Book Review: Stranded by Bracken MacLeod

Title: Stranded
Author: Bracken MacLeod
Publication Date: October 4, 2016
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 304
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//I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review//

In the spirit of John Carpenter's The Thing and Jacob's Ladder comes a terrifying, icebound thriller where nothing is quite what it seems.

Badly battered by an apocalyptic storm, the crew of the Arctic Promise find themselves in increasingly dire circumstances as they sail blindly into unfamiliar waters and an ominously thickening fog. Without functioning navigation or communication equipment, they are lost and completely alone. One by one, the men fall prey to a mysterious illness. Deckhand Noah Cabot is the only person unaffected by the strange force plaguing the ship and her crew, which does little to ease their growing distrust of him.

Dismissing Noah's warnings of worsening conditions, the captain of the ship presses on until the sea freezes into ice and they can go no farther. When the men are ordered overboard in an attempt to break the ship free by hand, the fog clears, revealing a faint shape in the distance that may or may not be their destination. Noah leads the last of the able-bodied crew on a journey across the ice and into an uncertain future where they must fight for their lives against the elements, the ghosts of the past and, ultimately, themselves. 

Stranded first caught my eye because of its gorgeous, haunting cover. Then I read the synopsis and I was totally hooked! I don't read much adult fiction, but when I do it's usually horror or survival stories. This one was an incredible mix of both that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish!

This story is about Noah, a Merchant Mariner who is literally having the worst luck. He's a deckhand stuck with a captain who just happens to be the father-in-law who actually hates his guts. The past year has been incredibly rough for him, at home and at work, and now his ship also happens to be heading into some really weird weather. Noah was an extremely sympathetic character who I just wanted to succeed and come out okay. Fun fact about me: my husband is a Merchant Marine and this added to my feelings of sympathy towards Noah. I know how difficult the job is in the best of times and this poor, poor guy just could not catch a break.

Stranded is literally about a ship being stranded in the middle of nowhere - in the middle of a sea of ice, to be exact. The ice is way thicker than it realistically should be and it's difficult not to panic right along with Noah when the crew realizes none of their equipment is working, with no apparent cause. Even worse, the entire crew seems to be sick (other than Noah). With no way to call for help and with physical and mental capacities failing, Noah is unwittingly thrown into a position of leadership in an attempt to find help.

I felt like I was in The Twilight Zone (one of my favorite shows of all time) reading this book and it was amazing. There isn't much I can say about the plot without giving too much away, but Stranded is an absolute roller coaster. There were moments I was shocked into putting the book down and staring into space for a minute, trying to wrap my mind around it all. The not-quite-right atmosphere of the icy landscape added to the sense of unease I had throughout the story and I loved it!

Towards the end of Stranded everything unraveled a bit for me. The characters became more volatile and the action definitely picked up, but this kind of book doesn't necessarily need a ton of action, in my opinion. It was much more unsettling when the characters were just trying to figure things out. I also didn't love the ending and didn't like that there really wasn't much to explain what had occurred. I can understand why the author ended things the way he did, but I would've appreciated at least some kind of answers.

Overall I really enjoyed Stranded! It was a thrilling ride and I loved that it kept me guessing. This isn't the kind of horror I usually gravitate to and there weren't any real scares, but I will say that it made me feel more uneasy than most of the horror books I've read this year.

ARC Review: Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill

Title: Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1)
Author: Erin Summerill
Publication Date: December 27, 2016
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 400
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Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

However, it’s not so simple.

The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force. 

Britta is an outcast. Her entire life she has only had one friend, Cohen, her father's apprentice. Britta's father teaches her everything he knows, training her and Cohen to be the best trackers in the land. After a tragic accident, however, Cohen leaves, and Britta is left friendless and with no one to rely on except her father. Unfortunately, when we meet Britta at the start of Ever the Hunted, her father has been murdered, and as an orphan who is viewed as illegitimate, she is about to lose everything. Until she receives a proposal that could change her life - track and capture her father's murderer and she can keep her land and remain free. The only problem - Cohen killed her father.

Doesn't this sound like an awesome plot? I thought so; I was so excited for Ever the Hunted and was ready to go on a wild adventure. However, the book fell very flat for me. The entire synopsis happens within the first 50 pages of the book, and then...not much happens after that. There was a little bit of excitement that developed in the plot about 200 pages in, but that's a very long time to wait for action. So, if there wasn't much going on in the plot, what was happening for the entire book? For that answer, we have to discuss the characters (namely, Britta).

Britta is the most special of the special snowflakes. She has magical powers that she didn't know about until one day she suddenly performs magic. But Britta doesn't seem the tiniest bit concerned about the magic she just created, because she spends the ENTIRE book wondering why Cohen doesn't like her. She is supposed to be tracking her father's murderer, and yet on every other page, she is getting distracted by Cohen's smell of masculinity. Yes, that is actually how his scent is described - whatever that means. Britta is weirdly obsessed with Cohen's scent, which is described about a hundred different ways throughout the book. And she is constantly doubting herself and wondering what she did to keep Cohen from liking her, when he is CLEARLY in love with her. It seriously could not be more obvious. Britta's constant whining really bothered me as I was reading and kept me from caring about the characters or what was going on in the plot.

Ever the Hunted was well-written, but it's nothing we haven't seen before. It is full of classic fantasy tropes that we see over and over again in YA fantasy. That doesn't make it bad, it's just not very unique. It could still be an entertaining read, as long as you don't go into it expecting to be taken on a wild ride. Ever the Hunted is focused way more on the romance aspect than on the fantasy adventure. If you like kissing books, you may like this one a bit more than I did. I wanted an epic story, and I got angst, angst, and a heck of a lot more angst.

There is something else I need to mention that I noticed as I was reading. Ever the Hunted has a complete lack of diversity. Every single character who has their skin described is white. The only mention of any skin that wasn't pale was one little comment about the people living further south having slightly tanned skin because of the sun. That's it. Everyone is white. There was also a point at which a character scoffed at the idea of women being together. Full disclosure: Britta had asked if two Channelers (people with magic) could produce a powerful child. She was laughed at because all Channelers are women, so they obviously could not be together. Of course, it is true that two women cannot produce a child together, but the way this situation was handled in the book didn't sit well with me.

Ultimately, if you are a big fantasy reader, I would not suggest Ever the Hunted. Maybe if you haven't read much fantasy, you will enjoy it. But if you read a lot of YA fantasy, you have probably read this book countless times before. Also, if reading diversely is something that is very important to you, you will probably want to pass on this one. As for me, I don't think I will be checking out the next book in this series.

ARC Review: RoseBlood by A.G. Howard

Title: RoseBlood
Author: A.G. Howard
Publication Date: January 10, 2017
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 432
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//I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review//

In this modern day spin on Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide. Hoping creative direction will help her, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera.

At RoseBlood, Rune secretly befriends the masked Thorn—an elusive violinist who not only guides her musical transformation through dreams that seem more real than reality itself, but somehow knows who she is behind her own masks. As the two discover an otherworldly connection and a soul-deep romance blossoms, Thorn’s dark agenda comes to light and he’s forced to make a deadly choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or face the wrath of the phantom who has haunted the opera house for a century, and is the only father he’s ever known.

Two things drew me to RoseBlood. First, it's written by A.G. Howard who has literally never disappointed me. I adored her Splintered series and am already in love with the Haunted Hearts Legacy. Second, I am HUGE Phantom fan. I've read the book and its unofficial sequel and I've seen the broadway show and its official sequel. When I saw that one of my favorite authors was writing a retelling of one of my favorite stories, I knew I would have to read it as soon as possible!

The very first thing I realized about RoseBlood was that it wasn't actually a retelling, but more of a modern day continuation of the original story. Of course, the Phantom is still a key figure in this story. If you're asking yourself how that's possible in a modern-day continuation of his story from the 1800s, just trust me when I say it all works out. Apart from Erik, there are two main players - Rune, a gifted singer and RoseBlood's newest student, and Thorn, who regards the Phantom as his father.

Both Rune and Thorn were fantastic characters and this really was their story. On their own, each of them are strong, talented characters with their own tragic pasts to contend with. I loved Rune and found her to be extremely easy to sympathize with, more so as the story went on. I liked that she was independent while still reacting believably to danger, unlike some of the "strong women" that often show up in fantasy. Thorn was an amazing love interest who made Rune's safety his priority while always acknowledging that she was fully capable of taking care of herself. Their romance was entirely swoon-worthy! The unusual, soul-deep connection they shared gave me all the feels and honestly I would love to have seen even more of them together! (Maybe we can get novellas like we did with the Splintered trilogy?)

While the Phantom was a part of this story, he certainly wasn't the center of attention and I feel as if he was less developed than the other characters because of it. I think this was mostly okay though, since Erik is such a well-known character already. We already know his backstory and this just builds on it, often in very unexpected ways. I'll admit the additions to his story threw me off a bit, but I can definitely appreciate the originality. This Erik has a bit more to him than the one you already know.

As always, A.G. Howard has crafted a totally unique and immersive world. I felt like I could perfectly picture the gorgeous, gothic surroundings she painted from the opera house to the Phantom's lair to the chapel and the graveyard. I loved trying to work out exactly what the secret passageways would look like and how they'd work. My absolute favorite was the aviary, which you definitely want to know more about (trust me).

I did have a bit of a hard time getting going with RoseBlood. The story was extremely interesting, but it starts off very slow. A good chunk of the story is just Rune settling into her new school, meeting new friends, and facing off with the resident mean girls. Once things finally picked up after Rune and Thorn met, I couldn't put it down! I loved that I never quite knew what the big picture was and new things were constantly being revealed. While it ended up being much different than what I expected, I really did love it!

My biggest gripe about RoseBlood is that it started so slow. The elements that surprised and confused me were also the bits that made this such a unique continuation of the Phantom's story. If you go into RoseBlood without too many preconceived ideas about what you're going to read, chances are you're going to love it! A.G. Howard has created a gorgeous world with amazing new characters to integrate with the old and the romance is to die for! If you're a fan of retellings or Phantom of the Opera, this is one you definitely shouldn't miss.

ARC Review: Replica by Lauren Oliver

Title: Replica (Replica #1)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publication Date: October 4, 2016
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 520
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Lyra

From a distance, the Haven Institute, tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida, looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, it is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed.

But when a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects—Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72—manage to escape. As they make their way through a new and menacing environment, they meet a stranger named Gemma, who has embarked on a perilous quest of her own. And as Lyra tries to understand Haven’s purpose, she uncovers earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls.

Gemma

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals her whole life. A sickly child, she has grown into a lonely adolescent whose life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April.

But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family’s past and discovers her father’s mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two human models, or replicas, 24 and 72—and a completely new set of questions. As Gemma tries to unravel the mysteries of Haven, she learnes terrible truths about herself and her family that will threaten to destroy everything she loves.

Two girls, two stories, one novel.

Replica is a book that requires a little bit of explanation before we even discuss the plot and the book's strengths and weaknesses. Replica tells the story of two girls, Lyra and Gemma. The book is written as two completely separate stories and you can choose how you would like to read them. You can either read Lyra's story and then Gemma's, Gemma's and then Lyra's, or alternate chapters as you go. I chose to start with Lyra and alternate every chapter. I definitely recommend alternating chapters, because it really keeps you in touch with both girls throughout the entire story.

Gemma is a girl from a rich family, but she has been sick for most of her life and has therefore missed out on a lot of experiences. One day, frustrated with her situation, she stumbles upon a connection between her father and Haven, a mysterious research facility in Florida that seems to be shrouded in secrecy. Lyra is a replica. She lives in Haven with hundreds of other replicas and knows very little of the outside world. When Gemma and Lyra's worlds suddenly collide, the foundation of everything they know is shaken and their lives are changed forever.

I was definitely intrigued by Replica as soon as I heard about it, and I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed this story and was kept guessing throughout the whole book. Some of the twists really took me by surprise. I was blown away by some of the things that certain characters were capable of. There were a few plot points that were a little bit too convenient, however. A few things fell into place too easily. I still really enjoyed the book despite these issues, but they kept it from being a five star read for me.

One of my favorite aspects of Replica was the characters. At first I was more interested in Lyra, because her story starts with a lot of excitement and intrigue. As I kept reading, though, I really became invested in Gemma and her story. I think by the end of the book I liked Gemma just a tiny bit more than Lyra, but I still cared about both girls. I also adored the secondary characters, primarily April, Pete, and Luke.

I think Pete might have been my favorite thing about the entire book. I loved him so much. However, as much as I loved Pete and Luke, I don't think the "romance" between them and Gemma was really necessary. I put romance in quotes because it was so small that it barely existed. There was a slight hinting at a love triangle, but it never really developed. The romance aspect of the book was so trivial that it really didn't need to be there at all. This wasn't a book that needed romance; it was a great story on it's own without adding in any kind of love story. I do understand what Lauren Oliver was trying to accomplish by including romance in the story, but I think it should have been either left out completely or developed a lot more to prove her point.

I definitely want to pick up the next book in this series and see how the story develops. I really want to know what happens to Gemma and Lyra and how they deal with the fallout of the events at the end of the book. I am intrigued to learn how many books will be in this series. I think it would be quite apropos to have this series as a duology. The dual storyline is a very cool writing technique, but it might get old after a while if this series continues on and on. Although, regardless, I will probably still check out whatever comes next for Gemma and Lyra.

DNF ARC Review: Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

Title: Under Rose-Tainted Skies
Author: Louise Gornall
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
Publisher: Clarion Books 
Pages: 320
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Norah has agoraphobia and OCD. When groceries are left on the porch, she can’t step out to get them. Struggling to snag the bags with a stick, she meets Luke. He’s sweet and funny, and he just caught her fishing for groceries. Because of course he did.

Norah can’t leave the house, but can she let someone in? As their friendship grows deeper, Norah realizes Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can lie on the front lawn and look up at the stars. One who isn’t so screwed up. 

Contemporary fiction is not a genre I read regularly, so you may be wondering why I'm even reviewing Under Rose-Tainted Skies. This book caught my eye because of its own voices representation of mental health disorders. As someone who has had an anxiety disorder for as long as I can remember, I was very interested in seeing how Louise Gornall would write an MC with issues I could relate to. Now I'm not sure whether she did it too well... Either way, it didn't really work for me.

Norah is a teenage girl who is confined to her home because of severe agoraphobia. She doesn't know why it happened or what brought it on, but she has been confined to home for years, is homeschooled, and has regular visits with a psychologist. She spends her days reading, watching TV, and building things out of food, but doesn't have friends... until the new guy moves in next door. This begins an incredibly awkward relationship consisting of passing notes through the mail slot, writing messages in steam on the windows, and lots of spying.

Although I definitely appreciate what the author is doing with Under Rose-Tainted Skies, I found too many things about it to be unrealistic. Most of all that a teenager suffering with these disorders to such an extreme would not be hospitalized or medicated. I understand that had she been hospitalized this story could not have happened, but I find it hard to believe that someone who has anxiety to the degree that Norah does would not be on any medication and would be left alone by her mother. Which brings me to unrealistic point number two - that her mother would not make sure there was food in the house for her child before leaving her home alone for several days. I understand that this is an important event in the story, but it seems much too coincidental.

The main reason I had to put this book down actually wasn't the unrealistic plot points - it was Norah's narration. As I said, I have an anxiety disorder of my own and Norah, frankly, was causing more anxiety. Every single page, almost every single sentence is Norah panicking over something. Luckily, I do not have this level of anxiety, but she was just way too intense for me. I definitely believe Under Rose-Tainted Skies could have benefited from dual POV, perhaps with Luke narrating part of the story. I think a break from her brain would have made this a more enjoyable reading experience. I get that it's own voices and that it shouldn't necessarily be an easy read, but I also am not going to force myself to read something that's causing extra anxiety.

I think Under Rose-Tainted Skies has good intentions and that a lot of people will enjoy Norah's story. It certainly does give some insight into these particular mental health issues, even if it requires some suspension of disbelief.

ARC Review: Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

Title: Labyrinth Lost (Brooklyn Brujas #1)
Author: Zoraida Córdova
Publication Date: September 6, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 336
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Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives.

I fall to my knees. Shattered glass, melted candles and the outline of scorched feathers are all that surround me. Every single person who was in my house – my entire family — is gone.

Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can’t trust. A boy whose intentions are as dark as the strange markings on his skin.

The only way to get her family back is to travel with Nova to Los Lagos, a land in-between, as dark as Limbo and as strange as Wonderland…

Beautiful Creatures meets Daughter of Smoke and Bone with an infusion of Latin American tradition in this highly original fantasy adventure.

Alex is a bruja, and a very powerful one at that. The only problem is that she doesn't want anything to do with magic. She doesn't want to accept her fate as an encantrix, and is dreading her Deathday celebration, where she will celebrate and embrace her power with her family. Alex tries to perform a complex spell to rid herself of her magic, but it backfires horribly, sending her entire family to the mythical land of Los Lagos. Now Alex must put her trust in a mysterious boy named Nova, who claims that he can help her navigate through Los Lagos and save her family.

I was so excited to read Labyrinth Lost. The world of Los Lagos sounded so interesting and I couldn't wait to go on an adventure with Alex and Nova. Unfortunately, though, it took me a really long time to get into this book. It took me over a month to finish it because it wasn't holding my attention. I did eventually get invested in the story, but it took much longer than I would have liked. Once I passed the halfway point, I finished it pretty quickly. But it took me about half of the book until I cared about the characters or was interested in their troubles.

Ultimately, I think a large part of why I became more interested in Labyrinth Lost was the world. I didn't care as much about the characters when they were in our world. The story seemed to drag and not much was really going on. Alex was constantly complaining about not wanting her powers, and nothing was really happening. I honestly didn't feel very connected to the characters at all. Then, when we got to see Los Lagos, everything changed.

Los Lagos is like nothing I have ever read before. I really love the religion and world that Zoraida Cordova created. It was so unique and I was so enthralled by the intricacies of it. You could almost feel how passionate she was about this world she created as you were reading it. For me, there was such a difference in the parts of the book that took place in the real world and those that took place in Los Lagos.

I did end up enjoying Labyrinth Lost, but it didn't blow me away. There were definite aspects of the book that I really loved, and others that didn't really do much for me. I did predict some of the plot twists that occurred towards the end of the book, so the plot didn't really blow me away. But, there was still something magical and wonderful about this book. Even though it took me a while to become committed to it, I ended up enjoying the ride.

I am definitely interested to see where this series will go. It is supposedly composed of companion novels with stories revolving around Alex's sisters. I have no idea where the story will go or what it will be like to have that change in point of view. After the way Labyrinth Lost ended, I really can't guess where the next two companion novel will take us. I guess I will have to wait until next year to find out.

#ReadIndie Book Review: Floor 21 by Jason Luthor

Title: Floor 21 (The Tower Legacy #1)
Author: Jason Luthor
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Publisher: Kindle Press
Pages: 234
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As humanity lives out the remainder of its existence at the top of an isolated apartment tower, young Jackie dares to question Tower Authority and their ban on traveling into the tower's depths. Intelligent and unyielding, Jackie ventures into the shadows of the floors below. But will her strong will and refusal to be quiet—in a society whose greatest pride is hiding the past—bring understanding of how humanity became trapped in the tower she has always called home, or will it simply be her undoing?

One of my absolute favorite types of stories involves people who are confined to a community apart from whatever is out there. The Village and The Forest of Hands and Teeth come immediately to mind. I will be the first to admit the cover of Floor 21 is not what caught my attention - it was the synopsis. I read it and I HAD to know what was outside of the tower and why Jackie was stuck on the inside!

As you've probably figured out, Floor 21 is about a society of people that lives in a tower. It's extremely tall, extremely old, and it's entirely built on secrets. No one knows how far down it goes, only that things get worse the further people descend. For this reason, no one but a select few are allowed past a certain floor, which doesn't sit well with Jackie, who desperately wants answers.

This story is told in recorded journal entries, which was a little weird to read, but made me feel like I was really able to understand Jackie and her fears and motivations. I identified with Jackie very strongly and found it very easy to relate to her skeptical nature. While everyone around her blindly accepts that the tower is the only thing left in the world and their only means of survival, Jackie is determined to know all of the facts that no one wants to share.

Floor 21 has one of the creepiest atmospheres I've come across, especially for YA fiction. Between the mysterious Creep that has overtaken the lower levels of the tower and the creepy guys on the top floor, it was hard to catch a break. I was literally on the edge of my seat almost from page one! So let's talk about the Creep for a minute. It's some kind of almost muscular substance that reacts to emotions and basically eats people. I have no idea where it came from or what it is, but I have a feeling that that'll all be revealed in book two.

One thing I didn't love about this book is that it switches points of view pretty late. I do understand why the author chose to do this at the particular place where he did it, but it was somewhat jarring. Because of the journal entry format of the story I never felt really connected to any of the other characters, which made switching to another POV really weird. It certainly didn't ruin the story though - it's just something to be aware of!

When I was reading this I didn't realize it was a series. I was really confused the closer I got to the end wondering how in the world it could possibly be wrapped up so quickly. Well, IT COULDN'T and it ended on a major cliffhanger so now I'm dying to know what happens next! I can't say too much more about Floor 21 without spoilers, but suffice it to say it blew me away! This book is creepy and I adored the main character. I will definitely be continuing this series soon!

#ReadIndie Book Review & Giveaway: Bound By Prophecy by Stormy Smith

Title: Bound by Prophecy (Bound #3) 
Author: Stormy Smith
Publication Date: November 12, 2015
Publisher: Perfect Storm Publishing
Pages: 348
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Reviews for book 1 & book 2

Amelia Bradbury is finally free from Queen Julia and Cresthaven, but she isn’t safe yet. The Keeper power runs rampant inside her and it will take an ultimate act of selflessness to contain the darkness that threatens Amelia’s sanity and the future of the Immortal race.

Aidan Montgomery refuses to give up on Amelia. Once she’s rescued from the Keeper’s hold, he intends to prove his love is more than a side effect of the prophecy, even if doing so leads him away from his pack and on a journey that will irrevocably change them both.

When the past and the present collide and the shocking origin of the Immortals is revealed, Amelia and Aidan are forced back to Cresthaven to end a war that never should have started.

Amazon | B&N | Indigo 

The Bound series was one of the first I had the opportunity to review as a blogger, which means it holds a very special place in my heart. I read books one and two as parts of blog tours and was lucky enough to also receive the final book, which I have been saving for this event. I'm happy to say that Bound by Prophecy was a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy!

Book three of this series picks up right after we left off at the end of Bound by Spells. Amelia has to learn to control the power within her while new and old characters rally as they prepare to do what they have to in order to end conflict and bring peace to their people. As always, I loved Amelia. Of course, she had obstacles to overcome in Prophecy, but she was just as strong and capable as I remembered her. I also loved the romance between Amelia and Aidan! Oh, and Bethany and Amelia will forever be one of my favorite friendships. Every single one of the characters grew in this book and I am really hoping to see more of them in the future!

The beginning of Bound by Prophecy is pretty slow and I'll admit it took me awhile to get into it. I can mostly forgive this though, since there was a lot of important information to be shared. There is also quite a bit of drama during this first bit of the book. Once things picked up though, and the action started happening, it was hard to put it down! I loved the mystery and the fact that there were always more twists that I never quite saw coming!

The world, though already well established in the first two books, definitely continued to come alive in Prophecy. Although it is fantasy set within the real world, I always felt like I had a good grasp on things. Stormy Smith does a fantastic job of setting up her magical system and conveying it in a way that makes it believable.

Something I really enjoyed about Bound by Prophecy was that the ending wrapped up pretty much every loose end. I hate when a series leaves me with questions and that definitely didn't happen here! There was kind of a weird appearance at the end that I definitely wasn't expecting, but then, there were a lot of unexpected surprises! All of that's to say I thought the ending was great, although I'd love to get a little bit more insight into Micah's life after the end... Thankfully this ending did at least leave the option for another Micah story in the future if the author decides to grace us with it!

I don't want to say much more for fear of spoiling anything, but I really enjoyed Bound by Prophecy. This series has been fantastic from the beginning, despite some slow spots here and there. I love the relationships, both romantic and not, and I'm always surprised at least a couple times in each book! I definitely recommend this series to urban fantasy fans!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stormy Smith is the author of the number one bestselling Bound series. She calls Iowa’s capital home now, but was raised in a tiny town in the Southeast corner of the state. She grew to love books honestly, having a mom that read voraciously and instilled that same love in her. She knew quickly stories of fantasy were her favorite, and even as an adult gravitates toward paranormal stories in any form.

Writing a book had never been an aspiration, but suddenly the story was there and couldn’t be stopped. When she isn’t working on, or thinking about, her books, Stormy’s favorite places include bar patios, live music shows, her yoga mat or anywhere she can relax with her husband or girlfriends.

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#ReadIndie Book Review: Double Life by S. Usher Evans

Title: Double Life
Author: S. Usher Evans
Publication Date: June 12, 2014
Publisher: S. Usher Evans
Pages: 244
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Piracy is a game. How much are you worth?

Since she was a little girl, everyone - from her father to the Great Creator himself - told Lyssa Peate the same thing: she's worthless. But when she becomes the pirate bounty hunter Razia, she can see the price tag on her own head. Employed by one of the four pirate syndicates, she uses bank transactions and her considerable wits to capture rival members. At least, she would be if Razia's boss ever gave her a chance. It's a man’s world, and all she’s allowed to hunt are purse snatchers while she languishes on probation.

To pay the bills, she's stuck in her old life as Lyssa, discovering and analyzing distant planets and selling them for cash. She's doing just enough to stay out of trouble, pretending to be continuing her father's mysterious research while away for long periods of time. Her slimy boss is always asking questions and even assigns one of her younger brothers, Vel, to intern with her. Already struggling to keep the balance between her double lives, she tries everything to rid herself of the kid...

...until the universal police mistake Lyssa’s intern for Razia's hostage.

Dr. Lyssandra Peate spends her days as a Deep Space Explorer, excavating planets and exploring the universe. Razia spends her free time as a bounty hunter, chasing down the most wanted pirates in the universe, while trying to avoid being captured herself. Lyssa comes from a large, prestigious family - full of people who hate her. Razia has no family. Lyssa leads a double life, and she is anxiously awaiting the day when she can become simply Razia.

I have now read at least part of every series written by S. Usher Evans, and I find it a little funny that her debut novel is the last one that I read. I wish I had picked it up sooner, because Double Life was a really fun ride. Piracy is literally a game in Razia's universe, with four major pirate webs vying for the top spot. Razia is the first (and only) female pirate, and she has to prove her worth time and time again before she is taken seriously.

I typically have a hard time connecting with a lot of female characters, but I did like Lyssa/Razia. Of course, there were times when she was stubborn and impulsive to the point of making very dumb decisions. Sometimes I wished she would just take a step back and think for a second before acting out whatever scheme she was cooking up. However, knowing what had happened to her throughout her life, I completely understood why she acted the way she did. The supporting characters were also amazing. I adored Vel and Sage and I really can't wait to see them more in the next book.

While I really enjoyed the story and characters of Double Life, there were some things that I did not fully understand. I am still a bit confused about how the pirate web system works. It's a very cool concept, but I don't have a good grasp of all the rules and intricacies of it. I was able to understand more and more as the story progressed, so hopefully that means I will be able to learn more about the pirate webs as I continue with the series. I also don't understand why Lyssa's family hated her so much. I am assuming that I will learn why as I keep reading, but for right now, they just seem like incredibly cruel people.

Overall, Double Life was a really fun ride that left me excited and wanting more. I can't wait to continue with the series and have all of my questions answered. I'm really looking forward to seeing where this story takes me!

#ReadIndie Audiobook Review: Jackaby by William Ritter

Title: Jackaby (Jackaby #1)
Author: William Ritter
Narrator: Nicola Barber
Publication Date: September 16, 2014
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
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“Miss Rook, I am not an occultist,” Jackaby said. “I have a gift that allows me to see truth where others see the illusion--and there are many illusions. All the world’s a stage, as they say, and I seem to have the only seat in the house with a view behind the curtain.”

Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary--including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain it’s a nonhuman creature, whose existence the police--with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane--deny.

Doctor Who meets Sherlock in William Ritter’s debut novel, which features a detective of the paranormal as seen through the eyes of his adventurous and intelligent assistant in a tale brimming with cheeky humor and a dose of the macabre.

I have had my eye on Jackaby for over a year, at least. The cover is just gorgeous and the synopsis is intriguing. For some reason, though, I was scared to actually read it. I think part of it was that there's no romance, which is something I really prefer to have in my YA. I was also a little iffy about a book that was described as "Doctor Who meets Sherlock." Coming out on the other side, I am glad I read it, although it wasn't quite as incredible as I'd hoped it would be.

This isn't so much Jackaby's story as it is the story of Abigail Rook who is new to New Fiddleham and in immediate need of a job. She stumbles across Jackaby by accident and basically stumbles into becoming his assistant. I really enjoyed Abigail and found her to be a refreshingly normal heroine. She didn't have any super magical powers or amazing skills other than being an intelligent young woman, and I really enjoyed that after a long string of (admittedly incredible) fantasy novels.

I also really loved Jackaby! It is very obvious that he is essentially Sherlock Holmes, just with a little bit of a paranormal flair. However, I'm not entirely sure why he was compared to Doctor Who, unless it was just because of his personality. He did give off a strong Ten/Eleven vibe. That's really where the comparisons to Who end though and I'm not sure it's entirely fair for the synopsis to claim that similarity... Regardless, Jackaby was a fun character, although I've heard that he did get on some readers' nerves, and I can also understand that position. Personally, I loved his quirks and strangeness, but I'm also a huge fan of Ten! ;)

Jackaby and Abigail together were so much fun to read about! I loved the relationship between the two of them, platonic as it was. There was also a great cast of minor characters including a really interesting ghost and duck duo. Despite there being no -real- romance in this story, there was a teensy bit of romantic feelings thrown in for good measure and, although I'm not sure there was a real need for it, I did find it to be cute and believable.

The plot of Jackaby had a very whodunit atmosphere and it kind of felt like being in an episode of Scooby Doo, but with legit supernatural stuff instead of a guy in a mask. I really enjoyed this addition to the more classic Sherlock Holmes tales and did enjoy the way the fantastical elements were worked in, although it did make the whole read feel a little more silly than I might have expected from this kind of mystery. New Fiddleham also offered a fantastic atmosphere to the mystery.

Overall, I enjoyed Jackaby, although it isn't necessarily the kind of book I would usually read. One thing that I did find odd was that Abigail repeatedly described herself as an adult, all the other characters were adults, but this was a young adult novel. I think this may be the first time I've encountered a YA book with an all-adult cast. As I've said, it was a little more silly than what I would usually read, and it actually was a little slow in places, but the mystery was fun and every now and then I enjoy a lighter read.

#ReadIndie Review & Giveaway: Your Irresistible Love by Layla Hagen

Title: Your Irresistible Love (The Bennett Family #1) 
Author: Layla Hagen
Publication Date: January 15, 2016
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Pages: 326
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Sebastian Bennett is a determined man. It’s the secret behind the business empire he built from scratch. Under his rule, Bennett Enterprises dominates the jewelry industry. Despite being ruthless in his work, family comes first for him, and he’d do anything for his parents and eight siblings—even if they drive him crazy sometimes. . . like when they keep nagging him to get married already.

Sebastian doesn’t believe in love, until he brings in external marketing consultant Ava to oversee the next collection launch. She’s beautiful, funny, and just as stubborn as he is. Not only is he obsessed with her delicious curves, but he also finds himself willing to do anything to make her smile.
He’s determined to have Ava, even if she’s completely off limits.

Ava Lindt has one job to do at Bennett Enterprises: make the next collection launch unforgettable. Daydreaming about the hot CEO is definitely not on her to-do list. Neither is doing said CEO. The consultancy she works for has a strict policy—no fraternizing with clients. She won’t risk her job. Besides, Ava knows better than to trust men with her heart.

But their sizzling chemistry spirals into a deep connection that takes both of them by surprise. Sebastian blows through her defenses one sweet kiss and sinful touch at a time. When Ava’s time as a consultant in his company comes to an end, will Sebastian fight for the woman he loves or will he end up losing her?

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I have read two books by Layla Hagen in the last couple years and, although Withering Hope is forever my favorite by this author, I thoroughly enjoyed both! When I got a chance to read the first in her newest series, The Bennett Family, I expected no less than a great read! It is worth noting that the books in The Bennett Family series, like those in Hagen's Lost series, can be read as standalones or in order.

Your Irresistible Love is about Sebastian, a man who has created an incredibly successful business from the ground up, and Ava, the woman he has hired as his company's new marketing consultant. Ava is an independent woman working for a company with a strict no fraternization policy while Sebastian is not terribly interested in finding love, much to his family's dismay. Unfortunately for Ava and Sebastian, they are instantly attracted to each other and don't seem to be able to escape their chemistry.

I really enjoyed Ava and found her to be a fantastic, strong main character. I love it when female characters are already complete people before "the man" arrives. I also really liked Sebastian, although I had some problems with his Alpha Male antics at first, although he grew on me. Sebastian's greatest assets are his upbringing and family. These things allow him to be both confident and humble at the same time, which made for a love interest I did end up enjoying.

The romance between Ava and Sebastian was undeniably insta-love. Although I usually hate this, I was okay with it here just based on the fact that it's a standalone romance novel. I did like the forbidden romance feel that it had because of their work relationship and I really enjoyed the banter they shared. I also loved many of the other Bennets in the family who I'm sure we'll get to know more of in future installments!

Your Irresistible Love is an enjoyable, light-hearted romance that will definitely be loved by anyone who likes the genre! I would like to point out that, although this book is shelved several times as New Adult, I don't really feel like the characters fall into that age range. This is definitely adult romance. Overall, I did enjoy this and plan to continue reading Layla Hagen romance in the future!

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#ReadIndie Book Review: Empath by S. Usher Evans

Title: Empath
Author: S. Usher Evans
Publication Date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: Sun's Golden Ray Publishing
Pages: 244
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Lauren Dailey is in break-up hell.

Stuck between moving on and letting go, she puts on a brave face while crying herself to sleep at night. But when a mysterious voice promises escape from her sadness, she is suddenly transported to a new world. And in this place, the slightest touch pulls her out of her tortured emotions into the mind of another - an empath.

The villagers - sweet Aerona and her mischievous twins, wise Siors, and hunky Cefin - welcome her and the blessings her empath powers bring. But this world is not without its dangers. The Anghenfil, a fire-breathing monster, has haunted the village for decades, and has a taste for empaths. And that mysterious voice promising escape from sadness? It's sounding more like a whisper tinged with smoke and embers.

Can Lauren keep the monsters in the mountain and in her head at bay? Or will she succumb to the darkness like the empath before her...

Lauren Dailey has been having a rough couple of months. She has ended things with her boyfriend after realizing that he wasn't interested in marrying her. She is stuck in a boring, dead-end job. She keeps replaying her breakup in her head, wondering why she couldn't make it work. And worst of all, it seems that everyone around her is happily in love and rubbing it in her face. She feels like she has hit rock bottom...until she is transported to a different world with no running water and a dragon hiding in the mountains. Oh, and she's also an empath.

Anyone who has been through a breakup knows that it usually feels like the end of the world. And in a small sense, it is; it is the end of a big part of your life and it often comes as a shock to the system. Not quite as much of a shock as being transported to a new world and becoming an empath, however, as Lauren quickly learns. She has spent months after her breakup burying her feelings and pretending that she is ok. But now, suddenly, she cannot touch another living thing without being overwhelmed by an onslaught of emotion.

It took me a little while to connect to the characters in Empath, but I eventually grew to care about all of them. Sometimes I was so frustrated that Lauren wouldn't share her true feelings with people, but I understood her anxiety and was able to relate to her thought process. I have been there before - not giving people a chance to grow to love the real me because I assumed they wouldn't like me. I loved that Lauren was able to encounter other characters with the same fears, so she could learn that numerous people, no matter what walk of life or world they live in, struggle with the same worries and anxieties.

Empath was written as a response to a time in S. Usher Evans' life when she felt a lot like Lauren. The story comes across as very personal, but not like a diary entry. You can easily get lost in the adventure and dragon fighting, but you are still left with a wonderful and personal message. Anyone who has lived with anxiety or depression (whether related to a breakup or not) can empathize with Lauren's story. It is a lovely lesson in learning that sometimes you can admit that you aren't ok - and that is ok.

Empath is the sixth S. Usher Evans book that I have read. While I have truly enjoyed them all, Empath has now become my favorite. I hope you will give it a try and enjoy it as much as I did.

Book Review: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Title: Dark Matter

Author: Blake Crouch

Publication Date: July 26, 2016

Publisher: Crown

Pages: 342

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“Are you happy with your life?” Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious. Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits. Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”

In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable--something impossible.

Is it this world or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could’ve imagined—one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe. 

Earlier this year I read Pines by Blake Crouch and LOVED it! Although I didn't know anything about this book, I picked up Dark Matter solely based on the fact that the author had really impressed me in the past. The cover isn't much to look at if I'm being honest, but the synopsis sounded super interesting! Based on my past experience, I fully expected to be blown away and I wasn't disappointed.

Jason is the protagonist of this story and he has a pretty all right life, thank you very much. No, he isn't a huge success in his field, but he has an incredible wife and kid and is quite content. Unfortunately, he's snatched from his world and unwillingly thrown into another one. Jason was an amazing character who was extremely intelligent but also able to explain all the science-y things in a way that didn't make him irritating. It was easy to sympathize with him as he did everything in his power to make it home to his wife and son.

From the moment Jason was taken, the ride was breakneck. I was constantly wondering what the heck was going on, which is honestly my favorite way to spend a book. We find things out along with Jason and there's a lot of uncertainty surrounding where he is, how he got there, and how he will get home. As things began to unravel and the twists were revealed I found myself truly shocked more than once - exactly what I expected in a book by Blake Crouch. Dark Matter isn't just your average mystery though. This book presents deep questions and explores them in thought provoking ways that may make you examine your own life.

Although this book has a contemporary setting, there were a lot of other components to the world building that the author really did a fantastic job with. I loved the way he melded the sci-fi elements of the story into the "real world" in a way that felt completely believable. A sense of unease surrounded everything and made the twists that much more exciting!

My complaints about Dark Matter are few, but I did feel that there was a bit too much repetition at times and not enough explanation. There were locations visited briefly on Jason's journey home that I would have loved to know more about. I also wish there had been some kind of follow up after he and his travel buddy went their separate ways. These issues weren't enough to ruin the experience, though.

Dark Matter is the kind of book that I really can't say much about without spoiling, so I'm going to have to cut this short. This book wasn't perfect (like Pines was), but it was immensely enjoyable and was really just a thrilling ride. I enjoyed going with Jason on his journey to find his wife again and loved figuring out the pieces of the puzzle along the way. If you're a fan of sci-fi and huge twists, this is definitely the book for you!

Audiobook Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Title: The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1)
Author: Marie Lu
Narrator: Carla Corvo, Lannon Killea
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
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I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

The Young Elites is the first book I've ever read by Marie Lu and I began here on a recommendation from a friend. I went in knowing very little about this series other than that everyone seems to love it. I wasn't really sure exactly what genre this book fit into and, upon completing it, I'm still not quite positive. Is it fantasy? Is it dystopia? Either way, I really enjoyed it!

Adelina is the main character of this story and she is so, so refreshing! It isn't often you come across a character whose hunger for power pretty much overwhelms everything else. Adelina is a girl whose life has revolved largely around a lack of power. She lives according to her father's cruel whims, unable to defend herself. Until she suddenly she is able, and she likes it. Adelina is power hungry and vicious, but she's also incredibly easy to sympathize with. She cares deeply about her sister, and she just wants to be loved and fit in. I felt for her from page one and I'm eager to see how she grows in the next two books.

As the bolded lines in the blurb show, there are other important characters here too. Enzo is the leader of the Dagger Society and love interest to Adelina. He was an intriguing character who I always wanted to know a little more about. The same can be said for Raffaele who is perhaps the one person Adelina feels closest to. My only real complaint is that the romance did seem a little insta-lovey. While it did end up working out okay, I never felt like I saw the romance happening - it was just suddenly there. You can't win them all, I guess.

The world of The Young Elites really made the story come alive. I felt like I could picture the city and the tunnels underneath. I was completely convinced by the atmosphere the author created. That being said, I was still very unclear of where exactly the book was taking place. While the city was easy to visualize, I didn't feel like I had a firm grasp on the world as a whole. I'm hoping The Rose Society is able to explain things a little further.

Plot is one area where this book does not suffer at all. There's magic, conspiracy, and romance - basically The Young Elites has all the elements that I love in a book! The story was fairly fast paced without many opportunities to get bored. The magical system of The Young Elites was fascinating and unique, especially Adelina's powers, which I am excited to learn more about. There were twists and turns to keep me guessing and the feels were real! If I was a crier I might have even cried once or twice. And then the ending totally blew me away! I didn't see it coming and now I'm dying to see what happens next in Adelina's story!

The Young Elites definitely lived up to my expectations! Although this wasn't a perfect book, it was really enjoyable and I ended up loving Adelina. I found her to be unique among YA heroines and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens to her in the rest of this series. I do hope there will be more added to the world so that some of my questions are answered though.

ARC Review: Flashfall by Jenny Moyer

Title: Flashfall (Flashfall #1)
Author: Jenny Moyer
Publication Date: November 15, 2016
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 352
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//I received this book at ALA in exchange for an honest review//

Orion is a Subpar, expected to mine the tunnels of Outpost Five, near the deadly flash curtain. For generations, her people have chased cirium—the only element that can shield humanity from the curtain’s radioactive particles. She and her caving partner, Dram work the most treacherous tunnel, fighting past flash bats and tunnel gulls, in hopes of mining enough cirium to earn their way into the protected city.

But when newcomers arrive at Outpost Five, Orion uncovers disturbing revelations that make her question everything she thought she knew about life on both sides of the cirium shield. As conditions at the outpost grow increasingly dangerous, it’s up to Orion to forge a way past the flashfall, beyond all boundaries, beyond the world as she knows it.

I went into Flashfall knowing next to nothing about it. I hadn't seen any reviews and only really knew what I had read in the blurb. Then I saw the trailer and I was sold!


Here's what I thought I was going to get from Flashfall based on these two pieces of information: a story about a guy and a girl who learn that their oppressive society is based on lies, they escape, and survive on the run in the outside world. What I got: not that, but still something really cool.

Orion is the main character of this story and she is a total badass. Orion, the lead ore scout in her community of miners, is incredibly resourceful and strong, but not unrealistically so. She has had a rough life and has lost several people who she loved, but is determined to mine enough cirium to buy passage for her and her father into the protected city. And she's very close to her goal. Dram is her caving partner and long-time friend. Together they begin to uncover truths about their home and the world outside that they had never dreamed of and work together toward escape.

I loved the relationship between these two! The fact that they had known each other for years made their quick romance totally believable and not at all insta-love-y. They were totally dependent on each other, but not in a vomit-inducing romance kind of way - in a life-or-death kind of way. I loved the way they constantly risked themselves for each other because that's just what their dangerous world called for. Oh, and there's no love triangle! Hurray!

There are several other characters who are also important to this story, but the most interesting are the Conjurors. They have mysterious magical abilities which they use to make natural things... grow? get bigger? change shape? I dunno, they do stuff with rocks and trees and water and stuff. Honestly, this is one part of the book I could've used a lot more information on. They are kind of randomly introduced and don't seem to have a real purpose other than to help move the main characters along, helping them in difficult situations. I'm really hoping they're expanded upon in the next book.

The world, while fascinating, also had some issues for me. There is a somewhat helpful map in the front of the book, but I was still very confused about the area inside the flashfall. I wasn't really sure what cordons were as opposed to compounds. I wasn't sure how big each cordon was. The characters moved across them fairly quickly (I think?), so they couldn't have been all that big, but they couldn't see from one to the other. It was definitely unsettling though, so I thought that the world building was still okay.

I'm still not sure quite how to classify this book - strict sci-fi or dystopia. There seemed to be some elements of earth as we know it, but there wasn't enough backstory to really be sure. I did get kind of a Maze Runner feel from this one. Still, the story was amazing! Orion and Dram start moving on page one and don't stop until the last chapter. The plot moves at a breakneck speed and there are always new pieces of information being revealed. I loved the twists and finding out just a little more at each reveal.

Flashfall is a great, fast paced (possibly dystopian) science fiction story that did not disappoint, despite having some downfalls. I would definitely like to hear more about the Conjurers in the next book and hopefully get some more backstory. But the characters and romance was really well done and realistic and the twists are totally worth picking this up!