Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro (Dark Paradise #1)

Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Publication Date: July 1st 2014
POV: Alternating - First-person, Present tense
Smut-O-Meter: 3 out of 10
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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Mala LaCroix has spent her whole life trying to escape her destiny. As the last in a long line of "witch women," she rejects the notion of spirits and hoodoo and instead does her best to blend in. But when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house, Mala taps into powers she never knew she had. She's haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance.

Landry Prince has always had a crush on Mala, but when Mala discovers his sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual, he wonders if all the rumours about the LaCroix family are true. Yet after Mala uses her connection to the spirit world to identify his sister's killer, he starts to form his own bond to her . . . a very physical one. As they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything—their families, their love, and even their lives.

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I really did not enjoy this book. At first I enjoyed Mala and Landry, but the story just did not draw me in at all. The magic was introduced really oddly, and I hated Mala's mother and George, both secondary characters to Mala and Landry. I hated the whole town and how they ostracized Mala because of her mother's reputation. It was all really infuriating.

Mala and Landry's relationship was odd and seemed to progress in awkward jerking motions. At first they seemed to not get along very well, and then suddenly they are making out and I was like, "Whoa! What's going on?" But then they start yelling at each other again. But I still like them as individuals and as a couple. Landry was extremely troubled by his home life, but still funny and cocky. And Mala was pretty spunky and I love my heroine's with spunk. And they seemed to calm each other and help them deal with all the shit in their lives.

But all the shit in their lives still refused to leave them alone, and their families could not accept their relationship and it got in the way. Unfortunately it left Mala and Landry torn apart and introduced a love-triangle in the end, which really makes me angry, especially since I hated George. Although the book featured alternating POVs between Mala and Landry, so I am fairly certain that she will still end up with Landry in the end. But I don't think I have the energy to continue with this series. 

The Vast and Brutal Sea by Zoraida Córdova (The Vicious Deep #3)

Genres: Young Adult, Adventure, Fantasy/Mythology
Publication Date: July 1st 2014
POV: Male - First-person, Present tense
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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This epic clash of sand and sea will pit brother against brother-and there can only be one winner

In two days, the race for the Sea Court throne will be over-but all the rules have changed. The sea witch, Nieve, has kidnapped Layla and is raising an army of mutant sea creatures to overthrow the crown. Kurt, the one person Tristan could depend on in the battle for the Sea King's throne, has betrayed him. Now Kurt wants the throne for himself. Tristan has the Scepter of the Earth, but it's not enough. He'll have to travel to the mysterious, lost Isle of Tears and unleash the magic that first created the king's powerful scepter. It's a brutal race to the finish, and there can only be one winner.

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I found this series over all rather tedious. It was ok for the most part, but not good enough to keep bringing me back. I got really impatient with it most of the time. I just wanted to find out how it would end and didnt really want to do all the work to get there.

I read two other books on the side during the time it took me to read this one. And I fell asleep on this book on numerous occasions. As I have said in my reviews for both The Vicious Deep and The Savage Blue, I liked Tristan but I never really swoon over guys when the book is from their POV. I have to see them from the POV of a woman, to see them as the woman sees them and loves them, then I start to pick up those feelings myself.

I enjoyed most of the supporting characters, but I don't know if there were too many, or if I just didn't care about them enough, but I could never remember who was who. Who the hell is Kai? She was with Tristan for most of this book, but I have no idea who she is or when he met her. I just cannot remember.

I am glad with how things turned out for everyone. I don't know why, but for some reason I suspected the ending would go down something like it did. No tragic fates are hanging over anyone's heads. And I am glad that this series is over and I can move on.

Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning (Fever #2)

Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: October 16th 2007
POV: Female - First-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 2 out of 10
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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I used to think my sister and I were just two nice southern girls who’d get married in a few years and settle down to a quiet life. Then I discovered that Alina and I descend, not from good wholesome southern stock, but from an ancient Celtic bloodline of powerful sidhe-seers, people who can see the Fae. Not only can I see the terrifying otherworldly race, but I can sense the sacred Fae relics that hold the deadliest of their magic.

When my sister was found dead in a trash-filled alley in Dublin, I came over to get answers. Now all I want is revenge. And after everything I’ve learned about myself, I know I have the power to get it….

MacKayla Lane’s ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland’s shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets.

In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh–a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both the worlds of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V’lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious.

For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.

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I was already annoyed after book 1 that not enough had happened. Mac had made no progress on any of the things she was trying to accomplish. And now, after the second book, she still has not accomplished anything. She hasn't discovered her sister's killer. She hasn't found the Sinsar Dubh. She hasn't discovered who she can trust. And now I am F%#@ING furious!

I still love Mac and think she has only become more interesting as she becomes practically a different person. If only the story was different. If only the things that she is forced to go through were more relevant and that things would move faster, this would be great. The world and protag are good, and the writing has gotten better. Although Mac's stupid "rightie-leftie" ridiculousness was really starting to grate on me.

I just don't care about the story or Barrons at all. I don't find anything about Barrons attractive, and the unbelievably slow pace at which we get to know him is beyond unacceptable. As far as I am concerned he is a jackass. I just couldn't give a damn at this point and I will not read who knows how many more books just to find out what happens.

I said in my review for book 1 that there was zero romance. Z.E.R.O. There wasn't really in this one either. Mac never thinks of Barrons in a romantic way and never even shows any sign of being attracted to him, except once when she said he looked hot when he laughed. It was the first time she had ever seen him laugh so it had surprised her. There is also one part later in the book when Mac is sort of freaking out and high on violence and Barrons kisses her and she kissed him back. I think the violence had turned him on. This still does not cause Mac to have any sort of romantic thoughts about him. Afterwards its like it never happened. It doesn't change their relationship at all. So if you are looking for romance I really suggest you look somewhere else. I looked into what happens later in the series and none of it sounds very promising. This series seems to be way more story-driven than romance or character driven. Too bad I don't think the story is good enough to carry the series. But a lot of people clearly do, so I think fans of Urban Fantasy are the best bet for enjoying this.

This is the second majorly popular adult PNR series I have read and not gotten past book 2. The other was Night Huntress. I am not really sure which was worse since the things I hated about them were different. I am not sure how they would balance out in the end. I hated the hero in both fairly evenly, but I also hated the heroine in Night Huntress. More than the hero. But I did enjoy the story somewhat. A lot more than the story of Fever. I think they balance out pretty closely. I feel like I am playing Russian roulette when I read a popular series. Do I want to risk it again? I do. I know I will do it again. I still need to read Dark Lover and Night Pleasures. I am a glutton for punishment.

“One day you will kiss a man you can't breathe without, and find that breath is of little consequence.”

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows (Newsoul #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance
Publication Date: January 31st 2012
POV: Female - First-person, Past tense
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

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I just have to start off by saying this book is so boring! Ana is the first person to be born in Range with a new soul. She is not a reincarnation. She is shunned and mistreated her whole life. When she turns 18 she leaves home and goes to the city of Heart, hoping to learn more about why she was born. She meets and falls in love with Sam. A musician who she has admired from afar her whole life. Since no one else wants her, Sam agrees to be her guardian and takes her in. And the two of them spend a lot of time together in the library and playing piano. That about sums up the whole book. Just lots of pointless walking and talking. And the romance started off so slow that I didn't even see it at first. I wasn't really sure what was going on because nothing was happening and I was confused by the lack of development.

Also, the concept of being reincarnated with your memories completely intact and keeping the same name would cause so many problems. They live as if its one long life, rather than separate lives. Its more like the Doctor and his regenerations than the traditional idea of reincarnation. Its just a horrible concept and I cant imagine how a society could survive like that. Your worse enemy could end up later being your mother. A lover could end up being your sibling. Jealousy carry over. Grudges lasting for generations. It would be chaos. Not to mention the fact that they are not always born as the same gender. They would all have to be gender neutral. Because if I were reborn as a man I would be so disappointed! Women are awesome.

There are just so many things about this book that I didn't like. I didn't even really like Ana that much. She was so bitter and always assumed the worst of people. Sam was amazing though. He treated her like an equal from the very beginning. I didn't like the setting. The fact that it was so ambiguous bugged me like an itch I couldn't scratch. It wasn't earth, but was it a futuristic planet or a fantasy world? There were centaurs and sylphs and dragons. But there were also phones and cars and laser guns. What?

There are exactly one million souls in Range that have been recycled over and over again for thousands of years, so they all feel like they know each other so well. And when people meet Ana for the first time, they know immediately that she is the Newsoul, because they have never met her before. But that is ridiculous! You cant remember one million people by name! I don't care how old you are! And it was never explained why Li hated Ana so much. Like beyond regular dislike. She seriously had it out for her and it didn't make sense. But the book left a lot hanging. It just ended and it felt like it didn't bring us anywhere or accomplish anything in the end. It didn't give us enough answers.

A lot of the issues I can admit are just my personal tastes, but not all. And maybe some of these things will be explained later on in the series, but I won't find out. I won't be continuing this series.

“He held on to me like I was a rock, the only thing keeping him from drifting out with the tide of dark memories. 

It was the first time I realized he needed me too.”

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Genres: Young Adult, High Fantasy, Romance
Publication Date: January 28th 2014
POV: Female - First-person, Past tense
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

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I did not enjoy this book very much. I did not like the way that the narration felt so disconnected. It made me feel like I was just seeing this story from afar. Or that I was not reading a story, but just the outline of the story. It read like a ghost story told by word of mouth, or a fable, myth, or legend, not a novel. I was never immersed in the world, and I felt like the characters were thin and undeveloped. They felt like a list of required traits, not people.

I also didn't enjoy the fact that Nyx and Ignifex were such bad people. That was sort of the point of the story I think. Two horrible people who were never loved by anyone else, love each other. But it made it hard to care about either of them, and I hated Nyx a little bit. I guess the story did manage to draw me in enough to make me angry when I think of what Nyx tried to do to Ignifex. More can be forgiven when you are a hot guy who has been tormented for 1000 years. Less so when you are a rich teenage girl. Shame on me, but it's true.

The story was unique and ambitious, but only succeeded in being confusing. I don't understand a lot of what happened, especially nearing the end. And I found the romance seriously lacking. Since they were both horrible people they couldn't really love each other properly, and even admit as much.

"But we'll pretend we know how to love." I smiled at him. "And someday we'll learn."

I couldn't really bring myself to root for them to be together when they were so willing to hurt each other before. They had such an odd relationship, and its even odder now that Ignifex is not Ignifex, but Lux. I didn't love Ignifex, but he was the best thing about the book, and now I feel a little ripped off by the fact that he no longer exists as he once did. But whatever, I can feel it slipping from my mind already. I will forget about this book completely by the end of the day.

If you are looking for a good Beauty and the Beast retelling, I'd recommend Of Beast and Beauty. Its really good!

"I had been waiting, all my life, for someone undeceived to love me. And now he did, and it felt like walking into the dazzling sunlight of the Heart of Earth. Except that the sunlight was false, and his love was real."

Torn From You by Nashoda Rose (Tear Asunder #1)

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: December 20th 2013
POV: Female - First-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 9 out of 10
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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Love is like an avalanche. It hits hard, fast and without mercy.

At least it did for me when Sculpt, the lead singer of the rock band Tear Asunder knocked me off my feet. Literally, because he’s also a fighter, illegally of course, and he taught me how to fight. He also taught me how to love and I fell hard for him. I mean the guy could do sweet, when he wasn't doing bossy, and I like sweet.

Then it all shattered.

Kidnapped.
Starved.
Beaten.
I was alone and fighting to survive.
When I heard Sculpt's voice, I thought he was there to save me.

I was wrong.

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I don't even know where to begin. This book infuriated me to no end. I will attempt to start at the beginning.

The prequel novella, With You, was ok, but I didn't feel like the characters were very well developed. Plus, Scuplt was just so forced. Not only is he a fighter, but also a rock star, and he has a bike, and his name is motherf*%#ing Sculpt! What the hell kind of name is Sculpt?! Its like the author was trying to shout in my face, "Hey! Look at this super hot alpha male! Love him!" Ah, no thanks. I'll pass.

Once Emily was taken I got a bit more into the story. I prefer contemporary romances that are also action/suspense. Plus, I love 'Captive Woman' romances. I love seeing a strong woman survive, and finding her light in the darkness. Finding a way to love despite everything, it must be an incredible love to survive that. And as much as I may disapprove of Eme's object of affection, she did fall in love with Sculpt again in that place. And that is the reason for the 2-stars.

Now, Sculpt, aka Logan, is a whole other story. I found him kind of annoying and demanding in the beginning, but once he got into that place, oh man, did he take it to a whole new level. Eme is terrified and alone and will cling to any kindness she receives, I think that that is the definition of Stockholm. So, when she begins to take comfort in Logan, he takes advantage of her. She is not wanting him out of a natural love, but out of her terrifying situation, yet Logan has sex with her over and over again in every manner he can think of. Eme becomes complacent and easier to control. Logan even admits to her that they shouldn't have sex, because Eme needs to act afraid of him, so it wasn't even because he was trying to continue the charade, he was just couldn't control his needs. Every time they had sex while they were there I hated him a little more.

Then they get out, less than half way through the book, and I have over 200 pages left, and I'm thinking," this is gonna be painful." And it was. Logan comes back into Eme's life and is begging her for a second chance. Just the sight of him brings horrible memories back to the surface. But he doesn't take no for an answer. He randomly shows up at her house, shows up when she is hanging out with her friends, constantly calls her. That is harassment even without the history of violence, and I would have gotten a restraining order. She wanted to forget and move on with her life, but he wouldn't let her. He kept bringing it back up to the surface because he is selfish and arrogant and wants her for himself regardless of the consequences to her. He kept throwing their physical attraction in her face, but that is not what you build a relationship on. Especially not one that has such a dark history of objectification. He continued to control her even after she had gained her freedom. He liked to be demanding during sex and sometimes even tied her up. It scared her because it reminded her of what he was like while they were in that place. But he would totally guilt trip her into doing it anyway by saying, "Don't you love me? Don't you trust me?" Gosh, that bastard. I hate him so much. She needs comfort and to regain control of her life. Don't take her control from her during something as personal as sex!

I knew she would eventually give in to him and I was not looking forward to the end. And I got what I expected. He didn't change, he was an asshole to the end. He never eased up his grip on Eme's life. In the last page they even have this conversation,

"You're touring with me."It wasnt a question; it was a statement. "Logan--""Im not asking anymore. This is big and I want you with me.""Dont you think thats kind of selfish? I do have a business to--""No. I told you. We'll try and work in you doing clinics at the stops we make. We need time together, baby.""Logan.""Emily"He leaned in and kissed me, and I melted."

Controlling her with sex to the very end. Charming. I wont be reading the sequel about Kat and Ream. I am the slightest bit curious what they were fighting about, but a sequel would be torture and would probably ruin Ream for me. He would probably end up being portrayed as as big of an asshole as Logan. Now Crisis I might want to read about. :P He is already an ass, but also a total hoot.

Lick by Kylie Scott (Stage Dive #1)

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: July 1st 2013
POV: Female - First-person, Past tense
Smut-O-Meter: 7 out of 10
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas’s plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure as hell never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is for certain, being married to rock and roll’s favourite son is sure to be a wild ride.

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I should really have learned my lesson with contemporary romances by now, but I loved Kylie Scott's Flesh series so I figured I had to read this. But it is contemporary, so it doesn't matter who wrote it, my chances of loving it were still low.

This book was really absolutely nothing special to me. Same old, same old that I have read in almost every contemporary romance. I mean, sure, David is hot and he loves her, but really, I need more than that. And I feel like the lost memory of a night in Vegas was used as a gimmick to draw us in, but then the story ended up actually not being about that at all. By the end of the book, I totally forget that that is how they met or that Evelyn doesn't remember marrying him.

“I married you, Evelyn, because you made sense to me. We make sense. We're a whole lot better together than apart.”

Plus there is the inevitable drama. That is always the #1 thing I mention when reviewing a contemporary. I can't stand the drama! When Ev busted in on David and Martha it was absolutely obvious that she misunderstood the situation. It was absolutely obvious that walking away was the worst thing that could happen to him, but she did it anyway. And then he never really explained anything else that she accused him of besides the kiss. Why keep the house? Her earring? Her job? After their rules about being honest and everything, they still really screwed things up and I don't think he should have been forgiven so easily. Its so frustrating. I prefer it when the only things a couple have to fight is zombies or aliens, instead of each other. I need a break from contemporaries.

“Love isn't always smooth or straightforward. It can be messy and painful… Doesn't mean it isn't still the most incredible thing that can ever happen to you.”

Triangles by Kimberly Ann Miller (Bermuda Triangle #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Publication Date: June 18th 2013
POV: Female - First-person, Past tense
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong?In the Bermuda Triangle--a lot.

Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her fathers death years ago, her mothers medical problems, and the loser whos practically stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears shes gone nuts for more than one reason: that losers suddenly claiming theyre a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying Happy Anniversary... and suddenly, shes full of bruises, losing her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ships doctor, hoping for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, shes warned that these alternate realities could become permanent.She just has to ask herself one question--how the hell is she going to get out of this mess?

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First of all, I really did not like Autumn. At first I hated her and thought she was a total bitch. There is a guy who she works with, Joey, who is totally in love with her. He is like a puppy at her heels. And she is totally inconsiderate of his feelings. I know she doesn't owe him anything. She never gave him any reason to think she would return his feelings, but a decent person would at least try not to cause him unnecessary pain. Autumn just did not care. She could not stand him and always said the most unkind things behind his back about how pathetic he was. He did not deserve any of it.

I actually thought he was pretty sweet. He was cute, and unintentionally funny. Autumn was a total bitch. I really have no idea what he saw in her. The scene near the beginning in the pool was the worst. That is when I hated her the most. But after reading her story I got used to having her around. I don't think she got that much better, she did a bit, but I just grew to accept her over time. She eventually didn't bother me as much.

When Autumn's cruise ship drives through the Bermuda triangle, she begins to experience alternate dimensions. Each day she experiences a new reality and it's like a life lesson. Some days she loses things or people she didn't know she needed. Other days she gains things she never knew she wanted, or things she never thought she could have again. It's like a way to teach her what is important in life. It was a bit obviously contrived, but worse was the fact that you always knew it wasn't real, and it made it hard to get attached, and invested in what was happening. And most of the scenarios were pretty extreme and melodramatic.

In the end she learned her lesson, I guess she became somewhat of a better person in the process, and she got her HEA, and Joey really loves her. He's still a bit awkward, but I guess that's realistic. No one is perfect. Although sometimes I think maybe he loves her a little too much. His extreme reaction in one of the alternate realities was really off-putting. Although I sorta wish Emmie was real. She was adorable. But this book is really short so it wasn't a bad read. My hard copy was only 175 pages even though Goodreads says 216. I read it in one afternoon.

"I wanted to let him in. I really did. But could my fragile heart handle it?Joey would be the only one I could trust not to break it. I smiled and closed by eyes as I realized yes, I would let him in."

The Darkangel Trilogy by Meredith Ann Pierce (Darkangel Trilogy #1-3)

Genres: Young Adult, High Fantasy, Adventure, Romance
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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They had been searching the mountain for a rare nectar -- the mistress, Eoduin, carelessly scoffing at old tales of the evil creatures they might encounter... the slave, Aeriel, apprehensive, and rightly so. For a darkangel did swoop from the sky, and he stole the beautiful Eoduin away...

Loyal Aeriel understood nothing of the darkangel's purpose, yet knowing would not have stopped her. She vowed to rescue her friend and mistress -- and thus placed herself in Irrylath's power. He took her to his cold, lonely castle to serve Eoduin and his twelve other brides -- tormented soulless wraiths who had once been flesh-and-blood women.

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Above all, this is a high fantasy adventure. In all three books, the heroine, Aerial, is traveling across an extremely fantastical landscape, collecting magical objects that will help her accomplish her goal. 

The bulk of the books is spent on world-building and describing the landscape, and strange creatures and characters Aerial comes across. It is extremely descriptive and spends a lot of time using old-fashioned English that is hard to understand. Call me spoiled, but I much prefer the way YA books are written today--spending a larger portion of the book in internal dialogue, exploring characters and their motives, their hopes and fears and loves. But if you love the strange new worlds of high fantasy, this definitely has that in abundance.

I didn't feel that I really knew Aerial or Irrylath, or what was really going on in the story. And I did not find the relationship between them believable. At the end of the first book, after Aerial released Irrylath from the curse, he was a completely different person. He didn't even look the same. I have trouble seeing how Aerial could love him before, and after. One or the other version of him perhaps, but not both. And as a reader, I can attest to that. I can't explain other people's love for the series, but personally I felt confused by the fact that the first book featured an anti-hero who you slowly grew to understand and accept. And just as you do he disappears and is replaced by a different young man. A long lost prince and budding hero. I felt slightly robbed.

And I also had a problem with the fact that they were first cousins. I know people used to marry their cousins, and still do today in some countries. I believe the heroine from Austen's Mansfield Park even married her cousin, and that was only 200 years ago. Also, this series is set in a completely different world where that may be acceptable. But the book was written only 30 years ago, in America. Why try to force something on us that you know would be completely foreign and uncomfortable compared to our way of life? The fact that they were cousins served no purpose. And not only was Aerial Irrylath's cousin, so was the other woman who was in love with him--a first cousins from the other side of his family.

The ending was really disappointing. It didn't have an HEA. It is what writers distinguish as a love story, not a romance. If I had known that ahead of time I wouldn't have read this book. But as I said, I wasn't really attached to the characters, so it didn't upset me too much. And I learned my lesson. I never read a book anymore if I have any reason to doubt the ending.

“Aeriel felt her heart grow troubled. "I know," she said. "I know that he is evil, but his beauty unmakes me. Every time he looks at me, I die.”

Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan (The Paranormals #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Publication Date: July 22nd 2010
POV: Female - Third-person, Past tenseMy Rating: 2 out of 5

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Eighteen-year-old Jenny Morton has a horrific secret: her touch spreads a deadly supernatural plague, the "Jenny pox." She lives by a single rule: Never touch anyone. A lifetime of avoiding any physical contact with others has made her isolated and painfully lonely in her small rural town.

Then she meets the one boy she can touch. Jenny feels herself falling for Seth...but if she's going to be with him, Jenny must learn to use the deadly pox inside her to confront his ruthless and manipulative girlfriend Ashleigh, who secretly wields the most dangerous power of all.

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This book is extremely unique and I cannot think of anything to compare it to, or a certain audience to recommend it to. I am not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I cant even decide if I liked this or not.

Its about Jenny, who can't touch anyone without giving them a plague and killing them. Eventually she meets Seth, a boy who has a healing touch, the opposite of Jenny, so they can touch each other. Eventually they realize that there is another like them at their school. Ashleigh, whose touch causes great desire. This is where things get weird. Anyone who touches her wants her bad. She can also channel her power into others, to make them want each other instead of her. She uses this ability to manipulate everyone she knows, even to make rivals or enemies sleep with someone and ruin their life. Ashleigh is a psychotic bitch and she is super creepy. She has manipulated most of the town and they are all freaky. The only normal people are Seth, Jenny, and her dad. It all made me rather uncomfortable. Its beyond weird, and pretty gross and monstrous at the end. And on top of that there is a lot of explicit sexual content which is really weird for a YA. There was even a scene of a threesome of sexual favours, which was super gross.

The pros are that I really felt for Seth and Jenny. They fought hard to be together. They really didn't deserve all that Ashleigh put them through. Even if Jenny did go kinda psycho herself in the end. I think Ashleigh's ultimate goal was to rule the world (yeah, she's that crazy), so she saw Seth and Jenny's power as a threat.

I also really liked the ending. We finally find out what Jenny, Seth, and Ashleigh are. They aren't a mutation, or a government experiment. They are something else more unique than usual for this type of stories about kids with powers. It was a nice twist, and it was great that Jenny and Seth got to find out in the end. I am not sure if I would recommend this or not. I have no idea what kind of people would enjoy it and who wouldn't. I am sure there are those that would. It isn't necessarily bad. It was well written with some good characters. It was just so absolutely out-there, bizarre, and a monstrous nightmare at times. I don't plan on reading the next one in the series.

"He was a miracle, and you killed him. Now you've just got me. And I'm a curse.”

Exceptional by Jess Petosa (Exceptional #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Sci-fi, Dystopian, Romance
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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In the future, things are anything but ordinary...

In 2022, the United States commissioned a group of scientists to experiment with genetic mutations. Their goal was to create a serum that would alter the human genetic code, making the subject stronger and faster. They succeeded but their victory was short lived. Not only had they created a super serum, but also an airborne virus. By 2025, seventy-five percent of the world's population had perished. The survivors, well their lives would never be the same.

Ally is an Ordinary; a human immune to the virus. She lives in a settlement outside the City with her mother and twin brother, but lately it doesn't seem to be enough. She is wrestling between being with her family and volunteering to move to the City, where she can work for the Exceptionals.

Luke is an Exceptional; a superior human being. His ancestors were infected with the virus and lived through it, leaving their super human strength and special abilities to him. He has never given much thought to Ordinarys, despite pressure from his father to choose one from the ORC. But all of that changes when he meets Ally...

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I liked the idea behind this book. The Exceptionals and the Ordinarys and the world it created. But from the very beginning I could sense something very sinister about it that I didn't like. It was like an itch that wouldn't go away and prevented me from enjoying the experience. And once the forced breeding was introduced my feelings were justified. It bothered me as much as it did in Wither, and even more at times because we were forced to accept Ally's situation. Maybe it has something to do with being a woman, but it really bothered me. And most of the book covered the romance between Ally and Luke, so that didn't help me forget about the forced breeding. And Luke wasn't even particularly interesting either. There wasn't really anything wrong with him (except one thing I will get to later), but there wasn't really anything special about him either. Not even slightly swoon-worthy.

Things started to pick up eventually and steered away from the romance and I was glad, and it was getting interesting, but then it ended. The ending was so sudden. I did not like it at all. Not only because it was sad, but I just hate cliffhanger endings in books. I feel like books should be able to stand alone when they have to. Some loose ends are ok, and expected in a series. But not a full on "To be continue", middle of the action, cliffhanger. To me it feels like a cheap trick to get people to read the next book, because the author knows its not good enough on its own to get people to come back.

And I started to get a little upset with Luke in the end. That is the one issue I have with him. Ally asked him not to lie to her in order to protect her. She would rather have the truth. But in the end, he not only lies, he orchestrates an entire scenario that leads to several deaths in order to force her into making the decision that he thinks is best for her. I don't know if it was supposed to be romantic, that he would go that far to protect her. But I don't think it is. It was extremely controlling. Especially after his friend asked him if he would have gone with her, and Luke replied, "I didn't want to have a chance to find out." What? What is that supposed to mean? He didn't want to have the opportunity to be with the girl he loves? He didn't want the opportunity to protect her properly? 

Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman (Noughts & Crosses #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian, Alternate History, Romance
Publication Date:  January 15th 2001
POV: Alternating - First-person, Past tense
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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Callum is a naught, a second-class citizen in a society run by the ruling Crosses. Sephy is a Cross, and daughter of the man slated to become prime minister. In their world, white naughts and black Crosses simply don't mix -- and they certainly don't fall in love. But that's exactly what they've done.
When they were younger, they played together. Now Callum and Sephy meet in secret and make excuses. But excuses no longer cut it when Sephy and her mother are nearly caught in a terrorist bombing planned by the Liberation Militia, with which Callum's family is linked. Callum's father is the prime suspect...and Sephy's father will stop at nothing to see him hanged. The blood hunt that ensues will threaten not only Callum and Sephy's love for each other, but their very lives.
What's white is black, what's black is white, and only one thing is clear: Assumptions can be deadly.

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This book is set in an alternate reality where blacks enslaved the whites. It never names a city or country, and never gives us a date, but it does tell us that it is set 50 years after the abolishment of slavery. So, considering what things were like for former slaves in our world 50 years after the abolishment of slavery, approximately 1915, this wasn't really a dystopian. There were still extremely unfair punishments for white crimes in the book, but they had health care, and schools. They were much better off than former slaves were in reality.

This book focuses on the lives of Callum and Sephy, short for Persephone. Callum is white and Sephy is black. They are best friends and have known each other all their lives, since Callum's mom was Sephy's nanny. Callum is a year and a half older than Sephy. It starts out when Callum is 15 and Sephy is 13, and Callum's mom was fired 3 years prior. They still meet in secret at least every other day, although Callum's family is beginning to suspect why he is always home late.

The book covers the difficulties of both their lives. Sephy has to deal with her drunk mother, her absentee father, and when he is home, his racist ravings. All while hiding her life with Callum. Callum has to deal with a his mentally challenged sister, the terrorist activities of his father and older brother, the pressure of being one of the first whites to attend a black school, and the strong disapproval of his whole family for his relationship with Sephy.

It isn't until half way through the book that things pick up and cover something besides day to day life. When Callum's home is raided in the middle of the night and his whole family is taken into custody because of his father and brother's suspected terrorist activities. This just puts more stain on Callum's relationship with Sephy, since Callum blames Sephy's people for everything that has happened to his family. Sephy eventually decides she cant deal with life anymore, and goes away to boarding school. By this time Callum is 16 and Sephy is almost 15. When she returns 3 years later, Callum has changed.

Callum and Sephy were the only decent characters, and she could be annoying at times. Although I felt for them both and how unfair their lives were, I was really disappointed in Callum. He was the best character before Sephy left him. I really disapprove of the direction Callum took with his life. I dont understand how he could rationalize what he had done considering his relationship with Sephy, and what almost happened to her at the mall.

Once they are reunited they admit that they love each other, and always have. But from there things went from bad to worst. The ending was tragic in the most Shakespearean way. Sephy was given a choice. A way to save the situation and Callum, but she refused it. I know a lot of people will think she made the right choice for ethical reasons. But I would certainly not have made the same decision she did. It would have been a very easy choice for me, considering what was lost. It was very disappointing. I have never read a more depressing book in my life. But I know there are those that really enjoy emotional books, even if they are sad and that must be the reason for this book's high acclaim. If that sounds like you, you might love this.

“I used to comfort myself with the belief that it was only certain individuals and their peculiar notions that spoilt things for the rest of us. But how many individuals does it take before it's not the individuals who are prejudiced but society itself?”

Blood Rights by Kristen Painter (House of Comarré #1)

Genres: Adult, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, Romance
Smut-O-Meter: 3 out of 10
My Rating: 2 out of 5

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Rebellion has a price.

The lacy gold mapped her entire body. A finely wrought filigree of stars, vines, flowers, butterflies, ancient symbols and words ran from her feet, up her legs, over her narrow waist, spanned her chest and finished down her arms to the tips of her fingers.

Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle's body bears the telltale marks of a comarré—a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world...and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.

Now, Chrysabelle and Malkolm must work together to stop a plot to merge the mortal and supernatural worlds. If they fail, a chaos unlike anything anyone has ever seen will threaten to reign.

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I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I love the world and society of vampires and comarré in this. It was really interesting and original. But on the other hand, I hated Chrysabelle's character so much I almost stopped reading about half way through, and I sort of wish I had.

She treated Malkolm horribly from the very beginning, without reason, and wouldn't stop. Every time she had a new revelation about her situation or about Mal, I thought she was going to realize her mistake and try a different approach. Then she would open her mouth and I would lose a little more patience. She was rude and whiny and immature. And she is supposed to be 115 years old! A little more maturity would be expected. Some times these heroines need the reality of their situation to knock some sense into them, so I gave Chrysabelle some time. But it took over half the book before I was able to tolerate her character (and only tolerate, mind you, not like), and that was thanks to Mal.

Things between them got interesting eventually, especially after he had her blood rights. But I felt like any attraction between them wasn't real, it was just the hunger. Maybe in later books their relationship becomes more convincing, but I don't think I am going to bother to find out.

Another reason I didn't enjoy this is the villain, Tatiana. I hate her so much, and not just in the usual way that you hate a villain. She was just so horrible and loathsome, with her blind stupidity and hunger for power. She reminds me a lot of Cersei from A Game of Thrones. That is the furthest thing from a compliment I can give anyone. Also, there was a twist at the end and I totally saw it coming. And I am really bad with twists. I never see them coming. The world alone and Mal's character aren't enough to make me continue this series.