Review: Pure - Jennifer L. Armentrout

 Title: Pure (Covenant #2)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: April 3rd 2012

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Pages: 329

Source: Bought

There is need. And then there is Fate...

Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.

When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

WARNING:: This isn't even a review, it's a full-on gush fest.. You've been warned :P

I have to be honest here (wait..what am I talking about.. I'm ALWAYS honest!) but I gotta say that out of Jennifer's books so far, the Lux series is my favourite. I do love the Covenant series ^ too, but when I read the first book Half-Blood, I wasn't really blown away by it. So I came into reading Pure (Covenant #2) not expecting much. But boy was I SO WRONG. This series just keeps getting better and better and now it's right up there with the Lux series! I really can't wait to get my greedy little hands on Deity (Covenant #3)!

This is probably the best sequel that I have ever read. Unlike others, this actually has a proper storyline, and something actually happens in those 300 something pages. You see, some sequels I've read before only acts as a 'bridge' between the first and the last book. But not PURE. It's equally important as Half-Blood, maybe even more. 

First, let's talk about the writing! You guys know how much I LOVE Jennifer's books! I really don't know how she does it, but she can transform such a simple plot into something magical, complex, enticing and romantic! I honestly don't know anyone who hasn't read Half-Blood or Obsidian (Lux #1). Seriously. She's my all-time favourite author and she NEVER disappoints. 
The characters OMFG! Alex was just pure awesome! She grew a lot from what happened in the previous book Half-Blood, but she still makes (sometimes stupid) mistakes, and she's stubborn, reckless but still lovable! Aiden just broke my heart in this. His love and care for her had me AWWW-ing the whole time. He protects her, he lies for her, he even took her to the ZOO! Hell, if that's not love, I don't know what is! :P

I'm probably the only female on the freaking planet to not have liked Seth in Half-Blood. I never warmed up to him, but wow(!)  in Pure he just totally won me over! Now, I am still 100% team Aiden (just because he's hotter, has dark hair and amazing eyes *sigh*) but I still love Seth! He was so arrogant but understanding and caring at the same time. He and Alex are so similar to each other, but Aiden and Alex fit together perfectly because they contrast, and one learns a lot from the other. 

Oh, a tidbit - I thought PURE was a Seth book. Aiden wasn't around as much(!), and like they mentioned in the book, Seth was there when Aiden wasn't. I really hope in Deity we get lots of Aiden time! And I've got lots of crazy theory about what's going to happen in the next two books and I'm so gonna laugh if they were right! :)

There was the perfect balance of love, action, suspense, beating-the-shit-out-of-someone that I read this in one sitting, and I never wanted it to finish! Psst. Am I the only one who got so freaked out by that old oracle granny lady?!?! Sometimes I just wanted to go up to her and shake her shoulders quickly and say STOP SPEAKING IN CODE, LADY! JUST TELL US A FREAKING NAME FOR GOD'S SAKE! But you gotta love her! And, Caleb *cries* he deserves some hugs and mention! I loved him! Bless! 

I love books that center around Greek mythology , but I never found a YA book that I adore (I never did finish Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, ya know!) before I read the Covenant series. I love the world-building, the society, the whole freaking package! Jennifer did a great job at this! I am a teeny bit in love with her writing! 

If you haven't read the Covenant series yet, then BUY it NOW! Or I will send Daimons after you, and trust me it won't be pretty! For fans of paranormal/fantasy romance, Greek Mythology and the Vampire Academy series! PURE lived up to its much deserved hype, and even better than it's first, Half-Blood! A NEW FAVOURITE! 

Review: Croak - Gina Damico

Title: Croak (Croak #1)

Author: Gina Damico

Release Date: March 20th 2012

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Source: Netgalley in exchange for honest review.

Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby has sucker-punched her last classmate. Fed up with her punkish, wild behavior, her parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than that of shoveling manure.

He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach her the family business.

Lex quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated entirely by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. Along with her infuriating yet intriguing partner Driggs and a rockstar crew of fellow Grim apprentices, Lex is soon zapping her Targets like a natural born Killer.

Yet her innate ability morphs into an unchecked desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she’s forced to Kill a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. So when people start to die—that is, people who aren’t supposed to be dying, people who have committed grievous crimes against the innocent—Lex’s curiosity is piqued. Her obsession grows as the bodies pile up, and a troubling question begins to swirl through her mind: if she succeeds in tracking down the murderer, will she stop the carnage—or will she ditch Croak and join in?

Let's have a look at that gorgeous cover for a sec. The girl's pose, that thing she's holding, what she's wearing, the bold font - everything just screams WHAT AN AMAZING AND PROMISING BOOK THIS WILL BE. But don't be mislead by the cover (just as I was) because I must tell you, this is a book that I did not finish (and won't consider continuing or reading the two sequels).

The concept was interesting, in lack of better word. I devoured the beginning (50 pages or so) but something wasn't right. I think it's because of the author's writing. I just couldn't get into it, and there was something wrong.  

Lex was pretty, umm, weird. I mean, I guess she was written that way, but at times her temper and behaviour just seems forced and it make it seem like Gina Damico just created her to be like that to fall under YA's latest trend - bad-ass heroines.  I just didn't get it. There was no explanation as to why she acts like that, just that readers are supposed to be on her side even though she got expelled, beat up other kids at school even though they've never done anything to her, played thoughtless tricks on cheerleaders, violated school rules, etc.

The bickering and the fighting (literally, I mean, we're talking about hitting, and black eyes on both parts) between Lex and Driggs. Those two are like unstoppable, the only think that kept me reading about this was to see more of their interaction with each other.  But then again, since I gave up on CROAK after 115 pages (halfway through, more or less) I have no idea what happened or blossomed with those two. 

I really wanted to like this book. I really did. Maybe that's why I gave it another chance when I was getting bored at around page 70. And it's such a shame because the cover is LOVELY. Too bad the book is not.

 

Review: Destiny's Fire - Trisha Wolfe

Title: Destiny's Fire (#1)

Author: Trisha Wolfe

Release Date: January 10th 2012

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.

Last month, if you told me that I would have read a steampunk novel and end up LOVING it, then I would have laughed maniacally at your face and tell you to f*** off.  Hell, if you told me that yesterday, I would have. 

Let me see. I'll start with why I'm a little *wary* of this. Do any of you remember the old cover? Yep. The one with the girl with the bad haircut and a head too big? With the super scary NOT hot guy? Yep. That's the one. (Here's the link if you can't remember) I've got the 'Don't judge a book by its cover' drilled in my head, but this, THIS. You just can't blame me.  I'm afraid that cover turned me off a bit and dear God I admit I was one of the people that went a bit mad and sprouted off not very nice comments when it was revealed on The Story Siren. To tame the backlash, the publisher decided to redesign the cover (above) which is a million times better.

Secondly, I was so frigging worried that I would get so confused out of my mind about all these terms and words that steampunk normally uses. And yes, when I started Destiny's Fire, I was overwhelmed with all these new terms and stuff that my mind couldn't take it anymore and I actually had to write them down in a piece of paper to keep in track. I know. I'm sad. BUT. As you get more into the story, I found out that I don't actually need the list! Because Trisha's writing just drew me in and along the way, we do get some backstory and history so I said bye bye to my list. 

I love the main character, Dez (Destiny) Harkly. She was strong, stubborn, selfish, yet she wanted to do things right. She was just overall a good person. And she wasn't annoying like the other heroines and female leads that I've encountered lately (I mean, HAVE YOU READ MY REVIEWS?). Sure, some of her actions were selfish and unjustified, but hey. No one's perfect. I love the whole cast - Dez, the triplets Jace, Lana and Nick, Reese (of course), her mum, and even her teacher Mr. Liam. They were all three-dimensional and had very likable personalities.

And you know what else I love? The love triangle. Halleluiah! Finally, I love triangle where both guys are good (in lack of better words) for her. We have Jace, her loyal and over-protective bestfriend and on the other, we have Reese (insert biggest squeeeee here) the hot brave red-eyed hottie who is just so bad I love him. At first, I was totally team Jace (I mean hell, with a name like that, how can I refuse?) then when we get to see more of Reese. OH I thought I died and gone to heaven. That boy is sex on legs.

This book was so unlike everything I've ever read before. There were times when I was like WHAT? and chocked on my drink when the ending thingy was revealed and we find out who her father is. I love everything about it - the unpredictable storyline, the gripping and nonstop action, fully-fleshed characters *coughhotboyscough* and an intense love triangle that would have you fanning yourself. I know I did. 

This is one of the most underated books out this year (I think I need to call the hype monster for this one!) and possibly my favourite debut author 2012 book I've read so far. This is definitely one of my favourites ever. How's that? So yes. Please do read it now. And just because I'm so kind and it's VALENTINE'S DAY today, I think you lot deserve to have a peek at these two gorgeous hotties. Just promise me not to touch Reese - he's MINE. :P

 

Review: Carrier of the Mark - Leigh Fallon

Title: Carrier of the Mark (Carrier #1)

Author: Leigh Fallon

Release Date: October 4th 2011

Publisher: HarperTeens

Source: Bought

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRÍs.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

I don’t really have much to say about this book. To say the least, I was disappointed. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it, it just didn’t exceed my expectations.

The writing is so plain and at times I felt like I’m reading fan fiction. I didn’t feel like I was reading a published book. I know this was the first book discovered on Inkpop (a HarperCollins website where anyone could post their own stories) but I expected more from this, I guess.The only reason why I gave this story a three-star instead of a two-star because of the paranormal elements. I adored it. Unfortunately, this was the sole reason why I kept reading on. 

Megan. She’s one of those heroines that doesn’t stand out. She’s not great, but she’s not awful as a character. She’s just ok-ish. Now, let’s talk about Adam DeRis. My God. Edward much? He’s like Edward Cullen minus the sparkly business.

I hated the romance. Everyone keeps saying that it’s so sweet and so hot. But it’s not. I don’t know how two people can declare their ‘love’ for each other just after like one week of dating, and less than a month of knowing.

They also can’t sleep with each other. Surprise,surprise. The reason? Because according to some ancient Irish tradition, the world will blow up if two ‘marked’ ones get intimate. Literally. Ha-ha. I don’t know why writers/publishers/everyone keeps making up some ridiculous reason for the two to not sleep together. Now, I’m not saying that they have to sleep with each other, it’s just that I would have preferred it if they don’t sleep with each other because they feel the relationship is moving too fast, not because they think the whole freaking world is going to explode if they do.

Throughout the book, I felt like I was reading Twilight. Which is not a good thing, people. Also, all the characters were very bland, boring and not very developed in my opinion. Except for Rian. God, he’s HOT. Like sizzling hot. Oh, and Aine, Adam’s fascinating twin sister. Maybe Leigh Fallon should have had the two as the main characters instead.

So. One star for Rian, one for Aine and one for the mythology. I don’t know if I can be bothered to read the sequel (Jesus. There’s TWO more).

Review: Clockwork Prince - Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince

Author: Cassandra Clare

Release Date: December 6th 2011

Publisher: Walker Books (UK)

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends. 

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

I only just recently started the Infernal Devices, having read and reviewed Clockwork Angel earlier this month and loved it, and before reading CP, I hope that Clockwork Prince will live up to its hype and its title as NYT Bestseller. CP lived up to it, and more. Fans of the Infernal Devices and the Mortal Instruments would most surely not be disappointed. I personally love this series million times better than the Mortal Instruments and I honestly believe that Clockwork Prince is Cassie Clare's best book yet*.
* Obviously I'm still waiting until City of Lost Souls is released in May so. Anyway. 

The love triangle intensified in this one. Oh.. Jem and Will, Will and Jem. How can you expect me to choose between them? I was one of those that preferred the man she was with at that time (like if Tessa was with Will, then I preferred Will, then if it's Jem and Tessa scenes, then I ship Jem). But if I HAD to pick one, then I would have to say Will. Will is a douche bag. But a loveable one, and unlike other dickheads out there, he actually has a valid reason why he acts like that. I just think their love and friendship just ring true and real, with hardships and arguments but nevertheless worth it. And before you ask, YES. I did cry at the end. (If you've read the book, don't tell me you didn't shed any!)

What is up with heroines becoming worse? I don't know if it's just me but main female characters are gradually becoming really annoying and unrelatable in the second book of a series/trilogy. First it was Calla (Nightshade series), then it was Clara (Unearthly series) NOW it's Tessa. What the hell? All these girls I had respected and adored in the first books. BUT. Now they're all the same. In the middle/second book. Stubborn. Can't make their bloody minds up. Going back and forth between guys. COME ON. You know you just can't kiss someone, then the next day you're kissing someone else/his best friend/worst enemy/whatever. Ugh. Makes me mad.

I was ecstatic when all my favourite characters appear on the page. Charlotte, Henry, Sophie,Cyril, Jem, Tessa, Will(!), even Jessamine - I felt like they're my family now. I enjoyed reading the sweet and blooming love story between Sophie and Gideon. So cute. And I was devestated about Jessamine, just proves that love can make you blind and ignorant to the truth :(. That's how well Cassie Clare writes. She makes you feel so much about this characters, whether good or evil. And you know how much I prefer good character developments than superb plot. Not that this didn't include action, because believe me, there are plenty.

Thank God Clockwork Prince didn't fall under the 'curse' of the second book, we got answers and more questions, and the dreaded CLIFFHANER. Please hand me Clockwork Princess now.( And it will have Tessa on the cover. But the best part will be the dress that she'll wear).

ALL RIGHT. STOP. SPOILERS OF THIS SERIES SO FAR. DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE INFERNAL DEVICES SERIES.  

Ok. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT ENDING? WTF. Jem proposed. I was so delighted yet heartbroken. Well. To be honest, my heart just broke with Will. You can see how happy he was to know that the curse was false, that there never was in the first place. And just before and after he confessed his love to Tessa, that bitch(I know I'm being mean but whattevs) blurted out that she said yes to Jem's proposal. Now. Don't get me wrong, I do love Jem and Tessa, but NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING can beat Will and Tessa pairing. I just don't think Tessa really loves Jem (at least, not as much as she loves Will) and the majority of her YES only comes from her pity - that Jem is dying, and he will die soon. 

The possible endings with Tessa - and links to Jem and Will.

* Tessa ends up on her own - Jem dies from his illness eventually, Will marry someone else or dies in a battle or something..

 OR  

* Tessa ends up with Will - only if Jem dies, or if something big will happen that Cassie Clare creates. But other than that, I don't *sob* *sob* think they have a chance, or I think it's just my brain. I DO think they will end up together, just because Will is more present frequently in the books, whereas Jem is just there in Tessa's POV.

OR

 * Tessa does marry Jem, then he dies - Will dies or just goes and marry someone else. 

  

IT GOES LIKE THIS: 

Everyone that wants Will, think she will end up with Jem.

Everyone that wants Jem, think she will end up with Will.

That's life.

Review: Everneath - Brodi Ashton

Title: Everneath (Everneath #1)

Author: Brodi Ashton

Release Date: January 24th 1012

Publisher: Harper Collins / Balzer and Bray

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

I was NOT expecting to love this book. At all. Not even expecting to like it one bit. BUT OHMYGOSH GUYS THIS BOOK IS JUST AMAZING!!! Sorry for the caps, but seriously. You need to read this book. Right now. I can't tell you how much this book surprised me in a lot of ways. REALLY GOOD WAYS.

I never planned on reading this one, you wanna know why? 'Cause it's a paranormal and excuse me but, I am so ******* tired of paranormal. The popular and over-rated genre is still dominating the shelves, but only a few truly deserves it. EVERNEATH is one of those who do. Like I said before, I wasn't planning on reading this not just because it's a paranormal but also because it has a mythology retelling twist. AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I HATED STARCROSSED by Josephine Angelini. I hate that book with a passion. Argh. Did not finish. And by then, I kinda got turned off stories with Gods/Goddesses and Mythologies. But Everneath is an exception. It's everything I wanted ABANDON (by Meg Cabot)  and STARCROSSED to be like, but wasn't. I just want to say Thank You, Brodi Ashton :-).

The mythology and the plot was very interesting, I read this in a very short period of time, and even when I was at school I couldn't get my head out of EVERNEATH. The whole Everling thingy was so creepy yet fascinating, and I along with Nikki (the protagonist) couldn't wait to unravel and find out more about Everneath. The plot kept me turning the pages even when my eyes were threatening to close because I was so tired and my mind and brain was battling out whether to give in or not. 

I really admired Nikki. Even after all the shit that she went through during the Feed, both physically and mentally, she still remained strong and calm and loyal. Her reactions and emotions felt true to me, and I even though she kinda annoyed me at the first few chapters, I could understand why she did what she did. Besides, there was nothing she could do about it now. Her scenes with Jack was very heartbreaking and bittersweet. Definitely adding Nikki and Jack to my list of favourite YA couples.

Jack. Oh, Jack. He is so dreamy and swoonworthy that he even deserves his own paragraph. At the start, I thought he would be one of THOSE jerks-players who thinks they're God's gift to women but oh no. Jack was sooo sweet and just an all round nice guy. But that doesn't mean he's perfect. Because he is so not, but that's what made me fall for him. He's still has some faults, and there were times when I wanted to smack him. BUT I am totally on Team Jack. I don't even know why everyone is thinking of Cole as a part of a love triangle. WTF? Am I the only one who doesn't think Nikki and Cole are right for each other? They didn't have any chemistry at all. Nothing. Nada. I didn't like Cole at all. Too creepy. Too stalkerish.

This book went back and forth with the NOW, and the back THEN. I thought this was perfect, and a way to give, tell and show information without overwhelming the reader with so much info. Brodi Ashton's writing was flawless. I am a big fan of her now :) I thought the whole timing was great and I loved how we only get bits and pieces about Jack and Nikki's relationship before the Feed. 

The ending. GOSH. My mouth was literally hanging. I could not believe it. It was so sweet and so perfect and oh my days I don't know how I'm going to live until the sequel(!) comes out next door. Boohoo. There is a bit of a cliffhanger, as expected as this is a trilogy. 

Overall, EVERNEATH is a book you can NOT miss. It's a book about love, a book about hate, a book about family, a book about creepy shadowy things, but most of all, it's a book about redemption and if there is even such a thing. LOVE LOVE LOVE.