March Recap!

Books Read: (24)

Books Reviewed: (11)

• Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver
• The Last Keeper's Daughter by Rebecca Trogner
• Let The Sky Fall (Let The Sky Fall #1) by Shannon Messenger
• The Genesis (Bloof of Ages #1) by K.L. Kerr
• DiSemblance (DiSemblance #1) by Shanae Branham
• Fraction of Stone (Fraction #1) by Kelley Lynn
• First Visions (Second Sight #1) by Heather Topham Wood
• The Demon Child (The Cursed Necklace Series #1) by Anila Hoxha
• The Witch Hunter (The Witch Hunter Saga #1) by Nicole R. Taylor
• Undone (Unraveling #1.5) by Elizabeth Norris
• Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare

Favorite Reads: 

I just couldn't pick one this month so I picked 3 instead xD Both Fuedlings and Fraction of a Stone were awesome reads for their genre and Clockwork Princess for obvious reasons :P

Favorite Cover: 

I just love the textures, picture and play of shadows and lights in this one.

2013 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

7/41-50  I'm doing horribly for this one. Suck at challenges. Should have like 12 by now. Oh well. Maybe I can catch up during vacation.

TBR Pile Monthly Objectives

For March I was supposed to have read A Song of Fire and Ice. Obviously I did no such thing LOL. I did try though. I started A Clash of Kings since everyone's been saying that the first one was like verbatim to the first season. Needless to say I was getting pretty bored with the second cause I already knew what was going on. I did like reading Arya's chapters so I might just end up reading all of hers and that's it and just stick to the show instead. Like I said, I such at challenges xD

Unraveling Sundays

I'll be posting about what happened last week and what you might expect this week and anything else that has caught my attention. I'm linking up to the Sunday Post, a meme by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

What happened last week on Unraveling Words...

Reviewed

• The Demon Child (The Cursed Necklace #1) by Anila Hoxha - DNF - :(
• The Witch Hunter (The Witch Hunter Saga #1) by Nicole R. Taylor - 3 Stars - Good start to the series.
• Undone (Unraveling #1.5) by Elizabeth Norris - 4 Stars - A must read novella!
• Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare - 3.5 Stars - Nice introduction to this prequel spin off.

Memes

• Releases of the Week #17
• Teaser Tuesday - Feudlings
• Totally forgot to join last week's Feature & Follow.

Featured Posts

• Book Tour of The Demon Child by Anila Hoxha
• Book Tour of The Witch Hunter by Nicole R. Taylor
• Trailer of Parallel by Lauren Miller
• Cover Reveal of Of Silver and Beasts by Trisha Wolfe

What you can expect this week...

Reviews:

• Soul Meaning by A.D. Starrling as part of a book tour
• Black Feathers by Joseph D'Lacey
• Grishma by Kelly Anne Blount also as part of a book tour

Memes

• Releases of the Week #18
• Teaser Tuesday
• Feature & Follow #12

Featured Posts

• Book Blitz: Timespell by Diana Paz
• Book Tour: Soul Meaning by A.D. Starrling
• Book Tour: Grishma by Kelly Anne Blount

Ramblings:

My week of freedom is over. So sad! If you guys haven't seen the cover for Timespell you must see it! I have completely fallen in love with it. I hope I fall in love with the book as well, sounds just as good. I have also become obsessed with Imagine Dragons since I discovered them this week, they have great songs! Their whole album is good.

Make sure to check out the Giveaways and the new Cover they are beautiful!

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Angel

Series: The Infernal Devices #1

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publication Date: September 6, 2009

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

***

My Thoughts

Not exactly sure how to rate this. On the one hand the book had that quality to it where it would just suck you in and time would fly away from you. But on the other hand, I had a few issues with it.

I liked all the characters. Tessa was an awesome heroine. For a Victorian lady who doesn't actually know how to fight she can still kick some ass. More I might add than quite a few heroines out there. Will and Jem, loved them both. Even though, yes Will was an ass like 90% of the time. He was too funny for me to actually no like him. And Jem is just a sweetheart. As for secondary characters they were all very nicely fleshed out, even those that had very small 'screen' time, they were still a full on person. I think the character I liked least was Jessamine she rubbed me the wrong way the whole way through. I just didn't like her at all. The stuff that she would come up with was astounding.

Plotwise, I don't know. I mean it was good, but at the same time predictable. I knew who the bad guy was from the first moment we meet him and the rest just followed a certain formula, a complicated and twisty one, but one I could predict and follow the whole way through. Again, not bad, but not great either. There was still enough action/drama to keep me fully engrossed. I really liked the steam-punk elements in this one. They were very well done, and it just somehow came out as if it was something that was perfectly normal of that time.

I had a few tiny issues that still managed to irritate me, and unfortunately one of the bigger ones was towards the end therefore it ended on a sour note. I didn't like the repetition. The constant statements about the names and proper ladylike behavior. I understand it was needed for that era, but it was the constant drivel about it that started getting on my nerves after some time. And my problem towards the end was that (view spoiler)

If it hadn't been for those little problems this would have gotten a solid 4 stars and probably even higher, but as it is, it gets the 3.5. Now for Clockwork Prince!

***

Other books in the series:

1. Clockwork Angel
2. Clockwork Prince (November 29, 2011)
3. Clockwork Princess (March 19, 2013)

Cover Reveal: Of Silver and Beasts

Of Silver and Beasts (A Goddess Wars Novel)

by Trisha Wolfe

Release Date: June 1, 2013

Genre: New Adult Dark Fantasy

Cover Reveal Organized by: YA Bound

Cover Designed by: Steven Novak

In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different. 

When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena. 

Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.

 

***

Excerpt

I open my mouth to say something comforting, but I’m unsure of what. In this moment, I’m reminded that I know little about him. Other than the sarcasm and desire to understand nothing of my queendom, he hasn’t allowed me past the surface. 

But then, I have my own walls, hiding things I’d never want him or any other to know. And I understand that need to hide them. You can’t trust anyone. 

“Caben…” I start, but still can’t find the right words. 

He lowers his hand from his face, never taking his eyes off the glinting water top. “You’re right,” he finally says. “Let’s find the access to Lilly’s section.” 

A hollow pang hits my chest, and I’m not sure why. Something in his voice sounds lost, broken. I imagine the gears around my heart spinning faster, trying to keep up with my racing heart. 

When he sidesteps me, I reach out and grab his arm. “Caben, I didn’t mean—” 

“It’s fine, Kal,” he snaps. “We have work to do.” 

“No, I’ve said something to offend you.” I drop my hand, but keep close to him, not allowing him to leave my side. Goddess, trying to understand the male brain is harder than anything in protector training. I’ve heard people say that you have to tip-toe around a woman’s emotions, but a man’s ego is every bit as fragile, if not more so. 

He releases a heavy breath through his nose and walks back to the pool. He sits down along the edge and rolls up his pants, then slips off his boots. “I honestly don’t think Bax or his goons will be returning tonight.” He sinks his bare feet into the water and sighs. 

Glancing at the back of the cave, I plant my hands on my hips. We don’t have time for indulgences  but the prince is still my charge. If it were my empress, I’d give her anything she’d ask for. Allow her as much time as she needed to collect herself. I have to watch over his mental state as well as protect him, so I try to push the pending need to find Lilly aside and sit down next to him. 

“Here,” he says, turning his hand out near my crossed feet. “You have to feel this.” 

A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “I can remove my own—”  

“Have you never been pampered a day in your life?” he asks, lifting an eyebrow. “I know that the Nactue are fierce and will put a hurt on any man for touching them. But try to relax.” 

“Is that the rumor in Perinya?” 

“What?” 

I bite my lip, suddenly regretting my blurt. “Nothing. Never mind.” 

From the corner of my eye, I see his lips pucker into a pinched smile, as if he’s trying not to. 

“Ah,” he says, like he’s made some great universal connection. “Well, there are many whisperings about the Nactue. Some I dare not repeat for fear I’d leave here missing a limb, but that’s one, yes.” He takes my booted foot and begins to unlace it. “I’ve heard that the empress’s protectors are untouchable—forbidden to give themselves to men. And that they’ll snap a man’s neck just for making an advance.” 

My mouth drops open. Appalled, I counter, “That’s not true.” 

“All right,” he says, as if he hasn’t just insulted my very existence. “It’s only rumors. Things men jaw about in pubs. The unattainable woman is a fantasy, Kal. Don’t be offended.” 

“Unattainable?” I grit my teeth, trying to maintain my composure. “Tell me, prince. Do men in your country just go around bedding every woman they can in order to keep them compliant?” I shake my head. “If their fantasy is a woman that would have nothing to do with them, it seems to me it’s their way of feeding their egos after being rejected.” 

His eyes widen. “No! How does your brain come up with these—” He bites off his words, his lips thin as he presses them together. “Look, it was a joke.” 

I nod, many times. “Another joke. I’m glad that our hard work and sacrifice is amusing to the men of Perinya.” 

Caben lets out another sigh and slowly pulls off my boot. His warm fingers skim my calf as he inches up my pant leg. “Just stick your foot in,” he says, then adds lower, “while I stick mine in my mouth.” 

Unexpectedly, I laugh. “At least it’s now clean,” I say. “Would you like some help getting it to your face?”

Author Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon

***

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Trailer for Parallel by Lauren Miller

This is a book I'm planning on reading. I have been fascinated with the whole parallel universe idea for a while now, but have yet to find a good book that really deals with the concept. They usually end up getting side tracked and not really delve into all the possibilities. So I'm really hoping this one is different.

As most of you know I'm not a fan of book trailers because of the are usually made with voices that mess with what I have imagined in my head and with weird meshed up images. The interestring thing about this trailer is that it's ALL voice and no images. Which I actually didn't mind at all. I think it goes well with the tone of the book.

So here it is! Book trailer for Parallel by Lauren Miller:

***

Parallel
by Lauren Miller
Publication Date: May 14, 2013

Abby Barnes had a plan. The Plan. She'd go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper, all before she turned twenty-two. But one tiny choice—taking a drama class her senior year of high school—changed all that. Now, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, miles from where she wants to be, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she's in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. Overnight, it's as if her past has been rewritten.

With the help of Caitlin, her science-savvy BFF, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. And not only that: Abby's life changes every time her parallel self makes a new choice. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby's senior year of high school and falling for someone Abby's never even met.

As she struggles to navigate her ever-shifting existence, forced to live out the consequences of a path she didn't choose, Abby must let go of the Plan and learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that's finally within reach.

So what do you guys think about the trailer? Planning on reading this one when it comes out?

Review: Undone by Elizabeth Norris

Title: Undone

Series: Unraveling #1.5

Author: Elizabeth Norris

Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Rating: 4 Stars

Before the accident. Before their universes collided. Before they fell in love.

Riveting and romantic, Undone: An Unraveling Novella contains three short stories set in the world of Unraveling, the first book in the gripping sci-fi duology by Elizabeth Norris.

Before Ben Michaels saved Janelle Tenner’s life, Janelle saved Ben when he stumbled through an interuniverse portal into a completely new world. That day, he fell in love with the girl of his dreams. And he never forgot her.

Through three stories told from Ben’s point of view, learn how Ben and his friends discovered their ability to travel between worlds, how Ben first met Janelle, and how he pined for her for years before he actually got the chance to meet her, save her life, and capture her heart. And find out what happens to Ben between the cliff-hanger conclusion to Unraveling and the beginning of its heart-stopping sequel, Unbreakable.

***

My Thoughts

I usually end up giving novellas 2, max 3 stars, because most of them are just too short for anything else. The stories, which are nice, are still nothing to write home about, but this one was definitely an exception!

The first 2 stories where a bit weird and honestly Ben was coming off as a major Stalker with a capital S and the way it was written was kinda stilted. They were very short sentences. It kept throwing me off. I didn't like it. Get it? Anyway, as it went on, the sentences got to a more normal length and I started understanding Ben more. So even though I wasn't 100% convinced, I could at least tell where he was coming from (which I guess was what the novella was trying to accomplish). 

Now, the last story and the sneak peak of book 2 left me completely unsatisfied and wanting soo much more! Damn cliffhangers!!! Finally learning about the other universe(s) and what happened in it and to Elijah, Reid, and Ben's families, and then the weeks after arriving there. We also get a more indepth look of how they used to live, what their families were like and how it had all changed when the 3 boys had disappeared. It even got me to start liking Elijah, cause I was never really a fan of his. With this novella I was not only given a refresher of the events that had happened in Unraveling, but also got the bridge that will unite the events of Unraveling with Unbreakable, which as I said before I'm totally looking forward to!

***

Other books in the series:

1. Unraveling (April 24, 2012)
2. Unbreakable (Coming April 23, 2013)

Book Tour + Giveaway: The Witch Hunter by Nicole R. Taylor

The Witch Hunter (The Witch Hunter Saga #1)
by Nicole R. Taylor

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Publication Date: March 3, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published

I was born into the world covered in blood, and that's exactly the way I left it.

Ever since, I have been damned to walk the boundary between life and death alone. Unwillingly turned and left to my nightmare, I have seen men commit countless horrors and committed many of my own.

My origins shall remain unknown, my true self hidden. I have been called by many names, but in this life I am known as the Witch Hunter. I have been asleep these past 150 years, until I was awoken by a haunting call.

Zachary Degaud was twenty three when he died. The problem was, he didn't stay that way.

Present day, he's just another vampire with another unremarkable story. That is, until he manages to provoke a two thousand year old witch named Katrin, who wants to make him pay in the most horrible way imagined.

Along with his brother Sam, newly made vampire Liz and their only witch ally, Gabby, his only chance for survival is to summon the ancient and unpredictable vampire known as the Witch Hunter.

Zac is just looking for a way out of his psychopathic witch problems, but instead will find himself falling head first into a blood feud that has stretched thousands of years.

Aya has been asleep for the past 150 years, until she was awoken by a haunting call. The witch she has been hunting for thousands of years, Katrin, has resurfaced and marked a young, annoyingly arrogant vampire by the name of Zachary Degaud. Unless she does something, he will die a slow and painful death. He has given her an opportunity to end the witch, but does she want to help him or leave him to his fate?

Zac will get under her skin like no one else has and she just might find herself making the ultimate sacrifice before he is gone forever.

They will both have to choose sides and look deep within themselves before the end. But, what Zac learns about himself, will surprise him most of all.

***

About the Author

Nicole R. Taylor is an Australian born paranormal, fantasy and contemporary fiction author. She is a graduate of the University of Ballarat Professional Writing and Editing programme and is a former music memorabilia sales person and grocery merchandiser.

She currently lives in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia with a two year old rescue cat named, Burger. She enjoys reading, writing (of course!), traveling and a little too much chocolate. One day she hopes to sky dive, but has to work up the courage first.

The first in her new paranormal fantasy series, The Witch Hunter Saga is currently available in e-edition and print.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 



***

My Thoughts

The blurb of this book really interested. I had been looking for a good vamp book for a while now. One where they acted like vamps not all self sacrificing and crap. This one had both.

It started out pretty much the same as Vampire Diaries. The asshole brother and the goody-two-shoes brother with the stupid naive girlfriend, the best friend witch and of course the human friend. Also there was a bit of a cheating and love triangle crap going on at the start, but at least that was resolved fairly quickly and moved on from there. It didn't really start getting interesting till Aya appeared.

She was really the one who made the book. Her and Zac. Aya was brutally honest with her opinions of people and she verbally slapped Liz (the stupid girlfriend) a couple of times and I was just whooping with joy xD Aya was also very bloodthirsty, she had no qualms with killing or even actually wanting to kill, and she still retained her humanity. She had achieved a somewhat balance between her vampire and true self.

After the appearance of Aya things go from bad to worse for the brothers. there are appearances of founding witches and vamps, some lesser of both, and lots of pulling beating hearts out and staking going on. I liked the plot quite a bit, and loved that the book was gory and didn't shy away from killing. My problem stemmed from the way it was written and the romance.

It was written in third person but with alternating PoVs and that would switch sometimes from paragraph to paragraph which would be really confusing. I had to keep making mental notes to figure out who's PoVs was. Then there is the romance between Aya and Zac, which was just weird. they have a love-hate relationship thing going on, which is fine but they don't have enough interactions with each other for them to be declaring their love at the end, and it just didn't seem quite real. It just advanced much to quickly for no reason.

And last but not least, the ending. Freaking cliffhangers! Can't just end it like that! I refuse to believe that ending. I am in full on denial till I read the next book. And hopefully the transitions of PoVs will be smoother and Aya's past will be revealed, cause I'm just left with more questions than before. If you like the Vampire Diaries without the epic love triangle then you should definitely give this one a try.

Rating: 3 Stars

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Giveaway

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