Kiss of Fire (Imdalid #1) by Rebecca Ethington

Kiss of Fire (Imdalind #1) - Rebecca Ethington

Blurb:

Joclyn Despain has been marred by a brand on her skin. She doesn't know why the mark appeared on her neck, but she doesn't want anyone to see it, including her best friend Ryland, who knows everything else about her. The scar is the reason she hides herself behind baggy clothes, and won't let the idea of kissing Ryland enter her mind, no matter how much she wants to.
The scar is the reason she is being hunted.

If only she knew that she was.

If only she had known that the cursed stone her estranged father sent for her 16th birthday would trigger a change in her. Now, she is being stalked by a tall blonde man, and is miraculously throwing her high school bully ten feet in the air.

Joclyn attempts to find some answers and the courage to follow her heart. When Ryland finds her scar; only he knows what it means, and who will kill her because of it


My Review:

I downloaded this book on a whim, to be honest. I was searching through amazon and sent the sample to my kindle, and thank GOD I did! From moment one I did not put this book down, staying up well into the night to finish it! Ryland and Joclyn (did anyone else notice the rhyme) had me hooked from moment one! It's such a great idea too, although I don't fully understand it, even after reading the first book, but hopefully the second book will give me slightly more insight!


I loved the idea, and the slight play that they'd both been there in front of the other (in more ways than one) from the first moment and neither realised it. Most people won't understand what I'm talking about until they read the book, but that's just the way it goes. There were so many emotions I felt throughout this book and each character had their own set of emotions. I won't go into it, because I don't want to give away anything, but each character tugged on their own little heart on my string. I'll give a SHORT overview, and will try to avoid spoilers...

Her father: I felt pity for the father, because he was trying his best. I also felt anger, though, for leaving her and her mother. It doesn't matter if he did it because he thought it was best, it only matters that he did it, full stop.

Her mother: I felt extreme gratitude and love for her mother. To be honest, her mum was pretty much the perfect mum you could ever wish for. Works hard and gives you all that she has (pretty much) and is there fir you to talk to in any way, even about boys, and although she may want you to change slightly, it's never too much to ask for and it's never a drastic change.

Ryland: oh, Ryland, Ryland, Ryland. WHAT can I say about Ryland? I fell in love with you from moment one, and that love just grew and grew from there. The way you're so protective, and patient, and, oh, all the rest, it just tears my heart to shreds. I will secretly admit that at many points in this book you had me slamming down my kindle, and exclaiming, "where's mine, god dammit! Where on earth is my perfect boy?"

Wyn: Oh, Wyn, I don't know how Joc survived without you before this book! Although you may be creepy or slightly over-the-top sometimes, you truly are the sunlight in this story (right after Ryland, of course!) But you truly are someone who I aspire to be. Optimistic and totally kick-ass; a die-hard romantic with her big girl panties on! I don't know what more to say, honestly, other than that I wish to be you!!

Ilyan: To be honest, you creep me out. You're hanging around, and always so controlling, and I don't care why, it's uncalled for in this day and age! You send out totally mixed messages, wether it's that your invisible/visible, crush-worthy/platonic or just plain sane/insane!! I don't know what's going on with you, and personally think that you could do with a TOTAL personality make-over, and I'd be happy to do it!

I definitely give this book 5 chickens out of 5 chickens for it's well-developed plot line, range of characters, totally findable plot line, and just insane writing that had me reading till 3am!! Good job, Rebecca, and keep writing so I can read the third one!!

Damselfly (Faeble #2) by S.L.Naeole

Damselfly (Faeble #2) by S.L. Naeole

Blurb:

She used to be known as the Blithe Baby. Now she’s something more, and that’s not a good thing. 

Seeing the world through new eyes, Sophia Blithe has found love, found hope, and found a life that she never new she would have with Declan Sterling, a Sidhe boy with indigo eyes and magic in his touch. But, she should know by now that life never plays out how you want it to. 

When the new world she knows, and the old world she remembers begins to crumble around her, Sophia will lose almost everything that’s ever mattered to her, and will be forced to make a decision that will forever change the course of not just her life, but also the lives of those she loves the most.


My Review:

Okaaayy...Ms. Naeole if this continues then I won't get any sleep...EVER!!


Ok, so yes, I stayed up until 3 am finishing this book last night. And I stayed up until 3 am the previous day to finish Gossamer. BUT, Damselfly had a much more...uh, severe...impact on my. I'd stay away from fragile objects while you read this, and make that do not disturb sign REALLY big! I was crying, yelling, laughing, hugging my kindle to my chest, and getting ready to punch everything near me. Luckily for me it was a soft pillow.

Ms. Naeole can't give her characters, or readers, a break, but I don't really mind. Okay, I kinda do. But if I didn't care about my characters what kind of a reader would that make me?

The thing that I really like about this is that there's no obvious enemy, and that's just like life. In life, nothing is black and white - good and bad - and there's a bit of good and bad in everyone. These characters all have dangerous sides to them, they have good and bad, and there's no specific enemy out to kill someone. It's not like: oh it's the (blah)'s against the (blah)'s and her BF is secretly with the evil (blah)'s and blah. Rather, it's just everything that makes the story, there's something she's fighting against, but it's not a visible source, it has no name and can't be defeated, really. And that's what I really like.

Okay, NOW for what the story is....(DUHN DUHN DUUUHHHHNNNN)

Sophia's life was going great...well, better than it had ever been before. Sure, there were problems, but she had Dex, and Joel had Astor, and Jackson was gone from her life. So what happens when someone tries to kill her and then she has amnesia, so the last thing she remembers is the fair? What happens when she can't remember that she loves Dex, and she still thinks she's with Jackson? But...is that really the biggest issue? What happens when she starts speaking and writing a strange language? Is shereally crazy? Just like her mother....

Gossamer (Faeble #1) by S.L.Naeole

Gossamer by S.L.Naeole

Blurb:

“No matter how badly we want fairy tales to come true, the only parts that ever really happen are the bad ones.”

Sophia Blithe has everything a teenage girl could want:  Money, a handsome boyfriend, and a best friend that knows her inside and out.  To strangers looking in, she lives the perfect life.  But to those that know the truth, Sophia's is anything but perfect.

Known as the infamous Blithe Baby, Sophia’s spent almost eighteen years running from the ghost of a past that’s left her cold and immune to emotion..  With the help of a wealthy and famous foster family, she's managed to live a semi-normal life, but wealth can only go so far.  A few weeks before the start of her senior year, Sophia finds herself being transferred to a new school thanks to a sudden changing of districts that puts Sophia's home right on the edge of Gossamer, Oregon, a small town that was built from the ground up by the determined and affluent families that reside there.  It is there that Sophia is forced to face the scars of her past and what that means for her future.

Unfortunately, her controlling boyfriend and foster-father seem to have her future all planned out.  Then she meets Dex Sterling, the boy whose eyes haunt her dreams.  He’s carefree, handsome, cryptic, infuriating, and he knows more about her than he should.  He makes Sophia question the feelings she has whenever she’s around him, and worse — whenever she’s not.  In an attempt to gain her trust Dex does the impossible for her, just to be able to ask her questions, but it’s her own questions that need answering.

When Sophia finds herself in trouble after making a painful choice, Dex whisks her away and, in the darkness that hides nothing, reveals to her the truth about Gossamer, about himself, and how he knows so much about her.  That truth is far more frightening and far more dangerous than she could have ever imagined.  Now she’s left to figure out what it is she wants and whatever her decision, it could end up costing her life in one way or the other.

My Review:

What people heard as I was reading this book:

Me: Oh shit!
Me: HELL TO THE NO
Me:OH NO SHE DIDN'T!! NO I CAN"T LOOK!!!!
Me: *swoon* I'm in luuurrrveee
Me: NO! NO! NO, FEE! I BELIEVE IN YOU!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!
Me: KICK HIM IN THE BALLS!!! MAKE HIM CRY!!

and...yeah. It continues.

As always, S.L.Naeole has sent me on a magical adventure into love, loss, darkness, and hope. She has once again ensnared me in her web and, to be honest, I don't really want to leave!! She has me so ensnared that I forgot to eat dinner, ignored when I was called down to eat, and someone had to come and physically remove the kindle from my grasp so I would eat. Yeah, that didn't really happen. But it almost did.

Ms. Naeole brings into her books a darkness which most people try and avoid. Somethings not right in the characters' life, and it's issues that wee see as taboo. Why, I don't really know, but we do. She's not afraid to go to these places that others see as 'dark' and 'bad'. I find that authors quite often want to stay in the la-la land of rainbows and fairies with the only dark thing being someone who wants to kill the main character, but overall it's pretty predictable and light. S.L.Naeole brings these things out into the light, and I think that that helps people know that it's okay to feel bad things and have bad things happen, that we can overcome these things and that we're not alone. It's an important message and I comment her for not being afraid to say it, loud and proud.
Ok, my synopsis.

Meet The Blithe Baby. I'm sure you've heard of her. She's the one who's mother tried to kill her after killing her father. She's a freak. Watch out, she's just like her mum.
That's what Sophia Jane Blithe hears wherever she goes. And it's true. Her mother tried to kill her. Consequently, she ended up in foster care, moving from house to house until she settled down. Kind of. Everything's going right for Sophia - she's semi-popular due to her über popular boyfriend (even if she doesn't love him), her sister and best friend, Astor, is with her, and she has a family who's keeping her, even if not in name. So how does that all get turned around by simple land ownership? And how does thisthing that turns her life upside down change how she see's everything? She thought going to Perfect High would be torture, and it is, but her mind keeps straying to those violet eyes, that perfect face, that dark silk hair...

YEAH I LEFT IT THERE!! NOW GO AND READREADREAD THIS BOOK!!!

I give this 5 stars out of 5 stars, and suggest that you go and make a sign to put on your door saying: READING! DO NOT DISTURB! I'm making mine as we speak as I wait for number 2 to download to my kindle. Oh, how I just love pyjama days!!

Keep on reading, forget the dreaming!
Queen of Reading

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

 The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Blurb:

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

My Review:

This won't be the most in-depth review ever, because I'm currently bawling my eyes out.

WARNING: this book contains sad material, and you are almost guaranteed to cry. If you are scared of death, I would suggest you read this. If you want to see what it's like to be someone facing death at every twist and turn, read this book. If you are scared of oblivion, read this book.

The past day I have referred to this as: The Cancer Book. But I now believe that title is inaccurate, because this book is so much more. It will make you laugh, cry, contemplate the existence of everything and confuse your mind so much with its big words. But most of all, it will give you a unique perspective of the world. I shall, from here on in, refer to this book as The Changer Book. This book 
has irrevocably changed me.

This book is about a kid. Yes, a kid. A 16 year old girl with cancer. Yes, cancer.

This is the point you stop reading. You go, eeew cancer. Bad thing. I won't read this. If you stop there, you are an idiot, excuse my French.

This kid has a life-threatening disease and Is skating on thin ice every. Single. Day. Think what it would be like to be connected to an oxygen tank, have a cannula attached to you, have your parents worry over you, not go to school, and be constantly right in front of death.

If you made it through the last stop reading point, then this is the next one. You go: oh no, death. I don't want to die. Kids dying make me sad. I won't read this. If you stop reading, you are a coward. Take a chance. So many people actually die and you're afraid about reading about someone dying?!?
This girl copes. She does. But her view of the world is interesting, the way she views her self is sophisticated, especially for someone of her age and stamina. Then she meets Augustus.

Now, if the death and cancer didn't freak you, I'm guessing a love story will. That combination is a hard one to find in a good reader.

As their relationship develops after their meeting at Support Group, Hazel develops as a person, as does Augustus. They grow and develop as the lean on each other, showing you the bright side of cancer, and what it's like to have someone not pity you.

Hopefully, this will also be your Changer Book. I hope it changes your view of the world, life, and people with cancer or a disability. Think. I hope this book changes you.

Playlist:Goodbye my lover by James Blunt - August to Hazel when she's in ICU

I give this book a 6/5. It is AMAZING, and I haven't read something like this before!!!

Queen of Reading
Keep on reading, forget the dreaming!

The Selection (Selection #1) by Kiera Cass

The Selection (Selection #1) - by Kiera Cass

What wins out in the end? The future or the past?

*NB: my tag line, not hers!

Blurb:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined

My Review:

My conversation after reading this:

Me: OHMYGOD IM IN LOVE <3 <3
Friend: ooh what's his name?
Me: Maxon
Friend: interesting name. Is he cute?
Me: DEFINITLEY. but there's this girl he likes, and I like them together. But she has an ex who broke her heart, and she still loves him. I swear, if she ends up with her ex I will KILL her!!! But Maxon, ohmygod in love!
Friend: ...

So, for those of you contemplating this read I would recommend it. It's a great read that will keep you on the tip of your toes. It's another dystopian style novel, but the idea was unoriginal and yet original at the same time. (And yes, that is a paradox) Kiera uses a unique blend of heartache, friendship, family devotion, judgement, and more to create a masterpiece that I haven't seen the likes of before.

As a VERY general statement, this is my favourite dystopian novel so far, and that's saying something! All dystopian novels seem the same to me: ranks, separated classes, rebellion of some sort and a relapse in terms of technology and the sophistication of society. SOMETHING about this book grabbed me, and whatever it is I applaud Kiera on it.

Alright, my 'synopsis'

America Singer is right where she wants to be. Sure, her family annoys her sometimes, and she's not exactly the top of the food chain, but she's content. Oh, and she has the guy to go with it all.
So when The Selection comes around (a once in a lifetime competition) why would she enter?
Either way America Singer ends up as part of the Selection, living under Prince Maxon. But what will her heartache make her do? And is there really anyone behind the shallow, vain facade that Maxon shows the world?

Playlist:Fifteen by Taylor Swift - hearing about Aspen and America
Give your heart a break - Maxon when he first kisses America

I give this 5/5 stars. It's a GREAT read, and a new spin on an oldish idea! Brava!!

Queen of Reading
Keep on reading, forget the dreaming!

Dark Veil by S.L. Naeole: A review

Dark Veil (Belonging #1) -  by S.L. Naeole


What's hiding in the dark when no one's looking?
*N.B. That tag line is mine, not hers!

Official Blurb:
Liam Mace was used to seeing the tourists on the Rock, and looked especially forward to them leaving. But Fallon wasn't leaving. In fact, she was staying. Worse, his sister was growing attached to her, and that was never a good thing...
You never become attached to your food.
Black Cat Rock, or the Rock as it is called, is the home of the Panthus, shape-shifting cats of magnificent size and strength who live in their human skins only to protect their secret. During the day they catch fish to sell, or wait on and serve the tourists who come to visit their island, but at night, the fangs come out and the hunt begins as tourist becomes prey.


Fallon Timmons didn't know what to expect from the small island her adopted parents grew up on, but whatever it was, she thought she was prepared for it. Then Liam appeared, all teeth and venom, with a warning to stay away from his sister Audrey and from him. It was a warning that she was not going to heed, no matter what the strangely attractive boy said.

***

One simple statement to start:

WHERE'S BOOK TWO?!?

Seriously, just as I fall in love with the story it finishes?? And that epilogue? TEASE!

My dear S. L. Naeole, I may just have to kill you if you don't finish writing the second one soon!

JOKES!

But seriously, I can't wait.

Fallon has moved around since she was a little kid, and she thought she had finally settled in California, when her parents decide to relocate permanently back home - to a little Island called Black Cat Rock. Fallon is used to be the new girl, but she is anything but prepared for what awaits her. This 'trog' that is trying to be accepted into a new world will not be accepted, but what's worse is Fallon doesn't know why. All she knows is that the brooding brother, Liam, of her best friend, Audrey, seems to hate her and she can't work out why! But what is really going on under the surface of Black Cat Rock?

At first, I was whole reluctant about the were-cat idea, but I love cats so I thought I'd have a go, and thank god I did! Were-cats are awesome, let me tell you that. And ms naeole takes you on a jitney, adding to the past as she creates the future, a skill I envy!


This book is amazing, and the way that it is told through both Liam's and Fallons point of view made it even more juicy! My only complaint is that it ended too quickly. I was DESPERATE for more, and will continue to be until it arrives. The epilogue was also to: and then this happened, and then this...and this will happen and this is what's going on at the moment... not that that's a bad thing, I'm just not used to that style with this author...

ANYWAY...I DEFINITELY suggest reading this, and give it a full 5 stars...good job S.L. Naeole...can't wait for more!!

Keep on reading, forget the dreaming! :)
Queen of Reading

Wait For You by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Jennifer, you haven't disappointed me yet!

I read wait for you with nothing in mind except a hot, sexy boy, and you didn't disappoint on that front, but you brought to mind a whole different line of thinking, and tears to my eyes.

Here's the blurb


Some things are worth waiting for…
Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.
 Some things are worth experiencing…
Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.
 Some things should never be kept quiet…
But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?
And some things are worth fighting for…
Available now in all digital formats.

So, sounds good, right? Right.

And it was.

Honestly, the way you didn't know about what was going to happened before, and the fact that they whole time you could understand her thought process but wanted to yell at her and comfort her at the same time was excruciating!

This book is a bit adult, so I wouldn't recommend it for readers under 15 or maybe even older. Personally, being 15, I understood it all, but chose to skip some parts. It wasn't too in detail or whatever, I just found it slightly uncomfortable.

I think that the issue at hand (can't reveal more... =( ) is a very important one. Jennifer has obviously dug deep to get this out there, and as always her writing style had me addicted from the beginning! There were a couple spelling errors and grammatical things...but other than that it was great!

Definitley recommend reading this, but bring out the tissues and the punching bag, coz your gonna need them both!!

Queen Of Reading

The Week of a Book Addict

As every book blogger knows, there is a special program for each week, and as far as I'm aware it goes like this:

Sunday Post (stocking the shelves - StS)
Teaser Tuesday
Waiting on Wednesday
Swoon Thursday
Review

So, I've decided to create my own, let's see how long I stick to it!!!

Inspiration Sunday:

• How I came up with an idea i've had for a story
• idea's i'm working on
• songs that keep me going!

Marvellous Mondays:

• A marvellous book i'm reading
• my current thoughts on it

Teaser Tuesday:

• A teaser that's got me hooked 

OR

• a teaser from one of my WIP's

Waiting on Wednesday:

• books i'm dying to read
• countdowns
• books i want to start

Swoon Thursday:

• I get to list all my book boyfriends :)

Fun Friday:

• funny stuff in my life

Seriously Saturday:

• A review or two, or maybe a video, or something new and interesting :D

LET'S SEE HOW I GO!!

Love,

Queen of Reading x