Blackwatch (Wintercraft #2) by Jenna Burtenshaw


BLURB:
 Ten years ago Kate Winters' parents were taken by the High Council's wardens to help with the country's war effort. Now the wardens are back...and prisoners, including Kate's uncle Artemis, are taken south on the terrifying Night Train. Kate and her friend Edgar are hunted by a far more dangerous enemy. Silas Dane ' the High Council's most feared man ' recognises Kate as one of the Skilled; a rare group of people able to see through the veil between the living and the dead. His spirit was damaged by the High Council's experiments into the veil, and he's convinced that Kate can undo the damage and allow him to find peace. The knowledge Kate needs lies within Wintercraft ' a book thought to be hidden deep beneath the graveyard city of Fume . But the Night of Souls, when the veil between life and death is at its thinnest, is just days away and the High Council have their own sinister plans for Kate and Wintercraft. To help Artemis, Edgar and herself, Kate must honour her pact with a murderer and come face to face with the true nature of death.

REVIEW:
And the fanart drawings commence! It is a solid sequel even though there are some aspects of the book that feel like filler .Silas is very awesome and i like him even more in this sequel. He just seems so cool even though hes a cold blooded soldier..hmm maybe im just a sucker for these types.This is totally how i picture him except with short hair complete with crow hehe...
image:

 Anyways, heres the break down on the characters:

Kate: her role is so much more passive in this sequel to me for some reason. I don't dislike her and she has not done anything to annoy me like most heroines but i feel like there's a spark/fire missing in her character to really make me love her.

Edgar: Hes a really nice guy. Hes willing to risk his life and all that he has known in order to protect the girl. His loyalty is very touching and even though he is not an awesome badass like Silas, his spunk and determination to protect Kate is so sweet. Awww Edgar i think i like you!

Silas: HAHAH I LOVE HIM, ok for reals though its cause im a sucker for his type- cool,cold and badass soldier type that seems unfeeling on the outside but is protective of the girl (somewhat deep down) inside.

I dont know if there will be romance in the later novels even though i can see myself shipping the characters in a love triangle already. I dont mind though and i feel that the story moves along very interestingly.

Other thoughts:
-There was not enough Silas and Kate interaction since they dont really interact late into the book.
-i dont know what to make of the new "bad guy"
 

CONCLUSION: 
A very solid sequel!
4/5 stars!!

Prized (Birthmarked #2) by Caragh M. O'Brien

BLURB:
 Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

REVIEW:
Omg this was so good! Definintely a good dystopian read! i was gushing so much thoughout the whole book because of the plot . Even though Gaia made really dumb decisions, her strength made me forgive her. I don't blame Leon for what he did at first when they meet again even if i was just as shocked as Gaia because heck i would be MAD at her too! The romance was a lot more complicated in this one as we all of the sudden have not 2 but 3! possible love interests.....woah a love square like Gaia says. I like that Gaia is quite honest with the guys which is why im not as annoyed with the predicament like i usually am with love triangles/squares. plus the guys are really hot....i cant choose haha but i like how she handled rejecting someone.

CONCLUSION: 

I think i know where the story might be heading but at the same time i expect to be surprised so book 3 hurry up and come out! i can hardly wait!!!




5/5 STARS!!

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare

BLURB:
In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

REVIEW:

oooh, where do i begin? i love love LOVED this book. for some reason i like Tessa a lot more as a heroine than Clary. while Tessa does annoy me every now and then i feel like shes less annoying than Clary and shes stronger even with the old fashioned values of back then. Also i think Tessa and much more willing to admit what she feels for the guys and she knows shes in love with both of them. Mortal Instruments move out of the way, Infernal Devices is way more awesome! ok so no spoilers here are the deets on whats up:

PROS:
-Tessa is likeable and easy to empathize with
-Exciting plot that kept me flipping though for what will happen next
-Great love triangle! (mind you, i usually hate these with a vehemence but its been awhile since one has made me so conflicted and have me cheering for both guys)
-Jem's character is explored much further and i like seeing the different facets of his personality
- Sophie and Gideon hehehehehehe oh and we cant forget Charlotte and Henry omg it got me squealing out loud *note my family thought i was going crazy cause of all the noises i made reading this book.
CONS:
-that i have to wait until the next book comes out
-Not much really cause i was too busy squealing to really notice anything bad....ok maybe Will's emofagging at the middle of the book got on my nerves a bit...but you cant hate the guy..sortof

*goes off the draw fanart

5/5 stars!!

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior (Twisted Tales #1) by Maureen McGowan

 
 BLURB:
 In this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince—she's a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next—but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read!

REVIEW:
this book was kinda cute i expected to be weird out by the  odd combination of cinderella as a ninja with wizard powers.
LOL WUT??

 yea you got that right its cinderella, naruto and harry potter mixed into a book for all you geek fans out there lol. I did enjoy the book as a pick your own adventure thing. at first i was a little annoyed because i usually just like to read through the whole book without using too much brain power on what choices do i want to make in the story but it was fun. its a nice fluffy book to read when you are bored and want something different.The plot is predictable and sometimes glaringly obvious but  the characters are endearing so i forgive that.
CONCLUSIONS:
This book is probably not everyone's cup of tea but hey if you like crack combos then this is the book for you!
3/5 stars!!

The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell

BLURB:
Twelve princesses suffer from a puzzling (if silly) curse, and anyone who ends it will win a reward. Reveka, a sharp-witted and irreverent apprentice herbalist, wants that reward. But her investigations lead to deeper mysteries and a daunting choice--will she break the curse at the peril of her own soul?





REVIEW:
this was an odd retelling of the 12 dancing princesses but i liked it. The main character is not a princess which i love because shes a girl who is not born into riches and wants to make her way into the world by her own means. The cover is GORGEOUS, its probably what attracted me to the book in the first place. The story is a little slow to move and there's no actual action. I also find that despite her strong personality i feel that the main character can be quite annoying and stubborn but since shes so young i suppose i could forgive that. The romance is odd but different and in the end even though the story felt too slow i still enjoyed my journey to the end.  

CONCLUSION:
Recommended to those who love fairytale re-tellings and headstrong heroines.

3/5 stars! 

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

BLURB:
In a desert world of sandstorms and sand-wolves, a teen girl must defy the gods to save her tribe in this mystical, atmospheric tale from the author of Drink, Slay, Love.Liyana has trained her entire life to be the vessel of a goddess. The goddess will inhabit Liyana’s body and use magic to bring rain to the desert. But Liyana’s goddess never comes. Abandoned by her angry tribe, Liyana expects to die in the desert. Until a boy walks out of the dust in search of her.

     Korbyn is a god inside his vessel, and a trickster god at that. He tells Liyana that five other gods are missing, and they set off across the desert in search of the other vessels. For the desert tribes cannot survive without the magic of their gods. But the journey is dangerous, even with a god’s help. And not everyone is willing to believe the trickster god’s tale.

     The closer she grows to Korbyn, the less Liyana wants to disappear to make way for her goddess. But she has no choice: She must die for her tribe to live. Unless a trickster god can help her to trick fate—or a human girl can muster some magic of her own.

REVIEW:
That cover is absolutely gorgeous! The tattooed girl with her dress and ethnic looks is really beautiful

Agh so many feels! I never wanted to leave this world! when the book ended I was satisfied but also sad. 
CHARACTERS:
Liyana was really a likeable main character. She is very strong and resourceful but not without moments of vulnerability. I loved her character so much. I liked the rest of the characters too even when I thought I wouldn't. In the end everyone grew on me and knowing what must happen to the vessels broke my heart. 
PLOT:
It has been awhile since a book has griped me from beginning to the end with its world building and plot. This book is not without its flaws but it is undeniably well written. Even the romance was well done beccause it does not overpower the plot, though others might disagree. The conflicting feelings liyana had for Korbyn and the emperor because of her role as a vessel was realistic and heart breaking. The ending was bittersweet but I think it fit.
CONCLUSION:
 Highly recommend for all who love a good fantasy adventure with brave heroines. Ill be reading more stories from M.s. Durst. I'm so glad I gave this book a chance

4.5/5 stars!!