Talon by Julie Kagawa

Long ago, dragons were hunter to near-extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser. Ember and Dante Hill are the only brother and sister known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunter by the Order of St. George. Soldier Garrett Xavier Sebastion has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all too human desires, Garrett begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him. 

I fell in love with Julie Kagawa after her Iron Fey series, and Talon, although not my favourite of hers (because I'm pretty sure that place is always going to be reserved for Ash and Meagan), reminded me why. The characters were all well-written, though I thought that Garrett was especially so, I think I was better able to connect with him than the occasionally whiny Ember, and the Stoic Dante. Kagawa's world-building is one of my favourite aspects of her series because they are always so interesting and original, and always manage to suck you in until you feel as though you are apart of the book and the book is apart of you. And although Talon is set in the human world, unlike her Iron Fey series, it still had an almost magical quality that draws you in. Seriously, I read this book while in Bali, forgot to put suncream on, and got horribly burnt because my mind was somewhere else entirely. I suffered for days. But was it worth it? Probably not, because I was left with a cliff-hanger for my efforts. But I digress. Talon is yet another wonderful series from an amazing author, and although the plot reminded me a lot of Firelight by Sophie Jordan, I still really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next book. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Dragons

Announcement

Sorry guys! I forgot to tell you all that I was going overseas for a week! Buuuut I'm home now and ready to start reviewing again. Beginning now, I won't have as much time as I used to to read and review books, as I am going into my last year of school and already have an ass-load of holiday homework kill me. And during the breaks between exams and panic attacks, I will be devoting the time I usually spend reading, to writing! Yes, I am going to have a shot at writing my own book. I've got the plot and the characters all down and just need the courage to take the first jump. Wish me luck and may the writing Gods be with me. 

~The Titan's Tomb

Verum Cover Reveal

You loved Courtney Cole's†NOCTE in all it's dark, twisted, spellbinding, messed-up awesomeness. You can't wait until VERUM (Nocte Trilogy Book 2) releases in February 2015. And now Courtney Cole is going to release an exclusive VERUM excerpt...but only if we can get it to the top 1000 on Amazon!

All you have to do is go to Amazon and pre-order VERUM†right now.†Go, pre-order, and get all your NOCTE-obsessed friends to pre-order, too. If enough people do it, VERUM will climb up the ranks, and we'll get a sneak peek at the follow-up to what's being called "a haunting psychological suspense" and "the rare kind of story that leaves permanent marks on your heart and your soul."

About Nocte

SAVE ME AND I'LL SAVE YOU....

My name is Calla Price. I'm eighteen years old, and I'm one half of a whole. My other half-- my twin brother, my Finn--is crazy. I love him. More than life, more than anything. And even though I'm terrified he'll suck me down with him, no one can save him but me. I'm doing all I can to stay afloat in a sea of insanity, but I'm drowning more and more each day. So I reach out for a lifeline. 

Dare DuBray. 

He's my saviour and my anti-Christ. His arms are where I feel safe, where I'm afraid, where I belong, where I'm lost. He will heal me, break me, love me and hate me. He has the power to destroy me. 

Maybe that's ok. Because I can't seem to save Finn and love Dare without everyone getting hurt. 

Why? Because of a secret. 

A secret I'm so busy trying to figure out, that I never see it coming. 

You won't either.

>>†GET†NOCTE†ON AMAZON RIGHT HERE†<< >> JOIN THE NOCTE TRILOGY TEASER AND CLUE LIST RIGHT HERE <<

About Verum

    

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE.

My name is Calla Price and I'm drowning. My new world is a dark, dark ocean and I'm being pulled under by secrets. Can I trust anyone? I don't know anymore. 

The lies are spirals. They twist and turn, binding me with their thorns and serpentine tongues. And just when I think I have it figured out, everything is pulled out from under me. 

I'm entangled in the darkness. 

But the truth will set me free. 

It's just ahead of me, so close I can touch it. But even though it shines and glimmers, it has glistening fangs and I know it will shred me. 

Are you scared? 

I am.

>>†PRE-ORDER VERUM ON AMAZON RIGHT HERE†<< >> JOIN THE NOCTE TRILOGY TEASER AND CLUE LIST RIGHT HERE <<

Iced by Karen Marie Moning

The year is 1 AWC-After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It's a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I'm Dani O'Malley, the chaos filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there's no place I'd rather be. 

Dani 'Mega' O'Malley plays by her own set of rules-and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she's one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities. Dani's ex-best friend Mackayla Lane, want her dead, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What's more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux. When Dublin's most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the merci of Ryodan, the club's ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and excpetional skill to figure out what's freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks-and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance. Dodging bullets, fangs and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin-before everything and everyone gets iced. 

I admit that I had a little bit of doubt before I started this book, which is why it took me so long to start it. I just didn't really like the idea of one of my favourite series now being in the hands of a fourteen-year-old character, since this series has some seriously adult themes. But I should never have doubted Ms Moning, there is a very good reason as to why she is one of my top three favourite authors. The change of POV's actually did the series some good, I was getting to the point where I thought that Mac's story was drawing to a close, I was just wary of Dani being the one to take over. But Dani 'Mega' O'Malley is a superhero and a pretty spectacular one at that, and I think we needed more point of views other than Mac's for such a diverse world. Even though Dani is young in age, she is not young in mind, heart or soul, she's probably more mature than most twenty-one-year-olds. I was also worried that the adult themes of the series would either be tempered for Dani or just make me so uncomfortable that I wouldn't be able to read it. But it did neither, Moning made it work brilliantly and I was so relieved that I read the whole book in two days not like I have a butt-load of homework or anything. As always, the characters are awesome, the world-building makes me weep joyful bloody tears and the cliff-hanger makes me want to hurt someone. I really hope we get more Dani POV soon, because she has opened up a whole new world within the Fever universe. 

Rating: 5/5 Titans

"You'll never be 'just' anything. A Tsunami can't 'just' be a wave. I like that about you. Waves are banal. Tsunami's reshape the Earth. Under the right circumstances, entire civilisations."

Books in the Fever Series

Darkfever

Bloodfever

Faefever

Dreamfever

Shadowfever

Iced

Burned (coming soon)

Trace of Magic by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Even the most powerful tracers can't track you if the magical trace you leave behind is too old. But I can track almost anything, even dead trace. That makes me a unicorn, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and the Loch Ness Monster all rolled into one. In a word, I'm unique. A very special snowflake. And if anyone finds out, I'll be dead, or a slave to one of the Tyet criminal factions. 

Riley Hollins has quietly traced kidnapped children and quietly tipped the cops to their whereabouts one too many times. Now she's on the radar of Detective Clay Price, a cop in the pocket of a powerful  magic Tyet faction. When he blackmails her into doing a dangerous trace for him, Riley will have to break every rule that keeps her safe. Or become a Tyet pawn in a deadly, magical war. 

Before reading this book, I had never read a novel of Francis', so I had no real idea of what to expect from the characters, the writing or the themes. But I have to say, I did really enjoy it. The characters were interesting, the world was intriguing and different to a lot of urban fantasy books, and the speed of the action kept me dedicated to reading right up until the end. But in saying all of this, there was a little bit of genericness about it, especially in the heroin, Riley. However, I'm a sucker for a good romance and magic series, so I'm not focusing too much on it because I enjoyed the entire thing anyways. The world building was one of my favourite aspects of the book, I really felt like I was being frozen by the vicious snow storms and the biting winds. Trace of Magic is a very enjoyable book, and a fantastic start to a hopefully just as awesome series. I will be looking out for the next in the series, so hopefully it comes out soon because I think this series has become one of my new addictions. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Titans

Thunderlight by Adrienne Woods

Vibrant, scale swathed wings...Abilities that can be harnessed by a chosen few...Dragons

Upon Elena's return to the magnificent castle of Dragonian Academy, she has to face a challenge of a different kind, keeping her boyfriend Lucian McKenzie, the Prince of Tith and love of her life, away from a dangerous new student, Paul Sutton. As a Wyvern, Paul has made it his mission to claim Elena as his Rider, and he is proving to be more perilous than at first glance. Everyone knows that Wyverns are bad news, and just as evil as the darkness the lurks inside Blake Leaf, the Rubicon forced to fight against his inner nature every day. But Elena can see a small light lurking in the darkness, a destiny still unfulfilled; to prove that Wyverns can be claimed. But will Lucien's dark secret about Wyverns and Elena's need to prove their true nature cause their love to be torn apart? And which of Elena's friends will be sacrificed this time if she is wrong?

One of my most anticipated book of the year and I absolutely loved it! Definitely worth the loooong wait which nearly killed me. The Dragonian world is one word: frawesome (freaken awesome). Who can go passed magic, love, evil forces, and of course, dragons and dragon riders. The twist that Wood's has given her dragons is one of my favourite parts about the series (although there are many). There isn't just different coloured dragons like in Eragon and they don't just breath the typical fire like in any dragon book ever. Apart from these dragons being able to shift into a human form, they are all different species, from the graceful Swallow Annex which has the power to heal, to the Night Villain who breathes a devastating acid attack. And then there is the famous Rubicon, a once in a life-time dragon who will either become a great force of good, or a horrifying object of evil, all depending on the Rider who claims him. This battle of good verse evil is present throughout every character within the story, and this is what makes it so interesting and readable. Elena is a pretty good character, though she did manage to make me frustrated with her towards the end of the book, but overall, she is a brave and kind person who I was quite happy to go on an adventure with. An amazing second book to the series, filled with heartache, love, courage and betrayal. I can't wait until the next book is released! 

Rating: 4/5 Dragons

Light Shadows by S.L. Jennings

Twenty-One years ago, Gabriella's life was stolen from her before it even began. Orphaned at birth and encompassed in a fortess of lies to protect her identity, she never truly understood her purpose on this earth. But now that she has ascended, embracing her destiny, the ghosts of her past have come back to haunt her. Even with insurmountable amounts of power running through her veins, part of Gabriella is irreparabely broken. And with old enemies working to destroy the tiny shred of normalcy she has left, she'll be forced to face the ugly truth about Dorian, the man she chose to love despite his darkness. Everything she loved is a lie, and everyone she thought she knew is a stranger. And now that Gabriella is about to be thrust into the battle of her life, she discovers that she may be fighting on the wrong side. 

After waiting for the end to the Dark Light series for almost a year, I can't believe it's now all over after a one and a half day read. I loved Gabriella and Dorian's story, even though they both have major character flaws and despite the fact that I wanted to yell at them throughout the entirety of the series. But these flaws were what made me love them almost more because they seemed like real people and not the typical heroes who don't have a single bad bone in their bodies. Whilst some parts of the plot had some holes in them, I instantly forgave it because of the characters. The only thing that I really can't let go of though is that the 'big scene' was seriously anti-climatic. I mean, the first two books were leading us into an awesome finale of a third book, but no. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, but with all of the anticipation of the prophecy finally coming true, it ended up really not being as massive as I was hoping and anxiously waiting for. The blurb may lead you into believing that this series is filled with action and awesome battles, it is much more of a romance/drama than anything else, but at least it is a good romance/drama. So yes, Light Shadows did have some faults, but it was still a fantastic ending to a great series that captured my heart with it's endless quantities of love, sacrifice and destiny. 

Rating: 4/5 Titans

"It's not love. It's insanity of the heart"

Saving Raine and Inferno by Fredrick Lee Brookes

A country torn apart by greed, corruption, and chaos. A boy sent on a mission that could kill him. A girl who's in grave danger...and doesn't have a clue. Can Matt beat the odds stacked against him and outrun the drones raining down on his head in time to save Raine--and America?

Find Saving Raine on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Add Saving Raine to your Goodreads to-read list!

Find Inferno on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Add Inferno to your Goodreads to-read list!

About Saving Raine

"Matt, Raine went to California because her parents thought it was safe. It's not. You've got to get her out as soon as possible. She could die, Matt."

When 19-year-old Matt Carney gets a cryptic message from his father telling him to go to California and save his girlfriend, Raine, he doesn't hesitate, he grabs his AK-47, revs up his blue pickup, and gets ready to make the 2,300-mile road trip. But cross-country travel in 2021 isn't easy, or, sometimes, even possible. The U.S. has become a near-military state: 17,000 checkpoints severely restrict interstate movement, Predator drones target innocent civilians without cause, and explosions rock cities daily. Matt and his stepbrother, Benjy, face deadly attacks from a corrupt government, ruthless local law enforcement, and bloodthirsty terrorist groups as they embark on their trek. They're about to find out that their trip is much more than a private journey, and their success could change the face of the country, forever. Can Matt and Benjy outrun the drone missiles raining down on their heads? Can they avoid assassination by government officials hell-bent on taking over what little is left of the country? Can they outsmart the deadly schemes set in motion against them?

Break the rules. Save the girl. He only gets one chance before she's gone forever.

My Review of Saving Raine~

*Thank you to Badass Marketing for the copy of this book

Whilst this story wasn't the typical fantasy novel I mostly always read, I'm super glad that I was given the opportunity to review Saving Raine because I really enjoyed it. Let me just say that if this is our future, I would really like to not live on this planet...way too '1984' for me, thanks. But unfortunately, with the amount of drones the US uses for their military air strikes and the like, Brooke's novel does hold some prophetic warnings. I have read a lot and I mean a lot of dystopian novels, but Saving Raine was very different to all of them, mostly because it feels like this could be very real and happening right at this very moment. And that is how much I ended up getting into this story, I literally felt like I needed to watch the skies for a hidden drone! Really the only little problem I had with this book was that I found it a bit distracting and hard to keep up with the numerous amounts of point of views. This put me off for a little while, but eventually they all seemed to interconnect, which made the book almost even more exciting and heart pounding. So much chaos and destruction and action within this fast-passed book, the characters are all very well written and the plot is something you can really sink your teeth into please don't bite the book.  A fantastic read for young adult, all dystopian lovers and adults alike. 

Rating: 4/5 Titans

About Inferno

*WARNING: SAVING RAINE SPOILERS*

When 19-year-old Matt Carney saved his girlfriend, Raine, from the crossfire between the government's increasingly ruthless Homeland Security and March22, a terrorist group taking steps to strike a new, legitimate path, he thought his work was done. Was he ever wrong. Kidnapped by the brutal Dark Fiber militia, Matt is shocked to discover he's been betrayed by those he trusted most. Stranded in an isolated location in the middle of Michigan, far away from the girl he fought so hard to regain, Matt is made March22's point man in a plot to get control over a cache of thousands of stolen ground-to-air missiles. As time runs out, he's their last-and best-hope of sparing the country of a heinous attack on commercial aviation that could quickly turn the United States into a permanent war zone. In this action-packed, explosive follow-up to Saving Raine, the first book in Frederick Lee Brooke's The Drone Wars, Matt Carney finds himself at the center of a firestorm of stolen missiles, stolen drones, and stolen dirty nukes, tormented by stinging betrayals, clinging to a last hope for love. Sure, he was able to save Raine, but as the inferno rages around him, can he find a way to save the country from further violent chaos? And a way to save himself?

About Frederick Lee Brooke

Frederick Lee Brooke launched the Annie Ogden Mystery Series in 2011 with Doing Max Vinyl and following with Zombie Candy in 2012, a book that is neither about zombies nor sweets. The third mystery in the series, Collateral Damage, appeared in 2013. Saving Raine, the first book in Fred's entirely new series, The Drone Wars, appeared in December, 2013. A resident of Switzerland, Fred has worked as a teacher, language school manager and school owner. He has three boys and two cats and recently had to learn how to operate both washing machine and dryer. He makes frequent trips back to his native Chicago. When not writing or doing the washing, Fred can be found walking along the banks of the Rhine River, sitting in a local cafe, or visiting all the local pubs in search of his lost umbrella.

Find Frederick Lee Brooke on his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Save the Night!

Please help Courney Cole SAVE THE NIGHT! Her book NOCTE was pulled from Amazon, but it's back today! www.smartURL.it/NOCTEAmazon Let's un-dp the damange and SAVE THE NIGHT! Buy NOCTE today and eneter the Rafflectopter to WIN!  http://courtneycolewrites.com/…/nocte-is-available-for-pur

Forever Evermore Series by Scarlett Dawn

King Hall-Where Mysticals go to learn their craft, get their degrees and transition into adulthood. And where four new rulers will rise and meet their destinies. 

Lily Ruckner is adept at one thing: survival. Born a Mystical hybrid, her mere existence is forbidden, but her nightmare is just about to start. Fluke, happenstance and a deep personal loss finds Lily deeply entrecnhed with those who would destroy her simply for existing-The Mystical Kings. Being named future Queen of the Shifters shoves Lily into the spotlight, making her one of the most visible Mysicals in the world. But with risk comes a certain solace-her burgeoning friendship with the other three prodigies: a wicked Vampire, a wild-child Mage and a play-boy Elemental. Backed by their faith and trust, Lily begins to relax into her new life. Then chaos erupts and the fragile peace between Commoners and Mysticals is broken, and suddenly Lily realises the greatest threat was never from within, and her fear takes on a new name: The Revolution. 

I'm pretty sure I was either crying or smiling like an idiot for most of this series. I adored the characters and their beautiful friendships with each other, I really wanted these four non-existent characters to be my friends! Yes there was some pretty cool battles and awesome magic being thrown around, but my favourite aspect was definitely the character's relationships: friends, mates, boy/girl friends, parents and even the bond between the Kings and their prodigies was something infinitely special to read about. There was just the right amount of humour threaded perfectly into the series as well, some of the scenes with the Kings training their prodigies was hilarious and I had to take a few moments until the tears dried to keep reading! The world was very interesting and unique, I felt like I was right there with all the characters the entire time and I was never lost. The amount of heartbreak I suffered due to this series astounds me! The cliffhangers for the first two books left my heart in my throat and ready to either fight someone or cry my eyes out. This is not a series you can just stop reading after the first book, trust me, I'm pretty sure I finished the three books in five days..But I had no regrets after finishing them and believe me when I say you won't either. 

Series Rating: 4.5/5 Titans

"Sometimes the best results come from the worst ideas."

The Weird Girls by Cecy Robson

One backfired curse. Four unique sisters. 

Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like every other twenty-something girls-with one tiny exception: they're the products of a curse that backfired and gave each of them unique powers that make them all, well, a little weird. In between battling for their complicated love-lives with four wolves from the local were-pack, Celia, Taran, Shayna and Emme have been drawn into the lime-light of the supernatural world and must now battle unimaginable horrific powers that have risen up against the Lake Tahoe region, and the world. Whilst they were quite happy to avoid the local vampires, werebeasts and witches, they aren't exactly too happy about having four extremely powerful and borderline homicidal girls living amongst them. Celia and her sisters will have to put the animosities towards the supernaturals aside and work together, if they are going to have any hope of saving the world, and keeping each other alive. 

I've been having such good luck with picking out fantastic books at the moment! The Weird Girls is an awesome kickass series filled with family, love, sacrifice and lots and lots of blood. Seriously, this series is not for the faint hearted, the amounts of gore and the detailed descriptions that come with it made me wince a few times. Nobody likes dismembered vampire extremities. Apart from the 'bleh' factor though, there was a fantastic balance of humour, action and lovey-dovey moments, as much as I winced, I also laughed out loud. But some of the testosterone filled moments were a bit too childish, even though I admittedly laughed because of it. Celia is the leader of her gang of crazy-ass sisters who break hearts wherever they walk. She is a great character who always puts herself before her sisters, even though they can all hold their own. They all have a brilliantly unique attitude and personalities and I loved every single one of them as if they were my own family. The levels of sass within this series is astoundingly amazing and I basked in every single moment of it. A fantastic series if you love everything supernatural, urban fantasy, and awesome kick-ass female protagonists who can face a horde of demons whilst wearing high-heels. 

Rating: 4/5 Titans

Quote of the Day

"Nightfall. 

What a strange word. 

'Night' I get.

But 'fall' is a gentle word.

Autumn leaves fall, swirling with languid grace

to carpet the earth with their dying blaze. 

Tears fall, like liquid diamonds

shimmering softly, before they fall away. 

Night doesn't fall here.

It comes slamming down."

~Faefever, Karen Marie Moning

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

One kiss could be the last

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities that no-one else possesses. Raised among the Wardens-a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe-Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her dark side from those she loves most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's been crushing on since forever. Then she meets Roth-a tattooed, sinfully hot hot demons who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she want to-especially when that whole no kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne...it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world. 

Jennifer L. Armentrout is one of the top paranormal romance/urban fantasy authors out there today. I love her writing, every character ends up getting their own place in my heart and every single unique world makes me want to live in it, and her Dark Elements series is no different. I always have really high expectations whenever I open one of her books, and they always surpass them. Even though I usually get fed up with love triangles because they are usually so unnecessary, it is just part of the endless enjoyment in Armentrout's books because the characters are just so beautifully created. The Protagonist Layla is such a complicated and unique character that I can't help but really admire her strength and courage when facing her demons (literally and figuratively), but the thing I love most about her is the open-mindedness she enacts. Even though she has lived her entire life loathing demons of any kind, she still finds it within herself to put her faith and trust in Roth. White Hot Kiss is an awesome story of love, trust, faith and courage. I wouldn't expect anything less from this author, she really knows how to deliver and leave me salivating for her next book. 

Rating: 4.5/5 Gargoyles 

"People with the purest souls are capable of the greatest evils."

Nocte by Courtney Cole

Serva me, serva bo te. Save me and I'll save you

My name is Calla Price. I'm eighteen years old, and I'm one half of a whole. My other half-my twin brother, Finn-is crazy. I love him, more than life, more than anything. And even though I'm terrified he'll suck me down with him, no one can save him but me. I'm doing all I can to stay afloat in a sea of insanity, but I'm drowning more and more each day. So I reach out for a lifeline. Dare DuBray. He's my saviour and my anti-christ. His arms are where I feel safe, where I'm afraid, where I belong, where I'm lost. He will heal me, break me, love me and hate me. He has the power to destroy me. Maybe that's okay. Because I can't seem to save Finn and love Dare without everyone getting hurt. Why? Because of a secret. A secret I'm so busy trying to figure out, that I never see it coming. You won't either.

Author's Note

I once considered not writing this story. It was too dark. Too twisted. Too much, too, too, too. Obviously, I changed my mind. But I re-wrote it in four different ways first, trying to make it different, more easily palatable. It didn't work. So I went back to my original idea, the idea that I loved. The idea that I dreamed about and lived and breathed until it was done the way I wanted it, the way it has to be. I know you're capable of reading it. I know you're capable of putting yourselves back together again when it's all over. I have faith in you. Is this story dark? Yes. Is it twisted? At times. Will it slap you in the face? Absolutely. Will it have you flipping pages, trying to figure it out, trying to get to the climax, trying to breathe? God, I hope so. I wrote this story the way it needed to be written. I couldn't sugarcoat it, I couldn't water it down. It is this way because the story demanded it. I'm not sorry. 

??????????What did I just read??????????? 

My brain hurts, my eyes hurt and I don't think I can do the words right now. But I figured that was best for a review of a story that completely struck me upside the head...with a baseball bat...or a car. I'm so confused and yet everything makes sense. I'm upside down and I'm standing upright. I'm blind though I see everything. Nocte is a brilliant piece of literature, it chews you up and spits you back out mercilessly, spares you no feelings, no thoughts and doesn't apologise for doing so. I knew as soon as I read the ominous author's note that I had to have this book, I just didn't expect it to be so real. I lived this story for a solid five hours of non-stop reading, I never saw the signs, I never saw the warnings and I definitely never saw the truth...until I did. 

Rating: 5/5 Titans

By night I am free. The die has been cast.

Sempre by J.M. Darhower

This is a story about sacrifice. Death. Love. Freedom. This is a story about sempre-forever.

Haven Antonelli and Carmine DeMarco grew up under vastly different circumstances. Haven, a second-generation slave, was isolated in the desert, hey days full of hard work and terrifying abuse. Carmine, born into a wealthy Mafia family, lived a life full of privilege and excess. Now, a twist of fate causes their worlds to collide. Entangled in a web of secrets and lies, they learn that whilst different on the surface, they have more in common than they think. In a world full of bloodshed and chaos, where money, power and loyalty rule above all else, Haven and Carmine yearn to break free. But a string of events that began before either of them were born threatens to destroy them instead. Murder and betrayal are a way of life, and nothing comes without a price-especially not freedom. But how much will they have to sacrifice? Can they escape their pasts? And will they finally learn what it feels like to be free?

I cried, I laughed, I cried some more and then I stared off into the distance for a while. J.M. Darhower, you make me feel emotions, and they hurt-a lot. As soon as I opened the first page I was sucked into a world coloured red. Blood, revenge and loyalty rule the pages of this fantastically written story and draw you into the perilous universe of the Mafia. I don't really read much about the Mafia, but as soon as I read the blurb for Sempre, I knew I had to read it. The characters are amazing in their complexities, even while they are tossing bodies into the ocean you can't help but feel for them! Carmine is a little shit, but you can't help but love him. Vincent is a scary mofo, but he has a lot of redeeming qualities. It's almost like reality is warped within this book-what's bad is good and what you think is great turns out horribly. Although this book is quite long, you never feel as though you want to get to the action, because the world is so alive and it feels like you are right there with the characters the entire time. And because with action comes guns and you know someone is going to die brutally. Underneath the bloodshed is a message from the author about slavery and doing whatever you can to be free. Haven and Carmine are both trapped by different circumstance, Haven to slavery and Carmine to the title of Principe della Mafia, though both find the courage within the other to fight for their freedom. Family is important, but La Famiglia is thicker than blood, it is everything.  

Rating: 5/5 Titans

"But then she happened. The girl who had never been able to call her life her own taught a boy who had the world at his fingertips exactly what it meant to live."

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career-a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anything and everything on fire. Then she's kidnapped by Conner 'Mad' Rogan-a darkly tempting billionaire with equally as devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to the overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to keep herself and her family alive. Rogan is after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she's getting under his skin, making him care about something other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world. 

Fangirl mode: Activated

Ilona Andrews is absolutely my favourite author of all time, she just has a really unique way of bringing every single one of her worlds to life and her new Burn for Me is no different. Arg I can't even I love it so much. All of Andrew's stories just make me want to jump into the pages and never leave because as soon as I put it down I know I have to wait another frickin year for another of her books. She has a perfect mix of action, fantasy, romance and humour that you will never find anywhere else ever, and her world building is always so unique that I am always left in awe of her brilliance. What I also love about her books is that there is always a kick-ass female heroin, and this time it centred around Nevada, a strong, courages girl who does everything she can to look after her crazy family. Her family is filled with iron-willed teenagers, her ex-military mother and hilarious grandmother who has a penchant for shirtless younger men. The Burn for Me universe is a world where magic equals money, prestige and a whole lot of power, but the most powerful families of magic users lead a life in a gilded cage, they marry for power and their only goal is to keep that power. And so begins a story of entitled narcissistic antagonists, a smoking hot leading male interest and a private investigator who is just trying to keep her family safe. Another awesome story by Ilona Andrews that made me die inside when I ran out of pages. 

Rating: 5/5 Titans

Going Down in Flames by Chris Cannon

Finding out on your sixteenth birthday that you're a shape-shifting dragon is tough to swallow. Being hauled off to an elite boarding school is enough to choke on. Since Bryn is the only cross-breed at the Institute for Excellence, all eyes are on her, but it's a particular black dragon, Zavien, who catches her attention. Zavien is tired of the Council's rules. Segregated clans, being told who to love, and close-minded leaders make freedom of choice impossible. The new girl with the striped hair is a breath of fresh air, and with Bryn's help, they may be able to change the rules. At the Institute, old grudges, new crushes, and death threats are all part of a normal day for Bryn. She'll need to learn to control her dragon powers if she wants to make it through her first year of school, but even focusing on staying alive is difficult when you're falling for someone you can't have. 

"Oh fantastic, another young adult dragon book" I think to myself sarcastically before I even read the first page. This cynicism is what is going to be my downfall one day because this was one of the best young adult dragon book I have ever read, right up there with Firebolt by Adrienne Woods if I think back to it. Whilst the writing was very obviously young adult in that the vocabulary was a tad dumbed down, I still really appreciated the story and the characters Cannon still managed to bring to life. This dragon society is so hierarchical and elitist that the broader themes immediately begin to move away from being childish and into territories that I was excited to explore. The overt sexism, racism (in dragon scale colours) and dogmatism parallel our society, explaining what could happen if we let one majority rule over all others and shows how easy it is for a governing body to become corrupted. With extremely likeable characters, interesting settings and deep themes, there is nothing to dislike about this awesome story and I will definitely be eagerly awaiting the next instalment. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Dragons

Snow like Ashes by Sara Raasch

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic and a monarch. Now, the Winterian's only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for an opportunity to steal back Winter's magic and rebuild the Kingdom ever since. Orphaned as an infant during Winter's defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterian's General, Sir. Training to be a warrior and desperately in love with her best friend and future King, she would do anything to help see her kingdom rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter's magic, Meria decides to go after it herself. Finally, she's scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers and serving her kingdom just as she's always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn't go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics, and soon comes to realise that her destiny is not, and never has been, her own. 

Hello book that I have been desperately searching for to fill the endless black void in my life which I've been filling with dangerous amounts of crappy titles. I feel a bit like Gollum and the Ring with this story, I want to hold onto it forever and never let go because this is the best High Fantasy book I have read since Throne of Glass. If there were more books like this in the world, I would be a lot happier because my brain wouldn't have to suffer through the cringeworthy to get to the extraordinary and that would make everyone's life much brighter without my near constant cynicism. But I digress. As soon as I opened this fabulously covered yes I judge books by their cover sue me book, I felt like there was a shift in the fabric of the universe as I was transported to a story my dreams are made of (let me be dramatic for a little bit). As the reader, you are thrust right into a confusing maelstrom of politics and kingdom names and character names and weapon names, but it's all ok, because you eventually catch up and then this book becomes ambrosia for all those High Fantasy fans out there. I don't want to say too much about the story because there are just so many things that the blurb leaves out and they are all awesome plot twists and suprises, so all I'm going to say is that this story is filled with heroics, swords, strong female characters, hot shirtless princes/kings and magic. What more could anybody want? 

Rating: 5/5 Titans

"Someday, we will be more than words in the dark"

Reignite (Extinguish #2) by J.M. Darhower

The moment that the short-lived apocalypse came to an end, life returned to normal. Mortals continues on with their oblivious existence while the earth healed and flowers bloomed again, all devastation instantly swept away. It was as if it had never happened. But it did. Luce knows. He's cursed to remember every moment, forced to live with everything he has done. Finding himself out of confinement, he's faced with a descision: where to call "home". Free will turns out not to be the freedom he expects when the only thing he wants doesn't know he exists. Serah woke up with no memory of where she came from or who she was before that moment. Struggling to adapt to the world as a mortal, she's haunted by a set of bright blue eyes that always seem to be watching her. She can't shake the feeling that they could be her salvation, if only she can remember who they belong to. Lucifer didn't fall from Grace alone, and he's not the only angel with a grudge. Nor is he the only one fascinated with his mortal. 

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. 

A fantastically beautiful ending to the Extinguish series, it lived up to all of my high exceptions after the phenomenal first book and just about superseded them. Lucifer's and Serah's story isn't a tradition tale of love beyond everything and anything else. Lucifer continues to struggle between the need to seek forgiveness and the feeling that he has done nothing to apologise for, whilst Serah struggles with her memory loss and finding out who she really is. This is a story of fighting for what you believe in, not being a pawn in someone else's game and having the courage to find redemption within yourself and others. Although not a traditional love story, Reignite has made its way into my heart and into my list of top romances, the only fault I could find in this book was that it was way too short! Whether your sins include wrath, pride, envy, lust, greed, sloth or glutton, this story will satiate all your cravings whilst leaving you begging for more. 

Rating: 4.5/5 Archangels

"Maybe Paradise was to be found in a person and not a place."

Earthbound-The Feather and the Storm by Angela Driver

*received book from author in exchange for honest review

I dream of death, not love, but somehow I discover both. Livia has lived un unsettled life. She's learned to keep to herself, until she meets wired for life, free spirited Evelyn and her tormented twin brother Jack. They hide a secret, and their presence is effecting Livia in ways she doesn't understand- a magnetic force, goose bumps and tingling throughout her whole body. Drawn into their strange world, devastating circumstances surface for Livia and she winds up deeply involved in more than she had ever dreamed. The tangled destiny's of the trio unravel and Livia discovers the thin veil between life and death. And in the end, Livia must choose. An intense tale of love, death and redemption.

Wow. Just...wow. I was so excited to have the opportunity to review this book, and it didn't disappoint. I was overwhelmed by the beautiful story of Jack and Livia and how death seems to be entwined in all of our lives and not something to fear. Livia is a wonderfully unique character who only seems to grow more and more with the introduction of Evi, Jack and their family. All of them were really brought to life through their own fascinating stories and different traits, I immediately fell in love with several of them. The story itself had me entranced the entire way through and even though some parts of the story moved a bit slowly, I was never bored and I never wanted to put it down. A beautifully enchanting story of life, death, love, forgiveness and sacrifice, I will be waiting in anticipation for the next in the series. 

Rating: 4/5 Titans

Extinguish by J.M. Darhower

One...Two...Three...Four.

I declare war

Serah always believed the world around her was perfect. As a Power-one of the warrior angels-she has spent her entire existence defending the innocent from evil. After tragedy strikes and tears her brother Samuel from her life, she's given the task of stopping the approaching apocalypse before it's too late. There is only one tiny little problem, she has to venture into Hell to do it. Lucifer has been biding his time in Hell, longing for revenge against those who oh-so-easily cast him into the pit. When the heavenly beauty shows up at his gate, he's just as captivated by her presence as she becomes of him. The attraction between them is strong, and Serah's willpower slowly slips. How can this scarred Archangel be the one trying desperately to destroy the world she so loves? As the war wages on, the world entwined with chaos, Serah starts questioning everything she ever knew. When the light and dark, hot and cold finally collide, she has to make a choice-a choice that will set her world on fire, black and white exploding into colourful flames. 

I don't know where to even begin with this beautiful story. I just loved it so much I couldn't even stop to explore the techniques used or to analyse any of the scenes because I was just so enraptured with the entire novel. I did not stop reading for one second until it was sadly over because the perfect combination of characters, settings and story-line kept me in my bed smiling like an idiot most of the time. It was just such a heart-warming yet desolating story that nothing would have kept me from finishing it, not even the apocalypse. This is a story of the greys in between the perfect heaven and the worst hell, about two star-crossed lovers who seek redemption in each-other, and family, whose ties may be frayed, but never forgotten. Betrayal, love, sacrifice and hope, one of the best combinations of themes within any story, and Extinguish has these in spades. I would recommend this book to everyone, because you can't help but be inspired by it even a tiny bit.  Now I need the next book because you cannot leave people hanging like that, it's beyond cruel. 

Rating: 5/5 Archangels

"The world isn't always black and white. Sometimes it's grey, and sometimes that grey explodes into colours you never knew existed before."