UNCHAINED by J. Lynn

Rating: B+
Synopsis:
Between the pissed off creatures that want demon-hunter Lily Marks dead and the fallen angel who just...wants her, Lily is about ready to trade in forever for a comfy job in a cubicle farm.

The fact that she and Julian are civil to one another is enough to have her thrown out of the Sanctuary, but she can't shake her not-so-angelic stalker or how he brings her dangerously close to ecstasy.

Her forbidden relationship with Julian provides the perfect fuel for suspicion when a traitor is discovered to be working within the Sanctuary. Lily quickly finds herself hunted by well, everyone.

Her only hope is to discover the real traitor before she loses everything--and she'll need Julian's help. That is, if Julian is really there to help her...and not destroy her.


Yeah, being a Nephilim isn't everything it's cracked up to be.

My thoughts on the book:
According to the information at the end of this novel, this was the first book that Jennifer L. Armentrout wrote, and when I think about it, it's obvious that she hadn't developed her voice 100% when writing this. The novel itself is a great read, and the writing is good. The characters are interesting and flawed and humorous in a way that only JLA can pull off, but her big reveal, while shocking, was a little obvious. Usually in her novels, she surprises me, at least a little bit.

I really liked Lily, though she made me mad a couple of times due to her prejudice that she'd had beat into her, more or less, since day 1. Overall, she was a good leading character, though, and unapologetically herself. She didn't try to change for anyone, and she did what was right for her (for the most part). She was brave in many ways and selfless, though at times she was too selfless. Julian was also a really complex character, and I absolutely adored him. The entirety of his story surprised me, and it made me love him even more when it was revealed at the end of the novel. They made a great couple, and their chemistry was through the roof. The secondary characters felt like real people instead of cardboard cutouts, which is something JLA has always excelled at.

The pacing of the story was pretty spot-on. My main contention with the story was that about 3/4 of the way through, it became glaringly obvious who the traitor was. Usually JLA is sneakier than that, and the big reveal was still shocking due to the reaction of the traitor, and everything the traitor did was actually more twisted than I'd thought. That being said, the lack of surprise is what made me give this book a B+. The writing was entertaining and engrossing, and like all JLA books, once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. I also think the story really shows what happens when you assume certain traits about people, or in this case supernatural beings, based on their race alone, and that's always a good reminder to have in a book.

Overall, I'd recommend this novel to anyone who is a JLA fan and who loves urban fantasies with flawed yet wonderful characters and a lot of steamy romance.

EVERY LAST BREATH by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Rating: A-
Synopsis:
Some loves will last ’til your dying breath

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…

My thoughts on the book:
Clearly I'm in a JLA mood lately, since this is the second book of hers that I read in a row. Every Last Breath did not disappoint. On the surface, this novel is a YA paranormal romance, but it has so much more going on than that. There is a lot of mythology, philosophy, and ethics thrown in there. It really makes you think. Also, JLA's writing is flawless. She made me both laugh and cry with this novel, and I needed both forms of catharsis very badly. The romance in this book is more cute than steamy, since it's a YA novel, but it's by no means G rated. The characters are wonderful, as usual, and the plot is engaging. My only problem with this book is the love triangle. I hate love triangles.

Layla grew up a lot in this book, and I appreciated that. She handled most things like an adult, and she really made some tough decisions. My heart broke for her several times because of all of the stuff she was going through, but she emerged from each battle stronger. That's always inspiring to me when characters do that. It gives me hope that I, too, can overcome my obstacles and emerge stronger than before. Roth was Roth, and I loved him as always. The familiars were fantastic, and I really felt like I got to see another side of Cayman in this novel. Zayne was Zayne, and I didn't like him that much still. He was a good guy, but not for me. 

The romance was adorable and sweet and somewhat steamy... It was pretty damn steamy for a YA novel. The writing was wonderful, and there was actually one quote that made me laugh until I cried: "He’s as old as time and has the temperament of someone who shit the bed and has been rolling around in it all day.” Cayman said that, and I laughed for at least 15-20 minutes before I could collect myself. My cats thought I'd lost my mind. There were also some heartbreaking moments that had me in tears because I was so sad for the characters. I love novels that can make me feel what the characters are feeling, and this one definitely did that. 

The action was nonstop, and this was a fast-paced book. Every time I thought the characters would get a break, something else was thrown at them. I mean I thought my life was a shit show, but Layla had me beat by a long shot in this novel... and at least my problems are mine and don't affect the entire world. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book and series to anyone who loves mythology, loves books that make you think, and loves books that make you feel. Armentrout did not disappoint with this trilogy's ending. 

DESCENT by Tara Fuller

Rating: A
Release Date: 6/3/15
Synopsis:
Easton doesn’t believe in love. He believes in Death. Darkness. Sin. As a reaper for Hell, it’s all he’s known for over four hundred years. When he gets slapped with the job of training the boss’s daughter, an angel who knows nothing but joy, he knows he’s in for a world of trouble.

Though he’s made it clear he wants nothing to do with her outside of work, Gwen would do anything to get closer to the dark and wounded reaper—even taint her angelic image and join the ranks of her father’s team of reapers. But in all her planning, she forgot to factor in one thing—how far the demons Easton doomed to hell would go to get revenge.

When the dangers of the Hell threaten Gwen, Easton will do whatever it takes to save her. But as the darkness closes in on them both, will he be able to save himself?

My thoughts on the book:
Descent is by far the best book in this trilogy. I absolutely loved getting to know Easton and Gwen. They developed organically throughout the story. The plot was full of suspense, and the pacing was spot on. Fuller's descriptions and world building were fantastic, and her writing was top notch. I'd recommend this book to just about anyone. 

Gwen was a really cute character, and I enjoyed reading from her perspective. There was much more to her than one would expect. Easton was also incredibly complex, and I was glad we finally got to know him better. He was such a tortured guy, but still good, somehow. Scout wasn't my favorite secondary character, but he was okay. The rest of the characters weren't incredibly developed, but they didn't really need to be. They each had their own personality, we just didn't get to hear much about them. 

The plot was fast paced and full of adventure. I was on the edge of my seat most of this novel, and Fuller did an excellent job of painting the horrors of hell. Her descriptions made it to where I could clearly picture how horrifying that place was. Also, her world building was top notch. Everything made sense, and I was easily able to achieve willing suspension of disbelief. The ending tied things up nicely and was a fantastic conclusion to this trilogy.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys angel and demon stories. It's a little bit different, and you can read it as a stand alone or as part of the trilogy.

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THE BEAUTIFUL ASHES by Jeaniene Frost

Rating: B-
Synopsis:
In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate. 

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her. 

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…

My thoughts on the book:
The Beautiful Ashes is Jeaniene Frost's first endeavor into the world of angels and demons. It's also her first New Adult novel. While I wasn't as blown away by this effort as I was the Night Huntress Series when I first began it, I did enjoy the book. The pacing was pretty fast, the characters were well-developed, and the plot was intriguing enough to keep me interested. The story wasn't perfect, but I'll definitely be reading the sequel.

Ivy is likeable enough, though a bit less complicated than Cat, and Adrian is no Bones. I know I shouldn't compare the two sets of characters, since they are from two very different stories, but I can't help it. Also, Ivy is kind of immature. Sometimes she seemed to overreact about really stupid, childish things. And at other times she didn't react enough. I never felt her mourning for her family. She just kind of brushed that aside. Adrian was a bit too tormented and angsty for my tastes, but that's okay. He's still a relatively strong character, and I look forward to getting to know him some. The secondary characters were interesting, especially Costa.

Some of the characters' actions in the story seemed too convenient, like when they changed long-held beliefs almost instantly in the name of love, etc. However, for the most part, things flowed naturally. As previously stated, the pacing was spot-on. Nothing dragged. The romance tried to be steamy, but didn't quite make it. Again, the passion was nowhere near the level of Cat and Bones' lusty encounters. That being said, I'm hopeful that the next installment will bring more to the table, romance-wise. Frost is an excellent romance author as her Night Huntress series and its spin-offs illustrate, so I have faith that she can bring this lukewarm love some much needed heat. The ending tied things up from this novel nicely but set the stage for book two, which I am looking forward to.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to fans of Frost's writing (she definitely has her trademark sense of humor in this novel) and people who love stories about angels and demons. I enjoyed the book, and I'm sure many of you will, too.

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CHASING BEFORE by Lenore Appelhans

Rating: C-
Synopsis:
“I’m a ticking time bomb. And one day soon everything is going to explode.”

Felicia and Neil have arrived in Level 3 and are supposed to prepare for their divine vocations.


But during Felicia and Neil's training period, a series of explosions rips through Level 3. Tension is high, and casualties are mounting. A rift forms between the pair, one that grows wider when Felicia receives memories from the Morati. The memories cast doubt on the people she loves the most, but Felicia can't stop her curiosity. She has to know the truth about her life – even if it means putting at risk everything she’s worked for in her death.

My thoughts on the book:
Let me start this review by saying that the world-building, descriptions, writing, pacing, and plot were all fantastic. Had it not been for the completely unlikable characters, I would have enjoyed this book immensely. However, reading from Felicia's bratty point of view really ruined things for me. Instead of letting the mysteries unfold and being excited to find out what came next, I found myself sighing and checking to see how many pages I had left before I could end this whinefest and read something a little less obnoxious.

Felicia is one of the most selfish characters I've ever had the displeasure of reading. Additionally, she's bratty and needy. She's unhealthily obsessed with her boyfriend, Neil, and he's no prize, let me tell you. He's a self-righteous, judgmental bigot. The entire book consists of Felicia complaining and whining that she's not good enough for Neil and that he's the only thing that brings out her good qualities. Well, if those are her good qualities, then I'd hate to see her bad ones. Also, I completely disagree with her. Anyone that dependent upon someone else needs to do some serious self-evaluation. With Julian (the only redeemable character), Felicia thinks about others instead of just worrying about her relationship with Neil. She wants to do what's right because it's right, not because it will impress self-righteous Neil. Julian makes her much stronger, and something needs to. She's a completely weak and pathetic character. I really hope that Appelhans has Felicia grow some, and quickly, or I'm going to have to quit what would otherwise be an extremely interesting series. Felicia needs to break up with Neil and learn to stand on her own so that she's a worthy YA heroine. As it stands, she pales in comparison to the actual strong and likable heroines out there.

Aside from the characters, this book is fantastic. I really loved learning about Level 3, and the mythology behind the levels of ascension is intriguing. The plot is also tightly woven and engrossing. Furthermore, the pacing is spot on, and nothing drags or feels rushed. Also, Appelhans is a fantastic writer. Her descriptions really helped me picture the world around Felicia. The unraveling of the mysteries is also handled very well, and the ending ties things up nicely. The romance makes me want to gouge my eyes out, and I really hope that it goes away soon.

Overall, I'd only recommend this book to you if you don't mind really bratty, immature, weak characters. I know this is a YA book, but Felicia is supposed to be 18, not 8. It's time for her to act her age and learn to stand on her own. If you're looking for something different, though, this series definitely fills that requirement. Just be prepared to be super annoyed by Felicia.

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A RADIANT SKY by Jocelyn Davies

Rating: A-
Release Date: 09/24/13
Synopsis:
Since the night of her seventeenth birthday, Skye has been torn between two opposites: Light and Dark, the Order and the Rebellion, Devin and Asher.

But her decision shocked both sides—because she chose neither.

With the help of her friends, Skye forges her own path, setting out to gather an uprising of Rogues. The treacherous and elusive half-angels may be the key to maintaining the balance of fate and free will. But completing the mission her parents left unfinished is more difficult—and dangerous—than she could have imagined. And doing so comes at a cost: Her greatest love may now be a lethal enemy. Because it’s not just the Order that sees her as a threat who must be eliminated. The Rebellion does, too.

And both sides will do whatever it takes to win.

Dark days lie ahead, and if Skye is to survive, she’ll need to rely on her extraordinary powers and the strength of her will. Because she has a future—and a love—that’s worth fighting for.

The sweeping, darkly romantic story that began with A Beautiful Dark and gathered intensity in A Fractured Light comes to a thrilling conclusion in A Radiant Sky.

My thoughts on the book:
A Radiant Sky is an almost perfect ending to the Beautiful Dark trilogy. There were a couple of things that didn't quite fit, in my opinion, but overall, this book was fantastic. This was a very emotional read, and I laughed and cried right along with the characters. I think most fans will be happy with the ending, though some of the things that happened are a bit tough to take, which makes this ending bittersweet. Still Davies wrote an excellent novel that displayed character growth and plot development. This suspenseful series conclusion will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions and will give you a satisfying, albeit somewhat sad, ending. 

Skye has grown so much over the course of this trilogy, and I really enjoyed learning about this world through her eyes. She matured so much, and she learned so many lessons. Davies did not shy away from challenging Skye in this final installment, and that made her character that much stronger in the end. The secondary characters all grew as well, especially Asher and Devin, and it was interesting to see the types of people they turned into. Everyone got their own conclusion, and I felt content with how most of the characters' stories ended. 

The plot itself is suspenseful, and there was quite a bit of action. The Rebellion and the Order were trying to get to Skye in any way they could, and that led to a lot of harrowing events. The pacing was perfect, and I never felt bored. Nothing was rushed, and the descriptions were written wonderfully. Davies has such a good writing voice. The ending tied up all of the loose ends and gave me a sense of closure. The romance was equal parts sweet and heartbreaking. My only complaint about the novel is that there are a couple of occurrences that just do not seem realistic. I hate when authors manipulate the plot and make things too convenient, and that did happen two or three times. Other than that, the book was amazing. The main themes of the novel were family, friendship, and love, and I think that Davies did a terrific job of showing how love can make a person strong and vulnerable at the same time. 

Overall I'd recommend this book to fans of the series and the trilogy to people who love good YA paranormal romance novels. Davies created a unique world with well-developed and likable characters. This is one series that cannot be missed.

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SWEET PERIL by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Peril
Wendy Higgins

Rating: A+
Synopsis:
Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things. 

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

My thoughts on the book:
Wow. Sweet Peril is an amazing follow-up to Sweet Evil. This book does not suffer from "second book syndrome" nor does it disappoint. I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. The character growth is believable, the plot is intriguing and intense, the pacing is spot-on, and the ending leaves the reader wanting more. This is one novel that cannot be missed. 

Anna is a fantastic leading lady, and in this installment she shows her strength by *not* acting like Bella Swan and laying down and dying because Kaidan went away. Anna realizes that there are things in life that are more important than her and that people are depending on her. She focuses on what she has to and tries to push her sadness away as much as possible. This shows great maturity, and I really loved that about her. Kaidan also grows a lot in this book, and even though I was a Kai fan before, I really adore him now. Kopano bores me a bit. He's not my favorite character. He's nice enough and all, but super boring. I really enjoyed getting to know Zania and Flynn, and I also liked seeing more of Blake, Ginger, and Marna. 

The plot is pretty intense, and I was definitely engaged with the entire story. I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what was going to happen to these poor nephilim. Things weren't necessarily action-packed, but there was a sense of urgency throughout the entire novel. Also, once Kaidan re-entered the scene, things got extremely interesting. The ending leaves the reader wanting more, but ties up a lot of the unanswered questions from this book. I guess I'd say it's a semi-cliffhanger. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book and series to anyone. It's a good, lighthearted read with a fantastic heroine, interesting secondary characters, and intriguing plots. You can't go wrong with these books

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THE COLLECTOR by Victoria Scott

The Collector
Victoria Scott

Rating: C-
Synopsis:
He makes good girls...bad. 

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried.

My thoughts on the book:
After reading others' reviews, I had really high hopes for The Collector. You'd think I'd learn that usually when I have high expectations for a book, they aren't met, so I should just stop doing that, but nonetheless, I still was hopeful that The Collector would be a fantastic book. I was let down, of course. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate the novel or anything like that, but certain things bothered me. The writing was okay, but nothing amazing. The plot was fairly predictable, the world-building was a bit lacking, and the characters were a bit flat. 

Dante was the only character who really had a personality. The rest of the characters, even Charlie, were cookie-cutter people. I mean yea, Charlie was apparently heinously ugly, but other than that, she's the typical boring good girl who's starved for male attention. Also, she was so gullible that it wasn't even believable. There's one lie he tells her that she just buys into without question. It was so unbelievable that it kept me from enjoying the rest of the story. I hate when authors control their characters like that and make them conveniently stupid instead of actually addressing a problem and working around it. That made me lose a lot of respect for Scott. Also, Dante turned me off pretty early on because he hated cats, and as a cat lover, I just don't trust anyone who doesn't like cats, haha. Also, he talked like some wanna-be 1920's gangster or something. No one says "Boss Man" and "Big Guy" anymore. Seriously, it was ridiculous. He was only suppose to have died two years ago. As far as I know, two years ago was 2011, not 1911. Just saying. 

The plot was super predictable. Nothing took me by surprise, and I knew the ending would be all conveniently tied up in a neat little box. There's of course a problem that will have to be solved in a sequel, but I'm pretty sure I already know what will happen with that, whether or not the story has already been written. This author loves convenience, and if she can't manipulate situations and characters into fitting neatly into the little boxes she creates, then it won't be used. 

The pacing was pretty spot-on, and I wasn't bored at all. There's not much action, but I did enjoy how Dante evolved (though, as far as I know, he never decided to love cats). I just wish there'd been more depth to the characters and situations. This book held my interest, but only because I was hoping that I was wrong about the predictability of it all. I really wanted the author not to take the easy way out with at least one thing, but that didn't happen. 

Overall, I'd say check this book out from the library. A lot of people have loved this book, but it wasn't for me. It's not the worst thing I've ever read, but the plot and characters were all a bit too shallow for my personal enjoyment. I'll probably pick up the sequel from the library just to see if things improve, but I'm not counting the days until its released. 

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PROPHECY GIRL by Cecily White

Prophecy Girl
Cecily White

Rating: A
Synopsis:
Amelie Bennett. . . . Ending the world, one prophecy at a time.

I was born to slay Crossworld demons. 
Big black flappy ones, little green squirmy ones. Unfortunately, the only thing getting slain these days is my social life. With my high school under attack, combat classes intensifying, and Academy instructors dropping right and left, I can barely get my homework done, let alone score a bondmate before prom.
Then he shows up. 
Jackson Smith-Hailey. Unspeakably hot, hopelessly unattainable, and dangerous in all the right ways. Sure, he’s my trainer. And okay, maybe he hates me. Doesn’t mean I’ll ignore the wicked Guardian chemistry between us. It’s crazy! Every time I’m with him, my powers explode. Awesome, right? 
Wrong. 
Now my teachers think I’m the murderous Graymason destined to bring down our whole race of angelbloods. Everyone in New Orleans is hunting me. The people I trusted want me dead. Jack and I have five days to solve the murders, prevent a vampire uprising, and thwart the pesky prophecy foretelling his death by my hand. Shouldn’t be too difficult. 

Getting it done without falling in love. . . that might take a miracle.

My thoughts on the book:
Prophecy Girl stands out in the overcrowded YA market. After the first two chapters, it became clear that this is not just another angel book, and I was pleasantly surprised by the story, characters, and world that White created. Thanks to this series debut, I am now counting the days until the release of the second book in the Angel Academy series. I cannot wait to see what happens to Amelie next. 

Amelie is more teenage-like than a lot of the leading YA characters that I've read, but not in a bad way. She's still strong and likable, though a little bratty at times. She just talks and reacts more like a teenager than an adult. I always find it odd how YA heroines usually fall on one end of the maturity spectrum. They can either appear to be way too child-like or way too grown-up. Amelie falls right in the middle and this makes her a very believable character. Also, she grows and grows up throughout the course of the novel, but it's clear that she still has more growing to do before she's reached her full potential. Overall, I liked her, and I enjoyed what White did with her character. 

Since Prophecy Girl starts out with the prologue, which is the ending, I went into the novel expecting to meet Jack. I didn't expect what I got when I finally did get to meet him though. Jackson isn't your typical YA hero either. He really stands out, and I couldn't help but grow attached to him. He's a little snarky, but he's not a jerk. He does some jerky things, but it's clear that he's not doing them to be mean (you'll have to read the book to understand what I'm talking about here). He's also brave, loyal, and open-minded. He's one of the most complex and realistic male leads I've read in awhile. He's nowhere near perfect, and I loved him for that. The secondary characters are well-developed, too, and came across very realistically. 

The plot is well-paced, intense, and emotional. While this novel isn't completely action-packed, it is suspenseful. White managed to keep me guessing throughout most of the book, and even when I managed to figure out one part of the mystery, she still threw me for a loop or two at the end. There appears to be some insta-love between Jack and Amelie, but as the story progresses, and as more of the world-building occurs and you begin to understand more about the bonding between Guardian and Watcher, it becomes clear that there is more to them than that. Also, Amelie doesn't get all "Bella Swan" about Jack, so even if it had been insta-love, it wouldn't have been annoying. What I'm saying is for those of you who hate insta-love, give this book a chance to explain. You'll be pleasantly surprised in the end. And speaking of the ending, it's not a cliffhanger and a lot of the issues introduced are cleared up, but there White left plenty of small unanswered questions and introduced some new ones for the sequel. I can't wait to see what happens.

Overall, I'd recommend this book and this series to anyone who enjoys good YA Paranormal Romance. This is one book you won't want to miss. White is an excellent writer, and there is enough mystery and intrigue to keep everyone interested. If you give Prophecy Girl a try, you won't be sorry. 

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BOUNDLESS by Cynthia Hand

Boundless
Cynthia Hand

Rating: A+
Synopsis:
The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

My thoughts on the book:
Boundless is one of the best series finales I've ever read. Hand creates her own path to the conclusion of this story, which leads to a surprisingly different ending from most of the other YA series finales in today's market. This unique approach led to fully developed and evolved characters, a feeling of resolution while still hinting at the characters' continued lives beyond the story, and an intriguing plot that keeps the reader engaged. This story flew by, and while I felt sad that this is the end, I also was satisfied with the ending. Hand shows how talented she is in Boundless, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. 

Clara has always impressed me as a character. She's strong and independent, but she still has a heart of gold. She's snarky when need be, but she's not off-putting. She's an extremely balanced character, and she grows even more in this final installment. Sometimes she simply reacts out of pure emotion, which we all do, but she tries her hardest not to be selfish. She really wants to be a good person, and I love that about her. She's a great narrator, and I approve of all of how she handled everything. She's almost always honest, and she doesn't take people for granted. She's a great character that we could all learn from. 

Christian and Tucker are both fantastic, and while I vacillated between the two teams, I would have been happy regardless of who Clara chose. I love how Hand handled this situation. She hinted at doing a few of the "easy way out" scenarios that less talented authors opt for, but in the end, the situation resolved itself in an interesting and unique way. I wasn't disappointed with how things turned out at all. I think the entire love triangle was handled with grace. I feel like both guys got what they wanted and needed in life and that no one was short-changed.

The plot was intricately woven and intense. There were some surprises, and other things I saw coming a mile away (such as who the main betrayer would be). I found it interesting how everything seemed to be completely screwed up half the time, but in the end, it all came together exactly how it was destined to. I also enjoyed the idea of our choices always being the right ones, no matter how much they seemed like a mistake, because they will lead to our destiny. Basically our choices create our destiny, but our destiny is already laid out. We just happen to make the "right" choices. It's a combination of free will and fate that creates our purposes. That, to me, seems to be the prevailing message of this series, and I'm glad Hand addressed the concept. Many YA series don't deal with anything remotely philosophical, but Hand realizes that her readers are intelligent and capable of deep thought. So in addition to a terrific and entertaining story, she included some philosophical concepts. 

Overall, I'd recommend this series to anyone who enjoys good books with some depth. While it is an angel series, it's not overly religious. Those who are Christian and those who aren't will enjoy the story. I never felt as if Hand was preaching at me, and she doesn't make a case for anything through her characters. She simply played around with a philosophy to see where it led. If you haven't read this series yet, you are missing out. 

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WICKED KISS by Michelle Rowen

Wicked Kiss
Michelle Rowen

Rating: A+
Release Date: 02/26/13
Synopsis:
MY KISS CAN KILL. 

I used to be ordinary Samantha Day, but that's changed. Now, after one dark kiss from a dangerous boy, I can steal someone's soul...or their life. If I give in to the constant hunger inside me, I hurt anyone I kiss. If I don't...I hurt myself. 

Bishop is the one whose kiss I crave most, but if I kiss him, I'll kill him. Then there's another boy, one I can't hurt. One whose kiss seems to miraculously quell my hunger. They're both part of a team of angels and demons that's joined forces in my city to fight a mysterious rising darkness, an evil that threatens everyone I know and love. I just wonder if I'll be able to help Bishop-or if I'm just another part of the darkness he's sworn to destroy.... 

NIGHTWATCHERS 

When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

My thoughts on the book:
This book was amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed reading what seemed to be the end of this series, even though I feel that the ending of the series is a bit premature. The character growth was substantial, the plot was intriguing and interesting, the pacing was perfect, and the ending was somewhat happy. This is an excellent book that cannot be missed. 

Samantha grows a lot as a character in this novel, and she turns into a very selfless and brave person. I really enjoyed watching her transformation, and she impressed me multiple times with her willingness to sacrifice herself and her own happiness in order to keep those she loved safe. Also, her capacity for forgiveness is inspiring. Bishop and Kraven also evolve, and we finally learn the truth about them. I felt bad for both guys and what they had been through in the past... It even hurt me more that neither of them knew the truth - Bishop blocked it out and Kraven only remembered what appeared to be true. I'm glad they finally know what really happened. 

The plot is captivating. I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time, and I couldn't put this book down. Rowen kept me guessing, and there were tons of surprises. The romance between Samantha and Bishop is believable and sweet, and I found myself rooting for them even though I enjoyed Kraven as a character more than I did Bishop. Also, the ending is fairly happy, which left me feeling happy after finishing the novel. 

Overall, I'd recommend this series to anyone who loves a good paranormal romance. My only complaint is that it seems to be the end of the series. Rowen is a fantastic author, and Nightwatchers is a great series. I look forward to reading whatever Rowen writes next.

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SHADOWS IN THE SILENCE by Courtney Allison Moulton

Shadows in the Silence
Courtney Allison Moulton

Rating: A-
Release Date: 01/29/13
Synopsis:
Your strength in heart and hand will fall. . . .
Ellie knows that the darkest moments are still to come, and she has everything to fight for:

She must fight for Will.
The demonic have resorted to their cruelest weapons to put Will in mortal danger, and Ellie makes an unlikely alliance to save him and to stop Lilith and Sammael, who seek to drown the world in blood and tear a hole into Heaven.

She must fight for humanity.
As the armies of Hell rise and gather for the looming End of Days, Ellie and her band of allies travel to the world’s darkest and most ancient regions in her quest to come into her full glory as the archangel Gabriel.

And Ellie must save herself.
Her humanity withers beneath the weight of her cold archangel power, but Ellie must hold tight to who she is and who she loves as she prepares for the ultimate battle for Heaven and Earth.

In this final installment in the Angelfire trilogy, Courtney Allison Moulton brings her dark world of epic battles and blistering romance to a blazing bright conclusion.

My thoughts on the book:
Shadows in the Silence is a heart-wrenching, action-packed thrill ride that you cannot miss. This novel will rip your heart out several times and give it back to you. You'll get to where you're afraid to turn the page because something awful may be lurking on it, but you have to know what happens next. Moulton lures you into false senses of security while simultaneously crushing you. It's an emotional roller coaster, that's for sure. 

Ellie grows into her angelic identity more in this book, and through that the reader (and Ellie) feel as if she's losing a part of herself in the process. However, she carries on because she's just that kick ass, and she's willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save humanity, if that's what it takes. I really respected her in this book. She was strong, yet emotional, and I could completely relate to her every step of the way. Likewise, Will's situation, while heartbreaking, feels like it was what was meant to be. Everything he goes through also shows how deep his and Ellie's connection really is. 

The plot was non-stop action and suspense. I could not put this book down. However, I do feel that Moulton dragged out the final battle a bit long. I felt like she could have shaved at least 100 pages off of the second half of the book and the story still would have kicked ass. It felt like unnecessary length was added in several places. I know that loose ends had to be tied up, but I just think she could have paced it a bit better. The ending was satisfying, though heartbreaking. When I finished this book, I felt like the war was over and the characters had grown as much as they could. Moulton did an excellent job of tying everything together. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book, and this series, to anyone who loves a good YA epic romance/adventure/angel story. All three books are amazing and not to be missed. 

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THIRTEEN by Kelley Armstrong

Thirteen
Kelley Armstrong

Rating: A+
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
The #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong delivers the novel her fans have been clamoring for: The epic finale of the Otherworld series.
It’s been more than ten years, a dozen installments, and hundreds of thousands of copies since Kelley Armstrong introduced readers to the all-too-real denizens of the Otherworld: witches, werewolves, necromancers, vampires, and half-demons, among others. And it’s all been leading to Thirteen, the final installment, the novel that brings all of these stories to a stunning conclusion.

A war is brewing—the first battle has been waged and Savannah Levine is left standing, albeit battered and bruised. She has rescued her half brother from supernatural medical testing, but he’s fighting to stay alive. The Supernatural Liberation Movement took him hostage, and they have a maniacal plan to expose the supernatural world to the unknowing.

Savannah has called upon her inner energy to summon spells with frightening strength, a strength she never knew she had, as she fights to keep her world from shattering. But it’s more than a matter of supernaturals against one another—both heaven and hell have entered the war; hellhounds, genetically modified werewolves, and all forces of good and evil have joined the fray.

Uniting Savannah with Adam, Paige, Lucas, Jaime, Hope, and other lost-but-notforgotten characters in one epic battle, Thirteen is a grand, crowd-pleasing closer for Armstrong’s legions of fans.


My thoughts on the book:
Thirteen was the best series finale I've ever read, I do believe. Armstrong brought back all of our favorites in this epic ending, and we got to see how each narrator's story ended. Everyone got a turn, and I really enjoyed that. While this book was all about Savannah's final journey, Armstrong included a very short epilogue of sorts letting us know how things wrapped up for Elena and Clay as well. She wanted things to come full circle, and I'm glad she handled things that way. I enjoyed the last story being about Savannah, but I liked the very, very end being about Elena and Clay. This ending was perfect, in my opinion, and while I was sad that the series was over, I ended the book feeling happy. Armstrong really couldn't have written a better ending to this series.


The narration was different from previous Otherworld books. Savannah told most of the story in first person narration, but randomly, one of the narrators of previous books got to tell their story. However, the other narrators were in third person limited POVs. Still, the narrators reflected on their lives so that we could also reflect on the character growth of all of the narrators over this series. Each narrator got a turn: Jamie, Elena, Paige, Hope, and Eve. The switch in narrators didn't bother me, and I enjoyed remembering each character's individual journey. I loved all of the narrators (other than Hope) in the series, and I was glad to see how they each came into their own. Savannah's character development was fantastic over the arc of the past three novels, and I am very happy with how she turned out. Cassandra really surprised me at the end, and I grew to respect her more as a character as well. I was left with good feelings about everyone in the series.


There was nonstop action and adventure, though there was really no mystery. By this point in the story, we knew who all of the bad guys were. People surprised the characters, betrayed them, etc., but I always saw it coming beforehand. Anytime something seemed to work out in a character's favor, I knew that it was too simple and things would fall apart shortly. That always happened. Armstrong really tested her characters up until the very end. There was no tranquil ending for the women of the Otherworld, and I'm sure they wouldn't want one. 


The pacing was spot on, and even though I purposefully dragged this book out, I was never bored. I just didn't want the series to end, so I read a little tiny bit at a time over a few days to ensure I made the series last as long as possible. I know, it's silly, but that's what I did anyway. The ending tied everything up nicely, and I truly feel that every question that's ever been raised in the series has been answered. I'm content with how everyone's story ended. The ending was open, however. There is the possibility of Armstrong writing another book if she wants because it's clear that the adventures are far from over, but I feel that the story arc itself has ended. Things were tied up nicely, and if there isn't another Otherworld book written ever, then I'd be perfectly happy with how things ended. 


I really do not want to spoil this book for anyone, so I am going to end this review here. The Otherworld series has been my favorite series for years, and will probably continue to be my favorite series for the rest of my life. Every single book grabbed me, and this last one was no different. I'd recommend this book to everyone who's ever read the series. If you haven't read the series, go buy Bitten right now! 


Well done, Kelley, well done. 

SOUL WEAVER by Hailey Edwards

Soul Weaver
Hailey Edwards

Rating: B+
Release Date: 08/07/12
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
Since the accident that nearly took her life, Chloe suffers from acute agoraphobia. Living alone above her family's bookstore, she spends restless nights terrified by strange visions . . . until a mysterious stranger appears and offers her salvation. Chloe is drawn to the ethereal, gorgeous Nathaniel-but her haunted soul warns her there is more to him than meets the eye.

An archangel who roams Earth collecting souls of the newly departed, Nathanial is the sole witness to the accident that should have taken Chloe's life. Seduced by the purity of her soul, he defies Providence by saving her life. But his attempt at kindness marks Chloe for damnation, and makes her an unwitting pawn in a game of unholy ambition. Now together they must fight the demons of Hell itself-for a love that defies the boundaries of Heaven and Earth. 


My thoughts on the book:
Hailey Edwards is an author with the ability to create captivating worlds and complex characters. She displays her talents again in Soul Weaver, and I found it difficult to put this book down. Edwards tells an intriguing and touching story about a girl and a fallen angel who have lost their way.


Soul Weaver is a unique take on the angels, demons, and afterlife ideas.I really enjoyed the thought of the demons coming up and taking care of the world's evil people instead of the demons' jobs being to coax people into committing evil. I also liked how the idea of balance played into the story. If everything wasn't balanced, then there were a lot of problems. Edwards obviously played into a lot of different mythologies to create this world, and her efforts paid off. This world was uniquely enthralling, and I couldn't get enough of it. 


Chloe was the leading heroine, and she wasn't the strong, fearless type. Instead, she had agoraphobia. However, I never fully believed the agoraphobia because she ran a bookstore where she had to deal with people. How could you deal with people, even in your own home/store, if you were scared of social interaction? It just didn't make sense. Another thing that didn't make sense was how quickly she attached herself to Neve and Nathaniel. These things made me feel like perhaps Chloe wasn't agoraphobic at all. I don't know a ton about agoraphobia, though, so I could be wrong. From what I understand, though, a person who has agoraphobia is scared of all human interaction. I don't think it's just a fear of leaving one's house. Again, I'm no psychologist, so anyone who knows more about this than I do, please feel free to chime in. Other than that, I liked Chloe. She was inherently good, and I enjoyed learning more about her. 


I really liked Nathaniel, and I thought he made the perfect hero. He was also extremely self-aware for a guy, and I appreciated that. He was such a good character, but he'd been so tarnished by centuries of punishing evil-doers that he seemed to have forgotten that there was any good in the world. Chloe was able to remind him of that, and his reactions to her kindness were touching. 


The POV was third person limited, and it switched between Nathaniel, Saul (Nathanial's brother), and Chloe. I liked getting the three different perspectives, and things flowed from one character to the next smoothly. The pacing was a bit rushed in spots, but overall, the story flowed nicely. The ending tied things up well, and I feel that Chloe's and Nathaniel's story has come to a close. I think that if this turns into a series, then Edwards may end up casting different characters for each installment, sort of like she does with her Daughters of Askara series, because the ending seemed final and complete. 


Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves romance stories that lean more to the sweet side than the steamy side. There are some steamy scenes, but overall, this book is more a touching story of love than a sexy read. Also, if you like your romance stories for a plot, this book is for you. Edwards is a wonderful author, and whether you're a fan or newcomer to her work, you should give Soul Weaver a try. 


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THE HUNTER AND THE HUNTED by Kelley Armstrong

The Hunter and the Hunted
Kelley Armstrong

Rating: A
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
In Off-Duty Angel , dark witch and half-demon Eve Levine is desperate for a little entertainment while her lover, Kristof Nast, is detained in afterlife court—enough to volunteer an extra week’s worth of angel corps duty just to pass the time. Luckily something even better comes up: a real celestial bounty-hunter mission to trail a shaman, someone who might prove to be a useful lead in Kristof’s court case. Following the target goes smoothly, until he leads Eve to the British Museum, where she inadvertently steps into a secret dimensional passage and stumbles upon a far more enticing puzzle . . . and a much greater danger.


This collection also includes Stalked (Otherworld #7.3), previously printed in My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon.
It’s not a good sign when Elena Michaels and Clayton Danvers resort to everyday activities on their long-awaited honeymoon in St. Louis. But their encroaching boredom is about to take a backseat to an unexpected threat that catches Clay’s attention. A non-pack werewolf is clearly stalking them—out to claim Elena for himself—and Clay has no intention of letting the upstart mutt spoil their romantic getaway, even if that means deceiving Elena as he pursues the rival werewolf on his own.


Includes an exclusive early look at the first seven chapters of Thirteen, the Otherworld series finale coming July 24, 2012.


My thoughts on the book:

The Hunter and the Hunted are two short stories from Kelley Armstrong's the Otherworld series. Penguin also threw in the first seven chapters of Thirteen, and let me just say that I cannot wait for that book. I've had it pre-ordered for awhile now, but reading these first few chapters really sold me on it. I'm counting the days until it's released. The two short stories are good, and I always love getting more Elena and Clay. While I enjoyed them, I enjoyed the sneak peek of Thirteen more.

The first story in this novella is a short story about Elena and Clay, told from Clay's perspective. I love when Clay narrates because he has such a unique perspective. It's always like I'm reading from a wolf's perspective instead of a man's. I love Elena as a narrator too, but it's always interesting to see Clay's take on things. "Stalked," the story, is a cute story about Elena and Clay's honeymoon. It was interesting to see how they interacted and how much they tried to stick to human ideals while on their honeymoon. I'm going to miss those two characters when the series ends. 

"Off-Duty Angel" is told from Eve's perspective. It's also a cute story, and it was nice to get to know Eve better. Since she only had one book in the series, I don't feel like I know her as well as I know the other characters. She's not present as much as Jaime (who also only had one book) is. I feel like I know Eve more through reputation than through observing her behaviors, so I liked getting to see more of her. Both stories are only around 30 pages each and very light-hearted. 

The teaser for Thirteen blew my mind. I was already wishing July 24 would hurry and get here, and now it's a billion times worse. The final book in the Otherworld series is shaping up to be an intense and emotional thrill-ride. I have a feeling I'll laugh, cry, and be on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book. I'm literally counting the days until I can get my hands on this novel. 

Overall, I'd recommend this novella to any Kelley Armstrong fan. If you're a fan of the Otherworld series, then you'll love getting more looks into the characters' lives. It's also a nice edition to the series because we get to hear from characters who usually don't get to narrate their own stories. If you haven't read the Otherworld series yet, then you're missing out. Start with Bitten, though. You'd be completely lost with this novella if you hadn't read the other books first. The Hunter and the Hunted is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon in e-book format. This is a novella you'll want to add to your e-reader library.

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