Give The Dark My Love by Beth Revis

An Anti-Heroine that shines in her darkness...

๏ ๏ ๏  Book Blurb ๏ ๏ ๏ 

When seventeen-year-old Nedra Brysstain leaves her home in the rural, northern territories of Lunar Island to attend the prestigious Yugen Academy, she has only one goal in mind: learn the trade of medicinal alchemy. A scholarship student matriculating with the children of Lunar Island's wealthiest and most powerful families, Nedra doesn't quite fit in with the other kids at Yugen, who all look down on her. 

All, except for Greggori "Grey" Astor. Grey is immediately taken by the brilliant and stubborn Nedra, who he notices is especially invested in her studies. And that's for a good reason: a deadly plague has been sweeping through the North, and it's making its way toward the cities. With her family's life--and the lives of all of Lunar Island's citizens--on the line, Nedra is determined to find a cure for the plague. 

Grey and Nedra continue to grow closer, but as the sickness spreads and the body count rises, Nedra becomes desperate to find a cure. Soon, she finds herself diving into alchemy's most dangerous corners--and when she turns to the most forbidden practice of all, necromancy, even Grey might not be able to pull her from the darkness.

๏ ๏ ๏  My Review ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Give The Dark My Love is the kind of book that is not easily defined.  For me, it was part Dark Fantasy, part Alternate History and also part Supernatural with a splash of romance.  The romance in no way interferes with the storyline or dominates it either…just enhances it. 

In the beginning, I had an overwhelming feeling of depression… the disease or plaque that does dominate the story, just left me saddened.  But around the half-way point, this takes a decidedly dark turn and that's when this story evolves into something most compelling…the darkness and the necromancy sucked me right into the story.  Despite the slow start to the book and my not having read too much about necromancy, to say yay or nay on it…I still feel like this is executed smoothly and poignantly.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏

☆4.2☆STARS - GRADE=B+

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot~ 4/5

Main Characters~ 4.2/5

Secondary Characters~ 4/5

The Feels~ 3.8/5

Pacing~ 4/5

Addictiveness~ 4/5

Theme or Tone~ 4/5

Flow (Writing Style)~ 4/5

Backdrop (World Building)~ 3.8/5

Originality~ 5/5

Ending~ 4.3/5  Cliffhanger~ Not really, but there is a second book.

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Book Cover~ So gorgeous…

Narration~☆5☆ for Mhairi Morrison, she reminded me of the girl in the Disney Movie Brave…I quite loved her accent. ☆4☆ for Bruce Mann…meh, he was all right.

Series~ Give The Dark My Love #1

Setting~ Lunar Island

Source~ Audiobook (Library)

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The Darkest Star by Jennifer L Armentrout

"We were all Dark Stars, but Luc...he was the darkest..."

๏ Book Blurb ๏

When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen...but he is, in fact, something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head...

๏ My Review ๏ 

I do love when the title of the book is subtly worked into the story, as it is in the above quote. I so went into this wanting to love it, but it just wasn't happening. The first half of this book was a struggle to get through…by far, there is too much silly high school drama. I don't remember the Lux Series being this childish, I actually really liked it. It was overwhelmingly disappointing for me.

With the second half, the story slowly improved little by little…once JLA stopped being so evasive and actually started giving us something plot-wise, anyway. She was so evasive that I found myself wishing I could remember more about the Lux Series, especially the final book, just so I might know wtf was up.


By the ending, it finally felt like something intriguing was being hinted at…unfortunately, I don't know if that hint will be enough for me to continue the series. Maybe, if I wait for the Audio, it will be doable??? I was looking at other reviews for this…and it seems most people loved it…so it's possible I'm in the minority here.

 MY RATING ☆2.7☆STARS - GRADE=C-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏
Plot~ 2.8/5
Main Characters~ 2.7/5
Secondary Characters~ 2.5/5
The Feels~ 2/5
Pacing~ 2.5/5
Addictiveness~2.7/5
Theme or Tone~ 2.7/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 2.3/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 2.5/5
Originality~ 3/5
Ending~ 3.2/5 Cliffhanger~ "to be continued"
๏ ๏ ๏
Book Cover~ It's Starry…
Series~ Origin #1
Setting~ Columbia, Maryland
Source~ I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Seeds of Iniquity by JA Redmerski -Book #4 of In the Company of Killers

Things that make you go...hmmm...

๏ ๏ ๏  Series Blurb ๏ ๏ ๏ 

In the Company of Killers is a series about two rogue assassin brothers and a damaged girl with the blood of a killer who becomes the tie that binds the three. Together, along with a man whose torture and interrogation methods spread fear throughout their underground world of crime, they embark on the ultimate mission: take out the leader of the world’s oldest and largest assassination ring, and gain control of its operations—while at the same time fighting each other, and battling their own demons.

With a large cast of diverse characters, there is no shortage of action, drama, whiplash-inducing twists and controversial themes. This series will push the boundaries of human nature as the group embark on a dangerous life together of crime, lust, deception, murder, and love.

๏ ๏ ๏  My Review ๏ ๏ ๏ 

I'm not sure what it is about this series that keeps me listening…when I'm not even overly fond of the characters.  It must be something…?  Being a contract assassin isn't something that's even in my realm…and maybe, therein lies the reason…because isn't that why we read in the first place, to go somewhere we've never been, and possibly would never even want to go?  This was compulsively listenable, despite feeling like one of those flashback episodes of a TV show, you know the kind…where they go down memory lane, reminiscing about past episodes.  It still had my rapt attention.  The lies, betrayals and ultimately the coming together...

Ultimately, I think I keep listening because I have to know all the deep dark places this series is going to go.  That I'd be missing out if I didn't...

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4☆STARS - GRADE=B+

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏

Plot~ 3.8/5

Characters~ 4/5

The Feels~ 4.2/5

Pacing~ 4.3/5

Addictiveness~ 4.3/5

Theme or Tone~ 3.7/5

Flow (Writing Style)~ 4/5

Backdrop (World Building)~ 4/5

Originality~ 4.2/5

Ending~ 4/5 Cliffhanger~ "to be continued"

๏ ๏ ๏

Book Cover~ Awesome!

Narration~ Kate Reindeers, Stephen Bell Davies, Nelson Hobbs & Luke Daniels

Series~ In the Company of Killers #4

Setting~ Boston, MA

Source~ I Own Audible Audiobook

๏ ๏ ๏

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

All these voices in my head get loud, I wish that I could shut them out...

๏ ๏ ๏  Book Blurb ๏ ๏ ๏ 

What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

๏ ๏ ๏  My Review ๏ ๏ ๏ 

The narration for this Audio was phenomenal, Charlie Thurston can tell a story, and what a compelling story it is.  I was honestly reminded of The Naturals, because of the whole son of a serial killer, using profiling to solve serial crimes, is also done in that series (but differently)…but this actually came out before that Series did.  I'm glad I didn't read this before The Naturals, though, because it might have ruined one of my fav series for me.  

With perfect plotting, that's executed in a believable way…this is one of the better YA Crime/Mysteries that I've read.  Jasper, Connie, and Howie were exceptional characters.  The kind you can root for, especially Jasper, who never really knows if he's going to end up being like his father.  His inner demons, aka the voices in his head, aka his Dad, will kind of creep you out, and maybe, it will also make you feel for him.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.7☆STARS - GRADE=A

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot~ 5/5

Main Characters~ 4.7/5

Secondary Characters~ 4.5/5

The Feels~ 4.5/5

Pacing~ 5/5

Addictiveness~ 4.5/5

Theme or Tone~ 4.5/5

Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5

Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5

Originality~ 4.5/5

Ending~ 4.5/5  Cliffhanger~ Sort of…

๏ ๏ ๏

Book Cover~ Perfect

Narration~☆5☆ for Charlie Thurston

Series~ Jasper Dent #1

Setting~ Lobo's Nod

Source~ Audiobook (Library)

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When We Caught Fire by Anna Godbersen

๏ ๏ ๏ Links ๏ ๏ ๏

Goodreads

Amazon

Booklikes

๏ ๏ ๏  Highlights ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Based on an actual Historical Event

Incendiary Romance with a Love-Tri

For the Older-YA Lovers

A stand-alone story

With Narration Seamlessly Performed by Suzanne Elise Freeman

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Despite having less than likable characters (with Fiona as the exception) this was still an engrossing listen.  The backdrop of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was what made this story stand-out for me.  I could see how others found this to be slow in the beginning, with its soap-opera-like feel and melodrama of the elite high society of the times, but on Audio, those parts fly by fairly quickly.  Once the fire starts burning, the unceasing flames and the lives at stake make this unputdownable.  The way the author takes the truth about the actual fire and plays it out with her cast of characters is quite the tale.  I found this exert from here about the Great Chicago Fire.

The Chicago Fire of 1871, also called the Great Chicago Fire, burned from October 8 to October 10, 1871, and destroyed thousands of buildings, killed an estimated 300 people and caused an estimated $200 million in damages. Legend has it that a cow kicked over a lantern in a barn and started the fire, but other theories hold that humans or even a meteor might have been responsible for the event that left an area of about four miles long and almost a mile wide of the Windy City, including its business district, in ruins. Following the blaze, reconstruction efforts began quickly and spurred great economic development and population growth.

With the ending the irredeemable characters become redeemable and the love triangle that takes the center of the stage throughout this story has its inevitable outcome.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.2☆STARS - GRADE=B+

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4/5
Narration Performance⇝ 4.5/5

Main Characters⇝ 3.8/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 3/5

The Feels⇝ 4/5

Pacing⇝ 4/5

Addictiveness⇝ 4/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 4/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4.5/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4.7/5

Originality⇝ 4.2/5

Ending⇝ 4.2/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nah...

๏ ๏ ๏

Book Cover⇝ It's incendiary…

Setting⇝ Chicago 1871

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
๏ ๏ ๏

The Last Town by Blake Crouch

Book #3 

Wayward PinesTrilogy

๏ ๏ ๏  Highlights ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Dystopian

Monsters

Horror-if-ic

Uniquely Different Concept

Existentially Thought-Provoking

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

A very mysterious, uniquely done creepy-scary scenario with scy-fy and dystopian-ish elements, this trilogy is a must-read. I loved it, despite certain aspects confusing the heck out of me…I'm inclined to believe that's on me, more than the writing, though. And geez-louise, what an ending...

If you don't know much about this series…you should keep it that way…and dive in. Seriously, just do it. The narration is excellently done for one-person narration.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.7☆STARS - GRADE=A

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4.7/5

Main Characters⇝ 4.7/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 4.5/5

The Feels⇝ 4.5/5

Pacing⇝ 4.5/5

Addictiveness⇝ 5/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4.5/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 5/5

Originality⇝ 5/5

Ending⇝ 4.5/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Well…

๏ ๏ ๏

Book Cover⇝ Meh...

Narration⇝ ☆4.5☆ for Paul Garcia

Series⇝ Wayward Pines #3

Setting⇝ Wayward Pines

Source⇝ I Own Audible Audiobook

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Pack by Mike Bockoven

๏ ๏ ๏  Highlights ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Stand-Alone

Werewolves

Horror-if-ic

Family Dynamic

Splash of Paranormal

๏ ๏ ๏ Links ๏ ๏ ๏

Add to Goodreads | Add to Booklikes 

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

I don't like most of the Shifters novels out there, but this one is different. I like that it was different. This felt like it came from the real-world with a supplement of paranormal elements…rather than coming from the paranormal world supplemented with real-world elements. If that makes sense…it's also very graphic, especially the shifting scenes.

Overall though, I felt like it lacked heart, or maybe it just needed a tad less testosterone…I'm not really sure. Also, there are a few plot inconsistencies where things didn't get fully explained. Other than that, while not as terrific as Fantasticland, Pack is still a mostly enjoyable listen. The dialogue was easily digestible and well done in Audio format, but it would have been even better with additional narrators. Oh yeah, there is also a shout-out to Metallica...gotta love that.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆3.3☆STARS - GRADE=B-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 3/5
Narration Performance⇝ 4/5
Characters⇝ 3.3/5

The Feels⇝ 3/5

Pacing⇝ 3.2/5

Addictiveness⇝ 3.5/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 3.5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 3.7/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4/5

Originality⇝ 4/5

Ending⇝ 3.2/5 Cliffhanger⇝ hmmm...sort of.

๏ ๏ ๏

Book Cover⇝ Love it!

Setting⇝ Cherry, Nebraska

Source⇝ I Own Audible Audiobook
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Wayward by Blake Crouch

Book #2 Wayward Pines Trilogy

๏ ๏ ๏  Highlights ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Horror-if-ic

The Actual Truth Can Be Scarier Than The Supposed Truth

Dystopian-ish

Small Town Creepiness

Thriller

๏ ๏ ๏ Links ๏ ๏ ๏

Add to Goodreads | Add to Booklikes 

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

This is the type of story that you should go into blind…or at least semi-blind. So I won't say anything about the plot itself. I was completely absorbed in this audiobook, other than the beginning where I struggled to remember what happened at the end of Pines, I eventually fell into the story and started remembering. If you decide to read this series...don't watch the TV show, after finishing the first book, I watched about an episode and a half and it has differences in how things play out, that only confused me when I started this book. What a crazy-scary AF atmosphere that Blake Crouch has masterminded here in this series. I cannot wait to listen to the third and final book in this series.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.7☆STARS - GRADE=A

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4.5/5
Narration Performance⇝ 5/5

Characters⇝ 4.3/5

The Feels⇝ 5/5

Pacing⇝ 4.7/5

Addictiveness⇝ 5/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4.5/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4.7/5

Originality⇝ 5/5

Ending⇝ 4.3/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Yeah, you could say that.

๏ ๏ ๏

Book Cover⇝ It's fitting…

Setting⇝ Wayward Pines

Source⇝ I own Audible Audiobook
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Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh

Guild Hunter #3

๏ ๏ ๏  Highlights ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Angels & Demons & Vampires

Urban Fantasy

Romance 

Sex-plicit

Too Much Sex Not Enough Plot

With Audio Performed by Justine Eyre

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

I keep finding reasons (reading challenges) to continue reading this series…even though I'm on the fence about whether I like it or not, and want to continue it.  I'm not saying it's bad…it’s actually well written, with steamy sex scenes and a decent paranormal storyline, but for me personally, I'm just not that into it.  I wonder if my apathetic feelings towards this series as a whole are because of the narration…she seems to imbue this particular series with this sexy, breathy voice that I'm not sure I like.  I have listened to samples of other books she has narrated and she doesn't always sound like that, she actually has a wide range of voice inflections.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆3.5☆STARS - GRADE=B-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝  3.7/5
Narration Performance⇝  3.5/5

Main Characters⇝  4/5

Secondary Characters⇝  3.7/5

The Feels⇝  3/5

Pacing⇝ 3/5

Addictiveness⇝  3/5

Theme or Tone⇝  3.5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝  3.5/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝  3.8/5

Originality⇝  3/5

Ending⇝  3.5/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Not really...

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Book Cover⇝ This cover is cool…but the actual cover for Audio Version is kind of ugly.

Setting⇝ Mostly New York

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
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Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

Darkest London #3

๏ ๏ ๏  Highlights ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Gothic London

Historical

Paranormal Romance

Sex-plicit

Wolves

Demons

With Audio Performed by Moira Quirk

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

I liked this so much more on Audio…with it, the slow sections are so much easier to get through.  I've previously read this series in eBook format, and I've struggled through the first two books. But now that I've found the audio version on Scribd...this has become a much more enjoyable read/listen.  Once you get to the meat of the story, it really is quite awesome…even for paranormal (just to clarify, I haven't been feeling the paranormal stories lately).  The dark, historic London paired with Kristen Callihan's superb writing makes the paranormal aspects, and let's not forget the sizzling sex scenes either, come to life.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4☆STARS - GRADE=B+

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4/5
Narration Performance⇝ 4/5

Characters⇝ 4.3/5

The Feels⇝ 4/5

Pacing⇝ 3.7/5

Addictiveness⇝ 3.5/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 3.8/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 3.8/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4/5

Originality⇝ 4/5

Ending⇝  4/5 Cliffhanger⇝ "to be continued"

๏ ๏ ๏

Book Cover⇝ I like newer one better...

Setting⇝ London

Source⇝ Audiobook (Scribd)
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An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

๏ ๏ ๏  Highlights ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Ethics & Morality

Psychological Thriller

Mystery 

Suspense

Twisty

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

This was slow-building psychological suspense…that didn't have me hooked until the last 1/3 of the book.  At that point, everything starting clicking together and then...the sh*t hit-the-fan.  I have to say…I thought this was going to disappoint me just like The Wife Between Us did, but by the end, I was pleasantly surprised.

An Anonymous Girl is a smartly written and cleverly plotted novel.  With decidedly flawed characters and an interesting storyline.  I recommend to anyone who likes a slow build-up to an intense ending.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.5☆STARS - GRADE=A-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4.5/5
Main Characters⇝ 4.5/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 4/5

The Feels⇝ 4.3/5

Pacing⇝ 4.3/5

Addictiveness⇝  4/5

Theme or Tone⇝  5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝  4.2/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝  4/5

Originality⇝  5/5

Ending⇝  4.7/5

๏ ๏ ๏

Book Cover⇝ It's nothing special...

Setting⇝ New York City

Source⇝ I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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Evertrue by Brodi Ashton

Everneath #3

๏ ๏ ๏  Highlights ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Magic

Mythology

Young Adult

Tween Romance

Final Book in Trilogy

Series Rating: ☆3.7☆ 

With Audio Performed by Amy Rubinate

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

I didn't know if I was ever going to read/listen to this final book.  But, hey Halloween Bingo gave me the push to finally get this series off my tbr.  I was initially drawn in by the beautiful covers this series has…especially the first one.  While not my favorite Young Adult series, which is most likely due to the fact that this is more Y(oung) and less A(dult), I still found it moderately good.  Other readers have found this ending to the series unsatisfactory, but I thought it ended just the way it should have.  Plus…Amy Rubinate's voice is always a pleasant voice to listen too.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆3.5☆STARS - GRADE=B-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 3.7/5
Narration Performance⇝ 4.5/5

Main Characters⇝ 3.5/5

The Feels⇝ 3/5

Pacing⇝ 3/5

Addictiveness⇝ 3/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 3.5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 3.7/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4/5

Originality⇝ 3/5

Ending⇝ 4/5

๏ ๏ ๏

Book Cover⇝ Quite striking…not as much as the first one, though.

Setting⇝ Park City, UT & The Everneath

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
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