Autumn by Sierra Dean

This story was exceptionally short so my review won't be as long.
Cover:

Rating: 3stars

Plot:  The plot was fun and interesting. I found that it was a bit like Shiver but with coyotes, It still was good but lacked originality. I will pick up the second one because of the massive cliff hanger. Curiosity killed the cat, as they say. I felt it was very short and was glad I got an ARC because of how short it was would have been a waste of my money. Try combining them to make one big book? I don't know. All I do know is I would have been pissed to have bought it and it been that short.

Characters: They characters were good a bit boring and predictable but still good people. There was insta love but for a book that short it was necessary. I didn't get too emotionally involved with the charterers because we don't learn enough about them to feel anything deep. In the beginning I really didn't like Lou. She was summed up a list of the three worst things:

"If Eloise (Lou) Whittaker had to narrow down the worst things ever in her life to a list, the top three would go as follows:

3) Uncooked chicken. When it's all, like, pink in the middle? Gross.

2) Her father dying. Which was really tied for number one with . . . 

1) Moving because her dad died."

To me that seems shallow and I wasn't the only one who felt that way. I agree, though, that after the first chapter things got sooo much better. It still wont make my all time favorite reads shelf but it is still good enough to pick up the sequel.

Ending: The ending was a huge WTF moment. I felt like I was asleep and in the huh moment.

DID THAT REALLY JUST HAPPEN!?
Why yes, yes it did.
So yeah cliffhanger that was a bit hmm cliche but meh I can deal.

Good book, good writing, good enough to pick up the sequel.

Arc provided in exchange for an honest review.

Share and comment, subscribe.

~Cat

Selling Scarlet by Ella James

Cover: 

The cover is beautiful and probably one of the reasons I requested an ARC.  I will have no gifs because I am completely serious in this review and feel as if the book wasn't good enough for my time.

Quotes:

“I'd gotten my first glimpse of Elizabeth DeVille. She'd had her hair in a pony-tail that stuck up off the side of her head, and she'd been wearing short red shorts and a light blue tank top with a whale on it. “You like whales?” I'd asked her when I finished with the car. Her face had gone all soft and pretty, making me feel more like one-hundred-and-three than the twenty-three I was, and she'd shrugged. “Yeah, but not a lot more than any other animal. I just like saving things.” 
― Ella James, Selling Scarlett

“I can see the exact moment he realizes what I've been doing. His torso stiffens as his hands, pressed against the mattress, curl into big fists. He makes a low, approving sound and speaks in a voice that sounds like molten lava. "That’s so sexy.” 
― Ella James, Selling Scarlett

Rating: 1 star

Plot: I really wanted to like this book and I really tried to but I couldn't. I'll put up the synopsis. 

Elizabeth DeVille doesn't belong at a party like this - one where the gowns cost more than her Camry and cigars run higher than her grad school utility bills. Dragged out of seclusion by her best friend Suri, Elizabeth is merely playing dress-up, rubbing elbows with a crowd that banished her troubled family years ago.

Hunter West is tired. Tired of parties, tired of pretending, and tired of trying to right a wrong that haunts him every day. Bourbon heir and professional poker player by day, by night Hunter is gambling with his life in a high-stakes game of crime and blackmail. 

When Elizabeth stumbles into Hunter's den of vices, she's a light in the darkness, a flame in the void. And, just like everything he touches, Hunter mars her in a record time. To rectify the damage done, Elizabeth needs money she doesn't have, and she's come up with a foolproof way to get it.

Follow Elizabeth - code-named Scarlett - to the lush Nevada brothel where she'll auction her virginity and risk the only thing that's not for sale: her heart. The highest bidder is a familiar face, with wicked hands and the devil's mouth. And a secret so dark that it could cost her life.

So completely disregard that because it isnt really what the book is about...well it is but it makes no sense, is disturbing, and is boring. The plotlines were confusing and some completely unnecessary. We meet random characters who never had anything to do with much and could've just been left out. The insta love was terrible and the love interest disturbing. He is scary and unbalanced and so is the MC. They have back stories we never learn about both have severe mommy issues which never get solved. The whole time I was reading I kept getting bored and paid more attention to finding spelling errors. We also NEVER see anything. Its sooo much telling and NO showing. This story had me severely disappointed because it could have been so good but the was it was executed and written flopped. The author brings up so many controversial issues and never goes anywhere with it. Uhhh, okay. Honestly I kinda skimmed most of the book as soon as I found out a college student decided the smartest thing to do to get money was to sell her virginity. Is that even legal? We are talking about the United States in Las Vegas. The have brothels, prostitution, and some other severely illegal things going on. And no cops are snooping around and even interview some of the prostitutes that live in a R rated playboy mansion. No one is suspicious? No goes hmm this seems wrong or off?? Completely  lacking realistic scenes. Terrible read and as mentioned before highly disturbing.

Characters: The MC "Libby" whose real name is Elizabeth is poor even though she has her own bottled water company? Uhhh to be heiress of bottled water in an adult book? Okay, I guess. So apparently she was fat and then lost weight? I'm not sure. Honestly I can't even tell you anything about her because we learn nothing about her except maybe she is a creepy stalker and has twisted logic. Her decisions are all over the place and so are her emotions. I can't understand why she wants Hunter because that guy is a sicko. Hunter is whipped in the book has random sex with people, and has mommy issues because that's apparently why he is having sex with this porn star. His logic seriously makes no sense.  

Someone on good reads put this up saying this is what she understood and honestly I have to agree.

1. Hunter got framed for something and was having nasty sex with the woman who framed him.
2. Elizabeth has a fight with her friend and he runs off and gets into an 'accident', but his parents don't want to pay for his care so she comes up with the idea of selling her v-card to pay for it.
3. While Elizabeth is 'training' at the brothel, Hunter continues to have the nasty sex with the woman while investigating what's going on.
4. Hunter buys Elizabeth's v-card for $10 million (*rolls eyes*), but doesn't cash it in right away (*facepalm*).
5. After he does cash it in Elizabeth is captured and held hostage.

And she is right. I had no clue whatsoever what was happening who was blackmailing who and why. It all was just a pile of unexplained crap. 

We meet her best friend Cross who I liked probably because he was in a coma the while book and didn't speak.  We also meet her other best friend Sari? Sara? something with an S who apparently has money but doesn't use it because Libby says she wants to sell her V-card. WTF. Who wants to do that. She says she is sick of being a virgin. But at the end of the book when she is taken hostage the one dude says how much she will sell for and is making it out to be a lot because she's hot. But at the beginning she says she is fat or was fat...Look, heavy curvy women are beautiful but if she is so sexy wouldn't she have men up her but left and right? No? I just don't get the authors logic. At all. 

I also wish i knew this was erotica because it was mentioned no where but even still it wasn't all to bad except for the nasty sex scenes. No way were they even hot. They actually turned my stomach and I skipped them when I saw that that's what we were on. 

Writing/Syntax: Terribly annoying, so many mistakes. Made no sense. There were whole paragraphs that I wondered why they were even in there because they had nothing to do with anything.

Romance: Sucked. I already explained it up top so I'm just going to go with, nauseating.

Ending: It was stupid and relieving because at least it ended. I hated this whole book and the best part was the acknowledgement page. 

If you still want to read this after this review then I strongly recommend it for  18+. But I wouldn't waste my time. 

Arc provided in exchange for an honest review.

Share and comment, subscribe...you know the drill.

~Cat

Wrecked by Priscilla West

Cover:

My reaction to the cover and hot guys:

Me when I see a hot guy. 

Anywayyy...

Quote: "There's no Rocky montage for overcoming obstacles in life.Not for me.  Or anyone else.  I've seen the best fall.I've seen my own dad lose after fighting so hard,struggling for so long.  Can't you see, Hunter?It's not that I don't want to get hurt.  It's that I can't.If I do, it's over.  It's all over for me."

-Lorrie

Rating: 4 stars

Plot: I not gonna summarize cuz I'm lazy. 

But here is my opinion. I loved it. It was sexy and interesting and truly heart stopping. My face the whole time reading was like...

It was like AHHHHHH! and then WTF!!! and Then AHHHHHH! And then ohhhh no she didn't.

But anywayyyy....again....

Characters: I will start with Hunter 'The Hammer' because yum.

Pretty damn close. So Hunter is that bad boy who sleeps around (apparently) and who is up front NO RELATIONSHIPS...until Lorrie. Lorrie is broken having a dark terrible past she doesn't want or need the drama a relationship brings. 

(I stole these character pictures from someone on goodreads because they nailed how i pictured them so Thanks!)

Lorrie gets to be a bit annoying but you can understand why and sympathize. She doesn't want to get hurt.

Writing/Syntax: The writing was great for an ARC and really there was like no spelling mistakes and some minor grammar ones. But all in all the story was well shaped and fast paced that flowed nicely.

Romance: HOT! Like steamy go get a cold shower hot. And did I enjoy reading those romance scenes because some were so sweet others were FIERCE! and hot and sexyamazingpantydroppinglygreat...you get the picture. Let's just say NO ONE under 17 should read this...ever. I don't even care if you are mature please dont corrupt your young innocent mind...but since I already did it was...mmmhmmm. 

Ending: CLIFF-FREAKING-HANGER!!!! I need the sequel like NOW!

Because Mrs. West how could you do that to me!!!!!

Jk. Kinda....

But anyway I may have gone a bit gif crazy...just a little...okay more than a little...okay alot gif crazy but they all rock right? 

Arc provided in exchange for an honest review.

Share and comment, subscribe...you know the drill.

~Cat

Endless by Amanda Gray

Cover:

Quote: “I know." He leaned back, looking into her eyes. "But I'm not going anywhere, Jenny. I'll fight to stay with you.” 

― Amanda Gray, Endless

Rating: 3 stars

Plot: Jenny Kramer knows she isn't normal. After all, not everybody can see the past lives of people around them.

When she befriends Ben Daulton, resident new boy, the pair stumble on an old music box with instructions for “mesmerization” and discover they may have more in common than they thought. Like a past life.

Using the instructions in the music box, Ben and Jenny share a dream that transports them to Romanov Russia and leads them to believe they have been there together before. But they weren't alone. Nikolai, the mysterious young man Jenny has been seeing in her own dreams was there, too. When Nikolai appears next door, Jenny is forced to acknowledge that he has travelled through time and space to find her. Doing so means he has defied the laws of time, and the Order, an ominous organization tasked with keeping people in the correct time, is determined to send him back. 

While Ben, Jenny and Nikolai race against the clock - and the Order - Jenny and Nikolai discover a link that joins them in life - and beyond death.

The plot was interesting and unique. I can say that there was a small plot hole but other than that it was great. The plot doesn't drag and it leaves you guessing until the very end. I am hoping there will be a sequel because there were several loose ends left to fend for themselves.

Characters: The characters were good and grew nicely. Jenny is a fun character that all girls can relate to. She's quick and intelligent. Its so refreshing not to have some idiot being like, "What? Where? Who me?" Which gets like super annoying and luckily she's not like that. Ben was a good character I'm so happy there wasn't a love triangle. He is like her bestie even though his tendencies to douchery. Nikolai is interesting and hot. He is mysterious. The only thing I can't stand is insta-love...which happens here with Nikolai.

Writing/Syntax: It didn't have many if at all spelling errors. It also flowed well and was easy to understand. 

Romance: One word: insta-love. As i already said it had it. It was still a good book but just a but less believable. The romance is cute and sexy.

Ending: The ending was open leaving me to believe a sequel is in the works. I definitely recommend this for 14+ due to some cursing and some steamy but not naked scenes.

Arc provided  in exchange for an honest review.

Please share and comment. 

~Cat

Defy by Sara B. Larson

Cover: 

Quote: “I couldn't breathe. I wanted him to keep touching me; I wanted to feel his whole body against mine again. But Rylan was here. Rylan was listening. Rylan, who had cared for me all along.

"Thank you," I said, my voice unsteady, and somehow I made myself move and turn away from his touch to stare at the tent again, my heart hammering. Rylan's back was still turned to me, but I could see how stiff he was, as if every muscle in his body was clenched.
"I hope you are able to rest well Alex," Damien said.
"You too," I said, making myself close my eyes, to pretend I was going to sleep. But inside, I thought, Rest well? Is he serious?
It was going to be a long night.” 
― Sara B. Larson, Defy

“You're perfect," He said roughly, cutting off my protest. "And if I had to do it over again, I would save you every time." His mouth closed over mine and there was no more thought. No more worry. No more pain or loss or fear. There was only Damian. His arm tightened around me, crushing me to him. I clung to him as his lips moved on mine with a need and hunger that nearly overwhelmed me.” 
― Sara B. Larson, Defy

Rating: 4.5 stars

Plot: A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

The plot was exciting and fast paced. We were always guessing who can be trusted? Why are these strange things happening? Who really is the prince? And who will Alexa end up with? The ending pissed me off but in a totally good way if you get me. The story flowed easily, I didn't get bored and it's a unique story.  Plot was great.

Characters: Alexa is a strong, believable lead. She is honest and very teenager like. Her outside is nothing like her inside. She has to wear a mask and pretend to be a boy but when she lets herself lift the mask we see a beautiful young girl who grows up magically (not literally). Here ending was beautiful and fitting. I loved her character. Rylan is one guy of the love triangle (its not a traditional love triangle there is a clear owner of Alexa's heart) who is strong and Alexa's shoulder to lean on...kinda. He kinda becomes a douche for a bit. He isn't the one I wanted her to end up with. I am Team Damian. And speaking of Damian is a strong love interest and he is very mysterious and secretive. He doesn't tell Alexa certain things which strains their relationship. And it's all very believable and well written.

Writing/Syntax: This is why the book doesn't get a 5 stars. The writing was great and minor spelling and grammar errors but there was a tiny problem that needs pointing out. I will say this now I hate historical romances. The talking annoys me and it just is hard to follow sometimes. So with saying this 'error' I have to say I liked this in the story but other readers didn't and it is a major plot fail. The time seems to be set in times where there is not lights because they mention candles and they have to walk to different countries and such so you would think they would speak in post modern tones right? Wrong. They speak like I do now. I saw maybe one or two attempts to have the right speaking habits. So that was a bit annoying to other readers. I was happy because of that error but as a reviewer I have to point it out.

Romance:  The romance was good. It was natural and felt like it was written well. I recommend this for 13+ but there really isn't anything I felt was inappropriate. The ending will make you mad though. FYI.

Ending:  There were no lose ends and it ended on a believable, happy note. I loved this story. I think it was amazing and was something different. And everyone knows I like different. I can say it did remind me of Mulan and I love Mulan so I may be biased. Lol.

So i just wanted to say at the end that I am going to start to do meme's and and giveaways.  I'm so excited to expand and get more notice.

Arc provided by Scholastic Press thru NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It comes out January 14th, 2014.

Thanks y'all,
Cat

The Secret Life of Amy Benson by Lisa Renee Jones

I'm not gonna go through all my usual things because I really am behind on blogging and this book wasn't that good. For people who liked 50 Shades of Grey you might like this. Me, not so much. I loved 50 Shades of Grey and this seems to be a sad attempt to usurp it. It had lots of sex, no real plot and has an annoying as hell MC. For those who liked this book, that's great but I found I was sorely disappointed. Though before people start saying the second one was better, it wasn't. Because I bought that one and was like sooo we learn nothing else about Amy or her family or her life or Liam or well anything remotely having to do with the plot or characters. No one develops and Amy is a sad example of a strong independent woman saying how she needs Liam. Look, I get you life sucked but suck it up, seriously. The whole wishy washy I cant make up my mind was annoying and boring. I give this 0 stars because yeah it was just that bad, but hey, on the bright side if you like porn and people tying people up and kidnapping them and abusing them then go get this book.
I was given and ARC for an honest opinion. I was in no way bribed (obviously) or forced to give my opinion in any way.

Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Cover:

The cover is beautiful. Naturally. I have been more impressed but I still think the cover is beautiful. There is no significance of the cover that connects to the book.

Quote: "I had loved him since the moment he’d taken the pudding from me. When my father had announced on Dez’s eighteenth birthday that he supported a match between us, I’d never been happier than I was in that moment. I was young. And stupid. When Dez had disappeared the very next day, I experienced a heartache that I thought would swallow me whole and never spit me out. He’d been more than a crush. He had been my best friend, my confidant and my world.” 

― Jennifer L. Armentrout, Bitter Sweet Love

Rating: 4 stars

My Thoughts

Plot: The story was an opening to The Dark Elements Series which sets up the world for the main books and characters. It was about 100 pages and left me begging for more. A lot more. We follow and beautiful Jas through this novella and she is captivating. She is like many other of Jennifer's characters in her series. They are all strong, determined, and handed a bad hand of cards. They all somehow have impossibly bad luck which is good for readers but bad for the characters. The only thing I was upset with was that Jas seemed like a watered down version of Alex. Not that that's really a bad thing just a bit like fitting into the mold if you catch my drift.

Characters: Jas was likable and relate-able. She was a bit of a rebel but knew when to stand down and let things she couldn't handle be...well, handled. If that makes sense. Dez was hot but since this was a novella I can never get all too attached to the characters because I feel as if we don't learn enough about them to really connect. Did I like them? Yes. Were they well written? Sure. Did I love them? Sadly, no. My favorite character has to be Herbert. I hope we see him again because I fell instantly in love with the demon. He kind of reminds be of the demon from The Demon Trapper's Daughter series that Riley keeps around. Loved it.

Writing/Syntax: The writing was good a few spelling errors and a few words stringed together in one big large word. Someone did point out to me and I now take this into consideration when reviewing that when going from print to digital there are bound to be mistakes that the computer makes or misunderstands. So that is my only true critique.

Romance: The romance was good and engaging. It got hot but not too steamy which I hope changes throughout the rest of the series which will focus on Layla who we met in the book briefly. 

Ending: I hate to say this but the end disappoints which i knew it must to kick off the start of an amazing new series because we don't find anything out really we just get the world setup. It's an interesting and creative world which sounds fascinating and awesome. White Hot Kiss will kick ass which all Jennifer's books do. Truly excited to hop on to another roller coaster ride series. 

Recommend this for 14 + due to some sexual situations but has NO SEX. Refers to it though, young readers be advised.

Comment and pass along. Thanks readers,

~Cat

Grasping at Eternity and Taking Back Forever by Karen Amanda Hooper

I am doing a double blog since these are the first and second installments to the series. I am going to warn my readers now there will be **SPOLIERS** so stop reading if you don't want to ruin the books. First up is Grasping at Eternity.

Cover:

I loved as always that yes the cover has meaning in the book. Maybe not anything all that important but still referenced in it. They say not to judge a book by its cover but I am going to be honest and say i usually choose my books first by the cover. I found this to be no exception. I love this cover. I think it was stunning and had meaning so 5 stars for cover.

Quote: “If you love someone, put their name in a circle; because hearts can be

broken, but circles never end.” 
― Karen Amanda Hooper, Grasping at Eternity

Genre/Rating: 4 stars -- Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy

My Thoughts

Plot: The plot was unique. I felt at times it was confusing and a bit overwhelming but it is better explained farther into the book without sounding repetitive.  I found this book entertaining and a good read. It took me several hours but that was because I kept having to reread the parts that were hard to understand. The family is large and hard to keep track of too but will pick up easily if you don't try remembering them from their past lives. Remember them in the now. 

Characters: Maryah is a bit hmm how do you say? Annoying and oblivious. In the second book it actually becomes a joke that i will mention in the review. I liked her character but I couldn't help but feel a bit put off with her selfishness and immaturity. She does go through a horrible ordeal but I felt that it made her act like a brat and whine. She is selfish and annoying at times but got sooo much better by the end of the book. She became a strong character and a good role model. Now when I think about Nathan I hated him from the beginning. He also becomes so much better by the end but in all honesty he is an asshole at first but I think with a good reason because Maryah is annoying as hell at first. The adoptive family is probably the best part of the story. I loved how close they were and their interactions. I LOVED CARSON! He was the one who was always about to smack Maryah. Character development seemed to be the main purpose and I'm glad they both developed into better people.  I also think the villain at the end was kinda obvious but also not realistic because it wasn't set up right. 3 stars 

Writing/Syntax: They writing was was pretty much flawless. I saw no spelling errors but the diction could have been better and the paragraphs were sometimes spaced weird and maybe to long. But besides that, the rest on the book was pretty much flawless. 5 stars

Romance: The romance was slow and a bit unnerving with River. I think it took too long for the two MC's to get their heads out of the sand but was still cute and sweet.

Ending:  The ending was good and strong with no real cliffhangers but I still wanted to pick up the sequel just to see things finally come together. 

Recap of What I Didn't Like:

The characters were slow and a bit stupid at times. 

The plot was slow.

The romance was creepy with River and nonexistent with Nathan save for a few short scenes that got ruined which was quite unbelievable and annoying. 

The book was good but not great which it could have been because of the great ideas. I just wish things were executed better.

I recommend this book for 13+ with no real cursing or sexual activity that I remember. It is classified as a young adult.

Overall the book was good enough to make me curious for the next book which is where I will continue my review. Taking Back Forever, was much better. I feel as if the author was just scratching the surface with the first book and with the sequel smashed through the ice with phenomenal success. 

Cover:

I like the cover, really I do. But I felt is was lacking what the first one had with symbolism. The heart in a cage doesn't really make sense since **SPOLIER** she remembers her love for Nathan. That left me lacking. I thought maybe the cover was for Harmony who shares with Maryah as narrator. I felt a bit baffled but was happy to see more peacock feathers. 

Quote: “When you heart and soul are in it, making love is not just special, Maryah-- it's magical.” 

― Karen Amanda Hooper, Taking Back Forever

“Dear Judy Blume, why didn’t you write a book about how to survive talking to your centuries-old, super-duper experienced, smoking-hot soul mate about sex for the first time ever? That book would have been extremely helpful in preparing me for this incredibly awkward situation.” 
― Karen Amanda Hooper, Taking Back Forever

Genre/Rating: 4 stars -- Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy

Plot: The sequel was amazing. It made me so happy I had started the Kindrily Series. It moves with a fast pace and always keeps you interested. I loved Harmony's POV  because she brought a toughness to the story and a side we really didn't understand came into focus. I was shocked by how much different it was from the first and was pleasantly so. There was a part right in the beginning with Carson and a snow globe that just made my life and I related to. I definitely want to shake people. I liked the villain idea and how there was actually some action that wasn't just in the first 20 pages. I was pleasantly surprised with this sequel that just blew me out of the water and had some major twists. I liked how things that we assumed we pointed out and corrected like how Mary (Maryah) was killed in her previous life but had some mystery as to how and why. 5 stars

Charaters: I loved Maryah this go. I felt she developed and matured but still acted like a teenage girl. Like when her and Nathaniel talk about sex it was awkward! Its supposed to be awkward! Other books make it seem like it so easy to talk about and really downplay the importance of talking about things like that. I loved that scene. Maryah still makes some mistakes and unnecessarily blames herself but luckily she learns from them rather than whining about it like she did so frequently in book 1. Harmony the other female lead blew me away. She was kinda downplayed in book 1 and we didn't really learn much about her other than the fact that her soul mate was taken.  She was tough yet soft behind her facade of hardness. She made some selfish decisions that I felt I would have done too if put in her place. She was easily relate able and likable. I usually get pissed when POV changes in books because that wasn't who I read about in book 1 and I am happy to announce this is an exception. I liked Harmony's voice and I liked her power. Talking to dead people, can anyone say Sixth Sense? But in all seriousness her power proved to be useful and not all that far fetched like some authors do these days. The family was better explained and we get to know them better through both POV's. Nathaniel  isn't on my Swoon List but he is a very likable male lead and has a whole new side we didn't really see in book 1. Nathaniel was sweet, sexy, and very patient. I think guys can look at this dude for a reference because he really became a great strong character that gave our female lead so much more depth and confidence. 5 stars

Writing/Syntax: The writing was the same as before and all errors I had founded before were corrected.  5 stars

Romance:  This is where the fan base will get mad at me. I loved the romance and luckily I'm an 18 year old girl who has read some adult book with lets say adult content. I feel this was really close to crossing a line into adult territory. I wish she would have gone on way or another because the romance get hot. Like no clothes hot. And again that's fine for an 18 year old, but when it comes down to it this is a YA and those scenes were way to much for a 13-15 reading this. I was kinda disappointed how well Nathaniel seemed to have all the control. We need more female leads to take control in the bedroom and be feisty. And after saying that they didn't have sex but there still were racy scenes that should have made this a New Adult book rather than a YA. On another note the romance was sweet if maybe not all that believable it still struck a cord in my female heart. This is the reason the book only gets a 4 stars total because the romance was NOT meant for YA. 3 stars for romance.

Ending:  I loved what the author did for the ending. I have never come across another author who did this and that made me even more happy to share this. The author wrote two endings. Yes folks, two endings. I don't want to call the second one an alternate ending because it is more of a continuation of the first ending. The first ending is sweet with no cliffhangers and while the author asked not to share the details of the other ending in hopes of it not getting ruined for people who chose not to read on I will abide by her wishes and just say that the continuation left me like this:

I can't wait for book 3. I got up, ran to my calendar and wrote it in for April 2013. Yep April. My reaction:

Maybe it was a bit less dramatic but still left me heartbroken to wait but as they say: "The longer the wait the better the book."

What I Didn't Like:

The romance.

The wrong age category. 

The wait until book 3 comes out.

I recommend this book to OLDER TEENS and NEW ADULTS above ***16+*** not young teens because they shouldn't read things like this. 

Overall this book was well worth my time and almost tears. I will be waiting for book 3. Again this book only gets a 4 due to romance and age problems. I recommend it but it wasn't one of the best books ever.

Thanks for reading as always, 

~Cat

P.S. Sorry for the length :)

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Book: Sentinel

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout a.k.a J. Lynn

Quote:

Genre/Rating: Paranormal/Romance/Fantasy/Action

Recommended if you like: Richelle Mead, C.C. Hunter and really any paranormal authors

First I want to say how glad and sad I am for this finale of an amazing series. This series is so unique and special I just had to blog about it. I recommend this series to all my friends and even to people I don't know.
I want to start of by saying every word, every character, every book is written in pure perfection and lands itself as my second favorite series which I will say is a feat. 5 amazing stars to Jennifer L. Armentrout a.ka. J Lynn for her adult books and to the Half Blood series for a job well done. And before I get to far ahead of myself here is the summary:

It's a beautiful day for a war. As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all. And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time. In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant Series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear... or the end of herself.
http://www.amazon.com/Sentinel-Covenant-ebook/dp/B00GD9F59S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383534009&sr=1-1&keywords=sentinel
That is the Amazon Kindle Link.

My Thoughts

Let me say one more thing: THIS IS THE FINAL BOOK IN THE SERIES!!!! You must read the first book and work through or you will understand nothing. For more details look at my first blog which is on the FIRST book in the series. Okay, then. Let's begin.

Plot: What is truly amazing about this series is how well the plot carries. There are 5 books to this series and when I picked up Sentinel I hadn't read the book before it (Apollyon) in quite some time so I was expecting to have to look back and think when did this happen? Well guess what, i didn't. Not once, which is the first time EVER that i didn't have to look back in a series and be like "Ohhhhh! That's what the author is talking about!" I was so excited by this fact so i told a friend who said the same thing. They plot never leaves you bored with everything that goes on there is no confusion or lag. The plot also keeps you so interested I guarantee you will be reading until the wee hours of the morning and even though you know you should stop you won't because you just need to know what happens. The story focuses on children of the Gods which is something you really don't see often but I wish we did. Plot: 5 stars.

Characters: Alex. Anyone who loves that tough as nails, bad girl who really is kick-ass and amazing then you will love Alex. I might love her even more than Rose Hathaway my number one Book List holder. Vampire Academy is holding on by that only its spin-off is great too but for a side note to fans Ms. Armentrout is giving a big announcement November 16th and I believe it will be a spin-off series with Seth (who I will get to later) as the MC. But that's just me speculating, I'll let you know after I go if its true or not. So anyway back to Alex. She is hilarious and wild but also soft and relate-able. I need to be able to relate to the MC and Alex even through crazy sh!t that she goes through is 100% completely relate-able to. Also Alex is the lovable main character who has such amazing character development though the novels as she deals with sacrifices and hardships and she always comes back on top. I also love that she doesn't whine about poor me and I hate my life. She knows how to fight and man, she fights. Alex is very independent and strong which I think a lot of girls can learn a thing or 20 from her.

When their is a strong female lead there must always be a strong male lead, and boy do we get a strong, really, really, really hot male lead. Aiden. One line from him and you will be swooning in love. He is Alex's medium and rock though this story. By God, I want me an Aiden. (I'll have overnight shipping Ms Armentrout, thanks) He always says the right thing and he always is there to pick Alex up when she stumbles. I LOVE HIM!!! He beats Dimitri Belikov hands down. Yeah girls I said it. Hands. Down. 

There is another male lead and I hate love triangles like all the rest of us but in this I never really felt like it was a love triangle. Yeah there were "Scenes" but i always felt like it was more of of a friendship to Alex than it was for the other male lead. The winner of the best friend/enemy is Seth. Let me start off saying that Seth, you, sir are an asshole. But somehow Ms. Armentrout makes you love him anyway because of how dimensional he is. I have to say it was a tough call who I wanted Alex to end up with at first but I am happy nonetheless. Seth's development was probably the most drastic and the most heartwarming. He seems so human despite his special-umm-ness. He was the most relate-able believe it or not because of his flaws and mistakes. We all make mistakes and have to live with them and I think Seth is the perfect example of character development. I really hope I am right about the spin-off series with him as the MC because I will be ALL over that. Seth is definitely one of my all time favorite book characters of male and female leads.

Jennifer L. Armentrout gives the perfect cast of characters that you will laugh you ass off, cry your eyes out  (especially that one), and wanna punch someone with (which Alex does often). The characters really do make the book and these were truly perfect in their unperfectness. 5 stars for Characters.

Writing/Syntax: The writing was perfect and the syntax was easily read and understood. I only have a tiney, tiny issue and that would be I saw some minor but obvious errors. I believe I picked out about 3 to be exact in this book and more in the others and I except that from self publishers(actually their errors are horrendous) but not an author with a publishing company behind her but as a true editor at heart the errors I saw were obvious and painful. I wish I didn't have to point that out and say the book was perfect but then I would not be doing my job as a reviewer. The errors should have been seen and corrected but I am happy to announce that was the only flaw I saw. But sadly still 3 stars (because they were so glaringly obvious I had to deduct 2 stars) for Writing/Syntax.

Cover: I had to write about this last because all the covers were so beautiful. Sentinel's cover was no exception but i felt like this cover really related to the story with the emptiness and soul looking smoke on it. (I am trying to keep spoiler down to a minimum.) This cover really made me gasp and fangirl because I knew it was connected to the story. So without further ado here is the cover:

Stunning. Absolutely perfect.
Cover gets 5 stars.

Overall the whole book still gets 5 stars even with my 3 stars for writing/syntax. I definitely recommend buying this series and I can guarantee 9 out of 10 people will love it. Above is the link for the Kindle version but you can go to her website and buy the hard copy. It was my favorite book of the series and an amazing end to an amazing series. Everything gets wrapped up in a nice, perfect little bow.
Sentinel gets 5 stars and the whole series gets 5 stars.
Job well done Ms. Armentrout, job well done.

~Always,
Cat
P.S. Feel free to comment but please be kind and courteous to one another and speak opinions in kind words. Please no cussing. Also put your opinion on the book because i would love to read it. :* Thanks!