ARC Review: Bring me their hearts

Zera is a Heartless – the immortal, unageing soldier of a witch. Bound to the witch Nightsinger ever since she saved her from the bandits who murdered her family, Zera longs for freedom from the woods they hide in. With her heart in a jar under Nightsinger’s control, she serves the witch unquestioningly.

Until Nightsinger asks Zera for a Prince’s heart in exchange for her own, with one addendum; if she’s discovered infiltrating the court, Nightsinger will destroy her heart rather than see her tortured by the witch-hating nobles.

Crown Prince Lucien d’Malvane hates the royal court as much as it loves him – every tutor too afraid to correct him and every girl jockeying for a place at his darkly handsome side. No one can challenge him – until the arrival of Lady Zera. She’s inelegant, smart-mouthed, carefree, and out for his blood. The Prince’s honor has him quickly aiming for her throat.

So begins a game of cat and mouse between a girl with nothing to lose and a boy who has it all.

Winner takes the loser’s heart.

Literally.

Review

I recieved a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book was awesome, it took a really interesting premise popular in fairytale retellings, although this is not a retelling. It take the idea of someone losing their heart and it being put in a jar and still being alive. It was very cleverly done and it kept unfolding mysteries and facts that kept me interested the whole way through.

Zera was a great main character. She was fun, sassy, and loyal, yet staying true to herself. The Prince was fun, I liked discovering the many sides of him, I loved his interactions with Zera, how he said one thing but obviously means another. The bodyguard was probably my favourite character, he is so funny and clearly very loyal to the Prince.

The setting was really clever and the history mentioned throughout was really interesting. All the characters were great although sometimes it was hard to work out their motivations.

The ending felt a little rushed, this was only an issue because the rest of the book was perfectly paced. Also the end, wow, I did not see that coming at all. I cannot wait for the next book.

4 out of 5 stars

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ARC: Pretty Dead Girls

Beautiful. Perfect. Dead.

In the peaceful seaside town of Cape Bonita, wicked secrets and lies are hidden just beneath the surface. But all it takes is one tragedy for them to be exposed.

The most popular girls in school are turning up dead, and Penelope Malone is terrified she’s next. All the victims so far have been linked to Penelope—and to a boy from her physics class. The one she’s never really noticed before, with the rumored dark past and a brooding stare that cuts right through her.

There’s something he isn’t telling her. But there’s something she’s not telling him, either.

Everyone has secrets, and theirs might get them killed.

Review

I read this book quite quickly since I wanted to know who the killer was, but I struggled after about halfway. The first half was well written and exciting, the second half was boring, repetitive.

Penelope, seemed like a good character at first, but her loyalties changed far too often, yes I know a killer was on the loose and she thought she might be next, but she changed her mind so much it gave me whiplash, this sort of thing does not give a good story. She trusted her friends then didn’t then they said one thing and she did again.

The other characters were good, but some of the stuff they did was unbelievable, the characters were obviously only doing it to make them suspects, which is annoying, throwing in some red herrings is necessary but this was too much.

Now without giving too much away, we are going to deal with the issue of the killer. Until the end there wasn’t really much indication it was them or any motive, it was a little out of the blue, yes it’s good when the reader cannot guess but you want them to have fun guessing and I really didn’t.

Even after everything I said I think it was an okay book, with lots of potential.

3 out of 5 stars

ARC Review: A Jot of Blood

Adolescence is hard enough, but add magic to the mix and things have a way of getting complicated in a hurry. Even at Coventry Academy, one of the best schools in the world for the magically inclined, some ‘gifts’ mean nothing but trouble. What do you do when anything—your clothes, your food, the accidental brush of a fingertip—can instantly reveal the dark secrets of your closest friend … or, worse, a mortal enemy?

Coventry may have been Lire Devon’s haven since she was a little girl, but there are some who despise and even fear her rare clairvoyant power. Now, after years of simmering resentment, Lire’s nemesis, a sorceress with beauty, status, and well-connected friends, has thrown down the gauntlet. The challenge will push Lire’s resourcefulness to its limits and beyond—to a place where arcane dangers lurk and the price of power is knowledge too excruciating to bear.

Warning: The contents of this book include one surly werewolf, a snarky invisible prankster, and enough indelicate language to make a succubus blush.

Review

This was very different than  I expected. I also enjoyed it much more than I was expecting. I really like Lire as a character, she was fun, grew well as a character. Cal and Zach were great too, I loved their introduction, it was fun and unique. I really enjoyed finding out about the different kinds of magic. I thought the way Lire learned more about her powers was well done and has got me wondering what else she can do.

The mystery was good, it kept twisting and turning, keeping me guessing. I want to know more though, I want to know more, I am very much looking forward to the next book. The conflict between Lire and the popular girl (cannot remember her name) was interesting, seemed like jealousy on the popular girls part.

Cal, was a great character, I can see him being a very popular book love interest. He is strong and fun and a great friend. And yes he sounds like a catch.

I will be reading the next book in the series. And raving about this book to anyone who will listen.

Want a book with magic, werewolves, vampires, fun, excitement and a lot of mystery, go on pick this up you won’t be disappointed.

4 out of 5 stars

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R4R Review: S.T.A.G.S.

Nine students. Three bloodsports. One deadly weekend.

It is the autumn term and Greer MacDonald is struggling to settle into the sixth form at the exclusive St. Aidan the Great boarding school, known to its privileged pupils as S.T.A.G.S. Just when she despairs of making friends Greer receives a mysterious invitation with three words embossed upon on it: huntin’ shootin’ fishin’. When Greer learns that the invitation is to spend the half term weekend at the country manor of Henry de Warlencourt, the most popular and wealthy boy at S.T.A.G.S., she is as surprised as she is flattered.

But when Greer joins the other chosen few at the ancient and sprawling Longcross Hall, she realises that Henry’s parents are not at home; the only adults present are a cohort of eerily compliant servants. The students are at the mercy of their capricious host, and, over the next three days, as the three bloodsports – hunting, shooting and fishing – become increasingly dark and twisted, Greer comes to the horrifying realisation that those being hunted are not wild game, but the very misfits Henry has brought with him from school…

Review

I thought this was a fascinating book. It’s a mystery book with a difference. You know who was murdered and who by just not the how or why. Greer is a good main character but is a little naive at times especially when it comes to boys. I thought the plot was good, maybe a few holes but very interesting and well put together. The suspense was well done and kept me guessing throughout the  whole book. The characters were fun and interesting and had good growth.

The ending wasn’t my favourite it left too many holes and unanswered questions, if it had just stopped a chapter before it would have been so much better. But overall it was a good exciting book and a nice quick read.

4 out of 5 stars

ARC Review: Draekora (Medoran Chronicles #3)

“I swear by the stars that you and the others slain tonight will be the first of many. Of that you have my word.”

With Aven Dalmarta now hiding in the shadows of Meya, Alex is desperate to save Jordan and keep the Rebel Prince from taking more lives.

Training day and night to master the enhanced immortal blood in her veins, Alex undertakes a dangerous Meyarin warrior trial that separates her from those she loves and leaves her stranded in a place where nothing is as it should be.

As friends become enemies and enemies become friends, Alex must decide who to trust as powerful new allies—and adversaries—push her towards a future of either light… or darkness.

One way or another, the world will change…

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series, it explores many different worlds which gives an unique angle. I was a little mystified at one point thinking that it going off on a tangent, but it brought it back to the story after a while. I did like the twists, they left me trying to get my head round some of it., but in the best way.

The story explained some key details of the past that really helped the story. Favourite characters were back along with some exciting new ones. It was nice to see Alex’s powers developing. I am very much looking forward to seeing what happens in the next one.

4 out of 5 stars

If you are looking a great series about magic and adventure I suggest you pick in the first one.

The second one in the series is

 

 

ARC Review: Haven (Chronicles of Warshard #1)

Princess Haven was never meant to be Queen.

Her immortality has saved her time and time again, but when the last of her royal family dies at her feet, she is next in line to rule a nation on the brink of war. With no formal training on how to be Queen, Haven must rise to the occasion with the help of her best friends, and personal guard, or risk losing everyone she has ever loved.

With war to the West, and no escape to the East, the evil tyrant Kadia sets her sights on the six kingdoms. Haven’s neighbors are quick to fall under the swords of Kadia’s shadow soldiers, leaving a sea of bodies and a clear path to Haven’s only home.

As Kadia’s obsession with Haven mounts, little time remains, and Haven must make a choice; join together with her fellow Royals, and test her immortality in a final stand against the evil Queen, or flee across the sea to a foreign republic in hopes of salvation. Both choices have a cost. Both plans could go awry. Haven must decide quickly, or she might be the only one left.

Review

I found the story pleasing enough, Haven had some good qualities. She was a good role model to her countrywomen. She showed them they did not have a weak Queen. But she was often selfish and I found the love interests annoying more than anything.

Kadia was a great character, off her rocker but a great character and gave the story more depth. I wish got to more a little more about  her though.

The story felt a little dragged out, but had a lot of interesting plot points.

Havens power was interesting but confusing, she is meant to be immortal but there was a few points where it was indicated that she would die of old age. I think the author has gotten confused between invinceable and immortal.

I do not think I will be reading the next book in the series.

It was a sweet interesting book and worth it if you like fantasy books espeically ones based on war.

3 out of 5 stars

Review: Three Dark Crowns

Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

I have seen a lot of reviews about this book, most seem to have struggled with the first 80% of this book. As did I. It has such a great premise I cannot help but get drawn in. But the story falls a little flat, there isn’t too much to it and it’s easy to put down and not want to pick up again. Since each of the queens had their own POV and they each had similar people in their lives it was quite easy to get mixed up at times. Especially between Luke and Luca, although Luca is female, I felt her character was very interchangeable with Luke’s.

I felt like we did not get to know enough about the island and the mainland, there were a few references, but I often felt like I only knew half the story, half the history that I should have to make sense of it.

I also thought that the first book would cover the whole fight to the death but it barely scratched the surface. I am hoping the next book in the series will be much quicker paced and full of action.

The last 20% was amazing, if the whole book was the same pace, it would have been one of the best books I have ever read. If the last part had not been so good I am not sure I would ahve even given it 3 stars, but as it is, I gave it 4.

I do recommend this book, it does have it’s good points and hopefully the series will pick up.

4 out of 5 stars

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ARC: Deep-Water Drama

Like most 12-year-old girls, Shyanna, Rachel, and Cora deal with the daily dramas of growing up. But unlike most 12-year-old girls, they deal with it underwater as mermaids. Living in Mermaid Kingdom doesn’t make life any easier for these young girls, and friendships continue to be tested with secrets, worries, and other challenges.

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was sweet but written in a very childish manner even for middle-grade fiction. Shyanna was nice but a little spoiled and selfish. I know she was 13 but her character annoyed me a little. I liked how there was three different stories in this book.

It’s a book about friendship, growing up and testing the your own limits. All the stories fitted together well and the illustrations were great.

Over all a sweet book perfect young girls.

3 out of 5 stars

ARC Review: A Lady at Willowgrove Hall

Tags

historical fiction

Willowgrove Hall is full of secrets, but soon everything hidden is brought to light.

Cecily Faire has a secret—and she intends to keep it. But when she arrives at Willowgrove Hall to serve as a lady’s companion, she comes face-to-face with the only person who knows the truth about her past.

As the steward of Willowgrove Hall, Nathaniel Stanton is dedicated to serving those around him. Nothing escapes his notice—including the beautiful new lady’s companion. He is certain the lovely Miss Faire is hiding something, and he determines to uncover it. But Nathaniel has a secret of his own: he is the illegitimate son of Willowgrove’s former master. Falling in love was not part of his plans . . . until he meets Cecily Faire.

When Willowgrove’s mistress dies, everything changes. Fear of exposure forces Cecily to leave under the cover of darkness, embarking on a journey to finally find her long-lost sister. When the will is read, Nathaniel’s inheritance makes him question his future plans. Cecily and Nathaniel are forced to make decisions that will change the course of their lives. Is their love strong enough to survive?

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Although this book is the third in a series, it can be read perfectly well as a stand alone. It is listed as historical fiction and although it is set at least 100 years ago, there wasn’t much history in it. It was much more about the romance, usually I am not a fan, but this was quite enjoyable.

The story was sweet and full of secrets, although some were pretty predictable. I liked getting to the characters, it was done in a very clever way, we got to see all sides of the characters by getting to know them through how other characters saw them. It’s a very clever way of knowing characters in all ways possible.

Cecily was a good main character, she had her regrets but she grew and eventually let herself have fun and fall in love. Nathanial, had a great life, he worked hard, had his problems but he had his family who supported him in everything. I loved how his character grew and gave into the prospect that there was more to life than work.

I wish there was a little more history in it. I wasn’t even sure of when it was set, just more references to historical events, who was on the throne etc.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I would read more by this author.

4 out of 5 stars

ARC Review: Pretty Wicked

The daughter of a local police detective, fifteen-year-old Ryann has spent most of her life studying how to pull off the most gruesome murders her small Colorado town has ever seen.

But killing is only part of it. Ryann enjoys being the reason the cops are frenzied. The one who makes the neighbors lock their doors and windows on a hot summer’s day. The one everyone fears but no one suspects.

Carving out her own murderous legacy proves harder than she predicted. Mistakes start adding up. And with the police getting closer, and her own father becoming suspicious, Ryann has to prove once and for all that she’s smarter than anyone else—or she’ll pay the ultimate price.

Written in a mature YA voice. Some graphic content.

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was unlike anything I had read before. The book was told mainly from Ryann’s POV, who was trying to make herself into one the most infamous names in history. The story follows her escapades and her trying not to get caught. She tries to juggle her school work, keep her family and friends from finding out what she was doing and trying to work out who she was going to kill next and putting it into action.

It was interesting because in most crime and thriller novels the killer is not revealed until the end, in this one it’s on the very first page where we become acquainted with the murderer. You got to know her and her relationships.

I enjoyed the story and seeing if she was going to get caught or not and by who. It was interesting to see all the lies she came up with to cover her tracks, sometimes I do think her family and friends believed them too easily though.

This book is YA and deals with serious issues, the main one being murder. For such a book I think Ryann was portrayed too young and immature at times. Her character was very blase about the situation.

All in all it was a good book but the character would have been a little better more mature and acting smarter.

4 out of 5 stars