The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan: she wants to captain her own boat, not serve as second-in-command to her handsome yet clueless fiance. But her escape has dire consequences when she learns the scorned clan has sent an assassin after her.

And when the assassin, Naji, finally catches up with her, things get even worse. Ananna inadvertently triggers a nasty curse — with a life-altering result. Now Ananna and Naji are forced to become uneasy allies as they work together to break the curse and return their lives back to normal. Or at least as normal as the lives of a pirate and an assassin can be.

When I first read the description for this book, I was thinking Pirates?? Magic? Assassins?? Count me in! And then I started reading...

It's not that this book was bad. It was just SLOW. And have I mentioned how sick-to-death I am of endings that just, well, end? Yes, I loved The Selection by Kiera Cass which ended very abruptly, then I read The Vicious Deep which I also liked, but the ending-in-the-middle-of-the-story made me roll my eyes and fight frustration. So by the time I got to this book, I had little or no patience for stupid endings where nothing gets resolved. At all. 

Other than that, I thought the storyline was pretty decent. I wish there were more pirate-y moments (No one even says Argh! Ha.) and more I'll-kill-you-before-you-even-have-a-chance-to-blink moments. Although the altercation between Naji and a pirate named Atano was pretty awesome. It was kind of what I expected most of the story to be though. Sadly, that may have been the most action in the book. And I'm talking about any kind of action. (Wink, wink.) No really though, if you wanted romance, this is NOT the book for you. Come to think of it, if you wanted violence, thievery, spells, and all manner of bad behavior, you most definitely picked the wrong book.

I know I'm pretty much talking you out of reading this book, but I have to say, even with the obnoxious drop-off ending and lack of everything I expected this book to be, I am intrigued enough to try out book two in this series whenever it is released. (Hello, this just came out last week. It'll be a while.) 

Happy Reading!

*I received this egalley from the publisher for the purpose of review. 

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris

Release Date: September 11, 2012

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother-to-be and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore.

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

I absolutely loved this book. Despite the slow get-go, I couldn't (and didn't want to!) put this down. Cat was someone I could easily relate to, which made her all the more lovable. I enjoyed her interatctions with her family-- both past and present, although the book definitely spends more time with her 16th century ancestors. I instantly liked Alessandra and Cipriano, and even Lorenzo, who Cat tries desperately (and in vain) to avoid. 

As the book progresses, Cat learns to lower the barriers around her heart and let not only her family in, but also Lorenzo. Oh, Lorenzo. He was the type of character that had me wishing I'd stumble across a gypsy tent and be transported straight into the arms of a sexy 16th century Italian aspiring artist. (Swoon.)

Anyway, I loved this book. Loved, loved. It is most definitely worth buying. You'll love the romance, and you'll be dying for more when you get to the end. Blast it all that we have to wait until almost next fall to get another dose of this fun, lighthearted, lovable story.

Happy Reading!

*I received this egalley from the publisher for the purpose of review.

   

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Córdova

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.
 

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.
 

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he's heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he's suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.
 

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea...and now it wants him back.

 I have been wanting to read this book for months and I finally got to it. The Kindle version is only $6.39 on Amazon right now! I couldn't pass that deal up. So, I bought it, put down the book I had been trudging through, and dove right in. No pun intended. But it IS kind of funny. You know, "vicious deep" and all....

Anyway, as you faithful followers know, I have been struggling lately with reading. Me and books? We are NOT friends at the moment. Well, at least we WEREN'T... until I read this. I couldn't put it down (once I got past the 'What the heck is going on?!?' beginning). While the character development dragged and I didn't really love any of the characters, they grew on me throughout the book. And the story was interesting enough to have me wanting to read the next one- The Savage Blue due out next year. 

Mermaids and sirens and the like have been trending in the YA world it seems like. This year especially with books like Wrecked and Of Poseidon and Lost Voices (although this was released last year). I've been so excited to read these! Are there any books with this particular theme that you've been really looking forward to?

Well, I know that I've been a bit sporadic with my posts, but I finally feel like I am getting back into the swing of things. I promise if you don't see another post this week, I'll be back next week for sure.

Happy Reading!

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

SPOILER ALERT!!!

THIS IS THE SECOND BOOK IN A SERIES. THE FIRST BOOK IS STARCROSSED, AND YOU CAN READ MY REVIEW OF IT HERE.

PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK. :)

Can true love be forgotten?

As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out--a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling "Starcrossed" delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds all expectations.

If you read my review of Starcrossed, you were probably thinking, Sheesh--could she gush more?? I seriously loved it. Like loved, loved. Which is why I am so flummoxed about this book, the second in the series. I think I must need to skim the end of book one again because, from what I remember-which is a lot, this book doesn't tie into the first one at all! Storyline-wise I felt like this was a whole different series with the same characters. Of course I'm still going to continue the series, but I'm a little more cautious about moving forward. Bummer.

I really love the characters in this series. One of the things I enjoyed so much about the first book was the introduction of all the different characters-- I loved how hardcore Helen was. Hello!?!? She tried to kill Lucas in the middle of the hallway at school! While I still liked most of the characters as they progressed and grew in this book, I was most disappointed in Helen. She was pitifully likable at best and a wussy damsel in distress at her worst. What happened to the butt-kickin', fierce, flippin' awesome girl from the first book? I miss her. :(

Overall, I did like this book. I liked the story. And I love the series. I just wish the stories flowed together well and Helen was not so darn helpless. Here's to hoping the third book explains A LOT and ties the story in a nice little bow. 

Happy Reading!

 

M.I.A.

Yeah, yeah. I know. I just haven't been feeling it. It took me THREE WEEKS to read the book I'm reviewing this Thursday. And the book I'm working on now I've already invested a week and a half on and I'm only 200 pages in. It's an almost SIX HUNDRED PAGE BOOK.

I struggle.

My brain is tired.

Give me a break.

:)

(And please(!!) don't give up on me while I'm in my funk. Thanks.)

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Release Date: August 14, 2012

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

You know how every once in a while I say, "This is the absolute WORST book I've ever read!!!"? Well, all those other times I was lying. Because this was THE ABSOLUTE WORST BOOK I'VE EVER READ. Not only did it have a ridiculously excessive amount of obscene and inappropriate language, but it also was the BEST example of the WORLD'S MOST UNHEALTHY, CONTROLLING, ABUSIVELY DEPENDENT relationship. 

As I looked at the Goodreads reviews for this book, I was shocked and appalled at the number of positive reviews for this book. It leads me to ask, What is wrong with you people?!?! If I was dating someone that pulled half the crap that Travis (the male MC) does, I'd dump him so fast his head would spin (and then fear for my life awaiting his retaliation. Seriously. He was that crazy). What absolutely killed me were the number of times Abby (the female MC) talked about "red flags" in their relationship and how she justified each and every one of them even when she knew Travis was a psychopath. 

I'll be honest, I only read 60-ish percent of this book (I read it on my Kindle, so this is fact. :D), and I couldn't make myself stomach the rest. I really did try, but I was too offended to keep reading. I would never, ever, ever in a million years, not for all the money in the world, recommend this book. Ever.

Happy Reading!

*I received this egalley from the publisher for the purpose of review.

Scarlet by A. C. Gaughen

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

I don't know why I am such a sucker for these kinds of books. Even though this was a bit slow in a number of places, I really enjoyed it as a whole. And isn't this cover one of the most gorgeous covers you've ever seen? That's half the reason I wanted to read it so badly! Ha!

I've always been intrigued by Robin Hood. I think my infatuation with Robin Hood grew to the extreme a few years ago when Jonas Armstrong played him in the BBC series. Holy hotness. Every Robin Hood for the rest of my life will look like Jonas Armstrong, and yes, I am very much okay with that. 

I absolutely loved the idea of FINALLY (!) having a girl in Robin's merry band of thieves. I am a huge fan of girls who kick butt and take names. Scarlet was no different. I loved how fierce she was, but I didn't dig how disloyal she was. (Is that even a word? It is now!) It seemed like every time things got a little rough, she wanted to pack it up and call it quits. Not so cool. I did, however, love Robin and John and Much which more than made up for Scarlet's flakiness. 

Overall, I really liked this book. I think (but I'm not sure) if this is a planned series, but it definitely could be. And I will be anxiously awaiting a second one!

Happy Reading!