My review of Angelfall

Angelfall (Penryn #1) by Susan Ee
Release Date: May 23, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.


Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

Angelfall was definitely a lot better than I expected it to be! An angel apocalypse? How can it now appeal? It definitely stands out. It has action, plenty of heart-stopping moments and a romance that will put a smile on to your face.

The world has been taken over by angels and humans have become their subjects. When an unlikely fight ends up with Penryn's disabled sister to be taken away by one of the angels, she will do anything to get her back. Even keep an angel hostage to find out more information. And that's exactly what she does. Raffe's wings have been cut off and he is defenseless until he has healed. Penryn is a desperate yet strong girl who will get what she wants no matter what. When Raffe finally agrees to help her find her sister in exchange for his wings, the two embark on a journey that will only bring them closer as the world around is falling apart...

I enjoyed the premise of this story, and also the world it is set in. It's our world, only invaded by angels; beings that we thought were good and holy, not evil and willing to tear the world apart. I fell into the world and loved every moment. Danger was around every corner and I was kept on the edge of my seat.

As for Penryn and Raffe's relationship, it entertained me to no end! The two may have started off on shaky grounds (especially since Penryn held Raffe prisoner) and their constant witty arguments just didn't seem to look like it was coming to an end, but you could see that they were growing closer and closer along their journey. They softened towards each other and you could tell that they were both growing on each other.

I loved the plot. It was set around Penryn finding her sister, but both Raffe and Penryn have to face many obstacles on the way. One includes an encounter with a group of people who are preparing to fight the angels and take the world back. I enjoyed the rebellion side of the story and think it will play an even bigger part in the sequel, World After, that I cannot wait to read after the cliffhanger in this book!

Rating

A review copy was provided by Hodder and Stoughton 

My review of Awakenings

Awakenings by J.E. Shannon
Release Date: July 29, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon 

Evie Shepard's nightmare begins when she finds herself buried alive, with no idea how she got that way. As she struggles to remember what happened to her, she begins to notice changes about herself. Her senses are heightened, her movements are quicker, she is incredibly strong, her heartbeat has stopped. It's then she makes a disturbing discovery. She wasn't buried alive. She was murdered. Somehow she has come back...and she wants revenge.

Awakenings has a very interesting concept where the protagonist comes back to life as a faster, stronger and full of vengeance. She was kidnapped, killed and buried, but she came back to life. With the intentions to get back at those who did this to her, and safe her sister from the people who took her.

I really liked the idea for the book, the characters, and the opening scene of the book. There's nothing more exciting than kicking off a book with the protagonist trying to fight her way out of the ground! It sets off a lot of questions, but also compels you to read more.

And of course our Evie couldn't go off and find her sister if she didn't have some companions! There is Ethan, a private detective, and his best friend, Bo; who seems to be the one who lightens the mood in any kind of situation. You've got to love entertaining characters.

Evie has a lot of supernatural powers that manifested over the course of the book. They are all really cool and I loved discovering each of them. Her powers made a nice addition to the action scenes. Why just have hand-to-hand combat when you can have a girl fighting with deadly superpowers?

I've heard that there will be a sequel, which I'm looking forward to. Awakenings is a paranormal/supernatural book with plenty of action and mystery, and even a small side of romance. Hopefully there will be all of that in the next book and more!

Rating

A review copy was provided by the publisher

Waiting on Wednesday (66)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Release Date: April 22, 2014

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters…

I really enjoyed Jenny Han's Summer trilogy. It was super cute and left me wanting more from her. I haven't read Burn for Burn yet but I cannot wait for the release of this one. IT SOUNDS SO COOOOL!

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam 

My review of Fracture

Fracture (Night School #3) by C.J. Daugherty
Release Date: August 15, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Devastated by the loss of her friend and under constant threat from an unknown spy at Cimmeria Academy, Allie Sheridan is finding it hard to cope.

In Fracture, the third book in the Night School series, she’s not the only one losing it – everything is falling apart. And when Nathaniel begins to reveal his game plan, Isabelle starts to lose control.

As the school slides into a deadly morass of paranoia and suspicion, everyone is guilty until proved innocent. Anyone can be held without proof, and convicted without a trial. No one is safe.


This time Nathaniel doesn’t need to hurt them. This time they’re hurting themselves.

Fracture is the third thrilling installment in the hit murder mystery series, Night School. The storyline for the books just get better and better as the series goes on! 

Allie's back at Cimmeria and can trust no one. Everyone is weary of each other and Allie is still getting use to seeing Carter and his new girlfriend together. Though there is still Sylvian in the picture, but Allie cannot concentrate on boys when there is someone trying to take her away.

Tension is running high around the school and not even the teachers can be trusted any more! I loved the whole keep-an-eye-out-for-enemies thing going on and how the gang had to do some snooping around the school.

I was a little sad because this installment didn't hold as much romance as I was hoping for. Also, I don't understand how Allie can get over what happened with Sylvian earlier on in the series. He attacked her in such a way, I wouldn't have thought that a girl could forget. But everything is fine between them and I predict that the two will probably get together later on since Carter has already moved on.

Fracture is another great addition to the series and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book because I can already tell that it's going to be even better than this one. If you want a boarding school murder-mystery then make sure you check out Night School.

Rating

A review copy was provided by Midas PR

Book Haul (#57)

Hey,

I've been in France from 18th (Sunday) to 22nd (Thursday). I know last week in my book haul I said, "I hate camping." Well, turns out... I HAD AN AMAZING TIME! I made friends who I now keep in touch with on Skype and Facebook, and I'm even making my parents go back next year so I can see them because... I just had the best time. 

Anyway! I hope you've all had an amazing week. Feel free to tell me what you've done this week/summer in the comments below.

This week I've received:

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black - Received -
Thank you, Orion Publishing! I cannot wait to start this because I've only heard good things about it.
Stargazing from Nowhere by Isabel Thomas and Marilyn Thomas - Received -
Thank you, Isabel and Marilyn! I'm starting the book right now and I'm loving the idea of the main character having a blog!

Leave a link to your Book Haul/Stacking the Shelves/In My Mailbox/Letterbox Love/Showcase Sunday in the comments so I can check it out!

Best,
Sam :D

Previous Posts:
Review - The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen
Review - Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris
Waiting on Wednesday - Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
Weekly Favourites (3)
Vampire Academy Blood Sisters Discussion

My review of Unbreakable

Unbreakable (Unravelling #2) by Elizabeth Norris
Release Date: June 6, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

Four months after Ben disappeared through the portal to his home universe, Janelle believes she’ll never see him again. Her world is still devastated, but civilisation is slowly rebuilding, and life is finally starting to resume some kind of normality. Until Interverse agent Taylor Barclay shows up. He’s got a problem, and he needs Janelle’s help. Somebody from an alternate universe is running a human trafficking ring – kidnapping people and selling them on different Earths. And Ben, with his unique abilities, is the prime suspect. To make things worse, Janelle learns that someone she cares about – someone from her own world – has become one of the missing.


Now Janelle has five days to track down the real culprit. Five days to locate the missing people before they’re lost forever. Five days to reunite with the boy who stole her heart. Can she uncover the truth before everyone she cares about is killed?

Unbreakable is a book that I have been dying to get my hands on since I read Unravelling last year. If you have not read Unravelling, you must go and do so now! It is a crazy mix of post-apocalyptic and sci-fi that will have you wanting a whole lot more. Especially a whole lot more of our hottie, Ben.

The book picks up a few months after Unravelling finishes. Ben is back in his home world, and Janelle wonders when the next time she will see him. Then agent Taylor Barclay turns up and he needs her help. There is a group kidnapping people and selling them to different universes and Ben is a suspect because of his ability to open portals between worlds. Janelle is on a mission to find the real criminal and... SHE'S NOT GONNA BACK DOWN! 

Janelle is so fierce and determined, I adore her! Not only does she step up to every challenge put in her way, but she's also grown a lot since Unravelling. In this book, we get to spend a lot more time with Barclay, and I began to enjoy his snarky character a lot more. He just grew on me! 

Elijah and Cecily... You could see the chemistry, even though they couldn't! Elijah is still funny and sarcastic, yet totally lovable! Cecily is brave and you can see how Janelle has really influenced her.

Unbreakable has many twists and turns, especially in the last third of the book. But there's action running all the way through the whole book. Sadly, Ben does not appear until later on, which means that the romance doesn't really kick in, but when it does... It's well worth it, I promise! (I love Ben.)

I'm actually quite sad that there won't be another book because I adore the worlds that Norris has created, but also the really awesome characters. But, there was a pretty good ending where everything is settles and the future for the characters is very open and can go many different ways.

I'm so happy that I picked up these books because they are just so unique and utterly captivating. Elizabeth Norris needs to write some more books. Now. And you guys need to go read this duology. Now.

Rating

A review copy was provided by HarperCollins

Waiting on Wednesday (65)

Hey,

This week I'm waiting for...

The Elites by Natasha Ngan
Release Date: September 5, 2013

'There is a rumour that the Elites don't bleed.'

Hundreds of years into the future, wars, riots, resource crises and rising sea-levels have destroyed the old civilisations. Only one city has survived: Neo-Babel, a city full of cultures - and racial tension. Fifteen-year-old Silver is an Elite, a citizen of Neo-Babel chosen to guard the city due to her superior DNA. She'd never dream of leaving - but then she fails to prevent the assassination of Neo Babel's president, setting off a chain of events more shocking and devastating than she could ever have imagined. Forced to flee the city with her best friend Butterfly (a boy with genetically-enhanced wings), Silver will have to fight to find her family, uncover the truth about Neo-Babel and come to terms with her complicated feelings for Butterfly.

I have no control over my emotions. This sounds kick-assssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything about it just sounds... unique! I neeeeed. 

Leave a link to your WoW post in the comments so I can check it out!

Have a good week,
Sam :)

My review of The Secret of Ella and Micha

The Secret of Ella and Micha (The Secret #1) by Jessica Sorensen 
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository

The girl he thinks he loves needs to disappear. I don't want tonight to be irreversible, so I pull away, breathing him in one last time.

Ella and Micha have been best friends since childhood, until one tragic night shatters their relationship and Ella decides to leave everything behind to start a new life at college, including Micha.


But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home. Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella's skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he's determined to win back the girl he lost, no matter what it takes.

As the new adult genre continues to become more popular, I have found myself picking up some fantastic novels; and this is one of them! It has everything you could want in a popular new adult novel; a hot romance plot, two characters that have a love-hate relationship, good humor, and an interesting plot.

Ella and Micha are two very intriguing characters. Ella has run away from her problems; putting her reckless behaviour behind her, and put on a new attitude of a girl who only cares about her education. When she is forced to come home at the end of her college term, she's also forced to face Micha. Her best friend who she ran away from. He is sexaaay and confident and everything that Ella needs to forget about.

"You can't just change who you are on the outside and expect it to change who you are on the inside.” 

I really liked the idea of the book and that there is a secret between Ella and Micha that we don't really know about until further into the book. The sense of mystery was a very nice addition to the romance brewing between our two main characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything that this book had to offer. Especially the alternative point of views. I loved being inside both Ella and Micha's heads. Ella is a girl trying to runaway from her past, and Micha is a confused guy trying to piece together his feelings. Together they were too freakin' adorable. And Micha is perfect and sexy, but occasionally he was too much for the sexy meter to handle.

“Pretend all you want, pretty girl. You and I know that deep down you’re secretly glad to be pressed up to my body.” 

The ending has left me desperately waiting for the sequel The Forever of Ella and Micha, because Ella and Micha are two wonderful characters and I adore their relationship. Jessica Sorensen has a very easy writing style that you can quickly fall in love with. I will definitely be reading more of her books as soon as I can get my hands on them.

The Secret of Ella and Micha was a hit for me and I would definitely recommend this book for those who are moving from young adult to new adult, or simply looking for another new adult novel to devour in one sitting.

Rating

Weekly Favourites (3)

Hey,

This post is all about showing, you know, your favourite things... that week. Favourite cover, favourite book, favourite series, favourite author, anything book-ish I guess. :D


Feel free to join in and leave a link to your post in the comments!

--------------------------------

Favourite Cover:

Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott - February 25, 2014 -

I really love this cover! It's clean, the font is simple, there's a good focus image, it's real nice! The feather on fire symbolises something and I can't wait to read the book!!! 

-------------------------------

Favourite Book that I've Read:

Unbreakable (Unravelling #2) by Elizabeth Norris - June 6, 2013 -

This book has to be my favourite for this week! It's definitely a page-turner because of the action and romance. I'm so sad that there isn't going to be another book. :( Keep an eye out for my review soon!

-------------------------------

Favourite Romance:

The Secret of Ella and Micha (Secret #1) by Jessica Sorensen - February 12, 2013 -

This has to be my favourite romance this week! Ella and Micha are seriously cute and I adored their relationship. My review will be on the blog tomorrow!

-------------------------------

Favourite Girl in a Dress:

Teardrop (Teardrop #1) by Lauren Kate - October 22, 2013 -

I just love that dress. The way it turns into water? WELL DONE COVER DESIGNERS! A very good job.

--------------------------------

Favourite Blog:

Realm of Fiction - Sam -
I have so much love for Sam and her blog. She's well known in the blogging world and I really do look up to her. Her reviews are always great and you can always chat to her on a social media site. Definitely check her out!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Sam :D

Book Haul (#56)

Hey,

It's been a crazy week on the blog! I'VE POSTED SOMETHING EVERYDAY! Is that good? I mean, were you annoyed or did you enjoy the posts? Well, you can help me by leaving a comment or filling out the form on my "What do you think?" post. I'm grateful for your feedback.

I won 8 books from Laura at Bookish Treasure because it was her 6 month blogoversary! Thank you Laura and congrats! Definitely check out her blog.

I'm off to France on a camping trip tomorrow until Thursday so I'm sorry if I don't get back to your email, comments, etc. I really hate camping.

This week I've won, borrowed and received:

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1) by Rachel Vincent - Won -
I adore this series! If you haven't started it, go check it out now because it's amazing! Reapers and romance, GAH <3
Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy #1) by Kiersten White - Won -
I read this a few years ago and remember loving it. So happy that I have my own copy.

Siren (Siren#1) by Tricia Rayburn - Won -
I really like the Watersong series by Amanda Hocking, which is about sirens. I'm hoping this one will be good too.
Beastly by Alex Flinn - Won -
I LOVE THIS FILM AND BOOK! I watched the film when it came out and read the book a few months ago. It was awesome. Just like the Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer combination.

By Midnight (Ravenwood Mysteries #1) by Mia James - Won -
I've seen this one around but not heard about much. It does sound cool with vampires and boarding schools. 
Wildthorn by Jame Eagland - Won -
I've never ever seen this book but it sounds like a really cool historical romance!

Shadows (Dark Touch #1) by Amy Meredith - Won -
This sounds really interesting!! With a good romance plot... YAY!
Inside Out (Insiders #1) by Maria V. Snyder - Won -
I've seen this one around a lot and I'm happy I've finally got a chance to read it.

Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) - Borrowed -
I went to see the movie for the sequel "Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters" and I LOVED IT! But I've heard that the films do not do the books justice so I went to the library and found the first two books. Hopefully I will love them!
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) - Borrowed -

Unbreakable (Unravelling #2) by Elizabeth Norris - Received -
Thank you, HarperCollins Children's Books! I actually borrowed the book from the library because I was so impatient and I LOVED IT SO MUCH! Look out for my review!
Elegy (Hereafter #3) by Tara Hudson - Received -
Thank you, HarperCollins Children's Books! Gah, I can't believe this is the end. Looking forward to seeing how Tara rounds it off.

Leave a link to your Book Haul/Stacking the Shelves/Letterbox Love/In My Mailbox/Showcase Sunday in the comments so I can check it out!

Enjoy your books,
Sam :D

Previous Posts:
Review - Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Review - Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Discussion - Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters Teaser Trailer
Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Fracture by C.J. Daugherty
Blog Tour Stop and Giveaway - Awakenings by J.E. Shannon
Feedback for the blog! What do you think?