Monday, January 23, 2012

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton


Website: Brodi Ashton
Series: Everneath Book 1
Publisher: Harper Collins (Balzer + Bay) 
Published: January 24, 2012
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Netgalley

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...~Goodreads


Impressions

How far would you go to get your old life back? See your friends, loved ones and the love of your life? Are you willing to sacrifice everything just for time to say goodbye? Nikki has to tackle just that with the crazy turn of her life returning from Everneath. Would the life she left behind still be there? With that interesting synopsis I was really interested to read Nikki’s story.


Thoughts

  • The plot was interesting from the beginning. It was a fresh new take on the Mythology of Persephone and Hades (more so Persephone). I really like that Brodi Ashton strayed from the original story, creating a whole new world and beings but keeping similar elements to with the mythology to tie it all together. Nikki's story was a unique one and I enjoyed reading how it unfolded.

  • At first I thought the story would be predictable since it was based off the Persephone’s story well. But with the new take on the story it took on a whole new persona and so what happen next became a true mystery and the decisions that Nikki would ultimately have to make made the story very intriguing.

  • What l like most in a story is that the action is high, consistent and able to capture my attention and hold it throughout the story and this story had some of those qualities. Within each chapter something interesting happened to further the story, in a smooth pace that didn't leave me confused. I enjoyed the duel stories of the past and present, which allowed me to truly understand what was happening and the reasons behind it.

  • I found myself enjoying Jack and Nikki’s sweet romantic past and how it bloomed from friendship to romance to being estranged. The intense underlying attraction between Nikki and Cole added drama and the question of who Nikki would ultimately end up with.

  • I would have loved to read more of the secret world of Everneath with its wonders and dangers. There was a lot of alluding to its importance and power but I only saw a piece of it in the beginning and would have love to see more interaction with the two worlds.

Characters

  • Nikki, while not an amazing character, I did like her and found her to be a relatable character that I could identify with. At times she had me questioning her actions and I felt that she was acting selfishly but that’s what made her relatable and realistic, so respect that.

  • Jack had potential for me to really like him as a character. I really liked getting to know him as Nikki's story unfolded and their relationship developed. At first I didn't like him because of his past action towards Nikki but he slowly grew on me.

  • Cole was my favorite. He was an intense, complicated character. Though viewed as the bad guy I didn't totally see him as that. I saw him as someone who understood the hand he'd been dealt and went after what he wanted. I enjoyed him, his snide remarks and the added complications that he brought to the story, making it more exciting.

Overall

Overall I enjoyed Everneath by Brodi Ashton and the story it told. It was compelling and unique. While that the story could have divulge into the Everneath more, I enjoyed the plot and characters and I feel that this is just the beginning.



So Readers what do you think of Everneath?
If you already read it or are going to please comment and tell me what you think!

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday: YA Edition



Book: A Beautiful Evil
Author: Kelly Keaton
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Being Published: February 21, 2012
Pages: 285
Format: Hardcover

A power she can’t deny. A destiny she’s determined to fight.

When Ari first arrived in the dilapidated city of New 2, all she wanted was to figure out who she was. But what she discovered was beyond her worst nightmare. Ari can already sense the evil growing inside her—a power the goddess Athena will stop at nothing to possess.

Desperate to hold on to her humanity and protect her loved ones, Ari must fight back. But Athena’s playing mind games, not just with Ari but with those she cares about most. And Athena has a very special plan for the brooding and sexy Sebastian.

Ari is determined to defeat Athena, but time is running out. With no other options, Ari must unleash the very thing she’s afraid of: herself. ~Goodreads

Why A Beautiful Evil? Read and loved Darkness Becomes Her, Love Greek Mythology, Sounds action packed.  So bring on the sequel!!






Book: When The Sea Is Rising Red
Author: Cat Hellisen
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Being Published: February 28, 2012
Pages: 288
Format: Hardcover

After seventeen-year-old Felicita’s dearest friend Ilven kills herself to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita chooses freedom over privilege. She fakes her own death and leaves her sheltered life as one of Pelimburg’s magical elite behind. Living in the slums, scrubbing dishes for a living, she falls for charismatic Dash while also becoming fascinated with vampire Jannik. Then something shocking washes up on the beach: Ilven's death has called out of the sea a dangerous wild magic. Felicita must decide whether her loyalties lie with the family she abandoned . . . or with those who would twist this dark power to destroy Pelimburg's caste system, and the whole city along with it. ~Goodreads


Why When The Sea Is Rising Red?  Unique Plotline, Vampires, Potential Hot Romance, Magic




So Whats Your Waiting On Wednesday?
Please comment and leave a link to your Waiting on Wednesday for me to check out!!

This meme is hosted by Jill from Breaking The Spine



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Thursday, January 12, 2012

Follow Blog Hop

Question:  Many readers/bloggers are also big music fans. Tell us about a few of your favorite bands/singers that we should listen to in 2012.

I listen to a lot of different type of music but some artists I listening to right now are The Civil Wars , Lana Del Ray and William Fitzsimmons. Just to name a few!!
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Review: Destiny by Carly Phillips



Website: Carly Phillips
Series: Serendipity Book 2
Publisher: Berkley
Published: January 3, 2012
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher

From New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips comes her second novel set in Serendipity, the quaint upstate New York town where love, fate, and fortune are intertwined…

Nash Barron may be cynical about love, yet even he likes a good wedding. But the only good thing about his brother’s wedding is Kelly Moss. Nash can’t help but admire her confidence and beauty, but he’s forced to keep his distance because getting involved with Kelly could destroy his relationship with his newly discovered half sister, Tess…

Kelly came to Serendipity to give Tess–her half sibling as well, thanks to an illicit affair–a second chance at life. She learned long ago not to rely on anyone but herself. Besides, she doesn’t want to upset Tess’s life by pushing for a fling with Nash. Except the more she gets to know him, the more vulnerable she becomes to the kindness beneath his gruff exterior, and the less she’s able to stay away. But she has other reasons for keeping her distance. Like the secret from her past she knows Nash will never forgive…~Goodreads

Impressions

Destiny, the second book in the Serendipity Series, is about Nash Barron and his romance with Kelly Moss. In the first novel of the series Serendipity we were introduced to the Barron brothers Ethan, Nash, and Dash and I have to say that Nash was my least favorite out of them. So I went into this story a little wary, knowing that I would end up hating him even more or he would end up growing on me.

What Worked

Nash begins to have feelings for his half sister Tess’s half sister Kelly Moss. Confusing? Yea l was at first but since Kelly and Nash are not blood related in any way I relaxed with their romance.

The development of Kelly and Nash's paths and how they came to be the adults they were now. Kelly being a strong independent Paralegal and Nash being the jaded lawyer.

The romance between them ranged from steamy to hot. Kelly really gave uptight Nash a challenge, which I enjoyed.

Both Nash and Kelly had to tackling issues within themselves as well as issues with their relationship. I appreciated how they had to deal with their own issues before they could be successful with their relationship. Especially Nash.


Could Have Been Better

The characters didn’t resonate with me. Even though Nate ended up growing on me, and both he and Kelly were good characters I just didn’t connect with them as much as I wanted.

I wish there was an even more complex, dynamic plot to enhance the story.


Overall

Destiny was a nice contemporary romance that showcased the relatable trails and tribulations a family and romantic relationship go through. Adult Romance readers looking for a contemporary romance should give Destiny a shot.


Other Books In The Series

   



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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday: The Darkest Seduction by Gena Showalter


*For My Adult Readers*


Publisher: Harlequin
Being Published: February 28, 2012
Pages: 384
Format: Mass Market Paperback

Possessed by the demon of Promiscuity, immortal warrior Paris is irresistibly seductive-but his potent allure comes at a terrible price. Every night he must bed someone new, or weaken and die. And the woman he craves above all others is the one woman he’d thought was forever beyond his reach…until now.

Newly possessed by the demon of Wrath, Sienna Blackstone is racked by a ruthless need to punish those around her. Yet in Paris’s arms, the vulnerable beauty finds soul-searing passion and incredible peace. Until a blood feud between ancient enemies heats up.

Will the battle against gods, angels and creatures of the night bind them eternally-or tear them apart?

Why The Darkest Seduction? Hot Romance, Intriguing Plot, Amazing Action and Paris (Trust me, he's worth reading!)


So Whats Your Waiting On Wednesday?


This meme is hosted by Jill from Breaking The Spine



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