Reviews + Giveaway: Marked & Claimed by Sarah Fine

Marked (Servants of Fate, #1) by Sarah Fine
Release Date: January 1, 2015 / Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I've been pumped to read Marked ever since I heard about its release a year ago. Sarah Fine's one of my favorite authors, and Marked is book one in her first adult series. While she's known for her young adults novels, after reading this book I think she's proven she can write for any audience.

Marked follows paramedic partners Cacy Ferry and Eli Margolis as they try to save lives and survive in a futuristic and devastated version of Boston. They also have to fight their intense attraction to one another and deal with the deadly secrets Cacy and her powerful family are hiding. Cacy and Eli were both awesome characters. I loved how accepting they were of each other and how their relationship developed from friendship to romance. I especially enjoyed the romance. It got really hot and steamy at times! I also appreciated how protective and close they were with their siblings. Good relationships between siblings are something I haven't seen much in the books I've read, so it's always nice and memorable when I do.

Marked was a fun and exciting start to a new series involving family politics and the afterlife. As soon as I finished it, I could not wait to pick up the next book Claimed! If you love adult books in the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres, I definitely recommend this series to you.

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Claimed (Servants of Fate, #2) by Sarah Fine
Release Date: March 24, 2015 / Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Claimed is book two in the Servants of Fate series, and I thought it was even better than Marked! I felt that the world became more unique and the characters more fascinating in this book. It was just an unputdownable read!

While Marked was about Eli and Cacy, this time the story revolved around Eli's sister Galena and Cacy's brother Declan. Galena is a scientist, working on finding cures for the diseases ravaging the world, and Declan is a paramedic, part of the powerful Ferry clan, who wants to honor his father's dying wish of protecting Galena in order to save the future. We met Galena and Declan in the previous book, and it was clear from the beginning that they were going to have a deep, emotional bond. What happened to Galena and her brother years ago was devastating and traumatizing, and I'm glad Galena had someone as patient and protective as Declan at her side. They worked so well together, and their relationship was sweet and intense. I honestly couldn't get enough!

After reading Claimed, it's no surprise I'm eagerly anticipating the release of the final book Fated. (I hope a certain intriguing Kere is one of the main characters!) This series is set in a harsh, yet captivating world full of wonderful characters, non-stop action, and amazing relationships. I highly recommend it!


To celebrate the upcoming release of Claimed, I'm giving away a paperback copy of Marked! This giveaway is open to US residents and ends March 7. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

Top 5 Books & Goals

I realize I haven't posted anything since October. I think the amount of blog entries I post will continue to be scarce, but hopefully I find a balance next year. Anyway, since I'm on break, I decided to make an end-of-year list!

Top 5 Favorite Books I Read in 2014

• Chaos by Sarah Fine - The conclusion to one of my favorite series that I believe deserves more attention. I'm sad it's over, but I couldn't have asked for a better ending.
• Easy by Tammara Webber - This book definitely lived up to all the high praise it has received. It was an emotional and amazing read.
• Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews - One of my favorite urban fantasy series. Each book has been awesome and addicting so far. 
• Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine - Loved the characters and the setting. It would have been satisfying as a stand-alone, but having a sequel makes it even better.
• Spiral by Mila Ferrera - This book surprised me. It was unexpected, heartbreaking, and different from other new adult stories I've read.

Top 5 Books Released in 2014 I Still Need to Read

• Breakable by Tammara Webber - Well, I loved Easy, so of course I need to read this one.
• Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - I've been waiting YEARS for this!
• Rival by Penelope Douglas - Loved Madoc in the first two books.
• Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead - I actually started this months ago. I need to finish it so that I can get excited for The Ruby Circle.
• This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner - The first book was amazing, and I'm sure this will be too.

Top 5 Books Releasing in 2015 I Can't Wait to Read

• Blood Queen by Rhiannon Hart - It was suppose to come out this year, but the release date moved to 2015. That cliffhanger from book 2...!
• Burned by Karen Marie Moning - Another one that was suppose to come out this year. I'm pretty much dying for this book!
• End of Days by Susan Ee - I had a feeling it would be out next year, but I'm shocked it's coming out in May. That's not too far. Yay!
• Of Dreams and Rust by Sarah Fine - Although the first book could have been a stand-alone, I was so happy when I found out there was going to be a sequel!
• The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout - I think the Covenant series will always be my favorite books by JLA, so I'm very excited for this spinoff!

Top 5 Bookish Goals for 2015

• Buy a bookshelf - There's stacks of books growing on my floor because I ran out of shelf space...  I need a new one! I plan on buying a 5-shelf case next month.
• Go to a book event - I caught a cold (which almost led to bronchitis) & missed YALLFest in November. I was so disappointed! Some of my favorite authors were there this year too. :'( I'm hoping to try again in 2015. And maybe the SC Book Festival in May.
• Read at least 25 books - That includes those 10 books listed above. I need to seriously find a balance between work & life outside of work. I only read about 40 books this year. I feel behind.
• Stop buying Kindle books when I'm bored - For real... I already have too many books to read, especially in my Kindle app! Plus, I'm trying to save money. I gotta calm down.
• Get a Kindle - lol Okay, I know I sound like I'm contradicting myself, BUT! Reading on my iPad sucks. I just have no idea which type of Kindle to get.

Review + Giveaway: Chaos by Sarah Fine

Title: Chaos (Guards of the Shadowlands, #3)
Author: Sarah Fine
Pages: 388
Publisher: Skyscape
Release Date: October 7, 2014

With Juri in control and everything in absolute chaos, Lela plunges into the depths of hell to free Malachi from creatures that have waited decades to exact their revenge. But the Judge has her own way of doing things, and Lela must work with Ana, the new Captain, who has a very personal mission of her own. Together, they infiltrate the most horrifying realm either has yet encountered in the Shadowlands—the bitter landscape ruled by the Mazikin.

The stakes could not be higher, and Lela must accept the help—and love—of people she barely knows or trusts. As alliances and loyalties shift and she realizes the soul she came to save isn’t the only one in need of rescue, can Lela summon the strength to see the fight through to the very end?

My Thoughts: After the devastating cliffhanger in the previous book Fractured, I was dying to know the fate of Lela and Malachi! I had no idea what would go down or how things would be resolved in this final book, but knowing what the characters had already gone through in the first two books, I knew it wasn't going to be easy for them. Or even me as a reader, since I knew I had to prepare myself for the all the heartbreaking moments to come.

It really was no surprise that Chaos had me hooked from the very first page. It picked up right where Fractured left off with Lela determined to do everything she could to save Malachi. I was so happy when Ana, a familiar face from Sanctum, teamed up with Lela on the mission, even though their reunion wasn't what Lela expected (if you've read Vigilante, you'll understand Ana's reaction). Plenty of other characters made an appearance throughout the book as well. Some were familiar, others were new. And just like in Fractured, it wasn't easy figuring out which characters were trustworthy or not. It caused me to question every single action of certain characters and definitely raised the tension in the book.

Something I really appreciated about Chaos, and this series in general, was how important love is to the characters. Being loved and loving someone gave them the hope and strength they needed to keep going after all the hardships and trauma they had endured. Which brings me to one of my absolute favorite relationships ever: Lela and Malachi. I don't want to get into too much detail about what happened between them in Chaos because it's one of those things that shouldn't be spoiled. However, I will say that there were many times where I was swooning and smiling like crazy and many times where my heart completely broke for them. Their moments together were some of the most emotional parts in the series, and I'm going to miss reading about them.

Chaos was addicting and filled with the explosive action and sweet romance I've come to expect from this amazing series. Even though the ending was bittersweet to me because the story is now over, and I'm going to miss Lela and Malachi and all the other wonderful characters, it was the perfect conclusion to Lela's story and one that she deserved. The Guards of the Shadowlands series will always be one of my favorite series, and if you have not started this series yet, I highly recommend that you do!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

To celebrate the release of the final book, I have two prizes up for grabs! The first one, for US residents only, is a hardcover copy of the first book Sanctum. The second prize will be open internationally (if you live in the US, you are eligible as well), and the winner will be able to choose a paperback copy of either Sanctum, Fractured, or Chaos! Both giveaways end November 8. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Good luck! :D

Reviews: Shatter by Erin McCarthy & Vigilante by Sarah Fine

Shatter by Erin McCarthy
Release Date: September 2, 2014 / Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I'm a fan of Erin McCarthy's True Believers series. I think this series contains some of the more unique new adult storylines out there. That being said, Shatter could not hold up to my expectations. In fact, I didn't find it to be all that memorable compared to the rest of the books in the series.

I was really looking forward to reading Kylie and Jonathan's story, especially since it involved pregnancy, which I don't believe I see much of in new adult books. However, Kylie and Jonathan weren't interesting characters to me. And for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to believe in their relationship. I just wasn't feeling the chemistry between them. Basically, I had no emotional connection to them or their story. There were things that surprised and shocked me, but in the end, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this final book.

Although Shatter may not have lived up to my expectations, I would still recommend the series to those who love new adult books. And I would still definitely recommend Shatter to True Believers fans. You might enjoy it a whole lot more than I did!

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Vigilante by Sarah Fine
Release Date: July 25, 2014 / Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I was upset for days after finishing Fractured, book two in Sarah Fine's Guards of the Shadowlands series. It ended on a devastating cliffhanger that broke my heart to pieces. When it was announced there was a short story from Ana's perspective that could be read before the release of the final book Chaos, I was ecstatic. Ana is awesome, and I've been wondering what happened to her after the events in book one Sanctum.

Vigilante gave plenty of insight into Ana's character and had answers to questions I've been wondering about since the first book. Including more information about the other worlds that have been mentioned in the first two books and Ana's relationship with Takeshi. It also gave a glimpse as to what happened to a certain character after the end of Fractured. This story covered a lot more than I was hoping for, which made me feel so grateful, and at the same time, it left me craving for Chaos even more.

Vigilante may be a short story, but it was full of the powerful emotions and action that I've come to expect from this amazing series. It is a definite must read if you have read Fractured and are dying for Chaos! Don't miss out!

Review: Haze by Paula Weston

Follow the entire Haze blog tour schedule HERE.

Title: Haze (The Rephaim, #2)
Author: Paula Weston
Pages: 448
Publisher: Tundra Books
Release Date: September 9, 2014

Gaby Winters' life used to be pretty normal. She lived with her best friend. She worked in a library. She was slowly getting over the death of her twin brother, Jude. And then Rafa came looking for her.

With him, her blood-soaked nightmares stopped. But now they are reality. She is one of the Rephaim - a wingless half angel, descended from the Fallen. Demons exist and they are hunting her.

She knows she's alive when she's meant to be dead. And that means maybe Jude is too. So why isn't she out there looking for him?

My Thoughts: I was in a bit of a reading rut before I started Haze. I honestly believed it would have a negative effect on how I felt about this book. However, it turns out I was wrong, which was a huge relief! Haze was such a great book and ended up being exactly what I needed to read.

Haze is the second novel in Paula Weston's Rephaim series, and it starts off a week after the end of the first book Shadows. I was a little worried I wouldn't remember all the details from the previous book, since I read it over a year ago, but it was easy slipping back into the complicated and fascinating life of Gaby Winters.

Just like in Shadows, there was still plenty of mystery surrounding Gaby, including her past and the fate of her twin brother Jude. Being in the dark right along with her was killer because there were moments where it felt like some of the answers were in reach. At the same time, though, I loved that I was never able to figure out things before Gaby did. It made it that much easier to sympathize with her and that much harder to put the book down.

In this book, Gaby's main goal was searching for Jude. At least that's what Rafa, her (former?) rival and the guy she clearly has feelings for now, wanted. Unfortunately, yet understandably, it wasn't that simple. Gaby wanted her brother back, but what if they never found him? Or what if they did find him and he had his memories this entire time? Those were some of the scenarios Gaby couldn't help but to imagine and fear. Add in the necessary side missions that made Gaby and Rafa's search even more complicated, and the anticipation for any sign of Jude pretty much had me on the edge of my seat.

What helped ease my anxiety throughout the story were those sweet and intense moments between Gaby and Rafa. Even though Gaby and Rafa's tendency to not be one-hundred percent up front with each other ended up causing some frustrations, their relationship was the highlight of the novel for me. I just love Rafa's personality and how protective he is of Gaby, and I also love how Gaby is when she's with him. I hope that whatever happens between them, whether it's good or bad, makes the bond they share that much stronger.

Haze was a wonderful follow-up to Shadows. Enough was revealed to keep me satisfied, but enough was kept hidden to keep me wanting more. I'm so glad this is a four-book series, not a trilogy. I couldn't imagine everything being wrapped up in the third book. That being said, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and unraveling more of the mystery of Gaby and Jude!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Can you guess which character from the series I'm most like? Okay, I won't keep you all in suspense. I am...

...Ez! Yay! She's awesome and badass. Before you go, be sure to follow the rest of the Haze blog tour! Find the schedule HERE. :)

Review + Giveaway: Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine

Title: Of Metal and Wishes
Author: Sarah Fine
Pages: 320
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: August 5, 2014

There are whispers of a ghost in the slaughterhouse where sixteen-year-old Wen assists her father in his medical clinic—a ghost who grants wishes to those who need them most. When one of the Noor, men hired as cheap factory labor, humiliates Wen, she makes an impulsive wish of her own, and the Ghost grants it. Brutally.

Guilt-ridden, Wen befriends the Noor, including their outspoken leader, a young man named Melik. At the same time, she is lured by the mystery of the Ghost and learns he has been watching her … for a very long time.

As deadly accidents fuel tensions within the factory, Wen must confront her growing feelings for Melik, who is enraged at the sadistic factory bosses and the prejudice faced by his people at the hand of Wen’s, and her need to appease the Ghost, who is determined to protect her against any threat—real or imagined. She must decide whom she can trust, because as her heart is torn, the factory is exploding around her … and she might go down with it.

My Thoughts: As soon as I finished reading chapter one, I just knew I was going to love this book. The eerie setting gave me a feeling similar to what I get when I look at photos of old buildings and factories. Wonder and awe. I felt this way not only with the setting but the entire story. It wasn't at all a surprise though because Of Metal and Wishes is the fourth novel I've read by Sarah Fine and her stories are some of my absolute favorites.

Of Metal and Wishes revolved around Wen, a sixteen-year-old girl trying to adjust to living with her doctor father at the local slaughterhouse Gochan One. Although she was friendly with many workers at the factory, it didn't stop the loneliness and sadness that consumed her ever since the death of her mother. Her responsibilities as her father's assistant kept her busy and were a comforting distraction, but life at Gochan One became complicated and dangerous for Wen once the barbaric Noor were hired to work there and she challenged the ghost haunting the factory.

While Wen seemed unsure of herself and what she wanted in the beginning, there was a quiet fierceness to her that was hard to miss. Her compassion and bravery were traits I really admired about her. When most of her people treated the Noor horribly, she took care of the Noor and stood up for them. Sometimes she made mistakes or acted impulsively, but she always tried to do the right thing and didn't allow others to influence her decisions. She went through a lot in this book and grew immensely, and I found her to be such a great and relatable character.

The Noor, specifically their leader Melik, had quite an impact on Wen. To most of Wen's people, the Noor are considered lower than dirt. Wen was quick to judge them too, but she eventually saw how wrong she was. Melik was honorable, hardworking, and treated his people with respect, which fascinated Wen because it didn't match what she had been told about the Noor at all. Melik had me swooning with his words, his actions, and the attention he gave Wen. I loved their tentative romance and how comfortable and protective they were of each other. What they shared was sweet and slow-burning, and I was always so happy when they had moments alone together. Being around Melik and the other Noor really helped Wen to see the world in a different way.

The mysterious Ghost was another important part of Wen's journey. He brought life to the factory, granting wishes to the workers and making Wen feel less alone. However, he also brought fear and death, and I didn't know whether or not to trust him. His obsession with Wen was a curse, but I admit, in a way, it was a blessing for her as well. If it weren't him, Wen wouldn't have gone through all the guilt that she did, but without him, she wouldn't have survived many of the things she experienced. I guess that's why I found myself sympathizing with him. He did some pretty horrible things in the factory, yet I thought he proved that redemption was possible. It even made me wish things had ended differently for him all those years ago, and I know Wen felt the same way.

I really liked that Of Metal and Wishes showed the importance of kindness, trust, friendship, and love. For Wen and those she cared about, the final chapters of the book were a bit heartbreaking and bittersweet. But it was also full of hope, which made it a fitting end to the story. With its beautiful and fluid writing and characters that were remarkable and inspiring, Of Metal and Wishes easily became one of my favorite books this year. I can't recommend it enough, and I can't wait to read the sequel!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Bookittyblog and Joyousreads have also read and reviewed Of Metal and Wishes, and you can read their reviews on their blogs. Not only that we're giving away a signed ARC to a lucky winner! The giveaway is open internationally and ends August 4. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email before a new winner is chosen. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

Review: Only Between Us by Mila Ferrera

Title: Only Between Us
Author: Mila Ferrera
Pages: 247
Publisher: Mila Ferrera Books
Release Date: September 3, 2013

Last semester, Romy escaped from an abusive relationship with the guy she’d thought was the man of her dreams. This semester she’s putting herself back together, determined to reclaim her passion for art and for life. When she signs up for a painting class at the local art co-op, the possibility of passion becomes very real -- in the form of her teacher, Caleb. Both mysterious and seriously hot, Caleb bares his soul on his canvases, and Romy’s fascinated by what she sees.

Caleb is just trying to keep his head above water. Caring for his traumatized, unstable sister is getting harder every day, and his paintings are so dark and bleak that no one is buying. Teaching classes at the co-op is no longer enough, and now he’s going to have to sell more than just his art to the wealthy, sex-starved women in his classes. But when Romy comes along, she makes everything more complicated. She sees the truth in his paintings -- a truth no one else has realized, until now.

Romy and Caleb might have a real shot together -- one that could heal them both. But when ghosts from their pasts re-emerge, determined to keep them apart, will they be strong enough to hold on to each other?

My Thoughts: After loving Mila Ferrera's Spiral, I had a really good feeling I was going to enjoy her other new adult novels. So I wasn't at all surprised by how quickly I was hooked with Only Between Us! Just like with Spiral, Ferrera's sophomore novel was a story full of heartache and tough issues that was eased by the love and hope shared between the characters.

Only Between Us revolved around twenty-three year old Romy, who is trying to get her life back after being in an abusive relationship, and twenty-four year old Caleb, who does anything and eveything he can to care for his mentally ill younger sister. I'm so glad the story was in both of their perspectives because I loved knowing exactly what was going on inside their heads. It was easier to sympathize with them and made things much more powerful. It also showed that the author can flawlessly write from the male POV just as well as she can the female POV.

Since I've always had a soft spot for art, I loved that Romy and Caleb were artists and met in an painting class. Caleb was actually Romy's teacher, and his artwork inspired Romy and allowed her to see all the secrets Caleb hid from the world. Not only that, Romy's words impacted Caleb in a way that he couldn't describe and left him feeling like he was finally understood and worthy. I admired them as individuals, and I loved how well they fit together. They were kind and wonderful people, and their relationship was just so sweet and hot! They both were going through their own problems, but with each other they gained strength and the ability to heal bit by bit, even though it wasn't easy getting there.

Only Between Us was an emotional read about two broken people who fall in love and change each other for the better. It had a satisfying conclusion and made me even more of a fan of the author Mila Ferrera. It looks like there's a companion novel to this book focusing on Caleb's best friend Daniel called Everything Between Us, and it should come as no surprise that I can't wait to read it!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Reviews: Four Years Later by Monica Murphy & Easy by Tammara Webber

Four Years Later by Monica Murphy
Release Date: March 4, 2014 / Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Four Years Later is the conclusion to the One Week Girlfriend Quartet. I was excited to read it because I've always liked Owen and couldn't wait to read his story. However, I have to admit that I was disappointed in this book. Much like with Jen and Colin's story in Three Broken Promises, Owen and Chelsea's story never had the spark Drew and Fable's books had.

I think my main reason for not enjoying Four Years Later like I wanted to was because I had a difficult time connecting with Owen and Chelsea. I kept hoping and hoping I would eventually click with them, but it never happened. Chelsea didn't stand out to me, and Owen wasn't standing out like he did in the previous books. Their relationship felt instantaneous and rushed as well. The same could be said for the other couples, but at least they were believable to me. I just didn't feel much for Owen and Chelsea, and the unnecessary drama was the same old, same old.

I neither hated nor liked Four Years Later. It was just an okay read that I wished I could have loved. If you want to read this new adult quartet, I would still recommend it, especially the first two books and the novella about Drew and Fable.

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Easy by Tammara Webber
Release Date: November 6, 2012 / Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Although I've always heard good things about Easy and I've even owned a copy since 2012, I was in no hurry to read it. Now I'm wondering why I waited so long to read it! Because Easy was such a wonderful story with amazing romance and characters. It has to be one of the best new adult novels out there.

There were two things I really really loved about Easy. One was the development of the romance between Jacqueline and Lucas. It was so sweet and hot and had my heart bursting from happiness. I've always had soft spot for characters who have loved someone (in this case, it was Lucas having feelings for Jacqueline) from afar. I think their relationship was done so well. The other thing I loved was Lucas. Oh my god. This guy was PERFECT. And I don't mean in a cheesy, boring way. Every time he was around Jacqueline, the scenes left me feeling breathless. He was such a sweet, caring, and amazing guy. These are the type of romances and heroes I love to read about, and I'm just so happy Jacqueline and Lucas found each other.

Like I said, I can't believe it took me so long to read this book! However, at the same time, I have to admit I'm kind of glad I decided to read it so close to the release of Breakable, the companion novel to Easy from Lucas's POV. Even though I know it's going to be heartbreaking, I can't wait to get inside of his head.

Review + Giveaway: Scan by Walter Jury & Sarah Fine

Title: Scan (Scan, #1)
Author: Walter Jury & Sarah Fine
Pages: 336
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: May 1, 2014

Tate and his father don’t exactly get along. As Tate sees it, his father has unreasonably high expectations for Tate to be the best—at everything. Tate finally learns what he’s being prepared for when he steals one of his dad’s odd tech inventions and mercenaries ambush the school, killing his father in the process and sending Tate on the run from aliens who look just like humans.

All Tate knows--like how to make weapons out of oranges and lighter fluid--may not be enough to save him as he’s plunged into a secret inter-species conflict that’s been going on for centuries. Aided only by his girlfriend and his estranged mother, with powerful enemies closing in on all sides, Tate races to puzzle out the secret behind his father’s invention and why so many are willing to kill for it. A riveting, fast-paced adventure, Scan is a clever alien thriller with muscle and heart.

My Thoughts: Before I started reading Scan, I expected it to have action and suspense. But I wasn't fully prepared for just how nonstop the action would be! There was car chases and crashes, explosions, gun fights, and so much more. It was nerve-racking yet exciting, and I could not wait to find out what would happen to the characters and how the book would end.

Throughout the majority of his life, Tate's had to endure rigorous training in combat and master as many subjects and languages as he could all because that's what his father wanted. Tate doesn't know why his father puts him through this, and since both of his parents refuse to tell him, it unsurprisingly causes tons of friction between them. Once Tate finds out the truth, though, he has to use all the knowledge and skills he's learned in order to survive and protect his loved ones.

I couldn't help but to be just as frustrated as Tate was with his parents. I didn't feel like they had been fair to him, keeping all kinds of secrets and information from him that would have been really helpful to know as soon as the chaos started. But as the story went on and things became more and more dangerous and complicated, I began to realize right along with Tate that it was necessary and for his own good. He probably would have been blinded by his beliefs and wouldn't be as good of a person as he is now had he known everything from the very beginning.

If you're wondering what Tate's father had been hiding from his son, well, it was lots of things. But what it all involved was...ALIENS! Aliens that arrived on Earth about 400 years ago and look exactly like humans. But what started off the unfortunate chain of events was a small device, a scanner, Tate stole from his father that can reveal who is a human and who is an alien. Both sides wanted it badly, and while you would think the aliens were the evil ones, it wasn't that simple. Everyone seemed to have their own agenda, and like Tate, I didn't know who to trust! Even by the end, I still didn't know who the real enemy was, which was something I really liked because not all humans were good just like not all aliens were bad.

One other thing I would like to mention is the importance of the women in Tate's life. I'm glad that Tate's girlfriend Christina and his mother were involved with the mission of protecting the scanner. Tate's skills and resilience helped him a lot, but I don't think he would have made it without them at his side. They were tough, smart, and resourceful, and together they made an awesome team! I especially adored Christina. She didn't have the training Tate and his mother had, but she knew how to hold her own. I loved how much she was willing to help them, even when she was hurt or terrified. As for Tate and Christina's relationship, it was sweet and obvious that they cared deeply and felt strongly for each other. But because of what they were going through, they also had plenty of tense and uncomfortable moments. I hope they are able to overcome whatever issues they may have because I really want them to stick together.

Walter Jury and Sarah Fine have a written a truly thrilling and suspenseful story that had me on the edge of my seat till the very end. I have no idea what's in store for Tate, his mother, and Christina in the next book, but I can't wait to find out. If you're looking for a smart, action-packed book, you need to get your hands on a copy of Scan!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Bookittyblog and Joyousreads have also read and reviewed Scan (check out their blogs to read their reviews!). We want to give someone the chance to read Scan early too, so we're giving away an ARC! This giveaway is open internationally and ends April 26 at 11:59PM EST. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email before a new winner is chosen. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

Review: Spiral by Mila Ferrera

Title: Spiral
Author: Mila Ferrera
Pages: 204
Publisher: Mila Ferrera Books
Release Date: July 7, 2013

Nessa Cavanaugh, psychology student, knows how to stay on an even keel. Despite the urging of her mother and her academic advisor to get a life and have some fun, “all work and no play” sums up her plan to survive her grueling internship year at a children’s hospital. She doesn’t want to end up like her father, whose constant ups and downs broke her family, and avoiding unnecessary emotional entanglements is a must.

Then she (literally) runs into Dr. Aron Lindstrom in the middle of her disastrous first day on the job. The attraction is instant—and terrifying. Nessa knows she should stay away—especially when she finds out he has a reputation for being a player—but Aron is brilliant, intense, and as sexy as they come. When he challenges her to take a chance on him, her plans to stay focused on work start to crumble.

But what begins as passion takes on a dangerous edge, becoming an emotional roller coaster that’s frighteningly familiar. As things spiral out of control, Nessa must decide whether she should hold on for the ride or run … even if it means leaving her heart behind.

My Thoughts: Oh my god... This book. It broke my freaking heart!

From reading other reviews, I knew something major was going to happen in Spiral, but I had no idea the direction the story was going to take. It was totally unexpected. The reviews I read also mentioned how different this book was from most new adult books out there, and comparing it to all the ones I've read, I definitely have to agree. Spiral was unflinchingly raw and honest, and it makes me eager to read the rest of Mila Ferrera's novels.

The beginning started off a bit like other new adult stories. There's Nessa who has just moved to a new city for an internship at a children's hospital. She bumps into a gorgeous doctor named Aron who's intelligent and mysterious. Although she struggles with the idea of having a serious relationship after a tragic event years ago left her questioning her own mental state, she can't help but to be drawn to Aron. Nessa's fears, combined with the unfortunate rumors swirling around about Aron, complicates things and eventually distracts her from what's unraveling right before her eyes.

It took me a couple of chapters to warm up completely to Nessa and Aron. Nessa kept running away and using excuses, and I wondered when she'll start focusing on something other than work. And I have to admit I was suspicious of Aron's true intentions with Nessa. All of that made me question every little thing the characters did. It wasn't necessary though, and after awhile I relaxed and stopped overanalyzing things and was able to really appreciate Nessa and Aron and their journey. Not only that, once I noticed how the plot was moving in a direction that was darker and not the norm, I began enjoying the book even more and didn't want to stop reading!

I couldn't wait to see where Nessa's story went, no matter the outcome. I thought both her and Aron were amazing people, and I adored them so so much. I loved that they decided to take their relationship slow, even though their attraction was intense. Their romance was all-consuming and very steamy and hot (get your fan ready). I couldn't get enough! What made it even better was how well they complemented and looked out for one another. It was wonderful to see how much they cared and loved each other, especially when things took an unexpected turn. Neither were the same person by the end for various reasons, some good and some heartbreaking, but ultimately Nessa's connection with Aron made for a powerful and hopeful read.

Before I reached the end, I knew Spiral would become one of my favorite new adult novels ever. It was a refreshing and breathtakingly realistic read. It may have broken my heart, but I absolutely loved it and I'm so glad I have more books by Mila Ferrera to look forward to! If you start reading Spiral and assume it's going to follow the typical route, trust me. It will surprise you. Hopefully in a good way.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Review: Star-Crossed by Luna Lacour

Title: Star-Crossed
Author: Luna Lacour
Pages: 284
Publisher: Luna Lacour
Release Date: March 28, 2014

It started with a game - seduce the new teacher.

Eighteen-year-old Kaitlyn Laurent is living the American Dream. Born into a wealthy, socialite family with more opulent surroundings and material things than any girl could even fathom, Kaitlyn is the fresh, young face amidst a sea of morally-amiss Manhattan Debutantes. She is educated, poised, and on the outside - entirely virtuous. Her life, in short, is perfect.

Or so it would seem.

Inside the walls of her Upper East Side mansion, Kaitlyn is struggling. After her parents' divorce and her father's remarriage to a beautiful but otherwise utterly vapid woman, Kaitlyn quickly finds herself living in a realm of self-created fantasy, completely detached and entirely clashing with her new family – particularly, her classmate-turned-stepbrother, Marius. Arrogant and with a penchant for playing games, he is intrigued and infatuated by Kaitlyn's faux-chaste outer facade that she uses to cover an otherwise calloused heart.

When the two of them enter into into their final semester at Trinity Prep, and the buzz around campus is that a gorgeous new teacher has set foot in the classroom, Marius makes Kaitlyn a bet: seduce the man who is now her Literature teacher.

If she wins, she gets his trust fund. Money that she can use to finally escape a life that she has come to loathe.

If Marius wins...he gets her virginity.

When an initial spark turns into full-blown obsession, and her affections are inevitably returned – Kaitlyn learns that there are no actions without consequence, and some affairs are simply star-crossed.

My Thoughts: Star-Crossed had me intrigued from the very beginning. It was hard to put down. But I have to say... The last 30% of the story definitely amped it up and had me on the edge of my seat! What happened to the characters almost felt like a never-ending train-wreck. I could not look away, nor could I help but to get emotional. I was extremely anxious to know how Kaitlyn's story would end, so props to the author Luna Lacour for keeping me guessing all the way to the final lines of the book.

The story focused on eighteen-year-old Kaitlyn Laurent, who no longer wanted to live the life her wealthy and out-of-touch father already planned out for her and who becomes immersed in a game to seduce her teacher Mr. Tennant. Kaitlyn was an interesting character. I couldn't relate to her life or her choices, and I thought she sometimes came off as cold and distant. However, she grew on me. I understood her reasoning behind some of the reckless decisions she made. Her unhappiness with the way her life was going didn't cause me to roll my eyes or make me wish she would be happy that she at least had money. I just ended up feeling immense sympathy for her and hoped things would work out for her, even though it seemed impossible.

The males in Kaitlyn's life fascinated me as well. Her stepbrother Marius stood out to me a lot. He was the one who started the game, the bet, between himself and Kaitlyn. There were times I wanted to know more about him and times I wanted to shake him. It wasn't easy figuring him out, and his motives weren't clear to me till the last part of the story. I just felt really bad for him by the end, and it made me wonder how differently things would have been had he not hid behind all the games. Tyler was another stand out. He was a loner at school because of his status and somehow became best friends with Kaitlyn during their final semester. I loved how normal he seemed compared to everyone else. He was sweet, had morals, and viewed the world in an entirely different way compared to the all rich kids at school. I'm so happy with his outcome and glad Kaitlyn had him by her side.

Last, but not least: Will Tennant. He was the new literature teacher at school and the one Kaitlyn had to seduce in order to win the bet (the prize being Marius's trust fund money) and escape the life she no longer wanted. I really liked Will. He was kind, patient, and intelligent. There was also a bit of mystery about him, and it didn't hurt that he was hot and British. I felt him and Kaitlyn were a perfect match. They both seemed lost and shared an immediate connection that was hard to ignore. As for the bet, it became really hard for Kaitlyn to go through with, especially once she realized how deep her feelings were for Will. Keeping their student/teacher relationship a secret from everyone was hard enough, and if Will found out about the bet, Kaitlyn knew everything would come crashing down. It did give the story excitement, but at the same time, it gave me much anxiety because all I wanted was for them to be happy and together.

Star-Crossed was about a girl who wanted to live her life the way she wanted to with the man she loved but got caught up in all the secrets and lies. It was alluring and at times thrilling and not the usual new adult read. I don't want to spoil the ending, but I will say that it was unexpected and fitting and left me breathless. Star-Crossed was a wonderful debut novel by Luna Lacour, and I'm looking forward to reading what she writes next!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Reviews: Rush by Eve Silver & A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook & Brendan Halpin

Rush by Eve Silver
Release Date: June 11, 2013 / Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I expected to like Rush a whole lot more than I did. It had a unique 'game' concept, but I didn't feel it ever really delivered. It just wasn't believable to me, and I was easily irritated with those in charge because they never gave clear cut answers.

Maybe I wouldn't have been as bothered with all that had I liked the characters. I didn't have any sort of connection to them. The protagonist Miki wasn't that bad, but I felt she was trying too hard to be tough and brave. And I thought she was quick in falling in love with Jackson, who annoyed me throughout because of his cryptic ways. I couldn't bring myself to believe in them or their romance. I'm also getting really tired of reading about the bitchy, manic best friend of the main character. Why is it always like that? In this case, it was Miki's friend Carly. I couldn't stand her. As for the rest of the characters...they pretty much fell flat to me.

Rush had an interesting premise, but I wasn't entirely convinced by either the plot or the characters. I'm glad I had a chance to read and finish it though. I just don't think it's enough for me to want to read the sequel.

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A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook & Brendan Halpin
Release Date: July 23, 2013 / Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I didn't go in to A Really Awesome Mess with high expectations, since the reviews I had seen weren't giving it much praise. But I did hope I would be able to at least finish it. What I couldn't have predicted was how much I would enjoy the story! I really love when that happens because I had a hard time putting the book down.

The chapters alternated between the point-of-views of Emmy and Justin. Both of them were hilarious and had me cracking up so many times! They also sounded like real teenagers with real, serious issues. The relationships they built and the adventures they shared with their new friends seemed genuine and had me grinning. Because those much needed friendships clearly had a hand in helping each of them deal with their problems, even if some of their issues would never entirely go away. Overall, I thought Emmy and Justin and their group of misfit friends were great and relatable characters, and I know they were the reason why I was glued to the book and why I was having so much fun reading their story.

A Really Awesome Mess kept me entertained from beginning to end. The plot and the characters were touching and humorous. It was such a fun read! While not everything was resolved for Emmy and Justin, the ending was still fitting and satisfying. I'm so glad I gave this book a chance.

Reviews: Blood of the Pride by Sheryl Nantus & The Escape by Shoshanna Evers

Blood of the Pride by Sheryl Nantus
Release Date: February 1, 2013 / Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I would say Blood of the Pride managed to hold my interest, considering I was able to read it till the very end. However, I didn't think it was a stand out amongst other paranormal and urban fantasy novels I've read. I also felt that the characters weren't always consistent in the things they said. They would go on and on about the consequences of certain actions, yet later they would backtrack or change their mind. It was a little too convenient.

Blood of the Pride is book one in the series, and while I probably won't continue with it, I think if you want to give this book a shot you should go ahead and read it.

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The Escape by Shoshanna Evers
Release Date: January 1, 2014 / Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars

Unfortunately, I didn't like The Escape. I wish I did, but nothing in the story worked for me. All the characters suffered from a serious case of TSTL (too stupid to live). It must be one of those highly contagious diseases people are catching at the FEMA camps mentioned in the book. Because whoa. Their reasoning for doing some of the things they did made zero sense. They rarely used logic. It was unbelievable and a bit hilarious. I have no idea how they managed to survive everything that happened in this book, and I can't comprehend how they're even still living after the 'Pulse,' which happened a year ago and is the reason technology and most humans in America were wiped out. I guess these people are seriously lucky or everyone else around them is just dumber. Those are the only reasons that make sense to me.

I don't want to end this without saying at least something good about The Escape. So, I've thought of three things I liked. One would be that, although I haven't read the first book and all the books in the trilogy are connected, I didn't feel lost while reading this sequel. I was also able to read this fairly quickly. It was easy to get through. The final thing would be that I didn't get a headache, even though I wasn't enjoying it.

If you're still interested in reading this book or the entire trilogy, then that's your choice. I'm not going to tell anyone what they should or shouldn't read. But as for me, The Escape just wasn't for me, and I don't have any plans to read the other books.

Reviews + Giveaway: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski & The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Release Date: March 4, 2014 / Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

I didn't know what to expect from The Winner's Curse. It wasn't originally on my radar, and I only became curious about it once I started to notice all the great reviews it was receiving. After getting the chance to read it myself, I can understand why so many are praising this book.

Kestrel, a high-class Valorian and the general's daughter, and Arin, a Herrani slave purchased by Kestrel at an auction, were the main characters. They may have grown up in different worlds, but they were similar in many ways. Both were sympathetic people, full of quiet strength and determination, wishing for the freedom to live their lives the way they wanted to. I just found it so easy to like them. I also loved how their relationship evolved. They didn't always get along, yet there was a connection between them that made them open up to one another little by little. It was precious and sweet. They each had their secrets though, and it led to devastating revelations and consequences. I have no idea how they will overcome that, but I hope that whatever happens next they are able to survive it together.

I'm so glad I took a chance and read The Winner's Curse because I was immersed in the story from the very beginning. Although it was a bit slow-going at times, it didn't stop me from enjoying it overall, and I'm already eagerly anticipating the release of the sequel.

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The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina
Release Date: April 8, 2014 / Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

After reading a couple of chapters, I began to realize that I didn't find the story to be as enthralling as I had hoped. I decided to keep reading, though, just to see what happened to the characters. And I'm so happy I did because The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf ended up being a satisfying read.

To me, the beginning of the book started off as if it was a sequel, not the first book in a series, and I think that's why my feelings about it were shaky. However, flashbacks were eventually added to the mixed, and it made me see that the way the book began was necessary for all the revelations that were to come. I was hooked from that moment on! But as I mentioned before, I have the characters, especially the protagonist Ashala, to thank for being the reason why I continued reading. There wasn't anything about Ashala I disliked. I admired her courage and strength, and all I wanted was for her to survive the ordeals she faced so that she could protect her Tribe and the rest of those with special abilities. The way things went down were unexpected and shocking, and I gained even more respect for Ashala and the others who did everything they could to help her.

The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf was a story set in the future about friendship, love, and protecting the innocent. It was filled with unique mythology, consisting of people with special abilities, spirits and animals that could communicate with humans. The ending brought enough closure, but there's definitely still more to explore. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

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I'm giving away my ARCs of The Winner's Curse and The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf to one lucky winner! Giveaway is open to US residents only and ends February 28. To enter, check out my Giveaway Policy and fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Good luck!

Reviews: Believe by Erin McCarthy & Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy

Believe by Erin McCarthy
Release Date: January 21, 2014 / Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

After enjoying the previous books, True and Sweet, in the series, I was looking forward to reading book 3. Believe centered on Robin, a friend of Rory and Jessica, and Phoenix, the cousin of Tyler and Riley. The book featured both of their POVs, so I couldn't wait to find out how much I would like getting inside both their heads.

I liked Robin from the start. She changed a lot after a terrible mistake she made back in the summer, and I could feel her vulnerability and regret. It was easy to sympathize with her, especially since she was such a nice and caring person. I also liked how accepting she was of Phoenix because, I admit, I worried about how I would feel about him. He didn't leave me with the best impression in the very beginning. He had just gotten out of jail and he didn't exactly get along with Jessica, one of my favorites in the series. However, he truly proved himself like his cousins did in the other books. He was a wonderful, protective and good guy. As for Robin and Phoenix's relationship, I loved it! It was hot, sweet, and perfect, and I was completely satisfied with the way it developed.

Believe was yet another great addition to the True Believers series. I stayed up as late as I could to finish it, and I was a bit bummed out when it was over because I was enjoying Robin and Phoenix's story so much. Shatter will be the final book in the series, and I'm glad there's at least one more book to look forward to. Can't wait to read it!

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Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy
Release Date: November 5, 2013 / Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

After being blown away by One Week Girlfriend and having my heart crushed by the ending, I could not wait to devour the sequel Second Chance Boyfriend. While the first book is my still favorite since it had my emotions all over the place, this sequel was the perfect conclusion to Drew and Fable's whirlwind love story.

In the beginning, I worried it would take awhile before Drew and Fable reconciled, but thankfully it didn't take long, which was a nice parallel to how hard and fast they fell for each other in the previous book. Their connection was still as powerful and deep, and their love for each other was all kinds of hot. It made me extremely happy! Their relationship wasn't all sunshine and rainbows though. I'm actually glad because they needed to learn to truly open up and trust one another in order to move forward and be together. They just went through a lot in both books. Their story was heartbreaking and emotional, yet beautiful and hopeful. It feels so good to know two deserving people found love, comfort, and peace with each other.

Second Chance Boyfriend was everything a Drew and Fable fan could have hoped for and more. I couldn't get enough of their moments, and the ending left me with a smile on face. It makes me really excited to continue on with the next book in the series, Jen and Colin's story Three Broken Promises. It sounds good!

Review + Giveaway: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Title: Fire & Flood (Fire & Flood, #1)
Author: Victoria Scott
Pages: 320
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: February 25, 2014

A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life—and her own.

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

My Thoughts: Ever since I read the synopsis for Fire & Flood, it became one of the 2014 novels I couldn't wait to read. It sounded so good and unique! And I can't lie, I really wanted to meet this one character named Guy I kept hearing about. I was looking forward to knowing the main character Tella as well, but Guy...yeah. Needless to say, when I finally got my hands on a copy of this book, I was pumped!

The beginning of Fire & Flood introduced us to Tella Holloway and her family and gave insight into why they were living in the middle of nowhere Montana. Well, some insight. Tella assumed it was because of her sick brother, but she didn't quite know why it was necessary for them to move there from their nice life in Boston. I couldn't help but to wonder why too. In the meantime, getting to know Tella was great. Her personality definitely stood out to me. She was funny and honest and a bit of a girly girl. Her love for her family and her desire to help others, which became quite evident throughout the rest of the book, was admirable, even if it did lead to some impulsive decisions. I just found it easy to like her, and I wanted nothing more than for her to succeed in the Brimstone Bleed.

Speaking of the Brimstone Bleed, I had no idea what to expect from this mysterious race competition that claimed to have the cure for a sick loved one as the prize. All I knew was that it took place across four ecosystems in three months and that each competitor was given a creature called a Pandora to help them. I wasn't sure how difficult or dangerous it would be, but I soon found out. If there were no Pandoras, I think this would have been a much harder race to accomplish and much more competitors would have perished. Even though I liked Tella's determination, I honestly don't believe she would have made it as far as she did if she were alone with no Pandoras or allies.

As for how the Brimstone Bleed was even created, I only knew as much as Tella, so there were plenty of questions that needed answering. Tella gradually learned more and more about its history as the race went on. I was surprised by some of the revelations, most of which I never would have guessed, and I started to realize right along with Tella that there was more than just the cure at stake. That and the fact there are two ecosystems left to conquer makes me a bit nervous for what's to come in the sequel.

I can't end this review without mentioning the two most important characters for Tella during the race: Madox and Guy. Madox was actually her Pandora. He's a little, black fox with green eyes. He was so freaking cute and badass! I wanted to hug him and kiss him and swing him around! For some reason, I couldn't stop imagining him as a pomeranian, instead of a fox. It made him even more adorable though. Guy was a fellow competitor, and he ended up being as intriguing as I expected! He was the strong, silent type, and he had many secrets that were slowly revealed. I thought it was sweet how he protected Tella whenever he could, and I completely loved their growing relationship. I hope that whatever happens they are able to stick together, and I'm glad both Guy and Madox were there to look out for Tella.

Overall, Fire & Flood was a fun and fast-paced read. It had plenty of action and adventure and humor and just enough romance to satisfy my romance-craving self. Tella, Guy, Madox, and the rest of the characters were all great. I'm looking forward to finding out their fates and getting answers to the many lingering questions in book two!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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I'm giving away my ARC of Fire & Flood to one lucky winner! Giveaway is open to US residents only and ends February 16. To enter, check out my Giveaway Policy and fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Good luck!

Review: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)
Author: Ilona Andrews
Pages: 308
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: May 31, 2011

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . .

My Thoughts: I'm starting to realize I need to be very careful with this series. Since these Kate Daniels books are so fun and addicting, it makes me want to just pick up the next books that are already available and forget about the review books I should be reading instead. I have to say, it took a lot of effort for me to do the right thing once I was done reading Magic Slays. Hopefully I'm able to control myself for the next few months.

After the epicness of book four, Magic Bleeds, I had no idea what would be waiting for me in book five, but I couldn't wait to find out! Magic Slays started off with Kate and Curran in their bedroom, and by the time I was done with the novel, I felt like that beginning scene was a hint as to how much focus would be given to their relationship. What Kate and Curran went through in this book made what they shared even more real and authentic in my eyes. Not everything was perfect, but they tried to work out their problems. And I really appreciated that their relationship showed the importance of trust, honesty, and communication. I thought I couldn't love Kate, Curran, and their romance more than I already did, but Magic Slays proved me wrong.

As for the mission in the story, it still took a lot of hardwork for Kate and everyone to accomplish. However, I thought the resolution wasn't quite difficult as some of the others in past books. I felt the main purpose overall was to introduce a couple of new characters and for Kate to learn even more about her family's history. I actually had assumed there wasn't anything else for Kate to know, but I was so wrong. Some things that were revealed were a shock, and I'm not surprised this caused Kate to question her relationship with certain people. Kate's father Roland also continued to have a huge presence, of course. Although Kate's skills have improved and her knowledge has grown immensely, I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready for a Kate and Roland showdown. I'm pretty sure Kate feels the same way (see why I find it so easy to adore her?). It all seems impossible, yet I'm hoping by the time it happens Kate will be more than ready.

Magic Bleeds may still be my favorite Kate Daniels book so far, but Magic Slays was definitely an awesome addition to the series. It had the action, humor, mystery, and mythology I admired from the previous novels, and the romance developed in a realistic way that I couldn't help but to love. I cannot wait for the time when I'm finally able to continue on with the next books in this kickass series.

(By the way, anyone else have 'Kiss From a Rose' by Seal stuck in their heads after reading this book and can't help but to laugh because you'll forever associate that song with Saiman's Curran video? Yeah. I'm still cracking up over it.)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Review + Giveaway: Alienated by Melissa Landers

Title: Alienated (Alienated, #1)
Author: Melissa Landers
Pages: 352
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: February 4, 2014

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

My Thoughts: I became really curious about Alienated after I saw the lovely cover and started to hear good things about the story from other readers. I couldn't help going in expecting to love it too. While it did have its cute and funny moments, unfortunately I wasn't quite as captivated with Alienated as I had hoped.

One reason I couldn't connect with the story were the characters. I didn't think Cara and Aelyx were memorable as far as main characters go. I actually had a difficult time remembering what happened to them in the first half of the book when I finished reading. They weren't unlikeable characters though. Cara was nice and compassionate, and Aelyx grew a lot and was funny in his own way. But they never really stood out to me, and I didn't feel myself passionately rooting for them. I couldn't even believe in their relationship. They had some romantic moments together that were sweet and at times hot. However, I didn't feel I ever understood why they loved each other, especially when it came to Aelyx's feelings towards Cara considering he was suppose to be lacking in emotions.

Cara and Aelyx weren't the only characters I couldn't click with. I didn't care at all for Cara's ex-friends. Although they did try to redeem themselves later on, I was still relieved they didn't have much scenes. I also didn't like the way most of the characters reacted to situations that arose throughout the book. Everyone was so quick to snub Cara and her family because of Aelyx, and there was so much mob mentality going on with the L'eihr haters. The social issues in Alienated were given lots of attention and could easily be compared to the horrible events that happened in our own history and still currently happening in our world today. But I never felt strongly about the issues in this book. It didn't have quite the same impact for me.

Another problem I had with the characters was that it didn't seem like the whole exchange program was well planned or thought out by either the humans or the L'eihrs. The hatred for the L'eihrs had been escalating for two years, yet from what I remember there wasn't any sort of protection from the local police or government set up for the aliens and the human families hosting them until after the protests and threats got really bad. Plus, no one bothered to consider what type of food or anything the L'eihrs would prefer. It was all up to the host family to figure out, which I thought was weird because this wasn't your typical student exchange program. There were aliens and an important alliance involved. In Cara's case, it also seemed she was more responsible for Aelyx than her parents were. Maybe it wasn't like that at all, but that's how it came off to me.

Although Alienated might not have been as enjoyable as I expected, I still found myself wanting to know what happened to Cara and Aelyx in the final chapters. If you've been wanting to read this book, don't let my review discourage you. As I mentioned before, I've heard lots of high praise for Alienated from other readers, and you might just fall in love with the story and the characters as well.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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I'm giving away my ARC of Alienated to one lucky winner! Giveaway is open to US residents only and ends January 23. To enter, check out my Giveaway Policy and fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Good luck!