Starbucks & Books Obsession: Fantasy

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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Blog Tour Review + Guest Post + Giveaway: The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons

Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons, hosted by Inkslinger PR, and oh man, I am so excited to be on this tour. I freaking adore Heather and this book was incredible. Check out my review and the guest post with Heater below and also enter the giveaway!

The Deep End of the Sea

Author: Heather Lyons

Publisher: Cerulean Books

Publication Date: February 4, 2014

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Adult

Source: eARC from author via Inkslinger PR

~Synopsis~

What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?

Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself, gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too young an age.

But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the rest of the gods and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in the deep end of the sea before you can rise back up again.

~Review~

Wow.. just wow! When I finished this book, I was left speechless. I am such a fan of Heather’s writing and from the very beginning, this book was so hauntingly beautiful. I say that because it had this tone that just immediately melted my heart. I was instantly invested in Medusa and this other side that no one has ever explored. Legend is, she’s a murderous monster but they portrayal that Heather does is the exact opposite and I LOVED it.

Medusa has drawn the short stick and been dealt one crappy hand when it comes to life. Through no fault of her own, she is cursed to an immortal life with a reptilian body, snakes on her head and eyes that turn anyone who looks into them to stone. I can’t imagine how lonely she must have been and it was clear that killing people was devastating to her. She didn’t want to be a monster. She didn’t want to be a murderer and yet it was unavoidable at times. She truly just wants to be a normal girl who gets to travel and have friends and fall in love. Fortunately, she isn’t completely alone. She has 2 friends that visit her on her lonely island; an elderly blind man and Hermes.

Oh Hermes. He is incredibly sweet, sexy, charming, devoted and did I say sweet? I seriously love this guy and once again the way Heather portrayed his character in a completely different way than the normal legends. His support of Medusa and the lengths he goes to help her and be with her was incredible. I was in love with him the moment that we met and I was head over heels by the end. It was so obvious how much he adored Medusa and I wanted to shake that girl for being so oblivious to his affections. At the same time, it made me so sad that she was so low in self-confidence and so jaded that she couldn’t recognize Hermes’ feelings. However, I give her credit for being brave enough to share her feelings with him when she realized she loved him. Realizing he felt the same way gave her the confidence she needed to believe in herself.

"This must be what odes were written about, infinte movies attempt to depict, books desperate to describe-- the perfect, exquisite sensation of lust and love all rolled into one."

I freaking loved the way Heather depicted the Gods in this novel. It’s so different from any legend that I was used to. Hades was wicked awesome in this book and genuinely one of my favorite characters. He’s not the “devil” everyone thinks he is. He may be the Lord of the Underworld but he is loving husband, a caring uncle and a compassionate man and the way he protects and cares for Medusa was so incredible. I also really loved Persephone and Aphrodite and how great they were with Medusa as well. On the flip side, Athena was one insane bitch and her unfair and malicious behavior towards Medusa made me want to drop kick her. Poisedon was bat-shit crazy and what he did to Medusa was so terrible and the delusions that he harbored about her was just insane. He took so much from her and she could have laid down and let him take it all but instead she chose to fight.

While Medusa and Hermes had this incredible passion and love story, this book was really all about the strength and growth of Medusa as a character. She had been through so many unbelievably terrible situations and the way she handled her situation and everything thrown at her was incredible. I was so impressed with her character development and growth in this novel. Never have I seen a character truly flourish the way she did and it was an incredible experience to be a part of. Heather’s writing made me feel like I was right there with her, encouraging her to be strong and fight for what she wanted. I felt all of her emotions as if they were my own and that isn’t something that comes easy.

"All I can think is, stars above, I am so incredibly blessed to have this man in my life."

When I finished this book, I really had to take a minute to just breathe. So many emotions filtered through my heart and soul and I was truly left speechless and in awe. It has been quite a while that a book has really affected me this way and I had to reflect hard on why. Plain and simple; Heather is an incredible author and the way she puts together words, the incredibly gripping plot she creates and the fantastic characters she develops is the number one reason. The spectrum of emotions that I felt as I read this book ranged from a tightness in my chest, to butterflies in my stomach to a lump in my throat and by the time I was done, I was emotionally raw but so, so satisfied.

~IPOD Picks~

“Say Something” by A Great Big World

“Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden

“Catch My Breath” by Kelly Clarkson

~Guest Post with Heather Lyons~

There are lots of books out there that showcase gods such as Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus . . . but in The Deep End of the Sea, you get to know Hermes. I hope you come to love him as much as I have! Here are ten facts about the god Medusa calls her best friend, both traditional and from TDEotS.

Traditional facts

1. While most people know Hermes to be the Messenger of the Greek gods and goddesses, he was also the god of travellers, commerce, sports, thievery, and transitions in addition to ferrying souls to the Underworld.

2. In additional to all of those jobs, he was also considered the personal agent for his father, Zeus, the King of the gods.

3. Hermes’ mother was Maia, one of the Pleiades.

4. Traditionally, one of Hermes’ symbols is the caduceus, which is a staff entwined with two snakes and topped with wings. Nowadays, the caduceus is universally recognized as a medical symbol.

5. In the Homer’s Illiad, Hermes was referred to as being a “guide and guardian.”

The Deep End of the Sea facts

6. In The Deep End of the Sea, he often serves as Medusa’s guardian (see: Homer) as well as manages to steal her heart (see: thievery), although she’d probably argue that she stole his.

7. Medusa often muses that Hermes has a bit of a knight in shining armor complex. He is always fighting to right wrongs.

8. Hermes is fiercely loyal to those he loves and values.

9. His favorite sister is Aphrodite

10. His favorite shoes are Vans. They may or may not sprout wings when nobody is looking.

PURCHASE LINKS:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

About Heather Lyons:

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Links:

Website: http://www.heatherlyons.net

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/heatherlyons

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hymheather

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherlyonsbooks?fref=ts

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/hymheather/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, January 6, 2014

ARC Review: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Into the Still Blue

(Under the Never Sky #3)

Author: Veronica Rossi

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: January 28, 2014

Genre: YA Dystopian/Fantasy

Source: eARC from HarperCollins via Edelwiess

~Synopsis~

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Timesbestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

~Review~

I absolutely love this trilogy and Into the Still Blue didn’t disappoint me. I was sad when it ended because I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Generally the final book in a series will either leave you extremely satisfied or extremely disappointed. I am happy to say that I was left extremely satisfied with the end of this one.

Into the Still Blue picks up where Through the Ever Night left off and I will admit, it took me a few chapters to get back into it. This was mostly due to the fact that it had been so long since I’d read the last book that I kind of forgot what happened and who a few people were. I highly recommend a re-read or at list skim through of the last book before you start if you haven’t read it in a while. Once I got my bearings and everything started to come back, I was quickly immersed in the events that unfolded. Things are getting worse outside as the storms become stronger and more deadly and Aria and Perry are under a lot of pressure to find a way out before for their people before it’s too late.

I absolutely love Perry, I always have. He is strong and determined and an excellent leader. He truly cares about his people and he wants to protect them and lead them to safety. More than that, he truly cares about Aria. His love and need for her consumes him and I think that scares him a little and makes him hold himself back a bit. He also doesn’t allow himself to “feel” because he is afraid it will make him weak in front of his people. This definitely causes a few problems between him and Aria as well as him and Roar. I also really love his relationship with Cinder. He treats him like a little brother and the way he takes care of him and looks out for him is so sweet and one of my favorite things about him. He is fiercely loyal and honorable.

Aria is one of my favorite heroines. She is smart, caring, loyal and also a good leader. She and Perry are so much alike and that’s what makes them perfect for one another. They understand one another and together, they are strong and powerful. Aria has no doubts about her love for Perry and she will do anything to protect him. She has proven that time and again and it only makes me like her even more. She has been through a lot throughout the series and she is tested even more during Into the Still Blue. Her determination and fierceness to protect the ones she loves is one of the reasons she is one of my favorites.

There is a lot of tension between Aria and Perry that has carried over from events in the previous book and it worried me a little at times because I love them together so much and I hate to see them fight with one another and doubt each other’s feelings. However, that didn’t last long and they both proved their love and devotion. I loved their sweet moments together and I only wish that they could have had a few more. So much has happened to these two and they have come a long way from the savage and dweller that they were when they first met. Who would have ever thought that they would fall in love considering the way it all started.

I’m not in the business of giving things away or spoiling plots for others and this is definitely a plot driven book. If you’ve read the first two, you know where this book is headed. Just like the first 2, there will be deaths and there will be surprises and there will be villains to overcome. I was very happy with the turn of events that this book took and I loved the mix of action and romance. This book was another reminder of why I love the Young Adult genre so much. If I had one complaint, it would be that I felt like the ending was rushed just a little bit. However, this was only a minor issue and I was still very pleased with the book as a whole. Veronica definitely did a great job of giving me all the feels. My emotions ranged from joy to anticipation to nervousness and to heartbreak. It really ended up being everything I hoped it would be.

PRE-ORDER LINKS:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Friday, November 29, 2013

Review: Sentinel by Jennifer Armentrout

Sentinel

(Covenant #5)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Publication Date: November 2, 2013

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy

Source: eBook purchased

~Synopsis~

It's a beautiful day for a war.

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself.

~Review~

This is a hard review for me to write. I had so many FEELS when I finished this book and I was sitting in bed sobbing when I finished. I usually don't like to discuss what happens in a book when I do my reviews because I don't want to spoil it for others so I try and talk more about how it made me feel and what I loved about the characters. Because this is a five book series, that may be a little harder in this one but I'm going to give it my best shot. There may be a few minor spoilers when it comes to the romance if you haven't read the previous books.

This book starts up where Apollyon left off and SO many things have happened that have led them to this point. The world is in chaos and things are looking bleak for our gang, now calling themselves the "Army of Awesome" or AOA for short. Knowing what they are up against, I was definitely nervous for how this was all going to play out. As is pure JLA style, there were some serious "WTF"ery moments in this book that left me either skeptical, shocked, or breathless. There is no way that I could ever predict the twists and turns that the plot took and I loved that I was constantly left on my toes.

Alex is still, well, Alex. She is strong, determined, feisty and a bit reckless at times. I think she has really grown since the beginning and her maturity really shined through in this book. She was thinking more strategically and a lot less impulsive. She has finally understood the impact of her actions and she would do anything to protect the ones she cares about. The evolution of Alex as a character is one of my favorite things from the series.

“For him I’d do anything. Fight a horde of half-blood daimons? There. Tangle with ticked-off furies? Sign me up. Break a dozen or so rules for one forbidden kiss? Done.”

I have loved Aiden from the moment I met him in Half-Blood and even though there were moments when I wanted to junk punch him, he has always been the guy for me. He is strong, smart, loyal and an impeccable warrior. He has ALWAYS loved Alex and every decision he has made, right or wrong, was to protect her and keep her best interests at heart. I really saw the man that Aiden is in Sentinel and I could never doubt his love or faithfulness to Alex. He is so sweet and tender with her and he makes her feel alive and whole when nothing else can after all she has been through.

Seth, oh dear sweet, charming, cunning Seth. ALOT has happened with Seth over the course of this series and his motives and actions are always in question. No matter what happens, I can never fully trust him but I do believe he truly cares for Alex and the love he has for her is the one thing I never questioned. I don't want to say too much about Seth so as not to give anything away but I will say that he continually surprises me. I can't wait for his own series to come out! 2015? Really?

Along with Seth, Aiden and Alex, we've got Marcus, Solos, Dean, Olivia, Deacon and Luke along for the ride and they are all fabulous side characters. I love the unwavering support and dedication that each of them has and they are really great friends. Deacon is Aiden's little brother and he is 100% the comic relief. He's always there to give a good laugh when it's needed; and there some an intense moments that need a little break with humor. I really liked the development of Alex's relationship with her uncle, Marcus, too. This has spanned the entire series and despite his demeanor (it's just the way he is), you can tell he truly cares for Alex and would do anything to ensure her happiness. I love how fatherly he is with her when it comes to her relationship with Aiden. Lastly, we can't forget Apollo. Gods, I love Apollo. He is always popping in at the most in opportune times (especially the bedroom, wink, wink) and he loves scaring the crap out of everyone. He is a God and like the rest, arrogant and shifty but he cares about Alex and he wants to help her and protect her. He's definitely one of the good ones.

There was so much swooning in this book and I loved the moments between Alex and Aiden. They were sweet, tender and passionate. There was never a question for me on who Alex should be with. I never saw this as a love triangle because Alex truly, madly, deeply only loves ONE man. Does she love Seth? Of course, but Aiden holds her heart and he has from the moment he showed up in Half-Blood. Aiden and Alex have been through so much and their relationship has been through the ringer a time or two with obstacles to overcome on so many different levels. I adored every breathtaking moment between them in Sentinel.

“Only Aiden could look so sexily sleep-ruffled.”

Overall, I could not be happier with this book and the way the series ended. JLA spent 4 books building up to the final moments of Sentinel and it was played out perfectly. I loved the action, the romance, the storyline, and the plot. It help my attention from the beginning to the end and I really, truly wasn't ready to let go. This really impresses me because sometimes when a series goes for too long, it feels stretched out and I can lose interest. This never once happened in the Covenant series.

I could not have asked for a more perfect ending. It was bittersweet to see the end because it was so perfect and beautiful but also sad to say goodbye to these characters. I spent the final 10% of this book with tears running down my face and when it was all over I felt this overwhelming sense of satisfaction. Whew, sorry for the long review but I had to gush over this book so I could say my own proper goodbye!

Adios Alex, Aiden, Marcus, Luke, Olivia, Solos and Deacon! You will be missed. Seth & Apollo? We'll be seeing you again!

~IPOD Picks~

“Angel with a Shotgun” by The Cab

“Never Say Never” by The Fray

“Living Louder” by The Cab

PURCHASE LINKS:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Covenant Series Reading Order:

(Daimon is a prequel novella to Half-Blood and Elixir is a prequel novella to Apollyon)

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Blog Tour Review + Guest Post + Giveaway: A Matter Of Truth by HeatherLyons

I'm not sure I've ever been more excited to have a tour on my blog than I am today to have A Matter of Truth by Heather Lyons, hosted by Inkslinger PR. I am head over heels for this series and I am so happy I get to share my review along with a guest post from Heather today.

A Matter of Truth

(Fate Series #3)

Author: Heather Lyons

Publisher: Cerulean Books

Publication Date: November 5, 2013

Genre: New Adult/Fantasy

Source: eARC via Inkslinger PR

~Synopsis~

Not long ago, Chloe Lilywhite seemingly had it all: a prized spot on the Magicals’ Council as lead Creator, a loving fiancé and Connection, and a wealth of good friends. But the poised young woman she projected was nothing more than a façade. Her parents all but disowned her. Power plays and accusations of murder within the Council rocked her confidence. And most difficult of all, her secret, a secondary Connection to Jonah’s twin brother, Kellan, became painfully impossible to resist. Desperate to gain control over her rapidly unraveling existence, Chloe did the unthinkable: she ran away.

Now living and working in Alaska under an alias, Chloe is slowly discovering who she is and, more importantly, who she wants to be. But the more she tries to leave the Magical world behind, the harder it becomes to stay hidden. The Elders are back with a vengeance, and the stakes have never been higher. Chloe finally has to make a choice: embrace her pre-ordained Fate or pave her own way in the worlds. One thing’s for sure, though—she’s finally up for the challenge.

*This is a New Adult title, suitable for readers 18+

~Review~

Sometimes you read a book or series that you become so wrapped up in, you forget what reality is when you're finished. This is what the Fate Series does to me. It is such a progressive story and A Matter of Truth is all about the journey. More specifically, Chloe's journey as she finally comes into her own and says "F U" to fate. This book was an incredible third installment to the series and it spent the first half ripping me to pieces and the second half piecing them back together. My emotions during this book were THAT intense.

Chloe is a highly emotional girl and her emotions generally control her life and her decisions. She truly has a big heart and every choice and decision she has ever made was with good intentions, no matter how bad the decision was. A Matter of Truth starts off with her currently living with the biggest decision she's ever made. If you've read A Matter of Heart, you know what I'm talking about and you are probably still reeling from the anguish of what happened. While she's accumulated a fantastic group of friends and become a part of Will and Cameron's family, it's obvious she is still very torn by everything that has happened. Fate has been a real bitch to Chloe and I hurt for the pain she suffers daily from the life she has to live. She wants to stop hurting the boys she loves and she wants to be normal just once. I don't blame her one bit, she is so young to have to face the life expected of her in Annar and she has never really had the option to choose. Choose who she wants to be, choose what she wants to do, choose who she loves.

“I wish I could smile more often. Real smiles are so hard to come about anymore. I’d give my left foot to be able to feel pleasure without it being extraordinary or alcohol-induced.”

My favorite moment in this book is when Chloe realizes that she can't change who she is or what she was born to do but she can take control and decide how she handles it herself. She finally decides not to let fate control her anymore and that shows her growth and strength. I've never been prouder of Chloe than I was in that moment. She also made a decision regarding Jonah and Kellan and she held her ground and didn't waver. I could see how hard it was for her to stand behind her decision and not revert back to her old ways but this just proved that she has grown into a stronger and more confident woman. She finally knows what and who SHE wants, fate be damned. I felt like Chloe has finally found herself in a good place for the first time since Jonah and Kellan walked into her life but there are definitely people and forces out there that threaten the life she is finally able to build. The Elders are back and they have plans for Chloe. The ending was heart stopping and I may die of anticipation for the final book.

“I’ll never be able to let go of him. Fate won’t let me. But I can choose right now to do everything I can to begin the long road home toward hope.”

There are new characters including Will, Cameron, Frieda, Paul and Ginny. These are the friends that Chloe meets and they help make her life just a little easier while she is dealing with the changes she has made. Will and Cameron are especially important and they become the family she never had. Cameron is more of a father to her then her own ever was and I was so glad she met him and Will. Will is like a brother and he is instrumental in helping Chloe grow and strengthen. I was nervous that I wouldn't like Will after the end of A Matter of Heart but he was nothing like I was expecting and I did a complete 360 when it came to him. I may be in love with him now. There is a spark between him and Callie and I am excited to see where Heather will take that. Sophie the psycho is also back and she is more bitter than ever. I definitely think she is going to play an important role in the final book and there will be some strife caused by her. I have some speculations that I hope to God are wrong but only time will tell.

This series has wrapped itself around my heart and I will forever be grateful to Jessica @ Lovin Los Libros for telling me to read it and Heather Lyons for writing it. As much as I read, it requires a lot for a book or series to capture me the way the Fate series has done. It just keeps getting better with each book and A Matter of Truth was no exception. This book held moments of extreme heartache as well as moments of pure joy. It's a roller-coaster ride that I never want to get off of.

~IPOD Picks~

"Photographs & Memories" by Jason Reeves

"Wake Me Up" by Avicii

"Just Give Me a Reason" by Pink

~Guest Post by Heather Lyons~

The Brother’s Secrets

Growing up, there were very few things that Jonah and Kellan Whitecomb kept from each other as they’re twins and best friends and they’re always in each other’s heads. That said, there are a few that they’ve kept to themselves over the years . . .

* The biggest one, of course, was Jonah keeping Chloe’s existence and the feelings he had toward her. The reason being? Jonah felt like he needed one thing that was his and not theirs. This totally backfired on him, though.

* Jonah never shared with Kellan the true extent of what Hannah went through when Joey died. Kellan felt a lot of it, but Jonah was the one to get her under control afterwards. He never wanted his brother to feel that agony.

* Kellan refuses to let his brother know about the time he and Callie kissed. This happened after Jonah and Callie broke up. His reasons? For one, it was a mistake, two, he and Cal were drunk, and three, he doesn’t want Jonah to throw back all of the words he said over the years about how it was a bad idea to get involved with Callie in his face.

* Certain mission specifics. Depending on the mission, sometimes they have to keep certain details a secret, even from each other.

* Kellan kept a lot of secrets about what happened between him and Chloe from Jonah, partially because he didn’t want to share those details (because they were his) and partially because he knew they would devastate his brother.