Zom-B - Book Review

Zom-B (Zom-B #1)
by Darren Shan

What is it about:
Zom-B is a radical new series about a zombie apocalypse, told in the first person by one of its victims. The series combines classic Shan action with a fiendishly twisting plot and hard-hitting and thought-provoking moral questions dealing with racism, abuse of power and more. This is challenging material, which will captivate existing Shan fans and bring in many new ones.

As Darren says, "It's a big, sprawling, vicious tale...a grisly piece of escapism, and a barbed look at the world in which we live. Each book in the series is short, fast-paced and bloody. A high body-count is guaranteed!"

What did I think of it:
I got a signed copy of book 11 in this series from Beanie, so I decided to try to get the other books of this series as well, so I wouldn't fall into the story at the eleventh hour. I got hold of Zom-B Chronicles I, II and III, which contain the first six books of the series. I'll be reviewing the books that are combined in these chronicles separately.

On to my thoughts on Zom-B!

*spoiler warning*
There is one reveal late in the first book that I knew about before starting on this series. For the ease of talking about this book I will not dance around this reveal.

The lead character of this series is B.
B is not a very nice person. She (yup, that's the big reveal, B being a girl) is rude, a bully, and even though she tells herself she's not a racist like her father, his ideas did rub off on her.

Still I could understand B for a large part. Her father is abusive and a racist. His moods affect B and her mother big time. B knows in her heart he's wrong, but he is her dad. She loves him and wants to please him. This is what makes her do questionable things at times.

Most of this book is a set up for the rest of the series. It's meant to let the reader get to know B and what made her who she is. This book shows how wrong racism and bullying is, and how B struggles with her conflicting emotions on these subjects. It's powerful stuff. It's her struggle that made me like her just a bit in spite of all the nasty things she did. I rooted for her to speak out against her father, and to shake off his conditioning.

And then the zombies appear!

There is some major zombie mayhem near the end of the book. B and other teens have to fight for their survival. I was already hooked on this book, but from this point on I couldn't stop reading until I reached the end.

And the book ends with quite the cliffhanger!

You bet I immediately turned the page to start on Zom-B Underground.

All in all I think I'm going to enjoy this series very much. I will have to get hold of book 7 to 10 soon.

Why should you read it:
It's a really cool zombie read.


Zom-B:



Zom-B Chronicles (contains Zom-B & Zom-B Underground):

On McPig's Wishlist - Bluescreen

I'm reading the Partials trilogy at the moment and I'm really enjoying it. So I'm very curious if this book will be just as good.


Bluescreen (Mirador #1)
by Dan Wells

Los Angeles in 2050 is a city of open doors, as long as you have the right connections. That connection is a djinni—a smart device implanted right in a person’s head. In a world where virtually everyone is online twenty-four hours a day, this connection is like oxygen—and a world like that presents plenty of opportunities for someone who knows how to manipulate it.

Marisa Carneseca is one of those people. She might spend her days in Mirador, the small, vibrant LA neighborhood where her family owns a restaurant, but she lives on the net—going to school, playing games, hanging out, or doing things of more questionable legality with her friends Sahara and Anja. And it’s Anja who first gets her hands on Bluescreen—a virtual drug that plugs right into a person’s djinni and delivers a massive, non-chemical, completely safe high. But in this city, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, and Mari and her friends soon find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy that is much bigger than they ever suspected.


Expected publication: February 16th 2016

Gaslight Hades (Beneath a Waning Moon) - Book Review

Gaslight Hades (part of Beneath a Waning Moon)
by Grace Draven

What is it about:
In GASLIGHT HADES, Nathaniel Gordon walks two worlds—that of the living and the dead. Barely human, he's earned the reputation of a Bonekeeper, the scourge of grave robbers. He believes his old life over, until one dreary burial he meets the woman he once loved and almost married. Lenore Kenward stands at her father’s grave, begging the protection of the mysterious guardian, not knowing he is her lost love. Resolved to keep his distance, Nathaniel is forced to abandon his plan and accompany Lenore on a journey into the mouth of Hell where sea meets sky, and the abominations that exist beyond its barrier wait to destroy them

What did I think of it:
This story is part of Beneath a Waning Moon, a book that also contains the story A VERY PROPER MONSTER by Elizabeth Hunter. I received an ARC of Gaslight Hades, so that's the only story I read of the two.

Gaslight Hades is a very nice story.

I really liked the Victorian/Steampunk mood and Draven's writing. The idea of the Bonekeepers (revived creatures who protect graveyards from grave robbers) was really intriguing. In fact I was a bit disappointed that the story leads away from the ghostly atmosphere of the graveyard and continues on an airship. I wanted more gloom and darkness. (And airships are a bit overdone in Steampunk imo)

The romance in this story was sweet and enjoyable. I liked both Nathaniel and Lenore. There's one romantic scene that made me snort, I'm still not sure if Draven meant it that way, or if it's just me though.

All in all this is a very enjoyable story, and if Draven writes more in this setting I will probably read it, depending on how many airships are in it. I will most certainly try other works by Draven as well.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice and enjoyable Steampunk romance


Buy Link

Teaser Tuesdays - Hellzapoppin'

"How would you feel about signing up here to donate your bones after your death?" he asked.
Brother Clement stared at him for a long moment while he processed the question.

(page 83, Hellzapoppin' by Heide Goody and Iain Grant)




===

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!

Sins of the Warrior - Book Review

Sins of the Warrior (Grigori Legacy #4)
by Linda Poitevin

What is it about:
Heaven and Hell are at war

The clock is ticking

Homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis’s niece is missing and pregnant with Lucifer’s child, her sister has descended into madness, and the human race has begun a relentless spiral toward self-destruction that Alex is desperate to stop. Now Michael, the Archangel she holds responsible for Earth’s plight, has returned—and he’s demanding her help to track a missing god.

Heaven is losing

Fighting for the very survival of his own realm—and that of humanity—Michael’s only chance to defeat Hell lies in returning Heaven’s long-lost daughter to her throne before it’s too late. But first he’ll have to convince Alex to help him—and to keep her out of Seth’s clutches long enough for her to do so.

There can be no right choices

In a desperate bid to save both their worlds, Alex and Michael must put aside their animosity and find a way to work together in the face of increasingly impossible decisions…and unimaginable sacrifices.

What did I think of it:
This is an awesome conclusion to an amazing series.

Some things happened in the previous book that devastated me. I will confess I wasn't sure if I could bring up the energy to root for Alex and those who are close to her. But I was wrong. Soon after starting this book I was invested again and I couldn't put it down.

My favorite character was gone, but Poitevin made me care for those who were left. Alex and Michael have to fight impossible odds. At times things seemed hopeless, but still they struggled on.

All in all this is a dark and grim story with small sparks of hope and humanity to keep Alex and the reader going. The conclusion is very satisfying in my opinion, and I will most certainly reread this series in the future.

Why should you read it:
It's an amazing UF/Paranormal read.

Hunters of the Dusk - Book Review

Hunters of the Dusk (Cirque du Freak #7)
by Darren Shan

What is it about:
The pursuit begins....Darren Shan, the Vampire Prince, leaves Vampire Mountain on a life or death mission. As part of an elite force, Darren searches the world for the Vampaneze Lord. But the road ahead is long and dangerous-and lined with the bodies of the damned.

What did I think of it:
Yet another cool addition to the series.

Darren gets to leave Vampire Mountain in this book, and faces new dangers out on the road.

This book is meant to set up the next part of the overall story. It introduces new characters and sets the challenges Darren has to face. Still there's enough action and cool events to stop this book from being an info dump. There are some glimpses of what might be in store for Darren and his friends, and there are some old friends we hadn't seen in a while.

All in all I really liked this book, and I will certainly continue reading this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a very entertaining vampire read.

On McPig's Wishlist - Lady Midnight

I really enjoyed all the other Shadowhunter books I've read, so I think I will try to get my trotters on this one, once it releases.


Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1)
by Cassandra Clare

Los Angeles. It’s been five years since the events of the Mortal Instruments when Nephilim stood poised on the brink of oblivion and Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs lost her parents. After the blood and violence she witnessed as a child, Emma has dedicated her life to to discovering exactly what it was that killed her parents and getting her revenge.

Raised in the Los Angeles Institute with the Blackthorn family, Emma is paired as a parabatai with her best friend, Julian Blackthorn. A series of murders in the city catch her attention — they seem to have the same characteristics as the deaths of her parents. Could the murderer be the same person? And her attention isn’t the only one caught: someone has been murdering Downworlders as well. The Fair Folk make a deal with the Institute: if the Blackthorns and Emma will investigate the killings, they’ll return Mark Blackthorn to his home. The catch: they have only two weeks to find the killers. Otherwise it’s open war between faeries and Nephilim.

The Shadowhunters of the Institute must race against time to catch the killers, even as they begin to suspect the involvement of those closest to them. At the same time, Emma is falling in love with the one person in the world she’s absolutely forbidden by Shadowhunter Law to love. Set against the glittering backdrop of present-day Los Angeles, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches from the warlock-run nightclubs of the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica.

The Legend of Banzai Maguire - Book Review

The Legend of Banzai Maguire (2176 #1)
by Susan Grant

What is it about:
The year: 2006. The mission: routine. Or so U.S.A.F. pilot Bree "Banzai" Maguire thinks. Shot down over enemy airspace, she’s captured and put in bio-stasis. When she wakes, everything's changed. It's one hundred and seventy years later—2176—the world is in crisis, and she's a hotly contested prize. Once, Banzai's job was to protect democracy; now a mysterious voice claims she must bring it back.

Two men vie for her heart. Kyber, her captor, the rich, ruthless Emperor Prince of Asia, has all a man could desire. U.C.E. SEAL commander and would-be rescuer Ty Armstrong has all the right moves. Torn between them, Banzai regrets she has but one heart to give for her country.

What did I think of it:
This was a bland read.

I really had hoped for a cool, action-packed SF read with a bit of romance on the side. Unfortunately this book is slow and the romance is lukewarm at best.

Banzai is a rather unremarkable heroine in my opinion, but somehow she's the only person to save the world from... stuff. I will confess I didn't really get into the world building, because as soon as they started talking politics I tuned out. The message was: "Future world is bad! Banzai is the one true savior, and she and current America are great!"

I kept reading because I hoped the action would pick up, but when it did still nothing interesting happened. All in all this book didn't really do it for me, but I might try the next few books in this series if I come across them, because I understand they focus on other heroines and are written by other authors.

Why should you read it:
You might like slow paced patriotic SF


Buy the ebook version here

Teaser Tuesdays - Sins of the Warrior

She'd made it as far as opening the door when his voice stopped her, but not with the reprimand for insubordination she expected.
"Hold on," he said instead. "What the hell is that under your coat?"

(page 135, Sins of the Warrior by Linda Poitevin)




===

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!

Dark Alchemy - Book Review (repost)

Dark Alchemy (Dark Alchemy #1)
by Laura Bickle

What is it about:
Geologist Petra Dee arrives in Wyoming looking for clues to her father's disappearance years before. What she finds instead is Temperance, a dying Western town with a gold rush past and a meth-infested present. But under the town's dust and quiet, an old power is shifting.

When bodies start turning up - desiccated and twisted skeletons that Petra can't scientifically explain - her investigations land her in the middle of a covert war between the town's most powerful interests. Petra's father wasn't the only one searching for the alchemical secrets of Temperance, and those still looking are now ready to kill.

Armed with nothing but shaky alliances, a pair of antique guns, and a relic she doesn't understand, the only thing Petra knows for sure is that she and her coyote sidekick are going to have to move fast, or die next.

What did I think of it:
I'm a big fan of Laura Bickle, so I was very excited when I got the opportunity to read an ARC of Dark Alchemy.

And this book is so good!

Petra is someone who's had some hard blows dealt to her by life, and hopes to find some peace in Temperance. Looking for her father is part of trying to get her life back under control.

Instead of finding peace she's thrown into chaos though.

I loved Petra. She's a survivor. She also is someone who cares about others more than herself, and that makes her a bit rash at times. Throwing herself in danger to help others. She even befriends a coyote, who soon becomes her sidekick, helping her in ways that go beyond the loyalty of an ordinary pet.

And then there's Gabe.

Gabe is one of those people who Petra tries to help, but he's not as human as Petra thinks he is. He is mysterious, a bit creepy, and more than intriguing. Some parts of this story are told through his eyes, making you understand a little of what he is and what he feels. I absolutely loved Gabe from the start.

I loved the mood of this book. It's dark and intense, as is the story. I was totally engrossed in it and had a hard time putting it down. I wanted to keep reading and find out if Petra would conquer the ghost of her past, and would uncover the secrets of Temperance.

This book made me fear for the lives of my favorite characters, it gave me chills, and it made me cry. It's a very intense and beautiful read.

I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, because I want more.

Why should you read it:
It's a beautifully dark read.


Find buy links here

The Underworld: Seen and Unseen - Guest Post by Laura Bickle

Today one of my favorite authors visits my blog for a guest post about her upcoming release Mercury Retrograde


The Underworld: Seen and Unseen
By Laura Bickle


No one really plans a trip to the underworld. Nobody gets to pack a lunch and remember to bring rain boots.

It just happens, and it’s happened to Petra Dee. She’s a geologist, skeptic, and the daughter of an alchemist. She’s not entirely sure that she believes in the spirit world, but she’s arrived in what sure looks like an underworld landscape: bricked streets in a vast cavern converging in a center point, lit from overhead with glowing lichen. The bricks are carved with alchemical symbols she doesn’t recognize, and well-worn paths lead away into the darkness.

She thinks this might be bad news. Topside, she fought with a venomous basilisk and got a nose full of venom. That could be bad, bad enough to make her a permanent resident in the underworld. Her ethereal body feels like it’s dissolving, and she’s wondering what’s happening to her physical body on earth – she might have been reduced to a gooey stain on the ground.

Fortunately, she’s not alone in this adventure. Her spirit guide, Sig, is with her. He’s a coyote – maybe The Coyote, with a capital “C,” though he’s not spilling the beans – and he seems not disturbed in the slightest. He’s actually pretty happy to see her other companion in the underworld, a man that Petra’s been trying to find for years: her father.

Well, he’s not as she remembers him. He looks the same from the neck up, but he’s wearing a cloak over a suit of bones (which Sig keeps trying to gnaw). Her dad’s been stuck here for many years while his body’s sitting in a wheelchair in a nursing home, speechless and unaware of his surroundings in the material world. But he’s sure got a lot to tell Petra now, from accusing her to mucking about with alchemical texts she doesn’t understand, to criticizing her approach to the basilisk. The spot in which they find themselves is the Umbilicus Mundi, the navel of the world. It’s where all roads meet, and is the place where she stands the best chance of survival.

In order to escape, Petra must bring back to this spot an artifact that resonates with her, and she will be judged accordingly. In her travels, she confronts five artifacts: a crystal, a feather, a sword, a chalice containing a fish, and a cage containing a bird. Each is not what it seems, and carries with it an unseen intelligence.

Which one would you pick as your get out of hell free card? And why?

-------


Something venomous has come to Temperance …
It's been two months since Petra Dee and her coyote sidekick Sig faced off against Temperance's resident alchemist, but things are far from quiet. When an Internet video of a massive snake in the backcountry of Yellowstone goes viral, a chase for the mythical basilisk is on. Monster hunters swarm into the area, and never one to pass up the promise of discovery, Petra joins in the search.

Among the newcomers is a snake cult on wheels―the biker gang Sisters of Serpens. Unlike some, the Sisters don't want to kill the basilisk―they want to worship it. But things get complicated when the basilisk develops a taste for human flesh that rivals the Sisters' own murderous skills.
Meanwhile, the alchemical tree of life is dying, and the undead Hanged Men of Temperance who depend on it know the basilisk may be their last chance for survival.

With time running out for everyone around her, Petra will be forced to decide who survives and who she must leave behind in this action-packed sequel to Dark Alchemy.

“This wonderfully unusual Weird West novel combines the best of contemporary fantasy with metaphysical magic and mayhem, and even a bit of romance.” – Publishers Weekly Starred Review


Buy links:

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - iBooks - HarperCollins

------------------



Bio:
Laura Bickle grew up in rural Ohio, reading entirely too many comic books out loud to her favorite Wonder Woman doll. After graduating with an MA in Sociology – Criminology from Ohio State University and an MLIS in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she patrolled the stacks at the public library and worked with data systems in criminal justice. She now dreams up stories about the monsters under the stairs, also writing contemporary fantasy novels under the name Alayna Williams.

Her work has been included in the ALA’s Amelia Bloomer Project 2013 reading list and the State Library of Ohio’s Choose to Read Ohio reading list for 2015-2016.

The Space Before and the Space Beyond - Release Day Blitz

(Prequel to The Space Between Heartbeats)

Synopsis

"Sometimes to find your way...you have to get completely lost."

Dale Finnigan is a teenage rebel; he lives for parties, girls and joy riding in stolen cars. In spite of his uptight parents' constant warnings and lectures, he continues to run wild. His crazy lifestyle is the only way he can live and feel free…until his reckless behavior takes him down a path where there is no going back.

In this prequel to The Space Between Heartbeats, find out who Dale Finnigan was before he became known as “Scarface”—the unassuming hero everyone underestimates.

WARNING: This book is intended for mature teen readers due to coarse language and mature content.


(Sequel to The Space Between Heartbeats)

Synopsis

"There's more than one way to say, I love you."

Have you ever been so in love with someone, but not had the courage to tell them?

Nicole Tepper is that girl. She loves her boyfriend Dale, but fearing rejection, keeps her feelings buried deep. She can’t even let on how heartbroken she is when Dale begins applying for colleges thousands of miles away from her; never even whispering a word about how much she wishes he would stay close.

But, when Dale is rejected from Colombia University in NYC, due to a police record that follows him wherever he goes, Nicole soon discovers that love can drive her to do things she never thought possible.

There's more than one way to say, I love you and Nicole is about to prove to Dale that she loves him beyond all common sense.


About the Author


Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book is coming out in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books planned for 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them.

"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."

Goodreads | Amazon | Website | Facebook

The Making of a Gentleman - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

The Making of a Gentleman (The Sons of the Revolution #2)
by Shana Galen

What is it about:
Twelve years in a French prison leave Armand Harcourt a hollow shell. Back in England, his noble family hire Felicity Bennett to teach him manners and speech. Desire shakes both, and heals their past scars in surprising dangerous ways.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is a really nice Historical Romance.

I liked that the hero wasn't a dashing rogue for once. Armand is emotionally scarred and inexperienced when it comes to women. I especially liked reading how he opens up to Felicity, although I will confess I did wonder at times about the speed of his progress when it came to their relationship. I would have liked his emotional recovery to have been a little harder, and their romance a bit slower.

The suspense story line was a bit much in my opinion. Next to people hunting after Armand, there's also someone making things difficult for Felicity. The Felicity thing could have easily been left out and this would still have been a suspenseful enough read.

But overall I enjoyed this story, and I will most probably try other books by Galen if I run into them.

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

The Infected - Book Blitz

The Infected (PODs #2)
by Michelle K. Pickett
Release Date: October 12th 2015

From the author of the award winning Unspeakable, and the best selling PODs, comes the highly anticipated sequel to PODs. A world where death stalks the unsuspecting, and this time even the PODs might not save them.

A virus nearly wiped out humankind...

Months have passed since a human infection has been reported. Survivors of the deadly pandemic have finally started to build a life in a world left devastated by plague. 

Ironically, for nineteen-year-old Eva, life made more sense when she battled the deadly Infected than it does in the serenity of her new home in Rosewood. Separated from fiancé and former POD-mate, David, after an impossible ultimatum, Eva finds her life a little lonely and a lot confusing. 

But as troubled as Eva’s life is, it's about to take a turn for the worse as untold dangers watch and wait for the right moment to attack…

The virus refuses to die quietly.


Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Smashwords│iTunes

BOOK TRAILER:



PODs on Goodreads


About the Author

I can’t write without a hoodie. Yeah, I live it Texas. We all have our quirks.

I majored in accounting in college. I was required to declare a major, but I had no clue what I wanted to do, so I picked accounting because it was the first thing listed in the booklet the counselor gave me. Surprisingly, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Go figure.

Forget coffee. Hand over the Red Bull or Monster Khaos and no one gets hurt. Seriously, just set it down and step away. I will turn into a normal human after I guzzle my can of caffeine.

I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows on television.

I paint my nails weird colors just to see my husband roll his eyes and make my 9 year-old twin girls giggle. Oh, and mortify my 13 year-old son.

I’m a hopeful romantic and love swoon-worthy endings that keep the butterflies going for days, but I don’t believe a HEA always ends with the boy getting the girl. Sometimes a HEA is an ending we don’t see coming, but is still best for the characters.

I write across genres in the young adult and new adult age groups while eating way too many peanut butter M&Ms (but we’ll keep that second part just between us).

I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, but now live in a suburb of Houston, TX with my very supportive family, a 125lb rescue “puppy” and a 12lb attack cat, also a rescue animal.

And last, (but certainly not least), I love my family with everything in me. Everything I am, is theirs. There are no words in any language known to man to describe my love for them. They are my center.

I’d love to hear from you. So drop me an email! Let’s chat. You tell me what you like in books, what you’d like to see happen in the writing community, what type of books you like to see more of…less of—I want to hear it all! So tell me, please. Because the one thing I wish I could put on my list, but I still haven’t figured out how to do, is mind-reading. But don’t tell my kids. I still have them fooled.

Author Links:
Website│Twitter│Facebook

GIVEAWAY:

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Book Blitz Organized by:
YA Bound Book Tours

Kiss of Frost - Book Review

Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2)
by Jennifer Estep

What is it about:
I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword...

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

I really like the mythology and the setting of this series (I'm a sucker for boarding school stories). Gwen is nice enough when she's not talking about man-whores and sluts, and I like her friends even more. There are some cool developments regarding Gwen's powers that make them even more interesting, and I'm curious how Gwen will decide to use them in the future.

The mysteries weren't that mysterious. Two of them could be seen from miles and miles away. But in a series like this that's not important. It's more about being entertained than being surprised in my opinion.

Overall I think the first book was better, but I still very much enjoyed this one, so I'll be picking up the next book one of these days to see what's next.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun YA Paranormal read.

On McPig's Wishlist - Brave New Love

I love themed anthologies, and this one sounds like it might be really good.


Brave New Love: 15 Dystopian Tales of Desire

Young love has always had its challenges, but even so, the world falling apart at its seams is a pretty big obstacle. This stellar collection of YA dystopian tales explores survival of the fittest in terms of love, passion, and humanity. When the survival of the human race is at stake, what will it take for the bond between two people to hold strong together?

Contents:
Hidden Ribbon by John Shirley
The Salt Sea and the Sky by Elizabeth Bear
In the Clearing by Kiera Cass
Otherwise by Nisi Shawl
Now Purple With Love's Wound by Carrie Vaughn
Berserker Eyes by Maria V. Snyder
Arose from Poetry by Steve Berman
Red by Amanda Downum
Foundlings by Diana Peterfreund
Seekers in the City by Jeanne DuPrau
The Up by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
The Dream Eater by Carrie Ryan
357 by Jesse Karp
Eric and Pan by William Sleator
The Empty Pocket by Seth Cadin

Sins of the Lost - Book Review

Sins of the Lost (Grigori Legacy #3)
by Linda Poitevin

What is it about:
Heaven and Hell are on the brink of war as Lucifer builds his Nephilim army and waits for his new agenda to become a reality — that of having a Nephilimchild of his own bloodline to lead his forces to cataclysmic victory.

With rumors of the pending war rampant on Earth, Alex fights to save humanity from its own panic –­ leaving little time for her fledgling
relationship with Seth, the man with heavenly origins who has captured her heart. But when Nephilim children begin to disappear, along with Alex’s own vulnerable niece, the inevitable war between Heaven and Hell becomes as personal as sin.

Heaven has its own plans to fight the coming apocalypse, but first it needs Seth back. Asked to betray the man she loves, Alex must turn for help to the soulmate she thought she’d given up — the Archangel Aramael, who may be her last chance to save her family and humanity from the ashes of Lucifer’s Armageddon.


What did I think of it:
I read the first two books in this series back in 2012. This book released in 2013 as ebook only, and because I'm not too fond of ebooks, this book remained unread until it finally released in print recently.

And I really should set aside my ebook dislike more often.

This is an amazing read.

I really disliked Seth in book 2, and I didn't warm up to him in this one. Still I can understand why Alex made the choices she did, and why she is having difficulties with the choices she has to make in this book. I rooted for her to find the solution that would be best for her, not to make the choice I would have made.

That's the strength of Poitevin's writing I think: Even when characters do things that I do not agree with, even when events don't go like I want them to, I stay invested in the story. I might not like where the story is taking me, but I still love the ride and want to know what's next.

And believe me: Things happen in this book that had me shocked!

The ending (although not a direct cliffhanger ending) is dire and has me hungry for the next book. Luckily that one also released recently in print, and I already have it in my TBR pile.

Why should you read it:
It's an amazing UF read.