World After by Susan Ee

World After by Susan Ee
My rating: 5 of 5 genies
Published: November 19, 2013
Genre: Paranormal, YA, Apocalyptic, Romance, Dystopian
Publisher: Skyscape
Source: Purchased
Pages: 438
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Amazon.com or The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

My Review

There are no words for this book. The funny thing is that I went in expecting nothing but perfection. Ee floored me with Angelfall and I just couldn't conceive of a world where the book following such excellence was lacking in any way. I needed World After to be as good, if not better than Angelfall. Spoiler Alert: It was.



The curse of the second is pretty much something I implicate when going into sequels, simply said, they tend to be less enthralling than their predecessors. But the curse? It didn't exist for this book. Ee is an author after my own heart, this is why her books are my kryptonite, I feel like she writes for me. So thank-you for this, Ee, it was superb.

World After follows the events of Angelfall and Penryn is slowly recovering from the scorpion sting that left her paralysed. She's with her family, Paige is finally returned, but the experimentations done on her have altered Penryn's baby sister in ways that go much deeper than the physical. Her pain was palpable, and finding the sister she lost in the "Low Demon" now in her stead was a struggle for Penryn. Her mother, craziness aside, latches onto her daughter and encourages Penryn to look in Paige's eyes because those haven't changed; she is the same sister and daughter they know and lost. Surprisingly, Penryn has difficulty with this, and if things aren't hard enough, they still don't know what to feed Paige. It isn't until one incident at their base refugee camp that the gory answer is arrived at.

Paige needs meat. Raw meat, most readily available in human beings. There is an uproar, and the rest of the survivors try to capture her and she flees the camp, leaving Penryn and her mother to find Paige yet again. Clara, an unexpected survivor who Penryn saves from being sucked dry by the scorpions/"locusts" comes along for the ride, and together they embark on the quest to save Paige from the unpredictable angels, herself, and from hurting anyone else.


Yeah, not so much.

I was taken rapture, by the incredible storytelling and the characters brimming with anguish and determination to survive. I think more than anything, this series is a chronicle of survival and persistence even at the worst of times.

Penryn grew, into the kind of Heroine one cannot forget about simply by closing the book. She stays with you, making you question her actions as well as what you might do in her place. If your world was turned upside down, the man you loved apart from you, and your family ravaged...what would you do? I'd hope I would act as Penryn did and kick some serious ass! Can I get a "what-what" for her skills with Pookie Bear!?



I was very pleased, and excited that more of Raffe's past was revealed through his sword and also that some insight as to what Paige went through was provided. I think I would have hated it if her whole experience with the angels was glossed over, and Ee gave just enough detail about her abduction that satisfied but did not completely satiate my curiosity. As always, I am hungry for more and the next book is something I absolutely must have.

World After was full of action and entertained me to the very end. Much is revealed about the Angels as well as their purpose on Earth. Uriah's motives are despicable, but then again was any less expected? Things are more complicated than they appear and I am glad there will be 5 books to unravel the mystery of this new world and its many conspiracies.

Did I mention, I am hella pleased to have more Raffe and Penryn coming my way? I NEED this two to happen, damnation aside. Their chemistry is crackling and my tummy warmed at their reunion. I'm shipping this so hard, it hurts. Raffe did not disappoint me and the fact that he recognized Penryn right away made the romantic in me swoon for days! I'm in love. World After is the kind of book that satisfies and I am so happy.



This book was everything I needed it to be, the perfect sequel with an ending that makes me ever loyal to Ee and this series. So beautifully written...All I want is the next book!

5 FLAMING GENIES!

Endless Knight by Kresley Cole

Endless Knight by Kresley Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 genies
Published: October 1, 2013
Genre: Mature YA, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Purchased
Pages: 336
Format: Hardback
Purchase At: Amazon.com or The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary

Shocking secrets.
Evie has fully come into her powers as the Tarot Empress, and Jack was there to see it all. She now knows that the teens who’ve been reincarnated as the Tarot are in the throes of an epic battle. It’s kill or be killed, and the future of mankind hangs in the balance.

Unexpected allies.
With threats lurking around every corner, Evie is forced to trust her newfound alliance. Together they must fight not only other Arcana, but also Bagmen zombies, post-apocalyptic storms, and cannibals.

Gut-wrenching treachery.
When Evie meets Death, things get even more complicated. Though falling for Jack, she’s drawn to the dangerous Endless Knight as well. Somehow the Empress and Death share a history, one that Evie can’t remember—but Death can’t forget…

In this seductive follow-up to Poison Princess, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole takes us deeper into the dark world of the Arcana Chronicles.

My Review

Death.

Never before has Death looked so good. I give props to Kresley Cole; she wrote this character in such a way that completely changed my mind about the Reaper.

From what I recall of Poison Princess he didn't feature that much in the story, save a few threatening inner monologues between himself and Evie, and the odd flashback here and there. Going into Endless Knight, Death was not my preoccupation, Jack was. The Cajun stole my heart during the first book, and while I still hold a tender place for him, Death shares more of my affections. I'll break the book down into sections and better explain what I loved:

Setting: This was perfect! Throughout the book, the group journeys through the wasteland in search of Evie's grandmother, also avoiding the other Arcana and Bagmen following closely on their tail. Firstly, Endless Knight picks up from where the previous book left off with Evie just having done away with the Alchemist and Jack standing there shocked beyond belief. There is desolation everywhere and from the imagery of blood splattered on the woodwork, dripping from Evie's talons, you get a sense that this world is far from ordinary. Other books I have read in the genre cannot compare to Cole's gorgeous and thrilling world of the A.F. I loved everything.

This is a world that I immersed myself in, picking up the book and not stopping until it was finished. I couldn't get enough of their terrifying circumstances and the world post Apocalypse is so very perfectly written and conveyed.

Plot: I couldn't believe how engaging this story was; I never saw anything coming, save a guess on rare occasions, and even then there was more to the revelations than I could have assumed. Impressed is probably the only way to describe how I feel about Endless Knight. It thoroughly impressed me, and this is a sequel done well. I never felt like putting it down, the writing flowed and a consistent peppering of adventure ensured that I never grew bored or tired.

Cole does dance a fine line between YA and Adult with some of the more mature scenes involving Evie and Death, even the cave scene with Jack seemed more risque than the average young adult book. For this, I have to suggest the book for older readers in the 17+ or 18 and above age range. The scenes are steamy and my contention is that Evie doesn't seem like a 16 year old in all of them. I am not complaining, yet simply noting that if a book is written for a particular age group, it should stick to content appropriate for that audience. Mainly, it would have been more consistent with Evie's character had she acted her age.

Then again, I suppose it isn't every day that the world ends and maybe those scenes are proof that she needed to grow up quickly? It depends. I loved this book either way, but that was me giving younger readers a heads-up.

Characters: Not going to lie, Jack got on my nerves a little at the beginning, he blamed Evie for keeping her powers a secret and had little hissy fits earlier on. Needless to say this was annoying, especially in light of what is later revealed about him and Evie's mom; his emphasis on truth is hypocritical in retrospect.

He would distance himself from the group and be all broody, but later when things worked themselves out and he accepted the truth of the Arcana I loved me some Cajun! I was all vouching for him to get Evie away from Death, sure he was trouble, until I met him.

Officially, I've jumped ships. A little. My feet are kind of half in one boat and halfway on the deck of another.

Death was trouble, make no mistake, but I can't for one second figure out a better reason to be bad than for him. He's a lesson in proper character development, and as I got to know Death better, I respected his character more. He isn't good, what he does at the end keeps him firmly from being that, but I have trouble detesting his character. In a weird way, this is pleasing. I like characters with shades of grey and because of their shared past he seems perfect for Evie; I want them to be endgame.

And Evie, she was the leader I needed her to be. Initiating the treaty with the other Arcana and also defying death, she was fierce and is coming gradually into her own. It is no secret that I've liked her from day one, she is relatable and someone I do not mind rooting for. I'm glad Cole kept her as the girl I fell in love with in the beginning. You get a good idea of what there is to lose, also how things hang in the balance, and as more characters like Lark and Ogen are introduced, other dynamic Arcana included, one thing is for certain: it is anybody's game to win.



The ending left me thrilled and equal parts worried. What will happen to Evie...and Jack? I wanted to slap Death and cheer simultaneously because he took control of his life and went about getting the girl he wanted, but I disagree with his method. The way I see it, he's going after what he wants, but her indecision aside, I wish he'd waited for Evie to resolve her feelings; it would have made him the better man.

*Sigh*

And then I remember, he's Death, and will probably never be the "better man" in that sense. I just hope his ultimatum doesn't ruin things for him and Evie's relationship. Cole did it again; I need her next book AASAP: Already As Soon As Possible!

5/5 genies

Very Bad Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Very Bad Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills
My rating: 2.5 of 5 genies
Published: September 9, 2013
Genre: NA, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Little Dove Publishing
Source: Purchased
Pages: 389
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Amazon.com

Goodreads Summary

Born into a life of privilege and secrets, Nora Blakely has everything any nineteen-year-old girl could desire. She’s an accomplished pianist, a Texas beauty queen, and on her way to Princeton after high school. She’s perfect…

Leaving behind her million-dollar mansion and Jimmy Choos, she becomes a girl hell-bent on pushing the limits with alcohol, drugs, and meaningless sex.

Then she meets her soulmate. But he doesn’t want her.

When it comes to girls, twenty-five-year-old Leo Tate has one rule: never fall in love. His gym and his brother are all he cares about...until he meets Nora. He resists the pull of their attraction, hung up on their six year age difference.

As they struggle to stay away from each other, secrets will be revealed, tempers will flare, and hearts will be broken.

Welcome to Briarcrest Academy…where sometimes, the best things in life are Very Bad Things.

My Review

Going into Very Bad Things I had somewhat high hopes, and giving the high rating it has on Goodreads, I figured I would not be disappointed. Sadly, I was. Really, this book in its entirety wasn't what the first few chapters promised it would be. The characters kind of unraveled mid-way and became unlikable as they made a habit of acting out of character. A lot of the indecision between Nora and Leo drove me crazy. Also, the cheesiness! Let me explain:

Nora crap, I forgot her name for a second there Blakely is an almost all too forgettable character and this is not good, particularly not for a female lead. She goes through a lot, ignored by both her parents and forced to meet unrealistic expectations of perfection set by a demoness of a mother. Nora has a past that is heart-wrenching, and after years spent trying to make up for what her mother makes her believe is her fault, she snaps.

At the opening house for her school, Briarcrest Academy, where she is asked to speak, Nora tells the faculty and all its visitors to go f**k themselves. Yes, I know what you are thinking, and I agree: this address would definitely make me enroll my children in the school! Look at the speech training offered to its students, truly this is a spectacular institution.

I kid.

Jokes aside, this little act of rebellion is exactly the wake-up call Nora needs to shake her life up and she realizes that the time has come for her to take back control. So she makes a list. Comprised of Very Bad Things, this list is designed to rid Nora of the label of "perfect" she has been branded with for so long.

The plan is brilliant, really, and the first act of licentious behaviour on the list happens to be vandalism of the newly purchased building across the street from her aunt's bakery which the owner intends to reconstruct as a gym. No, she does not vandalise the building, that would be silly. No, Nora goes for the money and takes down the Escalade parked outside.



Brighter ideas have never been had.

Basically, she wants to turn the luxury vehicle into something reminiscent of a preschool bus, and for the most part she succeeds. Until she's interrupted by Leo, the owner of said gym and Escalade. Long story short, he's pissed and mad as hell that Nora has vandalised his car. He remembers her from the open house, because uttering such kindly words as Nora did makes one hard to forget.

Not to mention, he is attracted to her because the doctrine of Instalove dictates that the two have a "moment" following her address. He notices her, she notices him, it's meant to be except he's like 6 or 7 years older than she is and prison is no joke. He knows the outburst from the open house can't be normal and realizes that Nora is fighting some serious demons. The book is basically about Nora coming to terms with her past and forging a new future of her choosing as well as her and Leo fighting their strong pull to one another, and yet failing woefully.

Now, I really liked this book for its prologue and first chapter, those are what convinced me to buy Very Bad Things. However, as the story progresses, it becomes evident that not only is there not much of a plot, but the characters lose their appeal the more time a reader spends with them. For instance, I enjoyed Leo at the beginning, he was sweet-ish and very attractive. By the end? I was done with his "f***" this and "f***" speech, and the ever-present indecision with Nora.

Call me old-fashioned, but I do not understand sleeping with someone you do not have feelings for. What point is there in that, and what happens after you're finished? I'd be mortified. People act like sex is nothing and if you aren't giving it up, then you're a repressed prude who is uncomfortable with their sexuality. Are these really the only explanations available? I digress, but this is inaccurate.

If Leo didn't think Nora was sleeping with his brother, then it was with some other guy. It was like she had to be getting physically intimate with someone and this drove me insane! It made me think he thought extremely little of her, one, and secondly, that he was insecure to the point that he was projecting his own promiscuity onto her. I don't know why this was done the way it was, but I fell out of love with him; insecure guys are a turn-off and Leo was surely that with a good measure of instability to boot. I didn't find it all too romantic that he and Nora would share kisses and talk dirty, only for him to pull back and be like "Girl, I ain't ready for no relationship." The hell?! It was ridiculous.

I felt for her and what she'd been through, thank God Finn was dealt with at the end, but I couldn't decipher who Nora was as a person. Was she insecure, spunky, troubled, confident, innocent, or a sex vixen? It seemed that the author was trying to make her into all these things at once and the conflict was evident.

I liked Sebastian, he was the saving grace in all this and his humor kept me going. I didn't like Leo so much because he did stupid things and his getup as the typical bad boy (tats, dirty mouth and "heart of gold") didn't endear me to him in any way. Sex does not equate love, and I felt that when it came down to it, Nora and Leo shared a lot of physical attraction. I'm just not convinced that a majority of it was emotional; she loved him because she felt like it was right and he the same. They didn't know each other and I think the fight to keep from jumping into bed was what the story focused mostly on.

It was cheesy in some parts, primarily in the middle where talk of Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet and other cliches abound. I wasn't feeling it. Especially since there was little need for the dramatics. I'm leaning more towards 2.5 on this; the lack of plot and proper character construction noticeably suffered the read and while some might enjoy Very Bad Things, I couldn't like it as much as I'd hoped. I kept reading, hoping for more to come of it, but the story does not offer much by way of strong characters nor well-written plot. I finished it, but I would not read Very Bad Things again.

2.5/5 Genies

Review: It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist

It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist
My rating: 3.5 of 5 genies
Published: April 9, 2013
Series: It Happened at the Fair #1
Genre: Historical, Christian Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Howard Books
Source: Purchased
Pages: 418
Format: Paperback
Purchase At: Amazon.com or The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary

A transporting historical novel about a promising young inventor, his struggle with loss, and the attractive teacher who changes his life, all set against the razzle-dazzle of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

Gambling everything, including the family farm, Cullen McNamara travels to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with his most recent invention. But the noise in the Fair’s Machinery Palace makes it impossible to communicate with potential buyers. In an act of desperation, he hires Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip-reading.


The young teacher is reluctant to participate, and Cullen has trouble keeping his mind on his lessons while intently watching her lips. Like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, he is caught in a whirl between his girl back home, his dreams as an inventor, and his unexpected attraction to his new tutor. Can he keep his feet on the ground, or will he be carried away?

My Thoughts

I enjoyed reading It Happened At the Fair, but it isn't my best book by this author. Deeanne Gist gave me A Bride Most Begrudging, Maid to Match and A Bride in the Bargain, all of which are Historical Christian Fiction guilty pleasures of mine. I love her books because Gist knows how to write Christian romance provocatively without losing that faith aspect. At the Fair leaves me conflicted because it didn't hold as strong a faith value as her previous works.

Both Cullen and Della pray, Della even sings "Jesus Loves Me" when she gets nervous in confined spaces, but I couldn't connect with their brief instances of faith. I could not help thinking that they held a faith similar to that of many Americans at the time, people who didn't mind enslaving others and doing away with the rights of said people. They worried about propriety like any other individuals living then, but there was no sense of God really being there, and not much besides good character set them apart.

More things were overt and focussed on, like the Fair and it's beauty. Gist did a remarkable job bringing this piece of time to life and wrote splendidly of what the World's Fair had once been like. The exhibits, bustle and sights were exploding out of the pages. Still, Cullen and Della might as well have been figures in a Historical setting. It was a Historical novel by a well known Christian author, the book itself not necessarily being Christian.

That aside, I liked At the Fair. It was funny and smart, a novel to happily pass the time with. I wasn't a fan of the main conflict in the story, Cullen is engaged to marry a childhood sweetheart when he encounters Della at the fair. He had left the farm to sell his automatic sprinklers, striking out, but with his hearing slowly receding it doesn't take long before the suggestion is given that Cullen take lip-reading classes. Della is a teacher at the School for Deaf Children and the person Cullen beseeches to teach him lip-reading. They've met before, he having saved her life before, but it takes some convincing, Cullen agreeing to act as tour guide for Della, before she agrees to the lessons. There is chemistry between the two, but with Cullen keeping his distance due to his engagement, their affection wasn't as open as that of most couples. It was more like mutual attraction, and a very nice shirtless scene, before Della fall in love and then Cullen.

There is the matter of Wanda, Cullen's betrothed, but a confrontation eventually leads to a satisfying end. At first it was odd seeing Cullen go from displaying limited affection to full-blown gestures, kisses and all. In retrospect I do think this showed the extent to which he withheld himself out of respect for both Wanda and Della. He is an upstanding man with great character and a mind for innovation. There is opposition and a lot that he has to overcome, but Cullen handles it excellently. The way he doesn't engage with instigators like Bulenberg made me respect him.

Della didn't feel as real to me as Cullen, her real name is Adelaide and I spent some time figuring out where "Della" came from, but she is not a bad character. I think she could have been developed more, but by far not a bad job on Gist's part.

The story was good and complete with an interesting look into the spectacular World's Fair that made this a unique book for me. Still, it was more Historical fiction than anything else and I would have liked stronger characters with greater faith value.

3.5/5 genies: It Happened at the Fair is a great Historical look at the World's Fair, captured beautifully by a talented author. 

Review: Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins
My rating: 3.5 of 5 genies
Published: April 30, 2013
Series: N/A
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal/Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Purchased
Pages: 371
Format: Paperback
Purchase At: Amazon.com or The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

My Review

This book could have been better. I say this because Sweet Evil was the book that I pimped everywhere. I can't say that I will be doing the same with Sweet Peril because Wendy Higgin's second instalment wasn't as strong as her debut.

Sweet Peril takes off where its predecessor left and we're back with Anna and her daily Nephlim grind. She's got to work to keep her dad off of the other Duke's radar, turning the human population towards alcohol and drugs, but her heart isn't in it. Partly because she's half angel, and also because Anna's predominantly occupied with thoughts of Kaidan, missing him. They are still trying to take down the Dukes and gather allies, but it felt like all that really mattered was how much Anna missed "Kai." The fate of the world rests in her hands, and all Anna really wanted to do was see the boy.

To be fair, she does take the responsibility of saving Neph and Humankind seriously, but the teen swoony romance could have been dialled down. They are in love, I get that, but it felt like their romance dominated most of the book. I was looking forward to reading more of Kaidan and Anna, but with the way it was handled in Sweet Peril, I began to tire of their romance. It was like her life basically revolved around him, and one can only read about how smouldering a guy is before it gets to be enough. There are issues with Kopano, as can be expected, as well as an interesting revelation that has to do with Neph and their badges, but in all honesty Sweet Peril had more to do with Kaidan and Anna not being together than anything else.

I expected more substance, and even though we meet more of the other Neph, discovering additional information in regards to the prophecy, I wasn't as enamoured this time around. The series is still fantastic, I love you Wendy, but I'm hoping that Sweet Reckoning will more than make up for where this book fell short.

3.5/5 genies: Sweet Peril is compelling, and while it picks up nicely from where the former left off, this book fails to deliver as emotional an impact as the first.

Review: Addicted to You by Becca & Krista Ritchie

Addicted to You by Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie
My rating: 4.5 of 5 genies
Published: July 1, 2013
Series: Addicted #1
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: K.B. Ritchie
Source: Purchased
Pages: 324
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Amazon.com

Goodreads Summary

No one would suspect shy Lily Calloway’s biggest secret. While everyone is dancing at college bars, Lily stays in the bathroom. To get laid. Her compulsion leads her to one-night stands, steamy hookups and events she shamefully regrets. The only person who knows her secret happens to have one of his own.

Loren Hale’s best friend is his bottle of bourbon. Lily comes at a close second. For three years, they’ve pretended to be in a real relationship, hiding their addictions from their families. They’ve mastered the art of concealing flasks and random guys that filter in and out of their apartment.

But when they go on a family boat trip, surrounded by open seas and limited male bodies in sight, Lily’s confronted with a big fear. Only one guy onboard can fill her addiction, and she’s sworn off going there with Loren Hale ever again.

Now the only person who can truly help her can barely help himself.

**This is a New Adult book recommended for readers 18 and up**

The Review

I struggled with this book. The themes are hard to deal with, and the conflicts Lily and Loren are engaged in made me ache for them. They went through so much! I think what challenged me most with this read was that it really brought to question the topic of addiction and how quickly it is a dismissed/tabooed subject in society. We don't want to deal with people with problems like Lo or Lily because they're difficult, messy situations we would all rather stay out of. You think "addiction" and immediately some idea of what it means to suffer from an uncontrollable compulsion comes to mind, whether it be hoarding, drinking or some other kind of addiction. We think we know, but really no one knows where the shoe pinches except those wearing the Prada.


True that!

Addicted to You is an example of why all books in the New Adult genre are not just about sex. Sure, Lily is a sex addict and to be honest her problem was frightening. The way her compulsion led her to seek out sexual partners constantly, making due when none was available, ran my blood cold. She's so controlled by this need to fulfil herself sexually that it truly does interfere with any chance of her having a normal life. At one point, her life even stands in jeopardy. The seriousness of the issue was never undermined and I really do give props to the Ritchie sisters for bringing the gravity of her circumstance so beautifully across. It was a hard subject handled well.


To you, ladies.

On to the Serious.

I'm not going to lie, there is a level of graphic content to the novel, topics such as self love and pornography are repeatedly engaged and the sexual relationship with Loren and Lily is detailed, adding context but still considerably explicit. Sexual addiction has many facets and I felt that they were adequately addressed here. When things got graphic I had to sit back, breathe, before getting back to the read. It wasn't an easy journey with this book; it asks commitment from the reader, that they engage and feel the torment Lily does when she's through sleeping with a stranger, the shame of knowing she couldn't control her body's ever present need and will probably fall prey to the same urges in future. Things like that really punched me in the gut, and then there was Loren.


Oddly, this is fitting.

Believe me when I say that this guy gets beat around a ton, and then some. He's not harmed by people necessarily, but instead by shocking occurrences which serve to pummel him somewhat into asphalt. Lo has an addiction too; he's an alcoholic and between himself and Lily they have everyone fooled into thinking they're a couple.They are hiding their addictions with this big lie and up until a quarter or so into the book, it's just routine faking their relationship while indulging in forbidden pleasures. They have a system and everything works because Lo and Lily have been friends forever. As can be expected, the addictions get in the way of them having normal social interactions and they are isolated, so much so they are the other's best and only friend.

You would think that because of this connection and past that they would be capable of putting aside their selfish desires in order to get help for the other, but this is not the case and even their affection and concern can't compare to the pull of their fixations.

For all intensive purposes, they fit. Or at least they should, but their respective compulsions get in the way, making their try at a real relationship near pointless. Each cares more about protecting themselves, keeping from being exposed before their families, and sticking still to destructive lifestyles that it is impossible to believe they truly love one another completely. I think they share a love, but the kind shown in Addicted to You is not yet strong enough to withstand the strain of their addictions. They have a lot to get past and work through, and I suppose when you've been doing things the way they have for so long, the road to recovery is indeed a long stretch.

In Conclusion

This book showed how thoroughly an addiction can not only infiltrate, but also destroy lives. The realistic way that it is depicted here leaves no doubt in mind how devastating and far reaching the affects of being an alcoholic or nymphomaniac are. It was never just Loren's issue or Lily's, because Lily's "issue" got in the way of her relationship with everyone around her. She distanced from family and endures such deep self-loathing that anyone with eyes can see she isn't happy. Loren too, his alcohol dependency so interferes in his school life that all semblance of order is stripped away as he fails his way through classes, earning disappointment and disdain from his father and drowning the pain in booze. All in all the effects are far-reaching and I'm glad that the authors made me aware of the struggle, I had no idea how challenging it can be to go through an ordeal like Lily's or Loren's, let alone be the person afflicted.

Addicted to You gave me an intense glimpse into the mind of complex, tortured characters that simply grew on me and stuck to the end. I'm a fan of these writers because of their execution in this novel as well as mature handling of very sensitive and real ordeals. You will like Addicted to You because it has purpose and will make you cry as you smile your way through to a satisfying ending, I did.

4.5/5 genies: The Ritchie girls are phenomenal; I could not be any more satisfied with this book. It goes to dark places and still manages to end with an emotional punch that literally strikes my heart in two. This book is fantastic, and a new favourite of mine, Addicted to You exceeds! 

Review: Saved By The Music by Selene Castrovilla

Saved By The Music by Selene Castrovilla
My rating: 2.5 of 5 genies
Published: May 13, 2013
Series: N/A
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Westside Books
Source: Review Copy
Pages: 280
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

Goodreads Summary
The last place fifteen-year-old Willow wants to spend her summer is on a run-down former coffee barge, which her aunt is converting into a floating concert hall. In Saved by the Music, Willow thinks she’s alone until she meets Axel, an older teen who lives isolated from the world on the sailboat docked nearby. An unlikely romance sparks as the two grapple with their darkest secrets and bond through shared pain and laughter. It is a summer where music must do more than just soothe the soul.

My Thoughts

The most unique thing about this book is its setting. The barge, or where fifteen year old Willow ends up spending the summer is cool because her aunt plans to make it a concert hall of sorts, an intimate setting for people looking to enjoy music to come together and relax, truly appreciating the music. Willow ends up getting wrapped up in the repair and restoration of the weathered boat and as she works to reconstruct it she discovers more about herself. It is also a tale of self-discovery and heart, the importance of family and how the influence of these all-important people in our lives can either help grow or break us.

Furthermore this book reminded me of just how beautiful the sea is. I thought the docks with the barge and fishermen was the right setting for Saved by the Music. It was realistic with its portrayal of wealth disparity, some parts of the docks being wealthier than others, and everyone seemed like real people with failings and insecurities of their own. The characters have multiple issues to work through and Willow escapes to the barge to avoid a particularly difficult home situation. She's the kind of character with an opinion and mouth of her own, pretty much saying what she felt and she and Axel were a good foil with him being more reserved and sombre. I liked that there is give and take in their relationship, that they both bring something to the table and neither assumes that they're perfect.

As the title suggests, Willow is eventually "Saved by the Music" and music offers reprieve to many of the book's characters, its importance in their lives made more than evident. Music transforms the barge into something beautiful and saves Willow's life, I think reading about her struggles might very well resonate with readers, and if not save their life, at least make it easier.


Saved By The Music: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

2.5/5 genies: A contemporary novel with emotion and promise, a read that could appeal to you!

Review: Sins & Needles by Karina Halle

Sins & Needles by Karina Halle
My rating: 4 of 5 genies
Published: January 25, 2013
Series: The Artists Trilogy #1
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Metal Blonde Books
Source: Purchased
Pages: 438
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Amazon.com

Goodreads Summary

Ellie Watt is used to starting over. The daughter of a grifting team, Ellie spent her childhood being used as a pawn in her parents' latest scam. Now she’s much older, wiser and ready to give her con artist life a rest. But returning to the dry desert town of Palm Valley, California means one more temptation than she bargained for – Camden McQueen. Once known as the high school weirdo, Camden is bigger and badder than the boy he used to be and a talented tattoo artist with his own thriving business. Ellie’s counting on Camden still being in love with her but what she’s not counting on is how easily unrequited love can turn into obsession over time. When Camden discovers Ellie’s plan to con him, he makes her a deal she doesn’t dare refuse, but her freedom comes with a price and it’s one that takes both Ellie and Camden down a dangerous road.


***The Artists Trilogy is a dark and sexy contemporary ride about three flawed individuals caught in a world where it's so easy to justify the bad things we do. This is a pure adult read (Not YA or NA).

This is the 1st book in the trilogy. It is followed by the novella On Every Street (released in March 2013) and the sequel Shooting Scars (released in May 2013). The third and final book in the series will also be released in 2013.***

My Thoughts

I felt like an outlaw reading this. Like I had a black bandanna wrapped around half my face or something, holster at the ready and strapped to my waist. The book provided me with this vibe and I merely sunk into it. This probably has something to do with the tiny little fact that the protagonist engages in numerous criminal activities such as fraud and theft, but that doesn't necessarily have to mean something, it could be just me.


Don't be a smart ass, Ariel.

The amazing soundtrack chosen by the author to accompany the happenings in this book also plays a huge part in creating the sense of danger and foreboding that pretty much sustains throughout the novel. In a lot of ways Sins & Needles managed to keep me at the edge of my seat, and when Ellie and Camden were on the lam I was just as tense, almost looking over my shoulder when things would escalate and they would just barely escape being caught. Of course I knew this cat and mouse chase element couldn't go on forever, reality bites and there is an ending to this story that jabs at your heart with a pair of brass knuckles and twists hard. In this way, it was a pretty stressful read.

It all starts with Ellie returning to the town she grew up in, finally being herself for a change. What I mean is that she assumes her true legal identity, but isn't about to open up to every aspect of who she was in the past. Because even though she gets to be Ellie Watt again, the woman is still wanted and on the run from some bad folks who bring to mind Spanish mafias and fatal shoot-outs. Ellie stays with her uncle, planning to at least look for work in town, and when that endeavour fails she wants to beat it like a hot cake just went bad and it's every man for himself. That is until she runs into childhood friend Camden McQueen.




Yup, Ellie and I are alike in that when Camden gets into the picture, everything else ceases to matter as much. Getting out of town, finding that job...Why would we want to leave Camden? The queer boy from their high school days is long gone, and in his place is a successful, talented gorgeous tattoo artist of a MAN. Needless to say, Ellie and I were both very pleasantly surprised.




At first glance I didn't expect much from this love interest. He's a bad boy with tats, so what? Haven't I seen them before? Well not like Camden! DANG does this walking needle have issues! He's all dark, hurt, and gloriously complicated; I couldn't get enough of him. While I'm sure the boy could make getting a tattoo seem painless and like a very worthwhile proposition, Camden comes with a lot of his own baggage. I'mma let you read the book to work through a majority of them, but the main source of conflict between him and Ellie is how she treated him when they were younger. They were buds until she ditched him for short-lasting popularity, and even though I see how she could do it, 100% harshness of the act aside, Camden hasn't been able to ever get over being ditched and humiliated.

As soon as they meet you know something is going to go down. Sure the blurb gives it away that he finds out about her ploy to con him once her attempt at getting a reasonable job goes South, but that only added to the anticipation. I sat there rocking in one spot, fidgeting like mad and waiting for him to catch her in the act. They play nice and are flirty, grabbing a few drinks and whatnot, but underneath all the pleasantries you know Ellie isn't ready to give up her habit of taking the easy way out and conning people. Also, you can't help but sense Camden will be hella pissed once she tries those old tricks on him. Waiting for it all to go down was another matter entirely, and I was a wreck.



Oy, the suspense!


You think this is it, the end of the book story wise? They quarrel, fight and make up, book done? Nope, it doesn't end there! The past Ellie tries to outrun makes a reappearance and it is pretty chilling in a finely muscled sort of way. Those friendly mafia folk catch up to her, and it all goes to hell. If I was to split it in half, then the second half of Sins & Needles definitely went by quicker than the upper half. I think this is partly because the story was laid out by then and started driving itself closer to the end. Much happens and you never really breathe until the end.

Minor Concerns:

- This is not a New Adult novel. I classify New Adult as having to do with college students in their early twenties bumping around, dealing with love/family issues while somehow trying to find their way, but Camden and Ellie are adults. Adult things happen and I wouldn't recommend younger audiences read the book due to the presence of more mature themes.

- Many people mention that Ellie sucks at being a grifter because the girl doesn't lose the stupid cell phone like any well-thinking person on the run would (or at least someone claiming to be a con artist). This is true, Halle should have done better in this aspect because the cell ruins everything. This is why we have dustbins! Beware, this could annoy you too. Also, she gets caught. You'd think that after grifting for as long as Ellie has you would pick up some level of expertise, then again if she escaped and things were honkey dorey, there wouldn't be much to read about.


In Conclusion

Other than the two points tackled above, I really liked Sins & Needles because it was everything and more than I expected going in. The characters are conflicted and each with a set of their own troubles, and the plot as well as setting provides them with the perfect layout to work through these discrepancies. There's a lot riding on the second book since this one was a bit cliffy at the end, but I'm all down for more outlaw adventures, sign me up!

4/5 genies: Sins & Needles gave me a lot more than I was expecting, and it sets the stage with a high-stakes drama that will keep readers coming back to the series for more.

Review: A Song for Julia by Charles Sheehan-Miles

A Song for Julia by Charles Sheehan-Miles
My rating: 4 of 5 genies
Published: December 2, 2012
Series: Thompson Sisters #1
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Cincinnatus Press
Source: Purchased
Pages: 376
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Amazon.com

Goodreads Summary

Everyone should have something to rebel against.

Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out his rage at the world. Six years later, he’s still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn’t ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job. The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success.

Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy.

When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart.

My Review

This book is all about music and how it transforms lives. The romance at the core of A Song for Julia is realistic and one I found myself relating to, loving, and cheering.

I went in with an idea of what I thought the book would be like: guy meets introverted girl, guy proceeds to woo girl out of her oyster shell...you know the drill. I'm not saying that Sheehan-Miles's novel is revolutionary, it accomplishes much the same of what the traditional (well-written) New Adult contemporary romance novel at least sets out to do. I wasn't blown away by the plot per se, that I could see coming, but the story is worthy of mention. It had substance, and Sheehan-Miles's multifaceted characters were interesting to read about because they got my heart involved. Julia's story made me bawl, Crank made me swoon and Sheehan-Miles officially rid me of my bias against male authors writing romance fiction.

Way to go, man!

Read this book for its dimensions, for the struggle and ultimately, Julia and Crank's triumph. This is New Adult done right, tender and heartfelt written literature that has made me such a fan of the author. I cannot wait to read more of what Sheehan-Miles has in store! I was probably halfway through A Song for Julia when I bought the second book in this series. The idea of writing about the Thompson sisters seems pretty brilliant to me, especially since Alex's journey is next on my to be read list.

You should read this book, if you like a well-written story with funny, conflicted characters in hard situations and romance that leaves you smiling, read this book. It's New Adult so 18 years and older please, the subject matter is mature so keep that in mind. This is a solid 4/5 from my end!

I can't think of a reason not to enjoy this book, it absolutely worked for me, 4/5 genies!

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 genies
Published: January 10, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Dutton Books
Source: Purchased
Pages: 313
Format: Hardcover
Purchase At: Amazon.com or The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind

My Thoughts

This is the way I look at it:

This whole book deserves to be one giant quote all on its own. I look at it and think how The Fault in our Stars as a work actually proves that literature can touch lives, a complete testament to John Green's brilliance. The Stars have it - 5 out of 5 - and I kind of have no words right now to explain how truly impressed I am with this novel.



But really I do, have words that is, or else this wouldn't be a very good review. The thing is, I don't know what to say of this book that hasn't been said already:

You should read it! It will blow your mind! Read it now smart ass, what are you waiting for!?

See? Everything has been said before. Except maybe that last part, that was all me. In truth, the multiple glowing reviews are largely responsible for why I picked the book up in the first place. It was a case of the whole blogosphere raving like mad about John Green, his books, writing, and me being clueless.

bloggers: This book is fantastic! Whooooooooooooo!
Me: Hm. The Fault in Our Stars, never heard of it before.
bloggers: What rock have you been living under?

And before I answer that question, spilling the beans on the locale of my hermit rock and all, 457 Lives in a Hole, Loner Street Toronto, I trust the majority of you get the point. This was the book everyone was dying a little over and I had to read it. Trust me, I am very glad I did. Everything you've heard? Forget it now if you still haven't read the book; those words of praise cannot possibly live up to the total awesomeness that is The Fault in Our Stars. To be frank, you need to read this book yourself and be blown away like the rest of us.

A Quick Overview.

The writing: Superb. Expect it now that when you start reading you will most definitely NOT want to stop.

The characters: Are heart-wrenching, breath-taking and wholly realistic. All of them, every single one of those people in that book touched me. That lasting effect even after the last page is turned, that is what lets me know a book phenomenal.

The subject matter: Was handled to perfection, John Green engaged the topic of cancer and loss with a wit and cleverness that really makes this book shine. If you couldn't tell before, I totes have a crush on this author!

As for the world he created, I absolutely adored Augustus Waters, his antics as well as his patent over-the-top nature. There was just so much to be sad about, what with death being of primary focus, and having the author utilize humour to make the subject matter more manageable made me digest easier the sadness. Cancer is no joke, but certainly no one writes it, the desease acting as a catalyst for the tender romance, like John Green.

The way he wrote them, Hazel and Augustus were beyond cute, the two being perfect example of soul-mates done right. They didn't NEED each other to survive, rather they were their own people in a lot of ways, but I - and apparently all the other fans of this novel - would much rather see them be together. I never realized the toll cancer takes on not only those infected, but their families also; reading The Fault in Our Stars was a huge eye-opener to the realities and harsh struggle families of cancer victims face. At the end I left with a greater respect of all it is that they go through.

I was so emotionally spent by the time I finished reading...I can guarantee that The Fault in Our Stars will find a way to break your heart, and not only will you enjoy it, but you will want more. This book will make a fractured mess of your heart, and I know this because it completely shattered mine.

Yet... I crave a sequel set in an alternate universe, something that does right by Augustus and Hazel by ridding away with the cancers altogether. Takers anyone?

I thought you might see things my way, but alas, this is cannot be! We would all like a different ending, but the pervading sense of realism seen in The Fault in Our Stars is equally responsible for the widespread adoration of this novel. Nothing would make me happier than to elaborate, telling you why the book is realistic, and sure I could if everyone reading this already read the book, but for those of you who haven't had the chance to meet Augustus, Hazel, their parents or even Van Houten, I dare not ruin it for you.

So...hurry up and read it!

5/5 genies: I recommend this book. Hell, I am in love with it! A favourite for sure, I can only hope that you pick it up and enjoy it too. 

********GIVEAWAY*******

Also, check out this giveaway for Shawn Mihalik's The Flute Player and my review too if you haven't. Thanks and take care guys, love you lots!

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Review: The Flute Player by Shawn Mihalik

The Flute Player by Shawn Mihalik 

Rating: 3.5 of 5 genies

Published: March 12, 2013

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Pages: 67
Publisher: Asymmetrical Press

Source: Review Copy

Format: eBook

Purchase At: Amazon.com 

Goodreads Summary 

For nearly ten years, young Oliver has begrudgingly accepted his position as the flute player of the peaceful village of Drommar—a responsibility thrust upon him after the previous flute player, and Oliver's best friend, drowned in a tragic childhood accident. Now on the cusp of adulthood, a mysterious young woman enters Oliver's life, and he begins to question the nature of his world and the importance of his place in it.

The Review

Shawn Mihalik’s The Flute Player has all the makings of a fairy tale classic. His protagonist, Oliver, instantly brings to mind The Pied Piper from days of old and I couldn’t help casting similarities between the two. It was almost as if Oliver was a less grounded Piper before he eventually finds himself and matures; Oliver’s journey could very well have been that ancient flute player’s story. If he lived in Drommar, that is, and this point is exactly where everything alters. In bringing to life the little town, Mihalik does an excellent job of making this story unique and completely engaging. If anything, my linking Oliver to the Piper is further proof of how stunning this little tale truly is. The Flute Player is fast-paced and wonderful, and readers will be happy to know that a great fantasy belies the book’s modest packaging.

To be sure, Oliver was the perfect protagonist for this book. His character is crafted in such a way that the growth and self-discovery he experiences are occurrences celebrated by those invested. By the time the conclusion came, I found myself caring a great deal more for the characters than I initially thought I would. Truthfully I didn’t know what to expect at first. I knew the story centered on a young man being burdened with the task of playing the flute for his village. Having very little choice in the matter, the position was thrust upon him following his childhood friend’s demise. There was mention of a mysterious girl and…a Volkswagen Beetle? Crossing my fingers, I hoped for the best and ended up getting so much more than expected!

For instance, the prologue prose at the beginning provides a whimsically fitting prelude to the story. There are vague instructions of how to get to Drommar and the writing is just so well done, it sucks the reader right in! The actual text reads as if it were extracted from an anthology of Hans Christian Anderson’s collection and the likes. The story itself is not specifically targeted at juvenile readers, yet it appeals to and will attract a wide range of audiences. All that is necessary to appreciate The Flute Player is a respect for honest fiction; this book is poignant and more than meets the eye.

For a book of its length, The Flute Player is rich in story, and Drommar provides a dream-like setting for all that unfolds. The mystery girl, Alexandria, is only visible to Oliver and while he alone can see her, the other characters are at a loss. There is a reason she lands in the village and this by far is one of my favorite aspects of the short novel. She comes seemingly out of nowhere, drawing the recluse Flute Player into the forest, a truly magical place, and you simply have to read the book to learn more; the secret behind her sudden appearance is well worth it.

Moreover, there exists a dualism between Oliver’s world and Alexandria’s; she completely alters the way he sees himself as well as his responsibilities to the rest of Drommar. Due to her influence, Oliver comes to an acceptance of his given role. Their relationship is sweet and tender, romantic, and both characters care deeply about each other. Seeing the depth of their friendship, what they were willing to sacrifice to see the other happy, was touching and you can bet that I was rooting for them. A longer epilogue would have answered many of my longstanding questions and tied everything up in a better way, but the nature of the story is fantasy and not everything has a definite conclusion in such cases. Keeping this in mind, it makes sense why the conclusion was not precise or clear-cut; in this case, some things are left to the imagination.

As a whole, this book struck me as being carefully thought out. I’m not saying it was perfect, there were certain flaws, but the author took care in developing the concept. Mihalik knew where he wanted his story and characters to go, and for the most part, he delivered.

The world building could have been more fleshed out; I would have enjoyed learning more about Drommar. Since Oliver is the main source of information, he is limited in his appraisal of the world and isn’t allowed the freedom to explore or live his life independently. For fear of him perishing like the previous Player, he appears twice daily before the villagers in the morning and evening, and remains for the most part locked away. As you can imagine, with him being so distanced from them, what is learnt of the village from Oliver’s perspective is fairly sparse information. Even though Alexandria helps him break out from his sheltered existence, the town people relying on one individual to get them through the day, their moods and attitudes being interconnected with his and the songs he chose to play, were still a mystery by the end. Ultimately, I found the dynamic between Oliver and the village folk to be quite interesting and not nearly explored enough.

Still, The Flute Player is an engaging, thoughtful piece. At the request of the author and his representative, I was happy to review this book. The read was quick, enjoyable and well worth my time. I liked it, and the minor issues mentioned aside, an opportunity to read The Flute Player should not be missed. A fantasy tale that adds to its genre, this book is recommended!

Will you be reading The Flute Player? What do you think of the book based on the review? Let me know in the comments below!

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*A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.*

A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest

*A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.*

A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest
My rating: 3.5 of 5 genies
Published: December 14, 2012
Source: Review Copy
Format: eBook
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance

Goodreads Summary

On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.
A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.
She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.
An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.
Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.
Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.
Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

Excerpt from A Shade of Vampire

I’d been meandering along the shore for about an hourwhen I suddenly sensed that I wasn’t alone. Someone was approaching me frombehind. My heart leapt. I was so sure it was Ben, that when a stranger showedup beside me, I couldn’t hide my disappointment.

He must have noticed, because a smirk formed on hislips. “Were you expecting someone else, love?”

I eyed him suspiciously, remembering how many times myfather had told me not to talk to strangers. I looked him over, taking in hisappearance. My eyes widened. I couldn’t find words to describe how fine a manhe was. He was almost beautiful. The first thing I took notice of was how hisblue eyes were about three shades brighter than any I’d ever seen before. Itwas such a stark contrast to his pale – almost white – skin and dark hair.Standing beside me, he was easily more than half a foot taller. His height,broad shoulders and lean build reminded me of Ben, but he had a presence thatwas far more imposing than my best friend’s.

My gaze settled on his face.

I realized that he was inspecting me just as closelyas I was him. His eyes on me suddenly made me feel uncomfortably vulnerable. Igave my father’s advice a second thought, but quickly canceled out all notionsof heeding to his counsel when I reminded myself that he stopped caring a longtime ago.

I straightened to my full height and mustered all thecourage I had to keep myself from running away from this stranger.

Big mistake.

The confident smirk didn’t leave his face for even amoment.

“Like what you see?”

“A bit full of yourself, aren’t you?” I scoffed,annoyed by his audacity.

He stepped forward, closer to me, and leaned his headtoward mine.

“Don’t I have the right to be?”

He knew he looked good and wasn’t about to act like hedidn’t.

“Whatever,” was my oh-so-brilliant comeback.

My shoulders sagged with defeat as I took a step back,unsettled by how close he was now. I rolled my eyes and did a one-eighty, notquite in the mood to play whatever game this stranger was proposing.

I would soon realize that I was about to play his gamewhether I liked it or not.

He grabbed my arm and turned my body to face him. Thismotion alone made every single internal alarm I had within me go off in afrenzy.

This man was danger and I knew it. I tried to wriggleaway from his touch, but I was no match for his strength.

“Tell me your name,” he commanded.

I was about to refuse, but was horrified to findmyself blurting out my name in response.

“Sofia Claremont.”

As soon as I revealed my name, his eyes lit up with akind of sinister approval. Then he reached for my face and traced his thumbover my jaw line.

“Hello, Sofia Claremont. You’re one stupid girl fortaking a walk alone at this time of night. You never know what kind of evil apretty little thing like you could happen to come by.”

I found myself wondering exactly what kind of evil hewas. But I was suddenly overcome by the sensations that were surrounding me. Mysenses took in everything at once. I heard the waves, felt the sand, smelledthe ocean salt, tasted the flavor of cherry and saw the stranger’s manicappearance as he stuck a needle to my neck. The effect was instant. I wasbarely able to gasp, much less scream. I went from sensing everything tosensing absolutely nothing.

My last consciousthought was that I may never see Ben again.

My Thoughts

I was approached by the author to write a review for this book at a time when Goodreads seemed to be blowing up with A Shade of Vampire updates. Every status from my friends reading it seemed to be positive, and almost every reader was enthused with the YA Paranormal novel. Needless to say, I may have squealed like a little girl when Bella Forrest asked me to read it.

This is a great, sweet story. I don't know exactly what I was expecting going in, maybe a short read and some romance, but this book certainly does pack a punch. A fascinating New Adult Paranormal novel, I really enjoyed getting into the story and its mechanics, primarily the Shade. The beginning did not immediately rapture my audience, but the latter half completely drew me in! I grew to adore Sofia and Derek, they are a cute couple, and I like that she makes me love him more.

At first Derek came off as a sulking, brooding prince, afraid to take up his responsibility, and I thought that if I had to hear him complain again about his being awake, and not in his prior four hundred year old slumber, I would put the sleeping spell on him myself. Then he meets Sofia, recently abducted and forced into life as the Prince's slave at the Shade. She changes everything for him, provides Derek with reason to stay awake, and really just makes him a better person. Not going to lie, I'm still not swooning hard for him, but I do like his character and think that there is much left in store for Derek.

Sofia is an empathetic heroine, sensitive and easy to read about. She has a deeper connection to her senses, something that doesn't really make sense at the beginning. I kind of asked myself why it mattered that she was so in-tune with the senses, but the author's reasoning behind this particular character trait clicks halfway through the book. I will not spoil the surprise, but let's just say that it makes sense and does work out.

The main conflict in the book is between the Hunters and Vampires, Hunters hunt Vampires and Derek is supposed to save his race from extinction, a weighty role when you consider that Derek himself was once a Hunter! I liked the inner turmoil, and how every character had some drive. There are dark themes in this book, slavery and mentions of torture and bondage; kids 16 and under shouldn't read this without some consent from an adult. The overall mood is dark and haunting, the story switches from both Derek and Sofia's perspective, affording readers a more personal encounter with the characters. I couldn't help but feel that amidst the dark lushness of the Shade, Derek and Sofia's affection for each other shone beautiful and warm.

I liked this book and recommend the read to fans of the Paranormal and Romance genre. As I mentioned, the story isn't massive in length and I felt that it didn't immediately take off, and at times it felt like not much was happening since the characters stayed primarily in the same place. In the end though, that is a minor concern and my experience with A Shade of Vampire is positive; I have my hands itching for the sequel!

A great début, 3.5/5 genies!

LINKS:

Buy A Shade of Vampire from Amazon:

USA,paperback or USA,eBook

UK,paperback or UK,eBook

Add A Shade of Vampire to your Goodreads shelf!

That's all, Loves! Take care!!

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