The Choosing (Seer #1)

2 Stars
Rachelle Dekker

“Not to be Chosen would yield a cruel fate of my own making.”
Like all citizens since the Ruining, Carrington Hale knows the importance of this day. But she never expected the moment she’d spent a lifetime preparing for—her Choosing ceremony—would end in disaster. Ripped from her family, she’ll spend her days serving as a Lint, the lowest level of society. She knows it’s her duty to follow the true way of the Authority. But as Carrington begins this nightmare, rumors of rebellion rattle her beliefs. The whispers contradict everything she’s been told; yet they resonate deep within. Then Carrington is offered an unprecedented chance at the life she’s always dreamed of, but she can’t shake the feeling that it may be an illusion. With a killer targeting Lints and corruption threatening the highest levels of the Authority, Carrington must uncover the truth before it destroys her.

I took a chance on this book thinking it might pan out, but honestly it was a chore trying to get through it. About a third of the way through I was struggling and I kept going, because I just wanted to find out what was going to happen to Carrington. It opens in a dystopian society that has been reformed to a belief system that women are nothing more then property. You must be chosen by a man and if not you are worthless. Carrington, who is the epitome of righteousness, somehow ends up not being chosen and becomes the family blemish who is quickly carted away from society. In her new world she is scared and berates herself for making the mistake of not being perfect enough, it was so annoying, I know that is what the whole book was suppose to be about but ugh! And of course because she can't have it a small flame of love sparks with a kind guard. Of course life sucks and she is somehow swept in whirlwind to a second chance she is then picked to be a bride for a very important man. She discovers nothing is what it seems and though he is important he has a nasty temper, he believes himself to be the  person sent to cleanse the evil from the world. It gets nasty and just goes horribly wrong for Carrington. I'll leave it there as to not give away anything, but I just shouldn't have read this book. It was so agitating and demeaning for women.

Handle with Care

4 stars
Jodi Picoult

When Willow is born with severe osteogenesis imperfecta, her parents are devastated--she will suffer hundreds of broken bones as she grows, a lifetime of pain. Every expectant parent will tell you that they don't want a perfect baby, just a healthy one. Charlotte and Sean O'Keefe would have asked for a healthy baby, too, if they'd been given the choice. Instead, their lives are made up of sleepless nights, mounting bills, the pitying stares of "luckier" parents, and maybe worst of all, the what-ifs. What if their child had been born healthy? But it's all worth it because Willow is, funny as it seems, perfect. She's smart as a whip, on her way to being as pretty as her mother, kind, brave, and for a five-year-old an unexpectedly deep source of wisdom. Willow is Willow, in sickness and in health.Everything changes, though, after a series of events forces Charlotte and her husband to confront the most serious what-ifs of all. What if Charlotte had known earlier of Willow's illness? What if things could have been different? What if their beloved Willow had never been born? To do Willow justice, Charlotte must ask herself these questions and one more. What constitutes a valuable life?

This is book I wouldn't have thought about reading, but I got the recommendation from one my friends. Boy was she right! I fell in love with this book, it was emotionally riveting and had me questioning life itself. There story is told from six different points of view Charlotte (Willow's Mom), Sean (Willow's Dad), Amelia (Willow's Sister), Piper (Charlotte's best friend/Obstetrician), Marian Gates (Charlotte's Attorney), and lastly Willow herself for a brief chapter. You meet Willow through everyone's eyes seeing how she represents something different to everyone. Charlotte wants to protect her, Sean wants to provide for her,  Amelia just wants to be noticed by her parents, Piper thought she did what was best for her patients, while Marian deals with being on the other side of not being wanted and searching for her birth mother. From the beginning it was hard for the O'keefe's with Willow's disability, but when they visit an attorney's office and discover maybe they can provide a better life for Willow they jump at the chance. But things are not always what they seem and in pursuit of getting what they need they tear apart their lives. Charlotte loses not only her best friend, but her husband and her other daughter. Sean sees this as all wrong he loves Willow and doesn't support the law suit. Amelia doesn't know how to deal with all of it, and heads down a twisted path that only hams her more. Piper's entire life is torn apart she questions everything that has ever made her a doctor she asks all the what-ifs, Marian ends up finding out you don't always want to know the answer.  The theme of this book was breaking; broken bones, broken friendships, broken families, broken marriages (even a broken heart...mine). Let me tell you this though, you will never see the ending coming. Through it all you bear witness that to get what you want in life you just might end of destroying everything that makes you, well you.

The Heir: The Selection Series

4 Stars
Kiera Cass

 Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible. But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

I really loved this book and I think it's because it touches me on such a personal level. I mean I don't run a country and I'm not a princess, but I sometimes act just like Eadlyn. She is taught to be a independent women meant to run a country, she has no time for the foolishness of love games. She has been taught to be strong and show no weakness, anything a boy can do she can do better. Which is why I feel like I can connect with her, so when things start to unravel in her country of Illea and she pushed into a Selection to distract her people from the problems she isn't happy. As much as having 35 gentlemen competing sounds like great fun, its work for her. Her walls are built high to keep out anybody who might get too close, but what if she doesn't' need to do this alone. What if she finds someone who will love her unconditionally, only time can tell. The story starts off a bit slow in the beginning, but quickly picks up. And yes she is moody and self-centered, but she is a princess and has no idea what it is like to be a normal common person, which is where I feel all her problems stem from. She seems harsh and distant to her people and to those around her, she doesn't mean to be this way its the only way she thinks she can be a respected queen. If only she was a little softer and you can see as she gets to know this boys she sees that maybe she doesn't have to be so strong all the time, and that people have feeling too. Not everything has to be her way. And then when you think she is making such great progress and she might have some character development, there is a great tragedy and the book ends. I can't wait til the next to book, I want this all resolved and I want Eadlyn to end up happy. 

The Kind Knight

5 Stars
Kelly Airhart

Meet the Kind Knight. He is brave. He is nice. And even when it's not easy, he always does what is right! Join him and his friends on their journey to stop the tears of the disappointed dragon. Learn the importance of patience and consideration. And as always, stay kind. 

Partial proceeds from each book will go to benefit Together We Rise, a national nonprofit that helps kids in foster care. 

I don't usually review children's books, but this author has a great story spreading kindness through the world and you can check out her journey at i-am-kind . As well as proceeds from the sale of her book go a great cause Together We Rise a nonprofit helping Foster Children in the United States. . Kelly Airhart is Mom, blogger, and a self-published author. Her first book The Kind Knight tells the story of a little kind knight who travels through the forest to solve a problem for Princess P. A cute story expressing the importance of  being patient, considerate, positive, and expressing gratitude. The story flows well and has cute illustrations, also created by Kelly herself. It makes a great addition to any children's library. 

You can help support her book, by buying an ebook at Amazon
Or by helping her kickstarter program The Kind Knight ,she is hoping to get her first set of hard copy books with this fundraiser.
I love seeing dreams come true and I hope she gets all the helps she needs. Go check her out.

The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3)

4.5 stars
Julie Kagawa

I received this ARC from NetGalley

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? 
With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer. 
MONSTER 
Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie. In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

I just wanna start out by saying how much I loved how this all turned out. I mean true the death toll could have been lower, but then it wouldn't have been a book about a sadistic lunatic vampire insistent on bringing the world to an end. The book begins with Allie, Kanin, and Jackal tracking Sarren through the wilderness and discovering all the lovely surprises he has left along the way for them. Whole slaughtered towns just for dramatic effect. Allie has given up on her humanity because she lost the person she was hanging on for. She becomes the monster everyone has always thought she is and when she finally comes to realize she doesn't want to give into the monster and pulls herself together a huge surprise awaits her in Old Chicago. ARGH! I can't go into too much detail, but lets just say that SURPRISE is an understatement. Julie once again delivers on a book that will keep you on the edge til the very end. With selfless acts preformed by all, allegiances and betrayals you never saw coming. And just when you think it is over BAM!! There is more action. I'm glad the way this all turned out and have nothing but praise for Julie! Well Done again!!

Allegiant (Divergent #3)

2.5 Stars
Veronica Roth

 The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories. But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

This book really killed me I couldn't believe how this ended. Veronica Roth basically took my heart ripped it outta my chest and stomped on it. I don't know if I can do this review without spoiler, but I sure will try. First the book started off with a really fast pace which I felt very rushed. I mean I know it is the third book, but I want to feel like reading not like I'm running a race. Basically I didn't like the story telling in this book it just felt different from the first two that I really enjoyed. I don't know if it was the ending or just the actual style so that's why this has a 2.5 stars. The think that the thing that changed the story was the fact that it kept alternating view points between the two characters. I would just start getting into the story when I switched points of views. I wish I had enjoyed this more and since I really don't have much more to say I'm gonna stop now and not repeat again.

Princess of the Silver Woods (Princess #3)

 

3 stars

Jessica Day George

When Petunia, the youngest of King Gregor's twelve dancing daughters, is invited to visit an elderly friend in the neighboring country of Westfalin, she welcomes the change of scenery. But in order to reach Westfalin, Petunia must pass through a forest where strange two-legged wolves are rumored to exist. Wolves intent on redistributing the wealth of the noble citizens who have entered their territory. But the bandit-wolves prove more rakishly handsome than truly dangerous, and it's not until Petunia reaches her destination that she realizes the kindly grandmother she has been summoned to visit is really an enemy bent on restoring an age-old curse. The stories of Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood get a twist as Petunia and her many sisters take on bandits, grannies, and the new King Under Stone to end their family curse once and for all.

I  really enjoyed this series and have been looking forward to this final book.  This story follows Petunia, the youngest of the dancing princesses. I liked Petunia, she was pretty feisty. Her older sisters tend to baby her and she is tired of being babies and overlooked. She really comes into her own in this one. Our hero in this book, Oliver, was likable. I think I liked Galen and Christian a bit more, but he still had his own charm. I guess he came across a little young to me. While I enjoyed the book, I think I liked the first two a bit more. The plot seemed a little too similar to the first book and it did get a little confusing with so many characters (all twelve princesses, some of their husbands, and the remaining evil princes and a handful of other side characters). It moved along nicely though and kept me turning the pages.

Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess #1)

 4 stars
Jessica Day George

 Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above. Captivating from start to finish, Jessica Day George’s take on the Grimms’ tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew.  


George starts with a familiar fairy tale; this time, it's "The Twelve Dancing Princesses". Rose is the eldest princess, cursed along with her eleven sisters (all named after flowers) to dance every night at the ball of the King Under Stone. Galen is an soldier returned from war, now an undergardener with some unusual skills. Now they must work together to free Rose and her sisters from the dreadful bargain made long ago between the King Under Stone and the queen, who died years ago. As in most fairy tale retellings, the author has to add complexity in order to make a short tale into a longer book, and George does a good job with this. She adds political intrigue around the proposed betrothals of the princesses, so that their kingdom is threatened not only by the King Under Stone but by enemy countries above ground. It's tough to make the twelve princesses distinguishable from each other, but she manages at least to give each one or two unique characteristics, and some are more complex than that, notably Rose. Though it was a bit confusing in trying to keep all the princesses names straight And I really loved Galen -- he knits! And it's an important plot point! More than that, he and Rose develop a nice relationship and make it believable that they would end up together at the end, beyond the simple "and the soldier chooses the eldest daughter" solution at the end of the fairy tale. I would recommend this book to any who would enjoy a fairytale with a bit of flair.

The Highlander's Touch (Highlander #3)

4 Stars
Karen Marie Moning

A Warrior of Immortal Powers 
He was a mighty Scottish warrior who lived in a world bound by ancient laws and timeless magic. But no immortal powers could prepare the laird of Castle Brodie for the lovely accursed lass who stood before him. A terrible trick of fate had sent her 700 years back in time and into his private chamber to tempt him with her beauty—and seduce him with a desire he could never fulfill. For this woman he burned to possess was also the woman he had foresworn to destroy.

A Woman Caught in the Mists of Time 
When Lisa felt the earth move under her feet, the fiercely independent 21st-century woman never dreamed she was falling... into another century. But the powerful, naked warrior who stood glaring down at her was only too real... and too dangerously arousing. Irresistibly handsome he might be, but Lisa had no intention of remaining in this savage land torn by treachery and war. How could she know that her seductive captor had other plans for her... plans that would save her from a tragic fate? Or that this man who had long ago forsaken love would defy time itself to claim her for his own....

 I have been exploring genres other than YA and happened to stumble upon the Highlander Series by Karen Marie Moning. I'm not one who usually gets into romantic novels, but as far as books go this series is pretty good. As you can see this is the third in a series of 8 and though the previous two books were intriguing they did not add up to this book. I LOVED this book which is why I gave it 4 stars. All the other books have the woman time traveling meeting a glorious warrior and losing him and then in the end getting back together, this book had so many curves in it I was always wondering what was happening next. Lisa is taken from the 21st century and thrown back in time to the 14th century now normally a pretty horrible thing all things considered she leaves behind a pretty crappy life, she would most likely leave it all behind and live in the 14th century if not for her dieing mother. In comes Circenn Brodie Scottish Warrior extraordinaire who accepts her being from the future and has many secrets of his own. He ends up engaged to her and unable to help her return to her century sets about to making her the most comfortable in his century. They form a lovers bond so strong it bares all emotion for their partner to see which is how Lisa comes to find the Circenn is hiding something. When he finally reveals his secret he is forced to ride off into battle, leaving Lisa to sort through everything by herself. She calls upon the fairy Queen who offers her two choices stay or go back, Lisa knowing not what to choice becomes a fairy toy (as all mortals do). Circenn feels the moment she leaves time and is thought that she is lost. Vowing to get revenge upon Adam Black whom he has built up great anger and resentment for making him what he is  and thinking he has killed Lisa. Adam Black is the key to understanding what he is and when the last piece of the puzzle is revealed I was left ambushed by a fact I didn't see coming. Things turn out well though and with his new knowledge Circenn even makes Lisa's life all better againm bringing them back together with a happy ending. I don't know if I will like all the stories this much but I just had to share this one.

The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2)

5 Stars
Julie Kagawa

ARC provided by Netgalley

In the real world, when you vanish into thin air for a week, people tend to notice. After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again. But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.
  
 Julie how could you! How could you just leave me hanging with an ending like that? I don't know how I'm going to make it til the next book comes out. This book was amazing I couldn't set it down I had to make sure I read it when I was off work just make sure I could concentrate. Ethan is back and just as awesome as ever! And let me just tell as much as I love Ethan this book seemed to really be focused more on Kierran (who is really beginning to make me hate him more as much as I love Ash and Meghan I hate their son) I know that the prophecy of faery's destruction is based around Keirran ,but let Ethan have some story time please. I would have loved for Kenzie's and Ethan's story be brought to light more. Ethan doesn't have much time after getting back to the real world before he is swept up in the craziness of faery and of course you can't stop Kenzie so it as interesting adventure. Keirran just seems to be in trouble no matter when we see him and with him losing his love just how far will he go to keep her from fading away? That's our biggest problem. We have a few glimpses of the old quartet which is always exciting! Puck was on parts of the journey which is probably why the three of them are alive for the most part and though there are only small parts of Ash being seen I was still pleased. The prophecy foreseen is coming true and the last battle seems to be unavoidable. Everything we have been waiting for has led to this moment which part of Keirran will win out the Human or the Faerie? What will become of our beloved cast? You'll just to have to read to find out and I promise you won't be dissapointed.

Rise

2 Stars
Anna Carey

When she lost her soul mate, Caleb, Eve felt like her world had ended. Trapped in the palace, forced to play the part of the happy, patriotic princess of The New America—and the blushing bride of her father's top adviser—Eve's whole life is a lie. The only thing that keeps her going is Caleb's memory, and the revolution he started. Now, Eve is taking over where Caleb left off. With the help of Moss, an undercover subversive in the King's court, she plots to take down The New America, beginning with the capital, the City of Sand. Will Eve be able to bring about a new, free world when she's called upon to perform the ultimate act of rebellion—killing her father? In Rise, Eve must choose who to leave behind, who to save, and who to fight as Anna Carey's epic tale of romance and sacrifice in the chilling dystopia of The New America comes to a stunning conclusion.

This series started slowly and I was hoping it would get better with the other books that followed, though it did answer a lot of questions I wanted answers to I never seemed to understand the characters. I tried to understand Eve and her reasoning of things, but she just never seems to learn from her mistakes. She just seems selfish to me, even after she finds out she is pregnant and claims that she is doing this for her baby, it just is another petty reason to do something stupid. She claims that love is what makes her do this, but that doesn't make sense! Be reasonable Eve stop endangering the people around you. She manages to poison her father and things seem to be working out, but then when going gets tough she doesn't care to get anyone else out except herself and her cousin who just happens to be with her. Not the man who has been her husband and protected her for months risked his life for her oh no just leave him behind. In the end she succeeds in killing her father and liberating the people of New America. The book ending leaves so much unacknowledged it just annoys me, we never know what happens to women she was with or Ruby or anything. Other than she finds Caleb is alive and rush to meet him. Well I hope they make a happy family.

Once

3 Stars
Anna Carey

 When you're being hunted, who can you trust? For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America. But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America. Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past--and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together--but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.

I started this series out not liking the first book, because it didn't have any back story to it something that the author rectified in this book. Just when you think Eve could maybe finally be safe in Califia, along comes the hint of betrayal from the woman that she has been living and working with for the past few months. She isn't just another woman living in Califia she is considered a bargaining chip by the leaders something to guarantee protection from the King. Eve then gets news that Caleb is in trouble and she rushes off to try to help him leaving the safety of the colony. She finds out it is a ruse all too late and is captured by the very solider she spared the life of. She is taken to the capital of New America, but not before Arden is separated from her and placed in the very place that they were working so hard to escape. Eve grief stricken about her love and her friends that she can not save is then shown that she is not who she thought she was, she is much more important than she could have ever imagined. She just doesn't fit into this new life and dirty secrets about her parents are revealed. All she wants is Caleb and her old life back. When she receives word that Caleb is safe and in the city they meet up as dangerous as it is. She trades her happiness for a life and she has to play the new role she is given to make sure the one she loves can live. With the big reveal of who Moss is at the end really threw me for a loop, I was not expecting it. I was satisfied with information that was finally revealed and I feel like the story was much improved upon, I was actually looking forward to finishing the book. Needless to say that is book is a great work and I will be reading on the third and final book in the series.

Eve

2.5 Stars
Anna Carey


Where do you go when nowhere is safe?
Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her. Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust... and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

 I have to say that this book moved very slow in my opinion. It started off well enough describing the world Eve lives in, but from there it just seemed to drag on and on and never gave away many details. It describes her life and the school she is currently at the horrible secret she discovers about her society, but it never gives back story other than "the virus" wiped out most of the population. That's it? That's all you're going to give me, no back story about where the virus came from or anything? So in this society New America it is ruled by a King who is using the orphans of the virus to build a new empire. Girls are taught to fear men to not trust them; that men are the root of all evil that befalls a woman. Eve is the exemplary student in every way, which of course is what gets her in trouble. She runs away after seeing the future that is in store for her. She is found by who other than a Man the very thing she has been brainwashed not to trust. After Caleb finally gets her to trust him and makes her believe that maybe the lessons might be wrong, things go all down hill. It is actually her naivety for the world she is in that ends her up in all the trouble. She is wronged by many men and left to her own defenses transforming her from the naive girl she was to a hardened woman who has seen much hardship and tragedy. And to top this off after reading it to the end and hoping for a good ending, it turns out to be a trilogy. So maybe some of the points about the back story not being built will be resolved with the following books.

The Last Romanov

2.5 Stars
Dora Levy Mossanen 

 She was an orphan, ushered into the royal palace on the prayers of her majesty. Yet, decades later, her time spent in the embrace of the Romanovs haunts her still. Is she responsible for those murderous events that changed everything? If only she can find the heir, maybe she can put together the broken pieces of her own past - maybe she can hold on to the love she found.

Darya Borodina is one hundred and four years old, living in the old Russian Entertainment Palace among the ruins, haunted by her life and her time with the Romanovs. Born of royal parents who were close friends with the Tsar and Tsarina of Russia, when Darya's parents are killed in a horrible accident she is brought to live in the household of the Tsar. There she became a companion to the royal children, the four Duchesses and the Tsarevich. Darya had healing powers which were important since the heir had hemophilia and could die at any moment. We watch royal life through Darya's eyes. Drawn to the arts, she and the Empress create an artistic salon to showcase the talents of Russia's sculptors, artists and ballet masters. We see the issues that begin in revolutionary Russia and how they begin to tear at the aristocracy . Darya is torn between these two worlds. She is loyal to the royal family, but madly in love with one of the artists, a Jewish painter she knows she can never acknowledge publicly. Through him, she starts to see the turmoil that will soon tear the country apart. After the Revolution and the assassination of the Royal Family, what keeps Darya alive is her belief that the heir was not killed that horrible day with the rest of the family. She spends decades searching for him, and now she receives word that 'the last Romanov' has been found. This starts her final journey to determine the truth once and for all. It was a very slow building book and I feel like the author dragged it unnecessarily. I understand it is a work of Historical fiction and therefore does not need to adhere to all facts, but the fact that all the bodies of the Royal family are accounted for and therefore the events at the end of the story could not have possibly happen annoys me and makes me like the book just a little less.

The Eternity Cure (The Blood of Eden #2)

 

4 Stars
Julie Kagawa

 I received this ARC from NetGalley
 
In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood 
She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever-and possibly end human and vampire existence.
There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago-and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.
Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make.

I was so sad at the end of The Immortal Rules when Allie left Zeke in Eden. I know she was doing it for all the right reasons going to free Kanin from torture at the hands of the sadistic vampire Sarren, but still I was sad for her. She follows the pull of her blood to what she believes to be her Sire but instead leads her to her "brother" Jackal. Who actually becomes her unlikely ally in the story together they must figure out what happen so long ago in those labs; what dark secrets are hidden away in the tunnels under D.C.? They get there too late to thwart Sarren plans and must chase him back to where this all began, New Convington, where they discover the humans to be suffering from what appears to be Red Lung. They must get to the Prince of the city and in order to do so they must venture to the sewers below. Where they meet...you guessed it Zeke who seems distant and cold towards Allie. I was so happy with this part I was so concerned how Julie was going to bring Zeke back into the story ( I mean come on they are totally meant for each other). They team up (as unlikely a team as it seems) Zeke, Allie, and Jackal and make their way to the Inner City where they encounter a vengeful Prince. This is where things get interesting, I don't want to give too much away so I'll just leave it at that (I will however vaguely describe some details). This book had me at the edge of my seat for the entire last half of it. I mean I couldn't put it down I just needed to know what happen to them (because some real curve balls get thrown at this bunch). In the end when I thought everything had worked itself out and there might be a happy ending NO! Julie threw a sucker punch I mean really I just wanted to grab Zeke and shake some sense into him ugh! And poor Allie having to deal with the message at the end I just wanted to sit down and cry with her, she doesn't deserve the heartache (I personally wanted to kill Sarren after what he does). And the very last part throws you for a loop, just when I thought it couldn't get anymore interesting it does. I really liked this book Allie is as always strong-willed, persistent and she is able to keep her humanity. She battles her demon within just to be able to love Zeke it is so touching, though she is a little slow on the uptake about Zeke loving her. Zeke is the only one that was annoying! I mean really can he just be a little less moral? The book is full of backstabbing, betrayal, and small hopes. And I can't even say that in the end it all works out BECAUSE IT DOESN'T!!! It is an amazing book though I have to hand it to Julie she did an awesome job! I thought I was done reading Vampire books, but she has reinvented their story. Thank You Julie for another job well done.

The Goddess Inheritance

3 Stars
Aimee Carter

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal. In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead. With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything. Even if it costs her eternity.

The scene opens with Kate giving birth while in captivity and Henry knows finally that she is a prisoner and not on her mission to find Rhea. The birth takes mere minutes and Hera whisks away the baby. Kate promises something to Cronus so that he will save her baby, but the price is too steep and how can even face Henry after making promises like that to Cronus! Moments later Henry appears and a fight ensues which involves all the Gods trying to rescue Kate. Calliope is completely nuts and she threatens Henry with a knife to kill Gods they fight and a struggle ensues in which Henry appears to be mortally wounded, he has enough strenght and makes to make to Olympus with Kate. She is patched up but unfortunately Henry is put into a coma like state because of his fight with Calliope and the weapon.  Needing to save Henry and rescue her son from his captures she sets out to find Rhea with James. When they locate Rhea in the grasslands of Africa and ask for her help in battle against Cronus she refuses saying that she can't fight against her husband that she does not condone his actions of violence. She does fortunately heal Henry and Kate which I guess is a plus but ugh she is just so infuriating trying to take the high road against violence. When they get back to Olympus Kate continues to visit her son through her visions. She discovers Calliope secret weapon and the reason why Ava was so complaint.  I can't talk much more because that would totally give the book away, but yea the book gets intense after this point. And finally Kate gets her backbone back!! She stops being such a whinny girl about everybody stepping on her and becomes the heroine I first fell in love with. I mean she was getting just a little too annoying, when we first met her she was a strong high school student caring for her dieing mother. This is the girl whom Henry fell in love with the strong, pig headed, independent women. Then as the series has progressed on she has just been so weak and jealous with everything never bothering to fight and finally she does in this book I'm proud! Which is why I gave the book 3 stars I loved this series before this book and I totally would have rated it as one of my favorite series of all times, but this book was just so rushed (in my opinion) and it tied up all the loose ends and ended the battle with Cronus, but rather sloppily. The best redeeming qualities where Kate getting her spunk back and the ending! Boy did the ending through me for a loop! I just couldn't believe it (spoiler alert) one of key characters dies!! YES DIES! There is another death, but I was happy about that so no big deal for me. In the end I will let you know things turn out as well as possible which was a consolation considering all Henry and Kate have been through to be together. But over all the book I wasn't impressed it was rushed and I didn't like the story plot I feel like the story could have been completed with out the need for Kate to have a baby. I always hate when that happens, I feel like the heroine got gypped out of her rightful story line and stuck with some other one for deadline writing. Sorry Aimee Carter I really did love your other two books.

What Alice Forgot

3.5 Stars
Liane  Moriarty

Remember the woman you used to be ...
Alice is twenty-nine. She is whimsical, optimistic and adores sleep, chocolate, her ramshackle new house and her wonderful husband Nick. What's more, she's looking forward to the birth of the 'Sultana' - her first baby. But now Alice has slipped and hit her head in her step-aerobics class and everyone's telling her she's misplaced the last ten years of her life. In fact, it would seem that Alice is actually thirty-nine and now she loves schedules, expensive lingerie, caffeine and manicures. She has three children and the honeymoon is well and truly over for her and Nick. In fact, he looks at her like she's his worst enemy. What's more, her beloved sister Elisabeth isn't speaking to her either. And who is this 'Gina'everyone is so carefully trying not to mention? Alice isn't sure that she likes life ten years on. Every photo is another memory she doesn't have and nothing makes sense. Just how much can happen in a decade? Has she really lost her lovely husband for ever?
   
This was a book I started reading for my book club I actually nominated it because I had seen it being read by a lot of other book clubs and it had a lot of good reviews, so I figured that many people couldn't be wrong about it. It wasn't a bad book it was actually quite enjoyable, rather I feel like it was something I didn't really relate with. I think it may have been a little too out of my maturity range. I mean if I were to lose my memory from ten years ago I would be eleven and yes that would be terrifying, but not as horrible as not remember my kids being born on my marriage failing. I did want to find out what had happen to Alice so I kept reading and I wasn't let down. It starts off with Alice anmesic after hitting her head at spin class. She is taken to the hospital and evaluated and diagnosed with a concussion and apparently confused as to where the last ten years of her life have gone missing. Now the husband she loved is her worst enemy and the baby she was pregnant with is now grown, her sister is a bitter old woman and she is someone she never thought she would be. She battles with what her life has become and who this mysterious women "Gina" is, since she plays such a huge part in her life. I loved how whimsical young Alice was how much she had changed how much from what she enjoys in the beginning of thirties to the end of them. It kinda shows how much life messes you up, you have all these plans and then life just throws you curve balls and nothing goes as planned. That is basically how Alice's life goes she has turned into a person she doesn't know one who volunteers and bakes and wakes up early and has such a schedule to keep. Her sister has also grown apart from her and has her own secret wounds to heal from. It is such a heart touching story and I feel for Elizabeth. The story also has a huge plot twist after I thought everything was going to work out between Alice and Nick the author throws something in there to just jumble up the story. You have to read the end to totally enjoy this book! Alice struggles to keep the two parts of herself equally balanced and that shows how you can't be too much of something or else life will get outta of proportion. I feel that is an internal struggle that we all face and nobody knows about and that is exactly what Alice and Elizabeth go through but we all see it. I was very happy with the changing of point of views it was perfect complementing to the story. I give props to Liane  Moriarty for a great story I enjoyed reading.

Stupid Perfect World

Scott Westerfeld
3 Stars

In this future-set novella by bestselling author Scott Westerfeld, Kieran Black lives in a "perfect" world. Disease and starvation have been eradicated, sleep is unnecessary, and it takes no time at all to go from the Bahamas to the moon. But now Kieran has to take Scarcity, a class about how people lived in the bad old days. And as if sitting through an hour of Scarcity every day wasn't depressing enough, it's final projects time. Each student must choose some form of ancient hardship to experience for two whole weeks. Kieran chooses having to sleep eight hours a night, which doesn't seem too annoying. Maria Borsotti has never thought much of Kieran, but she decides to take pity on him and help him out with his project. Soon, Kieran is sleeping and having vivid dreams, while Maria, whose Scarcity project is to give up all teenage hormone regulation, is experiencing emotions she never knew she had. As their assignments draw them closer together, they begin to wonder if the olden days weren't so bad. Maybe something has been missing from their perfect lives after all?

 It was really short. I love Scott Westerfeld so I was hoping for new series since I have read all of his current ones. So that was a little disappointing but it had a great base start. I wish I could know more about how they were able to cure everything and how they are able to control hormones and how they get around the whole sleeping eight hours a day how nice that would be, I would have so much time with the whole sleep thing getting in the way. I mean they can teleport everywhere to the moon and mars and live in Antarctica. There has to be more to their story like how Keiran and Maria function after their projects are done and how they are able to change the world around them show others that there is more to life than their Stupid Perfect World.

Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2)

Aimee Carter
3 stars

 Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans. As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future. Henry's first wife, Persephone.

I am very sad to say that I was very disappointed with the sequel  and I am most disappointed in Kate herself. She has spent all Summer playing in Greece with James comes back and expects everything to be fine and dandy. I mean come on girl Henry has been without you for months now give him a break, but oh no she goes all crazy about how he doesn't love her. Really!?! She has been there all of a couple of hours before she is doubting his love and how much he is still in love with Persephone. I mean come on Kate I loved you in the first book because you were such a strong person and now you're falling to pieces because Henry, who has never been able to show his emotions very well, doesn't kiss you right away after he has been battling Cronus for weeks now? UGH she is so frustrating!!! I mean everyone continues to reassure her that Henry loves her! And then in the middle of her coronation Henry is kidnapped and Kate goes to pieces. Eventually she pulls herself together and goes searching for Persephone who she thinks is her biggest threat to her future. Really?? I mean I can understand her reasons for being jealous of Persephone it was Henry's first wife first love, but her mother has never shown or said to her that she loves Persephone more. Her insecurities are not warranted in my opinion. She battles Calliope to get Henry and the others released being reckless again as usual. She is saved by Henry and I mean if that doesn't mean he loves you what does? And then to prove that she is not useless she goes on a mission to find Rhea so that Cronus will not win. UGH Kate you were really annoying in the book. But the ending will defiantly keep me reading for the Goddess Inheritance. The ending was just gut wrenching twist in the plot I didn't see it coming. So thats why the book gets a higher rating. 

The Goddess Legacy (Goddess Test # 2.5)

 4.5 stars
Aimee Carter

For millennia we've caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus. Now Aimée Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.

• Calliope/Hera represented constancy and yet had a husband who never matched her faithfulness...
• Ava/Aphrodite was the goddess of love and yet commitment was a totally different deal...
• Persephone was urged to marry one man, yet longed for another...
• James/Hermes loved to make trouble for others-but never knew true loss before...
• Henry/Hades's solitary existence had grown too wearisome to continue. But meeting Kate Winters gave him a new hope..

  Five original novellas of love, loss and longing and the will to survive throughout the ages.

I was so excited when I discovered this book was available through my library and checked it out right away. I decided that I would read just one of the stories before going to bed, boy was I wrong I couldn't stop myself from reading and stayed up all night. The Goddess Test series has been amazing and though it has answered many questions they are only ones Kate is given answers to, in this novella however we are given the answers behind the Gods and Goddess behaviors and actions. Why Hera was such a jealous wife, Why Aphrodite is allowed so many affairs as a married women, What was really behind Persephone's decision to leave Hades, What really lies behind Hermes joking personality, and Hades first encounter with Kate! All great stories that add so much depth to the characters.

Calliope/Hera just wants to be loved and she wants to rule as Queen as a daughter of a Titan, she doesn't want to be a man's possession. She marries Zeus knowing she is in love with another and expects Zeus to change his cheating ways, all she gets in return is a broken heart full of bitterness. I have to say that after reading this I did feel a bit tad sorry for her(but not enough since she tried to kill Kate). Hera wants to be a equal with her husband and since he never accepts nor respects her she is doomed to spend eternity anger, jealous, and bitter at those around her that will have happiness she will never have.

Ava/Aphrodite is the daughter of Zeus and therefore follows in the footsteps of holding many lovers as well, but when she is forced into a marriage that she does not she runaways with the man she loves. Slow she discovers that passion and burning may not always last and that perhaps a love that was not first valued is the love that she needs the most and will be the most constant. This love is lasting and does not hold her flaws against her, which is what she needs in her life.

Persephone was forced to marry Hades and she held nothing but hatred and anger against him which she could never explain since she liked him as a friend (which I have my suspicions who did that to her which made me even more angry with that person). We discover what happen during her time with Henry which makes me feel even more sorry for poor Henry. She not only cheated on Henry, but gave her life eventually for love.

We have always seen James/Hermes as the joker and yet in this story we discover that he has so much more to him a depth that I thought he didn't have. He has experienced great loss and isn't as carefree as he would lead everyone to believe.

Henry/Hades's story was my favorite!! It explained so much about him!! Why he is the way he is, how he lived after Persephone, and how the bringing in of the girls to be tested began. I felt so sorry for Henry knowing how much he had to endure before he meet Kate. How much pain and sorrow he went through ugh it just makes me root for him so much harder. And the scene where he first meets Kate is just PERFECT!! I mean this story is needed so much to add so much enrichment to the Kate and Henry story. You will be missing out if you don't read this story!

Over all Aimee Carter has worked her magic again bringing to life myths of long ago. She has added so much depth to all the characters by writing these stories and letting us see what lead these Gods and Goddess to who they are and show us why they do what they do. I recommend this book and this entire to series to everyone! It is a must read and favorite on my list.