KEEP CALM AND LOVE BOOKS: devil

Pages: 446 pages

Publication Date: October 21st 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 0373211341 (ISBN13: 9780373211340)

Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

Now, What I Thought:

I definitely wouldn't go as far as saying this book was better than the first, White Hot Kiss, but it was pretty good and yet also frustrating. This, like the first, were light and easy to read and you get into it really fas. So seems like Roth is pretty much with Layla at this point. Obviously at the beginning of the book the two have their problems considering what happened in the last book. There was a huge sacrifice Roth had to make which ultimately Zayne swoops in, saving Layla's broken heart. There were some pretty funny moments right at the beginning when Roth came to the institution and they all had a discussion about Layla like she wasn't standing right there. Some pretty awkward things happened and I loved reading it.

So the Lilin are here and they're wild and also slowly taking over. In this book there are witches, which is cool and I liked that Armentrout incorporated that into the plot. Bambi was amazing of course as she now is on Layla practically permanently. A huge plot twist happens to one of Layla's friends and it was crazy towards the end of the book because I have no idea what Layla is going to do in the next book! As for the romance, Armentrout actually put out a post that basically said, she'll be hosting a poll while she's writing her last book of the series, Every Last Breath, for the the fans to vote who they want Layla to end up with, Roth or Zayne. That is so freaking cool as an author! I was so impressed by that and just respect her so much more now because she is literally incorporating her fan's opinions and ships into the story. It's pretty much no surprise who won but I'm not going to say for obvious spoiler reasons.

There's a funny scene, it's really not funny in the context but I found it pretty stupid that I had to laugh. While Layla went to the movie theatre, a man goes up to her that seems scarcely familiar with a water bottle of clear liquid... HMMMM LAYLA I wonder what that is. Oh wait, if an old man resembling the church guy comes up to you in public with clear liquid while saying "I can expose you" I wonder what's going to happen next. Any guesses? Yep, you bet it's holy water and can we all just remember that Layla can't actually touch it? Well any guesses as to what the guy did? Yep, threw it on her. In public. God (no pun intended) sometimes I just wanted to punch Layla and Roth and even Zayne sometimes.

Anyways, the book was great and it was pretty easy to read. Again, for just a light read and sometimes humorous, this was pretty good. I had a lot of fun reading this and we end it on a high-note of sorts, at least for me.

angels - 12:05:00 AM

Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout | Review

Pages: 446 pages Publication Date: October 21st 2014 Publisher: Harlequin Teen ISBN: 0 373211341 (ISBN13: 9780373211340 ) ...

Pages: 368 pages

Publication Date: April 3rd 2012 by Penguin Group

ISBN: 1595145060 (ISBN13: 9781595145062)

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest Angel in a city that revolves around idolizing Immortals like him. He grew up in the spotlight, and in less than a week he'll become the youngest full-fledged Guardian ever. People around the world are lining up to pay for him to keep them safe. His lifelong dream of becoming a hero is finally within his grasp - and he can't afford to let the parties, paparazzi, or red carpets distract him.

But Jackson's high-profile life takes an unexpected turn when he meets seventeen-year-old Maddy. She's smart and down-to-earth, and sees Jackson for who he is and not for his celebrity. They forge an instant - and electric - connection. Their vastly different backgrounds seem like the only obstacle in their path to being together... until something much more dangerous threatens to destroy their chance at love.

Because not everyone worships the Angels: a bitter killer is murdering the Guardians one by one. And it's up Maddy to save Jackson - he's next in the killer's sights.

Set in a reimagined Los Angeles that sparkles with glamour and celebrity worship, Scott Speer's Immortal City is charged with passion and haunted by themes of power and idolatry.

Now, What I Thought:

Ugh. I really hate reviewing the books I wasn't impressed by but I figured it must be done. I can't always be giving out 4 or 5 star ratings you know? This unfortunately did not impress me. I know the ratings for this series are impeccably good but for me, it just didn't do it. I found this version of the 'Angel genre' to be kind of cheap and way too fantasy like. Writing wise, it was great, Scott Spear did a great job writing it, grammatically, but the whole concept was just bogus. It didn't sell me, it made Angels seem cheap and almost laughed at. Sure, for a light reading this could've been alright for a stand-alone but for a series, I'm sure that Spear wants, it was just too dragged out and the fact that Angel's make you pay for their services... yikes, no thank you. I definitely did not finish this. I read up to just after half-way and couldn't find myself to care about how it ended.

I didn't like the whole thing about how popular and celebrity-like these Angels were. They even have endorsements and I'm sure if I read on I'd probably learn that they even act or some crazy concept. I just didn't like the whole idea and the plot line, which is a shame because I'm sure I'd like Spear's other novels and I always feel mean writing a bad review but people want to know what I think so...

That's really all I have to say, just a reminder that this is solely my opinion. You may like it, heck, you may love it and it could be your favourite book and I just insulted you. I'm sorry but these are my opinions.

I hope Spear comes out with another novel because I would like to read what he can offer.

angels - 1:20:00 AM

Immortal City (Immortal City #1) by Scott Speer | Review

Pages: 368 pages Publication Date: April 3rd 2012 by Penguin Group ISBN: 1595145060 (ISBN13: 9781595145062 ) Jackson Godspee...

Pages: 400 pages

Publication Date: February 25th 2014 by Harlequin Teen

ISBN: 0373211104 (ISBN13: 9780373211104)

One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne… it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Now, What I Thought:

This was such a cool concept. I'v always had a burning interest in angel/demon books and just adding gargoyles made it even better! I was pretty into this book, I couldn't put it down and had finished it in one go. Poor Layla, can't be kissed because she literally has the kiss of death. It's pretty obvious the desire Zayne holds for her, which just made it 10x more frustrating at how blind Layla was. You know, I'll admit, I think I'm team Zayne, something about him just makes me love him better than Roth! I mean, don't get me wrong, Roth is hella sexy and so raw in power, it's exhilarating to read, but.... Zayne is also powerful and smart and just.. angel like? Definitely more my type -insert heart eyes-!

I liked that Armentrout wasn't afraid to bring in mythology to the story and plot. We heavily get into some hell-related mythology which was great. While, this story was romance-based, I did like the other stuff too. Her friends, the inside Warden drama, and Layla's dilemma. Layla wasn't the typical strong, fearless and ruthless character that I usually prefer but I did like that her ultimate priority and nature was saving the people she cared about and just good-heartedly trying to help everyone and anyone.

Some of the characters weren't my favourite like, Stacey, who was way too portrayed as the 'slut' and the 'wild' one of the friendship between her and Layla. Also, Danika. I mean, Layla doesn't act too nice to her but come on.. being a Zayne lover myself, lets not have Danika in the picture please. I found it weird how I kind of ?liked? Petr and that unnecessary drama. Obviously we find out why he's needed in the series but for spoilers sake, I won't say. Petr was a good distraction from the whole Zayne/Roth love drama. One thing I didn't really understand about the plot was that humans very well knew gargoyles existed but.. how and why? It's almost as if everyone in the world has this, 'so what?' kind of attitude towards it, which I don't get considering usually people would be making it national news and freaking the hell out.

The book was enjoyable but only for a light reading. If you were wanting to read this for an in-depth plot masterpiece, unfortunately you won't find it here. It was still good, and I did read the next one :)

angels - 9:59:00 PM

White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout | Review

Pages: 400 pages Publication Date: February 25th 2014 by Harlequin Teen ISBN: 0373211104 (ISBN13: 9780373211104 ) One kiss cou...

Pages: 320 pages

Publication Date: October 17th 2011 by Tor Teen

ISBN: 0765328658 (ISBN13: 9780765328656)

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. They follow legends and local lore, destroy the murderous dead, and keep pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

Searching for a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas expects the usual: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

Yet she spares Cas's life.

Now, What I Thought:

This book was right up my ally! You guys know how much I love the evil, dark, female characters in books. Cas Lowood is basically the new and improved cool ghostbuster, in modern day. At first I mean, how serious can this book be with a ghost hunter traveling across the country with his witchy mom and weird cat? Little did I know that this was going to be a gruesome, dark twisted story about Anna, whom is literally dressed in blood; the title and cover don't lie to you! Come on, the ratings and reviews can talk for themselves, this is Kendare Blake's most reviewed and rated best-seller worthy book! So if you haven't read it yet? Read it. You won't regret it.

Cas had been killing since he was 14! 14!!! That's a crazy childhood to have and to then top it all off, his father dies. Well, Cass makes his dad proud by inheriting the hunter's mysterious and dangerous athame, and he goes to town finishing what his father had started. Until, he meets Anna. Never has he encountered nor heard of a spirit so powerful and angry. Anna was killed in 1958. While walking to prom in her beautiful white dress, her throat was slit, blood covered her body entirely, thus earning her the name, Anna Dressed in Blood. It's described in the novel as:

"Someone cut her throat, but that’s an understatement. Someone nearly cut her head clean off. They say she was wearing a white party dress, and when they found her, the whole thing was stained red. That’s why they call her Anna Dressed in Blood."

Pretty gruesome and frightening stuff. I'd be pretty angry too with what Anna had to really go through that night. This was an interesting book because we didn't only get to read and learn about Cas, being our protagonist. Instead, we also got to learn a lot about Anna; her background, past, personality, why she is the way she is. It was said in the novel that she had been tied to her house and has never been able to step a foot past her front porch. Being as this is a legend and known to the townspeople, many have tried to check it out for silly pranks, and only 27 have gone in, and have never been seen alive again. I loved her character because she wasn't black and white, she was a gruesome killer yet a victim at the same time, evil yet innocent. It really put things into perspective about morality and I loved how Cas handled the situation. Also, there is a huge twist at the end about the real reason why Anna died, and it puts a whole new meaning on cruel and thriller.

This book is actually in talks about being turned into a movie!!! And the director being the one and only.... Stephenie Meyer.... this should be interesting. Though i'm still excited!

Blood - 11:53:00 PM

Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake | Review

Pages: 320 pages Publication Date: October 17th 2011 by Tor Teen ISBN: 0765328658 (ISBN13: 9780765328656) Cas Lowood has inh...

Pages: 366 pages

Publication Date: August 14th 2012 by Entangled Teen

ISBN: 1620610116 (ISBN13: 9781620610114)

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

Now, What I Thought:

I have to warn you guys that Onyx is just dripping with sexual tension. The whole book is basically just hot hot hotness between Daemon and Katy. Considering Katy doesn't particularly like Daemon, she has to stay close since she's lit up like the friggan Eiffel Tower. Imagine Daemon being Daemon, having to be close and around Katy all the time; at school, at home, in-between those two etc. That's how this book was, hot and sexy with a tad bit of danger. Onto the danger part, the DOD are here and there slyly checking out Daemon and his family making sure nothings out of the ordinary, of course that's when they notice a human is suspiciously close to them. Then that brings us to the big mystery of what the hell happened to Dawson, Daemon's twin brother that went missing with his human love, Beth. It's a sad and emotional ride from there on.

This brings us to Blake. The new kid. The HOT new kid. Oh yeah, Daemon does not like him at all, considering Blake is all over Katy. Not that Katy is minding ya know ;) Little did we know that Blake has almost all the answers about the Arum, DOD and how to control what's happening to Katy. I REPEAT, Daemon does not like that. Can we just jump subjects and also mention that Katy is book blogger! How cool is that, I loved that little tidbit and Armentrout even writes us scenes when she's making book review videos, and opening book boxes for hauls. SO COOL. Of course, Daemon being Daemon even makes an appearance in one of her videos. Everything in this book is pretty light and fluffy, which should've been a Number 1 warning. SO you can imagine when I say that I didn't expect it to get as serious as it did!

Something happens that is just a slap to the face, and makes you want to cry and scream out in frustrating!! I was so angry that I just wanted to get in there and kill everyone myself. UGH. This series really does pull you in and make you want more and more. Go read it, then come back and we can talk about a murder plan.