Review: Darkness Brutal

The Dark Cycle: Darkness Brutal | Rachel A. Marks

Published by: Skyscape, July 1st 2015

Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Demons

Pages: 425

Format: Ebook

Source: Skyscape, via Netgalley

Aidan O’Linn’s childhood ended the night he saw a demon kill his mother and mark his sister, Ava, with Darkness. Since then, every three years the demons have returned to try to claim her. Living in the gritty, forgotten corners of Los Angeles, Aidan has managed to protect his sister, but he knows that even his powers to fight demons and speak dead languages won’t keep her safe for much longer.

In desperation, Aidan seeks out the help of Sid, the enigmatic leader of a group of teens who run LA Paranormal, an Internet reality show that fights demons and ghosts. In their company, Aidan believes he’s finally found a haven for Ava. But when he meets Kara, a broken girl who can spin a hypnotic web of passionate energy, he awakens powers he didn’t know he had―and unleashes a new era of war between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness.

With the fate of humanity in his hands, can Aidan keep the Darkness at bay and accept his brilliant, terrifying destiny?

I really enjoyed Darkness Brutal. Here's what I thought:

- Interesting cast of characters, though I did confuse Lester and Jax a few times.

- I thought I'd like Rebecca the most, but I actually adore Kara. She's flawed and brave and has a tortured past, which is my type. Plus I really connect with her. 

- I loved the sibling relationship, and how they were both determined to protect each other.

- A really interesting, unique plot, with dream flashbacks and a time travel element I didn't see coming. It shouldn't have worked at all, but with it tied into the main character and their dad, it really did. I loved it!

- Bible-based religion-inspired fantasy that didn't put me off the book. It wasn't preachy or OTT, it didn't overwhelm the main story or the characters, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed those parts of the book. It made Darkness Brutal stand out and memorable.

- I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh take on demons and YA urban fantasy.

Characters ★★★★☆
Setting/world ★★★★☆
Writing ★★★★☆

#FreeReadsWeek Day 7 - A Mini Review

It's the final day in my reading challenge! I've got through a lot of books I wanted to read so I'm very happy! Tomorrow I'll have a round up of my reading and another review. Here's my thoughts on Maggie For Hire, an urban fantasy novel.

This had everything I was looking for - and bonus elves! Fun, packed full of paranormal creatures, and with a heroine I can admire and empathise with. I loved that the story revolved around vampires, and how cunning they were (and that they had a legit motive for doing bad things, not just Evil.) The portals between the Other Side was also pretty cool. Fun, vampy urban fantasy (if you'll pardon the pub) with the perfect hint of slow burning romance and snarky teasing. This is one series I'll read the entire of!

Did you join in this week? Leave a comment with which free books you read!
~Saruuh

#FreeReadsWeek Day 4 - Queen of Someday review

It's the fourth day in my reading challenge! My latest read is a wonderful historical novel, and here's my review:

Stolen Empire: Queen of Someday | Sherry D. Ficklin

Published by: Clean Teen Publishing, October 7th 2014

Genre: YA, Historical

Pages: 262

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

ONE GIRL WILL BRING AN EMPIRE TO ITS KNEES...

Before she can become the greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophie will have to survive her social-climbing mother’s quest to put her on the throne of Russia—at any cost.

Imperial Court holds dangers like nothing Sophie has ever faced before. In the heart of St. Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic, and religious demands of the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family—and herself—Sophie vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens to derail her plans.

Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man but falling in love with another, Sophie will need to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be.

In a battle for the soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?

I loved this story and its exquisite, detailed setting. 

I wanted to love Alexander, but I just didn't feel anything for him. Weirdly, I preferred Peter until he went and treated Sophie like a possession, but who I really fell for is Sergei. The ending gives me so much hope for Sergei and Sophie/Catherine and I can't wait to see where that goes. 

All the way through, Queen of Someday is so tense and there's a heavy sense of danger in every scene. It felt as if someone would suffer horribly at any moment (spoiler: they actually did!) Apart from not connecting to Alexander, I have no complaints. 

Wonderfully written, perfect attention to detail in the historic world building, and a character I really root for in Sophie. The Russian court makes me nervous and I could not do what Sophie does and navigate it, but I can't wait to dive into the next book!

Characters ★★★★☆
Setting/world ★★★★★
Writing ★★★★☆

Cover Reveal: Lost Girls, by Merrie Destefano

Hi guys! Today I'm sharing the cover of Lost Girls, by Merrie Destafano, hosted by YAInterrobang

Lost Girls | Merrie Destefano

Release Date: January 3, 2017
Genre: YA Psychological Thriller

Yesterday, Rachel went to sleep listening to Taylor Swift, curled up in her grammy’s quilt, worrying about geometry. Today, she woke up in a ditch, bloodied, bruised, and missing a year of her life.

She doesn’t recognize the person she’s become: she’s popular. She wears nothing but black.

Black to cover the blood.

And she can fight.

Tell no one.

She’s not the only girl to go missing within the last year…but she’s the only girl to come back. She desperately wants to unravel what happened to her, to try and recover the rest of the Lost Girls.

But the more she discovers, the more her memories return. And as much as her new life scares her, it calls to her. Seductively. The good girl gone bad, sex, drugs, and raves, and something darker…something she still craves—the rush of the fight, the thrill of the win—something she can’t resist, that might still get her killed…

The only rule is: There are no rules.

 
 

About the Author:

Born in the Midwest, former magazine editor Merrie Destefano currently lives in Southern California with her husband, two German shepherds, a Siamese cat, and the occasional wandering possum. Her favorite hobbies are reading speculative fiction and watching old Star Trek episodes, and her incurable addiction is writing. She loves to camp in the mountains, walk on the beach, watch old movies, and listen to alternative music—although rarely all at the same time. 

http://www.merriedestefano.com/

Group Blog: http://supernaturalunderground.blogspot.ca/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MerrieDestefano

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merrie.destefano

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/816280.Merrie_Destefano

Newsletter: http://www.merriedestefano.com/ (Sign up under the Newsletter tab.)

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Card

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#FreeReadsWeek Day 2 - A Mini Review

It's the second day in my reading challenge! Today I read a novel - Descended From Dragons by Tricia Owens, which was awesome. I only got it a couple days ago so it doesn't technically cut down on any book I've owned forever but it still totally counts.

This book is fun from start to finish. I wasn't 100% in love with the romance but it's AWESOME that he's a gargoyle, and I do like the main character. Anne has a dragon familiar. DRAGON. FAMILIAR. Gone are the days of black cats (not that I don't love black cats, but DRAGON!!) Also there's a grouchy sorcerer/magician, threats of demons, the MC is Asian American, her best friend is Mexican, and it's set in Las Vegas. All good stuff.