Book Review: The Revolution of Ivy (Book of Ivy #2)

About the Book:

 Title: The Revolution of Ivy (Book of Ivy, #2)

  Author: Amy Engel 
  Pub. Date: Nov. 3, 2015
  Publisher: Entangled Teen
  Pages: 290

  Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia 

  Rate: 4/5 stars

Synopsis :

Ivy Westfall is beyond the fence and she is alone. Abandoned by her family and separated from Bishop Lattimer, Ivy must find a way to survive on her own in a land filled with countless dangers, both human and natural. She has traded a more civilized type of cruelty--forced marriages and murder plots--for the bare-knuckled brutality required to survive outside Westfall's borders.

But there is hope beyond the fence, as well. And when Bishop reappears in Ivy's life, she must decide if returning to Westfall to take a final stand for what she believes is right is worth losing everything she's fought for. 

Review:

After finishing The Book of Ivy, I had no idea what would happen in this book. I had high expectations for this sequel/finale to Amy Engel's duology, and she more than delivered for me. This story picks up right where we left off in the previous book with Ivy outside of the fence, trying to survive not only the elements, but the others who have been "put out" as well. Amy Engel did a fantastic job at developing Ivy's character even more, and takes the reader on a non-stop action-packed journey that is as full of both growth and realization. Ms. Engel's writing is just as amazing as in her previous novel, and she truly knows how to draw the reader in. Every single scene is described perfectly so that you can picture and almost feel the harsh elements that Ivy is facing as well as her emotions.

The one aspect of The Book of Ivy that I was a little unhappy with was the mild nature of Ivy. While she was strong in her own ways in that first book, I kept wanting her to defy everyone and find her strength. Well suffice to say, Ms. Engel delivered that characterization in this book. I was so proud of Ivy and how she handled herself. While there were times that she was a bit frustrating, and I wanted her to just move on from the concluding events of the previous novel, I also recognized that an ordinary person wouldn't be able to just "get over" what she went through. This is why I was a bit more forgiving of these scenes. Regardless, Ivy finds her inner strength and blossoms in this novel. She breaks free of that mold that her father and sister (and society itself) set her into, and became her own person. Ivy realized that she had the power all along, and it was nice to witness this growth over the course of the novel.

Obviously, there was going to be a reunion with Bishop...I pretty much think all fans knew this would happen. I just didn't expect it in the way that it happened. However, I was so happy when Bishop came back into the story, as Ivy and Bishop have such a great chemistry, and this was one of the aspects of the first novel that made me love the story so much more. They work well together, and while they faced a bit of a stumble in the beginning when they were reunited, they soon found that groove again, and the rest of their scenes were pure magic. While their romance was part of the story, it didn't overshadow the underlying plot line, which was much appreciated.

There are several new characters introduced, and I honestly loved their addition to the story. At first I was a bit worried that Ms. Engel was going to introduce a love triangle with one of the new characters, but was extremely relieved when this didn't happen. Whereas some authors might have taken this route, this story was never about the love story, and I am so thankful that Ms. Engel didn't introduce that aspect into the story. Some fans might not like the ending as, I will admit, everything is wrapped up nice and tidy. However, I thought the conclusion was a satisfying end to Ivy and Bishop's story. I thought how everything played out was realistic and (in a way) what I expected to happen. While I did think the ending was a bit fast, and I felt a little more time could have been spent on the conclusion, I was happy with the ending. Bishop and Ivy got their wish, and I couldn't be happier with the ending scene. 

Overall, I would definitely recommend this to fans of the first novel. This was a strong sequel and finale to The Book of Ivy duology, and fans will not want to miss out to see how Ivy and Bishop's story ends. 

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

Waiting on Wednesday #28

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Jocelyn's Waiting On: 

Dreamology : Lucy Keating
Publication Date: April 12th, 2016

Synopsis: 

For as long as Alice can remember, she has dreamed of Max. Together they have traveled the world and fallen deliriously, hopelessly in love. Max is the boy of her dreams—and only her dreams. Because he doesn’t exist.

But when Alice walks into class on her first day at a new school, there he is. It turns out, though, that Real Max is nothing like Dream Max, and getting to know each other in reality isn’t as perfect as Alice always hoped.

When their dreams start to bleed dangerously into their waking hours, the pair realize that they might have to put an end to a lifetime of dreaming about each other. But when you fall in love in your dreams, can reality ever be enough?

I've never read a book where dreams have played a big part before. However, my wonderful co-blogger did, and she didn't like the one she read :(  So I would like to give this one a try because fantasy romances are right up my alley! 

Cassie's Waiting On: 

Walk the Edge (Thunder Road #2) by Katie McGarry
Publication Date: March 29, 2016

Synopsis:

One moment of recklessness will change their worlds 

Smart. Responsible. That's seventeen-year-old Breanna's role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious cyber-bully's line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas "Razor" Turner into her life.

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don't belong. But when he learns she's being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it's time to step outside the rules. 

And so they make a pact: he'll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she'll help him seek answers to the mystery that's haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they're both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they're going from here.

I'm a huge fan of Katie McGarry ever since I read Pushing the Limits.  I was fortunate enough to be able to meet her when the first in this series was coming out, and she was over the moon about this series.  The first book was perfect, and I can't wait to read Razor and Breanna's story.  Much like her other series, each book is a standalone, but I highly recommend you read all the books...trust me, you'll love them!

Book Review: Sweet Nothing

About the Book:

  Title: Sweet Nothing

  Author: Jamie McGuire and Teresa Mummert 
  Pub. Date: November 1st, 2015
  Publisher: Smashwords/Createspace
  Pages: 328

  Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary 

  Rate: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis :

When you think you know what's happening, you're only half way there. 

It is enough to break any man: watching what could have been my future slip away before it was ever in my grasp. The possibility of losing someone I loved before she was even mine is something I never would have imagined—certainly nothing I'd ever wish on anyone. I went to her every day and waited. Waited for the impossible, for a sign, for her to look at me ... hoping sinners are granted miracles, too. 
Just one glimpse of him was all it took. In the next lane, at a stop light, was the man I would fall in love with and marry. People talk about love that takes time—the kind you fall in to. We were more like a crash and burn. When our lives intertwined, I knew I would never be the same. He was the man I would cherish the rest of my life, who would father my children. In an instant our life together began, and in an instant it would end. The late nights; the excuses; the lies. And in the blink of an eye, it was like we never were.

Review:

This book just blew my mind...literally, I am so blown away by that ending that I actually needed a couple of days to process it and be able to write my review. But holy cow, this book is an instant must read. I will admit, it took me a little bit to get into the book. While I love Jamie McGuire, and I love her for giving me (and all readers) the gift of Travis Maddox, I haven't loved anything as much as that original book. And at first, this book started off the same way. But by about a little before halfway in, I was invested and really interested to see what the outcome of Josh and Avery's story would be. But literally nothing could have prepared me for the ending. 

I can honestly say that I have never read a book like this before, and I applaud both of these authors for taking the risk of how they ended this novel. Personally, I thought it was pure genius because you can't even pick up any hints throughout the book of what the ending is. I know I'm being extremely vague here, but it's best to go into this book completely blind and let yourself be shocked by the ending. 

Now, not everyone will love this ending. In fact, a lot of people were very confused by it or thought it was an easy out by the authors. However, I didn't think it was that confusing, nor did I think it was an easy out. I think it was a risk, and for many readers that risk will pay off and leave them with their mouths open and desperate to go back and re-read the book because they want to see if they missed anything or could pick up any subtle clues that were dropped along the way (I was this person haha). Others though will absolutely hate that risk, and end up not liking the book. So the best way to find out?? Read it! The ending made me love the entire book much more than when I was reading it the first time, and during that re-read--and knowing the ending-- it made me truly treasure Josh and Avery's story.

I loved Avery's character. She was sarcastic and a very strong female lead. Josh, who was desperate to go on a single date with Avery, made me crack up time and time again. I loved the lengths he went to just to make her smile. However, the thing I loved most about their relationship was how real it was. They went through normal couple squabbles, and honestly, they reminded me (not completely mind you) of Travis and Abby. That same authentic vibe was there, and it won me over.

Honestly, this is one of those stories that must be read and lived through the characters. All I can tell you is that this is a truly unique experience that you have to discover on your own. While it might not be a hit for everyone, I absolutely loved this book. And if you can get through some of the parts that are just a bit boring, it's very much worth it in the end. 

  

                                 

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

Book Review: Bloodfever (Fever, #2)

About The Book:

  

  Title: Bloodfever (Fever, #2)

  Author: Karen Marie Moning 
  Pub. Date: October 16th, 2007
  Publisher: Delacorte Press  
  Pages: 303

  Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

  Rate: 5/5 stars

Synopsis :

I used to think my sister and I were just two nice southern girls who’d get married in a few years and settle down to a quiet life. Then I discovered that Alina and I descend, not from good wholesome southern stock, but from an ancient Celtic bloodline of powerful sidhe-seers, people who can see the Fae. Not only can I see the terrifying otherworldly race, but I can sense the sacred Fae relics that hold the deadliest of their magic.

When my sister was found dead in a trash-filled alley in Dublin, I came over to get answers. Now all I want is revenge. And after everything I’ve learned about myself, I know I have the power to get it….

MacKayla Lane’s ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland’s shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets. 

In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh–a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both the worlds of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V’lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious. 

For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.…

Review:

I unexpectedly stumbled upon Darkfever earlier this year. It was one of the first EVER books I did a review on, actually. It's an adult urban fantasy, but please don't brush this series off because it's adult. It does have mature content but it's extremely readable and has YA crossover appeal. If you haven't checked out Darkfever - click here to add it to Goodreads. Bloodfever more or less picks up where Dreamfever left off. She's still recovering from the beating she took from the Lord Master, while simultaneously receiving shit from Jericho Barrons regarding literally everything. Soon, MacKayla Lane becomes paranoid. She thinks everything is after her - especially the Unseelie and possibly even the dark figure that she sees everywhere. But is she being paranoid? Or is someone really after her?

“It's a strange new world out there and the rules have changed: It's every princess for herself.” 

Fan Cast of MacKayla:
Dianna Argon

The growth you see from MacKayla on just the second novel of the series is astounding. Besides exchanging her long, blonde hair and pastel clothing for short dark hair with rough clothing - the new Mac is less trustful, calculating, and far more perceptive. She has gone through so much hardship from the moment she set foot in Ireland. However, Jericho is still not sympathetic to her. He's still cold, and basically acts like he owns her. I'm still waiting on the reveal for the mystery that is Jericho Barrons because while Bloodfever gave us a glimpse into his past, I suspect there will be a lot more coming. My other favorite character in this series is V'lane or the 'death by sex' Fae. He made a hilarious appearance in Darkfever and returns to Bloodfever along with his sexual antics to gain trust from Mac for his personal gain. We don't get much in the area of V'lane's history and intentions, but I'm extremely eager to get more about him. 

“I’m asking the questions tonight.” 

One day I was going to write a book: How to Dictate to a Dictator
and Evade an Evader, subtitled How to Handle Jericho Barrons.” 

Fan Cast of Jericho:
Henry Cavill

It's a funny thing - The Fever series is set in the "romance" section of Barnes and Noble and not in the SciFi/Fantasy section. To this day, I still cannot understand why that is. The action to romance ratio is much higher than the romance to action ratio. I crave more romance from Jericho and Mac or even V'lane and Mac. We receive a little more headway in the romance department in this installment, but I clearly want more. The sexual tension between Mac and Jericho is impassible and impossible to ignore. If they don't hook up in the next book, I might just go insane. 

Bloodfever is an addicting thrill ride. The Fae is becoming an increasingly popular topic in YA - however Karen Marie Moning did it first in The Fever series. And I must say, I believe she did it the best. I just ordered Dreamfever, the second book in The Fever series, and am patiently waiting for Amazon deliver it! I recommend The Fever series for adult fantasy and YA fantasy lovers alike. If you haven't picked up this series yet - WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! 

- Jocelyn

Our Favorite Books of 2015

Jocelyn's favorite books of 2015

This is the first year I'm doing my favorite books of 2015 post because this is my first year blogging! I feel like most of my favorite books were published from January-June. This may be because I started grad school at the end of May and read substantially less books then. I also didn't get a chance to read some of my most anticipated fall books: Six of Crows, Winter, Wolf by Wolf because I've been crazy busy and wanted to not worry about other things when reading them. Rest assured, I will be reading them before I go back to school! However, I did get to finish my Goodreads challenge of 100 books! This year has been a fantastic year in books. I honestly don't know how the 2016 books are going to be able to compare! So, without further ado - here are my top books of 2015!

10. A Court of Thorns and Roses 

After abandoning the Throne of Glass series halfway through Heir of Fire, I wasn't sure I wanted to pick up another SJM book. I decided to read this one because my blogger friends that I implicitly trust told me I'll love it. Lo and behold, I did! I especially liked the 3 tasks Feyre had to complete. *whispers* Rhys is way cooler than Tamlin. 

9. End of Days

I marathoned the Penryn & the End of Days series right before End of Days was published. I've read many angel book series but Susan Ee's clearly beats them all out. End of Days is the perfect conclusion to the series that made us all say "maybe we don't want an angel watching over us". (Unless that angel is Raffe, of course). 

8. The Bourbon Kings

This was an unexpected surprise. I wasn't a huge fan of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series - I fell in love with Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed series instead. However, this adult novel seriously impressed the heck out of me. The entire feeling of southern culture emanated from the pages. This book will make you want to sip a mint julep and drink sweet tea, even if you're in the North East. 

7. The Darkest Part of the Forest 

It's no secret that Holly Black is one of my favorite authors in the world. In The Darkest Part of the Forest, she weaves a tale of flawless fantasy focusing on the life of Hazel and Ben - a brother and sister. If you haven't read any of her books, you have to read them right away. My favorite is The Coldest Girl in Coldtown but I'm particularly partial to vampires. This book will appeal to the lovers of Fae and fantasy alike! 

6. Day Shift by Charlaine Harris

Returning to Midnight, Texas felt like coming back to a hometown. A familiar feeling I only felt when reading The Sookie Stackhouse novels. Charlaine Harris has the magical power that makes you deeply care about every single character she writes and Day Shift is no different! She brought back two beloved characters from The Sookie series and it almost brought me to tears. I can't wait for Night Shift - I only wish it wouldn't stop there! 

5. The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson

Mary E. Perason confused the heck out of me in The Kiss of Deception but she downright broke my heart at the end of The Heart of Betrayal. She mastered the art of the love triangle, focusing mostly on plot white incorporating the swooniest romances! I can't wait for the 3rd books! I hope there will be ARCs. *Team Kaden* 

4. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes was captivating from the beginning. My non-reading mom actually read it and was appalled when she figured out she had to wait a YEAR for the next one to come out. If that doesn't speak volumes about this book - I don't know what will! *Team Laia obviously. Step aside, Helene.*

3. My Heart and other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

I read this book the day after I had spinal surgery in March. I read it so fast that the rest of the books I read that next two weeks couldn't compare. My Heart and other Black Holes gracefully deals with the  real topic of suicide while portraying a unique and beautiful relationship. For fans of heavy topics and contemporary books, don't miss this book! 

2. Denton Little's Deathdate by Lance Rubin

I stumbled upon Denton Little's Deathdate at The Javits Center this May by ACCIDENT! I can't tell you how happy I am that I read it because it's now one of my favorite books. It's hilarious with some of the most memorable characters I've come across in awhile! Can't wait for the second book.

1. Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I flew through it. While I was reading it, I was reciting sentences to my family and friends. This novel is brilliant and rightfully won the National Book Award this year. It's a must read for everyone. 

Cassie's favorite books of 2015

This is my first year doing a top 10 as well because (just like Jocelyn) this is my first year blogging.  I always loved seeing bloggers' top 10 because it gave me even more to add to my TBR pile.  So if you haven't read any of these books yet, definitely check them out :)  While I didn't get to read some of the books I wanted to due to starting grad school and basically having zero time, I was able to finish my Goodreads challenge of 200 books!!  There were so many amazing books this year, and it was extremely difficult for me to pick a top 10, but without further ado...here are my top 10 books of 2015!

10.  The Novice (Summoner #1) by Taran Matharu

I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  I never expected to enjoy it as much as I did.  It was so unique and different than anything I had ever read, and it was one of the few books this year that I read that didn't feature any romance!  While I love my couples, it was refreshing to read pure fantasy.  Taran Matharu is definitely an author to watch and I think we can expect big things from him!

9.  The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn #1) by Renee Ahdieh

Everything about this book was perfection.  The writing, the plot, the characters...it was all gorgeous.  Renee Ahdieh started this series with a bang and draws readers in instantly.  There was honestly so much to love about this book that it is a must-read for every reader.  I can't wait for the sequel in 2016!

8.  All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

I actually came across this book by accident, and am so happy that I did.  I am kind of picky when it comes to books with this sort of topic because very few are done well.  There's a certain way to handle books with themes of suicide and depression, and Jennifer Niven wrote it expertly.  Even though I knew how this story would end, Ms. Niven left me a blubbering mess at the conclusion.  This was a truly beautiful story, and had lines that made it onto my "Favorite Quotes" list (yes, I have a list haha). 

7.  Sweet Temptation (Sweet Evil #4) by Wendy Higgins

I have sighed for Kai since the minute the Sweet Evil series came out, and this book made me fall in love with him even more.  I loved that Wendy Higgins decided to give this book as a gift to fans because it truly shows how much she loves her fans!  I loved seeing the entire series from Kai's POV, and this reinforced for me that Wendy Higgins is truly an amazing author.  Some authors might not have been able to handle writing an entire series from another character's perspective without it sounding like a carbon copy of the original stories.  However, this book is a brand new book and while it has the same scenes, everything is new.

6.  The Return (Titans #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Come on, you all know I love me some JLA!  So obviously a top 10 list isn't complete unless she's featured on it somewhere!!  I had a tough time choosing which book I would put on this list, so even though The Return is on here, this place is also for all of Jen's books this year.  However, The Return let us back into the Covenant world, and featured the return of Seth.  Seth and Josie rival Aiden and Alex as top couples in JLA's series' because they are just so perfect together.  Plus, I was able to go to ApollyCon earlier this year, which was my very first book convention, and had the time of my life!  I was able to meet not only Jen but Drew (the cover model), and I just about died. 

5.  Confess by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover is another one of my favorite authors, and this book swept me off my feet.  There was such a rawness in this book, and it made me tear up quite a few times.  Colleen Hoover never let's me down, and her writing/storytelling always blows me away.  I'm also a huge art person, so to have art incorporated into the story was an extra bonus in my book!  

4.  Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1) by Leigh Bardugo

While I only recently read this novel, I immediately knew that this was one of my favorites of 2015.  I haven't read Leigh Bardugo's Grisha series, but the series is now next on my list because this was truly an amazing story!  I would do anything to get back into this world as soon as possible.  I can't wait until the next in the series comes out next year because I already know that the sequel will be one of my faves of 2016!

3.  Restoration (Revelation Series #5) by Randi Cooley Wilson

Restoration is a bittersweet goodbye, as this is the end of The Revelation Series.  This series was one of the first books I had read that featured gargoyles, and Randi Cooley Wilson got me hooked!  I was so sad to say goodbye to some of my all-time favorite book couples: Asher & Eve and Callan & Abby.  Randi is one of my favorite authors and seriously the sweetest.  She is such a gifted author whose books definitely needs some more attention because they are amazing!  Add the entire series to your TBR list as soon as possible!!

  

2.  Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas

Queen of Shadows is easily one of my top favorites this year.  Sarah J. Maas did a fantastic job at taking the reader on yet another adventure, but also let characters witness the growth of Celaena into Aelin--from assassin to queen.  It was an extraordinary change to witness, and I honestly feel that this is the strongest book in the series.  I don't even know where this story is going to go next, but I have no doubts that Sarah J. Maas will deliver another hit next year! And I'll be first in line to get my hands on that story!

  

1.  A Court of Thorns and Roses (Court of Thorns and Roses #1) by Sarah J. Maas

This was definitely Sarah J. Maas' year as she had 2 major hits!  The reason A Court of Thorns and Roses won out is because this book mixed my two favorite things: a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast and faeries.  In my book, it takes a very special author to pull off a re-telling (and pull it off well).  Ms. Maas crafted an excellent story that will appeal to many readers and will instantly grab you as soon as you're done with the first page.  The sequel to this novel will be epic and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Book Review: Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2)

About the Book:
Title: Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2)
Author: Jennifer Estep
Pub. Date: October 27, 2015
Publisher: Kensington
Pages: 368 
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis:

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there's no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.

Even though he's my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what's supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious "accidents," it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone's going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing's for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else... 

Review:

Dark Heart of Magic is packed to the brim with action and excitement, and is the perfect middle book in the Black Blade series. Jennifer Estep balances the fighting/action with the mafia-style plot wonderfully, and it makes for a great read! This book was a bit different than the first book in the series, as this was centered on the Tournament of Blades, a magic competition that pits each of the Families against each other to see who's the best of the best. While the monsters aren't as involved in this story, each of the character's experience significant growth and development which culminates in some mind-blowing twists by the end of the book.

                                                         

The Tournament of Blades was a very interesting competition, and it made for a great change of pace from the previous book. However, even though the competition made up the majority of the book, it also allowed Ms. Estep to focus more on the mafia-like families and ruling that make up the Black Blade world that she has created. I greatly enjoyed this aspect of the story, and it also allowed Ms. Estep to do some more world-building. Ms. Estep incorporated a fun whodunit into the plot as well, which made this book even more enjoyable! I had my suspicions throughout the book as to who was behind everything, and even though one of my picks ended up being correct, I was still surprised by how everything went down. The entire ending of this novel was brilliant in my opinion. It was packed with twists and turns, followed by a couple very sweet moments. 

However, my favorite aspect of this book was watching all of the characters evolve and grow in their own unique ways. Jennifer Estep always writes her characters feisty, sassy, and tough, which I absolutely love. All of the characters have me cracking up with their one-liners and adventures. No matter what, her characters are always a breath of fresh air and something new and unique. With every book, Ms. Estep shows more and more depth to each of these characters, and readers are able to feel as if they are friends with them as well. This is something that I always love with books, and I think that it takes a truly gifted author to accomplish this. There are some developments with Lila and Devon in the romance department, and I am very happy with how Ms. Estep has handled their relationship thus far. It has had a natural flow to it, no insta-love. Plus, no love triangle. These two things together make me love this series even more! I absolutely love Lila and Devon together, and I'm interested to see where Ms. Estep takes their relationship in the next book.

Dark Heart of Magic is the perfect follow-up to Cold Burn of Magic and is a must-read for all fans of Jennifer Estep and this series. This novel is perfectly paced and has non-stop action and crazy adventures that readers have come to expect from Ms. Estep. You won't be disappointed! The wait for the next book in the series will be killer, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

Waiting on Wednesday #27

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Jocelyn's Waiting On: 

Double Down (Lois Lane, #2) : Gwenda Bond 
Publication Date: May 1st, 2016

Synopsis: 

Lois Lane has settled in to her new school. She has friends, for maybe the first time in her life. She has a job that challenges her. And her friendship is growing with SmallvilleGuy, her online maybe-more-than-a-friend. But when her friend Maddy’s twin collapses in a part of town she never should’ve been in, Lois finds herself embroiled in a dangerous mystery that brings her closer to the dirty underbelly of Metropolis. 

I was a bit disappointed by the first Lois Lane novel for the sole fact I was expecting a YA book and couldn't get over the fact that I felt like I was reading MG. After I finally accepted that this comic reimagining wouldn't be YA, I was able to appreciate it. I am definitely exited to see what kind of trouble Lois gets in next, and hopefully Supes shows up in person this time ;). 

Cassie's Waiting On: 

Dreamers Often Lie by Jacqueline West
Publication Date: April 5, 2016

Synopsis:

Julia wakes up in the hospital, disoriented, and beset by a slippery morphing of reality into something else. She repeatedly sees a boy who she feels like she knows—but that’s impossible. Determined to get back to school and back to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in which she’s starring, she lies to her sister, her mom, and her doctors—she’s fine, she says. She’s fine, she’s fine, she’s fine. But then on her first day back, she takes a seat in class . . . next to the mysterious boy. Queasy with anxiety (“I can’t see you,” she hisses at him, “because you’re not really here“), Julia realizes this boy is, in fact, real. And he has no idea what she’s talking about. Caught between this fascinating, empathetic new kid and her childhood friend turned recent love interest, Julia begins to notice unnerving similarities between her circumstances and those of some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. Secret kisses, tingling banter, and clandestine meet-ups give way to darker, muddier incidents. As things escalate to a frightening pitch, how much of what’s happening is real, how much is in Julia’s head, and how much does it matter as she’s hurtling toward a fateful end over which she seems to have no control? 

First, I absolutely love this cover. It fits the description of the book perfectly… it's haunting, and draws you in. I'm always up for a twist on Shakespeare, but it takes a certain type of author to be able to do this well I've found. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will be a risk that'll pay off!

Book Review: The Iron Warrior (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #3)

About the Book:

Title: The Iron Warrior (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #3)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Pub. Date: Oct. 27, 2015
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 384 
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Fairies
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis:

The Iron Prince—my nephew—betrayed us all. 

He killed me. 

Then, I woke up. 

Waking after a month on the brink of death, Ethan Chase is stunned to learn that the Veil that conceals the fey from human sight was temporarily torn away. Although humankind's glimpse of the world of Faery lasted just a brief moment, the human world has been cast into chaos, and the emotion and glamour produced by fear and wonder has renewed the tremendous power of the Forgotten Queen. Now, she is at the forefront of an uprising against the courts of Summer and Winter—a reckoning that will have cataclysmic effects on the Nevernever. 

Leading the Lady's Forgotten Army is Keirran himself: Ethan's nephew, and the traitor son of the Iron Queen, Meghan Chase.To stop Keirran, Ethan must disobey his sister once again as he and his girlfriend, Kenzie, search for answers long forgotten. In the face of unprecedented evil and unfathomable power, Ethan's enemies must become his allies, and the world of the fey will be changed forevermore.

Review:

This is it...the very last Iron Fey book. I'll just let that sink in for a bit. No more fey, no more hilarious talking cats, no more Puck, Ash, or Meghan.

                                                         

Okay...deep breath... 

The Iron Warrior is a fantastic ending to a even more fantastic series. This series has been a part of my life for so long, and I have been invested since the very first page. Julie Kagawa pulled me in and never let me go. I was easily immersed in the faerie world, and I never wanted to leave. This series will always have a special place in my heart as it was one of the first series I read that featured faeries. And it was the first faerie book that I absolutely adored. Ms. Kagawa simply has a way of writing that gets into your heart and always has a special place. She crafts stories that leave you breathless and on the edge of your seat until the very last page. 

So after that killer finale (see what I did there haha), I had no idea what was going to happen in this book. It's no secret that Ethan isn't dead (not that I ever thought he was), but now he has to travel through the Nevernever, the Between, and to areas that few fey ever venture to, in order to save everyone from Kierran and the Forgotten. Kierran has gone completely cuckoo for coco puffs, and has declared war on all the courts, all in the name of the Lady/One True Queen. 

From beginning to end, this was an exciting novel. I loved coming back to the Nevernever, and seeing all of our old favorites: Ash, Meghan, Puck, Grim, etc. But these past couple of books have always been Ethan's books, and he truly shines in this novel. He has grown so much from the beginning, and has finally accepted how his life is. Ethan realizes why Meghan did what she did, and that she never meant for Ethan to feel abandoned. There were some truly touching moments between Ethan and Meghan that were everything I could have ever asked for. They were truly beautiful moments between brother and sister, something that hasn't happened for a very long time for the two of them. Kenzie was hilarious and amazing, and I was so happy that she and the cutie that is Razor were back for another crazy whirlwind adventure. Kenzie and Ethan are wonderful together, and while not as good as Ash and Meghan, I still love them as a couple. 

Ms. Kagawa definitely didn't hold back with this finale. Sacrifices were made, and yes, people had to die. It was especially sad with one particular character's death (which I won't spoil, but seriously...it was a tearjerker). I was hoping that there would be some sort of faerie loophole (since we all know how faeries love loopholes) that would allow that character to return, but alas...it didn't happen. Nevertheless, this was a very strong ending to the series that was filled with twist and turns until the very end. The story very fast-paced, but it was perfect for the story. Never once did it drag or get boring. Every step played a role in their ultimate challenge/ending, and I loved seeing how everything came together in the end. 

Overall, this was an amazing end to an amazing series, and I am very sad to see it go. The ending was definitely open-ended for Ms. Kagawa to revisit the Nevernever again someday, but for now, I have to say goodbye to my beloved characters. This is a series that will always have a special place in my heart, and will be re-read forever. Thank you Julie Kagawa for giving me and other readers such an amazing series that has had such an impact on all of us; a series that has taught as to love and always fight with everything we have, even when the odds are against us. 

Happy reading :)

~Cassie