Macmillan

Review: Skyhunter by Marie Lu

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After reading the Warcross duology I hoped this would be similar in feelings and actions. It was. And I’m very happy.

I received this audible from Libro.fm and then the DTB from Bookish First so I went back and forth from reading to listening. I was fully caught up in the action. I hated to put it down to do life.

Talin is a striker and her only job is to protect her world from the Federation. She knows what horrific things they can do so she is willing to fight to the death to protect others from living what she barely lived through.

When a prisoner is brought in she discovers that he is way more than a simple Federation runaway. He just may well be the answer to how they can win this war.

I fell in love with all the characters. They each had a bond that was unbreakable. It was inspiring to see that. They would do anything and everything for each other.

Skyhunter is an action packed YA fantasy filled with emotions, family bonds and even a hint of love. I was on the edge of my seat as I neared the ending and frankly I’m a bit anxious to see what happens next.

~Melpomene

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Quick Review: The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

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It’s been said that this book is a Slytherin romance. At first I didn’t understand that. I’m a Slytherin, you see, and I’m a nice girl. So I went in this with an open mind. It didn’t take me long realize why it was called such.

Alessandra isn’t your typical lady. She’s ready to get married and she has her sights set on the king. Too bad she plans on killing him once she has him.

Honestly, I spent most of book hating her on one hand and hoping she changes on the other. It was rather stressful. I loved the king. I wanted nothing more than to see him happy but at what cost?

This book wasn’t over the top fantastic but it was good. The women’s empowerment message was practically drilled into our heads, so that was a bit much and there were a few predictable moments, but all in all it was enjoyable. I would add it to my teen rec list.

~Melpomene

Release day Feb 25

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Quick review: Supernova by Marissa Meyer

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Supernova has been one of my most anticipated reads. After the way we were left in Archenemies I was dying to know what happens to Nova and Adrian. And after I finished, let’s just say I was surprised, and yet I wasn’t.

This was an exciting conclusion to the series and I’m happy I read it. Battle scene after battle scene had me flipping pages quickly. That being said, there were quite a few parts that seemed to drag a bit, and I found myself skimming. That’s never a good sign. I was hoping for one direction and this completely went in another. I’m still not sure how I feel about that. It almost feels like nothing was accomplished.

Nova’s big secret if finally revealed and she must pay for the lies and hurt that resulted. Again, I don’t wanna focus on the negative, but her and Adrian almost felt too perfect. Her lies were no small white ones. They were HUGE flaming red ones. And yet, when the truth came out it almost felt too easily forgiven. I wanted some groveling at least.

If you like heroes vs. villains then you will enjoy this series. It’s not over the top “Oh my gosh, fantastic,” but it’s still a fun series to read.

~Melpomene

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Quick review: Archenemies by Marissa Meyer

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Another epic and exciting edition to the Renegades series. Once I started there was no way I could put it down. This series is definitely on my YA list.

Nova is living a double life and it’s about to catch up to her I fear. But everything isn’t always black and white. I see both sides. She is trying to do what she feels is best but she her actions aren’t always turning out as clear cut as she hoped. There’s a fine line between heroes and villains and she’s dancing all over it.

I do enjoy watching her and Adrian dance around each other. It’s sweet. They’re both clueless. I’m just waiting for things to come crashing down around them though. You know it’s gonna happen.

Buy the end the book this world has been thrown for a loop and you are desperate for more ASAP. The climactic ending had me clutching my kindle tight. I’m still crossing my fingers it all works out.

I’m so happy I waited till right before Supernova’s release day to read this. This would’ve been torture to wait longer.

~Melpomene

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Review: King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

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Bare with me here, I’m not sure where to begin. I enjoyed this book. A lot more than I thought I would. But yet, at the same time, not as much as I’d hoped. A lot happened and yet nothing really changed. I mean something did, but I felt that the whole point of the story never changed. Clear as mud, right?

I love Nikolai and his snark. After finishing this, I kinda wanna reread the Grisha again just to get more from him. He really was fun and he deserves all the best. And I’m still holding out hope that the one thing I want him to get he gets.

I didn’t care for Nina or her story. Sorry but it’s true. I’ll just say, I liked her more in the beginning, when she was still working through some things. She felt real then. Towards the end of this she changed and I just didn’t care. It felt off somehow. I found myself skimming her parts a bit. Since I’m being honest, her story line feels like it’s going in a direction that makes no sense to me. I could be way off base here, but hopefully I’m reading too much into things.

I loved the Grisha books way more than the Six of Crows so I was hoping for more of them. This book seemed like a bridge to bring them both together, which is FINE, but that’s not exactly what I wanted. But I’m not the author so I don’t make the calls. I will definitely read the next one because I am super intrigued with how this ended. It was not a surprise to me, but it was wild. And I mean W.I.L.D.

So now we wait…

~Melpomene

Grab King of Scars https://amzn.to/2K0w7Ok

Review: The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen

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As a mom of a very strong girl, who doesn’t like to read, I try to find books that I think she would like. It’s my job, ya know? When I requested this book I wasn’t sure what it was even about. I’ve a cover snob, so that’s what caught my eye. And let me tell you, I am so glad it did.

The moment I finished reading I sat back and smiled. Huge. I’ve been very picky with my YA selections this year. But let me tell you, they’ve been very good selections. This one has just been added to my Teen Rec list. The concept of this story was so unique, and from the very first sentence I was sucked in.

Fie is a part of the Crow caste, which are undertakers and mercy killers. Like I said, unique. When she unknowingly helped the prince and his body double fake their own deaths, she must help them complete their mission or else face an almost certain death. Crows are treated so badly, even though they’re so important. Fie isn’t happy about this new mission because as the saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished,” nothing turns out the way she hoped. This isn’t your typical fantasy where the girl is the strongest and most powerful and the boys are along for the ride. While she is strong, it’s not overly so. Everyone has their place in this book and it was perfect.

The dynamic between Prince Jasimir, Hawk Tavin and Fie was just wonderful. Snarky attitudes lead to friendships which leads to so much more. They hope for a change in their world and will do anything for it. I loved watching them work together for the greater good. They had to look beyond just themselves and things of the generations to come. I couldn’t stop reading. Margaret Owen has created this wonderful story that keeps you flipping pages till you forget the world around you.

I am now dying for the next book. This leaves you happy but wanting more. They haven’t quite finished their true mission. If you have a teen in your life, or you’re a huge fan of YA books, then I highly recommend you grab this book.

~Melpomene

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Review: A Duke Like No Other by Valerie Bowman

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Y’all!! I just finished this book and now have a stupid grin on my face. What a fun story this was. It’s part of the Playful Brides series, so if that’s any indication…

Mark and Nicole haven” seen each other in 10 years. To say they had a bit of a falling out, after they got married, would be an understatement. Lots of hurt feelings and misunderstandings kept them apart. But now, they need each other. Him, for work. In order to get the promotion he’s been working for, they want a family man in the position. So he needs Nicole to come back and play the loving wife. As for her, after 10 years alone, she’ll come and help him, but only if he helps her. And what she wants is a baby. A legitimate baby.

So essentially, they’re already together, but they’re really not. This reconciliation was not without heartache and sorrow, but it had an underlying of love. It was hard, I’ll admit, watching these two circle one another. They both had past hurts, but together they can heal from them.

I’ve only read one other book from this series, but I am definitely going back and reading them. We see a few people pop in, and I’m sure they’re from the series, and I liked the way they interacted with each other. They weren’t just co-workers, they were friends. They made quite an impression on me and I look forward to reading how they found love. I bet it’ll be just has fun.

~Melpomene

Buy A Duke Like No Other https://amzn.to/2IfwkcD

Review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

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“Whatever you’ve heard about Caraval, it doesn’t compare to the reality. It’s more than just a game or a performance. It’s the closest you’ll ever find to magic in this world.”
My goodness!! I am so excited after finishing this book! I pretty must wanna write, “GO READ THIS!” and just leave it at that, but I won’t.

I’ve been told by quite a few people that this book is super fun and intriguing, and will keep you on your toes. And they were so very right. I had so many theories as I was reading. It’s hard to know what’s going to happen when you’re told not to believe anything to you see or hear.

It’s only a game…

Famous last words.

Scarlett and Tella have grown up under the evil hand of their father. In fact, his scenes had me wincing quite a bit. Evil is an understatement. But the girls have a chance to run away to Caraval for a few days and escape their life, before Scarlett is forced to marry someone she’s never met. But things don’t turn out the way that they hoped. The game has a way of changing you, if you’re not too careful.

When Tella is kidnapped, the game gets more real. Scarlett must rely on the help of Julian, the sailor who seems to have an ulterior motive behind his actions, in order to rescue her before the five days is up. Scarlett has always done what needs to be done, in order to protect her sister, so this will push her far beyond her imagination.

As she spends more and more time with Julian, she starts to question everything about him. Romance has no place in this game. By the end, no matter what her feelings are for Julian, it’s all about her sister. Scar will do whatever it takes to find Tella and escape their father.

This is another YA book I’ll be adding to my list. No only is there a sweet romance in the background, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat and have you constantly guessing. A real page turner. In fact, if you liked the movie Now You See Me, then you will like this book. Nothing is real, and yet it is. It’s only a game, and yet it isn’t…

SO.MUCH.FUN.

~Melpomene

Buy Caraval https://amzn.to/2IiEYHh

Review: Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones

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While I am very happy with the way Shadowsong ended, it took a lot to get there. A lot of stress and heartache, and more pacing. After we were left with our hearts on the floor, by the ending of Wintersong, I needed this book to put me back together. While Wintersong was about love, Shadowsong was about healing. Healing of families. Healing of hearts and healing of minds.

I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, when I first started. But soon I realized that this book was going to be nothing like the first. In fact, when I read the author’s note, I knew this was going to be totally different than the first book.

We rarely saw the Goblin King, but I understand why. It wasn’t really about him. It was about Liesl’s and her brother, Josef’s journey. They both are broken and troubled and trying to discover the pieces they need to put themselves back together. My heart was breaking for both of them. In the first book was find out why Josef is struggling. He is different but he doesn’t know it. Liesl needs to help him, while also helping herself.

This book was harder to read than the first. It was making me manic. The twists and turns of Liesl’s world had me reeling right along with her. My heart was breaking. My soul hurt. The world is falling a part and she’s the only one who can stop, but she doesn’t know that. And when she does, she has to make sacrifices that don’t only affect her, but her loved ones as well.

Again, I am happy with the ending, but I feel there could’ve been just a little bit more. There’s a few open ended stories that need to be written. *hint hint*

~Melpomene

Buy Wintersong~ http://amzn.to/2CPEZEJ
Buy Shadowsong~ http://amzn.to/2F8xIgC

Quick Review: Heat by Donna Grant

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Yes!! The pieces are falling into place. Things are going in the direction I want them going into, while my mind is spinning in all directions. All is well in this world. But I sense much heartbreak coming up and that is not well. But it must happen. It’s darkest before the dawn, and all that. I love these Dragon Kings stories. Excitement and romance galore.

So many discoveries. So many answers. BUT there’s still a few questions I have. So I’ll be waiting patiently.

I’m quite excited to see that Esther play a bigger roll than I ever thought she would. It should be interesting how she grows into that roll. I won’t say anything else. SPOILERS. *said in River Song’s voice*

Seeing Ulrick’s pov is rather exciting. There is definitely more to him than he was letting on. I can’t WAIT to read his book.

If you like Dragons and romance, then you should totally dive into this epic world that Donna has created. So many books and series that intertwine, it’s just plain fabulous.

~Melpomene

Grab the recent one, HEAT http://amzn.to/2Fsm5QY
DIve into this series with Darkest Flame, for only $1.99!! http://amzn.to/2GvyK79
In fact, the first three books are $1.99, while books 4&5 are $2.99. Perfect chance to try this series out.