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Saturday 17 September 2016

***Review*** Pawn by Aimee Carter



Released: November 2013
Series: Yes, #1 in the Blackcoat Rebellion series
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Digital Copy
Source: From Netgalley
Find at: GoodreadsAmazon UK

Author Site: Aimee Carter

Many thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.




My Review:

Why did I wait so long to read this one, it was brilliant.  The story and the characters sucked me straight into a whirlwind.  I felt a bit dizzy and giddy when I finished.  This is totally worth the 4.5 star award.  I'm really eager to move on to book two as I'd like to see what happens to Kitty next.

There was a good mixture of characters and the way the story unfolds you don't know who to trust in the Hart family and extended family.  I felt myself being torn in which way my allegiance lay.  My favourite character was definitely Kitty, she is a strong character and even though there could have been an easy option, she used her moral judgement and always put people before her.  I did feel myself being torn between Benjy and Knox, there was just something about Knox :)

This story hurls you into a world that is governed by one family, you take a test when you are 17, to determine where you will be placed in society and job related.  Failure to pass the test means you end up in a place called Elsewhere, get old and you also head to Elsewhere.  And believe me, as you learn what Elsewhere is you certainly don't want that.  Our main character Kitty is an intelligent girl, however due to her inability to read she gets placed as a III, this is not good.  III's have very menial jobs, but circumstances beyond her control give her an opportunity to become a VII, but all that glitters is not golden.  There are repercussions and a whole new corrupted world that unfolds before Kitty. 

This book kicks off to a very promising start to the series.  I will certainly be carrying on. 



Overall: This was a gripping read, I couldn't put it down.

My Thoughts on the Cover: I love the colour scheme and the little pawn piece.  


Thursday 15 September 2016

***Review*** Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen



Released: May 2012
Series: Yes, #1 Nightwatchers
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Digital copy
Source: From Netgalley
Find at: Goodreads | Amazon UK

Author Site: Michelle Rowen

Many thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

I don't do dangerous.

Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back.

Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me....

NIGHTWATCHERS

When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...



My Review:

Well this one was really, really good, and scored a worthy 4.5 stars.  The story and characters kept me gripped from start to finish.  I loved the chemistry between Samantha and Bishop, it really kept me turning the pages.  I wasn't sure where the story was headed and this kept me rapt.  The story jumped straight into an action packed and thrilling read.

I love this whole concept of where angels and demons work together, it gives a wickedly and enjoyable spin on the story. 

The book is very well written and I loved the story development. Well done Michelle Rowen, you have created a spellbinding masterpiece.  I binge read this book,  as I was so excited to see where the story was heading.

 I shall certainly be bumping Wicked Kiss (book 2 in the series) up the tbr pile, in fact I think it's going to be my next book when I've finished my current one.  I can't wait to see where the story goes and have more in depth character development.  Bring it on!


Overall: A worthy 4.5 stars, fast paced and action packed

My Thoughts on the Cover:  It's really spooky and I love it.  I would be drawn to this!



Monday 12 September 2016

***Review*** Countdown by Michelle Rowen



 Released: September 2013
Series: No
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Digital copy
Source: From Netgalley
Find at: Goodreads | Amazon UK

Author Site: Michelle Rowen


Many thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

 3 seconds left to live. Once the countdown starts, it cannot be stopped.

2 pawns thrown into a brutal underground reality game.

Kira Jordan survived her family's murder and months on plague-devastated city streets with hard-won savvy and a low-level psi ability. She figures she can handle anything. Until she wakes up in a barren room, chained next to the notorious Rogan Ellis.

1 reason Kira will never, ever trust Rogan. Even though both their lives depend on it.

Their every move is controlled and televised for a vicious exclusive audience. And as Kira's psi skill unexpectedly grows and Rogan's secrets prove evermore deadly, Kira's only chance of survival is to risk trusting him as much as her instincts. Even if that means running head-on into the one trap she can't escape.

GAME OVER




My Review: 

The synopsis of this book really leapt out at me, it sounded exciting and dangerous.  To say the least I was intrigued.

The book starts of with a bang, it was on the edge of the seat stuff, but, and yes there is a but, it fizzled out for me.  I just could not connect with the characters and this was huge negative for me.  I felt the chemistry between Kira and Rogan didn't feel all there.  So from a few chapters in I started losing interest.  I did want to finish it, so I could give it a chance, but it was not as gripping as I'd hoped.

I'm not saying this book is all bad, the basis of the story is interesting and there's a lot of action.  It's just not for me. It was like seeing a really mouthwatering  cake, but biting into it and finding it a bit stale.

The ending tied everything up nicely, with a few plot twists thrown in for good measure.  I was hovering on a two star award but this did just scrape a three.  





Overall: Started off well, but not for me.

My Thoughts on the Cover: I love it, it's so striking.







Saturday 10 September 2016

***Review*** The Forgotten Woman by Angela Marsons



Released: 11th July 2016
Series: No
Publisher: Bookouture
Format: Digital Copy
Source: From Netgalley
Find at  Goodreads | Amazon UK 

Author Site: Angela Marsons

Many thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

 Two ordinary women. Two damaged lives. One friendship that would save them both
Kit Mason has lived a life of unimaginable pain. An ex-prostitute, she has fled the clutches of an abusive pimp and now finds herself living hand to mouth in a new city, without anyone to help her.

Frances Thornton seems to be living the perfect life. A lawyer from a privileged background, her perfect façade hides the painful secrets that still haunt her.

Brought together by their attempts to conquer their addictions in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, the two women strike up an unlikely friendship.

But can they find strength in each other – or will the demons of their past catch up with them?

A compelling, moving and ultimately uplifting novel about overcoming the very worst life can throw at you and starting over. The perfect read for fans of Jodi Picoult and Amanda Prowse.

Previously published as My Name Is


 My Review

I've been really eager to read a book by Angela Marsons, a good friend and fellow book lover has been on at me to read these books.  So Julie, this ones for you.  A huge thank you, for the recommendation and no I was not disappointed. 

This book has not one,  but two flawed main characters, both are female, but neither have that much in common.  Well apart from their addiction to alcohol.  The story follows both Kit and Fran, who come from very different backgrounds.  Their childhood and things from their past both affect their very being. Kit and Fran form a friendship that is strong.

From the word go the story gripped me, it was an exhilarating read with both characters facing different journeys.  I was really satisfied with how things developed and there was just the right amount of tension. It was really satisfying to see both characters change and develop.

Personally I know very little about the struggles with alcohol addiction,  but seeing how each character got to this point really helped me understand their circumstances.  What I take for granted, is not easy and is a struggle for some.

I really did enjoy reading this book and will certainly be checking out more titles by this author.

 Overall: An exciting read about friendship forged from dark places

My Thoughts on the Cover: Simple but effective




 


 
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