GUARDIANS by Josi Russell
Publisher: Future House Publishing
Publication Date: February 11th, 2016
Pages: 467
Song I Played While Reading: Greyhound by Swedish House Mafia
Rating: 5 stars

Trapped on a hostile planet.

Life on Minea isn’t all that the shiny brochures back on Earth promised the passengers of Ship 12-22. In order to survive, most of the population must slave away in the dark, unforgiving caverns of the Yyinum mines. 
Ethan’s position as governor proves to be less effective than he hoped as he clashes with the power-hungry companies that control the planet. While on a surveying ship, Ethan and the crew crash-land into the cavernous depths beneath the Karst Mountains, where a maze of tunnels and slew of fatal dangers block their journey home.
Above ground, a deadly epidemic sweeps the planet, and Ethan’s wife, Aria, is torn between searching the mountains for him and finding a cure. When a mysterious craft appears in the sky, Kaia and her father, Admiral Phillip Reagan, must prepare for a battle with a species they know nothing about.
As their world descends into chaos, can these self-appointed guardians bring hope of survival to Minea?

I'd like to thank Future House Publishing for sending me this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, wow, WOW! That's literally all I can think right now. I thought CARETAKER was complex and intriguing, but GUARDIANS takes it to a whole new level. 
This was fanfuckingtastic. Russell pours her heart and soul into this incredible story, and it really shines through. Her characters are compassionate and have a startling amount of depth. The world is intricate and complex and rich in detail. For someone like me, who likes reading about the history of a world and everything there is to know about it's government, military, people, economy, and basically everything that makes up a country or planet... this was crazy delicious. 
As before, I had no idea where the plot line was going. It was so beautifully done, with a storyline that kept me hooked. Who's this new alien race? Where is this epidemic coming form? Why is there no cure? What's gonna happen to Ethan and the crew that crash-landed? There is so much more to GUARDIANS than just that, as well, which I loved. Keeping a summary a little vague gives the book so much more appeal when you're reading it and realizing how much they left out. It hooks you in! Everything was tied together flawlessly. I did struggle to push through in the beginning, but once I hit that 20% mark I was a goner. Donezo.
Russell's writing was also more developed and eloquent, which really made her characters stand out. Ethan and Kaia had that spark I felt they lacked in CARETAKER, and it made me care for them so much. I also ADORED Aria. Scratch that, I adored everyone, especially their children. I wish I could've pinched Rigel's cheeks! 
Everything was tied up nicely, all my questions answered, which is an incredible feat, considering this intricate storyline. Overall, besides the slow beginning, this was stunning! I highly, highly recommend picking these two books up. 

Both Caretaker and Guardians are $0.99 between now and February 17th on Amazon, so this is the perfect time to read it!
Guardians: http://amzn.to/1QnwdZ7
Caretaker: http://amzn.to/1Rjc3nU

Future House Publishing is also hosting two giveaways, one through Goodreads on February 15th, and a rafflecopter for 5 signed copies of Guardians and an audiobook of Caretaker. Here's the link to their websites! 
Quotes
"It's just hard to compete with the Crystal Cavern," Ethan responded.
"That maybe have been the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." The wonder of it still resounded in Traore's voice.
"Not me," Ndaiye countered. "Sara is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Especially when she comes in from the Food Production Division and takes her hair down outta her helmet. Mmmmm," he sighed appreciatively."

"So we let them stay? It will be a war, Ethan. You realize that? A war with an opponent I can't even fathom. People will die."
Ethan looked him levelly in the eye. "We're all going to die, Phillip. Nobody knows that better than you and me." There was such a depth of pain in Ethan's eyes that Reagan had to look away to hold his own emotions in check. "We're all going to die, so we'd better live well while we have the chance." 

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Happy Monday!

Read Last Week

Caretaker by Josi Russell

Currently Reading
Guardians by Josi Russell

To-Read
Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
Truthwitch by Susan Dennard


Happy readings! :)

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CARETAKER by Josi Russell

CARETAKER by Josi Russell
Publisher: Future House Publishing
Publication Date: September 2nd, 2015
Pages: 325
Song I Played While Reading: Greyhound by Swedish House Mafia
Rating: 4 stars

Fifty years in space—alone.

Ethan Bryant was supposed to fall asleep on a ship leaving Earth and wake up fifty years later with his family on the planet Minea. Instead, after the ship’s caretaker—the lone human in charge of monitoring the ship’s vital systems—suddenly died, the ship’s computer locked Ethan out of his stasis chamber and gave him the job. That was five years ago. Five years of checking to make sure everything runs smoothly on a ship Ethan knows almost nothing about.
Who wouldn’t dread the years ahead? Who wouldn’t long for their once-bright future now stolen away? 
Ethan is resigned to his fate, until the ship suddenly wakes up another passenger: a beautiful engineer who, along with Ethan, soon discovers a horrible secret—a navigation room hidden from even the ship’s computer. The ship is not bound for Minea—but to somewhere far more dangerous. 
With the ship nearing its sinister destination, Ethan soon learns he is the only one who holds the key to saving all 4,000 passengers from a highly-advanced, hostile alien race.

I'd like to thank Future Publishing House for giving me this novel in exchange for an honest review!

Sometimes you come across a gem, like CARETAKER, and you feel like running around screaming, "IF YOU LIKE SCI-FI, PLEASE READ THIS!" I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Russell's writing was clean and precise, pulling emotions out of me that I didn't think were there. The beginning was a little slow, and I didn't like Kaia at first. I thought she was a pretty bland character, with nothing special or redeeming. But apparently she crept up on me because, by the end, I was bawling over her. Seriously, ugly crying EVERYWHERE. 
Ethan was a little more personable, but still was lacking something like Kaia. It didn't bother me that much since this is a plot-driven book, and I was so enamored by this world Russell creates. Seriously, it's amazing. It's complex, beautiful, and engrossing. Not only do I think the whole idea of finding a new planet and living on it cool, but there's a whole freakin alien language in here. Yeah, that's right. AN ALIEN LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS. I was mind blown. Ethan is a linguist, specializing in this dead-alien language, and he teaches Kaia the symbols and what they mean. I got a little lost, but I'm about as language-savvy as a brick wall, so that's not surprising. But I'm sure most people are able to get the gist of it, especially if you really put your brain to it.
Russell also does a fantastic job of dumbing down the engineering and genetics stuff in here, too. I was able to understand everything and I found it all to be endlessly fascinating. 
The plot line kept me on my toes, since I had no idea what to expect. The summary, I'm assuming, is intentionally vague, and it does wonders for the book. I never knew what was going to happen and I loved it. 
Overall, this was compelling and insanely fun, and I recommend any sci-fi lover out there check it out! 

Quotes

"You're the only reason I would even consider it," she said. "The only reason I would leave this and go to the stars with." 



Picture and summary from goodreads 

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ELEMENTALS: THE PROPHECY OF SHADOWS by Michelle Madow + giveaway!

ELEMENTALS: THE PROPHECY OF SHADOWS by Michelle Madow
Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing
Publication Date: January 26th, 2015
Pages: 288
Song I Played While Reading: Nocturnal by Disclosure
Rating: 3.5 stars
Synopsis:

Filled with magic, thrilling adventure, and sweet romance, Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows is the first in a new series that fans of Percy Jackson and The Secret Circle will love!

When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches. Even more surprisingly... she's apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers- and, to her dismay, by Blake- the school's notorious bad boy.
Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle's wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance.
When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers. But the comet has another effect- it opens the port to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monsters escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it's up to them and the others to follow the clues from a mysterious prophecy so that they can save their town... and possibly the world.

This was a really fun start to Madow's new series! I've never read any of her previous work, so I was eager to jump into her new world. Nicole was strong, albeit a little naive, and I really enjoyed reading from her POV. She was cute, honest, kind, and caring, always willing to listen to others and hear them out, but also confident in her gut instinct. It really made her stand out.
I surprisingly really liked Blake. He was not the bad boy I thought he'd be, and instead turned out to be sweet and fiercely protective of those he cares for. He really surprised me during a certain scene with him and Nicole in the cave. Hubba hubba! You sly guy, you.
The rest of their group was delightful, and I kept picturing Danielle as Jade West from Victorious. Super random, I know, but her hard exterior and wicked fashion reminded me of her. I had mixed feelings with her, since I thought she was an entitled brat, but she was a smart entitled brat. She literally was always piping up with useful information that helped the group in staying alive, so I had to grudgingly accept that yes, she's okay.
The plot line kept me hooked, with either lots of fascinating information on the witches background or Greek mythology (which I LOVE), or this mysterious prophecy they're trying to decipher, which takes up a good chunk of the book. Overall, this was a fast-paced and entertaining read that will be perfect for anyone who enjoys a superb blend of paranormal and Greek mythology!

Michelle is offering up a fabulous prize during her Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows Virtual Tour event. One (1) lucky winner will receive a Kindle Fire 7”! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Michelle Madow:

Michelle Madow grew up in Baltimore, graduated Rollins College in Orlando, and now lives in Boca Raton, Florida. She wrote her first book in her junior year of college, and has been writing novels since. Some of her favorite things are: reading, pizza, traveling, shopping, time travel, Broadway musicals, and spending time with friends and family. Michelle has toured across America to promote her books and to encourage high school students to embrace reading and writing. Someday, she hopes to travel the world for a year on a cruise ship.

To get instant updates about Michelle's new books, subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on Amazon!

Connect with Michelle:  Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Goodreads

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MAP OF FATES by Maggie Hall (ARC review)

MAP OF FATES by Maggie Hall
Publisher: Putnam
Publication Date: March 8th, 2016
Pages: 309
Song I Played While Reading: The Rhythm by MNEK
Rating: 3.5 stars

Two weeks. That's how long it took for Avery West's ordinary life to change forever. In two weeks, she discovered she was heirs to a powerful secret society known as the Circle, learned her mother was taken hostage by the Circle's enemies, and fell for a boy she's not allowed to love- just as she found out another was her unwelcome destiny. 
Now Avery crosses oceans in private jets to hunt for clues that will uncover the truth about the Circle, setting her mom and herself free before it's too late. By her side are both boys: Jack- steady, loyal, and determined to help her even at the expense of his own duty - and Stellan, whose connection to Avery grows stronger by the day despite her best intentions, making her question what she believes at every turn.
But at the end of a desperate hunt from the islands of Greece to the red carpet at Cannes comes a discovery that not only changes everything, but could bring the whole world to it's knees. And now Avery is forced to face the truth: In the world of the Circle, no one is who they seem.

I was so incredibly lucky enough to have won this in a giveaway Maggie was hosting on Twitter and Tumblr. This was one of my top anticipated reads, since I adored THE CONSPIRACY OF US. It was a flawless debut, and I was eagerly anticipating MAP OF FATES. Sadly, it was a little disappointing.
I finished this last night, and had so many feelings boiling up in me that I had to let it all out to my poor mom and grandma. Then I had to take another 24 hours to really understand just what was missing from this. And it wasn't really a single piece, it was the overall story. There wasn't that spark that I felt in TCOU.
This is where things get a little confusing, since I'm so split down the middle. On one hand, MAP OF FATES wasn't a necessity to the storyline. We could have easily cut out half this book, and smooshed all the important parts into the final book, making it a duology. But, another part of me says that wouldn't have worked because we get a lot of character arc's in here. The biggest one was my love, Stellan. He really shines in this story, which I originally wasn't all that excited for, because I was Team Jack. But then, Hall did the unthinkable and mADE ME CHANGE SIDES. I rarely change teams. Ever. I always stick with my guy. I'm loyal. But... things changed, and Stellan opened up more and showed a sweeter side that we didn't really see before, and I was donezo. DONE FOREVER. There was certain scene with Avery and Stellan in the ocean that was the tipping point. If my mom hadn't been in the house, I would have been screaming my head off in glee.
Now, back to my point. Everything felt a little flat. The writing wasn't as otherworldly and mind consuming, and Avery felt.. off. I can't explain what it was, but she wasn't as present. I did love all the places they went too (India, Paris, London, Greece, and Cannes) and as usual, got a severe case of wanderlust. Hall excels in that department, and I've been struggling not to get depressed over my lack of traveling in the past couple of years (or seeing all my friends in college who are studying abroad right now).
But, MAP OF FATES still had it's fantastic parts as well. Stellan was obviously amazing, and I loved seeing him and Avery get closer. Jack, honestly, just got really annoying as the book progressed. I loved meeting all the other circle members, plus finding more clues to Alexanders tomb. We got even more interesting history on him, and we talked about his mom, Olympias, and it was so fascinating to see how Maggie twisted her story with real historical facts. That's what first intrigued me with TCOU: the fact that this secret society could actually exist today. She weaves the storyline so well that it's a plausible idea. Even my grandpa said that he's heard conspiracy theories about twelve families secretly ruling the world. IT'S SO COOL!
I didn't see any of the twists coming, or the big reveal at the ending, and am really excited to see how Maggie wraps this all up in the final book. It's going to be huge, and I can't wait to see how badass Avery becomes, or what she finally decides to do with her life. Stay in the Circle and become an active member, or spend the rest of her life hiding from them? WE SHALL SEE.

Quotes
"My eyes flickered involuntarily back to that area. He might as well have a glowing neon sign on his crotch. "Right," I said quickly. "I guess I should have realized that."
Stellan was still grinning. "You Americans are so puritanical. I'm teaching you how to kill someone and you're being a tough little soldier about it, but I mention a mans crotch in a completely nonsexual way and you can't look me in the eye."
"I don't think you've ever said anything in a completely nonsexual way," I retorted.
"Innuendo is all in the interpretation, kuklachka. So that says rather more about your mind than mine, doesn't it?"

"I was surprised at first, but I let it stay. And the three of us sat there, shoulder to shoulder to shoulder, me and these two boys who turned out to be just about all I had left in the world."

"You look great," Jack jumped in again. " I just- it's so... different. I-"
Elodie frowned at him and threw her arm around my shoulders and led me to the front window.
"I hate them," Elodie whispered in my ear. "I've hooked up with both of them, and they were both terrible."
I hiccuped out an appalled laugh.
Elodie made a face. "Okay, that's a lie. It's a compete lie. But I hate them, anyway."
I glanced over my shoulder. "That was the worst pep talk I've ever heard."

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Happy Monday!

Hi guys! I accomplished last week's task of asking my teachers if I could take final exams early since "I'll be on family vacation", a.k.a going to BEA, and they all said yes! SO BEA IS OFFICIAL, WOOHOO! Not only am I excited because, hello, IT'S BEA, but it'll be in my hometown of Chicago and I've been so homesick lately. It's going to be so great to be back! The amount of book pictures I'll be taking on my phone is going to be ridiculous.

Read Last Week
Chasing Spring by R.S. Grey
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Map of Fates by Maggie Hall

To-Read
Caretaker and Guardians by Josi Russell

Happy readings! :)

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CHASING SPRING by R.S. Grey release blitz!

Chasing Spring by R.S. Grey 

Pages: 249

Publication Date: Feb 1, 2016

Find on Goodreads 

I thought I’d left Blackwater, Texas behind for good. I didn’t belong in the small town, but my dad wouldn’t listen. He dragged me back home in his beat-up truck and dropped a bomb along the way: Chase Matthews was moving in with us. He was the golden boy of my high school, my former best friend, and the last person I wanted sleeping across the hall. His presence was too great a reminder of the ghosts I was trying to forget.

I didn’t ask for a hero. I don’t want to be saved.

To me, Lilah Calloway meant late nights sneakin’ out, moonlit hair, and sparklers in July. She was my best friend until the day she left and I’d assumed Blackwater had seen the last of her. Then, like a tempest, she rolled back into town for the final half of senior year. The chopped hair and dark devil-may-care attitude warned most people away, but I knew if I fought hard enough, I could find the lost girl.

I didn’t want to be her hero. Some girls don’t need to be saved.

Amazon

I am a lover of books, chocolate, reality TV, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way, I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things... everyday.

I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors include Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things "funny". Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.

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Pssst! Here's my review for CHASING SPRING if you're interested: click here!

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