Book Review - Endgame (Night School)

Title: Endgame
Author: CJ Daugherty
Series: Endgame
Publisher: Atom
Release Date: 11 Jun. 2015
ISBN-13: 978-0349001722

Synopsis
Broken. Scattered. But not defeated.
The spy is gone but the cost has been high - the rebels at Cimmeria Academy have lost their leader and Carter West is missing. Nathaniel can taste victory. But Allie and the other survivors aren't done yet. First they have to get Carter back. Then they plan to make Nathaniel pay.
One way or another - the game must end.
Endgame is the thrilling fifth and final book in the internationally bestselling Night School series.

My Review
I have fallen behind with my reviews since July and I apologise for that, but I have good reason, I moved house - moving in with my boyfriend but the house needed renovation work, then I got engaged so I've been planning a wedding as well as the usual work and university course from home meaing my blog has been neglected. 
I actually read this book in July, I remember this because I read it whilst waiting in line at LFCC/YALC in London to meet CJ Daugherty herself. She was very nice and really easy to talk to and signed all of my books for me.
So I will do the best review I can, luckily it was an awesome book and one that has left an impression on me so I remember it quite well.
I love the Night School series and I know I was waiting for this book to come out with high anticipation. 
It starts right after the previous book has ended, right in the middle of the action and continuing on with the story. Carter has been taken, Ally wants him back but Nathaniel is up to his usual tricks and no one really knows who to trust anymore. 
Throughout the series we have seen Ally grow from a rebellious teenager to a mature crime fighting, sarcastic young lady. She is one of my favourite heroines as she isn't afraid to say what she thinks, she's determined and very loyal. She has her weaknesses too which makes her human and even more realistic. 
I read this book in a couple of days and found it hard to put it down, it was full of intrigue and loads of twists and turns throughout kept me guessing until the end. 
I am sad this is the last one as I love this world and the story writing, but it ends satisfactorily, actually very well, so whilst I am sad to be leaving Cimmeria accademy behind, i loved it whilst it lasted, and I know for sure that I will be re-reading the series numerous times to visit my old friends again.

My Rating

      

Book Review - Unspoken

Title: Unspoken
Author: C C HUnter
Series: Shadow Falls After Dark
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release Date: 13 Nov. 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1250067098

Synopsis
Despite her superhuman strength and enhanced senses, Della Tsang's life as a vampire certainly hasn't been easy. Especially since she was reborn and bound to the mysterious, infuriating, and gorgeous Chase Tallman.
But if there's one thing that's always kept Della going, it's her dream of being an elite paranormal investigator. Her newest case is the opportunity she's been waiting for, but as Della tries to solve the twenty year old murder and clear her father's name. She uncovers secrets about the vampire council. And about Chase.
Feeling betrayed by all the secrets he's kept hidden from her, Della is determined to keep him as far away from her heart as she can. But she'll need his help to solve the case that will lead them into the darkest and ugliest vampire gangs in town and into the scariest reaches of her heart. 

My Review
If you have followed my blog for a while you will know that I am a huge fan of CC Hunter and her amazing Shadow Falls world, I am a member of her 'Street Team' meaning I help her promote her books and get the word out. I would only do this for a series I seriously love and truly believe in so that tells you how good this series is. I am fortunate enough to recieve a goody pack from CC and her publishers and every time one arrives it totally makes my day, no my week even, and this time was no different. I got a Shadow Falls bag, notebook and ruler/band and of course a copy of Unspoken with a few other goodies (Thank you!!!) 
I couldn't wait to get stuck in, I am currently working full time and doing an English Degree from home in my 'Spare Time' meaning I am reading a lot of course material and writing a lot of essays and not getting much time to read for fun. So I had this book sitting on my side table for about 3 weeks before I got the chance to pick it up and resisting the urge to just dive straight in was truly difficult. 
So needless to say when I did finally allow myself to pick it up, not much else got done and I had finished it within a couple of days, and immediately I felt like I was missing my friends and I wanted to go straight back and read the whole series again.
This series follows Della, she has now been turned into a Super Vampire and she is learning to adapt to her new powers and more importantly her bond with Chase, but things do not ever run smoothly for Della so why should this be any different? Not only that but her father is facing a trial for the murder of his sister and Della must try to figure out who did it and see if she can bring them to justice before her dad gets taken down. But not knowing where to start or who to trust it's just one more thing to make complications. 
I love Della, she is a truly feisty, kick-butt young lady but as the series progresses you see more of her history and more of her softer side, she has her moments of break-downs like anyone and it's actually reassuring to see that she can experience these emotions and just makes her that much more likable. She's not afraid to say what she thinks and she has a very quick wit. I love that we still get to be i the Shadow Falls world and see our other favourites like Kylie, Miranda, Holiday and of course Burnett along with all the others of that world.
This book was very exciting, there were a number of twists and turns and unexpected events that would have you questioning everything you had thought you had figured out. But that is one thing that makes these books so awesome and so addictive - I literally struggled to put the book down and was even late back to work after my lunch break because I lost track of time between the pages (luckily i didn't get into trouble!)
CC has a real way with words that just make them leap off the page and make the characters so realistic, I honestly think of them as friends and want to go back and visit as soon as possible, even to see Burnett who may be a pain in the ass but is actually a really nice guy and you can see why he is in charge.
If you haven't read any of these books then you are truly missing out, but I suggest you go right back to the start and begin with the original 'Shadow Falls' series following Kylie first, in 'Born at Midnight'. You won't regret it I promise!!!

My Rating

     

Book Review - The Fellowship of the RIng

Title: The Fellowship of the Ring
Author: JRR Tolkien
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: 1999 (this edition)
ISBN-13: 978-0007488315

 Synopsis
The first part of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure THE LORD OF THE RINGS

In a sleepy village in the Shire, a young hobbit is entrusted with an immense task. He must make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ruling Ring of Power - the only thing that prevents the Dark Lord's evil dominion.


My Review
So, I read the Hobbit and enjoyed it, so naturally I decided that I was going to move onto the Lord of the Rings series and this is where it starts. I listened to it on spoken word in my car as I don't have as much free time to read at the moment. I started out with high hopes but soon felt disappointed. 
The story seemed very slow and long winded and there were periods of time where I found myself completely tuning out and missing chunks of the story, at first I would go back a couple of tracks and try to pick it up again but to be honest I didn't really care, I found it so slow and boring that I just wanted to get it finished. i persevered all the way through as so many people love it I thought I was missing something, but after finishing it all i can only say that I really didn't care and had no real idea what was happening. I asked my fiance for a summary and gave up and handed the book back.
I don't really know what didn't click for me, but it just seemed so long winded that it never really gets anywhere. I do have to say that there were odd moments that made me perk up and pay attention and that I enjoyed more but overall it just fell flat.
However I have heard that 'The Two Towers' is much better so I am going to persevere once more and give that a go, I just hope it's better than this one.
Sorry Tolkien, but maybe this series is just not for me.

My Rating

 

Book Promo - Freaksville

 

"Pipe it down there, Dracula. I'm trying to be your friend here, and if you piss me off I'll knock those fangs right out of your mouth."--Nessa Gilmore 

Blurb:

Welcome to Westera, here you’ll find the most amazing views. This is the mountains, of course. If you look to your left you’ll find a nice couple cuddling on the park bench. It is chilly today, oh, wait…why is there blood coming from her neck?

Yes, here in Westera you do get those interesting views of the beautiful landscape. The waterfalls, the nice people. It’s a wonderful place to reside.

What most people don’t know is…that it’s also where the freaks reside.

Hello all, my name is Nessa and I’m a witch. My friends are vampires. We’re not evil, at least I’m pretty sure we’re not. And I do like people…for the most part.

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010MFYR1A?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Barnes and Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/freaksville-ashley-brooke-robbins/1122220652?ean=2940150992900

Kobo:  https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/freaksville

All Romance Ebooks:  https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-freaksville-1841079-139.html

About the Author:
Ashley’s favorite thing to write about is basically anything to do with myths, supernatural, paranormal…but upon occasion she’ll write about normal teenage life. It comes somewhat naturally to her considering she’s nineteen herself.
If the vampires or other supernatural beings still haven’t claimed her, you’ll most likely find her with her computer, working on whatever story plots invaded her mind at that time. Like most teenagers, she’s still unsure of what all she wants to do with her life. Become a marine biologist, graphic designer, editor, fashion designer? Or maybe just stick to writing, we might find out one day.
She hopes to one day travel the world, take her mom to swim with the dolphins, and let her sister finally visit Graceland. She currently lives in North Carolina with her mom, sister, and three crazy dogs who think they’re human.

You can find her on her website:  http://purpleunicorns174.wix.com/thatweirdonextdoor, or on pretty much any other social media site as AshKat174. You can probably find the links to those on her website.

Elementals Cover Reveal

Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows is the first in a new series that fans of Percy Jackson and The Secret Circle will love!

Title: Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows
Author: Michelle Madow
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing
Series: Elementals #1
Format: eBook
ISBN: 2940152448849

Synopsis:

When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches. Even more surprisingly … she’s apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers—and, to her dismay, by Blake—the school’s notorious bad-boy.
Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle’s wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance.
When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers. But the comet has another effect—it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it’s up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town … and possibly the world.

Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks

Rafflecopter for Cover & Blurb Giveaway:

Michelle is offering one lucky winner a signed paperback ARC of Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Direct Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/YjA1MGVmMjkwYTE2NWQzYWI3ODNiODExNGJiNGU0OjE1MA==/

About the Author:
Michelle Madow grew up in Baltimore, graduated Rollins College in Orlando, and now lives in Boca Raton, Florida. She wrote her first book in her junior year of college, and has been writing novels since. Some of her favorite things are: reading, pizza, traveling, shopping, time travel, Broadway musicals, and spending time with friends and family. Michelle has toured across America to promote her books and to encourage high school students to embrace reading and writing. Someday, she hopes to travel the world for a year on a cruise ship.

To chat with Michelle and other fans about her books, join Michelle Madow's Street Team on Facebook!

Connect with Michelle: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads


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