Review: Relentless

The Hero Agenda: Relentless | Tera Lynn Childs & Tracy Deebs

Published by: Sourcebooks Fire, June 7th 2016

Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Superhero+villain

Pages: 288

Format: Ebook

Source: Sourcebooks Fire, via Netgalley

Revenge is easy, but justice is worth fighting for…

Kenna is tired of being lied to—and hunted by the very allies she once trusted. Unearthing the dark secrets of the superhero world has not only endangered her life, now her boyfriend faces execution for crimes he didn’t commit and her mother is being held captive in a secret governmental prison.

Kenna is determined to stand up for what’s right and save those she loves from unspeakable fates. It’s time for the betrayal to end. It’s time for the real criminals to face justice.

But the truth is even more terrifying than Kenna could imagine. A conspiracy threatens the fate of heroes, villains, and all of humanity. If Kenna’s going to survive, she must draw on her deepest strength: her resilience. Because when Kenna’s pushed to the limit, she doesn’t break down. She fights back.

Every bit as awesome and epic and driven as the first book.

This series is so heartfelt and heartbreaking and compelling, and it's just fun, despite all the pain and trauma. The beating heart of this book is really the friendships - not the romance. I love the way the group works together, their dialogue, their complex and trusting bonds. I just love them all. Not to say I don't adore the romance because I so do - Draven, more like Bae-ven - and I FREAKING LOVED Nitro and Riley. They could not be cuter. And gay side pairing - thank you very much, book gods!

I just loved everything - the secrets, the reveals, the evolution of all the powers and Kenna's abilities. The danger and tension ramped up even higher in this book and it was AWESOME. The characters shine, the plot is fast, and the world is just so cool.

You have to read this series.

Characters ★★★★☆
Setting/World ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: What The Dead Want

What The Dead Want | Norah Olson

Published by: Katherine Tegen Books, July 26th 2016

Genre: YA, Paranormal, Gothic, Ghosts

Pages: 320

Format: Ebook

Source: Katherine Tegen, via Edelweiss

16 -year-old Gretchen takes photographs to understand the world around her, a passion her mother Mona fostered and encouraged when she was still around. Since her mom disappeared years ago, Gretchen and her dad have lived on their own in New York City, haunted by Mona’s absence.

When Gretchen’s great aunt Esther calls unexpectedly to tell her that she has inherited the pre-Civil War mansion on her mother’s side of the family in upstate New York, Gretchen understands nothing except that her aunt needs her help. But what she finds there is beyond her imagination. The house is crumbling apart, filled with stacks of papers and journals from decades, even centuries past, and it’s crawling with rodents. It’s also full of secrets and a legacy of racism and violence so reprehensible that the ghosts of the past are exacting revenge on the living.

Somehow the mystery of Mona’s disappearance and the atrocities that happened on the land during the Civil War are inextricably intertwined, and it’s up to Gretchen to figure out how…before even more lives are lost. 

This is a damn good ghost story. When I went into this book I expected a run-of-the-mill horror. Flat characters, bland relationships, a tonne of unanswered questions, a bit of tense spookiness to keep me going. But it was Halloween, and What The Dead Want seemed suitably creepy. 

This is not run-of-the-mill. This is stand out, well written gothic paranormal and it has memorable, likeable (what?!) characters. The story was not predictable at all. I LOVED the element of photography, how spirits could be captured on film, and how integral it was to the end of the story. There's a perfect blend of ghostiness (that's a word!), history, mystery, danger, and plucky and brave characters trying to uncover secrets. I also loved how it confronted the racist history of the house and the church, and how Gretchen accepted her own link to her predecessor's horrific actions. How she never shifted the blame or responsibility and was determined to get justice for the victims.

Multi-faceted, horrifying in unexpected ways, and driven by passion and heart. You won't find a better ghost story than this.

Characters ★★★★☆
Setting/World ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: Ivory & Bone

Ivory And Bone: Ivory And Bone | Julie Eshbaugh

Published by: HarperTeen, June 7th 2016

Genre: YA, Romance, Fantasy, Historical (inspired)

Pages: 371

Format: Ebook

Source: HarperTeen, via Edelweiss

A prehistoric fantasy—with allusions to Pride and Prejudice.

Hunting, gathering, and keeping his family safe—that’s the life seventeen-year-old Kol knows. Then bold, enigmatic Mya arrives from the south with her family, and Kol is captivated. He wants her to like and trust him, but any hopes of impressing her are ruined when he makes a careless—and nearly grave—mistake. However, there’s something more to Mya’s cool disdain…a history wrought with loss that comes to light when another clan arrives. With them is Lo, an enemy from Mya’s past who Mya swears has ulterior motives.

As Kol gets to know Lo, tensions between Mya and Lo escalate until violence erupts. Faced with shattering losses, Kol is forced to question every person he’s trusted. One thing is for sure: this was a war that Mya or Lo—Kol doesn’t know which—had been planning all along.

Romantic and authentic prehistoric fantasy.

I LOVE Kol and Mya so much. I love them as individuals, I love them as a couple. I cannot WAIT to see their future together. (Even though the summary of book 2 makes me want to pretend the series ended with this book...) I even love Kol and Mya's families, and how distinct everyone was. The characters really shine in this book, and I won't be quick to forget them.

Ivory and Bone has a world that's built so richly and beautifully, I was immersed fully in the setting. The attention to detail is just stunning. 

This book is slow and careful and full of tension. It has a great villain - who's just a a girl! - and the obstacles between Kol and Mya were well done, even if they drove me mad (just say what you mean, idiots!) If you're looking for a plot heavy book, though, this may not be for you. Lovers of thoughtful, tender books should fall in love with Ivory and Bone, though.

Characters ★★★★★
Setting/World ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Monthly Round Up (10)

Monthly round up is a journal where I record my reading progress, reviews, and my favourite books/biggest disappointments of the month.

Reviews:

Flamecaster
How It Feels To Fly
The Amateurs
Relic
How To Disappear

What I've read this month:

Pretty into murder mystery this month, but as always, reading mostly fantasy.

Favourite book:

Obviously Crooked Kingdom

Biggest Disappointment:

Rise of Fire. WHAT THE HELL, BOOK??? Reign of Shadows was one of my favourites EVER and this was just not the same.

What did you read this month? Leave a comment!

~Saruuh