Passion by Lauren Kate-Review

Passion by Lauren Kate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Luce would die for Daniel.

And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .

As we learned in the previous books, Daniel is a fallen angel, and Luce has reincarnated over and over, due to a curse.

After the last book, Torment, I was excited to see more of the background for Luce and Daniel, and how their past lives played into their current love. Passion does not disappoint at all. You get taken through many of Luce and Daniel’s different romances and you learn that they really do love each other.

I really liked how in Passion that the chapters would alternate between Luce and Daniel’s story. Very nice to get Daniel’s perspective on different situations, especially since we didn’t know very much about him for the first 2 books. We finally get more of his personality and his feelings for Luce.

The ending perfectly sets up for the final book, Rapture. But it does leave you pretty frustrated that you have to wait so long to get that last book. Its for sure a great read, and I highly recommend it for anyone who has enjoyed the previous books. In the meantime, you can read Fallen in Love (its 3.5 of the series) its an extra look at more of Luce’s past lives. Check it out too.

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Torment by Lauren Kate-Review

Torment by Lauren Kate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Hell on earth.

That’s what it’s like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel.

It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts—immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. (part of summary from book)

This book was as good as the first one and this book was not slow at all. Not anywhere. It captured my interest from the very first page. There is So much is happening in this book and you really can't put the book down. Kept me up late at night reading, thats for sure.

We have good vs evil, Daniel, the good guy against Cam the bad guy....or are they?? The line in the sand is sometimes a little fuzzy in Torment. You'd think it would be easy to predict the behavior of either one, but sometimes they act in unexpected ways which leaves Luce confused and questioning, and me too. And is one of the things that makes Torment so compelling. There are definite mysteries to be solved and I love trying to figure them out!

Torment gives us a new setting...the gorgeous California coast. Shoreline is everything that Sword and Cross wasn't. Sunshine, beaches and a gorgeous building with decks and windows where classes are held. We are also introduced to some new characters at the school...Shelby, Luce's new roommate and Miles, a totally sweet guy who helps make Luce feel comfortable in her new school. And there are two teachers who...well, let's just say they're not your ordinary teachers ;)

Then of course there's Daniel and his glorious wings. Lauren Kate does an absolutely amazing job of describing them...not only can you picture his wings, she makes you hear and feel them too. As you would expect, Daniel's main goal is protecting Luce from the Outcasts, but he's also protecting her from her past. There are lots of unanswered questions and we are left wondering just what it is that he is hiding from her. I think there are going to be some amazing reveals in book three!

I was pleased with the growth that Luce did in Torment. Although she does have the habit of doing exactly the opposite of what the people trying to protect her tell her to do, but really that is the most important part of her personality. She has free will, and she acts on it. There are situations she should avoid, but of course puts herself into them, but there is so much about her past that she doesn’t understand and she wants to know. You can’t blame her for that. I also like that, even though she has this great passion with Daniel, she also questions their relationship too. She gets that passion and attraction and history isn’t everything.

Bottom line...if you liked Fallen, I think you're going to love Torment! Make sure to read Fallen first, and then I made sure to have Passion already before i started (3rd book) so I could keep reading. :) Also she has a 3.5 book, called Fallen in Love, its great too.

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Fallen by Lauren Kate-Review

Fallen by Lauren Kate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars




Fallen is the story of seventeen year old Lucinda (or Luce as she is known) a girl with a normal life until she's a suspect in her boyfriends mysterious, fiery death. Because of this, she is sent to Sword & Cross, a run down, intimidating reform school.

As soon as she arrives, we meet plenty of new characters. There's Arriane, the bad ass punk chick, who may or may not be trustworthy, there's Cam, good looking and desperate to be Luce's boyfriend, and most importantly, there's Daniel Grigiori. The minute Luce lays her eyes on Daniel, she gets the strangest feeling like they've met before. . .

This is elaborated wonderfully throughout each chapter, giving us little clues one by one to keep us guessing why Luce and Daniel are drawn together.

She falls in love with the good-looking and highly intelligent Daniel, but soon discovers that he is a fallen angel, cursed, and destined neither to ascend to Heaven nor descend to Hell. The two realize that they have spent their lifetimes finding and losing one another, and face the final challenge to keep evil forces at bay and seek redemption for all.

Luce herself is overall a nice girl, she is a teenager and she talks and behaves like a teenager. Although she may not be to everyone’s taste, readers of the same age will connect with Luce and very quickly find themselves falling completely under the book’s spell. There are times that Luce was a little dense, but then she would do something unexpected and feisty to make her warm to me even more. I have a feeling that as the series progresses, she will develop and become stronger, sassier and a compassionate female lead.

The setting of this story, is delightfully gothic, the highlight being the church that has been turned into a natatorium. The excerpt below shows Luce’s first impressions when encountering this wonderful creation:

“Inside the humid natatorium she instantly understood what Penn was talking about. The pool itself was giant, Olympic-sized, one of the few state-of-the-art features she’d encountered so far on this campus. But that wasn’t what made it remarkable, Luce realized in awe. This pool had been set down right in the middle of what used to be a massive church.”
Fallen: Chapter 6 - No Salvation

As Fallen comes to an end, there are still many unanswered questions that will leave its new fans eagerly anticipating the sequel, Torment. Who will this book appeal to most? Usually teenagers, if the lead characters are teenagers. BUT as I am not a teen, and still love the story, I would not rule it out. So give it a chance. To me it was a refreshing take on the fallen angel’s angle.

Lauren Kate's writing is very accomplished, The reader’s interest is engaged early and, helped by a solid and ever-evolving plot, never lets go. This is a gothic love story featuring fallen angels and forbidden love (a winning formula) that will thrill and delight in equal measure.

Be sure to pick up Torment and Passion and also a nice extra novel called Fallen in Love (3.5) which you can read after book 3. Soon Rapture will be out to find out the conclusion to this story. (June 12 2012)

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Vanish by Sophie Jordan-Review

Vanish by Sophie Jordan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Great follow-up to Firelight. I do not want to add spoilers,so will keep it short. I was on the edge of my seat for most the book. Now anxiously waiting the 3rd book. You will not be disappointed.

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

I recommend this series, this is the 2nd book in the Firelight series (Firelight is the first)

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Firelight by Sophie Jordan-Review

Firelight by Sophie Jordan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely LOVE this new series. Its so different than so many other books out there, Its written very well. I can't wait for the 3rd book, this is the first, then comes Vanish.

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life.

Full of suspense, and surprises. I highly recommend. Be sure to check out the 2nd book in this series called Vanish and soon the 3rd called Hidden. Check outSophie Jordan at her page to see the other books.

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Deadly Descendant by Jenna Black-Review

Deadly Descendant by Jenna Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was anxiously waiting for this 2nd book in the new series by Jenna Black. I was on the edge of my seat when reading the first book Dark Descendant, and it was no different in this book.

Overall, all of the fast-paced excitement, danger, suspense, and mystery are back along with a bit of romance and emotional drama that made this impossible to put down.

This book has solid characters, action, adventure, magic, and plenty of humor make this a must read for any fan of the genre.

For anyone who read book 1, I hope you buy this because you won’t be disappointed. If you have NOT read book one, go get it, read it, then you will WANT to pick this one up to find out what happens next!

***Mild spoilers for both books below this warning. I have a more in-depth review of the book and series in general.****
******************************************************************

In Deadly Descendant, we return to the Liberi and Nikki Glass shortly after the events of book 1, and she is feeling pretty lost after all the events that took place. We learned in Book one that Nikki Glass is a descendant of the goddess Artemis the Huntress. She is also a private investigator - which makes her quite good at finding things.

Nikki is still trying to adjust to her new life, her immortality, and the power she doesn’t really know how to use yet. It’s not like it comes with a user manual. This is a thrilling sequel; there is a serial killer out and about killing innocent people, who just may be more than a human.

In this book, we get introduced to some new faces, as well as learn about some minor characters from book one: Jack a descendent of Loki is the trickster of the group. Cyrus (he’s an Olympian), the son of Konstantin, who seems to have a past with Blake, and an up and coming power in the Olympians group, and Emma, well, her psychotic episodes of anger are fueled by her need for revenge against Konstantin, and until she gets what she wants... well Nikki seems like a good target, so plenty of stress here for Nikki, and Emma’s unreasonable jealousy toward Nikki is certainly undeserved. Emma is a dangerous enemy to have. That’s all Nikki needs, another enemy!

Nikki and Jamaal, wow is one word to describe them. Both Jamaal and Nikki have had a bad past which I loved learning about and hopefully more will be revealed in future books. We had some pretty steamy scenes between these two. The insight into his past, the way he is slowly opening up to Nikki, and vice versa had me hanging on every word. They are so alike, and oddly enough they seem so good for each other. I really do hope this relationship will grow in the next book. To me it seems they NEED each other.
Overall, very exciting.

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Dark Descendant by Jenna Black-Review

Dark Descendant by Jenna Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dark Descendant is amazing!

This book isn't about vampires, faeries, werewolves, or demons; it's about the children of gods. Yes, Norse, Greek, Egyptian: so many different pantheons are represented and It was really exciting to read about. Like a grown up story along the lines of the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan

Nikki Glass is a private investigator, and while working a case, she discovers that she's a descendant of the goddess Artemis, her introduction to the 'good' descendants of the old gods, and the bad Olympian descendant purists doesn't make her a fan of either faction.

Its fast paced and definitely on the edge of your seat ride. I really enjoyed this start of a great series.

This novel is well written with a fabulous world and some amazing characters to make it all complete. It definitely took my full attention from the beginning and held it through the whole book which i finished in one day, as i could not put it down.

I like how the main character, Nikki, is SMART, not made to be dumb, and unlikable. She is a true heroine.
Dark Descendant is an excitingly gritty mix of mythos and urban fantasy. I highly recommend it.

Check out my review for the 2nd book, called Deadly Descendant It was also amazing.



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Review: Darkness Falls by Jessica Sorensen-New Cover

Summary Below

DARKNESS FALLS:

When the disease spread through the world, people had no choice but to go into hiding. The Colony is hidden deep underground, far away from the vampires--humans that were transformed by the disease. The vampires are hideous, starving, and they will kill any human they come across.

Seventeen-year-old Kayla is a Bellator, a warrior that protects The Colony. In order to survive, there are three rules she must follow:

Rule #1--Never go out after dark.

Rule #2--Always carry a weapon.

Rule #3--No matter what, never EVER get bit.

But what happens when the rules Kayla has always lived by can no longer apply?

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Jessica Sorensen has done it yet again, she has blown me away with yet another series!

I really love Jessica's Fallen Star Series, and while waiting for that next book, I read this one, and loved it. I think this book is totally unique, has a different spin on the usual vampire books. I was pleasantly surprised, which I should not have been, as I love Jessica's writing. She found a way to make a whole new type of world, like a paranormal dystopian type. I really enjoyed how different this world is. And we have the vampires in this one more as monsters/zombie looking, but then there is the mystery around the the Colony and Kayla herself.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you have read and liked her other books,The Fallen Star, The Underworld, The Vision, The Promise.

Visit Jessica Sorensen's blog to see her giveaways and contest, and extras. http://jessicasorensensblog.blogspot.com/

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Review:The Promise (Fallen Star Series #4) by Jessica Sorensen

I was blown away by this whole series. I loved it, and could not put the book down (my kindle, lol) until I finished the whole book. This final installment did NOT disappoint. I loved how Gemma and Alex finally figured out their feelings for each other. Loved how we actually got to see 2 endings, the visions, and what really happens. It was great. I am actually reading the series over again, can't get enough. I can't wait for the spin off book. The Lost Soul (Fallen Souls Series book 1)

Visit Jessica Sorensen to see all of her books. If you liked this series, then check out her new series called Darkness Falls and the 2nd in series Darkness Breaks

Be sure to check out the spin off series of Fallen Star, called the Fallen Souls. First book is Lost Soul (Fallen Souls book 1) My Review HERE

And another new series called Ember (Death Collectors #1) and Cinder (Death Collectors #2) (2^nd one due out fall 2012)
My Review for Ember (Death Collectors #1 ) Is HERE

You can also find extras at her website http://jessicasorensensblog.blogspot....

Review: The Vision by Jessica Sorensen-New Cover

Summary Below

Gemma thought she was trapped—that Stephan had finally won. But then time resets and she’s given another chance.

The clock is ticking as Gemma tries to figure out how to change the vision that ends the world in ice. If she can, then maybe she can save the world from Stephan and give her and Alex a chance at a real future. But changing visions can be dangerous, and sometimes one small mistake can lead to disastrous results.

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WOW! Is one word to sum up this amazing 3rd installment to the Fallen Star Series. I, in a way was very lucky to have discovered this series late, meaning I started the first one, only a month or so, before the 4th was due out. SO when I got hooked, I was able to download the rest, and keep reading. This one was also "on the edge of your seat" amazing.

Jessica Sorensen has really made Gemma a dynamic character as, looking back, I can see how she has morphed and changed into the strong willed young woman that every heroine should be.

Even though I was familiar with the storyline, I wasn't actually prepared for the emotions that hit me during this book. The Vision was probably the most emotional book out of the series (so far) because we see Gemma's and Alex's relationship on a whole new level. Even though they are trying to find a way to be together they are thrown a whole new line of obstacles that honestly leave you emotionally drained in a good way. I, yet again, could not put the book down (well, my kindle) I am truly am amazed at Jessica's writing style. I read lots of books, and can honestly say she is one of my favorite writers now.

I highly recommend this book, and the whole series. Its AMAZING! Be sure to read The Fallen Star and The Underworld before this one. Then the 4th one after this one The Promise

Visit Jessica Sorensen's blog for extras and giveaways ect. http://jessicasorensensblog.blogspot.com/

Review: Fallen Star By Jessica Sorensen-New Cover

Above is the New cover, I have updated this review. This is based on the old ebooks, not the new revamped ones. I will read them and review once they are out.

The Fallen Star is about a girl named Gemma who was not able to feel any emotions until recently. Gemma meets Alex and she feels different around him, and after meeting him she starts to piece to together information about her past and she finds out that the monsters that haunt her in her dreams are actually real.(summary from book)

Fallen Star is the first in a young-adult paranormal series by indie author Jessica Sorensen. The summary for the book, does not say a lot on what it is about, so I will tell you some, no spoilers though.

We can see that Gemma is troubled. There are some new classmates Aislin and Alex that seem to know things about Gemma, things, she doesn’t even know. Gemma can be pretty strong willed at times, as well as impulsive. But then, there are times we can see the mysteries surrounding her scare her. She will soon find out a shocking revelation about her life. 

This is a very creative story, love the fantasy and mysteries around it. 

The world that Jessica has created along with the characters and the magicks she places into this world are very intriguing. As this is only part of a series, there’s obviously a lot of depth and complexity that she can explore. She has, Fallen Stars, Foreseeres, Faeries, Vampires, Keepers, Witches, Death Walkers, the works really.

The plot itself has lots of potential as well. The idea of a fallen star is not unique to this story, but the twist and turn she has given it is very original. This star can save the world, and that’s the intriguing premise and the fun one that can really draw a reader in.

Also, having the character suddenly be able to feel emotions is an interesting idea. I felt that Sorensen could potentially delve into exactly what Gemma’s feelings and how she feels it. There is a very complex and interesting idea of the soul and emotions tied together, and that being the very essence of a human being is something that she could explore.

As of writing this (updating) I have already read the rest of the series, and will tell you now, that this book is necessary to read to understand it all, but keep in mind, it’s a first step in a series, and the characters and story really grow over the series of books, questions you have in this one do get answered, I promise, its written this way. It’s worth reading, and for sure going on to the next 3 after this one. (There is even a spin off series that is also amazing, with same characters, with a whole new adventure)

The best part is how within a few pages you are sucked into the story! I stayed up WAY too late doing the `one more Chapter' thing till the wee hours of the morning. It hooks you from the first chapter. I am hooked on the series, and impatiently waiting for the 2nd in the spin off. The Lost Soul is out, and I read it, now waiting for book 2.

I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys the supernatural with some twist and turns, and suspense.

Be sure to check out the rest of the books in this series. See
Jessica Sorensen page to see all her books.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth Book Review

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 2nd book of the trilogy is AMAZING!!
I absolutely, positively love that Veronica Roth picks up Insurgent right where Divergent left off. There's been no lapse in time (they're still on the train), so we literally do not miss a second. I love that, don’t have to read through a long summary of what happened before, it just continues as if it was just another chapter. Love that.

**Will have spoilers for the FIRST book, Divergent.**

Tris is heading back to the Amity headquarters, not to mention being devastated from having to watch a good majority of her family murdered and from murdering one of her best friends, while he was under a simulation. All these things that have happened to Tris, really start to take a toll on her mind. She is having trouble living with the consequences of the events that happened in Divergent. She has so many feelings and emotions to work through.

Four (aka Tobias), Caleb, and Marcus are also accompanying Tris as they travel to not only to Amity, but Candor as well. They need to inform everyone about the war against Abnegation. As Dauntless and Erudite have teamed up together (Dauntless traitors that is) unfortunately, they gain no support from either Candor or Amity. Many things happen in Insurgent, and it’s easy to get confused. Jeanine Matthews is still on the loose and is collecting Divergent people for a purpose that is not fully known

Tobias’s (aka Four) mom also makes a comeback, she is not dead, but the leader of the Factionless. Some major hell breaks loose. It’s really hard to decide which sides are the real villains, compared to factions that had just made bad choices. Veronica Roth does an amazing job of putting this incredibly complex story together, that just somehow works out, and I am not sure any other author would have been able to put it together so many different ideas, and make them flow so well together.

One thing I really like, is that Roth decided to not include a love triangle when to comes to Tobias (aka Four) and Tris’s relationship. I was really worried she would, as it seems that’s what so many authors do in YA novels. It’s nice to not have that complication on top of so many other things going on.

But there is other issues going on to complicate their relationship that has changed from Divergent, they have many of their own struggles to deal with because of varying feelings and emotions they are experiencing. Tris feels very helpless and is depressed for the majority of the story, and it shows in her recklessness. Tobias is a little more edgy in Insurgent, and really is trying to do well for Tris, but he has his own struggles, and you can’t help but to feel bad for him. Tris doesn’t always make his job as the good boyfriend easy.

My final thoughts on this book: There is a huge revelation that takes place in the final half of Insurgent and the book ends with a major cliffhanger that is going to keep me crazy waiting a year and a half before the final book is out. (fall of 2013)

Insurgent surpassed my expectations and I foresee it ending up on every single “Best of 2012” list later this year.

I highly recommend picking up Insurgent, you will not be disappointed. Be sure to read Divergent first if you haven’t yet.

Divergent by Veronica Roth Book Review

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Veronica Roth has created an amazing world filled with action and adventure, and major suspense. Divergent was definitely a new riveting tale that had me rapidly flipping the pages in a reading frenzy! It starts off with the reader getting to know the lifestyle of Beatrice (aka as Tris), a sixteen year old girl, in a dystopian or controlled world, where there are five factions of people: Abnegation who put others before their own needs and where Beatrice is currently from, the Dauntless who are brave and fearless, the Erudite who are studious and super smart, the Amity who are peaceful, and the Candor who are honest She will have to choose which faction she wants to be in, but first, she has to go through a simulated aptitude test, this test will tell her which faction she is best suited for. But Beatrice is not like everyone else, she test for at least three factions. This makes her a dangerous person, she doesn’t understand the reasons yet. Because of this, life will never be simple for her. She has to keep this information to herself, or risk being killed

Beatrice then has to make her own mark in the world, and ultimately makes a decision that will change the rest of her life. No more does she have to be, the meek, silent girl with no spirit, but instead forces herself to rise up to the challenges she faces in both the initiation and in her life. She can’t let her guard down, or she will risk becoming factionless, and that’s worse than death she believes, as you will be without friends or family. She doesn’t expect to find out what she yearns for most, that is to understand who she really is.
Divergent is one novel that had me jumping out of my seat, sitting on the edge of my seat, cheering her on one minute, and wanting to cry with her the next. There are times where she seems a little cold like when she wishes one boy to quite crying, and you see why Abnegation didn’t suit her. But then the in the next minute she is putting herself in danger for another, so you understand why she has a bit of a split personality, well not so much as split personality, but different traits I guess. You see, she has been born into a society that believes you can only have one quality, and she needs to figure out, by herself, that being brave, doesn’t mean she has to give up being selfless as well.

She has to fight hard to stay in the competition, for only ten initiates will be able to call the new faction home. Otherwise, she would become factionless. I couldn’t help but root for her. Tris has a lot to learn, but she finds she has friends to help her through the obstacles in her path. There is a sweet love interest as well. I highly recommend this book (and series) to anyone who loves action, bravery, and a little romance, and lots of adventure. You are warned, this book will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, and ready to pick up book 2. I suggest having the 2nd (Insurgent) book before starting this, as the ending will make you want to pick it up right away, and it will start right where this one leaves off. Great series.

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