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The Burning Shadow by Jennifer L. Armentrout(Review Post)

Published October 8, 2019 by bookbesties

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#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns to the world of the Lux with The Burning Shadow, the steamy, shocking second installment of the Origin series that will leave readers reeling.

When Evelyn Dasher crossed paths with Luc, she was thrown headfirst into the world of the Lux—only to discover that she was already far more involved in their world than she ever suspected.

Because the Luxen aren’t the only ones with a hidden past. There’s a gap in Evie’s memory, lost months of her life and a lingering sense that something happened, something she can’t remember and nobody is willing to tell her. She needs to find out the truth about who she is—and who she was. But every answer she finds only brings up more questions.

Her search for the truth brings her ever closer to Luc, the Origin at the center of it all. He’s powerful, arrogant, inhumanly beautiful, extremely dangerous…and possibly in love with her. But even as Evie falls for him, she can’t help but wonder if his attraction is to her, or to the memory of a girl who no longer exists.

And all the while, a new threat looms: reports of a flu-like, fatal virus that the government insists is being spread by Luxen. A horrifying illness that changes whoever it touches, spreading panic across a country already at its breaking point.

OUT NOW ($5.99 at time of posting)!!!!

The Burning Shadow by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy CRAP this book was good! So many turns and WTF moments and the surprise ending that I DID NOT see coming..just wow! Jennifer has hit this one out of the park!

I have been a long time fan of this author and this world and diving back in gave me all the feels. This book pics up right were the last book(The Darkest Star) left off. After having discovered the truth about herself Evie is thrust into living a life she has no idea how to live and feelings she has no idea how to navigate. Luc is still by Evie’s side and as the feelings she has for him grows, so does her confusion on who and what she is…to him, to herself, to everyone.
Evie thought things would die down after the showdown from the last book, but when people start mysteriously getting sick she learns that it was only just the beginning.
Armentrout has outdone herself in this fast paced, can’t put down goodness! I found myself Laughing, crying and thoroughly SHOOK, with twist and turns I didn’t see coming. Armentrout has woven suspense, action and FEELING into a great sequel with a promise of more and exciting things to come.
This is how you write a freaking sequel!!

Vonetta

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Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout(Review Post)

Published February 18, 2019 by bookbesties

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From the #1 New York Times, USA TODAY and internationally bestselling author of the fantastical Dark Elements and the Lux series comes a new novel set in a world of gargoyle protectors, rising demons and one girl with an explosive secret.

Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.

When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…

I did a re-read(And I’m glad I did) and so I was well versed in this world and it picks up 7 months after the event’s of the last book.
Trinity is a (human) living amongst Warden’s, her mother bought her there when she was younger because she befriended the leader of that Clan.
Trinity has never left the confines of the compound and no one visits because, its not safe for her because Trinity isn’t just a normal human.

Zayne make a visit to her Clan and immediately the two are inexplicably drawn to each other and when things start to pop off(Masked wardens and Demon’s attacking, kidnappings and bloodshed) Zayne offers his aid and Trinity is whisked away from her home to DC to find answers.
Throughout her journey, Trinity get’s closer to Zayne but Zayne keeps her pretty much at arms’s length, even though he is drawn to her as well and well, he is still nursing wounds that happened seven months prior that left a huge mark on him and his personality.
Their relationship is a sweet slow burn and as always with this world was filled with action, witty humor and, or course swoon enduing acts.

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I was never a fan of Zayne to begin with but going in I had an open mind and while I still prefer a certain dark haired demon prince(Who is in about 30% of the book, so that made me happy) I found myself not NOT liking Zayne by the end of this.
He is strong willed, sweet and loyal, but to a fault and found myself wanting to just slap him and yell GET OVER IT ALREADY! And just when you think things are settling you are left with more questions but not in a cliffhanger type of way but more like ‘Oh-crap-what’s-going-to-happen-in-the-next-book’ type of way.
Jennifer is really, really really good at mixing the light, the funny, the snark and romance and she excels in this one hands down. I can’t wait to find out what happens to this unlikely gang in the next book!

4stars white

Vonetta

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The Darkest Star(Review Post)

Published October 30, 2018 by bookbesties

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In the world of the Lux, secrets thrive, lies shatter, and love is undeniable.

#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout brings her trademark drama and intrigue to a new romantic YA science fiction series with The Darkest Star. A girl pulled into in a world she doesn’t understand finds herself confronted by long buried secrets, a betrayal that could tear her life apart…and Armentrout’s most swoonworthy book boyfriend yet.

Seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher knows firsthand the devastating consequences of humanity’s war with the aliens. When she’s caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen…but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she’d only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head…

At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

I find myself sucked back into the wonderful world that Jennifer has created with the Luxen, Origin and Hybrids, oh my with The Darkest Star.

This book basically picks up 5 years or so after the last book in the Lux novels; Opposition leaves off. The invasion has ended we see Evie, a young human girl going to a nightclub with her friend where Luxen are known to frequent. What could go wrong? Enter Luc, Luc is hot, young and infuriating to say the least and naturally Evie can’t stand him, but at the same time is drawn to him in some strange way. From the moment GO, Evie was thrown into a crazy world where Luxen and Humans co living are not the only things she has to worry about. Luc is bad news the most powerful of all the Origins ever, she has seen him kill without breaking a sweat, Evie knows this, but she can’t seem to stay away from him and he as a familiarity with her that she finds disturbing. When Friends turn to enemies and kids start going missing, then turn up dead, Evie thinks she has seen the worst, but Evie’s life is blown apart and threatened all in the span of 48 hours Luc will stop at nothing to protect what’s his. Luc gave me SERIOUS Professor Snape vibes while showing off his sensitive side to Evie and it MELTED me every time.

Jennifer sucked me back in both humor, fells and some good old fashion smoldering kisses like she is so good at! I can’t wait for the next book and delve more into this awesome new world!

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Vonetta

Raven’s Gate(The Power of Five) Gatekeepers

Published April 8, 2013 by bookbesties

Raven's Gate (The Gatekeepers, #1)

I have to tell you about the Anthony Horowitz’s Book Series: The Power of Five (Raven’s Gate)

Ok let’s start with Raven’s Gate, which is YA paranormal, I first got this book from the library just based on the name of the book series and the book cover.(I’m a cover whore) I know never judge a book by its cover well I am glad it caught my attention since I was engulfed into the Anthony Horowitz’s world. First we find the main character Matthew Freeman who Is living in England ever since his parent’s mysterious death by downing which he somehow prophesied. WHAT?

So this kid somehow got his inner Ghost on (aka Whoopi Goldberg) or should I say call me now for your free psychic reading! Either way I dived into the book more. Matthew who now is living with the guilt of not warning his parents of their death becomes a bad ass kid ( Juvenile Delinquent) But we find one of his thefts go bad and someone gets stabs and his other friend leaves the scene and Matt is left to take the blame and is arrested and is given a choice. ( WTF how do these people get choices?)

Well it’s either jail or living in the country with an old woman name Jane Deverill. Well being that Matt does not want to go jail he chooses to live with Jane. (BAD MISTAKE) So Matthew is now in the village with this old crazy lady and things just are not what they should be? Matt even tries to run away and finds that he can’t leave the property. Can you say “Houston we have a problem,” now Matthew figures out he is surrounded by a coven of evil witches who are seeking to free a horde of demons known as the OLD ONES who were somehow imprisoned by Matthew some thousands of years of a go along with four other children, (Hence the Power of Five).So now Matthew either needs to give in and be a part of the Witches Stone Soup or find his inner power and become a Gatekeeper!

I found this book to be a great opener to the power of five book series. Matthew is such a Bad Ass and I loved the characters that come along with this book. I definitely would give this series a try. 4 out of 5 stars!

The next book is Evil Star Stay tuned for that review!

Soto Out.

Editor-Josh

Dante Walker, you got me

Published March 28, 2013 by bookbesties

The Collector (Dante Walker, #1)

After hearing so much hype surrounding this book, I rushed to get it when it was released and boy, I wasn’t disappointed. Now I love, like LOVE the snarky bad boy as much as the next gal, but Dante Walker is an ASShole, emphasis on the ASS! He is the cockiest guy I have read in a book since Jace from The Mortal Instruments Series, or even Daemon from the LUX series.

“Ain’t no one do bad like I do.”

He is a Collector, and awesome at his job by his own account. He collects souls for the man below himself ( meaning he gets people to sin so that when they die their soul will go to Hell; he is actually his right hand man, well Demon. He is sent to collect the soul of a one Charlie Cooper, an uggo by his account. Picture princess diaries before the makeover

“In the dark, her face almost seems pretty.”

The way Victoria Scott emulates the male brain is kinda awesome,

“I tried to get her to talk about what happened, but she smiled and said she was fine, so I do what most guys do, — I shut up and hope things get better on their own.”

But there is something about Charlie that intrigues him; and he finds himself wondering why the Big Boss would send him, his best, to collect the soul of a seemingly innocent 17 year old girl when any other collector would do. He has ten days to obtain her soul and he is fairly confident he can do it, Charlie is the type that would scream if a hot guy like Dante started paying her attention and seemed to care for her, so that’s what he does. He gets her to agree to the one thing most 17 year old girls fall prey to, vanity, and Charlie starts to change.

But it’s totally a Walk to Remember type story, because while she is changing, so is Dante.

He starts to see that maybe he was wrong and she was beautiful before, outside and in; and with the threat of another Collector hovering, and the arrival of a Liberator (a collector for the Man upstairs), he starts to question where his loyalist lie and what side he will come out on all when his ten days are up.

I was very intrigued by this book, I have found that I tend to sway more towards books told from the females POV because of the whole’ I’m a girl’ thing, but I LOVED reading from Dante’s POV, even if I did want to slap the crap outta him because of his remarks sometime, but that makes for a great bad boy. I’m so very excited that its part of a trilogy and I get to see what happens to Dante in the next installment, due out August 2013.

4 out of 5 stars

Admin-Vonetta

Greek Lesson, Rick Riordan Style

Published March 26, 2013 by bookbesties

I hope you like Greek, cause it’s for dinner……

I just finished the 3^rd book of the Heroes of Olympus: Mark of Athena

Before I get into that, let me give you all a quick recap of the Prequel: Percy Jackson and the Olympians books (The Lightening Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan’s Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and the Last Olympian) were the first installment before the Heroes of Olympus Greek Mythology series. The Percy Jackson Books follows the Demigods (half mortal / half God) on a prophecy/ Quest, and their adventures fulfilling these. Following the stories of Percy (Poseidon’s Son) Anna Beth ( Daughter of Athena) and Grover (a Satyr) going through the underworld and back and train at a Greek Demigod Training Camp, Camp Half Blood. Fighting Monsters, other God’s and making friends and enemies along the way. It finishes with the epic Last Olympian where it all hits the fan and the greatest battle to save to world commends. Great series if you like the Harry Potter Series, this YA adventure book will be right up your alley. I would definitely suggest these book series so that when you start the follow-up series The Heroes of Olympus, you won’t be that lost, even though you don’t really need to.

* They have made the first book of the Percy Jackson series into a movie, the movie was OK but they made a lot of changes for the silver screen. They are now finishing up the second Movie Sea of Monsters set to be released August 2013. I do suggest reading the books before the movie comes out*

Quick recap of the first 2 books of The Heroes of Olympus

The Lost Hero

With this book we find Rick Riordan continues where The Last Olympian left off. This series we get introduced to the Roman Mythology Gods and the Greek Roman Gods. Now if you know anything about the two you will find they have the same GOD’s but The Romans changed the names and changed some characters. So before it was Percy, Son of Poseidon now is the Son of Neptune in the Roman’s eyes. It’s a bit much (I feel like I’m back in school) but you will not go all cross-eyed it is very well introduced in the story. So now that the confusion has happened to you it is also happening to the GOD’s depending on who you call upon, you may get a happy or mad GOD. The Last Olympian, Percy is missing and a new people (demigods) show up at the Camp Half Blood (aka Greek Camp). Jason (Son of Jupiter/Zeus) can you guess it Mr. lightning himself, Leo (son of Hephaestus/ Vulcan) this man can fix anything, take that MacGyver, Piper (daughter of Aphrodite/Venus) she has charm speak, a.k.a Jedi mind trick. Anna Beth is hell-bent on finding Percy but have to go on a quest with the new demigods to rescue him, who has been kidnapped by a giant. Something is happening and it may need both Roman and Greek camps to work together as they embark on this trip.

The Son of Neptune

We are in the Greek Camp now in this book Percy shows up in Roman Territory and it’s not going so good for Mr. Water. Percy shows up at Camp Jupiter and is introduced to Hazel Levesque (daughter of Pluto), and Frank Zhang (Son of Mars). Percy impresses everyone with his Master effects on the water during one of the camp’s war drills. Well you know it’s about time for a quest. Although Percy is a little off, he still maintains his fighting skills and powers. Percy and Frank go a quest to free Thanatos (god of Death) as he has been captured and is in Alaska and if they don’t rescue him he will no longer be able to keep mortals dead (think the Walking Dead). That means no matter how many times you kill a demon/monster it will come back.

Quest on for Book 2.

The Mark of Athena

Percy is back to being Percy, and the Romans demigods and Greek demigods finally meet, will it be a war or will they join sides for a greater cause? For this book we find the Prophecy of Seven coming into effect :

“Seven half-bloods shall answer the call, To storm or fire the world must fall, An oath to keep with a final breath, And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.”

The seven demigods are chosen from both the Roman and Greek Camp, which obviously separates the group on this quest (aka Avengers vs. X-man) Percy and Jason now trying to figure out who is the bigger and badder demigod. Very Highlander There can only be ONE. Meanwhile, Anna Beth has been chosen by her mom to find the mark of Athena which many have died and she has to do this on her own. The series has 5 books so I am waiting on them to be released like I’m waiting for the next episode of True Blood.

The House of Hades, Due out October 8,2013

Soto Out.

Editor-Josh

Death, Doom and Detention

Published March 22, 2013 by bookbesties

Upon finishing this book I was like

I have not screamed out loud at book like this since reading Jennifer Armentrount’s Opal in December, there was cursing involved! I wouldn’t say DD&D leave you with a cliff hanger, but it kinda leaves you feeling like

simply because you have to wait to find out what happens next!

DD&D leaves off right where DATGND stops. Lorelei, Jared, Cameron, Brook and Glitch; or as I like the call them, the Scooby gang. They remind me really of a young Buffy the Vampire slayer, only sans vampire, but still very heavy on the supernatural aspect, and really who didn’t love Buffy?

This book had sooo much more action in it than the first and sooo much going on, I couldn’t put it down, as was apparent when I finished it in one day. Again trying to make it non spoiler-y even though all I want to do is gush over it!

Cameron and Jared have formed a semi- truce because they have a common goal; And Lorelei is still Lorelei, that is until people at school start acting stepford wife weird, with added aggression and out of character behavior and Jared disappears then comes back the same way. This puts him and Cameron on opposite side again and more questions than answers for Lorelei, because if someone can take down Jared; her biggest defense, then she is doomed. With her life being threatened left and right (literally) the last thing she needs is to get detention. And a new ability?

There were some sad moments in the this book but for me they heartbreaking for the non-traditional reasons. This book still had some famous lines that are signature for Darynda.

“You’re a copy of a copy of a copy; I’m the real deal Bitch.”

And the one that actually made me laugh out loud,

“How-? What did you–? What did you–? I don’t—“I stopped, assessed the situation, then looked back up at him. “I think I peed my pants.”

Needless to say is it October yet?!

5 out of 5 stars

Admin-Vonetta

Death and the Girl Next Door

Published March 21, 2013 by bookbesties

Where to start, everyone knows I’m already a HUGE fan of Dayrnda Jones because of my girl crush Charley Davidson, is it possible to be more of a fan? After reading Death and the girl next door I say YES!

I’m going to try and put this as non-spoilery as possible, which is hard with this one, but here goes.

Death and the girl next door is about a girl named Lorelei (which since the Gilmore Girls has been my favorite name ever!), who has random visions and suddenly is being stalked by the town loner and the hot guy(cause there is always a hot guy) who just moved to town.

Said loner (Cameron) and said hot guy (Jared) have one thing in common, Lorelei and they can’t stand each other, which is strange to Lorelei since they just met. Or have they? Essentially the book is about A Reaper/Angle of Death, a Nephilim (half angle half human) and a Prophet (can’t say which ones) who all come together for the greater good (so to speak). Add in a ghost, some Demons, witty banter and a hot guy in a shower scene and BOOM: Awesomesauce book.

The banter that Jared and Cameron share is one thing but the banter between Lorelei and her two best friends are what make the book. It’s what I wish me and my high school friends talked about!

The thing I love about Darynda’s books are that there is always something to keep a reader interested,(this reader anyway) and the side stories/mysteries she adds in are like a story within a story.

I started this book with the sample, and then within the first few pages bought the book, then halfway through, bought the second book! That’s how much I loved it. There is some unrequited love going on, after all this is a YA book, but its not–girl- pines-for-boy, boy-has-no-idea-type-thing, there was just enough to keep you wondering how it was going to end. The best part was of course the ending, I was all