Review: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Publisher: Tor Books
Publishing Date: February 24, 2015
Page Count: 400 pages
Summary: Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit. Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London - but no one speaks of that now. Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'. But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — trickier than they hoped.

Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Publication Date: May 24, 2012
Publisher: Orion Books
Page Count: 422 pages

Summary: On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

Honestly this was me through a lot of the book.

Review Time: Monster In His Eyes

Note: this book is categorized as erotica and may have some darker elements that aren't suitable for viewers under the age of 18.

Monster In His Eyes by J.M. Darhower
Publication Date: April 27th, 2014
Publisher: Self-published
Page count: 350 pages

Summary: Ignazio Vitale is not a good man. I suspect it, the first time I see him, sense the air of danger that surrounds the man. He has a way of commanding attention, of taking control, of knowing what I'm thinking before I even do. It's alarming and alluring. It's dark and deadly. It's everything I've ever wanted but the last thing I truly need. Obsession. It doesn't take him long to draw me into his web, charming me into his bed and trapping me in his life, a life I know nothing about until it's too late. He has secrets, secrets I can't fathom, secrets that make it so I can't walk away, no matter how much I beg him to let me go. I see it sometimes in his eyes, a darkness that's both terrifying and thrilling. He's a monster, wrapped up in a pretty package, and what I find when I unmask him changes everything. I want to hate him. Sometimes, I do. But it doesn't stop me from loving him, too. (via goodreads)

J.M. Darhower is quickly becoming one of those authors that I'll read anything they write. The characters and the realistic but intriguing worlds of danger she can write have me hooked instantly (also she's a nice lady). In Monster in His Eyes, J.M. Darhower gives readers a book that has you wondering from the very beginning how things are going to go. What's being hidden? Who is Ignazio Vitale? And more importantly, why is he a monster?

Ignazio “Naz” Vitale was mesmerizing from the start. He was silent and deadly, captivating Karissa so very quickly. He captivated me quickly. On the outside he was calm and controlled but there always seemed to be something going on in his head. As if he was calculating every action he took as well as the actions of those around him. There was no doubting his danger, even if Karissa was slowly being seduced into believing there was none at all with him. This man had me on the edge of my seat until the end of the book. There was no doubting the storm going on behind his eyes, the darkness that he let out in gradual stages as he spent time with Karissa.

Karissa herself was likeable, and she was also so wrapped into the mystery and sex appeal of Naz so she's easily persuaded into a sense of safety. This, as a reader, sets you on edge even if you're being seduced almost as easily as she is. However, I was screaming in my head “Watch out!” But, when push comes to shove she does have her own spark that comes out. The tension between her and Naz was a great thing to see, especially with how the age difference plays in. It was sexy without there being overdone or full of sex. I hope that in the next book, with the big reveal being out, that we get to see more of her spark and the angry passion building between her and Naz.

Overall, this was a great read for me personally. It was dark in a way I hadn't found before (but dark in the way I can occasionally enjoy) and the mystery of Naz's secret went in a completely different direction than I was expecting to witness. I don't want to say too much about certain part's of the book considering how big everything is in regard's to the plot. Great characters, and great story; I couldn't have asked for more from Darhower's mind.

Review: Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sara MacLean
Publication Date: April 26th 2011
Publisher: Avon (HarperCollins)
Page Count: 367 pages

Summary: She lives for passion. Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society’s rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London’s most practiced gossips…and precisely the kind of woman the Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him. He swears by reputation. Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening–risking everything he holds dear–he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

I decided to take a look through some old favorites and post a review! Might possibly make it a thing to occasion look back at past books I've read and do some reviews, maybe even reread to refresh my mind. It had been a while since I'd read any Historical Romances when I tried this one. I'd forgot how good they can be so I think I need to read more. Specifically, more from this author. Her writing was amazing when it comes to this genre and style.

The book starts with Juliana Fiori, the half sister to the Ralston twins, who are all marked by scandal in some form due to their mothers abandonment for another man and a more adventurous life. Because of this Juliana struggles with fitting in with the ton and acting the way they approve of. She's failing every step of the way in their eyes, especially since they believe she'll turn out to be just like her mom. So she decides to stop trying. The way she deals with the stuffy and snobby characters of English society makes me love her even more. She doesn't hold back for anyone. She's got spunk, she's witty and sassy and oh so lovable. I don't usually fall for the female characters of Historical romances the way I did with this one! I'd definitely want her as my friend.

The hero of the story, Simon Pearson, The Duke of Leighton, is one of the people who have the most disdain for scandal and impropriety so from the start it seems like he can't stand Juliana or her family and what they represent. He doesn't waste a chance to turn his nose up at her and her careless behavior. But he desires her and he has passion for her like he's never had for anything in life and of course he's equally confused and frustrated over this fact. Because of this, he lashes out at Juliana in result. Simon was very stiff and polite in a regal manner in the beginning, but there was still something intriguing about him even then. His confusion over his interest in her and the evolution of his character was done so smoothly, not choppy or extreme at all. 

The tension and chemistry between the two characters is off the charts from the very beginning. Usually when characters are bickering back and forth it can often become more annoying than sizzling but MacLean does a tremendous job at keeping away from crossing that line. When it came to Simon, Juliana was challenging and fierce; a perfect opponent against Leighton's sharp tongue. At every moment I read I was saying to myself, just kiss already! MacLean also gives us a very nice growth in their relationship outside of the steamy tension. The love scenes, of course, were sensual and magnificent and another thing done very well considering the genre. Most Historical Romances can get a little too flowery and overdone!

Juliana is the perfect person to make the stiff Simon a little wild, two opposites couldn't be more perfect for each other. The evolution of his feelings and his beliefs (as well as hers) in the face of their changing relationship was one of the best things about the book, outside the characters themselves. This is the first book I've read from Sarah MacLean and it definitely won't be the last, and it will be the reason I go back into this genre in search for nice little gems to read.

This one definitely deserves five stars.