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. :)