Review: Gathering Frost by Kaitlyn Davis

Title: Gathering Frost
Author: Kaitlyn Davis
Series: Once Upon a Curse #1
Publication: February 17th 2015 
Genre: Young Adult ~ Fantasy ~ Dystopia
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: 2/5

Will his kiss be enough to revive her frozen heart?

Once Upon A Time meets La Femme Nikita in GATHERING FROST, a dystopian romance from bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis that reimagines the classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty.

Jade was only a little girl when the earthquake struck. Before her eyes, half of New York City disappeared, replaced by a village that seemed torn out of a storybook. Horses and carriages. Cobblestone streets. A towering castle. And, above all, a queen with the magical ability to strip emotions away.

Ten years later and Jade has forgotten what it is to feel, to care...even to love. Working as a member of the queen's guard, she spends most of her time on the city wall staring at the crumbling skyscrapers of old New York. But everything changes when the queen's runaway son, Prince Asher, returns. Jade is tasked with an unusual mission--to let the Prince capture her, to make him trust her, and then to betray his secrets to the crown. In return, she'll earn her freedom. But life outside the queen's realm is more than Jade bargained for. Under Asher's relentless taunts, her blood begins to boil. Under his piercing gaze, her heart begins to flutter. And the more her icy soul begins to thaw, the more Jade comes to question everything she's ever known--and, more importantly, whose side she's really on.

I really liked the concept of this book. The dystopian setting was great and I love fairy tale retellings. But it was all way too mediocre for me to really love it and lack world and character building.

I thought the start of the book was good witht the way the magical world merged with earth and a queen appearing (gotta love evil queens!). But like I said it lacked world and character building. Maybe the book was a little bit too short to really build the world and character. It could've been better.

I didn't much care for Jade. I couldn't connect with her or any of the other characters for that matter. The only one that was a bit more intriguing was Deirde, the evil queen of the story.

The romance, especially, was a bust for me. There was simply no developement whatsoever. The only thing that was slightly interesting was the cliffhanger ending, so I'll probably will read the second book because apparently it's a beauty and the beast retelling.

       About the Author:

       Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis writes young adult fantasy novels under the name Kaitlyn Davis and contemporary romance novels under the name Kay Marie. To learn more about her contemporary romance novels, visit her Goodreads author page for Kay Marie here: https://www.goodreads.com/Kay_Marie

Always blessed with an overactive imagination, Kaitlyn has been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to share her work with the world. When she's not daydreaming, typing stories, or getting lost in fictional worlds, Kaitlyn can be found indulging in some puppy videos, watching a little too much television, or spending time with her family. If you have any questions for her--about her books, about scheduling an event, or just in general--you may contact her at: KaitlynDavisBooks@gmail.com

Review: The White Rose by Amy Ewing

Title: The White Rose
Author: Amy Ewing
Series: The Lone City #2
Publication: October 6th 2015 by HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult ~ Dystopia
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 2/5

 

Violet is on the run. After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel or face certain death. So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude.

But no one said leaving the Jewel would be easy. As they make their way through the circles of the Lone City, Regimentals track their every move, and the trio barely manages to make it out unscathed and into the safe haven they were promised—a mysterious house in the Farm.

But there’s a rebellion brewing, and Violet has found herself in the middle of it. Alongside a new ally, Violet discovers her Auguries are much more powerful than she ever imagined. But is she strong enough to rise up against the Jewel and everything she has ever known?

The White Rose is a raw, captivating sequel to The Jewel that fans won’t be able to put down until the final shocking moments.

It wasn't like I totally hated The White Rose but I thought it was just an okay book and I definitely liked it less than the first one.

The story pretty much picked up where it left off. After catching Violet and Ash together, the Duchess throws Ash in the dungeon to be executed and locks Violet up, while murdering a dear friend of Violet's. So, yeah, you can say the book started out with a bang, I'll give it that.

What I didn't like about it was the lack of serious world and character building. There just wasn't any depth to the characters and the story.

I also didn't care for the romance between Violet and Ash. It seriously was my least favorite thing in this book. Especially because I dislike Ash so much. He's just ugh!

Violet isn't my favorite character ever but I still do like her spirit and will to find herself and fight the royals.

The side characters are actually more interesting. I especially like Garnet. He's pretty awesome and I totally ship him and Raven, whose another favorite character of mine.

The story was too predictable. I literally guessed the ending, which really annoyed me because it was so damn obvious. It's never fun to predict an ending. And hello to yet another cliffhanger. You have been warned!

       About the Author:

       Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Amy Ewing is the young adult author of THE JEWEL, the first in a trilogy from HarperTeen, coming out September 2014. She grew up in a small town outside Boston, where her librarian mother instilled a deep love of reading at a young age. Amy moved to New York City in 2000 to study theater at New York University. Unfortunately, her acting career didn’t quite pan out. She worked in restaurants, as an administrative assistant, a nanny, and a sales representative for a wine distributor before the lack of creativity in her life drove her to begin writing.

Amy received her MFA in Creative Writing for Children from The New School, where she was lucky enough to meet a fabulous community of YA writers who keep her sane on a daily basis. She lives in Harlem, where she spends her days writing, eating cheese, and occasionally binge watching The Vampire Diaries.

Blog Tour ~ Review: Torn by Avery Hastings

Title: Torn
Author: Avery Hastings
Series: The Feuds #2
Publication: July 21st 2015 by St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Young Adult ~ Dystopia
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 3/5

Review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

In an America split into the genetically superior and inferior, a fiercely ambitious ballerina and a boy from the wrong side of the tracks must stop a deadly virus that is spreading quickly. Determined to escape from TOR-N, a corrupt Narxis research center, Davis meets another recovered patient, Mercer, whose sweet smile and quirky sense of humor give her hope in humanity again—and a way out. As they make a perilous journey seeking clues that could lead to a cure, Davis and Mercer's friendship begins to evolve into something more... but she's still struggling to let go of her feelings for Cole, whom she believes is dead.

Meanwhile, Cole has plans to change his identity in order to compete in the Olympiads—where Imps have now been invited to compete against Priors. He begins training with Mari, the intense and rebellious daughter of a retired fighter, but through trials and tests that are both exhausting and exhilarating, he finds himself in over his head—literally.

Will both Davis and Cole have the strength to resist temptation? Will they have the courage to face the answers they're seeking? Will their love survive across the divide?

I enjoyed reading Torn. It wasn't amazing or anything but  I liked it a bit more than Feuds. The ending, though, left me with some questions. If it wasn't for that I'd probably given it four stars.

In this sequal Davis and Cole were pretty much seperate until the end (*sniffles*). One the one hand I liked most of that because they had to find their own path back to each other, each  having struggles they had to face, but on the other hand I had wished they'd spend a little more time together because I missed seeing them together. 

At the start of the book Davis is still stuck at TOR-N, which is an awful place to be with corrupt doctors, terrible living conditions and people dying. I kind of wished that the time spend at TOR-N was more written about more extensively about the months she spend there.
In the.She met Mercer there who Davis bonds with and eventually escapes TOR-N with. I really really really disliked Mercer. I just knew he was lying about some things and I just hated the little shit.

Cole in the meantime is in hiding and trying to do everything he can to go back to Davis, which means competing in the Olympiads. He starts training and even takes over his friend Brent's identity to be able to enter. I must admit I was more curious about Cole than Davis, although I enjoyed both their points of view. 

Some things felt a little rushed and not explained enough in the story. And then the ending felt all too easy and wrapped up. I'm not sure there will be another book because everything was resolved. I guess I didn't like it in the end that for the whole book Davis and Cole weren't together. But all in all, I really did enjoy most of the story. The writing, although sometimes rushed, was pretty good. I do hope another book will come, though, but who knows!

       About the Author:

            Twitter | Goodreads

Avery Hastings is an author and former book editor from New York City. Avery grew up in Ohio, graduated in 2006 from the University of Notre Dame and earned her MFA from the New School in 2008. When she's not reading or writing, Avery can usually be spotted lying around in the park with her affable dog. Like her protagonists, she knows how to throw a powerful right hook and once dreamed of becoming a ballerina. In addition to New York, Avery has recently lived in Mumbai and Paris, but is happy to call Brooklyn home (for now).

Co-Review: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

After buddy reading many books, Christina of Booksane and I decided to do something different and do a co-review!

This is based on Novel Ink's co-discussion posts.

Title: Into the Still Blue
Author: Veronica Rossi
Series: Under the Never Sky #3
Publication: January 2014 by Harper Collins USA
Genre: Young Adult ~ Dystopia
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

 

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do—and they are just as determined to stay together.

Within the confines of a cave they're using as a makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and Outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in a grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble an unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival--he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her earth-shattering Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

Was there anything that stood out with the storyline to you?

Christina: Other than the pure awesomeness of it? As the others this one was amazing. Really couldn’t know what was gonna happen next, the surprises kept coming.

Stephanie: I wouldn't say there was just one thing that stood out to me because there were several amazing moments. Into The Still Blue was a pretty intense book and managed to also tie up some loose ends. And also, there were quite a few deaths that took me aback a little.

What are your thoughts on Aria and Perry in the book?

Christina: Those two are one of my favorite couples of all time. I just love them together. They just have this connection between them that’s very unique. Their love doesn’t have to be at the center all the time, but it’s still there and in between there’s some pretty great moments between them.

Stephanie: Well, I love them. I really do. They're different from other characters in other books, in my opinion. The romance doesn't overtake the story but is more in the background and I really liked it that way. There are some sweet and intense moments with them, though.

What was the best moment of a secondary character?

Christina:  Roar. Roar. Roar. No matter what he does, it’s good. There’s a a great moment where one little fact ruins it for Soren, so it’s kind of both a good moment of Roar, but also Soren actually:

"Oh, one other thing you should know," Roar said. "She was with Perry for a while."

"Nooooo," Soren groaned. "You just ruined it for me."

Agreed, Aria thought. Ruined it for me, too.

"So, he got Brooke and her," Soren continued, indignant. "How does that even happen? He barely talks!"

Stephanie: This is a hard question. I want to say Roar because he's my favorite secondary character but I think I'm gonna go with Soren, weirdly enough. He changed a lot from the guy he was in the first book and he actually changed for the better. And I also loved seeing him trying to impress Brooke and at the end that they were starting something.

What's your favorite quote of the book?

Christina: This one is so beautiful, Perry to Aria:

"What I was trying to say," he whispered, "is that I see you in everything. There isn't a word for you that means enough, because you're everything to me."

Stephanie: “Did I ever tell you that my home in Rim was bigger than the whole of your compound?" Sable asked. A jab, but Perry couldn't have cared less. His house always offered enough space. Even when the Six had slept wall to wall across the floor, there had always been enough room for everyone. "You want to compare sizes Sable? I bet I win.”

Did you think it was a good way to end the series?

Christina: I was really happy with the end actually. I felt happy and relieved after and thought the characters got the good end that they deserved. Of course there were some less happy things, but overall I thought it ended well.

Stephanie:  I thought the ending was pretty perfect. I don't think I could've seen any other ending than that. It's left slightly open to interpretation but that's good. I did think some characters (not saying any names) who had died would not be dead after all but of course I was wrong. Boo. But still, a good ending to an amazing series! 

What are your overall thoughts?

Christina: All started with the amazing book trailer for the first book and now it’s the end.. Already after finishing I miss the books. I miss the characters, I miss the world. I miss everything about it. It’s such an amazing universe and some of my favorite characters. The last books was just as good as the others and gave a worthy end to the end of the story. Veronica Rossi’s writing is amazing and I can’t wait to read more of her books.

Stephanie: I loved this series so much. It all started with watching the book trailer of the first book and I've been a fan ever since. I'm pretty sad that it has ended but it was a great ride to get to know Perry, Aria, Roar and the others. And I also can't wait to read more books by Veronica Rossi. I loved her writing in this series.

       About the Author:

       Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Veronica Rossi is the author of post-apocalyptic fiction for young adults. Her debut novel, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, is the first in a trilogy. Released in January 2012, it was deemed one of the Best Books of Year by School Library Journal. The second book in the trilogy, THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT, debuted in January on the NY Times and USA Today Best Seller Lists. The final book in the series, INTO THE STILL BLUE, is expected to release January 2014.

Foreign rights to the UNDER THE NEVER SKY trilogy have sold in over twenty-five territories to date and film rights have been optioned by Warner Bros.

She completed undergraduate studies at UCLA and then went on to study fine art at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons. When not writing, she enjoys reading, painting, and counting down the minutes until she can get back to making up stories about imaginary people. 

Her work is represented by Josh Adams of Adams Literary.

Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Series: The Maze Runner #1
Publication: August 4th 2011 by Chicken House
Genre: Young Adult ~ Dystopia
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.

Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Everything is going to change.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

Remember. Survive. Run.

I started The Maze Runner because I wanted to see the movie but I always try to read the book first. What I hadn't expected was to be totally caught up in this book. I loved it!

The best part about this book was how it was all one big mystery. The characters basically don't know how they ended up there because they don't remember so of course the reader can't know what the hell is up. The more I read, the more the enigmatic maze was pulling me in. Oh and the book was pretty creepy sometimes. One word: Grievers. Yeah they scared me a bit. 

I really liked the character of Thomas. It also didn't hurt that I could imagine Dylan O'Brien as much. I love him! But anyway, he was a great character. I also really liked Newt and Minho. I do have to admit though, that when I started the book I wasn't too excited about it. I had a little doubts but before I knew it I was getting really absorbed with it and bam! before I knew it the book was finished. 

The last few chapters were so suspenseful and intense. That ending, oh my god! And then came the epilogue which hit me like a brick wall. I hadn't expected that at all. Total cliffhanger, totally shocking. 

Overall, The Maze Runner by James Dashner was one of those books that keeps you glued to the pages and where you want to read the next book right away. Definitely one of the best books I've read!

About the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

James was born and raised in Georgia but now lives in the Rocky Mountains with his family. He has four kids, which some might think is too many but he thinks is just right. Once upon a time, James studied accounting and worked in the field of finance, but has been writing full time for several years. (He doesn’t miss numbers. At all.)

In his free time, James loves to read, watch movies and (good) TV shows, snow ski, and read. (Reading was mentioned twice on purpose.) Most of all, he’s thankful that he gets to make a living writing stories and considers himself pretty much the luckiest guy on the planet.

ARC Review: Day 21 by Kass Morgan

Title: Day 21
Author: Kass Morgan
Series: The Hundred #2
Publication: September 16th 2014 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult ~ Dystopia
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Cover Rating: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/5

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now. It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries...or so they thought. Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself. In this pulse-pounding sequel to Kass Morgan's The 100, secrets are revealed, beliefs are challenged, and relationships are tested. And the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can -- together.

After reading the ending of The 100 I just HAD to read the sequel. Thank god I had it already. I couldn't just leave it there. Damn cliffhangers! Just like The 100, I really enjoyed Day 21. It was just as exciting, quick to read with a lot of unexpected twists.

I'll start with the characters again like I did in my review of The 100. Here we go:

-Wells: Well, I still don't like him. He's just a little too righteous for me to like him. I do like the budding romance he's developing with Sasha. Anything to divert his attention from Clarke is fine by me.

-Clarke: She's still pretty great to read about. I really do like her. She isn't whiny, which is a big deal for me. And I still love her to bits and pieces with Bellamy. They're so very cute together.

-Glass: She is one of my favorite povs in this book. It's different because she's still on the ship, which is slowly dying. I adore her and her relationship with Luke. Even though Kass Morgan wants to break my heart by screwing that up. But anyway... can't wait to see where her character will go.

-Bellamy: Be still my beating heart! I love him so much. And oh... there are so many twists involving him and a certain other character. I love how one moment he can be so charming (he'd literally charm the pants off of you!) and the next moment he can be fierce and protective. Much love!

This book made me feel so much. One moment I was laughing at funny moments and the next my heart was breaking in a million pieces - mostly with Clarke/Bellamy and Glass/Luke. But even so I kinda loved it all, even the heartbreak.

I must admit that I thought some events happening and solutions occuring were a little too convenient. But I could overlook it because I had so much fun reading Day 21. And there are so many twists you don't see coming, it's crazy. Most of the time I was screaming inside, not believing everything that was happening. And once again it ended in a huge cliffhanger. Kass Morgan sure knows how to end a book and keep us wanting more!

Favorite Quote:

"I love you." She couldn't count the number of times she'd said those words, but they seemed different now. She could hear the echo of every past I love you in them, and the promise of a lifetime more.

About the Author:

Twitter | Goodreads

Kass Morgan has an unhealthy obsession with books that first manifested in third grade when she brought a copy of Mallory and the Dream Horse to her own birthday party. When she was ten, she moved from Brooklyn to Santa Monica, where kids thought she was strange for wearing so much black. Then she went back to the east coast for college, where kids thought she was strange for wearing so much pink.

Kass studied English and History at Brown University, reading gothic novels in the library where Edgar Allan Poe conducted secret love affairs, auditioning unsuccessfully for a number of plays, and learning important truths about walking on ice in high heels.

After college, Kass crossed the pond to pursue a Master’s degree in 19th century literature at Oxford, which was like attending Hogwarts, but with more costume parties. She returned to the states with a deep appreciation for clotted cream, a suitcase full of cocktail dresses, and a thesis on George Eliot that she has since misplaced.

Kass settled in New York to work in publishing. When she’s not editing novels for young bookworms to sneak into their own birthday parties, you can find her jostling for table space at Brooklyn coffee shops, asking strangers if she can pet their dogs, and e-mailing her middle school crush to thank him for introducing her to science fiction, which turns out to be very fun to write. The 100 is her first book for teens. Kass is currently working the sequel, which she’ll finish as soon as she can find a coffee shop that allows laptops on the weekend.

Blog Tour: Review: Feuds by Avery Hastings

Title: Feuds
Author: Avery Hastings
Series: Feuds #1
Publication: September 2nd 2014 by St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Young Adult ~ Dystopia
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo | iBooks | Paper Lantern Lit
Cover Rating: 5/5
Overall Rating: 3/5

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

In this breathless story of impossible love, perfection comes at a deadly cost.

For Davis Morrow, perfection is a daily reality. Like all Priors, Davis has spent her whole life primed to be smarter, stronger, and more graceful than the lowly Imperfects, or “Imps.” A fiercely ambitious ballerina, Davis is only a few weeks away from qualifying for the Olympiads and finally living up to her mother’s legacy when she meets Cole, a mysterious boy who leaves her with more questions each time he disappears.

Davis has no idea that Cole has his own agenda, or that he’s a rising star in the FEUDS, an underground fighting ring where Priors gamble on Imps. Cole has every reason to hate Davis—her father’s campaign hinges on the total segregation of the Imps and Priors—but despite his best efforts, Cole finds himself as drawn to Davis as she is to him.

Then Narxis, a deadly virus, takes its hold--and Davis’s friends start dying. When the Priors refuse to acknowledge the epidemic, Davis has no one to turn to but Cole. Falling in love was never part of their plan, but their love may be the only thing that can save her world...in Avery Hastings's Feuds.

Feuds was an enjoyable but kind of predictable dystopian book, though there were some twists that were pretty good, I thought. I think I would've liked the book a bit more if it wasn't for the insta-love. I thought the relationship between Davis and Cole could've been done better because everything went so fast. And there were kisses. Lots of kisses. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Aside from the romance that wasn't really the best for me, I did like this book. I thought for a dystopian book it was pretty original because let's be honest, there are so many books in this genre so you've got to be pretty good to come up with new dystopian societies.

I loved the fact that this book had two different points of view. I loooove different povs, okay? Many don't but I do. Especially guy povs. Cole was my favorite because Davis sometimes kind of annoyed me. I liked her but I felt like she needed to get her priorities straight, which in the end she did. 

I liked the concept of the mysterious Narxis disease and how only Priors get it. It gave the book a little something extra to focus on. And like I said before there are some unexpected twists. Nothing too big, in my opinion but unexpected enough to give me pause. 

Feuds by Avery Hastings was likable. I didn't love it because I had wanted a little more character and world-building. But overall it was pretty enjoyable and a fast read. And I definitely want to read the next book because the ending was unexpected. Cliffhanger, people!

About the Author:

Twitter | Wattpad

Avery Hastings is an author and former book editor from New York City. Avery grew up in Ohio, graduated in 2006 from the University of Notre Dame and earned her MFA from the New School in 2008. When she's not reading or writing, Avery can usually be spotted lying around in the park with her affable dog. Like her protagonists, she knows how to throw a powerful right hook and once dreamed of becoming a ballerina. In addition to New York, Avery has recently lived in Mumbai and Paris, but is happy to call Brooklyn home (for now).