Book Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

Young Adult > Paranormal > Post-Apocalyptic

(Blood of Eden #3)

Vengeance will be hers.

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

Monster.

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions – her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost – the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie. 

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

THE FINAL HUNT IS ON.

Book 1: The Immortal Rules review

Book 2: The Eternity Cure review

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This finale was such a letdown, as I loved the first two books.

The first time I picked up The Forever Song to read, I put it down upon reaching Chapter 4. It would be weeks before I dared to continue. It was soo boring. And flat. Did I already mention boring? Julie Kagawa‘s storytelling might be growing out on me.

Allison was repetitive. Always with the hunger, the snarling, the promise of revenge against Sarren (but when the showdown was revealed, how pitiful Allie was). It was a never-ending lament on how she will destroy the lunatic vampire, and constant bickering with Jackal in-between. It really took forever to get the story into shape!

And there’s a lot of walking going on. Gah.

I asked myself: Am I getting used to JKagawa writing already? Because I found The Forever Song to be very predictable.

Zeke is still an emo boy. How come I cannot connect with him? There was no swoon factor. Kanin is the ever-efficient killing vampire, Allie is almost always fangirling about her Master. And Jackal missing the best fight of his existence? Oh, come on! Not fair! 😦

I liked The Immortal Rules, loved The Eternity Cure. I only finished The Forever Song for the sake of reading the whole series until its weary ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for granting my galley request.

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THE FOREVER SONG by Julie Kagawa

Kindle Edition, 416 pages

Published April 15th 2014 by Harlequin Teen

2/5 stars

Book Review: Archangel’s Legion by Nalini Singh

Adult Paranormal Romance > Angels | Vampires

(Guild Hunter #6)

Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicious, unknown force.

Vampires are dying impossibly of disease.

Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael’s Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York…and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same…

Book 1: Angel’s Blood review       Book 2: Archangel’s Kiss review

Book 3: Archangel’s Consort review       Book 4: Archangel’s Blade review

Book 5: Archangel’s Storm review

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…so badass. 😀

I believe this is the most action-packed Guild Hunter novel to date. And I was not even distracted by Elena-Raphael lovey-dovey scenes. And that ending, holy smokes, that was ten ways of awesome!

I knew I was right to continue this series. *fist pump*

War is inevitable. When angels fall from the sky, and the Hudson river runs red, it won’t be long before the archangels lose their minds (or stand greater than they ever were) and begin the war.

I saw glimpses of Aodhan, and Illium, too. Yay! And after every installment, Elena and Raphael’s relationship reached a new level, and I liked that. Not only is the plot evolving to new heights, but the characters are turning into hero- and villain-worthy roles. =)

The last few chapters are fantastic. I could not quite turn the pages faster than my excitement! I believe New York is now ready to face the war that’s been brewing even before the Cascade began? *grins*

Archangel’s Legion. I could not grasp the enormity of it, the impact it might have for Elena and Raphael‘s future. But I am going to find that out. Let’s get moving with the writing then,Nalini Singh! (Pretty please?)

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ARCHANGEL’S LEGION by Nalini Singh

Ebook, 384 pages

Published October 29th 2013 by Penguin Group (USA)

..

4.5/5 stars

Book Review: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Young Adult > Paranormal > Post-Apocalyptic

(Blood of Eden #2)

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Book 1: The Immortal Rules review

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…Not surprising in many ways, but still gory fun. 😀

My good friend Janus tells me that she found The Eternity Cure too slow for her liking. I didn’t. It was relatively easy for me to finish this sequel. Simply put, Julie Kagawa‘s vampire series is bloodier, more menacing, and unmistakingly lethal than ever.

Allison is stronger now, because she knew that in order to save her sire from his worst nightmare (hers, too), she needs to be in her top form. She doesn’t want to think about what (and who) she left in New Eden. Or her inevitable face-off with her blood brother. Or the monster that’s waiting for her when she finds Kanin.

The predictability of certain twists was a bit sore for me, but the bloody gore made up for it. Allison was a “better” vampire, if you can call her that. I think that being a vampire made her more human than when she was a Fringer.

I really, really Zeke here. He’s struggling with Jeb’s teachings clashing with his feelings for Allie. His emotions were blatantly displayed all throughout the book, and yet this made him more compact both as a soldier and as a human.

Jackal was very magnetic. He made the gloomy situations light, even laughable at times. But I still think he’s dangerous. So here’s another one to add in my collection of bad villains that I really love. 😀

The Eternity Cure is an impressive sequel. It made me think that even if I haven’t read the Iron Fey series, with Blood of Eden series alone I would still be a Julie Kagawa fan.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for granting my galley request.

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THE ETERNITY CURE by Julie Kagawa

Kindle Edition

Published April 30th 2013 by Harlequin Teen

4/5 stars

Book Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Young Adult > Paranormal

(Blood of Eden #1)

To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred ofthem—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again.

Enter Julie Kagawa’s dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

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So.. where can I buy a katana? 😀

The makeup of The Immortal Rules is very different from Iron Fey series. It’s a far cry from the playfulness of Puck, the naivete of Meghan, and the renewal of Ash. But it doesn’t mean it didn’t favor my big appetite for post-apocalyptic themes. I reveled at the bleakness of Allison’s vampire world! This solidifies Julie Kagawa‘s versatility in writing. Hey Julie, I am a fan!

For such a dark content, the MC should also be dark as well. Not necessarily evil, just not unsuspecting to the dangerous world she’s in. And Allie did not disappoint. Her main purpose is to survive. Even if she sees her friends getting killed, she forcefully walked away for self-preservation. But she is not without guilt of being alive. It ate at her everyday.

And the thing I liked about Allie‘s character was that she was just not a vampire. She trained and got skills from her sire. She was a fighter, then a warrior! I would like to think that Allie can defend herself with more than just her fangs. Right? Not to mention she has no qualms of hurting someone because she was threatened. This is a girl who will not take a beating lying down. *fist pump*

The love interest was too much of a boy-next-door for my taste, but he also have merits, for he was a skilled fighter, too.

Paranormal and post-apocalyptic themes never did well for me, but The Immortal Rules changed my mind. It was sinister at the beginning until the end. I love it!

Hopelessness? Check. Kick-*ss heroine? Check. A devious plot that will suck you in? Check.

This is not a fairy tale. It’s the end of the world. Vampires are lording over humans, and Rabids are ravaging the ruins. I say: Unsheath that katana, Allison! Let’s draw blood. *evil, evil grin*

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for granting my galley request.

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THE IMMORTAL RULES by Julie Kagawa

Kindle Edition, 484 pages

Published April 24th 2012 by Harlequin Teen

4/5 stars

Book Review: Angel’s Flight by Nalini Singh

Rating:

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance > Angels | Vampires

(Guild Hunter #0.5, 1.5, 4.5, 4.75)

In Angel’s Wolf a vampire becomes fascinated with the seductive angel who rules Louisiana. But all is not what it appears to be in her court.

In Angels’ Judgment a hunter must track one of her own gone bad, while surviving the deadly tests placed in her way by the archangels themselves. Unexpected backup comes from a stranger who might just be the most lethal threat of all…

Plus FIRST TIME IN PRINT

In Angels’ Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless…

And NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED

In Angels’ Dance an angel trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge finds herself under siege by a warrior angel from a martial court.

Book 1: Archangel’s Blood review | Book 2: Archangel’s Kiss review

Book 3: Archangel’s Consort review | Book 4: Archangel’s Blade review

*****

I will never, never get tired of Nalini Singh’s stories. *happiness*

Angel’s Flight is a compilation of stories for some notable characters in the Guild Hunter series.

Angels’ Pawn – Ashwini & Janvier
Angels’ Judgement – Sarah & Deacon
Angels’ Wolf – Nimra & Noel
Angels’ Dance – Jessamy & Galen

I already read Angels’ Pawn (it has a solo ebook) and I enjoyed it. A little short, but entertaining nonetheless. I heart Janvier. 🙂

Angels’ Judgement is about Sarah before she was Guild Director. Deacon is such a bad-*ss human in the world of angels and vampires! And now i know why their dog is called Slayer. *winks*

Noel’s story is brutal. Cold yet (sometimes) compassionate Nimra is the perfect companion for him. I think Angels’ Judgement is my favorite out of the four novellas.

Angels’ Dance revealed how Jessamy and Galen got together. And the dance… WOW. It was so fantastic to read about it! Also, I thoroughly enjoyed the sparring sessions; Dmitri getting whipped by an angel? So good! And yes, a younger Ilium also appeared here. He’s courting the mortal that will be his downfall. Anywhere he appears, I follow. Haha! Ilium FTW!

Guild Hunter fans will devour Angels’ Flight. I think that every time I get sick of the Elena-Raphael tandem, I will reread the stories in here. 🙂

Book Review: Guild Hunter #5: Archangel’s Storm by Nalini Singh

Rating:

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance > Angels | Vampires

(Guild Hunter #5)

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.

Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price—Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.

With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

Book 1: Archangel’s Blood review | Book 2: Archangel’s Kiss review

Book 3: Archangel’s Consort review | Book 4: Archangel’s Blade review

*****

Whenever I thought of my reading experience of Archangel’s Storm, only one word comes to mind. Sophisticated.

This is my favorite Guild Hunter story to date! Jason, you’re so awesome, but Ilium is still the angel for me. 🙂

I’ve known since Angels’ Blood that Jason will be a very interesting character. I was right. Archangel’s Storm has a sturdy storyline, fluid and very consistent characters, and (yes, I felt that I should stress this) refined and not-so-frequent lovemaking scenes. Oh yes, Nalini Singh, I am a very, very happy reader indeed!

Jason is slow-burning. His cunning and brilliant perception of people and situations are amazing. I liked the fact that Jason and Mahiya started off as suspicious of each other. No insta-love there. And their secrets are revealed one at a time. Snippets of Jason’s horrible memories from childhood appeared progressively throughout the book, making me anticipate more with every turn of a page. I reveled at the idea that Jason will never say pretty words and offer beautiful lies to Mahiya. It adhered to his character so much, making his affinity with shadows and darkness all the more enticing.

For Jason and Mahiya who never wanted to reveal all their secrets, intimacy and sex will be an issue. But Singh handled those scenes magnificently. How? It took me half of the book before there ever was a sex scene. And if you ever read any of Singh’s works, that showed restraint! Just like Jason, who contains his strength and allows no one to tie himself with. It was played beautifully, both Jason and Mahiya vulnerable to each other, making it memorable. Horrors of their past compared to finding each other and accepting the darkness with it? So worth it! I wished they have a scene where they could’ve danced at well. *winks*

In some twisted way, I like Neha. Ruthless and cruel, but she has honor. And despite the arrogance that is naturally inherent to archangels, it is apparent that Neha loved her consort.

But I’m not sure why there are Dmitri’s POV in this installment. I think I had enough of him and Honor from Archangel’s Blade. It did nothing to add to Jason’s story… so why am I reading about Dmitri again?

I adored Jason’s story so much. Now. I. Want. Ilium’s. Please, Nalini Singh?

Book Review: Intangible by J. Meyers

Rating: 

Genre: Young Adult > Paranormal

Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.

(An ebook copy was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.)

*****

Intangible has potential. It would’ve been good if not for Sera’s overdramatic antics. I like Luke’s POV more than Sera’s. Luke is funny and 100% teenage boy! I enjoyed his musings, especially his ‘Fey’ musings. haha! Meyer’s writing is easy to get into. And did i mentioned i totally dig that book cover?

Oh, this is about vampires and elves. How the ‘Children of the Prophecy’ can change the real world and the Realm. How Sera and Luke are threats to these creatures.

Intangible started out strong. But then the love interest came along. Marc. Aargh. I despise him. Something about his character that is so unlikeable. Good thing Luke’s prophecy about Marc came true. I wouldn’t like him to be a part of Sera’s and Luke’s life.

It’s surprising that the secondary characters is what attracted me more in the story: Fey and Jonas. They are true to their nature and more bad-*ss than the twins.

I liked how the story panned out. I just lost interest in the middle when Sera’s teenage drama commenced. Eventually, it led me to think that the story is too long. And it was not explained how Marc ‘thudded’ the vamps into unconsciousness. Ha! I know ‘thudded’ is not a verb, but that’s what comes to mind (there are a lot of ‘thuds’ involved when the vamps went down).

Hey, if you are into paranormal stuff, i think you will love Intangible. The ending was quite satisfying should this be a standalone.

 

COVERed: Archangel’s Storm by Nalini Singh

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Book Release: 09/04/2012

(Guild Hunter #5)

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha’s consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.

Earning Neha’s trust comes at a price—Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.

With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare… and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

*****

I am so glad this cover is reminiscent of the first three books. I didn’t like Archangel’s Blade’s – Dimitri came across as fake. This cover is not much, and yet it draws me to stare. Probably because Jason’s character is intriguing (and i like him!). Dark, brooding, mysterious. And. I. want. to. know. more. It’s about time Nalini Singh graces us with Jason’s story!!!

While I wait for my beloved Ilium’s story from Nalini, I will gladly anticipate (and later savor, i hope) Jason’s. 🙂

Haven’t heard of the Guild Hunter series? Better read it now. These are not your typical (arch)angels. *evil grin*

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Guild Hunter #4: Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh

Rating:

(Guild Hunter #4)

The severed head marked by a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts honed over hundreds of years of life compel the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past…but Dmitri’s need to discover the truth is nothing to the vicious strength of his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.

Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with the seductive vampire who is an archangel’s right hand, and who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality…the same vampire who has been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.

As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting…and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more…

Book 1: Archangel’s Blood review | Book 2: Archangel’s Kiss review | Book 3: Archangel’s Consort review

***** ***** *****

DECADENT.

Archangel’s Blade is sinful; very, very sinful! This book is, by far, the strongest and the most solid story among the Guild Hunter series. Nalini Singh wrote Dmitri’s character very consistently and i loved that. Even though I was irritated on how (or why) Honor and Dmitri connected, I can’t deny that I really enjoyed the book. How i’ve missed these cruel angels and impossible vampires!

Honor and Dmitri both have painful, horrible pasts. Whereas Honor still finds compassion among the helpless, Dmitri has none. I can imagine Honor’s struggle and determination to survive, as much as Dmitri‘s decision to kill his humanity through cruelty. They are both fighters, literally and emotionally. Though the general atmosphere of the plot is about dark, bloody vengeance, it was balanced by snippets of Ilium‘s (Yey!) and Raphael‘s humor. Venom is getting really interesting! I believe he’s starting to grow on me. Jason is brooding – an air of sentimentality laced with pain – man, he’s gonna be the bomb for the next book. Ms. Nalini Singh, about Bluebell’s story?!! 😉

Archangel’s Blade is a hard but rewarding read. Dmitri’s world is lethal; Honor’s is unforgiving. Reading it makes me think of a phoenix: in order to rise and have a new life, Dmitri and Honor must die and be grinded into dust until there’s none left. I am still not a fan of Dmitri, but i think his story is more compelling and well-written than Rafael’s.

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Vampire Academy #4: Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

RATING:

(Vampire Academy #4)

Rose Hathaway’s life will never be the same. 

The recent attack on St. Vladimir’s Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose’s neck, a mark that says she’s killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life’s vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She’ll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved? 

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir’s and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

Book 1: Vampire Academy review | Book 2: Frostbite review | Book 3: Shadow Kiss review

*****

REVELATIONS.

Blood Promise started out great, got boring in the middle, then slamdunkenly surprising in the end (well almost, there’s this one part that i’m pretty sure is predictable). I have mixed feelings on this one, but the wrap-up made all the difference for it to garner 4 stars. Really, Richelle Mead, i thought you’re running out of material and yet this fourth book shoots to a whole new level of awesome.

Rose went to Russia (or was it Siberia already?) to look for Dmitri’s hometown in hopes of finding him there.  She met Sydney (the alchemist), Abe (the mobster), and eventually Dmitri’s family (the Belikovs). Rose is on the verge of a being a lost cause: she misses Lissa (which is still a weakling, ugh), she still can’t find Dmitri, and she’s haunted by Dmitri’s memories. I felt bad for her, but she’s strong. But when she became that one thing she fears the most (after her fear of turning Strigoi), I started to condemn her. She lost her dhampir skills and abilities which took up a lot of time. Sigh. But she bumped her head, retrieved her senses (thank God!) and got better in the end. I love the last part of the book, nearing the end, where she doesn’t give up despite the odds being stacked against her. Wow, that’s resilience.

There are a lot of new characters here, and the expansion was workable on Rose’s story that is still evolving to new adventures.

Blood Promise is a startling read. When you lose someone you love, do you try your best to move on? or do you pursue any idea, no matter how crazy it is,  and do it just to bring them back? How about you and Rose have a talk, because she’s contemplating this as well, since her love for Dmitri certainly knows no bounds.

#23 Off-the-Shelf Reading Challenge 2011

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”