Review: Cold Burn of Magic (Book #1) by Jennifer Estep

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
Published: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Kensington
Pages: 368

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis: 
There Be Monsters Here. . .

It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America." Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend's pawn shop, and I have to make a call--get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn't. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I'm stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I'm going to end up just like her. . .

My Rating:

★★★★☆

Review:

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review, all reviews and opinions are my own.

This was pretty good though it did remind me of her Gin Blanco series. A lot of other people said its a mix between the Gin Blanco series and her Mythos one.I have only read some of the Gin Blanco series so I can only go off of that one. Lila is a very kick ass character, not very well liked but I think that was part of her charm.

My first problem that I saw with this book is that this place where Lila is, is supposed to be the most magical place in America. I just saw Jurassic World this last weekend and I'm sorry but it just seems like that is what it would turn out like except in this place none of the monsters are placed behind any barricades. So that is one plot hole that my brain will not let me pass over I am still waiting for like the majority of America to rebel against this place. Maybe since the families are kind of like the Mafia everyone is paid off to not say anything if someone goes missing. Which then I can understand that, but still why would the monster not be behind some sort of walls if the families were indeed trying to protect the population.

I myself would like to know more about the secrets Devon's mother is keeping, and Lila must want to know the why herself. I also enjoyed this book because Lila has a little friend that is full of sass who's name is Oscar. Their friendship kind of reminds me of Rachel and Jenks from Kim Harrison's series that just ended and I might be falling in love with the series just because I miss that sort of relationship that Rachel and Jenks had. I hope Oscar might help out Lila more than he has so far. I can see them being a winning team.

I am still unsure of how I feel about Felix only because of the Deah problem he has. That could pose a threat or an awesome ally depending on which way Deah sways in the end. Since the two families are at war with each other I don't sense a good ending for those two, but of course I could be wrong and Romeo and Juliet won't make an appearance in this series. The only other character I am also unsure of is Mo I think he knows more than he is letting on and I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing yet. He is tricky and I think even though Lila trusts him she needs to keep her eyes on him.

I am super stoked for the second book to this series I am hoping there are even more monsters in this next one also I hope there is a connection that Lila has with the monsters since the Lockness monster let her keep her ring and waved to her. So many questions that needs to be answered! 

Survive the Night by Danielle Vega

Genre: Young Adult, Horror
Published: July 7, 2015
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 272

Source: First to Read
Synopsis:
We're all gonna die down here. . . .

Julie lies dead and disemboweled in a dank, black subway tunnel, red-eyed rats nibbling at her fingers. Her friends think she’s just off with some guy—no one could hear her getting torn apart over the sound of pulsing music.

In a tunnel nearby, Casey regrets coming to Survive the Night, the all-night underground rave in the New York City subway. Her best friend Shana talked her into it, even though Casey just got out of rehab. Alone and lost in the dark, creepy tunnels, Casey doesn’t think Survive the Night could get any worse . . .
           
. . . until she comes across Julie’s body, and the party turns deadly.

Desperate for help, Casey and her friends find themselves running through the putrid subway system, searching for a way out. But every manhole is sealed shut, and every noise echoes eerily in the dark, reminding them they’re not alone.

They’re being hunted.
           
Trapped underground with someone—or something—out to get them, Casey can’t help but listen to her friend’s terrified refrain: “We’re all gonna die down here. . . .” in this bone-chilling sophmore novel by the acclaimed author of The Merciless.

My Rating:

★★★☆☆

Review:

I received this book from the First to Reads program for an honest review, all reviews and opinions are my own.

Okay I am not sure where to start with this one but I was expecting there to be an actual person behind the murders or at least something demonic, not a flipping sea monster. This reminds me of that myth that kids are told about the alligator in the sewer. Except this sea monster is an octopus on steroids with tentacles that cut like knives and claws that can spear through a body, also way more than eight legs. 

They synopsis makes it seem like the premise of the story is because of survive the night but really it is just the excuse to get these teens down in the abandoned subway system. I thought it would have more to do with the killings like the title states survive the night so that is what you have to do, but it is nothing like that.

So I think for character wise when I read about Shana all I could think about was the from craft who turns evil by the end of it her name was Nancy. She is just that bad girl that can't stop being bad, she wants to bring down everyone else so that she isn't the only one with the crappy life. Sam was almost to perfect I was actually waiting for him to maybe be the murder that would be a great character flaw but alas that does not happen. I think out of the characters, Woody is the only one I actually liked, I wanted to like Aya since she was super smart but she was a follower and I guess that bugged me.

The book was thrilling till the end, definitely a page turner, one that will keep you up until you finish it. Especially once you get past the beginning and they are in survive the night. So far I have noticed that her books kind of leave off with questions left unanswered I both like and hate this. Only because I want to know more but maybe if I was left with all the answers the book wouldn't have seemed that interesting. If that makes sense.

Also another fantastic cover!

Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly by Patricia Briggs

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Graphic Novel
Published: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Pages: 144

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:
Mercy is a shapeshifting coyote and honorary member of the Tri-Cities werewolf pack. When the pack stumbles upon the buried bones of numerous dead children, she shapeshifts into a mystery of the legendary fae - a mystery that draws Mercy's stepdaughter Jesse into the fray! The supernatural romance series Mercy Thompson continues in this all-new, original story by New York Times bestselling author, Patricia Briggs, exclusively created for the comic book medium! Collects the six-issue Mercy Thompson comic book series from 2014-2015, a story set in official continuity.

My Rating:

★★★★☆

Review:

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review, all reviews and opinions are my own.

I love this series and this definitely lives up to the rest of the books. I do recommend though if you haven't read any of her previous books to read up to at least Frost Burned which is the seventh book in the series this one is set between that one and Night Broken. So if you try to read this before the series you will spoil yourself for the other books if you plan to read the series.

Another note if you finally want to see what Zee looks like with out any glamour on read this! I finally got to see what he looks like. I haven't read the other graphic novel so I am not sure if he is in the other one but he is in this one. I was surprised, and why does he have to hide what he really looks like? I bet it is because he doesn't want to be mauled over by all the girls that think he is cute. 

We also get to see a lot of Mercy's step daughter Jesse you don't see to much of her in the main series just snip its but this graphic novel kind of revolves around her and the new friend she meets. This graphic novel was action packed and sucked me into the story right away. 

The only character I didn't really feel was portrayed correctly or drawn as how I imagine him is Mercy's husband Adam. It just seemed off of what I was picturing. Also aren't coyotes smaller than wolves? It seemed like Mercy's coyote and the wolves seemed the same height.  I could be wrong and it was just placement that was making them look the same size but I am not sure. 

I do have the other graphic novel and now plan to go back and read that one, since I am still eagerly awaiting the next book to come out. 

Angelfall (Book #1) by Susan Ee

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Published: May 23, 2013
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Pages: 326

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:
It's been six weeks since the angels of the apocalypse destroyed the world as we know it. Only pockets of humanity remain.

Savage street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night.

When angels fly away with a helpless girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back...

My Rating:

★★★★★

Review:

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review, all reviews and opinions are my own.

This is the first book of the Penryn and End of Days Trilogy. It is a very fast paced book, I loved it so much. I know I am like the last person to get on this bandwagon but I am glad I did. I can see why so many others love this book. I can't wait to start the next one. 

Penryn is a girl who lives with her sister who is in a wheelchair and her mother who is crazy, and she has to protect these two and be the grown up. Penryn's sister Paige wasn't always disabled but after their mother had an episode something happened that is still a mystery to where Paige could no longer walk. I love how strong Penryn is and really steps up to the plate to take care of the people she loves. She still has weaknesses though which makes her human and also I think helps Raffe start to care for her.

Oh what can I say about Raffe other than he is yummy and I can't wait to see more of him and Penryn together. At first I was worried he was going to be like Damon from the Lux series, you know kind of a mean person to try to keep her at arms length. Though Raffe can be distant  he isn't really to mean to her till the end of the book where he says he doesn't even like her. I think she should have known though he was lying to cover up his own feelings though, I mean who would constantly keep watch over you and protect you when you mean nothing to him. It just wouldn't happen. 

Like I said the story was fast paced and kept moving at a good pace. I ended up flying through it that's how great this was. This one of course left on a cliff hanger so I am eager to see what happens next and how Raffe is going to get his wings back and how Penryn is going to deal with where she is at and her family. 

Ink and Bone (Book #1) by Rachel Caine

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Published: July 7, 2015
Publisher: NAL
Pages: 352

Source: First to Read
Synopsis:
In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…

My Rating:

★★★☆☆½

Review:

I received this book from the First to Reads program for an honest review, all reviews and opinions are my own.

In my opinoin this is basically the whole debate between physical book vs. ebook, except on a grander scale/ dystopian world. I definitely am one who prefers physical copies of books compared to ebooks but in a world where and e-reader is the only form to read on or really write through other then personal notebooks it really kicks that debate up a notch.

It was an interesting concept so it starts off with a boy named Jess who is a runner of physical copies of books. He gets the physical books to the buyer for his father. Physical books are made illegal and if you are caught with a book you are sent off for questioning and prison, or possibly even a hanging especially if you are caught as a runner. Since Jess doesn't want to be a runner or in charge of the business his father makes him enroll into the Library. From there on he learns the secrets and problems that are hidden from the knowing public.

I liked Jess he was very smart and could think on his feet quickly. But the story itself was a bit slow especially in the beginning. The world building was pretty good it explains for the most part how things work and why. Of course the questions left unanswered I am hoping gets answered in the next books. Though it took a while to get into the book the characters were well developed and I want to see more and see how Jess deals with being a part of the Library.

I think one of my other favorite characters is Wolfe. Wolfe is like a father figure to all of these kids, especially with Jess and I love how he wants to help them even though he has no real reason to. I did not see some of the plot twists that dealt with Wolfe but I am hoping to see more of him in the books to come. 

Lost Energy (Book #2) by Lynn Vroman

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Published: February 3, 2015
Publisher: Untold Press, LLC
Pages: 342

Source: Author
Synopsis:
Last spring, Lena discovered who she was.

Now all she wants to do is move on—and find a way to be with Tarek, the new Warden of Arcus and the love of her life. Even though worlds separate them now, she holds onto the hope they’ll be together again. Until then, Lena focuses on being truly happy for the first time in her life…this life. She has new friends, an apartment free from her abusive father, and the chance to live a normal life.

But for Lena, the past never stays gone.

A woman from another lifetime reveals Cassondra, Exemplian’s new authority commander, is seeking revenge against Tarek for killing her brother. There is only one way to end this new threat…

This time, it will take more than Wilma to keep the monsters away. It’ll take an entire army–an army who remembers Lena from her past life, and who might just want her dead, too.

Lena’s past will shape her future more than she could ever imagine.

My Rating:

★★★☆☆

Review:

I received this book from the author, Lynn Vroman, for an honest review, all reviews and opinions are my own.

This one is a bit more fast paced than the last one. Which is awesome we get dumped into basically right where the first one left off. The only thing that really annoyed me with this one was that Lena kept crying or weeping over things then she had the gall to say something to someone that was doing the exact same thing, but it wasn't okay for her to do it because she betrayed them.

I loved how in deapth the story got when everyone got to Arcus where Tarrek is Warden. Arcus is supposedly this world that is full of vibrant colors and these pink octopus looking things that travel on land. What we find out is that Arcus was not always like this and that it used to be completely different.  In the first book Lena becomes friends with Belva well they get in trouble and have to take Belva and Lena's family  to Arcus where they find out some interesting things. I also like the conflict between Tarrek and Lena. If I were Lena reborn into this other person I would question whether or not Tarrek would love me, me or the past me.

The ending left off on a cliff hanger, of course. So I am eagerly a waiting the next one. I am wondering how Lena is going to deal with what happened, and if now she will commit 100% to cutting off the ties from Exepmlian to all other worlds. Though I wonder if she cuts the ties does that mean that they won't be able to travel back and forth to other worlds? If so then she will have to choose between living on Earth or living on Arcus with Tarrek.

I am happy with how the series is developing I just hope that Lena goes through more growth as the story progresses. I also hope to see more about Belva and how she is dealing with Arcus's inhabitants and how Farren is handling Belva.