Prompossible Plans {by Laura Pauling}

Title: Prompossible Plans

Author: Laura Pauling

Series: Prom Impossible, #2

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Received from author

Follow Cassidy’s senior year from the perspective of Zeke, Jasper, and Michael as they fight their own battles, make mistakes, and fall in love with the same girl.

My review of Prom Impossible here and Covert Kissing here.
 

A book from the guys' perspective? Count me in! If you read my review of Prom Impossible, then you know I thought it was SO cute. I loved Cassidy's antics, but I know we were all thinking…what, exactly, were the guys thinking through all of this?? Well, now we get to know! This story spans the same amount of time as Prom Impossible, ending on the same scene (albeit from a different perspective). Zeke takes the first part, Jasper has the middle part of the story, and Michael finishes us off. I actually started this, and then went back to reread Prom Impossible so that all of the events would be fresh in my mind. 

Zeke: This was cute. We know from the reformed bad-boy persona that Cassidy sees that there is way more to this boy than meets the eye. Here, we get to see Zeke's initial thoughts about Cassidy as well as their time together in the Adventure Program. It was an interesting perspective. We truly get to see all sides of Zeke and what he's going through, as well as his backstory. 

Jasper: This one was my favorite. Jasper has so many sides to him, and let's face it, they weren't all positive. I enjoyed getting to see his perspective, on why he agreed to the fake dating with Cassidy etc. We also get to see him interact with his family and little siblings which was adorable. I really liked getting to see Jasper from his own perspective. I just wish we got a few more events from his POV, like when he was being a complete jerk. AND we finally get the story behind the moccasins ;)

Michael: Although Michael was Cassidy's fixed obsession in book 1, we didn't really get to know much about him. Well, he really is a super-geek. I didn't feel that connected to him. I do appreciate getting to know him more and what he was thinking, but I don't know, I couldn't really muster up any sympathy for him. 

All in all, this was a cute and perfect companion to Prom Impossible. I enjoyed getting to see the story through their eyes. Although there were a few events I would have rather seen from a different perspective, it flowed well and I enjoyed it. 

 

This review can also be found on   

Laura Pauling:

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads

Love Unexpected {by Jody Hedlund}

Title: Love Unexpected

Author: Jody Hedlund

Series: Beacons of Hope, #1

Genre: Christian Historical fiction

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Received via NetGalley

All she's ever wanted was a home. But stranded at Presque Isle port after their steamboat sank, Emma Chambers and her brother, Ryan, couldn't be farther away from security. While Ryan at least can find work, Emma can't even find a place to stay. An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper, who recently lost his wife and is struggling to raise his young son, arrives in town. A traveling preacher believes they might be the answer to each others' problems, and after a hasty marriage, Emma is headed back to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger.

But nothing in her wandering life has prepared her for suddenly being asked to raise a child and keep a house. Struggling at every turn, Emma also suspects Patrick may be keeping something hidden from her. In town she hears whispers about strange circumstances surrounding his previous wife's death, and it seems as though Emma's answered prayer for a home and family may actually be something much more dangerous.

Back in January, when I was off from school, I had a Jody Hedlund binge-read. I don't know what happened, as I usually don't read this type of book. But I do enjoy Hedlund's books, and so also gave this one a try. And I did enjoy it.

I don't know, arranged/convenience marriages in books have always kind of fascinated me, I think because it's so not what we're used to. A part of me wonders if any of this would actually happen, but at least it's enjoyable to read about.

Emma just wants to marry and settle down, have a family. But her life has been one of wandering, never staying in one place long enough to attract suitors. When she and her brother are stranded, Emma has no place to stay and no way to earn a living. The solution? Marry this guy who is currently burying his wife, the lighthouse keeper with a young son. So, Emma goes with them, but she has no idea how to keep house, cook, or take care of a young child.

I loved Emma, and felt sorry for her at the same time. She was easy to relate to, and was very realistic. At the same time, caring for a 2-year-old is hard work, and she has no idea how to do it. She feels inadequate, and embarrassed that she can't do these simple things, and you feel for her and with her. But thankfully, Patrick is kind and used to taking care of everything anyway (can you imagine how bad of an idea this would be if Patrick wasn't nice?) and doesn't expect too much of her. Not to say that Emma was lazy, because she definitely wasn't.

There was a lot of suspense and mystery with this one as well. Trying to figure out exactly what Patrick is hiding and how everything ties together. I was definitely intrigued for the whole book, needing to know what happened next.

This was a great book. I loved the characters, and the story (and of course the little boy! He was the cutest.) It will definitely keep your interest, and you will fall in love with the story.

This review can also be found on   

Jody Hedlund:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

The Secret of Pembrooke Park {by Julie Klassen}

Title: The Secret of Pembrooke Park

Author: Julie Klassen

Genre: Christian Historical/Regency fiction

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Received via NetGalley

Abigail Foster fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms and the one man she thought might marry her--a longtime friend--has fallen for her younger, prettier sister. 

When financial problems force her family to sell their London home, a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play . . . 

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem to know something about the manor's past, the only information they offer Abigail is a warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure. 

Hoping to improve her family's financial situation, Abigail surreptitiously searches for the hidden room, but the arrival of anonymous letters addressed to her, with clues about the room and the past, bring discoveries even more startling. As secrets come to light, will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?

I don't usually read regency fiction, but Julie Klassen has hooked me from the first book of hers I ever read, and her books have never disappointed. This was no exception. I loved it from start to finish, and it kept me enthralled the whole time.

This one was filled with more mystery and intrigue than most of her others. One of the reasons I love her books is because of the twists and turns that keep you guessing, that I don't see coming. I'm not saying some things aren't predictable, after all she does get her influence from classics, but there have been many a time when I didn't know what was going to happen or was surprised.

Abigail Foster's family is seeing some financial hard times. Forced to sell their house to downsize, they are not sure what to do, until a strange man comes to them with an even stranger proposition: his employer has offered them use of Pembrooke Park, which has sat idle for 18 years, abandoned under mysterious circumstances. The offer is almost suspicious, but as her sister still expects to have her season in London, Abigail and her father agree. But, everyone around the house is guarded and suspicious, refusing to tell Abigail anything, except to warn her about any visitors named Pembrooke.

I liked Abigail. She was hard-working and kind. Although she had a bit of a martyr complex about her--oh, my sister is so much prettier than I am and no one notices me and everything is my fault--I liked that most of the book was actually set with her at the manor by herself, because we really got to see her, not her under the shadow of her sister. Abigail really shines, becoming more comfortable with herself and learning how to manage a household. 

Although I am usually not a fan of love triangles, I enjoyed both the boys in this one. Before William became a key player, I was kind of hoping that Gilbert would show up and something would happen between them. But by the time Gilbert did show up, William had already won me over. And honestly, I didn't like Gilbert for Abigail for this point. I like the best-friends-from-childhood romances, but that wasn't the case here. 

But those weren't the only secondary characters that I liked. I loved all of them really. Leah, Mrs. Webb, and trying to figure out how they all worked into the big picture. What they were hiding, what they knew.

There was a lot going on in this one. Not to the point where you were so confused it took away from the joy of reading, but enough that it kept you intrigued the whole time. But I also loved how everything tied together. Nothing happened that didn't somehow play into the story later. And I loved the way it all came to conclusion. 

I'm pretty sure this was one of Klassen's best yet. Or at least, one of my favorites so far. It is slightly longer than her others, and although it felt like it at the beginning, the end flew by. I cannot recommend it enough.

This review can also be found on   

Julie Klassen:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Trading Secrets {by Melody Carlson}

Title: Trading Secrets

Author: Melody Carlson

Genre: Christian YA fiction

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Received from publisher

Back in fifth grade, Micah Knight got an Amish pen pal, and over the years, they've exchanged many letters--and many secrets. At age seventeen, Micah finally has the chance to meet her pen pal face-to-face. The only problem is that because of confusion about her name when the pen pals were assigned, her pen pal was a boy, Zack Miller. And all this time, Micah's never told Zack that she's actually a girl! While she wants nothing more than to experience life on Zack's Amish farm, she's afraid he'll hate her for deceiving him all these years. But she makes up her mind to face the music--and that's where the fun really begins. 

Bestselling author Melody Carlson brings young adults another fascinating tale of worlds colliding, secrets being revealed, and friendships forming. Teens will love this story of miscommunication and mishaps along the way to the truth.

I don't read Amish books as a rule of thumb. I don't understand this Christian fiction trend of being obsessed with the Amish, and I don't partake in it. But when I saw this blurb, I was intrigued. I had to know how it played out, and I've read quite a few Melody Carlson books, enough to know that I liked her writing, and decided to give this one a chance. 

This one was interesting, to say the least. If you know anything about the Amish, then you should know enough to know that boys and girls mixing is no bueno. Which is why Micah hid the fact that she was a girl once she was old enough to understand their culture. But now that she has the chance to meet him face-to-face, she doesn't know what to do.

This was a fun story. I had a point, that I said if Micah didn't tell them she was a girl, then I was going to stop reading. But she does tell them, and I kept reading. And it was interesting. I did enjoy the culture, and the differences between Amish and the English. But we also got to see both sides, from Micah going there and liking it, to Zack wanting to leave the farm and go out into the world. Both sides were represented, and there wasn't a bias of which one was better.

Micah enjoyed her time at the farm, even with Zack's mother hating her, and I felt both Micah and Zack learned a lot from the experience. Zack's siblings were adorable as well. This was a fun and entertaining story, and I am definitely happy with the way everything worked out.

This review can also be found on   

Melody Carlson:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

A Most Inconvenient Marriage {by Regina Jennings}

Title: A Most Inconvenient Marriage

Author: Regina Jennings

Genre: Christian historical romance

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Received via NetGalley

Having fled a difficult home life, Civil War nurse Abigail Stuart feels like her only friend in the world is sweet but gravely wounded patient Jeremiah Calhoun. Fearing he won't survive, the Confederate soldier's last wish is that Abigail look after his sickly sister at home. Marry him, return to his horse farm, and it'll be hers. 

Left with few choices, Abigail takes him up on his offer and moves to Missouri after his death, but just as the family learns to accept her, the real Jeremiah Calhoun appears--puzzled to find a confounding woman posing as his wife. Jeremiah is determined to have his life back to how it was before the war, but his own wounds limit what he can do on his own. Still not fully convinced Abigail isn't duping him, he's left with no choice but to let the woman stay and help--not admitting to himself she may provide the healing his entire family needs.



This was a cute, fun story. I don't usually read historical fiction, but I was engaged and engrossed the while way through this one. But the story had its serious moments as well, not all fun and games.

Abigail marries a dying Jeremiah Calhoun, with the promise to take care of his mother and sister. After his death, she journeys to his farm and begins to care for the horses and his ailing sister. That is, until the real Jeremiah Calhoun shows up--definitely not dead. Jeremiah came home after the war as a cripple, his only thoughts being of wooing his love that he left behind, not expecting to find himself supposedly married.

Abigail and Jeremiah butting heads definitely made this a fun read. It was humorous to see them arguing and both being stubborn. Abigail is definitely a strong woman, one that could hold her own. After being run off by her family, she's hurting, but won't let anyone know, her only thoughts of helping others. Jeremiah might seem rude and prickly on the outside, but he has a kind and caring heart. He's lost everything because of the war, and is just trying to do right by his ma and sister.

This book definitely touched on its serious moments, giving perspectives on the Civil War from both sides, and what is was really like after the war, with people still on different sides. It was well-researched and definitely gave the feel for what life was like back them.

This story will definitely keep you entertained. It does not lack for happenings, as something new is always happening to keep your attention, or to keep you smiling. I loved seeing the two of them finally realize how they felt about each other, but not know what to do about it. But our two main characters also grow in the story, showing how much depth there is to their characters.

This was definitely a fun, entertaining read. It took me no time at all to finish, and is the perfect light and fluffy read for when you need something to up your spirits.

This review can also be found on   

Regina Jennings:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

{Blog Tour} Review: A Life, Freed by Tracy Hewitt Meyer

Hey guys! Today, I'm back on the A Life, Freed blog tour with my review of the final book. You can check out my review of Book 1: A Life, Redefined here and Book 2: A Life, Forward here.

Title: A Life, Freed

Author: Tracy Hewitt Meyer

Series: Rowan Slone, #3

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

On her own for the first time, Rowan Slone is no longer waiting for the future. She’s living in the present, and relishing every minute of it. She has a new boyfriend. She is helping best friend, Jess, raise her five-month-old son, Jacob. And she continues to work as Assistant Manager at the animal shelter-all while settling into her first semester of college. Rowan’s stars are aligned and she’s not looking back.

But all is not as golden as it seems. Being a young mother is too much for Jess to handle, leaving Rowan to shoulder much of the burden of raising Jacob. Trina becomes involved in a religious cult causing Rowan to fear she may have lost her sister forever. And her mother has a new psychiatrist whose goal is to get Rowan into therapy, forcing her to deal with her mother, and the past, once and for all.

Adding to the rising turmoil, Rowan’s first love, Mike Anderson, returns, and wants to see her. She is surprised how much she wants to see him too. But his sudden reappearance makes her wonder if there is room in her future for the boy with the pine-colored eyes or is it too little, too late?

As the winds begin to stir, threatening to send Rowan’s carefully-built life into a tailspin, she must search deep inside herself to discover what she truly wants. Will soul-searching help her achieve that elusive sense of peace and family she’s always craved or will the pain of the past prove too great?

This review may contain slight spoilers for book 2

I thought this was a great conclusion. I had gotten attached to Rowan, and was curious as to how her story would end. Rowan his been through a lot in the last two books, and the only thing I could think when starting this one was how much more can she possible go through?

Well, the answer is a lot. Rowan is trying to get past everything that happened. She still refuses to see her mother in jail, or associate with Trina, but she's forgiven her father, graduated high school, gotten a scholarship to college, and rents out an apartment with her best friend Jess. Except, neither Jess nor Rowan is really able to handle caring for a 5-month old baby. Jess starts leaving more and more responsibility to Rowan, who is stressed out enough being a student and working.

For one thing, I wanted to slap Jess upside the head so many times. Rowan's anger at her was definitely understandable. I can relate to how hard college classes are, and how much time they take. Rowan tried to do what she could, but there still was a point when Jess was expecting too much from her.

And while there technically was a love triangle, there didn't feel like on. Rowan is dating Shane, but he's never really there. A few times they meet up, sure, and Rowan talks a lot about how much she really does like him (is she trying to convince herself?) but he wasn't a very involved character. He was very flat, and I felt like I didn't know him, and so choosing between him and Mike was no big deal. But Mike definitely made up for the jerk he was last book. We got to see a new and different side of him, one that was like the awesome person he was in book 1.

But most of all, Rowan grows. She goes through so much, after thinking that everything was over and past her. But she learns to deal with it, to take time for herself, to be her own person. From book 1 to this final book, Rowan has progressed so much, but she also progresses in each individual book.

And I thought the ending was perfect for the story. Realistic, and really the only way to end after something like this. There was a lot to tie up, but it came together and I thought this was the perfect conclusion to the series. Although I'm sad to say it, good-bye Rowan Slone.

This review can also be found on   

The Author:

Tracy Hewitt Meyer:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Tracy Hewitt Meyer is a multi-genre, multi-published author of new adult fiction as well as adult paranormal and contemporary romance. She has a B.A. in English and a Master of Social Work, both of which feed her true passion-a love of writing. Born and raised in the beautiful state of West Virginia, Tracy now lives in the mid-east with her family, a goldendoodle, and a bearded dragon.

(5) ebook copies of A Life, Redefined (Book 1) by Tracy Hewitt Meyer

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Exquisite Captive Blogger Caravan Relay GIVEAWAY! [CLOSED]

Hey guys! Today, I am so excited to be the next stop on the Exquisite Captive giveaway relay!

Friday's Winner from A Glass of Wine: Meghann Marie Martinez

(Congrats! Check your email later today for an email from Kathy)

 

The 411:

 

If you don't know what is going on, every(week)day until December 4, there will be a different daily giveaway for a hardcover of Exquisite Captive. It can't get much better than that! For all the deets, watch this handy dandy video.

 

 

The Book:

 

Forced to obey her master.
Compelled to help her enemy.
Determined to free herself.

Nalia is a jinni of tremendous ancient power, the only survivor of a coup that killed nearly everyone she loved. Stuffed into a bottle and sold by a slave trader, she’s now in hiding on the dark caravan, the lucrative jinni slave trade between Arjinna and Earth, where jinn are forced to grant wishes and obey their human masters’ every command. She’d give almost anything to be free of the golden shackles that bind her to Malek, her handsome, cruel master, and his lavish Hollywood lifestyle.

Enter Raif, the enigmatic leader of Arjinna’s revolution and Nalia’s sworn enemy. He promises to free Nalia from her master so that she can return to her ravaged homeland and free her imprisoned brother—all for an unbearably high price. Nalia’s not sure she can trust him, but Raif’s her only hope of escape. With her enemies on the hunt, Earth has become more perilous than ever for Nalia. There’s just one catch: for Raif’s unbinding magic to work, Nalia must gain possession of her bottle…and convince the dangerously persuasive Malek that she truly loves him. Battling a dark past and harboring a terrible secret, Nalia soon realizes her freedom may come at a price too terrible to pay: but how far is she willing to go for it?

Inspired by Arabian Nights, EXQUISITE CAPTIVE brings to life a deliciously seductive world where a wish can be a curse and shadows are sometimes safer than the light.

My review can be found here.

   

The Giveaway:

 

And I'm sure you just want me to get to it, right? First, the FINE PRINT:

This giveaway will end at MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

The winner will be announced tomorrow over on the Book Rat, so stay tuned.

This giveaway is US only.

The winner's name and address will be given to the author, who will pass it on to the publisher. Expect your books to arrive around mid-December.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Blog Tour} Review: A Life, Forward by Tracy Hewitt Meyer

 

Hey guys! I'm here today on the A Life, Freed blog tour. I'll be reviewing the second book in the series, and then will be back on Tuesday with my review of the third book. You can read my review of the first book, A Life, Redefined here.

Title: A Life, Forward

Author: Tracy Hewitt Meyer

Series: Rowan Slone, #2

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Her father is gone. Her mother is in jail. And Rowan Slone has left her dysfunctional, violent past behind. With college looming on the horizon, she has a new job that she loves, and a safe place to call home. She is close to achieving everything she ever wanted-a sense of family, a sense of purpose, and a sense of self.
But there are cracks in Rowan's life that threaten to send her future crumbling to the ground. When her relationship begins to suffer, her father returns and her long-held secret is discovered, Rowan must find the courage to fight for the most important thing yet-herself.

I enjoyed this book. I liked Rowan in the previous book because of what a strong complex character she was, however, I did not see that as much in this one. Rowan has been through some horrible things, but she is trying to move on and get through them. Which is a long process. But Rowan makes it through and by the end, I was happy.

My biggest issue, I think, how Rowan was so obsessed with Mike. Like, she always needed him. And I get it, the long distance is hard and she never gets to see him. And I know how much he helped, how much he meant in the last book. But her neediness bordered on unhealthy, and prevented Rowan from finding herself.

To make things worse, her sister Trina is acting up, her friend Jess shares some shocking news, Rowan is starting to feel like an outsider in the Anderson's home... and then her father comes back. And wants to see her. I did feel like there were maybe too many things thrown in this one, but it wasn't overpowering.

I was riveted, though, always needing to know what happened next. And I loved how Rowan grows and changes with this one. How she learns to find herself and live her own life. Outside of her screwed up family, outside of Mike. Rowan has spent a lot of time, I felt like, looking to the circumstances to make her feel whole and complete, but she finally gets that only she can do so.

Coming off of what Rowan has been through is a healing process, and I do think that was showcased. Rowan constantly feels like she's not making any progress, but she learns that's just how it goes. She isn't completely better by the end of the book, but she's getting there.

This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster. And I can't wait for the next book.

This review can also be found on   

 

Book 3:

On her own for the first time, Rowan Slone is no longer waiting for the future. She’s living in the present, and relishing every minute of it. She has a new boyfriend. She is helping best friend, Jess, raise her five-month-old son, Jacob. And she continues to work as Assistant Manager at the animal shelter-all while settling into her first semester of college. Rowan’s stars are aligned and she’s not looking back.

But all is not as golden as it seems. Being a young mother is too much for Jess to handle, leaving Rowan to shoulder much of the burden of raising Jacob. Trina becomes involved in a religious cult causing Rowan to fear she may have lost her sister forever. And her mother has a new psychiatrist whose goal is to get Rowan into therapy, forcing her to deal with her mother, and the past, once and for all.

Adding to the rising turmoil, Rowan’s first love, Mike Anderson, returns, and wants to see her. She is surprised how much she wants to see him too. But his sudden reappearance makes her wonder if there is room in her future for the boy with the pine-colored eyes or is it too little, too late?

As the winds begin to stir, threatening to send Rowan’s carefully-built life into a tailspin, she must search deep inside herself to discover what she truly wants. Will soul-searching help her achieve that elusive sense of peace and family she’s always craved or will the pain of the past prove too great?

The Author:

Tracy Hewitt Meyer:
 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Tracy Hewitt Meyer is a multi-genre, multi-published author of new adult fiction as well as adult paranormal and contemporary romance. She has a B.A. in English and a Master of Social Work, both of which feed her true passion-a love of writing. Born and raised in the beautiful state of West Virginia, Tracy now lives in the mid-east with her family, a goldendoodle, and a bearded dragon.

(5) ebook copies of A Life, Redefined (Book 1) by Tracy Hewitt Meyer

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Exquisite Captive {by Heather Demetrios}

Title: Exquisite Captive

Author: Heather Demetrios

Series: Dark Caravan Cycle, #1

Genre: YA Fantasy

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Received from publicist

Forced to obey her master.Compelled to help her enemy.Determined to free herself.Nalia is a jinni of tremendous ancient power, the only survivor of a coup that killed nearly everyone she loved. Stuffed into a bottle and sold by a slave trader, she’s now in hiding on the dark caravan, the lucrative jinni slave trade between Arjinna and Earth, where jinn are forced to grant wishes and obey their human masters’ every command. She’d give almost anything to be free of the golden shackles that bind her to Malek, her handsome, cruel master, and his lavish Hollywood lifestyle.Enter Raif, the enigmatic leader of Arjinna’s revolution and Nalia’s sworn enemy. He promises to free Nalia from her master so that she can return to her ravaged homeland and free her imprisoned brother—all for an unbearably high price. Nalia’s not sure she can trust him, but Raif’s her only hope of escape. With her enemies on the hunt, Earth has become more perilous than ever for Nalia. There’s just one catch: for Raif’s unbinding magic to work, Nalia must gain possession of her bottle…and convince the dangerously persuasive Malek that she truly loves him. Battling a dark past and harboring a terrible secret, Nalia soon realizes her freedom may come at a price too terrible to pay: but how far is she willing to go for it?Inspired by Arabian Nights, EXQUISITE CAPTIVE brings to life a deliciously seductive world where a wish can be a curse and shadows are sometimes safer than the light.

I loved this story. I have been so not-so-patiently waiting for this one, and I am so happy that it did not disappoint. It was a beautiful story, intricate and detailed.

I will say, this one took me a while to get into. The world building in this one is very detailed and intense. There were still parts throughout the book where I was confused, but I personally just have trouble remembering lots of details. But I loved the world building. I am a fan of all things ancient Arabia and such, and while Arjinna is a whole other world, it was very similar to that. The culture was very exquisite and beautiful and I loved hearing about it.

Nalia is the last of her particular kind of jinni, the most powerful kind. She has disguised herself as a weaker kind of jinni to save herself, but nothing can save her from her cruel master, Malek. Until Raif, the leader of the revolution tells her he can free her. For a price. The only thing that keeps Nalia going is that she needs to free her baby brother, and so she agrees.

Nalia isn't your normal character. She can be cruel and vicious to the clients whose wishes she has to grant. But she knows it. The lines between black and white have been so blurred for so long, that she no longer knows what to do with it. Nalia is a complex character. While she can be mean, it just covers up what she's really feeling and thinking. I thought she was a refreshing change from other MC's.

I've heard some people who say that Malek is one of those "likeable villains" but I disagree. I did not like anything about him. Even when he thought he loved Nalia and was trying to prove it to her, he rubbed me the wrong way. Raif on the other hand...Nalia has definitely met her match with him.

I love Demetrios' writing style. It hooked me, and kept me reading, even when I was confused. There weren't boring or slow parts. It kept me hooked all the way to the end and I needing to know what happens next. It was a beautiful and intricate story, and I can't wait for the series to continue.

This review can also be found on   

Heather  Demetrios:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | tumblr | YouTube | Pinterest | Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters You Wish Would Get Their Own Book

Hey guys! Yep, it's my first Top Ten Tuesday! I can't promise that I'll keep up with it every week, but it seems like a lot of fun and I've been wanting to do it. Also, I love this week's topic, so what better week to jump in. So let's just get right to it...

Top Ten Characters You Wish Would Get Their Own Book



Kenji Kishimoto

Without a doubt. He is one of the most hilarious characters ever, and I would read everything about him.

Finnick Odair

Everything Finnick.

Grover Underwood

Because after all this time, we still have nothing from Grover's POV. I can't be the only one who would want to read that.

Cody Coleman

So I have still yet to read this particular series, although I've read all the ones that come before it and already love Cody. But I know how this series ends (that Bailey doesn't pick him), leaving Cody's story kind of unfinished, and would love to get something from his perspective. 

Levi or Reagan

I don't actually care, I just want more.

Sam Cortland

SAAAAMMMM 

Princess Nehemia

I don't even care that this is the same series. Nehemia is awesome.

Any of the Sarah Dessen Boys

I love Dexter the most, but I would also settle for anything from Wes, Eli, Dave, Nate, etc.

Ignifex

Because why not?

Robin Hood

Or even Will, I'll take whatever

So that's my list. How about you?