Mini Reviews: A Diversity of Genres

Author: Becky Wallace
Series: The Storyspinner #2
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Length: 320 Pages
Publication Date: March 22nd, 2016
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: eARC via Edelweiss (thanks Simon!)
Goodreads | Amazon

As the last of the royal line, Johanna is the only person who can heal a magical breach in the wall that separates her kingdom of Santarem from the land of the Keepers, legendary men and women who wield elemental magic. The barrier protects Santarem from those Keepers who might try to take power over mere humans…Keepers who are determined to stop Johanna and seize the wall’s power for themselves.

And they’re not the only ones. As the duchys of Santarem descend into war over the throne, Johanna relies more than ever on the advice of her handsome companion, Lord Rafael DeSilva. But Rafi is a duke too, and his people come first. As their friendship progresses into the beginnings of a tender relationship, Johanna must wonder: is Rafi looking out for her happiness, or does he want the throne for himself?

With war on the horizon, Johanna and Rafi dodge treacherous dukes and Keeper assassins as they race to through the countryside, determined to strengthen the wall before it’s too late…even if it means sacrificing their happiness for the sake of their world.

ARC Review ~ Tangled Webs

Author: Lee Bross
Series: GR says yes
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Page Length:  304 Pages
Publication Date: June 23rd, 2015
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Source: eARC via Netgalley
Goodreads
London, 1725. Everybody has a secret. Lady A will keep yours—for a price. This sumptuous, scandalous YA novel is wickedly addictive.

Lady A is the most notorious blackmailer in the city. With just a mask and a gown to disguise her, she sweeps into lavish balls and exclusive events collecting the most valuable currency in 1725 London—secrets.

But leading a double life isn't easy. By day Lady A is just a sixteen-year-old girl named Arista who lives in fear of her abusive master, Bones, and passes herself off as a boy to move safely through the squalor of London's slums. When Bones attempts to dispose of his pawn forever, Arista is rescued by the last person she expects: Jonathan Wild, the infamous Thief Taker General who moves seamlessly between the city's criminal underworld and its most elite upper circles. Arista partners with Wild on her own terms in the hopes of saving enough money to buy passage out of London.

Everything changes when she meets Graeden Sinclair, the son of a wealthy merchant. Grae has traveled the world, has seen the exotic lands Arista has longed to escape to her whole life, and he loves Arista for who she is—not for what she can do for him. Being with Grae gives something Arista something precious that she swore off long ago: hope. He has promised to help Arista escape the life of crime that has claimed her since she was a child. But can you ever truly escape the past?

Review ~ The Heir

Author: Kiera Cass
Series: Please stop. I mean: The Selection
Genre: YA (FAKE) Dystopian
Page Length:  368 Pages
Publication Date: May 5th, 2015
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Borrowed
Goodreads

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought.

The Guard by Kiera Cass (The Selection #2.5)

The Guard by Kiera Cass

Page Length: 64 pgs

Rating: 1 Star

Please excuse this fangirl-is-angry-don't-mess-with-her rant. 

"Before America Singer met Prince Maxon . . . 
Before she entered the Selection . . . 
She was in love with a boy named Aspen Leger.

Don't miss this digital original novella set in the captivating world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection trilogy. This brand new 64-page story begins just after the group of Selected girls is narrowed down to the Elite and is told from Aspen's point of view. The Guard also features a teaser to The One, the thrilling conclusion to The Selection trilogy."

I seriously don't know where to start with this novella. Honestly, it just made me VERY mad. First of all, everyone says "You're Team Maxon right?" Of course I am!! There is no Team Aspen. There's either Team Maxon or there's Team NOT Maxon. No one actually likes Aspen. He's just a self-centered guy who's cocky and arrogant and only cares about himself and his family. Throughout this book he always thinks that he's 100% correct about everything. And everyone in the palace fawning over him and saying what a bright star he is doesn't help shrink his huge ego any bit. He has rigid opinions on everything and refuses to be swayed. It's ridiculous. HE'S ridiculous. How America likes him or what she sees in him I will never know. Then again, America Singer isn't the brightest girl on the block. I despised her in "The Elite" and even more so in this novella. Aspen is badmouthing Maxon, and America does nothing!! She doesn't defend Maxon or tell Aspen that he's wrong about Maxon. She just agrees with whatever Aspen says and takes it like it's the freaking word of God. And Aspen calls Maxon an actor and says that he's actually a really bad person (takes one to know one), I was just thinking, I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK ASPEN LEGER. I DON'T CARE. GET OFF THE BOOK'S PAGES AND GIVE ME MAXON!!

And America keeps messing around with Aspen behind Maxon's back?! That is so low, and does she not remember what just happened to her friend Marlee?! Talk about inconsiderate and stupid and foolish. And Aspen, he claims that he loves her yet he's putting her in so much danger by pursuing her. If Aspen really loved her, he'd let her go. But he won't because he is a selfish adolescent who wants everything. If I hear Aspen call America "my girl" one more time I might just reach into the book and slap him so hard he sees stars. She is NOT your girl. You dumped her and now you want her back when she's suddenly all rich and high caste and famous?!

Aspen is really naive and foolish if he can't see the sparks between America and Maxon. Stop. Pining. Over. America. I also love how Aspen talks about Maxon like he knows Maxon so well, like their best buds and that Aspen knows everything about Maxon. No he does not!! They haven't even spoken two words to each other!!

I feel as though Kiera Cass has tried and failed to turn people over to Team Aspen, and she failed to make people think that Aspen's great, because he's not. Cass basically just threw Aspen at us and said "Hey!! Like him!! He's wonderful!! I just realized that I created the weakest love triangle in existence of any YA series so I'm gonna make it up to my readers now by giving the illusion of a strong love triangle since my series has nothing else to offer."

Aspen's POV was so dull and boring, and I just hate him so much. I was begging for just one or two lines from my dearest Maxon. My brain can only take Aspen's stupidity and self-righteousness for so long.

Well I'd like to apologize for whatever I just wrote. I am fed-up. *crosses arms and taps foot*

I am SO excited for The One though!!

~Miss Perfection~

Review: These Broken Stars

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Page Length: 374 pgs

Rating: 1 Star

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

Review: Evertrue

Evertrue by Brodi Ashton

Page Length: 368 pgs

Rating: 1 Star

Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.

Review: Defy

Defy by Sara B. Larson

Page Length: 336 pgs

Rating: 1 Star

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and heart-racing romance.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?