The Elites by Natasha Ngan

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Pages: 368pgs

The Story

‘There is a rumour that the Elites don’t bleed.’

Hundreds of years into the future, wars, riots, resource crises and rising sea-levels have destroyed the old civilisations. Only one city has survived: Neo-Babel, a city full of cultures – and racial tension. 

Fifteen-year-old Silver is an Elite, a citizen of Neo-Babel chosen to guard the city due to her superior DNA. She’d never dream of leaving – but then she fails to prevent the assassination of Neo Babel’s president, setting off a chain of events more shocking and devastating than she could ever have imagined. Forced to flee the city with her best friend Butterfly (a boy with genetically-enhanced wings), Silver will have to fight to find her family, uncover the truth about Neo-Babel and come to terms with her complicated feelings for Butterfly.

The Review

You know what? This book had actually surprised me in many ways. Not that I should be surprised or anything. I mean, the blurb of the book gave me this feeling that it was going to be a really, really different kind of read and it definitely was, at least I found that the world was. It was odd, strange, a little unique and again very strange, but I like all of those things combined into one and because the book was written so well too, I think that's why I enjoyed reading this book more than I thought I would. And I like finding those little surprises along the way.

To put it simply, I found THE ELITES is kind of like Marie Lu's Legend meets Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. At least that's the vibe I got from this book. So whether you're into that sort of thing, I think any sort of reader will enjoy this book because there is so much to like whether it's the story, the world or its unique characters who are good or bad. For me personally, I liked everything about this book and while it's not entirely perfect (though I'm sure many things will be explained in the next sequel), but what I loved the most was the driving force of the main characters and what they bring to this new series, that being Silver, who was such a delightful young heroine to have, and her best 'boy' friend, Butterfly, who was also such a delight to read about. Together, as they go looking for Silver's parents who have disappeared which for reasons will be later explained in the book (don't want to spoil here), I thought Silver and Butterfly worked so well together as partners in crime and I think if it wasn't for their very different personalities that have somehow worked together magically, I don't think I would have liked this book as much as I did, so just go and read this book just for those two characters! They were a real treat and I'm sure they will be for you too.

In saying that, another thing I loved was the whole unique world the author has created and everything in it. From Butterfly's own wings to Neo-Babel's own official government to the racism of many cultures in the book (especially with Silver who is known as a Red which is considered a real threat and where she is always picked on because of her particular race) is just a few things that made this book truly awesome and I'm looking forward to seeing what the author will come up with next because this book is really unique and I loved it.

Overall, THE ELITES was a very enjoyable book and with many unexpected twists, new romance and friendships, and with truly awesome characters who are surrounded by this very unique - and not to mention magical - world of Ngan's, I'm sure many readers will love this book as much as I did and is definitely one you should be out on the look for!

The Rating

4 1/2 / 5 stars

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 320pgs

The Story

Kennedy Waters didn't believe in ghosts, until one tried to kill her.

When Kennedy finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn't know that evil forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into her house and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon - a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother's place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon - battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

The Review

A big thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia for sending me a review copy of this book!

Initially I didn't know what to think about this book or what I was getting myself into since the ghost/demon genre seems to be used quite a lot in YA books, but considering who has written the book and since I enjoyed the Beautiful Creatures series, I wanted to see for myself how well Kami Garcia writes by herself without her writing partner. So with everything that I've just read, on whole I thought this was actually a pretty good book. Not entirely perfect but a pretty good book.

UNBREAKABLE tells the story of Kennedy Waters who has her first encounter with a ghost and brings more trouble than she is willing to deal with right now. But ever since her mother died, stranger things have been happening and it all starts with that one ghost, which leads Kennedy to meet with two twin brothers, Jared and Lukas, who are apart of a secret group called the Legion, people who fight against demons who pose a threat to the world. Little does she know that she and her mother have a connection to the Legion and will ultimately change Kennedy's life forever.

While the story is not entirely original and may share certain similarities with other paranormal series such as Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series, but I really liked reading how Garcia writes by herself and in the end I thought she wrote this new book of hers quite well, including her world and her characters and so on. In regards to the characters themselves, while I struggled to connect with Kennedy at times, however during the course of events in the book where more bad-ass things tended to happen, I soon grew closer to her character and I quite loved her in the end. She definitely proved herself in this first book, so I'm looking forward to reading more of her in the sequel. 

But the only thing I think this book lacked and what was possibly the only reason why I'm rating this book down was the romance and the character chemistry/connection side of things. While I appreciate a slow-buring romance and light character connections and overall relationships (which can develop over time in a series and are not supposed to be entirely perfect in the very first book), but I was kind of expecting more chemistry - romance or otherwise - between the characters Kennedy, Jared and Lukas, who are our main characters. I don't know why I didn't feel the connection between them . . . but I just found that their connection and relationships will one another was very light and not necessarily working well together . . . so yeah I don't know . . . I just found there was a lack of something between the three of them. But since this is a series and all, I'm sure there is plenty of time to make them connect better with each other and with their other supporting characters.

Overall, UNBREAKABLE is definitely a fast-paced read and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel next year considering the ending had left things with many questions going through my mind right now.

The Rating

4/5 stars

Elegy by Tara Hudson

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 400pgs

The Story

A stalker ghost, misguided Seers, and spellbinding wraiths—Amelia Ashley has faced them all. Now her greatest hope is to spend the rest of her afterlife with her living boyfriend, Joshua. But the demonic forces return to give her an ultimatum: turn herself over to the darkness or watch them murder one living person per week until she does.

Amelia fears she might really be doomed, until the forces of light give her another option. She can join them in their quest to gather souls, with a catch: Once she joins them, she can never see Joshua again.

Faced with impossible choices, Amelia decides to take her afterlife into her own hands—and fight back.

The Review

ELEGY is the final book in the Hereafter trilogy and it concerns itself with Amelia, the ghost we all know and love who now has to face the consequences of many evil beings who want her to join them in Hell. However, if she does not, her current and very human boyfriend, Joshua, the one person she counts on more than anyone else and whom she would do anything for, will be the one next in danger.

Now like with anyone who has already read this series, I've always loved this one and how well it was written. It's just one of those rare book series where you get so invested in the storyline and with its characters and with everything else, and you don't even have to try  to like it . . . it's just awesome anyway and truly heart-felt to the core. But I have to admit, much like with what happened in Kendare Blake's Anna Dressed in Blood series, which this book reminds me so much of only with less gore and so on,  I knew from the very beginning that with the coupling between the ghost, Amelia, and the human boy, Joshua, that their relationship would be tested in several ways, not to mention it wouldn't be all sunshine and rainbows between them both in this particular book and I was right even though it displeases me so. 

Ultimately, this book was definitely not all sunshine and rainbows and I can guarantee you that. But in saying that, while I already knew how this book would end and why it took me a few moments or two to embrace my prediction that actually happened, in the end of it all, I thought it was all well-done for the final book and that all sacrifices that were made had this bittersweet kick to it . . . so even though I didn't totally love it . . . but it was the kind of ending that needed to happen one way or another, so yeah . . . it was an all-round good book. The same goes for the characters and in particular with Amelia and Joshua's characters. They might have made a few decisions that I didn't necessarily agree with even though they were the right things to do at the time, but in the end the choices needed to be made, so it was a real pleasure to meet with these colourful and sometimes dark characters. I'm definitely going to be missing them heaps!

Overall, ELEGY was a pleasant read and while it may have had its ups and downs, particularly with the conclusion it left for us readers, but ultimately and while you start to think about why the ending ended the way it did, you will soon embrace it in no time and understand that things happen for a reason even though it comes with a severe consequence.

The Rating

3/5 stars

Red Hill by Jamie McGuire

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Atria Books

Pages: 368pgs

The Story

When the world ends, can love survive?

For Scarlet, raising her two daughters alone makes fighting for tomorrow an everyday battle. Nathan has a wife, but can’t remember what it’s like to be in love; only his young daughter Zoe makes coming home worthwhile. Miranda’s biggest concern is whether her new VW Bug is big enough to carry her sister and their boyfriends on a weekend escape from college finals.

When reports of a widespread, deadly “outbreak” begin to surface, these ordinary people face extraordinary circumstances and suddenly their fates are intertwined. Recognizing they can’t outrun the danger, Scarlet, Nathan, and Miranda desperately seek shelter at the same secluded ranch, Red Hill. Emotions run high while old and new relationships are tested in the face of a terrifying enemy—an enemy who no longer remembers what it’s like to be human.

Set against the backdrop of a brilliantly realized apocalyptic world, love somehow finds a way to survive. But what happens when the one you’d die for becomes the one who could destroy you?

The Review

A big thanks to the publisher for providing me a review copy of this book!

Like any other fan out there, I love the dystopian genre and I especially love flesh-eating zombies - or pretty much anything with an outbreak that is used as a main plotline - so while I wasn't a huge fan of Jamie McGuire's debut book Beautiful Disaster, but her new adult title, RED HILL, was definitely up my alley for sure and in a certain way it was definitely a decent book to read.

RED HILL may not have been completely believable in a sense of survival techniques or in the romance department for that matter (which I found was a bit too insta-love for me between our two main characters and one for which I did not understand at all), but looking back on the story, I thought it was definitely a book that kept me fairly entertained (or at least interested) which, no matter what, is the whole point of a book despite its few flaws. Now in terms of the characters as well, while I didn't have any particular favourites, but they were still interesting to read about, even though there was so much more that the author could have done with them, particularly with what happened to them in the easy-fix kind of ending. Perhaps it was just me who thought of this, but I kind of wanted more oomph from the characters towards the end of the book or some sort of revelation of sorts because . . . they just seemed like they were capable of so much more than what they have already accomplished, you know? Still, they were good characters for the most part.

Overall, RED HILL offers nothing particularly new to the dystopian and zombie genre, but for a quick read with decent characters, I thought it was an okay book and definitely one you should check out!

The Rating

3/5 stars

The Night Itself by Zoë Marriott

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Walker Books

Pages: 368pgs

The Story

When fifteen year old Mio Yamato furtively sneaks the katana - an ancestral Japanese sword - out of its hiding place in her parent's attic to help liven up her Christmas party costume, she has no idea of the darkness she is about to unleash on modern day London, or the family secrets that she is going to uncover.

The paralysing paranoia that descends on her before she gets to her friend's party is her first clue. The vivid and terrifying visions that nearly get her killed are a pretty good warning too.

The giant nine-tailed cat demon that comes after the sword and tries to rip her throat out? Overkill.

Seconds away from becoming kitty-food, Mio is saved by Shinobu, a mysterious warrior boy. But it's already too late. Mio has ruptured the veil between the mortal realm and the Underworld, and now the gods and monsters of ancient Japan stalk the streets of London, searching for her and the sword. 

With the help of her best friend Jack, a fox spirit named Hikaru - and the devoted protection of the betwitchingly familiar Shinobu - Mio attempts to discover the true nature of the sword and its connection to the Yamato family. Because if she doesn't learn how to control the katana's incredible powers, she's in danger of being overwhelmed by them. And if she can't keep the sword safe from the terrible creatures who want it for their own, she'll lose not only her own life... but the love of a lifetime.

The Review

I believe this is my very first book that I've read of Zoë Marriott's work, but even so, I definitely know now why so many other readers have praised her books up over the past year or so. So with her newest book out this year, THE NIGHT ITSELF, and after reading it pretty quickly too, the book itself has certainly got my interest up in her other works that she has out right now and in saying that I'm looking forward to reading more from her in the future and from this particular new series of hers as well.

THE NIGHT ITSELF - while interesting and fairly unique within its own genre - may not have been the most epic of all books that I have ever read, but in my opinion, I still firmly believe that this book is one of the most well-constructed books I have come across lately and the author has definitely set up this book as a wonderful beginning to a new trilogy, which, of course, I can't wait to read more of, especially with learning more about our main characters.Whether it's to do with the well-balacned pacing or with the characters themselves who are both quirky and strong within their own right, but the author should seriously take on all the credit for her Japanese mythology side of things that are presented in this book and how she cleverly combined them with a UK contemporary setting (which was great!). You know, sometimes what I often find in YA books is that mythology and contemporary settings can clash or rather simply not work at all nor seem believable enough for readers (even for fantasy books), but with this particular title it just worked wonders for the author and her readers.

Overall, while I will admit the book did have a couple of problems here and there (including times where there were slower parts in the book or where I thought some scenes weren't getting straight to the point as I would've liked or something along those lines), but on a whole I really enjoyed this book and the characters were pretty awesome as well, not to mention that the overall plot was very strong and energetic for the most part. So in the end those were the main things that kept me reading until the very end and if you love Japanese myths combined with modern day settings and awesome characters, then this is definitely your kind of book for sure!

The Rating

4/5 stars

The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 352pgs

The Story

The Garde are finally reunited, but do they have what it takes to win the war against the Mogadorians?

John Smith—Number Four—thought that things would change once the Garde found each other. They would stop running. They would fight the Mogadorians. And they would win.

But he was wrong. After facing off with the Mogadorian ruler and almost being annihilated, the Garde know they are drastically unprepared and hopelessly outgunned. Now they’re hiding out in Nine’s Chicago penthouse, trying to figure out their next move.

The six of them are powerful, but they’re not strong enough yet to take on an entire army—even with the return of an old ally. To defeat their enemy, the Garde must master their Legacies and learn to work together as a team. More importantly, they’ll have to discover the truth about the Elders and their plan for the Loric survivors.

And when the Garde receive a sign from Number Five—a crop circle in the shape of a Loric symbol—they know they are so close to being reunited. But could it be a trap? Time is running out, and the only thing they know for certain is that they have to get to Five before it’s too late.

The Garde may have lost battles, but they will not lose this war.

Lorien will rise again.

The Review

I'm not going to lie. This book was so close to being five-star perfect (so very close in fact), but considering the ending (which was still awesome mind you) and the fact that the author decides to do something pretty horrible - and almost unexpected - to one of my two favourite characters in the series, let's just say the story was almost perfect and we'll just leave it at that before my rant mode comes along to mess this review up.

But moving on, while I thought THE FALL OF FIVE may have had less action scenes than I initially thought it would contain more of, especially when you compare the action scenes to the previous three books which was full of these epic battles, but regardless of that, I still found that this book was just as enjoyable as those other three predecessors. I mean, it wasn't necessarily a weaker book per se, but it was certainly a much more character-oriented type of book, and for me personally I thought it was a nice change because I didn't have to always rely on the action scenes to get me excited for what's to come in the story, so again it was a nice change indeed.

In regards to what made me enjoy this book a little more than I expected, I honestly think it was because of Sam's perspective, which happened to be my favourite perspective in the entire book - well except for Marina's because I absolutely love that girl more than any other character out there and that's because she's awesome in her own way. But yeah, adding Sam's perspective was a very clever move, particularly a much more detailed perspective and away from the other Number people, because I've always found that Sam was more of a background character than anything else and I thought he had so much more to offer since he is apart of what is going on in this world of Lore's, so I'm glad in this particular book he finally gets a chance to show people what he's made of because I've always had a soft spot for our dear Sam. He's such a sweetie.

Now of course, last but not least, I have to mention John, Number Four, and his love interest, Sarah, and let me just point out that they were definitely not my favourite characters in this book. More so with Sarah. In fact, I don't even understand why Sarah is even in this book in the first place . . . honestly why is she here? I just don't understand her purpose in all of this and to me she's just distracting John rather than helping people . . . yeah I've never liked that girl. And speaking of John, I thought he was the weaker character in this entire book despite him being the main character and all, which surprised me a lot, but considering he's not my favourite character . . . then it's no biggie so whatever hehe. I have Sam, Marina, and Number Eight to keep me more than entertained!

Overall, THE FALL OF FIVE was an excellent addition to the series and I'm seriously looking forward to the next book despite the killer and so-not-fair ending which was unforgivable through my eyes (because the author did a very bad, bad thing with a favourite character of mine that meanie and I mean HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME OF ALL READERS!).

The Rating

4 1/2 / 5 stars

Torn by K.A. Robinson

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Atria Books

Pages: 272pgs

The Story

Chloe hasn't had the best life. With a mother who is gone more often than not, she has had to raise herself. After graduating high school, she leaves to start a new life away at West Virginia University with her best friends Amber and Logan, determined to leave her demons in the past. 

On her first day, she meets a stranger who takes her breath away at first sight. Until she met Drake, no one had ever sparked her interest. Now this tattooed and pierced bad boy is all she can think about, no matter how hard she fights it.

Falling for Drake was never part of her plans, but when it happens, things seem to do anything but fall into place.

Dealing with a tragic past, Drake has never cared about anyone else but himself and his band. But when Chloe takes the empty seat next to him in class, things start to change. Instantly drawn to her, he begins to wonder if one girl can take a cold hearted womanizer and change every part of him?

Long hidden feelings are revealed and friendships tested to the brink.

The Review

A big thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book!

Ugh. This is going to be a hard review to write but for starters, I really like the new adult genre (I think it's an awesome genre no matter what some people say), however lately some stories seem to become the same old, same old thing. Bad boys. Good girls. Cliche romances. Sex. More sex. And most importantly . . . more sex but with less of a storyline. While this particular book does fall into the same categories as I mentioned before and while it wasn't necessary a bad book per se (which it is not), but I found this book doesn't present anything new and exciting for me to read about, so it would only be a pretty average read for me to say the least. A book that has it's good and bad things.

The good things straight-up would definitely be the ages of the characters because I can somehow relate to them (at least a little bit) and the fact that they present some pretty heavy issues in the book, I actually believe some readers can relate those things also. However, with the lack of connection to the characters is probably the main reason why I'm rating this book lower than I planned to. The characters, much like with the storyline itself, were only 'just okay' characters for me, but again I stress that I found it was very hard to connect and believe in the character's stories, especially with Drake who, I find, is yet another stereotype the new adult genre brings up constantly in books. The rebel without a cause. The playboy who changes his 'ways'. Chloe, the main character, may have gotten on my nerves at times, but I think Drake annoyed me more because I don't believe he is a great guy and I'm slowly getting tired of bad boy guys or at least people pretending to be one of them. Yeah . . . the characters let this book down for me unfortunately not to mention the sex etc.

Overall, TORN has made me torn myself. It's still a decent book all round, but with the lack of connection is what failed me to like this book more. But if you like the likes of Beautiful Disaster or something along those lines, then you may like this book!

The Rating

2/5 stars

The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain

Release Date: 11th March, 2014

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Pages: 512pgs

The Story

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

The Review

A big thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book!

For a while I've come to appreciate Bree Despain's work, especially with her very first series, The Dark Divine, which was always full of great action, romance and suspense, so of course I was looking forward to her new series here as it sounded and looked amazing as well. So you can only imagine how excited I was when the publisher accepted my request to read and review the book, because in the end of reading . . . I actually thought it was a pretty great book!

Since this is a 2014 title, I won't go into too much detail over THE SHADOW PRINCE, except I will say that many readers have a right to be excited about this particular book. Just think Starcrossed meets a tinge of The Goddess Test because both titles had certainly reminded me of this particular new book from Despain and I can't complain over that. So if you loved those two titles that I had mentioned, then be prepared for something along those lines with this book.

Like the author's previous titles, Bree Despain has always entertained me with her writing but the majority of my enjoyment - at least I think - came mostly from her mythology side of things. In this particular book it's the exact same way for me . . . the mythology the author writes is just so fascinating and I was pretty much hooked from the get-go. While I will admit that I did prefer the first half of the book than the second half of it, but in the end it's still a very great read that alternates between our two leading characters, Daphne and Haden, and contains a little bit of everything to entertain any sort of reader. Though girls . . . you definitely love this one more than the boys will because Haden is a pretty cool guy. Creepy sometimes and stubborn perhaps . . . but he's pretty cool and hot too.

Overall, THE SHADOW PRINCE is the perfect read for any reader looking for some cool mythology and while the book may not be totally original in some reader's eyes, but you'll definitely get past that once you meet the characters and learn more about the world the author has managed to put together. I would highly recommend it so check out next year!

The Rating

4/5 stars

Elegy by Amanda Hocking

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Pages: 542pgs

The Story

Gemma's life is slowly being destroyed. Cursed as a siren, she is struggling to escape a destiny of savagery and darkness. She's desperate to break the spell that has turned her into a monster and torn her away from the family- and the boy- she loves. But the alluring yet lethal sirens, Penn, Thea and the newly initiated Liv, have no intention of letting her go.

The Review

A big thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a review copy of this book!

ELEGY is the fourth and final installment of the Watersong series. The book picks up soon after the previous book's events, Tidal, had left off at, with our main character, Gemma, who is still searching for a way to escape the fate of her becoming a siren and joining the ranks of her other siren 'sisters'.

While I wished the series was written as a trilogy instead of four books (mostly because I found some events in the books were dragged out a little more than they needed to be), but surprisingly I still quite enjoyed this fourth book and that's probably because the book had a much faster pace going for it, especially when I compared it to the other three installments in the series, so I'm quite glad it worked faster this time for me, even though the book is much longer than the others.

In terms of the storyline, while this series is not my favourite coming from Hocking, but again I still enjoyed it because it was a means to an end with the series and it was also because we finally get the right conclusion we needed for all of the characters - the good and the bad, so along those lines I was quite happy with how everything ended. But in terms of the characters however . . . I don't know . . . but for some reason I just found some characters lacked a certain oomph coming from them this time, but Gemma, surprisingly, had really stepped up her game in this final installment so I'm glad she finally did that and showed those siren sisters (who tried to make her one of them) who's boss, so well done to Gemma for that! I was really cheering for her! And as for the other characters . . . I didn't really care for them all that much to be honest with you, especially Gemma's sister and Gemma's own love interest because I cared more about what happens to Gemma, but yeah . . . Gemma and even her siren sisters were more than enough entertainment that I needed so the supporting characters didn't particularly matter to me personally.

Overall, ELEGY was a decent conclusion to the Watersong series and I think most readers of Hocking's will be quite pleased with the ending.

The Rating

3/5 stars

Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 336pgs

The Story

Violet thought she’d made peace with her unique ability to sense the echoes of the dead and the imprints that cling to their killers…that is until she acquired an imprint of her own. Forced to carry a reminder of the horrible events of her kidnapping, Violet is more determined than ever to lead a normal life. However, the people who run the special investigative team Violet works for have no intention of letting her go.

When someone close to Violet becomes a suspect in a horrific murder, she finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a madman with an army of devoted followers. Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself.

The Review

Okay, so I heard from other readers that this book is the last of The Body Finder series and if that is the case, I have to say I'm pretty disappointed, especially of the events that occurred in this book. For one, I felt as if the story was the same old, same old as the previous three installments of the series which is not necessarily a bad thing but more so . . .  just too predictable, and two, I felt like there were way too many loose ends for a last book and for me personally the last book in a series has to go out with a bang and sadly for this book just . . . didn't.

DEAD SILENCE brings us back to Violet, our main heroine, and while she should be concentrating on her upcoming prom and graduation, but instead, she can't forget her own imprint and she especially can't forget about her being kidnapped not too long ago. But when Violet soon finds a family dead in their own home and when one of her classmates is accused of murder, she is more than determined to put herself in danger (yet again) and find out who the killer is before it's too late.

Again, I stress that the plot isn't anything different compared to the rest of the books in the series. You have someone murdered or something similar to that and then Violet has to find the killer. Same old, same old. So even though I do regularly enjoy these types of stories - particularly thrillers and mysteries - as they have a Nancy Drew feel to them, but unlike the very first book in the series, The Body Finder, which I enjoyed a lot and even it's sequel, Deadly Desires, but now I've just lost interest in the series altogether because it has become way too predictable for me. I mean, the problem with many sequels is that it's hard to succeed after a very successful first book or rather it's hard to create another exciting book in a series for those hardcore readers, and like what happened to me with this series, there is hardly any progression for this storyline and for the characters as well, and I almost feel like everything should have been settled already by the third book by now. So again, it was not a bad book this one (probably not what you think with me giving this book only one star) or at least the twists and turns part, but . . . I'm just too tired to care about things now in the series.

Regarding the characters, I still liked Violet (well mostly) as a character and especially her boyfriend, Jay, but like what has happened throughout the course of this series, the whole love triangle ordeal with Violet's boyfriend, Jay, and with her suppose 'friend', Rafe, was too overdone and not to mention overwhelming for me. Too la-de-da and MOVE ON ALREADY PLEASE! I think for most readers we all know that she loves Jay (she loves him SO MUCH and we've known that all along) and really that's that. End of story. There is simply no reason whatsoever - no reason at all - why Violet should have anymore feelings for this Rafe dude, especially when we know personally that she wants Jay in her life no matter what. Friend and romantically. Ugh. Again and again, it's just too predictable this book and it's just so boring now with the characters and everything else that they do because they do exactly the same thing as they have done in the previous books (I'm talking about you suppose love triangle thing that shouldn't really be one to begin with) and the characters just continually keep on making the same mistakes and really never learn from them in the end nor try and do anything different to prevent repercussions of some pretty terrible (and avoidable) situations. Again, I'm tired of everything. Tired of it all. I give up!

Overall, DEAD SILENCE was a means to an end for me and while I wasn't all too happy about how everything ended, but that's that I guess. The end.

The Rating

1/5 stars

Endless Knight by Kresley Cole

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 336pgs

The Story

In the second book of the Arcana Chronicles Evie has now fully come into her powers as the tarot Empress. And Jackson was there to see it all. In the aftermath of killing Arthur, the tarot Alchemist, Evie realizes that a war is brewing between the other teens that, following the apocalypse, have been given powers and its kill or be killed.

Things get even more complicated when Evie meets Death, the mysterious, sexy Endless Knight. Somehow the Empress and Death share a romantic history - one that Evie can't remember, but Death can't forget. She is drawn to the Endless Knight, but is in love with Jack. Determined to discover why she's been granted these powers, Evie struggles to accept her place in a prophecy that will either save the world, or completely destroy it.

The Review

A big thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia for sending me a review copy of this book!

It's no secret that I absolutely loved the first book, Poison Princess, in The Arcana Chronicles series and yet again I loved the second book as well though it's not so surprisingly to me. This book is just - to put it simply - such a super-awesome read (it really is) and I can't even describe how or why it's so awesome only that it is. But what I can say is that what makes this book that more extra special and what makes it so different to most paranormal reads out there is how the author incorporates everything into one little book and all its unique elements - that being the apocalypse,  the tarot cards, the warlocks, the demons, the romance, the violence . . . the list is endless and if you can't tell already I can't praise this book enough except that it rocks, and you should definitely go and read it!

ENDLESS KNIGHT, through my eyes, offered so much more compared to the first installment and that's probably why I enjoyed - and loved - it so much. While I won't get into any spoilers, but in this book there was rarely a moment that dragged on and the fact that we get even more immersed with this horrifyingly, creepy world Kresley Cole has managed to create is even more enjoyable to read, so I applaud the author for keeping me so entertained with this story because now I'm eagerly awaiting the third book as we speak . . . I seriously need it now, okay, Ms. Cole. Stat.

In terms of the characters, while the character and the main love interest of the story, Jack, did get on my nerves from time-to-time (even though I wished that he didn't but he just really annoyed me this time), but I absolutely loved Evie as our main character and I also loved how fierce she has become in this particular book . . . showing us readers just how bad-ass she can really be. What can I say? That girl is seriously someone you should not cross in any way because she could kill you if she wanted to. But unlike Jack, who I quite liked in the first book, I seriously started to crush on Death himself who is, I suppose, a potential or not-so-potential love interest. Death (who also has a real name but I don't want to spoil for you) is someone who I just couldn't help but LIKE even though he is supposed to appear as an antagonist type of character. But Death, in the end, had just really left a great impression on me and kind of reminded me of Warner from Shatter Me whom I also have a soft spot for, so whether that's makes me weird or something . . . I think he'll definitely make girls swoon!

Overall, ENDLESS KNIGHT was a fantastic sequel and definitely surpassed the first installment by far!

The Rating

5/5 stars

If I Should Die by Amy Plum

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Little Brown

Pages: 320pgs

The Story

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying - to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others - so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

The Review

You know what? This book is actually my favourite, favourite book in Amy Plum's Revenants series and considering this is the final book and everything, I'm very pleased about this revelation of mine. I mean, the book may have its predictable sides and cheesy romances added onto it, but I was really entertained this time round and I love being entertained no matter what happens in a book. That, after all, is the whole point of reading a book.

So from the very beginning this series may not have been my absolute favourite YA series out there, but what I've always come to love and appreciate about Amy Plum's work is how she makes her stories so much fun to read not mention how fun her characters are in their little and not so little supernatural dilemmas that they experience along the way. IF I SHOULD DIE, yet again, delivers one of those kind of reads for me and I'm actually really glad with how everything eventually turned out for each one of the characters in this final book, particularly with our two main characters, Kate and Vincent, who are the people I care about the most in the series and whether it's a sad or happy ending for them or a bit of both (which I cannot tell you because of spoilers and that would suck) but let's just say everything is tied up neatly and overall it was a great series to read over the last few years, so definitely pick up this final book soon because you can't afford to miss out with this one!

Overall, IF I SHOULD DIE was my favourite installment of the series and while I'm sad yet another series is over and done with now, but I can't wait to see what else Amy Plum has to offer us in the future.

The Rating

4 1/2 / 5 stars