New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

This week a few books made their way into my book closet!

First up is a book I borrowed from a fellow blogger!

The Start Of Me And You by Emery Lord (Goodreads)

Thanks, Katie for letting me borrow this! I loved her first book and cannot wait to read the second. Hoping to get to it ASAP!

I also received to e-ARCs for review!  

Dead of Winter by Kresley Cole (Goodreads)
The Secrets Between You And Me by Shana Norris (Goodreads)

A huge thank you to both publishers for these! I am part of the blog tour for Shana Norris' book and I am excited to share the fun interview we did when the time comes!

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Endless Knight by Kresley Cole

Endless Knight by Kresley Cole
Release Date - October 1, 2013
Publisher Website -  Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**obtained for review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

In the second book of the Arcana Chronicles Evie has now fully come into her powers as the tarot Empress. And Jackson was there to see it all. In the aftermath of killing Arthur, the tarot Alchemist, Evie realizes that a war is brewing between the other teens that, following the apocalypse, have been given powers and its kill or be killed.

Things get even more complicated when Evie meets Death, the mysterious, sexy Endless Knight. Somehow the Empress and Death share a romantic history - one that Evie can't remember, but Death can't forget. She is drawn to the Endless Knight, but is in love with Jack. Determined to discover why she's been granted these powers, Evie struggles to accept her place in a prophecy that will either save the world, or completely destroy it.

Dark. Sexy. Amazing. Those are just a few of the words that I would use to describe Endless Knight. A sequel that delivers answers, asks more questions, and ups the stakes for all the main characters.

The war is heating up and things are getting intense as more teens enter the fray. These bonds that the characters have built are being tested, and it's devastating to know that they could turn on each other at any time. The reader is on edge along with the characters because as each 'tarot card' is removed from the battle field, the pool of participants gets smaller and smaller. There can only be one victor. The idea of an alliance is tantalizing, but it's laced with the reality that it can not last. It added sense of urgency to the story that only added to it's break neck pace.

Evie is quickly becoming a character I enjoy. She's well aware of her skills, and uses what she can to her advantage.She is also well aware of her flaws. She possess a self awareness that is refreshing. She is determined to change, and learn from mistakes made in the past. Her conviction is one of the strongest things about her. She deliciously walks a little on the naughty side, and the fact that she often wants to give into her darker impulses makes her compelling.

Death is rather fascinating. His motivations for his actions were unexpected. HE was unexpected. His walls, and abrasiveness are understandable once you know his story. His history, and background are woven into the plot, and revealed at the perfect pace. We get to see him at this worst, and he slowly gains Evie's (and the reader's) trust by allowing little vulnerability to come through.

Matthew is still my favourite. Driven half crazy by the voices he hears, this installment made me feel even worse for him. My heart broke for him in some scenes, and yet I never forgot how cunning he actually is. Friendships are one of the often overlooked aspects in novels, especially those between members of the opposite sex. Evie and Matthew's bond is strong. They need each other, and depend on each other. There is no underlying tension, which is refreshing. It's a look at a friendship that develops organically through shared experiences, and learned trust.

I am not overly enamored by either Death or Jackson. They're both total Alpha males, which doesn't appeal to me. I predict many will swoon over both of them, and this maybe one of the hardest triangles for a lot of readers. Both guys are pretty interesting, and on equal footing.As I am not hugely invested in either guy, this love triangle actually appeals to me. I don't have a preferred outcome, and can instead enjoy the ebbs and flows that happen. It's refreshing to not have one of the guys sway me. Each boy gives Evie something different that she needs. Jackson awakens her sensual side, where Death awakens her mind. Evie can talk to Death for hours, and her and Jackson get along better when they're not talking. She gets something different, but essential from each guy. Nobody can be everything for someone, and I think both guys are important to Evie's progress as a character.

The story is taken to some pretty enticing places, and leaves you eager to devour the next installment. Rapid pacing, intense action, sizzling romance, and characters will keep you engrossed in it's pages, and begging for more. A story that is highly unique, sexy, and brimming with unapologetic fun. I loved Poison Princess but Endless Knight consumed me.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews). 

A total surprise arrived in my inbox. An eARC of Kresley Cole's Endless Knight! A huge thank you the marketing department that liked my review of Poison Princess enough to send this my way. Excited to get started on it!

Endless Knight by Kresley Cole (Goodreads)

Happy Reading, and Happy Weekend!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Title for the sequel to Poision Princess by Kresley Cole

I enjoyed Poision Princess so much. I am really looking forward to finding out more about Death. He seems like a intriguing and possibly swoon worthy character. Kresley managed to make a pulse pounding story out of the Tarot cards and I am excited the sequel already has a title.....Endless Knight!

Super excited about the Oct 2013 release date and I can not wait to get my hands on it.

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

I stumbled upon this accidently the other day and am quite intrigued. The Goodreads synopsis states

A psychological literary thriller in which a young New York filmmaker sets out to investigate the apparent suicide of Ashley Cordova, daughter of a famous and reclusive movie director

Doesn't it sound awesome? I have a feeling there is more to Ashley Cordova's death than seen at first glance. It says it comes out in Feb of 2013, so hopefully I will be reading it soon.

Cover of Star Cursed, sequel to Born Wicked

I LOVED Born Wicked. I am dying to get my hands on Star Cursed. While I am sad about the change in covers, this one is just as pretty.

TV

Bates Motel

A TV show that is a prequel to the iconic movie Psycho. A teenage Norman Bates and the beginning of the twisted relationship he has with his mother. Freddie Highmore plays Norman and I have been hearing his performance is chilling. Entertainment Weekly has two exclusive teasers, and I am in love already. I can't wait until this airs.

OTHER

DisneyWorld

1 week until I introduce my most favourite little people in the whole world to the magic that is Disney World. This week is going to feel super long as I just want to get on the plane and leave already!

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
Release Date – October 2, 2012
Publisher Website –  Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages - 384 pages
My Rating- 5/5
**obtained from publisher via BEA for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces The Arcana Chronicles, post-apocalyptic tales filled with riveting action, the dark mysticism of Tarot cards, and breathtaking romance.She could save the world—or destroy it. 

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. 

But she can’t do either alone. 

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? 

Who can Evie trust? 

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….

"Come, touch.... but you'll pay a price". Vivid hallucinations, infuriating Cajun boys and a beyond creepy opening are just some of the things that await you in Poison Princess. Did I mention these all are in the first few chapters? Kresely Cole grabs you from the first page and takes you on a breath stealing, action packed journey.

This novel was unlike anything I had read before. It has elements that may seem familiar, but they are woven together into something unique. The use of the tarot cards and their history felt fresh. The plot shows how well researched this aspect was and we’re just getting started.

The pacing of the novel is superb. It never lets up. It kept me on my toes and fully engaged me from start to finish. The fantastic world building and complex characters combined with this writing style made this a novel that was hard to put down.

The post apocalyptic world Kresley has created is filled with chilling horrors. Ranging from militia men hunting down any female survivors, people resorting to cannibalism to survive and severe weather patterns. The world Evie navigates is filled with dangers and kept me on edge.

Evie is presented as a troubled young woman who suffers from horrific visions, and a possible mental illness. Once the flash hits Evie realizes her visions may have been warnings and sets off to discover what they mean. It was refreshing to see Evie presented as a regular girl. Her and her mother survive after everything is destroyed by living off meagre supplies and some luck. She’s not suddenly gifted, in fact, she’s scared, unprepared and confused. She is not able to take care of herself, and I found I could relate to that.

Readers will be falling in love with Jackson, the infuriating (and to Evie infuriatingly sexy) Cajun that prompts many emotions. I was not as drawn to him as others will be. I was actually borderline repulsed by him. I felt he ran a little too hot and cold with Evie and he often came off as a jerk. His pressuring of Evie to have sex was really off putting as well. I believe fans of the more typical “alpha male” romance characters may be drawn to Jackson more than I was. I was happy that I was able to get past it because I loved everything else in the novel.

We meet other characters that I quickly grew to like. Matthew the adorable, possibly autistic guy that may help Evie see things clearly. Finn, a self assured surfer type. Selene, the stacked and gorgeous girl with a penchant for motorcycles and archery.  Matthew is the character I found myself enjoying the most. His sibling like bond with Evie was one of my favourite relationships in the novel.

Some of backstory of this ancient prophecy and the epic battle that is to be waged is presented in this novel. Kresley gives enough information to set the story, and yet holds back just enough to tantalize. The battle is just getting started, all the players are getting in place, and this sets the pace of the story.

Kresley Cole has taken the dark mysticism of the tarot, added in an intense post apocalypse setting and one heck of an amazing main character to create something exhilarating. In the end death beckons, setting up an excruciating wait for the second instalment.  This sexy and dangerous thrill ride will leave you breathless.