Amy Bartol

Quick Review: Traitor Born by Amy Bartol

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Oh my gosh!!! Exciting, emotional and non-stop action. Seriously. I couldn’t put this down. I need to sit down and collect my brain after that ending. I mean, holy crap. Amy knows how to get my blood pumping. You must read Secondborn before you even think about diving into this book. If you don’t have time to sit, grab the audible. I did my reread via audible and it was just fabulous.

Roselle is doing everything in her power to change the world around her. She’s surrounded by those who are supposed to be helping her but the more she’s involved, the more I realize that she’s utterly clueless. And then SHE doesn’t realize that until it’s too late.

No spoilers here, no worries. By the time I was at the ending, I had quite a few “Holy frak” moments. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, the rug was pulled out from under me. This girl can’t seem to catch a break. She wants to trust everyone, but she really can’t. Everyone has an agenda. And if she’s not smart, she going to be taken out of the picture.

That being said, I have a few predictions and a few “I hope…” ideas, but I’ll just have to sit here and wait. Gah!!

~Melpomene

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Secondborn https://amzn.to/2J3kFhp
Traitor Born https://amzn.to/2H8SWLG
Pre Order
Rebel Born https://amzn.to/2JQdvOX

Review: Secondborn by Amy Bartol

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Fantasical and exciting! I was sucked in from the very beginning. Amy Bartol knows how to write fantasy that is gripping and emotional.

Roselle has lived her life in front of cameras. Being a secondborn, her life is not her own. When’s she’s transitioned, it seems that very few people are on her side. She must find a way to survive and make this new life her own. Each decision she makes not only affects her, but the world around her as well.

I liked Roselle. A lot. She’s 18 and had this new life thrust upon her and had to choose to give up or fight. She’s got a lot of spunk and it’s quite wild to watch her. What I most especially like is that I know this is the type of book my daughter will love. A girl who isn’t the damsel, but the knight. I can’t wait till she reads this!

“I want to write the story of my life to suit me. I want to see the world without restrictions. I want to use my mind to obtain freedom, like she had.”

I really enjoyed diving into this new world. As with most first books in a series, there’s a lot to cover and introduce you to. I’m happy to say that I wasn’t overwhelmed with all the information. I tend to struggle with first books. My brain can’t seem to keep up. On top of that, the scenery was described in a way that I could imagine being right in the midst of it all. There are quite a few characters for you to love, and perhaps a couple to hate. My mind is turning with all my theories for the future. I’m gonna need the second book ASAP.

Well done, Ms. Bartol!!

~Melpomene

Buy Secondborn http://amzn.to/2vp2tMM

Melpomene’s Top 15 of 2015

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I decided to stick with a top 15 instead of 25 this year. 25 seemed a bit overachieving, so I toned it down a smidge. And I was going to write this long and beautiful post, but then I realized I just can’t write long and beautifully, so you get short and sweet. Here you go.

1. Before We Were Strangers: A Love Story by Renee Carlino

2. November 9: A Novel by Colleen Hoover

3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

4. Iniquity (The Premonition Series Book 5) by Amy Bartol

5. Breathe (Colorado Mountain Series Book 4) by Kristen Ashley

6. Restless Waters: A Left Drowning Novel (Left Drowning Series Book 2) by Jessica Park

7. The Song of David (The Law of Moses Book 2) by Amy Harmon

8. Kyland by Mia Sheridan

9. The Forgotten Mountain (The Collectors’ Society Book 3) by Heather Lyons

10. The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis

11. Where Sea Meets Sky: A Novel by Karina Halle

12. The Air He Breathes by Brittiany C. Cherry

13. Bad Romeo (The Starcrossed Series Book 1) by Leisa Rayven

14. Burned: Fever Series Book 7 by Karen Marie Moning

15. The Shadows (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 13) by J.R. Ward

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The Gamble (Colorado Mountain Series Book 1) by Kristen Ashley

Elude (Eagle Elite Book 6) by Rachel VanDyken

Walk Through Fire (Chaos) by Kristen Ashley

Gus by Kim Holden

The Raven (Florentine series Book 1) by Sylvain Reynard

What were some of your favorites??

~Melpomene

Review: Iniquity by Amy Bartol

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01 ini How can I write a review for a book that has been in the back of my mind for the past three years? I’ve never felt like this over a series before, so this is very hard for me. It’s over. Lives have been lost. Lives have been saved. Nothing more can be done. It’s very bittersweet for me. I found, as I was reading, I would just burst into tears, for no reason at all. It was coming to a close, and I wasn’t ready for it. We may have wanted this, but deep down we really don’t want it to end.

The Premonition series has been a part of my life shortly after I became a reader and I don’t know how to say goodbye. In fact, I suck at saying goodbye. I mean really, how do you say goodbye to characters that you love so much? And even though some of these characters I hated, deep down I really loved them. They were doing what they’re made to do, even if I didn’t agree. But saying goodbye is still going to suck, so here I go.

Goodbye, Russell. I fell in love with you the moment you opened your mouth and I was met with that amazing southern drawl. Your sweetness and protectiveness always made me so overwhelmed. You’re Evie’s soulmate. You’re bound to her and you can’t just walk away, even if your heart is being ripped to shreds. I loved how you loved Evie, even when she couldn’t love you the same way. No matter what, you were there for Evie. Even if she made you mad and frustrated, you never stopped protecting. You did it full force. I will miss you.

Goodbye, Finn. I always thought you were something special. And reading reading Iniquity, I know I was right. Even though you made me a bit mad over Molly, I know your heart was in the right place. You were a fierce second. You always helped Brennus and your queen and I love you forever.

Goodbye, Buns and Brownie. You girls were the best friends Evie could ever have. I’m so glad she had you guys as part of her inner circle. She couldn’t have done anything without you girls.

Goodbye, fellas. You crazy bunch of lunatics. I wanted to smack some of you many times, but I get it, you were only doing what you were made to do and what your king told you to do. You’re loyal and very strong fighters. I’m glad Evie could count on you to protect her, even if she didn’t think she needed it. And I still can’t believe I found myself crying over you guys, in this book. I mean, whoa. The twists and turns you guys gave me, definitely kept me on my toes.

Goodbye, Zephyr. I must admit, you scared the crap out of me, when Evie stumbled upon you in Reed’s house. I was sure you were going to kill her, but only because you’ve never seen anything like her. Once you figured it out, you were like her big brother. I love how you always had Reed’s back, even if it meant you were getting a beating right along with him. You never left his side. You’re the best, Z, and I will miss you.

Goodbye, Brennus. You crazy undead faerie. What can I say about you? Thank you for always having Evie’s safety as your #1 priority. Although, you could’ve gone a little bit less stalkery to prove your point. You freaked her out, man. You need to learn to back off and let the girl come to you. But I am glad she could call on you and you would be there as soon as possible. Thank you for protecting her and loving her enough to let her make her own decisions.

Goodbye, Evie. Girl, you have lived a crazy life. Heck, all your lives are crazy! But I’m glad to see how much you’ve grown in these books. I’m sorry you had a such a hard time, in the beginning. I wish you all the best and hope you will be happy with the rest of this lifetime.

Goodbye, Reed. Let me start out by saying that you will always be one of my top book boyfriends ever. You loved Evie so much, that you’d die for her, kill for her and walk away, if that’s what she wanted. I was always rooting for you. Team Reed all the way. I’m going to miss your sweet and romantic words, the way you and Russell would tease each other and how, no matter what, you put Evie first above all else. I will never forget you.

“You’re my air, Evie. Without you, I drown in a breathless sky.”

Thank you, Amy, for giving us these characters. They will always be loved and never forgotten.

~Melpomene

Inescapable (The Premonition Series Book 1)
Intuition (The Premonition Series Book 2)
Indebted (The Premonition Series Book 3)
Incendiary (The Premonition Series Book 4)
Iniquity (The Premonition Series Book 5)

Review: Darken the Stars by Amy Bartol

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01 dark Oh.my.gosh……I can’t…..my heart…..oh man….what do I do now?? This book has left me devastated. Amy Bartol tugs at your heartstrings with this epic and very emotional conclusion. I was in a constant state of nervousness the entire book. I had no idea this ending would leave me feeling like this. I can’t even put it in words.

This book takes place immediately after Sea of Stars and now Kyon has Kricket. He’s never going to let her go. He’s wanted her for so long and he’s not taking any chances. He’ll do anything to protect her. I was happy with this storyline, because I love Kyon. But at the same time, I’m so mad because I hate him also. He’s evil and bad, but Kricket was growing to love him, the more time she’s with him. That was a hard pill to swallow. I didn’t want to see her get closer to him.

The more I think about the story, the more my heart hurt for Kricket. She just wants to go home to Earth and get her life back. She doesn’t want to be the answer to everyone’s problems. She wants to stop feeling things for these men in her life and she wants them to stop feeling for her too. It would make her leaving that much easier on everyone. But most of all, she wants to be free. Watching her struggle, with these burdens, hurt me.

And let’s not bring up the scenes with Trey. Oh my word. Every time Trey’s emotions got the better of him, I cried. I mean, tears falling down my cheeks. He loves her so much and is doing everything in his power to get her free from Kyon and all those who would use her for their own good.

Without giving away spoilers, I will say that the ending is not what I expected, but it was needed. There’s so much more that could’ve happened. There’s so much more that I wanted to happen. I hope she surprises us with another one. I think we need it. I understand the way she ended it. I get it. I won’t say that I was cheering at the end, but I get it. I really do…

~Melpomene

Buy
Under Different Stars (The Kricket Series Book 1)
Sea of Stars (The Kricket Series Book 2)
Darken the Stars (The Kricket Series Book 3)

Review: Under Different Stars (Kricket#1), by Amy Bartol

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“You cannot thrive under the wrong stars, Kricket.”

I have loved Amy Bartol, since I first read her Premonition series. So when I found out she was writing another series, I was excited to read it. When I saw the cover, I knew it was going to be different. And I was correct. I will admit that for the first 25% I was confused with all the names and titles of things. Since this takes place on another planet, everything is different. I highlighted a ton and kept going back for reviewing. 🙂 Eventually I forgot about the names and just followed the story.

17 yr old Kricket has always wanted a home and family. After growing up in the foster care system, she decides to break out of it and find her own way. She’s been doing that for two years and she just wants to get to her 18th birthday, so she can quite looking over she shoulder.

Trey Allairis is a soldier, sent from her planet, along with his friends, Wayra and Jax, to bring her back. She doesn’t want to go, but she doesn’t have a choice. And as they make their way to her real home, he realizes that she is more than just a mission. He also discovers that she isn’t a timid little flower and can stand up for herself against big strong soldiers. Slowly she wraps them around her little finger.

Kricket learns that she has powers, with the potential for many more, and that makes her a hot commodity. She just wants to go back to Earth, but there is no escaping. She must learn how to conform to her current situation, while holding herself together. When all the five houses of Ethar start vying for her, she must make some difficult decisions and rely on Trey to help her.

Kyon knows about Kricket, and her potential powers, and wants her for himself. And he will do anything to get her. No matter what Kricket does to dissuade him, he will not back down. Either he will have her, or no one will.

Slowly, but surely Trey realizes his feelings for her and decides he would do anything to protect her, even if it means to let her go to an enemy. As long as she’s alive, he can move on.

“If I touch her, she’ll have my soul”

I can’t wait til the next book comes out. I know I have long to wait, but it’ll be worth it. I must know what happens!! Will Kricket be able to be with Trey, without fear?? What happened to Kyon?? I MUST KNOW!!!

~Melpomene

Buy it now Under Different Stars (The Kricket Series)

Review: Inescapable, by Amy Bartol

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I love angels!!!

I found this series after I read another angel series, and I’m so glad I did. I loved it even more after I realized the author is from my state. Gotta support the local authors, you know. 🙂

Anyways, this book is about Evie Claremont. She is starting the next chapter of her life as a freshman at Crestwood college. She is sad to leave her Uncle, who raised her, but she’s excited to see what’s in store.

That is, until she meets Reed Wellington.

Mr. Perfect.

More like Mr. Irritating. He wants her gone and she doesn’t understand why.

Then she meets Russell.

Mr. Cute southern boy who you can’t help but love. Who also turns out to be the best friend she’s ever had.

Strange things start happening to her and she can’t explain them. But Reed always seems to be there or know what’s happening. But he’s not telling her anything.

“So, since you know I’m not a fish, and I know you’re not a fish, what does that make us?”

“That makes us completely and utterly screwed.”

Well, that is, until the unthinkable happens and she is changed forever.

There was a love triangle, of course. Someone gets hurt. Someone gets really hurt and I get really mad. There is also a shocking ending. Lucky for us, books 2, 3 and 4 are out. There is a 5th coming soon. I’m DYING to read the 5th book!!

I can’t quite put my finger on why I love this series so much, but I just do. I’ll be rereading all four books before the fifth comes out. I can’t wait!!

~Melpomene

Buy it now Inescapable (The Premonition Series (Volume 1))
Buy it now Intuition (The Premonition Series (Volume 2))
Buy it now Indebted: The Premonition Series (The Premonition Series (Volume 3))
Buy it now Incendiary (The Premonition Series (Volume 4))