From Goodreads: Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.

She’s wrong.

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I started this blog in late January, and ever since then, this book has been on my radar.  I’ve seen the beautiful cover all over many book blogs, read many wonderful reviews of the book, and all around have coveted it, waiting until I could finally own it and read it for myself.  That day has arrived, and I’m ecstatic to say that all the hype surrounding this book was right on target.  This book is amazing!

Hodkin is a truly talented writer.  She makes this novel fly by with her tight storyline and believable prose.  At 452 pages, it’s is what I’d consider a long novel, but at no point in reading did I want to set it aside or take a break.  This book is impossible to put down, in my opinion, and I was able to read it extremely quickly.  Of course, Hodkin’s characters made me feel like I was in the story, and I’m envious of Mara… I want Noah for myself!!

It’s true…  I am in love.  With Noah.  He is a great character, and I absolutely adore him.  The mystery surrounding him is extremely intriguing, and I loved finding out the truth about him alongside Mara.  Mara is also a really interesting character shrouded in mystery.  The fact that she doesn’t know the truth about the accident that killed her friends is really intriguing, and I love how Hodkin slowly divulges the truth.  I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting the elements of magical realism, but they fit nicely into the story and have me dying for the next installment in the novel already!  Next year can’t come fast enough!  I need more Noah, for sure, and, as the novel’s ending did leave room for interpretation, I’m a little bit worried about where it might go in the next book.  Like I said, I need it now… the wait it killing me!

Hodkin’s debut novel is riveting, and she’s quickly become one of my top ten authors of all time!  Five stars.

From Goodreads: It’s late January at Loon Lake and bodies abound: a woman on snowshoes has been discovered wedged under a wooden bridge on a cross-country ski trail. A day later, Police Chief Lewellyn Ferris interviews a couple who alleges that the wife, a former nun, is being stalked. Meanwhile, Loon Lake is hosting an International Ice Fishing Festival with problems.

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I picked this book up, on a whim, because of the cover.  I didn’t note that it’s the 11^th book in a series, nor did I really read the synopsis.  I’m not going to lie, sometimes I’m moved to buy based on the cover alone. I mean it.  If you can create a beautiful, enticing cover, you’re going to grab my attention, and I’m probably going to buy.  I’m that impulsive.  But, that aside… I found, upon reading the novel, and it doesn’t matter that it’s the 11^th book in a series, it’s a standalone novel, and the story beats out the synopsis any day, anyway.

I enjoyed this mystery novel.  It’s a whodunit style novel with multiple connections among the townsfolk, starting with the disappearance and murder of one of Loon Lake’s own.  Though the plot is seemingly disconnected, moving from the murder of a woman to a family being stalked, everything is interrelated.  Everything is also spiraling out of control with the massive downfall of snow, covering all the killers tracks, as well as an Ice Fishing Festival, spreading the already waning police force even thinner while a killer is on the loose.  This creates much needed suspense within the novel, and though I found some of the novel a tad bit slow, as the story picked up, it became much more interesting and hard to put down.

What I found most interesting about this book, though, is the fact that it really deals with computers and hackers.  Though a woman is killed, and though a family is being stalked, the truth behind it all stems from the internet, where much money can be made through scams and the like.  How they’re all connected, I can’t say, but I highly enjoyed learning about all the computer technology as well as figuring out the murder/stalker mystery.  Though I knew who the murderer was early on in the novel, as most readers probably will, the murderer’s name, location, and motives don’t come out until the climactic end, which helps spur the reader on. 

I did enjoy this novel, though I wasn’t enamored by it.  I don’t think it’s for everyone, though those into computers and mysteries will probably really enjoy this novel.  Three stars.

From Goodreads: In the vine-twisted swamps of Louisiana, the shadows have teeth.

Jack Winter has spent his entire life running from something no one else can see. His childhood is his darkest secret, but after a near fatal accident along a deserted road, the darkness he was sure he’d escaped rears its ugly head… and smiles.

But this time, he isn’t the only one who sees the soulless eyes of his past. This time, his six-year-old daughter Charlie leans into his ear and whispers: “Daddy, I saw it too.”

And then she begins to change.

Faced with reliving the nightmares of his childhood, Jack watches his daughter spiral into the shadows that had nearly consumed him twenty years before.

But Charlie isn’t the only one who’s changing.

Jack never outran the darkness. It’s been with him all along.

And it’s hungrier than ever.
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I have to start off by saying that I am officially creeped out.   Ahlborn has succeeded in writing a horror novel so nerve-wracking, bloody, and schizophrenic that I had to sleep with the lights on.  In fact, I’m still reeling from the ending of this novel.  Just sitting here writing this review, thinking about the situations within the novel… I’ve got chills running up and down my spine.  It’s freaky… the perfect read if you want to psyche yourself out and be scared for days.

Jack Winter is so traumatized by his experiences as a child that, when the symptoms show themselves in his youngest daughter, all he can do is watch as his family’s world is turned upside down and inside out.  While his reactions may seem callous as he sits back and keeps his mouth closed concerning all that is happening around him, it actually makes perfect sense.  He recognizes this evil; an evil he knows cannot be defeated, and its newfound presences causes him to not only relive his trauma from his childhood, but also causes him to shut down and become non-responsive.  I love Ahlborn’s portrayal of Jack, and all the characters, really, as these events are vividly real and life-like, adding to the creep factor within the novel.

I also love Ahlborn’s writing style.  Not only are the prose very beautifully written, but the story flows effortlessly.  I thoroughly enjoyed the back and forth style Ahlborn’s utilizes as she tells of the events in Jack’s present, and then subtly shifts to events in his past, spurring the reader on as more background information is divulged, showing exactly how, and why, Jack is an unresponsive as he is when the evil comes for his daughter.  I loved it!

And the ending?  Oh heavens, the ending… I was not prepared.  My stomach clenched, my eyes bulged, and I was a little bit sick.  But, it works.  In fact, no other ending could fit.  Ahlborn has hit the nail on the head so definitively that there is no room for any other ending.  There never was.  I highly recommend this phenomenal read.  Be prepared to be scared.  Five stars.

From Goodreads: After his mother’s death, sixteen year old Seth Bradley chooses to leave behind his friends, his school, and his entire life within the rusted, broken down space station Ticonderoga. With his sister Jenna in tow, he sets out to join a father he barely knows in the orbital city of Grass Valley, a monument to human achievement floating three hundred miles above the Earth.

He’s never seen the open sky before. Never seen a robot either, until he meets Anne, a strange, quiet shopgirl that no one ever seems too bothered to notice.

Ava Morales is a girl with a mysterious and violent past. The soldiers of the Democratic Republic of Mars sing praises to her name, but to her family she is a terrible secret.

She is considered a terrorist by the Allied Nations of Earth, but to others still, she’s nothing more than a troubled teenager, on her way to becoming a permanent resident of the Grass Valley prison system.

When Grass Valley is caught in the crossfire of an all-out war between Earth and Mars, Seth, Jenna, and Anne must work together to survive as they find themselves trapped in a world that is literally crumbling around them.

Meanwhile Ava unexpectedly finds herself alone and finally free in a chaotic, hostile city torn apart by conspiracy and fear. A city where, maybe, she has a chance to finally live in peace. A city in ruins, lost to the blackness of space.

A city with secrets all its own.

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This is a very interesting concept.  I enjoyed how Campbell set up his debut novel as it is fast paced and shrouded in mystery.  We meet Seth, Jenna, and Ava around the same time, but Ava has something to hide, something big.  The chapters alternate back and forth between the characters as they go their separate ways and the world around them begins to crumble as Grass Valley is attacked by Martians.  Campbell really sets up his novel well, explaining the different space stations and the people that live there; it’s ingenious really, and learning about the characters’ world was vastly interesting. 

While I did really enjoy the premise of the novel, I have to admit that I was a little disappointed that Ava eventually disappears from the story completely, leaving the reader in the dark much too soon.  I have many questions about her, her family background, and her history, yet those still remain unanswered.  Although I learned much about Seth, Jenna, and Anne, and I truly enjoyed their story, I am mystified by Ava’s disappearance and hope she makes a grand appearance in the second volume of this novel, especially as it ends in medias res.  Three stars. 

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Ethan Wright is just like any other high school kid that is one day lucky enough to meet the girl of his dreams. Throughout the course of high school the young couple learn to cope with incredibly difficult odds to discover all that matters.

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This is a very interesting love story.  All coming of age stories have trials and triumphs, and it is no different for Ethan and Amanda as they grow into young adults, but this raw look into young love, a love so pure and uncanny, is completely different.  Amanda is very ill, and Ethan’s undying devotion to her is extremely rare among young couples.  I especially enjoyed this reversal of devotion in that it is the male lead character who bends over backwards for the girl.  Most books I read tend to deal with female leads smitten with a male who could care less, and Tanha has created a nice change of pace in his novel. 

I enjoyed following Ethan and Amanda throughout their entire high school career and beyond, glimpsing them through ninth and tenth grade, and really getting to know them as they became juniors and seniors.  Tanha certainly has a way with words, and All That Matters is a beautiful story.  I must admit, the ending, though extremely real, left me somewhat aghast.  I wasn’t expecting it, and it did change my feelings for some of the characters, though, in reality, it is to be completely expected, and I can actually say that this novel truly couldn’t have ended any other way, even though I may not be happy about it.  Three stars.     

From Goodreads: Gemma thought her mind was gone, but she was wrong. And now she is left trying to figure out the truth to what Stephan is planning to do with her and the star, before it’s too late.

But finding out the truth is hard, especially since Gemma doesn’t know who she can trust. There may be only one person who Gemma can turn to for answers, but that means having to go to the one place no one wants to go—The Underworld.

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Well, of course, this novel leaves us with another huge cliffhanger… Sorensen is killing me here… I need the next book, The Vision, like, yesterday! But, that aside, I am happy to say that Sorensen’s prose and story line has improved in this sequel, and I found myself enamored by the novel, in love with most of the characters, and highly interested in everything that was happening to Gemma and her companions.   

The story picks up right where Fallen Star left off, giving the reader the much needed answers to the predicament Gemma faced at the close of Fallen Star.  I was extremely happy with the way Sorensen chose to resolve the cliffhanger from the first novel, and from there Sorensen continues to write a solid piece with much suspense and intrigue.  I feel like there was never any downtime in this novel and, while Gemma was, on occasion, a tab bit annoying, she grows a lot in this novel, standing up for herself more readily, though she’s still a bit weak, literally speaking. 

Her companions, Alex and Laylen also grow in this novel and, though I didn’t note this in the first book, a sort of love triangle seems to have developed.  So, whose side am I on?  I’m honestly not so sure, but I’m thinking Laylen… he’s a pretty hot vampire, to say the least.  Alex, though, is good looking in his own right, yet he’s the quiet brooding type, and while I’m usually a fan of those kinds of guys, he did place Gemma in some serious danger in the previous novel, so… Laylen currently has the upper hand.

What I truly loved about this novel, love triangle aside, is how villainous Sorensen has made the bad guys.  They are truly repulsive, and though I can’t name names, or it’d give away some things from the novel, I will say that Sorensen has mastered the evil character, to a tee.  I recommend this series to anyone looking for a great paranormal read, especially as it gets better with time.  Four stars!

From Goodreads: For eighteen year-old Gemma, life has never been normal. Up until recently, she has been incapable of feeling emotion. And when she’s around Alex, the gorgeous new guy at school, she can feel electricity that makes her skin buzz. Not to mention the monsters that haunt her nightmares have crossed over into real-life. But with Alex seeming to hate her and secrets popping up everywhere, Gemma’s life is turning into a chaotic mess. Things that shouldn’t be real suddenly seem to exist. And as her world falls apart, figuring out the secrets of her past becomes a matter of life and death.

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I was worried when I started the first chapter of this novel; a lot of what was happening seemed cliché and overdone, so I began to mentally prepare myself for an “okay” read.  However, as the story progressed, it began to get better and, having now finished the novel, I must say that both Sorensen’s writing and storyline did improve with time.  The aspects of the novel that I originally found cliché and overdone began to taper off and Sorenson began creating a very original piece with much action, pulling me into the story.

I found Gemma to be an interesting charcter in her own right, having never felt emotions before.  Hence, she is a bit of a mess when we first meet her, confused and jumpy, especially as new emotions keep creeping up on her.  I understand where her low self esteem comes from, based on this sudden ability to feel and not understanding it; however, I like my protagonists to be a little bit stronger than she happens to be.  Gemma tends to lack willpower, which had me yelling at her on more than one occasion and, while she does progress throughout the novel, she never really takes over her own life.  Instead, she allows Alex, a boy she believe hates her, to control everything she does.  For some reason, she cannot resist the urge to be around him, even though she knows he looks down upon her and dislikes her immensely. Though I wasn’t a fan of this disposition, I did enjoy it when Gemma began to push back, demanding answers and attempting to take over her own destiny, especially as the man from her dreams becomes more vivid, and the yellow-eyed figures hunting her in her dreams step into the real world.

Now, aside from the main characters, I really did enjoy the plotline as it progressed.  Sorenson has a very vivid imagination and she really fleshed out her story by creating new worlds and situations.  I enjoyed learning about Gemma’s abilities as well, and her many brushes with death kept me glued to the pages, even though she sometimes got on my nerves.  The ending, of course, was a huge clincher for me as we find out who the man from her dreams really is and everything comes to a head, leaving the reader with a huge cliffhanger.  It’s so huge, in fact, that I went right out and bought the sequel, The Underworld, which is thankfully already out, because I have to know what happens next.  Three and a half stars.

I won a copy of this novel from Goodreads First Reads.

From Goodreads: After their father’s disappearance, Cinder leaves home for a servant job at the castle. But it isn’t long before her sister Ella is brought to the castle herself—the most dangerous place in all the kingdom for both her and Cinder. Cinder and Ella is a Cinderella story like no other and one you’ll never forget.

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While it is true that this Cinderella story is like no other I’ve ever read, I have to admit that I’m a little biased.  This is a really interesting story, but I like my Cinderella story better.  It probably has to do with it being ingrained into my head from a young age, but even so, I found that I wasn’t as captivated by this novel as I wanted to be.  Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not a boring read, nor is it poorly written.  In fact, Lemon does a great job writing this story, from her prose to her pacing, she does a wonderful job creating a unique storyline and atmosphere for her readers.  And, while I personally didn’t care for most of the characters, save Ella and her knight, I think this was intentional on Lemon’s part. 

Cinder and Ella, while separate entities, complete each other as a whole.  Where Cinder is caring and compassionate, loving everyone and completely gullible, Ella refuses to let people walk all over her; she’s feisty and down to earth, dreaming of a better life.  They really are two parts of the whole, completing Cinderella, but what Lemon has done is remove them and make them two separate characters, which is interesting in and of itself.  Now, Cinder gets on my nerves.  Ella and I have a lot more in common, and Ella is the central character, so I connected with her much more readily that I did with Cinder, but even Ella has her moments when I thought, “wow, that was really mean.”  Obviously, on many occasions I groaned in terms of Cinder as her “nothing bad can ever happen” attitude is annoying, and as the reader, we know better.  The rest of the characters, however, really made me nuts.  The girls’ mother is content on wasting away, having lost her husband, leaving the other two siblings to wreak havoc on the house.  When you read the story, you’ll see what I mean by nuts.  I can’t fathom living in a house like theirs and, on multiple occasions, I wanted to slap them all…  It’s true, this isn’t anything like the Cinderella story that you and I know, and Lemon’s portrayal of the father’s disappearance, the mother giving up hope, and the prince being evil incarnate is a welcome change, though, in the end, I, personally, wasn’t really enchanted by it; the characters rubbed me the wrong way one too many times.  Two stars–mainly because of the characters though, not the writing itself. 

Cedar Fort has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on November 8, 2011.

From Goodreads: Twitch, a stubbed limbed, white eye deformed carnival freak attraction is often abused. But, he harbors a dark secret…and his retribution is certainly far worse.

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If you’re looking for a quick read with some chilling horror mixed in this Halloween, then this is the novella for you!  Scopel has written a very intriguing tale involving the carnival freak, Twitch, and the horrors that befall those who abuse him.  This story is not what I was expecting, and I have to say that I am very impressed with the story and Scopel’s writing as well. 

This novella begins much like any other, but the creep factor quickly comes into play as characters are introduced and the story slowly begins to unfold.  Some of the horror within the novel is quite gruesome, with blood spurting everywhere, burning blisters popping open, etc., but it adds nicely to this horrific tale of retribution as Twitch pays back all those who have ever muttered a degrading word his way.  I think my favorite part about it all is the fact that Scopel decided to add some history and witchcraft to the mix, creating an ingenious background story for Twitch and his existence. 

Scopel is a very talented writer, keeping the reader focused and engaged throughout the entire story.  And, the best part is, he’s strictly writes horror.  So, hop on over to Amazon or Barnes and Nobel and pick up this quick read… and if you like it, check out his other work because, hey, it’s Halloween, and we all need to be a little creeped out this hallows eve.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novella from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Halloween!

From Goodreads: Jean Ryan has inherited a singular gift, the gift of magic. She must quickly learn to use her magic gift before the opposing dark magic forces destroy her world. Jean and Wayne, her friend, work together to discover why her gift has attracted the attention of an evil circle of magic users and how to combat them.

As she learns to use her magic, Jean finds revenge bites backwards, friends are not always what they seem, and that magic is not a toy. In the end she has to stand alone against an evil worse than any she has ever imagined.

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Overall, I really enjoyed this novel.  This is a true coming-of-age novel in which Jean must learn what true friendship is, as well as decide to do right by those around her.  I must admit that, in the beginning, Jean was quite obnoxious and her bad decisions made me dislike her quite a lot.  However, she does have many redeeming qualities and, as we later find out, not all of her decisions were of her own volition, which helped make me like her much more as the story progressed.

I’d like to say that I would have behaved differently had I been in Jean’s position, but truth be told, I would probably have behaved just as badly as her, especially since power can quickly consume a soul, causing one to act completely different, usually for the worst.  I think part of this revelation is why I was so disgusted with her in the beginning, but as I said previously, she does redeem herself, which is good, because the story itself is very well done.

Santore has created a very interesting tale involving magic, a world Jean didn’t know existed until her grandmother passes on, leaving her a box full of mysterious items.  I enjoyed learning about the magical realm and watching the characters thrive, learn from their mistakes, and set new courses for themselves.  There were a lot of twists within the novel and while some of the events were obvious in coming, others were much more shocking.  I enjoy a story where I feel like I know what is happening but am also blindsided by certain situations, making me second-guess myself and the characters on the whole.  I really did enjoy this novel and am hoping for a sequel to continue Jean’s fight for what is right. Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: Colt McAlister was having the summer of his life. He spent his days surfing and his nights playing guitar on the beach with friends. He even met a girl and got his first car. But everything changes when his parents are killed in a freak accident.

He’s forced to leave his old life behind and move to Arizona with his grandfather. The only person he knows at the new high school is a childhood friend named Dani. And Oz, a guy he’s sure he’s never met but who is strangely familiar.

But what if his parents’ death wasn’t an accident? His mother, an investigative reporter, was going to expose a secret mind-control program run by one of the world’s largest companies. Before she could release the story, what if agents from Trident Biotech made sure she couldn’t go public?

Vowing to uncover the truth, Colt gets drawn into a secret world of aliens, shapeshifters, flying motorcycles, and invisible gateways.

The Invasion has begun.

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This is a very interesting sci-fi novel dealing with an alien invasion.  Although the story is somewhat cliché, with Colt McAlister and his newfound friends battling evil aliens intent on destroying all humanity, it is quite original as well.  I liked the idea that Colt finds that what he’s been reading in his comic books is actually true.  I haven’t read many novels that put such an emphasis on a hero obsessed with comic books, and I think this will add in its appeal for younger readers.  And, yes, while it is a little cliché that the hero is “nerdy” in that aspect, owning memorabilia from the comics, etc., Lewis also makes Colt a strong, self-assured character.  He’s even quite attractive, according to the girls in the novel.  But, that aside, this novel’s fast pace and interesting situations make is a great read, especially for those in love with sci-fi.  Although I personally found the “love-story” portion of this novel a little bit out of place, slowing the pacing to a near standstill for me, overall, I thought this was a good read and recommend it to anyone who enjoyed I Am Number Four.  Three stars.    

 Thomas Nelson has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read a copy of this novel, via Netgalley.

From Goodreads: For fifteen-year-old Seeker, Isabelle Crowe, ridding the Houston streets of the undead is an inherited duty, passed down from her Cherokee ancestors. During her first night without her mentor, she encounters Abram, a more experienced Seeker from Chicago looking to avenge his cousin’s death. Isabelle quickly learns she must work with Abram to protect her city. With one Seeker already dead, Isabelle’s love of the hunt becomes a fight to survive.

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Browning has created a very unique, interesting vampire tale, complete with both traditional vampires, and what Isabelle refers to as the Daychildren, those that can walk in the sunlight and are stronger and faster than anything Isabelle, or her mentor, have ever come up against.  I especially enjoyed the fast-paced nature of this short prequel to Dark Seeker, as it ropes the reader in and gives some great background knowledge concerning the Daychildren and the Seekers’ never-ending job in ridding the world of such evil. 

I thought Isabelle and Abram were a very interesting juxtaposition of character, one cool and collected, one angry and looking for a fight.  Though their personal backgrounds are only briefly touched upon, Browning peaks the readers interest by alluding to the special makeup of the Seekers, one in which they continually recycle their ages, between 15-18, and must move to different cities every four years as to not be noticed.  While the reader isn’t given much more information concerning the age changes or how the Seekers originally came to be, enough is given to whet the reader’s appetite, especially through the many action scenes in which Isabelle and Abram work together to rid their city of vampires.  I am looking forward to continuing the series with the first book, Dark Seeker, which recently released on September 27th, especially as it introduces new characters, and hopefully re-introduces Isabelle and Abram.  Four stars.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads: My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn’darkmyr Tallyn.

I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.

My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

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And now for something completely different.  Kagawa does a phenomenal job shifting gears in this fourth, and final, book in the Iron Fey series, telling the story from Ash’s point of view as he struggles to come to terms with what has happened to Meghan.  By the completion of this novel, Ash had completely endeared himself to me (about time, right?) and I must say that I think this last book is the best of them all. 

Ash’s quest is an honorable one, and the many dangers he faces, along with Puck and some other friends we’ve met along the way in the series, are substantial and breathtaking.  At times I was literally scared for the characters, a feeling I haven’t known throughout the series up until this point, and I really, really enjoyed this novel.

Finally, we have answers.  What happened between Ash and Ariella?  How did they meet, fall in love, and befriend Puck?  Why is Ash always so cold to everyone?  All the questions we’ve had throughout the series, including many more, are finally answered in detail as all of Ash’s sins and mistakes are brought to the forefront.  There is, in fact, a very interesting twist in this novel that I never saw coming, and though I was a little aghast when it first hit, it makes perfect sense, and it made the novel that much more interesting.  Yes, at times I really hated Ash, especially as his past is brought to the forefront and we learn so much about him, but his ultimate quest for love and redemption washed it all away for me, and it ends exactly how it should, in my opinion.  Yes, I’ve been a Puck fan all the way up until this point, and I do love Puck, but I finally see why Ash and Meghan belong together, and I am at peace with the ending here, and so is Puck, Meghan, and Ash, our key players.  That, I believe, is the most important thing.

This is an all around beautiful book, and I highly recommend it, however, you really must read the in-between novella’s to understand everything that is happening in this novel, as it frequently references those stories and the characters within.  So, I highly recommend you pick up Winter’s Passage (book #1.5) and Summer’s Crossing (book #3.5) and read them prior to reading this final installment to a wonderful sage.  Four and a half stars.

Harlequin has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release today. 

From Goodreads: A Midsummer’s Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon’s right hand, bane of many a faery queen’s existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl’s death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.

Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone’s come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck’s help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.

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This is a must read for all those reading the Iron Fey series.  This short novella not only adds to the series as a whole, but also extends the story, picking up right where The Iron Queen left off (and boy, that book’s ending made me mad), connecting Ash and Puck once more as they go off on a journey to find Grimalkin, for reason’s Ash is none too forthcoming about.  However, before they can get too far, Ash runs into an old acquaintance who calls in a favor… a practically impossible favor.

I enjoyed this novella.  I actually started to dislike Puck a little as I read, which was a first, and Ash began to move more into my good graces… so this was a nice change.  I will say that this novella kept my rapt attention with its awesome storyline, especially as it’s a break from Meghan’s story.  I really enjoyed every aspect of Summer’s Crossing, aside for Puck being a tool for a bit… but I was happy in the end, and completely ready for the next, and final, book in the series, The Iron Knight.  Four stars.

From Goodreads: My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

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Okay, I’m not going to lie… I was less than pleased with this book’s ending.  THANK GOD Kagawa wrote a fourth book, or, seriously, I would have thrown something.  Why?  Because this ending wasn’t satisfying.  In fact, it was the opposite.  It was gut wrenching, rip your heart out, sad.  It left a hole in my heart.  I’m serious.  It really did.  But… I can’t tell you why.  Just rest assured, the fourth, and final book in the series, The Iron Knight, comes out tomorrow… and it will put some balance back into your world.  I promise.

Now… this is a very well written series.  Kagawa has a very vivid imagination, and I truly love her writing and her characters.  I found this novel to be more on par with The Iron King, meaning I liked this one better than The Iron Daughter, and I still stand by previous statements… Puck, by far, is still my favorite.  I love the correlations between him and Shakespeare that Kagawa throws in throughout the series, and I love his nonchalant, cunning ways.  He’s a great guy, and I really think Meghan would be better off with him, however, Ash has started to grow on me a bit.  Finally, I know.

Yes, I still find Ash moody and overbearing, but his other side seems to come out more in this novel, and I’m beginning to see what Meghan sees in him.  He can be nice, caring… though he still seems to be a little despondent at times, making rash decisions that caused me to keep backtracking and renouncing my feelings for him.  However, by the end of this novel it became apparent that he truly does care about Meghan, hence my ultimate hatred of the ending.  However, that’s all I’m going to say about that.  Three and a half stars. 

From Goodreads: Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan’s own fey powers have been cut off. She’s stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can’t help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

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Okay, so, I have to say it.  I’m still a Puck fan.  I know, I know… this was the book that was supposed to turn me on to Ash.  But… it didn’t.  In fact, I found him to be a real creeper in this novel.  I guess I haven’t really seen his soft genuine side yet, which might come in the next book?  Maybe?  I don’t know, but I do know that Puck still holds my favor, and I wish that Meghan would see what I see!

That aside, I think this was a pretty decent sequel to The Iron King.  I will admit that I didn’t like it as much as the first novel, but I still liked it.  For some reason, I had a harder time reading this novel, meaning it took me a lot longer than expected… I kept putting it aside to read other novels, which isn’t normal for me, especially in the middle of a series.  I can’t put my finger on what it was exactly, but I just wasn’t as captivated by this novel.  I’m going to blame Ash for that.  Lol.

In all honesty, though, Kagawa has created an awesome faery world, and I just love the idea of the iron fey.  It’s so ingenious and intriguing that I always want to know more, which is great, because there are two more books in the series!  Based on the ending of this novel, I am really interested to know where the story it going to go next, and yes, I do feel sorry for Ash (I’m not that heartless—like him), and I am hoping that everything turns out okay in the end.  We shall see.  Three stars.

From Goodreads: Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl…until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck–Meghan’s best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon–who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash’s detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter–a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat….

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I didn’t know there were in-between novellas for The Iron Fey series, but I just found out, so of course I picked them both up for the Kindle the minute I found out.  This novella is the in-between for The Iron King and The Iron Daughter, explaining how Meghan got to Tir Na Nog, the Winter palace, and it was a good read.  If you read the series, without these in-between stories, you’ll notice that The Iron Daughter just picks up at the Winter palace… no explanation is given as to how Meghan and Ash got there, and though it’s not information a reader has to have, I was wondering about it.  Insert Winter Passage here.  Do you need to read it?  No.  Do I recommend it?  YES!

Again, Kagawa creates a riveting story as Ash and Meghan attempt to outrun a powerful hunter while on their way back to Tir Na Nog in order to fulfill Meghan’s promise to Ash.  It was quite captivating, and at times I could feel my heart rate accelerating.  My only complaint is that the novella rehashes too much of the first novel, recapping information any reader of the series would already know and, though I may be mistaken, I actually think there is a passage from this novella that is also word for word in either The Iron King or The Iron Daughter… I know I’ve read it in one of them.  But, repetitiveness aside, there is more than enough of a story to intrigue the reader and cause them to put aside the repeated information in favor for the new dilemma’s Ash and Meghan come up against. Four stars.

From Goodreads: Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

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.

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So, I’ve finally gotten around to reading this series.  I know, I know, it’s about time!  I’ve had this book on my shelf forever, but with school, grading, and review requests, I haven’t had the time to just sit down and read this series.  Now, in my defense, there are four books in the series, and knowing myself, once I start, I’ll need to read the whole series… so I had to wait until the opportune time to read this book, which happens to be now, especially as book four releases in THREE days… that’s right… three days!!!!  Who’s excited?  I AM!

I was very impressed with this novel, though, and don’t shoot me for this, I’m not enamored with Ash.  With all the hype I’ve been hearing about this series, I was positive that I would fall head over heels in love with him, especially since everyone talks about him on Twitter all the time.  But, actually, I like Puck.  I’m not sure, but a part of me thinks that maybe, just maybe, my subconscious overwrote the possibility of falling for Ash because so many people already like him so much, but… either way, I’m a Puck fan.  Now, truthfully, if I look back at all the novels I’ve read, and all the sides I’ve taken in the love triangles, it is quite obvious that I always prefer the guy that was there first.  Edward over Jacob.  Gale over Peeta.  Xander over Ky.  Daniel over Cameron… I mean, you get the picture.  So, it just makes sense here that I like Puck over Ash.  Now, that’s not to say it won’t change as I complete the series, but this is how I feel now. Especially since Ash is a brooding, angry male, and the fact that he’s only “helping” Meghan in order to get something in return rubs me the wrong way.  Yes, maybe he develops feelings for her, but I’m not yet convinced that he loves her as much as I am that he’s using her.  But, either way, I have to read all the books in the series before I make my official, and final, call, so stay tuned…

On the whole, I really enjoyed this novel. Kagawa is a very talented writer, and I am kicking myself for waiting so long to read her work.  She easily captivates her audience through her vivid imagination and wonderful descriptions.  I found myself on pins and needles throughout nearly the entire novel, especially as Meghan goes from adventure to adventure, and I do recommend this novel to all.  In fact, you might as well pick up the full series because The Iron King will leave you hanging, and you’ll need to start The Iron Daughter right away!  Four stars!

From Goodreads: Myth and imagination are confronted with historical precision in Brendan Connell’s newest collection of short fiction, bringing together a number of stories previously published in journals and anthologies as well as never before published material that includes the novella The Life of Polycrates, describing the rise to power of the ancient Greek ruler, his eccentric deeds and the fantastic personalities around him. This is a book of bizarre histories and cerebral studies that explores the darkest passages of the human heart and brightest depravities of the human mind.

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The main story in this compilation is an intriguing novella exposing the life of the great leader, Polycrates, in a manner that most histories do not; it’s interesting.  It reads very much like the aside stories in high school textbooks—you know, the ones set apart from the textbook by the boxes the editors rope it off in, the ones that further explain an event that is actually captivating, unlike the rest of the book…  I remember being in history class and, instead of listening to the lecture or following along in the textbook, I would turn the pages in my textbook and read all the “stories” about great people instead.  It always held my attention, and that is what The Life of Polycrates was like for me when I read it; an interesting history that I actually enjoyed reading.  Seriously, why can’t all textbooks be like this story instead of droning on and on?

The rest of the short stories within the compilation were interesting, though none caught my attention like the one about Polycrates.  Some of them were a little disturbing, well, I guess parts of Polycrates was disturbing as well, but overall I thought they were all well written, though I wouldn’t necessarily give this compilation to young readers… maybe college age and older.  Three stars.    

I recieve a copy of this work fromt he author in exchange for an honest review.