Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Format: Hardcover
Source: Personal Signed Copy
Review by: Jenn

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

4 stars out of 5 stars

I loved going back into this world and learning what happened after the showdown at the end of Shadow and Bone. I was curious to see how Alina and Mal were faring and even my beloved Darkling.

• Leigh Bardugo and her world building, it's so captivating. I can easily picture the world of Ravka as she describes. 
• Alina and Mal. I was curious to see what Alina and Mal had gotten up to up since Shadow and Bone. With this book, I still wasn’t a huge fan of Mal. There were certain parts where I liked how he spoke up what he and Alina were thinking and avoiding to talk about. It made him the honest and good person he is supposed to be. But how he then acted towards Alina, as if it's her fault that she was the Sun Summoner and he was just a soldier, continue to turn me off of him. That’s not to say I liked how Alina reacted to his decision. 
• The new characters mentioned, the privateer and a certain prince, were some of my favorite part of the book. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure we could trust them but I slowly turn to their side.
• The Darkling! For a second, I was worried for his fate and hoped he would be okay. Of course, reading that he got even more powerful sort of made me feel bad for Alina. I’m sad that I didn’t get more time with him, to be honest. All the time he is mentioned and who appears, I was salivating and eagerly reading. I am hooked on his story and I wanted more time with him. That showdown he had with Alina, I NEED to know what really happened and what happens next.

I think this reviews kind of shows you how much I really care about The Darkling and his story. While I like our protagonist, Alina, the way that Leigh Bardugo wrote this trilogy, I am more curious about what The Darkling will do and what he is thinking than what happens with Mal. And even at times with Alina. I don’t know if that was what Leigh was trying to accomplish, but I can’t help it. Time for Ruin and Rising.

Second Chance Read: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day (Just One Day #1)
Author: Gayle Forman
Release Date: January 3, 2013
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library Overdrive
Review by: Jenn

When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

4 stars out of 5 stars

The audiobook for Just One Day was such a breeze to get through. The narrator did a great job of capturing Gayle's way with words. She made the world Gayle wrote come alive. I felt all of Allyson's confusion, indecision, and eventual rebellion in her quest to find the answers that have plagued her for a year. I fell in love with Gayle's storytelling ability all over again.

Audiobooks are becoming the best way for me to go back and fall in love all over again with books that I initially read and loved a while ago. And that is exactly how I felt about this audiobook.

Have you listened to the audio or read the book? What do you think?

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Second Chance Read: The Program by Suzanne Young

The Program (The Program #1)
Author: Suzanne Young
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Format: Audio
Source: Library/Overdrive
Review by: Jenn

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

4 stars out of 5 stars

If I loved The Program way back when I first read it a few years ago, hearing the audiobook made me realize how much I loved Suzanne's ways with words. The narrator hooked me in and I couldn't put the book down, so to speak. I was crying at all the right places and hurting along with Sloane.  I was reminded of how heartbreaking this book was and how scary the program is. I'm looking forward to listening to the rest of the series and I really hope that it is the same narrator for all of them as I think she did a great job.

Have you heard this audiobook? Or have you read the book? Tell me down below!

Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

The Distance Between Us
Author: Kasie West
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: Paperback
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Nahomi

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

The Distance Between Us is a cute story. I wouldn't tag it as a summer read because I feel that some of the issues the story deals with are a bit heavy for a light summer read. On that note, I really liked the premise of the story. I like that it’s set in a small town and that Caymen and her mom live above a porcelain doll store. I really enjoy reading stories that take place in these types of settings.

Caymen has a very dry humor. I got it but it really isn't my cup of tea. Although I will say that it definitely added comedic relief to some very uncomfortable situations. Her relationship with her mom at times was a little frustrating, but I enjoyed the dynamic between Caymen and the other characters.

The romance in the novel is reminds me of a fairy tale in some sense. Caymen is really determined not to like Xander, and he is determined to get to know her under any pretense. I love the scenes when they are “researching careers.” Xander really tries hard to get Caymen to experience different jobs, in search of what she would like to do. There were definitely times when Xander had me swooning.

The Distance Between Us had some plot twist that I didn’t see coming. Overall, it was a very entertaining read. I didn’t give it a higher rating because I felt Caymen carried a lot of baggage that wasn’t hers to carry. Also the story deals with other issues that a bit heavier than what I was expecting.

Mini Review: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

The Moon and More
Author: Sarah Dessen
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher:Viking Books for Young Readers
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

As always Sarah Dessen delivers and impeccably written novel full of teenage angst and self-discovery. I found Emaline’s story to be interesting. It’s been a while since I’ve read a story from the perspective of a character that lives on a coastal tourist town. I enjoyed reading about the town and Emaline’s life and the people around her. The characters were multidimensional and had a lot of issues going on, which kept me interested in the story.

The story itself was anticlimactic. I kept waiting for something to happen. I kept reading to see what how it would end and was disappointed. Overall the story is well written and the characters are good but it wasn’t my cup of tea.

Mini Review: The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

The Fiery Heart
(Bloodlines #4)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal copy
Review by: Jenn

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the wolds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.
In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her...
But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure — and re-education — looms larger than ever.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars 

Oh my god. This book is my favorite from the Bloodlines series thus far. It had the wonderful surprise of Adrian's POV! I mentioned how I struggled with Sydney in the previous books and I was slowly learning to like her but with Adrian's POV thrown in the mix, this made The Fiery Heart all the better.

The ending for this book just about killed me. I knew something was happening on the Alchemist side, especially since they involved Sydney's sister. Sydney was busy juggling many responsibilities, tasks and Adrian and was unable to see the threat that came in the end. I am terrified at what will in the next book because Sydney showed us some pretty grim and scary stuff before involving the Alchemist. But knowing Sydney and the gang, I'm sure they'll make up some crazy and elaborate plan and get things done.

Richelle Mead has definitely upped her game with this book. I wish it happened sooner though and I didn't have to wait four books to fully get invested in the story and the characters. Silver Shadows, you're next!

Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

5 stars out of 5 stars 

It was a wonderful surprise to find out that in Scarlet we still get the povs that were in Cinder! Although the focus of the story is Scarlet and Wolf we still get to read about all of the other great characters too!! There was so much going on in this story, that it made my head spin. I really loved this retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Scarlet is fast paced and full of action and intrigue. You never really know who you can trust. Also it’s heartbreaking as well. Holy moly towards the end I was in tears for Scarlet.

Scarlet is a kick ass character for so many reasons. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and does what needs to be done even if it takes her shooting someone to accomplish her goal. I love her character so much! She is kind, trusting, but fearless and the same time. Her relationship with Wolf is odd. In the beginning I get that she is using him to get information about her grandmother, but as the story progresses it turns to more.

Wolf is hard to get a read on. He is good looking but aloof and I wanted to trust him but I couldn’t let myself trust him completely. His relationship with Scarlet is interesting in the sense that there are mixed signals coming from him. I didn’t really get a firm understanding of his character until the very end. There were definitely some very shocking moments for me where Wolf is concerned.

Scarlet is action packed and full of plot twists that will leave your head spinning and you itching to get your hands on the next book Cress.

Mini Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell
(Bloodlines #3)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal copy
Review by: Jenn

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch—a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood—or else she might be next.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars 

The Indigo Spell was the book that turned around the Bloodlines series for me. Before The Indigo Spell, I was reluctant in continuing with the series. In reading this book, I finally became invested in the story and in its characters. It took me a while to get use to Sydney but I love seeing her in this book. I've enjoyed in finally getting to know the real Sydney and see her start questioning her Alchemist beliefs.

I really enjoyed this book but so far, I'm not as obsessed with this series and its characters as I am about the Vampire Academy books. I see a ton of readers obsessed with Adrian and how it just make the series for them but I just cannot relate. I do, however, am looking forward to see how this series progress. Both Sydney and Adrian's character growth has been awesome and I love when those two interact with each other. Onto The Fiery Heart!