Rebel Belle Review

For me the book was just okay. I liked the main character Harper a lot. I liked seeing her struggle with trying to fit into a perfect mold in order to make everyone around her happy.

I really disliked David. I didn't know why he treated Harper the way he did, there was just no excuse for it, and it bothered me that Harper didn't stand up for herself against him. I found David to be a weak character, he was too much of a crybaby for my liking, so it really bothered me when a love interest formed between David and Harper. I knew it was coming and, to me, it felt really forced. I felt she was so much stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally than him.  

I thought it was great that Rachel Hawkins put Harper in a typically male role and David in a typically female role, however I feel like this book was lacking a strong male protagonist. I think I would have enjoyed this book better if there was a second Paladin who maybe was helping, guiding, or training Harper. I did not like the person that was "training" her. They had no business in that role. In that case, David would have then become central to the story as a friend to Harper (which is where I felt they eventually developed), and the other Paladin as her love interest.

I really liked when Harper refused her role as a Paladin. I loved that Harper was finally putting herself first, and was not willing to die for someone else. Especially someone she has disliked her entire life. I liked that I saw the evolution of Harper and how she defended herself more and stood up for herself more as the book progressed. I liked that I could see her strength more and more as I progressed through the book. However that just made me see the weakness of David more and more.

There was a love triangle in the book that I did like the dynamic of, however, after a while it really started to bother me. I was over it. I was ready for Harper to make her decision and move on. I understand that Harper still wanted to keep some semblance of a normal life even though it was getting completely out of control, but she just needed to decide.

I loved Rachel Hawkins writing style and the way she tells a story, it felt very smooth and effortless. A very quick and easy read.

Fire & Flood

5 out of 5 stars. I could not put this book down and I cannot wait for the next installment.

Tella has been yanked out of the world she knew and thrust into solitude. Her parents and dying brother her only company. She learns she has a chance, albeit a dangerous one, to save her brother's life. She enters the Brimstone Bleed, a three month race across four landscapes, pitted against hundreds of competitors, young and old.

At the beginning of the book, Tella's inner monologue, and the silly things she does to have fun seem very realistic to me of a girl who has no one in her life other than her parents and a dying brother.

Once Tella begins the Brimstone Bleed, the decisions she makes, and her actions are so spot on for her character. I like that throughout the book you can see her growth from this young naive girl who just follows others, to someone who is more independent and able to take care of herself. I think that as the series progresses we will see Tella get stronger and stronger. Meanwhile, her inner monologue is still hilarious.

One of my favorite parts in the whole book is the decision that Tella makes right after she gets her Pandora, in the car. I don't want to say what she does, because I don't want to spoil anything, but I will say it is the first real glimpse we get of Tella's inner strength and determination.

Pandoras. Had no clue what they were. When I found out what they were I was confused. Then later when you finally discover exactly what they are, oh dear! Completely unexpected.

I really loved that when Tella got thrust into the Brimstone Bleed, that she was not automatically this "warrior princess" able to master all of her surrounds and challenges. I liked that she had no clue what was going on or even how to survive. That she is learning as she goes.

I'm going to mention a name. Titus. This character...

First swoon: Chapter 26

There is this wicked creepy scene in Chapter 31! Oh, oh, oh!

Favorite quote: "My God. I am in the epicenter of hell, and I'm trying to psychoanalyze some guy."   

Angelfall

5 out of 5 stars. This book was utterly amazing. I cannot believe that a major publishing house did not pick this up to publish and that it was self published! Just amazing.

Wonderfully written and edited!

An intense, dark, apocalyptic tale filled with fantastic characters and more than enough creepy and scary to give you nightmares.

This book takes angels to a whole new level. Gone are the fluffy angles that serve as guardians and protectors, in are the beautifully scary, wrath of God angels bent on destroying mankind.

Susan Ee did a phenomenal job at building the apocalyptical world in which Penryn lives and does all that she can to care for and protect her sister and mother. Even if that means making a deal with Raffe, one of the deadliest of warrior angels, who was sent to destroy the world.

This book takes us on Penryn's quest to save her kidnapped sister. The journey is fraught with danger and peril, but with Penryn's background (which we seamlessly learn about along the way) and Raffe's help, the impossible doesn't seem so impossible.

As you read more of the book and get deeper into the world, the creep and scary factor grow exponentially . Bring on the nephilim and low demons and cannibals and science experiments gone so horribly wrong.

What helps this book from becoming too dark is the back and forth between Penryn and Raffe, which is so darn good, hilarious and laugh out loud at times. The chemistry between these two characters is palpable.

There are so many twists and turns in this book that you never see what's coming next. It keeps you excited to read.

The ending was so unexpected. I had so many WTF moments and literally had to take a few breaks and deep breaths before I could continue. The last few chapters of the book were some of the best in the book.

I will leave you with my favorite quote in the book, don't worry it won't spoil anything, and tell you to GO READ THIS BOOK NOW.

"I never thought about it before, but I'm proud to be human. We're ever so flawed. We're frail, confused violent, and we struggle with so many issues. But all in all, I'm proud to be a Daughter of Man.

Book Review: White Trash Beautiful by Teresa Mummert

Title: White Trash Beautiful

Author: Teresa Mummert

Series: White Trash Trilogy

Published: July 9, 2013

Buy Links: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Add it to GOODREADS

Star Rating: 5 out of 5

I couldn't put this book down. I read it in less than a day. By page 8 my heart was racing. I was so emotionally engaged in Cass's life, the trauma of her situation, the disparity she felt. I was 100% connected to her character. I felt what she was feeling. I knew already that this book was going to bring me to tears, and it did.

This book made me an emotional wreck! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time just waiting for the inevitable to happen. I cringed every time I thought it was coming, but when it finally did come, I had been lulled into a false sense of security, just as Cass had, and I was not prepared for it.

I felt that the decisions that Cass made throughout the book were spot on for the situation that she was in. She was a relatable character from the start and I loved every minute of her journey to find her strength and her happiness. I loved that she became her own "white knight". So powerful.

Tucker's character was good for me. I liked that yes they had a love story going on but it was more a love story between Cass and herself. Her learning to love herself, her discovering her strength and self-worth. She was able to do this with Tucker's help of course, but I never felt like he was overwhelming and pushy. I felt like he just gently nudged Cass to find her way.

Just an amazing story all around.

Book Review: Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter & Smoke and Bone

Author: Laini Taylor

Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone

Published: September 27, 2011

Buy Links: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Add it to GOODREADS

Star Rating: 5 out of 5

From page one you are instantly drawn into the amazing world that Laini Taylor has penned. A world filled with imagination and fraught with mystery and danger. Filled with exotic world locales like Paris, Morocco, and Prague. A world where at first glance everything is normal, but if you take the time to look at the shadows, you will discover a world you never knew.

In this world we find Karou, a blue haired 17 year old girl painted with tattoos studying art in Prague. Karou is such a beautiful mystery, with her alluring looks and her bizarre drawings of otherworldly creatures that no one suspects are real. As the story unfolds we learn more and more about Karou and her mysterious background and her upbringing with Chimaeras. We learn of her struggle to fit in both the mortal world and Elsewhere, the world she was raised in by Brimstone.

The world building is utterly amazing. You feel as if you knew these fantastical worlds have existed forever. You slip in so seamlessly.

This book just made me feel and wonder and question. I was so wrapped up in this new twisted and fantastical world. I thought for sure I knew where Laini Taylor was taking me with Karou and Akiva, but I was SO wrong! Not what I expected at all!

I have of read a book this amazing in a very long time. I am beyond looking forward to the next book in the series.