Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

"Meet Celaena Sardothien.

Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, Celaena, an assassin, is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king’s champion. 
The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass—and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world."

~~~

About 4 years ago, I was browsing the library for new books to read in the YA section. That was when I first came across Throne of Glass. The book cover interested me, and the synopsis intrigued me. So I decided to bring it home with me and give it a try.

I remember opening the book and not wanting to do anything else in my life. Because that was it, I needed to know everything there was about this beautiful magical mythical world that the author had created. I needed to know more about this intriguing young woman who was the main character and what her life had been like.

We meet Celaena Sardothien while she's being moved from a prison / slave camp called Endovier. When I picture that I camp, I picture what was done to the Jews in the death camps. Pushed and forced to work until they were weak. Little did I know that Celaena was a total and complete bad ass, who had once almost - ALMOST - escaped this prison - the term she uses is "she snapped". Little does she know that in order to gain her "freedom" she has to compete to become the Kings' Champion - the same king that had punished her and sent her to this slave camp.

This is when she meets the Captain of the Guard - Chaol Westfall & Dorian Havilliard - Prince of Adarlan. They are both beautiful you men in their own way.

Little did I know how much I would fall in love with the characters - and not just the men. They were more meh. But with Celaena - her strength, courage, rage and compassion. Because even though she endured hell in her life, she was still able to find beauty in things. Like in reading books. Or finding a true friend in Princess Nehemia Ytger - Crown Princess of Eyllwe. A young lovely woman who was sent by her parents to try and learn the customs of Adarlan - the conquering nation of their lands.
The trials that she literally had to go through in order to survive are out of this world. Having to become an assassin at such a young age, training from the time that she was a little girl just to survive.

Although Prince Dorian is portrayed as more of a Playboy, ladies man - he seems to tone it down when Celaena comes into his world. Because there is something about her that calls to him and makes him want to be a better person / man. He tries to keep his distance at first, but can't seem to be able to do so. And even though going against his father, the King would cost him his life, he seems to find small ways to rebel against him. Like choosing Celaena to become his Champion for the competition.

Then there is Chaol Westfall - the always serious always brooding Captain of the Guard. His sole purpose in life is to serve the King and the Prince - even if it costs him his life. But little by little, Celaena seems to chip away at his armor -without him realizing it. He goes from being a brute and dead set on keeping his distance to completely caring for her.

I love the fact that I can literally loose myself within this world. What SJ Maas has created is beautiful and wonderful. The book is full of adventure, life and death situations - and romance. Because what is a YA book without the romance. I love that there were moments where I was literally on the edge of my seat while reading the encounters that our Assassin was going through.
Mind you, this is probably the 4th time that I've read this book, so just imagine how much more I'm enjoying the book. Because even though I 've experienced it many time, there are still new things that I'm discovering of realizing!

And even though I've read the book as many times as I have, I still feel a little sad for the ending. Not because she won the competition and became the Champion and proved herself. But because of whose heart was broken. I know that he wasn't right for her, but there is always that sadness that he has to deal with the heartbreak and the doubt that he was only being used.

World Tree Girl by Kerry Schafer

I was more than happy to pick up “World Tree Girl” by Kerry Schafer having just recently finished reading “Dead Before Dying” – and loving it.

It’s no secret that I enjoy reading Paranormal anything. So when I jumped into this book, I was more than happy to find out that it picks up right where “Dead Before Dying” left off.

We get Maureen Keslyn – a seasoned FBI detective for the Paranormal Division back, given that she’s the new owner for Shadow Valley Manor. And like before, she’s on the hunt for something unkind, something that her and her “partners” believe is on a killing spree.

Unfortunately for her, she also has to deal with the ghost of her old friend, and recently deceased Phil Ever – who use to be the owner of Shadow Valley Manor. She’s just not sure as to why he refuses to carry or move on. Thankfully, Sophronia – a young woman who seems to be on her team can communicate with ghosts and tries to help on that end.

Like the first book, this one is full of suspense. I was happy to find myself on the edge of my seat while I was reading it. I was more than thrilled to find that the author had managed to capture my attention and hold it for a good portion of the book. I felt like I was able to loose myself and enjoy the characters and their “adventures”. I felt like I was there with them, on the hunt for the unknown.

Again, Kerry has impressed me with the ability to create a world where I can get lost, one where it’s easy to follow and enjoyable. This is a definite 5 Star Review for me!!

SKIN by BB Easton

I have to be honest here. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I first read this book. I didn’t realize that this goes hand in hand with “44 Chapters About 4 Men”. I didn’t know that this was part of a Spin-Off series.

So, I dove right in and I have to admit – I was little more than shocked. Don’t get me wrong. I loved the book. I loved the characters, and I absolutely loved the story line.

We meet BB, because her name is Brooke Bradley as a 15 year old, who seems to be in love with a Punk kid. And I mean that in the sense that he wears faded black pants, black shirt, faded black converse with a faded green Mohawk. So no, I’m not being a brat by calling him a Punk, he just is. Or portrays to be. Anyways, her sole purpose for her sophomore year is for Lance Hightower to confess his undying love to her, get married and have little tiny children. So, like any crazy teenager girl, she tries to fit the mold as best as she can to gain his attention.

Unfortunately for her, she garners someone else’s attention. Knight – AKA Skeletor the Skinhead. He’s brutal and cruel and evil. And according to the entire school population, he’s a Skinhead – with the whole outfit ensemble and black boots with red laces, skinny suspenders and all. We basically meet him as he’s whooping someone’s butt. We later find out it’s to defend BB’s “honor” because the kid was basically talking trash about her.

The book takes an interesting twist when little by little BB befriends Skeletor and really gets to know him. Not just who he’s portraying, but who he really is as a person. And let me just say, that I actually like that guy. Because he cares for her. Genuinely cares and loves her enough to look out for her and take care of her.

Theirs is a relationship that is all kinds of crazy… in every sense of the word.

And even though the book didn’t end the way in which I was hoping for, there is more of a journey that BB needs to take in order to become who she is in “44 Chapters”. So needless to say, yes I’ll continue reading the books that follow this one. And once I’ve read all four of them, then I’ll read “44 Chapters” -  as I think that it’ll make more sense to me!

The Queen and the Cure by Amy Harmon

If you know me, you know that I love anything and everything by Amy Harmon. I've been an avid follower and reader since I first read Making Faces in October of 2013. I fell fast and hard! 

So needless to say that when she decided to create a beautiful and magical fantasy world, I was all over it.

If you know me, you know that The Bird and the Sword is one of my all time favorite books. One of the most beautifully written and expressed books. I loved it so much, that I made my sister read it. And she too fell in love with it. 

So when Amy said that she would be writing about Kjell of Jeru, I was a little skeptical at first, because I thought that there was no way that she would be able to outdo herself. Yet, she managed to. She was able to create even more beautiful and perfect words in which I fell even more in love with. 

"It was not your face I fell in love with. It was not your great, sad eyes or your soft mouth, or the gold flecks on your skin or the shape of your body. I fell in love with you pieces. Layer by layer, day by day, inch by inch." 

There is something to be said for an author who can continue to create such beautiful work. She continues to amaze me as a reader and person, because her words bring comfort to my soul. Not many can do that. And it feels so effortlessly - like it's meant to happen. 

So yes, I'll continue to read anything that Amy writes, because she's completely won me over! This was definitely one of those awesome and amazing reads!!

Fall by Eden Butler

"... a laugh I heard when he didn't know I listened. It was like a song, something sweet, something I wanted to hear always..."

"The storm coalesced, went deep inside me. It lived there - the island, my heart, and the rush of memory and regret I'd left behind me years ago."

Fall is the first book that I've read by Eden Butler. And let me just say, that I'm glad that I chose it as my 1st. It was such a sweet and tender book to read. And it felt like a 2nd Chance Romance. 

We meet Lily Campbell while she's visiting home, one of the islands of Hawaii with her friend, and roommate Kiki - as they're trying to win a bet against each other. She's been away for four years studying in Yale. While home, we learn that more than anything, she misses her brother, his wife and their daughter - whom she adores. 

It's while playing this game / bet that she reencounters Keilen Rivers - her dream crush since she was in High School. And when I say crush, I mean CRUSH.. She's followed him through out the years, but not in a stalker way... 

Fortunately for her, Kiki dares her to seduce Keilen in the most improper way. Little does she know that the tables will turn on her. 

Unfortunately, something terrible and tragic happens. She has to go from a college student to a full time provider. And with that, she goes back home to become a successful lawyer over the years. BUT, things aren't always great. As she has someone that is stalking her and beginning to ruin her career. She's asked to "take some time off" of work and take a vacation. Which leads her back home. 

There, she reencounters Keilen, where she realizes that the feelings that they felt many years ago are still there. 

The journey that they had to go through and the trials that were brought up against them were hard. But the outcome was the most precious and beautiful thing that I've read! Definitely enjoyed reading this book, and am looking forward to reading more from her!

Secondborn by Amy Bartol

Secondborn by Amy Bartol was my Kindle First for the month of July. 

Let me start by saying that I LOVE Amy Bartol and her writing style. I pretty much have read all of her books. I discovered her via Inescapable (The Premonition Series) and have pretty much been following her since December of 2011. She’s an author that I’ve enjoyed reading. From The Premonition Series to the Kricket Series, even though she does have a way of pissing me off when it comes to certain characters. Yeah, we won’t get into that right now.

Anyways, I was more than happy to start reading this book, as it was considered a NA Dystopian, and who doesn’t like reading that type of book?

” Firstborns rule society. Secondborns are the property of the government. Thirdborns are not tolerated"

Let’s just say that the synopsis really piqued my interest.

We are introduced to Roselle St. Sismode on her Transition Day, which happens to be on her 18^th birthday. I’m thinking, this girl – she’s the daughter of the leader, she’s got it made. Little did I know, that because she was a Secondborn, she’s destined to be a “service provider” for the Firstborns. She’s meant to serve them and be at their beck and call.

What happens on her Transition Day leads to monumental things, and turns into a complete whirlwind for Roselle, discovering a pretty dark secret from someone that she loves and looks up to – and let’s just say that it’s a secret that could cost someone their life.

I loved Roselle, her character and personality. She was a pretty tough girl that was able to take care of herself no matter the circumstances that were thrown at her.

I also loved the other characters in this book. I have to admit that I wanted to choke some of them, but others made Roselle who she turned into, and for that I love them.

Yes, there is a love interest, but you’ll have to read the book in order to find out what happens! P.S. I loved that portion of the book, and the relationship that was developed!!! How they met, and where they ended up.

Although that ending, I was sitting on the edge of my seat – screaming at my Kindle for the way that the book ended. So needless to say, that I’m REALLY excited for Traitor Born to release – which won’t be until April 17, 2018!

The Alpha's Pride by Deidre Huesmann

The Alpha’s Pride by Deidre Huesmann is what I would consider a very short novel. I’ve always been into Paranormal – especially when it pertains to shifters. So to see that this book / novel was in relation to Lions Shifters, I was definitely curious.

The book jumps right into the storyline. We meet Val as she’s literally running for her life, being chased by a shifter. She doesn’t know what type of shifter the guy is – only that he’s dangerous. Unfortunately for her, he’s making a game out of this. What Val doesn’t know is that Riker (the shifter) is actually testing her. To make sure that she’s worth taking as a mate. In his eyes, she has to prove herself and her strength in order to survive.

Lucky for Val, she’s a pretty tough girl who doesn’t take crap from anyone and can defend herself.

I felt that the story was very, very short. We get through their little game and he introduces her to his pride. And although there is so intercourse, it was very short and quick – obviously claiming her. I just felt that the author could have done a lot more with this story.

Either way, it was a good, fun and interesting short read. And I’ll be more than happy to read more from this author, as this is the first book that I’ve ever ready by her.

I consider this a 4 star!