Review: The Cost of All Things by Maggie Lehrman

The Cost of All Things by Maggie Lehrman

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets We Were Liars in this thought-provoking and brilliantly written debut that is part love story, part mystery, part high-stakes drama.

What would you pay to cure your heartbreak? Banish your sadness? Transform your looks? The right spell can fix anything…. When Ari's boyfriend Win dies, she gets a spell to erase all memory of him. But spells come at a cost, and this one sets off a chain of events that reveal the hidden—and sometimes dangerous—connections between Ari, her friends, and the boyfriend she can no longer remember.

Told from four different points of view, this original and affecting novel weaves past and present in a suspenseful narrative that unveils the truth behind a terrible tragedy.

  The Cost of All Things was confusing. By YA standards, this was a long book. And I somehow managed to still feel confused about everything happening in this book. It's written in alternative points of view, and I struggled at first with keeping everyone straight. I think that led to my inability to ever break the cycle of disorientation with this book.

  Character driven novels are usually a big hit with me. But I really struggled with the characters in this book. There are just terrible people. Brilliantly written, but so terrible! And the readily availability of life and mind altering spells only complicated my feelings toward the characters. I could understand the desperation behind the choices made to seek out spells, but I couldn't get past the disregard of the consequences for themselves and others.

  Speaking of the spells, I loved that aspect of this novel. I've never read anything like this book before. It was very interesting to learn about hekamists, the creators of the spells. I wish that I could have learned more about their culture and world.

  The Cost of All Things explores a lot of themes. The main lesson it left me with was to examine the true cost of your actions and what you seek out. Easier isn't always the better choice. This novel is one that will strike a cord with readers because of it's depth and honesty.

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Review: Possess by Sarah Dalton

Possess by Sarah Dalton

(Mary Hades #2)

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Horror

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

Mary Hades is drawn back into the world of the macabre as she moves with her family into the mysterious old house, Ravenswood. The mere mention of Ravenswood induces terror among the locals, and when strange things begin to occur, Mary and Lacey decide to get to the bottom of the secret hidden in the historic house once and for all.
As a dark power gathers, Mary finds her life becomes interconnected with the disturbing events that transpired in 1847 to eleven year old Liza Blair. The more Mary is drawn into Liza’s story, the more she realises someone close to her is in grave danger from the sinister energy at Ravenswood.
Set in the backdrop of an unsettling forest, and with strange neighbour Emmaline Delacroix obsessed with death and séances, Possess will take you even deeper into the murky depths of Mary Hades’s unusual life.

   I read the first book in this series, Mary Hades, last year and loved it. It was a great paranormal read that kept me on edge the entire time. Possess was equally good, but felt very different from Mary Hades. This book has a very decidedly horror feel to it. It kept me up at night more than once until I had to stop reading it after dark!

  Mary and Lacey's relationship is one that I love. They are such great friends. Reading about their strong bond is refreshing. I actually may like Lacey a bit more than Mary, but that's because she can be a bit snarky. It was so fun to check in on those two. I can't wait to do it again!

  The setting of this book is what really got me. The house itself really becomes a character. The author did a fabulous job at pulling me into the story. The build-up with the diary was also really creepy! It was a nice addition to the story.

  All in all, you cannot go wrong with this series. Fans of paranormal stories with an extra dose of spooky will be drawn into the world of Mary and Lacey. I cannot wait for the third book in this series!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Review: Descent by L.A. Starkey

Descent by L.A. Starkey

(Soul Keeper Series #3)

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon]

From the final book in the Soul Keeper Series…

The path of truth lies hidden deep,
To find the light the climb is steep.
But in despair resolve is sound,
What once was lost will now be found.

All is lost and the prophecy seems null and void. Samantha is dead to the living world, and Marcus and Nicolas completely destroyed, but things aren’t always as they seem. To save the one they love, the boys will have to traverse the Descent, a darkness that all will enter and few will ever leave. The interference of gods and goddesses on the chessboard of blood has left the door open for a new player to enter the scene, and she holds the most powerful gift of all—sacrificial love.

Will the exit clause be invoked, dissolving of the chain that binds the trio together?

Will the Descent be the final setting for their love story or will they rise again?

As the curtain draws closed on this tale of old, who will rise and who will fall?

And what if their choice is no choice at all?

  I've been so excited for this book! And L.A. Starkey did not let me down with Descent! As much as I don't want this story to be over, I felt like Descent was a perfect and satisfying good-bye to a group of characters that I've grown so close to!

  Looking back to the first book in this series, I'm amazed at how L.A. Starkey has written this journey. The characters have grown in ways that I wouldn't have imagined when I started this series. There are so many twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat while racing towards the end. Descent is the stellar ending that this series deserved.

  I'm torn between being sad that the story is over and happy that I got to follow it. Descent is a bittersweet ending for me. I'm not nearly ready to let Sam and the others go. But what a brilliant journey that they've been on thanks to the author's wonderful prose. This series is incredible, and I recommend it to all paranormal and fantasy fans!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Review: Beacon by Angela Brown

Beacon by Angela Brown
(Ripped Ties #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Dystopian

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

***When ignorance is bliss, Bliss is power.***

Tsunamis reduced the USA into a shell of itself, called The Fold. Surviving humans and vampires joined forces to form The Colony, where registered citizens do as they're told.

They donate blood quarterly and dream of being chosen as Attendees for the Jubilee celebrations, that is, everyone except Macie Breen. With high school graduation near, she’s anxious to ditch the rules in hopes of starting a new life with Thane, an unregistered and also her best friend.

Her hopes fizzle when Macie is selected as an Attendee, forever registered. Any future with Thane…impossible. Being chosen comes with another unexpected price.

Truths about The Colony blaze into ashes and lies when she discovers the vampires haven't kept their part of the bargain. Worst still, Macie’s life unravels as her stint in the city of Bliss forces her to face daunting truths about who, and what, she really is.

   Wow! What a delightful and imaginative book! I had no idea how Brown would write vampires whenever I began this book. Sometimes I really love how vampires are portrayed, other times not so much. But I loved the way that Brown wrote hers! There is so much mystery shrouding this story, and I was unable to look away for even a moment!

  Beacon is filled with action. There's never a boring moment in this book! So many elements are streamlined into this story and work so well with the world that the author has created. The world building is absolutely awe-inspiring. I enjoyed Macie so much. She was a great character that I loved reading about.

  I can't wait to tune in for the next book in this series! Angela Brown has started her YA dystopian series in an explosive way with Beacon. I have no double that the rest of this series will be just as incredible!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Blitz + 2 Giveaways: Exaltation by Jamie Magee

Exaltation by Jamie Magee

Publication date: February 10th 2015

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

[Goodreads | Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook]

Fate is a twisted b*$#@, at least his was.

Was one soul worth the lives of millions? The quandary was one that Rydell King had no choice but to face. No matter the answer, the truth remained—innocence was created to destroy him. She was beautiful…extinguishing her to save his people seemed impossible, and maybe it was. As an immortal, his focus was to destroy the curse upon his people, as he devoured the emotion that bore him—exaltation, no matter the cost. She made him question everything.

Mercy had never been crueler.

Jamie Magee has always believed that each of us have a defining gift that sets us apart from the rest of the world, she has always envied those who have known from their first breath what their gift was. Not knowing hers, she began a career in the fast paced world of business. Raising a young family, and competing to rise higher in that field would drive some to the point of insanity, but she always found a moment of escape in a passing daydream. Her imagination would take her to places she’d never been, introduce her to people she’s never known. Insight, her debuting novel, is a result of that powerful imagination. Today, she is grateful that not knowing what defined her, led her on a path of discovery that would always be a part of her.

[Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter]

You have two different ways to win with the Exaltation blitz! I'm giving away an ebook of Exaltation below thanks to the generosity of the author! And the blitz wide giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card, paperbacks, and swag is underneath my giveaway!

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Review: The Donor by Nikki Rae

The Donor (Parts 1-3) by Nikki Rae

Genres: New Adult, Paranormal

[Goodreads | Amazon]

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. Fortunately for Casey, there’s MyTrueMatch.com: an exclusive, quick, and almost easy way to pay it all back before her parents even have to know. All she has to do is give a man she’s never met whatever he wants from her body.

Inside or out.

  There was a lot of depth to The Donor that shocked me. It wasn't what I expected at all, but that is not a bad thing! The story is told at alternating times by Casey. I found it to be a very clever and effective way of storytelling for Nikki Rae.

  Casey's situation is a difficult one. At times, it was almost uncomfortable to read her thoughts and what she was going through. But that's what is important. Many people are facing situations similar to hers, and it gave me an even deeper respect for what people are willing to endure and sacrifice for their loved ones.

  The Donor is an emotional rollercoaster culminating in a bittersweet end that left me at a loss for words. I devoured this book in one go at it. It captivated me. As heartbreaking as the ending is, I have to recommend this to paranormal fans and those who love a dose of reality with their books. It's one I won't soon forget.

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Review + Giveaway: Destroyed by L.A. Starkey

Destroyed by L.A. Starkey

(Soul Keepers #2)

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon]

Now I lay me down to sleep,
Whom shall I trust my soul to keep?
If I should die before I wake,
I leave to fate my soul to take.

The seal has been broken and the Soul Keeper Prophecy set in motion. Marcus and Nicolas are battling for the heart of one woman, Pandora’s only daughter; however, not everyone is playing by the rules. With interference from both sides of the lines and too many deities with hidden agendas, the trio must take matters into their own hands and look for another ending, one that removes control from fate.

Can they find the missing page from the prophecy that has the ability to change everything?

Will the new stranger they’ve been given as a guide assist or mislead them?

Will Samantha make a decision on who it is that she truly loves, saving one and destroying the other?

What if her choice is no choice at all?

  THAT ENDING. Holy cliffhanger and a half. You're killing me, Starkey! It killed me that I couldn't snatch up book three whenever I got to the end of Destroyed because I have become so enthralled by these books and so into them. I can already tell that this is a series that I'll revisit several times!

  I loved all of the development in Destroyed. Not only did the story grow and drag me further into it, all of the characters showed a lot of growth, too. I think Sam showed the most, and I'm getting so attached to her! This book definitely made her stand out even more, and I cannot wait to see what the author does in the next book! I just know that I'll devour it!

  At times, it feels like you can cut the tension in this book with a knife. The Gods are being all sorts of crazy. But Starkey balances it out perfectly with the adventures of the characters and their relationships. The pacing is really fantastic. It was such an easy read; no drag, no info dumps, and no eye rolls!

  I'm so glad that I'll have book three soon! I truly am hooked on this series. It has everything that I love about YA novels and then some. I cannot wait to read more from L.A. Starkey. She's going to be a force to be reckoned with!

Read my review of the first Soul Keepers book, Deceived, here.

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

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Review + Giveaway: Deceived by L.A. Starkey

Deceived by L.A. Starkey

(Soul Keepers #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

They say a soul is the immaterial essence, the animating
principle, the actuating cause of an individual life.

But what if you had to share yours with the one person you hated the most?

The soul mate principle states that for every one soul there is another that will recognize its match, hence creating the perfect union.

But what if you had two soul mates, which would you choose?

What if your choices had eternal ramification?

Deceived, the debut novel in the Soul Keeper Series, is a modern day love story about the implications of having more than one soul mate, and having to choose between the two of them. The decisions of the gods has left the next generation, their heirs, torn between fate and reality, and the balance of the future hangs in anticipation of what's to come.

  This book! Oh my word. To sum it up in one word: amazing! L.A. Starkey absolutely slayed me with Deceived. The author is a friend of mine, so I kept myself in the dark with reviews of this book. I'm so glad I did, because nothing could have prepared me for how much I'd love it!

  Okay, so. I'm a vivid reader. I love whenever I can get lost in the world of a book. The author's writing was perfect for me. It was so easy to get swept up in the world. It was very fluid and descriptive. There was never that drag that I always dread in longer books.

  I loved Sam! The mystery surrounding her kept me intrigued, but I was still able to relate to her. The relationships between her and Marcus and Nicholas were really surprising. The author doesn't make it easy in picking one of the brothers over the other. All of the relationships in this book are great, though. I enjoyed the dynamic between the characters. It all felt surprising.

  All in all, I fell in love with this world! L.A. Starkey is such an amazing writer. It really shows. Deceived does end on a cliffhanger, so I immediately flew into the next book! This is one of my favorites books so far in 2015! Don't miss out on it!

Don't forget to stop back tomorrow for my review of the second Soul Keepers book, Destroyed!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

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Review: Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger

Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger

(Finishing School #3)

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Steampunk

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

Class is back in session...

Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style--with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspected what--or who--they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all.

  Okay, y'all. With the first two books in the Finishing School series, I was already sold. But Waistcoats & Weaponry absolutely just blew me away. It was so amazing. I didn't think it could get any better, but Gail Carriger has proved me wrong!

***Spoiler Warning***

  Oh my goodness. The train was such an adventure! I loved seeing everyone work together. All along I've been Team Soap, so I was so glad to see that he wound up in this book in the way that he did. Sophornia and Soap are my OTP, and the ending of this book had me on tense with tears in my eyes. I cannot believe Soap got turned! It was a crazy twist that I didn't see coming, but I loved! The dynamic will surely shift between Sophornia and Soap now, and I can't wait to see how things go from here!

  I am without a doubt addicted to these books. There is so much going for this series. The wit, the personalities, just everything! I'm already ready for book four to be in my hands. Finishing School is one of those series that you miss as soon as you finish the last page and immediately start going crazy to get the next book. I have so much love for it. I don't care what genres you usually read; branch out and read Finishing School. It's a MUST!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Review: Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

(Finishing School #2)

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Steampunk

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for
decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six
foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests?

Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy--won't Mumsy be surprised? Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners.

Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a field trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.

  The adventures of Sophronia and Co. continue, and I'm so glad that I got to tag along! The amount of action and information packed into Curtsies & Conspiracies was a delight! Gail Carriger delivered the perfect sequel to the first book in the series with this one. Her unrelenting wit shines through and adds another enjoyable element!

There were a few twists and turns in this book. I was wholly intrigued and sitting on the edge of my seat as Sophronia navigated the newest mysteries thrown her way. As always, Sophronia continued to develop into the one of the best heroines I've read about in years without losing an ounce of her wit, determination, and curiosity.

  For the reader who loves to be taken on an adventure packed with so many elements flawlessly woven together for an immensely immersive and fun experience, look no farther than the Finishing School series. Hook, line, and sinker, I'm sold. I adore these books and I'm forever thankful that they introduced me to all things steampunk!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Review: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

(Finishing School #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Steampunk

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble]

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite
another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the
same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but the also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

  Etiquette & Espionage was my first foray into steampunk. It cemented my love of the genre and of Gail Carriger's writing! There were just so many cool things to discover! Airships, werewolves, mechanicals, and vampires, oh my! I still can't believe that I'd never dabbled in steampunk before.

  Sophronia is my kind of girl! She was fearless when it came to asking questions and getting answers. I admired that in her so much. In the midst of her life being turned upside down, she stayed true to herself. She makes Etiquette & Espionage such a fun read with her refreshing characteristics. All of the secondary characters were wonderful, too! I was blown away with the way that Gail Carriger wrote all of them. They were all unique individuals and I loved every single one of them. (Except Monique. She's up to no good. Guarantee it.)

  Gosh, can I just gush about how fun Etiquette & Espionage was? It was just a really good book. It was so easy to get lost in the world of Mademoiselle Geraldine's. It reminded me a lot of how it felt to get lost in the world of Harry Potter way back when. It required me to be present while reading, but it was just so fun. I know I need a new word, but that's really what this book was for me. It was an adventure!

  With just one book, Gail Carriger has converted me. I'm already crossing my fingers that Santa fills my stocking with the rest of her books. The world of Sophronia and Mademoiselle Geraldine's is a world that I loved visiting and I can't wait to visit again!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Cover Reveal: Descent by L.A. Starkey

Descent by L.A. Starkey

(Soul Keeper Series #3)

Publication date: January 2015

Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

[Goodreads | Purchase book one]

From the final book in the Soul Keeper Series…

The path of truth lies hidden deep,
To find the light the climb is steep.
But in despair resolve is sound,
What once was lost will now be found.

All is lost and the prophecy seems null and void. Samantha is dead to the living world, and Marcus and Nicolas completely destroyed, but things aren’t always as they seem. To save the one they love, the boys will have to traverse the Descent, a darkness that all will enter and few will ever leave. The interference of gods and goddesses on the chessboard of blood has left the door open for a new player to enter the scene, and she holds the most powerful gift of all—sacrificial love.

Will the exit clause be invoked, dissolving of the chain that binds the trio together?

Will the Descent be the final setting for their love story or will they rise again?

As the curtain draws closed on this tale of old, who will rise and who will fall?

And what if their choice is no choice at all?

Laurie Starkey is the author of the upcoming Soul Keeper Series, a supernatural young adult series, and The Liarus Detective Series, a supernatural middle grade series. She lives in Houston, Texas with her husband, Jacob and three beautiful kiddos.

She is a CPA by trade, a church planter and entrepreneur at heart; however, writing and reading are passions she just can't help but indulge in. With more ideas than one person should be allowed, she is blessed to have a muse that doesn't seem to take a vacation and more energy that one might consider healthy.

[Website | Goodreads | Twitter]

Review: Compulsion by Martina Boone

Compulsion by Martina Boone

(Heirs of Watson Island #1)

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Southern Gothic

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo]

Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse.

All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lives with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead--a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions.

Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who knows what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family's twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn’t what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead.

The Good

The setting.

The setting is what originally sold me on Compulsion. I have a long standing love affair with the Carolina coastline, especially anywhere around Charleston. Martina Boone nailed it with her portrayal of the area. Her descriptions were so beautiful that I was swept up in the story in a heartbeat. I felt like I was back in the midst of Charleston (just without the awful humidity). From the small town drama to the southern twangs, Compulsion was everything great about the lower states!

The characters.

Yes, yes, and yes. I'll talk about Barrie and Eight in a moment. Right now I want to rave about the secondary characters in Compulsion. Mark was everything perfection. The way that Martina Boone showcased his relationship with Barrie made my heartache. He was her mother, father, and confidant. I loved him. Aunt Pru was also great! The author did an excellent job at showing the adjustment she's going through with all of the changes. Martina Boone did not ignore any detail in this book and for that, I'm so thankful!

Barrie and Eight. Eight and Barrie. Beight. Errie.

Whatever we're calling them, I love them. Eight was a bucket full of swoon. Seriously. I very rarely swoon over a character in a book. I've never got behind the whole book boyfriend craze. But Eight Beaufort? Sign me right up, y'all! The way that the relationship between Barrie and Eight develops is perfect. It's a slow burn with not even a little hint of insta-love. REJOICE, y'all.

Barrie.

Jeez. I loved this girl. She was put into an impossible situation, and I admired her so much. Her curiosity and resolve really sold me on her. She isn't fainting onto a couch. But she isn't charging into battle all willy nilly either. She was so authentic. Thank you for that, Martina!

Everything.

Seriously. Compulsion was amazing. The thought and plot development in this book is incredible. Martina Boone is above all else, a story teller. And Compulsion was a story that I'm so glad that I got to read. All of the elements in this book come together in such a cohesive way. I don't know how anyone could pass up Compulsion. It's the perfect YA book for fall!

The Bad

Nothing!

The In-between

Na-da!

**I  received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.