The Gates Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 

*A copy was provided for review*

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Paranormal Fantasy Romance

Getting There is Half the Battle...

Armed with more unsettling knowledge about Gavin Devereaux and her circle of friends, Camille Hart is faced with new adversities and lethal propositions when she returns to the Amaranth exile to carry out Gavin’s risky crusade.

Realizing her journey through the bayou was only the beginning of her struggle to stay with Gavin, she finds that leaving her Louisiana home is the least of her worries. New evils await her on the other side, and as she and her friends press on with their mission, they are confronted with the reality that everything doesn't always go according to plan.

As secrets unfold and alliances are formed and broken, only the strongest will survive and the power of love will be tested when a war between witches, humans, and vampires erupts into an all-out power struggle and all is on the verge of being lost.

Review

I had also read & reviewed Amaranth, the first book in this trilogy, and I had loved it but The Gates definitely feels like a step-up! I had been DYING to know what happened next with Gavin and Camille, since they're my favorite characters. Camille is such a kick-ass female character that you don't usually see too often (but I'm noticing more in the YA genre now, thank god), and Gavin is the hot and steamy guy character that everyone loves to read about. ;)

Once again, Rachael did an amazing job with the world and character building that started in the first book. Where Amaranth left off with a cliffhanger, The Gates picks up where the story left off and we find out what happens next, and there are again a lot of things that happen that I can't say without giving away spoilers!

I enjoyed reading this one more than the first book, probably because as with every 2nd book in a series, you already have the backgrounds/info on the characters, so you can just jump right into the story. I highly recommend this book, especially if your craving for action and romance.

Cover Reveal!

Scent of Magic (Healer #2) by Maria V. Snyder

Expected publication: Early 2013 (??!!)
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My Thoughts: I am seriously DROOLING over this book!! This is the sequel to Touch of Power. I don't like the cover as much as the last book, but it's still epically amazing! I loved loved LOVED Touch of Power, so I predict I will die from excitement overload when I finally get my hands on this book!!

What It's About!

Hunted, Killed - Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avery of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winner control of the Realms, Avery is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avery will do whatever she can to support Tohon's opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon's most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead - human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avery is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again.

♥Wishlist Wednesday♥

♥Wishlist Wednesday♥ is every Wednesday, I will post a book or two that I have on my wishlist. This week it's Immortal City by Scott Speer, which was released April 3rd/2012. I've been seeing this book around on the blogspere and now I really wanna read it! I hope it's as good as it looks.

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What It's About!

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect - everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Divergent Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥




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In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

 Review

Divergent falls in the middle between Matched (by Ally Condie) and The Hunger Games, only it ventures out into it's own story. I'm comparing it to these books because in Divergent, they have factions and different rules just like the districts in the hunger games, and all three books have some sort of higher power tying to control everyone else. That's pretty much where the similarities end.

I actually didn't end up really liking it until about the middle of the book, when things really start picking up and Beatrice/Tris starts turning things around and learns to stick up for herself. One of the main things that kept me reading was the relationship between Tris and Four, just something about it made me want more. I didnt mind most of the characters, but I think some of hem could have had a little more depth to them. I was sad when we lost a few characters, not so sad about others and some I wish hadn't made it but did.

There's a lot of heart-thumping, page turning action, especially nearing the end of the novel. I wasn't sure if I was going to end up reading the 2nd book, Insurent, but after reading the last few pages, I HAVE to know what happens next! Glad I don't have to wait long, since it's out next month. And just to be clear, it's maybe only half as good as the hunger games, but still a pretty good read. 

The Gates by Rachael Wade Tour Stop!

The Gates On Tour!

Book 2 of The Resistance Trilogy, a paranormal fantasy romance series. Available 4/25 from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

•    Song: Blinding
•    Artist: Florence and the Machine
•    Tour Date: 4/23/12
•    Venue: Samira’s Throne Room
•    Scene Snapshot: Samira reflects on her past, present, and future as queen of the Amaranthian exile.
•    Anthem:  

Seems that I have been held, in some dreaming state
A tourist in the waking world, never quite awake
No kiss, no gentle word could wake me from this slumber
Until I realise that it was you who held me under
No more dreaming of the dead as if death itself was undone
No more calling like a crow for a boy, for a body in the garden
No more dreaming like a girl so in love, so in love
No more dreaming like a girl so in love with the wrong world

Getting There is Half the Battle...

Armed with more unsettling knowledge about Gavin Devereaux and her circle of friends, Camille Hart is faced with new adversities and lethal propositions when she returns to the Amaranth exile to carry out Gavin’s risky crusade.

Realizing her journey through the bayou was only the beginning of her struggle to stay with Gavin, she finds that leaving her Louisiana home is the least of her worries. New evils await her on the other side, and as she and her friends press on with their mission, they are confronted with the reality that everything doesn't always go according to plan.

As secrets unfold and alliances are formed and broken, only the strongest will survive and the power of love will be tested when a war between witches, humans, and vampires erupts into an all-out power struggle and all is on the verge of being lost.

**Make sure you check back soon for my review of The Gates!**

Be sure to read book one before you read The Gates. Enter the world of Amaranth by picking up a copy at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords. Visit www.RachaelWade.com on Wednesday, April 25^th for The Gates launch party!

Book Reveal!

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin

Release Date: Oct. 23rd/2012

272 pages
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What It's About!

Two days after Mara walks into a police station in Miami at the close of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, she is committed for psychiatric treatment for what her parents believe is a mental breakdown. But what seems like a hallucination to everyone else is a chilling reality for Mara. Someone from her past has discovered her strange, disturbing secret and that someone wants her to pay. But she's about to discover that the price is more than she can bear.

Dark and thrilling, suspenseful and passionate, The Evolution of Mara Dyer will have readers breathlessly turning pages to find out what will become of Mara Dyer next...

IMM ♥

These are the books I have bought and received in the past few weeks.

For Review:

Keep Holding On ARC (BIG thanks to Penguin Canada for sending me this copy!!)

The Gates by Rachael Wade

Bought:

Divergent

Embrace

The Calling 

Boyfriend bought me Lauren Conrad's new book, The Fame Game :) 

What books have YOU gotten lately?

The Calling Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 

Maya and her friends--all of whom have supernatural powers--have been kidnapped after fleeing from a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set, and after a terrifying helicopter crash they find themselves pursued by evildoers in the Vancouver Island wilderness.
Surprisingly, I loved every minute of this book from beginning to end. It's surprising because after read the first book, The Gathering, I was a little disappointed. This book though, had a lot going on. 




                                                                        Review                              


The first chapter dives right back into where the first book left off, and just kept on rolling. A few unexpected things happen, some were very predictable, but that's what makes a good book, the balance of having both. I have to say, I was kinda glad with what happened with a certain character, she was annoying and useless. We will probably be seeing her and a few other "lost" characters in the third book though.

My favourite characters are Maya and Daniel. I like Rafe too, but not the way I like Daniel, he's a lot better for Maya. We got to know some of the other characters better, like Corey, Nicole, and a couple others that weren't really around in the first book much. 

The way The Calling ended, was perfect as a 2nd book. It's not a total cliffhanger, but it does leave you wanting/needing to know what happens next. I think if the author had gone any further with it, it would have ruined a lot for the 3rd book in this series. I'm almost sad I read this book right away, since I have to probably wait another year (give or take) for the next book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and didn't want it to end! 

If you loved the Darkest Powers Trilogy by Kelley Armstrong, you will definitely love this series, even if the The Gathering is a bit slow, but it gives you a lot of good back info leading to this 2nd book.

♥Wishlist Wednesday♥

♥Wishlist Wednesday♥ is every Wednesday, I will post a book or two that I have on my wishlist. This week it's Lauren Conrad's new novel, The Fame Game, 1rst book in her spin-off series of the L.A. Candy trilogy. 


Although I haven't read the L.A. Candy novels (I've been really wanting to, but didn't know if they were worth the time), I HAVE to read this one! I've seen better reviews on this new novel, than her other ones. Plus I love the cover :) I always loved watching Lauren on The Hills and Laguna Beach but never really thought she'd be a very good author, so I guess I will have to buy this book and see!

What It's About!


In Hollywood, fame can be found on every corner and behind any door. You just have to know where to look for it. Nineteen-year-old Madison Parker made a name for herself as best frenemy of nice-girl-next-door Jane Roberts on the hot reality show L.A. Candy. 


Now Madison's ready for her turn in the spotlight and she'll stop at nothing to get it. Sure, she's the star of a new show, but with backstabbing friends and suspicious family members trying to bring her down, Madison has her work cut out for her. Plus, there's a new nice girl in "reality" town—aspiring actress Carmen Price, the daughter of Hollywood royalty—and she's a lot more experienced at playing the fame game... When the camera's start rolling, whose star will shine brighter?

Filled with characters both familiar and new, Lauren Conrad's series about the highs and lows of being famous delivers Hollywood gossip and drama at every turn.

♥Cover Candie of the Week♥

Cover Candie: Dark Heart Surrender (Dark Heart #3) by Lee Monroe


Released Aprirl 5th/2012
384 pages
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What It's About! 


ONE GIRL. TWO WORLDS. SHATTERED. Jane's world has changed now that Luca, love of her live, inhabits it, and she's happier than she ever thought she could be. But how can a werewolf survive in the real world? When an immortal lives in the mortal world, the natural order of things must change. And what seems perfect, becomes destructive. They've overcome different worlds. But nothing could prepare Jane for this...

Embrace Review

 Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Goodreads

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…” 
Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before. 

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her. 

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden… 

Review:

When I seen this book at walmart, I might have sorta kinda squealed just a little..I was SO excited, I'd wanted to read it so bad, and I didn't think I would be able to find it so easily. I had heard so many good things about Embrace. I love angel stories, and this isn't just another angel novel. It may even be better than Unearthly--anyone who has read Unearthly by Cynthia Hand knows how amazing it is!

As in most novels, the girl has 2 guys she has to basically choose between, but this is one of the hottest love triangles in Angel history! You have Lincoln, Violet's angel partner, and then Pheonix, an exiled angel..who could be either from light OR dark... ;)

I think I will always like Lincoln, but there's just something about the bad boys that always draws me in. Pheonix seems to be bad, but has a soft side too. I'm still not sure about him though. Violet seems to attract a lot of attention and action, good, bad and otherwise. In a way, she's really lucky to be half angel, but on the other hand, it just doesn't seem worth the price, with what she has to go through.

Embrace is a nicely paced novel, with just the right amount of action, love, and magic to keep you wanting more. 

Look for the sequels ENTICED in September 2012 and EMBLAZE in March 2013!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! Since I haven't been able to get on much, (my faithful laptop finally died on me) I thought I would do a quick update before dinner :) (Tuuurrrkeeyy!!!) Here is a list of some of the books I have on my TBR list. I'm not sure when I will be able to post reviews, but this will give you some idea of what's coming :)


 For Review: 


Blue Moon Bay Lisa Wingate 
The Gates by Rachael Wade-She is also stopping by the blog on her blog tour, April 24th, so come visit!! 
There are a couple more but I can`t remember the names of them :( 


Personal Enjoyment: 


The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer 
Witches of East End 
Lola and the Boy Next Door 
Bargains and Betrayals 
The Haunted 


 and more :)

 

Cover Reveal!

Cover Reveal: Fairy Blues (Songs of Magic #2) by J.L. Bryan 


Release Date: Jan 20th/2012


What It's About!

The sequel to Fairy Metal Thunder. 

With their enchanted instruments charming the crowds, the Assorted Zebras attract interest from record producers, and soon they’re off to cut their first album and music video. Jason and his friends don’t know they’ve just become pawns in a sinister plot by a cabal of evil fairies... 

Meanwhile, Aoide and her band pursue a new strategy for regaining their stolen instruments, one that will take them into the most haunted region in Faerie.

 

Upcoming Release

Social Suicide (Deadly Cool #2) by Gemma Halliday

Release Date: April 24th/2012

272 pages

What It's About!

Call me crazy, but I figured writing for the Herbert Hoover High Homepage would be a pretty sweet gig. Pad the resume for college applications, get a first look at the gossip column, spend some time ogling the paper’s brooding bad-boy editor, Chase Erikson. But on my first big story, things went... a little south. What should have been a normal interview with Sydney Sanders turned into me discovering the Homecoming Queen-hopeful dead in her pool. Electrocuted while Tweeting. Now, in addition to developing a reputation as HHH’s resident body finder, I’m stuck trying to prove that Sydney’s death wasn’t suicide.

I’m starting to long for the days when my biggest worry was whether the cafeteria was serving pizza sticks or Tuesday Tacos...

Torn Review

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

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When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story…

She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined—and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers—and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits…and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.

Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted…in both worlds.

Compared to the first novel, Switched, Torn feels a little slow. One or two exciting things do happen though, and many of the characters have grown and/or matured a lot since the first book. To me, Elora and Wendy were the ones that grew the most. Wendy is starting to realize her kingdom and her people need her, and Elora realizes she's dying and treats Wendy better than she did in Switched. We are also introduced to a few new characters, like the Vittra king, who turns out to be Wendy's father, and Loki, who's basically a Vittra prince. 

One of the things I had a hard time with was the "relationship" between Loki and Wendy. They both feel this "connection", which I can sort of understand, but then he proposes to her, pretty much out of nowhere. I feel like the idea of Wendy and Loki having some forbidden attraction is a good twist to the book, but it was rushed way too much. The characters didn't really have enough interaction with each other, or been through anything, really, to have the feelings they do. 

Another thing I felt was rushed, was Wendy, Matt and Rhys being held captive by the Vittra. They were in and out too easily, it was like, what was the point in that? We are hit with a few unexpected twists like the Vittra king being Wendy's father, as I mentioned already, but there are also a few more. I was definitely not expecting Tove to be gay. Like really?! 

Overall it was pretty good. I'd say the rating is more like 3.5/4 hearts. I couldn't really decide. I hope things pick up somewhat in the last book in this trilogy.