Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) - 4.5 Stars

Synopsis

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner. 

Review

Loved this one, these seem to improve with each book.

In book two of the Lunar Chronicles we carry on from where Cinder finishes. In this book we meet Scarlet, Wolf and Thorne. I adored the dynamics between Wolf and Scarlet, these two are now a top fave OTP.

Now to start book 3

Hunting Prince Dracula (SJTR #2) by Keri Maniscalco

Hunting Prince Dracula (SJTR #2) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

In this New York Times bestselling sequel to Kerri Maniscalco's haunting #1 debut Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.

Review

Really enjoyed the sequel to Stalking Jack the Ripper. This adventure takes Audrey-Rose and Thomas to the enchanting kingdom of Transylvania. Here we are we are following the tales of Dracula and the rumours of Vampires still roaming the local area.

Like the 1st one expect of twists and turns in this engaging story.

I really need book 3 now

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Cinder is considered a technological mistake by most of society and a burden by her stepmother. Being cyborg does have its benefits, though: Cinder's brain interference has given her an uncanny ability to fix things (robots, hovers, her own malfunctioning parts), making her the best mechanic in New Beijing. This reputation brings Prince Kai himself to her weekly market booth, needing her to repair a broken android before the annual ball. He jokingly calls it "a matter of national security," but Cinder suspects it's more serious than he's letting on.

Although eager to impress the prince, Cinder's intentions are derailed when her younger stepsister, and only human friend, is infected with the fatal plague that's been devastating Earth for a decade. Blaming Cinder for her daughter's illness, Cinder's stepmother volunteers her body for plague research, an "honor" that no one has survived.

But it doesn't take long for the scientists to discover something unusual about their new guinea pig. Something others would kill for.

Review

Wow, I’ve been trying to read this book for sometime (years in fact). I could never get past chapter one. So I decided instead of trying to read the book physically, I would try audiobook it instead and I’m so glad I did. I loved the audio the narrator kept me captivated all the way through.

I loved Cinder and Iko. Prince Kai was interesting but had some flaws. I hate Queen Levana with a passion. This was a different take in the Cinderella story, that was enjoyable. The twists were predictable but fun.

Now off to listen to book 2. 

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

The Hazel Wood (Hazel Wood #1) - 3 Stars

Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of The Hazel Wood (The Hazel Wood #1) from Penguin Random House UK & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert. This was released for publication on 8^th February 2018.

This is a haunting tale of Alice who has lived on the road with her mother for most of her life. Alice and her mother are estranged from Alice’s grandmother a cult author of a collection of dark fairy tales. One day Alice hears that her grandmother has passed away and that her mother has been left The Hazel Wood a place that Alice’s mother does not want to return to. Alice’s mother finally decides to settle down, meets and marries a man that has money. But one day Alice comes home from school to find that her mother has disappeared. Now it’s up to Alice and a boy from her school, who is obsessed with her grandmother’s tales to find her mother.

Alice is a likeable main character who is written with multiple layers. I liked the dynamic between Alice and Finch. This was a dark and haunting tale. My main drawback was this did not keep my attention as I hoped it would. I think I will definitely try to read this again once the hype has died down.

I Hate Fairyland (#Vol 1) - Madly Ever After by Skottie Young

I Hate Fairyland (#Vol 1) - Madly Ever After - 5 Stars

Synopsis

From superstar writer and artist Skottie Young (Rocket Raccoon, Wizard of OZ, Fortunately, The Milk), comes the first volume of an all-new series of adventure and mayhem.

An Adventure Time/Alice in Wonderland-style epic that smashes its cute little face against grown-up, Tank Girl/Deadpool-esque violent madness. Follow Gert, a forty year old woman stuck in a six year old's body who has been trapped in the magical world of Fairyland for nearly thirty years. Join her and her giant battle-axe on a delightfully blood-soaked journey to see who will survive the girl who HATES FAIRYLAND.

Review

Well call me green this was fluffin amazing. Cannot wait to read volume two. I love Larry and Gert, I could not stopping laughing.           

Shadowsong (Wintersong #2)

Shadowsong (Wintersong #2) - 3 Stars

Synopsis

Six months after the end of Wintersong, Liesl is working toward furthering both her brother’s and her own musical careers. Although she is determined to look forward and not behind, life in the world above is not as easy as Liesl had hoped. Her younger brother Josef is cold, distant, and withdrawn, while Liesl can’t forget the austere young man she left beneath the earth, and the music he inspired in her.

When troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be. What will it take to break the old laws once and for all? What is the true meaning of sacrifice when the fate of the world—or the ones Liesl loves—is in her hands?

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of Shadowsong (Wintersong #2) from St Martin’s Press & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of Shadowsong by S Jae Jones. This was released for publication on 11^th February 2018.

I am happy that I have finished this duology. I did love Liesl and the Goblin King. For the me the underworld was more enjoyable that when we spent time with Liesel’s family. I did prefer this one to the 1^st book. My main downfall was at the start. All the letters are made to look as if they were handwritten, this at times made it difficult to read. This is a dark and haunting tale that will last with me for a while.

The Cruel Prince (The Folk of Air #1) by Holly Black

The Cruel Prince (The Folk of Air #1) by Holly Black

Synopsis

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of The Cruel Prince (The Folk of Air #1) from Hot Key Books UK & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. This was released for publication on 2nd January 2018.

“I can see why humans succumb to the beautiful nightmare of the Court, why they willingly drown in it…”.

For this is what happened to me, I was sucked in and drowned in the beauty of this book. I will be the first to agree that I struggle normally with hyped books and read them when the hype goes down. I am so glad that I got an ARC of this amazing book, as I was enthralled all the way through.

Jude and her sisters are taken from their parents and the mortal world when they are young. They are thrust head first into a society that is beautiful but also dangerous. We follow Jude as she navigates the politics in the world that she must live in. I liked Jude as a main character she was not afraid to stand up for herself and be who she wanted to be. Her sisters are complicated and each unique in their own way. Her step father and step mother also had several layers. For me I loved the dynamics of Court of Shadows. The cruel prince Cardan himself is not always as he seems, cruel yes, but also very charming. There is a character in this book I despise more that Cardan but will not add this as it will spoil he fun of finding out who.

 I can see why this has been described as Game of Thrones meets Fairies. This world is cruel and full of twist and turns.

I cannot recommend this enough, this is a book is truly worthy of the hype. All I can say is I need book 2 now (please).

Fairytail #1 by Hiro Mashima

FairyTail #1 by Hiro Mashima - 4 Stars

Synopsis

THE WICKED SIDE OF WIZARDRY - Celestial wizard Lucy wants to join the Fairy Tail, a club for the most powerful wizards. But instead, her ambitions land her in the clutches of a gang of unsavory pirates led by a devious magician. Her only hope is Natsu, a strange boy she happens to meet on her travels. Natsu's not your typical hero, he gets motion sickness, eats like a pig, and his best friend is a talking cat. With friends like this, is Lucy better off with her enemies? 

Review

This was my 1st try at manga / graphic novels. It was fun and cute. It took me a little while to get used to the reading style but all in all really great start to a series.

Off Limits (Dare) by Clare Connelly

Off Limits (Dare) by Clare Connelly - 4 Stars

Synopsis

With chemistry this hot, it’s worth getting burned…
Billionaire Jack Grant is totally off-limits to Gemma Picton. He’s wild, deliciously dangerous…and her boss. When working late turns X-rated, it’s better than her wildest imaginings—and Gemma’s imagined a lot! But Jack has major emotional baggage, so when Gemma starts wanting to heal his heart as well as enjoy his body, she knows she’s in big trouble…

Review

Received this an ARC for review. All opinions are my own honest thoughts.

Jack and Gemma work together and have had a spark going between them for sometime. Jack is a self made good looking Irish playboy and Gemma is lawyer who graduated from Oxford and is literally a lady. This book was hot and steamy. I loved Jack and Gemma dynamics and their on going banter. If you are looking for a hot sexy time read, then give this one a shot. Congratulations to the Author Clare on another excellent read.           

The Mistake (Off Campus #2) by Elle Kennedy

The Mistake (Off Campus #2) by Elle Kennedy - 4 Stars

Synopsis

He’s a player in more ways than one…

College junior John Logan can get any girl he wants. For this hockey star, life is a parade of parties and hook-ups, but behind his killer grins and easygoing charm, he hides growing despair about the dead-end road he’ll be forced to walk after graduation. A sexy encounter with freshman Grace Ivers is just the distraction he needs, but when a thoughtless mistake pushes her away, Logan plans to spend his final year proving to her that he’s worth a second chance.

Now he’s going to need to up his game…

After a less than stellar freshman year, Grace is back at Briar University, older, wiser, and so over the arrogant hockey player she nearly handed her V-card to. She’s not a charity case, and she’s not the quiet butterfly she was when they first hooked up. If Logan expects her to roll over and beg like all his other puck bunnies, he can think again. He wants her back? He’ll have to work for it. This time around, she’ll be the one in the driver’s seat…and she plans on driving him wild.

Review

I adore this series. It’s fun, cheesy (but in a good way), sexy time and a great escape. If you are looking for a good new adult contemporary romance then give this series a go. This time we are focusing on Logan and a Grace, but are witty and sassy. Their relationship has loads of ups and downs. It was great to read about Garrett, Hannah and the rest of the hockey team from book 1.

Zenith #1 by Sasha Alsberg & Lindsey Cummings

Zenith (The Androma Saga #1) - DNF

Synopsis

Most know Androma Racella as the Bloody Baroness, a powerful mercenary whose reign of terror stretches across the Mirabel Galaxy. To those aboard her glass starship, Marauder, however, she's just Andi, their friend and fearless leader.

But when a routine mission goes awry, the Marauder's all-girl crew is tested as they find themselves in a treacherous situation and at the mercy of a sadistic bounty hunter from Andi's past.

Meanwhile, across the galaxy, a ruthless ruler waits in the shadows of the planet Xen Ptera, biding her time to exact revenge for the destruction of her people. The pieces of her deadly plan are about to fall into place, unleashing a plot that will tear Mirabel in two.

Andi and her crew embark on a dangerous, soul-testing journey that could restore order to their shipor just as easily start a war that will devour worlds. As the Marauder hurtles toward the unknown, and Mirabel hangs in the balance, the only certainty is that in a galaxy run on lies and illusion, no one can be trusted. 

Review

I received with thanks an ARC copy of Zenith from Harper Collins UK & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of Zenith (The Andromeda Saga #1). This was released for publication on 11th January 2018.

I wanted to love this book so much, but I am struggling to get passed the first few chapters. This should have everything that I wanted, but I don’t think this one is for me. I will definitely try and give this another go in the future, but for now it’s a DNF.