever. His love for Elisa shines through clearly, but doesn’t completely overcome everything else about him. His love for Elisa, his queen, and his quiet strength, loyalty, and dedication to his kingdom are so beautiful and inspiring.

“I love you the way a drowning man loves air. And it would destroy me to have you just a little.”

Both Hector and Elisa are independent people, and if they were to lose one another, it would devastate them, but they would survive and move on. And I love this. They have an epic love, but it’s not the be-all end-all for them. But basically, what I’m trying to say is that Elisa and Hector are perfect. Separately and together.

Every part of The Bitter Kingdom is intense. Rae Carson goes all out in the final book and holds nothing back. I was frightened for the characters one moment, and laughing the next. The secondary characters are incredibly well done, and I was surprised by how much I came to care for Storm, and by how much I was rooting for Mara and Belén. This book made my heart go absolutely crazy. It would be pounding because of some intense scene where someone is almost killed, or it would be melting because of some sweet words Hector says. I just wanted everyone to stay alive and survive through their journey, but the author is obviously a sadist (NO I’M KIDDING I LOVE YOU RAE CARSON!), because these characters do not have their journey cut out for them. Rescuing Hector, fighting Inviernos, killing nasty scorpions, Elisa and the gang are put up against so many things, but they never give up. AND I LOVE THEM SO FREAKING MUCH.

I can’t recommend this series enough. It’s epic. If you love fantasy, you’ll love the Fire and Thorns series. Even if fantasy’s not your thing, I’m pretty sure this series can change your mind about that. Love love love this series so much, but I’m so sad that the trilogy is over, even though I loved every bit of how it ended.

5 massive hearts.

Reading Order: Fire and Thorns series

#0.5 ~ The Shadow Cats: Ebook • Goodreads
#0.6 ~ The Shattered Mountain: Ebook • Goodreads
#0.7 ~ The Kind’s Guard: Ebook • Goodreads
#1 ~ The Girl of Fire and Thorns: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ The Crown of Embers: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ The Bitter Kingdom: Ebook • Hardcover • Paperback • Goodreads

27Aug2013

Review: Shooting Scars by Karina Halle

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Shooting Scars by Karina Halle
Series: The Artists Trilogy #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: August 20th 2013
Purchase: Ebook

Sometimes the right choice can be the deadliest.

When Ellie Watt made the ultimate sacrifice for Camden McQueen, she never thought it would be easy. But walking away with her ex-lover, Javier Bernal, in order to ensure Camden’s safety has brought a whole new set of dangers. With Javier’s plans for Ellie growing more secretive by the moment, Ellie must find a way to stay ahead of the game before her past swallows her whole.

Meanwhile, Camden’s new life is short-lived. Fueled by revenge and pursued by authorities, he teams up with an unlikely partner in order to save Ellie. But as Camden toes the line between love and retribution, he realizes that in order to get back the woman he loves, he may have to lose himself in the process. He might just turn into the very man he’s hunting.

Told in dual POV from Camden and Ellie.

I’m a bit sad right now. Because… I didn’t really enjoy Shooting Scars as much as I wish I did.

I fell in love with Ellie and Camden in Sins & Needles, and after finishing that book, I was still going crazy for their story, pretty much still high off their story. Because that book is intense. Seriously, I had no idea of the wild ride that was Sins & Needles, but let me tell you, it was incredible. Edge-of-your-seat intense. Sexy. Dark. Angsty. All of which I LOVE. And did I mention I was Team Camden? Because I was SO Team Camden, even though Javier was one sexy mofo. He’s just too bad and unredeemable for me, unfortunately.

So by the time I’d finished Sins & Needles, I wanted Shooting Scars IMMEDIATELY. I wanted more Camden, more Ellie, hell, even more Javier. I had to satisfy myself with On Every Street though, which was brilliant! I applaud Karina Halle for writing the best novella I’ve ever read. And so after all this waiting, after all the teasers, when I finally got Shooting Scars in my hands (well, on my iPad in my hands), you can be sure I totally squealed. I read it as soon as I could, (which was pretty much the day after the book was released), but… I ended up disappointed. I didn’t not like it; it just wasn’t as good as the first book. Shooting Scars didn’t live up to my expectations, and I had such high expectations for it. I loved all the characters in Sins & Needles, and to see them fall flat in Shooting Scars was disheartening.

Everything felt too rushed for me. It seemed as if the book was just too fast and easy to read, even though I did take two days to read it. I wanted to get caught up in the craziness and angst, fall in love with the characters all over again, but the plot just zoomed by, and I couldn’t immerse myself into the story, even when I wanted to. Shooting Scars just didn’t have the same oomph, the same intensity, as Sins & Needles, and try as I might to love it, I didn’t.

I was so excited to be reading both Ellie and Camden’s POVs, and I was especially giddy for Camden’s, of course. But when I actually got to reading his POVs, he’d changed. Camden is entirely fueled by revenge, and I just could get a clear sense of his love for Ellie anymore, which was unfortunate. And Ellie didn’t seem as badass as she was in Sins & Needles. Yes, she’s stuck with Javier, but I felt that she could have done more to protect herself and others. Javier is his usually arrogant, mysterious, sexy self, and he’s so very intriguing. You wonder if he’s still in love with Ellie after all these years, and then you have to backtrack and wonder if he even knows what love is, if he’s capable of it. And that, he, was the best part of the book. Because if there’s one thing you can count on, it’s Javier being unpredictable.

Shooting Scars does have intense moments, as everyone is now in Mexico. Travis appears in the flesh, and of course things get hectic when you have evil drug lords. You won’t be disappointed with the scenes of action and suspense!

Even though Shooting Scars was a let down for me, I’m definitely looking forward to the third and final book in The Artists Trilogy. I honestly LOVED Sins & Needles, and even On Every Street, and I’m hoping I’ll love Bold Tricks just as much.

3 hearts

Look at the pretty cover for Bold Tricks!

Reading Order: The Artists Trilogy

#0.5 ~ On Every Street: Ebook • Goodreads
#1 ~ Sins & Needles: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Shooting Scars: Ebook • Goodreads
#3 ~ Bold Tricks: Ebook • Goodreads

26Aug2013

Early Review: Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen
Series: Nova #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: September 3rd 2013
Purchase: Ebook • Paperback
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher (Forever) in exchange for an honest review

Nova Reed used to have dreams-of becoming a famous drummer, of marrying her true love. But all of that was taken away in an instant. Now she’s getting by as best she can, though sometimes that means doing things the old Nova would never do. Things that are slowly eating away at her spirit. Every day blends into the next . . . until she meets Quinton Carter. His intense, honey brown eyes instantly draw her in, and he looks just about as broken as she feels inside.

Quinton once got a second chance at life-but he doesn’t want it. The tattoos on his chest are a constant reminder of what he’s done, what he’s lost. He’s sworn to never allow happiness into his life . . . but then beautiful, sweet Nova makes him smile. He knows he’s too damaged to get close to her, yet she’s the only one who can make him feel alive again. Quinton will have to decide: does he deserve to start over? Or should he pay for his past forever?

This story was sad, heartbreaking, and yet, in the end, so full of hope. My thoughts are, to be honest, quite jumbled over this book. There was so much angst and sadness and desolation for these two seemingly hopeless characters, but I still held on to the hope that there would be some sort of happy end for them. Breaking Nova could be categorized as a romance, I suppose, but for me, it was less of a romance and more of a story of two people coming together at the very lowest points of their lives. And they connect with one another in a powerful way, one they’ve never had with anyone else. They may or may not end up together at the end of this series, but I’d be perfectly happy with either way, as long as Nova and Quinton each find a way to have a happy future. (The romantic in me wishes they’ll have a HEA though!)

Sadness. Angst. Depression. Anguish. Pain. These are only a few of the things that Nova and Quinton are going through from the beginning of the book. My heart broke so much for them both. I can’t even imagine the heartache and grief each of them go through in their situations. Already from the get-go, the story goes straight downhill. It went so downhill, in fact, that I became very worried about whether it was possible for either Nova or Quinton to get back up. For both of them, death is sadly a huge part of their lives. From the beginning of the book, they lose people they love in horrifying ways, and those losses shape their very souls: who they are, what they are, how they act, etc. Unfortunately, both turn to drugs to get away from the pain. It was difficult for me to read, since I’m not a fan of reading about drug abuse, but while I didn’t like it, I could understand how they wanted a way to forget the pain and the memories that continue to haunt them.

I honestly loved the writing. The words are almost lyrical in a way, flowing so smoothly. Sometimes, I’d come across a sentence or paragraph that would stick out to me, and it would make me think about myself and about others, and that’s such a powerful thing for books to do. Make you re-evaulate yourself and others, re-evaluate life. I applaud Jessica Sorensen for writing a book that had so much raw, gritty emotion and made me feel so much. Just thinking about the book again makes my heart hurt a little.

I am SO glad for the last 20-25% of the book, because honestly, if I had to read an ENTIRE book that only had pain and suffering, I would not enjoy it at all. So thank goodness for the last part. Because as devastating and heartbreaking the rest of the book was, there was still hope. Breaking Nova is not a happy book, but the end left me feeling like Nova and Quinton might possibly have a better future for themselves. Maybe not right then, but like they’d eventually find a way to pull themselves out of that deep, dark place they are in. Quinton, who has so much more shame and guilt, would have a harder time with this, but I have no doubt that he’ll find a way, or else Nova will for him, to heal.

And I love that the story played out almost like a movie. All of Jessica Sorensen’s books that I’ve read have an almost cinematic quality to them, at least more than the usual imagining the story inside your head thing. Her books would make perfect movies.

I really, really enjoyed Breaking Nova. It was moving and powerful and bittersweet. I didn’t love it, but I’d definitely recommend it to those who like angst to the max in their books. SO looking forward to the sequel. (Fingers crossed for a happier book!)

4 hearts for this difficult, heartbreaking, captivating read.

Reading Order: Nova series

#1 ~ Breaking Nova: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Saving Quinton: Ebook • Goodreads
#3 ~ Nova and Quinton: No Regrets: Ebook • Goodreads
#4 ~ Wreck Me: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#5 ~ Ruin Me: Ebook (Jan. 19, 2015)
#2.5 & #3.5 ~ Taking Chances: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

22Aug2013

Review: Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #6 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: July 30th 2013
Purchase: Paperback • Ebook

Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

The Kate Daniels series is one of my favorite series of all time! The first book, though I didn’t love it as much as the rest of the series, still blew me away with the incredible world that Ilona Andrews created. And Kate totally hooked me in, with both her narration and character. Kate is a major badass. She’s like, queen of badass heroines. Sigh, I just love her so much. The second book was even better than the first, and that was when I started l o v i n g the series. And the third book, just, wow. Absolutely incredible, and still my favorite of the entire series (well, Magic Rises was a close second). The fourth and fifth books were amazing as well! I know I will always be wowed by a Kate Daniels book, and Magic Rises totally didn’t disappoint at all!

Magic Rises is full of everything you can expect in a Kate Daniels book—Kate being her badass, snarky, hilarious self. Crazy intense and exciting action. The best secondary characters (I love Derek so freaking much) that are just as fleshed out as the main characters. And CURRAN. Curran. Curran. Curran. Curran. Curran. This lion shapeshifter is one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE book boyfriends. Like, ever. He’s the alpha of alphas (literally, he is), incredibly fierce, strong, loyal, hot, and most of all, he loves Kate with all his heart. He would drop everything he had worked for, all to save her. But of course, Kate would do the same in reverse. Their romance is one of my favorites. They’re strong and top dogs independently, but together, they can do and best anything. They bring out the best (and sometimes worst, which is usually hilarious to read) out of each other.

Curran. *SWOONS* *FAINTS*

Anyways, back to the err… fighting scenes. Yes! Fighting scenes. God, I get so crazy excited during all the action scenes in the Kate Daniels books. Because they’re just so well done! My head is completely into the fight, my heart’s beating, and I’m worrying about who can defeat whom. It’s so intense! And there are so many fight scenes in Magic Rises. LOVED them! I always enjoy action in books I read, and Magic Rises definitely gave me the rush and adrenaline I get when I read them.

There’s a special character who appears in the story, but I can’t say who, because it’s a spoiler! But I really liked him. Like, really really did. Even though he’s evil. There was just something so intriguing and dark and sexy about him… and his fight scenes with Kate! So. hot. Not that he could ever compare with Curran, but he’s still mighty fine on his own. If only he weren’t evil. Drat. Still, I’m excited to see more of him, and we definitely will be seeing more of him in future books.

The Kate Daniels series has romance in it, but it’s not a romance. It’s urban fantasy at its finest. So there aren’t really mushy, lovey-dovey scenes, and even if there were, they would make me feel kind of weird since lovey-dovey stuff is so not Kate and Curran. They usually make me laugh more often than they make me swoon, but I don’t love them any less for it! They’re perfect exactly the way they are. I never had a problem with Kate and Curran not really saying how much they love each other, since their actions speak louder than words, and I still don’t. But I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy reading an occasional mushy scene. And I swooned so. freaking. hard. I was all smiling, being all giddy and giggling, and I loved that even though Kate and Curran have been together for several books, their love is still going strong.

So go forth and read this series if you haven’t started! It’s a must-read series, and for those who are fans of Kate Daniels, you won’t be disappointed with Magic Rises!

5 hearts!

Reading Order: Kate Daniels series

#1 ~ Magic Bites: Paperback • Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Magic Burns: Paperback • Ebook • Goodreads
#3 ~ Magic Strikes: Paperback • Ebook • Goodreads
#4 ~ Magic Bleeds: Paperback • Ebook • Goodreads
#5 ~ Magic Slays: Paperback • Ebook • Goodreads
#6 ~ Magic Rises: Paperback • Ebook • Goodreads
#7 ~ Magic Breaks: Hardcover • Ebook • Goodreads

19Aug2013

Mini Series Review: Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh

Posted in 5 hearts, Reviews, Spotlight by Lacey

So this is a first for me, reviewing an entire series instead of just one book at a time. But I figured since the Psy-Changeling series is a series (12 books and counting!), it would be easier for me to just gush about the series as a whole and make short reviews for each book. And this adult, paranormal romance series is the. best. I honestly had no idea I would fall this much in love with it, but I did, and I’m now such a huge fan of Nalini Singh. The only thing I don’t like about the series are the awful covers. I really, really don’t like them. Heart of Obsidian is the only cover I love (well, maybe Kiss of Snow too *cough* beautiful abs *cough*), but I’m so glad they revamped the book covers later. But whatever, who cares about the covers? It’s what’s on the inside that counts, and oh my god, this series is just one of my absolute favorites that I will never get tired of. I trust whatever Nalini Singh throws at us in future Psy-Changeling books.

Here’s a little bit about the Psy-Changeling series:

It is the year 2079, and there are 3 kinds of beings that exist in the Psy-Changeling world: humans, Psy, and Changelings. Humans are, obviously, just normal human beings. The Psy are like humans, except they have powers like telepathy, telekinesis, foresight, and a whole wide range of other powers, and they are under a regime called Silence. Changelings are the shifters, people who can shift into animals like wolves, leopards, hawks, rats, etc.

Silence is a huge part of the series. All Psy are under Silence (implemented in 1979), which means they have cut off all feelings, so they don’t feel any emotions, not love, happiness, sadness, lust, anger, fear, etc. The Council are the leaders of the Psy who are in charge of making sure Silence is maintained. However, Silence is breaking. Slowly, the Psy have been feeling more and more, and the Psy-Changeling series tells the ongoing story of the Psy learning to love again, and all humans, changeling, and Psy working together.

The series focuses on two changeling packs: the DarkRiver leopards and the SnowDancer wolves.

Book 1: Slave to Sensation • Ebook • Paperback
Lucas Hunter (changeling; DarkRiver Alpha) & Sascha Duncan (Psy)
Rating: 5

The first book of the Psy-Changeling series completely hooked me in. I wouldn’t have had the motivation to continue and finish the rest of the 12 books if I hadn’t loved Slave to Sensation. But I did end up loving it so much, and Lucas and Sascha’s story is one of my favorites of the series. It’s currently my third favorite book in this series. Lucas is the alpha of his DarkRiver leopard pack, centered in San Fransisco, and when he meets Sascha, sparks fly, even though it seems she has no feelings because she’s Psy. So Lucas slowly worms his way into Sascha’s heart and shows her how to feel and eventually, love. I love Lucas so much, his fierceness, strength, and capacity to love; he’s the main reason why I loved Slave to Sensation so much, though Sascha can hold her own too. I highly, highly recommend reading Slave to Sensation! Who knows, you might end up reading the entire series and loving it like I did!

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