Anathema Review

206 pages

Forget prophecy. Make your own destiny.
Sheltered from the outside world with no hope for escape, slave girl Reychel dreads her fifteenth birthday - when her master’s symbol is burned on the back of her bald scalp. Her best friend disappears the night before, leaving her to face the branding ceremony alone. She soon discovers nothing is as it seems when people desperate for freedom beg for Reychel's help. Can Reychel learn to believe in herself?

Review:
Well this novel was a quick read. I really thought it was 500 pages because for some reason it showed up on my nook color that way and it was a bit disappointing to discover it was actually way less. Nevertheless this was an interesting book. There is slavery and violence and magic all mixed together to create an awesome adventure. I don't feel like I got to know Reychel deeply as a character since the book went quickly. However, from what I did read, Reychel seems to be on her way to developing into a great heroine. I really liked the drama and secrets in the book that kept me reading and interested until the end. Sometimes it was frustrating to read but in a good way because I wanted to know exactly what was going on. However, there are quite a bit of unexpected twists in the end that are worth figuring out. This is the first book in the series so I can only hope for improvement in the next one. I recommend this book to everyone who loves a fast paced fantasy fiction novel.

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Kiss of Frost Review

354 pages

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword..

Review:
Once again I'm disappointed. It was such a chore to read a repeat of the first novel in the series. So many things were just repeated over and over again it was annoying. Gwen did not improve as a character either. She is so self-pitying and desperate for attention that its depressing. And the Reaper was extremely obvious to figure out without thought. The only thing that saves this novel, barely, is Gwen's romance with Logan. I wanted to see Gwen get the guy but her insecurities made it hard to enjoy. The last part of the book was more fast paced with a lot of new information that was revealed. That peaked a little of my interest in what the next novel may be about. This series isn't terrible but for someone who has read as much books as I have it may be a bit tedious. I don't want to recommend reading this unless you just have some time to kill.

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Touch of Frost Review

350 pages

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest. But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .

Review:
After reading this book I definitely have a love/hate relationship with it. I love mythology so I also love books based on ancient mythology. This book definitely had a lot of potential. Its not a bad book but I can't say it was exceptional either. Gwen Frost is a likable character when she's not pitying herself or repeating the same annoying phrases often. If I had to read "Logan freaking Quinn" one more time I probably would have stopped reading out of frustration. There seems to be a lot and I do mean a lot of repetition in this book. However, I do like the concept and the underlying story in the book. There is quite a bit of action, a hot guy, and magic which always makes me happy. I think that Gwen as a character still has some growing to do that I'm hoping to discover in the next novel in this series. I recommend this book for a quick read if you like mythology and magic.

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Legend Review

305 pages

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.


Review:
This was a wonderfully refreshing dystopian novel. Day and June are both likable and interesting narrators. Day is the "bad boy" of the book, a renegade causing trouble for the Republic. June is of course the "good girl" but with a rebellious streak. Both Day and June are strong characters who would do anything for the people they love. I love the dystopian world the author created here but I wish there had been more of a back story and explanation to how it got that way. The story was extremely fast paced and hinted that all might not be what the Republic says it is.There are a lot of underhanded things going on in that society but the full scope of what it all means I guess will be saved for the next book. The only thing I didn't like about this book was that the story seemed too short. I wish there had been ore to it but like I said, that will probably be saved for the next book. I definitely recommend this book especially if you love dystopian fiction.

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Starcrossed Review

359 pages

Digger thrives as a spy and sneak-thief among the feuding religious factions of Gerse, dodging the Greenmen who have banned all magic. But when a routine job goes horribly wrong and her partner and lover Tegen is killed, she has to get out of the city, fast, and hides herself in a merry group of nobles to do so. Accepted as a lady's maid to shy young Merista Nemair, Digger finds new peace and friendship at the Nemair stronghold--as well as plenty of jewels for the taking. But after the devious Lord Daul catches her in the act of thievery, he blackmails her into becoming his personal spy in the castle, and Digger soon realizes that her noble hosts aren't as apolitical as she thought... that indeed, she may be at the heart of a magical rebellion.

Review:
This book seemed to have a lot of potential but I have to say it was extremely tedious to get through. I found that things seemed to be a bit disjointed at times. I felt like the story just dragged on and took too long to come to any sort of climax. Digger is an interesting main character but I can't say that she was a really likable one. I did like unraveling the secrets and mysteries that everyone around Digger was hiding. There wasn't any real romance I guess because Digger's lover died so closely, but it didn't have a big impact on the story. I think that this story just needed to be developed a bit more then it could have been an excellent novel. All in all I would not recommend this book to pass time unless you have absolutely nothing else to read.

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