Review: Sunshine by Nikki Rae

 

What they say: 18 year old Sophie Jean is pretty good at acting normal. Sure, she’s not exactly happy, but happiness is nothing compared to being like everyone else. She can pretend she’s not allergic to the sun. She can hide what her ex-boyfriend did to her. She can cover up the scars she’s made for herself. Ignore anything. Forget anything. Then Myles enters her life, and he has more than a few secrets of his own. When accident after accident keeps happening to Sophie, she can’t help noticing that he’s everywhere. That he knows too much. That she’s remembering too much.

It’s one thing covering up her own dark past, but does she really need to worry about people finding out just how much Myles likes her? Or that despite how much she doesn’t want to repeat past mistakes, she kind of likes him back? Not to mention the fact that she now has to conceal that Myles drinks blood-that he says he’s about four hundred years old. She almost forgot about that part.

But Sophie has no plans to ruin the normal life she has created for herself. She can deal with this little glitch, no problem. Even if word has gotten around to the wrong vampire about Sophie and Myles, even if she’s putting the few people she loves at risk. Suddenly, those who were monsters before are just people, and the monsters? They’re real. Now being a normal human being is the least of her problems. Now she has to stay alive.

 

I received a copy of Sunshine in exchange for an honest review!

 

What I say: Sunshine is an interesting sort of paranormal book, because, for the most part I almost forgot it was a paranormal story. I think this is partly to do with all the other stuff the characters have going on in their lives and also because the fantasy aspect isn't a major plot point until the later stages of Sunshine. The vampire thing is sidelined by Sophie's other issues.

 

There are a lot of dark areas to Sunshine and poor Sophie really suffers. If you're squeamish about issues including violence, self harm and depression then be warned Sunshine has a lot of them. Nikki Rae has done a wonderful job of covering these topics and it never feels like she's belittling the suffering or including such issues just to get a response - Rae has obviously done her research! Sophie is a funny mix of being both really strong (when you think about everything she has endured) and then also very vulnerable (and extremely unlucky).

 

Sophie is allergic to the Sun and has a somewhat tempestuous home life, her mother is awful! She has a good support group even before Myles arrives. At times I did think hasn't Sophie suffered enough?!

 

I have to say Myles is very different to your average vampire; he's uncomfortable in his own skin, ashamed of drinking blood and has plenty of his own problems. I kept forgetting that he's 400 years old because as Sophie herself even points out, he's really normal. Myles is very sweet with Sophie and comes with an endless supply of patience it seems. At times I wanted to smack some sense into her when she kept pushing him away.

 

I didn't like that Myles kept a lot from Sophie, and I felt that the book in general has left many questions unanswered. This is both intriguing and annoying. I wanted to see Sophie's allergy explained (I have my suspicions, I'm thinking it has something to do with her Dad. So it'll be good to see in the next book whether I'm correct). I also want to know why Myles moved to their town in particular. Also what about Sophie's memories? When you've read Sunshine you'll understand what I mean.

 

I enjoyed Sunshine and will definitely read the next book. It was nice to see the characters evolve throughout the book, although I would like to see a stronger side to Myles next time (he is a vampire after all)!

 

3.5 Stars in my Sky!

 

My fav non-spoilery quotes:

• "Evolve? Like a Pokemon?" I have no idea why I say this. I think I'm kind of going into shock, and the first thing that pops into my head when he says evolve is Charmander evolving into Charizard.
• Monsters can live inside a person. Sometimes they know about it. More often they don't.
• I hate that smile. It's like he's saying oh yeah. I'm awesome and you really should be my girlfriend.
• "I'll try not to be so crazy, and you keep your hands to yourself, hotlips."
   

Review: Doll Bones by Holly Black

 

I received a copy of Doll Bones as part of the Goodreads 'First-reads' scheme!

What they say: Zach, Poppy and Alice have been friends for ever. They love playing with their action figure toys, imagining a magical world of adventure and heroism. But disaster strikes when, without warning, Zach’s father throws out all his toys, declaring he’s too old for them. Zach is furious, confused and embarrassed, deciding that the only way to cope is to stop playing . . . and stop being friends with Poppy and Alice.

 

But one night the girls pay Zach a visit, and tell him about a series of mysterious occurrences. Poppy swears that she is now being haunted by a china doll – who claims that it is made from the ground-up bones of a murdered girl. They must return the doll to where the girl lived, and bury it. Otherwise the three children will be cursed for eternity...

 

 

 

What I say: Aww Doll Bones is such a sweet story - in a massively creepy way of course! I have to say I'm not the biggest fan of dolls, they're right up there on a par with clowns in my book (SHUDDERS)!

 

The story focuses on Zach, Poppy and Alice; three 12-year-olds who are reaching the point of leaving neverland. Doll Bones is, in a sense a type of fantasy 'coming of age' story. The children play with action figures and toys, planning big adventures with pirates, Queens and mermaids. They're not quite teenagers, but they are starting to have more grown-up interests, whilst holding on to their games.

 

The doll in Doll Bones is an antique and sinister figure. A sort of ghost/spirit, who needs help moving on. Poppy leads them on a mission to bury the doll (or they face dire consequences), which turns into their very own adventure/quest.

 

I'm glad Holly didn't go down the Coraline route, but the doll was still really creepy. The story introduces the children's first hints at romance and stresses the importance of imagination. I loved how Holly highlighted Zach's confusion over the suddenly giggling girls. It's really sentimental, but in a good way.

The ending made me smile and I found Doll Bones to be fun and sweet. It's everything a good kids book should be!

4 Stars in my Sky!

My fav non-spoilery quotes:

• That was why Zach loved playing: those moments where it seemed like he was accessing some other world, one that felt as real as anything.
• He'd always thought she was creepy-looking, but in the reflected beam of the flashlight, she seemed demonic.
• "I'm just different like weird. We had this adventure together, but now we're going back."

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Book Promo Release Day Blitz: Vampire Elite by Irina Argo

Vampire Elite

RELEASE DAY Blitz

Paranormal Romance

Date Published: 6/7/13

Join the release party:

http://tinyurl.com/c3evuen

THIS BOOK IS ON SALE FOR $.99 TODAY FOR ITS RELEASE!

GET IT @ AMAZON

Vampire Elite is a new vampire series

The first two parts are released in one volume

Vampire Elite

Part 1. Prophecy

Part 2. Keepers of the Key

         

What will he do if saving his people means destroying the woman he loves?

A millennia-long war between two immortal races is about to come to an end. Long ago, the Vampire Elite began capturing the immortals called the Amiti, attracted by their unique blood properties. Now most Amiti live in underground cells, forced to serve as vampires’ bloodstock. The few surviving free Amiti, preparing a final strike, have declared their Queen a traitor. Her execution makes possible the rise of a new Queen, her young daughter Arianna, who will inherit her mother's mystical powers. Working with the Keepers of the Key, Arianna may be able to eliminate the vampires, once and for all, from the face of the earth.

The new Queen is the last hope to save her dying race and she's ready to fight to the last drop of her blood.

 But the King of the Vampires has other plans.

 What neither expects is the passion that erupts between them.

Vampire Elite is an epic story of a bitter conflict between two immortal races, and the effect of that conflict on everyone living in its grip. The characters are driven to love and betrayal, vengeance and sacrifice in a world without easy black-and-white answers.

            Based on an ancient Egyptian legend, packed with action and intrigue, Vampire Elite will pull you into the entrancing world of immortals and open new portals into their hidden universe.

Readers’ Favorite reviewers on Vampire Elite:

You’ve managed to restore my hope in the future of vampire books ...

... a fascinating read and definitely a book for anyone who loves fantasy, romance and of course vampires.

… a spellbinding novel of action, suspense, romance, and conscience ...  character development is superb ... the type of book that will make you read all day until you get to the end! It is deliciously addictive!

For more info please visit:

www.vampire-elite.com

Facebook.com/VampireEliteSeries

Twitter: @TheVampireElite

Meet VE Character: Arianna, Queen of the Amiti and Keeper of the Mystery of Balance

Arianna becomes the Amiti Queen as an infant, following the execution of her mother. Along with the title, she also inherits all of the Queen’s powers, including the role of Keeper of the Mystery of Balance as well as the Gift of Ra, a power bestowed by the Sun God himself to help her protect herself and her people. Sheltered by her father as a child, Arianna finds herself thrust into a world of danger and intrigue when he is murdered and she must confront the fact that her race’s destiny depends on her. Despite how overwhelming it can be, Arianna ultimately embraces her life’s mission: to free her people from their enslavement by the Vampire Elite by any means necessary. But along the way she encounters an unexpected and seemingly unmanageable challenge—the charismatic and powerful vampire King Tor, who takes her on an emotional and sensual journey that makes her question her very destiny. Will the young Queen have the willpower and inner strength to fulfill her purpose and save her people, even if it means destroying the man she loves?

Review: Acid by Emma Pass

What they say: 2113. In Jenna Strong’s world, ACID – the most brutal, controlling police force in history – rule supreme. No throwaway comment or muttered dissent goes unnoticed – or unpunished. And it was ACID agents who locked Jenna away for life, for a bloody crime she struggles to remember.

The only female inmate in a violent high-security prison, Jenna has learned to survive by any means necessary. And when a mysterious rebel group breaks her out, she must use her strength, speed and skill to stay one step ahead of ACID – and to uncover the truth about what really happened on that dark night two years ago.

I was given a copy of Acid as part of the Goodreads 'First-read' scheme in exchange for a honest review!

What I say: Acid is a modern dystopian story, mixing fun characters with an unpredictable plot!

I liked the main character, Jenna, because she is a good mixture of strong fighter and vulnerable teenager - she is both totally bad ass and completely misunderstood. Without giving too much away I will say that I honestly had no idea what had happened to her or where the story was going.

 

Acid is set in a future world, in a fictional version of the UK where people live in highly controlled areas and have little say over their lives. It's very like The Hunger Games in terms of the class system; the rich are super rich and the poor live in absolute poverty.

Acid begins with Jenna in prison for murdering her parents! Yep, I was shocked too! A LOT happens in Acid and at times I felt almost too much happened as the plot got slightly muddled, but I still really enjoyed the story. A few times I didn't know whether I wanted to help Jenna or hit her?! There is a love story element, but it's neither mushy nor all encompassing and there were other important story elements. Again to say much more is a pretty big spoiler, but I will say how sweet I found the love story.

I liked the notion of the non-fixed identities i.e. the extreme cosmetic surgery which screams sci-fi movie! The book was very visual and interesting to read. I would have preferred a slightly tighter focus in terms of the overall plot, but I enjoyed Acid and found it a good debut novel by Emma Pass.

3.5 Stars in my Sky!

My fav non-spoilery quotes:

• I lean down until our faces are so close we could kiss. "I killed my parents," I murmur, and watch his eyes go wide.
• "I'd love to know why you're setting me up with a new life for apparently no reason whatsoever."
• The feelings I have for him are nothing like that...obsession. Instead, I have a sense of rightness, of something fitting into place without anything having to be given up to make room for it.

Waiting on Wednesday: Jet by Jay Crownover

Waiting on Wednesday is my weekly post where I obsess over the shiny new books

I cannot wait to read!

This week, I'm waiting on... Jet (Marked Men #2) by Jay Crownover!

 

What they say: With his tight leather pants and a sharp edge that makes him dangerous, Jet Keller is every girl’s rock and roll fantasy. But Ayden Cross is done walking on the wild side with bad boys. She doesn’t want to give in to the heat she sees in Jet’s dark, haunted eyes. She’s afraid of getting burned from the sparks of their spontaneous combustion, even as his touch sets her on fire.

Jet can’t resist the Southern Belle with mile-long legs in cowboy boots who defies his every expectation. Yet the closer he feels to Ayden, the less he seems to know her. While he’s tempted to get under her skin and undo her in every way, he knows firsthand what happens to two people with very different ideas about relationships.

Will the blaze burn into an enduring love. . . or will it consume their dreams and turn them to ashes?

Jet has already been released in the US, but it's not out for a few weeks over here in the UK! I've been rereading Rule to prepare for the release of Jet!

 

 

 

Why I'm Waiting on Jet:

• I loved book 1 - Rule and the title character has quickly become one of my fav BBF's!
• I found Jet intriguing in Rule so am excited he has his own story.
• It'll be nice to learn more about Ayden (other than she's Shaw's former roomie).
• Jay always creates interesting, yet complicated characters!
• These guys are all hot and covered in tattoos and Jet's a musician! (What's not to love?)!

 

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Book Blitz: The Long Way!

The Long Way by Aaron Redfern

What they say: In a move that defies all logic and likelihood, a young boy named Spiff is called upon to carry out the most important quest that has ever been undertaken. His mission drags him headlong across the face of the world, through a veritable pantheon of hardships and threats that are at once chilling and baffling. Along the way he meets dragons and madmen, and learns that the lovable and the monstrous are two sides of the same coin.

 

Conceived as a darkly whimsical loose retelling of the Tolkien saga, The Long Way poses the question that high fantasy rarely cares to ask: Why?

• Young Adult Fantasy/Adventure - Released 19th May 2012.

Excerpt from The Long Way:

The ground was moving.

Spiff was slung across the blond warrior’s shoulder, arms dangling limply across the man’s back, tapping against the leather armor in time with the feet that were passing out from behind the warrior’s buttocks directly in front of him.  It was a disorienting view.

“Awake, little thrall?” the blond one said.  “We have not been introduced.  I am Eyjolf, second most warlike among men.”

“I’m Spiff,” said Spiff.  He wasn’t sure Eyjolf heard him.

The warrior set him down and set beefy hands on each of his shoulders.  “Awake so soon!  That’s what I like to see.  You’ve got some real spirit.”  The world was right side up again, and the rest of Eyjolf’s men were there, plodding along.  “This is my warband.  Remember who they are.  You’re our thrall.  But really, it’s not so bad.  There are plenty of bands in the hall, but none of them has half as good a time as us.”

Spiff didn’t know what a thrall was, but he was already getting the feeling that they were not going to let him go.  Where was Euclid?

They hadn’t gone very far by the time they reached the warriors’ home.  Like so many things that Spiff had seen since leaving his small town, it was inconceivably, unreasonably huge.  The whole structure was made of iron, and its walls rose hundreds of feet straight into the air.  The triangular roof was made of what looked like thousands of overlapping golden shields.  The double doors at the entrance were made of gold as well, and were wide enough for Eyjolf’s entire warband to walk through abreast, with room to spare.   As they came closer, Spiff saw that the iron walls were covered in bas relief carvings of battle scenes.  One carving depicted a man charging into a row of spears, and another showed a dragon with a pair of legs protruding from its mouth, and a handful of other men hacking futilely at its feet with axes.  The carving was large enough for the grins on their faces to be quite unmistakable.

Another wing was being built off of the side of the main hall, but was incomplete.  Squares of iron wall had been erected in patches, and behind them were a skeletal layer of vertical beams.  It looked like it would be every bit as large as the existing building when it was finished.

“Welcome to Nornheim, home of the Nornmen,” said Eyjolf, sweeping his hands out before him.  “And welcome to the Hall.”

“The wildest place on earth,” one of the warriors chimed in.  There was a unanimous cheer of assent.

A man was standing in the center of the doorway, and even the high doors of the hall could not make him appear dwarfed.  He was the biggest man Spiff had ever seen.  He was a full head taller than Eyjolf and half again as broad, and formed from pure muscle, though his stature was so great that he could have been one of the iron carvings superficially clothed in flesh.  Everything about him bulged.  His blocky shoulders bulged out of the sides of his iron breastplate, and his arms bulged down from there.  His legs bulged up from leather boots that could have crushed a thousand insects in a single prodigious step.  His face was hidden beneath a black helm; steel ram’s horns curled around the sides of it.  A shaggy brown beard bulged out beneath the lip of the helm.  He hefted a warhammer in one hand that Spiff could not have dragged with two.

“Only one, Eyjolf?” said the man.  He chuckled, and Spiff felt his chest shake.  “The great raider returns, with one thrall to show!  Perhaps you followed in my wake by mistake, and took only what remained.”

“Anyone can collect women and children,” said Eyjolf.  “I slew a wizard today.”

The big man pounded his chest with a fist.  “I have been the bane of a hundred hundred men.  I have rid the Gollsfjall mountains of trolls.  I have broken the backs of bears.  The gods—”

“—Hear your name and tremble,” Eyjolf finished.

“Aye,” said the big man.  He laughed and strode into the hall.

“That’s the Smitemaester,” said Eyjolf.  “Greatest champion of the Hall.”

“He has never been killed,” one of the Nornmen said reverently, looking after the receding figure with a look of mixed envy and awe.  “Not even once.”

“Keep away from him, if you know what’s good for you,” Eyjolf told Spiff.

 

About Aaron: Aaron Redfern has been reading and writing fantasy since a time when he could count his age on his fingers. He went to Williams College and studied English, a language in which he was already proficient, and although he learned almost nothing from the English professors, dead poets and novelists taught him a great deal. While at college, he fell thoroughly in love with New England. He has decided never to leave and currently resides near Northampton, Massachusetts.

 

Aaron has written three novels, including The Long Way and its sequel, The Forgotten Way. His short-fiction titles include Stories About the Rain and Crawl.

 

Buy The Long Way: Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes