NEVERFALL + EVERBOUND by Brodi Ashton Reviews and Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of one of my most anticipated books of 2013, I am posting a review to the novella, Neverfall, told from Cole's perspective along with my review of Everbound. Also, I am offering one lucky winner e-book copies of Neverfall and Everbound!

Neverfall
Brodi Ashton

Rating: A
Synopsis:
A thrilling new novella from the author of the Everneath series!

Jack is trapped for eternity in the Tunnels while Nikki has managed to evade Cole's grasp . . . for now. But Cole is more desperate than ever to find answers about Nikki, his best chance for taking over the throne of the underworld. How did she survive the Feed? Can Cole find another Forfeit like her who can survive it too?

Cole's quest leads him to the other side of the world, to a mysterious, dangerous society known as the Delphinians, whose price for information might be higher than Cole can pay—a price that could destroy Nikki. But when Cole attempts to steal the answers instead, his mission ends in disaster. Faced with centuries in a Delphinian dungeon, Cole is confronted with questions he's been too scared to ask himself: Is he really obsessed with the throne—or is he obsessed with Nikki? And can she really give him a new beginning as the Everneath's king . . . or will she instead bring about his tragic end?

My thoughts on the book:
Neverfall is an intense and short read from Cole's perspective. While this novella didn't totally win me over to team Cole (for some reason I have a soft spot for Jack), I do appreciate the fact that Ashton didn't feel the need to make Cole a completely sympathetic and perfect character, once we got to know him better. I love Cole, and I think that he's a fantastic character. However, I really wish he'd get over his selfishness. He made some improvements during this novella, and I look forward to see how he handles things in the future. For now, I'm holding off on deciding whose team I'm on. Regardless of my indecision, this novella is fast-paced and full of suspense. I enjoyed learning more about Cole and the world of the Everneath. It was also interesting to learn about the Delphinians. Overall, this is an excellent novella that adds to the series. 

Order your e-copy of Neverfall today!

Everbound

By: Brodi Ashton

Rating: A+

Synopsis:

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.

My thoughts on the book:

Ashton does not disappoint with the second book in the Everneath trilogy. Everbound hooked me on the first page and did not let me go until the very last word. I read it entirely in one sitting. Every time I tried to put the book down to do something, within a couple of minutes, I'd pick it up and start reading again. I just had to see what would happen next. This novel is full of surprises, adventure, and romance. Somehow, it's even better than Everneath. This is one sequel that can't be missed! 

There wasn't a ton of character growth in this book, but I felt as if I got to know all of the characters much better. I think Nikki grew some just because she was no longer running from things. She faced everything head on and was braver than any person her age (male or female) should be. I really respected her for that. She fought for what she wanted and what she believed in. Sometimes her thoughts were a bit immature, but she is a teenager, after all. More often than not, though, she was strong and mature beyond her years. 

I also enjoyed getting to know Cole better. Some of his actions surprised me, and some of them were typical Cole. I wish I'd gotten to know Max more because he was there a lot, but he wasn't really "active" in the plot. I would have liked to have known more about him, especially after reading the novella. A few new characters were introduced as well, including the queen and another of Cole's friends named Ashe. I'm looking forward to learning more about them in the next book. 

The plot was well-written and held a lot of surprises. I liked that Nikki's dad was present, but she just didn't care. She did what she wanted, consequences be damned. Because of that, the novel had a more realistic feel to it than a book with the typical missing parents does. The ending really shocked me, and I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Most of the story took place in the Everneath, and Ashton did an excellent job of describing that world. It seems like a scary place, and the fact that Nikki was willing to brave all of that in the hopes of finding Jack (she wasn't even sure if she could find him) showed how much she loved him. Some horrific things happened in that world, and by going through it with Nikki, I felt that I came to understand the Everliving a bit better. One would almost have to become numb to survive such horrible things constantly. Also, after seeing how awful humanity was for hundreds of years, I can understand one losing empathy. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book (and series) to anyone. If you love Greek mythology, paranormal YA, or paranormal romance, then this series is for you! 

Order your copy of Everbound!

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INFINITY by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Infinity

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Rating: B

Synopsis:

At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead.

But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he's next on the menu.

As if starting high school isn't hard enough... now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?

My thoughts on the book:

I was hesitant to read this series because I've been a fan of the Dark-Hunters series for a long time and I already knew what happened to Nick. I didn't see any reason to get his life story when I already knew the "ending," so to speak. I got this book at a Barnes and Noble Sherrilyn Kenyon signing so that I could get my 23498732 Dark-Hunter and League books signed. It was the only book that was available that I didn't have. I figured if I didn't like it, that'd be fine, I could just keep it as a souvenir. It turns out that this is a really awesome story and I don't know the ending! Kenyon added some new challenges to Nick's life, and he may not end up the way he did in the Dark-Hunters series at all. After reading the first book of the series, I'm hooked, and I will run out tomorrow and buy the sequel. 

Nick was a much more dynamic character than I gave him credit for. All of the stuff I knew about him didn't really prepare me to get to know him... if that makes sense. I figured he was just some angsty guy who couldn't let things go when in reality he's battling a lot more than I gave him credit for. Nick's situation was one of those things you can't understand unless you "see" it for yourself, and Kenyon is excellent at showing instead of telling. Therefore when I read about Nick's teenage years, I began to understand him and what his motivations were. The secondary characters didn't stand out a ton, but Simi, Kyrian, and Nekoda are three that I'm looking forward to knowing more about. Overall, they took a backseat to Nick and his issues. 

The plot was extremely complex for a YA novel, and it kept me guessing. Some stuff was obvious, but it's clear that Kenyon planned it that way. The things she didn't want me to know actually surprised me, though. The ending tied up a lot of the questions raised in this novel, but left room for a sequel. It didn't end on a cliffhanger, thankfully, though. The pacing was perfect, and I wasn't bored once throughout the entire book. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to fans of the Dark-Hunters series as well as YA fans who like a good supernatural book written from a guy's perspective. There's a tiny bit of mythology in this book, but I'm sure the mythological aspects will grow as the series continues. This series is very different from Kenyon's other novels, but I enjoyed it. Check it out, you won't be sorry!

Order Infinity!

Stacking the Shelves #22

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by  Tynga's Reviews! This meme showcases the books received, bought, or checked out from the library over the course of the past week. 

Received from trade:

Everbound
By: Brodi Ashton
Release Date: 01/22/13
Synopsis:
Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.

Level 2
By: Lenore Appelhans
Synopsis:
Three levels. Two loves. One choice. Debut novelist, Lenore Appelhans has written a thrilling otherworldly young adult novel about a place that exists between our world (Level 1) and what comes after life (Level 2).

'I pause to look around the hive - all the podlike chambers are lit up as the drones shoot up on memories ... I've wanted to get out of here before, but now the tight quarters start to choke me. There has to be more to death than this.'

Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend ... and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her.

Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

Purchased:

Neverfall
By: Brodi Ashton
Synopsis:
A thrilling new novella from the author of the Everneath series!

Jack is trapped for eternity in the Tunnels while Nikki has managed to evade Cole's grasp . . . for now. But Cole is more desperate than ever to find answers about Nikki, his best chance for taking over the throne of the underworld. How did she survive the Feed? Can Cole find another Forfeit like her who can survive it too?

Cole's quest leads him to the other side of the world, to a mysterious, dangerous society known as the Delphinians, whose price for information might be higher than Cole can pay—a price that could destroy Nikki. But when Cole attempts to steal the answers instead, his mission ends in disaster. Faced with centuries in a Delphinian dungeon, Cole is confronted with questions he's been too scared to ask himself: Is he really obsessed with the throne—or is he obsessed with Nikki? And can she really give him a new beginning as the Everneath's king . . . or will she instead bring about his tragic end?

Radiant
By: Cynthia Hand
Synopsis:
From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand comes a riveting original novella (available only as an ebook) set in the world of the Unearthly series.

Clara is desperate to get away—from the memories that haunt her in Wyoming and the visions of a future she isn't ready to face—and spending the summer in Italy with her best friend, Angela, should be the perfect escape. . . .

For as long as she can remember, Angela has been told that love is dangerous, that she must always guard her heart. But when she met a mysterious guy in Italy two years ago she was determined to be with him, no matter the costs. Now she must decide whether she can trust Clara with her secret, or if telling her the truth will risk everything she cares about.

Alternating between Angela and Clara's perspectives, Radiant chronicles the unforgettable summer that will test the bounds of their friendship and change their lives forever.

Follow Friday #29

This is a meme hosted every Friday by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, where book bloggers answer a question each week and check out how others answered it. It's a cool way for bloggers and viewers to connect and learn more about each other!

If you can't follow via GFC, then please follow via NetworkedBlogs or e-mail! :)Please state in the post if you're a new follower or old follower. If you don't tell me that you are following, then I don't know that you are. Therefore, I'll not follow you back. I would like to follow each and every one of you back, so it is important that you clearly state that you are following me and not just stopping by. When someone says, "just saying hi!" or "just hopping through!" then I have no idea if you are following or not. That means that I may or may not return the visit, depending on how much time I have. The people who state they are following me will definitely get a visit and follow back. Also be sure to leave a link back to your blog, otherwise I won't know where to go to follow you! Thank you.

Q: Who is your favorite villain from a book?
A: Warner from the Shatter Me series, definitely. I love him, but at first glance, he seems completely inhumane. 

FREAK OF NATURE Book Blast!

Freak of Nature

Donate Body to Science. Check.
When seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn checked the box, she never suspected she’d have her life–and her body–stolen from her. She awakens one day in a secret laboratory to discover that her body is now half-robot and is forced to hide her own secret: that she still has human emotions and a human mind. If the scientists who made her find out, they’ll erase what remains of who she was.

Kaitlyn finds an unlikely ally in Lucas, a handsome, brilliant scientist who can’t get over the guilt he feels knowing she was once a vibrant, beautiful young woman. He never expected a science project to affect him the way she does. As he tries to help her rediscover her past, he finds himself falling for the brave girl struggling to find her place and acceptance between the human and computer worlds.

Purchase

Amazon

Author Julia Crane

Julia Crane is the author of the YA paranormal fiction novels: Keegan's Chronicles, Mesmerized, Dark Promise and Eternal Youth. Julia was encouraged by her mother to read and use her imagination, and she's believed in magical creatures since the day her grandmother first told her an Irish tale. Julia has traveled far and wide to all the places her grandmother told her about, gaining inspiration from her journeys to places like Nepal, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Italy, France and many more. And who knows? Maybe the magical creatures she writes about are people she met along the way.

Julia Crane has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Although she's spent most of her life on the US east coast, she currently lives in Dubai with her husband and three children.

Links

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Book Blast Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/27/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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THE RETRIBUTION OF MARA DYER cover reveal!

I don't know about you guys, but I'm super excited for this book! It's the last book in the Mara Dyer trilogy, and I can't wait to see if she's actually insane or not! Release Date: October 22, 2013

OTHERMOON by Nina Berry

Othermoon
Nina Berry

Rating: C-
Release Date: 01/29/13
Synopsis:Everyone has secrets. I had no idea mine would lead me into shadow. Dez has found the place where she belongs. With the otherkin. With Caleb. Or so she thought. As the barriers between our world and Othersphere fall, a wall rises between Dez and Caleb, leaving her fiercest enemy her only friend. 

And maybe something more. 

Now Dez must make a devastating choice: keep the love of her life, or save the otherkin from annihilation.

My thoughts on the book:
Berry seems to be a victim of the sophomore curse. Othermoon fell flat for me in many areas. While this book had a lot of potential, most of that potential was not realized. Berry had the opportunity to carry on the amazing story she wrote with Otherkin, and it seemed as if she attempted to. However, this effort was not nearly as good as the first novel. 

The character development in this story was non-existent. Sure, we learned more things about Dez throughout the course of this book, including where she came from, but Dez, herself, did not grow or change at all. An outward change forced on a character does not change who or what the character is. Dez was the exact same person at the end of the novel that she was in the beginning. Likewise, while other characters confessed things randomly, and in unnatural ways, their inherent personalities remained the same. No one gained strength or showed any improvement or growth, other than Lazar and Caleb. I loved Lazar in this book, and I am interested to learn more about him. Caleb turned into an abusive, creepy jerk, but the rest of the characters pretty much remained the same. 

The plot was very clearly manipulated by Berry. Nothing happened naturally. Every single occurrence seemed forced, and it was obvious that the author was manipulating the story line in order to achieve the desired outcome. This made the entire book seem unrealistic. Therefore, I was unable to read this novel with a willing suspension of disbelief because nothing seemed natural. Odd character behaviors came out of nowhere without warning, and a lot of what the characters said didn't make sense. Furthermore, every event was so orchestrated and coincidental that I couldn't possibly buy into what Berry was selling. 

Overall, I'd only recommend this book to you if you read the first novel in the series. The concept is still intriguing, and I will give the third book a chance, but right now I am not impressed with this series. The first book was amazing, and that caused me to have high hopes for the sequel. Unfortunately, Othermoon did not live up to those expectations. Here's hoping book three will be better. 

Pre-order Othermoon