REVIEW: The Dream Thieves (#2) - Maggie Steifvater

The Dream Thieves (#2) - Maggie Steifvater

Series: The Raven Cycle
Publisher: Scholastic
Format: Paperback
Pages: 450 Pages
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Blurb

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after…

REVIEW: The Book of Ivy (#1) - Amy Engel

The Book of Ivy (#1) - Amy Engel

Series: The Book of Ivy
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Format: Kindle
Pages: 304 Pages
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Blurb

After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.

This year, it is my turn.

My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and restore the Westfall family to power.

But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.

Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…

REVIEW: The Diabolic (#1) - S. J. Kincaid

The Diabolic (#1) - S. J. Kincaid*
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Series: The Diabolic
Format: E-Book / Paperback
Pages: 403 Pages
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Received from NetGalley for an honest review (I did actually pick a paperback copy up myself, so read between the two)*

Goodreads Blurb

Nemesis is a Diabolic. Created to protect a galactic Senator's daughter, Sidonia. The girl who has grown up by her side and who is as much as sister as a master. There's no one Nemesis wouldn't kill to keep her safe. But when the power-mad Emperor summons Sidonia to the galactic court as a hostage, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia.

She must become her.

Now one of the galaxy's most dangerous weapons is masquerading in a world of corruption and Nemesis has to hide her true abilities or risk everything. As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns that there is something stronger than her deadly force: the one thing she's been told she doesn't have - humanity. And, amidst all the danger, action and intrigue, her humanity might be the only thing that can save her, Sidonia and the entire Empire.

REVIEW: The Void (#3) - J. D. Horn

The Void (#3) - J. D. Horn

Series: Witching Savannah

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Shannon McManus
Time: 10Hrs and 8Mins

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Blurb

An otherworldly energy runs through the city of Savannah, betraying its sleepy, moss-cradled charm. The old, beguiling streets look welcoming to most…but certain families know what lurks under their genteel surfaces. Families like Mercy Taylor’s, which has the most powerful lineage of witches in the South, know this all too well.

Mercy and her husband, Peter, are happily preparing to welcome baby Colin into their lives. But their excitement quickly becomes overshadowed by a gruesome discovery: someone has scattered severed limbs throughout the city. After a troubling visit from an old foe, Mercy learns dark magic is at play, and someone—or something—wants her and her unborn child out of the picture. To uncover the shocking reason why, the amateur witch must face a force beyond her power…or risk losing everything.

REVIEW: Stout (#2) - Georgia Cates

Stout (#2) - Georgia Cates
Series: Lovibond
Publisher: Georgia Cates Books
Format: Kindle
Pages: 248 Pages
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Blurb

A beautiful neighbour. A complete stranger. That’s all she was when I moved in next door.

Adelyn Maxwell is my neighbour but she’s no girl next door. The more I come to know her, the more I discover she’s a good girl with a lovely dark side. And maybe I don’t want her to stay on her side of the fence.

I want to disturb the rhythm of her pulse.

I want to see the way her hair spills on the bed when she lies beneath me.

I want her to teach me the dirty pretty things she desires behind closed doors. And she does.

But mostly I want to leave my mark on the most intimate, untouched part of her body. Her heart.

A seemingly insignificant intersection of our lives neither of us recalls suddenly becomes a pivotal moment in our future. We aren’t strangers at all. And our paths aren’t crossing for the first time.

These twists and turns of fate will become one of two things: a wrecking ball to tear us apart or the connection to bond us together forever.  

REVIEW: City of Glass (#3) - Cassandra Clare

City of Glass (#3) - Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments
Publisher: Walker Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 506 Pages
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Blurb

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

REVIEW: Royally Matched (#2) - Emma Chase

Royally Matched (#2) - Emma Chase
Series:  The Royally Series
Publisher: Emma Chase LLC
Format: Kindle
Pages: 275 Pages
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Blurb

Some men are born responsible, some men have responsibility thrust upon them. Henry John Edgar Thomas Pembrook, Prince of Wessco, just got the motherlode of all responsibility dumped in his regal lap.

He’s not handling it well.

Hoping to help her grandson to rise to the occasion, Queen Lenora agrees to give him "space"—but while the Queen’s away, the Prince will play. After a chance meeting with an American television producer, Henry finally makes a decision all on his own:

Welcome to Matched: Royal Edition.

A reality TV dating game show featuring twenty of the world's most beautiful blue bloods gathered in the same castle. Only one will win the diamond tiara, only one will capture the handsome prince’s heart.

While Henry revels in the sexy, raunchy antics of the contestants as they fight, literally, for his affection, it’s the quiet, bespectacled girl in the corner—with the voice of an angel and a body that would tempt a saint—who catches his eye.

The more Henry gets to know Sarah Mirabelle Zinnia Von Titebottum, the more enamored he becomes of her simple beauty, her strength, her kind spirit... and her naughty sense of humor.

REVIEW: The Winner's Curse (#1) - Marie Rutkoski

The Winner's Curse (#1) - Marie Rutkoski
Series: The Winner's Curse
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 359 Pages
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Blurb

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

REVIEW: Four - Veronica Roth

Four - Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent
Publisher:  Harper Collins Children's Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 285 Pages
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Blurb

The Transfer," "The Initiate," and "The Son" - follow Tobias's transfer from Abnegation to Dauntless, his Dauntless initiation, and the first clues that a foul plan is brewing in the leadership of two factions. The fourth story, "The Traitor," runs parallel with the events of Divergent, giving readers a glimpse into the decisions of loyalty - and love - that Tobias makes in the weeks after he meets Tris Prior. Exclusive scenes included!

REVIEW: Fallen Heir (#4) - Erin Watt

Fallen Heir (#4) - Erin Watt

Series: The Royals

Publisher: Timeout LLC

Format: Kindle

Pages: 339 Pages

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Blurb

Easton Royal has it all: looks, money, intelligence. His goal in life is to have as much fun as possible. He never thinks about the consequences because he doesn’t have to.

Until Hartley Wright appears, shaking up his easy life. She’s the one girl who’s said no, despite being attracted to him. Easton can’t figure her out and that makes her all the more irresistible.

Hartley doesn’t want him. She says he needs to grow up.

She might be right.

Rivals. Rules. Regrets. For the first time in Easton’s life, wearing a Royal crown isn’t enough. He’s about to learn that the higher you start, the harder you fall.

REVIEW: Winterkill (#1) - Kate A. Boorman

Winterkill (#1) - Kate A. Boorman

Series: Winterkill
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Format: Paperback
Pages: 304 Pages
Rating: ⭐⭐

Goodreads Blurb

Where Emmeline lives, you cannot love and you cannot leave...

The Council's rules are strict, but they're for the good of the settlement in which Emmeline lives. Everyone knows there is nothing but danger the other side of the Wall, and the community must prepare for the freezing winterkill that comes every year.

But Emmeline struggles to be obedient under the Council's suffocating embrace - especially when she discovers that a Council leader intends to snatch her hand in marriage.

Then Emmeline begins to hear the call of the trees beyond the Wall...

REVIEW: When it's Real - Erin Watt

When It's Real - Erin Watt
Publisher: HQ Young Adult
Format: Kindle
Pages: 313 Pages
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Blurb

Meet Oakley Ford-teen celebrity, renowned pop star, child of famous movie stars, hottie with millions of fangirls… and restless troublemaker. On the surface he has it all, but with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry, and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley's team decides it's time for an intervention. The result: an image overhaul, complete with a fake girlfriend meant to show the world he's settled down.

Enter seventeen-year-old Vaughn Bennett-devoted sister, part-time waitress, the definition of "normal." Under ordinary circumstances she'd never have taken this gig, but with her family strapped for cash, she doesn't have much of a choice. And for the money Oakley's team is paying her, she figures she can put up with outlandish Hollywood parties and a team of publicists watching her every move. So what if she thinks Oakley's a shallow, self-centered jerk? It's not like they're going to fall for each other in real life…right?