Book Review: If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones

Title: If I Were You (Inside Out Trilogy, #1)
Author: Lisa Renee Jones
Release Date: August 24th 2012
Publisher: Self Published
Source: Received via NetGalley

Fifty Shades of Grey meets Basic Instinct

How it began…

One day I was a high school teacher on summer break, leading a relatively uneventful but happy life. Or so I told myself. Later, I’d question that, as I would question pretty much everything I knew about me, my relationships, and my desires. It all began when my neighbor thrust a key to a storage unit at me. She’d bought it to make extra money after watching some storage auction show. Now she was on her way to the airport to elope with a man she barely knew, and she needed me to clear out the unit before the lease expires.

Soon, I was standing inside a small room that held the intimate details of another woman’s life, feeling uncomfortable, as if I was invading her privacy. Why had she let these items so neatly packed, possessions that she clearly cared about deeply, be lost at an auction? Driven to find out by some unnamed force, I began to dig, to discover this woman’s life, and yes, read her journals—-dark, erotic journals that I had no business reading. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I read on obsessively, living out fantasies through her words that I’d never dare experience on my own, compelled by the three men in her life, none of whom had names. I read onward until the last terrifying dark entry left me certain that something had happened to this woman. I had to find her and be sure she was okay.
Before long, I was taking her job for the summer at the art gallery, living her life, and she was nowhere to be found. I was becoming someone I didn’t know. I was becoming her.

The dark, passion it becomes…

Now, I am working at a prestigious gallery, where I have always dreamed of being, and I’ve been delivered to the doorstep of several men, all of which I envision as one I’ve read about in the journal. But there is one man that will call to me, that will awaken me in ways I never believed possible. That man is the ruggedly sexy artist, Chris Merrit, who wants to paint me. He is rich and famous, and dark in ways I shouldn’t find intriguing, but I do. I so do. I don’t understand why his dark side appeals to me, but the attraction between us is rich with velvety promises of satisfaction. Chris is dark, and so are his desires, but I cannot turn away. He is damaged beneath his confident good looks and need for control, and in some way, I feel he needs me. I need him.
All I know for certain is that he knows me like I don’t even know me, and he says I know him. Still, I keep asking myself — do I know him? Did he know her, the journal writer, and where is she? And why doesn’t it seem to matter anymore? There is just him and me, and the burn for more.

My Thoughts
 
I haven't joined the hyped up masses and read Fifty Shades of Grey, but I have read my fair share of (the now termed) mommy porn.

Right off the bat I'll tell you straight...I did not enjoy this book.

Shy good girl gets off reading somebody else's journal, seeks out the author,  starts living her life, and having her sex; um creepy much?!

I dont believe her innocent, unworldly guise for a second.
Sara is nosy, dishonest and has a self confessed knack for meeting creepy guys. She hates liars, yet constantly lies herself. She invades someone's privacy by reading their journal and lies about it, and then she's spouting on about hating liars and secrets...its a double standard that makes me not like her at once, in fact she is a very unlikeable, unbelievable and un-connectable character throughout.

The men.
The men in this book are gross and pushy and in no way romantic, and if I have to read "hey baby", "oh yeah baby", "thats it baby", (*cue the skanky low budget porn music*) one more time I think I really will scream. 
I did not like either of the males at all.
Seriously, what is it with arrogant, self centered men with over inflated egos that women seem to love? (yes, I'm questioning your self respect)

The sex.
So I've figured out that Master/Sub sex is not my thing in or out of the bedroom, it doesn't turn me on in the least.
I'm far too bossy myself to be told where I can and cant put my hands, legs, mouth...and find it arousing.
No matter how many times I'm told (by the narrative) that MS is all about control I only see it as weakness, and that just pisses me off.
Hard, eager, heated, and demanding, mutually beneficial I need you now sex, yes - but this whole shut up and do what I tell you thing just isn't for me.

So to the writing then.
The story is slow to develop, almost stagnant at times, and once the sex starts - a mere afterthought. And what story there is, is boring.
Its unimaginative, stale, and predictable.
 
Is it Fifty Shades of Grey meets Basic Instinct?
Well if what you're looking for is unappealing (IMO) sex with annoying and arrogant male plus bad non-thriller nineties thriller movie mostly famous for an unrevealing leg crossing scene...sure.
I really don't have anything that I can put a positive spin on, I just didn't like it from start to finish.

If you are a Fifty Shades of Grey fan, you will no doubt love it, but for me...
1 Star only :[

Book Review: Silver by Talia Vance

Title: Silver (A Bandia Novel #1)

Author: Talia Vance

Release Date: September 8th 2012

Publisher: Flux Books

Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

An Irish heritage, Celtic myth, and deadly beauty.

In eighth grade, Brianna did something so dreadful she was suspended and home schooled. No one could explain what happened that night . . . except Brianna’s Irish grandmother, who gave her a silver charm bracelet and told her to wear it until she turned seventeen. Ever since she slipped it on, Brianna has felt like she’s invisible. People stare right past her as if she doesn’t exist. And that includes Blake Williams, the one boy she can’t resist.

But everything changes in one frozen, silver moment when Blake sees her—and recognises what she’s been hiding. Brianna is descended from Danu, the legendary Bandia of Celtic myth. Yet before she can fully understand who or what she is, Brianna accidentally binds her soul to Blake—whose tribe has spent the last thousand years hunting Danu’s descendants to protect humanity.

My Thoughts

Celtic myth has really taken off lately, and I thought Silver sounded like another new and interesting take on legends of old.

Silver has been written well and I was for the most part, kept entertained by all the teenage angst and boyfriend stealing!
 
But I floundered in the beginning.
The author literally drops you into a party and expects you to instantly connect - here's Brianna, she's the heroine, like her.

I felt like I'd missed the first chapter or something, even flicking back to the front of the book several times to double check - and because of that, it took me longer to get a feel for the main character, Brianna.

Had perhaps more time been spent explaining what happened when Brianna was in the eighth grade at the beginning of the book as either a prelude, flashback or something similar (ie before the opening party scene) instead of peppered amongst the growing story surrounding Blake's attraction to her, it could have made the story a little more coherent. The story flow was interrupted too often with disjointed tidbits rather than any actual insights.

I really didn't feel the ending did the story any justice either.
It was a mishmash of chapters where an attempt was made to tidy up all the threads of the story. Again, if this had been less disjointed it probably would have been a more enjoyable read.

  
Overall though I enjoyed the story but it just lacked a bit of polish. The Danu story kept me interested, but I felt the book was let down by its predictability and so for me Silver lost some of its shine.

Still a worthwhile 3 star read :]

Book Review: Unraveling the Past by Beth Andrews

Title: Unraveling the Past

Author: Beth Andrews

Release Date: June 5th 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

How do you work for a guy who took the job you wanted? Every time Captain Layne Sullivan runs into Chief Ross Taylor, she struggles with that issue. It doesn't help that he's a by-the-book cop who expects everything done his way. It also doesn't help that he's hot. Ignoring that little fact is impossible-she's tried!

Then Layne's world is turned upside down when human remains are discovered...and the case has a personal connection. Suddenly she's glad Ross is so thorough, because he'll get to the truth. And his search brings them closer, fueling the attraction that's out of control. As secrets and lies from the past surface, Layne's biggest challenge is fighting for a future-with Ross in it.

My Thoughts

 
Full of really well written characters, that are easy to like and connect with, Unraveling the Past is definitely a great read.

The attraction between Ross and Layne is hard to miss, its full of tension, snarky banter, and sexual zing.

I love a good 'I'm fighting my attraction to you but...' book.

As with all great Super Romance's from Harlequin, there is also a really great story/mystery going on around the characters and plenty of family dynamics throwing surprises into the ring at every turn. 
The author, Beth Andrews has created a family that is easy to like, although far from perfect, with a storyline that sucks you right in.

This is the first in a series of 3 books featuring the Sullivan sisters, so the mystery of who killed their mother, Valerie Sullivan will be the continuing thread to carry the series forward, which is great because I really want to see how things pan out for everyone; especially Ross's niece Jessica.

A thoroughly enjoyable book and a 4 Star read ;]

Harlequin
Author's website
Author's blog

Book Review: Hetaera by Suzanne Tyrpak

Title: Hetaera (Agathon's Daughter: Book One)

Author: Suzanne Tyrpak

Publication Date: December 11th 2011

Source: Received from the author for an honest review

Born a bastard and a slave, Hestia has a gift: the power to read people's hearts. And yet, the secrets of her own heart remain a mystery. Hestia's keen intellect makes her a match for any man. But even a literate slave has little control over destiny. Sold to a prominent statesman with sadistic tendencies, Hestia becomes his hetaera (consort). As her wealth and fame increase so does her despair. She dreams of freedom, but she faces enemies at every turn. When Hestia is accused of murder, the mystery of her past unravels and fate takes another turn.

Hetaera: Agathon's Daughter was awarded third place in the Maui Writers Rupert Hughes writing competition.

Due to the subject matter, there are some sexual scenes--suggestive rather than explicit.

My Thoughts

Hetaera is an intriguing and and at times, harsh story of the life of a woman in ancient Greece.

Brought up as a slave in her father's home, Hestia is at the mercy of her ambitious and quite frankly bitch mistress/step mother after her Father Agathon dies under mysterious circumstances.

What ensues is a story of spite, hatred, intrigue and self survival.
I was hoping to have more of her gift explained in the book as it initially sounded as though this was a pivotal part of the book.
Sadly, it didn't really play a huge role in the story, as surely it would of helped her steer clear off some of the obstacles that came her way.

The writing of author Suzanne Tyrpak is smooth and easily engrossing in its descriptions of everyday life in Ancient Greece, even when encountering unsettling subject matter.

Overall, I really enjoyed some elements of this story but wasn't fussed with others.
An interesting 3 Star read :]

Book Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Title: Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1)

Author: Robin LaFevers

Publication Date: April 3rd 2012

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

My Thoughts

Where to start?

Well its a really lllooonnngggg read at 549 pages.

And while both the story and characters are interesting, there were no moments of anticipation or sheer excitement that had been chaffing at the bit to plow through it at a rate of knots. The writing itself though is fluid and easy to read, but it is dull and it was at times a chore to read.

For an assassin, Ismae doesn’t kill many people and she takes a back seat to all that goes on around her, whereas one would have thought the action, and Ismae’s part in it would be endless. Instead she spends most of her time waiting for things to reveal themselves to her rather than being an active part in discovering the traitor in their midst.

The slowly growing feelings between Ismae and Duval are just that…slow, and I felt the culmination of those feelings was hurried and skimmed over in its conclusion.

Overall the story and setting are interesting, the writing smooth if at times boring and considering it takes so long to get there, the ending and final wrap up only takes about 60 – 70 pages, and the ending has left me feeling cheated.

A nice read if you have time and patience but definitely not a lot in the romance dept if like me you thought there was some.

A solid 3-3.5 Star read

Book Review: Inhale by Kendall Grey

Title: Inhale (Just Breathe #1)

Author: Kendall Grey

Publication Date: May 1st 2012 (to be confirmed)

Publisher: Howling Mad Press

Source: Received from the author for an honest review

Strangers in reality, inseparable in dreams…

After years of suffocating under her boss’s scrutiny, whale biologist Zoe Morgan finally lands a job as director of a tagging project in Hervey Bay, Australia. Success Down Under all but guarantees her the promotion of a lifetime, and Zoe won’t let anything—or anyone—stand in her way. Not the whale voices she suddenly hears in her head, not the ex who won’t take no for an answer, and especially not the gorgeous figment of her imagination who keeps saving her from the fiery hell of her dreams.

Gavin Cassidy hasn’t been called to help a human Wyldling in over a year, which is fine by him. Still blaming himself for the death of his partner, he keeps the guilt at bay by indulging in every excess his rock star persona affords. That is, until he’s summoned to protect Zoe from hungry Fyre Elementals and learns his new charge is the key to restoring order in the dying Dreaming. He never expects to fall for the feisty Dr. Morgan…nor does he realize he may have to sacrifice the woman he loves to save an entire country.

*This book contains graphic language, sex, and some violence. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18*

**The author will donate all profits from the sale of the JUST BREATHE trilogy to whale education**

My Thoughts

I absolutely love the premise for this book.
A new and exciting race of paranormals that embody the elements and enter the dreams of humans.
It is a story and genre that is right up my alley

I'm afraid Inhale didn't quite hit the mark for me.

I felt that the first 1/4 of this book was over explanatory and quite disjointed, and instead of helping I found the extensive background and Sentinel history bogged me down and I struggled to make my way through without skimming over the pages.
And strangely, I felt like I was reading book #3 or #4 in a series and that I was missing something.

Once I made my way through those first bumpy chapters though, I found the story took off and I was really engaged.

I definitely enjoyed the characters.

Gavin Cassidy is a gorgeous, pierced and tattooed rock star who's 'muse' for writing music has left him. 

He fills his time with nameless, faceless groupies and copious amounts of booze.

Zoe is studious, faithful, and an advocate for saving her beloved whales.
Cheated on one too many times and in need of a change she travels to Australia in the hope of outrunning her nightmares, and stumbles upon the much younger 'Perfect' in her dreams.

There are some really well written bad guys and gals too, and like I said the characters, setting and story are great; I just found the storytelling in the beginning lacked flow and a sense of cohesiveness.

All said and done, I'm definitely putting book #2 Exhale on my to-read list because despite the few hurdles to begin with I enjoyed Inhale very much.
A very respectable 4 Star read. 

LINKS

Inhale on Goodreads
Author's Blog

Author on Facebook

Book Review: Dead Radiance by T.G. Ayer

Title: Dead Radiance (Valkyrie #1)

Author: T.G Ayer
Publication Date: February 25th 2012
Publisher: Evolved Publishing

Source: Purchased for my own reading pleasure

That day I knew for sure. I'd lost control of my tears then. They fell in huge, mocking drops. I stared at Joshua through those bitter tears, my heart missing beats as I tried to remember to breathe.

I finally knew what the glow meant.

I was a freak and Joshua was going to die.

Bryn Halbrook had always seen the glow. But it is only when her best friend dies that she discovers the meaning of those beautiful golden auras — Death. Alone, lost in the foster system, she struggles to understand who she is and why she was cursed with the ability to see the soon-to-be-dead.

The new foster kid, Aidan, isn’t helping any. Mr. Perfect seems to fit in no matter what, making her feel even more pathetic. But when his affections turn to her, Bryn finds him hard to resist. Impossible actually. A mystery himself, Aidan disappears, leaving behind a broken heart and a mysterious book that suggests Bryn might not be entirely human.

Bryn stands at the threshold of a journey of discovery. Will destiny help her find herself, find her purpose and her place in a world in which she’d never belonged?

My Thoughts

After reading the first chapters online I had high hopes for a great book, and Dead Radiance did not disappoint.

I can quite happily report that I thoroughly and enthusiastically LOVED this book.

I LOVED the story. 

Norse mythology threaded into an intricately woven teenage tale of loss and hardship, mystery and intrigue, first love, deceit, self discovery and more.

I LOVED the characters.

Bryn is a typically normal kid dealing with the heavy burden of being in the foster system and never quite fitting in anywhere, while struggling with a strange and haunting ‘gift’. 
Her quiet and soft nature at odds with the realisation of what she is to become, Bryn is both challenged and tormented by that new life.

Aidan is cute bad boy, come geek, come secret agent, come saviour, come love interest, come everything! 
He is secretive and intriguing and has strong and confusing feelings for our heroine that will ultimately lead to his possible demise.  

The secondary characters also, are interesting and diverse, with a couple of complete little biarches you’ll want to slap a time or two thrown into the mix.

And lets not forget the Norse Gods.
Some I think you will love and want to learn more about, others, well with their holier than thou attitudes we'll lump them in with the biarches!!

I LOVED the writing. 
The story flows smoothly and effortlessly from the page. 
It is clear and concise without unnecessary fillers and overly detailed sentences that do nothing more than fill the word count.

T.G. Ayer has written this book in a real and believable teenage voice that I literally could not put down. 
After dropping my three girls off at school I sat down with coffee and snacks at hand, and except for toilet breaks and an unexpected storm front closing my daughter’s school early, I did not move until I was finished.  

Dead Radiance had me completely engrossed, I lost myself amongst its pages and I was enraptured with Bryn and her story.

A beautifully written and endearing tale, Dead Radiance is a definite 5 Star read ~<;]

LINKS

T.G. Ayer on facebook

The Valkyrie Novels on facebook

Author's Blog

Dead Radiance on Goodreads

Buy it at Amazon

Book Review: Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Title: Touch of Power (Healer #1)

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Publication Date: December 20th 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

My Thoughts

Because of the many, many reviews of this book that flooded the blogging world all at once, I had put off reading it for fear of boring everyone with yet another review.

Man, I was missing out because Touch of Power is an exceptionally good read.

As always Ms Snyder's world building skills are magnificent and you very quickly get a sense of this world and its people.

The cast of characters is great, all of them diverse and interesting and incredibly endearing.

Avry is a really gutsy, stubborn, naive, lovable, sassy miss that immediately stole my heart. Her tanasity and fierce belief in doing what is right, is both commendable and foolish.
 

Belen and Flea will sneak up on you and worm their way into your soul (and then tear it apart, possble tissue moment for some)
 

And Kerrick, be still my aching heart, the man is gorgeous.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous-enough said!

All I can really say to you is READ THIS BOOK!

An easily given and well deserved 5 Star read ~<;]

Book Review: Dirty Blood by Heather Hildenbrand

Title: Dirty Blood (Dirty Blood #1)

Author: Heather Hildenbrand

Publication Date: April 28th 2011 (first published April 1st 2011) 

Publisher: Accendo Press

Source: Received from the author for an honest review

I killed a girl last night. I did it with my bare hands and an old piece of pipe I found lying next to the dumpster. But that’s not the part that got me. The part that scared me, the part I can’t seem to wrap my head around and still has me reeling, was that when she charged me, her body shifted – and then she was a wolf. All snapping teeth and extended claws. But by the time I stood over her lifeless body, she was a girl again. That’s about the time I went into shock… And that was the moment he showed up.

Now, all I can do is accept the truths that are staring me in the face. One, Werewolves do exist. And Two, I was born to kill them.

My Thoughts

Dirty Blood has a great cast of characters that are not cliched and over done and I enjoyed Tara immensely. She's witty, a little smart mouthed and by no means a push over.

Dirty Blood is definitely a new and exciting version of the age old werewolf story, complete with new history, myths and legends (and not a vampire in sight!)
This book is bold, refreshing, and an entertaining read.

A great 4 Star read

LINKS

Authors Blog

Facebook page

On Goodreads

Buy it at Amazon

Book Review: Angel Evolution by David Estes

Title: Angel Evolution (Evolution Trilogy #1)

Author: David Estes

Release Date: October 17th 2011

Publisher: Smashwords

Source: Received from the author for an honest review

The Evolution Trilogy... When Taylor meets Gabriel at college, she is in awe of the subtle glow that surrounds him. No one else, not even her best friend, seems to notice. Something about him scares her. Is all as it appears? While Taylor struggles for answers, she finds herself in the middle of a century old war centered on one miraculous revelation: evolution.

My Thoughts

I really like what this author has done with his tale of Angels and Demons, good and evil.

He's flipped it around, turned it on its head and injected a refreshing and intriguing twist.

I have enjoyed this new look Angel story.
Sadly, I haven't enjoyed some of the characters.

I found Taylor to be extremely gullible and very annoying so she was well suited to Gabriel who I quite frankly, found to be sleazy. 

By the end of the book Gabriel pretty much redeems himself with his genuine love for Taylor but it may have been a little late in coming and not enough to make me really like him. 

I wanted to fall in love with the characters and get to know them more but the only character I wanted to hear more about was Chris who I felt could have had a bigger role in the story, to really shake up the foundations and question every ones beliefs.

All in all, I did enjoy the authors writing and the premise of the story but for me, the characters needed some development, they were a little weak. 

I wouldn't mind reading books 2 and 3 in this series to see what happens next, but I'm in no rush.

An entertaining but lack lustre 3.5 star read

 

Book Review: Crossover by Mireille Chester

Title: Crossover (The Chosen One Trilogy #1)

Author: Mireille Chester

Release Date: 16th May 2011

Publisher: Baico Publishing Inc.(originally published by the author via Smashwords)

Source: Received from the author for an honest review

Life for Hayden Carlson had never been overly exciting and that was the way she liked it, so when she meets Jasper on a trail in the woods, it never occurs to her that life as she knows it is about to change.
Suddenly, Hayden crosses over to a world she never would have dreamed existed and a future she never would have believed possible. Along the way, she discovers an affinity for magic; her ability to dream of the future and the craft of healing. She meets many beings that become her friends and family, as well as others who will try to capture her for her powers.
Hayden must find a way to escape being captured, save the man she loves, and decide where she stands in the balance of good and evil.

My Thoughts

I wasnt sure if this book would be my cup of tea or not.
But it would seem that my cup of tea has been doing a lot of changing just recently. 

This is not your average romance, nor is it an ordinary fantasy novel.

The tale that the author has woven is a totally engrossing one.
Not only is it filled with an imaginative and colourful world but the characters are unique and intriguing.
A lot of effort has been put into the world building and back stories for Crossover. 
The descriptions are rich, the characters are extremely likeable, and the relationships are believable.
The twists and turns are exciting and the sparks that fly in and out of the bedroom between Hayden and Jasper are a refreshingly real take on a relationship (God knows relationships are never perfect!!)

I have thoroughly enjoyed the first book of this series and am looking forward to reading the next installment.
An enticing 4 Star read ;]

Book Review: Lord of The Vampires by Gena Showalter

Title: Lord of the Vampires (Royal House of Shadows, #1) (Harlequin Nocturne #119)

Author: Gena Showalter

Release Date: August 23rd 2011

Publisher: Harlequin

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with a need for vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.

Nicolai the Vampire is renowned for his virility, but in a cruel twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” has become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remains is a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who can help him.

When the wanton vampire summons Jane Parker, she is helpless to obey. She's drawn to his dark sexuality and into his magical realm. But for this human, all is not a fairy tale. For saving Nicolai could mean losing the only man she's ever craved.

My Thoughts

 

Although I'm not a huge Gena Showalter fan, I found the writing in this book flowed easily and the story itself was refreshing and full of twists and turns.  

I thought the really ugly princess sisters were a barrel of laughs and quite fun to read.

 

I initially didn't like Jane at all. 

For me, she was a hard character to get, and I actually felt she was a little too boring for Nicolai. Luckily she loosened up somewhat towards the middle.

There were only a few sneak peaks into the rest of the characters in this series so you really are left guessing as to how the other books will continue the opening prologue.

Overall, a very enjoyable read and I cant wait to read the stories for Nicolai's siblings. 

4 Stars ;]

Book Review: Interim Blue by Alexia Purdy

Title: Interim Blue (The Teleen Trilogy #1)

Author: Alexia Purdy

Release Date: July 5th 2011

Source: Received  from the author for an honest review

Shade is just trying to graduate high school. Just another ordinary teenager with some quirky talents. One day, the bothersome voices she sometimes hears in her head bring her to a chance meeting with a powerful faerie warrior named Jack. He wields electrical currents and blue fires along his skin. Joining him, she enters the mysterious, frightening and magical world of Faerie, where nothing is what it really seems to be.
Shade is selected by the Seelie Queen to fulfill a quest to obtain a liquid magic that could aid the Guildrin Court of Faeries in an ongoing war against the evil Unseelie Queen and her treacherous Lonares soldiers. Around every corner and across breathtaking landscapes of the world of Faerie that exists alongside our ever so mundane world, Shade grows along with her magic and meets some of the most powerful warriors Faerie has to offer. Shade battles evil dryads, conniving Teleen guards and challenges on her life with every step. In a world where nothing is taken for granted or underestimated, Shade discovers that she might not be as weak as she or others may have perceived.

My Thoughts

Interim Blue is not a safe, boring, rehashing of your every day faerie story.

This tale of the Seelie and Unseelie courts has new and interesting characters, with new and interesting powers.

Yes all the elements of fae that we know and love are there, but with this story, there is more.

Have you ever read a book that reached into your chest and gave your heart a squeeze from the very first page?

Thats what Interim Blue did to me yesterday.

I read the prologue and stopped to scribble in my notebook: heartbreaking, hooked already.

The emotions of those first pages literally seeped from my e-reader and made me all gooey inside.

Shade is a great character. 

Totally normal in every human way you can get. Except of course for the voices in her head. But other than that, you know, totally normal. 

The action starts pretty much right of the mark and there is a lot of intrigue to be had throughout the book. Shade manages to find herself in hot water a lot. She's a bit of a trouble magnet!

I did find the writing a little bumpy, and the story itself lacked a little polish, or the finesse that you may find with other stories of the same vane. 

However, I liked this story much, much more than the raved about stories of fae that I've read recently.

Its gripping, gritty, fresh, and full of 'bad boys' (and girls). 

Some of whom you'll hate and some you will fall a little in love with.

I thought I was over faeries and the like but this is so fresh and vibrant with completely new races of fae that I'm excited to say I cant wait to read more.

I will definately be putting Book 2 in the Treleen Trilogy on my 'to read' list.

A solid 4 Star read ;]

If you want some more information on the author Alexia Purdy, or her books here are a complete of links that may interest you

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Interim-Blue-Teleen-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B005AQ4CJ4/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Alexia's Blog http://alexiapurdy.blogspot.com/

Goodreads profile http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5038699.Alexia_Purdy?origin=

Interim Blue facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Interim-Blue-The-Teleen-Trilogy-by-Alexia-Purdy/136515463095840?ref=ts