Fall from Grace by Christine Zolendz

Fall from Grace by Christine Zolendz 5 Stars 

 Synopsis:I'm finally home after struggling through my brother's illness and death. But, home is definitely a bit different. My best friend (the only person alive now that knows my secret) has a new boyfriend; and he has a friend. Shane Maxton: bad boy, tattooed rock god, eye candy extraordinaire. He is also New York City's most arrogant, self-serving, son of a, well, a definite one-night stand kind of a guy. But, it doesn't matter to me because I've spent my existence looking for the love of my life, my angel. And, there is nothing that Shane Maxton can do to change that

Overall. Wow. I cannot get enough of this book! This book has been on my list for a while, but I was holding out because I wasnt sure I would like it. And boy was I wrong. I devoured this book. I absolutely loved it! Its similar to the Lauren Kate series Fallen, except far more sexual. It has a little bit of that paranormal intrigue and a lot of love and angst. So if you like Jamie McGuires Providence series you will love this book as well. I loved everything about this book!

Cover: Pretty
Rating: R
Overall: FANTASTIC BOOK!
Characters: Grace, Shane, Lea, Conner ...
Page Turner: YES
Series Cont.? YES
Recommend: YES!!!
Book Boyfriend: Shane
Genre:  New Adult Romance, Paranormal
Sex Scenes: YES
Setting: New York City 

Plot-- This book has it all. It has great dialogue, great descriptions, angst, love, music. I cant think of one bad thing about this book. ADDICTIVE. INTENSE. HOT!  Im so in love with this series. It was absolutely amazing. What I loved most about this book is that it doesnt come right out and explain everything but it doesnt confuse you by not coming out and discussing everything. The author crafts her story so eloquently, and beautifully contructs a love story, that is both romantic and sad, sexual and tense, beautiful and broken. The words flawlessly flow off the page and into a creative image that its so easy to get swept away and lose yourself within.

Characters-- Wow.

Grace

Grace is intense. Snarky. Sweet. Caring. Loyal. Demanding. And so much more. I love how her character develops over the course of the novel What I like about this particular book, is that Grace's layers really peel back throughout the book and the series. At first Im concerned shes an alcoholic, and depressed but as I get to know her, I realize that deep down shes a survivor and just trying to figure out how to make it through the life she has, she doesnt expect much out of her life. And when the unexpected comes she obviously doesnt know what to do. Whats great about this author, is that she doesnt need all the big words or long descriptions to get the emotions or developments across.I loved Graces humor, sarcasm and wit, but also her charm, and love for those close to her.

Shane

Shane--Aw Shane. The ultimate bad boy. Throughout this book, I could not figure him out. I mean I think a part of me, had figured out the sub plot here, but I was quite sure, which not only made it a great read but also peaked my interest in the story that was developing, between Grace and Shane. I love their dynamic. They are both wild, in their own ways. Grace with her music and her smart ass remarks, her sarcasm and her inability to be affected by what other people think. While Shane, also just trying to survive, in his own way, learns through Grace a new way of seeing things. As unwilling as he is to let Grace know. Whats great about Shane in this book is that he is such a mystery but that the glimpses we see are enlightening, of his character but also of his future and his past. My heart skipped beats when reading about their chemistry!

Gabriel

Gabriel- Its interesting to see it from Graces POV, Gabriel is unknown, which provides the mystery and paranormal aspect of this series. He keeps things moving too.

Lea and Conner-- I like them as a couple and the side show. I think Lea is hilarious and a great friend. I find her quirks entertaining but also a nice reprieve of sexual tension and mystery.  Her relationship with Grace is also very interesting, they are like sisters and yet best friends. I also think the relationship with connor is a strange one, but works nonetheless and I like seeing the different aspects of a relationship.

Lea

Connor

 

Chasing Darkness by Colee Firman

Chasing Darkness by Colee Firman 3.5 Stars

Synopsis:Months after Tanner’s unexplained betrayal, Addy is finally able to put what was between them in the past and move on. Really she has no choice—he sent her back to Greystone alone and stayed in Tremain. He even deactivated the gate they worked so hard to repair to keep her away—if that doesn’t say extreme break up nothing does. 
When a strange condition begins killing its way through Greystone, Addy is forced to leave the Palace where she’d been holed up to try to help find the cause. No one seems to have any answers and everyone is afraid they’ll be next to burn from the inside out.
The illness makes the rift between Ravensbog and Greystone widen when the Akori from the bog decide being around the people of Greystone could be hazardous. Addy is forced to pull her people together while struggling to find a way to stop the deaths.
Even after breaking his heart, Gage is still by her side no matter what. Friendship like that can’t be ignored. A night alone together changes everything and Addy’s left wondering if maybe she made the wrong choice. By the time she figures it out, his heart may already belong to someone new.

Addy

At the same time people are dying in Greystone, Ravensbog suffers its own loss. One of the club leaders is killed during a match at the Brutal Ball, sparking the beginning of a fight to the death tournament to select a new head for the fight club. The Tournament of Lost Souls begins and threatens to kill some of the people Addy loves the most.

Cover: Pretty but not great
Rating: PG 13
Overall: Pretty good, but a little disappointed
Characters: Addy, Gage, Jax, Tanner
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: YES
Book Boyfriend: Tanner 
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi
Sex Scenes: Not really 
Setting: Greystone, an underworld for Akori. 

Gage


Overall- I liked thid book, but with the ending, I am extremely disappointed, HOWEVER, I recognize that in order for the series to continue, something had to happen....still...Im not happy about the ending. Poor Addy just cant catch a break. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series though! I love Addy!

Plot - Wow, well I gotta say that this was a great story line. I was interested throughout the entire book. I devoured it and then wanted more! The author does an amazing job of weaving this story, providing so much background and intrigue. This story is so amazing. The world building for Greystone and the characters is so great, her ability to create this world that I am able to forget everything around me and become enveloped in this story and the characters amazes me. This time around the plot is no different, with Addy trying to become the leader and to figure out how to rid Greystone of whatever is causing the Akori to instantaneously combust. I like they mystery aspect of this, which essentially boils down to how to kill an old soul. I think the next book will be even better given the ending. Im a little disappointed in the ending, mainly because I want to know whats going on! I am a fan of this series and cant wait to keep reading it. I only tacked off points for the slight cliff hanger and sad ending. But a good book nonetheless!

Tanner

Characters -- I absolutely love Addy, the main character. She has really grown over these three books, and I can honestly say that she has matured into quite the woman. I think she has become quite the leader. The problem with this book though is that some of the other characters dont grow as much. For instance, Jax and Tanner. I felt that out of all the characters Tanner grew the least. Granted he wasnt in the book the whole time...but nonetheless his characters seemed the most stagnant.

Gage on the other hand, his transformation was interesting. Reading as he changed, was quite intriguing as well. I think his character probably changed the most next to Addy and I was certainly saddened by the end result.

Jax

As for Jax, I loved Jax in the last book. I was really looking forward to him in this book, but I was somewhat let down, because I dont think he really grew into much. But in the end Im glad with the end result. I think based on the plot that it worked out for the best.

Some of the other minor roles also seemed to be a little frustrating for me. Juliette mainly. I was extremely disappointed in her character. But on the bright side, I felt like some of the other once minor roles became more prominent and grew. Especially Remy.





The Human by Keary Taylor

The Human (Eden#2) Keary Taylor 4.5 Stars

Overview- 
* I was fortunate enough to get an ARC copy of The Human (THANK YOU! Keary Taylor!)  I must admit I was hesitant when I found out about this book becoming a trilogy but I was excited. I loved Eden. But at the same time, I was curious as to how the book would continue, where would the author take it? But Keary Taylor did not disappoint whatsoever, as if she could! I loved this book. I was dying to find time to read it!! Work got in the way :-) This was a great book about discovery and trust, growth and love. It had just enough action, mystery, intrigue and love to keep me going and now I am dying to finish off the series. 6 months is too long to wait! 




Cover: Intriguing
Rating: PG
Overall: Awesome!
Characters: West, Avian, Royce, Eve
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: YES
Book Boyfriend: Avian
Genre: Sci-fi Post Apocalyptic 
Sex Scenes: Nope
Setting: West Coast

Synopsis-- The city of New Eden is cleared, but it won’t stay that way forever. The Bane continue to advance in horrific ways that will wipe humanity from the face of the Earth. A storm is coming, one none of them could have dared imagine. 

When a group of outsiders come to the city, everyone is on edge. They have too many questions and not enough answers about where they are from or what they want. Just because they are human doesn’t mean they can be trusted.
Eve made a choice–one that could have deadly repercussions. Desperate hearts bring about desperate actions. Now she must make another decision as her world continues to crumble: come to terms with who she really is, or risk her sanity. She thought she had unlocked all the secrets from her past, but there are truths still buried that leave her questioning what is real and what is not.

Plot-- So this book picks up a few months after the Pulse went off and I was anxious to find out where this book was going to.  At first things were a little slow, and Ill be honest, Im still a little confused by the last few chapters, Im going to have to re-read some of the sections. Overall though I was pleastantly surprised with the twists and turns that were occuring. I was able to "figure" out a few of these twists but still needed more information, and still do. I cant wait for the next book, to find out how her new-found abilities will assist in helping to save the world. I love Eves willingness to go in and fight!

I also think the ending was great, but Im disappointed that the next installment wont be out for a long while. I dont like that! I love the developments though that have occurred. Finding out more about Eve's past, and who that reflects onto her relationship with West. Although I wish we would have met or learned more about what happened in the past, I expect the next book will cover that more. I also like the development with Avian. It feels a little more normal and more of a relationship this time. Although I didnt care for what happened with Avian towards the end, I thought it was unnecessary, the book didnt need the drama, but so long as it doesnt affect the ending or his relationship with Eve, then I am okay with it.

Eve

Characters --I loved the dynamic between Eve and West, and Eve and Avian. I wish there were a few more strong female leads, because it is riddled with men. The only other female character is Margaret and she is less than polite. Im a little surprised with Eve's reaction to West, and his betrayal, but understandably given their past it makes sense, and considering her history with him.

West 

I love that Eve's character continues to adjust and grow but also doesnt lose sight of the bigger picture and remains strong throughout. She takes in her new abilities and shines, and even preserves through everything. I like that she befriends Tristan, although its another guy, her compassion, empathy and desire to make the world safer is truly admirable. Her strength to never give up is also something I can appreciate.

Avian

Im not a West fan, I dont love him. And now I know why. His role in the book finally starts coming together. Im a little confused by some of the behavior because it doesnt make a whole lot of sense, but Im hoping it will be okay based on the next book. Hopefully it will be explained. I think what he did to Eve is unforgiveable regardless of the past and he continues to mess up things, so I hope she doesnt forgive him.

As for Avian, as I said above, Im not a fan of the drama that occured with West and Avian, I understand the love triangle and thats okay, I dont mind it, but I dont like the last piece of drama. And for Avians age he acts pretty immature at times. But I do love how he cares for Eve, his love for her is amazing and beautiful, and its so obvious that they belong together.