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Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Synopsis

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart ..

Review

This book has been on my TBA pile for a little while and I wish I had read it earlier.

I loved the fact that even though I'd never read The Red Queen before, it felt as if I had read it a thousand  times.  The story and characters all felt  familiar,  pulling you into their world.

Red Queen tells the story of Mare Barrow is a pickpocket but her time is running out. Like her brothers her 18th birthday is coming and that means a future of serving as a solder. That is because Mare is born into a world were the colour of your blood decides your standing in the world. If you are a silver blood then the world is yours. Food, weather,  security, life and power all come to the silver blood. But if your  blood is red, then you are considered a lesser been. They live in poverty, forced to fight in wars and sacrifice there lifes.

The problem  is Mare's blood isn't like everyone  else. She is different, a mutation. A red born with the power of a Silver, who falls straight  into the world of the silvers.  

Mare is given a route out of the slums, away from her fate of war. After a chance meeting she is summoned  to the palace to work, but this one act of attempted kindness is going to change her world and the world around her forever.
Now in a bid to placate the hunger for a rebellion, she becomes a Red in disguise as a Silver, betrothed to the King’s second son. But it is the king's first son Cal who captures her attention. 

The characterisation was fantastic. We have a set of characters that are tenuous in their beliefs but deep down they are flawed.  Mare Barrow is in it to survive. She knows the stakes and I appreciated her character growth as she realises that there is a greater cause at hand. Cal, the crown prince, lives under the delusion of hierarchy.   Mavenlingers in the backdrop, the second son to a kingdom that will never be his. But you can tell that there is more to him then what u see.
After all anyone can betray you. 

Red Queen  is a a twisted tale of love life and betrayal  that will have you hooked from the start.

 ☆☆☆☆

The Siren by Kiera Cass

Synopsis

From Kiera Cass, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Selection series, comes a captivating stand-alone fantasy romance.

Kahlen is a Siren, bound to serve the Ocean by luring humans to watery graves with her voice, which is deadly to any human who hears it. Akinli is human—a kind, handsome boy who's everything Kahlen ever dreamed of. Falling in love puts them both in danger . . . but Kahlen can't bear to stay away. Will she risk everything to follow her heart?
 

Published -January 26th 2016 by HarperTeen
Original Title -The Siren
Edition - Language -English
Setting - Port Clyde (United States)

Review
Siren is the first book by Kiera Cass  that I have read.  The Siren  is the story of Kahlen, along with her sisters and the Ocean. A siren is a singer, a singer of the Ocean. In order to maintain herself, the Ocean must feed; sirens help her to do that. They serve the Ocean for 100 years, but when Kahlen meets a human  boy her life will never be the same.

This is a straight  forward and classic story. Girl meets boy falls in love but it is forbidden.  But it is because  of this traditional  element that it makes it a beautiful  love story.

Love is a strong theme throughout this story. The love of a parent, love of a sister, love of family, love of the partner. It explores each of these relationships  as the story  unfolds and characters are introduced.

The characters Cass creates are clear and full of life, whether they are a major or a minor. Even the Ocean takes life as she  speaks, and  breathes.   

This is the perfect book for a weekend read. So put the kettle on and get comfortable.

Raelia (The Medoran Chronicles #2)by Lynette Noni

 
Synopsis 

“Life is full of crossroads, Alex. Full of choices.”

Returning for a second year at Akarnae Academy with her gifted friends, Alexandra Jennings steps back through a doorway into Medora, the fantasy world that is full of impossibilities. 

Despite the magical wonder of Medora, Alex’s life remains threatened by Aven Dalmarta, the banished prince from the Lost City of Meya who is out for her blood. 

To protect the Medorans from Aven’s quest to reclaim his birthright, Alex and her friends seek out the Meyarin city and what remains of its ancient race.

Not sure who—or perhaps what—she is anymore, all Alex knows is that if she fails to keep Aven from reaching Meya, the lives of countless Medorans will be in danger. Can she protect them, or will all be lost?

Review

I received  a ARC copy from Pantera Press  for a honest review.

As this book is due for release  towards the end of March. With that in mind i am going to try my best not to spoil the story for you.

With that said  this is the second  book in this series so if you haven't read the first 1, Stop reading this review and start reading Akarnae. (The first book in the series.)

It's time for Alex to return to school, after returning home for the holidays.  Though even that simple task wasn't without drama, but since she arrived  in Medora  Alex life seems to be filled with drama.

What better way to celebrate  her return then attending a party at the palace to celebrate her best friend D.C  or should we say Princess  Delucia Cavelle. Who hasn't made a public appearance  in years.  There is one small catch no one at school knows who D.C really is. So when a few  people from school arrive including their best friends Bear and Jordan,  Alex tries her best to keep D.C secret.

With the school back in its time for Alex and the gang to get back to into the swing of things with combat, equestrian, and archery classes. Though without even trying Alex ends up getting  her self into Hunters exclusive SAS class. A class that everyone ones to be in, well everone except Alex. But making it through Hunters class is the least of her worries. Aven is still hot on her trail determined  to get her to open the door  to the lost city of Meya at any cost.

To spice things up a little Lynette  has not only do we get to meet a few interesting  new characters into the mix. But she has also added a little spark of romance( which I hope we will see bloom in the next book)

I have to warn you the ending of Raelia  will leave you shocked and screaming for more.  You will  more then likely  read the last few pages a couple of times to make sure you have read it correctly.

If you love books like Harry Potter, House of night, and The Last of the Firedrakes ( just to name a few ) then you are going to love this series.

Lynette  has created a world  that once you enter you never want to leave. So open the door and join us in this fantastic  world

☆☆☆☆☆

Expected publication: March 23rd 2016 by Pantera Press
Original Title Raelia
Edition Language English
Series The Medoran Chronicles #2

Website
http://lynettenoni.com/
http://www.akarnae.com/

Confused by Wanda Wiltshire

Synopsis
 
Defeated by shattering news after only just surviving the Shadow Fae, Marla abandons both Faera and her future roll as Queen. With King Telophy's aid, she returns to Earth, to the human family she knows and loves.
But nothing is ever simple.
With their immortality looming, Marla and her twin Lysander are soon plunged into a world they never knew existed, a world of magic, violence and lust, where a simple mistake could have devastating consequences.
Meanwhile the Shadow Fae are causing havoc on a breathtaking scale with Marla's loved ones facing dire peril. 

Review

I received  a ARC copy for a honest review.
As this book is due for release  until March, i am trying to do my best not to spoil the story for you. This is the third book in this series so if you haven't read the first 2 Stop reading this review and go to Betrothed. (The first book in the series.)

Confused  picks up were Allegiance left off. Leif and Marla have returned to the kingdom  after there  time with the shadow king, but you can tell from the start that something is wrong.
Though Marla has always really seemed to struggled to really find her place and settle in. From the start you can tell that there is something  more going on.

With her 18th birthday on is way the time is coming were she has to make a decision  as to whether to become immortal and what those she loves grow old and die or to stay mortal and live in the human world.

In Confused  all our favorites characters   return,  along with the introduction  of  a couple of new characters.

Confused  is full of twist and turns that will leave you dying to know what happen next. But I have to warn you that you may need to have tissues handy, especially  towards the end.
You will laugh,love and maybe even cry, but one thing is for sure it will leave you wanting more.

This is another  amazing book by Wanda Wiltshire and I cannot wait to see what will happen next.

Website - http://wandawiltshire.com.au/

Paperback, 307 pages
Expected publication: March 1st 2016 by Pantera Press
Original Title - Confused
ISBN13 - 9781921997594
Series - Betrothed #3

Pretty bird by Olivia Howe

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Fall in love with Kenna and Nathan—two people who don't realize they are destined to be together.

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The Last of the Firedrakes (Avalonia Chronicles #1( by Farah Oomerbhoy

Synopsis

16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.

Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.

With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever

 

Review

This is the type of book I love to do read.  It hooks you from the start and leaves you wanting  more. Full of magic, mystery and intrigue.

The story begins with our leading ladies Aurora living in hell. Her adoptive parents  have passed away and she is sent to live with her adopted  aunt, uncle and cousin . At home she is unloved and unwanted. Her school life isn't any better.

Just when she thoughy her life coukdnt get any worse Aurora is whisked away to Redstone Manor on a spur of the moment "family trip",  but her world is going to be changed  forever when she is pulled into the  world of Avalonia.

This a a beautifully writen story about discovering who you are and following  your destiny.   
Farah creates a story that weaves together the reality of our world with the fantasy world of Avalonia  to create a  storyline with a diverse and relatable characters.  

There is so much I would love to tell you but it would give to much away. So I will leave it at this if you love magic, mystery secrets  and perhaps  some romance, then you need to add this to your to read pile today.

I can not wait to see what will happen next.
☆☆☆☆

Midnight Falls ( Sky Brooks #3 ) by McKenzie Hunter

Synopsis  

Skylar has finally accepted that her life will never be simple again. As a host to a spirit shade and a werewolf with the ability to manipulate magic, she has many enemies in the otherworld just for being what she is—an anomaly. In possession of dark magic that she can barely control, she lived in constant fear for her life until she joined the Midwest Pack.

The Midwest Pack was supposed to keep her safe and make things less chaotic. Instead, she is pulled into a clandestine world with strange politics and secrets. With secrets come danger and when some are discovered, Skylar finds herself protecting the pack and saving the life of the Beta. But Skylar is cursed for her good deed by the Creed, the ruling body of the witches.

Complicating her life even more, the Midwest Pack becomes responsible for protecting the Clostra, a book of magic. In the wrong hands, it can destroy the otherworld and force a battle that no one can win.

All Skylar ever wanted was a normal life, so when she meets a charismatic, powerful and mysterious witch, who claims that he can remove her curse and her lycanthropy, Skylar is enticed. But this too comes at a price—the betrayal of her pack.

Which will she choose?

Review

I received a copy of Midnight falls for an honest review.

Welcome back to the world of Sky Brooks. First let me start by saying I love this series from McKenzie Hunter. It has such a refreshing twist on some classic character ideas.   

So far in this series we have seen the evolution of Skylar from her struggling to deal with what she really is, and the discovery that is more than just a normal werewolf. Now that she has started to find her place in the pack, she is learning to except herself and discover her origans.

With the vampires taking more of a back seat in Midnight falls it is time for the other in the supernatural world to take a step into the spotlight. The witches in particular become a large pain in Skylar’s life. As the quest for power amongst the magical community turns into a vicious race for the ultimate weapon. The spells in the Clostra. When Skylar discovers that  Marcia the head of the creed has her Aufero, the situation will become more complicated. This allows for new story develops and the introduction of new characters.

 Don’t worry the vampires are not completely absent from the story. The mysterious Quell  does make a appearance and even leaves Skylar with some sage advice.  

 Ethan is still playing a large role in Skylar’s development and integration to the pack. Though his motives and interest in Skylar are still not truly clear. You can see that Skylar’s feelings are beginning to become clear.  Though a large piece of the Ethan puzzle will become clear, as we learn more about his background and abilities. 

I really loved this book and have tried my best to keep from giving away too much in the way of spoilers. If you haven’t read this series yet then you need to order your copies and get started.