I NEED TO STOP READING TEEN ROMANCE FOR A WHILE

Crave (Crave #1)

by Tracy Wolff
Entangled Teen / Tantor Audio | April 7, 2020

     My whole world changed when I stepped inside the academy. Nothing is right about this place or the other students in it. Here I am, a mere mortal among gods…or monsters. I still can’t decide which of these warring factions I belong to, if I belong at all. I only know the one thing that unites them is their hatred of me.

     Then there’s Jaxon Vega. A vampire with deadly secrets who hasn’t felt anything for a hundred years. But there’s something about him that calls to me, something broken in him that somehow fits with what’s broken in me.

     Which could spell death for us all.

     Because Jaxon walled himself off for a reason. And now someone wants to wake a sleeping monster, and I’m wondering if I was brought here intentionally—as the bait.

TORTURE DOWN TEEN ROMANCE LANE V

I doubt anybody knows this series, but I will be rereading the Gods & Monsters series by Kelly Keaton. This series is probably unknown for a reason. It's one of the many things I read on PulseIt, now called RivetedLit. I have a history of not enjoying books from this publisher, so maybe I will do a whole reread dedicated to this publisher, LOL! I am sure the reason I liked this series was because of the romance, but as I continued with the series, I realized how awful it was (the romance and the plot.) I do remember this is set in New Orleans, but it's dark and somewhat post-apocalyptic. I also remember that it has some Greek mythology. It's tragic to see stories with potential fail. 

Note: the Goodreads summaries have more spoilers than my reviews. If you are interested in this series, don't read the summaries (they're in a blockquote,) read the reviews. 

(KIND OF) TORTURE DOWN TEEN ROMANCE LANE

The Dark Calling (The Arcana Chronicles #5)
by Kresley Cole
Valkyrie Press | February 13, 2018

      In a world teetering on the edge...
When Evie received life-changing—and possibly game-changing—news, she has trouble believing it. Why doesn't she feel any different? Is it possible someone she trusts might be lying?
      With enemies at every turn...
Tensions seethe inside the castle of lost time as Evie starts to doubt her own sanity. Answers can be found outside their stronghold, but will Death help her find them—or prevent her from learning the truth about her future and Jack's possible survival?
      Darkness beckons.
A mysterious, sinister power begins to affect the Arcana in its path. Forced out into the wasteland alone, Evie must depend on unexpected allies. But as a battle with Richter looms, can her new alliance defeat the Dark Calling before hell reigns on earth?

TORTURE DOWN TEEN ROMANCE LANE IV

Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles #1)
by Kresley Cole
Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers | August 19, 2014

     She could save the world--or destroy it.
Sixteen-year-old Evangeline "Evie" Greene leads a charmed life--until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, killing everyone she loves, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future--and they're still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.
     But she can't do either alone.
With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can't totally trust Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?
     Who can Evie trust?
As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it's not always clear who is on which side...

TORTURE DOWN TEEN ROMANCE LANE III

The Pledge

by Kimberly Derting

Margaret K. McElderry | November 15, 2011

     In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.
     Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

TORTURE DOWN TEEN ROMANCE LANE II

Whenever I reread novels like these, I set out to hate them; I'm a more mature reader, I have grown out of this genre, I have read more poignant novels, I have to hate them to prove that I've matured. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel, it felt nostalgic! A year ago, I swore off JLA books after reading The Struggle because I hated where it was going, and that I "had" to read another book: I quit cold turkey. After being JLA sober for a year, I went back to my dealer-the bookshelf-and I am allured again. 

A BOOK REVIEW OF THE MOVIE

Coraline
by Neil Gaiman
Bloomsbury | August 4, 2002 

      The day after they moved in, Coraline went exploring...
      In Coraline's family's new flat are twenty-one windows and fourteen doors. Thirteen of the doors open and close.
      The fourteenth is locked, and on the other side is only a brick wall, until the day Coraline unlocks the door to find a passage to another flat in another house just like her own.
      Only it's different.
      At first, things seem marvelous in the other flat. The food is better. The toy box is filled with wind-up angels that flutter around the bedroom, books whose pictures writhe and crawl and shimmer, little dinosaur skulls that chatter their teeth. But there's another mother, and another father, and they want Coraline to stay with them and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go.
      Other children are trapped there as well, lost souls behind the mirrors. Coraline is their only hope of rescue. She will have to fight with all her wits and all the tools she can find if she is to save the lost children, her ordinary life, and herself.

VICTORIAN AND SUPERNATURAL?

Soulless: The Manga
by Gail Carriger

illustrated by REM
Yen Press

          The life of a spinster in Victorian London isn't an easy one on the best of days, but such a life becomes infinitely more complicated when said spinster is "soulless" - a preternatural bridging the gap between the natural and supernatural worlds. Miss Alexia Tarabotti has this unique distinction, and when she is assailed at a formal gathering by a rove vampire, an encounter that results in the death of the half-starved creature, her circumstances become exponentially more complicated indeed! Now caught up in an intrigue with life or death stakes, Alexia must rely on all her talents to outmatch the forces conspiring against her, but it may be the man who has caught her eye - Lord Conall Maccon - and their budding flirtation that truly drives her to her wit's end!

BAD PAST DECISIONS | ALICE IN ZOMBIELAND

My tastes in books have changed drastically over the years. I used to read mostly Romance-driven plots because they were entertaining, and I was relatively new to the book community: I didn't know there were better books out. One of my book resolutions for 2018 was to reread old books on my shelf and get rid of some. The second book on the chopping block is Alice in Zombieland. I remember loving this series because I thought it had an original concept and action-a.k.a the male protagonist was cute... After partially rereading the book, I will be discarding the whole series. I don't understand why I liked it.

THE RAVEN CYCLE DISCUSSION | BOOKS I & II

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1)

The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2)

Maggie Stiefvater 

Almost everyone I know loves The Raven Cycle. I tried so hard to get into the series - the first two books. On both occasions, I complained incessantly about the slow plot. When will the action start?! Because I pushed myself to continue, I became bored and unmotivated. Fortunately, the endings redeemed the pain "I suffered" - such a drama queen. By the end of both novels, I found myself liking the characters more. I was very intrigued by their parts in the story and their personality. I know this may be somewhat controversial, but I enjoyed Joseph Kavinsky in The Dream Thieves. He's a terrible individual, but he's so exciting and thrilling to read about. Side note: if you search up his name, there are a lot of Tumblr aesthetics of him portrayed by Ash Stymest, which I find amusing, I don't know why. By the end of the novels, I also wanted more of the overarching plot. The cliffhangers enthused me and drove me to the library, in search of the next book. 

CONCLUSION OF TMI | REVIEW

City of Heavenly Fire (TMI #6)

by Cassandra Clare
Margaret K. McElderry | May 27, 2014

         Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.
         The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris-but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?
         When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee-even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

PURE EPICNESS | THE MIDNIGHT STAR REVIEW

The Midnight Star (The Young Elites #3)

by Marie Lu

Putnam | October 11, 2016

Source: SocialBookCo

        There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.
        Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all that she’s achieved.
        Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds when a new danger appears, putting not only Adelina at risk, but every Elite and the very world they live in. In order to save herself and preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.

DAY ZERO REVIEW

Before I dive into the actual review, I want to let you know that I partnered up/I am part of SocialBookCo' Book Review Programme, it's my first time working with them. SocialBookCo is a "mini company/website" that compares books from all vendors and it's supposed to help help you save money on books. They work with Amazon, eBay, Book Depository, Waterstones, etc. I do get a small commission-from 2-4%, depending on the retailer-every time you click on my link and purchase the book I'm reviewing.

Today, I'll be reviewing DAY ZERO by Kresley Cole

(Click on DAY ZERO ^ to purchase book)

WAS THE WAIT WORTH IT? | ARCANA RISING REVIEW

Arcana Rising (The Arcana Chronicles #4)
by Kresley Cole
Valkyrie Press | August 15, 2016

       When the battle is done . . .
       The Emperor unleashes hell and annihilates an army, jeopardizing the future of mankind - but Circe strikes back. The epic clash between them devastates the Arcana world and nearly kills Evie, separating her from her allies.
       And all hope is lost . . .
       With Aric missing and no sign that Jack and Selena escaped Richter's reach, Evie turns more and more to the darkness lurking inside her. Two Arcana emerge as game changers: one who could be her salvation, the other a seductive nightmare.
       Vengeance becomes everything.
       To take on Richter, Evie must reunite with Death and mend their broken bond. But as she learns more about her role in the future - and her chilling past - will she become a monster like the Emperor? Or can Evie and her allies rise up from Richter's ashes, stronger than ever before? 

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED | AM I MAAS "TRASH" NOW?!

A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR #1)
by Sarah J. Mass
Bloomsbury USA Childrens | May 5, 2015
(oh look, my birthday)

      She stole a life. Now she must pay with her heart.
      When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin-one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. 
      As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin-and his world-forever.

TRISTAN DE MONTIGNY TRASH | HIDDEN HUNTRESS REVIEW

Hidden Huntress (The Malediction Trilogy #2)
by Danielle L. Jensen

Angry Robot | June 2, 2015

       Sometimes, one must accomplish the impossible.
       Beneath the mountain, the king’s reign of tyranny is absolute; the one troll with the capacity to challenge him is imprisoned for treason. Cécile has escaped the darkness of Trollus, but she learns all too quickly that she is not beyond the reach of the king’s power. Or his manipulation.
       Recovered from her injuries, she now lives with her mother in Trianon and graces the opera stage every night. But by day she searches for the witch who has eluded the trolls for five hundred years. Whether she succeeds or fails, the costs to those she cares about will be high.
       To find Anushka, she must delve into magic that is both dark and deadly. But the witch is a clever creature. And Cécile might not just be the hunter. She might also be the hunted…

RJ JONES' DEATH 2: THIS TIME IT'S PERSONAL

It's a Wonderful Death
by Sarah J. Schmitt
Sky Pony Press | October 6, 2015

        Seventeen-year-old RJ always gets what she wants. So when her soul is accidentally collected by a distracted Grim Reaper, somebody in the afterlife better figure out a way to send her back from the dead or heads will roll. But in her quest for mortality, she becomes a pawn in a power struggle between an overzealous archangel and Death Himself. The tribunal presents her with two options: she can remain in the lobby, where souls wait to be processed, until her original lifeline expires, or she can replay three moments in her life in an effort to make choices that will result in a future deemed worthy of being saved. It sounds like a no-brainer. She’ll take a walk down memory lane. How hard can changing her future be?
        But with each changing moment, RJ’s life begins to unravel, until this self-proclaimed queen bee is a social pariah. She begins to wonder if walking among the living is worth it if she has to spend the next sixty years as an outcast. Too quickly, RJ finds herself back in limbo, her time on Earth once again up for debate.

STOLEN SONGBIRD REVIEW

Stolen Songbird (The Malediction Trilogy #1)
by Danielle L. Jensen
Strange Chemistry | April 1, 2014
Status: Complete

        For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the mountain. When Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she realises that the trolls are relying on her to break the curse.
        Cécile has only one thing on her mind: escape. But the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time…
        But the more time she spends with the trolls, the more she understands their plight. There is a rebellion brewing. And she just might be the one the trolls were looking for...

RE-EXPERIENCING VAMPIRE ACADEMY

I decided to pick up Vampire Academy after seeing the movie adaptation the night before. I wanted to reacquaint myself with the world, characters, relationships and "mythology". In other words, I wanted to meet Dimitri again, lol. I watched the movie, which goes against the book lover code, before I read the book. It's not that great of an adaptation by the way.

HALF BAD: REVIEW + GIVEAWAY

Half Bad (Half Bad Trilogy #1)
by Sally Green
Publishing: March 4, 2014 | PenguinTeen'
Status: DNF

         Wanted by no one.
         Hunted by everyone.
         Sixteen-year-old Nathan lives in a cage: beaten, shackled, trained to kill. In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most terrifying and violent witch, Marcus. Nathan's only hope for survival is to escape his captors, track down Marcus, and receive the three gifts that will bring him into his own magical powers—before it's too late. But how can Nathan find his father when there is no one safe to trust, not even family, not even the girl he loves?

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