Review: Black Bird of the Gallows by Meg Kassel @MegKassel

Black Bird of the Gallows
by Meg Kassel
YA Paranormal Romance
Released September 5, 2017
by Entangled Teen

Blurb via Goodreads:

A simple but forgotten truth: Where harbingers of death appear, the morgues will soon be full.

Angie Dovage can tell there’s more to Reece Fernandez than just the tall, brooding athlete who has her classmates swooning, but she can’t imagine his presence signals a tragedy that will devastate her small town. When something supernatural tries to attack her, Angie is thrown into a battle between good and evil she never saw coming. Right in the center of it is Reece—and he’s not human. 

What's more, she knows something most don't. That the secrets her town holds could kill them all. But that’s only half as dangerous as falling in love with a harbinger of death.

Grab Your Copy

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About the Author

Meg Kassel is an author of paranormal and speculative books for young adults. A New Jersey native, Meg graduated from Parson's School of Design and worked as a graphic designer before embracing her true passion, writing. She now lives in a log house in the Maine woods with her family, and is busy at work on her next novel. A fan of ’80s cartoons, original Netflix series, daydreaming, and ancient mythology, Meg has always been fascinated and inspired by the fantastic, the creepy, and the futuristic. When she’s not writing, Meg is reading, hanging out with her husband and daughter, hiding her peanut butter cups, or walking her rescue mutt, Luna. She is a two-time finalist and the 2016 YA winner of the RWA Golden Heart© contest. Her debut novel, Black Bird of the Gallows, releases fall of 2017.

Connect with Meg:  Website   Facebook     Twitter    Instagram  

  

My Review

I have to give the utmost props to Meg Kassel for this debut novel. I had to go back and double check that I had read that right... that this is her debut novel. It absolutely blew me away. 

Kassel has a beautiful way about her story. The words breeze by on the pages, so easy to read and become engulfed in. I couldn't put it down. 

Not only were the characters some of my favorite that I've read lately, they stuck with me long after I finished this novel. The mythological aspect of the plot transported me to this world that I didn't know existed and I wanted more of. 

Beautifully crafted, completely transfixing.... I couldn't put this one down. I'll be buying a few paperback or hardcover copies for my student's library in my classroom. I have several students in mind that I know will absolutely love this novel. 

The ease with which I was sucked into this novel reminded me of the first time I read Shelly Crane's Significance Series, JL Armentrout's Lux Series, and Amy Bartol's Premonition Series. 

I can't say enough about how much I loved this novel. 

Overall, huge 5 stars (Amazing Debut!) 

Cover: BEAUTIFUL! 5 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars <-- I LOVED the world building - the Harbingers, the Beekeepers, the Other characters... Amazing creativity
Climax: ACK! I was petrified! 5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars! Thank goodness that this one ended on a high note! I was so worried that I went through the entire novel only to be sad by the ending but it lived up to my expectations! 

The Donor (pts 1 & 2) by Nikki Rae @NikkiRaexX

The Donor

Part 1

by Nikki Rae

Paranormal

Published July 14, 2014

[Disclaimer: This is a serial novella that will be told in parts about the length of a short story (20-30 pages)]

*Ebook obtained directly from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:
 

Casey Williams and her family are poor. Her parents work non-stop and so does she, just so they can keep the trailer roof from leaking.

They’re getting by fine enough when the headaches start. Then there’s the nosebleeds. And the inevitable doctor’s bills.

Grab Your Copy of The Donor Part 1 from Amazon

The Donor

Part 2

by Nikki Rae

Paranormal

Expected Publication Date: August 22, 2014

[Disclaimer: This is a serial novella that will be told in parts about the length of a short story (20-30 pages)]

*ARC Ebook obtained directly from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

When Casey joined MYTrueMatch.com, she never imagined she would meet a man who not only helps her pay the bills, but has been nothing but a gentleman.

As the nose bleeds make way for worse symptoms, Casey can’t help the feelings she has for Jonah, despite how he may never return them. And he’s been keeping things from her. Big things. How does he make his money, and who is that girl in the picture?

With the clock ticking, can she find the answers she’s looking for?

Pre-Order Your Copy of The Donor Part 2 from Amazon

Nikki Rae is a student and writer who lives in New Jersey. She is an independent author and has appeared numerously on Amazon Best Seller lists. She is the author of The Sunshine Series and concentrates on making her imaginary characters as real as possible. She writes mainly dark, scary, romantic tales, but she’ll try anything once. When she is not writing, reading, or thinking, you can find her spending time with animals, drawing in a quiet corner, or studying people. Closely.

Connect with Nikki:

 Goodreads   Facebook (Nikki)    Twitter   Blog   

Nikki Rae... what can I say? After the Sunshine Series, I'll be hooked on her work so I was excited when I read that she was releasing a series of short novellas. Now, I have a serious love/hate relationship with a book broken down into novella parts. It never fails - just when I'm starting to get invested in the characters, it's over. I hate that. But I also love how I'm so antsy to get my hands on the next part. It's often like a sweet form of torture.

This series is no different.

After reading part 1, I was so frustrated because I was really starting to get into the story. The characters are very calm and there isn't a ton of turmoil going on so it's a peaceful read despite the tragic plot. We meet the main character, Casey. She's more adult for her age than most folks I know. But she has to be. She's sick. She knows this. She only has a few months left to live. So what does she do? She signs up for Mytruematch.com to try and spend her last days alive earning money for her mother & father. It's heartbreaking. But she's accepted it. She would love to just not be alone... She doesn't want to let her family know because she doesn't want to break their hearts at this point and drag them down. I loved her. I envied her strength & perseverance. She was such a smooth character so reading her POV was effortless. Then you meet Jonah... What can I say about him? He's such a mystery.... His calm personality just sucks me right in and lulls me into a sort of reading coma. Am I the only one that does that on occasion? A character's just so calm and reassuring that you continue to read without really putting any effort into it... You just get sucked into the lull of the character's personality and, although you've read for 2 hours straight, you feel like you've only read for 5 minutes. 

Then you get into part 2. This installment just grabbed me and had me sinking into the plot. I didn't want it to end. That's the "bitter" part of novellas... you have your bitter and your sweet. Bitter because it ends entirely too soon. Sweet because you're left on the edge and wanting more. More More More! I honestly didn't think that I could become so invested in a set of characters in such a quick amount of time. That's exactly what happened though. I became so attached to them after part 2 and hated to see it end. You see the characters start to build a sort of relationship with one another.


I truly cannot waitttttt for more.

So overall, both parts 1 & 2, I have to give 5 stars to.... They simply drew me in and kept me glued to the pages. I loved the characters. So far, I'm loving the plot.

Dancers & Divas by Kathy Petrakis Tour & Giveaway! Could Win up to $1000!

I'm sooooooo excited to be a part of the tour for the Dancers & Divas Series today!!!!

For anyone who enjoys dancing, drama, romance, and cute boys (hehe),

definitely pick up this series!!!
 

To kick things off, I'm going to tell you about Passion & Pain (Book 1) & Bittersweet (Book 2)!

I'm also going to tell you a little about the author, Kathy Petrakis!

Dancers & Divas Book 1

by Kathy Petrakis

Published September 17, 2012, by Antartis Publishers

If you missed my review several months ago, go HERE to read it! 

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Does passion and desire guarantee success? Can friends really be trusted? Can true love be found beneath lust and deceit?

These are questions tenacious street dancer Elena Martinez faces as she struggles to compete against the most talented students at New York’s top Performing Arts High School. Along with her best friend, the carefree and mischievous Sebastien Duval, they are determined to make center stage.

But the singing diva Letitia has other plans. Beautiful, talented and popular, her desire for revenge could ruin everything for Elena and Sebastien. Now, they must fight against prejudice, treachery and deceit as Letitia sets out to destroy Elena’s friendships, her romance, her dignity and her dreams. Can Elena win the battle for true love, happiness and success?

*contains mature content - recommended for 15+*

Grab Your Copy of Passion & Pain:

On sale for $0.99!!!

Barnes & Noble      Amazon

Dancers & Divas Book 2

by Kathy Petrakis

Published April 28, 2013, by Antartis Publishers

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Can secrets stay hidden forever? Can people really change? Are some mistakes unforgivable?

As Elena and Sebastian embark on a fresh start, will Letitia keep his secret, or will she use it to destroy them?
As Veronika falls in love, Frankie is out of rehab and trying to make amends, but will it last for either of them?

Meanwhile, as Anya is torn between loyalty to her Nana and love for Darius, could Darius fall for the new temptress, Rosa? With her stunning looks, her powerful, sensual dancing and her desire to seduce, she has everyone nervous but what secret is she hiding?

Continue the roller-coaster journey with your favorite characters as they try to survive junior year at the country’s top performing arts school.

Grab Your Copy of Bittersweet:  

Barnes & Noble      Amazon







Kathy Petrakis was born and raised in Sydney Australia by Greek immigrant parents. She always had a passion for the performing arts - dancing, acting and singing but they were hobbies giving way to a traditional professional career in banking. Before this book, her writing was used to entertain friends with her unusual, and often disastrous travel adventures from around the world.

By the hand of fate, Passion and Pain and Bittersweet were born while living in London, heaven for lovers of the performing arts. After launching Passion and Pain, she returned to Sydney for the launch of the sequel, Bittersweet.

Connect with Kathy:   Website   Mailing List    Facebook    Goodreads    Twitter

Now, again, if you didn't catch my review of Book 1, Passion & Pain,

you can go check it out HERE.

I received an ARC of Bittersweet in exchange for an honest review directly from Kathy.

Wow... just... er-ma-gawd...wow. Now, I love each and every one of the characters in the Dancers & Divas Series (yes, even the "bad" guys because they're great antagonists). I became insanely attached to several of the characters when I read Passion & Pain. I couldn't wait to see what happened to them next. I became nearly addicted to some of them in Bittersweet. I couldn't wait for them to pop back up on the page in between scenes.

Bittersweet turned out to be an emotional rollercoaster that dealt with issues such as sex versus love, suicide, selfishness, let-downs, growing-up, loss, and going after your goals versus just settling for what you're handed or told to do. Each character deals with his/her own struggles and you get to see how they deal (or fail to really deal) with what they're going through. There's so many different characters and experiences with each, that there's bound to be at least one that each reader will connect with. I know that I connected with several of them and others, I stood in their corner (metaphorically speaking - Ha) and cheered them on.

So, do you like the show Gossip Girl? What about the movie series for Step Up? Have you seen the movie Center Stage? Seriously, if you say yes to any or all of the above, I really think you'd enjoy this series. I definitely recommend it to anyone who says yes to any of those. This series is like a favorite tv show! I can't wait to see what's going to happen as I turn each page!

Now, the plot: The plot moves pretty consistently through book 1 into book 2. I love that! I mean, seriously, this series would make such a great tv show! There are ups, down, in betweens, happy moments, angry moments, sad moments, laughing moments... Love it!

At the end of Bittersweet, I really had a flash back of when one of my fave tv shows ended their season until the fall. You know, that moment where you fall to your knees at the closing of the last episode of the season and squeal "noooo, that can't be the end?! I have to wait until WHEN before the next season starts?!!" That's exactly the moment that I had. There's soooo many possible endings for the characters before the curtain closes on the series. I can't wait to find out how issues and relationships are resolved.

Overall, I loved this novel! It was a great continuation to the series & I can't stress enough - if you like drama, dancing, competition, romance... get Passion & Pain now. You'll want to pick up Bittersweet as soon as you turn the last page of Passion & Pain! LoL

Overall Rating: 5 Stars!   I cannot wait to see what happens next!!!

 So, Kathy has som AMAZING Giveaways up for grabs as part of this tour!

One for everyone & one specifically for FANS of the series! How flippin' awesome is that?!?!

Use the Rafflecopters below to enter for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Go HERE for a detailed description of the FANS Competition!

The following are the terms and conditions for the Dancers and Divas FANS promotion.

1. The competition starts on June 1 2013 at 00.00 hours US EST and closes midnight, October 31 2013. Winner will be announced on the 4th November and has 48 hours to respond to validate entry and claim prize. Amazon reviews must be visible by the close date.

2. It is open internationally to entrants over the age of 14. Proof of ID will also be required to claim prize.

3. To enter the competition, purchase of either Passion and Pain or Bittersweet, by Kathy Petrakis is required. This is in the ebook format or paperback format.

4. Books bought as part of a free promotion are excluded from entries for purchase but can submit entries for the reviews posted. Proof of purchase is still required. Books refunded are also excluded. Books borrowed from Amazon library are excluded.

5. Bloggers writing reviews after receiving a free copy from the author (either directly or through Amazon), are excluded. They may enter for any book they purchase.

6. Proof of purchase must be provided and match the dates in the entry form.

7. Books can be purchased at any time before October 31 2013 but reviews must be live on Amazon between June 1 and October 31 2013.



Review: Obsession (Arum #1) by J.L. Armentrout

Obsession

Arum #1

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Adult Paranormal Romance

Published May 31, 2013

by Entangled Publishing, LLC

*Self-Purchased Ebook*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

He’s arrogant, domineering, and... To. Die. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something... unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life… or is it Hunter?

Grab Your Copy:

About the Author:

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia.

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true.

Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen.

Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Connect With Jennifer:  Goodreads    Twitter    Facebook    Website   

My Review:

Holy smokes!! I <3 JLA! I love the world that she built with the Lux Series. Now seeing it come to life in an adult setting.... ER-MA-GAWD! It is HOT...and SPECTACULAR...AMAZING.... Should I keep going or do you get the point here? LoL

I adore the fact that JLA is now shedding light on the Arum - the characters in the Lux Series that we think of as some of the "bad" guys. We end up LOVING what Hunter is and what he can do. Yes, he's actually one of the guys that goes out and KILLS the Lux that we've all grown to love. Now we see that there is another side to him just as there are the Lux. We see the Lux as the bad guys in this novel and Hunter is killing them to defend Serena. Seriously opposite world from the YA Lux series.

Serena happens to be the one with a huge target on her back. Hunter is assigned to keep her safe until her fate is decided. Of course, he's not happy about this little predicament but Serena eventually grows on him.

Good grief is that man/alien/whatever you want to call him hot...Totally HOT!

The action in this novel (in the bedroom and not in the bedroom LOL) is amazing. I was gripping my poor ipad so hard I'm surprised the screen didn't crack.

Ooooh and when she throws bits & pieces of The Lux series into the mix!!! Squeee! I wanted to reach out and hug Daemon when we see him momentarily. I'm so glad that Luc plays a role too!

Anyways, I could go on and on and on and on. This novel was FABULOUS!!!
Overall, this entire novel is AMAZING & I can't wait to see what's next!!! Seriously, if you like the Lux Series and you're into more "adult" content & characters, GET THIS NOVEL. You won't be disappointed. ^_^

Overall Rating: 5 Huge Stars
Cover Rating: 5 Stars (YUMMMM)
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars
Climax: 5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars! Good grief I can't wait to see what comes next! 

Review: When It's Least Expected by Heather Van Fleet

 
When It's Least Expected

Perfect Timing #1

by Heather Van Fleet

Mature YA Romance

Published April 23, 2013

by No Boundaries Press

*Ebook obtained directly from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis:

Moving on after a tragedy can be impossible – especially when you’ve been dealing with those tragedies for over two years. But it’s her senior year, and Harley Anderson is more than ready to do just that, even though the skeletons in her closet can’t exactly be hidden.

Enter Mason Daniel, the egotistical, sexy, surfer boy from California – a boy with his own hidden demons, and even bigger secret agenda.

Mason isn’t right for Harley. He knows this better than anyone. He’s the epitome of a runner–a guy who takes what he can get, only to split a short while later. But he can’t deny the emotions that Harley brings out of him, so he’s going to break his rules for once.

He should have known what it would lead to… Two kindred souls – both lost and then found. Will they fail, once again, in their search for contentment and happiness, or will they finally find true love, when it’s least expected?

Grab Your Copy or Add It To Your Goodreads Shelf:

Barnes & Noble

About Heather:

Heather Van Fleet currently resides in northern Illinois, with her three daughters, Kelsey, Emma, and Isabella, and her fabulous hubby (and high school sweetheart) Chris, with whom she’s been blissfully married to now for ten plus years. She’s a stay at home mom by day, and an avid and completely obsessive writer and reader by night.

Connect With Heather:  Website    Facebook    Twitter 

My Review:

This was such a cute, emotional read... yes, those two words "cute" and "emotional" seem like they should never be used in the same sentence. But that's how I felt when reading. 

I say "cute" because you have absolutely precious characters fumbling through a relationship. But it's definitely emotional because they're both extremely damaged individuals. I sighed, giggled, cringed, teared up, smiled, got angry.... all throughout this novel. 

Harley is a great character - she seems fun but she's also dealing with dark internal struggles because the guilt over her brother losing his leg in an accident eats her up inside. That's not all though - throw in the ex who ended his life... and you've got an emotional mess. She struggles on a day to day basis with anxiety and everything that comes along with it. 

Mason, again, is a great character. I loved this boy. He was my absolutely favorite piece to the entire novel. I love reading from his POV. He's like Harley - fun guy but constantly deals with the fact that he harbors so much guilt over his father's death. He has a rocky relationship with his mom but his rock seems to be his little sister Maisy. That girlie could have her own novel - she's such a stinking cutie pie but, again, is stuck in the middle of her mom's mood swings, her brother's guilt trip, and then the mean girls at school who act like skanks. Maisy & Mason are forced to move with their mom away from the sandy beaches and waves of the Cali coast over to... Nebraska... Now I live in the country. There's a cow pasture right across the road from me and a field behind me. Trust me when I say that moving from the beach to the country - well that would really bite... LoL

All of these characters seem like they grew up too fast emotionally. It makes me sad that they had to deal with such dark issues so early in life when they should've been focused on having fun and living life as teens.

Mason's attraction to Harley makes me smile. From the instant he saw her rear digging around under the bleachers for her key ring, he's hooked. He wants to know more about her... but that feeling throws him off guard because, well, he's Mason! He doesn't DO the girlfriend thing. Ha. 

So, the characters, if you haven't noticed already by my constant chatter, are great. Loved them. 

The plot moves pretty smoothly. There were a few places that were a tiny bit slow but nothing major. I like the plot sequence & I adored how Harley ended up making the jump towards the end of the novel. The Epilogue = priceless. I'm so glad that Heather added that part!! Love it! 

The copy that I have, I think, is an ARC so there are several places where the editing could use some improvements - but again, I think that it's because it's an advanced copy. That's to be expected so definitely not a negative tidbit as far as the novel goes. 

Alrighty... so overall... I'd definitely give this novel a 4 star rating because it was really a great read. I was attached to the characters, I enjoyed the plot, I liked the outcome. If this was a series (I know it's Perfect Timing #1 - but I don't know if #2 and so on will be about these same characters or if they'll introduce others), I'd definitely pick up book 2 as soon as I could simply because I enjoy these characters so much. 

Overall Rating: 4 Stars

Cover Rating: 4 Stars

Characters: 5 Stars

Plot: 4 Stars

Climax: 4 Stars

Ending: 5 Stars

Review: Intaglio (bk 1 & 2) by Danika Stone

Intaglio: The Snake & the Coins

Intaglio #1

by Danika Stone

Romance with a twist (Past Lives)

Published October 1, 2012

*Print copy obtained directly from the author 

in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Set against the backdrop of the modern art scene, Intaglio: The Snake and the Coins follows Ava Brooks, art student and graffiti artist, as she begins a wildfire relationship with fellow student, sculptor Cole Thomas. Their sudden connection results in a passionate affair which sparks a series of increasingly vivid dreams. In them, Ava finds herself drawn into a memory of another life: one that she and Cole shared. As each dream brings the memory of her past closer, the two of them must unravel the events that once tore them apart, or risk repeating the same mistakes all over again. (Volume 1 of 2)

Intaglio: Dragons All The Way Down

Intaglio #2

by Danika Stone

Romance with a twist (Past Lives)

Published October 1, 2012

*Print copy obtained directly from the author

in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Ava Brooks and Cole Thomas share a connection: one forged from the memories of another life. The unraveling web of secrets continues as Ava finds herself caught in a growing conflict between Cole and Kip. In the wake of this, revelations emerge about the death of Cole's sister, but the dark stories hidden in the Thomas household hint at a life marred tragedy. As each new dream brings this other life closer, Ava and Cole must unravel the events that once tore them apart, or risk repeating the same mistakes all over again. (Volume 2 of 2)

Grab Your Copy:

(Collectors Edition is both books 1 & 2 together)

About the Author:

Danika Stone is an educator, artist, grad student and mother of three, whose involvement in the Arts and New Media, has spanned a decade and a half. Danika has written for various publications and her non-fiction writing has appeared in several academic books. Passionate about Fine Arts, Danika has maintained her ties to the Arts community, merging the fields of writing, technology and artwork through technology-inspired art projects. Her current artistic practice involves using digital technologies as tools to address the ethical questions posed by emergent technologies.

No longer content with the rigid separation of non-fiction writing and her artwork, Danika returned to her roots in the arts community as she began researching her first novel: Intaglio. These connections to the modern art scene, along with her personal experiences and numerous friendships with contemporary artists, are the inspiration behind this story

Connect with Danika:   Goodreads   Website   Twitter

My Review:

Well, after flipping back and forth, back and forth, I decided to write about book 1 & book 2 in one review. The story flows so amazingly well, that it's hard to say that one books ends and another begins.

I can't remember another novel that deals with past lives' memories resurfacing in the present. I loved this concept. I was absolutely drawn into the plot because of it. I have to say, though, honestly, the synopsis is a tiny bit misleading because the focus of the novel (until on into book 2) isn't about their past lives and how to stop it from recurring - they're struggling to deal with the present. Ava's dreams are occurring but the connection between the "dreams" and actual "memories" isn't put together until book 2. We, as the reader, grasp what's actually going on. But the characters, Cole & Ava, don't yet.

Ava is an amazing character - she's full of attitude and amazing talent. She's a graffiti artist! How freaking awesome is that! I totally wish I could do that! She's going to school and using her art to deal with her anger issues. I adore her father - he's so insanely quirky. Ava was a angry teen - after living with her mother and dealing with all of which that entailed, she began "defacing" public property with her art. Of course, now she's trying to do things the legal way, so rather than using the train station as her canvas, she's using actual canvas.

Cole, a man who uses his hands & brute force to create amazing sculptures, is a classmate of Ava's. He's automatically drawn to her. Their relationship goes through ups and downs. Especially when Cole decides to take Ava home to meet his dear ole dad & step-mom. His family history isn't exactly a bed of roses either. The loss of Cole's sister was a huge earthquake as far as his family relations went.

This novel has taken me a while to get through - that's not because it was bad or slow. It's because...oh how do I say this and not make it sound like a negative - because it's not?... the plot sequence and events that the characters are muddling through make you think. They make you pause, put the book down, and ponder what you just read. It's definitely not an easy Sunday afternoon read. It's one that you become enthralled with. You don't want to let go of the characters. Even when life put a kink in my reading schedule, going nearly a week before I could stop and pick it back up, I still knew exactly what was going on and was just as connected as the characters.

Okay, so overall, what did I think? I really, really enjoyed this series (bk 1 & 2). I enjoyed reading it and enjoyed moving through the lives of the characters. I wasn't bouncing around squealing when I read these novels because these novels take on very emotional topics. But I was glued to the pages and obsessed with the characters and the conflict...

So...a rating... Hmm...

Okay, so I have to say that I'd give it 4 stars. I mean, honestly, I haven't read a novel like this in quite a while.

Overall Rating: 4 Stars for both book 1 & 2
Cover Rating: 3 Stars
Characters: 4 Stars
Plot: 3.8 Stars
Climax: 4 Stars
Ending: 4 Stars