Book/Galley Review: Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Lost Prince

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1

Publisher: Mira Ink UK

How obtained: Netgalley

Will be published on Jan 6 2013 in the UK.

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten

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When I found out Julie Kagawa was going to be writing about Ethan I spazzed. I was so excited! But after the original publication in the U.S. in October, I couldn't get my hands on it. Thank you Netgalley!

The book was everything that I hoped for. More of Julie Kagawa's writing. I swear that its addicting.

Ethan is afraid to hurt other people because of his sight, but we all know the more you try to stay away from something, the more ways it comes back to find you.

I love Ethan's character because he not only is badass, Julie Kagawa also lets us have peeks at his inner self, where he is afraid and where he still loves Meghan despite his outer facade. I respect him all the more. Sometimes to protect others and ourselves there will be a lot of wall building between the outside and the heart. I admire Kenzie and her bravery. That girl is seriously stubborn but she wouldn't of been able to get past Ethan's shields if she wasn't. She has my respect for being able to face the world of the fey even though she couldn't fight. But she made up for it in brains. She was just as kickass in the story as Ethan and Kierran.

Oh Kierran, if you read the Iron Knight, you know where this lovely far/human comes from. I was a little disappointed in Kierran. He was definitely a good fighter and he definitely had a big heart but he didn't shine the same way as Ethan and Kenzie did. Maybe it was because he did some stupid things
-_-.

Don't forget!!!! Meghan, Ash and Puck and Grimalkin are in it too! OH MY GOD I love the old characters. They didn't really have as big as a part but when they were introduced(and I guessed right) or whenever they appeared I fangirled.
Meghan makes a good queen. And Ash will forever be her love and knight.
Puck needs a love interest! But he's still our favorite prank-puller. <3 p="p">And must I say more about our lovely and sarcastic cat?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be equally siked for the next one. I give The Lost Prince a 9/10. I will forever love anything Julie Kagawa writes!

If YOU haven't read the Iron Fey series yet, get to it! You'll never regret it. :]

Read up a storm!

Book Review: Bitter Blood by Rachel Caine

Title: Bitter Blood

Author: Rachel Caine

Series: Morganville vampires #13

Publisher: NAL

How obtained: Library

For years, the human and vampire residents of Morganville, Texas, have managed to co-exist in peace. But now that the threat to the vampires has been defeated, the human residents are learning that the gravest danger they face is the enemy within…

Thanks to the eradication of the parasitic creatures known as the draug, the vampires of Morganville have been freed of their usual constraints. With the vampires indulging their every whim, the town’s human population is determined to hold on to their lives by taking up arms. But college student Claire Danvers isn’t about to take sides, considering she has ties to both the humans and the vampires.

To make matters worse, a television show comes to Morganville looking for ghosts, just as vampire and human politics collide. Now, Claire and her friends have to figure out how to keep the peace without ending up on the nightly news… or worse.

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I completely and utterly devoured this book. I've followed along with The Morganville Vampires series since the beginning and damn, I'm glad I did. Thirteen books in and Rachel Caine still manages to surprise us and literally keep us on the edge of our seats. There is definitely a lot to process from this book and I sat there for like five minutes after I finished, just digesting. So here's my review.

You would think that after the draug are taken care of, that our heroes could have some peace but that is not the case. A character from the past makes her reappearance and goddamn does she cause problems. I really love how Claire has grown. She went from a timid girl to one who isn't afraid to fight for all she wants and isn't afraid to get hurt to protect the ones that she loves. And we all know she loves Shane, Michael and Eve with all her soul.

This book broke my heart in some places, especially when Michael under influences(that will not be spoiled here) causes a rift between all the members of the house. Unfortunate as this was, we see that Claire is truly strong and truly ready to face the challenges thrown at her. Oh, Myrnin, my favorite wacky vampire. He didn't play as important of a role but he was crucial to the storyline. I'm glad he cares for Claire but seriously he's a little too old for her. He will always be her black knight but her black knight is not exactly what she needs.

It was very interesting to see the ghosts and humans of Morganville really have a role in the town. It was nice to see their strength but honestly, even given the circumstances, it doesn't give most of them the right to be asses.

Michael and Eve are married and it should of been a happy thing but they don't exactly have everyones blessing and this paints the whole glass house as targets. Their love is strong enough to survive but it really is them against the world.

Oh, I still respect Amelie but she pissed me off in the beginning of the book. It was like one of those people that you want to shake them until some sense dawns on them.

I give Bitter Blood a 10/10. I loved it. It wasn't flawless because there are some falters of pace but I loved the multiple point of views, the wittiness that Rachel Caine manages to stick in there and the tying of the characters together even more strongly.

Read up a storm! <3

Book Review: Hidden by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast

Title: Hidden

Author: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Series: House of Night #10

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

How obtained: ebook

At last, Zoey has what she wanted: the truth is out. Neferet's evil has been exposed, and the High Council is no longer on her side -- but she's far from done wreaking havoc in the vampyre world. First, a mysterious fire ravages the stables. Then, Neferet makes a devastating move that will test them all.

With the seeds of distrust sown and Darkness breeding chaos at the House of Night, everyone must band together -- but that's proving to be more difficult than ever before. The twins are barely speaking and the House of Night's former enemy, Kalona, has now become their warrior, pushing their trust to the limit. To top it off, Zoey is pretty darn sure she might be losing her mind. She saw something when she looked at Aurox through the Seer Stone that she can hardly explain to herself, let alone her friends. Is it possible that Heath has come back in a different form? Is that why Zoey's so intrigued by Aurox, when it's so obvious that he's dangerous? And who would believe her if she told them? Zoey knows that following her instinct about Aurox might be just what they need to defeat evil . . . but if she's wrong, it could cause the destruction of those closest to her.

With the tension at a breaking point and friendships on the line, can the nerd herd come together to stop the spread of Darkness before it's too late?

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I know I didn't put up any reviews of the House of Night books but I literally read the first six in a week, like two years back and then followed along slowly as the others came out.

So the adventure with Zoey is far from over. Its kind of nice to have a long enjoyable series but sometimes it drags just a bit. I think that is why there is the mixing in of other people's POV. Its a nice touch because sometimes always being in the heroine's head can get to be boring and irritating when she's doing some stupid stuff.

Anyway, if you read up until this point you know that Auroux was created by that witch Neferet and is her device to try to harm Zoey in anyway possible. But Neferet didn't think that Heath would be making a comeback into the world of the living through another body. Hidden is really full of action and uncovering of secrets. Though I honestly think that the previous books were a bit better, this one wasn't that bad.

Kalona was being remorseful, and Auroux found his humanity in some sense. It was surprising that Erebus (Nyx's consort) showed up with hints of jealously. Like really? Kalona is the one thats banished and fallen to earth, the hero in charge of the sons of erebus should of been more, i dunno, honorable?
I still like Stark, he might be a bit possessive sometimes but I think he would be the best for Zoey. Even though Zoey can't make up her freaking heart about guys.

It was refreshing to read about Aphrodite and Darius again. Their relationship plus Stevie Rae and her man seem the most real. It was nice to meet Shaylin, but damn, I didn't think the twins Shaunee and Erin would end up like that.

Ugh, so much drama.


I give the book a 7/10. I read it because it was the next book in the series and though it added to the series as a whole, and there were some new and interesting plot twists, I think that the series should really come to an end soon. Peace of mind you know.

Read up a storm! :]

Waiting On Wednesday: With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Title: With All My Soul
Author:Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #7
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: March 19th 2013

What does it mean when your school is voted the most dangerous in America?

It's time to kick some hellion butt...

After not really surviving her junior year (after all, she did die), Kaylee Cavanaugh has vowed to take back her school from the hellions causing all the trouble. She's going to the find a way to turn the incarnations of Avarice, Envy and Vanity and the rest on each other. And so she–and her gang–make plans to protect her friends and finish this war, once and forever.

But then she meets Wrath. And Kaylee realizes that she's closer to the edge than she's ever been. Especially when one more person she loves is taken...

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I have followed this series from beginning to end and it has been an incredible experience. I love Rachel Vincent's writing and I'm so completely upset that the series is ending.

I really can't wait to see the final installment of Kaylee's world. I hope like the blurb, she indeed kicks some hellion butt. So this is what I'm waiting for.

What are you waiting for?

Galley/Book Review: Devil's Bargain by Rachel Caine

Title: Devil's Bargain

Author: Rachel Caine

Series: Red Letter Days #1

Publisher: Mira/ Harlequin UK

How obtained: Egalley

What's the price of a deal with the devil?

Playing by the psychic underworld's rules has cost.

Jazz Callender's whole life just got turned upside down. Her friend Ben's been convicted of a crime he didn't commit, and Jazz is determined to clear his name, even if it means enlisting the help of dark forces.

Enter James, a stranger with a mysterious offer. If Jazz pledges to work for The Cross Society, a shadowy secret organisation, he'll help her save Ben.

But as she's thrust into a world of psychic powers and dangerous magic, Jazz isn't just bargain for her friend's freedom. She's bargaining for her soul too.

And how high a price is she willing to pay?

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This was definitely a different kind of book then what I usually read of Rachel Caine's books. I adore her Morganville Vampire series because she has me totally loving Claire. And also her Revivalist series. I was really excited to get this on Netgalley :] My second request ever and it went through :3

Devil's Bargain was definitely a refreshing read. Jazz had me sold on the first chapter. She was witty, quirky, powerful and she wasn't afraid to be in a fight or get her hands dirty. I also liked that there wasn't just one heroine. I enjoy the comfortable and easy relationship that Jazz and Lucia fall into. Its like Lucia is the more sensible and carefully refined Jazz. They support each other and I believe that having such a strong friendship in a book is as important as having a good love interest.

And James Borden is just that. I like how the relationship between them was definitely more than met the eye from the very beginning but it was a slow, shimmering growth instead of an "oh my god, love at first sight" kind of love which works in man occasions anyway.

I don't like the cross society and I liked how the secrets were slowly explained and revealed one by one, but at the same time it left room for the reader to consider the possibilities. Jazz and Lucia really are dealing with the devil because the whole idea of how anything could effect a chain of events or even start one was cool to say the least. I loved the flow and power behind the writing and I expected no less from Rachel Caine.

Oh and on a side note, anyone whose read the revivalist series should notice that there are some characters that appear in this book that reappear in her later series. I was like oh my god, that was so cool, like she linked the stories in some way. ;] You gotta read it to find out.

It was definitely a worthy read and I think that the people in UK will love it. This book was originally published in 2005 here in the U.S so the galley I'm reviewing is actually the version that is going to be released in the UK. This egalley was provided by Harlequin UK through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I give this book a solid 8/10. I really liked it. I would love to read the second book because its about Lucia this time.

Read up a storm! :]

Waiting on Wednesday: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Title: The Indigo Spell
Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #3
Publisher: Razorbill

Publication date: February 12th 2013

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

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Oh its no coincidence I picked this as my WoW right after I reviewed Last Sacrifice. I love anything and everything that is Richelle Mead. February seems so faraway :[, but I'm sure that this book is well worth waiting for.

So what are you waiting for?

Book Review: Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Title: Last Sacrifice

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: Vampire Academy #6

Publisher: Razorbill

How obtained: Library

They come first.

My vision was growing dimmer, the blackness and ghosts closing in. I swore it was like I could hear Robert whispering in my ear: The world of the dead won't give you up a second time. Just before the light completely vanished, I saw Dimitri's face join Lissa's. I wanted to smile. I decided then that if the two people I loved most were safe, I could leave this world.

The dead could finally have me.

Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose - for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back...and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?

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The vampire academy series is one of my favorite series of all time and even though I read all the books, I haven't put up any reviews. But I feel like I really needed to write a review for one of my favorite books of all time. I originally read it when it was first published but I recently just re-read it so its pretty fresh in my mind.

In this final installment of the Vampire Academy series, we have Rose who's being arrested for Tatiana's murder. The punishment for treason is death and none of us wants Rose to die. So our favorite lawbreaker does some more lawbreaking to try to help her best friend. It wasn't even to try to clear her own name because she trusted her friends back at court with that task.

This adventure takes Rose and Dimitri through many unexpected twists and turns, secrets that were uncovered in the previous book will be answered in this one and the whole time the relationship between our lovers seems to finally realize the fact that they were made for each other. I loved how the story would follow Rose in her noble and obviously dangerous escapades, and then we would also get to see how Lissa was doing. Oh, this last book was everything I hope for. It kept me hooked from the first page until the last and the whole ride was suspenseful, thrilling and wonderfully written and executed.

It was shocking to find out what actually happened to Tatiana and what started out as a ruse for time when Lissa ran for the throne. It is always sad when a series must come to an end, but Richelle Mead, could not of ended this lovely series any better. I loved it and hey, you can always go back and re-read the series when you miss it.

I give Last Sacrifice 9.5/10. I loved it. I hope everyone who followed the series until the end, loved it just like me. :] And if you haven't read the Vampire Academy series, what are you waiting for?! (gogogo :])

Read up a storm! :P