Book Review: Unforgotten by Jessica Brody

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books (27 Feb 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1447221141
• ISBN-13: 978-1447221142

After a daring escape from the scientists at Diotech who created her, Seraphina believes she is finally safe from the horrors of her past. But new threats await her and her boyfriend, Zen, at every turn as Zen falls prey to a mysterious illness and Sera’s extraordinary abilities make it more and more difficult to stay hidden. Meanwhile, Diotech has developed a dangerous new weapon designed to apprehend her, a weapon that even Sera will be powerless to stop. Her only hope of saving Zen’s life and defeating the company that made her is a secret buried deep within her mind. A secret that Diotech will kill to protect.

Zen and Sera have escaped from the scientists at Diotech who created Sera. They have travelled back in time to 1609 and, so long as they keep to themselves and make sure nothing they do becomes part of public record, they can live out the remainder of their days in peace and safety but more importantly, together. Diotech can never find them. 

But something is making Zen ill, and even before that life was a daily struggle. Every move Sera makes she has to be thoughtful and cautious. One wrong move could expose her as different…something you really don’t want in 1609. And when Zen’s life is threatened it isn’t even a choice - Sera acts to save him and is apprehended shortly after. She is accused of being a witch and put on trial, which means it will be public record. 

Diotech has learned it’s mistakes and has created a weapon specially forged for Sera. They are equally matched and on paper, she cannot overcome him. But Zen will die if she doesn’t do something and so Sera must channel her human side and learn to get creative if either of them have a hope of seeing daylight as free people again.

I absolutely LOVE this series. Zen and Sera are very likeable characters, as are Kaelen and Cody. I could barely rip my eyes away from the pages and I raced through it as quickly as I could just to know what happened. It is fast paced and chock full of action and turmoil. Every emotion is channelled through this book and I think I felt every one. 

Fans of this first book will not be left disappointed and I sincerely cannot wait for the next book. 

Many thanks to Macmillan Children's Books for the review copy.

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Book Review: Stella by Helen Eve

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books; 1 edition (2 Jan 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1447241711
• ISBN-13: 978-1447241713
• 
  

17-year-old Stella Hamilton is the star blazing at the heart of Temperley High. Leader of the maliciously exclusive elite, she is surrounded by adulation; envied and lusted after in equal measure. And she is in the final stage of a five-year campaign to achieve her destiny: love with her equally popular male equivalent, and triumph as Head Girl on election night.

By contrast, new girl Caitlin Clarke has until now lived a quietly conformist life in New York. With the collapse of her parents’ marriage she has been sent across the Atlantic for an English boarding school education, only to discover that at Temperley, the only important rules are the unwritten ones. It's a world of the beautiful and the dangerous, and acceptance means staying on the right side of Stella Hamilton, the most beautiful and dangerous of them all.

Not everyone is happy to be under the Hamilton rule. But fighting the system means treading the same dark path as Stella - and if Caitlin puts a foot wrong, it's a long way down . . .

Stella Hamilton is the star of Temperley High School. Literally. She is the leader of an elite group of Stars who rule the school and set the standard for all other girls and is in the final stage of her campaign of supreme reign: love with her male counterpart and win position of Head Girl.

Caitlin Clarke is the new girl at Temperley and has a lived a quiet life compared to Stella. After her parents separation, she travelled with her father from New York to England to attend school and had to say goodbye to the little brother she adores. Caitlin quickly learns that those in charge at Temperley aren’t necessarily the teachers and the most important rules are the ones no one tells you about. 

When Stella takes Caitlin under wing, Caitlin blossoms. She sees what life is like on the beautiful side and she doesn’t ever want to go back. Life in the popular circle isn’t always sunshine and happiness. Some aren’t happy to be under Stella’s rule but going against the system means doing things like Stella would. And if you fall, it’s a long way to the bottom. 

I absolutely loved this book. It is one of the rare books that has me switching allegiances gradually throughout. It is fraught with the perils of teenage politics and drips elegance of wealth and luxury. At times the story did go that stretch too far to be believable, but it’s largeness only made it more fascinating. 

As the story progressed each girl grips furiously to what she has claimed at the school and neither will admit defeat, and even becomes a little unhinged in their mental state. There has been a lot of comparison with the Cecily von Ziegesar books, Mean Girls and Great Expectations and I can see why, but also, Stella stands up pretty well all on its own. 

Read it and be glad you never went to this school. 

Many thanks to My Kinda Book and Macmillan Children's Books for the review copy.

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Book Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books; Unabridged edition (30 Jan 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1447263227
• 
  

Cath and Wren are identical twins, and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half of a pair any more - she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It's not so easy for Cath. She's horribly shy and has always buried herself in the fan fiction she writes, where she always knows exactly what to say and can write a romance far more intense than anything she's experienced in real life.

Without Wren Cath is completely on her own and totally outside her comfort zone. She's got a surly room-mate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she's realizing that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible . . .

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1447263227/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1447263227&linkCode=as2&tag=wencwrit-21

Cath and Wren are identical twins and all their life they have done everything together. They went to the same parties, had the same friends, had the same interests. But now they are starting college and Wren craves individuality. Cath is the more reserved of the two, and doesn’t like new situations. Wren throws herself into college life, makes instant friends with her new roommate and loves the nightlife. And all Cath wants to do is bury herself in the fan fiction she writes and pretend the outside world doesn’t exist. 

Cath’s comfort zone is totally ripped from her. Her sister is non-existent, the fiction-writing professor she idolised came down hard on her fan fiction and she can’t stop worrying about her dad. Everything feels like a battle, and all Cath wants to do is wave the white flag and admit defeat. But those around her won’t let her give in so easily.

I absolutely adored Fangirl. It was one of those books that you just sink into like a piece of mouth watering chocolate cake. Cath is a great protagonist and very true to what she believes in, though she can be stubborn to a fault.

One of the most interesting things I found about Fangirl was the relationships around Cath. There are a lot of different types and not all of them perfect or even good, and how unaware she is that they are there. 

Levi and Reagan have to be my two all time favourite characters of this book. Reagan is my kinda gal, straight talking and unapologetic for who she is. And really, who couldn’t adore Levi with his floppy hair and charm?

This book is a little on the tame side, considering it is set in college but it hits some serious notes. I loved the interactions between Cath and her dad and the dynamic of the twindom. 

All in all, you’d be crazy to pass this book by. Read it and love it. And pray for a sequel. #NEEDMORELEVI

Many thanks to My Kinda Book and MacMillan Children's Books for the review copy.

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Book Review: The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Quercus (7 Nov 2013)
• ISBN-10: 1780876823
• ISBN-13: 978-1780876825
• 
  

Cassie Hobbes can tell you what you will do before you do. She can tell what kind of person you are, how you will react and how you will behave. But she can’t tell you what happened to her mother.

Cassie is recruited by the FBI, identified as a ‘Natural’, one of few who are uniquely gifted in human behaviour, emotional reading, lying or statistics. Cassie is a natural born profiler, and the FBI want her to join it’s team of teenage naturals to solve cold cases and to hone her talents. For Cassie, it is a rare opportunity to perhaps work on the inside and find out what exactly happened to her mother that night in the dressing room that Cassie found drenched in blood.

Pretty soon Cassie is living with four strangers. People who can answer her questions before she’s even asked it, read her feelings off her face, call her out on lies and tell the exact probability of certain situations. Life isn’t easy and Cassie has to figure out the two boys and her feelings for them, all while a serial killer has locked their gaze on Cassie. Pretty soon the case the Naturals focus on aren’t so cold...but active.

Okay, first of all, let me just say that I LOVED The Naturals. I’m a huge fan of movies like The Silence of the Lambs and TV shows like Criminal Minds. This was like an amazing mash up of the two and maybe The. O.C. Boy drama, girl drama, and serial killers. 

It was expertly written and very clever. I didn’t get lost in the information or the details, but sunk fully into the story as though it was happening all around me. Dean was probably my favourite character...and more than likely will be for a lot of people. After all, we’re all suckers for the dark, brooding type, aren’t we?

I seriously couldn’t put this book down and very much hope there will be another one to follow on. 

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Book Review: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Publisher: MIRA Ink (26 Nov 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00CMOXV0S

Rachel and Isaiah are two totally different people with two totally different lives. Rachel is the girl with the good school marks, designer clothes and on the surface, the perfect life. Isaiah is the boy with the sketchy past, the guy people cross the street to avoid. He’s a foster child he relies on person - himself...anyone else will just disappoint you.

But they share one thing - their love of cars. Rachel literally crashes into Isaiah’s life. After Beth, Isaiah never thought he would meet a girl who would catch his interest, but then he see’s Rachel who looks like an angel and knows he has to get her far away from his world before something happens to her. 

What he does is ensure they are thrown together for at least six weeks where they battle the odds to save their lives. Neither one thought they would fall so far into each other. How they would lose everything if only it meant the other would be saved.

Ok, let me just say one thing....holy smokin’ Isaiah, batman! I’ve loved all Katie McGarry’s previous books and hoped and prayed and crossed everything that Isaiah would get his own book. And it does not disappoint. Not in the least. He’s the quintessential bad boy with the heart of gold. On the outside he’s tatted up and pierced and so scary Chuck Norris better watch out. But on the inside, he’s just a boy. 

Rachel was one of the more interesting female leads of this series. I really felt for her and at times could feel just how restricting her family was and how they were choking the life right out of her. Rachel and Isaiah often appear two sides of the same coin - Isaiah, the boy no one wanted or watched out for, Rachel - the one who barely has a second that isn’t monitored or unaccounted for. They both crave freedom, Rachel from her brothers and Isaiah from the social work system. 

There is so much more to this book than you would ever think. My heart broke for these two characters and I have never rooted so hard than I did for this pair. From the outside looking in, it’s a bit of a YA version of Gone in Sixty Seconds (only, Rachel doesn’t have blonde dreds). But as soon as you scrape the surface you discover a great big beating heart of love and trust and friendship. 

Noah and Isaiah’s brotherly bond was one of the most interesting aspects of the book. Though not blood, they care and would literally do anything for the other. 

Really, I could gush about this book all day long. It’s a fantastic read, beautiful romance and exhilarating adventure. Not to be missed.

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Book Review: Goddess by Josephine Angelini

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books; 1 edition (23 May 2013)
• ISBN-10: 0330529765
• ISBN-13: 978-0330529761

She must rise, or they will fall . . . Helen's powers are increasing—and so is the distance between her and her mortal friends. To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a dangerous traitor is lurking among them, and all fingers point to Orion. Still unsure whether she loves him or Lucas, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, or risk all-out war. The final book in this heart-stopping trilogy.

Helen has released the gods from Olympus. After being imprisoned for thousands of years, their thirst for revenge and retaliation knows no bounds. 

Now it is up to Helen to find a way to conquer them once again. War is coming to the Scions, and with a traitor in their midst the odds are working against them. 

Goddess was an absolute thrill to read. My heart pounded, I sat on the edge of my seat, I cried, I stayed up chanting one more chapter. It was THAT good.

I’ve been a fan of the Starcrossed trilogy since the very first book. After meeting Lucas and Helen and being shown their world, I knew I was in for an epic book series. Not one instalment disappointed, and with Goddess, the pressure was really on not just to deliver a satisfying ending to this amazing series, but to produce a brilliant book on its own. 

It feels like I travelled a journey with these characters, and with a story as big as the Trojan war itself, what a journey it has been. 

Helen is the ultimate Goddess in this book and she carries the story heroically. We get more viewpoints in this book, and while it is refreshing to see inside Lucas’s head (and a few others that I won’t mention here...) it really feels like it belongs to Helen. I rooted for her throughout this entire series and it has been a joy to see her grow. Gone is the awkward, shy Helen Hamilton. In her place is a young woman who is finally embracing her destiny. 

Lucas and Helen’s romance is achingly heartbreaking. At times it was very reminiscent of Clary and Jace and their similar predicament, but it remained very true to itself. I adored Orion and as a character I couldn’t ask for more. As Helen starts to lose her mortal friends, it was beautiful to see Orion step up and be exactly what she needed. 

As for the gods...wow. While Greek mythology has been done a few times now in YA, thankfully  the Starcrossed series is totally unique when it came to their interpretation of the myths. I absolutely adored the mirroring of the major players in the Trojan war with our very own Scions. 

This is the ending we have been waiting for. 

Many thanks to MacMillan Children's Books for the review copy.

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Book Review: Kite Spirit by Sita Brahmachari

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books; 1 edition (9 May 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330517929
• ISBN-13: 978-0330517928

During the summer of her GCSEs Kite's world falls apart. Her best friend, Dawn, commits suicide after a long struggle with feeling under pressure to achieve. Kite's dad takes her to the Lake District, to give her time and space to grieve. In London Kite is a confident girl, at home in the noisy, bustling city, but in the countryside she feels vulnerable and disorientated. Kite senses Dawn's spirit around her and is consumed by powerful, confusing emotions - anger, guilt, sadness and frustration, all of which are locked inside. It's not until she meets local boy, Garth, that Kite begins to open up - talking to a stranger is easier somehow. Kite deeply misses her friend and would do anything to speak to Dawn just once more, to understand why . . . Otherwise how can she ever say goodbye? A potent story about grief, friendship, acceptance and making your heart whole again.

The morning of their first day of exams, Kite’s world falls apart. Her best friend, Dawn commits suicide. Plagued with questions and a sense of suffocations, Kite’s dad takes her out of the city to the Lake District, to give her time and space to grieve.

Kite feels as though Dawn’s spirit is around her. She envisions her as an owl, soaring in the sky and leaving her mark on Kite’s window. Kite feels so many emotions she can barely process them, and can’t even cry. It is when she meets Garth, a local boy who helps her in more ways than she could ever expect. 

Kite Spirit was raw and beautiful, a truly haunting yet uplifting story. Kite’s grief radiated off the page and swirled in the air around me, much like Dawn’s presence did for Kite. 

With the rolling hills of the Lake District as the backdrop of this story, it really set the scene for Kite and her bleak mood. But as anyone who knows this area, when the sun breaks through, it is outstanding. 

Kite and Dawn’s history is cleverly revisited by the author in well timed flashbacks. We get a glimpse of the girl Dawn was, and also of the girl Kite was around her. Though totally different and from totally different methods of upbringing, the girls were inseperable. Kite wanted to swing in the circus, Dawn to play her oboe. Through these flashbacks we also begin to understand why Dawn may have taken her own life. 

It was at times hard to read, the story is very raw. But it was a pleasure to watch as Kite overcame her grief, and learned how to say goodbye and let go of Dawn and look into the future of her own life.

The other intriguing part of this book was Kite’s dad’s back story. As Kite is trying to imagine her future, her dad is trying to discover his past. A very well done secondary plot line.

I am sure first time readers of this author will be racing out to get her other books. 

Many thanks to MacMillan Children's Books for the review copy.

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Book Review: Vortex by Julie Cross

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books; 1 edition (3 Jan 2013)
• Language: Unknown
• ISBN-10: 0230757162
• ISBN-13: 978-0230757165

Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, all that changes when Holly—the girl he altered history to save—re-enters his life. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents find themselves under attack and on the run. Jackson must decide between saving the love of his life and the entire world . . .

Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into being an agent for Tempest. While still struggling with a broken heart, Jackson proves himself to be a brilliant agent. But all the training in the world can’t prepare Jackson for when Holly reenters his life. Holly, the girl who altered history to save.

Vortex starts shortly after Tempest ends. With the loss of Holly still very raw for Jackson, he throws himself into his training. Jackson must prove himself not only to his instructors, but to many of his other classmates, a lot of whom have seen him in his pre time travel days living it up as an Upper East Side party boy. 

Vortex was a lot more complex than the first book in this series. We have a lot of jumps and more questions than answers.  In this book we get more of a scientific explanation of time travel, and why certain EOT’s and Jackson have different jumps. For this reason, I found I could only read Vortex when I was feeling sharp. No distractions. You will lose yourself in this book like never before and the world around you will be totally shut out. 

The Jackson we see in this book is a lot harder than Tempest Jackson. Because of his training he bulks up and because of Holly, he has extra thick, bomb-proof walls up. I adore Jackson. He’s the kind of guy who takes everything on his shoulders and expects so much of himself. The guy who thinks he has to save everyone and figure out everything else. 

And, can I just say, I love the girl power in this book! Stewart and Kendrick, two completely different women, two totally kickass agents. Stewart is this bilingual chameleon than can work any situation to her advantage. Kendrick is super smart with a softer side, who is determined to work for Tempest and have her home life too. She grounds Jackson and reminds him the world isn’t the hard place he makes for himself. 

Vortex is full of action and suspense. It is utterly heartbreaking and tragic. Really, it is everything. It steals you away to another world (or two) and makes you believe it is possible for people to appear right in front of you from the future. And with an ending like that? Safe to say, I need the third instalment like yesterday. 

Many thanks to MacMillan Children's Books for the review copy.

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Book Review: Screaming Snowflakes by Amber Tesia

Format: Kindle Edition File Size: 461 KB Print Length: 235 pages Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l. Language English ASIN: B0077JMQWW With an unprecedented alliance between a human and the epitome of darkness can a pure, forbidden love conquer all? Fresh from a break-up the thoughtful and witty Eleanor moves half-way across the country to study at a London university. Staying in her recently deceased great great grandmother’s house, Eleanor knows there is more to the crumbling property when she discovers a mysterious locked room. A century old tragic secret risks being unearthed by Eleanor, who reluctantly settles into her new surroundings. The last thing Eleanor wants is to be distracted by boys and she is initially dismissive of Raphael, an enigmatic loner with no real friends or family. Forced to work together, she discovers Raphael to be a pensive, compassionate and intriguing friend. Their friendship is pushed to the limit when Raphael divulges his terrible unworldly secret. Eleanor is the antithesis of the rebellious Raphael, whose damned and tainted soul threatens her very existence. Unseen supernatural forces conspire to keep the lovers apart, yet nothing can harm Eleanor as she remains under Raphael’s protection. As the boundaries of good and evil become blurred and transgression becomes inevitable, this gripping, thought provoking tale will engage all who have ever questioned love and humanity.

Screaming Snowflakes follows Eleanor as she embarks on a new journey in her life. After moving to London for university, she has to get used to not only a new city, but starting her courses and making new friends. She falls in with a new crowd and she soon enjoys a fun social life.

Then she meets Raphael. After a rocky start to their friendship, Eleanor and Raphael quickly become great friends. They are often found studying together at their homes or eating out in delicious restaurants. Eleanor adores his friendship and always looks forward to the time they spend together.

She knows Raphael is hiding something from her, something important about who he is. But Raphael is scared to let her in and show her his true nature…in case she should run screaming in the other direction.

Eleanor being the open minded person that she is, accepts Raphael as he is – even though he threatens her very existence.

I really liked the lovers’ interactions and watching them slowly fall for each other. The premise was an interesting on, and even though this is a subject that a lot of people would say has been beaten to death, the story was fresh and original and had intriguing characters to keep things moving along.

The only negative thing I would say about the story, is that a lot of it could have been cut down. A little ‘fat trim’ with unnecessary information would have helped the story move along a lot quicker, giving it a faster pace. That said, I enjoyed this read, and would recommend it to friends. 

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Book Review: Emerald City by Alicia K Leppert

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Sweetwater Books (10 April 2012)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 1599558645
• ISBN-13: 978-1599558646

Olivia Tate is a broken shell of a girl haunted by the tragic events that fill her past. She has closed herself off from the world, each day grasping at something—anything—to live for. Convinced there will never be a way out, she seeks solace in the depths of her medicine cabinet. When she wakes up days later in the hospital she is introduced to Jude, the quiet stranger responsible for saving her life. She never could have guessed then that her mysterious rescuer would end up saving her life a second time, while simultaneously turning her world upside down.

Emerald City is an understated, touching, endearing read. Olivia is living a quiet life, slowly disappearing inside herself while the nightmares torture her nights and her insecurities and social anxiety’s prey on her days. After a particularly bad day Olivia sees no other option open to her, and, just wanting it all to stop, just for a little while, she takes solace in her medicine cabinet.

She is rescued by quiet and strong Jude, who is determined to make sure she realises she has something to live for.

Emerald City is told by both Olivia and Jude and while Olivia’s head is a self-deprecating and anxious place to be in, Jude’s is both strong and sure and equally worried.

The synopsis doesn’t give much away about this book, and I am loathe to do different here. What I will say is it is an edgy and dark read that will take you to difficult places and make you squirm in your seat. But where there is dark there is also light. And even in the deepest shadows, sunshine can still find you.                  

Emerald City holds many surprises. It doesn’t take long before it etches itself on your heart.       

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Book Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Mira Books (4 May 2012)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 184845094X
• ISBN-13: 978-1848450943

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

Allie and her gang live in hiding, scurrying for food and fleeing from the thing that terrifies them most. Vampires.

They live in a vampire city where humans are treated like blood cattle and forced to pay taxes, but not with money. But there are those that cheat the system and live off the grid. Allie and her friends are a few of those people. But when they are attacked one night and Allie hovers between life and death, she is offered a choice to live or die.

She chose life. As a vampire.

But instead of becoming a blood thirsty fiend, Allie managed to hold onto the scrap of humanity inside her, and while she needed a liquid diet to survive, she didn’t need to kill to do it.  When Allie is forced to leave the city she knows, she turns to the open road, walking and ambling with no sense of direction. Until she meets Zeke and his group of people searching for a better life. Allie has to hide who she really is, especially from the boy who looks closer than anyone.

The Immortal Rules is following the recent trend of vampire novels where they aren’t brooding and love-struck sparkly heroes. These aren’t the romanticised vampires but the ruthless and deadly ones. And it’s amazingly refreshing.

I really liked the idea of The Immortal Rules and Allie’s struggle to keep her animal instincts at bay. Her vampire creator, Kanin, was one of my favourite characters. He intrigued me and was such a complex novel that I actually wished it was more about him than Allie.

But while there were a lot of plus points to this novel, in my opinion, there were too many negative ones. What jarred me the most were all the different sections to the novel. Character progression and story arcs are pivotal to a good book, but too much, like in this case, killed it stone dead for me. Too much was going on and I felt it could have been a much shorter book.

As a huge fan of the Iron Fey series, this book had a lot to live up to. Unfortunately it just didn’t stand up as well as the authors other books. That said, I am still a huge fan of her work and will still continue to read her future books. This instalment of her new series will please endless vampire buffs and is a welcome addition to what is an over-written genre, but takes it into a fresh and edgy new world. 

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