eARC Review: Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer

The Spirit Blog Tour hosted by The Midnight Garden kicked off May 20, so be sure to check out all the stops for awesome content and amazing giveaways!

Title: Spirit

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Series: Elemental, #3

Publication Date: 28th May 2013

Publisher: Kensington

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Source: Netgalley

Description

With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He's learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can't seem to afford any allies.

He's up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there's Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She's not hostile. She's bold. Funny. Hot. But she's got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he'll have to find someone he can trust. . .

Review

Storm was Chris and Becca's story, Spark was Gabriel and Layne's, and Spirit is Hunter and Kate's story. 
Throughout the books I grew to like Hunter more and more. After finishing Spark and was excited to get started on this one and once again, Brigid didn't fail to impress. I've said it before, and I know I'm going to say it again, but this is definitely my favourite series. This is another action packed, emotional joy ride. 

Hunter is so complex, he's very defensive, trusts no one, and no one trusts him. 

"You're not staying under this roof until you tell us what you're going to change.""Fine. I'll sleep in the car."His grandfather let him go with enough of a shove to make Hunter fall back a step. "Good," he said. "You're already packed."Whoa. Wait."What are you talking about?"His grandfather pointed. "Come back with a new attitude."Hunter looked. Two duffel bags - his duffel bags - were by the baker's rack, stuffed full of what looked like clothes. 

His story was heartbreaking. I really felt for him, and on a side note, I love Casper his dog too - I'm a sucker for German Shepherds. May I add, Brigid you had me hold my breathe and fear for Casper at one point. I'm not going to spoil it for any one, but this book had my emotions in turmoil!

I really came to love Hunter by the end. Michael was a big surprise in this one too. The way he took Hunter like a younger brother was awesome. 
I'll be honest, I wasn't a fan of Kate, but even she had me crying at one point (I'm a sook, I admit). I loved the text message banter between her and Hunter, and the way they made each other better.

"Run!" she yelled. "Hunter run!"

Then Silver must have done something because Kate cried out, and the sound fractured into sobs. 

The Merricks boys didn't disappoint in this book (not that they have in any of the books, but you know what I mean!). The humour between Gabriel and Hunter we saw in Spark is here too. 

"Hell, yes! Nicky never wants to do that stuff."
Hunter was touched. "I'm getting all misty."
"F*** you." Then Gabriel's expression changed. "You look really different without all the piercings."

I'm sad I've finished this book because now I have to wait for the next one, Secret. I can't wait to see how things plan out for the Merricks and Hunter. 

★★★★★ 

It Was Amazing

Free Download

Free download for the Elementals ebook (available on Kensington site only):

The promo code is: VCARD. It’s active until May 31^st.


To read the first chapter of Spirit go here.

Author Bio

Brigid Kemmerer started writing in high school, and her first real “novel” was about four vampire brothers causing a ruckus in the suburbs. Those four brothers are the same boys living in the pages of The Elemental Series, so Brigid likes to say she’s had four teenage boys taking up space in her head for the last seventeen years!

Spirit, the latest book in the series, will be released in stores and online on May 28, 2013. Connect with Brigid on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and GoodReads.

Review: Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: Spark

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Series: Elemental, #2

Publication Date: August 28th, 2012

Publisher: Kensington

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Source: Bought

Description

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally. Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can't. Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he's not doing it. And no one seems to believe him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Because Layne has a few secrets of her own...

Review

No words can describe how much I love this series. Brigid is such a talented writer and every book just draws you in. Spark was no different. 

Storm, the first book in the series, is where we meet the Merrick brothers. Storm was Chris's story. Spark takes off right where Storm finished. The events in Storm has left everyone on edge, and something big is about to happen. 

If it is even possible, I loved Spark even more than Storm (and I'm loving Spirit even more again, but you'll hear about that tomorrow). I enjoyed Gabriel's character in Storm, and loved learning about him more in Spark. Gabriels element is fire, he can control it, call it, talk to it, and sometimes he can't. 
Gabriel is obnoxious and hot tempered, but in Spark we learn the reasons behind it, and start to understand him more. 

We are introduced to a new character, Layne, who is quiet and hides her own secrets. She isn't someone Gabriel would normally notice, but he starts to when he needs to borrow a pencil in class. The developing romance between them flows. It's not forced, it doesn't feel wrong, it just fits. You feel like they belong together, a bit like yin and yang. 

Layne wanted to be brave. She wanted to be optimistic. But she started crying anyway. Nicks' hand went over hers. "Gabriel will find us. He'll get us out.""How?" she choked. "How do you know?""Because he always does."

Absolutely loved Hunter in this book, and the bromance between him and Gabriel was awesome. It was great to see them come together and work together. Especially when Gabriel and Nick seemed to be falling apart.  

Hunter sighed and gave him a look. “Come on, baby, don't be like that. Did you pack your midol?”     “All right, all right.” Gabriel climbed out of the car, slamming the door behind him. “I don't even know why I like you.”

Another action packed, and exciting addition to the Elemental series, that seems to be getting better and better as we go along. 

★★★★★ 

It Was Amazing

ARC Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave

Author: Rick Yancey

Series: The Fifth Wave, #1

Publication Date: 7th May 2013

Publisher: Penguin Australia

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Source: Netgalley & Penguin Australia

Description

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Review

Warning: This review is loaded with rant, and sarcasm, read at your own risk

First of all, let me say Oh My Goodness! The HYPE behind this book is phenomenal. Some trusted bloggers I follow are gushing about this book. I was so excited by their raving, but I was also concerned it wouldn't live up to the hype for me (wouldn't be the first time *cough* Crewel *cough*). I didn't let that stop me requesting it from Netgalley (and I later got a copy at the Penguin Teen Event about a month back). 
I loved the start of this book. I didn't want to put it down. It wasn't the best thing I've read but it drew me into the story enough to keep me turning the pages. 
Well, until I got to the end of part one, page 101 to be exact. That's where the story lost me. I started hating it, even screaming at it, but I'm getting ahead of myself. 

Multiple POV's. I'm not a fan of multiple POV's as it is. Not introducing them or giving some form of a "heads up" that the POV is changing and who to - REALLY frustrating. One minute your reading Cassie, for 101 pages and multiple chapters, then you finish part one and the first line of the next part is "Call me Zombie". Why would you call Cassie, Zombie? Keep reading, oh you are someone new, and somewhere new. Super. Part two finishes, and GUESS WHAT! 
"It should have been easy. All he had to do was wait." 
Again, nothing to do with "Zombies" story nor Cassie's. Oh, you're someone new too, and, you're where? 
and so the parts of the book go. It's like "guess who" (you all know that game yeah?). 
To top it off, no where and when I requested it at the time, no one, made mention of the multiple POV's. I was so constantly confused and it was frustrating. 

There is also a POV of a 5 year old. Yep, that's right. A 5 year old. It was so pointless. I'm sure most of you have had a conversation with a 5 year old at one point or another. Can you imagine how much fun that POV is to read! JennyJen's review (see here) summed it up perfectly - 

"I see this. I see that. There's that thing and then I see another thing. Now I see a person." Insert another FML here for good measure.

Here's an example, just so you know I'm not joking:

"Yep. And manned watchtowers and twenty-four seven video surveillance and twenty foot fencing topped with razor wire and big mean guard dogs that can smell a non human five miles away."Sammys nose crinkles. "That doesn't sound like heaven! That sounds like prison!" p.188

"My little brother was around your age," Megan says to Sammy. It sounds like an accusation: How come you're alive and he isn't?" p. 191

Yeah, all 5 year olds think and speak like this. Especially when they are scared and have no family around them. I sure as heck know my son doesn't (he's 4 and a half btw). 


The sad part is that for an alien book (not mentioning the clichés) we learn basically nothing about the aliens themselves. Ok, there is a little bit in there but I wont spoil it for you, it would ruin what little there is to spoil. The whole alien invasion thing is just so disappointing (I also wont mention the fact that if they were to attack, we'd be squished before we know it, I'll pretend I buy into the 5 wave eliberate plan).   

That brings me to the romance. Don't get excited - it's pathetic. Firstly Cassie meets him after he tried to kill her. She feels like she shouldn't trust him, but those eyes/lope sided grin/dimples (take your pick, they are all there) makes her forget her fighting attitude and her suspicions. Argh! 
Then he's all madly in love with her, but he's meant to have lost the love of his life so what the?! Not to mention Cassie is "in love" with a high school crush  but oh he's probably dead, lets no worry about him, I'll just keep looking into this strangers warm chocolate eyes and crooked smile, oh but he's creepy and something isn't right, but those eyes, oooo. BLAH. 

Basically from pages 105 until around 358, I was wanting to throw it across the room. My poor husband kept giving me sad "oh you poor pathetic thing" looks (that's totally a look, I swear!) because I kept screaming at it. 
By the time the characters started getting a clue and worked out what was happening, I had already worked it out about 200 pages beforehand. 
If aliens invaded and the population behaved like this, I'd be worried for humanity for a completely different reason then the invasion. In fact, I think the population would deserve to be nullifed if they acted like this! It was completely frustrating reading how dumb they were. No one questioned anything, it was ridiculous. We are not sheep that follow their shepherd- real people would question things, not just follow blindly.

I know this sounds like I didn't like it, but I kind of did. It was mainly the simpleness of the characters in the middle and the silliness of them all that I didn't like. Cassie was great at the start of the book, right up until part 2. Ringer was kick ass and I actually kind of loved her ballsiness. 

I found this to be good, but not great. The only reason I've given 3 stars and not 2 is that despite its size I read it fast and I wanted to know what would happen (and if they'd get an idea!), which means I found it interesting (mainly the beginning and end). 
I believe there is another book coming out. I'd read it, but only to get better closure then the current ending we have. As my favourite character was actually the alien - yes there is a small POV on his side - I want to know where he ends up in all of this. 


Do I think you should read it? Sure, why not. With this much hype, I'm pretty sure I'm in the small percentage of people that thought it was only ok. 

★★★ 
Liked It

Waiting on Wednesday #36 - The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Expected Publication: October 29, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

In the real world, when you vanish into thin air for a week, people tend to notice. 

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again. 

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.

I loved The Lost Prince, the first book in the Call of the Forgotten, so I'm looking forward to reading more of Ethans story. 

What's your Waiting on Wednesday pick this week?

Cover Reveal: Steel Lily by Megan Curd

   

Title: Steel Lily

Author: Megan Curd

Expected release date: Fall 2013

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian w/ hints of Steampunk

Cover Designed by: Mae I Design

  AVERY PIKE is a commodity. No, more than a commodity. Her existence is guarded at all costs. She’s a water Elementalist, the strongest of her dwindling kind. She creates steam to provide energy to fuel Dome Three: the only thing standing between humanity and an earth ravaged by World War III. No steam, no Dome. No Dome, no life. Or so she thinks. That is, until a mysterious man offers her a way out of having to donate steam. A way to escape the corrupt government of Dome Three. While the offer seems too good to be true, Avery is intrigued. But when she arrives to her new home, she realizes the grass isn’t any less dead on this side of the fence. Instead, the lies are just hidden better. …Which means digging deeper. When Avery enlists the help of her friends to uncover the truth, it may make her wonder if she was better off being a government tool than searching for freedom. Some secrets are better left concealed, but humankind was never meant to live in a cage. And when you can control the most sought after resource, you can learn to control anything…including the fate of your world. 

Author Bio

Megan began her journey into writing as a college junior during winter finals at the encouragement of a friend. What resulted was Bridger, Megan's first full-length novel. Since then she has written the second book in the series, Traitor, and a stand-alone novel (which will hopefully become a series!) called The Guardian Chronicles: Forbidden. When not writing, Megan enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and Great Dane, aptly named Dozer. She enjoys snowboarding, playing xBox, and crocheting. Music is a huge part of her life and drives her writing. Her favorite bands are Muse, Bon Iver, Florence + the Machine, and The Civil Wars. Megan resides in Kentucky, near two of her writerly tweeps Hope Collier and Beth Isaacs, and swears it's Hope's fault she's living in the land of the banjos, but wouldn't have it any other way.

Twitter

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Steel Lily Website

 

Debut-A-Thon

Books of Amber is hosting a Debut-A-Thon. It's a four day read-a-thon that is focusing on debuts from 2013. For more information, and to sign up just go here. 
When I saw this the first thing I did was check when my final exam is on - thankfully the week before! YAY! So since I have a review book from a debut author to read and I have purchased several debut books recently, I decided to pick out four of them. I'll be lucky to get through four in four days but after the pressure of exams this will be bliss! =D
Without further ado, these are my picks:

Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Taken by Erin Bowman

The Ward by Jordana Frankel

Mila 2.0 by Debra Briza

Now I've read a few mixed reviews about a couple of these, but I have Acid by Emma Pass if I need another to read. I'm really looking forward to this and I get the added benefit of getting through several books in a short period of time which I normally don't get to do. 

Big thanks to Books of Amber for organising this!!

Reading Addiction Blog Tours Summer Giveaway & Promo

Summer Giveaway PROMOTION

Announcing Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours Summer PROMOTIONS and GIVEAWAY! Reading Addiction Blog Tours will is offering 15% Off to All Authors who book a Tour this summer! (Tours must start by August 31st) Contact us HERE and mention the CODE WORD: SUMMER Thank you to all of the Authors Participating in this Giveaway! There are Links to Authors Websites, check out more Books from these Lovely Authors! Goodreads Links next to them go to their Goodreads page to read more about the books. (ones that have a page there that is) Prize Pack #1 eBook Copies  Fate War: Alliance by E.M. Havens  Goodreads Steampunk/Fantasy/Romance Welcome to Paradise by Rosalind James Goodreads Contemporary Romance Assassins Series (Taking Shots, Trying to Score, and Empty Net) by Toni Aleo  Goodreads (Author Page) Contemporary Romance Prize Pack #2 eBook Copies Strength by Carrie Butler         Goodreads New Adult Disappearing Girl by Heather Topham Wood  Goodreads New Adult Blemished Series (The Blemished and The Vanished) by Sarah Dalton  Goodreads YA Dystopian 2 eBooks Winner Choice - Angela Scott (Desert Rice, Desert Flower)  Goodreads (Authors Page) Young Adult/ New Adult Prize Pack #3 eBook Copies 2 eBooks Winner Choice - Angela Scott (Desert Rice, Desert Flower)  Goodreads (Authors Page) Young Adult/ New Adult 2 eBooks Winner Choice - C.M. Stunich (Tasting Never - Find You, Losing Me)  Goodreads New Adult Prize Pack #4 eBook Copies  To Trust a Theif by Michelle McLean  Goodreads Historical Romance A Bandits Stolen Heart by Michelle McLean  Goodreads Historical Romance The Quintessential Gemini by Linn B. Halton  Goodreads Women's Fiction The Mistaken by Nancy S. Thompson  Goodreads Romantic Suspense Prize Pack #5 eBook Copies Rockstar Triology (Sophie's Run and Sophie's Turn) by Nicky Wells Goodreads Contemporary Romance Carters Treasure Series (Carter's Treasure and Jesse's Soul) by Amy Gregory  Goodreads Contemporary Romance 2 eBooks Winner Choice - C.M. Stunich (Tasting Never - Find You, Losing Me)  Goodreads New Adult Prize Pack #6 Signed Paperback Copies Mything You by Greta Buckle  Goodreads Historical Romance Illicit Love by Jane Lark  Goodreads Historical Romance Prize Pack #7 Signed Paperback Copies Chasing McCree by J.C. Isabella  Goodreads Young Adult Disappearing Girl by Heather Topham Wood  Goodreads New Adult A Summer to Remember by Jessica Gunhammer  Goodreads Young Adult Prize Pack #8 Signed Paperback Copies Reckoning by Molly Hall Goodreads Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy Grishma by Kelly Anne Blount  Goodreads Young Adult Fantasy Prize Pack #9 Signed Paperback Copies Extreme Love by Abby Niles Goodreads Contemporary Romance Construction of a Beauty Queen by Sara Daniel Goodreads Contemporary Romance Prize Pack #10 Signed Paperback Copies A Hero Rising by Aubrie Dionne  Goodreads  Sci/Fi Dystopian Romance Hellsbane by Paige Cuccaro Goodreads Paranormal Romance Prize Pack #11 Signed Paperback Copies Awakenings by Hally Willmott Goodreads Young Adult Paranormal The Beast Within by Jonathan Yanez  Goodreads Young Adult Paranormal

Young Adult Paranormal

Runner Up Prizes (Signed Book and Swag):

Devil May Care by Patricia Eimer  Goodreads

Paranormal Romance

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