Monday, October 7, 2013

E-book Short Reviews - October 2013

Why e-book short reviews?  Well....ever been in a reading frenzy where you read 5 or more e-books back to back with no break in between?  And these books are fun, quick reads?  Well that's what happens to me sometimes and when it does,  I break from the long in-depth reviews I normally do and make it short and sweet (SAS)!


Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

It's been months since Aria learned of her mother's death.  Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.  Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at first. Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?  Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night? In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and sci-fi elements to create a captivating adventure-and a love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

250 Pages

3.5 Star Rating - Recommended Age 15+
A very good follow up to Under the Never Sky.  The romance between Aria and Peregrine continues and has lost none of its excitement.  New characters and new crises keep the book interesting.   No situation in the book was easily dealt with.  
SAS:  I was never bored reading this book.  I enjoyed the storyline between Aria, Sable, Roar and Liv the most.  The 3rd book is definitely on my list to read.

Dark Genesis by A.D. Koboah

Life for a female slave is one of hardship and unspeakable sorrow, something Luna knows only too well. But not even she could have foreseen the terror that would befall her one sultry Mississippi evening in the summer of 1807.   On her way back from a visit to see the African woman, a witch who has the herbs Luna needs to rid her of her abusive master’s child, she attracts the attention of a deadly being that lusts for blood. Forcibly removed from everything she knows by this tormented otherworldly creature, she is sure she will be dead by sunrise.  Dark Genesis is a love story set against the savage world of slavery in which a young woman who has been dehumanised by its horrors finds the courage to love, and in doing so, reclaims her humanity.

233 Pages
4.5 Star Rating - Recommended Age 16+
Such an amazing story!!!  The book contains an extremely emotional story of life as a beautiful slave girl.  The story was very well written.  It showed Luna's acceptance of her situation, but in it her fear and anger.  Avery's love for Luna was an inspiration (really..like, that is how I want a man to feel about me)  But, I must admit, that as much as I loved the story the author did fall into the usual pattern of having the female lead intentionally do something stupid to create crisis (it really is annoying...)
SAS:  Oh so different from the usual vampire story.  I could not put this down.  The real life trauma of slavery, dark magic and the unknown was a powerful combination.  I cannot wait to see what the author has in store next.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.  But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.  Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

228 Pages
3.5 Star Rating - Recommended Age 14+
This book reminds me of Hunger Games.......without the fight to the death between the contestants.  America is a very strong-willed, strong-minded female lead and I liked that she stayed that way throughout the book.  The teen love triangle turned out to be better than I thought it would.  It's believable that although she loves Aspen, her friendship with Prince Maxon would turn into something more.  I liked that the author didn't rush into something romantic between the two characters.  In the first chapters of the book, the author makes you WANT Aspen and America to find a way to be together because they love each other so much.
SAS:  While I wish the story didn't read so much like Hunger Games, it was a good book.  The friendships and animosities between the contestants added excitement to the story.  Team Aspen!!

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.  America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.  Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

230 Pages
2.5 Star Rating - Recommended Age 14+
Very disappointed in the second book of the series.  I understand that the story is based on the love triangle between the main characters, but seriously.  There was so much back and forth by America my head hurt!  Make up your mind already!  There were a few things I did like about this book - the introduction of the rebels and the mysteries they represent;  the situation with Marlee;  Aspen is back in the picture!!!  Team Aspen!
SAS:  Not sure if I want to read the 3rd :(  America's character has changed from the very decisive, strong girl I admired to someone insecure, fickle and easily swayed.  The saving grace is that the storyline is still a good one and more interesting now that the rebels are more active.

Origin (Lux #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.
After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.
Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.
But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?

And will they even be together?


313 Pages
4 Star Rating - Recommended Age 17+
Jennifer L Armentrout just can't write a bad book!  The places she's taking this story....ahhh!  I couldn't stop reading.  The romance between Daemon and Katy is always exciting and gets my blood pumping.  There's betrayal, surprises, intense action and loss.
SAS:  Amazing book.  You'll love the whole series so start from the beginning.  Each book gets better and better, so of course this is the best of the bunch so far.  Nothing else to say!