Book Review: The Deal (Off-Campus, #1)

About The Book:

  

  Title: The Deal

  Author: Elle Kennedy 
  Pub. Date: February 24th, 2015
  Publisher: CreateSpace
  Pages: 358 

  Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance 

  Rate: 4/5 stars

Synopsis :

She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy... 

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date. 

...and it’s going to be oh so good. 

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him

Review:

I had the pleasure of buddy reading The Deal in January with my amazing blogger friends Blessie from Mischievous Reads and Tika from FANGIRL confessions. This is one of Blessie's favorite books so I was really excited to see what she liked so much about it since she has fantastic taste in books! 

“Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you 

don’t know how you ever lived without them.” 

I think the synopsis of the book describes the plot pretty well. However, I actually didn't even read the synopsis of the book before I started reading it. So, in the beginning when Hannah was interested in Justin I actually thought he was going to be in the lead guy character. Until I see Garret's point of view pop up and I was like hold up a second... In any event, I did go back and read the synopsis because I was confused by the whole Justin/Garret thing. One of my favorite things about this book was that it was pretty realistic as far as "college books" go. By that I mean they didn't skip much class which is something I hate when they do in books. Like, that literally is the most unrealistic thing ever and not how college is at all. However, it did seem to me that they did only have like 2 classes? I don't know, maybe I'm reading too much into it... 

Hannah was a pretty decent NA main character. I really admired the fact that she put her schoolwork before everything else, even guys. However, she did get on my nerves at times. I didn't like how she eventually was stringing Garret along when she admitted it was wrong. I don't think I would have minded that much if I would have liked her personality substantially more but she was just overall a plain kind of girl so I didn't really feel the need for her to do that to him. I loved Garret! He was one of the funniest characters, and I really enjoyed his perspective. He was tough, sexy, and protective without coming across and broody and rude. He cared about his friends, his school work, and wasn't a huge douche canoe like a lot of your typical sports leads. 

”I know you’re into me, Wellsy. And I’m definitely into you. 

Would it really be so bad if we made this thing official?”

Overall, I really enjoyed The Deal. I think it was romantic, funny, and an overall great New Adult title. I'd recommend this book to fans of Colleen Hoover and K.A. Tucker. Sometimes I really get in the mood to read a New Adult book and I think The Deal is just what I needed. Especially when sometimes I get into YA funks where I just feel like I need something totally different from them! I definitely think that if you are a fan of New Adult books that The Deal is a must read! 

- Jocelyn

Book Review: The Casquette Girls (The Casquette Girls #1)

About the Book:

Title: The Casquette Girls (The Casquette Girls #1)
Author: Alys Arden
Pub. Date: November 17, 2015
Publisher: Skyscape
Pages: 565 
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Vampires, Fantasy 
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis:

Seven girls tied by time.
Five powers that bind.
One curse to lock the horror away.
One attic to keep the monsters at bay.

After the storm of the century rips apart New Orleans, sixteen-year-old Adele Le Moyne wants nothing more than her now silent city to return to normal. But with home resembling a war zone, a parish-wide curfew, and mysterious new faces lurking in the abandoned French Quarter, normal needs a new definition.

As the city murder rate soars, Adele finds herself tangled in a web of magic that weaves back to her own ancestors. Caught in a hurricane of myths and monsters, who can she trust when everyone has a secret and keeping them can mean life or death? Unless . . . you’re immortal.

Review:

This was a fantastic novel that is a must read for fans of paranormal romance/thriller! I absolutely adore any book that is set in New Orleans, and so far, I haven't been let down by a book with that setting. This book is no exception, and it proves that Alys Arden is one to watch. She created the perfect gothic tale set in the perfect city, and I loved every minute of it. The only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the length. There were a couple times I felt the story dragged on a bit, and there were definitely scenes that could have been cut out. These scenes slowed down the pacing of the book immensely. If these scenes would have been edited out, I would have easily given this novel 5 stars. 

In a time when witches and vampires have been over done and the concept basically run into the ground, Ms. Arden manages to breathe new life into the genre. This book has a slow build to a wonderfully fast-paced, heart-racing conclusion that will leave you guessing. Every scene is richly described, and the characters are written perfectly. I truly felt as if I knew every character in this novel, and I felt as if I was in New Orleans the entire time. I could see the drastic destruction that Adele witnessed; I could feel her every emotion. To me, this is the sign of a gifted author. 

Adele was the perfect female lead. She had a sassy attitude, but is forced to become accustom to her new way of life in her storm ravaged home. The one thing I loved about her was watching her grow over the course of the novel. Ms. Arden gave her such life in this novel, and her characterization and development was perfectly written. Sure, there were times when she had me rolling my eyes at her actions, but I enjoyed the fun and spunk her character brought to the book. I will warn you now, there is a love triangle of sorts, which I normally don't love, but in this book it worked. I'll just throw this out there, but I was rooting for Isaac the entire time. I thought he was perfect for Adele, and his personality meshed very well with hers.

One aspect of this novel that was very unique was the tie to the past. Through journal entries we learn about the Casquette Girls and Adeline. I thought this was a very creative way to intertwine the events of the past to the current events going on in the story, and I was very intrigued throughout reading, trying to figure out just how everything would tie together in the end. You are basically getting two stories in one with this novel, and while this probably wouldn't work for most stories, it was perfect for this novel. 

This is an excellent book that I highly recommend to all fans of the paranormal genre. The plot leaves you guessing, and there are many twists and turns that you will never see coming. I do hope though that the next book is edited down a bit more, so that the pacing isn't slowed down by unnecessary scenes. However, even with these scenes in the book, it was still a very enjoyable read that made me want to visit New Orleans even more!

I was given a copy of this book by the author
in exchange for an honest review

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

Waiting on Wednesday #36

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: 

Change Places with Me: Lois Metzler 
Publication Date: June 14th, 2016

Synopsis: 

Rose has changed. She still lives in the same neighborhood with her stepmother and goes to the same high school with the same group of kids, but when she woke up today, something was just a little different than it was before. The dogs who live upstairs are no longer a terror. Her hair and her clothes all feel brand-new. She wants to throw a party—this from a girl who hardly ever spoke to her classmates before. There is no more sadness in her life; she is bursting with happiness.

But something still feels wrong to Rose. Because, until very recently, Rose was an entirely different person—a person who is still there inside her, just beneath the thinnest layer of skin. 
A bold and original work of speculative fiction set in a familiar future, Lois Metzger’s latest novel is a profoundly authentic and heartbreaking tale of the things we keep locked away inside us, even from ourselves.

I belive I saw somewhere that this novel is about mental health. Being very interested in psychology, I can't wait to see how depression manifests in Rose. Because unlike the typical perception, it doesn't look the same for everybody! 

Cassie's Waiting On: 

The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith
Publication Date: March 22, 2016

Synopsis:

Eden was always good at being good. Starting high school didn’t change who she was. But the night her brother’s best friend rapes her, Eden’s world capsizes. What was once simple, is now complex. What Eden once loved—who she once loved—she now hates. What she thought she knew to be true, is now lies. Nothing makes sense anymore, and she knows she’s supposed to tell someone what happened but she can’t. So she buries it instead. And she buries the way she used to be.

Told in four parts—freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year—this provocative debut reveals the deep cuts of trauma. But it also demonstrates one young woman’s strength as she navigates the disappointment and unbearable pains of adolescence, of first love and first heartbreak, of friendships broken and rebuilt, and while learning to embrace a power of survival she never knew she had hidden within her heart.

This is another one that's a bit out of my comfort zone because these types of books need a certain type of author in order for me to like it.  I think that by telling the story in 4 parts, each a different year, we'll be able to watch the character grow and rebuild her life.  While I'm going to take a risk with this novel, I'm hoping it will pay off. 

Book Review: Iniquity (The Premonition Series #5)

About the Book:

Title: Iniquity (The Premonition Series #5)
Author: Amy A. Bartol
Pub. Date: December 8, 2015
Publisher: Ugly Stepsister Production, LLC
Pages: 366 
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Angels, Romance
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis:

I gasp as my body curls toward Brennus like a flower to the sun, for the pleasure of it. He holds me close to him. His nose grazes the length of my neck. He breathes me in. I feel the roar and rush of my heartbeat. I’m his toy; his energy streams into me. He winds the invisible key in my back and the euphoria ratchets and coils inside of me: tick…tick…tick…

Another wicked surge of energy flows from him into me. Pain. Pleasure. Bliss. My jaw unclenches as my lips part. I make a small, breathy sound as we dance. Brennus responds with something close to a growl. “Ye’re killing me, mo chroí,” he murmurs. His hand moves down my back infusing me with a golden glow of power. My wings punch violently from me, tearing a hole in my day dress. They spread wide, like a red stain beyond my pale skin. I’m dancing now for the thrill of it. I follow his lead.

As the song comes to an end, Brennus kisses my throat. He whispers in my ear, “When ye get back, come find me, mo chroí. I’ve healed ye…now wake up and banjax whoever banished ye here…”

Review:

“I’m the light to his darkness. There’s no escape; he’s a part of me.”

This review is a bit difficult for me to write because I wanted to give the last installment in The Premonition series 5 stars...you don't even know how much it hurts that I can't do this. But there were some aspects of this book that made me disappointed in the story as a whole, and ultimately I couldn't get over these things to boost the rating. I have been anxiously awaiting this novel for so long, and I had built up the excitement in my mind so much that perhaps I went in with too high of expectations. I still love this series, don't get me wrong, but this novel was definitely not what I was expecting, especially with how long it took for it to come out. Nevertheless, it was still a truly great novel and addition to the series! I was on the edge of my seat for most of the novel, and flew through the book to see how everything would end! 

I want to start with the problems I had with this novel so that I can move onto the better parts of this novel. To start, I thought the book was a bit rushed. There were times when I felt like Amy Bartol never had a clear direction for the conclusion of this series. This resulted in the book seeming a bit all over the place at times or just repeat of the previous books. Again, maybe I was expecting a bit more from the story because every other book had a clear direction from beginning to end (at least in my opinion). I also didn't like the fact that the "villain" of this novel (and as we later find out-the entire series) is a brand new character. He was never introduced prior to this, nor was he ever hinted at before this novel. It just didn't sit well with me that there were no clues to this character being the bad guy, and then suddenly this book is entirely about him. Finally, the ending was just blah--at least for me. There was no true conclusion, and honestly it seemed like the book cut off mid-chapter. I have heard that there is a possibility of some novellas, which would make me feel A LOT better, but all I really want is an epilogue.

“I could no more leave you than the earth could leave the sun. 

You’ll always draw me back to you.”

You might be asking, why the heck did you give this book 4 stars then Cassie? Ans the reason is  that this book was still amazing. It still captivated me and drew me in from the very first page. While Amy's writing might not be for everyone, she does have a great talent. While some of the scenes seemed a bit of a repeat from before or all over the place, she expertly wove elements of past books into this book to answer questions that have been a mystery for so long. She answered almost every question we have been asking, and she delivered on the intense action...and intense romance. This book is filled with twists you won't see coming, and I loved seeing all of our favorite characters back in action. I also did like how she kind of resolved the Reed/Evie/Breenus triangle. I'm not going to say anything more than most people will be happy with who Evie chooses. However, I don't know if I would really call the end of this novel a true resolution of this triangle. Regardless, I liked what Amy did and was satisfied with this conclusion.

Overall, I definitely would recommend reading this novel if you're a fan of The Premonition series. While it wasn't everything I was hoping for and I would have liked a better conclusion to the story, I will keep my hopes up that there will be some sort of epilogue or novellas so we can visit these much loved characters once again in the future. This novel is chock full of action, adventure, and excitement, and even though it might not be exactly what you are expecting, you won't regret reading this finale from Amy Bartol!

Happy reading :) 

~Cassie

ARC Review: Wink Poppy Midnight

About The Book:

  Title: Wink Poppy Midnight

  Author: April Genevieve Tucholke 
  Pub. Date: March 22nd, 2016
  Publisher: Dial Books  
  Pages: 352

  Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Contemporary, Fantasy

  Rate: 4/5 stars

Synopsis :

Every story needs a hero.
Every story needs a villain.
Every story needs a secret.

Wink is the odd, mysterious neighbor girl, wild red hair and freckles. Poppy is the blond bully and the beautiful, manipulative high school queen bee. Midnight is the sweet, uncertain boy caught between them. Wink. Poppy. Midnight. Two girls. One boy. Three voices that burst onto the page in short, sharp, bewitching chapters, and spiral swiftly and inexorably toward something terrible or tricky or tremendous.

What really happened?
Someone knows.
Someone is lying.

Review:

Fan Cast of Wink: Lily Cole

This book was really something. When I saw that it was "for fans of Holly Black", I knew I needed it! Because HELLO - if you know me at all, you know I'm a huge Holly Black fan. Lucky for me, they were giving them away at New York Comic Con, aaaand then I lost my copy at baggage check along with my copy of Slasher Girls & Monster Boys, which I brought along to get signed. So I was in a crappy mood all night thinking I wouldn't find them, trying to get service so I could call the convention center lost & found. But the next day, I found it at baggage check. I'm not sure they even really believed it was mine, but how many people would be looking for two extremely specific books with one signed to "Jocelyn"… I mean really. Anyhow, this book was fun, addicting, and I read it in less than 24 hours.

“I never cried because there are only two reasons people cry, 

one is empathy and the other is self-pity, and I never had any of either ."

Fan cast of Poppy:
 AnnaSophia-Robb

The characters are really hard to describe, mostly because you never know their motives. Wink. Wink is batshit crazy, that is one thing that never changed for me throughout the story. I wanted so hard to root for Wink - who doesn't love the underdog? However, I just couldn't - I hated her! Besides the fact that she was weird, she was manipulative and I never understood what was going on in that psycho red head of hers. And I just didn't like that one bit! Poppy. How can I describe Poppy? I think raging bitch is a nice word for Poppy. Have you ever watched Scream Queens? She reminds me of Chanel Oberlin, except way more mean. If Wink Poppy Midnight was published before the show came out, I'd say Scream Queens was inspired by Wink Poppy Midnight. However, as much as I hated Poppy, I loved her all the same. I enjoyed her point of view the best because her craziness was more funny than psycho. Does that make sense? Different types of crazy? Well after you read this book it will make sense, trust me. Midnight. I felt so sad for Midnight throughout the entire book. He always gets the short end of the stick. He's truly a good guy, and I hated watching him get screwed over.

Fan Cast of Midnight:
Dylan O'Brien

The romance was one of my favorite things about it. I wasn't sure who I shipped. I wanted miserable things to happen to Poppy about the entire time, but I still wanted to see her in a romantic relationship with someone because it was just SO funny! Seeing Wink engaged in romance was funny as well because it was sort of her first relationship but she pretended she knew what to do. And seeing Midnight was just so sad because he was very pathetic. And pathetic is kind of funny so I guess that was funny, too (in a sad way, of course). I loved Midnight, though. I wanted him to NOT be pathetic because he was adorable and he could be my book boyfriend if he wasn't so pathetic.

The biggest problem I had with Wink Poppy Midnight isn't a problem as much as a personal preference. I never truly understood Wink, I feel like the more the story progressed, the more I didn't understand her. I understood Poppy and Midnight just fine, but the book is titled Wink Poppy Midnight so when I don't get Wink - it feels like I'm almost missing a third of the story. Besides that, I don't think I got enough closure at the end of the story for my liking. A lot of people don't have a problem with this or may even like it, but I am not one of those people.

“I would have given it to Leaf the second he asked for it, 

except he never ever, ever did, so I gave it to Midnight instead."

Ultimately, I was extremely pleased by Wink Poppy Midnight. I'm 100% glad I went through all the trouble of finding it at baggage check! The characters were multi-layered and complex. Besides the complexity of the story, I love the title and the beautiful book cover that both are completely fitting. And while I never did truly understand Wink, I was still able to appreciate the story. I'd recommend this book to people who are fans of abstract books and don't really mind NOT understanding everything at the end of a story. I gave Wink Poppy Midnight a 4/5 because while I enjoy abstract novels, I like a little more closure at the end of books.

- Jocelyn

Blog Tour: Arrows

About The Book:

  Title: Arrows 

  Author: Melissa Gorzelanczyk
  Pub. Date: January 26th, 2016
  Publisher: Delacorte Press
  Pages: 256 
  Genre: Mythology, Young Adult, Fantasy
  Rating: 5/5 Stars 

  Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Goodreads 

Synopsis :

A modern cupid story set in present-day Wisconsin combining the fantastical elements of Greek mythology with the contemporary drama of MTV's Teen Mom.

  People don’t understand love. If they did, they’d get why dance prodigy Karma Clark just can’t say goodbye to her boyfriend, Danny. No matter what he says or does or how he hurts her, she can’t stay angry with him . . . and can’t stop loving him. But there’s a reason why Karma is helpless to break things off: she’s been shot with a love arrow. 

Aaryn, son of Cupid, was supposed to shoot both Karma and Danny but found out too late that the other arrow in his pack was useless. And with that, Karma’s life changed forever. One pregnancy confirmed. One ballet scholarship lost. And dream after dream tossed to the wind.

A clueless Karma doesn’t know that her toxic relationship is Aaryn’s fault . . . but he’s going to get a chance to make things right. He’s here to convince Danny to man up and be there for Karma. But what if this god from Mount Olympus finds himself falling in love with a beautiful dancer from Wisconsin who can never love him in return?

Review:

Ok guys, I'm going to just come right out and say it - I loved this book. I loved it to little mythological pieces. The plot caught my attention right away because it didn't really seem like something that meshed together - something I love, Greek mythology and something I hate, a crazy show that tries to turn dysfunctional teen moms into reality TV stars when there are many teen moms who live in perfectly decent and not drama filled homes. Clearly I was wrong because Melissa blends them together into a seamless work of art. 

Toxic doesn't even begin to describe Karma's relationship with Danny. Since Aaryn's arrow only shot Karma - Danny essentially couldn't care less about Karma or their child. Honestly, it's so heartbreaking. You almost want to slap some sense into her and tell her to leave him but then you remember that she was shot with "cupid's arrow" so she can't really help but love him and after all, that is what this story is about! Danny treats her like actual trash. He's such an asshole that it makes me mad just thinking about him. He would CHEAT on her and she would make excuses for him omg omg. He never wanted to spend time with their daughter. I can rant on all day just how much I hate this guy. 

When Aaryn's father finds out what he's done, he forces him to make it right but this time without the arrow. He has to learn how to function not only in the mortal world but in the small town of Wisconsin in order to get Danny to fall in love with Karma, which he was supposed to do nine months ago. I loved seeing Aaryn trying to set up dates with Danny and Karma when Danny was such a d-bag and it was so obvious to Aaryn that Danny didn't deserve her. After you get over the fact that Karma isn't actually a doormat that she was shot with a love arrow and she has no choice but to love him, she is actually a great main character. She's a devoted and caring mother, a great friend, and she never puts herself first which I think she should have done way more often! There was so much internal conflict inside Aaryn because as he starts to realize that he likes her too, should he keep trying to get Danny to realize he loves her? Or should he start fighting for her too? Aaryn wasn't my typical bad-boy book boyfriend, but he is definitely an unforgettable one. 

I've never read a book so short that moved at such a great pace and had everything I wanted in an ending. Arrows is an entertaining blend of fantasy and contemporary that will have you wondering where your love arrow is. I'm convinced that this book will become an instant YA favorite. If this awesome book sounds like something that interests you then click on one of the links above or if you can't wait that long then run to the closest book stores and buy it! If you still aren't convinced - check out my dream cast of the characters or obviously reread my review. 

Dream Cast:

Maria Ehrich as Karma

Matthew Daddario as Aaryn

Chris Zylka as Danny

About Melissa Gorzelanczyk: 

Melissa Gorzelanczyk is a former magazine editor and columnist who believes love is everything. She is a proud member of the SCBWI, The Sweet Sixteens and the Class of 2k16. She lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with her husband and family.. 

Connect with Melissa: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram 

Giveaway: Arrows Surprise Pack 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

- Jocelyn

Book Review: Moonbreeze (The Dragonian #4)

About the Book:

Title: Moonbreeze (The Dragonian #4)
Author: Adrienne Woods
Pub. Date: October 20, 2015
Publisher: Firequill Publishing
Pages: 552
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis:

The life of a star-studded royal has not been kind to eighteen year-old Elena Watkins. With a Council breathing down her neck and a dragon that refuses to accept her as her rider, she must convince everyone that she is ready to rule Paegeia like her parents before her. But she has made a promise to her father King Albert, that she will not go looking for him and free the people of Etan. Elena has promised to never truly fulfil her destiny. 

However, situations out of her control will soon force her to confront herself and the evil that seeks to destroy her. Elena must look inside herself to discover if she can defeat the approaching darkness, be accepted by the people of Paegeia, bring her dragon back to light and fulfill the destiny written in their stars. 

Review:

When I first heard that Adrienne Woods had to split up (what was planned to be) the last book in the Dragonian series, I was a both excited and worried. Excited, obviously, because yay for more books in the Dragonian series. But worried because I wondered if the fourth book would drag a bit and all of the action would be in the last book. However, I had absolutely nothing to worry about as this book was phenomenal. I was glued to the page, and never wanted it to end! I was on the edge of my seat in many scenes, and I couldn't wait to see how everything would play out. This novel is split into 5 parts, with part 2 being probably the hardest to read due to the events of that entire section. Nevertheless, the book was written very well, and Adrienne Woods improves her talent with every single book. The pacing was perfect and we also get to witness some radical transformations of our beloved characters.

The first part of this novel follow Elena and her journey in accepting and becoming the princess of the people. She is still very immature in some ways and becomes quickly overwhelmed with all of her princess duties, but come on...who wouldn't be? Elena has no idea how to be the princess the kingdom needs, and it doesn't help that she has all of the extra pressure of being the daughter of the greatest king of Paegeia. On top of all of that, Blake isn't doing her any favors as he constantly denies Elena as his rider, even begging her to release him. Throughout all of this though, Elena remains strong. Sure, she has her weak moments, but her character felt extremely real. I truly felt for Elena, and felt as if she is one of my friends. Elena begins her transformation even in this first part. She finds her strength in standing up to Blake (I LOVED these scenes), and she also begins to learn from her mistakes. Elena doesn't need anyone to "save" her anymore, and I enjoyed this "new" Elena that began to emerge.

Now the second part was a bit difficult to read only because of the horrors that Elena faced and experienced. I know that some readers aren't happy that Adrienne Woods included this part and and the scenes, but I think that it was a crucial part to this novel and the series in general. While at this point in the novel we don't know where Elena actually is (you do learn the truth later on), I think witnessing what she did allowed Elena to become the true leader she needed to be. We are finally able to see the ugliness and darkness of the world outside the walls of Paegia, and this entire section added a lot of depth and knowledge to the series. I also applaud Ms. Woods for including a certain scene simply due to the fact that authors tend to glaze over or not even included tough subjects. My heart absolutely broke for Elena in this particular scene, and I felt that in the next 2 sections, which featured Elena's recovery, was portrayed realistically (or at least to the best of my knowledge as I have never experienced anything like what Elena endured).

During Elena's recovery, Becky, Sammy, George, and Blake step up in ways they never did previously. However, Becky actually amazed me in this novel. While I will say that I thought she was a bit too forward and brash in some scenes, I did admire her courage and fierceness in trying to get Elena to open up and stop living as a shell of herself. I also enjoyed being able to see a different side to George.

We do get to read from Blake's POV as well, which fit in perfectly with this story. I loved seeing the story from his perspective, and it gave the story yet another layer. We definitely get a lot of Blake in this novel, which is as amazing as it sounds, and I am looking forward to seeing even more from him in the fifth novel. Elena and Blake have some crazy moments, but there are certainly some scenes that will make your heart flutter.

This series has come so far since Firebolt, and I can honestly say I had no idea that this story would be where it is at now. There are so many twists and turns in this novel, and betrayals lurk around every corner. You, just like Elena, don't really know who to trust; and even those that are most trustworthy, you are forced to question. This book is addictive, and I never wanted to stop reading it. I flew through the pages because I needed to know how everything would end. I highly recommend reading this novel if you are a fan of this series because you don't want to miss out on this heart-pounding novel!

Happy reading :) 

~Cassie

Waiting on Wednesday #35

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: 

The Bombs That Brought Us Together: Brian Conaghan 
Publication Date: April 7th, 2016

Synopsis: 

Fourteen-year-old Hamish Law has lived in Little Town, on the border with Old Country, all his life. He knows the rules: no going out after dark; no drinking; no litter; no fighting. You don't want to get on the wrong side of the people who run Little Town. When he meets Pavel Duda, a refugee from Old Country, the rules start to get broken. Then the bombs come, and the soldiers from Old Country, and Little Town changes for ever.

Sometimes, to keep the people you love safe, you have to do bad things. As Little Town's rules crumble, Hamish is sucked into a dangerous game. There's a gun, and a bad man, and his closest friend, and his dearest enemy.

Hamish Law wants to keep everyone happy, even if it kills him. And maybe it will ... But he's got to kill someone else first.

I can honestly say that I don't think I've ever read a book similar to the description of this book. I'm not even 100% sure what it's about it. But if it's one thing I love - it's going into a book blind, which besides this small description is what I'll be doing with The Bombs That Brought Us Together. 

Cassie's Waiting On: 

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: March 8, 2016

Synopsis:

Raised in the Los Angeles Institute with the Blackthorn family, Emma Carstairs is paired as a parabatai with her best friend, Julian Blackthorn. A series of murders in the city catch her attention — they seem to have the same characteristics as the deaths of her parents. Could the murderer be the same person? And her attention isn’t the only one caught: someone has been murdering Downworlders as well. The Fair Folk make a deal with the Institute: if the Blackthorns and Emma will investigate the killings, they’ll return Mark Blackthorn to his home. The catch: they have only two weeks to find the killers. Otherwise it’s open war between faeries and Nephilim.

The Shadowhunters of the Institute must race against time to catch the killers, even as they begin to suspect the involvement of those closest to them. At the same time, Emma is falling in love with the one person in the world she’s absolutely forbidden by Shadowhunter Law to love. Set against the glittering backdrop of present-day Los Angeles, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches from the warlock-run nightclubs of the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. 

Okay, I think everyone is pretty much excited about this book haha.  But I have been waiting for this novel ever since the last novel in TMI came out.  I will never get enough of the Shadowhunter world, and can't wait to read Emma and Julian's story.  I can say with almost 100% certainty that this will be one of my favorites of 2016, and I can't wait to get my hands on it!