Review: Last Star Burning by Caitlin Sangster - AVAILABLE TODAY!

Last Star Burning
by Caitlin Sangster
Series: Last Star Burning #1
Publication: October 10th, 2017

Sev is branded with the mark of a criminal—a star burned into her hand. That’s the penalty for being the daughter of the woman who betrayed their entire nation.

Now her mother’s body is displayed above Traitor’s Arch, kept in a paralyzed half sleep by the same plague that destroyed the rest of the world. And as further punishment, Sev is forced to do hard labor to prove that she’s more valuable alive than dead.

When the government blames Sev for a horrific bombing, she must escape the city or face the chopping block. Unimaginable dangers lurk outside the city walls, and Sev’s only hope of survival lies with the most unlikely person—Howl, the chairman’s son. Though he promises to lead her to safety, Howl has secrets, and Sev can’t help but wonder if he knows more about her past—and her mother’s crimes—than he lets on.

But in a hostile world, trust is a luxury. Even when Sev’s life and the lives of everyone she loves may hang in the balance.

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You know how sometimes you read a book and so many THINGS happen that you want to talk about but doing so would result in all sorts of spoilers?

Agh.

Yeah, that's Last Star Burning. 

I will say that the cover is a bit misleading, in my opinion. It's a pretty cover, don't get me wrong. I have no qualms with it. But it does scream FANTASY, does it not? And to be fair, the book seems to be classified as such.

But this one is for all the dystopian lovers out there.

I always find it easier to talk about things I didn't like, and when it comes to Last Burning Star, there isn't anything I didn't like. World-building, character development, action, twists...it's all there, and it's fantastic.

So, here I am, writing a review that isn't really a review because I don't know what else to say except......READ THIS BOOK.

Cover: 4 | Characters: 5 | Plot: 5 | Pace: 5 | Creativity: 5

Review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Title: Caraval
Author: Stephanie Garber
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press
Published: January 31, 2017
Hardcover: 407 pages

GoodReads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

Caraval is already at the top of my favorites list…of all time! This book was my most highly anticipated read of 2017 and it did NOT disappoint. I was shouting its praises before I had even finished reading it! I’ve not been able to fully convey my immense love for this book properly. It’s so magical that I immediately wanted to reread it after turning the last page.

This book is rich with whimsy, mystery and magic. There’s romance and so many twists and turns, just when you think you are certain you have it all figured out, Stephanie takes you down a path you never saw coming! While there is romance, the main theme of this book is the love and bond between two sisters. I immensely enjoyed the fact that it was, indeed, the main focus throughout the book and how that bond unfolded throughout the story. The romantic relationship brewed slowly and felt natural, not forced on you.

The best way for me to describe Stephanie Garber’s writing is to say it is like a painting; so vividly detailed it’s as if you are standing in a museum and the art is telling the story through movement and color. Her writing is fresh and animated. To sum it up in one word, picturesque. I was enthralled in Scarlett’s adventure and felt as if I were playing the game with her. Within the game of Caraval, reality and illusion become difficult to decipher.

In the end, this book left me in a state of awe and with a new appreciation of descriptive writing. The ending of the book is phenomenal and is sure to leave you craving the next. This story is a true work of art. It is one of those extraordinary books that come along every so often that bewitches you from page one. This lavish world built on magic, mystery, love and fantasy is a true testament to a new and creative voice in the book world.

5 Magical STARS!

Here are some of my favorite quotes (and this was really hard to narrow down to just a few):

“The hazy glow of a lantern caught the metallic edges of the paper, making them blaze a shimmery gold, the color of magic and wishes and promises of things to come.”

“Occasionally people confuse fantasy with reality. Accidents sometimes result. It rarely happens,” Rupert added.”

“Wishes were things of wonder that took a certain amount of faith, and Julian seemed the type to trust only what he saw.”

“A second in Caraval seemed richer than an ordinary second, like that moment on the cusp of sunset, when all the colors of the sky coalesce into magic.” 

Review: First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky

First Comes Love
By Katie Kacvinsky
Hardcover, 228 pages
Expected publication: May 8th 2012
By Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Ages 16 and over!

Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what's next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract.

What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.

But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they're going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you're sorry.

First Comes Love has crawled into my heart and will never leave. For such a tiny book, I had no idea it would make me feel the way that it did while reading it. It’s now days later and I can’t stop thinking about the two main characters.

First Comes Love is a beautiful story about two young teens who discover themselves through one another. Dylan lives in the moment. She doesn’t care what others think about her and she is a very adventurous person. She is not sure what to do with her life, but she knows sitting around isn’t going to help her. Dylan goes and stays with her aunt for a while and this is where she meets Grey, who is a loner and keeps his distance from everyone. He doesn’t have friends and doesn’t really care to make any. The first meeting between these two had me laughing out loud at almost every sentence. Grey thinks Dylan is crazy, and Dylan thinks Grey is her new best friend. It was hilarious!

I really enjoyed reading about both characters and watching them grow throughout the book. Grey has to be one of the hottest characters ever. I fell in love with him right along with Dylan. I felt every emotion they did. Kacvinsky did such an excellent job at capturing their emotions and putting it down on paper that it wasn’t hard at all to put myself in their shoes. Dylan changed Grey’s life, and Grey taught Dylan that love is worth everything. I loved every minute of it! The only complaint I have is that the one time I find a standalone book… it’s less than three hundred pages. I wish it was longer, but then I think about it and the way the story went and everything that happened, I honestly think adding anymore to it wouldn't have been a good idea. Everything was perfect! I really like the way Katie Kacvinsky writes.

I highly recommend this book! It’s a fast read that will leave you with butterflies and craving more!

5 out of 5 Stars!

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Review: Between Seasons By Aida Brassington

Between Seasons
By Aida Brassington
Published October 30th 2011
By Green Needle Press

Patrick Boyle dies in the fall of 1970, just days before he's due to report for the Vietnam War draft, which seems like a good thing until he realizes he's stuck in the house with no indication of when he'll be escorted to heaven. And after his parents leave the house, he's trapped without company -- until a mysterious woman who can channel his memories buys the house forty years later. The spring brings with it new life, but falling in love with the new owner may only bring heartbreak to them both.

            My Thoughts: 


       Another ghost story that simply wowed me. The second I picked this book, I had to fight myself to put it down so I can get things done. From the minute Patrick was getting ready to sign papers for the draft, to the minute he takes an unexpected fall which resulted in his death, the story sucked me in. Reading what he went through after the fall was what had me glued. As the story continues, Patrick keeps wondering when will God come and take him to Heaven. I felt every emotion he was feeling, his sadness over losing his family and friends and his sadness for being forgotten by God. But he was a gentle ghost and he never became bitter about remaining a wandering spirit.

     But as luck may have it his loneliness changed after decades, the day a beautiful and mysterious woman moved into the house he died in. Now if you ask me this is where the story really begins. I absolutely loved the way that he connected with Sara without her even knowing. Though Sara wasn't aware, she made it  easier for him. His spirit lingering on earth is no longer heavy in his heart. He slowly started to fall in love with her without her knowing he was around. There is so much more to this book that took me by surprise. The author never bored me with the story and she had me rooting for both characters.

     There was a small part of the book that had me baffled. But lately I've seen this kind of changes in recent paranormal novels. So it wasn't something that altered my feelings for the meaning behind the story. "Between Seasons" was such a bittersweet story. I got mixed up with all sorts of emotions for each character in different situations. The author had me thinking I knew how the story would end. But she gave such a twist that startled me and took me by complete and utter surprise. I absolutely loved the ending. But I had to email her when I finished to ask her some questions. And I am so excited to say that this book has a sequel and I can't wait to read the second. "Between Seasons" will blow your mind away. It's a definite 5/5 stars and a definite Good Choice for Reading.

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Review: Angelina's Secret By Lisa Rogers

Angelina's Secret
By Lisa Rogers
Expected publication:
February 1st 2012
By Spencer Hill Press

As a child, Angelina spent years in counseling learning that Josie, her imaginary friend, wasn't real, but it turns out her childhood friend wasn't imaginary after all.

Now Angelina has to accept she's either (A) crazy or (B) able to see ghosts. Wanting to believe in her sanity, she chooses (B) and welcomes Josie back into her life. But even Josie can't help her deal with Shelly, the spirit of a confused teenager, and things go very, very wrong.

When Angelina finds herself in a psychiatric hospital, she faces a choice: she can spend the rest of her life pretending to be someone she isn't, or she can embrace who she is and take a chance that she may never get to go home.

          My Review 

     Angelina's secret is a book that caught my eye right away. And the minute I read this blurb, I knew I had to read it. I have a thing for books involving ghosts and spirits. So needless to say when I began reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I could have read it in one sitting but things such as work and house chores got in the way. So it took me two days to read.

     Angelina lives with a secret, her secret is that she can see ghosts. Her imaginary friend whom she had as a child turns out to be an actual ghost. The revelation didn't startle her one bit and she quickly comes to terms with her gift. But the fact that she can see ghosts isn't something that her family accepts so easily. So she struggles trying to figure out how to convinced them that she has a gift rather than her family thinking she's going insane.

    I really like the way the author wrote the relationships between Angelina and the ghosts. It made me happy to read that they weren't evil or harmful. I felt sad for Angelina, for the way her mother acted towards her in regards to her confession of her ability to see ghosts. I feel as a family, nothing anyone says should be shrugged off without listening to reason. Even if its something as absurd as the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. By her family acting the way they were was really bad for Angelina. Because she really didn't have the support she needed to accept her gift with ease. So seeing her struggles had me rooting for her all the way. This book was very well written. A 5/5 stars! And a definite Good Choice for Reading!

Here are some links on information about the book and the author.

Goodreads | Blog | Website | Email | Facebook 

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Shadow of the Vampire by Meagan Hatfield (Dee)

Vampire princess Alexia Feodorovna has been undead for 125 years, so it's been a while since any man has made her pulse race. Until Declan Black. One look at his bronzed body and a fire like no other consumes her. Then she discovers that he's a dragon lord come to take revenge on the vamps who killed his parents. And claim a crystal said to imbue its owner with incredible powers.


Alexia is ordered to torture and kill the dragon lord. Yet with each reckless encounter, she finds herself consumed by his fiery passion. A passion Declan battles, as well. Will he be able to resist the fire of lust she kindles within him and keep revenge in his heart? Or will he risk everything to quench the burning desire and claim the vampire as his own?

This book was like watching a movie! Every time I stopped reading I could not wait to get back to it and finish it. Everything just fell right into place. I liked how right from the beginning this book starts with the action. From the prologue till the end there is always something happening? This was definitely different from other Vampire books I've read. This book was different in the sense that for once the forbidden love was between Vampire and Dragon and not Human and Vampire or Wolf and Vampire. Definitely a change and I loved it. I've only ever read one other book about Dragons and it was more of he was a shape shifter.

Don't get me started on the hot scenes in this book! Hot hot hot! I loved that Meagan Hatfield did not only write the scenes between Alexia and Declan from one point of view. She gives you both point of views at that moment and how they are both feeling. So you get to read what Alexia is feeling and thinking and then Declan. I really liked that because it helps you feel the emotions and picture things better.


This book actually made me teary eyed a couple of times. I found it very sad at some of the things Alexia goes/went through. Then when she finally falls in love it's a little emotional because of her past. She doesn't know if she should stay or go since their love is forbidden. I was torn! But even with everything she went through she held her head up high and refused to give up on anything. I found myself also feeling sorry for her mother. I got teary eyed with a couple of scenes that involved her mother. Actually through out the book you get a little bit of almost every character. Which I liked a lot! Meagan's main focus of course is on Alexia and Declan, but she gives you a little of every character.

Declan, I love reading a story where the big and bad guy falls in love without even realizing how. I picture Declan as Mark Walberg ha-ha. For some reason his attitude in the beginning and through out the book reminded me of him. He was very sexy and strong. The way he wants to protect Alexia from her past and now was so romantic.

Lotharus is the perfect bad guy!!!! I hate him loll, but his character was thought up really well. He definitely had my yelling "you bastard!" ha-ha

Tallon, I really like this character a lot. She was so strong and such a warrior it was hard not to like her. She did not really fear anything but losing her brother Declan.

So if you want a book full of action, romance, twist, love and betrayal then this is the one for you! Meagan Hatfield wrote this book really well and it was my first book by her and won’t be my last. I definitely recommend this book.  

Hush, Hush by Becca FitzPatrick - Dee

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

This book was my first ever about fallen angels. Well I had a little taste of it in Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments, but nothing like this book. I loved Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush! I read this book actually shortly after it came out and at the time just could not give a review because I would've given the book away lol. I was just so excited over this book I told everyone not to ask me about it unless they wanted to know everything! I finished this book in a day. I could not put it down and I love when a book does that to me. Where all I do is think about the book every second until I finish it lol. Hush, Hush is one of those 100%.

The Characters in this book are so easy to relate too. Nora is just your normal teenager and one day her life completely turns around. Patch, wow... What can I say? I am in love with a fictional character haha. He was so bold and full of himself in a good way that it just made him so sexy! Their love was definitely bad boy falls for goodie goodie. 

What I liked the most about this book though was that I could not guess for the life of me what was going to happen next. From page one the Becca pulls you in and I thought I knew how it's going to go, but everytime I thought I knew what was going to happen I was shocked at how off I was!  This book to me was not predictable at all. I was definitely at the edge of my seat with this book. I recommend this book to everyone! I just hope that the second one is just as good or even better. A Must Read! 

The Iron King By Julie Kagawa by Dee

I want to post our first review about The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. This is the book I have read recently (Dee) and I am so in love with this series. Just a quick run down about what the book is about

"Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series."

Now I originally made a review on my goodreads account so I am going to just copy and paste it here, but with some extra stuff lol.

I have to admit at first I was little hesitant to read this book and I don't really know why, but I am glad that I did. A friend recommended this book to me (and she normally recommends books I fall in love with :-P) and the minute I opened this book at 7am by 3pm I was done. I could not put it down. The only thing I did not like was that it took a while to really bring the love interest Ash into the story. It was like a tease waiting for him. He is introduced in a couple of chapters, but nothing really big. See I read mostly love stories and romance so I was waiting, but once he is in the story you can not help but fall in love with him and be happy you waited. I love the way him and Meg fall in love. Puck was a little annoying to me because I don't really like boys that are cocky or whatever, but eventually you find a spot for him hehe. I also love Grim's personality. He tries to pretend that he does not concern himself with anything but yet he is always there lol.

I love the way the author wrote this book! Everything was described so well that picturing in your head was not hard at all! The world she takes you into seems so real! I love her writing!!! I can not wait to read book 2 which I hear is even better than book one and a whole lot of Ash! yay!! I give this book 5 *****! A must read!