Book Review: TO KILL A KINGDOM by Alexandra Christo

To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Blurb:

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.

The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?

My Review:

On the Audiobook Narration:

I really enjoyed the Lira narration read by Stephanie Willis, not only did she paint a clear picture of Lira's perspective but she also brought the characters Lira encountered to life. On the other hand, I hated Jacob York's narration of the Elian chapters. Something about his voice didn't agree with me, he made the character sound too cocky and way older than he was supposed to be and the narration he did of the other characters, especially the female ones was just awful. 

On the Book Itself:

Overall, I really liked the story. I liked the distinction the author made between sirens and mermaids and the twist she made to the classic tale of the siren. I could've used more world-building as to the sea kingdom and Midas, it felt like the story revolved around the characters and their surroundings didn't matter. 

The story coasted along smoothly but the ending kind of let me down. I expected more out of the ending of a standalone. 

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

4 of 5 Stars!

Movie Adaptation Review: Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

Last weekend I watched three YA book-to-movie adaptations on Lifetime. The first two didn't do much for me: Ten: Murder Island (which was like a take off on And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie crossed with 13 Reasons Why although it is based on Ten by Gretchen McNeil) and Drink, Slay, Love (based on the novel by Sarah Beth Durst); but it was the third one I was looking forward to....

Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

Blurb:
Sixteen-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science. . .and not so great with boys. After major drama with her boyfriend and (now ex) best friend, she's happy to spend the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.
There, Miranda finds new friends and an island with a mysterious, mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship. . .and reality.


Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

My Review of the Movie Adaptation:

I haven't read this book, but I did put it on my Amazon books-to-buy-later list when I first saw the preview. 

The premise of the Movie was appealing enough; a girl moves to an island to live with her estranged mother after her father's death. There she learns about the mythical Seawalkers (basically mermaids), grabs the attention of the local "it" boy and pisses off his popular girlfriend while herself being drawn to the mysterious boy she's not supposed to be with. (Though the movie sounds nothing like the book's blurb describes it as!)

So it should have been something I would like, right? Instead, the movie was a huge letdown. The first hour and fifty minutes were spent mostly on stuff that didn't matter while everything important was crammed into the last ten minutes of the movie.

The movie left more questions than answers. Was Miranda a seawalker? Did her father die because he stayed out of the water too long? Was T.J. a seawalker Hunter? Did Leo really die at the end? What was up with Amelia and the trident?!?! 

I'm in no way blaming the book since I haven't read it yet. It just feels like a lot of the meat of the book might have been left out in the making of the movie. 

Did I enjoy the movie? Sure, but I felt like I spent most of the movie waiting for something to happen then the ending was a rushed mess that let me down. Do I still want to read the book? I probably want to read it more now after seeing the movie to see what was left out.

My Rating:

Movie Overall: 3.5 / 5 Stars

Acting: 4/5 Stars

Story Adaptation: 2/5 Stars

The idea was there, the movie just didn't live up to it.

Book Review: Rebirth by Skye Malone

Rebirth (Awakened Fate Series #6) by Skye Malone

Series: the Awakened Fate Series, Book 6

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Wildflower Isle

Cover Artist: Karri Klawiter

Blurb:

One summer later…

Ari Moreau knows all about dehaians, but they’ve never heard of people like her. Hidden in plain sight, the wizards of the ancient world still thrive, rich and privileged and far from the ocean magic that could kill them all. 

But when an evening party turns into a bloody dehaian ambush, Ari’s hidden world is shattered. Assassins from the underwater kingdom of Yvaria have come to kill her people and only the last-minute intervention of a gorgeous boy with inexplicable powers saves her life. 

Two worlds are about to collide…

But the guy who rescued her shouldn’t exist. He’s impossible in every sense of the word. And the truth of his identity means that nothing in Ari’s life will ever be the same again.

My Review:

Hidden from the rest of the world live the wizards that the dehaians and landwalkers thought had died long ago. The Ruanir live the lavish life, fancy cars, mansions, and loads of money. Among them is seventeen-year-old Ariabella "Ari" Moreau. Ari hates the social climbing lifestyle her mother has dragged her into as she attempts to climb the Ruanir ladder by finding a powerful husband. Ari and her older brother Jace would much rather still be living with their late father.

   Forced to attend a party with her mother at one of the Judges' (leaders of the Ruanir people) houses and being shoved toward Logan, the slick playboy that tried to assault Ari once before, all she wants is to go back to the hotel and hang out with Jace, their cousin Maia, and Maia's fiancee Dhanya. Then all hell breaks loose. The party is invaded by Dehaians and people are being attacked. Then a mysterious boy comes along and saves her. In the blink of an eye, they're in Massachusetts. But who or what is this mysterious boy?

   It's been a year since Noah Delaney became The Beast. It's been a long journey of isolation and learning how to become "normal" again. When he sees a girl standing outside a party being attacked by dehaians wearing the Yvarian armband he swoops in and saves her. Noah doesn't want to get close to anyone, but there's just something about this girl that has him following her back to her hotel just to make sure she's alright. But why were the Yvarians attacking people? Would Zeke really aim to start a war so soon after what's just gone down with Chloe and the Sylphaen? Noah has to find out.

    Neither Zeke or Chloe know anything about the attack and Chloe insists Noah stay at the palace for a little while. Just as he's settling in he feels a sharp jab of pain. Chloe's alright, Baylie is alright... and then it dawns on him - Ari, the girl from the party. He races for the east coast knowing full well it's most likely a trap but when he gets there he's shocked and enraged to find out the leaders of the Ruanir have performed some kind bonding experiment that connects him to Ari.

   Noah knows of only one person who might be able to help him and Ari sever the connection so they start west with Jace, Maia, and Dhanya. But the Ruanir Judiciary are just as conniving as the Sylphaen ever were and they're not going to let Ari and Noah go that easily. It will be a crazy trip west trying to outrun the Ruanir and learning to trust each other in the process. Will they be able to escape the Ruanir Judiciary? Or will they try to use Ari as a secret weapon to start a war against the Yvarians? What will happen when Ari and Noah begin to feel something for one another?

OMG - is it possible that I can love Rebirth even more than the first five books in the Awakened Fate series? Because I think I might! It was great seeing Noah in this role, because in the triangle with Chloe and Zeke I kind of just wanted him to disappear so Chloe and Zeke could be together but now that that storyline has been tied up it is easier to love Noah. Ari's Ruanir world was an awesome addition to the series. It's kind of like she's lived in a cult since her father died and meeting Noah changes everything for her. I loved watching their relationship grow from mistrust and dislike into something that will hopefully blossom into something romantic.

I also loved the blend of new characters and old favorites popping up throughout the story. Seeing glimpses of where Chloe, Zeke, Baylie, and Ellie were one year later felt like catching up with an old friend.

 I started this book thinking I couldn't love any characters in this series more than Chloe and Zeke and here came Rebirth with Noah and Ari to completely blow me away. I was engrossed in the story from the first chapter and I didn't want to stop reading. And best of all I completely didn't see the ending coming! It was shocking, and I can't wait to see what's going to happen to Ari, Noah, and the others in the next book. This may be my favorite Skye Malone book yet!

I received an ARC of Rebirth in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating:

5 of 5 Stars

Rebirth is available TODAY! Grab your copy:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Add to Goodreads

Book Review: Become by Skye Malone

Become (The Awakened Fate Series #5) by Skye Malone

Blurb:

After barely surviving another attack on her life, Chloe has only one option left. Magic given to her by the wizard Joseph offers her the chance to save the world from the ancient enemy she faces, but only if she sacrifices her ability to become a mermaid or else leaves the land behind forever. With no control over which side of her heritage she’ll become, Chloe may lose everything, including the two guys who both have claimed her heart.

But when a desperate message arrives, the stakes become even higher. Zeke has been captured. The Sylphaen surround him. And if Chloe tries to save him, Zeke’s brother promises to make certain she dies.

She’s running out of options and she’s running out of time. Zeke’s life hangs on one side of the balance and the fate of the world is on the other. Chloe has to make a choice.

One that will change her life forever.

My Review:

I received a copy of Become in exchange for an honest review.

Chloe is facing a big decision. Should she take the potion that Joseph the wizard prepared for her before one of Noah's cousins killed Joseph and the Beast blew up the wizard's home? Taking the potion will change everything - either making her Landwalker or Dehaian forever. Then a phone call from Zeke's sister Ina changes everything and the decision becomes irrelevant. 

Zeke and his grandfather Jirral have been arrested by Zeke's brother Ren and the Sylphaen are infiltrating Nycenia with the help of Zeke's other brother, Niall. Chloe asks Ina to relay a message to Niall and the Sylphaen that unless they release  Zeke and his grandfather Chloe will take the potion that will split herself like the old Dehaians did and then the Sylphaen will never be able to use her to control the Beast. Instead of giving in the Sylphaen try to force Zeke to bring Chloe back to the ocean with him, but their plot backfires when Zeke refuses to help and he, Chloe, Noah, Baylie, the Landwalkers, and Noah's family escape before the Sylphaen can get their hands on Chloe. 

With the Sylphaen holding Ina, Chloe, Zeke, and Noah devise a plan to end this battle against the Sylphaen once and for all. They will travel to Lycera and enlist the help of Zeke's mother's (the acting queen) soldiers and con the Sylphaen into coming inland where a surprise will be waiting to attack them. What Chloe never expected was to run into her biological father or that such a reunion would complicate things so much more. 

The biggest battle of their lives looms ahead with danger, betrayal, and treachery at every corner. Will Chloe, Zeke, Noah, and the others be able to defeat the Sylphaen once and for all? Or will the Sylphaen finally be able to complete the ritual that will allow them to control the Beast? Will everyone make it out of this alive? Where will Chloe be at the end of all this, and more importantly - who will she choose? Zeke? Or Noah?

As a finale to Chloe's battle against the Sylphaen and finding out who she is I thought this book fit in perfectly with the series. I couldn't put this book down because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. The action is high in Become and trouble is still coming at Chloe from all sides.

 I loved finding out who Chloe's father was and seeing how the implications of her father's position and his people affected the story. Suddenly all of Ren's accusations sound plausible except for that the reader knows Chloe is innocent - but seeing Ina and Zeke's mother question that makes you worry for Chloe and wonder if Zeke's mother will be yet another on a long list of people who've betrayed them. 

The only thing I didn't like as much was that we were still dealing with Chloe's non-handling of the love triangle between her, Zeke, and Noah. At times I wanted to scream "just pick one and then you can focus on more important things!" But then at the end, it sort of becomes a non-issue because one-third of the triangle sort of takes himself out of the running. 

Overall, besides the way Chloe continued to handle the love triangle, I loved this book, and the ending left me satisfied even if I nearly teared up. I'm glad Chloe ended up with who she did, but the fate that befalls the other guy in this love triangle is bittersweet. I also thought Wyatt's fate was very fitting. He really had it coming. 

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

You can get a copy of Become on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iBooks, and add Become to your TBR List on Goodreads!

On a side note, I really want to thank Skye Malone for giving me the opportunity to read and review this amazing series. I loved each and every one of them, I was hooked from the very first book! 

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #38

This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm beginning the final book in The Awakened Fate Series. It's time to dive into the world of Dehaians and Landwalkers one last time...

Become (The Awakened Fate Series #5) by Skye Malone 

Blurb:

After barely surviving another attack on her life, Chloe has only one option left. Magic given to her by the wizard Joseph offers her the chance to save the world from the ancient enemy she faces, but only if she sacrifices her ability to become a mermaid or else leaves the land behind forever. With no control over which side of her heritage she'll become, Chloe may lose everything, including the two guys who both have claimed her heart.

But when a desperate message arrives, the stakes become even higher. Zeke has been captured. The Sylphaen surround him. And if Chloe tries to save him, Zeke's brother promises to make certain she dies.

She's running out of options and she's running out of time. Zeke's life hangs on one side of the balance and the fate of the world is on the other. Chloe has to make a choice.

One that will change her life forever.

What I Think So Far:

I'm just starting Become, but this being the last book I'm practically having to force myself not to skim ahead to see what's going to happen. Like all the previous books, Become is easy to get right into after finishing the previous book. 

Book Review: Arise by Skye Malone

Arise (The Awakened Fate Series #4) by Skye Malone

Blurb:

Kidnapping. Torture. Betrayal.

Chloe has survived it all. On the run from her parents, a mad scientist, and Noah's bloodthirsty relatives, her only chance at finding answers now lies with Ellie's mysterious teacher, Olivia. But when nearly everyone who's learned your secret has ended up wanting to use you or kill you, trust may prove the most elusive thing of all.

My Review:

Where do you go when nowhere is safe?

I received a copy of Arise in exchange for an honest review. 

After escaping the torture they experienced at the hands of Dr. Brooks, Chloe and Zeke find themselves on the road to Colorado with Ellie, Baylie, and Noah. Unbeknownst to them Noah's cousins are chasing after them - and they have Chloe's parents as hostages. Also on their tail are the psychotic Dr. Brooks, Chief Reynolds, and Aaron Reynolds. 

When they arrive in Colorado they seek the help of Ellie's mentor, Olivia. Olivia agrees to help Chloe and Zeke by calling a meeting with the Landwalker Elders she trusts. When the meeting goes awry Chloe and her friends must wonder: Can they trust Olivia and the Landwalker Elders? Or are they really working for Dr. Brooks?

When Noah's cousin Wyatt finally gets Chloe on the phone and tells her to show up at their house on the Washington coastline or he'll kill her parents they end up on a crazy mission to get Chloe's parents back before it's too late. 

At the same time the beast is growing stronger and a storm is brewing. Everything is about to come to a catastrophic climax and not everyone will survive the storm...

After dealing with people that claim to want to help Chloe only for them to betray her with their own agendas or homicidal wishes, is there anyone Chloe can trust? At the end of everything will she choose to split herself and become a landwalker or a dehaian?

Wow - this book was intense. As a reader you're constantly worried about what's waiting around the bend for Chloe and her friends and whether the next person will be a friend or foe. The addition of Wyatt's perspective is like looking into the mind of a chilling psychopath. Out of all the books in the series so far I think this one holds the most action and violence, but it's very well written. 

I could have done without Chloe freezing out both Zeke and Noah and focusing so much time trying to figure out who she wants, mostly because I see her working out with Zeke better. Noah's nice and all but I see him and Chloe being just better off as friends. The character I feel most sorry for is Baylie, she never asked for any of this and now she's caught up in all the danger. 

Overall I think this book amped up the storyline from the previous books, making it even more complicated and involved so the reader can be swept right into Become. I'm eager to see how this series wraps up in book five, I've just really loved reading not just Arise, but all of The Awakened Fate Series and being caught up in this magical world filled with dehaians, landwalkers, greliaran, and wizards. If you're not reading this series you should be in my opinion!

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Book Review: Return by Skye Malone

Return (The Awakened Fate Series #3) by Skye Malone

Blurb:

For Chloe, the ocean was supposed to mean safety and for a time, it almost did. She overcame the Sylphaen's drugs. She discovered an unforeseen attraction to Zeke, one that he shares for her. A life underwater seemed possible, until she learned that nothing was as it appeared.

After an unspeakable betrayal shattered everything she thought she knew about Zeke's world, she and Zeke have fled the ocean for the one place Chloe never expected to want to go.

Home.

But the challenge of living as a mermaid over a thousand miles from the ocean isn't the only problem facing her. Home has changed. Enemies are waiting, ones she never saw coming. Her little Kansas town is full of surprises.

Including Noah, the guy she left behind.

My Review: 

I received a copy of Return in exchange for an honest review.

With the Sylphaen still after Chloe, she and Zeke head for land. They believe if Chloe can stand being away from the ocean without getting sick the safest place for her will be back home in Kansas, and Zeke is determined to accompany her as far as he can stand it.

When they reach land Chloe and Zeke seek shelter at a house isolated in the woods, only to be attacked by Earl, the greliaran owner, who wants to get revenge against all dehaians after the death of his daughter.

Chloe and Zeke manage to escape and head East, but they're being tracked by Noah's crazy uncle and cousins. They make it as far as Nebraska before they have to call Chloe's parents to come get them, but sometimes home sweet home is anything but sweet. A whole new set of problems waits for Chloe and Zeke back in Chloe's hometown.

Can Chloe and Zeke trust Chloe's parents? Why are they acting so strange? How will Chloe react when she's face to face with Noah again and he's begging her to believe he didn't mean anything he said? Will Chloe and Zeke be able to escape their latest run-in with trouble before it's too late?

Return is a great addition to the Awakened Fate series! Sometimes when a series has 3 or more books the storyline begins to get stale or repetitive by book three or four but this series keeps being fresh and interesting. Yes, the Sylphaens are still after Chloe but in Return Chloe, Zeke, and Noah face new challenges and enemies.

I was shocked by the length Chloe's parents would go to to keep her under their control, but Chloe remained a strong character throughout all the horrors she faces in this book. Zeke and Noah are both crazy about Chloe and I'm dying to see who she picks in the end. I also really liked that we finally got to learn a little about the mysterious "beast" everyone is so worried about.

This book definitely doesn't disappoint, I loved it just as much as the first two books and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. This series and this author's writing are quickly becoming my escape after a long day!

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

You can find Return on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iBooks, and add to your TBR list on Goodreads!

"Book Mail" Thursday #2

             
   This week in the mail I got the last three books in the amazing Awakened Fate series by Skye Malone. I love this series and I've been reviewing it for the past month. Here's a little info about each book...

Return (The Awakened Fate Series #3) by Skye Malone

Blurb:

For Chloe, the ocean was supposed to mean safety and for a time, it almost did. She overcame the Sylphaen's drugs. She discovered an unforeseen attraction to Zeke, one that he shares for her. A life underwater seemed possible, until she learned that nothing was as it appeared.

After an unspeakable betrayal shattered everything she thought she knew about Zeke's world, she and Zeke have fled the ocean for the one place Chloe never expected to want to go.

Home.

But the challenge of living as a mermaid over a thousand miles from the ocean isn't the only problem facing her. Home has changed. Enemies are waiting, ones she never saw coming. Her little Kansas town is full of surprises.

Including Noah, the guy she left behind.

Arise (The Awakened Fate Series #4) by Skye Malone

Blurb:

Chloe hoped that going home would keep her enemies away from her. She thought she could trust her parents to protect her, no matter how much they feared mermaids and the ocean. 

It nearly cost her life to find out she was wrong. 

Surviving a mad scientist and Noah's bloodthirsty relatives was only the beginning, however. An ancient creature is after her, one that's risen from its sleep to hunt her, and one that almost destroyed the world last time it awoke. To save herself and everyone she loves, Chloe's only chance lies in traveling to meet Ellie's mysterious teacher, Olivia, one of the elusive landwalker elders. 

But Chloe has trusted people before. She's tried to escape the madness that's chasing her before. And nearly everybody who's learned her secret has ended up wanting to use her or kill her. 

Will Olivia's betrayal be next? 

Become (The Awakened Fate Series #5) by Skye Malone

Blurb:

After barely surviving another attack on her life, Chloe has only one option left. Magic given to her by the wizard Joseph offers her the chance to save the world from the ancient enemy she faces, but only if she sacrifices her ability to become a mermaid or else leaves the land behind forever. With no control over which side of her heritage she’ll become, Chloe may lose everything, including the two guys who both have claimed her heart.

But when a desperate message arrives, the stakes become even higher. Zeke has been captured. The Sylphaen surround him. And if Chloe tries to save him, Zeke’s brother promises to make certain she dies.

She’s running out of options and she’s running out of time. Zeke’s life hangs on one side of the balance and the fate of the world is on the other. Chloe has to make a choice.

One that will change her life forever.

Why Should You Read This Series?

This series is amazing, unique, and shows great imagination. I'm so grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this series and I'm unbelievably lucky to have found an author who's books I crave reading as much as I do with Skye's books. I love these books so much and I'm positive you will too! 

You can find the complete Awakened Fate Series on Amazon and all other major book retailers! 

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #37

            This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm back in the world of Dehaians, Landwalkers, and Greliaran in Skye Malone's Awakened Fate Series...

Return (Awakened Fate Series #3) by Skye Malone

Blurb:

For Chloe, the ocean was supposed to mean safety and for a time, it almost did. She overcame the Sylphaen's drugs. She discovered an unforeseen attraction to Zeke, one that he shares for her. A life underwater seemed possible, until she learned that nothing was as it appeared.

After an unspeakable betrayal shattered everything she thought she knew about Zeke's world, she and Zeke have fled the ocean for the one place Chloe never expected to want to go.

Home.

But the challenge of living as a mermaid over a thousand miles from the ocean isn't the only problem facing her. Home has changed. Enemies are waiting, ones she never saw coming. Her little Kansas town is full of surprises.

Including Noah, the guy she left behind.

What I Think of This Book so far:

I love this series and each book in the series brings another set of complications to Chloe's new normal so the storyline doesn't get stale. Yes, the Sylphaen are still after Chloe... but they're not the only enemy she faces. She's quickly learning that sometimes home sweet home isn't so sweet after all... 

I love the romance blooming between Zeke and Chloe, but what will happen once Noah is back in the picture? And will anyone ever tell Baylie what's going on?? I guess I'll have to keep reading ;)

While I was waiting for the last three books in the Awakened Fate Series to arrive in the mail I spent my time reading a completely different type of book...

Claiming Addison (69 Bottles #1) by Zoey Derrick

Blurb:

For Addison Beltrand, PR rep for Bold International, Inc. climbing the corporate ladder is all that matters in life. Her hard work is finally rewarded with the promotion she’s worked her ass off to earn—but the gig comes at a price. She leaves in two days for a twelve-week tour with America’s hottest alternative rock band, 69 Bottles.

Talon Carver, lead singer of 69 Bottles, has no problem with women--as long as they’re gone by morning. When Addison shakes up his world, it’s a huge problem—compounded by the fact that Addison’s not the only one he wants.

Kyle Black, manager of 69 Bottles, has a secret. He and Addison are closer than she thinks, but telling her could keep her away. When Talon sets his sights on Addison, Kyle uses his secret to push her into Talon’s arms, only to discover she isn’t the only one he needs.

Two men. One dilemma. 

Talon is wild, reckless and loves control.

Kyle is calm, collected and loves passion.

The perfect balance…or Addison’s ultimate undoing? 

Talon and Kyle push their boundaries and Addison’s, but can they throw their reservations to the wind and claim her together?

Two men. One woman. A rock band. A tour bus. One Wild Ride…

My Review: 

Twenty-nine-year-old Addison Beltrand has thrown herself into her work as a PR rep to musicians, pushing away everything else - including her friends - ever since the death of her fiance seven years ago.

Now just before she's set to take a weekend off to spend with the girls her boss promotes her to a special case she believes she will excel at. The catch? They need her on the bus for the start of a twelve-week tour the day before Addison's set vacation.

Addison agrees and within days she's on a bus with the band she and her friends were going to see. Meeting the band, 69 Bottles, she meets the flirty, cocky Dex, the colorful Peacock, and the high-pitched voiced Mouse but it's the lead singer, Talon, and the band manager Kyle, that awaken something inside Addison she's set aside for too long.

Addison wants them both, and they want her - and each other. But Kyle has a secret tie to Addison's past and Talon has never been with the same woman twice. But their sexual chemistry is scorching. It's going to be a wild twelve weeks on the road!

I am surprised by how much I loved this book. I didn't think I would like it because it's definitely not the type of book I usually read but this book grabbed me by the second chapter and I couldn't get enough. The characters are charismatic and you love getting to know them and watching their unusual relationship develop. The sex is hot even though the conversation between Talon and Kyle a couple times made me want to laugh.

There were only a couple things that prevented me from giving this book a 5: throughout the book there were a few typos like the word should be "me" and the author had "be" or "his" came out as "is" - just simple things the proofreader should have caught. I loved the storyline but I question how the relationship between Addison, Talon, and Kyle could work out long term. I mean eventually someone is going to get jealous or the relationship between three will become a relationship of two, right? They can't just be together forever as three, can they? That's not realistic. The only other thing I didn't like was the cover. The female model looks like a cartoon laid against the two guys - but that's minor and not story related.

Overall, this is a sexy rock star read and I loved it! I'm eager to see what's going to happen in book two!

***Disclaimer: this book is not at all intended for readers under 18, due to strong sexual content. If you are under 18 do not purchase this book!***

My rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars

Book Review: DESCEND by Skye Malone

Descend (The Awakened Fate Series #2) by Skye Malone

Blurb:

Chloe always dreamed of visiting the ocean, and now the ocean is the only place she has left to go. Trapped in the form of a mermaid and on the run from the Sylphaen, her best chance for safety lies in traveling with Zeke to his underwater home and staying under his protection there.

Leaving isn't easy, however. Her best friend doesn't know where she's gone, and her family doesn't either. She's been forced to abandon Noah, the boy she's liked for years and who she's just discovered likes her too. She only hopes Zeke's people will help her so she can return soon.

But when conspiracies follow her and people start to die, safety becomes harder to find than ever. The Sylphaen are coming. They're more powerful than she could have imagined.

And they're not through with Chloe yet.

My Review:

I received a copy of Descend in exchange for an honest review. 

After being injected with a strong, modified dose of Neiphiandine by the insane Sylphaen cult, Chloe is forced to remain in mermaid form. Unable to survive on land she travels back to Nyciena with Zeke and his brother Niall.

Her arrival in Nyciena is less than welcoming. Chloe discovers Zeke's father is a king and his eldest brother, Ren, the heir to the throne, is sure that Chloe is a spy. King Torvias allows Chloe to stay in the palace under guard and grants her the medical attention she needs although he doesn't completely believe Zeke's story about Chloe being a target of the supposedly eradicated Sylphaens. 

Everyone in the kingdom believe Chloe is Zeke's latest fling and she can tell everyone is gossiping about her as she tries to blend in and make friends with Zeke's twin sister, Ina. 

When a deadly attack strikes the palace, suspicion falls on Chloe and Ren takes action against her, playing right into the Sylphaens' hands. 

Will Zeke get to her in time? Will any place on land or in the ocean ever be safe for Chloe? Is it possible that there is a Sylphaen hidden in her midst waiting for the right time to strike? 

Descend picks up right where Awaken leaves off bringing you right into an amazing underwater fantasy world that will blow your mind. Everything about Yvaria and Nyciena is so well thought out by the author. Details about the palace and the way the dehaians live make them seem so realistic and almost... human.

I loved the storyline, it kept me interested and kept in line with the events of the first book. I also was happy that in this book Skye Malone gives you chapters in Chloe, Zeke, and Noah's perspectives. Noah's perspective really added to the story in my opinion. The characters have so much depth and you fall for each of them in their own way (although I love Zeke - he's awesome!). The end of the book leaves you wanting to get right into the next book as soon as possible. I am so in love with this series and I can't wait to see what awaits Chloe, Zeke, and Noah next! 

Overall, the writing is great, this book is easy to get into, and if you loved Awaken you will love this continuation of the Awakened Fate series!

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Book Review: Awaken by Skye Malone

Awaken (Awakened Fates #1) by Skye Malone

Blurb:

Running away from home was never Chloe Kowalski's plan. Neither was ending up the target of killers, or having her body change in unusual ways. She only wanted a vacation, someplace far from her crazy parents and their irrational fear of water. She only wanted to do something normal for once, and maybe get to know her best friend's hot stepbrother a bit better at the same time.

But the first day she goes out on the ocean, strange things start to happen. Dangerous things that should be impossible. Things to which 'normal' doesn't even begin to apply.

Now madmen are hunting her. A mysterious guy with glowing blue eyes is following her. And her best friend's stepbrother seems to be hiding secrets all his own.

It was supposed to be a vacation. It's turning out to be a whole lot more.

My Review:

I received a copy of Awaken in exchange for an honest review.

All Chloe Kowalski wanted was to see the ocean, but her crazy water-hating parents said a big fat NO when she asked to go on vacation to the California coast with her best friend, Baylie. So Chloe does what any sensible teenager would do - she goes anyway, running away from home.

At the beach house owned by Baylie's extended family, she meets Diane and Peter, parents to Baylie's stepbrothers, Maddox and Noah. Chloe has had a little bit of a crush on the super-hot Noah for a while now, but Baylie says he's been acting strange lately.

When Chloe first steps foot into the ocean she feels like a missing piece of herself has just been found. What she doesn't know is that she's setting off a dangerous series of events and putting a target on her back. Chloe is part dehaian (mermaid) and part landwalker (a person who can't stand to be near the ocean) and a dangerous mermaid cult, called Sylphaen, want her dead. How will Chloe handle it when she finally learns the truth about herself? Will her new friends think she's a freak or is it possible that they're hiding something too?

Meanwhile, dehaian Zeke noticed a change in the water the minute Chloe first entered the ocean and he wants to know what about this pretty girl caused that reaction in the water. Things seem even fishier to him when Chloe seems to have no idea what she really is. Zeke wants to get to the bottom of things and when the cult he thought had been eradicated goes after Chloe he has a strong urge to keep her safe. Will he get to her in time? Or will the Sylphaen sacrifice her to fulfill some crazy prophecy?

I've never read a mermaid-themed novel before but I absolutely loved Awaken!. The first line draws you in and before you even find out what Chloe is, you're dying to find out why Chloe's parents don't want her anywhere near the water. Their crazy reaction will shock you. I like that this story is told in alternating perspectives between Chloe and Zeke but it would have been an added bonus to have a few chapters in Noah's perspective to see into his head. The world of the Dehaians, with their magic and their technology (like the medicine and the relay station) was really imaginative and gave their underwater world much more dimension than your average mermaid story.

The only thing I found confusing was the Delaneys' relationship to Baylie. How were they related through marriage? I know it was meant to be complicated but I felt like I needed a family tree to illustrate it better.

Overall this book is great! The story keeps you interested and engaged, the characters are easy to like, the plot is well thought out and the conflicts and action are appropriately set throughout the beginning, middle, and end of the story and the ending makes you want to dive right into book two. I feel like there may be a love triangle brewing between Chloe, Noah, and Zeke in one of the future books. Read Awaken and you'll fall in love and be hooked on this series for sure!

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

***You can find Awaken on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and Kobo; and add it to your TBR list on Goodreads!***