[Book Review] Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan

Reign of Shadows

Author: Sophie Jordan 

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Young Adults

Pages: 304 (Hardcover)

Released: February 9, 2016 

Publisher: HarperTeen 

Targeted Audience: Teens

How I Heard About It: Die hard Sophie Jordan fan. 

Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna’s survival depends on the world believing she is dead.

But that doesn’t stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.

With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.

Happy six month anniversary Reign of Shadows!

I should start off by saying that even though I am barely reviewing the book now, I didn’t just read it. It’s been months. In fact, I read it when it first came out and destroyed the book in three days. I mean that in a good way. Once I got my hands on the book, I only put it down when I absolutely had to.

Because Sophie Jordan is a local Houston author, I’m able to go to several of her book signings. While she was promoting her Uninvited Series, she talked about another future project. Reign of Shadows was that series. Without giving too much away, she spoke about writing Luna and the challenges in writing someone who wasn’t your normal protagonist.

I had to applaud Sophie Jordan’s talent in writing that very important aspect of the book and character. I went in thinking this was the book she was talking about. By page 10, I wasn’t so convinced it was because she had done such a good job of being subtle about such a big thing. So, even though I was sort of expecting it, by the time the big twist was reveal, and that’s about 40 pages into the book, there was still some shock to it. 

While reading a book, there are a number of things I look for; storyline, character development, relationships, plot twist. There was a perfect combination of all of those in this book. 

Storyline/Writing. 

Before I read the book, I saw a bunch of reviews comparing it to the story of Rapunzel & the Disney move, Tangled. While I saw some similarities, I felt like it was a story of it it’s own. I’ve been a fan of Sophie Jordan’s for many years and always find myself loving her writing. She did a great job of writing this story.  

Character Development:

I hate books that don’t have character development. I feel that the main characters should be changed in some way or another by the obstacles they face in the book. That happened exactly to Luna and Fowler. They aren’t the same people at the end of the book that they were at the beginning of the book.

Relationships:

There was two types of relationships that played an important role in Reign of Shadows. First the relationship that Luna has with the two people who took care of her for all those years. They obviously care about her beyond the wall of duty. Again, without spoiling anything, I really hope we somehow get to see some more of that in book two. 

Then there’s the relationship between Luna and Fowler. Both for their own reasons are very untrusting of the other for a good part of the book. That was the aspect of their relationship that had my attention. I was waiting for that moment when they would both acknowledge that they need and want the other person there. If that moment happens or not, you’ll have to read for yourself. 

Plot Twist: 

There was a big reveal at the end that I did not see coming at all. In fact my sister was in the next room and asked if everything was okay. To which I answered, “The book!” Luckily, she’s a bookworm herself and completely understood. Looking back, there were many signs leading up to this big reveal. As someone who reads a lot, I should have picked up on them, but I didn’t. So, GOOD JOB, SOPHIE JORDAN! Another great book! 

5 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR REIGN OF SHADOWS BY SOPHIE JORDAN

[Book Review] The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

The Choice 

Author: Nicholas Sparks 

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, 

Pages: 272 (Hardcover)

Released: September 24, 2007 

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing 

Targeted Audience: Women 

How I Heard About It: Nicholas Sparks novel turned movie that has Tom Welling in it. Of course, I’m going to read it.

Summary (from Goodreads): 

Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life -- boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies -- he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the appealing redhead seems to have a chip on her shoulder about him...and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help. Despite himself, Travis can't stop trying to ingratiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage and family, The Choice ultimately confronts us with the most heartwrenching question of all: how far would you go to keep the hope of love alive? 

In honor of The Choice DVD release today, I’m doing a book review for the first time in almost two years. Hopefully this is the first of many because I’ve missed blogging a lot. 

One of the main reasons I picked up the book was because I knew Tom Welling was going to be in the movie adaptation. I’ve read a handful of Nicholas Sparks books so I knew enough about the way he tells a story to know I was going to enjoy the book. 

The book caught my attention right away. I love when a book starts off at one point and then the rest of the book is a lead up to figure out how the characters got to that point.

I had a little trouble at first believing the romance because a big portion of the book takes place in such a short time, but that’s more of a personal preference. I tend to like the slow burn, but this novel brought up a great point in showing how fast falling in love with someone could be. 

As for the characters themselves, the strong characters are what sold the book for me. Nicholas Sparks did a very good job of creating different characters with different personalities that bounced around nicely with each other. From Travis’s relationship with his sister to the relationship he has with 

From puppies to bantering relationships, I could not put this book down! A nice quick read if you’re looking for a book that will make you feel good (and cry depending on how easy that comes). 

How It Compares To The Movie: There was so many differences between the book and the movie, but I didn’t find myself minding them. Tom Welling’s character was way more important in the movie than he was in the book. A win in my opinion. There was an added storyline with Travis’s dad that was not in the book and I really enjoyed in the movie. 

4 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE CHOICE BY NICHOLAS SPARKS 

MOVIE TRAILER:

[Book Review] The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Summary (from Goodreads): Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Author: John Green

Edition: Hardcover

Pages: 318

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Published: January 10, 2012 by Dutton Books

Reading Level: Teens

If you are from the age of 14-25 or just a reader aware of popular books, you’ve heard of The Fault In Our Stars at least once in the last two and a half years. With the movie coming out soon, the hype has increased in the last year. For the past couple of years with more and more books becoming movies, I’ve learned that I don’t really care for the really famous books. Maybe it has to do with everyone trying to tell me I’m going to love the book. So, rebel in me of course has to disagree. 
With that being said, I did like The Fault In Our Stars. However, I didn’t fall in love with it like everyone told me I would. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read, far from it, in fact, but it wasn’t a personal favorite. 

Plot: The plot is very unique. To start with, the book doesn’t have one character with cancer where the rest of the characters deal with it, but several characters who are living with cancer and their families dealing with it. What I really liked about that was that each of the character dealt with it in their own way. 
Another big part of the plot was Hazel’s love for Peter Van Houten. That’s kind of the part where I lost interest. While it does play a part in the love story later on, I felt like there was a lot of it in the beginning that kind of bored me.   

Characters: I really liked Hazel personality. She thinks outside of what life will be like if she dies and I tend to do that to. In a way, even though I didn’t really care for Augustus, I liked who she became with her relationship with him.   
I didn’t fall in love with Augustus the way I’ve fallen in love with other male fictional characters. Maybe it was because I read (or rather went back and forth between reading and listening to the audiobook on Youtube) the book in only a couple of days. I didn’t grow attached to him. 

Relationships: I really loved Hazel and Augustus’s relationship with their friend. They are silly together. They get each other. It works.
I also really love the relationship between Hazel and her family and Augustus with his family along with the families relationships with each other. 

Romance: If you’re a fan of romance, you’re going to love that aspect of the book. It’s heavily displayed throughout the entire book. Rather, it is the foundation of basically every storyline in the book. 
The romance is where I feel a lot of people love this story. It’s the reason why there is so much hype surrounded around the book (and now the movie). Even though the characters are going through a very rough time, the romance between Augustus and Hazel kept this as a feel good read.  

3 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR THE FAULT IN OUR STARS BY JOHN GREEN.

Movie Trailer:

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[Book Review] Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Summary (from Goodreads):
They come first.

My vision was growing dimmer, the blackness and ghosts closing in. I swore it was like I could hear Robert whispering in my ear: The world of the dead won't give you up a second time. Just before the light completely vanished, I saw Dimitri's face join Lissa's. I wanted to smile. I decided then that if the two people I loved most were safe, I could leave this world.

The dead could finally have me.

Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose - for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back...and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?

Join Rose, Dimitri, Adrian, and Lissa in Last Sacrifice, the epic, unforgettable finale to Richelle Mead's international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series.

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: Vampire Academy #6 

Edition: Hardcover

Pages: 594

Genres: Fantasy/Paranormal, Young Adult, Romance 

Published: December 7, 2010

Reading Level: Teens 

Plot: 
It’s the final book of the Vampire Academy series, so naturally, there’s going to be a lot of stuff happening. More problems are going to arise that will have to find a way to get resolved by the end of the book. Some of those problems won’t find their solution. That’s where I believe the Bloodline series comes to play.   

Characters: 

Looking back, there was so much character growth since book one. All of the characters, or most of them (you’ll understand once you read it), have found a way to be strong not only as a united group, but also as individuals.

Relationships: 

I think it’s funny how Lissa and Rose’s friendship is one of my favorite fictional relationships yet they spend a majority of these books being torn apart. Maybe that’s part of the reason I like it so much. Even when they are apart, they have a really strong friendship. 

Romance: 
As far as relationships go, this was the hardest of the books to get by. There are two guys Rose could be with. Only one will end up with her. One of them is going to get their heart broken. That, in my opinion was really hard to watch. 
But at the same time, I felt like Rose ended up with who she was supposed to be. I won’t spoil who it is, but the Richelle Mead picked the right guy.  

Writing: 
I’ve come to really love Richelle Mead’s writing in the last year. Based on the internet following she has, I’m not the only one. That’s a lot of components about her writing that I love, but I think it all goes back to how strong her characters are.   

Hopes for Spin-Off:
I only know a list of things about the spin off. I know who the main girl is. I know who the love interest (or at least one of them) is. Other than that, nothing. I look forward to reading about it cause I feel like it’s gong to be a story of it’s own.   
 
5 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR LAST SACRIFICE BY RICHELLE MEAD.

Check out my reviews for the other book in this series. 

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy *1)

Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)

Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3)

Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4)

Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5)

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[Book Review] Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Summary (from Goodreads):

Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong...

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him... forever.

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: Vampire Academy #5 

Edition: Hardcover

Pages: 489

Genres: Fantasy/Paranormal, Young Adult, Romance 

Published: May 18, 2010 

Reading Level: Teens 

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve hated the idea of staying still. So rather than have my sister yell at me because I didn’t do the dishes or fold the laundry, I’ve been doing it on my own as I should be. But I also knew I wanted to get through the Vampire Academy series as soon as possible.

I never really thought about listening to audiobooks until I learned that Molly Quinn who plays Alexis Castle on ABC’s Castle, voiced some of The Mortal Instrument books. With that idea in mind, I looked for the audiobook on Youtube and stumbled across a Youtuber who reads chapter by chapter in each video. It was perfect. When I was done with chores, I would find exactly where I was on my hardcover copy and jump straight in.   

Plot: 

So much happened in the fifth book of the Vampire Academy Series. Looking back at how it started and how it ended, it’s almost weird how much changed just in one book. With one thing that was solved, another problem would rise. 

Characters: 

The reader really gets to know more about Adrian than the previous three books he was in showed. Sure, the readers know his history and what status he has, but in Spirit Bound, the reader gets to know more about Adrian’s character. We get to see a softer side of him.

There’s also a different side of Lissa that is shown. In the other four books, it’s pretty clear that Lissa isn’t really a fighter. In Spirit Bound, she is forced to show that fighter and stronger side of herself. 

Relationships: 

I’ve always said I’ve loved the Lissa and Rose friendship. Each book they prove more and more how much they are willing to do for each other. How far they will go just to help the other one out. A lot of that has been Rose doing things for Lissa. In Spirit Bound, Lissa does a lot for Rose.  

Romance: 

I’ve always been Team Dimitri. Even though I liked Adrian, I didn’t care for Rose and Adrian as much as I loved Dimitri and Rose. However, in showing more of Adrian’s softer side, Richelle Mead made me start to like the idea of Dimitri and Adrian.

The triangle was stronger than ever. During Frostbite there was a Dimitri/Rose/Mason triangle, but it was clear Dimitri was the front runner. Here it’s not so clear. Rose has a connection between both boys in two different ways.

5 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR SPIRIT BOUND BY RICHELLE MEAD 

Check out my reviews for the other books in the series:

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)

Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)

Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3)

Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4)

Here is the audiobook videos I was talking about:

And if you're new to the series, check out the first chapter of the first book:

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[Book Review] Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Summary (from Goodreads):

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

Author: Sophie Jordan

Series: Uninvited #1

Edition: Hardcover

Pages: 384

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Published: January 28, 2014 by HarperTeen

Reading Level: Teens 

So, it a given that anything Sophie Jordan writes, I’m going to read. It’s an even bigger given that if it’s a YA book, I’m going to start reading it after I’ve bought it and in the car on the way home. 

Plot: 

I hate to admit this, but I’m not a fan of dystopian books (and by fan I mean it’s not my favorite genre because I’ve found myself liking a couple of them). So, when I heard Sophie Jordan was going to write one, I didn’t know how to feel about it because I knew it would be an awesome book if her name was attached to it.

Uninvited ended up being one of my favorite “dystopian” books that I’ve read. During her book launch party, Sophie Jordan referred to it as not being dystopian, but more pre-dystopian. That’s the perfect way to describe it. While it is in the future, it’s not too far off. 

  

Setting: 

I always like books that are set in Texas. Call it my weird way of relating to the book or whatever. I was 100% fine with it until half way into the book. 

“A ____ _______. At a mall and stadium in Houston.” 

Without giving away too much of the book, I’ll say that THAT was the sentence that made me close the book just for a little bit. The situation hit close to home. I got chills reading it. That just goes to say how good Sophie Jordan’s writing is.     

Characters:

In the beginning, even before the reader find out about Davy’s “kill gene” the reader learns about her plans for her future. It almost felt like Sophie Jordan could have written a book about Davy without the kill gene and just going off to college and that would have been a good book too. She does it so well that when all her dreams start falling apart because of her newly discovered kill gene, I actually sorry for this person that didn’t really exist. 

 

Relationship:

I starting the book liking Davy’s relationship with Tori. Davy’s best friend seemed to be jealous of her spending so much time with her boyfriend. I liked where that was going. However, that changes very fast. 

I loved Davy’s relationship with her brother, Mitchell. There seemed to be an unconditional love between them that sometimes lighten the mood when things were dark with the rest of her family. 

I also loved Davy and Gil’s relationship. It was genuine from the very start and it’s obvious that they care a lot about each other. 

Romance:

For a majority of the book, there isn’t really the lovey dovey romance. If you’re looking for a book where the characters are going to spend a lot of the time making out and telling each other how much they love one another, this isn’t it. However, if you’re looking for a book where there is lots of getting to know about one another as schoolmates/friends and dare I say sexual tension, this is perfect for you.

I’ll give you a *little* spoiler and how I reacted when I read it. When the two main characters finally do kiss, my sister just happened to be telling me something. I was so caught up in what was going on in the book, that I told her if she could please tell me once I finished the chapter. Luckily, as an extreme reader herself, she understood.  

Creative Way of Writing: 

It was the writing that really stuck out for me. 

Sophie Jordan has a way of writing that makes me want to continue reading. Usually, I pick up a book and it’ll take me about a month to read it cause well, I’m lazy at reading. The first night after I bought the book, I found myself on page 80 or so. I believe (and if I’m wrong and it was another author that said it, oops) Sophie Jordan once said that she likes when readers take their time to read her books. At the rate I was going, I knew I was going to finish fast. So, I had to put the book down for a couple of days. Then pick it back up. Put it down. That was pretty much how I went about it. 

I can’t really tell you what *exactly* it is about Sophie Jordan’s writing that is very fast paced about it. I guess you’re just going to have to find out for yourself. 

5 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR UNINVITED BY SOPHIE JORDAN.   

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[Book Review] Pretty In Pearls by Tera Lynn Childs

Summary (from Goodreads):
Undersea romance with captivating merboys, deep friendship, and spectacular pearls.

Set in Tera Lynn Childs’ fin-flicking world that began with Forgive My Fins, this 100-page digital novella focuses on Periwinkle Wentletrap, Princess Lily’s best friend, and is perfect for fans of mermaids, light romance, and mythology retellings.

As Princess Lily’s emissary, Peri works hard to make sure her best friend knows all the goings on in the underwater kingdom of Thalassinia. The upcoming Sea Harvest Dance means plenty of fun for them, too, including shopping for jewels, trims, and dress making supplies. Peri especially loves the pearls she finds at Thalassinia’s marketplace—and she might be falling head over fins for Riatus, the thoughtful pearl trader who looks like a dashing pirate.

When Lily realizes her friend has a crush, she is determined to help them get together in time for the dance—except her matchmaking efforts backfire, sweeping Peri into dangerous depths and tangled in confusing tides. Should Peri give up on Riatus and find a different date to the Sea Harvest Dance, or will they finally find a way to float along the same current?

Author: Tera Lynn Childs

Series: Fins (Book #3.5)

Edition: ebook

Pages: 100

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mermaids

Published: January 7, 2014 by Katherine Tegen Books 

Reading Level: Teens 

Plot: Considering the novella was only a 100 pages, there was a lot of things that went on. When I heard Tera Lynn Childs was doing an e-book for her Fins series, I was expecting it to be as dark as it was. It was a nice surprise. 

That’s not to say that this is a dark book, because it definitely isn’t, but considering it was a short story, I thought there wasn’t a lot of room to make conflict. But then again this is Tera Lynn Childs and her writing is always amazing. 

Characters: Peri being Lily’s best friend gave readers just a fraction of insight as to who she is. There was more to her. I love how back and forth she was with her feelings for Riatus. Riatus is a character I wish I could read more of. I loved both Peri and Riatus’ characters when they interacted with each other. 

Relationships: I loved Lily and Peri’s friendship. Lily setting Peri up on a date was my favorite moment that the two of them shared in Pretty In Pearls. I’d love to read more stories that focused on their friendship.  

Romance: What I love about Tera Lynn Childs when it comes to her writing romance is the way she keeps her characters apart due to blank problem. A lot (and I mean A ALOT) of the YA books I’ve read put the couple together in the first 1/3 of the book then they must fight together to fix whatever blank problem they need to handle. 

Keeping the couple apart makes the story refreshing. It’s different from other books and so I like it. 

Way of Writing: I’ve always loved Tera Lynn Child’s writing. In Pretty In Pearls, I felt like Childs was able to explore the mermaid world in a way she hadn’t done before. She wrote about the mermaid world in her Fins books, but considering the entire novella was set there this time, she had to focus on it more. 

And since I hate reviews that come close to how long the book/story is, I’ll leave it with this:

4 OUT OF 5 STARS FOR PRETTY IN PEARLS BY TERA LYNN CHILDS 

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[Book Review] Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Summary (from Goodreads):
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?

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: Vampire Academy (Book #4)

Edition: Hardcover

Pages: 503

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Published: April 6, 2010 by Razorbill

Reading Level: Young Adult 

I’ve been reading the Vampire Academy for almost a year now. However, with the Vampire Academy movie now out, I’m making it my goal to read all six of the books as soon as possible.  

With that being said, Blood Promise was the hardest of the four that I’ve read so far to get through. It was a good book, don’t get me wrong, but it wasn’t like the first three books. 

Plot: One of the reasons I found it difficult to read was because Rose, the main character, was separate from the rest of the main characters. Because of the events of Shadow Kiss (book #3), Rose is left on her own for a majority of the book. 

Although Rose has to take her own journey apart from the people she cares about, I really like where he journey takes her. Here’s a little spoiler alert for those who have not read the book, Rose meets Dimitri’s family. Before this book, I didn’t even consider it something that would happen yet. After reading the book, I realized why Richelle Mead wrote that into the book. It was needed.  

Characters: The thing I love most about the Vampire Academy series is Rose’s sassy girl attitude. While that was another thing that changed in this book, I was still able to enjoy the characters. 

Dimitri’s character stood out for me in this book. Mead wrote his character in a way that it felt like this story was half in his point of view. He doesn’t really censor himself and it allows the reader to see what’s going on in his mind. 

Relationships: Rose and Lissa’s relationship took a strain in Blood Promise, but at the same time, it was because of that strain that I believe in book #5, I believe their relationship will be stronger. 

I love Rose and Adrian’s back and forth banter. I ship Dimitri and Rose so I don’t really see the romance side of it.  

Romance: Two romances are put to the test. I actually like it more like that. When it’s all happy and lovey dovey, it can get pretty boring. While, the two romances that are put to the test are put to the test in two very different ways, the core of their problems is a personality change given because of supernatural reason. It sounds complicated (and I like that), but it made the story come together in the end.

Creative Way of Writing: Since I started reading the first page of Vampire Academy, I’ve loved Richelle Mead’s writing. She is not afraid to go all in. She kills characters off that we love. She breaks our favorite couples up. Yet, she does it in a way that the readers (or at least myself) don’t hate her.

4 out of 5 stars for Blood Promise by Richelle Mead. 

Book Trailer:

Movie Trailer for Vampire Academy:

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[Book Review] Sweet Legacy by Tera Lynn Childs

Summary (from Goodreads):

The stunning conclusion of Tera Lynn Childs's Greek mythology–based Sweet Venom trilogy is perfect for teen fans of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series.

The girls cannot hesitate as they seek the location of the lost door between the realms, even as monsters and the gods of Olympus descend on San Francisco in battle-ready droves.

Greer must use her second sight to step up and prevent anything from stopping her sisters' mission, even though a god is playing with her mind. Grace wants to trust her adopted brother, Thane; but will his secret put the girls in even more danger? And Gretchen has trained her sisters to stop the monsters, but her role as a huntress comes with more responsibility than she ever imagined.What will the girls' immortal legacy be? Three teenage descendants of Medusa must unite to restore balance to the world in this action-packed series with plenty of romance.

I was so excited to get this book in my hands. I read the first 40 pages online at Barnes and Noble and was tortured with not being able to read the rest. To make it worse, when I went to Tera Lynn Childs’ book signing, she read a scene from the middle of the book that was pretty intense and then... she stopped. I was able to finish the book in a matter of days, but because of school and other things, I haven’t really felt inspired to write a book review. But with NaNoWriMo around the corner, I needed to find something to throw me back into the writing world. So, here are some of my thoughts about the book...

Plot: 

Being the last book in the trilogy, I felt like it was the strongest. It had to be. Every thing came to a close (or did it? You’ll have to read to find out). Being a fan of Tera (and constantly going to her book signings when she is in the area), I’ve learned a few things about how this series differs from her other YA series. She started her other series (Oh. My. Gods. & Forgive My Fins) thinking they were just stand alones. Later she was asked by her publisher to add on to those books, but it wasn’t planned. Opposite to those books, Medusa Girls was contracted as a trilogy.

In my opinion, that is what makes it Tera Lynn Child’s best series. She for saw (for the most part) what the series would about and she wrote it. 

Characters: 

I love that this is a series about three different girls with different lives and different personalities. It makes the series fun. In a way, it feels like I am reading three      

different books because each chapter is told from a each girl’s point of view.

The boys each brought something to the story too. While I did have a favorite of the boys, The other boys were also entertaining.   

Relationships: 

The relationships are what really made the book for me. There’s the relationship the sisters have with each other. The relationships the sisters have with the boys (romance, friendship, banter). The relationship they have with the monsters. 

The relationship the girls have with each other. They haven’t known each other that long. Yet, their closeness and willingness to do anything to protect each other makes it seem like they’ve been in each other’s lives a very long time.  

Romance: 

I felt like the romance in this series wasn’t as strong as the ones in her other series, but the relationship and friendships made up for it. With that being said, I did enjoy each of the three romances she put in the series. Each of the romances had it’s own reason for being. Each romance made sense. 

Creative way of writing: 

I always find myself impressed when a book is written so that the storyline is only a few weeks. In my own writing, I always want to fast forward time. So, I always admire when a writer can do what I can’t. Tera Lynn Childs does this for not one book, not two, but three. Maybe it wasn’t difficult for her, but she still deserves praise for doing a really great job at yet another series. 

5 out of 5 stars to Sweet Legacy by Tera Lynn Childs