Tabitha Tomala

Also posted to my site Behind the Pages: Beneath the Sugar Sky

In the world of the Wayward Children, sometimes the most impossible and improbable solution is the one you need. After all, when Rini lands in the turtle pond dressed in frosting, missing two fingers, and demanding to see her dead mother, is there really anything else the children can do? The children must start a new quest, one that will take them through the doors of both logical and nonsense worlds. They are in a race against the clock to resurrect Sumi and save her disappearing daughter.

Beneath the Sugar Sky will let you revisit old friends and learn the backstories of some of the original children. From start to finish, you'll be engaged in the beautiful world-building Seanan McGuire portrays in each of these novels. And after two books of logical worlds, this new installment of the Wayward Children will show you what a nonsense world is all about.

You'll visit a world where the sea is made of soda, the sky is filled with candy, and the clothes are made from pastries and chocolate. The trees are filled with cake pops and cookies, and you'll never gain a pound eating it all. The rules of logic don't exist, and when the logical children of the school enter a nonsense world, they will have to fight against their instincts and reasoning. If they think too hard about the nonsense, the world will cast them out and all will be lost.

Another fantastic installment in the Wayward Children series. This one was just as creative as the previous two books, and while it wasn't as dark, the sense of tension and desperate hope was still there. I can't get enough of this series!

This review is also posted on my website Behind the Pages: Aliens in My Garden.

Everything was normal in the Garden. Skoros was away scheming in his castle, Harper was crashing through the woods trying to be a graceful owl, though not quite making the cut, and Alditha was being her regular witchy self. But all that changed when Celeste, arrived in her teacup of a spaceship on a mission to find her lost kin. Skoros sees her as a way to further his technological advances. After all, if he's the most powerful wizard he can make his claim as ruler of the Garden. But the denizens of the Garden will not be so willing to allow him to rule.

A week ago, if someone told me they were blending a world of magic and dragons with aliens and technology, I wouldn't have believed it was possible. Jude Gwynaire has a talent for making the impossible happen with Aliens in My Garden.

As you travel the world of the Garden, vegetables, and minerals come to life. You'll meet characters such as Tom the potato, a Gardener known for his talent at digging holes, and the Green Man, a gentle tree who loves to eat strawberry marshmallows. This brilliantly crafted world is filled with heartwarming characters that use their humor and wits to wriggle out of the most difficult of circumstances.

I think what truly makes this book come alive is the amusing comebacks from characters like Alditha, “You do know that people only understand about half a teaspoon of what you say don't you?” When anything close to technical speech comes out, Alditha is quick to say what's on the reader's mind and ask for the language to be simplified. It breaks the tension and makes you laugh as the two worlds, magic and technology slowly blend as the characters begin to understand each other.

And for all the humor it holds, Aliens in My Garden is more than just another story. It shows the reader that even though you may be different from your neighbor, it doesn't mean they should be treated differently. By working together, great things can be accomplished.

This novel is a fast-paced, adventurous read. You won't want to put this book down! It's a colorful and creative ride, taking you places you'd never expect. From spaceships to dragons, this has everything a fan of the sci-fi and fantasy genres is looking for.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones tells the story of Jack and Jill. In this darkly creative sequel, Seanan McGuire shows the sister's broken lives and the world that stole them away. If you have not read book one, I highly suggest you do. Sticks and Bones will not go into detail about the mechanics of the doorway worlds and can leave you easily confused.

The girls were not raised with love and care from their parents. They were treated like moldable clay and forced into roles that made their family look perfect on the outside. But on the inside, the two grew apart, each one yearning for something more in their life. Something they could truly enjoy. Like most children, when their door appeared, they stepped through with innocent curiosity. Nothing could prepare them for the violence and desperation of their new world.

This was another brilliant and dark entry in the Wayward Children series. It's like reading page after page of smooth dark poetry that sinks into your mind. You cry out for these two girls, hoping for them to find their happiness any way they can. You become immersed in a world of magic and desperate hope. I can't get enough of this series!

After the betrayal and revelations of the first book, Tessa has found a home with the Shadowhunters in London. But there are those within the Clave that want to steal the London Institute from Charlotte and put Tessa out on the streets. They care little that the Magister is after her, all they see is a downworlder when they look at her. One that shouldn't be afforded any special privileges. Charlotte must find the Magister to save the Institute and the very world of the Shadowhunters.

I'm having a hard time investing myself in this trilogy. I love the Shadowhunter world and the lore that Cassandra Clare adds to the series with the Infernal Devices, but the love interest is annoying me. I am not one for love triangles. Although, I have a feeling that if I hadn't read Mortal Instruments, I may have enjoyed this series more. But after seeing Clary and Jace, Tessa's relationships just pale in comparison.

Despite my hang-ups about the boys and Tessa, I was still drawn into the world of magic and mystery that the Infernal Devices provides. There's plenty of action and cliffhangers. Especially that ending! Way to just throw that out and make the reader's scramble for more!

And I know there are a lot of ladies that favor Will over Jem, but let me be honest, I'd prefer having a Jem in my life.

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: For A Few Demons More

It was as if a part of me had died, accepting that I couldn't be who I wanted, so I had to work at making who I was, someone I could live with.

Rachel is going to have to accept demons are going to ruin her life. Every time she turns around, a demon seems to be crossing the lines to pester her. Of course, it doesn't help that she's learning how to spin curses from Ceri. But if a curse doesn't hurt someone, it isn't evil right? As Rachel tries to help the FIB solve a case of suicidal weres, she'll have to fend off the demons that come knocking. She'll also have to live through Trent Kalamack's wedding, and true to Rachel's style she'll cause quite the commotion.

If you've been following along with my reread of The Hollows, then you know how much I love the series. So why did I take away a star? I will fully admit it's because this book was slower than the previous novels and felt a bit disjointed. There's a lot less action and a lot more drama.

Kim will go into detail on the differences between ley line magic and demon curses. You'll also learn more about the demons to set the foundation for future novels. There's not going to be a lot of action as far as runs go. There are quite a few subplots in the story, and I don't think there was space left over for a run.

There's a lot of moving from place to place. Rachel has a lot on her plate this time, and I just didn't feel the adrenaline filled character I'd come to know. The FIB calling her in to help investigate was a break from the norm. Even Rachel says she isn't an investigator. She's more of a tag them and bag them person.

But, this is an important book in the series, so make sure you stick with it. Rachel is slowly becoming a person who is sure of themselves and realizes the world can't be painted in black and white.

That being said, this was one of the first books to make me bawl my eyes out. I even wrote to Kim years ago telling her she wrote it beautifully, and she broke my heart in the process. She sent me a memorandum of who we'd lost as a fan base, and to this day I treasure it.

Buckle up and give it a try. I feel like every series has at least one book that doesn't quite sit well, but that doesn't mean the journey isn't worth it.

This review is also featured at Behind the Pages: Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel is the prequel to Clare's Shadowhunter novels. Tessa Gray arrives in London expecting to meet her brother Nathan. Instead, a pair of women called the Dark sisters are waiting for her. Under the pretense of being sent by her brother, the sisters take Tessa under their wing. But what waits for Tessa in the Dark sister's house is nothing pleasant. They force her to do things she never thought possible. Tessa enters the dark world that is home to vampires, demons, warlocks and more. Her only hope lies in the London Shadowhunters. Will and Gem will do all they can to save Tess and her brother, but nothing will prepare them for what's to come.

In this series, there are a lot of Shadowhunter terms used with little explanation. If I didn't have a clear image of the world, I would easily have been lost reading this. The characters also don't have the same type of chemistry as Mortal Instruments. The mood between Tessa, Will, and Jem is icy at best and slowly works its way into something more as the story progresses.

When I first started reading Will's sarcastic comebacks, he felt a lot like Jace in Mortal Instruments. I was worried there would be a repeat characterization, but I was proven wrong. Will is vicious in this first novel. Just when the character started to grow on me, I realized his words were just as sharp as his blades. Both aimed to cut as deeply as they can. That's not to say Cassandra Clare didn't build enough of a backstory to understand it. She certainly gave the reader enough pain and suffering for him to act this way, but it didn't make for a likable character. It certainly paves the way for a redemption arc that I hope to see in book two.

I wanted more of Jem. He was quiet in the first book and pushed into the background of scenes. Often times when Will was on a tirade, I silently wished for Jem to barge in a stop him. The slight mystery that surrounded Jem, didn't really sink in for me with so little page time. The best moments were always when Will and Jem were together. They compliment each other so well. Of course, being Parabatai I'm sure helps.

Despite some hiccups with the characters, I love this world. The battles, the tension, the potential of it all makes me crave more. I want to learn about the history of the Shadowhunters, the before moments for characters I came to know and love in the later series.

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Missing Spirit

There's nothing regular about you.

Keana has always felt like an outcast. Rescued from outside the walls of Paradis, she is unlike any other of the Devine immortals that surround her. Captain Milfort's family loves her as their own, but others do not treat Keanna kindly. She's never known her parents, and the other children see her as different, other. The Welcoming Ceremony, a tradition to awaken the Devine powers, is Keana's only hope of fitting in. If she can prove she is one of them, just maybe they will accept her. Keana's life will be forever changed as she completes the ceremony and discovers her true destiny.

P.J. Maia has built an in-depth culture of people who are worshipped like Gods. But unlike the divine we are used to; they have a diverse society where even those who would be revered as Gods are shunned. Not every immortal bears a special ability, and those who do not have power are seen as Regulars. Regulars must wear black to identify themselves and have their palms pierced. They are segregated from society, unable to even use the same entrance as those with abilities.

I enjoyed the story of Keana. The cruelties she endured forged her into a strong and capable young woman. Like any teen, she makes headstrong decisions that put her in the middle of trouble. It's these antics that helped progress the story and made me grow to love the character. Keana's personality and blunt attitude towards everything made me laugh and lightened up some of the heavier political moments.

While the main story was able to keep my attention, the prologue did throw me for a loop the first time I read it. One conflict led to another and I was easily lost in what was going on. Without a little bit of worldbuilding beforehand, all the new terminology and names confused me. The prologue is explained in detail later on in the story, but I could have done with a more solid foundation to start with.

I do think the author relied too heavily on the glossary to explain some terms. Each new word was linked directly to the glossary in the eBook, which is a great feature, but also a little jarring. I had to be pulled from the narrative to understand because there is little explanation surrounding them. This is one of those books you have to hit the ground running with. I do admit once I had a better grasp of the world, I went back to read the prologue and understood it more.

Despite some of its downfalls, I enjoyed the story of Keana and the society of the Devine. I am interested in seeing where the next book takes us.

This review is also feature at Behind the Pages: The Faerie Guardian

As a Guardian Violet protects humans from any faerie that may sneak into the human realm. And she is on track to graduate at the top of her Guardian class. But while guarding a boy named Nathan, she accidentally brings him back to Creepy Hollow when he grabs hold of her arm. Humans are not allowed in the Faerie Realm. And the faerie paths Violet uses to travel should kill a human. Expelled from school for breaking the law, Violet is tasked with bringing Nathan back to his world. She must also give him a forgetful potion. But her curiosity may get the better of her. This is the first human she's interacted with. And her heart may have other ideas.

The beginning of this story was filled with action and world-building. Rachel Morgan brought to life the magical and colorful world of Creepy Hollow. The interactions between Violet and Nathan were comical as the two tried to understand their different customs and technology. Unfortunately, once I made it through the first part of the book, the rest seemed to fall to pieces.

After the events of Violet and Nathan, the reader is put into an average day for Violet. Training, dodging gossip and dealing with school rivalry. At this point in the story, it slowed down the narrative. It felt like an attempt at a typical young adult school setting, but it just didn't work. After all the magic and conflict, this section only dragged the story down. It should have been introduced earlier, to give readers a better foundation to stand on. Not to mention it never surfaces again.

There are abrupt chapter endings that left me confused. Listening to the audiobook, I thought it was skipping. I had to rewind to listen to the last few minutes and confirm that nothing was skipped, the chapter just suddenly ended. This pulled me straight out of the narrative.

The plot and subplots were not put together well. The reader is jolted between them, and at times I wasn't exactly sure what the main plot was anymore. At one point, the main plot seems to end and then pick up another plot altogether. Characters that were in the background suddenly came to the front and become solid secondary characters with the new plot.

This is not a series I will be continuing. While I enjoyed Violet and Nathan, the plot jumped too much and by the end of the book, I had no idea what was going on.

This review is also feature at Behind the Pages: The Faerie Guardian

As a Guardian Violet protects humans from any faerie that may sneak into the human realm. And she is on track to graduate at the top of her Guardian class. But while guarding a boy named Nathan, she accidentally brings him back to Creepy Hollow when he grabs hold of her arm. Humans are not allowed in the Faerie Realm. And the faerie paths Violet uses to travel should kill a human. Expelled from school for breaking the law, Violet is tasked with bringing Nathan back to his world. She must also give him a forgetful potion. But her curiosity may get the better of her. This is the first human she's interacted with. And her heart may have other ideas.

The beginning of this story was filled with action and world-building. Rachel Morgan brought to life the magical and colorful world of Creepy Hollow. The interactions between Violet and Nathan were comical as the two tried to understand their different customs and technology. Unfortunately, once I made it through the first part of the book, the rest seemed to fall to pieces.

After the events of Violet and Nathan, the reader is put into an average day for Violet. Training, dodging gossip and dealing with school rivalry. At this point in the story, it slowed down the narrative. It felt like an attempt at a typical young adult school setting, but it just didn't work. After all the magic and conflict, this section only dragged the story down. It should have been introduced earlier, to give readers a better foundation to stand on. Not to mention it never surfaces again.

There are abrupt chapter endings that left me confused. Listening to the audiobook, I thought it was skipping. I had to rewind to listen to the last few minutes and confirm that nothing was skipped, the chapter just suddenly ended. This pulled me straight out of the narrative.

The plot and subplots were not put together well. The reader is jolted between them, and at times I wasn't exactly sure what the main plot was anymore. At one point, the main plot seems to end and then pick up another plot altogether. Characters that were in the background suddenly came to the front and become solid secondary characters with the new plot.

This is not a series I will be continuing. While I enjoyed Violet and Nathan, the plot jumped too much and by the end of the book, I had no idea what was going on.

A broken girl. An obsession turned deadly.

Summer was the glue that held Mia and Brynn together. But all that changed when Summer was brutally murdered. The two girls who had been her best friends became the Murders of Brick House Lane. It didn't matter if it was true or not. The town is convinced they did it. Brynn commits herself to rehab after rehab, in an effort to avoid what has happened. Mia hides in silence, barely able to speak. When the two friends are reunited, they begin to search for the truth of what happened.

Five years ago, the three girls began writing a sequel to their favorite novel, The Way into Lovelorn. They began to imagine being in Lovelorn, a world where they could leave behind all the troubles of their lives. Each of the three girls carried their own harsh realities. Flawed families, insecurities over who they were and dark pasts. Lovelorn was supposed to be their escape. As the story unfolds, the reader is immersed in a dark world where a simple story becomes an obsession.

Being different in a small town isn't easy, and Lauren Oliver immerses you in the lives of three misunderstood girls. I was lost in the words of dark memories and hidden truths, as Brynn and Mia strived to understand what happened five years ago. Walking in their shoes, reading as they were ridiculed and gossiped about in their hometown, made me feel how painful it was for them to lose someone. They had no one to talk to, no one to mourn with. The town blamed them for Summer's death, and they had to bear the burden alone. It's no wonder their lives spiraled as they did.

This was a gripping read, intense and dark. It was more than just a murder mystery. It was a story about friendship, darkness, and obsession.

While on their honeymoon, Tom and Kelly discover a secret that could kill millions. The newlyweds must team up with a wide cast of characters to save a nation. They will have to go up against highly-trained foreign terrorists and risk their lives. A light and fast-paced read!

A copy of this book was provided to me through Online Book Club. They ask that you view the full review at their site which can be found here.

Cimorene isn't a normal princess. Instead of learning how to sew and dance, she would much rather be casting spells and fencing. When her parents decide it is time for her to be a proper princess and marry a prince, Cimorene runs away. She doesn't want to be a bored girl sitting in a castle all day. She would much rather live with a dragon, and she does just that. Living with the dragon Kazul, Cimorene will learn what it means to find her place in the world.

This is a light fun story for early readers. I can see this being the perfect introduction to the fantasy genre. The story touches on common fairy tales and has a main character who outsmarts even the best of her opponents. Cimorene is a strong female lead for growing girls to follow, and I think they will find it amusing that she doesn't want to be a normal princess. Cimorene dares to break the mold and does so in a way that is neither offensive or rude.

It's hard to find books that are appropriate these days for young adults. While this may be a simpler read, I can see teens enjoying it just as much as the young crowd. I first read this when I was in my teens and found it a quick funny read. Coming back to the story now that I am older, I still found it entertaining and I smiled at Cimorene's antics.

Devin has been phasing out and seeing odd things out of the corner of his eye. Nayra seems convinced he's seeing ghosts, but Devin refuses to believe her. When she decides to post online about Devin seeing ghosts his whole school catches on and the teasing begins. To make matters worse, Devin's friends are determined to draw out his ghost powers. When the three visit an abandoned house by the marsh, Devin will come to realize, maybe what everyone was saying is true.

I think this is a great book for early teens. The writing style is simple and to the point. Devin is a character I think many teenage boys can connect to. His antics and way of thinking are in line with the age group. I also appreciate a young adult book that remains appropriate for the age group without detailed sex scenes that seem to be the running trend now.

When Devin begins being bullied at school, some may view it as over the top, but let's be honest, this type of bullying is happening. Devin's attitude and withdrawal are right in line with the amount of teasing he undergoes.

I would have liked to see more time with Devin's father. It was a bit odd he was referenced by his first name instead of by father, or dad. It made me believe they didn't have a great relationship, but there wasn't enough story between the two to confirm this. Devin's father was away for most of the story on a work trip. If this was something frequent, then I could see their relationship being stretched thin. But if this is the case Devin should have been commenting on it and letting the reader feel the emotions behind it.

Around page 49 it seems like an old chapter draft was kept in the story. The writing abruptly started repeating itself, and the turn of events changed a bit. There were also cases of font changing in the eBook. Unfortunately, I did have to take a star out for not having proper formatting and proofreading throughout the novel. I think if this had another round of editing, it would be a much stronger story.

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Every Heart a Doorway

Nancy never felt like she belonged. She longed for something more in her life. When a mysterious door opened for her, she walked into the world of the dead and never wanted to leave. She felt at home among the stillness and peace of the dead. She learned how to slow her body down, to be on the edge of death itself but still breathe. And yet when she has finally found her true home, she is sent back to the living world to decided whether to stay among the living or the dead.

To Nancy's parents, her story of living among the dead is a fantasy. Something told when the true horrors of kidnapping hide beneath myth and fiction. She is sent to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children to recover. There she will find children just like her, castaways from fantastical worlds.

Seanan McGuire has created a beautifully dark novel filled with murder and mystery. Each child has their own story to tell. And some have darker secrets than others. I was glued to this book. Listening to it on audio, I put my headphones in whenever I could. While you won't learn about every child's back story, they all had a common element of something missing from their lives. I felt for each and every one of these children. The longing for acceptance and the desperation they felt struck me. If I had been in their shoes and I found my perfect world I certainly would never want to go back to the real one.

When I came to the end of this book I was left aching for more. I need to know more about these children and the worlds they discovered. I feel like I am one of them, grasping at straws trying to enter a world that I didn't want to leave. I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

Katsa is a Graceling, born with the ability to kill a man with her bare hands. Forced into killing for her King, she goes throughout life hating her ability. She is quick to anger, and if she loses control she will kill. What little joy she gets out of life is by secretly disobeying the King whenever she can. Until she meets Po. A beautiful man with a grace for fighting. He opens her eyes to a new world, one where she can be in control of her life and make her own choices.

Graceling had a strong start. Even though Katsa should be a powerful character, lifetime conditioning and guilt made her into a tool to the king. Each time she kills for the king, it's another day she loathes being graced. I saw the potential in Katsa to develop into a strong willed female character. I enjoyed watching her walk the thin line between obedience and snapping under the pressure.

I expected the story to stay focused on Katsa's struggle. Instead, it fades into the background the minute Po came onto the page. Where was the internal battling? Where was the slow climb to redemption? Instead of turning into a stronger character, Katsa just became boring. Even the twist with her grace that was supposed to be this amazing mystery, fell flat for me.

Romance took the center stage. Katsa became this mushball of a woman. A person I guess some would connect with as a motherly protective figure, but I just didn't enjoy the development. The subplots even paled in comparison to the amount of time spent developing the romance between the two characters. It was as if the rest of the story was just filler. I would only suggest this book if you like YA romance.

“No one knows what's going to happen. That's the way that life works. We're born, we live, we die, and in between a whole lot of stuff goes down that we can never guess. Not in a million years.”

Tripp Light never expected the zombie apocalypse. Who would? With the number of pop culture references out there, who would be dumb enough to start one? Well someone did. It's called Necropoxy. Most of the population has been infected by the airborne disease. Surrounded by poxers, Tripp and his sister Trina have to fight their way to safety. But can two teens survive in this world?

Zombieland meets Shaun of the Dead in this satirical story of the zombie apocalypse.

As Tripp and Trina plow their way through poxers with a Hummer they save whoever they can along the way. And of course Tripp's classroom nemesis Prianka is one of those saved. As much as he wanted to leave her behind. The two will create an entertaining banter back and forth as they have a battle of wits over what to do.

Along with Prianka is her little brother Sanjay. Sanjay is autistic. This is the first time I have read a book with an autistic character. And Sanjay is not a character to fade into the background. He is active and helpful throughout the storyline. I grew to love Sanjay. To be honest, he and his stuffed animal Poopy Puppy were my favorite characters. And bringing along a character who is autistic during a zombie apocalypse is not easy, but the dedication everyone showed to Sanjay was heartwarming.

I appreciated the wide cast of characters in this novel. Another of the main group was also wheelchair bound. The group did encounter difficulties you don't see in mainstream zombie pop culture because of this cast of characters. Howard Odentz did a wonderful job of showing their limitations and strengths. Just because they were disabled it didn't mean they couldn't do anything. All the characters pitched in when challenges arose.

I will admit that some of the humor in this may offend people. Tripp starts as an ignorant kid and can be smart mouthed around people who are disabled. The characters do call him out on some of the things he says, but a lot of his commentary is in his head. Keep in mind this is all part of his character development. He will grow to understand that even if you have a disability, it doesn't make you any less able.

I am looking forward to the next in this series!

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: A Fistful of Charms

My Hollows reread continues as we count down to the release of American Demon!

Werewolves have begun to gather in Michigan. Multiple packs are binding themselves to one wolf, and their behavior is erratic and aggressive. To make matters worse, Nick has stolen an artifact they all want. Now he's being held captive by the wolves, and they will do anything to find their prize. A desperate call from Jax is the only clue Rachel has to find Nick before it's too late. And too much exposure to the cold will put Jax into a deep hibernation he may never wake from. Jenks could care less about Nick, but he will do whatever he has to save his son Jax. Rachel and Jenks team up once again to go on what should be a simple grab and run. But can things ever be simple for Rachel?

Rachel's been toeing the line between white and black magic, but this time around she may just have to twist a curse or two. She doesn't want to be labeled as a black witch, but without the curses, she may not survive. Society has conditioned her to believe that all black witches are evil, and yet not all curses are bad. But even if they don't require blood and sacrifice, the imbalance of nature they create stains the soul. If Rachel invokes a curse, her aura will be black. Anyone and everyone will know what she has done if she puts up a circle in front of them. Is it worth the risk?

For the most part, Ivy is going to take a backseat in this one. Rachel and Jenks have some catching up to do, and fences to mend. However, readers will have a chance to learn about Ivy's past and how she became the uptight living vamp we know. And while learning about your roommate's tortured past would scare most people away, it drives Rachel and Ivy even closer together.

Team Defiance is invited to an international tournament where the game is more than what it seems. New technology has brought gaming one step further. As players experience the game, it can learn from them and up the difficulty level in a heartbeat. Defiance will have to learn new skills to conquer both the game and their opponents. But as Defiance struggles in game, Kali Ling must learn how to fight back against the pressures of being a team owner.

Having bought Team Defiance, Kali is determined to give them a better life. She refuses to force them into publicity stunts and hardcore partying. She won't cover up drug tests and hide the fact that addiction is a risk all gamers must face. When one of her teammates relapses, the gossip magazines take hold and begin to tear down the members of Defiance. Sponsors threaten to abandon the team. The public takes their darkest secrets and twists them into hate. Assaulted from all sides, the team begins to break under the pressure. Kali must hold them together and find a way to overcome the challenges surrounding them.

Once again Holly Jennings has created a novel that is much more than just a story about gaming. With fame comes immense pressure to be in the public eye. I don't think people take into account how it affects a person, and the insecurities it can cause. Each of the Defiance team members will have to conquer their inner demons to make it through the game.

Gauntlet will also venture into the darker parts of drug relapse. Jennings shows how it affects not only the person addicted but the people around them as well. Readers will see the rollercoaster of emotions addiction causes. There is a constant hidden battle to avoid temptation. With the type of lifestyle professional gamers live, that temptation is right in front of their eyes.

I want more of this world that Jennings has created. I don't want the story to end at Gauntlet. I hope in the future she will release the next part of Team Defiance's story. There is so much more left to tell.

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Speak

It's hard to speak when you're drowning.

Melinda's Summer before 9th grade was supposed to be a fun time spent with friends. But when she is invited to a senior party her life changes forever. An upper classmen takes advantage of Melinda and rapes her. Not knowing what else to do, Melinda calls 911, and the party is crashed.

She starts 9th grade as the freshman who ruined the party. Her friends shun her and it seems like the whole school hates her. She no longer feels like she fits in, alone and without anyone to talk to. Melinda wants to talk about what happened. To tell everyone the truth. She wants to make sense of the emotions running rampant in her mind, but she doesn't know how. Something bad happened, something unspeakable and she needs someone to listen to her.

It's heartbreaking to see all the people Melinda should be able to confide in, turn their backs on her. Even her parents neglect to acknowledge the drastic behavior changes in Melinda. Wrapped up in their busy lives, they only see a misbehaving child. They cannot see the pain behind it all. And the worst part, is that this happens every day.

How many times do we hear about someone being molested and raped? Countless people have been victims, and yet still society shuns them not wanting to believe the evil that is out there in the world. No one should have to feel alone and isolated like Melinda. No one should have to endure the pain this awful act brings.

This should be required reading for everyone.

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: A Court of Thorns and Roses

Feyre is the only reason her family is alive. Having lost all their wealth, she and her family live in a small cottage out in the woods. Her father is a broken man, longing for the days of wealth. Her sisters do nothing to help and squander whatever coin Feyre can make from the animals she hunts. But Feyre made a promise to her dying mother, she will take care of the family no matter what they do.

With a stomach caved in from hunger, Feyre must go deeper into the woods to find game. And the farther into the woods she goes, the closer she comes to the borders of the fey. Said to be horrid creatures who once enslaved and tortured humans, Feyre must be careful as she hunts. Some fey are rumored to shape shift, and any animal could be one of them. As she sets her sights on her prey, and loses her arrow, Feyre will forever change her life.

After Throne of Glass, I never thought I would read Sarah J. Maas again. Thanks to my book club convincing me, I decided to give her another try.

I had my doubts when starting A Court of Thorns and Roses. There was a large amount of blunt and repetitive foreshadowing. Feyre mentions that she risks hunting a fey creature way too many times. On top of this other people mention it as well. Foreshadowing can be a powerful tool when used sparingly. Unfortunately, I grew impatient with the constant reminders and just wanted the plot to progress.

I will admit Feyre was a great character to follow. She was strong and independent, willing to do whatever she had to in order to survive. I would have liked to see her internally struggle with some of her choices in fey a bit more, but for the sake of the story moving forward they were quickly made. She did have moments where even the fey called her out on her actions, which I appreciated because she did make bad decisions. But there can't be a story without conflict. I just wish there had been more build up.

Sarah J. Maas has a tendency to add long trends of filler in between highly addictive action parts. I don't understand this, other than to make more pages out of a book. If you cut out all the filler in this book, I could have given it a higher rating. But for the sake of making time pass in her novel, she adds days of Feyre doing much of nothing other than wandering around in her surroundings. Even when we are introduced to the Blight on the fey, instead of back to back action, we are faced with days of Feyre doing nothing.

I'm willing to give her a try with one more book. Given how Feyre's character developed by the end of this novel, I want to know more of what happens to her. We also have the chance of seeing what the other fey courts are like, and I very much want to see Maas' twist on them.

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Every Which Way But Dead

There's a new underground player in the Hollows, and he's putting his own brand of Brimstone on the streets. People are beginning to die. Both Piscary and Trent want the new competition out of their city, and Rachel is about to end up in the middle of it all. To make matters worse, every time she taps a line she risks calling Al across the ley lines. Rachel can't escape the demon forever, but she doesn't plan on becoming a tool for him either. Rachel is going to have to make some tough decisions, ones that will scar her forever.

I confess, the reason I love this addition to The Hollows series is Kisten. I need a Kisten in my life. He can be a royal pain, but deep down he knows that Rachel is broken inside from failed relationships. He's not about to walk into one with Rachel and expect her to change, or give him something she isn't able to. And while he can be pushy, he also knows the clear signs of when to back off and respects them. Being a living vampire, yes he wants blood, but he's willing to go without it for Rachel's sake. Though lately it's been hard for her to say no.

Rachel is learning to toughen up in this novel, even if it literally has to be beaten into her. Each time she goes toe to toe with Al, it's nothing but page turning action. Watching her try to outwit him and find whatever loopholes she can is exciting to read. She's also taking on increasingly harder runs allowing the reader to see how much she is beginning to change as a character. Even if it means some of her morals are starting to be compromised.

The farther Rachel journeys down her path, the more involved the world building becomes. We start to learn more about Rachel's father and what exactly happened to him. And the Ever After is no longer just something to be seen through second sight. It becomes a tangible area that begs to be explained in future novels. There is a rich history there, just begging to be tapped into. As always, The Hollows is an adrenaline filled ride. I can't wait to continue to the next!

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Caraval

Enter the fantastical world of Caraval, where nothing is quite what it seems. The Caraval game has been a dream to Scarlett and her sister Tella. Stuck on their home island with an abusive father, the girls want nothing more than to lose themselves in the beauty and mystery that Caraval promises. But every year Scarlett sends a letter to Legend, the master of Caraval, it goes unanswered.

Desperate to escape her father, Scarlett will do whatever she can to leave her island. So desperate she will even accept an arranged marriage to a person that may be just as bad as her father. But it's a risk she is willing to take. Until Legend invites the sisters to his Caraval island, and Tella decides their only option of escape is to play the game. Swept up in the magic of Caraval, Scarlett will have to rescue her sister from the master of the game or risk losing her forever.

I could taste and smell everything Stephanie Garber described in Caraval. The writing was so vivid and detailed. You could imagine yourself, in the heart of Caraval, swept up in the sights and sounds Scarlett experienced. The very essence of Caraval was the reason I continued this book, even though I did not enjoy the characters.

Scarlett was not a character I could connect to. She was meek and second-guessed herself all the time. I had hoped her character development would turn into a more confident and self-assured person, and it did not. She did develop, just not in ways I enjoyed reading. There was more relationship building than actual character development. Romance never sells a book for me. This was a beautifully detailed book, but the love angle didn't appeal to me. It could also be because I wasn't a fan of her love interest. He was...boring and when he took risks for Scarlett, I didn't care if he was injured or not.

The mechanics and world-building of Caraval won me over. Full of twists and turns, the reader is left wondering what is real and what is part of the game. For the first time in a while, I enjoyed a book even if I didn't like the characters. I've been encouraged by a few people to start the next one, and given the reviews, I've been seeing it is better than the first. I can't wait to see what Legend has in store for the next Caraval.

Tam Paradiso is one of the few people who can see the dark creatures that lurk in the human world. While she protects people by day as a cop, by night she hunts down the unthinkable. One night an awful creature crosses through time, and with it the handsome Christopher Marlowe. Yes, the Christopher Marlowe. Marlowe has been hunting down creatures through time. Now a new bloodthirsty creature roams the streets and there's no telling when Marlowe will be swept away. Tam and Marlowe will team up in a race against time.

I love any story with a strong female lead, and Tam is exactly that. She's cool under pressure and a quick thinker on her feet. She doesn't fall head over heels in love with the male protagonist right away. Too many times I read books where the female character just dissolves into a romance-driven woman with little need for anything else. Tam thinks everything through and like most of us, second guesses her feelings before realizing what they are. I connected with her on all her awkward moments as she started crushing on Marlowe.

The awkwardness of Marlowe acclimating to a future time was realistic and hilarious. Tam learns quickly that sarcasm goes right over his head. The language barrier between the two provides many pages of laughs. I also appreciated that Marlowe's old English was for the most part easy for the reader to understand. Anything the reader might not understand, Tam called out. Marlowe was a well balanced character and it might just so happen that his flair for writing won me over. What can I say? I do enjoy a man who can spin colorful words.

I do wish there was more explanation of how certain elements of the world worked. Like the effect metals and things had on monsters. I also would have liked to see a bit more back story between Tam and forensic scientist Ziggy. But I am hoping some of the answers to question I have will be in the next installment. Can't wait to continue reading this series!

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Good, the Bad and the Undead

Ley line witches are being murdered in Cincinnati. Rachel has been hired as an Inderlander consultant to help track down the killer. But Rachel will have to use magic she loathes in order to discover the truth. And where it leads her, there is no coming back from. If she isn't careful, she may just end up in debt to a demon and lose her soul.

The dynamics of Kim Harrison's characters have always been the reason I continued this series. Rachel alone would not be enough to carry the story. Her impulsiveness makes her wind up in entertaining situations, but she isn't a strong enough heroine. She's still learning, fumbling about and without Ivy and Jenks, I doubt she would make it far. As a character, Rachel has a lot of development to go through, but that's the point of reading a series right?

I do have to admit Ivy is my favorite character. I always fall for the torn and conflicted ones, and Ivy fits that bill. She is the strong female character I always gravitate towards, and seeing her in a secondary character role makes me savor the moments she is on the page. I also love the friendship between Rachel and Ivy. Rachel won't abandon Ivy, despite any hiccups that may happen between the two of them. This makes me appreciate Rachel more as a character. Kim has built a world where living vampires are slaves to their instincts, and watching Ivy continue to struggle against her basic instincts, all in a fight to just be a normal friend to someone tears me up.

I'm glad to say I am enjoying this series just as much as I did ten years ago when it first hit the shelves. If you want a series filled with action, friendship, sarcastic comedy, and demons, pick this one up.

Neglected as a child, Hulda only wanted her family's love. Instead, she watched as they doted on her sister, making sure her beautiful hair was brushed and braided, while Hulda's remained a snarled mess day after day. Searching for comfort, Hulda turned to the forest, spending her days playing in quiet solitude. She began to befriend the snakes in the forest. They whispered their names to her, tangling themselves in her hair and wrapping her in the comfort she longed for. But her parents began to view her as an outsider. No longer just a neglected child, she was seen as a monster. A girl possessed by demons who could speak with snakes. When her parents and village struck out at her, the curse of Medusa began, passing down through the generations, driving young women insane.

Milla watches as her one and only friend succumbs to the madness of the curse. While everyone around her believes it is useless to try and save the cursed girls, Milla refuses to give up hope. Alone, Milla will discover the source of the curse and will do whatever she can to stop it.

This was a slow-paced novel. If you are looking for a lot of action scenes, this is not the book for you. I tend to need action to keep my attention, but this book was an exception. While the story was slow to develop, I was captivated by Arsdale's style of writing. She has a way of painting a picture in your mind with her words. The way she describes the settings is beautiful. She provides a darkly poetic world, filled with heartache and redemption.

But even with a beautiful writing style, I can't ignore the fact that there was too much filler. The girls would tell stories that held no importance. There was also a time where the main character stayed in one place without progressing the story. This all served to stall the story and I wanted to skip ahead to forward the plot. The ending was also a bit anticlimactic for my taste. It was an ok read, but I doubt I would revisit it.