Review: Pestilence by Laura Thalassa

Pestilence

Author: Laura Thalassa
Series: The Four Horsemen #1
Pages: ebook, 382 pages
Genre: Dystopia
Release Date: Published March 20th 2018

Summary:

They came to earth—Pestilence, War, Famine, Death—four horsemen riding their screaming steeds, racing to the corners of the world. Four horsemen with the power to destroy all of humanity. They came to earth, and they came to end us all.

When Pestilence comes for Sara Burn’s town, one thing is certain: everyone she knows and loves is marked for death. Unless, of course, the angelic-looking horseman is stopped, which is exactly what Sara has in mind when she shoots the unholy beast off his steed.

Too bad no one told her Pestilence can’t be killed.

Now the horseman, very much alive and very pissed off, has taken her prisoner, and he’s eager to make her suffer. Only, the longer she’s with him, the more uncertain she is about his true feelings towards her … and hers towards him.

And now, well, Sara might still be able to save the world, but in order to do so, she'll have to sacrifice her heart in the process

Review:

Pestilence is surprising in so many ways, that it left me in awe of Thalassa.

But before I even delf into the storyline, character building or writing style let's just take a moment and look at the cover.


Yeah. Exactly.
I'll give you another minute.


How gorg?
And that's all I shall say to it.

Well, except.
It is definitely the reason I looked at the summery and a huge portion why I decided to give this a try.
I thought this can only go two ways, it's either okay or really terrible.
And here is the first surprise of many. This is definitely more than okay. It is, in fact, a beautifully told dark story, that in some ways is so wrong, yet it is so right.

Pestilence is in many ways your adult fairytale. The kind that reminds me of the old slightly gruesome Grim's tales. Beautifully told, with plenty of gore and injustice, yet it leaves you all fuzzy and happy at the end. (and in this case some smut, hence adult)

I adore Thalassa's writing style. Her descriptions are beautiful, she sets a perfect pace, gets away with pushing boundaries, because she does it with subtlety and finesse.
This is the first book I read by her, I did check out her other books and there seems to be a common theme with them: they all look like dark beauties. I shall definitely read more by her.

The storyline. Sigh. so gruesome so heartbreaking and yet so beautiful. This is your total slow burn romance- no insta at all. It is borderline Stockholm syndrome as well. I totally adore it. Yet the end left me a bit eh. I don't exactly know why but somehow I felt a bit, dunno kinda what that's it? Well, except the last, last bit. Looking forward to the next book

The character building is probably my favourite part of the book. It's so subtly done, with so much finesse. I fell totally and utterly in love with both MCs. My heart broke for both of them, I was beyond touched by their slowly growing love.

The world building is gruesome perfection. In a case of Pestilence coming, that's exactly what I would expect. Freakn well done!

And then there are the ethical implications, the reasons for being, again the bordering Stockholm syndrome.. Thalassa didn't just do a cute & fluffy. She threw in quite a few existential philosophical thoughts as well. Some are simply implied, are like faith, others are starkly put out there, like how much can you accept from your lover, where is your ethic line you going to draw. Or even what is really wrong or right? What is mercy? Quite amazing and astounding that Thalassa managed to pack all this in a beautifully written love story actually.


I didn't expect this at all. I expected some cute and fluffy steamy kinda book with a gorgeous cover. Instead, I got so much more. Great world building, amazing character building and masterful storytelling make this one of my favourites book of 2018.
Can't wait for the next instalment.




Rating: 


Reviewed by Deniz

Review: Off the Ice by Julie Cross

Off the Ice

Author: Julie Cross
Publisher: Entangled: TEEN
Series: Juniper Falls #1
Pages: Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Genre: YA
Release Date: February 28th 2017

Summary:

All is fair in love and hockey…

Claire O’Connor is back in Juniper Falls, but that doesn’t mean she wants to be. One semester off, that’s what she promised herself. Just long enough to take care of her father and keep the family business—a hockey bar beside the ice rink—afloat. After that, she’s getting the hell out. Again.

Enter Tate Tanley. What happened between them the night before she left town resurfaces the second they lay eyes on each other. But the guy she remembers has been replaced by a total hottie. When Tate is unexpectedly called in to take over for the hockey team’s star goalie, suddenly he’s in the spotlight and on his way to becoming just another egotistical varsity hockey player. And Claire’s sworn off Juniper Falls hockey players for good.

It’s the absolute worst time to fall in love.

For Tate and Claire, hockey isn’t just a game. And they both might not survive a body check to the heart.

Review:

Off the Ice has been on my TBR since I heard the about it. I planned on reading it as soon as it was released last February.
In fact, if you would have asked me last week, I would have told you, I am pretty sure I read it. Yet somehow I didn't. Don't ask me why. But let me tell you, if you interested, go read it. It's well worth your time.

There isn't much that I didn't like about Off the Ice, except that the first quarter was bit slow? It's a bit long wound at times.
In the end, however, it doesn't really matter.

This is well written, with insight and subtlety. The writing style is beautiful. There are loads of descriptions that touched me. I love the hockey scenes.
The storyline is sweet, to say the least. But it is full of depth, there are some real issues tackled during the novel, while the love story is swoony, it feels tangible and very realistic. I think I like that best.
Actually, I love the character building even more.

It's done immaculately. I mean there are characters that are mostly negative. But all in all each and every character has depth, different sides and I feel like I gotten to know the entire group of friends. And while we talking about the group? I hope there will be a book about all of the guys?
The two MCs are strong, stubborn and work through some heavy stuff. They are both likable and loyal. Both unique, but can I just say Tate.. swoooon. The sketch? Just one of the things I adore about him.

A wonderful start to the series. Must read for lovers of the genre.

Rating: 

Blog Tour: Breaking the Ice by Julie Cross

Breaking the Ice

Author: Julie Cross
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Series: Juniper Falls #2
Pages: Paperback, 300 pages
Genre: YA
Release Date: December 26th 2017

Summary:
The second book in the Juniper Falls series from NY Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Julie Cross, perfect for fans of Miranda Kenneally and Abbi Glines.
Haley Stevenson seems like she’s got it all together: cheer captain, “Princess” of Juniper Falls, and voted Most Likely to Get Things Done. But below the surface, she’s struggling with a less-than-stellar GPA and still reeling from the loss of her first love. Repeating her Civics class during summer school is her chance to Get Things Done, not angst over boys. In fact, she’s sworn them off completely until college.
Fletcher Scott is happy to keep a low profile around Juniper Falls. He’s always been the invisible guy, warming the bench on the hockey team and moonlighting at a job that would make his grandma blush. Suddenly, though, he’s finding he wants more: more time on the ice, and more time with his infuriatingly perfect summer-school study partner.
But leave it to a girl who requires perfection to shake up a boy who’s ready to break all the rules.

Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | B&N | Kobo | iBooks 

About the Autor:

Julie Cross is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult and Young Adult fiction, including the Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy which includes Tempest, Vortex, Timestorm (St. Martin's Press). She's also the author of Letters to Nowhere series, Whatever Life Throws at You, Third Degree, Halfway Perfect, Chasing Truth, Off the Ice and many more to come! Julie Cross was a longtime resident of central Illinois but has recently moved her entire family across the country to continue her academic studies at Stanford University.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review:

Breaking the Ice is another wonderful installment of the Juniper Falls Series.
Let's just say this. I am obsessed with this series. Seriously. obsessed.

However, for some odd reason, I ended up liking it a little less than Off the Ice.
I mean don't get me wrong this is good. It's really good. But I was left with a few questions and the end kinda felt a bit rushed. (a tiny bit)
I found that I didn't have enough closure after this one. Not sure if that means we will get more in the next one, but since these could work as standalone books I think probably not.
Oh! And then there is the big question if there are more books. Please tell me there are? And while we are at it, will we get a Jamie book? And what about Mike? Will we ever hear his story? Jack? Last but not least, Cole?
You might see a pattern here, yep I love the hockey boys. They are really rather a wonderful (not to forget handsome) bunch after all.
Just like in the previous one, I love the camaraderie between them. It was even more highlighted by Jamie "adopting" Fletcher.
The character building is really flawless. I mean, we get to revisit the crew. And they are just as awesome as before. But we get to see them from a different POV, which adds to each personality.
Then we got Fletch and his crowd. I totally love the man cave. Their supportive, manly way is very endearing.

The writing style is on point. I mean Cross can write chemistry. By the way, while the last installment had some quite explicit smut, this doesn't. And I have to say, I was kinda disappointed. LOL.
Yeah, right. I did just say that. I wanted more smut. Take a picture and frame it. We all know I might never say that again. But in Off The Ice Cross did such an amazing job at the love scenes, I kinda expected some in here as well. There aren't really any. Well, there are steamy scenes, just no smut. *pouts*
Moving on.

The storyline is fun, cute and kinda different.
However, there are also my issues. There are several things that we don't get answers for. While I had the same suspicions about Haley as Fletch. I am a bit baffled, that none of the teaching and counseling staff asked for an expert to see her. It seems a bit, unprofessional.
Then we never get the story about Fletch's mother. I wanted to know.
The end, was kinda open when it comes to the hockey thing. I would have liked more closure.
I am knit-picking people. I need to re-iterate this.
It's a really good series, a really good installment. I adore this book. But because of it, I am also way more involved that I would have been in a book I kinda just liked.

So basically. This is so swoony and awesome 4stars.
I want more! I have a whole list of books and stories I would like to be written by Cross. Starting with Jamie... ending with Mike.
And then there is the biggest question, will there be another installment and when?

My advice: go read this ASAP. It's awesome sauce.
I'll just wait over here obsessing over it some more.


Rating: 



Excerpt:

“I’ll give you two choices…one, you can tell me the truth about that little job of yours and I’ll leave you
alone with your hangover. Or two, you can clean yourself up and get your head together and do some
work with me, and I’ll forget about the panties and the money and the lipstick…”
I doubt she’ll forget anything, but I have to hold out hope at least. I glance warily at her. “Option
two. Definitely two.”
The smirk on Haley’s face is gonna be forever etched into my memory. She knew I’d pick option
two.



Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

The Duchess Deal

Author: Tessa Dare
Publisher: Avon
Series: Girl Meets Duke #1
Pages: Kindle Edition, 384 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date:& August 22nd 2017

Summary:

hen girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules…

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:
- They will be husband and wife by night only.
- No lights, no kissing.
- No questions about his battle scars.
- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
- They will have dinner together every evening.
- With conversation.
- And unlimited teasing.
- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

Review:

And this ladies and gentleman. This right here is why I read historical romances.
So if you wanna try the genre. Read it. If you like the genre. Read it.
Well, basically just READ IT.

END of REVIEW

okay, just kidding. About the end of the review. Not about the reading part. Because The Duchess Deal is .. well nothing short of amazing.
Right from the beginning I got sucked in and I barely could put my kindle down in between. I wasn't really planning to just read for most of my Saturday afternoon. No, I was going to start this because I felt like some Tessa Dare. Something swoony and well written, and adult. (I've been reading YA for the week). My plans were to read a little, finish some work and do some social stuff... and well I read. The fact that I was expected to have supper in between and talk to my husband was a tad exasperating, because hello? how disruptive is that? I was right in the middle of .. of.. well, swooning for Ash.
Let me stop fangirling and get to the crux of the matter.
As I said this is really well crafted.
The writing style is classic Dare. So it has beautiful descriptions and fun banter, hot smut scenes and amazing quirky characters. On top of that, it feels authentic. It feels like it could have happened.

The storyline felt a bit like a mash-up of Beauty & the Beast, Notting Hill and Love Actually. Well, basically if their parents had a love child. Or is it their grandparents? Who knows And actually it doesn't matter. It has the best parts of all three but it feel less fairytale or make believe than any of them. It also seems to have more depth. It definitely is more adult ('cause there is smut, very hot & sensual smut) I didn't want it to end, at all. And I hope there will be a book for each and everyone of the fabulous quirky girlfriends Emma made on the way. And maybe a book for a grownup Menace? Well, I just want more!

The character building is what makes this such an amazing read however. I adored each and every character. I felt for Ash, adore his weird little hobbies and his Robin-Hood streak (or is it more Batman and Robin?) I love how Dare shows how calculating he thinks he is, his insecurities and yet how wonderful he truly is, despite being lost somewhat and grumpy.
Emma is your big hearted do-gooder at first glance. But she is also brave and yet very insecure and lonely. Just like Ash the more I read the more I got her and I rooted for her. I feel like I got to know them both and I understand them. More than that... I could identify with both of them. And let's face it, I have no big ugly scars nor do I have a terrible father. Yet I saw bits of myself in both of them.
The support cast is quite extensive and each character is unique and well written. They don't feel like support but rather like full parts. As I said I hope Dare will write books about them, because not only did I get to know them quite well, I adore them and I want to revisit them all.

I think in the end we all read novels, because we do live through the characters. We discover new worlds through them, explore new settings.. but in only the best books to we identify with the characters, we see pieces of ourselves in them. This is one of those books for me.
Which is why I can only recommend for you to go read it.


Rating: 

Review: Why I Loathe Sterling Lane by Ingrid Paulson

Why I Loathe Sterling Lane

Author: Ingrid Paulson
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Pages: Paperback, 287 pages
Genre: YA
Release Date: June 6th 2017

Summary:

Per her 537 rules, Harper Campbell keeps her life tidy—academically and socially. But the moment Sterling Lane transfers into her tiny boarding school, her twin brother gets swept up in Sterling’s pranks and schemes and nearly gets expelled. Harper knows it’s Sterling’s fault, and to protect her brother, she vows to take him down. As she exposes his endless school violations, he keeps striking back, framing her for his own infractions. Worst of all, he’s charmed the administration into thinking he’s harmless, and only Harper sees him for the troublemaker he absolutely is.

As she breaks rule after precious rule in her battle of wits against Sterling and tension between them hits a boiling point, she’s horrified to discover that perhaps the two of them aren’t so different. And maybe she doesn't entirely hate him after all. Teaming up with Sterling to save her brother might be the only way to keep from breaking the most important rule—protecting Cole.

Review:

Great cute & fluffy that hits all the high school hate to love notes.

Why I Loathe Sterling Lane reminded me of some of my favorite teen movies. In the best way possible. I really enjoyed reading it.
But and there is always a but, it reminded me of teen movies. A lot.
So while it is possibly not the most innovative, it does have quite a bit of cliche in there after all, it is however very entertaining. I really enjoyed reading it. In fact so much so that I read it in practically one sitting. Which seems a rather rare thing for me these days.
This is mainly due to the fun plot but also because of the great and witty writing of Paulson. I loved her humor and this had me chuckling to myself on several occasions.
The character building was at the beginning rather expected. So quite typecast. But as the book went on we got more layers to MCs and the support cast. I ended up really liking the crew. I should mention that this is told from POV view. And she was beyond judgmental and put everyone into a box in the beginning. But she does end up seeing different sides to herself and the others, she does significant character growth during the course of the book, which is why I ended up liking her a lot. But even when I felt she was full of it, I could relate. Her insecurities were relatable. I just couldn't relate to her rigidity and her overzealousness. I mean I am Mrs. procrastination after all... writing outlines before a class? Has never and will never happen.
My biggest issue with the character building however, was that they felt much older not like 17year old kids... Even their pranks ect. They just didn't seem high schoolers, they felt like last year in college
. It is a minor thing I know.

Why I loathe Sterling Lane was fun, cute, adorable and everything else I want from a cute & fluffy. A must read!

Rating: 

Review: Havoc by Jamie Shaw

Havoc

Author: Jamie Shaw
Publisher:Avon Impulse
Series: Mayhem #4
Pages: Mass Market Paperback, 496 pages
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: March 21st 2017

Summary:

When Hailey Harper left her family farm to enroll in veterinary school, she had a plan: keep her head down, ace her classes, and most importantly... don’t upset the uncle paying her tuition. Translation? Don’t piss off his dramatic, self-absorbed daughter, Danica, even if she’s a nightmare to live with.

Falling in love with her cousin’s rock star ex-boyfriend was definitely not part of the plan.

As the drummer of a now-famous rock band, Mike Madden could have any girl he wants. He’s sweet, funny, romantic, talented—and the only guy that’s ever made Hailey’s heart do cartwheels in her chest. The more she gets to know him, the harder she falls, but Hailey knows they can never be more than friends… because Danica wants him back, and she’ll fight dirty to win.

Mike is falling for Hailey too, but Danica’s threats and his rock star life—music video shoots, international tours, obsessed fans—could tear them apart before they’ve even begun. Hailey isn’t sure she’s the one for him, but Mike’s waited years for a girl like her… and he’ll do anything to prove it.

Review:

Havoc might be my favorite book in the series... maybe.
Actually, I am not sure. I love all of them!
But I DO know for sure Mike is my favorite band member. I loved him right from the beginning and this cemented it. He is swoony awesome hotness.

Mayhem thrives on character building. All the books in the series are mostly character driven. Shaw is brilliant at building interesting unique characters. Havoc being no exception. Though saying that, I can't really get over Danica. She is the WORST. And not only because she is really spoilt and all that. But because Shaw might have overdone her a tad. Add to that Hailey and her dilemma and I found myself annoyed at best. Their tension, while in the beginning kinda interesting and all became too over the top at the end for my taste. And that is the only reason this isn't 5 Stars.
Because the rest? Bloody AWESOME!
I felt like I knew Mike fairly well, I mean he featured in the three previous books. But as I read I kept discovering more about him. Shaw did a brilliant job at creating complex characters that feel real. Same with Hailey- she is actually so different from myself that I found it hard to understand why she would behave in certain ways. But I did get her. Even if I personally would never have reacted that way, she felt authentic and real, which made her actions realistic.

I totally adore the romance, the cute moments, the problems, the atmosphere, the entire support cast (except Danica) and MIKE. The plot is entertaining. Plenty of ups and downs- and even if I think Shaw took Hailey's dilemma a bit far. I enjoyed every moment of it.

There are some beautiful description in this book. The pond scene - I felt like I was there and in the rain scene I practically could smell and feel the rain. So so beautiful. Shaw's prose is amazing!


A beautiful romance, hot rockstars, fabulous interesting females and lots of swoony moments makes this not only a must read book but an absolutely must read series.
And frankly I am so sad it is over, I am actually planning on re-reading the first 3 books... just to get my swoony rockstar fix
I can't wait to see what Shaw is writing next!


Rating: 


ARC was provided by Publishers through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

ARC Review: The Dragon's Price by Bethany Wiggins

The Dragon's Price

Author: Bethany Wiggins
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Series: Transference #1
Pages: Hardcover, 304 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: February 21st 2017

Summary:

Fans of Julie Kagawa’s Talon and Renee Ahdieh’s The Wrath and the Dawn will devour this action-packed fantasy adventure about a girl who chooses to surrender herself to a deadly dragon rather than marry an enemy prince.

When two warring kingdoms unified against a deadly menace laying waste to both their lands, they had to make a choice: vow to marry their heirs to one another, or forfeit their lives to the dragon.

Centuries later, everyone expects the sheltered princess Sorrowlynn to choose the barbarian prince over the fire-breathing beast—everyone, that is, except Sorrow, who is determined to control her own destiny or die trying.

As she is lowered into the dragon’s chamber, she assumes her life is over until Golmarr, the young prince she just spurned, follows her with the hopes of being her hero and slaying the dragon. But the dragon has a different plan. . . .

If the dragon wins, it will be freed from the spell that has bound it to the cave for centuries. If Sorrow or Golmarr vanquish the dragon, the victor will gain its treasure and escape the cave beneath the mountain. But what exactly is the dragon hiding?

There are no safe havens for Sorrow or Golmarr—not even with each other—and the stakes couldn’t be higher as they risk everything to protect their kingdom.

Review:

Let's look at the cover.. *looks at it* ... or rather let's not!
It's - well kindly put- not exactly going to draw all the cover sluts out there.
BUT please simply ignore it. Because the book is much better than the cover leads to believe (or at least a cover slut like me anyway)
I can proudly and rather smugly say, that I chose this book, due to the summary.
I've never read anything by Wiggins so I wasn't sure what to expect.

The entire book is told from Sorrowlynn's POV in first person. And at the beginning I wasn't sure if I am going to enjoy it, because I wasn't quite sure about the writing style. But very soon I was pulled in by the story and totally captivated. I am not quite sure how I feel about the writing style. I can't say I adore it but neither do I dislike it. I am however not able to put my finger on what exactly doesn't quite work for me. I am admittedly fussy about writing style, so I am guess in it is a case of it wasn't you, it's me...
But this is the only thing, I can say that is not quite fantastic!

Because the storyline is great. It's fast paced, has quite a few nice twists and is surprising, in that it strays from the usual usual, when you least expect it. The romance as example. I thought: here we go, a full on insta-everything coming our way... But that doesn't happen. Rather, from attraction comes companionship, friendship and love. I couldn't wait for the first kiss!!

The character building absolutely shines. I think I love this book so much because of it. In my mind it is completely character driven. Yet in fact it really isn't. We get to know the two MCs pretty well. And I changed my mind about them both - at first in fact I was not a fan of Sorrow to say the least. But somehow, she endeared herself to me. In fact I very quickly sympathised with her. I liked Golmarr way better from the beginning, but I didn't expect the depth of his characters we got to see so fast.
I am totally in love with both of them and I am desperate to see what happens for them next.
But my biggest surprise was the dragons and their character building. It's so brilliant. They feel like alien beings and yet I get them! So well done.
I feel like I understand and know the support cast, which is extensive. Another proof of how well the characters are written.

Which brings me to the world building. I simply adore it! It's brilliant. I love the different kingdom's, how we discover their histories. I love their different cultures and enjoyed the different realms.
As the story unfolds we get to discover past reasons, the truth about dragons and more. It's so well done. I ended putting the book aside for a day before reading the last chapters. I simply didn't want it to end!
The idea of the transference is simply genius. Add all the little details Wiggins carefully constructed and we have this amazing and intriguing world! Just brilliant.

So for me this is a MUST read fantasy.  Good storyline, great character building and fabulous world building make this a wonderful start of the series.
Can't wait for the next book!!!!!

Rating: