Review Excerpt LETTERS TO NOWHERE by JULIE CROSS @Juliecross1980

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Synopsis

Her family may be
shattered, but her dreams aren't...

From the
International Bestselling Author of the Tempest series

A Mature YA
contemporary set in the tough world of Elite Gymnastics. Grief, love and
pursuing dreams are at the forefront of this emotionally powerful coming-of-age
story.

Seventeen year old
Karen Campbell has just lost both her parents in a tragic car accident. Grief
stricken and alone, her gymnastics coach opens his home to Karen, providing her
a place to live while she continues to train, working toward a spot on the
world championship team.

Coach Bentley’s
only child, seventeen year old Jordan is good-looking and charming enough to
scare away a girl like Karen—someone who has spent ten times more hours on
balance beams and uneven bars than talking or even thinking about boys. But the
two teens share a special connection almost immediately. It turns out Jordan
has a tragic past of his own, grief buried for years.

As Karen’s
gymnastics career soars, her nightmares and visions of the horrible accident
grow in strength. She can only avoid facing her grief for so long before it
begins to surface and ultimately spin out of control in a very dangerous way.
Can discovering love and lust (simultaneously) help with the grieving process
or will it only provide a temporary distraction while waiting for reality to
hit full force.

EXCERPT 

Suddenly
all the lights went out, leaving the room pitch-black. A few screams erupted,
followed by laughter and someone shouting that it was supposed to get dark. The
laser designs appeared on the ceiling, causing everyone to look up. Pink, blue,
and green neon shapes streaked across the ceiling. I could see them clearly, but
it was still so dark in the room that I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my
face. Which is why I jumped and let out a yelp when someone’s arm snaked around
my waist from behind.

“Shh,”
Jordan said speaking right into my ear. “It’s just me.”

I
sucked in a breath, feeling my heart fly, goose bumps popping up on my neck
where his breath had hit my skin. The first thought in my head was
please
don’t walk across the room and do this to
Stevie.

He
gently tugged me closer until my back pressed against his chest. One of his
hands rested on my stomach and the other fumbled around in the dark for a
minute, before drifting down my arm. He laced his fingers through mine and
slowly lifted our hands until I felt my knuckles touch his lips. If my heart was
racing before, it was sprinting now. This totally broke our friend code and I
didn’t feel an ounce of desire to point this out. I just wanted to sink farther
into him and for the lights to never come back on. The light show blurred above
me, electronic classical music filled the dark as I leaned against Jordan, my
head falling back onto his shoulder.

His
nose grazed my neck and I suddenly felt hot all over—in a good way. Like heat
enveloped me from all sides.

“Jordan
. . . ?” I whispered into the dark.

“Shh,”
he said again. “I know the rules. No kissing.”

I
wasn’t going to say that. Not even close. We needed to abolish that rule this
very moment. I turned my head slightly toward him and ran into his mouth before
I even had a chance to decide to kiss him. I lifted my hand and gripped the back
of his neck, drawing him even closer. Our mouths almost couldn’t match up, the
way we were angled, but I felt his fingers brush my cheek and eventually hold me
in place. His lips were as soft as I remembered from the first time and when
they parted a little, I almost debated trying the whole tongue thing, but then
he closed them again and pulled away.

I
turned my head forward again and both his arms went around my waist while he
planted little kisses up and down the side of my neck.

 “Karen,” he breathed.

“Yeah.”

“In
case you’re wondering . . . I’m not into Stevie.”

I
forced down a very un-cool sigh of relief and then I slid his hand up to my
heart, pressing it close over top of my shirt. “It wasn’t even going this fast
during bars today,” I whispered, glad he couldn’t see me blushing right
now.

He
wrapped his arms even tighter around me so I could feel the thud,
thud, of
his heart against my back. “Mine’s faster.”

Jordan,

You
are the most perfect boy in the world if such a thing exists. Please don’t ever
stand behind anyone else in the dark again.

Just
me.

Love,

Karen

SOURCE:  AUTHOR


MY THOUGHTS

LOVED IT


Elite gymnast, Karen has just learned both of her parents were killed in an accident.  She only has a few months to go before Nationals and then on to the Olympics.  Her grandmother comes quickly, but Karen has never been close to her and convinces her that she would like to stay with her coach who assumes responsibility for her.  Moving in a daze, she writes letters to her newly deceased parents while working her way through grief and a horrible situation.  Never having to deal with the opposite sex much, she comes face to face with Jordan, her coach's teen age son.  


The connection between Jordan and Karen is almost immediate and Jordan has the ability to pull her out of what could be a horrible spiral into grief.  He brings a bit of comic relief into a situation that could really be sad.  Jordan also brings her out of dealing with her issues by facing them instead of her constant work out schedule.  The back story of elite gymnasts really show the amount of dedication and self sacrifice that these athletes have.  Jordan's father, Coach Bentley is one of those rare adults that see if Karen couldn't realize her goal, she would fall even deeper into downward spiral.  This is just such a feel good book that shows while things are out of our control, with help from special people, you can rise above.  

Author Bio

 I live in central
Illinois with my wonderful husband and three kids currently between the ages of
7 and 12 (the kids not the husband). My writing journey began in May, 2009 with
a short story in a notebook.

  Within a year, I had written seven (some good
some God-awful) young adult novels. Not being a college graduate and having
spent the previous fifteen years teaching gymnastics and working as a YMCA
Program Director for Recreational Gymnastics, professional writing wasn't in my
plans. Not even close. But ever since the day I started that short story, I
haven't been able to stop. It was love at first sight.

  After about a year of writing, I had a three
book deal with St. Martin's Press, and a film option with Summit Entertainment.
Crazy, right? I know. It wasn't until August of 2011 that I quit working full
time in order to be at home with my kids more and of course, write more. My
young adult time travel debut novel, Tempest, released on January 17, 2012. The
rest of my personal story remains unwritten.

Website *  Twitter *  Facebook *  Goodreads *

Goodreads LettersTo Nowhere

Review Interview CODA by EMMA TREVAYNE @EMentior @RP_Kids

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2013

Ever since he was a young boy, music has coursed through the veins of eighteen-year-old Anthem—the Corp has certainly seen to that. By encoding music with addictive and mind-altering elements, the Corp holds control over all citizens, particularly conduits like Anthem, whose life energy feeds the main power in the Grid.



Anthem finds hope and comfort in the twin siblings he cares for, even as he watches the life drain slowly and painfully from his father. Escape is found in his underground rock band, where music sounds free, clear, and unencoded deep in an abandoned basement. But when a band member dies suspiciously from a tracking overdose, Anthem knows that his time has suddenly become limited. Revolution all but sings in the air, and Anthem cannot help but answer the call with the chords of choice and free will. But will the girl he loves help or hinder him?



Emma Trevayne's dystopian debut novel is a little punk, a little rock, and plenty page-turning.

SOIURCE:  PUBLISHER



MY THOUGHTS

LOVED IT



Anthem lives in a post-apocalyptic New York, where music is used as a drug and the citizens are addicted to the sounds much like soma in Brave New World.  It keeps the population malleable and in line while keeping the rich in power and the poor as worker drones.  The world building happens quite quickly as you as dragged into a world that is both familiar and alien at the same time.  Anthem works as a human generator, using his life as a means to power the city and government and in turn he can support his family.  During his shifts, he reads old classic books which in turn inspire him.  Most people don't live past thirty and are kept in almost starvation like conditions.  I kept thinking that this could easily be happening today.





Anthem and his friends have started an illegal musical group, using instruments that they have fashioned themselves.  Only state authorized groups can actually earn a living with their music and that music in turn is made into drugs that cease pain, relieve depression but not quite cure any illness.  With his mother dead and his father dying, he tries to make a home for his twin brother and sister, keeping them from ever listening to the music that will also cause their early death.  With the help of Haven, not quite his girlfriend yet, he knows that she is above him in station and has more money than he can ever imagine.



As Anthem gathers his group, he also realizes that the manufactured music is killing people especially when his mentor, Johnny, is used as a warning and dies from an overdose right in front of him.  That incident forces Anthem to become a lightening rod for change and as he is taken down by the government, he uses his talent to spark a revolution.  Now, I was left with a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of this one.  Could these kids really spark a change in their condition?  There is a lot more to this story.

About the Author

Emma Trevayne is a full-time writer. She is an avid music collector, a lover of computer code languages, and a photographer. She has lived in Canada, England, and America. Follow her onTwitter @EMentior.

Blog *  Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads 

PLEASE WELCOME EMMA TO BOOKHOUNDS

1. What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?

Oh, boy. That’s longer ago than I’d like to admit. I think it was one of the Mr. Men books?



2. What are you reading right now?

House of Secrets by Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini.



3. How does your garden grow?

It really doesn’t. I’m one of those people who is only good with cacti.



4. What is the last thing you Googled?

News on the Tour de France.



5. What makes you cringe?

Misused apostrophes.



These were fun! Thank you!

Disclosure  I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review.  If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways!  

Review NO MORE GODDESSES by KIM BACCELLIA @ixtumea

Book Description

Publication Date: June 19, 2013

Getting a date shouldn’t be this hard. Jordan Lake discovers an ancient bracelet in her grandmother's house and uncovers a family mystery that links her favorite actress, Audrey Hepburn, a romantic movie, and an aunt she never knew. Jordan hopes the bracelet will bring her love. Instead, it brings one nightmare after another, unleashing Hathor, the Egyptian love goddess, who decides it's fun to mess with the McKnight High School social scene. Jordan holds the key to vanquish Hathor, but will she figure out what it is in time to save her school, one of her best friends, and get a date to the Valentine’s Day dance?

Buy links:

Amazon *  Barnes & Noble  * Publisher website  *  Book Depository *  iBookstore

SOURCE:  AUTHOR

MY THOUGHTS

LOVED IT


Jordan and her BFF, Selena, have been trying to get their crushes to ask them to the upcoming Valentine's dance.  Jordan becomes tongue-tied, doubts herself around her guy, while Selena remains cool and collected.  Her ex-BFF, the perfect Jessica, tries to swipe the boy of her dreams out from under her, she realizes that she must make an extra effort but she isn't sure exactly what she needs to do, maybe wish upon a star or some other sort of magic.  When her father insists that they go help her grandmother clean out the attic, Jordan has hopes that she might find something vintage that will catch this guy's eye.  


Her grandmother's memory has been a little spotty lately and as they dig through dusty boxes, Jordan happens upon a unique box that contains a bracelet exactly like the one Audrey Hepburn wore in Tessa's Treasures.  All except the one that Audrey wore was a replica of this one and this bracelet has magic powers to summon the goddess of sex, Hathor, from ancient Egypt.  Of course, Jordan manages to summon the goddess and wishes for romance.  Nothing goes according to plan and the malevolent Hathor, creates havoc for the girls.  


This is such a fun read and very suitable for even the youngest teens and more mature pre-teens.  Jordan shows that a girl can be true to herself while still having adventure and learns that the most important things in life are friends and family.   This is a fresh take on the paranormal adventures so common in YA stories and I am so glad that it is something I can recommend to even pre-teens.  There is just enough tension and mystery to keep you reading through while also providing a lesson on growing up. If you like the Magic in Manhattan series by  Sarah Mlynowski or the Dead Is series by  Marlene Perez, you will enjoy this one as well!  

About the Author

When writing No More Goddesses, Kim Baccellia watched almost all of Audrey Hepburn movies and learned to love this famous icon after watching and reading all she could on Audrey. She has also always had a secret desire to travel to Egypt and visit the pyramids. The closest she’s come to fulfilling this dream are her younger sister Autumn and Egyptian-national brother-in-law Eihab, who were kind enough to share some things with her, including a Hathor sistrum and some incense. Kim's other works include Crossed Out, a YA paranormal, published by Lachesis Publishing, and a YA multicultural fantasy, Earrings of Ixtumea, which will be re-released in March 2012 by Muse It Up publishing. A member of SCBWI, Kim is currently writing the sequel to Crossed Out. She's also putting the finishing touches on a YA multicultural dystopian novel. She lives in Southern California with her husband and son.

Social media links:

Twitter *  Facebook * Blog  * Book on Goodreads  * Author on Goodreads * Pinterest

Review ROGUE by GINA DAMICO @HMHKids @ginadamico

Book Description

Release date: September 10, 2013 | Series: Croak

Lex, a teenage Grim Reaper, has the power to Damn souls, and it’s getting out of control. Her boyfriend, Driggs, is dead . . . sort of. She’s a fugitive, on the run from the maniacal new mayor of Croak and the townspeople who want to see her pay the price for her misdeeds. Uncle Mort rounds up the Junior Grims to flee Croak once again, but this time they’re joined by Grotton, the most powerful Grim of all time. Their new mission is clear: Fix his mistakes, or the Afterlife will cease to exist, along with all the souls in it.

The gang heads for Necropolis, the labyrinth-like capital city of the Grimsphere. There, they discover that the Grimsphere needs a reboot. To do that, the portals to the Afterlife must be destroyed . . . but even that may not be enough to fix the damage. Things go from bad to worse, and when at last the fate of the Afterlife and all the souls of the Damned hang in the balance, it falls to Lex and her friends to make one final, impossible choice.

About the Author

Gina Damico is the author of Croak, Scorch, and Rogue. She received a degree in theater and sociology from Boston College, where she was active with the Committee for Creative Enactments, the country’s only collegiate murder mystery improv comedy troupe. She has since worked as a tour guide, transcriptionist, theater house manager, scenic artist, and movie extra. She lives outside of Boston with her husband, two cats, and a closet full of black hoodies. Visit her website at www.ginadami.co.

SOURCE:  AMAZON VINE

MY THOUGHTS

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

*** spoilers if you haven't read the first two in the series ***

And why haven't you read these awesome books yet?  

Lex is quickly learning that she has skills above and beyond the ability to Damn and none of them are supernatural.  With Driggs being somewhere between ghost and dead-dead, she can still see him and hold him once in awhile.  As the Grimsphere is starting to collapse and might signal the end of the afterlife, Lex and her uncle Mort must contain the damage and prevent the downfall.  Armed with the Wrong Book and which is attached to the Grim Creator, Grotton, the Juniors must follow the clues to save everything for the afterlife.  Can they do it in time?

Of course, the Junior have many tricks up their sleeves, including fast thinking and Uncle Mort's theories.  They head to Necropolis, to seal the last opening to the Grimsphere where Norwood, has already somewhat taken over.  This is such a thrilling conclusion that left me feeling a bit bittersweet.  I was so sad that Driggs was no longer corporeal but could be when he touched Lex.  I am going to miss the dry sense of humor and swift comebacks of Lex and Uncle Mort.

These characters aren't perfect, they make a lot of mistakes and some die.  The romance between Driggs and Lex is just swoon-worthy.  These two are meant for each other even if they can't always be together.  A little more about Driggs' history is also explained and it is pretty sad.    Do yourself a favor and go grab all three books to read before summer ends.  You won't be disappointed.  Sigh, I have to get over the end of this series.  I am going to miss Lex so much. 

Disclosure
I received this book from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review. If you are considering purchasing this book or anything else from Amazon, please use my link above since I earn a very small percentage of the sale which helps pay for shipping my giveaways!

BookHounds Review CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS by MIRIAM FORSTER @HarperTeen

Book Description

Release date: February 5, 2013

The girl with no past, and no future, may be the only one who can save their lives.

Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a little girl. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. She makes her way as Matron's errand girl, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city's handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.

Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls' deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but also her life.


About the Author
Miriam Forster wrote her first story at seven and has been playing with words ever since. She is obsessed with anthropology, British television, and stories of all kinds. Miriam lives in Idaho with her husband.

SOURCE: AMAZON VINE

MY THOUGHTS
REALLY LIKED IT

After the Empire has been devastated by a magical war that has killed those with magical powers and left their world in tatters, the Empire has institute a two child policy much like modern day China.  Nisha is left at the gate of a city that takes in unwanted daughters and she remembers her father leaving her there.  We follow Nisha through her daily life in the city and the intrigue that awaits her daily.  That intrigue is suddenly increased when the day of Redeeming approaches and two girls are murdered.  The day of Redeeming is the one day that the girls can free themselves from the school and essentially be purchased as wives or apprentices.

The story is told in painstaking detail, as we learn about the girls and the different houses or departments of the school.  The girls don't cross over into the different schools except for those that have special permission like Nisha.  As Nisha wonders about her family, she begins to get clues into her background as she tries to unravel the murder mystery.  The story really takes off the last third of the book when it became really exciting as Nisha did start to put the clues together to solve the crime.

I did enjoy this story but it was slow going for me.  I wish that the pace has been a bit quicker since the plot had a lot going for it.  Nisha was a great character and now that all of the world building is complete, I think there is room for another installment which could lead to a bit more excitement.  Parents:  There are a few kisses, some alluded to violence but nothing those over 13 wouldn't know about.

REVIEW: Glee: Foreign Exchange by Sophia Lowell

Product Description

Can Rachel Berry rock a beret? McKinley High goes international and invites a French glee club to town - ooh la la! In this hilarious culture-clash story, Kurt gets an entourage, Finn falls for a new girl, and Puck realizes that some suave moves are lost in translation.

In this second original novel, you'll get more mash-ups, more show-mance, and more Sue in a brand-new story officially approved by the creators of Glee.

Glee Original Novels - they're almost as exhilarating as a slushie in the face!

Includes a full page of Gleetastic tattoos.

Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Poppy; Original edition (February 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316123617
• ISBN-13: 978-0316123617

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

Very rarely does a television show translate well into written word, but Glee:  Foreign Exchange is pitch perfect.  I really felt like each voice of the cast was captured perfectly and the story flowed just as well as a television script. That said, there is no music that makes this book sing like the television show.  It would have been wonderful if there would have been snippets of the song available online to go with the book.  As far as this being just a young adult novel, it is better than most with an easy to follow and enjoy storyline.

McKinley High is hosting a group of foreign chorus singers from France and each member of the group has unique experience with this exchange.  Kurt meets people that are more fashionable than he is, Finn finds a new love, Puck's sexiness doesn't translate and Rachel meets her match.  Sue has some great barbs about Mr. Shu's hair -- those quips are just spectacular! Brittany delivers several spacey one liners that amaze me.  This is the perfect read for anyone who adores Glee as much as I do. 

REVIEW: Shimmer by Alyson Noel

Description

Having solved the matter of the Radiant Boy, Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation. When Riley comes across a vicious black dog, against Bodhi’s advice, she decides to cross him over. While following the dog, she runs into a young ghost named Rebecca. Despite Rebecca’s sweet appearance, Riley soon learns she’s not at all what she seems. As the daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is lashing out by keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories. Can Riley help Rebecca forgive and forget without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories?

About the Author

ALYSON NOËL is the author of the Immortals series and seven previous novels for St. Martin’s Press. She lives in Orange County, California, where she is at work on the next book in the Immortals series. Visit her on the web at www.alysonnoel.com.

Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Square Fish; First Edition edition (March 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312648251
• ISBN-13: 978-0312648251

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

Wow, I am totally blown away by how much Alyson Noel packed into one slim novel!  There is a moral and history lesson in an easy to read story.  Empathy is probably something most kids around 12 are lacking and Riley is short on this trait, like most 12 year olds.  As Riley freely admits she is willful, stubborn and acts rashly.  After earning her glow in Radiance, she is granted a vacation with Bodhi and chooses to go to an island her parents had described often.  There she comes upon Rebecca, a soul who hasn't moved on from 1733 when she was killed during a slave revolt.  She goes through reasons behind Rebecca's pain and helps her move on.

The story is well balanced and most teens and pre teens should enjoy this story.  The younger ones may be a bit disturbed by the description of "beach bowling" where people are buried up to their head in sand and then, bowling balls are flung at them. There are some bits of violence described and again, some of the mentions might upset younger kids, but in this day of video games, it might not.  I loved how Riley truly grows through each encounter and that Bodhi actually guides her instead of using discipline to get her to go in the right direction.  This is a perfect follow up to Radiance and now I can't wait to read Dreamscape in Fall, 2011.

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REVIEW: Teeth - Vampire Tales Anthology

Description

 Sink your teeth into these bite-sized tales exploring the intersections among the living, dead, and undead. Features stories by Neil Gaiman, Melissa Marr, Cassandra Clare, Garth Nix, and many more. 

About the Author

Ellen Datlow was the fiction editor at Omnimagazine for seventeen years. She is now editor of the web zine Event Horizon She has edited numerous successful anthologies, including Blood Is Not Enough, Little Deaths, Off Limits, Twists of the Tale, and Vanishing Acts. With Terri Windling she has edited the popular anthology series The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror for thirteen years. A multiple World Fantasy Award-winner, she lives in New York City.

Product Details order HERE

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061935158
• ISBN-13: 978-0061935152

SOURCE:  BOOK IT FORWARD ARC TOURS

 MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

Wow, this one is packed with adventure.  This one is best suited for older teens since there seems to be a bit more violence, sexual situations and language than the average vampire tale.  Three stories really stood out for me: 
Best Friends Forever by Cecil Castelucci which is a twisted tale about a girl who is allergic to the sun becomes BFFs with a vampire when they meet at night school.  Both yearn for a normal life and seem to find a bit of happiness in each others company.

Transition by Melissa Marr in which a newly minted vampire learns the way of her new world and with a lot of wit and sarcasm finds a new path.

The Perfect Dinner Party by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black is almost a Victorian short story with a wicked twist at the end.  I guess when you look at who the writers are, it completely makes sense.  


I received this book from Book It Forward ARC Tours at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

REVIEW: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Description

First there are nightmares.
Every night Ellie is haunted by terrifying dreams of monstrous creatures that are hunting her, killing her.
Then come the memories.
When Ellie meets Will, she feels on the verge of remembering something just beyond her grasp. His attention is intense and romantic, and Ellie feels like her soul has known him for centuries. On her seventeenth birthday, on a dark street at midnight, Will awakens Ellie's power, and she knows that she can fight the creatures that stalk her in the grim darkness. Only Will holds the key to Ellie's memories, whole lifetimes of them, and when she looks at him, she can no longer pretend anything was just a dream.
Now she must hunt.
Ellie has power that no one can match, and her role is to hunt and kill the reapers that prey on human souls. But in order to survive the dangerous and ancient battle of the angels and the Fallen, she must also hunt for the secrets of her past lives and truths that may be too frightening to remember.

About the Author

Courtney Allison Moulton lives in Michigan, where she is a photographer and spends all her free time riding and showing horses. She has always loved reading about ancient mythologies, studying dead languages, and telling scary, romantic stories. Angelfire is her debut novel.

Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (February 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062002325
• ISBN-13: 978-0062002327

SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS
LIKED IT

I received this book at no cost from Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book in a new trilogy about angels and demons and there was a ton of set up for the next two books.  I loved the snarky tone of the characters and found Ellie to be a likable lead.  Ellie is having horrible nightmares and when those nightmares turn out to be real life, she finds herself to be a warrior in a fight between good and evil.  Will comes into Ellie's life and professes to know everything about her, but doesn't really tell her much.  He makes her jump through hoops and forces her to really work to get a little tidbit of information.  It is only when her life is in mortal danger that he does some mind trick and lets her in on the secret.  If he is her protector, I think she might be better off taking chances on her own, but maybe this is exactly what Will wants.

I had some trouble getting into the story.  I thought the plot was a little bit slow and I really had to force myself to read it.  In the end, I was glad I finished it, but I really wish that it moved a little bit faster for me.  This may just be me and I may not have been in the mood for a story like this.  It happens.  I will read the next one in the series since I did like most of the characters and I really hope that Ellie develops into someone kick ass.  Will has possibilities as well to become a truly magnificent lead and I really hope he gets a sense of humor.  Parents:  There are some instances of alcohol use, mentions of sexual situations, a little bad language, so this one is best suited for teens over 14.