Top 14 of 2014: NA & Adult

Okay here is part 2 of 2014 favorites, the NA and Adult edition! 

1. The Immortal Crown by Richelle Mead
I am absolutely loving the Age of X series and this book just made me love it even more! Also a quote from my Gameboard of Gods review is in this book, my blog is in a Richelle Mead book!

2. Be My December by Rachel Brookes
Just simply beautiful.

3. Fallen Fourth Down by Tijan
I love this series and this book just got me 100x more excited for the final book.

4. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
I'm fairly sure I've loved all of Colleen Hoover's book and this one was no exception.

5. More Than Forever by Jay McLean
I loved this book & it will be forever known as the book that almost made me lose it during a HUBS lecture <3 Learn from me and don't read in lectures.

6. Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire
I just love the Maddox brothers and this little love triangle was a little bit funny.

7. Breathe With Me by Kristen Proby
I just love the With Me in Seattle series and this is one of my favorites!

8 & 9. Rusty Nailed & Mai Tai'd Up by Alice Clayton
These books are just some hilarious books and I am so glad I read Wallbanger now!

10. Echos on Scotland St by Samantha Young
I think that this is my favorite Samantha Young book because of Cole, I love Cole.

11. Melissa Foster
I have fallen in love with Melissa Foster's series, each month she releases one or two books so I always have read one each month!

12. My Sweetest Escape by Chelsea M Cameron
Love, love, love this series and I read this way back in January, long time ago now!

13. Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young
Hannah and Marco. Enough said.

14. Scoring Wilder by R.S Grey
A FEMALE SOCCER STAR! Also the focus was on the sport and the romance, which just about made my year!

So that is part 2 of my Top 14 of 2014! What were some of your favorite books this year?

Keely xx

Review Time #64

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive. 

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

WARNING: THE FIERY HEART SPOLIERS AHEAD

I don't know how I feel about Silver Shadows. I feel like that the series has changed from the first three books which I loved, but after TFH and SS I feel like the series has gone backwards to me. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed TFH and SS but just not as much as the first three, Vampire Academy and The Age of X.

Silver Shadows picks up about 6 months after Sydney was taken into re-education by the Alchemists. I admired Sydney a lot in the opening chapters with her bravery and determination to not give into the alchemists and being able to withstand everything that they threw at her. Adrian however I wanted to hit up the side of the head! After Sydney was taken to re-education, he completely lost focus on everything and relapsed into his bad habits that he had worked so hard to kick.

Adrian had a lot of home issues too and being back at court will was good in theory was horrible idea in practice. Queen Lissa wasn't very helpful with Adrian's situation about Sydney since no besides the Palm Springs crew knows about Sydney and Adrian and the fact that she has to be diplomatic enough to not piss of the Alchemists. 

Sydney made some allies in the re-education centre and now how she went about it was pure Sydney Sage logic. The new characters in re-education were written perfectly with them wanting to follow the rules but still didn't want to abide by the Alchemists rules. The Palm Springs gang was completely lost about what to do without Sydney and Eddie, god love him, really needs to tell Jill about his feelings *shake some sense into the poor guy*. 

Also the cliffhanger man, Richelle Mead you sure know how to leave your fans hanging!

The great thing about Mead's writting is that you are never going to know what she will throw at you and Silver Shadows was no different with car chases & Vegas, oh and the fact that Adrian is in this story the impulsiveness shows!

Thank you Penguin Teen Australia for this e-arc!

Rating: 4/5

Keely xx

Review Time #59

The Immortal Crown by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods introduced religious investigator Justin March and Mae Koskinen, the beautiful supersoldier assigned to protect him. Together they have been charged with investigating reports of the supernatural and the return of the gods, both inside the Republic of United North America and out. With this highly classified knowledge comes a shocking revelation: Not only are the gods vying for human control, but the elect—special humans marked by the divine—are turning against one another in bloody fashion.

Their mission takes a new twist when they are assigned to a diplomatic delegation headed by Lucian Darling, Justin’s old friend and rival, going into Arcadia, the RUNA’s dangerous neighboring country. Here, in a society where women are commodities and religion is intertwined with government, Justin discovers powerful forces at work, even as he struggles to come to terms with his own reluctantly acquired deity.

Meanwhile, Mae—grudgingly posing as Justin’s concubine—has a secret mission of her own: finding the illegitimate niece her family smuggled away years ago. But with Justin and Mae resisting the resurgence of the gods in Arcadia, a reporter’s connection with someone close to Justin back home threatens to expose their mission—and with it the divine forces the government is determined to keep secret.

Firstly before I get into this review I have some news! At the start of The Immortal Crown a bit of my review of Gameboard of the Gods appears at the start! Now I don't know how this happened but I can't believe it and I never thought something I wrote would ever end up in a book, especially a Richelle Mead book!

Now the review! What a fantastic squeal to Gameboard of the Gods! As soon as I was approved for this book I was reading it and being amazed, shocked and jumping up and down all in one from Mead's writing. The Immortal Crown just added to everything that we have already learnt from Gameboard of the Gods and just turned everything upside down and inside out. 

Last book we were taken into the provinces of RUNA, this time around we get the world building of Arcadia, a place where women are treated horribly and pretty much only used for cleaning, cooking, sex and providing children. Just to even get Mae into this country she has to pretend that she is Justin's "concubine" which is what they call these women. I just loved how much their relationship has changed since the start of the first book to now the end of the second book.

Mae: Mae's mission in Arcadia has a dual purpose since she found out that her niece is more than likely where she is going and Mae being Mae wants her back. You get to see a lot of Mae's interaction with her new god as she tries to find out where her niece is. The interactions between them is showing us that Mae is now slightly accepting that her god can help her in ways that she needs the god to do.

Justin: We learnt of his predicament in Gameboard of the Gods and now it is even more than before because it's Mae. His god is on his back to finally accept him & for him to give in to the agreement that they have for him to be bonded. Justin's powers develop a lot which is great because he is slowly accepting his fate & the fact that also like Mae he can help others with these powers. 

Tessa: After changing into a new school Tessa is trying to find her calling, and she thinks that it could be journalism. The journalist that Tessa is with will do anything for a story and I am not a fan of her. After recent events Tessa has a bodyguard whilst Mae and Justin are out of town and I really liked him because he was helping Tessa understand not everyone has good intentions like she believes them to have. 

Overall The Immortal Crown is just the beginning of what is to come in this world of Gods & Goddess playing chess with the Elect with Mead's writing anything can happen between the characters and the world that they are apart of. The cliffhanging ending is a sure way to be desperate for the next instalment of the Age of X series because what happens will make your head spin.

Thanks Penguin Australia for the E-ARC on Netgalley!

Rating: 4.5/5

Keely xxx

Review Time #34

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead
In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills. 

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board. 

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense. (from goodreads)

There is no secret about the fact that I love Mead's Vampire Academy & Bloodlines series, so when I saw that her new series would be in the Adult genre I jumped two feet first to see if I would love it, and well if there is anything that Mead knows how to do is to create romance, strong female characters who-will-kick-your-arse-literally, kickass scenes and swoon-worthy main characters.

The story is told from three perspectives, Mae Koskinen who is a Praetorian, a soldier, Dr Justin March who is a servitor and Tessa who is brought over from a colony with Justin to become his protege. Mae is sent to retrieve Justin from where he was banished to, to get him to help out with the seemingly religious orientated murders have taken place back in the RUNA. Where it differs from Mead's usual YA situations, it is an Adult book with the influence that drugs, alcohol and sex play a part in. 

Mae and Justin start off on the wrong foot, before they even knew who each other were they sleep together, and there relationship goes down hill from there. They are forced to work together, and the secret that Justin keeps from Mae affects there whole relationship, trying to find out who or what is responsible for the ritualistic killings that have been taking place in RUNA.

The influence that the paranormal world is out there and is subtle as no one in the RUNA believes that there are gods out there (expect those who have a house of worshiping), Justin himself believes in it. It plays a major part in who the characters are and why they are like they are even if they themselves do not know it all.

Justin is a drinker, drug addict and sleeps with someone new every other day of the week. He may be brilliant in what he does but he does have some dark issues that come from this whole concept that they are all pieces on the Gods gameboard. Mae being who she is, is genetically advanced and is afraid of any sort of commitment which you see in the first few chapters. She has a dark side which makes her violent and even more aggressive when it comes to fighting. Tessa is a colony girl who is smart and like Justin she can sense that people aren't telling the truth through their voice and body language. She takes a backseat in the main storyline but her influences & abilities help out when needed.

Gameboard of the Gods is a mixture of action, paranormal, dystopian and romance. Once you start you will not be able to stop with Mead's addictive writting style and her way of creating a world which you just sink into.

Thanks Penguin Aus for the e-arc on netaglley!

Rating: 4.5/5

Keely xx

Review #24

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next. (from goodreads)

Where back in Richelle Mead's world of Moroi, Dhampirs & Alchmist's, this time around it is more focused on Sydney & Adrian rather than Jill & the Vampire Hunters. As Sydney struggles with the fact that she has magical powers, Marcus Finch who is a rouge Alchemist & her feelings towards Adrian.

With an out-of-control Witch in Palm Springs & the revelation from Marcus that the people who she trusts, don't necessarily say the truth or trust her, Sydney faces more than she could have imagined taking on this post in Palm Springs. Jill, Eddie & Angeline are still apart of the story line, however, this time around it is more focused on Sydney who struggles with the beliefs of the Alchmist's & whether or not what they have been telling her all her life is the truth, her feelings towards Adrian & towards magic.

Adrian is always there for Sydney, he helps protect her & help her with what she is dealing with. He does get jealous feelings about Marcus & how much time that he & Sydney spent together, planning things that would get her thrown into a re-education centre. 

Marcus wasn't a very likable character, he does what he has to to protect those who no longer see the ways that other Alchmist's do. Sydney becomes a different person, with a strong change in the way she thinks and how she reacts to news that could put herself in danger. As well with accepting that what she feels won't go away. Adrian... what can I say some of the scenes make you swoon & others you think why the hell are you doing that? But still he is Adrian.

The Indigo Spell leaves you hanging & wanting more of Richelle Mead, Sydney & Adrian, especially with the ending!

Rating: 5/5

Keely x

2013 release's that I can't wait to get my hands on!

Earlier today I had my 2012 favourites, today I'm doing 2013 release's that I just can't wait to get my hands on!

1. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting--or stealing--whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir--this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy. (from goodreads)

More Kat & Hale! I. Can. Not. Wait! February 5th I will have this book somehow!

2. The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next. (from goodreads)

After loving the Vampire Academy series, bloodline is getting love too! I really liked Sydney in VA & having her own series makes her more awesome. I love the Syadrian moments and can not wait to see what is in stall this time around! Out February 12th!

3. Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust… (from goodreads)

With her debut this year with Storm, Brigid & the Merrick brothers have taken the blogging community by storm! Seriously four totally hot & swoon-worthy boys all in ONE book! Brigid your killing us here! This time it is Hunter's turn & I really am looking forward to it after reading his Novella. Out sometime in 2013!

4. Three's A Crowd by Ali Cronin
Four girls, three boys, turning 18. Get set to follow their eventful final year at school...

Jack is lovesick. Ollie won't commit. Donna can't find a man. But what about Cass? Everyone thinks she has it all, but life is far from perfect. Her friends hate her boyfriend. Her best friend is in love with her. Cass is torn. How will she choose between them?

I have been really enjoying this series! Really looking forward to Cass's story & how everyone else is going! Out in January I think from Penguin Aus for Australia...

5. Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally
Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt…with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

After her debut with Catching Jordan & everyone falling head over heals for Sam Henry & a story about a girl playing Football (NFL style not Soccer), then Stealing Parker this year another sport one about baseball & softball & another hot guy called Will aka Corndog! I can not wait for this one, even though it isn't sport themed it still has characters from the other books, I really am looking forward to it! Out March 1st.

6. If I Should Die by Amy Plum
I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

The final installment in this series! I love Die for Me & this one I can't wait for especially after how Until I Die finished. Out May 7th.

7. Gates of Paradise by Melissa De La Cruz

No Synopsis on goodreads for this one! But it is the last installment in the blue bloods series and I just can not wait to read it! The whole story just dragged me and I now just want more & to see how it ends! Out January 15th.

8. Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting
Violet thought she’d made peace with her unique ability to sense the echoes of the dead and the imprints that cling to their killers…that is until she acquired an imprint of her own. Forced to carry a reminder of the horrible events of her kidnapping, Violet is more determined than ever to lead a normal life. However, the people who run the special investigative team Violet works for have no intention of letting her go.

When someone close to Violet becomes a suspect in a horrific murder, she finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a madman with an army of devoted followers. Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself.

I love this series (yes I've probably already said that about all the other ones but still...) the whole imprinting thing is new & I love the creepiness of it all. I hate horror movies but I just love this sort of mystery & creepy. I really love Violet & Jay also I just Raf too because well I liked him a lot in The Last Echo... Out April 16th.

9. The Elite by Kiera Cass
Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

I really enjoyed the selection and cannot wait to see who America chooses, kinda hoping Maxon because I like him more than Aspen because he was a jerk. Out April 23rd.

10. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

No synopsis on goodreads! After only reading clockwork prince this year, not remembering if I actually liked clockwork angel... I was drawn back into the world of shadowhunters. Also stating my opinion here if Tessa doesn't get with Will I will be very  sad & disappointed, I like Jem but Will is better okay? Out March 19th.






So that is what I can't wait to be released in 2013! Whats yours?

Keely x

In My Mailbox #2

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. I'm only going to do this when I get a chance, exams coming up and year 12 is terrible! So this is from the last few weeks!

Review:

• No Such Thing As Forever by Ali Cronin. This an e-book of the up and coming release of Ali Cronin's new series Girl Hearts Boy. Released July 25th 2012. Review will be out in July!

Borrowed from library:

• The Story of Us by Deb Caletti. Cannot wait to read this looks like a great book!
• The Body at the Tower by Y.S. Lee. Loved this book and the Mary Quinn series cannot wait to get my hands on book three!

Bought:

• Goddess Interruped by Amiee Carter. After reading the Goddess Test I knew I had to buy this one! Loving the series and looking forward to book 3.
• Destined by Aprilynne Pike. The final book to the fairy series wings! I was sad to see this series end but I did get my final Tamani fix.
• The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead. Well I must say this series keeps getting better! We see a different side to the characters and now the wait continues for The Indigo Spell *sigh*

Swapped:

• Guyaholic by Carolyn Mackler. This seem interesting and intriguing cannot wait to find time to read this one!
• Why we broke up by Daniel Handler. I must say that this book wasn't what i expected and was actually funny to read about why they broke up.
• Chasing Boys by Karen Tayleur. Once again this book was funny and left me slighty confused at the end. (Might be because it was midnight and I had work the next day)

A huge thanks to Lisa over at badassbookie.blogspot.com for swapping! And that is it for this IMM!

Keely x

Review Time! #10

Hey guys, so for the inactivty lately been super busy with school and will hopefully be back posting more in the next two weeks!

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she's been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don't die. But it's her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney's loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart? (from goodreads.com)

I couldn't wait for this book! I searched and searched every store that sold books until I got my hands on it and boy was it worth it. We start where bloodlines left off, Sydney is now head of the Palm Springs post, still watching over Jill now with Angeline (from VA academy series, she is from the keepers) and Eddie who still head over-heels for Jill at boarding school and Adrian *sigh*.

Thanks to Trey, Sydney finally starts to let loose and start thinking about dating (I could name a few people who she should be with) and meets Brayden, someone who rivals Sydney's brain. Sydney is still of course against magic whether Moroi or her own, but starts to get an open mind about it, which suprises me. There is alot more romance in this book than the previous and there is less attention to the "Vampire Hunters" which were discussed in bloodlines and was more towards Sydney and her "magical" ablilties and the relationships being formed.

The focus is now on spirit and the connections to strigoi. Dimitri and Sonya from YA are back conducting "expirements" on Dimitri and Eddie (Sonya and Adrain conducting the expirements). The way Adrain feels about Dimitri make him try and avoid these expirements and annoy him when ever he can.

The romance in this book is more complex and forbiden then before which drags you in. In TGL you see a different side of both Sydney and Adrain which is intriging and keeps you hooked until the last line. While there is still some action in it, it isn't alot which was depressing because i like all the action that comes with Richelle Meads books. However there is still some action.

Today the title for book 3 was released: The Indigo Spell! Cannot wait until February next year!

Rate: 4.5/5 (loses 0.5 for less action)

Keely x