Review of Masked By Author Janelle Stalder

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.

New Berlin, 2040. Rebels prepare to fight against the New World Order, bent on bringing down the world’s greatest tyrant. One girl wanted nothing to do with it, content to keep her head down and make the best of this new world. That is, until she has no choice but to work with the rebels and infiltrate the NWO headquarters. Every moment she spends there puts her in danger, especially when one man, the second in command to the New World leader, continues to make his way into her every thought. She must stay focused and protect not just her mind and body, but also her heart. Will she be able to complete her task without being unmasked? Or will the one man standing in her way ruin it all?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am an author of YA novels, as well as, and most importantly, a mother to my two beautiful children!

                  

Review of Masked

Rating: 4 stars

www.reviewoffantasy.com

This is the second book to the new World Series. I just loved the first one Switched and had to read Masked.

Masked is told through the eyes of Bridgette who’s sister Charlotte we followed in book one also known as weapon X.

In the clutches of their father (who is the worst father ever) Bridgette takes Charlottes place in the New World Order as Weapon X, so her father will free them. She must plant a bomb to take the headquarters and she’s home free with her sister.

Hmm, not really, there seems to be one person standing in Bridgette’s way Roman. Roman is dangerous the right hand man of the commander Ludwig and he is gorgeous. Bridgette being in her sister’s disguise always has her face and body covered, with the same eyes as her sister she hopes to pull it off but there is too many differences in her mannerisms and her curvy figure that Roman starts to see her in a new light. She tries to avoid Ludwig as much as possible as she doesn’t have the gifts that her sister possessed – mind reading. But she soon is in his presence and I think she does it perfectly.

The story is mostly wrapped around Bridgette’s and Romans relationship and its tense and mind blowing just loved it. We find out horrific things her father did and why Ludwig and her father have such hatred for each other it makes me look at Ludwig as a decent man even if he did destroy thousands of lives.

A very well written story but for me I just loved Switched more. I would highly recommend this book to fantasy readers.

Review of Pawn By Author Aimee Carter

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING. 

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. 

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter. 

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

Previously titled Masked

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aimée Carter was born and raised in Michigan, where she currently resides. Her first novel for young adults, THE GODDESS TEST, will be published by Harlequin Teen on April 19th, 2011. The sequel, GODDESS INTERRUPTED, will follow in January 2012.

                  

Review of Pawn

Star rating: 3.5 stars

www.reviewoffantasy.com

I know I have read a book very similar to this but can’t think of the name of it. Anyway straight away the story pulled me in. Kitty Doe was an interesting one after taking her test and receiving a ranking of three we watch her become carless with her life by stealing an orange this crime is punishable by death. But kitty gets away with Benji her boyfriend.

Benji I liked at the start he seemed kind and sweet, but when Kitty decides to join a brothel in order to give him another month so he can take his own test, so they can run away after, his protests in my eyes where weak and the fact that she went made me so angry with him for not trying harder. When Kitty becomes Lila hart after been bought at the brothel and then is masked we meet Knox, now I liked him he was secretive yet kind and charming.

The story soon takes a sinister step when Daxton the prime minister takes Kitty/Lila hunting; they aren’t hunting animals but humans. I was shocked at this discovery and didn’t expect it in the book but when we return to the Hart’s residence and see the family back stabbing and plotting to murder each other, it became exhausting and then when Benji shows up I wanted to scream. I just so don’t like him, I found the story went downhill after he arrived. I was dizzy with who to trust as everyone seemed evil Cecelia, Augusta and Daxton and I consider Benji evil. Overall this wasn’t for me but others may enjoy it.

Tuesday's Review ~ Fate Fallen by Author Sharon Stevenson

Blurb:

***This is the third book in the series and as such the following contains spoilers for the first books***

Shaun & Sarah Gallows are demon trackers, hunting down and dispatching supernatural threats by order of their Council.

A few months past their twentieth birthday, Shaun takes Elle to Shadows Grove to check out the site of the brutal murder he's become obsessed with. The ill advised trip starts unlocking his own past and the mystery of his destiny begins to unravel.

Sarah realises she needs to train Ray to keep him safe. When her mother finds out she took him on a job, she gives Sarah an ultimatum that forces her rethink their relationship.

***Be warned this book is Adult Modern Fantasy, not YA. It is not suitable for younger readers as it contains profanity & sexual references.

About the Author:

I'm your typical reclusive author type. Anti-social in person, but I love tweeting online friends! I love my laptop, probably a bit too much mind you.
If you want to know more, check out my website or follow me on twitter.
I'm a reader and enjoy finding new indie authors to follow - there are so many good ones out there! I'm fairly new to posting reviews but I do try to be fair and honest and will not post anything less than 3 stars, as if it is not at least that good I just won't finish it.

         

Review of Fate Fallen

Rating: 5 stars

www.reviewoffantasy.com

This is the third instalment of the Gallows’ series and so far I have just loved them and Fate Fallen didn’t disappoint.

Majority of the story is told through Shaun’s eyes he’s my favourite, so I was delighted. I love how he’s real, he can be so selfish at times and it’s not until afterwards that he feels guilty. I love the chip on his shoulder but then he’s never had it easy, so who can blame him.

His selfish actions really come to light when he takes Elle is “Girlfriend” away for the weekend. But he wants to kill two birds with one stone, and check out a murder that has rattled him, one he read in the paper. But his ploy backfires. Elle sees what happens when she agrees to go to the house and it shakes her up and she also realises that Shaun thought his soul mate was here, talk about shooting a girl down. Elle gets huffed and goes back to the hotel room kicking him out it’s at this point that everything starts to move fast, and soon Shaun’s secrets unravel and his life goes downhill. Elle is taken by a fairy but she’s not upset, she’s happy and Shaun’s left on his own. He deserved it really.

I love when Shaun manages to eat a snickers or some form of junk foot at the most inappropriate moments, so funny,  and following Shaun’s story we get to meet a she-wolf, a fairy and we get to teleport and find out all about Shaun’s imaginary friend – Well that’s what his parents told him.

The other part of the story is spilt between Elle who we get to learn a lot about - God that girl has secrets and of course Sarah she still stuck between Ben and Ray but it’s not her doing – Ben just won’t let it go and soon becomes a threat to Ray.  So she teaches Ray to fight taking him into a nest of vampires and slaying them all. She is pretty cool but their relationship is called into the spotlight when her mum meets Ray, and Sarah gets dragged into Shaun’s own drama’s only his aren’t minor – there to save the world or let it perish.

Another fantastic instalment in the Gallows Series. I can’t wait to read Cruse Corrupted.

Monday's Review for (Un)wise By Author Melissa Haag

Blurb:

The dreams start and Bethi’s very normal life goes down the toilet. Reliving past lives, where Dog-men chase her and she sees her eventual tormented death, Bethi sets out to find a way to live this time around. The dreams hint at an answer. She needs to be strong enough to find it, or die…

The third installment of the Judgement of the Six answers questions, questions answers, and risks the fate of the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

About this author

Melissa Haag currently resides in Wisconsin with her husband and three children. Touch is her first published novel. She is currently working on book three of a separate five book series. To learn more about her upcoming projects, visit her at:
http://melissahaag.com

                  

Review of (Un)wise

Rating: 5 stars

www.reviewoffantasy.com

Bethi is my favourite female Character in the judgement of six. That’s so far as this is the third instalment. So far I have meet Gabby and Michelle but Bethi got my full attention she was strong, sarcastic and fearless yet small, fragile and damaged a crazy combination but it worked so well and I just loved her.

Luke her love interest well he is just like Emmitt and Clay protective, loyal, possessive and loving (Clay is still my favourite male) but Luke seems to be a bit more respectful as far as doing anything with Bethi. It’s kind of sweet but Bethi doesn’t think so and it’s funny to watch Luke reject her again and again and again.

In (un)wise we finally find out why these women have gifts, what they are meant to do, how many there are. We find out so much that I was like “Of course, that makes sense”. It’s a satisfying answer, and through Bethi it’s all explained very well.

This book was by far my favourite (Clay still takes first place as the most amazing male character like ever) just needed to clear that up. Anyway I would highly recommend this book to all Romance, Paranormal and fantasy readers out there. This is book three so I can’t wait for Book four. But the first three got all five star ratings from me; it’s an awesome series one you have to read.

Review of Price of Vengeance By Author Kurt D. Springs

Price of Vengeance

"Liam! What have you done?" Marcus demanded. "You know our teachings on revenge."

Suddenly, irrationally angry, Liam straightened. "How can you defend him after what he did? To you, to Mom, to my birth parents, to everyone we cared about?"

With a howl of despair and emotional agony, Liam dashed forward, through the shade of his father, blindly running into the sewers.

What is the Price of Vengeance? One could understand why Liam is angry. Orphaned at the age of two by a group of giant carnivorous insects called the chitin, he was adopted by High Councilor Marcus and his wife, Lidia, and raised with their older son, Randolf, in New Olympia, the last remaining city on the planet Etrusci.

As an adult, Liam becomes a soldier. After being cut off from the city, he finds that there is an alien intelligence behind the chitin. To defeat it, he must discover who he is and how to use his powers. When Liam discovers that a traitor responsible for his birth parents' deaths has also murdered his beloved foster parents, he might find that the price he has to pay in his quest for vengeance will prove to be an even more unbeatable foe.

BUY LINKS:

About the Author:

Bio:

Kurt D. Springs is presently an adjunct professor of anthropology and archaeology in New Hampshire. He holds a PhD. in anthropology from the State University of New York at Buffalo, as well as a Master of Literature in archaeology from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and a Master of Liberal Arts in anthropology and archaeology from the Harvard University Extension School. His main area of interest is megalithic landscapes in prehistoric Ireland.

Where can we find you?

   

REVIEW 

Review of Price of Vengeance

Rating: 4 stars

www.reviewoffantasy.com

Sci-fi wouldn’t be a genre that I would normally read, but I’m glad I read Price of Vengeance. It was a very well written book, with enough interesting characters, as well as a Bear-lizard who can communicate telepathically, to keep everything interesting.  I loved the dreamscape where Liam meets Jarek and finds out about who he is, and all about his family. The plot was very well written with enough betrayals, twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.

For me the title says it all. What price would you pay for Vengeance? It’s something that can destroy a man’s soul, and it almost destroys Liam’s.

Liam is an orphan, his family slaughtered by the Chitan – (bug like creatures) and he’s taken in by Marcus and his wife, he also inherits a big brother Randolf. We watch as Liam dedicates his life to being a solider never taking part in sociable affairs.

We learn a lot about Liam when the chitan attack and we see him in full throttle.  He can fight, his abilities are amazing and well written especially when he jumps out of time _ (slows time down) the story continues to follow Liam his brother Randlolf and Azure a being of pure evil, who wants Liam on his side. The struggle between right and wrong, and hatred and love is saturated in this story, and love is stronger no matter what, that it can cause a person to let the hatred and anger go. This is very well shown with Celina’s and Liam’s story.

Overall a very well written book. One I feel all Sci-fi and fantasy/paranormal readers will enjoy.

Monday's Review ~ The Breeders By Katie French

Blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Riley Meemick is one of the world's last free girls. When Riley was born, her mother escaped the Breeders, the group of doctors using cruel experiments to bolster the dwindling human race. Her parents do everything possible to keep her from their clutches-- moving from one desolate farm after another to escape the Breeders' long reach. The Breeders control everything- the local war lords, the remaining factories, the fuel. They have unchecked power in this lawless society. And they're hunting Riley.

When the local Sheriff abducts the adult members of her family and hands her mother over to the Breeders, Riley and her eight-year-old brother, Ethan, hiding in a shelter, are left to starve. Then Clay arrives, the handsome gunslinger who seems determined to help to make up for past sins. The problem is Clay thinks Riley is a bender-- a genderless mutation, neither male nor female. As Riley's affection for Clay grows she wonders can she trust Clay with her secret and risk her freedom?

The three embark on a journey across the scarred remains of New Mexico-- escaping the Riders who use human sacrifice to appease their Good Mother, various men scrambling for luck, and a deranged lone survivor of a plague. When Riley is shot and forced into the Breeder's hospital, she learns the horrible fate of her mother—a fate she'll share unless she can find a way out

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katie French imagined herself an author when her poem caught the eye of her second grade teacher. In middle school she spent her free time locked in her room, writing her first young adult novel. Though her social life suffered, her love for literature thrived. She studied English at Eastern Michigan University, where she veered from writing and earned an education degree. She spent nine years teaching high school English. Currently she is a school counselor, doing a job that is both one of the hardest things she's ever done and the most rewarding. In her free time she writes, reads great books and takes care of her two beautiful and crazy children. She is a contributor and co-creator of Underground Book Reviews, a website dedicated to erasing the boundaries between traditional and non-traditional publishing. She lives in Michigan with her husband and two children. You can find her at www.katiefrenchbooks.com, at www.undergroundbookreviews.com or on Facebook.

                  

Review of the Breeders

Star Rating: 3 stars

www.reviewoffantasy.com

The opening starts in a barren landscape. Dust, poverty and hunger where the three things I felt, yet the house was filled with love.

In a world where girls are taken to be used as breeders no-one is safe so Riley pretends to be a boy, as she is the last free girl hidden in plain sight, under the sheriff’s nose who is evil. Clay the sheriff’s son helps riley out and goes with her after her mother and auntie are taken, but riley and Ethan survive and go in search of her family.

I didn’t care much for clay I found him shallow and childish, he couldn’t seem to make up his mind about Riley or his dad for that matter, I found he managed to get under my skin.

Riley is headstrong and her devotion to her family is unshakable through her journey of trying to save her mum from the breeders she gets into tons of trouble and to make things worse she has her eight year old brother to take care of and Ethan loves to moan.

Overall it was an intriguing read something different.

SPOTLIGHT AND REVIEW FOR THE GALLOW'S SERIES BOOK TOUR

 

Blurb:

19-year-old twin demon trackers Shaun and Sarah Gallows are used to running into trouble - mostly the kind with fangs - but while Sarah embraces her powers to their fullest extent, trusting her instincts implicitly, Shaun distances himself from his abilities and can do little more than despair at his sister’s reckless nature and idly back her up.

When they come across 17-year-old Melissa Carling, a demon tracker who’s been torturing innocent super-naturals, they know they have to stop her. Sarah is desperate to punish Melissa for what she’s been doing but Shaun’s instant attraction to the girl points to a soul-mate bond stronger than anything he’s ever had to fight before…

 

Blurb:

***This is the second in the Gallows series of novels - the following description contains spoilers***

Twin demon trackers Shaun & Sarah Gallows are getting used to dealing with supernatural threats...

Six months after Sarah's reckless choice, she is struggling to deal with what she has done and trying to find a way to break free from the demon bond she has made. She finds out the vampire lied about his maker and she's faced with more difficult decisions.

Clueless to what his sister is going through, Shaun has been spending time in White Oaks on the pretence of training with his parents. He’s determined to find out who Elle’s working for, and he’s thinking about asking her out, maybe.

A new threat surfaces in White Oaks and the twins have to neutralise it before things get out of hand, and before the Council find out. It would just be another day's work, if Shaun wasn't being accused of murder and Sarah wasn't being driven to distraction by her demon...

Blurb:

***This is the third book in the series and as such the following contains spoilers for the first books***


Shaun & Sarah Gallows are demon trackers, hunting down and dispatching supernatural threats by order of their Council. 

A few months past their twentieth birthday, Shaun takes Elle to Shadows Grove to check out the site of the brutal murder he's become obsessed with. The ill advised trip starts unlocking his own past and the mystery of his destiny begins to unravel.

Sarah realises she needs to train Ray to keep him safe. When her mother finds out she took him on a job, she gives Sarah an ultimatum that forces her rethink their relationship.


***Be warned this book is Adult Modern Fantasy, not YA. It is not suitable for younger readers as it contains profanity & sexual references.

Blurb:

***This is the fourth in the Gallows series of novels - the following description contains spoilers*** 


Twin demon trackers Shaun and Sarah Gallows are used to dealing with supernatural threats but what happens when that threat comes from within? 

The twins are in the middle of a murder case when Shaun is captured by werewolves. Suddenly his future as a tracker is in question. Faced with the choice of remaining as he is and continuing to serve both the Council and the Seelie Court, or becoming a werewolf powerful enough to be an Alpha and gaining a life with a mate he is already attracted to, Shaun is conflicted. His werewolf curse was corrupted after he was ravaged in battle and now a witch has removed the corruption. He has days before his first shift takes all choice away from him and he becomes wolf. Can he make his decision in time, or will it be taken out of his hands? 

Meanwhile Ben has come back into Sarah’s life and is attempting to prove he has changed. She isn’t sure if she can trust him but when it comes right down to it she may have no choice. When she is marked for death she must find a way to defeat a demon and avoid being dragged to hell without the use of her physical fighting skills. Her demon bond might be the key to her survival, but can she trust War to look after her best interests when he could have her to himself in hell? 

About the Author:

I'm your typical reclusive author type. Anti-social in person, but I love tweeting online friends! I love my laptop, probably a bit too much mind you.
If you want to know more, check out my website or follow me on twitter.
I'm a reader and enjoy finding new indie authors to follow - there are so many good ones out there! I'm fairly new to posting reviews but I do try to be fair and honest and will not post anything less than 3 stars, as if it is not at least that good I just won't finish it.

         

GIVEAWAY INCLUDES 5 E-BOOK COPIES OF DEMON DIVIDED AND A 25 DOLLAR AMAZON GIFT VOUCHER TO ENTER JUST CLICK HERE

REVIEW OF BLOOD BOUND (THE GALLOW'S #1)

Review for Blood Bound

Firstly I was given this book for an honest review. 

If I had to compare this to any other book, it would have to be the Demon Trapper by Jana Oliver, in its style.

The story is told through the eyes of 19year old twins Sarah and Shaun who are fallen. They live in a small house set in a forest, this is their base, a place to retire to after a long day’s work, but nothing ever goes smoothly in their personal lives or work. Their jobs are given to them by the council; if it’s helping a witch who is enchanted by black magic or slaying a nest of vampires, the list goes on of the supernatural creatures that are in this book, fairies, demons, werewolves, vampires and witches. 
With all these creatures the story is fast paced and keep’s you reading – hence why I finished it in two days. 

Shaun who is one of the 19year old twin’s is an amazing character. I love his sense of humour which is dry and his moody personality. I just took to him straight away. His story is a little more complex than his sisters with a horrible run in with a vampire that costs him an eye and a badly scarred body. His experience makes him suppress his powers, making his job harder, but through the story he finds his powers, with the help from some people not all good especially Melisa who is just pure evil. 

Sarah on the other hand is caught up in a love triangle between Ray and Dev, it’ funny throughout the book but I got annoyed by the end with Dev, I don’t know what his story is but I am hoping there is more than what meets the eye and hopefully it will be revealed in the next book. I wasn't completely enthralled with Sarah, yes she was exciting and the story through her eyes was fast paced. I like her but just didn't fully connect with her

In saying all that I would highly recommend this book, the writing was easy and flowed. It was a well thought out and written book. I hope I have the privilege of reviewing the second book. 

REVIEW OF DEMON DIVIDED (THE GALLOWS #2)

Demon Divided

Stars: 4/5 Stars

This book was given to me by the author for an honest review. Demon Divided was a fast paced, smart talking, and well written book.

I love the Gallow siblings but my favourite being Shaun. Don't get me wrong Sarah is pretty cool but her love life is too crazy for me to keep up with, between Dev, Ray, Ben and now War, O and a pet wolf, it's just to crazy. With Shaun it's just Elle which I love and Elle had me laughing so much throughout this book.

The three main Characters Shaun, Elle and Sarah are all smart mouths giving you plenty of laughs throughout the book.But the story is also very gruesome, a lot of heads get cut off, and hearts ripped out. it was far more gruesome than the first book. 

At first I had no idea where the plot was going a lot of deaths and a lot of involvements, but when Shaun gets his auntie's Diary it soon puts everything into place, and with Sarah creating more problems then necessary you have a lot of sub-plots but they are all tied together. 

I'm left still with lots of questions. War being one of them, but i also wonder is Elle really who she says she is, her name changes too much, she talks a lot but says nothing really. and what about Will? or will the council finally catch up with the Gallow Siblings.

Sigh I guess I will have to read the next one to find out. 

Really really enjoyable and fast paced.