Showing posts with label Balzer & Bray. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Balzer & Bray. Show all posts

Diplomatic Immunity by Brodi Ashton

Title: Diplomatic Immunity
Author: Brodi Ashton
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date:  September 6th 2016
Source: E-ARC from the publisher! Thank you Balzer & Bray

Summary from Goodreads:
Aspiring reporter Piper Baird decides to write a scathing exposé on the overprivileged students at an elite Washington, DC, school, only for her life to change when she begins to fall for the story's main subject, in this new realistic contemporary romance from Brodi Ashton, the author of the Everneath trilogy.

Raucous parties, privileged attitudes, underage drinking, and diplomatic immunity...it’s all part of student life on Embassy Row.

Piper Baird has always dreamed of becoming a journalist. So when she scores a scholarship to exclusive Chiswick Academy in Washington, DC, she knows it’s her big opportunity. Chiswick offers the country’s most competitive prize for teen journalists—the Bennington scholarship—and winning will ensure her acceptance to one of the best schools in the country.

Piper isn’t at Chiswick for two days before she witnesses the intense competition in the journalism program—and the extreme privilege of the young and wealthy elite who attend her school. And Piper knows access to these untouchable students just might give her the edge she’ll need to blow the lid off life at the school in a scathing and unforgettable exposé worthy of the Bennington.

The key to the whole story lies with Rafael Amador, the son of the Spanish ambassador—and the boy at the center of the most explosive secrets and scandals on Embassy Row. Rafael is big trouble—and when he drops into her bedroom window one night, asking for help, it’s Piper’s chance to get the full scoop. But as they spend time together, Piper discovers that despite his dark streak, Rafael is smart, kind, funny, and gorgeous—and she might have real feelings for him. How can she break the story of a lifetime if it could destroy the boy she just might love?

Review

Diplomatic Immunity was an entertaining, easy to read story. I was hoping for a bit more mystery and drama surrounding Embassy Row.  The drama that was present seemed to be unrealistic and hard to believe and slightly impacted my overall enjoyment of the story.  It felt rather over the top at times.

Aside from a couple points, I felt like the love story was also predictable.  It was rather easy to know what was coming and while I still was entertained while reading it did take away some of the excitement.  There are other aspects of the story like a few of the secondary characters that I felt like were forced into roles and were not fully developed.  The main character is not really a like-able character making it hard to relate to her struggles.

The plot does pick up and it was easy to finish the book in just a couple days.  I can't say I was not entertained while reading it; this a book that you cannot nit-pick on the small details.  In the end, even though it was an cute contemporary romance, the characters, the predictability of the love story, and the forced secondary characters made the book just an okay read.

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The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine

Title: The Shadow Queen
Author: C.J. Redwine
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: February 16th 2016

Summary from Goodreads:
Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.

Review

Snow White. Magic. Dragons
The Shadow Queen is a Snow White re-tellling that takes the traditional story and then throws in magic dragons, and a crazier queen.  The book starts of with an action heavy intro and then slows down  to develop the characters.  While I do appreciate the grabby intro, I felt a bit like I was just thrown into the deep end.  I needed to find my balance before really enjoying what was going on.  In the end though, I enjoyed The Shadow Queen, the plot gradually climbs to the climax of the story.  There are flashbacks but overall the plot pacing was linear and very traditional.

My main reservation was the predictability of a couple plot points.  Predictability that comes at you when you are reading and you go no no no don't you dare do what I think you are going to.  I felt like it was to give motivation and move the plot forward so I get it but I wish it went differently.

Aside from that I thoroughly enjoyed the addition of dragons to this classic story.  I also enjoyed the dynamic between Lorelai and Kol.  There are a lot of different things going on and a lot of secondary stories and characters that make for a very entertaining book! Redwine offers the reader an intricate and imaginative re-telling.

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Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Title: Dumplin'
Author: Julie Murphy
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: September 15th 2015
Source:ARC from BEA 2015


Summary from Goodreads:
Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked . . . until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine— Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.



Review

Goodness, Willowdean is a fantastic female protagonist.  She has spunk, a vibrant personality, a love for Dolly Parton, and a range of insecurities.  Willowdean has to work through self image issues, potential boyfriend drama, an awkward family dynamic, and struggling friendships.  

As I write this review, I know it sounds like a lot is going on in her life but really it  felt like an honest, tough high school experience.  Even if her struggles were/are not the same struggles you faced, Willowdean is still so relate-able.  I wanted to be there cheering her on through the whole book.  Aside from the body issues, she gets in a big fight with her best friend which can also be taxing and a major downer.  Will is not without flaws but she learns from her choices. 

Dumplin' truly is a great character driven story.  With a group of rag tag unique friends, Will decides to take on a beauty pageant.  A pageant that is not exactly used to Will and her friends.  But by working together and building strong friendships, anything is possible.  Dumplin' is full of surprises that won't seize to bring a smile to your face.  

I highly recommend Dumplin'; it is wonderful, feel good story about a girl who faces her fears, takes control of her insecurities, and learns how to start to feel good in her own skin.  

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None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio

Title: None of the Above
Author: I.W. Gregorio
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: April 7th 2015
Source: BEA 2015

Summary from Goodreads:
A groundbreaking story about a teenage girl who discovers she was born intersex... and what happens when her secret is revealed to the entire school. Incredibly compelling and sensitively told, None of the Above is a thought-provoking novel that explores what it means to be a boy, a girl, or something in between.

What if everything you knew about yourself changed in an instant?

When Kristin Lattimer is voted homecoming queen, it seems like another piece of her ideal life has fallen into place. She's a champion hurdler with a full scholarship to college and she's madly in love with her boyfriend. In fact, she's decided that she's ready to take things to the next level with him.

But Kristin's first time isn't the perfect moment she's planned—something is very wrong. A visit to the doctor reveals the truth: Kristin is intersex, which means that though she outwardly looks like a girl, she has male chromosomes, not to mention boy "parts."

Dealing with her body is difficult enough, but when her diagnosis is leaked to the whole school, Kristin's entire identity is thrown into question. As her world unravels, can she come to terms with her new self?

Review

I am not going to lie, I skipped over this book at first; I had a copy in my hands and then decided against it.  Fast forward a couple of months and I kept noticing how well received it was and how many readers were loving it. So I made it one of my high priority books to get at BEA; I was very curious to see what None of the Above had to offer.

The writing and the story immediately grabbed my focus and never let go.  I was so unaware and oblivious to AIS and intersex, I felt like my eyes were opened while reading this book.  I, not only, could completely feel the feelings but I felt more educated and aware.  I have never had any exposure to AIS, so I really knew nothing at all going into the book.  While that aspect of the story was new to me, it was impossible to be unaware of the emotional response that comes from being bullied.  Goodness, did I just want to reach out and hug Kristin.  The bullying and straight up mean kids really just made me reflect on how tough Kristin was forced to be and challenging it must be to go through her situation.  The characters felt so honest and real, it was easy to picture an exact scenario unfolding in high school. 

None of the Above is a noteworthy, important and honest read.  I highly recommend it and will push the book onto anyone :) Not only is it informative, None of the Above has fantastic character development, honest and believable feelings, cute romance, and conquers tough subjects!

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Little Peach by Peggy Kern

Title:Little Peach
Author: Peggy Kern
Publisher: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
Release Date:March 10th 2015

Summary from Goodreads:
What do you do if you're in trouble?

When Michelle runs away from her drug-addicted mother, she has just enough money to make it to New York City, where she hopes to move in with a friend. But once she arrives at the bustling Port Authority, she is confronted with the terrifying truth: she is alone and out of options.

Then she meets Devon, a good-looking, well-dressed guy who emerges from the crowd armed with a kind smile, a place for her to stay, and eyes that seem to understand exactly how she feels.

But Devon is not what he seems to be, and soon Michelle finds herself engulfed in the world of child prostitution where he becomes her “Daddy” and she his “Little Peach.” It is a world of impossible choices, where the line between love and abuse, captor and savior, is blurred beyond recognition.

This hauntingly vivid story illustrates the human spirit’s indomitable search for home, and one girl’s struggle to survive.


Review

Little Peach is so different than anything I have read before.  It is a dark, terrifyingly powerful read about the horrible human trafficking problem in the United States.  It exposes the vulnerable state individuals can be in and how quickly they become prey.

Little Peach immediately pulls you in, takes grasp of your heart strings, and does not let them go until the last page. Michelle lacks a motherly presence yet is filled with the love and protection of her grandfather.  The dynamic between Michelle and her grandfather is heart-warming. Until the worst happens and she is truly on her own.

I had such mixed emotions reading this book, it was hard to get through yet I felt compelled to get to the end of the story, I needed some resolution.  It would be too hard to bear without one.  This book is definitely not for everyone, it is dark, disturbing at parts and emotionally taxing.  It bring to light a topic that is often overlooked or brushed under a rug.  If you can handle the brutal journey of a strong young girl thrown into a world of child prostitution, this book will not fail to truly move you.


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For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Title:For Darkness Shows the Stars
Series: For Darkness Shows the Stars #1
Author: Diana Peterfreund
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date:June 12th 2012
Pages: Hardcover, 407 pages
Source: Library
Summary from Goodreads:
It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.


Review

While I do know the summary of Persuasion, I have never actually read it. I had a rough idea of what I thought I was getting into but For Darkness Shows the Stars was so much more that I expected!  It blended an epic love story with science fiction in a different world.  I really enjoyed how Peterfreund handled the flashbacks; the reader is able to get a sense of history and see how Elliot and Kai's relationship was in the past.  The reader gets to read the letters exchanged between the two throughout their youth.

The characters' past help develop the characters and really force the reader to feel the tension between Malakai and Elliot in the present.  The tension is almost too hard to handle, it was difficult to feel the hurt and sadness that Elliot was facing. The love story between Malakai and Elliot was full of stubborn actions, hurt feelings, and rough tension yet it was beautiful, powerful, and ultimately heart warming.

The strong and well developed characters made it science fiction easier to handle.  At first I felt like I had to pay great attention to detail to make sure I was understanding the society and world the characters lived in.  After I had a handle on the overall science fiction concepts introduced, I was able to appreciate the uniqueness of the re-telling.  My only other reservation was the ending, I felt like the last chapters were a bit rushed; I had to deal with the tension between the characters for so long that I wanted more from them at the end.

Overall, I highly recommend For Darkness Shows the Stars, it was a beautiful retelling full of love and strong characters!  The science fiction took me a bit of time to wrap my head around but in the end it really did enrich the story.   I may even pick up Persuasion after this to see all the parallels.




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Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer

Title: Smart Girls Get What They Want
Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Pages: 352
Source: eBook

Summary from Goodreads:
Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. There will be ivy, and there will be cute guys in the libraries (hopefully with English accents)! But when an unexpected event shows them they're missing out on the full high school experience, it's time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. They make a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge—and they will totally rock it.

Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she'll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed. It could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but has always stayed behind the scenes—until now.

These friends are determined to show the world that smart girls really can get what they want—but that could mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for. . . .


Review

Smart Girls Get What They Want brought me right back to my high school days. I was so much like Gigi/Bea/Neerja and shared their whole mentality – get good grades, follow the rules, sight set on the future. Now, I wouldn’t say no one knew who I was – I think it’s pretty difficult to obtain that level of anonymity – but I could relate to these girls and how they felt like they were missing out on something. So I enjoyed watching the girls start to branch out of their comfort zones and be rewarded for it. I thought they were all great and it was easy to root for them.

I also LOVED the friendship they shared. It was one of those power friendships – like, mess with one and face the wrath of the others - which is the best and most entertaining kind, in my opinion. And because of how much I value friendship, and needed the support of my best friend in High School, it was nice seeing these girls have each other’s backs.

I also think Strohmeyer provided a pretty fair portrayal of High School. I do think some things were exaggerated for the sake of the story (when are they not), but other things were pretty accurate. Like all of the stresses of an overachiever and the smart girl persona. Gigi overthinking her Harvard interview response was SPOT ON. And I would have had a full on melt down if someone wrongfully accused me of cheating and threatened my future prospects. Like, I would have made Gigi look calm. So I appreciated those details. And I don’t think the story read too juvenile or fell victim to any of the typical High School tropes – at least not to the point that it annoyed me.

Oh, and the romance was cute. Although, there was a pseudo love triangle.

Bottom Line

Smart Girls Get What They Want was a fun read. There are some really great characters, a super strong friendship, and even a little romance. I definitely feel like it’s a contemporary that the masses can enjoy. But if you were (are) an overachiever in High School (like I was), then this book is definitely for you. You will relate to it in so many ways, I can guarantee it!

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Prisoner of Night and Fog (Prisoner of Night and Fog #1) by Anne Blankman

Title: Prisoner of Night and Fog
Series: Prisoner of Night and Fog #1
Author: Anne Blankman
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Release Date: April 22, 2014
Pages: 416
Source: ARC, ALA

Summary from Goodreads:
In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet.

Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler.

And Gretchen follows his every command.

Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews.

As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed?


Review

Prisoner of Night & Fog isn't your typical WWII story. It takes place in the early 1930s during Hitler's rise to power and is told from the POV of a girl who grew up with "Uncle Dolf" as a loving father figure. Moreover, a fictitious murder is weaved around real events in history, and the primary plot focus. Although I wouldn't know any better, having only a basic knowledge of WWII, Blankman's story felt authentic and well-researched. 

It was really interesting, while also discomforting, to read from the POV of "Hitler's pet". In the beginning of the book, Gretchen shares Hitler's negative opinions of the Jews and her these thoughts and her habit to defend Uncle Dolf are not easy to shed. But while investigating her father's murder Gretchen learns that the Jews are not the enemy she was raised to believe they were and the people she thought she could count on are perhaps the real monsters. She experienced tremendous growth over the course of this book.

Being fascinated with History as I am, Historical Fiction novels always pull me in for the history lesson alone. But I further enjoyed the unique perspective Blankman provides through Gretchen, the mystery surrounding her father's murder, and the focus on the early days of Nazi Germany. However, I felt a little lukewarm over the characters and the romance. The plot and setting was what carried this for me, it was well-paced and transfixing.

If you are a fan of Historical Fiction, murder mysteries and a unique perspective, I'd definitely recommend you give this one a try. 
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Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

Title: Side Effects May Vary
Author: Julie Murphy
Publisher: HarperCollins / Balzer + Bray
Release Date: March 18th 2014
Pages: Kindle, 336 pages

Summary from Goodreads:
What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most?

Julie Murphy’s SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality


What I Liked

  • The story telling format.  Side Effects May Vary is told from both Alice and Harvey's perspective in both the present and the past.  So pre-remission and post remission.  The narration style really emphasizes the emotional roller coaster Alice goes through. 
  • The characters.  I wanted to hate Alice one chapter then root for her the next.  She thought her life was ending and then in the blink of an eye she is given her life back and doesn't know what to do.  She was so rough around the edges; it was hard not to feel the emotions even the angry confused ones.  Harvey was the good guy; he was the guy I could root for when I could not longer root for Alice.  
  • The love story.  It was not rainbow and butterflies instead it was fights and lots of feelings. For example:  "I know what this looked like.  It looked like I was using Harvey.  But here was the reality of the situations: the minute my life went from semi-permanent to most likely temporary, I decided to latch on to everything in my world that had always been permanent, and for me, Harvey was so permanent he was concrete" --Alice.    

    "I didn't want the easy kind of love.  I wanted the crazy love, the kind of love that created and destroyed all at the same time"- Alice   
  • The risks.  Never have I liked, then disliked, then liked a main character before.  Julie Murphy took risks with the plot, the characters, and even the ending.  

What I Didn't

  • Some of the feels.  While I do admire the rawness and beautiful imperfection in the characters, when I finished the book I was not left with warm fuzzies or full closure.  It is hard to describe my feelings after finishing the book. I was left thinking and feeling a range of emotions. This is why I would not recommend this book for everyone.  It is an story the sucks you in and throws you back out and if you are not prepared for some an imperfect ending to parallel the imperfect characters then this is not for you.  

Bottom Line

Side Effects May Vary is not a book for everyone.  It excels in its ability to convey the raw emotion and rather intense period that Alice had to face.  The emotions were harsh and honest; Murphy was able to blend the harshness with the heart warming in a well done story.
  
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Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Title: Cruel Beauty
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Pages: 352
Source: Edelweiss (thank you HarperCollins!)

Summary from Goodreads:
Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.


Review

Nyx was raised to marry a monster to repay a debt that her father had made before her birth.
"He had killed countless people, including my mother. He had tyrannized my country for nine hundred years, using his demons to keep my people in terror. And he had destroyed my life."
She was prepared to do whatever it took to kill him and save her country.
"I had a house to explore, a husband to defeat, and no time to waste at all."
She never expected to love him.
"I hated his eyes, his laugh, his mocking smile. I hated that he could kiss me, kill me, or lock me up with perfect ease. Most of all, I hated that he had made me want him."
Cruel Beauty is a gripping and romantic tale set in a world that feels both familiar and utterly unique. From the moment Nyx stepped inside the Gentle Lord's castle I felt like I was under a spell. I was transfixed. Every encounter with the Gentle Lord made me want to see him again. Every glimpse of the house, which was magical and ever-changing, made me want to continue exploring. The story was filled with discovery and mystery and precious moments with him. 
"Ours eyes met, and for a moment there was nothing buy shared glee between us - between me and my enemy."
There was layer after layer to this story. Each turn of the page brought something new. It's one of those stories that you don't understand the magnitude of until it's revealed to you. It's not just a story about a girl who falls in love with the monster she is supposed to kill. Although that part is lovely on its own. There is a larger story about the Lords of Bargains and a debt that goes deeper than the one even Nyx is asked to pay. It is puzzling and complex but utterly addicting.
"They avenge the wronged, when it suits them. Strike bargains with the desperate, when it suits them. They love to mock. To leave answers at the edges, where anyone could see them but nobody does. To tell the truth when it is too late to save anyone. And they are always fair."
Look at that beautiful prose!

Nyx... oh, Nyx. She was so angry at the world for the unfairness of it all. But so much was expected of her, at no choice of hers. I think she had every right to be angry. But she beat herself up about it when she should have given herself more credit. She was so torn between her own selfish desires and her duty. As for the Gentle Lord himself... so mystifying. He was merciless and cold yet so tender and vulnerable. I couldn't get enough of him. How wonderful a pair of characters for this story. 

"The Gentle Lord was the most evil creature besides Typhon, and the most powerful after the gods. Everyone knew it.
Everyone was wrong."
I just adored this book. I know some have remarked that it is slow in pace but the writing swept me away that pace was the last thing on my mind. Cruel Beauty is beautiful and cruel and everything in between. I highly recommend it. Not to mention it would be a stunning addition to anyone's shelves (gorgeous cover alert!) 
"One night awaits us all; therefore, beloved, wait for me."
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ARC REVIEW: Evertrue (Everneath #3) by Brodi Ashton

Title: Evertrue
Series: Everneath #3
Author: Brodi Ashton
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Release Date: January 21, 2014
Pages: 336
Source: Won through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway

Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.


  • Evertrue was not quite the series ender I expected, but as high as my expectations were, I was not disappointed. It picks up right where Everbound left off - with that jaw-dropping plot twist, and Ashton has a lot more action and surprises in store for readers as Nikki and Jack take on the Everneath. I did not find it quite as fast-paced as Everbound, at least not in the beginning, but it still more than grabbed my attention. The world that Aston created is so vivid and full of possibilities. I cannot get enough.  

  • A steady constant throughout this series is Nikki and Jack's relationship which continues to grow stronger. It has a little 'Romeo and Juliet' feel to it but I could not help but appreciate it. Even as they faced the impossible, they were together and that was a small comfort.

  • I think I could have been happy with several different endings and this was one of them. I don't think everyone will like it though. But I really value when a series-ender actually ends the book - I don't want to be left with unanswered questions or loose ends. And I value endings that are realistic and make me feel a range of emotions. An ending does not need to be all sunshine and rainbows for me to be happy.

  • I cannot decide if I like the direction that Ashton took with regards to Cole's character - she does something very unexpected. On one hand, I missed the old Cole and feel as if he has been cheated in some way. But on the other hand, I was happy to see Cole have this opportunity to be more. I think fans will be split on this too. Sorry for the vague-ness

  • This as not so much a critique, since it did not really bother me all that much, but an observation that I want to make note of for other readers - the ending was a little easy, at least in the sense of how easy it was for Nikki and Jack to accomplish what originally seemed impossible to do so.

Finally a series ending that I am happy with!! For as high as my expectations were and as tough as it was to follow Everbound, I can happily say that Ashton delivered. There were some twists that I am not sure all readers will be OK with, but it is still a worthwhile read nonetheless.

I never expected to like this series so much since Everneath was just an average read for me, but after reading Everbound and now Evertrue, this has turned into a very memorable series. I can't wait to see what Ashton writes next. 

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