Tuesday, July 30, 2013

New Releases This Week 7/30/13

New books released this week. Click on the links to see the description of each book!


Seven Minutes in Heaven by Sara Shepard, #6
Hardcover, 384 pages, Mystery














                                                        

                                                               Indelible by Dawn Metcalf
                                    Paperback, 384 pages, Paranormal (Faeries)














Bubble World by Carol Snow
Hardcover, 352 pages, Mystery/Science Fiction















                                                         Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike
                                                  Hardcover, 353 pages, Paranormal

More E-book Deals!

Wow this week has been swarming with many great discounts for the e-books. Remember to check them fast because they might go back to regular price the next day!

Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike
4 stars, Contemporary, 353 pages
$1.99 Kindle only








Wildefire by Karsten Knight
4 stars, Paranormal/Mythology, 416 pages
$1.99 Kindle only








Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon
4+ stars, Mystery/Action, 336 pages
$1.99 on Kindle and Nook









Hourglass by Myra McEntire
4 stars, Paranormal, 400 pages
$1.99 on Kindle and Nook















Timepiece by Myra McEntire, #2
4+ stars, Paranormal, 336 pages
$1.99 on Kindle and Nook



















Monday, July 29, 2013

E-book Deals and Steals!

Go grabs these awesome deals while they are still on sale!
Also, Divergent by Veronica Roth has just been reduced to $3.39 on Kindle and on Nook for $4.19

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
4+ stars, Paranormal, 384 pages
$2.99 on Kindle and Nook








The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson, #2
4+ stars, Fantasy/Paranormal, 416 pages
$1.99 on Kindle and Nook
First book: The Girl of Fire and Thorns







Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs
4 stars, Paranormal, 353 pages
$2.99 Kindle only








Captivate by Carrie Jones, #2
4 stars, Paranormal, 285 pages
$2.99 Kindle only
First book in series: Need







Starling by Lesley Livingston
4 stars, Paranormal, 352 pages
$1.99 on Kindle and Nook









Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
4+ stars, Contemporary, 368 pages
$2.99 on Kindle/ $5.49 on Nook














                                                          

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
4+ stars, Paranormal, 356 pages
$1.99 on Kindle and Nook






















Friday, July 26, 2013

My Review: Reboot by Amy Tintera

Published: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 365
Category: Science Fiction/Dystopian
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes, she came back to life as a Reboot—stronger, faster, able to heal, but less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return, making Wren 178 the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas.
Callum 22, on the other hand, is practically still human. He's the worst trainee Wren has ever had—his reflexes are too slow, he's always asking pesky questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet he's still her newbie. When Callum fails to measure up to Reboot standards, Wren is told to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before, but she'll do whatever it takes to save Callum's life.
The perfect soldier is done taking orders.


Reboot is set in a dystopic world in the land of Texas. It is run by the government of HARC who control the humans and reboots. Reboots are humans who die because of the KDH virus, but come back to life after a short while. (Sort of like zombies, though they do not eat humans). This is where the main character Wren pops in. She is the deadliest, most unemotional reboot, being dead for 178 minutes. She follows HARC's orders for it is her duty, and she likes it that way no questions asked. That is until she meets the undeadliest reboot, Callum. He's 22, practically acts like a human still, yet there's something that grabs Wren's attention about him. Callum cannot justify HARC killing people/reboots whether they are innocent or not, so he does the unthinkable and stands up to them. Having enough of Callum's attitude, HARC orders Wren to kill him. By now, she has developed a loving relationship for him and does not want him to die. Wren comes up with a plan for them to escape. They make the journey to a place where only reboots live, free of a controlling government.
This was a good book. It had its ups and downs for me though. I liked the main character Wren. She was tough, she knew how to fight, and she grew as a person throughout the book. She was brain washed by the government leading her to believe that she could not having feelings. Wren started thinking for herself, having her own opinions. For instance, she looked into a mirror one time and actually saw a pretty girl instead of a hideous monster.
Callum on the other hand was...just okay. Sure he was romantic when he danced with Wren, but sadly, he didn't have that swoon worthy vibe going on. I did enjoy that he brought out the more commendable, openness out of Wren. They balanced each other out well. He had good morals also by not killing anyone. My other gripe about him is that he needed to listen to Wren more, especially if he wanted to live. His stubbornness irked me a bit much haha.
The story itself was a thrilling read. Plenty of action through out the book, primarily when Wren and Callum escape the HARC building where they lived. While Wren and Callum had their obstacles cut out for them, I felt the end was a tad rushed and cleaned up a little too tidy. For the sequel to this book I would also like to see more world building. There were some things left unanswered that I hope the author delves into more. I also want to see Callum grow more independent as a character. He needs to be less cutesy, and more dominant so he can kick some butt too. I can't wait for the sequel. I really hope the hiccups get fixed. (On a side note, even though I might have written more negative things about this book I truly did enjoy reading it).           

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

New Releases This Week 7/23/13

New books released this week! Woot woot! Click on the links to read the descriptions.



A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard, #2
Hardcover, 416 pages, Historical Fiction/Horror
First book: Something Strange and Deadly









Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay
Hardcover, 400 pages, Fairytale/Fantasy










The Fury by Alexander Gordon Smith
Hardcover, 688 pages, Dystopian/Horror










Contaminated by Em Garner
Hardcover, 336 pages, Dystopian/Horror










OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu
Hardcover, 352 pages, Contemporary
































Wednesday, July 17, 2013

E-book Deals and Steals!


Here are some awesome e-books on sale! Buy them while they are still at this price!

 The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
4.5 stars, Contemporary, 337 pages
$3.99 on Kindle and Nook

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten. Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.


Spellcaster by Claudia Gray
4 stars, Paranormal/Fantasy, 400 pages
$2.99 on Kindle and Nook

When Nadia's family moves to Captive's Sound, she instantly realizes there's more to the place than meets the eye. Descended from witches, Nadia can sense that a spell has been cast over the tiny Rhode Island town—a sickness infecting everyone and everything in it. The magic at work is darker and more powerful than anything she's come across and has sunk its claws most deeply into Mateo . . . her rescuer, her friend, and the guy she yearns to get closer to even as he pushes her away.
Mateo has lived in Captive's Sound his entire life, shadowed by small-town gossip and his family's tormented past. Every generation, the local legends say, one member of the family goes mad, claiming to know the future before descending into insanity. When the strange dreams Mateo has been having of rescuing a beautiful girl from a car accident actually come true, he knows he's doomed.
Despite the forces pulling them apart, Nadia and Mateo must work together to break the chains of his terrible family curse, and to prevent a coming disaster that even now threatens the entire town, including Nadia's family, her newfound friends, and her own life.


Defiance by C.J. Redwine
4 stars, Fantasy, 416 pages
$1.99 on Kindle and Nook

While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice.
When Rachel's father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city's brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father's apprentice, Logan—the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself.
As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.








 

 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

My Review: Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza


Published: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 470
Category: YA Science Fiction
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Mila was living with her mother in a small Minnesota town when she discovered she was also living a lie.
She was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was never supposed to remember the past—that she was built in a computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.
Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much, and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology.
Evading her enemies won't help Mila escape the cruel reality of what she is and cope with everything she has had to leave behind. However, what she's becoming is beyond anyone's imagination, including her own, and that just might save her life.


Mila 2.0 is an action packed, roller coaster of a ride. It was a great book that kept me on my toes. There were only maybe a couple of negative things that got to me. The book starts off a tiny bit slow as Mila is depressed because her father died in a fire. She and her mom move to another state to get a fresh new start. Only that's just the beginning when a terrible accident occurs, causing the truth to come out that she is not a human, but an android from the government. As realization dawns on them, they must flee the country in hopes that the government and another bad group called the Vita Obscura will not capture them.
Although Mila found out she was an android, she in no way exhibited the characteristics of how a robot should be. She had insecurities, compassion, love, and most of all, she cared whether someone died or not. (Specifically when it was on her hands). One of her quirks though was her stubbornness. Mila was very, very STUBBORN! For instance, when her mom would tell her, "don't go to school", or "don't go this way", what do you think she does? The exact opposite!!! (Hello Mila! I think your mom is telling you those warning to protect you!!) Anyway, sorry for the rant. I guess even Mila had her flaws. Other than those aggravating moments, Mila was good. Oh! Did I forget to mention she also knows how to kick major ass?! That is one of the perks of being an android. Don't get Mila on her bad side because she knows how to make a weapon out of anything. Turbo Mila is deadly! Despite her ability to kill, she proved by listening to her "human conscience", that she could not murder people.
This was a nail biting, suspenseful read. I was cheering for Mila every step of the way! I didn't think I could connect with a character who was an android, but I was proven wrong. I felt so heart broken for her, especially at the end. There were also two potential love interests, though I felt they just fizzled. Mila knew both boys for a very short time (2 or 3 days max), so I didn't really see the spark or chemistry. Maybe that will change seeing as how one of them will be in the second book for sure. I definitely recommend this book to those that want to read some action.
For those that are reading this, keep an eye out in the near future! Steph and I will be giving away a signed copy of this book. We will hold the raffle via rafflecopter.We had the pleasure of meeting her and she personally signed her book. Who knows, you might win!

~Stacie

   



New Releases This Week 7/14/13 - 7/20/13

New books just released this week! Come check them out!


No Easy Way Out by Dayna Lorentz (Book #2)
Available in Hardcover, 480 pages
Release Date: 7/16/13
Category: Post-apocalyptic
First Book: No Safety in Numbers

It's Day 7 in the quarantined mall. The riot is over and the senator trapped inside is determined to end the chaos. Even with new rules, assigned jobs, and heightened security, she still needs to get the teen population under control. So she enlists Marco's help—allowing him to keep his stolen universal card key in exchange for spying on the very football players who are protecting him.
But someone is working against the new systems, targeting the teens, and putting the entire mall in even more danger. Lexi, Marco, Ryan, and Shay believe their new alliances are sound.
They are wrong. Who can be trusted? And who will be left to trust?
The virus was just the beginning.


False Memory by Dan Krokos
Available in Hardcover and Paperback, 352 pages
Release Date: 7/16/13
Category: Science Fiction

Miranda wakes up alone on a park bench with no memory. In her panic, she releases a mysterious energy that incites pure terror in everyone around her-except Peter, a boy who isn't at all surprised by Miranda's shocking ability.
Left with no choice but to trust this stranger, Miranda discovers she was trained to be a weapon and is part of an elite force of genetically-altered teens who possess flawless combat skills and powers strong enough to destroy a city. But adjusting to her old life isn't easy-especially with Noah, the boyfriend she can't remember loving.
Then Miranda uncovers a dark truth that sets her team on the run. Suddenly her past doesn't seem to matter...when there may not be a future.



Belladonna by Fiona Paul (Book #2)
Available in Hardcover, 352 pages
Release Date: 7/16/13
Category: Historical Fiction
First Book: Venom (Secrets of the Eternal Rose series)

When nothing is as it seems, the truth may be the deadliest poison of all.
A CHARMING BUT WILD ARTIST ran off with her heart.
HER STRONG, STEADY FIANCÉ appears to be keeping secrets.
ARRESTED IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT, her fiancé is imprisoned on false charges. To free him Cass must journey to Florence, a city haunted by rumors, secret soirees, clandestine meetings, and home to the eerily stunning leader of the Order of the Eternal Rose, the Belladonna herself. Cass can prove Luca's innocence, but can she trust her heart to lead her to the truth?
DANGEROUS, SEDUCTIVE AND ALLURING this edge-of-your-seat romantic thriller will leave readers wondering not only whom Cass will choose—Luca or Falco—but whether or not all three of them will survive.










Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Cover Reveal: Into The Dark by Bree Despain

Cover Reveals are books that are coming out in the future, but we get a sneak peak at the cover and sometimes synopsis of the book. I have been a fan of Bree Despain's, A Dark Divine series, so when I heard she was coming out with a new series I was super duper excited!!! Here it is!


Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.


Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.


Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.


A pulsating romance of epic proportions, Bree Despain’s The Shadow Prince will leave her fans breathless for the next book in the Into The Dark series.
[Please note: this is not the official finalized summary of the book.]

Doesn't the cover look awesome?!?! Now for the fun part! If you go on to Bree Despain's website, www.breebiesingerdespain.blogspot.com she is having a special contest to win an ARC of this book before it hits shelves!!!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

E-book Steals and Deals!

If you have a Kindle or Nook, or even just the apps, there are a ton of deals on some popular e-books! Not sure how long these deals will last, so go get them while you still can before they go back to regular price!



Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Rating: 4+stars, Historical fiction/Horror, 405 pages
$1.99 on Kindle and Nook
Sixteen-year-old Eleanor Fitt’s brother is missing. And when she discovers that the Dead are rising in Philadelphia and wreaking havoc throughout the city, she knows that her brother is involved.
So Eleanor enlists the help of the Spirit-Hunters. This motley crew, hired to protect the city from supernatural forces, is after the necromancer who has been reanimating corpses. Their skills can save her brother. But as Eleanor spends time with the Spirit-Hunters, and their handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. Now not only is her reputation at risk, but her very life may hang in the balance.




 
Divergent by Veronica Roth
4+ stars, Dystopian, 487 pages
$4.99 on Kindle and Nook
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.


MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza
4 stars, Science Fiction, 480 pages
$2.99 on Kindle only
Mila was living with her mother in a small Minnesota town when she discovered she was also living a lie.
She was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was never supposed to remember the past—that she was built in a computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.
Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much, and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology.
Evading her enemies won't help Mila escape the cruel reality of what she is and cope with everything she has had to leave behind. However, what she's becoming is beyond anyone's imagination, including her own, and that just might save her life.




Pivot Point by Kasie West
4+ stars, Science Fiction/Fantasy, 352 pages
$1.99 on Kindle and Nook
Knowing the outcome doesn't always make a choice easier. . . .
Addison Coleman's life is one big "What if?" As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It's the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie's parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the "Norms," or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it's not.
In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback's girlfriend. When Addie's father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she's unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she's willing to live through . . . and who she can't live without



 Beastly by Alex Flinn
4 stars, Fantasy, 327 pages
$1.99 for Kindle and Nook
Love is never ugly
Now a major motion picture starring Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer
I am a beast. A beast! Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll,stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.







Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh
(This is the 2nd book in the Nevermore trilogy. First book not on sale)
4 stars, Horror, 450 pages
$1.99 on Kindle and Nook
True love takes a twisted turn in the second book of this modern gothic romance trilogy channeling the dark brilliance of Edgar Allan Poe.
While Varen remains a prisoner in a perilous dream world where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life, Isobel travels to Baltimore to confront the dark figure known throughout the world as the Poe Toaster. This man, the same man who once appeared to Isobel in her dreams and abandoned her in Varen’s nightmare world, holds the key to saving Varen.
But when Isobel discovers a way to return to this dream world, she finds herself swept up in a realm that not only holds remnants of Edgar Allan Poe’s presence, but has also now taken on the characteristics of Varen’s innermost self. It is a dark world of fear, terror, and anger.
When Isobel once more encounters Varen, she finds him changed. And now Isobel must face a new adversary—one who also happens to be her greatest love.


The Lying Game by Sara Shepard
4 stars, Mystery, 325 pages
$2.99 on Kindle and Nook
I had a life anyone would kill for.
Then someone did.
The worst part of being dead is that there's nothing left to live for. No more kisses. No more secrets. No more gossip. It's enough to kill a girl all over again. But I'm about to get something no one else does—an encore performance, thanks to Emma, the long-lost twin sister I never even got to meet.
Now Emma's desperate to know what happened to me. And the only way to figure it out is to be me—to slip into my old life and piece it all together. But can she laugh at inside jokes with my best friends? Convince my boyfriend she's the girl he fell in love with? Pretend to be a happy, carefree daughter when she hugs my parents good night? And can she keep up the charade, even after she realizes my murderer is watching her every move?
From Sara Shepard, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars books, comes a riveting new series about secrets, lies, and killer consequences.
Let the lying game begin.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Review: Grave Mercy




 

 Author: Robin LaFevers
Published: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Series: His Fair Assassin Trilogy, #1
Pages: 560
Genre: YA Historical fiction
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?



Holy Moly this book was amazing! Right from the introduction this book reels you in because hello...it has killer nuns!!! The book is about a young woman named Ismae Rienne. She got rescued by a convent from a horrible arranged marriage. From the convent, she discovers that she is a product of Death. She must serve her god Death by assassinating who he chooses with a marque. So begins her journey with an obnoxious man, Gavriel Duval, whom she cannot trust, and try to save Anne of Brittany from being over thrown by the French.
I admired Ismae from the very beginning! She kicked major ass through out the whole book and she always followed her instincts. Let me tell you that Ismae was no dainty flower whatsoever! She knew how to fight, save herself and others from danger. She also killed people with deadly poisons that she herself was immune to. That was her special gift from Death. (How cool is that?!) Although Ismae was one tough chick, I liked that she had a compassionate, nurturing side. The relationship that she developed with Anne and Isabeau was refreshing. Ismae guarded them, protecting them as though they were her own family. Also, the way Duval treated his sisters Anne and Isabeau was wonderful too! I have not read a book where a brother treated his sisters with such love and affection. He put his sister's needs before his.
Speaking of Duval...he is one hot brooding man! Sure he starts off as an arrogant man, but under that hard exterior Duval really is a loving gentleman. I believe Ismae and Duval's chemistry was slow at first, though none would admit that they were attracted to each other. They were just too much alike when they first met. Both put duty first over intimacy, and they both had trust issues for personal reasons. Once their barriers came down, their relationship blossomed beautifully, but maybe at a price.
This was a great book with the just the right amount of action, romance, and adventure. I didn't think I would love a historical fiction book that much, but this was wonderful! Definitely not a light read. It kept me guessing who was the bad guy and who's true intentions were honest. I cannot wait to read the second book, Dark Triumph, because I heard two of my favorite supporting characters are returning in that book! I recommend this book to those that like historical fiction or fantasy.

~Stacie








Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Review: Shadow and Bone


Shadow and Bone
By Leigh Bardugo
Published on June 5, 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 368
Genre: YA Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

 
Alina Starkov is sent away after saving her best friend (secret crush), Mal from dying. She is the special Sun Summoner that will help save her kingdom from the evil monsters with wings. Now Alina has to start a new life as a powerful Grisha that she has absolutely no way of knowing how to control. Along the way, she learns how to grow as a person, forget her past, and begins a dangerous but oh so seductive relationship with the Darkling. Not everything is as it seems in the Grisha world, and Alina comes to a heart breaking conclusion on what she has to do.
There was plenty of action in this book, starting right from the beginning with the horrific monsters. Lots of fighting scenes too through out the book! The middle part slows down a little, but it in no way stops the story from getting dull. There isn't that much romance in this book. Though the chemistry between Alina and The Darkling is undeniably steamy! He is sooo hot and mysterious...why does he have to be bad?!?! I felt they had more of a connection than Alina did with Mal. He's a charming guy too in his own way, but I felt they had more of a puppy love connection. Maybe that will change for me in book two, and also maybe the Darkling will become good?! After all, it looks like he has small soft spot for Alina, no? Wishful thinking I know.
Overall, it was a spectacular start to the series. I was engrossed with the book from the beginning, to the nerve wracking ending! Alina was a strong, sarcastic, and independent character. She never let anyone get to her (especially the snotty little witch), and she always followed her own heart whether she liked it or not. I also enjoyed the new friendship Alina made with Genya. I just hope they don't become enemies.
This was an awesome book that I highly recommend. It's different from other YA books out there too! I can't wait to read the sequel, Siege and Storm, to see if my feelings change between Alina and Mal. What did you think of the book? Did you like it too? Share your thoughts!
 
~Stacie