KEEP CALM AND LOVE BOOKS: blood of eden

Pages: 418 pages

Publication Date: August 27th 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

ISBN: 1619630621 (ISBN13: 9781619630628)

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.
It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Now, What I Thought:

These covers just keep getting better and better! I love how Maas uses a sketch and drawing of this beautiful fierce girl instead of the standard dystopia YA novel models, you know? I like that when we look at this cover, we know Celaena is going to kick some ass!! Anyways, Celaena is now the royal assassin for the king. But she's been doing some naughty things on her missions that can get her very much dead. We knew from the beginning since Endovier that Celaena remembered the king from her trial when she took revenge and got caught for Sam's murder, we know that Celaena hates the king, like really really really wishes him dead. Don't quite blame her. There was a huge heartbreaking and emotional moment when I did cry. Let's just say Celaena is going to get her revenge.

A lot of people are either Team Dorian or Team Chaol, I can proudly say I am neither. I don't want Celaena with anyone because she's too bad-ass and also she has way too much drama with her own life, let alone a relationship with someone else. We get a surprise with 2 of the main characters that now open a lot of doors for them, obviously I won't tell you guys who, but it's a huge shock and very unexpected. The book ended with yet another shock, seriously Maas stop!! It was so sad and Celaena finally shows that she may not be all that normal. Dorian seems to have a new plot that I'm pretty excited to see in the next couple of books and Chaol.... well, he's in trouble and he better run!!! Magic does appear in this novel and it was so well described it really felt like I was there and I'm so excited to see what we can do with this new found element in the series.

This book was pretty good, I wouldn't go as far as saying that this was better than the first, Throne of Glass, but it was pretty much equal! I loved the surprises in this because they really were unexpected! Ahh, I love Celaena and we finally get to see her in pro-assassin mode and it was freaking awesome!

assassin - 2:36:00 PM

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas | Review

Pages: 418 pages Publication Date: August 27th 2013 Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens ISBN: 1619630621 (ISBN13: 978161963...

Pages: 438 pages

Publication Date: November 21st 2013 by Hodder & Stoughton

ISBN: 1444778536 (ISBN13: 9781444778533)

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

Now, What I Thought:

This is a perfect example of a great sequel to an amazing series. Ee did it again and made a hella great book! Penryn is so bad-ass that she can't even die! Ok, ok I know there were special circumstances and it was just luck but come on! I'm convinced Penryn will and can survive anything. After the whole dying thing, people are still pretty weary of Penryn because it's not everyday you see someone waking up from the dead, no matter the circumstances.

We learn a lot in this book, we learn more about Raffe and his brothers and past, which is nice because he feels more trustworthy and it seems like we really know his motives concerning Penryn are true and meaningful. It's pretty clear when the last book ended, that Raffe feels something for Penryn. Of course, the most anticipated thing in this book, for me at least, was the big reveal to Raffe that Penryn is alive. Which by the way guys, did not disappoint. It was very well written and even though the little love-sick girl in me wanted the reunion faster, it did happen at the perfect time and was well-paced for the plot line to thicken.

Now, the big question of the book is will the need for Raffe's wings overcome the love he has for Penryn? As usual, our protagonist finds herself in a tough and life threatening situation and Raffe's decision is critical. Aside from that, Penryn, as usual, was amazing and bad-ass. She kicked many butts and conquered many accomplishments. I liked her dynamic relationship with Obi. They respect each other which made me in turn respect Obi a lot more than in the first book. He ultimately wants to help his race, his people and it does shows. He trusts Penryn, which is good because he can clearly tell that if anyone can stop the apocalypse it's Penryn or at least her influence on Raffe.

Paige, Penryn's sister, really shone in this book! She came out of her shell, even after the horrific things that had been done to her. I really liked her lines and how empowering she was to everyone, almost like a beacon of hope and light, no matter how she looks. Of course we have problems with the other people who don't agree with keeping her alive, solely because she looks like a monster. That was just so heartbreaking to read and sad to see that her confidence would deflate just a little. But rest assured Paige rises stronger than ever and she really is a huge player in the storyline.

To end this review, I'm just going to share a quote Raffe said to Penryn after finding out his sword's name is called... Pooky Bear..., enjoy:

“He glares at me as if he already hates it. “What is it?” I consider lying but what’s the point? I clear my throat. “Pooky Bear"He’s silent for so long I’m beginning to think he didn’t hear me when he finally says, “Pooky. Bear.” “It was just a little joke. I didn’t know.” “I’ve mentioned that names have power, right? Do you realize that when she fights battles, she’s going to have to announce herself to the opposing sword? She’ll be forced to say something ridiculous like, ‘I am Pooky Bear, from an ancient line of archangel swords.’ Or, ‘Bow down to me, Pooky Bear, who has only two other equals in all the worlds.’ ” He shakes his head."

HAHAHAHAHAHAH GUYS, just read it, please.

angel - 2:32:00 AM

World After (Penryn & the End of Days #2) by Susan Ee | Review

Pages: 438 pages Publication Date: November 21st 2013 by Hodder & Stoughton ISBN: 1444778536 (ISBN13: 9781444778533) In ...

Pages: 393 pages

Publication Date: April 15th 2014 by Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 0373211120 (ISBN13: 9780373211128)

Vengeance will be hers.

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

Monster.

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

THE FINAL HUNT IS ON.

Now, What I Thought:

So. This is it. The end of the Blood of Eden series. Wow. What an impeccable ride that was! This book was by far the best ending of any series, so much angst and struggle between all of the characters. The book picks up where Allison, Jackal and Kanin are searching for Zeke and Sarren. A huge surprise happens and hits us with a ton of bricks. Like damn, poor Allison hasn't had a single break. Allison, like in the last book, seems to be even more ruthless with killing and is even stronger. She doesn't stop to get back the boy she loves, kill Sarren and the disease once and for all. Just like the synopsis stated, the final hunt is on, and Sarren better run from Allison's wielding katana.

Jackal still cracks me up in this book, and he never ceases to surprise me. He shows a more compassionate side in this, NOT TO GET CONFUSED: He isn't nice, he isn't caring, he IS however an asshole and he definitely doesn't care if Allison, Zeke or even Kanin dies, but he DOES try to save Allison in some parts. He does surprise us at the end as well, and it was a pleasant surprise indeed. Whenever it comes to Jackal, I feel like it is my duty to share a quote because he's just way too funny, so here it is:

"Oh, isn't that sweet," came Jackal's loud, mocking voice... "Let's make goo-goo eyes at each other in the middle of a stinking corpse field, how very romantic."

The ending was so fast coming and I was not ready for that. Something happens that I still can't comprehend why it had to happen. WHY KAGAWA WHY. I remember crying and crying through the end till the last page. Kagawa definitely knows how to write a friggan great and dramatic finale. Don't expect to be happy at the end as well, even though I don't know how anyone could be, considering this amazing world is coming to a close.

Stakes are high, Eden is about to become infected, heartbreaking decisions are made, and sacrifices will happen to save humanity and vampires together.

The badge of honour is for the whole series collectively. This will be missed. Goodbye Allison. Goodbye Kanin. Goodbye Jackal. Goodbye Zeke and finally, Goodbye Blood of Eden.

blood of eden - 12:07:00 AM

The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3) by Julie Kagawa | Review

Pages: 393 pages Publication Date: April 15th 2014 by Harlequin Teen ISBN: 0373211120 (ISBN13: 9780373211128 ) Vengeance wil...

Pages: 434 pages

Publication Date: April 30th 2013 by Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 0373210698 (ISBN13: 9780373210695)

In Allison Sekemoto's world, there is one rule left: Blood calls to blood

She has done the unthinkable: died so that she might continue to live. Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie's birthplace in New Covington, what Allie finds there will change the world forever—and possibly end human and vampire existence.

There's a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago—and this strain is deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries, if Allie can get to him in time.

Allison thought that immortality was forever. But now, with eternity itself hanging in the balance, the lines between human and monster will blur even further, and Allie must face another choice she could never have imagined having to make.

Now, What I Thought:

This book starts somewhere right after the events of the first book. Allison is persistent to find Kanin by the blood bond they share. After some while, she links up with Jackal, her blood brother and Kanin's other creation. Lets just say, they don't exactly get along. Jackal is basically your stereotypical strong, leader, asshole type vampire. He ruled Chicago, the post-apocalyptic version anyways. This book opens with Allison fierce and cold-hearted, basically just killing anything that gets in her way, and I frankly LOVE her like that. It's so refreshing from the all-too popular innocent and weak protagonists that we get in books nowadays. It's pretty cool to go back to the original setting in The Immortal Rules, FYI the first book, where we got introduced to Allison and her band of misfits. The town is exactly as she remembered except for one thing, rabids are roaming the city more than ever and somethings up with the vamps. Also the fact that Kanin is being tortured and kept in captivity by Sarren, a psychotic and crazy vampire who has the weirdest obsession with birds. Yep. Crazy. Tweet Tweet.

Of course we meet back up with Zeke, who now fully accepts Allison for what she is, much to her relief. I LOVED THE FACT THAT THE ROMANCE WAS EVEN LESS THAN THE FIRST BOOK!! It's like Kagawa had heard my prayers. It was still evident but definitely not focused on at all! Of course with Zeke there he is re-introduced to Jackal and wants revenge for what happened to his people and most importantly, Jeb. Jackal being Jackal doesn't really give 2 shits which is pretty funny. I do love Jackal, as much as he is infuriating and an asshole, it's hard not to like him. Lets just give an example shall we:

“We’re both still here.”
He drew in a slow breath. “Allie…”
“Oh, don’t mind me,” came an extremely sarcastic voice near the wall. “You two go ahead and make out—I’ll just sit here and bleed quietly.”

And that's just one of his lines that cracks me up. Jackal is a pretty complex character beneath all that humour. He is not good nor bad, he does wish Allison accept herself fully and believes that humanities purpose was to be ruled by them, vampires.

Overall, this sequel was amazing and deserves all the praise it has gotten! The ending was a huge shock considering what happens and leaves us on a cliffhanger. Sarren definitely has some hell to pay and Allison is going to come collecting very soon with Kanin and Jackal by her side. Till next time, in the last and final book of the series, The Forever Song.