Review: Sisters Red

Title: Sisters Red

Author: Jackson Pearce

Date of Publication: June 7th, 2010

Goodreads Summary:

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris — the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She’s determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls’ bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett’s only friend — but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they’ve worked for?

My Review:

Oh boy! So Little Red Riding Hood is one of my favorite fairy tales ever, so I was pretty excited for this one. And I will say this retelling was a lot of fun!

But here’s my issue. First, I think Scarlett should have been the love interest of Silas! But if it couldn’t have been Scarlett, I would have been fine with Rosie. But what I’m not fine with is that Silas is 21 and Rosie is 16. Would it have been that hard to have bumped Rosie’s age up or Silas’s age down? And then there were several situations where there were old Fenris (wolves) that lusted for Rosie as well so that made me feel weird too!

Other than that, the retelling aspect felt original with good dialogue and a super interesting concept! Plus anything with werewolves can draw me in!

What’s your favorite fairy tale?

Review: Between the Spark and the Burn

Title: Between the Spark and the Burn

Author: April Genevieve Tucholke

Date of Publication: August 14th, 2014

Goodreads Summary:

Freddie once told me that the Devil created all the fear in the world.
But then, the Devil once told me that it’s easier to forgive someone for scaring you than for making you cry.
The problem with River West Redding was that he’d done both to me.

The crooked-smiling liar River West Redding, who drove into Violet’s life one summer day and shook her world to pieces, is gone. Violet and Neely, River’s other brother, are left to worry–until they catch a two a.m. radio program about strange events in a distant mountain town. They take off in search of River but are always a step behind, finding instead frenzied towns, witch hunts, and a wind-whipped island with the thrum of something strange and dangerous just under the surface. It isn’t long before Violet begins to wonder if Neely, the one Redding brother she thought trustworthy, has been hiding a secret of his own . . .

My Review:

After loving book one so much, I was wondering what I was going to get with the sequel. And fear not, it was just as good as book one with weirdness, awesomeness, and coolness!

I liked that Violet felt like a real teen. She was indecisive, questions her actions, protective, and loving! And Neely was seriously the best!

Each of the side characters have their own quirks and we get to meet some new ones as well as reminisce with the old ones!

April just has a way of writing that is addictive and beautiful and perfect! This duology is just what I needed!

Have you read this series?

Review: Cadaver & Queen

Title: Cadaver & Queen

Author: Alisa Kwitney

Date of Publication: February 27th, 2018

Goodreads Summary:

When Lizzie Lavenza enrolled at Ingold as its first female medical student, she knew she wouldn’t have an easy time. From class demands to being an outsider among her male cohorts, she’ll have to go above and beyond to prove herself. So when she stumbles across what appears to be a faulty Bio-mechanical–one of the mechanized cadavers created to service the school–she jumps at the chance to fix it and get ahead in the program.

Only this Bio-mechanical isn’t like the others. Where they are usually empty-minded and perfectly obedient, this one seems to have thoughts, feelings… and self-awareness.

Soon Lizzie realizes that it is Victor Frankenstein–a former student who died under mysterious circumstances. Victor, it seems, still has a spark of human intelligence inside him, along with memories of things he discovered before his untimely death.. .and a suspicion that he was murdered to keep that information from getting out. Suddenly Lizzie finds herself intertwined in dark secrets and sabotage that put her life, and the lives of Victor and their friends, in danger. But Lizzie’s determined to succeed–even if that means fighting an enemy who threatens the entire British Empire.

My Review:

I love anything having to do with Frankenstein, but am super picky when it comes to retelling stuff and usually am like NOPE! But this time, I was like YEP!

First, I was drawn into that cover, and then that title, and then the blurb! I really loved the twist on this especially since Victor was the monster. It brought something completely new to the table!

I also really liked Lizzie too! She was relatable, smart, and caring. Also, I loved the romance here so much. I want to give this two characters a big hug!

The world was unique and I seriously was all about the writing in this one, too! Very fun spin on things and I can’t wait to read the companion!

Are you a Frankenstein fan?

Review: The Last Harvest

Title: The Last Harvest

Author: Kim Liggett

Date of Publication: January 10th, 2017

Goodreads Summary:

“I plead the blood.”

Those were the last words seventeen-year-old golden boy quarterback Clay Tate heard rattling from his dad’s throat when he discovered him dying on the barn floor of the Neely Cattle Ranch, clutching a crucifix to his chest.

Now, on the first anniversary of the Midland, Oklahoma slaughter, the whole town’s looking at Clay like he might be next to go over the edge. Clay wants to forget the past, but the sons and daughters of the Preservation Society—a group of prominent farmers his dad accused of devil worship—won’t leave him alone. Including Ali, his longtime crush, who suddenly wants to reignite their romance after a year of silence, and hated rival Tyler Neely, who’s behaving like they’re old friends.

Even as Clay tries to reassure himself, creepy glances turn to sinister stares and strange coincidences build to gruesome rituals—but when he can never prove that any of it happened, Clay worries he might be following his dad down the path to insanity…or that something far more terrifying lies in wait around the corner.

My Review:

I have loved Liggett’s writing in all the books I’ve read by her. And what she does best, is write well-rounded characters!

Clay was such a relatable character and he was going through a lot. Sometimes I didn’t know if he was crazy or what was going on! And I loved that!

I also liked the thing going on between him and Ali but I felt their relationship was a little underdeveloped. I would have liked to have seen more scenes between them with deeper conversations or even flashbacks!

Other than that, I loved all the weirdness, the twists, and the ending! I can’t wait to read more books by this author!

What’s your favorite horror book?

Review: The Queen of Nothing

Title: The Queen of Nothing

Author: Holly Black

Date of Publication: November 19th, 2019

Goodreads Summary:

He will be destruction of the crown and the ruination of the throne.

Power is much easier to acquire than it is to hold onto. Jude learned this lesson when she released her control over the wicked king, Cardan, in exchange for immeasurable power.

Now as the exiled mortal Queen of Faerie, Jude is powerless and left reeling from Cardan’s betrayal. She bides her time determined to reclaim everything he took from her. Opportunity arrives in the form of her deceptive twin sister, Taryn, whose mortal life is in peril.

Jude must risk venturing back into the treacherous Faerie Court, and confront her lingering feelings for Cardan, if she wishes to save her sister. But Elfhame is not as she left it. War is brewing. As Jude slips deep within enemy lines she becomes ensnared in the conflict’s bloody politics.

And, when a dormant yet powerful curse is unleashed, panic spreads throughout the land, forcing her to choose between her ambition and her humanity…

My Review:

First, can I just give Cardan ALL the stars! I love Holly’s writing and her worlds so much! I would love to bask in them for an eternity if I could!

Now, let me just say that I really, really, really wish this one would have been dual POV between Jude and Cardan. A lot of the book was lacking my boy and I needed more of him! But! There were some amazing scenes that were so perfectly and emotionally written!

Also, I still have a ton of questions that I do not have answers to!! However, I do love the way the book wrapped up, but I still want a spinoff series!

Have you started this series yet?

Review: The Boneless Mercies

Title: The Boneless Mercies

Author: April Genevieve Tucholke

Date of Publication: October 2nd, 2018

Goodreads Summary:

Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life.

When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies’ one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere.

My Review:

This was a fabulous and whimsical read with a Beowulf vibe to it! I loved the band of girls … and boy. Their connection was so incredibly beautiful!

The mercy killings were sad yet incredibly right in the way they were done. I seriously loved Frey and reading from her perspective! I actually would have loved for this one to have been multiple POV. But that’s okay!

I’ll just say, wonderful writing, world building, story, and characters! I can’t wait to read more by this author!

What is your favorite journey story?

Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Title: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Author: April Genevieve Tucholke

Date of Publication: August 15th, 2013

Goodreads Summary:

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town… until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard.

Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?

Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery… who makes you want to kiss back.

Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

My Review:

Oh my word! I loved this book! Loved he weirdness and the grayness of it all! And the words were almost magical!

Violet was a great character and she made some very odd choices! Ones that made me smile and one that me go, what are you doing???? Also, the side characters were a hoot!

And River, my boy, you little liar you! Even with all his lies and shenanigans he was such a little precious baby. I wanted to pat the top of his head and tell him to calm the heck down and then give him a hug!

I seriously loved how different and interesting this book was, and I’m already pumped for book 2 to see what kind of games shall be played!

Have you read this series?