Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Summary (from Goodreads):

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

Review:

I must say that I had no idea that these books would go in the direction they have (after I read the earliest books that take place in high school). This was a full out sci-fi thriller loaded with the mass destruction of thousands of humans, alien body snatchers, infiltrated government, and top-secret government suspense! Wow, I was on the edge of my seat for the whole thing.

I knew Armentrout had the whole romance thing down, and I was expecting some seriously sizzling romantic moments (and I got them and then some), but I had no idea she could write action and suspense this well. I could not put the book down. I left a dinner party early to go home and have more reading time. I rushed home from work the next day and then skipped dinner all together to finish it.

Between the Origins, the Arum, the military Luxen destructive weapons, the cities going to complete chaos, the loss of support from one character, the truces made, and the non-stop fighting, there was never a dull moment. Add some amazing road trips, some scary death scenes, painful loss, sacrifices, and explosions, and I’m not sure what the book was missing. There were also some wonderful Harry Potter, YA dystopia, and even Walking Dead references (and I got every single one).

I liked how pieces of the earlier books were brought in. And I loved getting to know Dawson and Bethany a little better. I also loved all the pieces in Daemon’s point of view! I was so worried I wouldn’t like this because so many times when authors decide to switch views to the guy, the guy becomes less believable to me. Daemon stayed true to his arrogant self. And I loved every second in his head.

I was a little sad to see that the novel wasn’t as long as I first thought it would be. The book is thick and I was happy. But, it also includes a bonus prequel about Bethany and Dawson, and I didn’t realize how big that would be. However, I also loved the prequel. It was great getting to see how everything started.

There’s one thing that bothered me about the romance and it was the amount of times the author mentioned Daemon cupping Kat’s cheeks. And I noticed that as slightly off the first time I read it. Is that supposed to be sexy? I hate having someone cup my cheeks. And it happened many times. And then it continued to happen with Dawson and Bethany in the prequel. And at that point, it was too much. I kind of wish Bethany and Dawson liked other things, and that their romance wasn’t quite as similar to Daemon’s and Kat’s. I still enjoyed it. I just would have liked it more if it was more unique.

All in all, I loved this final installment. I loved this whole series. I’m so glad I found Jennifer L. Armentrout this year and I look forward to reading more from her. Her characters are fun. Her romance is hot. And now I know her suspense and action is also nail-bitingly good. I give this a 10/10. Just know that the book is only 352 pages (though it looks longer) and that the prequel novella is 174 pages.

The Offering by Kimberly Derting

Summary (from Goodreads):

True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy.

Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks.

When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom.

But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost.

Review:

Why did it take me so long to get to this one? I love Kimberly Derting. I have read (and possibly own) all of her work. I love that the books she writes are so different from each other (one’s about a girl who can find dead bodies, another revolves around alien abductions, and then there’s this dystopian series with immortal queens and language barriers). What’s next?

One of the best things about this series would have to be all the kick-butt girl characters. Seriously, I would not mess with Charlie’s friends. A chunk of the book deals with Charlie, her best friend (or past best friend who is now pissed about the Charlie killing her father), and the leader of Charlie’s army going on a quest of sorts. And well, the three of them together is pretty epic. Even Charlie has been learning to fight.

I liked that each character had his/her own story and that they weren’t just strategically placed to work around the story with Charlie. I also loved how intense and action-packed everything was from the beginning. Seriously, the opening pages deal with an epic betrayal and the torture/possible death of a much-loved character. On top of the action and the awesome characters, there’s still the whole crazy old queen stuck inside the new, good queen problem. And watching Charlie struggle with the old queen was hard.

Stuff gets a little more heated romance-wise as well. And while part of me just never really loved the love interest that much in this series and wished he had more story/interesting flaws or characteristics, part of me also loved that he took the back seat to the plot and the kick-butt girl characters. I also really love Charlie’s sister and how she doesn’t even try to stop her sister from going off and dangerously trying to fix things. I wish I got to read more about her.

All in all, I read this book in one night. The action and drama were spot-on. I loved the characters (throughout the series). I was never a huge shipper of the romance though I’m not 100% sure on why that is. I like and accept the ending. And I give it a 9/10.

Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally

Summary (from Goodreads):

Annie hates running. No matter how far she jogs, she can’t escape the guilt that if she hadn’t broken up with Kyle, he might still be alive. So to honor his memory, she starts preparing for the marathon he intended to race.

But the training is even more grueling than Annie could have imagined. Despite her coaching, she’s at war with her body, her mind—and her heart. With every mile that athletic Jeremiah cheers her on, she grows more conflicted. She wants to run into his arms…and sprint in the opposite direction. For Annie, opening up to love again may be even more of a challenge than crossing the finish line.

Review:

So, I know I probably say this every time this author comes out with a new book, but I think this one is my favorite so far. Seriously, if you like YA contemporaries at all, you need to give this author a try. She has her genre in the bag.

If there is any one thing I have learned this past year (in my personal life), it is that everyone grieves differently. I completely understood how and why Annie did the things she did after losing someone so important to her. And the whole idea of running the marathon for her dead boyfriend, and completing something he never had the chance to do, is just so strong, noble, and powerful. How can you not cheer on such an endeavor?

Besides the sometimes sad, and rather powerful plot this book also had some remarkable characters. I loved Annie’s brother. I found her relationship with him and her mother so believable and so flawed. My heart ached for her mother. And my heart ached for every awkward situation Annie had to endure with her dead boyfriend’s friends, family, and community.

And I guess the word, “community” is rather important too. Annie had a community of support from whom she sometimes leaned on, but could always rely on (in regards to the people of her town, her college, and her family). But, even greater was the community she built outside of that with all the other runners.

I found the running culture to be fascinating. I am so not an athletic person. I have never enjoyed running, and forcing myself to exercise each week is hard. I feel like this is the first YA book I’ve read that really talks about the pains of running. There’s a lot of YA characters out there who enjoy running, or did it for escape, but I’ve never seen it broken down this way before, and it sounded so brutal and intense. Between running schedules, hours with the trainer, dietary restrictions, soar knees, upset stomachs, and chafing this just never seemed all that pretty or enticing. And I guess this made me love Annie so much more. She was willing to give so much for this sport to honor her boyfriend.

I liked getting pieces of the past throughout the whole book. You don’t learn how he died until almost the end. I also loved all scenes involving Jeremiah. It was interesting to get a character into extreme sports (another YA first for me). And I loved the how the two characters first met. I was shipping them for the whole book. It was beyond adorable. I guess there are a few things in here that are a bit over the top adorable, but instead of finding it cheesy in this story, I loved every second of it.

I feel like all I’m doing is gushing. And maybe I am. I hope Kenneally keeps writing more. I give this one a 10/10.

Waiting on Wednesday (103)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that allows bloggers to share which books we are most anticipating.

This week I am waiting on Firefight by Brandon Sanderson (1/6/15):

Description on Goodreads:

They told David it was impossible--that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet, Steelheart--invincible, immortal, unconquerable--is dead. And he died by David's hand.

Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life more simple. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And there's no one in Newcago who can give him the answers he needs.

Babylon Restored, the old borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David's willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic--Firefight. And he's willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

Why I’m Waiting:

I loved the first book in this series. One of the biggest disappointments for me this year at BEA was that Brandon Sanderson couldn’t be there again (preferably with this book in tow). At least while I’m waiting for this one, I have other Sanderson books to occupy my time. But, still, this one sounds so good! I’m so curious about things regarding Firefight. And I can’t wait to see more High Epic battles.

What are you waiting on this week?

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Summary from Goodreads:

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

Review:

This was intense! If you have not read the earlier Bloodlines books, you might want to stop reading. I have to spoil a few things from earlier in the series to talk about this book. This book so far has mostly great reviews. And I enjoyed it; I really did. But, it was also my least favorite in the series so far. I knew going into it that it was going to be hard to read because at the end of the last book, Sydney is taken for re-education.

For starters, the first 75% of this book is loaded with torture. And while it was super interesting to see what the alchemists believed and were capable of, it was not the easiest or most fast-paced story because well, Sydney is tortured for almost all of it. Yes, Sydney is strong and resilient. She also had a few things on her side that the alchemists didn’t initially know about (things like magic and a boyfriend who can communicate with her in dreams –at least once she can figure her way around the sleeping gas).

The book did move a lot more slowly. Besides the alchemists talking about the moroi as evil monsters of destruction, the book was more about the alchemists than the vampires. The chapters did switch back and forth between Sydney and Adrian. And Adrian as you can imagine, was not in good shape. His fall back into alcohol and parties was true to his character, and his journey back to the loving Adrian who had to rescue Sydney was so nice to watch. But, not a lot happened with Jill and the other characters.

Reading Sydney’s story was terrifying. She was burned with chemicals, purged of all her food on a regular basis, strapped to chairs, barely clothed, always made to be cold and to never have much sleep, ostracized by other detainees, starved, and stolen from and lied to. All the times she broke the rules to help someone else, I was literally biting the nails off my fingers.

The last quarter of the book had a lot more action (like we’ve come to expect from earlier in the series). There’s escapes, Las Vegas mayhem, Alchemist attacks, helicopter rides, sizzling romance, and plain old surviving. I loved watching how much more empathetic and intelligent Adrian has become (since being involved with Sydney). And I loved watching Sydney become more caring, and open minded (since being involved with Adrian). The characters are all stretched to their limits in this book, and I have never been more impressed by Sydney.

It did take me a couple more days to read (than I expected it to), and it definitely was more intense and dark than past books as well. Also, there were a few similarities between this book and another book I’ve recently read by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Origin), which was also hard for me to read. I hope main characters getting captured and tortured is not going to become a trend now.

It’s hard to rate this book because it’s still all the characters I love. It just wasn’t as fun of a read for me. I’m dying to see what happens in the next and final book. There was another cliffhanger. And I guess dark and scary doesn’t equate to bad. It just was different. I guess I give it an 8/10.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Summary (from Goodreads):

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil, no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Review:

I’ve been meaning to read this for quite some time. I have read a lot of good reviews for it and it’s on my Challenge List for the year. However, I kind of have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I loved all of the classic, eerie fey dilemmas. And on the other hand, I just never really cared for Meghan, the main character.

Seriously, I haven’t read a fairy book in a long time that had this kind of old school, creepy fairy laws and traditions. And I loved how dark, twisted, and political the fairy world Kagawa creates is. I loved all the strange side characters of this world (from Puck, to Titania, to Ash, to Grimalkin, to even the iron things Meghan refers to as packrats). I loved all the ways the characters had to take to get into and out of this world. I loved all of the overlaps between fairy world and the real world. And I particularly loved the whole iron aspect. The fairy world was slightly decaying with iron and iron fey because less and less people/humans in the regular world had the imagination for fey, but did have a liking for technology.

I guess I would rate this book a lot higher if Meghan wasn’t so terrible. She’s one of those characters who I really wanted to slap a few times. She made so many mistakes and instead of learning from these mistakes whom to trust, she just kept making more of the same mistakes again and again. I knew from the beginning that I wouldn’t like her. She doesn’t listen to the one friend she has and goes and gets sucked into a mean prank at school. And throughout the book, she doesn’t listen to the one friend she has and lots of bad things happen. Why would you trust so many bad people and not the one friend you have?

Also, she’s kind of not too bright. It was one of those classic YA stories where the best friend character is in love with the main character and the main character doesn’t see it. But, really, this was not handled well. There were way too many moments when you would have to be a complete moron not to notice this. She was confused as to why Puck was mad that she kissed him on the cheek when he asked for a kiss…Really, why would anyone be mad at this? Think.

She also continued to speak without thinking (to somewhat evil fey)! She didn’t accept fairy clothing even though her one friend told her that Oberon hated mortal clothing (again, why won’t you listen to your friend?) She almost drowned, she got kidnapped, she got trapped, she was forced into extreme labor, and really it was just one thing after another that I truly felt could have been prevented if the main character thought a few things through, or listed to the right people. I get that people make mistakes. I do. But when someone can’t learn from any of their mistakes, I start to wonder what’s wrong with them.

I liked that the book was all about saving her brother. It wasn’t all about the romance, which I totally could have seen it becoming, and I appreciated this. And like I said before, the world building and side characters were awesome. I just had a lot of problems with the main character. I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series because I’m not sure Meghan can change enough for me, though I am interested in seeing what happens to the world with all the more iron developments. I give it a 7/10.

A Good Week in Books (81)

I had another good week in books. I received two finished books for review (special thanks to Macmillan –and their imprint: First Second Books). The third book was one I had pre-ordered many moons ago, and I have already finished it. Review to come.

In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang
Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead
Mortal Danger by Ann Aguire

How was your week in books?