Book Review: Air Awakens - The Air Awakens Series

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Synopsis

A library apprentice, a sorcerer prince, and an unbreakable magic bond...

The Solaris Empire is one conquest away from uniting the continent, and the rare elemental magic sleeping in seventeen-year-old library apprentice Vhalla Yarl could shift the tides of war.

Vhalla has always been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers, a mysterious magic society, and has been happy in her quiet world of books. But after she unknowingly saves the life of one of the most powerful sorcerers of them all--the Crown Prince Aldrik--she finds herself enticed into his world. Now she must decide her future: Embrace her sorcery and leave the life she's known, or eradicate her magic and remain as she's always been. And with powerful forces lurking in the shadows, Vhalla's indecision could cost her more than she ever imagined.

My Review

This is the first book in a five book series by Elise Kova. This book is 342 pages long.

Hated and feared by many, the sorcerers live in the confinement of the Tower to study in peace. That is, until a library apprentice grabs the attention of one of the most powerful sorcerers ever and the crown prince. The apprentice, Vhalla, isn't just a normal girl, though. She not only saved, the prince, Aldrik's life, but created a magical bond that lead to the discovery of her very rare and special magic. There is a war raging and no one can be trusted. As Aldrik and Vhalla grow closer more enemies try to tear them apart. What is so special about Vhalla? Will war tear the bonded apart?

This is a GREAT book!! Using Affinities as magical elements is a cool change. For example, Elise Kova chose the name Waterunner for a sorcerer using the element of water. I loved Vhalla's character as a whole. She was very strong(not physically) and her personality made her very easy to follow. I love this book and can't wait to read the next books in the series. I would definitely recommend this book for most ages. 

Book Review: Arms of Anu - Arrow of the Mist Series

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Synopsis

LIA yearns for the magic of trees, for freedom from the icy grip of prison, and for the loved ones she believes are lost to her forever. But more importantly, she knows that without her freedom, her people will be doomed from a tyrant king, the rage of war, and the demon's spell now worming its way inside her . . . 

KELVEN hides in the slums of Anu, striving for a way to save his beloved Lia and friend Wynn. A kingdom of despots, a city going mad, and deceit lurking in every shadow have become his world, but nothing compares to the nightmare he faces when darkness takes root inside Lia . . .

My Review

This is the second book of the Arrow of the Mist Series by Christina Mercer. This book is 252 pages.

After all of the White Haired Wonders time in Brume she was finally home, well... Until the Royal guards collected Wynn, he cousin, and her, taking them to the dungeons for spreading their magical tales across the land. Now Kelven and Holly must take many risky paths to sneak into the city and save the two heroes. With the demon residing in Lia, all she can do is fight with Kelven, her lover, by her side. Danger doesn't just spawn from the demon though. Their is a war raging between the Hawks, an army of rebels working to kill all the Royals, and the Royals. Will Lia survive her fight to keep her magic and body? Who will win this war? 

This book was AMAZING!! I loved the incorporation of the demon's hold on Lia and her thoughts on this demons pull. There was so much conflict, which made it all the more entertaining. The battle scenes were epic and unexpected. I felt part of the book and actually kinda wish I was. This book is a great book for all. Congratulations, Christina Mercer!

Book Review: The Prophecy of Arcadia - The Arcadia Wars Series

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Synopsis

"Would you sacrifice friendship and love in order to save your planet?"

Being a teenager is tough, especially when you have to pretend to be something you're not, and you're in love with someone you shouldn't. 115 years ago, a small planet called Arcadia was invaded by a vicious alien race and nearly destroyed. Cut off from their resources, the Arcadians turned to Earth for help. A group of Arcadian explorers discovered a Prophecy that claimed their salvation lay in the hands of two children from Earth. To ensure their safety, the Arcadian Council sent their most gifted youngsters to Earth to act as protectors. Samantha is one of them. To succeed in her mission she must learn to control her Arcadian powers and keep her true identity from her best friend, and the girl she swore to protect, Alexia. But Samantha will soon realize that nothing is as it seems. Someone is trying to prevent the Prophecy from taking place and the prophecy boy hasn't been found yet. There is also a new drug circulating at school that is turning students into freakishly strong menaces. 

To make matters worse, distractions keep getting in her way. Such as her love/hate relationship with her "cousin" Matthew. Or her confused feelings toward popular and mysterious Julian. She wants nothing more than to be free to live her life. But the survival of Arcadia depends on her and her friends. Free will is not an option.

My Review

This is the first book in the Arcadian Wars Series by M.H. Soars. This book is 416 pages long.

After the fall of Arcadia, a group of the most important Arcadian teens must protect their charge, Alexia, from all. Alexia is oblivious to the dangers and the Prophecy, her Prophecy. Sam is Alexia's best friend and "cousin", but these secrets just keep piling up. The Promised Boy is still no where in sight and Alexia is starting to get suspicious. After meeting Ethan, Alexia becomes otherwise occupied, so that give her "cousins" time to come up with a way to find the Promised boy. The Council is lying to the young Arcadians, though, and disobedience is what they must do to protect each other. It doesn't help that Sam is in love with her "cousin" Matthew and is having weird feelings towards the mysterious and popular boy, known as Julian. To make matters worse, a new drug is making super humans that go out of control, which is even more dangerous for the Arcadians, seeing as it makes it easier for Earthlings to be possessed. How long until the truths are revealed? What happened to Sam in that accident? Who is after Alexia? How does Ethan fit into the equation?

This book was AMAZING!! I guess this would be considered Sci-Fi because of the fact that they are Arcadians, but to me, this book is more of a paranormal/supernatural book. The abilities M.H. Soars uses in this book are so cool, like the incorporation of the Phoenix. I knew from the beginning that Alexia wasn't normal, but the Prophecy, WOW! That's definitely different. This book received four stars, because of the few times the F-Bomb was dropped and the fade-to-black sex and implied sexual content. This would be mostly for YA, depending on if the parent is okay with a teen reading this. In my opinion, this wouldn't be terrible for a teen to read, but parents might wanna still read the book. Great job, M.H. Soars and it was nice meeting you at UTOPYA!

Book Review: Falling - The Soul Collectors Series

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Synopsis

An earthquake is coming, soon. A small town in Kentucky is set to be destroyed. Bayla, Heaven's Soul Collector, has been given two tasks; make sure the earthquake happens according to plan, and also make certain Gray Ellison, a teenaged human, survives. Bayla has a perfect record for completing missions; so, when another angel is added into the mix, she begins to question the Head Council's faith in her. Just as she is getting used to working with Hadraniel, her unasked for back-up, she has to face another hurdle. When Declan shows up with the mission to make sure Gray doesn't survive the earthquake, he starts to challenge all of Bayla's beliefs and plans. Declan isn't your typical demon. He's gorgeous and arrogant, but there's something about him that Bayla can't quite put her finger on. Declan's presence threatens the mission to save Gray, and Bayla herself. Will she be able to complete her assigned mission successfully despite these new obstacles, or will Gray be lost to Hell forever?

My Review

This is Falling by Tara Benham. This is a 230 page book of Greatness!

Bayla is the most skilled Soul Collector, aside from the demon Meph, in the world. When Elder Michael himself shows up to give one of the most important and dangerous missions Bayla will ever complete, she has to have backup. Han, a Blue-in-training, is assigned to help her along with a demon, Declan, that she is supposed to save. Her mission is to protect Gray, who is somehow important to future events, and keep him away from an earthquake that will kill everyone in the town. Bayla has always been distant when doing missions because of all of the death, but somehow this is different. She is starting to realize that being human isn't so bad. Her and her team need to come up with a game plan before this strange earthquake hits. Why is Gray important? How does Declan fit in? Will they win this battle between angels and demons?

This was a GREAT book full of beautiful landscapes and amazing characters!! I felt like I was part of the book and I loved Declan. His character was so confusing, but he had a GREAT personality. This book was full of many twists and new conflicts that left my head spinning(In a good way). This is a book for most ages. Great job, Tara Benham!!

Book Review: I'm Not Afraid of Wolves - The Cotton Candy Quintet

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Synopsis

Christine would do anything to get away from it all.

After escaping an abusive marriage and heading up a group of brand new performers, she's tired and in need of a vacation. So when her sister Sara wants her to go camping out in the mountains of Georgia with the girls, she packs her bags for some rest and relaxation. Not even meeting a gorgeous park ranger like Colton Donnelly is going to distract her. Except Sara didn't tell her the real reason for the trip: she's running away from a terrible secret. One that puts all of their lives in danger.

Now the vacation that Christine so desperately needed is ruined, but that's the least of her worries. She has to use her wits and skills to save them all. Because she soon finds out that werewolves are very real. And they'll stop at nothing to get their claws into her sister.

My Review

This is the fourth book in the Cotton Candy Quintet by Erin Hayes. This book is 130 pages long.

Christine has just gotten out of an abusive relationship and decided to join Poseidon and the mermaid-dancing crew. After working non-stop for years, her sister, Sara, decides a surprise vacation camp trip is in order. After a long trip and meeting the hot park ranger, Colton Donnelly, she expects to just relax. When the house gets attacked by werewolves that want Sara, Christine must dive into a part of herself that she wanted to forget. Now that the real reason for the trip is revealed and she learns of who the werewolves are; she has to figure out who she can trust. Why did Sara lie about the trip? What is Christine's secret? Who can they trust?

This book was AMAZING!! It was very surprising and incorporated shifters that aren't used a lot Erin Haye's book is definitely unique in many ways. I recommend this book for all ages. 

Also, I would like to congratulate Erin on this book getting labeled as:

Winner of the 2016 Penned Con Best Novella Series Award

Book Review: Selected - The Zaratan Trilogy

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Synopsis

Destruction.... A show of force... And a warning... 

Three isolated towns across the world have been destroyed in a show of force by alien invaders. It is a clear warning of what will occur if their demands are not fulfilled. The fulfillment: Human children between the ages of twelve through fifteen years. Kara Harper is an unremarkable fourteen-year-old girl who is selected by the aliens. She will be physically and socially orientated during the six months it will take to arrive at the planet Zaratan. The girl who liked the safety of being invisible, cannot help but stand out. Matt Sparks, the boy next door, is also selected. Kara has had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. He vows to safeguard her. The closer they get to their destination, the more difficult it becomes to live up to his promise. 

Kara is unsure if she has the strength to withstand the trials and physical changes she is forced to go through. In a new life, Kara will be torn. Will she be drawn in by an alien boy who has shown interest in her or by the powerful patriarch who sees her as the future of his race?

My Review

This is Selected by Evelyn Lederman. This book is 200 pages long.

Kara lives in a small town, goes to a small school, and has always thought her life was small in the long run, but when she finds out aliens exist her life will change forever. The aliens gave humans a choice... Send their younger teens on an adventure or humanity dies. Everyone of the right age, including Kara and her crush, Matt, are being forced to take tests to see if they have alien DNA present in their blood. When Kara learns that her and her crush are to be taken; they start to think of what this adventure means. The series of tests they must complete just keep getting more difficult, but Kara and her team are powerful enough to make it. What tests need to be passed? Will Kara survive? What do the aliens really want?

This was a GREAT book!! I don't normally read Sci-Fi, but this was a pleasant surprise. I loved all of the different challenges that had to be faced by Kara and her crew. Kara is a strong heroine that has a good backstory, but survives hard times. There is mild cussing, so this is a book for most ages. I would definitely recommend this book for Defiance, the show, fans to read. 

Book Review: Cinnamon and Sunshine - The Sage Springs Series

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Synopsis

Lexi Alamont’s been looking for love for years. But living in the small town of Sage Springs, Mo., means the search has not been fruitful. Sure, there are ghosts galore in town, but the selection of living men isn’t anything to write home about. She’s happily watched her two best friends meet their matches, and she can’t help but think that maybe she’ll have her chance before long. 

When Cruz Drakov comes back into town to do some work for his paranormal TV show, Lexi’s called in to sweeten up the crew with her baked goods. With her growing business being praised from the mouths of celebrities, Lexi’s happy to oblige. What she isn’t expecting is to gain the attention of the guy who’s everything she’s shied away from. Cruz is a self-assured witch, a realist, and not afraid to play the field with his charismatic demeanor. Lexi’s optimistic, sweet, and looking for the one who will make her heart whole. 

Sometimes love is hiding in places you’d least expect. Just ask Lexi and Cruz. 

My Review

This is the final book in The Sage Springs Series by Hollie Westring. This book is 259 pages.

Lexi has always loved the idea of love, but has yet to actually find it. Both her friends, Ivy and Eliza, are in successful relationships and she's happy for them, but she just wishes that she could find love and quit wasting her time on online creeps. When Cruz Drakov comes back t Sage Springs for a filming of his tv series; he decides to employ Sweet Stuff, Lexi's bakery, as his employees main source of food. Cruz has always gotten all of the beautiful celebrities he's wanted, but his unfazed demeanor isn't fooling the little blond spitfire, Lexi. Lexi and Cruz might have just found that love that leaves you breathless. The only problem is they are so different, with Cruz traveling a lot and Lexi not being able to travel ever again. Her duty is in Sage Springs, but will Cruz give up his career to be with her? Will love overcome all? Has Lexi found her love?

This was an AMAZING book!! If I had to choose which book I liked more it would probably have to be this book or Ivy's. This book is full of happy tears and insane love. I didn't even know a love like that existed, but Hollie definitely changed my perspective. If you haven't read any of Hollie's books; you need to grab a copy now! I would definitely recommend this book to all ages. It is rated NA, but that is because the characters are in their 20's. There is some cussing, but no F-Bomb and slight impressions(Some hints at sexual activity, but no detail). Great job, Hollie!