The Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan

Summary Provided by Amazon:

The Goblin Market has always been the center of Sin’s world. But now the Market is at war with the magicians, and Sin’s place is in danger. Thrown out of the Market she loves, Sin is thrown together with brothers Nick and Alan—whom she’s always despised.

Alan has been marked by a magician and is being tortured so that the magicians can get to Nick. As Sin watches Alan struggle to protect the demon brother he loves, she begins to see him in a new light—but she and Mae are locked in a fierce rivalry over who will inherit the leadership of the Goblin Market, and a decisive battle with the Aventurine Circle is looming. Mae’s brother, Jamie, is holed up with the magicians, his loyalties in question. And Nick—well, who knows what a demon might do to save his brother? How far will Nick go to save Alan—and what will it cost them all?

My Thoughts:

I know a lot of people have been saying this, but when I first found out that Sin was going to be the narrator I thought that the book was not going to be as good as the previous two books. I am so glad I was wrong! I did not realize how much Sin’s narration was going to bring to the story. We got to see Nick and Alan in completely different lights, we learned more about the Goblin Market and the Magicians, and we get to see a whole different side to Sin that I absolutely loved! The Demon’s Surrender is the perfect ending to a perfect trilogy! I only have praise for this story and all I want to do is read the entire series again. I totally would too if I didn’t have a list of books that I still need to read!

Sin is awesome! She had the perfect one-liners for Nick and Alan and I couldn’t help but laugh at them. She is strong, brave, independent and protective of her family. She is willing to do whatever she has to do to keep them safe. I really enjoyed learning about her and reading her story.

Alan and Nick were perfect. I love their connection and their protectiveness of each other. I love when they are joking around with each other and when they are scared for the other. Nick had it really bad in this one. It was horrible to read. Sarah Rees Brennan is the only author I know that could make you fall in love with a demon and at the same time is able to make a demon grow as a character. All I wanted to do was hug Nick and tell him everything was going to be OK, but then he probably would have stabbed me. Then there is Alan, who I have loved since the beginning! Seriously, I love him, and he was even better and more swoon worthy in this one! We got to see a whole other side to him that had me melting like butter for him! 

Mae and Jamie are also in the story, though we see less of them then we did in Lexicon and Covenant. Jamie had me worried there for a while, but once he was back to his old self, I realized how much I missed him! I would love to see a companion novel full of Jamie-isms!

There are so many plot twists that I never knew where Brennan was going to take the story and the characters! I was not able to turn the pages fast enough. Seriously, this women is a genius and super talented!  She is an amazing author and I can not wait to read more from her!

The Demon’s Lexicon series is one that I am so glad I read! Surrender had an ending that leaves the reader completely satisfied. I could not have asked for a better ending to a wonderful trilogy.

Just to add to the awesomeness that is The Demon’s Surrender, Alan is on the cover and I thought this cover was the best one yet! 

Circle Nine by Anne Heltzel

Summary Provided by Goodreads:

She knows only Sam, a mysterious teenage boy. He is her sole companion; her whole life. She was born, already a teenager, lying outside a burning building in soot-stained clothes, remembering nothing, not even her name. He showed her the necklace she had on, the one that named her: Abby. Sam brought her to live in his cave-palace, where he gives her everything she needs. He loves her. He protects her from the world outside, from everyone who wants to hurt them, like the denizens of Circle Nine, Dante’s deepest circle of hell. But even in a charmed, brand-new life like Abby’s, change will come. Sam falls ill. A new girl comes to stay, and Abby begins to question Sam’s devotion. With doubt comes emotional turmoil, changes in perception, and glimpses of her past identity. In this courageous psychological thriller, Abby tells the story of living her new life and discovering her old one, while grappling with an ever-changing reality.

My Thoughts:

I really wanted to read this book because the summary intrigued me. I thought that it was going to be a supernatural story set in a dystopian future, but that was not the case at all. This is a story about a boy named Sam, who after saving Abby from a burning building, has her live with him and takes care of her. Abby has no idea who she is, or how she knows Sam, but in the beginning is content with her situation. The more we read, the more we learn that Sam is actually a very controlling person and isn’t helping Abby, but hurting her. Abby decides to take matters into her own hands to find out who she really is, and why she can’t remember anything.

I really enjoyed this story and I had to keep reading to find out what happens. I had so many questions that I couldn't wait to find out the answers too. Who is Sam? Who is Abby? How do the two of them know each other? The two of them really intrigued me, and I was dying to know more!

Circle Nine is not a cookie cutter kind of story. It will leave you questioning until the very end, and then you will question even more! In some aspects, I really liked the ending, but at the same time, I was expecting a little more closure. I would have liked to know what happened to Sam. We never get to learn who Sam actually is beyond this situation, and I would have liked to see more of him. I think if the story was told in duel POV, I would have been a lot more satisfied.

Overall, Circle Nine is an interesting story and not at all what I was expecting, but I still enjoyed it and I am looking forward to reading more from Anne Heltzel!

Waiting on Wednesday (7)

Legend by Marie Lu

November 29, 2011

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

What is your Waiting on Wednesday? 

The Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck

Summary Provided by Goodreads:

 Kelsey Hayes is no ordinary college freshman. In fact, the eighteen-year-old girl has just returned from India, where she risked her life—and her heart—to rescue a handsome Indian prince from a terrible curse. Back home in Oregon, Kelsey is determined to move on, despite the lingering feelings she has for the man she left behind. She meets Li, a completely average guy who offers the promise of an ordinary, curse-free life. But just when Kelsey is ready to move on, Ren reenters her life, on a quest to reclaim her heart. Danger threatens their newly rekindled love and to save him, Kelsey must journey with someone else—a man who wants her for himself. The saga begun in Tiger’s Curse continues in Tiger’s Quest, as Kelsey finds herself in an epic battle between good and evil. From the shores of the Pacific Northwest to the jungles of India, the mountains of Nepal and Tibet, and the mystical realm of Shangri-la, this suspenseful tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption is not to be missed.

My Thoughts:

When I read The Tiger’s Curse in January, I did not think I was going to be able to wait until June to read the second book in the series, The Tiger’s Quest. I was obsessed with the story that Colleen Houck created! The plot was magical and captivating, the characters were awesome and the setting was beautiful. When I finally had The Tiger’s Quest in my hand I was so happy! Then I actually started it, and while I still loved the story, there were some things that disappointed me.

Kelsey was my main issue. She was so annoying! Every single time that she opened her mouth I wanted to punch her. I honestly don’t understand how both Ren and Kishan could fall in love with her. The aspects of her that I liked from the first book were still present-she was brave, selfless, and real. I could see someone like her being my best friend. But in Quest, she was just so dramatic and at times, ridiculous, that the good points of her character were overshadowed by the annoying parts. 

My other issue was the length of this book. While I loved the added stories Houck told about Indian culture and history, there were parts that I feel could have been cut out. Did we really need Kelsey to talk for a full page about every single thing that she and Kishan ate on their journey? I found myself wanting to skip over many, many parts.

Alright, now for what I loved about this book! I loved the story! Ren is kidnapped and tortured horribly by Lokesh, who Kelsey describes as a cross between Hannibal Lecter and Lord Voldemort, but much better looking. Now it is up to Kelsey, Kishan, and Mr. Kadam to break the second part of the curse and also save Ren. The book had action, romance, and history, and I thought that the storyline was even better then it was in the first book!

Besides Kelsey, who I couldn’t stand, I really enjoyed the other characters, especially Kishan, actually I loved him! We first met him in Curse, but we didn’t really learn that much about him. In this one, we learn that there are so many different levels to him and I loved seeing every single one of them. In my opinion, he was even better then Ren, which after book one, I didn’t think could be possible! He is very fun and very complex. He is not “emo" like Ren, which was a nice change of pace. I thought he added so much to the story, and I look forward to seeing where Houck takes him. I hope is able to find the peace he so desperately needs and deserves. 

The Tiger’s Voyage, which comes out in November is supposed to be 100 pages longer but Houck left us with such a “crazy, oh-know-she-didn’t” cliffhanger that I NEED to know what happens!  

This is a book that I would still recommend to my friends, even with its faults. Also, it looks so pretty on my bookshelf!

Teaser Tuesday!

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

• Grab your current read.
• Let the book fall open to a random page.
• Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page
• You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given
• Please avoid spoilers!

I am currently reading The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Here is my teaser. Hope you enjoy it!

"My fingers work through her mane, tying knots in threes and sevens. I sing in her ear, and all the while my inside hand turns her in smaller and smaller circles, each one away from the water. Nothing is sure."

I am loving this book so far! I am only on page 85, but it seems that Maggie has written yet another brilliant and beautiful story!

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Summary Provided by Goodreads:

Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her—and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.

            My Thoughts:

I knew I had to read this book as soon as I found out it was about Mermaids! Really, who doesn’t love a great Mermaid story?? Tempest Rising was a wonderful book-the writing was excellent, the characters were awesome and the mythology that Tracy Deebs incorporated on Mermaids and other sea creatures added so much more to an a already fantastic story. There was even an evil sea witch!

The main character, Tempest is half-human and half-mermaid. She is about to turn 17 and with that comes the biggest decision of her life. She needs to choose whether to stay human and stay with her father and brothers or truly accept the mermaid side of her and live in the sea. Hell, I thought having to choose what college I wanted to go to at 17 was a big decision!

Tempest was a wonderful character to get to know. I loved watching her grow throughout the book. I loved how loyal and caring she was, how she took care of her family, and how she was willing to do whatever she had to do for the sea creatures that she had just met. Even though the Sea was not officially her home, she wanted to protect it how ever she could.

Tempest also had to choose between to awesome boys-Mark, her human boyfriend and Kai, who helps her to understand who she truly is and encourages her to come to terms with it. I think Tempest had a wonderful connection to both of these guys, which made her choice that much harder, but I definitely think she made the right choice! 

Deeds did a fantastic job describing life under the sea. Her descriptions reminded me a lot of Finding Nemo because of the rich colors and details. I also loved how the story was so much more then just a mermaid story. It was about family, friendship and trust. It was also about finding yourself and being able to do whatever you want to do with your life. 

I highly recommend reading this one and I’m excited to see what Deebs has in store for us next!

In My Mailbox (14)

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren to share with everyone the books they bought, borrowed, or received for review. 

Review

The Unwanteds-Lisa McMann
Gone, Gone, Gone-Hannah Moskowitz
Clean-Amy Reed
Fury-Elizabeth Miles

Bought

Hourglass-Myra McEntire
The Demon's Surrender-Sarah Rees Brennan
Imaginary Girls-Nova Ren Suma
Passion-Lauren Kate
Incarceron-Catherine Fisher
Nightshade-Andrea Cremer

I hope everyone else had an awesome book week!