Book Review (226): The 5th Wave - Rick Yancey.

The 5th Wave (The Fifth Wave #1)

by Rick Yancey

Publication: 8th May 2013
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Pages: 480
Genre:Science Fiction/Dystopian
Age Appropriate: Young Adult

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

My Thoughts...
An exceptionally fantastic read, full of nail-biting tension and action, and would seriously have to be one of the front-runners for book of the year!
What can I say about this book that probably hasn't already been said?
Everybody who has read it knows how good it is, from the fresh and original storyline that will pull you in oblivious to how many hours have passed while you've been sitting there devouring this book, so intriguing, then add in the fantastic characters and you have an outstanding book.
I've never really read an Alien book per-se before, not unless you count Armentrout's Lux series and the irresistable Daemon Black, but that's a romance book this is far from it, yeah there's a tiny bit of romance here that just makes up a smidge of the storyline but mostly it's just Aliens whom have invaded Earth and want to eradicate all humans, no matter what they have to do or pretend to be, the idea of how they plan on getting rid of the remaining humans who were immune to the plague they spread that killed most of the Earth's population is such a great idea, kudos to Yancey for such a great plotline twist.
I really liked the idea of the different character perspectives, this intrigues me especially in a book like this where most of the characters are seperated from each other and we can find out whats happening to each individually instead of having to wait for the lead character Cassie to catch up with everyone and then finding out what has occured in her abscence.
A great heroine to go up against well thought out, but evil enemies, Cassie will fight to take back what is our's, our planet!
I very much look forward to the next book, I need to know what happened to Evan, I will also definitely be in line to buy a ticket once this movie is released.
Highly recommended, believe the hype!
I give this a huge 5/5 Stars.

A big thanks to Tina @ Penguin Australia for this review copy.

Book Blast & Giveaway: Broken Promises - Dawn Pendleton

After three years in Boston attending college, Mallory Wells has come home to Casper, Maine to care for her father, who is dying from cancer. She left Casper without looking back, leaving her small-town life and everyone in it, behind. Including her sexy high school sweetheart.

Luke Bates was devastated when Mallory left him for the city life. He managed to pull himself together and move on, even if only just barely. When Mallory shows up in town, Luke vows to stay away from her at all costs. So why does he keep checking in on her and her father, showing up when he's clearly uninvited? Maybe Luke isn't as 'over her' as he thought.

Amazon † Barnes and Noble

Dawn Pendleton is a New Adult & Young Adult author living in Maine with her husband and pup.

Right now, she's working on two manuscripts simultaneously. It's a difficult task for her, but one she's certain will pay off in the end.

Want to meet Dawn?

She is also one of the featured authors of the New Adult Sleepover Weekend. You can find all the details here.

Website † GoodReads † Twitter † Facebook 

Make sure to check out the blog tour kicking off on Monday, May 13th -- HERE.

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Book Review (225): Lover At Last - J.R Ward

Lover At Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood #11)

by J.R. Ward

Publication: 26th March 2013

Publisher: Piatkus (Hachette Australia)

Pages: 591

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Age Appropriate: Adult

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

My Thoughts...

Finally, J.R Ward or (The Warden as she's known by her fans) has given what all us BDB (Black Dagger Brotherhood) fans have been waiting for, the story of Quinn and Blay or Quay as the fans have named the couple.

And for those unaware, yes the couple is two guys, and as much as I love this series I will admit to being a little hesitant to reading a romance between two males, having never read an m/m romance book before it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and I might possibly in future pick up some more books in this genre.

It also helped that it involved characters that I really love and have been with them as a reader all through their pre-trans days and to where they both are now, two best-friends both in love with each other but also with obstacles in front of them which they need to deal with before they can have their Happily Ever After.

Every fan has been begging for this coupling for such a long time now and they both wholeheartedly deserve it.

Of course we also have appearances from the other Brothers of the Brotherhood, including Zsadist (my absolute favourite) who has a very heart-stopping plane ride with Quinn as the pilot, one of my favourite scenes in the whole book.

There are also a few different sub plots going on throughout this book, the Band Of Brothers make another appearance, the leader Xcor has two things on his mind, the destruction of the BDB and his wishful ascension to take Wrath's place on the throne as King of the vampires and number two: LAYLA,LAYLA,LAYLA.

I can only hope that these two get their own book at some point and their own happy ever after, but with Layla pregnant with Quinn's baby it won't be an easy ride, especially as Xcor is the enemy of the Brotherhood that she lives and is friends with.

I get the sense that there's more to Xcor than meets the eye, and buried deep down within him lies a heart of gold.

I'm also intrigued with the iAm and Trez storyline, I've always been fascinated with these two brothers and hope that they get more page time in the following books.

But this book is primarily about Quinn and Blay and the scene at the end of this book brought a happy tear to the eye.

There's nothing else that I can really say, but I will leave you with the dedication that Ward has written in the front of this book, dedicated to Quinn and Blay, it gets me a bit teary eyed whenever I read it.

Dedicated To: You Both-At The Risk Of Inapproprite Levity. It's About Time- And No One Deserves It More Than The Two Of You.

So with that being said I eagerly await the 12th book by Ward in this series 'The King' another Wrath and Beth book, and they'll be trying for a baby!
I cannot wait, for those of you have never picked up this series, please do, it's amazing and before you know it you'll be addicted and desperate for the year to pass until the next book is released.

I give this an outstanding 5/5 Stars.

A Big Thanks To Alice @ Hachette Australia.

Cover Reveal: Uninvited - Sophie Jordan (YA).

Uninvited (Uninvited #1)

by Sophie Jordan 

You can’t change your DNA…even when it says you’re a murderer.

When Davy tests positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome, aka “the kill gene,” she loses everything. Once the perfect high school senior, she is uninvited from her prep school and abandoned by her friends and boyfriend. Even her parents are now afraid of her—although she’s never hurt a fly. Davy doesn’t feel any differently, but genes don’t lie. One day she will kill someone.

Without any say in the matter, Davy is thrown into a special class for HTS carriers. She has no doubt the predictions are right about them, especially Sean, who already bears the “H” tattoo as proof of his violence. Yet when the world turns on the carriers, Sean is the only one she can trust. Maybe he’s not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

Expected publication: March 2014 by HarperTeen

Book Review (222), (223) & (224): Savor, Indulge & Devour - Megan Duncan + Character Photo And Bio.

Savor (Warm Delicacy #1)

by Megan Duncan

Publication: 1st October 2011

Publisher: Megan Duncan

Pages: 396

Genre: Paranormal

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Purchase Savor: Amazon     Amazon UK     Barnes & Noble     Smashwords     Paperback
When Claire Miller turned eighteen all she wanted to do was celebrate her birthday, but after a night on the town with her best friend she awakes to a visitor she never expected. The rulers of her region, a vampire royal family, have chosen her to be turned as their new heir and vampire princess. Claire quickly discovers the royal family is not what they seem and that she has secrets in her past, she never knew existed.

My Thoughts...

I've had this book and series on my wishlist for quite a while now, having heard nothing but good things about said series I was excited to finally have a chance to pick it up and I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed!

The concept that was brought to life to make this book into the exciting and addictively readable story that it is, was so well thought out and executed that it was a no-brainer that I would love it.

At the age if eighteen it is a requirement that everyone gets tested for their blood type which will then result in blood donations to be given every month to the Vampire Royal Family who rules over the Noire region.

It's through this test that Claire is found to have a rare blood type, so rare and pure that the King and Queen want Claire to join them as their Princess after being turned into a vampire herself.

But while she comes to care for her new 'parents' and potential vampire boyfriend Dmitry, not everyone is happy that she was picked to eventually rule the region and they will stop at nothing to make sure that it doesn't come to pass.

To protect her she is bonded to a blood mate Arrick (a personal bodyguard of sorts), which will have all the Claire/Dmitry fans headed for a love triangle when Claire finds herself drawn and attracted to Arrick and he to her.

But get set for a big twist at the end which was very well done, totally unexpected and which will have you highly anticipating the next book.

A very impressive series debut that will have you flipping through the pages to reach the shocking ending.

A big two thumbs up!

I give this 5/5 Stars.

Character Bio

Claire

The day that Claire was chosen to join the vampire royal family feels like a lifetime ago. Since then, she’s discovered secrets she never knew existed and had to fight for her life multiple times. With more than one enemy hunting her down, she doesn’t know where to turn, but her desire to fight for those she loves overshadows any fears she might have.

Indulge (Warm Delicacy #2)

by Megan Duncan

Publication: 14th December 2011

Publisher: Megan Duncan

Pages: 367

Genre: Paranormal

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Purchase Indulge: Amazon     Amazon UK     Barnes & Noble     Smashwords     Paperback 

Claire's heart is torn between her first vampire love, Dmitry, and the Blood Mate, Arrick, that she is eternally bonded to with a powerfully deep and emotional connection. A vengeful vampire is haunting her steps, after Claire killed their mate. An ancient evil threatens to rip her world apart. With the danger of war looming on the darkening horizon, will Claire find the strength to fight back and protect those she loves? Even if it means embracing the darkness inside her? Is it worth it to become the evil she fears, in order to destroy it?

My Thoughts...

Another fantastic addition to this series, after the twist at the end of Savor we are taken back to where the last book left off.

Journeying to Naos, Claire and Arrick are on the run from the events that happened in Noire, while not wanting to ruin the storyline let's just say that Claire will be reunited with some vampires in Naos that she hasn't been around in many, many years.

Unfortunately due to a certain plotline in this book we don't really get to see a whole lot of Arrick which is a pity because once you meet him you'll be like Dmitry who?

With an action packed battle and a cast of loveable characters, get set for another addictive book that will have you highly anticipating the third novel Devour.

I give this 5/5 Stars.

Devour (Warm Delicacy #3)

by Megan Duncan

Publication: 26th February 2013

Publisher: Megan Duncan

Pages: 277

Genre: Paranormal

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Purchase Devour: Amazon   Amazon UK   Barnes & Noble   Smashwords

You never know how strong you are until something makes you choose between humanity, and the beast.

As Claire descended deep into the ancient tomb; laying to rest the bodies of the fallen, she wondered if time healed all wounds, would an eternity be long enough? Still recovering from a brutal attack that nearly killed her, she refused to let evil win. Pain and destruction glared at her everywhere she went. Nothing and no one would ever be safe until Baal was not only defeated, but destroyed. Fueled by her thirst for revenge, she traveled with her father to the ‘old world’, seeking the aide of a long forgotten ally. Will their quest for help lead to their salvation, or is it only the first step in their annihilation?

My Thoughts...

With Claire and her people recovering after the devastating battle in Indulge, and to stop any further attacks by the evil vampire Baal, Claire and her Father travel to another region to request the assistance of Titan, an old friend of her Father's.

While there she also meets Titan's son Ronon whom is a very special vampire just like Claire who is just as powerful in his own right.

There is a reunion between Liz, Robin and Dmitry and whilst losses were suffered on both sides and they grieve their loved ones they accompany Claire back to her home and it was a delight to see them all together again, especially Liz who I have a feeling will end up together with Bennett and the possible relationship between Robin and Dmitry.

Claire is also having to learn to control her anger, constantly feeling it rising up inside her, Arrick is the balm who calms her down, and if Claire would only admit her feelings, their relationship can get on track.

I have heard that there will be another book in the series and I can't wait to see what Claire and Co will get up to next, however I'm pretty sure that whatever it is that Ana will certainly make an appearance.

I very much enjoyed this one and I recommend everybody picks this series up.

I give this 4.5/5 Stars.

City Of Bones (The Mortal Instruments) International Movie Trailer.

Here it is, with a little bit more new scenes than what was in the previous 2 trailers.

I really want to see this but I'm still wary of Jamie Campbell - Bower as Jace, I just can't see it, however who knows I might see the movie and be surprised.

Upcoming Books I Can't Wait For.

Demon Derby

by Carrie Harris 

Casey kicked cancer’s ass. Now a demon wants to kick hers...

Casey hates being known as the girl who survived cancer. She wants people to treat her like her old self, fearless and strong. And after a creepy encounter with a crazy guy in an alley, Casey is all about reclaiming her power.

So when she has a chance to try out for the Apocalypsies roller derby team, she jumps on it. Being a derby girl would prove that she doesn’t need anybody’s pity. It doesn’t hurt that Michael, the team manager, is almost unnaturally hot. Which makes sense when Casey finds out that he’s not even human.

Michael’s got a secret: he trains demon hunters. That crazy guy in the alley? Demon. And the fact that Casey went head to head with evil and lived makes her a threat to demonkind. Casey thought she’d already fought and won the battle of her lifetime. But it’s only beginning...

Expected publication: March 1st 2014 by Random House

Olivia Twisted

by Vivi Barnes

Olivia

He tilts my chin up so my eyes meet his, his thumb brushing lightly across my lips. I close my eyes. I know Z is trouble. I know that being with him is going to get me into trouble. I don’t care.

At least at this moment, I don’t care.

Tossed from foster home to foster home, Olivia’s seen a lot in her sixteen years. She’s hardened, sure, though mostly just wants to fly under the radar until graduation. But her natural ability with computers catches the eye of Z, a mysterious guy at her new school. Soon, Z has brought Liv into his team of hacker elite—break into a few bank accounts, and voila, he drives a motorcycle. Follow his lead, and Olivia might even be able to escape from her oppressive foster parents. As Olivia and Z grow closer, though, so does the watchful eye of Bill Sykes, Z’s boss. And he’s got bigger plans for Liv…

Z

I can picture Liv’s face: wide-eyed, trusting. Her smooth lips that taste like strawberry Fanta.

It was just a kiss. That’s all. She’s just like any other girl.

Except that she’s not.

Thanks to Z, Olivia’s about to get twisted.

Expected publication: November 5th 2013 by Entangled: Teen

Unbreakable (Legion #1)

by Kami Garcia

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

Expected publication: October 1st 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

All Our Yesterdays

by Cristin Terrill

Marina has everything. She’s got money, popularity, and a bright future. Plus, she’s best friends with the boy next door, who happens to be a gorgeous prodigy from one of America’s most famous families.

Em has nothing. Imprisoned in a small white cell in the heart of a secret military base, all she has is the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

But Marina and Em have one big thing in common: they’re the same person.

Now Em must travel back four years in time in order to avert the terrible future from which she’s fled, and there’s only one way to do it. She must kill the person who invented the time machine in the first place: someone from her past. A person she loved.

But Marina won’t let them go without a fight.

Expected publication: September 3rd 2013 by Disney Hyperion

Frigid

by J. Lynn

For twenty-one-year-old Sydney, being in love with Kyler isn't anything new. They'd been best friends ever since he pushed her down on the playground and she made him eat a mud pie. Somewhere over the years, she fell for him and fell hard. The big problem with that? Kyler puts the 'man' in man-whore. He's never stayed with a girl longer than a few nights, and with it being their last year in college, Syd doesn't want to risk their friendship by declaring her love.

Kyler has always put Syd on a pedestal that was too high for him to reach. To him, she's perfect and she's everything. But the feelings he has for her, he's always hidden away or focused on any other female. After all, Kyler will always be the poor boy from the wrong side of tracks, and Syd will always be the one girl he can never have.

But when they're stranded together at a posh ski resort due to a massive Nor'easter, there's nothing stopping their red-hot feelings for each other from coming to the surface. Can their friendship survive the attraction? Better yet, can they survive at all? Because as the snow falls, someone is stalking them, and this ski trip may be a life-changer in more ways than one.

Expected publication: November 5th 2013 by Spencer Hill Contemporary

The Falconer (The Falconer #1)

by Elizabeth May

Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. A new generation of heroines has arrived.

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

18-year-old Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined to a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery kills her mother.

Now it’s the 1844 winter season. Between a seeming endless number of parties, Aileana slaughters faeries in secret. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, every night she sheds her aristocratic facade and goes hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.

But she never even considered that she might become attracted to one. To the magnetic Kiaran MacKay, the faery who trained her to kill his own kind. Nor is she at all prepared for the revelation he’s going to bring. Because Midwinter is approaching, and with it an eclipse that has the ability to unlock a Fae prison and begin the Wild Hunt.

A battle looms, and Aileana is going to have to decide how much she’s willing to lose – and just how far she’ll go to avenge her mother’s murder.

Expected publication: September 19th 2013 by Gollancz

Vitro

by Jessica Khoury 

On a remote island in the Pacific, Corpus scientists have taken test tube embryos and given them life. These beings--the Vitros--have knowledge and abilities most humans can only dream of. But they also have one enormous flaw.

Sophie Crue is determined to visit Skin Island and find her mother, a scientist who left Sophie behind years ago. She enlists hunky charter pilot Jim Julien to take her there. But once on the island, Sophie and Jim encounter more than they bargained for, including a charming, brilliant Vitro named Nicholas and an innocent, newly awoken one named Lux.

In a race for their lives, Sophie and Jim are about to discover what happens when science stretches too far beyond its reach.

Expected publication: January 14th 2014 by Razorbill

All the Truth That's In Me

by Julie Berry

Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judith’s passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last.

Expected publication: September 26th 2013 by Viking Juvenile

Searching for Someday (Love Spells)

by Jennifer Probst

Kate has given up on love—at least for herself. She is both blessed and cursed with the ability to sense a romantic connection between two people—a gift that her family passed down for generations. When Kate launches her own matchmaking company, Kinnection, with her two best friends in a cozy New York town, she has to put aside her own romantic disasters to make her business a success.
But when a furious man stalks into her office and accuses her business of being a scam, Kate is given the ultimate challenge to prove herself. Slade puts himself in her hands and asks Kate to find him love. Enraged at his arrogance but stubbornly eager to prove herself, Kate agrees, dedicating herself to the journey of finding him love…only to find herself falling for him along the way.

Expected publication: December 10th 2013 by Simon and Schuster

Man Made Boy

by Jon Skovron

Love can be a real monster.

Sixteen-year-old Boy’s never left home. When you’re the son of Frankenstein’s monster and the Bride, it’s tough to go out in public, unless you want to draw the attention of a torch-wielding mob. And since Boy and his family live in a secret enclave of monsters hidden under Times Square, it’s important they maintain a low profile.

Boy’s only interactions with the world are through the Internet, where he’s a hacker extraordinaire who can hide his hulking body and stitched-together face behind a layer of code. When conflict erupts at home, Boy runs away and embarks on a cross-country road trip with the granddaughters of Jekyll and Hyde, who introduce him to malls and diners, love and heartbreak. But no matter how far Boy runs, he can’t escape his demons—both literal and figurative—until he faces his family once more.

This hilarious, romantic, and wildly imaginative tale redefines what it means to be a monster—and a man.

Expected publication: October 3rd 2013 by Viking Penguin