Housewife Blues and Chihuahua Stories

Not the best nor the worst beginning to a rocker series but at times felt disjointed when focus shifted from one plot point to another. It would have been more cohesive for me if the story line would have stayed focused on one or two things rather than 4 or 5.

Did enjoy watching Deacon and Harper fall in love, while they were a little too quick to resolve their spat the HEA was well deserved for the two.

The rest of the band members stories however am sure will be filled with more drama and turmoil but still probably entertaining none the less.

Book Info
Kindle Edition, 348 pages
EXPECTED publication: April 28th 2015 by Harlequin Teen
ASIN B00OYBW46O
series Talon #2
other editions (7)
Source:Netgalley EARC

Book Buy Links
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BOOK SYNOPSIS

Ember Hill left the dragon organization Talon to take her chances with rebel dragon Cobalt and his crew of rogues. But Ember can't forget the sacrifice made for her by the human boy who could have killed her—Garret Xavier Sebastian, a soldier of the dragon slaying Order of St. George, the boy who saved her from a Talon assassin, knowing that by doing so, he'd signed his own death warrant.

Determined to save Garret from execution, Ember must convince Cobalt to help her break into the Order's headquarters. With assassins after them and Ember's own brother helping Talon with the hunt, the rogues find an unexpected ally in Garret and a new perspective on the underground battle between Talon and St. George.

A reckoning is brewing and the secrets hidden by both sides are shocking and deadly. Soon Ember must decide: Should she retreat to fight another day…or start an all-out war?

My Thoughts

After reading and totally enjoying Talon book 1 in the Talon series it was with great anticipation as well as great joy to be approved to read a ARC copy of book 2 Rogue provided by the publisher via Netgalley before getting a chance to buy my own Hardback copy when it releases in stores.

My anticipation was rewarded as the book allowed readers a chance not only to learn more about how Riley came about his mission to liberate other Dragons from the clutches of Talon, including Ember, but it touched upon the relationship issues between Ember, Garrett and Riley as well.

The suicide mission to rescue Garrett from being Executed from The Order of St. George was just the tip of the iceberg that started a chain of events that reveal to all three of our intrepid leading characters just how dangerous it really is to stand against Talon and The Order. A danger that is only going to grow as secrets come to light that will stun both Riley and Garrett at just how much deeper the corruption runs between the leading members of the sworn enemies of human dragon slayers and the very dragons they hunt.

As the story is told from alternating points of view we get first hand looks into the characters emotions as they occur from chapter to chapter, this is especially helpful when it comes to figuring out the motivation for some actions that otherwise would not be clear to the reader.

There is a lot of action that involves not only physical prowess on the part of Garrett, Ember and Riley but mental acuity as well. It is interesting to see how some of what takes place is almost predictable and than at the last minute unexpectedly things twist in a different way than what the reader was hoping for.

To be honest there is no way can really encapsulate exactly what goes on without spoiling the story lines, there are plot points that are too delicate to break down without telling the reader too much information.

Suffice to say that if you are a fan of dragon shifters, a fan of Young Adult genre, not afraid of scenes that are at times violent and love characters who grow before your eyes than this is a sure bet you will enjoy reading this book as much as I did.

Now is only book three were not so far away!

[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]

Book Info
Paperback, 294 pages
Published August 23rd 2014 by CreateSpace
ISBN 1500471534 (ISBN13: 9781500471538)
edition language English
other editions None found
Source:

Book Buy Links
AMAZON
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BOOK SYNOPSIS

In 1944 Denver, twenty-six year-old Franklin Powell is doing what he does best, helping clients with his psychic gift. Then his brother causes the past to come crashing into the present and a memory Frank has kept buried since the age of six surfaces. Now his life is in an uproar. He must prove that what he remembers is true or his mother may spend the rest of her life in prison. But even if he succeeds, it appears there is a powerful someone behind the scenes who could care less if she is innocent. Why? Because of a seething hatred for Frank. To make matters worse, the woman he loves needs his help with a serious problem of her own—a problem that could get him killed. Frank can’t let that stop him. He dives right in and while his psychic gift doesn’t seem to be doing him any favors, it’s a good thing that a couple of newly-acquired ghosts appear to be on his side.

My Thoughts

Frank Powell as a character is smart, articulate, loves playing piano to relax, has a kind heart and is either cursed or blessed with his psychic gift depending on how you look at it. Some days actually think he is more cursed with the things he knows as they are painful for him as well as those around him.

Having previously read and enjoyed The Secret Of Lucianne Dove, also written by Roberta Smith, back in late 2011 it sounded like this would interest me as it actually explains how the character in the Mickey McCoy series came about as well as the source of his “sixth sense”.

Once started reading the settings, the mysteries, the romance angles and the suspense kept me from wanting to stop. The combination of some good old fashioned leg work on Frank’s part while he is trying to prove his mother innocent of the crime for which she was accused with his ability to ”see things” either as they happen or happened in the past make for a winning melding of talents.

As we further explore the angles that are used to weave several plots together it becomes apparent that there is much more going on than Frank realizes. The past and the present collide in this book and when they do the reader is in for a few big surprises right along with Frank, surprises that change pretty much his whole perspective on his life.

There is one main aspect of this story that have not touched upon and that is the supernatural, it was not over the top but instead handled forthrightly in a way that made it very believable not only to Frank but the reader as well.

This book was very character driven, which works perfectly for me, with short bursts of action that added to it’s intensity and increased the pace enough to keep one interested to see what happened next but more importantly why things were happening in the first place.

The entire time I was thinking oh what a tangled web was woven in the pages of this book, it was at times mind blowing until it all came together at the end and made everything perfectly clear to the reader.

Book Info
Kindle Edition, 384 pages
Expected publication: May 1st 2015 by HQN Books (first published April 28th 2015)
ASIN B00P5SOQ0C
edition language English
series The Cabot Sisters #3
other editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC

Book Buy Links
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BOOK SYNOPSIS

When a man on a mission takes on a beautiful but unlikely ally, seduction and adventure are inevitable…

The dust of the Cabot sisters' shocking plans to rescue their family from certain ruin may have settled, but Prudence Cabot is left standing in the rubble of scandal. Now regarded as an unsuitable bride, she's tainted among the ton. Yet this unwilling wallflower is ripe for her own adventure. And when an irresistibly sexy American stranger on a desperate mission enlists her help, she simply can't deny the temptation.

The fate of Roan Matheson's family depends on how quickly he can find his runaway sister and persuade her to return to her betrothed. Scouring the rustic English countryside with the sensually wicked Prudence at his side—and in his bed—he's out of his element. But once Roan has a taste of the sizzling passion that can lead to forever, he must choose between his heart's obligations and its forbidden desires.

My Thoughts

Prudence is not happy with the fallout caused by the actions of her older siblings, especially when she finds herself to be thought to not be worthy of marriage by any of her families peers. When she is shipped off to visit a family friend who has recently given birth to her first child her normal obedience slips its leash and the most level headed of the Cabot foursome follows her heart for once instead of her head.

Roan Matheson has traveled to England from New York to fetch his sister home, little did he expect to come across a young English miss who is as headstrong and willful as his younger sister. When Prudence unexpectedly meets Roan she has no idea that the handsome American will make her heart race, none before him has ever come close. With this in mind she undertakes the next leg of her journey, not with the escort that her family planned for her to travel with but instead on the coach that is to take Roan to the last known place where it might be possible to find his sister.

The coach is overcrowded with passengers so Prudence and Roan share a seat, a very tight fit which allows them plenty of time to become aware of each other as well as to exchange a bit of conversation.

As the pair find themselves stranded by a broken wheel with their fellow passengers Prudence conceives the notion to find her own way rather than waiting for another coach to come along. This proves to be the second error in judgement on her journey as it results in her and Roan being left alone.

The following days prove to be even more of an adventure than our dear Prudence ever dreamed of having, she finds herself seduced by and seducing Roan in turn. Things are all well and fine until they end up meeting a member of the nobility who runs in the same circles as her sisters, will the consequences of her actions finally become more than Prudence can bear or will love prevail? The answer may not surprise you but the solution to preventing another scandal is rather neatly executed with the minimum of fuss.

The Cabot sisters are notorious in 1800's London High Society, the "Ton" have labeled the exploits thus far of the two oldest sisters Honor and Grace as scandalous. This time the exploits of third sister Prudence prove to top their escapades in spades but the question is whether or not the adventure she and American Roan Matheson share becomes gossip or a romance that will surely live on in the hearts of readers of their alluringly provocative tale.

For me this was a wonderfully acted out story that proved that even women in the nobility sometimes had to act out of character to achieve their fondest dreams, Prudence may not have lived up to her name but in the end being prudent was not the right thing to do.

[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]

This is a story of two people who are related to each other only by the fact that Rosalie's mother had been married to Declan's father, as they are around 4 years apart they enjoyed a brief time where they were together as children as neither parent wanted them around.

Now Rosalie having been taken from her boarding school by the headmistress, because for 2 years they had kept her on even though she was finished and no longer a student, and she was brought to Declan (now the Duke of Banbury following his father's passing a few years before) as her irresponsible mother was not home and there were no other relatives upon whom she could depend.

The twists and turns along the way to what I thought was a very well deserved HEA will not only entertain you they will open your eyes once again at how hard it would be for a woman with no money and no position to live in the time period this book was placed.

Makes me glad to be living in 2015 where for the most part we have choices and options that females did not for a very long time. It is one thing to choose one's spouse and quite another to be treated like a possession which could be bartered for or bought.

Anyway off my soap box and just have to say this was exactly the kind of historical romance that enjoy no matter how close in nature to others that have read before it. Sometimes using a tried and true formula actually is the best way in which to portray a love story.

Book Info
Paperback, 368 pages
Expected publication: April 28th 2015 by K-Teen
original title Cold Burn of Magic
ISBN 1617738247 (ISBN13: 9781617738241)
edition language English
series Black Blade #1
other editions (2)
Source:Netgalley EARC

Book Buy Links
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BOOK SYNOPSIS

There Be Monsters Here. . .

It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America." Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend's pawn shop, and I have to make a call--get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn't. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I'm stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I'm going to end up just like her. .

My Thoughts

Like most readers we all have authors who we feel certain will provide us with a good product, no matter what the genre, no matter what the plot there will be interesting, entertaining and an all around good experience when you crack the pages open on something they have written.

As I grow older the list of authors may have changed a bit, as have added so many that were previously new to me or new to the world of being published, but have to say that in 2010 when found Jennifer Estep after reading Spider’s Bite that there will be a long list of work that she has written that I have read and enjoyed. So far have read Elemental Assassins series (of which there are 13 books so far as well as short stories about Gin) and all 6 books in the Mythos Academy series and am just getting more fond of her style of writing as the books come out.

The pace was steady, the characters well portrayed, the world came alive more and more the longer you read into the story. What was especially one of my favorite parts is that Lila is one of those people who considers herself to be very grounded almost to the point of being self-centered, she however finds herself unable to become involved with Devon and his Family at which point she also finds out that she is much more like her deceased mother than she ever thought she could be.

Lila’s mom was a bodyguard for those with the means to hire her, she was the one who taught Lila how to take of care of herself in a fight and also how to steal to make ends meet when jobs were few and far between. Not the upbringing one would expect of a normal childhood, but than again living in Cloudburst Falls West Virginia and possessing several magical Talents Lila is not exactly a normal young woman.

Like Gin Blanco before and Gwen Frost, Lila Weatherby is a survivor.

Cloudburst Falls West Virginia is now a make believe destination that I will be returning to. Lila is quite an interesting combination of some of my favorite female characters and the conflict she has found herself embroiled in is both unique to this story as well as very familiar at the same time. After all it is about good battling injustice and evil. Wonder who wins in the end? Have to read the book to find out!

Another shining example of a clever imagination with the ability to create characters, conflicts and villains we cannot help but want to learn more about. A great start to what I hope will be a long running series.

[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]

Book Info
Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Published April 15th 2014 by HarperTeen
original title Frozen
ASIN B00DB30K7G
series Taken #2
other editions (5)
Source:Kindle version borrowed from Public Library

Book Buy Links
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BOOK SYNOPSIS

The Heists were only the beginning.

Gray Weathersby escaped from the primitive town of Claysoot expecting to find answers, but what he discovered shook him to the core: A ruthless dictator with absolute power. An army of young soldiers blinded by lies. And a growing rebellion determined to fight back.

Now Gray has joined a team of rebels on a harsh, icy journey in search of allies who can help them set things right. But in a world built on lies, Gray must constantly question whether any ally—or enemy—is truly what they seem…

My Thoughts

Second book in Taken series picked up where first book Taken left off and did not engage me fully until it hit about a third of the way into the book.

This however was the book that sparked my interest in continuing with the next if and when get a chance to read Forged which will conclude the trilogy.

Finally have connected solidly with Gray and the others, it took the traumatic experiences that they went through in this one to really make me feel like what was happening was showing their respective characters to their best advantage. Gray especially has finally started to show signs of maturing, though he is still driven by his emotional reactions more often than not at times.

With several characters dead, an unexpected ally and a lot of luck Gray and the others find themselves now actually a part of the rebellion and on the frontline of the coming war.

It is a tossup to say the least that one does not know whether to laugh or cry when finishing this story.

I feel like the third book is one that will top the first two, at least it should with all the revelations in this one that came out and the jaw dropper twists that happen near the end really shook up the direction in which the last book will take us.

[Kindle version borrowed from Public Library]

Book Info
EBOOK, 384 pages
Published April 16th 2013 by HarperTeen
original title Taken
ISBN 0062117289 (ISBN13: 9780062117281)
edition language English
URL
series Taken #1
characters Gray Weathersby, Blaine Weathersby
other editions (12)
Source:Kindle version borrowed from Public Library

Book Buy Links
Amazon
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BOOK SYNOPSIS

There are no men in Claysoot.

There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends . . . and he's gone.

They call it the Heist.

Gray Weathersby's eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he's prepared to meet his fate—until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he's been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets, the Heist itself, and what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot—a structure that no one can cross and survive.

Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken—or risk everything on the hope of the other side?

My Thoughts

It is always a risk to read books that mix genres, this to me was a Dystopian/Futuristic/Sci-F-/Action/Adventure with mystery and suspense added to the mix to add unique twists to the plot. It worked, until it did not work any longer for me. Truly found myself taken aback when the book changed venues, it almost became a totally different story than what it started out to be at that point.

There is always a bump or two when an author creates a new series, between the massive amount of information one must be given to explain the world and it’s characters followed by the building of rapport with said characters

It had its moments and did capture me with an engaging setup, which fell flat when least expected it to. My final thought at the end was how sad that things turned out the way they seemed to be going for Emma and Gray.

In the best interests of keeping future readers from passing this by simply because it did not work out the way I wished it to do, have to also say that there is a lot going on in this tale that will keep one guessing. Unfortunately there is also a lot going on that will make you want to shake your head at how easily things seem to work out, at times almost as an afterthought rather than a direct consequence of planning.

Continuing with book 2 and hoping for the spark that I initially felt when reading this first book to return and really prove the story can live up to its full potential for me.

Do not get me wrong that did not enjoy the overall story, I did but expected to love it not just like it and that was disappointing to find as it started out so strongly.

[Kindle version borrowed from Public Library]

This was a twister that delivered the blend of charm, romance and suspense hoped for but also had an ending that made sense as it tied up a loose end in a good way.

Two strangers, a drink in the bar, one dance than mere hours together as stolen moments in time. Made me really wish for more after reading for the simple reason that even as short as it was the interlude for Mia and Tag has the possibility to become much more than only a one night stand!

Book Info
Kindle Edition
Expected publication: October 28th 2014 by Berkley
ASIN B00INIXJ36
edition language English
series The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy #3
other editions (12)
Source:Kindle version borrowed from Public Library

Book Buy Links
Amazon
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BOOK SYNOPSIS

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes a trilogy about the land we’re drawn to, the family we learn to cherish, and the people we long to love…

Book Three of The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy
Blood Magick


County Mayo is rich in the traditions of Ireland, legends that Branna O’Dwyer fully embraces in her life and in her work as the proprietor of The Dark Witch shop, which carries soaps, lotions, and candles for tourists, made with Branna’s special touch.

Branna’s strength and selflessness hold together a close circle of friends and family—along with their horses and hawks and her beloved hound. But there’s a single missing link in the chain of her life: love…

She had it once—for a moment—with Finbar Burke, but a shared future is forbidden by history and blood. Which is why Fin has spent his life traveling the world to fill the abyss left in him by Branna, focusing on work rather than passion.

Branna and Fin’s relationship offers them both comfort and torment. And though they succumb to the heat between them, there can be no promises for tomorrow. A storm of shadows threatens everything that their circle holds dear. It will be Fin’s power, loyalty, and heart that will make all the difference in an age-old battle between the bonds that hold their friends together and the evil that has haunted their families for centuries.

Don’t miss the first two books in the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy
Dark Witch
and
Shadow Spell

My Thoughts

Finding myself in need of reading something by one of my favorite authors it was a great pleasure to discover that the initial books Dark Witch and Shadow Spell were both available to read by borrowing digital copy from the public library I am a member of. As per my usual expectations the books brought to life vivid characters who were created to battle an ancient evil, one that had brought sorrow time and again to the family members as well as friends of the original Dark Witch.

In this third book Blood Magick the wheel of time has turned and the circle of power is finally strong enough to prove equal to the task of ridding the world of Cabhan, with the added benefit of finally also having the HEA that we have wanted from the beginning for Branna and Fin. The couple have been long divided because of circumstances beyond their control, now their time has come and their entwined destiny has become a reality far grander than even their imaginings when younger!

With my favorite themes of love, family and the bonds of friendship as well as magic this series gave me hours of pleasure while immersed in it.

Powerful, emotionally moving, totally in keeping with what I wanted as well as what I expected and so worth the long wait to get the book off library hold to read! I enjoyed this third book as much if not more than the first two combined for the simple reason that the story for Branna and Fin was a very long time coming and the buildup was done excellent justice with the actual execution.

[Kindle version borrowed from Public Library]

Good balance between character and world building, this promises to be a very cool paranormal fantasy with the right blend of romance with action and suspense adding to the enjoyment. Not only was Fay a very powerful user of magic but her down to earth approach to life was refreshing change from angsty heroines.

This was exactly to my satisfaction from start to finish. The fact that 3 characters were all granted second chances was nothing short of wonderful but the journey they traveled on the way was awesome to follow along with as it transpired. Since the series is available will borrow rest from my library as have the chance to read them.

Looking forward to Sebastien's tale in particular!

Book Info
EBOOK, 294 pages
Published May 4th 2010 by Katherine Tegen Books (first published 2010)
original title Lies
ISBN 0062001477 (ISBN13: 9780062001474)
edition language English
series Gone #3
characters Sam Temple, Astrid Ellison, Caine Soren
setting Perdido Beach, California(United States) California(United States)
literary awards Voya Perfect Ten (2010)
other editions (26)
Source:Kindle version borrowed from Public Library

Book Buy Links
Amazon
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BOOK SYNOPSIS

It's been seven months since all the adults disappeared. Gone. It happens in one night: a girl who died now walks among the living; Zil and the Human Crew set fire to Perdido Beach; and amid the flames and smoke, Sam sees the figure of the boy he fears the most: Drake. But Drake is dead—or so they thought.

Perdido Beach burns and battles rage: Astrid against the Town Council; the Human Crew versus the mutants; and Sam against Drake, who is back from the dead and ready to finish where he and Sam left off. They say that death is a way to escape the FAYZ, but are the kids of Perdido Beach desperate enough to believe that death will set them free?

My Thoughts

You would think that a world without adults would be a true test of survival skills, in the case of Perdido Beach the true test after 7 months turns out to be surviving the fears of prejudice against those unlike yourself. The town has turned into a powder keg waiting to blow, a group of the children who are normal decide that those with powers should be ousted from Perdido Beach either dead or alive.

This and the multitude of other concerns that bombard Sam on a daily basis become too overwhelming, especially since Astrid and her Town Council have tied his hands as far as stopping Zil and his Human Crew.

What happens next is horrifying, vividly described in clear detail, over-the-top realistic and also very much what one would think could occur when emotions overrule all other considerations.

I thought that this third book was the most exciting, the most intense and the most visceral of the series so far. Am very much anxious to continue as soon as my next hold is available to borrow book 4 Plague.

[Kindle version borrowed from Public Library]

Book Info
EBOOK, 348 pages
Published July 3rd 2012 by Penguin Group (USA)(first published July 1st 2012)
ISBN 1101587040 (ISBN13: 9781101587041)
edition language English
series Alex Craft #3
characters Alex Craft, Falin Andrews, Death
setting Nekros City(United States)
other editions (16)
Source:Kindle version borrowed from Public Library

Book Buy Links
Amazon
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BOOK SYNOPSIS

When the dead need to talk, Alex Craft is always ready to listen...
As a Grave Witch, Alex solves murders by raising the dead--an ability that comes at a cost, and after her last few cases, that cost is compounding. But her magic isn't the only thing causing havoc in her life. While she's always been on friendly terms with Death himself, things have recently become a whole lot more close and personal. Then there's her sometime partner, agent Falin Andrews, who is under the glamour of the Winter Queen. To top everything off, her best friend has been forever changed by her time spent captive in Faerie.

But the personal takes a backseat to the professional when a string of suicides occur in Nekros City and Alex is hired to investigate. The shades have no memory of the days leading up to their brutal endings, so despite the very public apparent suicides, this is murder. But what kind of magic can overcome the human will to survive? And why do the shades lack the memory of their deaths? Searching for the answer might mean Alex won't have a life to remember at all...

My Thoughts

Alex Craft was a nice find in 2010, cannot believe this book released almost 3 years ago and the next one is out this summer of 2015

One thing comes to mind when thinking about this particular book, it is very much action driven. At times it is non-stop and neither the reader or Alex have a chance to catch their collective breath, loved it that way as it gave me plenty to process when set the book aside and before starting back up made me that much more anticipatory of what trouble Alex would manage to land herself in next.

From almost dying multiple times throughout the book to finally getting the chance to take things to a more personal level with Death there is never a dull moment for Alex. To top it off the investigation she finds herself involved in becomes much more than just looking into suicides, it pits Alex against an evil entity the likes of which she has not yet encounters and one that not only puts her at risk but manages to threaten the well being of one of her best friends.

Than when things seem like they cannot get any worse they do, of all the outcomes that Alex had envisioned when she started her quest to solve what turns out to be multiple murders things did not go as planned to say the least.

From the action, to the suspense, to the romance and at the end the ultimate surprise cliffhanger ending this was a great addition to what is still one of my favorite series. One that I really need to follow up with when next book releases in late summer of 2015, things are totally whacked out weird more than normal for Alex and not in a good way either so book 4 should really be even more intense than the first three were!

My love for the series is as fresh now as years ago when discovered it and hope to get a chance to follow it for years to come.

[Kindle version borrowed from Public Library]

Book Info
ebook, 368 pages
PUBLISHED October 7th 2014 by Penguin (first published 2014)
original title The Young Elites
ISBN 0698171721 (ISBN13: 9780698171725)
edition language English
series The Young Elites #1
characters Adelina Amouteru, Enzo Valenciano, Teren Santoro
SETTING Kenettra
literary awards YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (Top Ten)(2015)
other editions (13)
Source:Kindle version borrowed from Public Library

Book Buy Links
Amazon
B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

My Thoughts

When it was announced that this series was being written immediately this book went on my wish list, when found out quite by accident that my public library had it available to read the digital version it almost jumped on my kindle all by itself. I was so stoked to get a chance to finally delve into what sounded like a cross between a character who was insanely gifted with power married to a darkness inside her that overshadowed her ability to overcome her need for revenge or her ruthless ambition to become ever more powerful.

Adeline make no mistake is not a hero, she is actually an anti-hero that cannot help herself from lashing out when she feels wronged or threatened.

This world is brutal, it is beautiful, it is cruelly seductive and it’s characters are very charismatic as well as for the most part very well fleshed out.

There are some unexpected twists that come to light near the end, a few times where it is hard to tell the good guy from the bad ones and never a dull moment in between!

To say this was a good book would be the understatement of a lifetime, beyond merely good it was fantastic!

[Kindle version borrowed from Public Library]