Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy #3) by Anna Banks: Review

RATING: 5/5

 



Author: Anna Banks
Release date: May 6, 2014
Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

SPOILERS IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST TWO!!

Emma and Galen’s kingdom and their love is threatened by long-lost Syrena in the brilliant conclusion to Anna Banks bestselling trilogy.

Emma, half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma’s grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.

Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn’t sign up to be peacemakers between the ocean and the land-dwelling, freshwater Syrena. They didn’t bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn’t expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love but their ocean kingdoms.
In this stunning conclusion to her bestselling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever.

REVIEW:

I read some reviews before diving into this book, and almost all of them said they were disappointed in it, so I set my expectations very low. But OF NEPTUNE completely passed them! I loved it so much! Galen and Emma are fantastic leads, and even though a lot of the old characters weren't around, there were plenty of new and awesome characters to make up for it. (Reed <3 span="">

SPOILERS AHEAD. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
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 And I love love LOVE how Galen and Emma waited until they were mated to have sex. It was like YES FINALLY SOMEONE IN YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE WAITED HALLELUJAH PRAISE THE LORD!!  So props to you, Anna Banks. You are now one of my favorite authors because of this. 
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SPOILERS END

Overall, OF NEPTUNE was a fantastic ending to an amazing trilogy. Fantastic job, Anna Banks.

CONTENT: Two characters have sex, but it is not described at all. There's just some mention of it afterwards. (And they're married before they have it. So props to them.) Hardly any swearing, and there is some violence, but it is not bad at all.

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare: Review

 

RATING: 4/5

Author: Cassandra Clare
Release date: May 27, 2014
Find it on Godreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.

Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.Author: Cassandra Clare
Release date: May 27, 2014
Find it on Godreadshere!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.



The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?

When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!

REVIEW:

This book was fantastic. I loved almost every minute of it. The way if ended, although emotional, was great, and it made me love all of the characters even more.

The only think I didn't like, involves spoilers. So read ahead at your own risk.

SPOILERS AHEAD

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It seemed really unrealistic when Clary and Jace had sex. They were all in Hell, and Clary and JAce just happened to find a clear pool of water. When they transferred Jace's heavenly fire into Clary's sword, Jace asks Clary if she wants to go "take a bath" that night. No mind that they're I a cave in Hell: they can touch each other now. So they get into the pool (which have stones that say PURITY in the bottom of it, by the way) and Jace reached to get a condom out of his pants, and they have sex in the pool. 

Ok, there are three things that bother me with this. One, who brings condoms when they're going into hell? "Oh, we're going into Hell, better grab my condoms." When they're going into hell, he and Clary still can't do anything because he'll burn her if he does, because of the heavenly fire. So, why would he even think he'd need to bring a condom into Hell, I don't know. The last thing I'd be thinking if I was going there would be "Oh, I might have sex with my significant other; better bring a condom."

Second, there are definitely stones that say purity in the bottom of the pool. If there were stones that said that, I'd be pretty wary of not having premarital sex in that pool, which is most definitely NOT pure.

Third, why did they think they need to have sex IN HELL? Why not wait until you get out of Hell to have it? Yeah, one of you might die, but if you don't have sex and one of you dies, does that mean you loved that person any less? No!! So why don't you wait until you are assured that you are safe before you have it?? GAH!!

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END SPOILERS

Other than that problem, I had no other qualms with the book. I LOVED it. A fantastic ending to a great trilogy. If you have not read this series yet, I highly suggest you do!

Side note: I cannot wait for THE DARK ARTIFACES. Emma's point of view was one of my favorite things about the book. Is it 2015 yet??

CONTENT: Kissing, two of the main characters have sex, but it is not very detailed. The swearing and violence are pretty much the same as all of the other books.

Stacking the Shelves (5)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly event hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

 

I can't believe it has been three months since I've posted one of these. *facepalm*

Anyways, finals are done now, so I will have a lot more time on my hands to post.

 

Here are most of the books I acquired in the past three months!

 

BOUGHT:

 

• Invincible by Sherrilyn Kenyon
• The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong
• Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
• The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa
• Of Neptune by Anna Banks
• The Warrior by Victoria Scott
• Raging Star by Moira Young
• City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

• House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo
• Watcher in the Woods by Robert Liparulo
• Gatekeepers by Robert Liparulo
• Tremor by Patrick Carman
• Sky Raiders by Brandon Mull
• City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

• The Road by Cormac McCarthy
• Witchlanders by Lena Coakley
• Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel
• The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
• The Hunter's Mon by O.R. Meling
• Fathomless by Jackson Pearce

• The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa (UK edition)

WON:

• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
• Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta
• Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta

GIFTED:

• Frozen by Erin Bowman

What did you get this week?

 

Branded (Sinners #1) by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki: Review

RATING: 4/5

 

Authors: Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Release date: June 28, 2013

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

 

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

 

REVIEW:

 

When the authors contacted me about being apart of this blog tour, I did not hesitate to sign up. I looked up the book, and I was really intrigued by the concept of the dystopian with the even deadly sins.

 

Needless to say, BRANDED did not disappoint. I loved the relationship between Lexi and Cole, and Zeus is my favorite literary dog ever. I LOVE THAT BIG GREAT DANE SO MUCH!!

 

I grew to really like the writing, even though it kind of annoyed me at first. It had a very nice flow to it, and made the book a very fast read. The pacing was also PERFECT. It was never too slow or too fast.

 

The only thing I had a problem with was the world. I wish it was explained more, and exactly how the Commander thought the deadly sins were the cause of conflict. But that is just a minor thing. It didn't really detract from the book.

 

Overall, BRANDED was a fantastic book. I highly recommend it!

 

CONTENT: This book is most definitely NOT clean. If anyone has objections to sex and violence, I would not recommend reading it.

So. It's Been a While.

Yeah. I haven't even had this blog for a year, and I've already fallen into a not posting habit. But I have reasons! School, sports, and homework have consumed most of my day, and when I'm not doing those things I'm either reading or on Instagram. (Ya'll should follow me. @ya_book_lover) But once summer comes, I will have LOADS of time on my hands, so I will be posting a lot more then.

Okay? Okay.  :)

Stay lovely!

~Marie

Let the Storm Break (Sky Fall #2) by Shannon Messenger: Review

RATING: 5/5

 

Author: Shannon Messenger

Release Date: March 4, 2014

My review of LET THE SKY FALL

Find it on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY(from Goodreads):

 

Vane Weston is haunted. By the searing pull of his bond to Audra. By the lies he’s told to cover for her disappearance. By the treacherous winds that slip into his mind, trying to trap him in his worst nightmares. And as his enemies grow stronger, Vane doesn’t know how much longer he can last on his own.

But Audra’s still running. From her past. From the Gales. Even from Vane, who she doesn’t believe she deserves. And the farther she flees, the more danger she finds. She possesses the secret power her enemy craves, and protecting it might be more than she can handle—especially when she discovers Raiden’s newest weapon.

With the Gale Force weakened by recent attacks, and the power of four collapsing, Vane and Audra are forced to make a choice: keep trusting the failing winds, or turn to the people who’ve betrayed them before. But even if they survive the storms sent to destroy them, will they have anything left to hold on to?

REVIEW:

With this book being a sequel, I will try to keep my review brief so I avoid spoilers.

So so so much love for these books. Vane is hilarious, and even though Audra annoyed me sometimes, I still think their relationship is the cutest. But that ending though...

I need the third book. Like soon. If not, I will do insane.

CONTENT: Kissing, no sex, innuendoes, mild swearing, and moderate violence.

Incarate by Jodi Meadows: Series review

SERIES RATING: 5/5

 

Author: Jodi Meadows

Find the first book on Goodreads here!

 

SUMMARY (Incarnate):

 

New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

 

REVIEW:

 

I received the first book, INCARNATE, a few years ago for my birthday, and I proceeded to read it in a day. I loved every minute of it. The way Jodi Meadows weaved together intrigue, romance, and fantasy elements just fascinated me. The concept with the reincarnation was totally unique; I've never, and I don't think I ever will, read anything like this.

 

Then Asunder came out a year later, and it was even better than the first. Although there were a few questionable things in this one, the great characters more than enough made up for it. You could see Ana's growth from book one, and her relationship with Sam and the other characters is great.

 

Now after reading Infinite, I am even more in love than when I first started the series. The trilogy ended wonderfully. A perfect ending to an amazing series.

 

Plus, there's dragons. How can you wrong with a book that has dragons?

 

Anyways, I highly recommend these books to anyone who loves dystopian and fantasy. You will not regret it!

 

CONTENT: Steamy kissing, one sex scene in the third book, but it is mostly implied. There is also some talk of sex. I think there's a little bit of swearing, but it is not bad if there is. As for violence, there's some kind of disturbing things, but none of it is very descriptive.