The Lone City #1 The Jewel

Presenting The Lone City #1 The Jewel by Amy Ewing.

Here is the summary of the book:

The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.

Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.

Adorned with a gorgeous cover and consisting of lush, vivid and descriptive plot, Amy Ewing's The Jewel, the first book in the Lone City series makes for a perfect new addition to the dystopia category. Brilliantly crafted piece, Ewing puts new meaning to the term surrogacy and the evils of society, rather high society, we don't usually observe in public.

Set in this circular city, the Lone City lies protected behind a great wall that keeps out the raging ocean waters from engulfing the city. This is a city separated into a castes and living as hierarchy demands in their pre-ordained sections. The Jewel with all of its royalty at the center, the poorest in the Marsh on the periphery and in between the farms, the Banks where the traders and the shops are and Smoke the industrial zone. Thus, somehow the royalty lacks the prowess to birth their progeny and thus the idea of surrogacy holds supreme.

By some strange happenstance what the royalty can't do, can easily be accomplished by this in the Marsh with the help of some form of magic that the girls of Marsh develop as they reach puberty. If tested positive they are taken from their homes and sold to the royalty to give birth to their progeny, never to form connections and relationships of their own and be used and discarded after they had served their purpose.

Violet Lasting is our protagonist. She had been tested as a surrogate. She has been allotted Lot 197 and she does not want this job. At all. She is a strong girl. She is very clever too and knows little by little how to deal with her master in the most opportune of moments. A streak of rebellion ever present she tries to bid her time after the Duchess of the Lake buys her. But then in comes the love interest and all of a sudden all Violet can think of is about the handsome companion, the Duchess hired for her niece and in bounces their star-crossed insta-love.

I have no problem with insta-love, a lot of time they work well with the story but here it falls short. The rapidity in which they touch new bases in their relationship in the short time they are together is rather off-putting and doesn't balance well with the story. The insta-love was so not the best part of the book.

All that aside, The Jewel is definitely one of the most brutally original book I had the chance to read. While it draws parallels with Kiera Cass's The Selection trilogy, what with the pretty dresses, the life of royalty, the caste system and such. But where the Selection focuses more on the competition to win the Prince's heart, The Jewel looks to a much more crueler world where the opulence and the shine of the royalty hides their deepest-darkest-blackest hearts and their cut throat nature.

"A vivid, lush and opulent and a much more crueler version of the Selection trilogy"

Genre :      Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopia, Romance

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: 2nd September, 2014

My Copy: publisher and edelweiss

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Copernicus Archives #1 Wade and the Scorpion's Claw

Presenting The Copernicus Archives #1 Wade and the Scorpion's Claw by Tony Abbott.

Here is the summary of the book:

The quest for the relics continues. Travel deeper into the mysterious world of the Copernicus Legacy with the Copernicus Archives: exciting, fast-paced novellas that get you close to the characters and the heart of the adventure.

Wade and the Scorpion's Claw picks up right where The Copernicus Legacy: The Forbidden Stone left off, with the Kaplan family seeking the next Copernicus relic. Now Wade, the curious, analytical, yet starry-eyed member of the group, leads the chase for another relic through the busy streets of San Francisco while on the run from one of Galina Krause's most treacherous henchmen.

Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Ridley Pearson, Wade and the Scorpion's Claw continues the thrilling Copernicus Legacy quest and brings one of the characters into the spotlight.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Following on the tails of the first exciting adventurous 'Copernicus Legacy' book, 'The Forbidden Stone' comes the 'Copernicus Archives' a list of novellas connection the events of the Legacy series. And 'Wade and the Scorpion's Claw' serves as the starter.

Following the events of 'The Forbidden Stone', Wade, Darell, Lilly, Becca and Dr. Kaplan hurriedly leave Guam with the Teutonic Order hot on their tails. With Sara Kaplan missing in action and our motley crew at their wits end. Following an unfortunate murder, allies and betrayal in their search of the next relic, 'The Scorpion's Claw'. Our heroes realize they may be way out of their depths in this centuries old way but they also know that it is upto them to keep the world out of the clutches of Galina Krause.

Tony Abbott maintains the impeccable and smart literature forces us to not only follow the story itself but also to work with the characters in solving the ciphers and clues here and there and marvel at the ingenuity of it all. I have an e-arc of the next 'Copernicus Legacy' novel, 'The Serpent's Curse' and very excited to begin reading it soon.

"A tantalizing adventure to increse our excitement for the next Copernicus adventure"

Genre :      Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: 9th September, 2013

My Copy: publisher and edelweiss

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Other Books from the author (review links):
    The Copernicus Legacy #1 The Forbidden Stone 

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Revenants #3 If I Should Die

Presenting Revenants #3 If I Should Die by Amy Plum.

Here is the summary of the book:

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

Starts with a bang and ends with a bang. Unbelievably striking conclusion to a mystically unique trilogy. Perfectly balanced with the good and bad and the dead and alive. With the heartbreaking ending of 'Until I Die', the conclusion begins from just that instant and 'tis a test against time as fate and such work together to keep Vincent and Kate together and bit by bit unearthing long forgotten Revenant legends that may as be the tipping in the scales in the war.

Vincent and Kate and their romance truly transcends to the next level. "Mon ange". Fluffiness abound these two shared a pretty intense chemistry. Vincent in all of his over-protective glory and stubborn Kate, who just wants her boyfriend back and help the Bardia; and the ensuing hand of fate upon Kate while surprising to say the least, fits her determination to help well. She was all round brave and totally bad-ass.

Jules was pathetic. Truly I like him but the way he handled the situation with Kate and Vincent was not something I would expect of him. Reading the novella 'Die for her' ave us quite the perspective to who Jules truly is but how he reacted here leaving when there was a war on the horizon was just abominable.

Charlotte, Charles and Ambrose all had their moments in the spotlight. But really felt bad for Jean-Baptiste and Genevieve and poor Gaspard....... And lets not forget Georgia and Arthur, they really deserved the break. On the whole this is a marvelous conclusion but I would have liked to have seen and read more about all these characters than what we were provided with...... But yes I loved it.

"A fitting and satisfying conclusion to the chapter of Vincent and Kate and their net step to eternity"

Genre :      Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: 7th May, 2013

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Other Books in the series (review links):
                #1 Die For Me 
                #2 Until I Die

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Bewitching: The Kendra Chronicles

Presenting Bewitching: The Kendra Chronicles by Alex Flinn.

Here is the summary of the book:

Bewitching can be a beast. . . .

Once, I put a curse on a beastly and arrogant high school boy. That one turned out all right. Others didn’t.

I go to a new school now—one where no one knows that I should have graduated long ago. I’m not still here because I’m stupid; I just don’t age.

You see, I’m immortal. And I pretty much know everything after hundreds of years—except for when to take my powers and butt out.

I want to help, but things just go awry in ways I could never predict. Like when I tried to free some children from a gingerbread house and ended up being hanged. After I came back from the dead (immortal, remember?), I tried to play matchmaker for a French prince and ended up banished from France forever. And that little mermaid I found in theTitanic lifeboat? I don’t even want to think about it.

Now a girl named Emma needs me. I probably shouldn’t get involved, but her gorgeous stepsister is conniving to the core. I think I have just the thing to fix that girl—and it isn’t an enchanted pumpkin. Although you never know what will happen when I start . . . bewitching.

The Fairytale re-imagination genre of fiction has truly become the genres of the decade.... Well into that matter i implore that you look no further than Alex Flinn. And this time its 'Cinderella' with a modern twist for 'Bewitching'. We are introduced to Emma the stepsister, Lisette the Cinderella and of course Kendra the helpful witch is too.

Bewitching tells the story through Kendra, playing on the concept of 'what if' things didn't happen like how the stories tell us it did. 'What if' the step sister was the good girl and Cinderella the manipulative one. 'What if' the mermaid tale didn't happen as the stories say, and 'what if' the witch only wanted to help but it always backfired. Bewitching is truly a bewitching tale of such measures.

With stories within a story we see Cinderalla with an Alex Flinn twist. She simply implements the story in her own unique way. With her easy penmanship Flinn always delights us with her imaginative repertoire and Bewitching is no exception. While the story-within-story part did unnerve me a bit, I particularly enjoyed reading about Emma (of course she was my favorite) and Lisette. And the way Kendra played a role in their life and for the latter to gain an actual sincere friend out of this madness in Emma.

"Cinderella Alex Flinn style. Brilliant"

Genre :      Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Fairy tale re-telling

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: 14th February, 2012

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Other Books by the author (review links):
                Beastly 
                Towering

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Owl Post #18 [August, 2014]

This meme, called Owl Post is created by Brodie of Eleusinian Mysteries inspired by In My Mailbox by The Story Siren. Been meaning to do this since forever and I just love this idea. I'm being a Ravenclaw since at the age of eleven and couldn't seem to remember to do this....kudos to Brodie for thinking about this!

Before you all proceed further, let me make something clear:-

1. Just like my IMM posts, this will not be done every Sunday but on the last Sunday of each month... the reason why you'll see a lot more books in here than normal.

2. This Owl Post will have all the books that I received in August, 2014.

3. Also it will feature a list of recap link at the bottom of the page, which enlists all the review, interviews and tour posts I have done that particular month. Now I expect you all to visit each link and give out a comment here and there(would very much appreciate it) and you all can link your reviews too, i'd love to comment.

4. You are all welcome to share what you all got in the comment section below....i'd love to visit....

For Review

Netgalley

Doctor Who: Engines of War - George Mann

The Hundred #2 Day 21 - Kass Morgan

Injustice: Gods Among Us Year 2 Vol. 1

Magisterium #1 The Iron Trial - Holly Black & Cassandra Clare

Elemental #5 Sacrifice - Brigid Kemmerer

The Time Roads - Beth Bernobich

The Walls Around Us - Nova Ren Suma

Bought

False Memory #3 False Future - Dan Krokos

The Aquarathi #2 Oceanborn - Amalie Howard

The Giver Quartet Omnibus - Lois Lowry

Bloodlines #5 Silver Shadows - Richelle Mead

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A collective 1 month haul this is....

Anyways, what did you all get do comment and share your links i'll be sure to check your out too........

Shatter Me #3 Ignite Me

Presenting Shatter Me #3 Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi.

Here is the summary of the book:

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.

Mindblowing, enticing, exciting and.... an igniting conclusion. Seriously I am stumped. At a loss for words. Tahereh Mafi strikes again. Its not just her lyrical style of writing but also the way in which she takes the title of the book to a whole new level --- literally. First it was Shatter Me, then Unravel Me (i was actually beginning to see the trend with the names) and finally Ignite Me just explodes on us.... Chapters 55-58 anyone..... *hot and flustered here*

My goodness what an ending and what a transformation Juliette had made. I had any misgivings about her breaking it with Adam but man I like the strong and confidante Juliette way better than the fragile and scared one and I really can't believe i'm saying this but Warner or rather Aaron did wonders to her. Both Juliette and Adam had their own share of grief to handle. The Juliette then was a scared little girl, afraid of her own skin. Too long kept form human contact may have somehow managed to help her keep her humanity but really lowered her confidence and when Adam came along she felt a connection to him and throughout the first and second books he became her shield. So i'm definitely not sad to see that insecure girl go because this confident Juliette of the now, who could finally speak her mind is what we needed and very much appreciated.

Adam and Warner changed very much too. They were dealt a surprise in Unravel Me but it took them a long time to finally see eye-to eye together.Adam was a down right jerk. He whined a lot in the second book and he did so here too as he felt Juliette slipping away and falling for Warner. The Adam we saw in Shatter Me was a better person than the one we were faced with in the second two. He showed a despicable show of himself and I pretty much hated him for it but he somehow came to his senses and made peace with Warner, which was really sweet of him. Maybe he finally realized it was Anderson at fault and not Warner who was the bad guy here.... Well good on him.....

Warner was the best..... again I say chapters 55-58 anyone. Hot and flustered i'm definitely not going to forgot anytime soon. If you thought he was brutally honest in Unravel Me with Juliette then he just laid himself bare infront of her in Ignite Me. Baring it all to Juliette (and us too *cackles*). He did everything for Juliette. Deep beneath that beautifully flawless face was a scared little boy who just wanted to be accepted and i'm proud of Juliette seeing the Diamond in the rough that he was and accepted him as he was. Who in turn returned her every affections with a fiery passion and a considerate heart. Man I was ..... no many of us were so wrong about him on so many levels.

And then there was Kenji. The best friend every girl needed and was there for Juliette when she was the lowest in Unravel Me and he was there too when she made the most important decision of her life and regained that confidence and her voice in spades. A practical joker with a pretty sharp and a knack for the impossible. Kenji was just someone who was very dependable. And then there was the plot.

Phenominally amazing, Mafi went all out with this conclusion. Tying up loose ends, dropping bombshells everywhere, skyrocketing all that dram and emotions just enough to send us to the edge of our seats. I hoped that the climax wasn't so rushed but that was just redeemable because of the rather Igniting passionate chemistry between Juliette and Warner that was just astronomical... Not forgetting this series anytime soon fellas not at all...... *hot blush* *swoons* *flustered*

"Tahereh Mafi cooks up an igniting conclusion to her astronomically fabulous series"

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

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: 4th February, 2014

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Other Books in the series (review links):
                #1 Shatter Me 
                #2 Unravel Me

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Shatter Me #2 Unravel Me

Presenting Shatter Me #2 Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi.

Here is the summary of the book:

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

I seriously don't know why I waited so long to read this. The cover changes unsettled me a bit but thankfully i'm past all that now and finally have been to enjoy this series to its fullest. 

A right roller coaster of drama and the overflow on the emotions, Unravel Me truly unravels us. Juliette and Adam are hanging by a thread. They may have escaped from the compound and joined Omega Point but things are getting even more difficult for them. Juliette us learning to control her power and Adam is undergoing tests so that the people there can figure out why only he could touch her. But you can't forget that they both are going through a rough patch. With Juliette close to retreating back into her shell after being dealt with the truth and sweet Adam desperately wants to make things work but hot and alluring Warner is here and is becoming too much for them to handle if they aren't Juliette.

Events of course happen with such ferocity that we just can't help but be swept away by Juliette's emotional state that is just everywhere. Living in isolation, then coming under the powers of the ruthless establishment and narrowly escaping to the good side, boyfriend trouble and unwanted attractions. Juliette is battling one thing after another and Tahereh Mafi's colloquial yet uniquely lyrical prose is just the right tool to drive it home. We do see spurs of toughness from her and while that is strange to the frail and emotional Juliette, I like the tough Juliette much better.

Kenji. The guy comes out of nowhere and wins us all over to his side. He is the comic relief when you least expect it. He is the only one courageous enough to face Juliette's temper tantrums head on. Cunning, rugged looks, his power of invisibility and his charm sets him apart from the crowd. He of course becomes the best friend Juliette desperately needs and he is great in a fight.

Adam and Warner. For Adam I can only say is that we saw very little of him here and I think I loved him in Shatter Me much better than in here. Seriously I am trying to hold onto the Team Adam cap here but it seems to be slipping by the minute. He is not the same as he was before and I miss the Adam we saw in book 1. Because it seems that Warner has swept us away.

This hot, sexy and alluring guy comes out of no where and sweeps Juliette off her feet. I was prepared to hate even more if that meant that Team Adam is kept alive but seriously Chapter 62.... HOT DAMN... Mafi strikes again. I read Destroy Me just before I started this so getting to see where Warner comes from really helped us understand him better. He is someone who has his own perfect poker-face. With such a father like Anderson, he had trained himself bot to form connections. So when a guy like that coupled with his alluringly captivating good looks with a hot bod bares his soul to you ...... to Juliette..... Well you just can't help not be swayed. (seriously trying to keep it pg-13 here *wink*)

Adam...... Warner.... Adam....... Warner....... Warner........ DAMN SH** I think i'm leaning towards Warner right now. Not fair.... but of course Tahereh Mafi sure has a way with words that you just can't help but swoon. Intense with a truckload of drama. Unravel Me keeps us on tenterhooks anticipating every curve-ball thrown our way. At the end I think this way be one of the longest reviews I wrote but i'm all but spent.... A marvelous sequel ever produced.

"A bomb shell of a heart stopping sequel"

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

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: 5th February, 2013

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Other Books in the series (review links):
                #1 Shatter Me 

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

World of Fire

Presenting World of Fire by James Lovegrove.

Here is the summary of the book:

A brand new SF series from the author of the Pantheon series, which included the break-out hits Age and Ra, Age of Zeus and Age of Odin. Dev Harmer wakes in a new body with every mission, and he has woken this time on Alighieri, a planet perpetually in flames, where the world's wealth lies below the elemental surface, and humanity is not the only race after it.

Dev Harmer, reluctant agent of Interstellar Security Solutions, wakes up in a newly cloned host body on the planet Alighieri, ready for action.

It's an infernal world, so close to its sun that it surface is regularly baked to 1,000 C, hot enough to turn rock to lava. But deep underground there are networks of tunnels connecting colonies of miners who dig for the precious helium-3 regolith deposits in Alighieri's crust. 

Polis+, the AI race who are humankind's great galactic rivals, want to claim the fiery planet's mineral wealth for their own. All that stands between them and this goal is Dev. But as well as Polis+'s agents, there are giant moleworms to contend with, and a spate of mysterious earthquakes, and the perils of the surface where a man can be burned to cinders if he gets caught unprotected on the day side..

James Lovegrove's new SF series, I just knew I had to read it. I have read three of his pantheon series sagas - Age of Ra, Age of Zeus and Age of Odin and I loved how the author incorporated Gods of various pantheon into his alternative world stories. Thus, I found 'World of Fire' on Netgalley and requested it without a second glance.

Set in a distant future, the people of Earth have spread out across the stars. Where they came face to face with the AI race called Polis+. A bloody war was waged eventually resulting in an uneasy truce after both sides sustained looses. The war may be over by the time out story begins but the fight is still on an constant tension still reigns supreme.

It is in these times that Interstellar Security Solutions (ISS), the agency that offers contract based services to planets facing terrestrial or extraterrestrial problem that rather rise from Polis+ involvement. Dev Harmer, the troubleshooter from ISS is the protagonist and he is sent to the beaming hot mining planet, Aligheri. Too close to comfort to the Polis+ region of space, this is a Helium 3 mining planet and recently they have been experiencing tremors and Harmer is sent to find out why and if the culprits are Polis+, then do everything to put a stop to it.

Harmer is our wise-cracking hero who rubs the inhabitants of the planet in the wrong way. A war veteran Harmer knows what is going on and while the people of Aligheri don't tolerate him at all, they soon realize that he means business and will achieve said results by hook or by crook. His investigations lead him across this burning hot planet unearthing clues and keys and following leads none thought existed.

Spine-tingling action and dramatically intriguing, Lovegrove serves us a power packed debut for this new series with a well thought out plot, the needed world building and strong characters to make it a memorable reading experience. The ending gives us a glimpse into the next one 'World of Water' and i'm excited to see what it will hold.

"An action-packed new SF series from James Lovegrove"

Genre :      Science Fiction, Fantasy

Publisher: Solaris

Release Date: 26th August, 2014

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Other Books from Author (review links):
     Age of Ra  |  Age of Zeus  |  Age of Odin 

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Infinitude

Presenting Inifnitude by Ruchi Banerjee.

Here is the summary of the book:

The year is 2173. Humans are a near-extinct group herded together in protected sectors. Mira, a regular, self-absorbed, 16-year-old pimple buster, resident of Sector 51, has no clue how drastically her life is about to change when she accompanies her mother on a research project to a distant tropical jungle. There, Mira discovers a tall, super-intelligent and rather good-looking boy called Neel, who introduces her to a whole new world of mysterious possibilities. But before she can even begin to understand her feelings for him, things take a nightmarish turn . . . Carnivorous mutants are on the prowl. A deadly new breed of the forest, they have Mira trapped. Rescued by unlikely saviours, she finally learns the ugly truth of her world. Now, Mira must fight not only for her own life but also for humanity itself as she is pitted against a far stronger, smarter and more evolved enemy. Her only hope lies in Neel. But will he be able to overcome the overwhelming odds against them? Will this be the end of the human race? With electrifying action and forbidden love, Infinitude is the riveting story of two young lives caught in a deadly clash of civilizations.

Has got a beautiful abstract cover, a promising synopsis and even started so strong but somehow in the middle of it all, it looses vigor and ends in a mess. Ruchi Banerjee thought up a great concept for her story but it lacks finesse.

Set in the distant future 2173. 16 years old Mira is our protagonist. Humans are almost in the endangered category now and just like any normal teenager she only cares about her dues. And then reality comes crashing when she accompanies her mother to a remote research facility and meets gorgeous Neel and comes face to face with the bleak nature of their life and what was actually happening outside.

The author did great with the world building and bringing her story to life. Even providing it with such a strong start and a powerful motifs to bring on the action too but it stars to loose focus after that and even a lot of info-dump too in the middle which was very disorienting. I am all for shorter stories, the last one I checked, "All you need is Kill" (the book from which the movie 'Edge of Tomorrow' is adapted) was even shorter than this and it packed quite the punch but here it needed a balanced build-up which sadly I didn't find. And that epilogue was definitely not needed.

"A beautifully crafted dystopia but falling short on its execution"

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

Publisher: Hachette

Release Date: 5th May, 2014

My Copy: Hachette India

Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

Buy:           Amazon 

The Aether Chronicles #3 Fragile Destiny

Presenting The Aether CHronicles #3 Fragile Destiny by Suzanne Lazear.

Here is the summary of the book:

Noli and her true love V fear the worst if the Staff of Eris—a potent Otherworld relic—falls into the wrong hands. Broken into pieces and hidden in the mortal realm long ago, the staff bestows vast powers on whoever possesses it. Ciarán, the dark king, is trying to rebuild the staff, intending to use it to install a new queen.

In a desperate effort to keep the Otherworld from falling into darkness, Noli and V plot the daring theft of a jewel Ciarán needs to complete the staff. But Ciarán is not so easily defeated. Through his devious machinations, he has set a plan in motion for a final showdown that will decide who rules the Otherworld once and for all.

After Innocent Darkness, and Charmed Vengeance comes 'Fragile Destiny'. A bit more on the emotional iota instead of action. While it felt a little flat, hence the loss of 2 stars but what it lacked in action it made up for with some extreme heavy dosage of drama. And I hope there are going to be more books in the series because while that open-ended epilogue fit in there I do hope that is not the last of it.

The emotional endeavors aside, Fragile Destiny packed a lot of surprise punches. Things we didn't think possible happened and people long gone came back. Noli as usual is quite impulsive and leaps before she sees what is infront of her and her good intentions with that attitude turn to a bad fall.

And it almost breaks V and Noli apart but thanks to James' mediation, the situation was salvaged after he gives the two quite the dressing down if you pardon the pun. Of course it wasn't just a simple small talk but it yielded results and they get their happily ever after.

Of course, Elise and Kevighn too hold a great part in the story. Elise remains the only threat to the High Queen and Kevighn, well he has his own agendas and issues to sort out. I did expect a little bit more from this tale, of course a lot of loose ends tied up well but left the business with the staff wide open to contemplation. I do hope we'll see more books that deal into it Ms. Lazear. Good Job and damn that is one gorgeous cover here. All three books in the series had beautiful cover and it definitely provided a great towards the books too. Also did anyone notice that the whole series released on 8th August for 3 consecutive years between 2012-2014..... Good Job!

"An emotionally charged steampunk-y magical romp"

Genre :     Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Steampunk

Publisher: Flux

Release Date: 8th August, 2014

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:             3/5 (Liked It)

Books in Series(review links):
         #1 Innocent Darkness 
         #2 Charmed Vengeance

Buy:         Amazon | Book Depository