Review #8: Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Deity (Covenant #3)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
To Be Published: November 2012 by Spencer Hill Press
Pages: 360, paperback

My Rating: 5/5 stars (Can we make that a 10/5?)

** I received an ARC from the publisher

Summary from Goodreads:

"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time. "

Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden.

If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed.

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...

*****
I'm trying my best, but this isn't going to be spoiler free. Mild spoilers ahead.
 

I have to start off with saying that Deity is the best book I've read by Jennifer L. Armentrout to date! It's that "Oh My GODS". Let's say it together now: OH... MY... GODS!

JLA opens Deity with a dream sequence which gave us a twisted flashback to Pure, then we're pretty much back to sharing a bed with Seth, Alex wanting him out of her bed, and all the things that she'd left behind during her trip to New York returning to haunt her.

And let me tell you that the 'Ish' hit the fan majorly.

 

Alexandria is feeling even more alone with Seth always lurking and Marcus becoming even more creepy than usual. But we got what we had been begging for since the beginning of the series- Aiden St. Delphi, hotness galore. It's entirely too much to handle that the entire world implodes on itself.

 

Jennifer doesn't seem to know what she's doing to her loyal fan base, because my life completely stopped for the release of Deity. The wait until the next book is slowly killing me and I have no idea how I'm continuing on... The ending of Deity is more than anything anybody expected and I'm sure to here the outrage and rioting fans soon.

 

I'm ready to read everyone else's opinions as soon as possible. I hope you ladies enjoy the ride as much as I did...

The YA Sisterhood's Second Annual YA Crush Tournament: Match 30: Adrian (2) vs. Dimitri (3)

Come on and vote Adrian with me today!

The YA Sisterhood: Match 30: Adrian (2) vs. Dimitri (3): Welcome to The YA Sisterhood's YA Crush Tourney 2.0! We hope that through this all you will meet a lot of book loving people, discover...

Review #7: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Title: The Golden Lily(Bloodlines #2)

Author: Richelle Mead

Published: June 2012 by Razorbill

My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

*Spoilers Included*

The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spin off series

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

*****

I'm sorry but I have to open with: Oh my goodness, that dedication was so sweet and the story is simply divine!

I devoured this book within a few days with my busy work schedule. I seriously carried it everywhere I could so I always had the chance to get a page or two completed. From the opening chapter to the very last word I felt as if I was constantly on the edge of my seat.

I enjoyed all the new characters that were introduced. Well, everyone except for the boyfriend... What was his name again? Bradley? Brian? Brendon? Brent? Brayden? No seriously, I can't remember. And the fact that no one else could remember his name either paid homage to just how unimportant he was.

There were plenty of fun moments. Some of my favorites would be Sydney trying to teach Adrian how to drive a stick shift, Sydney using more magic, and Jill's dreamy mood swings-

"Sydney, khaki raelly suits you".

Richelle Mead left all kinds of hints for readers throughout the entire novel that this ending had me throwing the book across the room, jumping up and down, screaming and raving. Sydney Sage drives me completely mad! How can anyone deny what's staring them in the face?

The teaser chapter from Bloodlines #3 that was published with this release has me even more excited for our next installment.

Review #6: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Obsidian
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published: December 2011 Entangled Publishing
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Starting over sucks.When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

*****

Can I take Katy's place? I would kill for some of Daemon Black in a neighbor, lol.

Jennifer L. Armentrout's characters and plot lines have me drooling for more.
Take Katy- normal book blogging female; moves to a new town and meets hot alien male
next door, Daemon. The action is here, the chemistry is here, the mystery is
here... It was everything and more and I'm beyond excited to read the next book
in the series!

I must admit that I didn't believe that I was going to like this story. It sounded like a Roswell knock-off and I loved the original series the way it was. After being (secretly)entered into a giveaway of a signed copy, I was happy to find out that oh boy was I wrong! After reading four books by Ms. Jennifer L. Armentrout, if she rewrote the Bible or the dictionary I'm pretty sure that I would read it and rave about it. She's doing something right and I'll be looking forward to what's next.

Now is it August 14th 2012 yet?

Mini Review #4: Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Pure(Covenant #2)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published: March 2012 Spencer Hill Press
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

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.

*****

Ever since my best friend, Aj started my obsession with Half-Blood, I've been one hooked fish; and that was just the beginning. Pure started off with a fight and keep me enthralled through out the story.
There is so much I want to say, but I can't with out spoiling the book! Alex is as strong as ever and the newest developments have me in desperate need of the next book in the series, Deity.

First of all, my heart was truly thrown into turmoil because Seth open up somewhat and we got to see the sweet side of who he could be. I totally fell in love. But there are storms brewing, especially with the things going on in Aiden's head and heart. I'm beyond confused now!

I cried. I laughed. I screamed. And I nearly had multiple strokes while hiding at my part-time job so I could sneak in some reading time. *wink wink*

Over all awesome read that ate up and marinated on for days. If you haven't read a JLArmentrout book yet, you don't know what you're missing.

Mini Reviews #3: The Hunger Games Trilogy

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: 2008 Scholastic, Inc

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

GoodReads Summary:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

*****

I had been putting this book off for a while after Mockingjay's because my best friend and fellow blogger was really depressed after reading it. So imagine my surprise at how fast I read this book when I finally cracked it open. I had been looking forward to it for some time beforehand though.

All twenty-seven literary awards it's received have been well deserved. If you haven't read The Hunger Games go beg, borrow, or steal(please don't) to get yourself a copy.

Title: Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: 2009 Scholastic Press

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

GoodReads Summary:

Suzanne Collins continues the amazing story of Katniss Everdeen in the phenomenal Hunger Games trilogy. Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

*****

This was even better than the first novel I swear!

My heart raced constantly through the entire book. I felt everything Katniss felt; all the sadness, anger, and pain. I absolutely devoured this novel in the three day weekend that I had off from work. I hardly ate, slept, or and thing else that had to with bodily funtions, because this was all I needed for those three days.

Title: Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Published: 2010 Scholastic Press

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars... No, it was a 4 star read.

GoodReads Summary:

Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding.

*****

I HATE IT! I love it so much that I hate it. The ending though... That ending was awfully wow in a bad way for me. Some of the decisions Katniss, Gale, Haymitch, and Peeta all made had me out of my seat yelling and cursing!!! I was depressed, empty, and cried for days. Well maybe not crying for days, but I was depressed and couldn't pick up another book for weeks.

Overall I loved The Hunger Games Trilogy. Its a must read and I will be re-reading this one so I can re-evaluate my feelings.

Mini Review #2: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Published: 2011 Harper Collins

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

GoodReads Summary:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

*****

I read this beautiful piece of art during the Christmas holidays, and let me tell you how killer it was for me to find the time to read while I worked in a busy retail store. It was damn near impossible! All my free time was used to read. I hardly slept because I was so enthralled with Juliette's struggles. I was literally was hiding in the restrooms at work to read Shatter Me on my kindle app for Blackberry. If that doesn't attest to how highly I think this novel then I don't know what else to tell you other than read it for yourself.

Tahereh Mafi's writing style is lyrical and viewing the wasted world she created through Juliette's eyes is beyond words. The setting and characters were built and described so well that I felt as if I could touch them. I was very emotionally invested in these characters and I'll be waiting on the edge of my computer chair for the title and release date of the next installment of the Shatter Me series.

Mini Review #1: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Published: 2012 Puffin
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

I received a ARC from GoodReads. Thank you

GoodReads Summary:
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

******

I amm completely enthralled by this world Marissa Meyer created with this debut novel! The characters, the background, the description; absolutely lovely! A totally new and exciting take on Cinderella for me and I loved it. I'm saddened that this will be a quartet because I have to wait for another year before I can read the next book, but I most definitely will be reading the rest of this series and hopefully many more novels by Miss Marissa Meyer