Witch Finder: Review

dear readers,

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

WITCH FINDER
(Witch Finder: Book 1)
written by Ruth Warburton
genre: fantasy, historical, paranormal, romance

3 STARS 

It is London, 1880 Luke is turning eighteen and being initiated into Malleus Maleficorum.  To belong to this secret brotherhood he must pass some tests.  Once he passes most of his tests he is asked to chosen his first victim - a witch.  Malleus Maleficorum is a group set up to rid the world of witches.  He chooses the titled Lady Rosa - he must kill her or be killed himself.

Lady Rosa is a witch and a titled lady but her family is in debt and her family has a plan.  Her cruel brother and cold mother demand she marry Sebastian - wealthy member of the Ealdwitan. Rosa marrying Sebastian would guarantee wealth and prestige for her brother.  The more time she spends with Sebastian she sees he is just as cruel as her brother.  

What neither teen expected was to fall for each other now they have choices to make....

A good fantasy/paranormal/historical young adult novel.  There is nothing new in this novel but it is an entertaining book and Warburton builds a solid world.

love, 
kris

First Impressions: Reviews

dear readers,

Have you ever read a synopsis and thought it sounded great or horrible or judged a book by it's cover only to discover the opposite is true...

(I received both ARCs from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

DEFY
(Defy: Book 1)
written by Sara B. Larson
genre: fantasy, adventure, young adult, romance

2 STARS 

"Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?" (From Amazon - As soon as I finished the novel I forgot the story)

A great synopsis and book cover but a bad novel. It is like every other book in it's genre with nothing new or interesting. I did not care for Alex - the main character - or her choices of love interests. It is trying to be in the calibre of the Twilight series but lacks fun (ie: at least you can laugh and complain about Twilight but this is not book that is annoying or enjoying enough).

IMPOSTER 
(Variants: Book 1)
written by Susanne Winnacker
genre: mystery, suspense, fantasy, sci-fi, young adult, new adult

4 STARS 

Tessa is able to absorb any DNA by touch and morph into their appearance.  Tess is a Variant and her family has shut her out because of her power.  Looking for a place to belong she has joined the special branch of the F.B.I. called Forces with Extraordinary Abilities.

After two years of training with the FEA she has to take on the identity of teenager who was murder by a serial killer in a small town in Oregon.  As she lives Madison's life she finds her self with a family, friends and romance. What scares her more than the murderer is living with Madison's family who loved her dearly.  This is what Tessa has longed for her whole life.  

Honestly, I had no expectations for this novel.  It sounded a bit like X-Men and without Wolverine could it even be any good? The answer is hell yes.  Imposter is more than a fantasy/sci-fi teen novel.  It is a good suspense mystery novel where some of the characters are Variants and teenagers.  I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a good suspense novel.  

I hope you give Imposter a chance as it so worth the read!

love, 
kris

When Downton Abbey meets Gossip Girl: Reviews

dear readers,

Two nights ago to this afternoon I have been immersed in Leila Rasheed's world of Somerton (Britain countryside) and London in the pre-WWI era.  I could not sleep and decided to try a few chapters of Rasheed's novel, Cinders & Sapphires.  As I turned the pages to see what would happen next it was 2am and I could no longer keep my eyes open.  I finished the book last night and started into the second book, Diamonds & Deceit, because I had to know what would happen next.  This afternoon I spent the day inside out from the wind and rain.  I read the second book till it finished...only to frown because there has to a book three...right?

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

SERIES: SOMERTON 
Written by Leila Rasheed
genre: young adult, new adult, historical romance

CINDERS & SAPPHIRES
(Book 1)

4 STARS 

It is pre-WWI and things at Somerton are brewing.  Lord Westlake's heir and nephew isbleeding the funds dry and Westlake's return from India is tainted with malicious rumours.  He is forced to remarry for money and reputation.  His new wife brings with her a daughter, Charlotte, and two sons, Sebastian and Michael.  His own daughters Lady Ada and Georgina try to welcome the Templetons but are met with resistant from their stepmother and Charlotte. 

It is Charlotte's third and last season.  Her mother demands she must marry and Charlotte continues to scheme with her lady maid.  Lady Ada has also been told she must marry by her father.  It is up to Ada to save Somerton as she must marry for money.  Rose, the housekeepers daughter, also a maid becomes a lady maid to Ada and is thrusted in another world. 

This book has been described as "Downton Abbey meets Gossip Girl" and that seems like a fair assessment. For me it was like a historical romance novel in the New Adult genre.  This novel is PG-13 - sex is talked about but there are no steamy sex scenes.  I like the soapy aspect of the novel and it was a quick absorbing read. 

Cinders & Sapphires was published last January in 2013.  

DIAMONDS & DECEIT

(Book 2)

4 STARS

The Westlakes and Templetons are back to finish out the season.  Lady Ada has said goodbye to Ravi and has consented to marry Fintan...some day.  Rose, the former maid is now Lady Rose.  Westlake has finally accepted and adopted Rose as his daughter.  Going from a maid to a Lady is not easy for Rose especially when society talks behind her back.  Rose has attracted the attention of a Duke - who also has a history with Charlotte.  Charlotte afraid she is losing another prospect to the Westlakes kicks up her scheming.  

Sebastian continues to clear Oliver who is holding back a secret.  Michael and Priya are keeping their love quiet but there is a threat coming their way.  Georgina is left alone to care for the estate and those living there.  As she tries to hold it all down she watches the boy she loves love another.

As the season comes to an end the Westlakes and Templetons have to make decisions as their lives changes.

The second novel takes up from where the first book ended and we are again on an absorbing ride.  We see how the characters either change or don't and the consequences from their decisions.  I like the drama, romance and secrets in this novel.  it is a soapy book and I like it!

Diamonds & Deceit was published on January 7, 2014.  


For more information please visit http://leilarasheeddotcom.wordpress.com/

Goodnight dear readers!

love, 
kris 

Dark Kiss...Goodbye

dear readers,

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

DARK KISS
(Nightwatchers: Book One)
Written by Michelle Rowen
genre: young adult, paranormal, romance

1.5 STARS

Bella...I mean, Clary, no wait...Luce...no? Oh right, Samantha.  Samantha is a teenager with a crush on an older boy and finds herself finally being kissed by him.  This kiss changes her, literally.  Odd things start to happen, yada yada.  She meets a boy...yay!  That is the last thing I remember before falling into a coma until I finished DARK KISS.  I am supposed to review the second book, WICKED KISS but for the sake of my mind I will pass.


love,
kris

FALLEN Expectations: Review

dear readers,

In the wake of Twilight there have many more young adult books published featuring paranormal characters and love triangles...

FALLEN 
(BOOK 1)
written by Lauren Kate
genre: young adult, series, paranormal romance, angels

2 STARS

After a bizarre fire kills a friend Luce is sent to a reform school where her classmates seem odd yet intriguing.  One student in particular catches her eye, gorgeous and standoffish, Daniel Grigori. Then there is charming handsome, Cam who tries to get her attention as well.  She is torn between someone who wants her or someone who does everything to avoid her.
I started out liking the novel and the teen angst and longing was all right. Luce was a bit annoying and weak but this seems to the new characteristics for teen heroines.  I thought that the "mystery" dragged out for too long and even when answers were given it still came out stilted.  I sort of felt letdown when everything was explained. It built up my expectations way too much. Unfortunately, I will not continue with this series.

Anyone love this book/series and have thoughts?

love, 

kris