April 30, 2015

White Hot Kiss Review

What did I think of...

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

 

 

Description:
One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne… it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.


This is the second time I've read White Hot Kiss, and I it was definitely better than the first time, both because I read it, and then read the second book Stone Cold Touch for the first time after that.


 

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published on: February 25th, 2014
Pages: 400 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: The Library
My rating: 4 pages


Genre's:


 
 
 
When I saw that Stone Cold Touch was out on Barnes and Noble's shelves, I had to have it.
And, like the impulse buyer I am, I bought it.
Afterwards, I realized I had to reread White Hot Kiss first, because I remembered nothing.
 
Layla Shaw has always been different, even by supernatural standards. Living with Warden's, the "protectors" of sorts for humankind against demons, she's always felt like an outsider, even though she's more powerful and paranormal than they are. Layla is half-Warden, half-demon, two polar opposites. Each side, demon and warden alike, are caught in a vicious war against each other, caught up in their prejudiced hatred... and poor Layla is caught in the middle.
Living with the Warden's, Layla has always attempted to suppress her demonic side, added with the guilt she feels from her fellow Wardens.
However, not all Wardens think she should be allowed to live... and on her seventeenth birthday, things start to happen.
When the Crown Prince of Hell, or Roth, shows up, he causes her to question everything she thought was true, to accept herself (both sides) and to realize that a little bit of evil is necessary.
 
Roth is an Upper Level demon, and unfortunately, he's here on a job. The Boss from downstairs has given him orders, and Roth is here for a reason. But, he's fallen on the job. Fallen in love, that is. With Layla. But there are just too many barriers to overcome, and in the biggest plot twist in JLA history, it all goes out in a ball of flame.
 
Layla is not like the usual LJA heroine. She has no self-esteem, is very introverted, and craves attention, but is still super sassy, super cheeky in her own way. Being suppressed her whole life, it was cool to watch her bloom in personality. She also has some super powers, soul-stealing kisses (literally), and others that are spoilers so I will not mention them.
 
Roth is my guy right now. He's hot, arrogant, and he can be super sweet and loving. And, better yet, as a full-demon, he doesn't have a soul.
Yes.
He doesn't have a soul for Layla to steal. So not only is he perfection, but he also opens some serious doors for her... BOYS. Er, BOY. Singular.
 
 
Zayn is Layla's best friend, and her safety cocoon. Not only that, but she crushes on him hard, and he is essentially the only person to ever accept her. But, nothing can ever happen between them, because of her inability to kiss... and the fact that she doesn't trust herself.
 
Yes, there is a love-triangle. Those of you who know me, know that love-triangle's are a pet peeve of mine. Usually, because it is the result of a character deluding themselves, scared of the unknown and safe in the familiar. This is what this particular love-triangle is, too, but its execution was actually pretty well done.
Even though Zayn was like this giant obstruction, hindering the Layla/Roth relationship, it was still a good read.
 
 
VS.
 

 
 
So, yes. I am a total Team Roth fan!!
Highly recommended!
 
 
 
XOXO,
Kat
 
 
 

April 28, 2015

Throne of Glass Review

What did you think...

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

 

 
 
Description: In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king's champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass--and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.
  

If I had to recommend one young adult series/book to a person, hands down I'd (most likely) recommend this book, Throne of Glass.


Main Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published on: May 7th, 2013
Pages: 404
Format: ebook- Kindle
Source: Amazon
My rating: 6 stars
 
Genres:
 
 
 
 
This is my second time reading it, and Throne of Glass still blows me away. The characters, the plotline, the writing... it's all amazing.
 
Celaena Sardothien is an assassin, known as Adarlan's Assassin, the most notorious assassin around (who is but a seventeen year old, lethal weapon). Betrayed by someone she know, Celaena was sent to Endovier, a death camp, where the average time people survive is two months. A year later, Celaena is still chugging along when the Crown Prince and his Captain of the Guard give her a proposition she can't refuse, a chance at her freedom. She shall compete in a competition to become the King's Champion. She will win (of that, there is no doubt) and after four years championing (is that even a word?) for the King, she will be given her freedom. Celaena agrees, and embarks on a perilous journey.
Celaena is a master at keeping secrets, ones that she even keeps from herself. Secrets she wants never to think of again. Her home, her parents, and her true self.  She tries everything she can to lock those memories away, but some memories won't stay hidden. There is evil in the castle, and it's up the Adarlan's Assassin to do the good thing... and rid of it.
 
Celaena is probably one of my favorite character's I've ever read. She's so complex in her layers, such a contradiction and made more real in her flaws and emotions than any other I've read. Sarah J. Maas truly knew what she was doing writing Celaena, and must have uncanny knowledge of how people's brain think, what makes humans be humans.
 
There was the slightest attempt at a love triangle here, and I say slightest because you could tell romance was definitely on the back burner, here. Chaol, the rugged, capable Captain of the Guard, of which Celaena feels inexplicit feelings for. Prince Dorian, the crown Prince, and a Havillard, one of the name Calaena despises most, yet feels drawn to, nonetheless.
 
I've never read a book quite like Throne of Glass, and now that I've read it a second time, but a year after the first time, I agree even more adamantly.
 
This is how serious I am: I would trade Throne of Glass for a Kristen Ashley book, any day.
Yes. I said it. I know. I might cry, too. Because I never thought the day would come.
 
Truly, if you don't read this book and enjoy it... well, I suppose you know what I'm going to say, now, don't you ;)
 
 
 
XOXO,
Kat
 
 
 

April 26, 2015

Stay with Me Review

What did I think of...

Stay with Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout/ J Lynn


 
 
Description:
 
At 21, Calla hasn’t done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.

But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she'd left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.

Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn’t give them her mom.


Rating: 4.2 stars

Genre's:

 
 
Stay with Me was a really fun read... and more action packed than some of her previous books. I have noticed that through the three of her books in this series; Wait for Me, Be with Me, and Stay with Me; it's been getting more and more action-y. Wait for Me... not really, Be with Me, was more hit and run with the action, but Stay with Me had dead bodies, drug deals, and was a rocky ride.
 
In Be with Me, Calla was the tough-girl, totally outgoing and badass... but I feel like her personality was altered a ton. She had less of a backbone than Teresa did, and was a character with a weaker personality and backbone, which sucked, but I thought it made her even  more real. Because of all she's been through, it made her seem like more of a real person, that she had a weaker mentality of herself and what she deserved than others, and made me enjoy Jax "reeducating" her on herself.
 
Jax, however, was great! A previous military man, he flip-flopped from the outrageous flirting that was Jace from Be with Me, to a more alpha-possessive-protective side than both Jace and Cam possessed.
 
 
"I gotta tell you that I love you that I love you, Calla," he said, and I was surprised the heart monitor didn't catch the fact that it felt like my heart had stopped for a moment. "No bullshit. I do. I love the way you think, even if it's annoying as fuck at times and even then it's still cute. I love that there's a shit ton of things you've never gotten to experience and that you're going to get to experience them with me. That I have that honor. I love your strength and everything you've survived. I love your courage and I love that you make shit drinks, but no one cares because you're so damn nice. I'm pretty sure you're Long Island iced teas could kill people, but that's okay." His lips curved up on one side as his gaze held mine steadily. "I love your sense of humor and the fact you never ate grits before. There's so much that I love about you that I know I'm in love with you. So, honey, you can have all my shirts you want."
 
 
Yes, all of that was in response to Calla admitting that when she thought they were over (which they were not), she stole her favorite of his shirts. This totally made me fall in love with him more than I already was!!
 
I highly recommend this and any other Jennifer L. Armentrout book- she is one of my go-to authors because I know that any book of hers will make me fall in love, cry, laugh and be entertained.
 
 
 
XOXO,
Kat
 
 

April 25, 2015

Confession Number Two

Confession: Names

 

My name is Kat, and I'm a Bookaholic.

I guess it's time I started living up to the name of my blog: Confessions of a Bookaholic. Yeah. Whose idea was this, again? Anyway. I'm going to start by saying I am not Catholic. And, nothing against those of you who are, but confessions are not something I am used to. Like at all. Or honesty, really. Gosh, I guess that's the glory of the anonymous pen name, "Kat".
 
Addiction runs in my family. So it was no surprise when "-aholic" was tacked to the back of something I loved. Everyone has pet peeves when in the real world. Mine is when someone tells me (to do) the same thing over and over; repetition, and condescending peoples, especially those older than I. Most people also have pet peeves when reading. One of mine, is names. They have to be an utterly perfect fit for the character.
 
Have you ever read a book, and simply couldn't connect because of the name? I find this almost happens more with the men than the women, but I imagine that might be different for others.
 
Some names work, some are absolutely perfect, some are kind of sketchy, and some won't fit any character no matter what. Names like Gabriel, Nathaniel, Preston; most especially long prestigious names that never seem to fit with my favorite man; sweet, slightly goofy, with a domineering, possessive, jealous and loving man.
 
However, there are times where I can't help but connect. Gabriel from Rock Hard by Nalini Singh totally worked for me; Nathan from Three Wishes by Kristen Ashley; Preston from Just for Now by Abbi Glines. I know I said all three of those names were names I never thought I could get behind, but it really depends on the book.
For example, Gabriel from Rush by Maya Banks was really hard to connect with on the name level. He was fine as far as the personality level; but anytime she said "Gabriel", I just couldn't connect. Don't even get me started on Christian from Fifty Shades of Grey. "Christian", just doesn't get me as warm and tingly as "Jax", from Stay With Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout/ J Lynn.
 
Some really great names, from really great books include Celaena Sardothian, Aelin and Chaol from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas; Kate Daniels from, well, Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews; etc. These names really resonate with the characters, their personalities, and their situations on a level that many authors never consider for their characters. They just fit so perfectly well. Kate Daniels may be such a simple name, but with its coagulation with Jack Daniels, and Kate being such a simple, rebellious name made badass by her character... perfection.
 
Does anyone else have this same problem? Or know any other really great or horrible names?
 
I know this isn't really a Confession, more like an opinion; so here's my confession.
 
I can read a really great book, and hate it because of the character names. I'm sure I don't need to mention the perfection that is Harry Potter, but I can say for a fact, that if his name was Jerry Meyer, or Jack Miller, it wouldn't have near the same impact that it would, and I probably would not like the book, which is slightly ridiculous, but it's true.
 
XOXO,
Kat
 
 

April 24, 2015

Don't Look Back Review

What did I think of...

Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout/ J Lynn


 
 
Description:
 
Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?
 
Don't Look Back pleasantly surprised me.
Here's the run-down...
 
Samantha is found four days after she disappeared, with dissociative amnesia, meaning she can't remember anything. For example, she remembers that she read To Kill A Mockingjay and can tell you exactly what it was about, but he can't remember when she read it, what class it was and what the teachers name was.
She doesn't remember her parents, her boyfriend, anything really. Problem is, the night she disappeared, her best friend was killed, and nobody but her can remember what happens... if she remembers and everyone thinks she did it, even her parents.
Not only that, but in her "previous life", Samantha was actually the huge mean girl, super rich and rules the school. Now, in her "second chance", she is horrified to find out everything she did in her "previous life". She's getting her second chance at life that nobody ever gets.
She befriends her childhood best friend once more, Carson, and sparks start to fly!
Trouble is, memories are pressing in, and now Sammie is suspecting everyone she meets.... including herself. Turns out, it's the last person she expected.
 
Rating: 3.8 stars
Genre's:
 
 
 
 
Samantha is a girl with strong convictions, and a heart that bleeds, and Carson is a great guy, perfect for her. But don't mistake this book for a romance, even a romantic suspense. This is a total thriller, a mystery; girl against her own mind.
That's what makes this so unique.
 
Don't Look Back is different from any other Jennifer L. Armentrout/ J Lynn book she's written, but still with her usual flair, and touch of humor.
 
Highly recommended!
 
 
 
XOXO,
Kat
 
 

Angelfall ARC Review

What did I think of...

Angelfall by Susan Ee


 
 
 
This is the second time I've read this book... and I think it was actually better the second time.
 
Description:
 
It's been six weeks since the angels of the apocalypse destroyed the world as we know it. Only pockets of humanity remain.

Savage street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night.

When angels fly away with a helpless girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back...
 
Star Rating:
 
 
For my characters, I have a serious thing with names. They really have to fit the character. I almost never read books with "Emma's" or "Sarah's" because those names are very common, much like my own name. Of which I shorted to a rebellious and mysterious "Kat". Yes I am kidding. -ish.
 
Back to the conversation at hand. Raphael is a name I never thought I could get with. Good thing he went by Raffe, because it totally worked for me.
 
Raffe totally unbelievably worked for me. He was perfectly written, full of flaws. At the beginning, haughty and condescending, angry and hurting. Then he got caring, Penryn before himself... and it was really beautiful to watch the transition, watch him fall in love with a Daughter of Man, though.
 
Penryn was my favorite kind of character. She was proud, stubborn and strong, and has a bleeding heart. All she wanted was her sister back, and she was willing to do anything, sacrifice everything to get her back, until she realizes the one person she can't sacrifice is the one she needs to... Raffe.
 
Penryn's mother was a joy to read about. She was completely insane and maniacal. She totally is completely duped in the brain, but was still a joy to read, I enjoyed the hell out of reading about her, even if she was completely fucked in the brain.
 
Rating: 5 stars 
 
Genre:
 
  
 
 
This is the second time I've read Angelfall, the first time I read it was because a friend on mine on Goodreads told me I hadn't lived until I read Angelfall. After numerous people agreed heartily, I complied and picked it up immediately.
I read the first two books in one day, and was done by four o'clock in the afternoon.
 
I was hooked by the writing, the characters and the plotline... and I can't wait for The End of Days.
 
XOXO,
Kat