Fairy Tale Fortnight GIVEAWAY HOP [INT]

This hop is in conjunction with the 4th annual Fairy Tale Fortnight.  

Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop

Hosted by

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

The Book Rat &

A Backwards Story

April 22nd to May 3rd

RULES : 

1. There will be only TWO Winner (subjected to change). 

2. Winner will be informed via email and *must* reply within 48 hours else I won't have a choice but to select another winner. 

3. All entries would be verified. 

4. Just fill in the rafflecopter below :

a Rafflecopter giveaway

House of Ivy & Sorrow

Presenting House of Ivy & Sorrow by Natalie Whipple.

Here is the summary of the book:

Josephine Hemlock has spent the last 10 years hiding from the Curse that killed her mother. But when a mysterious man arrives at her ivy-covered, magic-fortified home, it’s clear her mother’s killer has finally come to destroy the rest of the Hemlock bloodline. Before Jo can even think about fighting back, she must figure out who she’s fighting in the first place. The more truth Jo uncovers, the deeper she falls into witchcraft darker than she ever imagined. Trapped and running out of time, she begins to wonder if the very Curse that killed her mother is the only way to save everyone she loves.

A fast read, with an interesting premise and some intense witchy action. Natalie Whipple is improving with each book. I liked her book 'Transparent'. If you found that amazing (like I did) then be prepared to be vowed by House of Ivy & Sorrow because this is exquisite.

A cute little paranormal romance, with some refreshing characters and some amazing spell works. Witches have been a part of the genre since long and authors alike have represented them in more ways than one. Likewise Whipple's witches are a force to be reckoned with. They are of Hemlock lineage and you don't want to underestimate them. Not one bit.

Josephine Hemlock. Our protagonist. She comes from a long line of witches and is a very powerful witch. Her mother dies from a dark curse, so now it's just her grandmother with her..... And you just can't help not love her. She is compassionate, spunky and has got quite the attitude. Juggling the normal world and her paranormal world, she is is in no way a boring character at all.

Witches are not aloud to tell outsiders about their powers or in anyway includes them in their activities. So it is pretty interesting to watch Jo juggle a double life. Keeping secrets from her friends while trying to keep them safe. Then there is her first boyfriend to deal with too and to figure out how this girlfriend - boyfriend works.

Speaking of the boyfriend, Winn is the cutest one even. He is charming, passionate, hardworking and mysterious. His personality is enough to make us love him and root from Jo and him to be together. While the romance is lite, Jo and Winn though make a very cute couple. I loved how they both tried to make this work and were there for the other when the situation called for it.

A wonderful and fresh tale. House of Ivy & Sorrow is quite the easy read. Accomplished with some lovable characters and kick-ass witches protected their loved ones and their land from the usurpers. Natalie Whipple did a marvelous job with this book and I am definitely excited to see what she comes up with next.

"A fresh and exciting YA paranormal romance you don't want to miss out on"

Genre :      Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: 15th April, 2014

My Copy: publisher & edelweiss

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

Revolution 19 #2 Fugitive X

Presenting Revolution 19 #2 Fugitive X by Gregg Rosenblum.

Here is the summary of the book:

Their fight for freedom is humanity's last hope for survival. The chilling Revolution 19 trilogy continues in Fugitive X.

A war between humans and robots is on the horizon, and only one side will survive.

Siblings Nick, Kevin, and Cass are struggling to survive in a world where deadly, sophisticated robots have turned on their creators and enslaved mankind. Fugitives from one of the bot-controlled Cities, the siblings venture into the woods, but when they are attacked by bot foot soldiers, the siblings are separated...and for the first time, they are on their own.

Created in conjunction with Alloy Entertainment; Howard Gordon, showrunner of 24 and Showtime's Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Homeland; and James Wong, writer-director of the Final Destination films, Fugitive X is the gripping next installment in the cinematic Revolution 19 series.

Not sure but I hardly saw a change from the first book, in the sequel Fugitive X. The writing is still that of a screenplay for a TV/Movie and the chapters are all in the three point of views of Nick, Cass and Kevin and like the first here too, there are no smooth transitions as we abruptly shift from one perspective to another. And it still lacks details that are necessary for the world building in the case of post-apocalyptic dystopia.

Even the three characters Nick, Cass and Kevin don't seem to have evolved at all. They are still the same as from the first. They are still fiercely loyal to each other. They are still stubborn, each one of them and would do anything to keep each other safe.

The one thing I noticed about this book. While it lacks a certain amount of detail needed for novels of this genre..... it does have an episodic feel because stuffs seems to happen at quite an alarming rate when they get separated this time. At least it was a bit interesting on that front.

"Episodic and rather fast paced"

Genre :      Young Adult, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopia

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: 7th January, 2014

My Copy: publisher and edelweiss

Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

Books in the series (review links):
              #1 Revolution 19

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Blood of Eden #3 The Forever Song

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!! Presenting Blood of Eden #3 The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa.

Here is the summary of the book:

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster?

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

MONSTER

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

Julie Kagawa.... truly magnifique. The Forever Song makes for the perfect and satisfyingly kick-ass ending to a mind-blowing series. I am of course sad to see another one of my favorites end but I am also happy because it was a perfect ending in every way. And I have no idea what to write because I am hungover a book.... Again.... But i'll try to put things in order for you all.

Eternally thankful to Kagawa for restoring vampires to their original fanged glory, aka leaving the sparkles behind. Absolutely loved it, all three of the books. EPIC and UTTERLY PERFECT..... A plague ravaged Earth. Dark and Desolate. Blackness everywhere with the select few holding tight to the feeling of 'hope'. Hope for a better tomorrow. Rabids scouring the land after dark, devouring anything and everything in their way via their scaly, bony structures and a certain streak of that madness and of course the bloodthirsty scream that follows.

After a string of authors portraying vampires, as sparklies or with the abilities to forgo feeding from humans and sustaining on animal blood. I truly salute Kagawa (I am sure many would agree) of showcasing them in their classic glory. They are monsters, they are blood thirsty and no amount of animal blood can sate the raging monster within. Human blood, fresh is what they prefer. And it is a given that they are the bad guys. But of course exceptions do exist. But however good you strive to be and keep a control on yourself, you will cross that line. It is in their carnal nature and try as they might they can't avoid it.

That was actually what made it all the more interesting to experience. After the shocking cliffhanger ending to The Eternity Cure, the final book, The Forever Song sees Allie, Kanin and Jackal going after the psychotic vampire Sannin and do everything to stop him from ushering about the end of the world with an updated version of the plague virus and destroying the safe haven that is Eden and the world.

With a dark future awaiting the motley group of heroes, on their quest to save the world, we saw Allie truly embrace her dark side. She switches off her humanity so as to speak. She was already a badass Katana wielding heroine but she truly proved herself with this book. She is conflicted with what she should be. After how Zeke was dealt his fate by Sannin, Allie goes through a big change. She is still clever and very much determined but Zeke's fate gives her quite the shock.

Poor Zeke. Anxiously delving into the book, there are a lot of surprises for the gang. Even with the grueling fate dealt to him by Sannin. He actually manages to comes out of his funk. He is still adorable and determined. His chemistry with Allie was a marvel. Perfectly balanced and not at all over bearing on the plot. They balanced each other out, through thick and thin.

Jackal, the raider king came a long way from the bad guy he was in the first book. He is still bad but you just can't help not love him at all. He doesn't show it but in his own way he cares, whether they be allies or kin. His sibling chemistry with Allie was a full on surprise. With all the gory and dark acts and the rabids they encounter on their journey, Allie's sibling banter with his snide and sarcastic comments were a much appreciated comic relief. Something you would surely appreciate as you read what happen.

Kannin. This old timer has my respect, as a vampire and as a character in this book. He is repentant of his actions and would do everything possible to correct his mistakes. He is the silent guardian. Strong willed and kick-ass. He makes for 'The' amazing master vampire. And truly with a fast paced plot, you will not want to leave it for even a minute.

Hooked till the very end. With its own share of romances, secrets, surprises, heart-wrenching goodbye and the very graphic epic fights, The Forever Song makes for a perfect conclusion for this post-apocalyptic dystopia. And of course, the sneak peek to Kagawa's upcoming new series 'Talon', was the perfect dessert after the delicious & delectable main course that was 'The Forever Song'.

"A perfect kick-ass ending to an epic vampire saga"

Genre :     Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopia

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: 15th April, 2014

Rate:             5 /5 (It was Amazing)

Books in Series(review links):

         #1 The Immortal Rules
             #2  The Eternity Cure

Other Books by the Author(review links):

         The Iron Fey & Call of the Forgotten(series)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

Heirs of Chiror #1 The Queen's Choice

Presenting Heirs of Chiror #1 The Queen's Choice by Cayla Kluver.

Here is the summary of the book:

Magic was seeping out of me, black and agonizing. I could see it drifting away. The magic that would let me pass the Road to reach home again.

When sixteen-year-old Anya learns that her aunt, Queen of the Faerie Kingdom of Chrior, will soon die, her grief is equalled only by her despair for the future of the kingdom. Her young cousin, Illumina, is unfit to rule, and Anya is determined not to take up the queen's mantle herself.

Convinced that the only solution is to find Prince Zabriel, who long ago disappeared into the human realm of Warckum, and persuade him to take up his rightful crown, Anya journeys into the Warckum Territory to bring him home. But her journey is doomed to be more harrowing than she ever could have imagined.

With an insanely rich plot and a fantastically exquisite world building, Cayla Kluver presents her new series 'Heirs of Chiror' with the first book 'The Queen's Choice'. Mixing humans and the fae and creating a high fantasy like atmosphere... sadly it came under (almost) my DNF (did not finish) radar.... Reason? Despite the plot of such a nature... almost 70% of the book was dull. It was in the 30% towards the ending that it picked up quite the speed and kept me anchored.

Human and Fae in a high fantasy mix and world building is a hard task and at times very much dull. That was the case here, the story dragged for quite a while, only picking up speed as I explained towards the end. Which I hope won't be the case for the 2nd book because I loved Kluver's Legacy series and this series could be great if things are done correctly.

In a major sense this is actually a road story. Anya is the protagonist and The Queen's Choice speaks of her journey to the human territory in search of her wayward royal cousin, Zabriel. Due to circumstances the rule of accession fell on Anya. And she is not ready to be tied down yet as the Queen after her aunt. She is very independent, quite stubborn, very much of an airhead and very optimistic when it comes to her family, even if something else is going on the inside.

Without telling anybody she goes to the human territory to look for her cousin. And then tragedies seem to follow her wherever she went. Throughout all this she makes many new friends and also looses many. No place is safe and most of all the ones surrounding her are the most dangerous of them all.

Coupled with a vivid and rich plot, while The Queen's Choice may be very much dull, lays the groundwork for the coming books. So very much hoping the second book will pick up the pace because this one end at quite the cliffhanger.

"Poignant and rich, Cayla Kluver presents her new series with humans & the Fae"

Genre :      Young Adult, Historical Fastasy, Paranormal, Romance

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: 28th January, 2014

My Copy: publisher & netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

Caster Chronicles #1 Beautiful Creatures

Presenting Caster Chronicles #1 Beautiful Creatures by Kami Gracia & Margaret Stohl.

Here is the summary of the book:

Is falling in love the beginning . . . or the end?

In Ethan Wate's hometown there lies the darkest of secrets . . .

There is a girl. Slowly, she pulled the hood from her head . . . Green eyes, black hair. Lena Duchannes.

There is a curse. On the Sixteenth Moon, the Sixteenth Year, the Book will take what it's been promised. And no one can stop it.

In the end, there is a grave.

Lena and Ethan become bound together by a deep, powerful love. But Lena is cursed and on her sixteenth birthday, her fate will be decided.Ethan never even saw it coming.

Reading this way later after seeing the movie first, I definitely say I like the book better. The movie was okayish but now that I have finally read the book, audiobook and ebook simultaneously, I am obliged to report that I am sad they cut and changed a lot of good things to accomodate in the movie. I know excellent book to movie transitions are hard to come by and I know that translating 500 pages (as such) pages to a 2 hour movie is not easy but still sad because the book conveys they story way better than how the movie tried it.

An enticing, and a lush dark gothic plot. Beautiful Creatures offers a unique, new and an attractive tale of witches..... Casters as they are called set in small town Gatlin, in the southern countries. A largely overdone plot but with something different this time. Instead of the perspective of the female lead, as is popular for the genre. The story follows the narration from the male lead Ethan Wate. Bringing a well developed and culturally rich story to us readers (with some cool American Civil War history included).

Ethan Wate and Lena Duchannes form the lead pair to our story. Ethan was rather an interesting fellow. Life in a small town can be very monotonous. Everybody knows who you are, what they expect you to do and what your place is. And Ethan will do everything he can to break through such bonds.

And if his days consist of school, baseball, an estranged father who never seems to want to come out of his rooms and dinner and sleep..... then his nights are even more strange..... stranger than normal. He dreams like any other person..... But dreams so intense and dark, that he wakes up drenched in dirt and sweat, a phenomenon that can't be explained away. And a weird song appearing everywhere ..... called 16 Moons.....


A creepy..... creepy song. With the definite haunting and since I was listening to the audiobook as well..... Well I was thoroughly spooked. Definitely not happy they cut it out from the movie.

Lena Duchannes. She sweeps into small town Gatlin and takes everyone by surprise. She is the niece to Macon Ravenwood, the resident County recluse and she is definitely not something you would say normal for Gatlin. She has no interest in what the average person do and strange incidents like window exploding, thunderstorms, room arrangement changes and mind talking with the person you love.

Ethan feels a certain level of attraction towards this strange new girl. An intense and strong attachment that even Lena who was hesitant at first could not ignore. Ethan was truly accepting of Lena and her strangeness. I quite liked it that Ethan goes head first and discovers the Caster history and the ancient connection that he shares with Lena and is prepared to fight the world, if it means that Lena is safe.

I'd say it again you don't get this type of different very much and I loved how Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl brainstormed such an enticing tale..... The movie was a disappointment but I am definitely going to continue reading this extravaganza because I am excited to see what happens at the 17th Moon.

"A dark gothic love story with a unique curve"

Genre :      Young Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Release Date: 1st December, 2009

My Copy: bought (ebook+audiobook)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

Dark Star #2 Burn Bright

Presenting Dark Star #2 Burn Bright by Bethany Frenette.

Here is the summary of the book:

Audrey Whitticomb saved her entire city.

Well, kind of. The superhero Morning Star (who just happens to be Audrey's mom) might have played a small part, and her sidekick, Leon—Audrey's sort-of boyfriend, who is gorgeous... and frustrating—maybe helped, too.

But after two peaceful months, there is a vicious new threat in Minneapolis. Her name is Susannah, and she's a Harrower, a demon hell-bent on destroying people like Morning Star, Leon, and Audrey—the Kin. Like others before her, she seeks the Remnant, a Kin girl who has the power to unleash the inhabitants of the Beneath. But to what end?

Audrey already has a ton on her plate: dealing with her best friend Tink's boy drama, helping her other best friend Gideon figure out his nightmares, and exploring the highs and lows of "dating" Leon. But when she develops a powerful new ability, Audrey seizes on the chance to fight, despite her mother's protests and Leon's pleas.

As Audrey gets closer to figuring out Susannah's motives and tracking down the Remnant, she'll uncover more than she bargained for. The terrible truth is staring Audrey in the face. But knowing the truth and accepting it are very different things.

Much better and much more balanced than book 1. Burn Bright proved to be an even better sequel to Dark Star. Things are much better established and the world building is much more concrete and Audrey is less whinier than before..... So I suppose Burn Bright hits it right of the mark *winks*.

Much easier to follow and much more interesting than Dark Star. Audrey seemed much more mature. Much more accepting and definitely very much of a bad-ass. There is a different villian this time, Susannah. Much more evil with a certain level of cunning. I loved her incorporation in the story and dealt with the Kin, wreaking havoc to reach her goal. And while the surprises regarding Gideon & Tink were..... should I say rather surprising...... I found 'Burn Bright' much easier to digest.

True the relationship between Leion & Audrey still didn't feel established but thankfully that wasn't much of a focus this time. Fate gave Audrey some pretty harder stones to jump but she stood firm and solid and saw the whole ordeal through and prevented a major catastrophe. After going through the first book, I was sketchy on the second but thankfully that is not the case and I would very much liked to see what happens next.

"A much better and much more established, action-packed sequel"

Genre :      Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Release Date: 25th February, 2014

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Books in the series (review links):
              #1 Dark Star

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Dark Star #1 Dark Star

Presenting Dark Star #1 Dark Star by Bethany Frenette.

Here is the summary of the book:

Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human--something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile.

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers--livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin.

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight.

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything--and everyone--she loves.

Action-packed. Dramatic. Teenage angst. Super heroes with amazing super powers and the surprising paranormal demons included, 'Dark Star' proved to be quite an alleviating read. Bethany Frenette's story ventures into superheroes in a contemporary era and I liked that very much.

By no means is this a superhero story but a story about a girl who knows she is special and finds out that there is more to her specialty than what she knew. Audrey was a kick-ass heroine as was her mother. And I liked her chemistry with her friends Gideon & Tink. Then as far as the paranormal activity is considered ...... well it was a surprise alright. One thing I didn't like about Audrey though, she felt a bit whiny and impulsive..... but that disadvantage in my book gets better because of her knowing, the one thing I appreciated.

OK I know this review is going a bit in a different and disjointed direction but thoughts are a bit of a mess in my head..... SO BEAR WITH ME......

Another point that comes to my mind would be Audrey & Leon. So he is her guardian. A something of a destiny between them due cause of their Kin blood and their laws. Without some apparent build up between them, they become romantically linked. No. Nadda. None of those romantic acts you see in commonly all the books in cases like this is not seen at all. But I liked Leon's character very much.... So while the romance part didn't overshadow the whole story and gave it a chance to flourish..... but still I didn't like the romance factor one bit.

In a way it did remind remind me a lot of many urban fantasies that follow this route, so I wouldn't say it was a better read..... but here I suppose I was expecting a bit too much from it all..... And the concluding fight..... man what a blast it was..... I may not have found this to be an amazing read but you gotta hand it to Frenette, that was an epic fight!!

"An urban fantasy with superheroes and demons"

Genre :      Young Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Release Date: 23rd October, 2012

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

Confessions #1 Confessions of an Angry Girl

Presenting Confessions #1 Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett.

Here is the summary of the book :

Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has someCONFESSIONS to make...

#1: I’m livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I’m allowed to be irate, don’t you?

#2: I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed gorgeous Jamie Forta, boyfriend of the coolest cheerleader in the school. Now she’s out for blood. Mine.

#3: But most of all high school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien…and now it’s a case of survival of the coolest.

Your looking for a YA book with teen issues, angst, and a semblance of reality to it all..... Well then look no further than Louise Rozett's Confessions of an Angry Girl..... The rantings of an angry young girl of 14 years of age and how she deals with the major ups & downs of her life.

Rose Zarelli. Suffering from the brutal acts handed down by fate, she is a high schooler and she is angry at the world. Her dad dies on the field in wartime Iraq. Her mother is a shrink, who doesn't seem to know how to deal with the personal grief and her brother becomes distant after going to college, preferring to spend the first Thanks Giving with his new girlfriend's family instead of with his mother and sister..... So yes Rose is your everyday angry teen but with a bit more angst and loads more sad than normal.

Ramblings aside while Rose felt real as well as her story but she felt a bit whiny, throwing a temper tantrum when not getting her way. Also the romance factor and the romantic interest Jack felt not much romantic.... but what I actually like about the story, Rozett doesn't sugar coat anything or romanticize anything as you see in the fiction genre.

This is honest to God reality and very refreshing to read some cold hard truths. Life isn't always sunshine & roses. There always some very dark times and some grey area too with the very good times. And if you haven't experimented them all moment by moment, then you haven't lived at all.... So while some aspects of tale felt difficult to digest..... I appreciated the story and I am itching to read what Rose is going to do next.

"An honest to God reality portrayed by Louise Rozett's excellent penmanship"

Genre :      Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: Mira INK

Release Date: 4th January, 2012

My Copy: bought (paperback)

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository

Sisters of Fate #1 Foretold

Presenting Sisters of Fate #1 Foretold by Rinda Elliott.

Here is the summary of the book:

It is written that three Sisters of Fate have the power to change the world's destiny. But only if they survive...

The Lockwood triplets have had the prophecy drummed into their heads since birth. Still, Raven, the eldest of the sisters, can't believe it's really happening. She's the reincarnation of a Norse goddess? One of the sisters is destined to die? When it starts snowing in summer in Florida, the sisters fear the worst has come to pass. Ragnarok, the Norse end of the world, has begun.

Raven finds herself the secret protector of Vanir, a boy with two wolves, a knowledge of Norse magic and a sense of destiny he can't quite explain. He's intense, sexy and equally determined to save her when it becomes clear someone is endangering them. Raven doesn't know if getting closer to him will make a difference in the coming battle, but her heart isn't giving her a choice.

Ahead of the sisters is the possibility of death at the hand of a warrior, death by snow, death by water or death by fire.

Or even from something else...

Sisters of Fate

The prophecy doesn't lie: one is doomed to die.

Fantastic. Riveting. A certified page-turner. Thrilling and romantically sexy. Foretold by Rinda Elliott is the first book in the Sisters of Fate series and a marvelous kick-starter to the marvelous series. I tend to take tiles from Harlequin Teen at face value, simply because their stories have never let me down, also because the cover is eye grabbing for us to pick it up. So I requested it from netgalley and...... definitely not disappointed at all.

With the majority of Greek/ Roman Mythology centered YA stories, you don't see many of them about Norse myths at all. So that is one of the major points of this book. If that wasn't enough, Elliott's unique and almost lyrical penmanship is a plus. Couple it with the myth of Ragnarok, the Norse end of the world prophecy, a fast paced and riveting plot, and strong characters.... and the result is one killer amazing book to cherish and love.

Three warriors carrying the souls of major Norse Gods. Raven, Coral and Kat, our resident 'Sisters of Fate', the triplets carrying the souls of the three Norns and the sneaky trickster God running around causing havoc and the sweet and fiercely passionate romance between Raven and Vanir..... Oh tingling all over..... Foretold is surely one of the best reads of this year.

Raven and Vanir made quite the pair. From their accidental meeting to them falling irrevocably in love with each other, while dealing with the chaos and the coming apocalypse and stopping the culprit, and of course those sneaky moments of intense passion. They carried the plot forward their actions and I loved them for it. Both were loyal, stubborn, determined, passionate individuals. They knew as they tried to figure out what was happening that they even would give their lives, if it meant that their loved ones were safe.

Adorably sweet and passionately sexy. These two were made for each other. Raven's inner turmoil throughout regarding the culprit and the conviction to save Vanir against all odds was commendable. Vanir too wasn't far behind, his coming into his Norse Godly powers and his intense journey with Raven, whom he may know but still persistent enough to be kept safe from any harm was a marvel to observe. Then of course Forecast boosts of a thrilling tale to support such strong characters. Intense, page-turner with surprising instances of twists & turns in the mix and this series debut just pulls off that 5/5 stars it gets. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

"Intense and riveting page-turner with strong Norse roots and a romance that transcends the end of the world"

Genre :      Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Mythology

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: 1st April, 2014

My Copy: publisher & netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon 

The Tudor Witch Trilogy #2 Witchfall

Presenting The Tudor Witch Trilogy #2 Witchfall by Victoria Lamb.

Here is the summary of the book:

Her darkest dreams are coming true

In Tudor England, 1555, Meg Lytton has learned how powerful her magick gift can be. But danger surrounds her and her mistress, the outcast Princess Elizabeth. Nowhere is safe in the court of Elizabeth's fanatical sister, Queen Mary. And as the Spanish Inquisition's merciless priests slowly tighten their grip on the court, Meg's very dreams are disturbed by the ever-vengeful witchfinder Marcus Dent.

Even as Meg tries to use her powers to find guidance, something evil arises, impervious to Meg's spells and hungry to control England's fate. As Meg desperately tries to keep her secret betrothed, the Spanish priest Alejandro de Castillo, out of harm's way, caution wars with their forbidden desire. And with her most powerful enemy poised to strike, Meg's only chance is a heartbreaking sacrifice.

A brilliant and an exotic sequel, Witchfall is a charmingly breathless read. Tudor England with all its royalties and the politics motifs, some thrilling, unpredictable with drama and you get this beauty of book..... And it gets even better than and after Witchstruck ended. If you loved the first book....... the I urge you..... do not give this book a miss..... you will regret it if you do that.

Meg and Alejandro...... Oh how I loved them both even more in this book. Meg, the perfect heroine for the tale. She was already a powerful character in book 1 and so happy that that doesn't change this time around at all.Time and time again she proves her worth. There is an ingrained sense of loyalty, fierceness and determination in her to keep her employer safe. And even sacrificing herself to keep her loved ones safe.

Alejandro was a sweetheart. His was one character development that I really liked. In Witchfall, he gets the perfect chance to flourish and proved to be quite the hero. He may be duty bound to protect Elizabeth Tudor but above all else and first and foremost, he is loyal to Meg and would do anything to protect her. He is sweet and kind, strong and very clever and almost as determined as his lady love Meg..... and of course he has the looks to pull it off.

The romance was not the epicenter of the book but I loved how Meg and Alejandro are sweet on each other and stay true to thyself. Even if their duty compels them in different directions, I loved that they still took time for themselves and did not let it drive a wedge in their love. Their's was a scintillating and enjoyable chemistry, reading about all the scenes alone together.

Some excellent new characters were introduced. Out of all of them Richard sure made highlights. And if Lady Elizabeth appeared pretentious in the first book...... well I didn't like how she turned out here. Firing Meg just after she died for her, like discarding a used piece of clothing. I definitely don't like people like that at all. Sporting a much darker plot, with all the twists & turns and unexpected turn of events and the ever present presence of all those secrets. Suffice it to say, an extremely satisfying sequel and very much excited to see what Witchrise offers us.

"A scintillating sequel, heart-stopping extravaganza where the Tudors meet the witchy paranormalia"

Genre :      Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance, Paranormal

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: 25th March, 2014

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Books in the series (review links):
              #1 Witchstruck

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