Nil Unlocked - Book Review

Nil Unlocked (Nil #2)
by Lynne Matson

What is it about:
On the island of Nil, the rules are set. You have exactly 365 days to escape—or you die. Rives is now the undisputed Leader of Nil City, but keeping the City united is tougher than ever.

Raiders have grown bolder, supplies are dwindling, and non-human inhabitants have taken a turn toward the deadly. New arrivals cause rifts within the City, putting the Search system at risk, and calling everything Rives knows into question. Desperate for answers, he teams up with the only other person searching for them: Skye, a new arrival with a mysterious past of her own. Soon the duo find themselves locked in a desperate race to save all the residents of Nil—and possibly destroy the island forever. But at what cost? And who will pay the price?

What did i think of it:
I read NIL, the first book in this series, in 2014 when it released. The next year NIL Unlocked released, but managed to fly under my radar, as did the last book, NIL on Fire. When I came across NIL when rearranging my bookshelves not long ago, I decided it was time to continue with this series. Amazon had the other two books in hardcover for a very decent price, so I got both of them at once.

And NIL Unlocked is even better than NIL in my opinion.

NIL is a dangerous and mysterious place, but in this book Skye is hunting for answers and she takes some risky chances in her search for the truth about NIL. I loved Skye and rooted for her to find the answers she seeks.

Rives is also a great character. He is trying to be a good leader for the teens on NIL, but that is difficult at times. He takes risks as well, some that might cost him his future if he's not careful.

There were some really interesting and cool other characters as well, and I was eager to find out if NIL would give up its secrets. There were some deaths, secrets, possible betrayals, and angry, angry hippos. I had a great time with book.

The end is satisfying, but also throws out some last surprises that made me very glad i already had the last book in the series as well. Because I need to know what will happen next.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and exciting YA read.


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NIL - Book Review (repost)

NIL
by Lynne Matson

What is it about:
On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die.

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s lying naked in an empty rock field.

Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with dangers, their greatest threat is time.

What did I think of it:
This is a cool read.

I will confess the premise of this book sounded so cool I boughtit even though it was priced over 10 Euro, and I usually only buy books that are priced below 10 Euro (unless it's by an autobuy author).

And even though there's less action than I expected, I very much enjoyed this story. I liked Charley and how she deals with what happens with her. Most of the other characters were interesting as well, although some were a bit flat, but seeing there were lots of characters, that's only to be expected.

The story is compelling and I was invested in the lead characters and their closest friends from the start. There are lots of unknowns and I liked how both the characters and the reader are left hanging. There are answers to be found, but Matson makes her characters work for it. I also liked that there are actual character deaths, and not just the flat characters either. It certainly gave the feeling no one is safe.

Overall this is a really intense and cool island adventure Young Adult romance. I will certainly keep an eye out for what else Matson may write.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and entertaining YA read.


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On McPig's Radar - Phoenix Falling

You bet I have this pearl on pre-order!


Phoenix Falling (Wildlands #5)
by Laura Bickle

Laura Bickle, the critically acclaimed author of Nine of Stars and Witch Creek, returns with a fiery new chapter in her celebrated Wildlands series.

In the Yellowstone backcountry, a merciless source of evil carries a torch for the past...

Petra Dee and her immortal husband, Gabe, have been trying to gain a toehold in what passes for ordinary life in Temperance, Wyoming-

a wickedly enchanted land founded generations ago by the alchemist, Lascaris. Petra may be adept when it comes to the uncanny, but as a reasoned geologist, Petra still can't fathom the wildfires suddenly engulfing Yellowstone National Park, or why Gabe claims to have seen the sky explode in flames. The answers could lie in the past.

It was a dreadful night in 1862 when Lascaris went harvesting for souls, only to be set upon by townsfolk determined to eliminate the root of all evil in a trial by fire. Petra can't help fearing that Lascaris has crawled out of the ashes of history to wreak vengeance-and to complete his mission by claiming every vulnerable soul in Temperance.

With the help of Gabe and her coyote sidekick, Sig, Petra must now venture into Lascaris's shadow before he turns her world into an inferno burning out of control.


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Heroine's Journey - Book Review

Heroine's Journey (Heroine Complex #3)
by Sarah Kuhn

What is it about:
The final book in the smart, snarky, and action-packed Heroine series completes the "Heroic Trio" as Bea Tanaka joins her sister, Evie, and diva Aveda Jupiter in their quest to free San Francisco from its demon portal problem

If there's one thing Beatrice Tanaka never wanted to be, it's normal. But somehow, her life has unfolded as a series of "should haves." Her powers of emotional projection should have made her one of the most formidable superheroes of all time. And she should have been allowed to join her older sister Evie as a full-fledged protector of San Francisco, pulverizing the city's plethora of demon threats.

But Evie and her superheroing partner, Aveda Jupiter, insist on seeing Bea as the impulsive, tempestuous teenager she used to be--even though she's now a responsible adult. And that means Bea is currently living a thoroughly normal life. She works as a bookstore lackey, hangs out with best friends Sam Fujikawa and Leah Kim, and calms her workplace's more difficult customers. Sure, she's not technically supposed to be playing with people's mental states. But given the mundanity of her existence, who can blame her?

When a mysterious being starts communicating with Bea, hinting at an evil that's about to overtake the city, she seizes the opportunity, hoping to turn her "should haves" into the fabulous heroic life she's always wanted. But gaining that life may mean sacrificing everything--and everyone--she holds dear...

What did I think of it:
I loved the other two books in this trilogy so got my trotters on this one as soon as it released.

And what a cool read.

I will confess I didn't expect to love Bea as much as I did. She was a complete brat in Heroine Complex, and although she shaped up a bit in Heroine Worship, I had my doubts. I shouldn't have feared. Just like Aveda won my heart in Heroine Worship after a rocky start in Heroine Complex, Bea won my heart as well. I even wanted to kick Evie for being a typical older sibling, and Evie has been my favorite so far.

I also loved Sam, Leah, and Leah's dog Pancake. Especially Sam was fun and a true friend. I loved that he called Bea out when she made mistakes and let her know when she went too far. Leah tried to do this as well, but seemed to be less confident.

The story was full of action, mystery and emotion. There were some things I could puzzle out, but other things took me by surprise. I loved seeing how things came together. If I hadn't been forced to stop reading for such things as dinner and social commitments I'd have easily finished this book in one sitting.

All in all a great read. I'll most definitely keep my eyes out for more books by Kuhn.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome super heroine read.


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Teaser Tuesdays - NIL Unlocked

The game Hungry, Hungry Hippos was wrong; it should've been called Angry, Angry Hippos. Hippos were big, pissed-off creatures.


(page 89, NIL Unlocked by Lynne Matson)


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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Jane Bites Back - Book Review

Jane Bites Back (Jane Fairfax #1)
by Michael Thomas Ford

What is it about:
Two hundred years after her death, Jane Austen is still surrounded by the literature she loves—but now it's because she's the owner of Flyleaf Books in a sleepy college town in Upstate New York. Every day she watches her novels fly off the shelves—along with dozens of unauthorized sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations. Jane may be undead, but her books have taken on a life of their own.

To make matters worse, the manuscript she finished just before being turned into a vampire has been rejected by publishers—116 times. Jane longs to let the world know who she is, but when a sudden twist of fate thrusts her back into the spotlight, she must hide her real identity—and fend off a dark man from her past while juggling two modern suitors. Will the inimitable Jane Austen be able to keep her cool in this comedy of manners, or will she show everyone what a woman with a sharp wit and an even sharper set of fangs can do?

What did I think of it:
This is a nice read.

I will confess I had hoped for more. The vampires in this book are not the kind I enjoy very much. Yes: they have to drink blood once in a while, but they can walk around in daylight, seem to have no vampiric vulnerabilities, and can even eat food.

Then there is the story itself. It's entertaining, but again without real bite (pun intented). Jane has some insecurities, but mostly even when things gets dicey she sails through without too much trouble. I will confess I really liked her employee Lucy, and her publisher Kelly. Especially Lucy is a character I would have loved to see in the lead role of a book instead as the quirky sidekick.

All grumbling aside this is a nice enough read if you're looking for something light and easy. I might read more books in this series if I come across them in a sale.

Why should you read it:
It's about Vampire Jane Austen


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An Affair with a Spare - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

An Affair with a Spare (The Survivors #3)
by Shana Galen

What is it about:
Rafe Beaumont, fifth son of an earl, uses his irresistible charm with the ladies to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the ultimate test: capturing an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem? She's entirely immune to Rafe's flattery.

Never before has Collette Fortier met a man as attractive as Rafe. But her father's life is at stake, and succumbing to Rafe would be disastrous. But when Rafe turns the tables on her, offering support and friendship instead of a fleeting affair, Collette finds herself tempted in ways she never could have imagined...

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This book sounded fun, so even though I haven't read the previous books I decided to give it a try. And luckily as with most Historical Romances it can be read as a standalone.

I really liked Collette and wanted her to succeed. She is surrounded by strangers and on a secret mission, her only ally is more of a jailer than someone she can trust. Rafe seems to be a bit shallow at first, he is so used to women falling at his feet, that he says some really vapid things. When he has to change tactics when Collette doesn't swoon like he expects, he starts to get more likeable and he actually goes through a bit of a change as a person.

Once the two begin to give in to their attraction they will have to decide if they trust each other and will share their secrets. This leads to a more adventurous storyline that had me worry about how things would end for both of them.

All in all this is a very enjoyable and fun read, just like the other books by Galen I've read. I most certainly will read more of her books when I'm in the mood for Historical Romance.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Historical Romance.


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