Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles #2)

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I couldn't believe that Meyer pulled it off with this book. I loved it.

I mean... It had been really rocky for me for a while. We jumped right into this entirely new POV, when in the end of the last book we had left of abrupt and bereft with Cinder breaking out of prison.

I couldn't possibly understand why we were following Scarlet and Wolf (Separately then together) so much when I thought this was more of Cinder's series. We hardly heard from Cinder at all throughout the story. We got more of Kai's POV, even some of Queen Levana or her Theramurges.

But as I was reading the most remarkable thing happened. I'm not sure where or when, but somewhere along the lines I found myself caring more about Scarlet and Wolf's story, their happy ending seemed within grasp. I barely thought of Cinder. And then the three stories collided in this one world. Cinder and Scarlet and Wolf met in an attack by Lunar operatives orchestrated by Queen Levana while she's searching for more information about the lost Lunar Princess Selene. My heart was breaking at the end of this novel, not only did it seem unlikely that we would see happy or romantic endings for any of our characters (four of which I have become unhealthily invested in) but the plot was no where near being unresolved. In fact, circumstances had only worsened from the first book.

I finished Cinder in less than 24 hours, but Scarlet I think was scoured in less than 12. I'm addicted and so thankful that I have Cress sitting on my bookshelf, waiting to be devoured.

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Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Legend by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a feeling this series is going to give me a book hangover. This was so good. Despite flipping from June and Day's perspectives, the narrative was well told and the characters solidly built.

So many book blogs and people and built this book up that I thought there was no way it could live up to expectations. And while it can and does fall into the dystopian and, even romantic, pigeonhole, it also has unique perspectives that I like to find--little treasures I think of these unique gifts.

In the beginning I was so sure that the romance storyline would prevail and shatter the dystopian/action going on. That there was no way June could go through with her plans for Day, but I was surprised when she did (although I admit I'm not sure how happy I am about that. Hopeless romantic that I am...) But she stuck to her convictions and only let facts and instinct motivate her into action, her character was consistent in its principles even when flip-flopping sides. Day, however charismatic, I just wanted to shake after his imprisonment. I mean he continuously switched from hopeless and desolate, to his normal,self-possessed, freedom-fighting, arrogant self. It was a harder pill to swallow, especially while missing Tess and wanting to punch Thomas (even before the end).

But its that discord and emotion fr the characters that makes it so great. While the plot is brilliant, and I'm sure not even half has been revealed, without that emotional connect to the characters the novel is just words on a page, they make it a story, a world, a life.

One that I cannot wait to continue.

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Review: Created (Talented Saga #4) by Sophie Davis

Created by Sophie Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4 1/2 stars

*I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Here'ee here'ee! Sophie Davis had done it again.

This fourth installment of the Talented Saga, our lead girl had teamed up with the Coalition to rescue Erik and stop the Director, and Talia's pseudo father.

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Review: Hunted (Talented Saga #3) by Sophie Davis

Hunted by Sophie Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5stars!

Sophie Davis out does herself in the third installment of the Talented Saga.

This novel dives right in where Caged left off. Just weeks after the capture of the Coalition spy and sentencing and Talia sets off for the city to help with the mandatory testing, leaving Donovan and her protégée Kenley at the Talented school. What she finds in the city only fuels her growing distaste and distrust in the Toxic organization.

The streets are full of protests and the people on the verge of rebellion. Inside the actual testing, she is. disgusted by the measures taken against young children and their families.

Throughout her stay, Talia and Erik become increasingly leery of Mac as he goes more and more mad. They also become that much closer together and forge bonds that make them intangible from each other. They work together to uncover all the lies and half truths that Mac and the agency had pressed upon them to years--especially Talia.


But the true pivotal moment is a little boy. He sets forth events that will change many lives forever. Talia freed from Toxic and finally accepting the truth. Erik captured and barely clinging to life. And a war decades in the making, come.

I breezed through this novel, not because it's such a trivial read, but because I was trapped. Sophie's words Hunted my conscious, even when I wasn't reading. Even as I had drew the right conclusions from previous books and pieced the pieces together, she sets everything up in a way that leaves you on the edge of your seat and with bated breath. This was what her two previous books had been leading up to: the main feast that leaves you wanting more. that room enough for dessert which I'm sure Created will prove to be a rich dessert indeed.

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Review: Caged (Talented Saga #2) by Sophie Davis

Caged by Sophie Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4 1/2stars!

Holy Secrets and Betrayls Batman!

When this book began, I wasn't sure t would hold up to the standards Talented set forth as she vigorously went over previous events and characters, backgrounds and emotions, over and over. But as it progressed I quickly became engrossed, ensnared, and realized what a true master Manipulator Miss Sophie Davis is.

In this next installment of the Talented Saga, we follow along as Talia recovers from her near fatal brush with Ian Crane (the man who killed her parents). But as we navigate this story, we--along with Talia--begin to question everything that was ever told. What is Toxic really? Is there a spy? Why is Mac so keen on his secrets and biggest of all what's wrong with Talia's blood?

We watch as Talia works her way through tumultuous emotions over Donovan's betrayal(s). Erik's place in her life. Her mounting distrust towards the only home and Organization she's ever known.

Finally it ends with the greatest betrayal of all, but is it betrayal or sacrifice?

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Review: Talented (Talented Saga #1) by Sophie Davis

Talented by Sophie Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 1/2stars!

Sophie Davis takes us away in the this radioactive story of supernatural powers, control, and subterfuge.

Talia isn't normal, not even by supernatural standards, and is thrust into a raging war of deceit, pain, and life-altering discoveries. Her whole life has been blanketed by lies and half-truths. By puppeteers and Pawns. She may be extremely Talented and in pursuit of revenge for her parents' death. But who can she truly trust? Ad how far is she willing to go?

We wade through accessing her mind and heart, creating friends and more-than-friends along the way. We experience pain and heartache, joy, confusion, revelation. Always o the edge of the seat to read what comes next.

Davis has an uncanny ability to take the preconceived, blase notions such as radioactive powers and revenge and tur it into something entirely new. A Blank Canvas of creativity. She is Talented. Wonder Woman, with her pen as the Lasso of Truth.

What Truths will the next book in this epic saga will she pen next? Are we to remain Caged in the lies and secrets?

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Review: More by TM Franklin

More by T.M. Franklin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had been a long time reader of tm's unpublished work and was ecstatic to hear of her new novel, MORE.

Franklin is a success in her first book of the guardian series. An epicenter of action, mystery, and even romance. It'll have you by the seat of your pants, wracking your brain for clues and 'awww'ing with the rest of us. Her characters don't give you a choice in the master. Right from the get-go they're relatable and amiable. Her descriptions, dazzling. A master of her craft, she knotted how to transcend the reader into her world.

Cannot wait for book two, The Guardians.

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Review: Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3)

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Why do I let books do thus to me?! I need to stop caring about the characters so much. Or theauthor needs to suck at her job alittle more

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Review: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my God. I don't know if my mind can ever fully process this book and it's complexity and beauty.

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Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the beginning I was sucked in.

From the style of the writing to the plot to the characters, there was not one angle that I was not constantly pouring over and devouring for more. I consumed this book and it consumed me.

I love the way that we are told the story. The first person narrative gives us so much deference and license to opinion, judgment. It calls us to interact. We may not always, or ever, like Tris but we certainly understand where she comes from at every moment.

And I just have to call out that while Four is beyond my favorite (cute little fangirl moment) the comparison and tension between Eric and Four is even greater. The complexities between characters, the flow and ebb of plot...I don't want to give any spoilers, but they are all so intricate that I'm amazed. And for a young adult novel it still calls forth probing questions about identity, truth, power, courage and the interrelations they all play with each other.

Outstanding novel! From the fire and into the fire pit... Diverge and insurge!

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Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was captivated by the cover and description from the moment I had seen it on a book blog, promoting Meyer's newest book Cress -- a brand new take on the same old fairy tales? Yes, and please.

In this near post-apocalyptic book, Cinder, a cyborg mechanic adopted into the care of the family (step-mother and two step-sisters and Peony) by its patriarch before his sudden death

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