My Blogtastiic reviews

I'd like to thank Ava for giving me this chance to review her book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a collection of short fairytale stories. I don't often read anthologies before, so I wasn't sure what to expect.
I was pleasantly surprise at how unique these stories were. They gave you a general idea for different things, but Ava then took on her own twist to it.

These stories deal with many issues and aspects which also are personal and relate to real life. From heartbreak, family, with adding magic to the equation.

Each story has a different style and theme. With strong characters, great storyline and even romance to boot, this collection of stories is worthy to be up there with any other fantasy anthology that's currently out in the literary world.

If you like fairytales and fantasy, then this one is for you.

Review: 3.5/5

This review has been x posted at The Book Twins

The debut novel to this outstanding new series blew me away more than I could ever say. I had heard so much about this breathtaking series to a point where I thought maybe I would be let down with the hype I had been hearing.
I gotta say -- I was thankful where the hype lived up to my own view on this book.

When you have interesting characters, a world that hooks you in and with mythology to boot, that is a recipe for a great series to come.

Becca Chandler was just an ordinary teenage girl, but after witnessing the beating of a boy after taking some defense classes, she does the crazy thing -- scare off the attackers and rescue the boy who is wounded and bleeding to a pulp. It turns out that this boy ends up being one of the brothers who are known for their bad boy status.
This very act pushes Becca into a world she never would have expected, but one she can't help but involved in. The moment she takes Chris Merrick home, that is the very very moment when things change for Becca, and for Chris. These two will find themselves so involved in one another's lives.
Then she meets Hunter... he is the new boy in town and finds himself helping Becca.

I fell in love with these characters right away. From Becca and Chris -- who I wished would get their act together and realize their feelings for one another, to Hunter and the other Merrick brothers. I didn't like Michael in the beginning, but as the story went on, I slowly began to understand why he is the way he is. It helps to read the prequel to this story, which is Michael's story and what happened to bring him to this position he is in.

The mythology which Brigid created with this series I loved just as quickly. The fact that a group of brothers each have an individual ability, who have a curse. They are dark, but they feel so much emotion.

I bought the next two books very quickly, I now have to get to reading them.

Rating: 5/5

Well.. on my 2nd try of this, and my first time was quite awhile ago, I liked it much better than I originally did. And I think enough to continue.

This book surprised me. I never thought I'd enjoy it as much as I did.

This review has been x posted at The Book Twins

I fell in love with Immortal City last year. I read it on the plane when I was holidaying in the US late last year. It was hands down one of my favourite books of 2012, and my fav that involved angels. I fell for the relationship between Maddy and Jacks, and the love they have for one another.
Not only that, but the mythology and the world which Scott has created I loved immediately.
I was looking forward to this sequel and couldn't wait to find myself in this world once again.

The relationship between Maddy and Jack didn't really feel like the same one I had fallen in love with. There were things, people that came in between them. But it was also Maddy and Jacks themselves. Jealousy and Jack's ego forced him to a point where he was pushing Maddy away even if he didn't know it. Maddy was becoming the new hottest thing in Angel city, where it was Jacks before now, and when since Jacks is recovering from something horrible that happened to him, it takes him away from the boy she fell in love with. It brings out different sides to Jacks that aren't exactly loveable.

When everything goes to shit, Maddy is forced to make the choice between the humans, and the angels, and this is a choice that could change or end her relationship with Jacks forever. No matter if she is half angel, the fact she grew up human, have human family... she begins down a road where she and her loved one is on different sides of an oncoming war. It's a war that could break the world down the middle.

I knew there was a triangle starting up in this book before I read it. I didn't like it. I just wanted my Maddy and Jacks. I wanted to see the love from book 1. But I don't think it was more about choosing one or the other, it seemed to be more about choosing humanity over angels.

I am looking forward to the next book, and hopefully Scott will bring back the Maddy and Jacks that we love.

Rating: 4.5/5

This review has been x posted at The Book Twins

This was my first book by Megan Miranda. I had heard about this for ages before I actually bought it. I was glad I did. While this may be a contemporary book, I fell into the world which Megan created. I loved the mystery to it. That's what draws me in when it comes to contemporary books. They need to have some sort of twist or mystery to the story to make it extra compelling..

Mallory's life couldn't get any worse. Her boyfriend was killed in her kitchen and she was a witness. The thing is.... she can't remember the events of it, or what happened at that moment. She doesn't know if she was the one who killed him or whether it was someone else and she just happened to be there at the time.
Soon after the funeral, Mallory's parents send her away to boarding school to get away from it all, to give her a new start. But things aren't as easy as that.
Just when she thinks she might be able to be happy --- someone ends up dead and the evidence points to one person. Her.

Mallory feels like there is someone watching her. Something has followed her to her new life and can't stand of her moving on.
Who is it, and what do they want?
She knows she needs to put this whole mess behind her. But when her past keeps being brought into the present, it's hard to go forward.

This was a pretty impressive book. There was plenty of action, mystery and some romance. I loved the flashbacks we got to understand how everything came to be.
There was twists and turns. Unexpected things happen, and people turn out to be not who you thought they were.

All in all, an action-packed story that I was glad I decided to pick up. I wouldn't mind reading other things by this author in the future. A great read indeed.

Rating: 4.5/5

This review has been x posted at The Book Twins

Oh boy! Man, this was pure awesome. I have a big fan of Gena's work. I've read some of her YA (Intertwined) and I go crazy over her PNR series (LotU) so naturally this was a MUST READ for me.
I love re-tellings of fairytales and the sort, and the thought of zombies in a story like this, with a twist intrigued me even more so.
I could smack myself for waiting this long to read it though. I had so much to read and it kind of fell to the backburner, but I am so glad I did give this a chance as it was so awesome. I should not have expected anything less from a fabulous author such as Gena!

Gena gives us such an amazing story. It's not what you would expect, nor are used to, but Gena brings a whole new aspect to this world and it's such an interesting one that I would not have wanted anything but.
We meet Alice fairly quickly who is the daughter to two loving parents and a sister to a younger sibling. Then, one things changes everything. A horrible crash completely throws her whole world upside down. Her life. Gone. Her family. Gone. As a survivor to a horrible tragedy, she can't get the image of how her family was taken from her... but this is a secret she can't bare to tell anyone for fear she may appear to be crazy.

Soon Alice (going by "Ali") has to move in with her grandparents and attend a new school. As if that isn't daunting enough. The moment she sees bad boy Cole Holland, she is drawn in by him. A first look and she is smacked with images, exotic and intense images of the two of them making out. WHAT THE? You must be thinking. It is kind of strange, I thought so too. The relationship between Ali and Cole was so intense, so soulful, exciting and aching to see more.
Gena sure knows how to write romances, and this one is no exception. She brings out everything and more.. especially when things begin to get complicated...

I really adored the characters. Ali, our protagonist I felt for quite deeply. How could you not? After witnessing the murders of her family, having been uprooted and starting a new life someplace else --- it couldn't have been an easy adjustment for a teenager. Her experiences. Her emotions and everything that came after was so real. It's easily relatable especially if you have lost someone close to you. Becoming an orphan is not something she anticipated and that is something Ali needs to deal with and find some way to cope.

Cole easily became a favourite character of mine by the end of the book. Initially he may appear to be your average bad boy, but he was so much more than that. As you begin to get to know him, you see him for who he is, what he has been through and the world he has opened up to Ali.

Of course given the title of the book, it was a given that this take on this world would include zombies. That might have been a little odd to think about at first, but Gena works it into this story as easy as pie. They aren't your average zombies. They are different, but yet have that similar feel about them.
I was very intrigued and this version of zombies enticed me throughout the story. I will never look at them the same way again.

If you are a fan of Genas, or never heard of her before. If you want something different and are intrigued by this story, then I would recommend giving this a shot. You will not be disappointed.
I look forward to the upcoming sequel. I can't wait to find myself back in this world once again.

Review: 5/5

This review has been x posted at The Book Twins

I know there are Angel books everywhere, but this series brings a whole new world to what you think you have read it all before.
In L.A Weatherly's "Angel" series, you'll be sucked into a world of mythology you won't be able to resist.
Not only does it have some crazy mythology to the Angel genre that you have not seen yet, but it has one of the most beautiful love stories I have seen in this genre yet.

It may be a case of forbidden love, but that is only the beginning....

This book follows two protagonists... Willow, and Alex.

Willow has always been known as a bit of a freak. Someone who doesn't dress like anyone else, tinkers with cars... and has the ability to be able to see into the future. It's an ability she doesn't use very often, doesn't know where it came from,but it is also a part of her she can't ignore and sometimes helps at times.


Alex is an Angel killer who has been sent to kill a potential threat, via text message. Alex is involved in a group sent to destroy those who destroy humans by taking their life-force. It's a no questions asked kind of thing, and not something he has second guessed about ... until now.
When Alex gets sent to an address to take out someone he is told is an angel, he is shocked to discover the form of a beautiful teenager. This is where he stops and questions himself... he doesn't pick up a full angel, but he knows that she isn't fully human either. He is in two minds about this decision and is unsure on how to proceed. So instead, he decides to gather more information before making a final decision on what to do.

When Willow and Alex have to become strange partners when they find themselves on the run after a big incident after Willow tries to find something good and rescue someone from what appears to be a bad situation, but when the Angels discover who Willow is, that is when she knows she has to get out, and get out fast before she ends up.. dead.
She has no choice but to trust Alex, and it's something neither of them want, but can't seem to do anything about it.

The relationship between Alex and Willow slowly go from two people forced to be in one another's company, to becoming friends, and then finally.. to something more. While some people might have found their relationship forced, or happened too quickly, and cheesy --- but I found it the exact opposite.

The mythology blew me away. It introduces a world where Angels are not the good kind. They use humankind for their own purposes, and they don't care how they do it. I like when this genre is not your typical and makes it interesting in its own right.

L.A Weatherly did a great job with the story, and one of my favourite books in this Angel genre.

Rating: 5/5

This review has been x posted at The Book Twins

It was so sad to see the end to this series. I admit, I've never expected to adore this series as much as I have. I was very unsure about the first book, but by the end of it, I was won over. While it did a little time in making my brain click on who was who in terms of the Gods and matching them with the characters, but by the second book, I was pretty up to date on that kind of thing.

Kate has had the most agonising, confusing and life-changing journey than any character I have ever read in a while. She is someone whose life has changed dramatically without her having any say in it. But it's also one she wouldn't change for a minute.
The connection she has formed with this new group of people she has come to love as her own family, she couldn't have anticipated before. But they are not connections she would have wished would disappear.

While Kate and Henry are clearly who the story is about, but characters such as James, Ava, Calliope etc are all people who play a major part in this story and you could not have wanted it any other way.
All of these lives are equally important; not only to Kate and her life, but also to the story at hand. Each play an important part, and have their own story.

This is the final conclusion to this trilogy, and we find Kate, having discovered she is pregnant with Henry's child, in captivity with Cronus and Calliope. Kate soon discovers just why they want her child, and what they plan on doing, not only to her and the child, but also the world. Kate will have to make a life-changing choice that will affect her in ways she could never have imagined. Having someone to choose between your child and the whole of humanity. When Cronus suddenly offers Kate a deal, she has no choice but to accept his terms, even though she doesn't have much choice in the matter....

Meanwhile, Henry and the gang soon hatch a plan, but will they get to Kate in time, or will time run out before they can save the day and everyone can get what they want? Will good win over evil, or will hell raise over humanity?

This was one hell of a end, and I loved every moment of it. While I loved this entire series, this may be the book that had the most action, the most dramatic and emotional impact. Over all, a great ending to this series.

Rating: 4.5/5

What the hell? That was absolutely crazy.

Review to follow.

In the finale of Lauren DeStefano's Chemical Garden trilogy, the answers to all the questions that lie around become answered, and this is the end of a fantastic story.

I loved Wither -- the first book in this trilogy, I wasn't very impressed by fever -- the second, but Server, which is the final installment in this story brings back the love I had for the series moreso than ever before.
This is not a romance story. This is about survival, family and freedom. About finding the answers that one seeks.

Lauren has built such a unique and strong story, with great characters who have always been on a life-time limit in regards to how long they live.
I loved or hated pretty much every single character. From Rhine to Linden, Cecily, Gabriel and even Vaughn. Good or bad, the fact these characters had an impact at one point or another just goes to show that Lauren has created a story we all can find ourselves in.

In this conclusive finale, Rhine decides to track down her brother, Rowan, who she discovers some things about him and what he is doing that will blow her mind. But getting involved with the things he is involved in, she also finds herself deep in an underground research project to find out the cure to this horrible life-altering disease.
Secrets will get revealed. Truths come to light, and Rhine just may be the very key to solving everything she thought was impossible.

The relationship between Rhine and Linden come to a natural end, but in a way that is not heartbreaking, but satisfying. Linden himself becomes such a stronger character in this book, for which I was proud of him for. He realizes who his father really is, and develops a backbone with his eyes wide open.

We don't see Gabriel very much, and I'm not too sad about that because I never really connected to him in the first place.
I was thankful that he and Rhine didn't really end up together. Their whole relationship was pretty much explained. And it made much more sense then them having some kind of happy ending, which I am not sure if I could have stomached after all that transpired.

This was a much better book than the previous one, with twists and turns. Heartbreak and revelations. We got the answers we longed for. The answers that needed to be said, and we finally understood the reason for the series title.

A great end, yet bittersweet to a great and unique trilogy.

Review: 4/5

This review has been x posted at The Book Twins

I'd like to thank the author for giving me this chance to review this book. I was given this free in exchange for an honest review.

This book is set in an New Adult setting, but also reads like YA, so it could be classified as both. The main character, Ava led a perfectly normal life for a while, but everything changes dramatically when she is attacked and finds herself involved in a new type of society.
She'll have to go through some trials and tribulations, but in the end, I found that she became a stronger person because of all she had been through and dealt with.
She goes from being average, to becoming this whole new person, and in a world she had no idea that even existed, but when she finds herself involved with the keepers, it opens up a whole new experience for her.

An action packed story with a touch of romance, this is a great story to get yourself into if you are looking for something a little bit different, and yet so familiar.


This is my first book by J.L Block, and she also happens to be Aussie like myself, so I was intrigued. The world she created, these characters and the world-building fasincated me. It was definitely a great start to this trilogy.

Rating: 3.5/5

This review has been x posted at The Book Twins

Brennan brings a dark, romantic and magical story and makes it unique in its own right. I can't believe I had put this book off for as long as I did. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the world the author has created.

Kami Glass is a teenager who has been in love with someone she hasn't met. From the moment she was born, Kami has always been able to hear this voice inside her head. She doesn't know where it came from, all she knows is that it's always been there.
She stopped talking about him when people thought she was crazy, or didn't believe her. I mean.. would you?
The moment that the Lyburns arrive back into town, she realizes that the voice inside her head has always been real, and now stands in front of her.

As Kami and Jared try to navigate the boundaries of their new-real relationship, they can't decide what they now are to one another. Are they friends , or something more?
The romance between them was something I loved about the book. But we also discover another side to a triangle in the form of his brother, someone she doesn't have the ability to hear his thoughts or be able to talk to in their heads.

The truth of why they have this ability soon comes to light, but not before they both get involved in a deadly battle between good and evil. Right and wrong.
There is a paranormal twist to these characters. To this town, and if Kami wants things to be normal again, she'll have to do things she never would have done before.

It took me a while to understand that the town was actually called Sorry-in-the-Vale, I mean seriously? What kind of name is that? But it is something I got used to over the course of the book.

And come on, the cliffhanger? It made me want to scream. Want to throw the book across the wall, and smack Jared. It made no sense to me, I hope the next book deals with this and what comes next.

There was many parts of this book that I enjoyed. It had a great friendship aspect. There was shocking reveals and admissions.

I definitely will be picking up the next book as soon as it comes out.

Rating: 4.5/5

This review has been x posted at The Book Twins


Whatever you do... don't ever peek.

Melissa West has created a fascinating world where Aliens known as Ancients have come into our world in the year 2140.
They have made a deal with the current world to heal earth to which it has been damaged war after war in exchange for getting nutrients from humans every night.
At seventeen years old, Ari Alexander has never seen what her Ancient looked like, nor does anyone else since they are required to wear an eye patch to protect their eyes. The Ancients come in form of a bright light, so it's for the safety of the humans to be protected by this patch, but the one night that Ari has misplaced her patch---- she takes a peek.
That one peek will forever change her entire life as she knew it.

When Ari realizes that her Ancient is Jackson, someone she has had a crush on forever, but also knows goes to her school. Ancients aren't meant to be living on earth, and she knows that she should make a report regarding this, but when Jackson tells her that he needs her help... she can't help but be intrigued. The more time they spent together, the more she finds herself for falling for him, and that may be the last thing she'll need, but something that's out of her control.

I loved the world building in the novel. It introduces the world of aliens which we have never known before. A world which was so thrilling and exciting, I could not put this book down.
While we may not have gotten every single bit of information, the author gave us enough for the the story. If smaller information is needed, then I am sure it will be included along the way.
I was interested in learning more about the Ancients, and I believe we got enough to go with this story, but hope we get to see more of them and the history as the story progresses in this series.

There was bits of a love triangle introduced. Ari has grown up knowing that one day she will marry Lawrence, the President's son, but when she and Jackson spend more time together, she begins to see what she should do and feel, to what lies within her heart. It may not be what is best for her, or what others want her life to be, but sometimes you can't help who you fall in love with... even if it is a out of this world Alien.

There is so much more to this book, but it's best not to spoil all the best bits, so I should you check it out for yourself and form your own opinion
I for sure am looking forward to the next installment in this journey.

Rating: 5/5

This review has been x posted at The Book Twins

Aria Rose is the youngest child of one of two rival Mystic City families. After an accident that renders her memories blank, she is told of a secret relationship that she and Thomas Foster, the son of the other rival family they had.
She knows the story. But she can't remember a thing about this so-called relationship that was meant to have taken place. No feelings. No memories. But it must be the truth because why would her family lie?

It isn't until she meets Hunter, who makes her feel the kind of things she should be feeling with Thomas, and she begins a journey to something she never thought would happen.
Secrets will be revealed. Relationships and family will be tested, and most of all, Aria will discover just what the relationship between herself and Thomas is. Is her memories of him returning from memories flashing back to her, or are they completely different?

This book I was impressed. I had been wanting to read it for ages, and when I finally got the chance to do so, I couldn't believe how much I loved it.
I loved the relationship between Aria and Hunter. There were things I had a bad feeling about since the very beginning, and I looked forward to discovering the truth just like Aria was.
The secrets, betrayal and realizations that come through in this book surprised me. I had a feeling who her true relationship was with going by the prologue.

The world which Theo developed sucked me in. It wasn't just a modern day tale of Romeo and Julet. No, there was so much more to this story than the relationships and romance. There was death, mystery and intrigue. Secrets and lies. New beginnings and shocking endings.

I look forward to see what is next for this story, and what becomes of these characters. How the relationships progress.

Rating: 4.5/5

This will be short and sweet.

I delayed reading this book because I already knew how it was going to end. And that wasn't just my only problem with this.

Requiem is the final novel in this trilogy. You have Hana and Lena with their own POVs as they deal with different things in their lives.
Hana is cured and currently planning her wedding, but the more she discovers about her fiance', the less confidence she feels that marrying him is the right thing to do.
Hana discovers more about him than she might have wanted to know, and it will make her question everything she knew or wanted.

Lena is dealing with the fact her presumed first love is in fact alive, and juggling that information while with her new boyfriend, Julian.
There is the rebellion going on, and she doesn't have time to deal with her feelings for both of the boys. And soon enough, her and Hana's lives start to combine when their stories become connected and they have that very important confrontation.

I will admit, I am very disappointed in this book. Not only by the ending, which felt misplaced and out of nowhere, but also the sudden rush of Alex's feelings suddenly coming back appeared random. Lena's complete lack of respect for her own boyfriend, Julian.. who felt she led him on, and by the end, there wasn't any indication that she planned to do anything about that.

I could not enjoy any Lena/Alex, because I didn't feel they were the same as they were. Things had changed, and so have they. I hated that she didn't talk to Julian about her feelings.. for him, for Alex How she felt. If she planned on breaking up with him, then I would have preferred her to be honest with him so he could move on to someone that did completely love him. It felt like to me she was holding onto him for whatever reason.
I felt for Julian most of all. He did not deserve how she treated him. He could look after himself, and there were times where I loved their moments, but then I remembered her longing for something she could not have, and the fact she was leading him on just because he was there.

Not only was there no conclusion at the end, but there was also no mention of anything prior to this book, such as Raven's pregnancy which was mentioned in her novella. It's like certain things were not even mentioned. It felt a rushed job, and I was disappointed because I know Lauren could do better. After the last two books which were great... this one was just such a letdown.

Rating: 2/5