Wednesday, December 31, 2014

REVIEW: Storm Fall by Tracy Banghart




Storm Fall (Rebel Wing, #2)
In the action-packed sequel to Rebel Wing, Aris battles for life and love . . . and not everyone will survive.

Aris Haan gave up everything to join the Atalantan Military: her family, her boyfriend, even her identity. In the end, though, it didn’t matter that she was a war hero. When the all-male Military discovered that she was actually a woman, she was sent home and erased from history.

Now she has a chance to go back to the battlefield—as herself. But as hard as it was to be a soldier in disguise, it’s even more difficult now. The men in her unit undermine her at every turn. The Safaran army has spies everywhere, perhaps even on Aris’s stationpoint. And she’s falling for her mysterious superior officer, Milek. But their relationship is forbidden, just stolen moments between training sessions and missions. There’s no room for love in war.


Then Aris discovers that Safara’s leaders have set their sights on her, Atalanta’s hero. And she must find them before they find her . . .



I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
NOTICE: THIS IS A SEQUEL FOR ANOTHER BOOK. THERE MAY BE SPOILERS FOR THE PREVIOUS BOOK.

MY THOUGHTS
When I first started this book, I was a bit upset. Because this book is only around 200 pages. I loved Rebel Wing and wanted more than 200 pages for a sequel! I quickly got over that and dived into another amazing book!

This book takes place months after the events of the last book. Aria is given the chance to come back to the Military as herself, not a man. The laws have been changed to allow women in the Military, but many are not accepting the fact that women can fight. Along with that, Aria, now Lieutenant Haan, is considered one of Atalanta’s heroes, but her status is also known to the Safaran's. Aria is in even more danger.

I felt that the last book focused more on Aria and how much stronger she becomes. She becomes stronger in this book, but that's not the main focus. This book gives us more info on the actual war, up front. Though, not from an Atalantan perspective. We get a lot more information about the Safaran's and how the war is affecting them. This is very interesting, as they are considered the enemy and most books do not give insight on the otherside.

The characters continue to be great and 3-dimensional, but what I really want to talk about is the romance. There is much more romance in this book and I loved it! The romance did not distract from the plot, the romance was obviously more slow-going and realistic, and I absolutely love the love interest! I ship it! I ship it so hard!

IN CONCLUSION
This is, honestly, becoming one of my favorite series! It's so absolutely brilliant! If you loved the first book, you will definitely love this one! It is thrilling, we get so much more information, and the characters are great!
I am definitely anticipating the next book!


I hereby give this book
5 Wheels
Meaning: A new favorite!

Waiting on Wednesday: Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, where you talk about whatever book you are IMPATIENTLY WAITING for!

This week I am waiting for...


Lion Heart (Scarlet, #3)
The eagerly-awaited conclusion to the Scarlet trilogy delivers another action-packed and romance-filled adventure.

Scarlet has captured the hearts of readers as well as the heart of Robin Hood, and after ceaseless obstacles and countless threats, readers will finally find out the fate of the Lady Thief.


Imprisoned by Prince John for months, Scarlet finds herself a long way from Nottinghamshire. After a daring escape from the Prince's clutches, she learns that King Richard’s life is in jeopardy, and Eleanor of Aquitaine demands a service Scarlet can’t refuse: spy for her and help bring Richard home safe. But fate—and her heart—won’t allow her to stay away from Nottinghamshire for long, and together, Scarlet and Rob must stop Prince John from going through with his dark plans for England. They can not rest until he’s stopped, but will their love be enough to save them once and for all?

Release Date: May 19th 2015  
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble


Why am I waiting?
I love this series and after the way Lady Thief ended, I need this book!!


What book are you waiting for this week?

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

REVIEW: Rebel Wing by Tracy Banghart




Rebel Wing (Rebel Wing #1)
The Dominion of Atalanta is at war. But for eighteen-year-old Aris, the fighting is nothing more than a distant nightmare, something she watches on news vids from the safety of her idyllic seaside town. Then her boyfriend, Calix, is drafted into the Military, and the nightmare becomes a dangerous reality.

Left behind, Aris has nothing to fill her days. Even flying her wingjet—the thing she loves most, aside from Calix—feels meaningless without him by her side. So when she’s recruited to be a pilot for an elite search-and-rescue unit, she leaps at the chance, hoping she’ll be stationed near Calix. But there’s a catch: She must disguise herself as a man named Aristos. There are no women in the Atalantan Military, and there never will be.

Aris gives up everything to find Calix: her home. Her family. Even her identity. But as the war rages on, Aris discovers she’s fighting for much more than her relationship. With each injured person she rescues and each violent battle she survives, Aris is becoming a true soldier—and the best flyer in the Atalantan Military. She’s determined to save her Dominion . . . or die trying.


This is a new release of the previously self-published title Shattered Veil.



I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

MY THOUGHTS
I've been seeing this book around for awhile, but it just didn't really interest me. Mostly due to the fact that it takes place during a war. One day, I decided to read the synopsis again and saw:
"She must disguise herself as a man named Aristos."
I knew that I had to read this book!! I love books that include the trope of a girl pretending to be a boy!
And I am so glad that I decided to pick up this book!

This book takes place in a dystopian type world where, at age eighteen, people get their designated job areas (Ex: Health, Environment, Military, etc.). Aris and Calix are in love with each other and are about to Promise to one another (kind of like engagement). Then Calix gets drafted into Military. Aris decides to become a pilot within the Military, to be with Calix again. Problem is, women are not allowed in the Military. Aris must disguise herself as a man, even though she could potentially be arrested for impersonating a soldier. But what if becoming a soldier means more than just finding Calix?

My favorite thing about this book is how much Aris changes in the book! Her personality, what's important to her, her life, so many things change about her. Maybe for the better, maybe not. And it's amazing seeing what's changed in her through just this book. Even physically, she changed. In the beginning, she has a limp, one that causes people to see her as fragile, but by the end it's not even noticeable! She becomes so much stronger!

On that note, the characters are great and dimensional! And I'm not just taking about Aria! Her friends, fellow soldiers, everyone is so well-developed into the story!
The book is also in third person and does not just follow Aria. We also get to follow Ward Nekkos of Atalanta and Ward Vadim of Ruslana, who give us a bigger insight of the war. Honestly, this book would not be able to work without seeing their lives in the story. 

As far as romance, I was surprised to find how much little focus there was on the romance, which made me so happy. Based on the synopsis, one would think that there would be a focus on the romance between Aria and Calix, but that is not the focus or the point of the book. This book is about so much more than that!

IN CONCLUSION
Overall, this book is well-crafted and brilliant. The characters, world, everything within this story are woven so seamlessly within this book. I love the changes that Aria goes through, but let's be honest here, I loved everything about this book! It's so brilliantly written, real (even though it's in a dystopian world), and it evoked my emotions! These are all signs of a very very great read!
I'm very thankful that I discovered this book and am also able to read the sequel right away!


I hereby give this book
5 Wheels
Meaning: A new favorite!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Goals/Resolutions For 2015

Hosted each week by The Broke and the Bookish, it's a meme for listing the top ten for everything bookish.

1. Review more
I did better than last year. I try to review 5 books a week. 3 full, 2 short & simple. I read enough books to do so, but I never get myself to sit down and review. I hope to do better this next year.
2. Request a book on Edelweiss
I'm a scaredy cat and have never requested a book on Edelweiss. I downloaded a few books, but I never feel good enough to actually request a book. I want to push myself to do this next year!
3. Finish writing my book
I started writing a book with my Mom. I want to try and finish it soon
4. Start or jot down ideas for the next one
I have an idea for another. I want to start it, but I want to wait until I'm done with the other book.
5. Maybe get a psychical ARC for review?
This isn't going to happen, but I can dream can't I?
6. Read more Indie/Ebooks
I have over 300 ebooks sitting in my ereader. Most of them are indie. I really want to make a dent in them.
7. Try to finish all the books I own but haven't read
 I have over 100 of these. It's unlucky that I will read all of them, as I keep adding more, but I really want to read as many as I can
8. It's okay to DNF
I used to never DNF a book. This year I DNF'nd 3 books. It makes me sad, but it's something that I really should do. So, this next year, I'll keep telling myself that if I hate the book I'm reading, just stop.
9. Be more social.
Many bloggers use social media and actually talk to one another. I feel like I'm missing out. I'm not very good at being social, both online and offline, but I want to try.
10. Comment more!!
This goes hand in hand with being social, but I am horrible with commenting. I read and lurk on so many blog posts, but I hardly ever leave a comment. I really did to do more of this.



What are your goals for next year?

Monday, December 29, 2014

REVIEW: The Sight Seer by Melissa Giorgio



The Sight Seer
Gabi Harkins likes to think she’s a pretty normal sixteen-year-old. She goes to school, suffers though an awful part-time job, and deals with a bratty younger sister. But when a potential shoplifter morphs into a monster right in front of her, Gabi realizes her life is far from normal—especially when that monster follows her home and ends up battling a boy wielding a sword in her backyard.

The boy, Rafe Fitzgerald, is a member of Silver Moon, an organization devoted to eradicating demons before they kill humans. If this little bit of news isn’t earth-shattering enough, Rafe reveals that he needs Gabi’s help. As strong as Rafe is, he does not possess the Sight—a rare ability that allows a hunter to See through a demon’s glamour, enabling them to strike before the demon does. But guess who does?


While Gabi is reluctant to face another demon, she knows she owes Rafe big time for saving her. Together, they’re thrown headfirst into heart-stopping situations as they battle newer and more frightening demons. When she starts to fall for Rafe, Gabi knows her normal life is gone forever.



I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

MY THOUGHTS
This book has an idea that is very common in YA books (a teenage girl being able to see through glamour), but it was executed so well, and I loved it!

The book focuses on Gabi, who runs into a hideous shoplifting monster at work. Later, the same monster followed her home and she sees a boy fighting said monster. Turns out that the boy, Rafe, is a demon hunter and just saved her life, but is surprised to find out that Gabi has the Sight. Gabi is able to see through a demon's glamour, which is very uncommon for those who are not demon hunters. Rafe needs Gabi's help to hunt down demons.

I had issues with Gabi at first. I didn't particularly like her voice and I thought she was a bit immature. It also bothered me how long it took her to put together what was going on. As the book went on, I began to like Gabi and her voice. It still bothered me how long it took her to put things together, though.

As far as romance, I thought it was great! It didn't take up the entire plot and it wasn't an insta-love. Rafe is such a great character and I really like Gabi and his relationship.

The plot, while I've read many books with the general plot, became much more and surprised me. The book became very fact-paced once Gabi and Rafe met, and it was very thrilling!


IN CONCLUSION
This was a really great read! I had a few issues in the beginning, but I eventually grew to love both the plot and the characters! I'm definitely continuing the series! In fact, I have an ecopy of the next book waiting for me on my ereader!


I hereby give this book
4 Wheels
Meaning: It was amazing!

Sunday, December 28, 2014

New Releases in YA! (December 28th-31st)

Every week I list all (or almost all) of the YA books (and the occasional MG) that are coming out within that week!
Here's what you get to look forward to this week:
P.S. Click on the book's cover for the Goodreads page!

     

What books, if any, do you plan to buy?

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Stacking the Shelves (December 27th 2014)

Hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Stacking the Shelves is where all the book nerds can post about the lovely (or not so lovely) books that they've got this week.

This is a two-week stack. I was celebrating Christmas with my family last weekend, but here's what I've gotten and read in the past two weeks!

P.S. The covers take you to the book's Goodreads page!



Books I've Read in the Past Two Week





From the Library




From the Used Bookstore





Ebook Freebies




Christmas Gifts
The Book Theif DVD, Divergent DVD, The Fault in Our Stars (DVD).
$25 Visa GC, Bookaholic GC (Used bookstore), $25 B&N, and $10 Amazon.

Books Won
I won a copy of A Thousand Pieces of You, a bookmark, and a poster!!!
Thanks to Epic Reads!

I won a copy of The Savage Blue and some swag! 
Thanks to Zoraida Córdova and Halloween Book Trail!


For Review


Thanks to Netgalley, Alloy Entertainment, and First to Read!

Books I Reviewed
(The covers are linked to my review)
Yeah, not a great week in reviews, but I'll be back and ready to review next week!


NEW DISCOVERIES
I add books to my TBR pile so often, that I decided to include the new additions to my ever-growing list.
I DID NOT RECEIVE OR BUY THESE BOOKS. I only added them to my TBR list.

After reading, and loving, the study series, I decided to add a few other series by the same author!

I also started a giveaway today, so check that out!


Anyway, what books did you haul in this week?