4 STARS | SILVER: Acheron (A River of Pain) by Keira Michelle Telford

Title: SILVER: Acheron (A River of Pain)
Series: The Amaranthe Chronicles #1
Author: Keira Michelle Telford
Age Group: Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopian
Publisher: Venatic Press
Format: PDF
ASIN: B0067YBYU8
Published: November 30th, 2011
Source: FMB Promotions
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★

2342 CE

Dishonorably discharged from the Hunter Division and banished for crimes she did not commit, Silver struggles to come to terms with her new prison-like surroundings: a segregated area of the city called the Fringe District, populated by murderers, thieves and rapists.

Starving, and desperate for money, she reluctantly accepts the Police Division's invitation to enroll in a covert Bounty Hunter program: an initiative devised to infiltrate the criminal underworld of the Fringers, and to force the very worst warrant dodging law-breakers to meet their fate--death.

Unfortunately, Silver doesn't realize that the Police Division is about to up the ante. They need more than little snippets of information and arrests--they need someone to pull the trigger. They need an executioner.

SILVER: Acheron is the first book (a 40,000 word novella) in a 10-book series featuring the character of Ella 'Silver' Cross. Set more than 300yrs in the future, the Silver Series takes place in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world where humans are a species on the brink of extinction. No longer at the top of the food chain, humans are preyed upon by the Chimera--genetic mutants that outnumber humankind 25:1.

***Content advisory: Contains graphic language and violence.***

I really liked the world of SILVER: Acheron. It's very interesting, with the society setup and how it shows the differences in life between those in the Sentinel District and the Fringe District. I was very intrigued by Alice. Who is she? What is she? And Silver is a heroine that I really liked. She's tough, but she's also thrust into circumstances that begin chipping away at her and we see a fragility to her. This is a great read and I can't wait to read the next book.

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Keira Michelle Telford was born and raised in the UK. She spent the early part of her childhood in Worcestershire, before the family moved to Wales where she lived for most of her teenage years. In 2006, she moved to Canada. She currently resides in beautiful British Columbia, where she lives with her husband and 9 guinea pigs.






Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2013 to my book blog, A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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5 STARS | Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Title: Poison Princess
Series: The Arcana Chronicles #1
Author: Kresley Cole
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Urban Fantasy
Elements: Zombies, Psychic Abilities, Magicians
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-1442436640
Published: October 2nd, 2012
Source: The Book Depository
Events: Book Twirps 2013 Read Along Challenge
Rating: 5/5 STARS
Purchase: Amazon

She could save to world--or destroy it. But she can't do either alone. Who can Evie trust?

Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side….

Poison Princess begins with Evie meeting Arthur, a young man with a hidden (from Evie, at least) agenda, and recounting her story from 6 days before the Flash to 246 days after the Flash. There are a couple of things that make this dystopian tale unique. One is that we get to see the events leading up to the apocalyptic event. We see Evie's life before the Flash and the horrific end-of-the-world visions she has. Then the actual event itself that changes the world irrevocably. The other is the use of the Major Arcana of the Tarot. This is something that's never been used before. Evie is a part of a group of teens that represent one of the 21 Major Arcana and have the powers of that character. Evie is the Empress Card. So while there are a few general dystopian elements in Poison Princess, there are many that make this novel utterly unique.

As the Empress Card, Evie has power over plants. She can control them, use her blood to grow them, and she has thorn claws that are poisonous. Though she had visions of the coming Flash, that was not her power, but another Arcana's who wanted her to be ready. Evie is the Card that doesn't attack outright, but beckons her enemies to her and waits for that perfect moment to strike. One thing to watch out for if the Empress's connection to the Red Witch. It's important to Evie's development as the Empress.

Death is an enigmatic Arcana. Not much is known about him. He's very old, 21 centuries to be exact. He's the most beautiful boy Evie's ever seen. (Death always turns out to be incredibly gorgeous, though, doesn't he?). Now this is where is gets a little unclear. The Empress is the Card that Death covets the most. How exactly does he covet her? The relationship between the Empress Card and the Death Card can be confusing at times.

The other Cards that join Evie on her quest are Selena, the Moon Card; Matthew, the Fool Card; and Finn, the Magician Card. Aside from these three Arcana, Evie has met only one other in person so far, the Hermit Card. I won't say who the Hermit is so that it's not spoiled for readers. Out of these four, Evie is closest to Matthew. She only just met him in person, but feels are very strong bond with him. Besides Evie, Matthew is my favorite Arcana so far in the series.

One thing I'm really curious about concerning the Arcana is what the rain does, how it's supposed to affect them. According to Matthew, the rain weakens Evie, or the "good" Cards, and strengthens the "bad" Cards, like Death. Clouds on the horizon are a bad omen for Evie and her group.

Outside of all things Arcana is the relationship between Evie and Jackson. Before and After the Flash, they are at each other's throats. But as they struggle to survive in the newly dangerous and ruthless world, they learn more about each other and slowly grow closer. But when you think that they are finally going to take that last step and be together, something or someone comes between them. Evie and Jackson have a very bittersweet relationship that seems doomed from the start in this first book in the Arcana Chronicles. It'll be interesting to see where things go after the events at that end of this book.

I absolutely loved Poison Princess and I believe that it's a must read for any fan of dystopian fiction looking for something different from the usual in this genre. Kresley Cole did an amazing job writing her first Young Adult series. The Arcana Chronicles is a series that I'm going to be keeping a close eye on.

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Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series and the young adult Arcana Chronicles. She has also written five award-winning historical romances.

Since her first novel was released in 2003, Kresley has published nineteen books with Simon & Schuster and has seen her releases translated into more than eighteen foreign languages. She has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. Two of her favorite places to visit include the rain forests of Central America and the Queensland area of Australia.

Cole’s trademark action, sensuality, and humor are exemplified in her popular Immortals After Dark Series, which revolves around the Lore, a secret stratum of hundreds of immortal creatures--ranging from Vampires to Lykae, Furies to Shifters, and Fey to Valkyrie--that each have their strengths, weaknesses, and age old prejudices against the others. Though they secretly live among humans, they constantly war among themselves, which gives her a lot of material.

In 2007, Kresley won the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA award for best paranormal for her novel A Hunger Like No Other, and in January 2009, she became a #1 New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller with her sixth IAD installment, Kiss of a Demon King. In 2010, Kiss of a Demon King earned Kresley her second RITA award. 2011 brought Cole her second #1 NYT bestseller with Dreams of a Dark Warrior.

She lives in Florida with her husband and far too many animals. She spends any free time traveling and enjoys all things related to boats and water. You can learn more about Kresley at www.kresleycole.com.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2013 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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4 STARS | The Scourge by A.G. Henley

Title: The Scourge
Series: Brilliant Darkness #1
Author: A.G. Henley
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Horror, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
Elements: Zombies
Publisher: A.G. Henley
Format: PDF
ASIN: B0073O59OI
Published: January 31st, 2012
Source: Kismet Book Tours
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★

Seventeen-year-old Groundling, Fennel, is Sightless. She's never been able to see her lush forest home, but she knows its secrets. She knows how the shadows shift when she passes under a canopy of trees. She knows how to hide in the cool, damp caves when the Scourge comes. She knows how devious and arrogant the Groundlings' tree-dwelling neighbors, the Lofties, can be.

And she's always known this day would come—the day she faces the Scourge alone.

The Sightless, like Fenn, are mysteriously protected from the Scourge, the gruesome creatures roaming the forests, reeking of festering flesh and consuming anything—and anyone—living. A Sightless Groundling must brave the Scourge and bring fresh water to the people of the forest. Today, that task becomes Fenn's.

Fenn will have a Lofty Keeper, Peree, as her companion. Everyone knows the Lofties wouldn’t hesitate to shoot an arrow through the back of an unsuspecting Groundling like Fenn, but Peree seems different. A boy with warm, rough hands who smells like summer, he is surprisingly kind and thoughtful. Although Fenn knows his people are treacherous, she finds herself wanting to trust him.

As their forest community teeters on the brink of war, Fenn and Peree must learn to work together to survive the Scourge and ensure their people’s survival. But when Fenn uncovers a secret that shatters her truths, she’s forced to decide who and what to protect—her people, her growing love for Peree, or the elusive dream of lasting peace in the forest.

The Scourge isn't at all like I thought it would be. This isn't you're typical zombie apocalypse-type story. I was really surprised by the twists that took place. The romance between Fenn and Peree was really sweet, too. I loved that they were able to overcome their statuses as a Groundling and a Lofty. There are characters that you love to love, and those you love to hate. A.G. Henley does an amazing job describing the world and she has written a world with a lot of depth. There are still things to be discovered and people to meet. I can't wait for the sequel.

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A.G. Henley is the author of the young adult novel, THE SCOURGE. She is also a clinical psychologist, which means people either tell her their life stories on airplanes, or avoid her at parties when they've had too much to drink. Neither of which she minds. When she's not writing fiction or shrinking heads, she can be found herding her children and their scruffy dog, Guapo, to various activities while trying to remember whatever she's inevitably forgotten to tell her husband. She lives in Denver, Colorado.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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5 STARS | When Copper Suns Fall by KaSonndra Leigh + Guest Post

Title: When Copper Suns Fall
Series: The Lost Immortals #1
Author: KaSonndra Leigh
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Elements: Angels
Publisher: TriGate Press
Format: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B0065QYXQA
Published: September 10, 2012
Source: Reading Addiction Book Tours
Events: Book Tour
Rating: 5/5 STARS
Purchase: Amazon

It has been fifty-five years since the angels of the Apocalyptic War attempted to wipe out humanity. Now a new nation has been built where alchemy is forbidden, and angels fear for their lives as they hide among the mortals.

The city’s leaders share one view on the ancestors of angels: shoot first, no questions.

When her twin brother falls into a strange coma, sixteen-year-old Chela Prizeon vows to discover her role among these exiles, the royal angels known as the Lost Immortals.

Chela’s only hope lies with the mysterious, but infuriating leader of a rebel group. But can she trust this boy, someone who can control her dreams and her heart?

Escape into a world filled with celestial creatures, fascinating villainy, high-stake choices, and forbidden romance.

When Copper Suns Fall takes place in a world that was destroyed when two groups of angels waged war against each other. 55 years after the Tidal Years, in the year 2067, humans have rebuilt, but the angel-bloods, descendants of the angels, have to hide who they are, because any angel-blood and those associated with them are immediately executed.

Although believed to have been extinct since the end of the war, the Caduceans and the Tainteds still war against each other, and one sixteen-year-old girl, Chela Prizeon, is caught in the middle. What is her role in this battle? And will she be able to realize her true power and strength to save those she loves?

This dystopian tale isn't like the rest I've read. I'm used to zombies, demons, and vampires causing the mayhem, not angels. So I really liked this new take on the end of the world as we know it.

Chela reminded me a lot of Dawn in the Darkness Before Dawn series. She's really quite mature for a sixteen-year-old. I loved how even when something completely terrified her, she faced it head on. Chela has a pretty huge responsibility she needs to shoulder as the Epiclesium, a descendant of the First Order of Seraphim. I also loved how determined Chela was to helping her twin brother, Micah. Her love and devotion are admirable.

This world and Chela's life is built on a mountain of secrets. All of the secrets floating around and half-truths really annoy Chela to no end. She doesn't know who she can really trust. These secrets and revelations are what keep readers on their toes. There will be something hinted at earlier in the book and then the revelation, whether true or not, jumps out at you unexpectedly. These secrets were one of my favorite things about this book. I was kept intrigued and wanting more.

There is quite a bit that happens in When Copper Suns Fall and it would be impossible to talk about them all without giving something away, but one thing I can't leave out is the love triangle. Or maybe I should call it the love/hate triangle. And of course Chela is caught in the middle of this too. Guy #1 is Faris, a Caducean demon slayer and Chela's Protector. Guy #2 is Seth, a Tainted masquerading as a Thoughtmaster. Now this is where the love/hate part comes in. I'm not sure I can say that Seth loves Chela, what they have is a little unclear. But Chela definitely loves Faris and he seems so be returning the love, although he hesitates. I'd definitely pick Faris over Seth, but there is something about Seth that is very intriguing. It'll be interesting to see where this triangle ends up.

With everything that happened in When Copper Suns Fall, all the secrets revealed and the ones still in the shadows, I'm really excited to see what happens next.

The Indie Author Survival Guide by KaSonndra Leigh

Hello Everyone,

First I want to say a big thanks to my bloggerly host for having such a cool blog and inviting me here today. What you’re doing for indie authors is a great thing. We heart you forever. Big Smile. Today I want to talk about the journey of the indie author. Mine is kind of just beginning; but I’m still happy to share a few things I’ve learned along the way. Mind you the presentation of these tips is just the result of my experience. It’s not meant to be an actual recipe for success as an independent author. What is working for me, may not necessarily work for the next person and vice versa.

“So how’s the book going?”

That’s one of the most frequent questions I’m asked. It’s also one of the hardest things to summarize in a concrete answer. For an indie author working with a small press, I'd say my sales have been respectable. No, I’m not at the Amanda Hocking or John Locke level, just yet. But I do have a group of fans & readers that are loyal and encouraging. After all, it’s our readers that make us who we are. Oh yeah! And the bloggers. Never forget to mention the bloggers and all of the hard work they do. I’m a part-time blogger so I know how it goes.

In the journey’s early stages, you can measure your road to success on several factors. Or at least, these are some of the indicators I’ve found that many of my indie author friends use to measure the effectiveness of their branding.

1) Traffic increase to your author website: In the beginning, when I first published kasonndraleigh.com (1/2009), I used to pray for one hit per week. Don’t be laughing at me, now. I’d check every day to see if anyone had visited. My twitter account was the same scenario. I think like four followers would trickle in one week at a time. Today, I get almost 8000 hits/month and counting. My twitter popularity rank is at #300,000 versus #30million like the way it was two years ago.

2) Number & quality of members joining your platform: Platform differs according to your genre and classification. Non-fiction writers tend to be more inclined to measure that success on public image. But fiction writers are a totally different gang. The way you present yourself to your readers varies and there’s no set indicator for what makes up a good platform in fiction. So we’ll go with the basics. I consider my platform to consist of Twitter, facebook, goodreads, my book blog, and my writing groups. In those I actually meet with live bodies and do readings and critiques in person.

3) Number of people adding your book "to-read" on Goodreads: I have to mention how it was for me in the beginning of this journey again. I was practically begging for friends. But now, I get almost 20 requests per week on GR alone. These people are telling me they've heard good things about my works from their friends. It's a bit overwhelming but very flattering. Thanks everyone.

4) Sales: Yes, I put this indicator at the bottom of the list for a reason. When you're an indie, it's all about marketing your debut novel during that first year. Find a way to keep your book in front of people during the period where you're working on your second and third books. Or even better, if you can start out with 2-3 books then your readers have instant options right away. Others have found success this way and I do believe it works.

I also notice that the more I promote, the more copies get gobbled up. Being that we indie authors/small presses are in a minority group so to speak, we have to push harder to get our names out there. Some things that are working for me, might not necessarily work for others. But I'm willing to share my tips and help my fellow indie friends out. Participating in blog tours, giveaways, and hops is also another good way to get your books out there before and during your book launch. If you have any more questions about how virtual tours work, I'll be happy to answer them.

5) Fan Clubs. The last strategy but by no means the least important one. They work…big time. If you have any doubts, then know that a group of die-hard fans started the Twilight group on MySpace. Cassie Clare’s fan club known as Mundie Moms started on twitter before they branched out into their own review site. And the Hush Hush club known as Fallen Archangel friended me on facebook years ago. Now they have people overloading their facebook feed wanting to get in the club.

These are just a few tips. I didn’t go into reviews and speaking engagements. I’d like to save those for part two of this post since they could take up numerous pages alone. I hope that you find these tips and pointers helpful in some way. And I wish you much success in all of your literary journeys.

Yours in Prose,

KaSonndra Leigh

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KaSonndra Leigh was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. She now lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina. She likes to write about people doing fantastical things in magical worlds. Her two sons have made her promise to write a boy book next.

She holds the MFA in creative writing, and loves to play CLUE, Monopoly (the Indiana Jones version), and Pandora's Box (good writer's block therapy). She lives in an L-shaped house with a garden dedicated to her grandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies, Venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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3.5 STARS | Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London

Title: Darkness Before Dawn
Series: Darkness Before Dawn Trilogy #1
Author: J.A. London
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Romance
Elements: Vampires
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-0062020659
Published: May 29th, 2012
Source: Library
Rating: 3.5/5 STARS
Purchase: Kindle | Paperback

Only sunlight can save us.

We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall.

After the death of my parents, it's up to me--as the newest delegate for humanity--to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in.

Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever.

Dawn Montgomery lives in a world ruled by Old Family vampires. As the delegate between the citizens of Denver and Lord Valentine, Dawn negotiates the blood supply to the vampires, and ensures the protection of the people living behind the wall. The VampHu Treaty was created to protect the humans within the walled cities, but it also serves to imprison them in those cities. Any vampires within the city are fair game and can be killed by the Night Watchmen. But when Dawn meets Victor, she learns that not all vampires are the monsters she thought they were.

Darkness Before Dawn depicts a world ravaged by war, a war that has left the vampires in charge, and the humans broken, fearful, and angry. Most dystopian worlds I've read about were brought to that state by a zombie attack, so the use of vampires in Darkness Before Dawn was new for me. Another interesting thing about the vampires in this series is that creativity eludes them. In every vampire books I've read the vampires have always been extemely talented ans creative, but not so in this one.

The deaths of Dawn's parents and brother have influenced her view of vampires. She doesn't know how her parents died exactly, only that they were ash by the time the Agency got to them. Her brother Brady's death was more traumatic. A vampire attacked their home and Brady put Dawn in a closet to protect her. His final words to her were, "Don't be afraid of the dark," and then all she heard after that was his screams. So you can see why Dawn views vampires as bloodthirsty monsters. But Victor slowly shows her that not all vampires are like the one that killed her brother.

In the prologue we see Dawn's parents before their eventual deaths and the assassin asking, "Does your daughter have any idea about her true heritage?" This leaves me wondering, is Dawn more than human? Dawn mentions how the sunset calms her. This makes me think that she has some vampire in her. Lord Valentine mentions his other son turning her into what she was always meant to be. What is Dawn meant to be? These questions aren't answered in Darkness Before Dawn, but I hope that was get even just a little hint in the sequel, Blood-Kissed Sky.

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J. A. London is the mother-son writing team of Rachel Hawthorne and her son, Alex London. Rachel has written many novels for teens, including the popular Dark Guardian series. Alex, a recent graduate with a degree in Historical Studies, enjoys combining history and fiction to create unique worlds. The Darkness Before Dawn series is their first joint project.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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4.5 STARS | Circus Summer by Kailin Gow

Title: Circus Summer
Series: Circus of Curiosities #1
Author: Kailin Gow
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Fantasy
Elements: Aliens, Psychic Abilities
Publisher: theEDGEbooks.com
Format: ARC
ISBN-13: 978-1597480352
Published: July 2nd, 2012
Source: Kailin Gow
Events: Book Tour
Rating: 4.5/5 STARS
Purchase: Kindle | Paperback | B&N

In post-apocalypse America, every season, the Circus of Curiosities visits the city, bringing with it the most fantastic circus acts that are beautiful, majestic, curious, and death-defying. Every season performers for these acts are chosen from the young men and women in each town, trained, and sent to perform in a live grand performance, performed literally to the death. Two performers from Sea Cliff, a beach town at the outskirts of The Center find themselves chosen to be in this Summer's Circus Act. Both must win at any cost, but could they ignore their feelings for each other? Leela Sinclair needs to win in order to get to The Center where she can get medical help from the best physicians for her ailing mother, plague with a condition no one have heard of. For Zachary Nile, his reasons for becoming a performer at the Circus is more mysterious. Only the ringmaster and the Circus of Curiosities owner Dex Hightower (Dr. Dex) knows what the touring Circus is really about amidst the magic and splendor. Despite the Great War and the poverty surrounding the land except for the towns fortunate enough to be near the Center, Dr. Dex and the Circus performers all know, "The show must go on."

Leela Sinclair desperately wants to leave her small beach-side town for a better life in The Center and medical help for her ailing mother. When the Circus of Curiosities comes to town Leela, though hesitant at first, sees her chance to make it to The Center. Leela signs up as a volunteer performer, but when training begins she starts seeing signs that the Circus may be more dangerous than it appears to be. With help from fellow performer, Zachary, the boy she's been crushing on for years, they make it through each performance even as the others suffer life-changing injuries and horrible deaths. Leela knows that she'll eventually have to go up against Zachary and as the final curtain rises on the Circus of Curiosities, it's not only Leela's life at stake but her heart as well. But as all performers know, the show must go on.

The prologue to Circus Summer gives us a brief glimpse into the Circus of Curiosities and what to expect. It's not your average circus with clowns, acrobats, and animal tamers (though they are there to save face). There is something more sinister about this circus. The performers are dying and the spectators keep coming back for more, as if unfazed by these horrible acts. What could these young men and women want bad enough for the slim chance of making it to the grand performance in The Center? Exactly who is Dr. Dex? And what is the true purpose of his circus? We learn that and more as the story progresses. But let me tell you, it's not what you expect.

The alternating POVs of Leela and Zach add depth to the story. I always enjoy reading stories from multiple perspectives. This gives insight into other characters and the choices that they make that we might not receive otherwise. Most of Circus Summer is told from Leela's POV and every once in a while we'll see from Zach's POV. Zach's perspective shows us a different world that Leela doesn't know about and secrets are revealed. Though I liked reading from Leela's perspective, I would have liked to see more from Zach's.

I like stories that make me literally feel something, kind of like a song that you can feel in your very being, and what I felt from Circus Summer was intensity, desperation, and fear. But in Leela and Zach I could feel a hope, a white light that shines through, and possibilities of a better future.

I found Circus Summer to be a very interesting and intriguing tale. I can't wait to read the sequel, Circus Autumn, to learn more about the war, the Invaders, the Circus, and the future of this series world and inhabitants.

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Kailin Gow is the author of over 100 books, with the majority of them for young adults. Her most popular series are: The Frost Series, PULSE Series, Desire Series, Wicked Woods, Steampunk Scarlett Novels, and more. A full-time author, she is also a producer, having worked in radio, television, and film. She grew up in Southern California, lived in Texas and England, and had traveled extensively around the world.




Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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5 STARS | Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield

Title: Hunted
Author: Cheryl Rainfield
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Suspense
Elements: Psychic Abilities
Publisher: WestSide Books
Format: eBook
ISBN-13: 978-1934813621
Published: December 15th, 2011
Source: JKSCommunications
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★★

Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where having any Paranormal power is illegal. Caitlyn is on the run from government troopers, who can enslave, torture, or even kill her, or make her hunt other Paranormals. When Caitlyn settles down in a city, she falls for Alex, a Normal (someone without Paranormal powers), which is dangerous because he can turn her in. And she discovers renegade Paranormals who want to destroy all Normals. Caitlyn must decide whether she's going to stay in hiding to protect herself, or take a stand to save the world.

In a world full of fear and hate, Caitlyn and other Paranormals are persecuted for their abilities. On the run since the Riots that took her father and brother from her, Caitlyn only has her mother. When they finally settle in a city, it's one of the most dangerous towns they could have chosen. What Caitlyn doesn't expect is the support she gains in Alex and Rachel. And when someone from her past resurfaces, Caitlyn's going to need all the help she can get.

In quite a few dystopian stories I've read with supernatural elements that paranormals are out in the open with acceptance or mild persecution., but in Hunted the persecution is anything but mild. The world of this book is brutal; Paranormals are enslaved, beaten, killed, and even forced to turn on their own if they want to live.

I admired Caitlyn's strength in the face of adversity and her determination to do what's right. Even when she's pressured by her long-lost brother to help in a revolt that would turn the persecution on to the Normals, Caitlyn refuses to cause that kind of pain for someone else, even a Normal. She knows that not all Normals hate Paras, which is evident in her friendship with Alex and Rachel.

Something that I really enjoyed in Hunted that made the story unique was how it was sibling VS. sibling. It's not very often you see siblings fighting such a deadly battle against one another. Caitlyn's fight with Daniel is really bittersweet and emotional.

Hunted is chock-full of action and emotion. I really loved this book and I think that with the way it ended it could easily be made into a series. I'm left wondering what kind of changes were brought about by the events at the end of Hunted.

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I love to read. Books nurture me, helped me survive the abuse I endured as a child and teen. I also love to write. I write fantasy books and edgy, realistic fiction for teens.

My fantasy books often hold hope that I need, and feel others might need, too, while my realistic fiction is gritty, intense, and emotional. All of my books have fragments of the abuse I experienced. I write about some of the harsh things teens go through...things that I think shouldn't be hidden. But I also write about healing, hope, and love, and finding courage and strength.

In SCARS (WestSide, 2010), Kendra must face her past and stop hurting herself before it's too late. It's my arm on the cover. There's a lot of me in SCARS; like my main character, Kendra, I am an incest survivor, I used self-harm to cope, and I'm queer. In my teen paranormal fantasy/dystopian, HUNTED (WestSide, Oct 2011), Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where that is illegal, and she must choose between saving herself or saving the world. Like Caitlyn, I know what it's like to have my life threatened, to face oppression, to experience torture, and to break free from cult or from a group of oppressors. And I know what it's like to have to decide between hiding my true self or being who I am, even if that means danger to myself. I drew on my experience with cults and ritual abuse in creating the world that Caitlyn lives in.

In STAINED, my upcoming YA novel from Harcourt (2013), Sarah, who has a port wine stain and some body image issues, is abducted and must find a way to rescue herself. Like Sarah, I was often imprisoned for long periods of time as a child, had my life threatened, and had to rely on my own strength to survive.

Books were my survival during my childhood, and my journey into myself. Books give me hope. I hope mine will give you hope, too, or something that you need.

Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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4.5 STARS | Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Title: Dearly, Departed
Series: Gone with the Respiration #1
Author: Lia Habel
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Science Fiction, Steampunk, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Dystopian, Horror
Elements: Zombies
Publisher: Del Rey
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-0345523310
Published: October 18th, 2011
Source: Library
Rating: ★★★★.5

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead - or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria - a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible - until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead - and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

In Dearly, Departed, Lia Habel has created a unique dystopian world with a supernatural twist. The old meets the new. The past meets the future in this world where society has regressed and technology has thrived.

A hundred and fifty years earlier, the world went through an apocalypse of ice, pestilence, famine, and ash. Entire nations ceased to be, war broke out, and those who survived migrated south. After years of rebuilding the people never forgot the past and soon became more old-fashioned. Conservative clothing, polite etiquette, respect for elders, and the understanding of your social station became the norm. Violence and crude behavior is frowned upon. When it came to structuring their society, the people chose the Victorian era for its civility, order, and prosperity. They saw it was a Golden Age, but refused to see the dark side because they wanted peace, tranquility, and beauty. And for a while it was so, that is until the Punks showed up. They protested everything from the aristocracy to the advancement of technology, arguing that the New Victorians have forgotten the events of the past and would bring destruction upon the world once again.

This is such a unique world that Lia Habel has created. I love learning about history and I like that she chose to take society backward in time instead of into a futuristic time, though there are future advancements she included in her New Victorian world. Practically everything is digital--every citizen has a chip in their wrist, there are holograms, digidiaries, even the carriages are electric. It's a mish-mash of the past and future. But no matter how pretty the outside looks the ugly side cannot be completely hidden.

Nora Dearly, though small in stature, more than makes up for her childlike appearance with her intelligence, stubbornness, and bravery. Unlike most heroines, Nora does not accept the supernatural element of the story--the zombies--right away. She takes time, and locking herself up in a room, to wrap her head around what can't even be possible. And when she finally feels she's safe to come out, she approaches the situation--and the zombies--with caution. And though she's a skilled guns woman, she knows her own strength and leaves the fights she can't win to the trained professionals. Nora's love and loyalty are unmatched. She'd risk her very life to help those she loves, and she'd never abandon them in their time of need.

Bram Griswold is...well...dead. Captain--in name only--of Z Company, Bram holds the respect of all the undead in the unit. For a zombie he's pretty good-looking--in fact, he's practically perfect, except for the whole being dead thing. No missing body parts, full head of hair, and no one can help but swoon when he wears his "sexy clothes." Bram is honest, noble, and more alive than most living people, for someone who's dead. He's very self-aware, he knows his situation and accepts it for what it is.

The love story of Nora and Bram is not instantaneous. It grows over time, and is one of the most honest and pure love stories I've ever read. They both understand the difficulties a relationship between them will have. They know they can't have a forever and just want a right now. It's a bittersweet love story that can't end any other way but in heartache. But the fact that they can love each other despite the differences between them and want nothing more than now together is what makes this a true love.

ZOMBIES! But there's a very big difference between the good and the bad. The bad zombies are your typical animalistic and cannibalistic nightmares. The good zombies are those like Bram, Chas, and all those in Z Company. They maintain their sanity, their selves, and are able to function as they normally did...mostly. Their resilience and strength make then beautiful in a way that the living cannot achieve. And they want, more than anything, for a vaccine to be found so others don't have to suffer as they have.

I love how this book is written from alternating points of view. Most of the story is told from Nora and Bram's respective viewpoints, but interspersed through the book are viewpoints from Captain Wolfe, Dr. Dearly, and Pamela. This adds a depth to the story that a book from only one perspective just doesn't have. The morbid sense of humor the characters use to joke about the macabre world surrounding them actually takes some of the dark, doom and gloom out of the atmosphere.

With the mixed reviews I read for Dearly, Departed I wasn't sure if I would like this book, but once I started reading I really enjoyed it. I love the writing, the storytelling, and the world. The characters are believable and feel real--even the zombies. The romance is sweet and pure. Everything just worked for me in Dearly, Departed. I can't wait to see what happens in the sequel, Dearly, Beloved.

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I'm an author, and consequently spend the majority of my days locked up in my own head. When I'm actually actively participating in the groundbreaking experiment in groupthink known as "reality," you'll find me designing and sewing costumes, trying to teach myself to play roller derby (I do not tackle pedestrians, contrary to popular belief), planning trips, and watching zombie movies.





Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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4 STARS | Blood of the Wicked by Karina Cooper

Title: Blood of the Wicked
Series: Dark Mission #1
Author: Karina Cooper
Age Group: Adult
Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopian
Elements: Witches, Magic
Publisher: Avon
Format: Mass Market Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-0062046857
Published: May 31st, 2011
Source: Library
Rating: ★★★★

When the world went straight to hell, humanity needed a scapegoat to judge, to blame . . . to burn.

As an independent witch living off the grid, Jessie Leigh has spent her life running, trying to blend in among the faceless drudges in the rebuilt city. She thought she was finally safe, but now she's been found in a New Seattle strip club—by a hard-eyed man on a mission to destroy her kind.

A soldier of the Holy Order, Silas Smith believes in the cause: trawling the fringes of society for the murderous witches who threaten what's left of the world. Forced into a twisting web of half-truths and lies, he has to stay close to the most sensuous and electrifying woman he has ever seen and manipulate her into leading him to the he witch he has to kill: her brother. Silas doesn't know that Jessie's his enemy, only that he wants her, needs her, even as he lies to her... and must protect her until his final breath.

Characters

After her mother's murder, Jessica Leigh spent her life on the run, raising her younger brother, Caleb, hiding and learning how to lie. And she has become very good at it. With the possibility of being caught by the witch hunters, she's become wary and mistrusting of those around her. Though, when she meets Silas, even as she knows nothing will change and it will only end in heartbreak, she begins to trust and care for him.

As a missionary of the Holy Order, Silas Smith believes in the cause and his duty to rid the world of witches. And he has seen some of the most monstrous acts done for their rituals. These acts help fuel his belief and desire to fulfill his duty. When he meets Jessica in his mission to find and kill her brother, Caleb, he doesn't know that she's a witch, as well. But he begins to trust and care for her. And when he finally finds out that she's a witch, too, he needs to decided between his duty to the Holy Order and his love for Jessica.

Caleb Leigh is a soothsayer, someone who sees visions of the future, whereas his sister is a seer of the present. When he sees a vision of Jessica's death, he decides to leave her and tells her not to look for him. He joins a coven hoping to eventually bring it down, but in the process has murdered many to gain the power he needs to do so. These acts bring him to the attention of the missionaries of the Holy Order.

Theme

Can love exist in a world that is truly hell on earth?

Blood of the Wicked has the theme of love lasting in a seemingly impossible situation. It's been used in many classic tales , as well as newer stories, so we're quite familiar with it. In Blood of the Wicked, we have the impossible situation of a witch hunter, bound by belief and duty, falling in love with a witch, the sister of the witch he's on a mission to kill, in a world that wants to destroy them both. They both have enemies on both sides closing in on them. What will ultimately decide the outcome is the hunter's choice between his duty and the woman he loves. Will he kill her or save her life?

Plot

The world of this book, as well as some of it's inhabitants, is shrouded in mystery. There's about five paragraphs that tell us a little about the world of the story. A number of disasters ravaged the planet, bringing about destruction. Before the quake that devoured Seattle, witches weren't completely accepted, but they didn't have to hide, either. But once the Holy Order took charge to bring the world to order, with the aid of the government and the Mission, the witch hunts began. What caused the destruction? What exactly is the Holy Order? We know that the Mission was once an extremist terrorist group before the quake, but what was their mission and why did they join with the Holy Order?

Even some of the characters have the shadow of mystery over them. One in particular is our main male character, Silas Smith. We learn a little about his past when he tells Jessie about his first mission, and in an off-hand comment that he never knew his mother, but that's about it. What I really want to know is how he injured his knee.

The main plot is told from the alternating perspectives of Jessica Leigh and Silas Smith as they try to locate Caleb Leigh and survive enemy attacks. But there is a small sub-plot narrated from Caleb's point of view. We see his interactions with the Coven of Unbinding, and his own secret strivings for more power. Whether his want for power is really as unselfish as he claims is up to interpretation. Eventually, the main plot and the sub-plot merge toward the end.

Setting

There are two main settings in this story. There is New Seattle, which Jessica describes the structure as being built like a "layer cake." And then there's Old Seattle, which is the ruins of Seattle before the quake, a mass tomb for those who never made it out.

The lower levels of New Seattle are where the dregs of society dwell. It's like one big red light district. It's a place where the sun rarely, if ever, shines, and the perfect place to go if you want to hide. The upper levels of New Seattle are where the rich, privileged, and powerful make their home. On the very top of New Seattle is the Glass City. To many, the Glass City would be awe-inspiring, but for those in the lower levels, it's just a reminder of what they don't have. And for witches it represents their death.

Old Seattle is located deep within the trench created when the San Andreas Fault split and swallowed the city. It's a mass tomb for the two million plus who couldn't make it out of the city. It's dangerous and unstable and avoided, unless you have a death wish. But what Jessie finds there makes her feel an indescribable joy. In the forgotten city that should have abandoned all hope, the earth is reclaiming. Moss and roots are overtaking and bringing the city life again.

There is a sub-setting that takes place at Matilda's home. It's a secret sanctuary that only Matilda knows that way to. The only thing we know about the location is that it's in the trench somewhere. The sanctuary is a beautiful place with hot springs and flowers not seen in New Seattle. A truly mysterious and awe-inspiring place that is a true oasis for those Matilda allows entry. There's only one rule in Matilda's home: lies are not tolerated. And you are to never reveal it's existence to anyone.

My Final Thoughts:

I gave this book a 4 out of 5 because I truly loved it. I like stories where love is tested. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. Add to that the supernatural element of witches, the historical element of the witch hunts, and a dash of dystopian rule, and you've got a really entertaining story.

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Born from the genetic mash-up of lesser royalty, storytellers, wanderers and dreamers, Karina Cooper couldn't help but be a writer. After writing happily ever afters for all of her friends, she eventually grew up (kind of) and fell in love with paranormal romance. Because, really, who doesn't love hot men and a happy ending?

When she isn't writing about murder and mayhem, Karina designs Steampunk and neo-Victorian couture for gentlemen hobbyists and ladies of questionable reputation. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with a husband, four cats, one rabbit, the fantasy of a dog and a passel of adopted gamer geeks.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2011 to my book review blog, Zodiac Book Reviews.

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