Review: Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Published: September 9, 2014
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 275

Source: Own
Synopsis:
“I did my best to keep you from crossing paths with this world. And I shall do my best to protect you now that you have.”

Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him.

Kiersten White captured readers’ hearts with her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy and its effortless mix of magic and real-world teenage humor. She returns to that winning combination of wit, charm, and enchantment in Illusions of Fate, a sparkling and romantic new novel perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, The Madman’s Daughter, and Libba Bray.

My Rating:

★★★★☆

Review:

 All reviews and opinions are my own.

I really liked this one, I was surprised. I read the synopsis and wasn't expecting to like it so much, but it is a lot like Howl's Moving Castle. I have seen the movie Howl's Moving Castle but I have not read the books yet so I am not sure how close it is to the books but it had similarities with the movie.

I think one of my favorite characters is Mr. Bird he doesn't talk or anything but he helps out Jessamin throughout the book. Mr. Bird is also a book which there are many he is part of a spell but takes on a life of his own. I was actually waiting for Mr. Bird to be like the broom in Howl's Moving Castle but was happy when that love triangle didn't show.

I was also surprise that this was just a stand a lone book. When I finished reading the novel it felt finished I mean there could of course always be more to write about in the same story arc but for the most part all the questions were answered and everything solved. There is definitely a twist at the end of the book, that I did not see coming. I was so surprised. I was expecting him to be like a minion but not the head bad guy.

Overall even though it resembled Howl's Moving Castle I still enjoy it a lot, and now I really want to read that series as well.

Review: Fated (Book #3) by Sarah Fine

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Published: September 29, 2015
Publisher: 47North
Pages: 316

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:
Aislin Ferry and Jason Moros have only days until they will be called to account before the Keepers of the Afterlife. Yet as they race to restore order and make their case, their worlds fall into total disarray.

Mutiny within the fractured Ferry family threatens Aislin’s hold on power and role as Charon. Meanwhile, the fearsome Lord of the Kere has family trouble of his own. Someone is unraveling the fabric of fate, and Moros suspects one of his supernatural siblings is behind the terrible bid to unleash Chaos.

Now unlikely allies, Aislin and Moros each need the other to escape the wrath of the Keepers. As the stakes rise, it becomes clear that protecting their respective empires is not the endgame. With the fate of all humanity dangling by a thread, Aislin and Moros must surrender completely to one another if they are to fight their common enemy. And as time runs out, someone must make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Rating:

★★★★★

Review:

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

I have also wrote a review for both Marked and Claimed if you would like to read those reviews as well please click on the names.

This was a fantastic ending the the trilogy! I have been waiting to hear Jason Moros story ever since I heard of him in the first book and when I found out that he was going to be starring in the third book I couldn't wait to get to it. I read through this quickly the story is very fast pace the other two books is leading up to this conclusion. I'm sorry if I am being vague but I don't want to ruin this book or the others if you have not read it yet. I am so happy I read this book while a lot of my other friends in book groups were picking up the first book Marked. I can't wait to discuss the entire series with them when they are done.

Aislin Ferry is seen as kind of a hard person to like in the first two books in this one we get to delve deeper into her psyche and see exactly what she is dealing with, which kind of makes her act this way. She is a young woman fighting to be heard and seen in a man's world so to speak or if not a man's world a more experienced/older person's world. She doesn't want to let anyone down especially the family and unfortunately you just can't make everyone happy it's just not the way life is.

Jason Moros aka Mr. Deathly Dreamy now he is the typical bad boy but deep down like all of them they just want someone to love, unfortunately that pesky deadly touch gets in the way of things for him. So he is a little testy for that reason let alone the trust factors that keep him from believing in anyone. I think these things I mentioned alone will make most people want to get to his book to just find out how everything works out for him.

I don't want to really get into the plot of the story to much other than to say that this is the book that is leading up to the big final battle. It was a very good ride getting there and the end battle scene and the twist at the end I did not see coming it was amazing though. That ending had me in tears of both sadness and happiness. I can't wait to read more by this author!

Review: Cross Keys (Book #1) by Ally Shields

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Published: October 3, 2014
Publisher: Etopia Press
Pages: 286
Source: Red Moon Book Tours

Synopsis:

When the first wanderer—a common elf who isn’t authorized to use the portal—is spotted on the streets of New Orleans, the king assigns Kameo Ryndel to capture the elf and bring him home to Elvenrude. But before she can intervene, he's shot and his body stolen by the gunmen. Just as puzzling is the appearance at the scene of Seth Lormarc, an Elite elf from a rival guild and heir to the centuries-old feud between their two families.

Seth is in New Orleans at the behest of his grandfather to find out who was behind the portal breach that could expose their existence to the world of men. His best lead is the intriguing Kam Ryndel. When he stakes out her apartment and finds her sneaking out in the middle of the night, dressed in black and leaping to the top of the nearest building, he realizes she's more than a beautiful woman. That kind of feat requires magic. Ancient magic.

As their paths cross and draw them deeper into a mysterious conspiracy, attraction sparks between them, but there’s little time for romance. The portal breach is tied to an illegal smuggling operation that has come to the attention of the human CIA. And the stakes are raised when Kam and Seth discover a band of rebels deep inside Elvenrude that offers nothing except violence and destruction of their world.

Buy Links:

Amazon│Etopia Press Bookstore│Barnes and Noble│Kobo│All Romance Ebooks│iBook│GooglePlay

About the Author:

Ally Shields grew up in the Midwest along the Mississippi River and currently resides near Des Moines. Writing has always been a part of her life, but in 2009, after a career in law and juvenile justice, she turned to full-time fiction writing. Her first urban fantasy novel, Awakening the Fire (Guardian Witch Book One) was published in 2012 and the seven book series was completed in 2015. She loves to travel in the US and abroad and incorporates many of those settings into her books. Ms. Shields can be contacted through her website or twitter (@ShieldsAlly).

Author Links

Website│Blog│Twitter│Goodreads│Amazon Author Page│Google+│Newsletter│Book Trailer

My Rating:

★★★★☆

Review:

I received this book from Red Moon Book Tours for the book tour, all reviews and opinions are my own.  If you would like to check out the rest of the blog tour click here for the official schedule.

I really enjoyed this book, I haven't read many books dealing with elves, and I am glad that I found something with elves in it to read. I only wish there were more about the elf history or something that kind of explained them a bit better or the world more in depth. Though I am hoping that will come in time as the series progresses. Elvenrude fascinated me though the people seem to be stuck back in olden times where woman are treated lesser than men, but Kam seemed to not let that stop her. I am excited to see how she changes Elvenrude.

I liked Ryden as a side character and I could really see him getting with Esty, Kam's sister. Ryden reminds me of a never ending food disposal, he can't leave any food or drinks behind. He also like Esty seem to be the only ones that are forward thinking in many ways. They don't fall for the whole Romeo and Juliet thing of where our houses are divided we must stay separated.

Caleb, Kam's sort of boyfriend, I was on the fence about. I was okay with him even though I know Kam has been friends with him forever I still felt off about him. There is a scene where when Kam comes back from New Orleans she spots him with her cousin shopping and he seems like he got his hand caught in a cookie jar. But Kam kind of overlooked that, I don't think I could have. It just seemed fishy to me, he even got me thinking he could have easily been a bad guy.

Seth works really well with Kam though they let there parents and Elvenrude get in between them a lot which can be bothersome, but that is what makes them working together needed. The pendants and stuff that they use to tap into the magic explains how they do some extraordinary things but not much is talked about with their own magic and how they can use it. As far as I can tell they can tap into the ancient magics but that is about as far as it goes.

The story itself wasn't to fast or to slow. I liked how the romance built slowly and wasn't insta-lovey, I kept rooting for Kam and Seth the whole way, I kept thinking okay this will be the scene something happens. I am very excited to see more of this story and what kind of trouble Kam and Seth find themselves into next.

Also side note I noticed the author lives in Des Moines, I just recently moved away from Iowa City and now I keep finding people and things going on in Iowa. Such a small world.

~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

Caleb nodded absently at the departing couple, then returned his gaze to Kam. “I’m serious. It’s time you became more involved with trade matters. In fact,” he paused, “you have several decisions you should be making. When are you coming home?”

“I’m here now.” She clamped down on a spark of anger. Why did every conversation with him lead into demands about the future?

“You know that isn’t what I meant.”

She stiffened. “It’s too soon for any long-term decisions. I like where we are now.” A storm was gathering in his eyes, and she took steps to head off a fight. The King's Harvest Ball was hardly the time or place. She tilted her head and looked at him. “Are you about ready to leave?” A diversion was in order before she lost her temper and said something she’d regret. “I have to be back in the city by early morning, and I can think of better things we could be doing.”

“More than ready.” His smile held a provocative edge. “Shall we start our round of goodbyes?”

“I’m going to visit the ladies’ room, then I’ll catch up with you.”

“Don’t be long.”

She ducked her head and hurried away, anxious to get out of sight before he realized just how annoyed she was. She shoved the door open into the hallway a little harder than was necessary and ran into a solid body. She stumbled, throwing out her arms for balance.

“Oh, I’m so sor—” Strong hands caught her, and she looked up into Seth Lormarc’s glittering green eyes. “You!”

His eyes widened in surprise. “Do I know you?”

A spark of unexpected awareness ran up her arms, and she tried to shake off his grasp. He held tight until she was steady. “No, but I know who you are.” She looked pointedly at his hands. “Take your hands off me.”

“No problem.” He released her and stepped back, a smile parting his lips. “Are you always so charming?”

She frowned at him, ready to give a sharp retort, then hesitated, realizing how rude she’d been. “You’re quite right. Mother would be appalled at my manners. Thank you for your assistance. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Certainly.” He moved to one side.

Her throat suddenly dry, Kam hurried past and down the hall. Insufferable Lormarcs. She entered the powder room and took a deep breath. The mirror revealed her heated cheeks, and she dipped a handkerchief in the water basin to cool her face. Why had she reacted so strongly, been so impolite? Was it the lazy smile he’d made little attempt to hide or just her anger at Caleb spilling over onto the first male she saw?

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Bout of Books 14: Update Day 7

Currently Reading: 

• Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Books Completed:

• Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones
• Cross Keys by Ally Shields
• Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep
• Aesop's Fables by Aesop

Pages read today: 150

Total pages read: 1,138

Thoughts:

So I finished off Aesop's Fables and Spider's Revenge today and instead of picking up the last book I had on my list I decided to start Opposition for a few challenges I am doing this month and also to finish off a series. I didn't get very far into it but I hope it is a good ending for the series. As far as the Bout of Books as a whole I think I did pretty well. Got a lot of books read and also made myself read through all the Aesop Fables before the end of the year. That is one yearly challenge I can check off the list. Let me know how you did down below. How many books did you get through?

Challenge:
3 Books I recommend that I read this year.

Bout of Books 14: Update Day 6

Currently Reading: 

• Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep
• Aesop's Fables by Aesop- 50 pages

Books Completed:

• Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones
• Cross Keys by Ally Shields

Pages read today: 150

Total pages read: 988

Books to read:

• Kitty goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn
• Aesop's Fables by Aesop- Read 25 pages a day at least

Thoughts:

So close to finishing off Aesop's Fables. So that is what I am going to try to do this last day finish up the books I am currently reading. How is everyone finishing up for the week? 

Bout of Books 14: Update Day 5

Currently Reading: 

• Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep
• Aesop's Fables by Aesop- 50 pages

Books Completed:

• Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones
• Cross Keys by Ally Shields

Pages read today: 150

Total pages read: 838

Books to read:

• Kitty goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn
• Aesop's Fables by Aesop- Read 25 pages a day at least

Thoughts:

Didn't get as many pages read as I did yesterday because I wasn't feeling the best so I was sleeping a lot today.

Bout of Books 14: Update Day 4

Currently Reading: 

• Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep
• Aesop's Fables by Aesop- 40 pages

Books Completed:

• Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones
• Cross Keys by Ally Shields

Pages read today: 202

Total pages read: 688

Books to read:

• Kitty goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn
• Aesop's Fables by Aesop- Read 25 pages a day at least

Thoughts:

I finished another book! Got in more pages today hopefully tomorrow I will get the same or even more since it is my night off. We only have three days left how is everyone doing? Anyone feeling that it is crunch time?