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Review: Fire Baptized by Kenya Wright

Author: Kenya Wright

Title: Fire Baptized

Publication: January 28, 2012

Publisher:Dragonfairy Press

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 4 out 5

Source: Author

Summary 

Since the 1970s humans have forced supernaturals to live in caged cities. Silver brands embedded in their foreheads identify them by species: a full moon for Vampires, a crescent moon for Shifters, a pair of wings for Fairies, and the list goes on, for each supernatural species has been tagged and categorized by humans.

Lanore Vesta is marked with a silver X, the brand of Mixbreeds, second-class citizens shunned by society. She stays to herself, revealing her ability to create fire only during emergencies. All she wants to do is graduate college and stop having to steal to survive. But when she stumbles upon a murder in progress, she catches the attention of a supernatural killer. Now all she wants is to stop finding dead bodies in her apartment.

Enlisting help from her Were-cheetah ex-boyfriend MeShack and a new mysterious friend named Zulu, she is steered through the habitat’s raunchy nightlife. But their presence sometimes proves to be more burden than help, as they fight for her attention.

While the corpses pile up, and the scent of blood fills the air, Lanore is left wondering: will she find the psycho or die trying? 

My Thoughts:

Enjoyable, and intriguing, I really liked this one. I think fantasy novels that incorporate all the paranormal creatures rather than one in particular are very interesting reads.First, let me say the cover is pretty darn cool, and visually captivating. Basically, it got my attention. The story is what held it though, it contains mystery,paranormal fantasy, and romance. I would more than likely categorize this as an adult novel as there are some sexy situations but then again young adult literature lately has some pretty racy moments. Anyhow, back to the book, I love the characters and the plot line flowed well. The character Lanore is a chic that can hold her own, a mixed breed who just so happens to live with her hotter than hot ex-boyfriend, Meshack(who cheated on her by the way) and I think that makes her either brave or a sucker for heartache and temptation. This wouldn't be right if there wasn't another guy in the picture, Zulu, who also wants to lay claim for Lanore's heart. Both of these fellas are super cute, though I'm already leaning towards Meshack and you'll have to read it to understand why, and Zulu has an ability that is just plain creepy. Now, the best part about this story was the murder mystery and trying to figure out which character is sadistic enough to do such horrendous things and boy was  the culprit unexpected. Overall, this book has something constantly happening so I was never bored and kept flipping till the end.

10 FREE books!

Hydra Publications is giving away 10 Freebies 

May 2nd-3rd in the Kindle store

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Below are a few of the titles but click here to view them all! Also will be free on Amazon UK

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Review: Fury by Shirley Marr

Let me tell you my story. 

Not just the facts I know you want to hear. 

If I’m going to tell you my story, 

I’m telling it my way. 

Strap yourself in... 

Eliza Boans has everything. 

A big house. 

A great education. 

A bright future. 

So why is she sitting in a police station confessing to murder?

Review: Eliza Boans is spoiled, lazy, angry and lonely. All she wants is for someone to pay attention and listen to what she has to say. She gets her wish when she is arrested and confesses to murder. The story is told from her perspective as she recounts as series of events that lead to the devious act. Fury touches on the dark and ugliness in human nature and how one can flip the switch that transcends to tragedy. You can say it all can tumbling down. As a reader you want to dislike Eliza and her friends but once you've delved into her snarky yet vulnerable essence, she easier to understand and even relate to as are her friends Mari and Lexi. They all are much more than what they appear to be on the surface each grappling with their own inner demons. Ella, the new girl in school sort of sparks the domino effect on their lives and she seems to be sweet but even snakes come out of their skins.As you can tell she is my least favorite character. What I love about this book is that it covers so many topics that teens can identify with such as divorce, suicide, body issues and death. This is a great example of taking the time to just listen and be there for our youth. This is no romance but everything I thought it would be; a dark, gripping and lovely read. 

Author: Shirley Marr 

Title: Fury

Publisher: Black Dog Books

Publication: May 1, 2010

Audience: 14 and up

Genre: YA Suspense, Mystery

Source: Blog Tour with the Midnight Garden

Rating:4 out 5

Website | Goodreads 

Currently not available in the U.S.

Review: Pawn of Mine by Tabitha Vale

Title: Pawn of Mine

Author: Tabitha Vale

Genre: YA/ Urban Fantasy

Publish Date: April 9, 2012

Publisher: Amazon

Formats: Ebook & Paperback

Source: Author

Rating: 4 out 5

Goodreads |Blog | Twitter

Summary

The world never ended in fire and ice. The people were consumed by it and now they control the elements. The Fires have harnessed the power down to an art, while the Waters cower in fear of their abilities and remain weak and hopeless. Seventeen year-old Sage Sinclair hopes to dispel the weakness of her Water people, and she knows that if she doesn’t do anything, no one will. When she discovers something special about herself, she seeks the Humble Narcissist Ruler Agni in the great city, Saint Firefly. Once she gains his seal of approval, she’s admitted into Erra Academy where she secretly sparks a revolution among her ennui peers—a revolution to fight back against the Fires. She has every hope in her movement, just as long as her feelings for a handsome and frivolous Saffron Larkspur don’t get in the way—that, and Agni’s sudden fascination with her.

Review: Action-packed sequences and a heroine that can handle her own this is a great read about courage, sacrifice and love. Sage is a tough cookie who is passionate about the cause she has set for herself and nothing is going to interfere with that goal of showing the world that the Waters can be just as powerful as the Fires, who are in control of everything.She hopes to restore the balance that they once had when the Ancients lived, and not even the cute boys that seem to be flocking her can change that, though it seems she is drawn to Saffron in particular. He is charismatic and honest in a way that is convenient for him. He is a cake and eat it too guy, he would rather not label himself as spoken for in order to have the ability to pursue his options yet, in spite of all this Sage is still attracted to him. Zane is my favorite fella and I love how he grows throughout this story and the fact that Sage is oblivious to how much he is willing to do for her is crazy. The last guy is Hazel and he is absolutely gorgeous, dark and brooding but not exactly sure what his deal is other than he tries to kill Sage a couple of times, and he is not the only one that has it out to stop her. Now, the fellas are only a portion of this story, and they each play important roles in the efforts to overthrow the conceited, selfish and insane leader Agni, who is a Fire. There are several secrets and twists that transpire with lots of cool visual fight scenes. This is a good beginning to an intriguing series, that as I was reading reminded me of several other fantastic reads such as the Last Airbender, Harry Potter and a tiny bit of the Hunger Games. 

Fairytale Giveaway Hop!

Snow White Once Upon a Time

Ariel The Little Mermaid

My favorite fairy character is Ariel, it is just something about mermaids. I am fascinated with water and the creatures that live there, it is just so peaceful. I think, I should be a mermaid myself and add to that being a princess, so cool. I love Ariel because she can sing and music is a big part of who I am, whether I use that talent or not(currently not).What is great about this year is that mermaid lore is the new topic in the books that are being published lately, which is very exciting and refreshing change from the vampire and werewolves that have been the dominate subject matter. Now, I guess you see the first picture and Snow White is my favorite character as an adult. Once Upon a Time, is a darker version of the "Disney" tales, and it is closer to the Grimm tales, I very much need to read these. So, if you haven't seen the show, you should it is quite addictive. Any who, what I am giving away......

Your choices!

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Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Book summary:

MY VAMPIRE CREATOR TOLD ME THIS:

"Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. The question is not if it will happen, but when. Do you understand?"

I didn't then, not really.

I DO NOW.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die…or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

Review: When I got this book, I thought oh boy, more vampires but this is much gorier, and absolutely no sparkling here. Kagawa does a good job of sticking to the traditional vampire lore but with a few interesting tidbits. It is set in a dystopian society where the vamps are at the top of the food chain and the humans are the meat, well the blood source. I was not able to truly connect with the characters, people died and no tears were shed. Allie, the main character is tough, and just trying to survive each day, but once she becomes the thing she hates, she fights to hold onto her humanity. One of the most interesting things about Allie is her struggle between the monster within and her heart, and this is an important theme in this book and I am quite sure it will be in the next installments as well. Really,how do you fight yourself? Now, I felt it went on a bit long and this for me slowed down the pace. I think if was a shorter, this would help the read go much smoother. What is great about this book is the action, lots of cool sequences that are visually stimulating, and would look great onscreen. Which leads to my next point, the movie rights(option) for this series has already been snatched up before this book was even released. Overall, good read! Gory, action-packed and must read for those fanatics that want a more original, yet traditional vampire society. 



Author: Julie Kagawa
Title: The Immortal Rules
Publisher:Harlequin Teen
Publication: April 24,2012
Audience: 14 and up
Genre: Paranormal, Dystopian
Source: publisher via Netgalley
Rating:3.8 out 5
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