New review: Everless by Sara Holland

Title: Everless
Author: Sara Holand
Blurb:In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.
No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.
But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.

Let me honest, at first I thought this was going to be the same old, same old young adult fantasy inspired book. However, I'm pleased to say that it wasn't exactly the case and that Everless, definitely surprised me.

At first (as in: the first 3/4 chapters) I was a bit confused by the huge info dump full of strange terminology I had some problems to understand (like blood irons and such), but it got easier in time and, sure enough, I was soon hooked.

I found the concept of time-bleeding quite creepy but interesting, ad of course in this peculiar world Sara Holland has built the rich have it much easier than the poor.
Anyway, I found Jules an okay character, can't say I loved her so much but at least I didn't hate her! Strangely (knowing myself) I didn't dislike the romantic twist, I really didn't mind and in truth I sort of look forward to see what happens in the next book.

The pacing of the book wasn't exactly fast but the plot keeps the reader well entertained and wanting to know more. Besides Sara Holland's writing style is pleasant enough and makes it for an easy read. I really loved how that the plot thickened as the book progressed with lots of twist and turns, some of them were very original (I really loved the Alchemist & the Sorceress "backstory").
It was the plot more than the characters that drove me to read (quite frenetically) page after page and then BOOM---- cliffhanger! OUCH! I now really, really need book two! LOL

Jokes aside, I really recommend reading Everless, especially if you like fantasy and are looking for something not too heavy to read but still very entertaining.

Rating: 4 blossoms

*A really big thank you to the publisher for providing me with an arc!*

Review: Spectra by Ebony Olson

Title: Spectra
Author: Ebony Olson
Blurb:One touch of Spectra’s fingers leaves the predator Bay craving more.
Spectra is a Balance; a decedent of angels whose soul has been intertwined with that of sorcerer Alexander, although her heart belongs to Mercury, the son of an archangel.
Bay is a predator de Sang and sorcerer, who runs his own private security company, fighting the purist organization Essence. Seeking out Spectra for her special abilities the last thing he expected to find was a Balance strong enough to withstand his potent energy. With her heart and soul already claimed, could there be room for another in her life?
When Bay’s infatuations bring Spectra to the attention of Essence and put her life at risk, he must learn that sometimes sacrificing the ones you love is the only way to save them.

 Goodreads / Amazon

Disclaimer: Thank you to Inkitt for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange of an honest review 

First thing first,

I do not know how I feel about this book. Yeah, you read it right. I just do not know...
Still, I read it in no time. The writing was easy to follow and easy to read, the pace was good with an healthy dose of suspense. Sadly, the world-building was definitely lacking and felt very blurry and hazy. Words like "predator", "angelis" and so on were thrown around but  never fully explained. I still don't have a clear idea of what exactly they are---On this regard the book was very "meh".

Another thing I can't say I appreciated was the excessive focus on the erotic scenes instead of the plot. The sex scenes were well written but still...

I liked Spectra quite all right but Bay left me cold. Overall the characters didn't tell me much, they were okay but nothing more.

As I said, I still don't know how to feel about Spectra (the book, not the character). Overall, an okayish read I guess....

Rating:

 2,5 blossoms

Review: The Enemy Within by Scott Burn

 Title: The Enemy Within
Author: Scott Burn

Blurb: Seventeen-year-old Max has always felt like an outsider. When the agonizing apocalyptic visions begin, he decides suicide is his only escape. He soon finds himself in an institution under the guidance of a therapist who sees something exceptional in him. Just as he begins to leave the hallucinations behind, Max discovers the visions weren't just in his head.
There are three others who have shared those same thoughts and they've been searching for Max. Like him, they are something more than human. Each of them possesses certain abilities, which they're going to need when a covert military group begins hunting them down.
As the danger escalates, Max doesn’t know which side to trust. But in the end, his choice will decide the fate of both species.

               

                                               Goodreads / Amazon

Okay, for once, I will get straight to the point: the blurb of this book doesn't prepare you for the total badassery of this short novel.  I have warned you!

The Enemy Within got me hooked right away, I totally fell for the whole "crazy-visions-that-are-more-than-visions". I like the quartet made up of Max, Vincent, Jamie and Noah and I must say that - although short - the author managed to decently develop his characters. The sci-fi/ paranormal element was nicely woven into the story in a way that felt very harmonious.

The only thing that I felt the novel was a bit lacking was the level of the detail. The world-building is there but at times lacked substance, so much that sometimes I found it difficult to place a given scene or scenes....basically everything that was happening was happening on a blurry background. And the lack of detail made itself felt on a plot level too.I would have greatly appreciated some more detailed explanation on the background of the other race, why both parties (aliens & humans) acted the way they did and so on.

The final twist was good but I must say it it felt a tidbit too rushed. Still, the novel is enjoyable and I'd advice sci-fi fans to give it a try!



Rating:

3 blossoms

Review: Flashfall by Jenny Moyer

Title: Flashfall (Flashfall 1)
Author: Jenny Moyer

Blurb: Orion is a Subpar, expected to mine the tunnels of Outpost Five, near the deadly flash curtain. For generations, her people have chased cirium—the only element that can shield humanity from the curtain’s radioactive particles. She and her caving partner, Dram work the most treacherous tunnel, fighting past flash bats and tunnel gulls, in hopes of mining enough cirium to earn their way into the protected city.
But when newcomers arrive at Outpost Five, Orion uncovers disturbing revelations that make her question everything she thought she knew about life on both sides of the cirium shield. As conditions at the outpost grow increasingly dangerous, it’s up to Orion to forge a way past the flashfall, beyond all boundaries, beyond the world as she knows it.


Author Bio: Jenny is the author of YA sci-fi/fantasy FLASHFALL, coming from Macmillan/Holt.  She lives with her filmmaker husband and their three boys in Des Moines.  Find out more at http://www.jennymoyer.com and connect with Jenny on Twitter and Facebook.

Fact: This book got me hooked from chapter 1.

Flasfall turned out to be an highly entertaining action packed novel. There were lots of "hold your breath" moments and I must admit that I never got bored...not ever once! Some action scenes were a bit confusing but still very enjoyable. I also found the book quite original (it is not like I read books about miners every day lol) with definitely some interesting elements.
The writing style was clear, detailed and flowed easily. The world-building wasn't bad at all, confusing at first it got better along the way. Some things could have been explained better (the conjies' bonding traditon too, I sort of get it but some further explanation wouldn't have hurt.) Let's say that there is room for improvement---overall I don't feel like complaining too much about it.

The characters were developed (at least those that lasted more than a couple of pages) and I appreciated everyone of them, if in different ways.
I loved Orion and her strength and will to fight for her dreams. Dram was....Hell, what can I say? He is such a cutie (but in a good way, definitely in a good way!) and He & Orion (nicknamed Ray) were a great pleasure to read. Besides their dark humor was just perfect and I loved,loved it.
The bad guys were bad enough, in fact I was really looking forward to see some of them dead...or badly hurt. Er...better dead. (I'd have throttled Cranny myself...)

If I'm to voice a complain I'd choose:
- Too many people dropping dead like flies!
 Really I'm usually all for blood and gore, doom & gloom but here...at some point I did not know if I was supposed to cry or to laugh. Besides I was very disappointed to see two interesting characters die (view spoiler). I'm not sure if the author was just having a great penchant for death or if she just chose the easy way...(two main characters are surely more manageable than four and more...)

Still, I really liked the book. For once I didn't find the romance cheesy and/or awkward in fact it was all very pleasant. IT WAS LOVELY!! *sighs* And this is coming from a person really picky about love stories. Besides...no insta-love and no love triangle (not really) ...and this is not a drill!! I repeat: this is not a drill, people!!

The epilogue left me with a hopeful fuzzy feeling...this is to say, I adored it.

Would I recommend this book? Yes!! And I'll be reading the sequel for sure!!




Rating:  

4 blossoms