Book Review: Ashes

ASHES is a YA paranormal thrill-ride. Book 2 in the gripping Arson trilogy.

MORE THAN THREE MONTHS HAVE PASSED SINCE ARSON AND EMERY WERE SUDDENLY TAKEN. TAKEN AND THEN SEPARATED. AND EXPERIMENTED ON.

The minds running Salvation Asylum have abducted them for a dark purpose. A campaign has been set in motion to genetically alter mankind. Unknowingly, Arson has become the most vital instrument in this global scheme, initiated by a select group of brilliant scientists and cunning world leaders. Confused, trapped, and unable to fully manifest his abilities, Arson faces a new existence crawling with questions. Will he ever see Emery again? Is Grandma still alive? Can the fate of the human race really hang in the balance of one choice?

Nightmare and reality collide in Ashes, book two in the gripping ARSON trilogy. Love will be tested. Powers will shift. And the past will invade the here and now as Arson discovers a part of himself he has never before known and fights against his own shocking origins. Will this boy who once tempted fire be able to take on a fearful future? When the struggle intensifies and secrets come to light, will Arson be ready to accept the haunting revelation that there may be others out there, others like him?

REVIEW:

This is the second book of the series, and as I said in the previous review, I couldn’t wait to read it. Remember when I was saying that I have so many unanswered questions? Well, let’s just say, that in this book, you get more answers than expected.

In the first book, I was thinking that the author has created a very simple story, between a boy with powers and a girl with problems. In this book we learn more of the story, more of the past, and more of the background. The things that are happening without our characters ever knew about. We learn that they both belong to something bigger and more dangerous, and that makes the book very exiting and very interesting.

To tell you the truth, the author inserts so many new information, that in some point you get lost and you confuse characters. We travel in the past and in the present, and we are able to see all the aspects. What happens a lot, is the fact that we -the readers- are able to know more than the actual characters and we can, more or less, create a semi-complete image for them, which makes us sympathize or hate all of them. There are not stupid decisions all the actions have a purpose or a point that we can justify.

There is action, and by this, I mean some very nice and vivid scenes, where characters are kicking butt. And there are many twists. Don’t expect to learn everything in this book. You will learn some, but you will finish it with other questions surrounding your head. And don’t expect to see much of Arson and Emery, either. In the beginning it’s bothering, but, as I said, everything in this book serves a bigger purpose.

Bottom line, I loved it. It was full of surprises, especially during the end. My mouth was hanging open and my eyes were popped out once more. The author did it again. If you thought that the first book was little boring and too focused on Arson and Emery, wait to read this one. It will leave you with the appropriate amount of questions to make you want to read the next (and as far as I know final) book. I, personally, can’t wait.

Book Review: Blood of the Sorcerer

Love will be tested, great powers will emerge, secrets will be revealed, and hearts will break over a death no one saw coming….

Princess Alannah hoped that upon her arrival in Anrad, things would begin to look up. But she comes to find that the warrior fae that she has fallen in love with is truly the Prince of Anrad and has been betrothed to another by his dying father. Isibeal, his betrothed, is beautiful, strong, and hiding a secret that Alannah is determined to reveal.

Adding to her worries, her sister Evyette has set off on a journey to uncover her increasingly mysterious past. Finally discovering who she is and where she came from, Evyette will find that some things are better left unknown. As Tristan and Kaleb help Eveytte through this discovery, she is yanked from their clutches by Samil who has volunteered her as the final sacrifice for him to remain in this realm.

Will Alannah succeed in her training at the hands of Master Jadoc, the Elder Faerie and still make it in time to join Tristan and Kaleb in stopping Samil? Will Brennus go against his dying father's last request and follow his heart?

REVIEW:

When I was asked to read and review this book, I had to say yes. I loved the first book of the series, as I recall, I had lots of questions, so I had to read the second one too.

Truth be told, not a thing changes when it comes to the writing. The scenes are small and we get to know many different aspects of the book, since it’s not written by any point of view. The descriptions make the story vivid and alive so much, that there were times I was dreaming of the beautiful places in the book.

As for the characters, many things change here as they get more mature and they keep learning more and more things. Same thing applies for the bad guys as well.

Alannah starts her training. Again, many great scenes described by the author, since as I said in the previous review, she can write really great fight scenes.

Evyette gets to know many things about her past that many times I was left with my eyes wide open.

And as for the guys, Tristan, Kaleb and Brennus, I have to admit that there are all so great characters that I can’t choose among them. They are so nice to the girls and the others around them, and they are also very brave.

Unfortunately, many sad things happen, that I’ll not say. They were sad and unfair and I think I cried once or twice. Also, the book ends with a major cliff hanger. So much as I thought I didn’t have the rest of the book and the author forgot to send me the rest. I was going to send an e-mail to her, when I thought better, and re-read the few last paragraphs some times, to understand that that was the end of the book.

Bottom line, I liked it. It was as great as the first one, actually, I little better than the first. I can’t wait to read the next one as soon as possible, because I have to learn the conclusion of the story.

Book Review: Double Click

Fans of the romantic hit Click: An Online Love Story will enjoy another voyeuristic dive into the lives of Renee, Shelley, Ashley, Mark and Ethan, as Double Click picks up with their lives six months later. Are Renee and Ethan soul mates? Does Mark ever go on a date? Has Shelley run out of sexual conquests in Los Angeles? Will Ashley's judgmental nature sabotage her budding relationship? Through a marriage proposal, wedding, new baby and unexpected love twist, Double Click answers these questions and more. Readers will continue to cheer, laugh, cry and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends.

REVIEW:
I was expecting this book to arrive in my mailbox ever since I finished the first one. Truth be told, I don't know what new to write, that I haven't already mentioned. I guess I'll have to repeat things from the previous post about the first book, and I hope that'll ok with you.

As in the first book of the series, the characters here speak only through e-mails. There are parts missing, important parts of the daily routine of the characters, but by sharing the e-mails the author manages to make them reveal to us.

It was fast, since you just read e-mails all the time. And there were some larger e-mails, with stories the characters were sharing for the first time. So in a way, I was getting to know the characters for the first time, even though I spend time meeting them in the first book.

In this one, we see the characters more mature, though they are 30-years-old give or take, and there are two new characters entering the conversations. Ethan, who's Renne's boyfriend, and Cassidy, whom I'll not reveal the role. Again, there are not descriptions of the characters, so you are free to identify your friends or yourself in them.

Bottom line, I liked it. It was as good as the first. I liked how the characters are changing and going throught different phases. And I liked that there were stories left to be told, not only among them, face to face, but also share them with us, via e-mails. Now, I can't wait to read the next book, if there is going to be any (and between you and me, I really hope there is).

Book Spotlight: The Circle (+Giveaway)

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The Circle

Calum Ranson is sure of three things: his cousin Finley is alive, Calum will find him, and no one knows Calum and his family are Sidhe. No one until Laurel shows up at his mother's bookstore wearing a dark clan's mark. When Calum learns the details surrounding the disappearance of Laurel's brother, he suspects the evil Hobayeth clan. Calum and Laurel work together in the Realm of Man and the Otherworld to rescue her brother - revealing a connection between Calum and Laurel that may cost Finley his life.

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Praise

"The Circle is full of magic and mystery. Readers will be engrossed in faerie realms, charming characters, and a state of wonder and imagination. The Circle is for those who delight in reading fantasy and exploring mystical worlds."

--Kathleen Fox, LibraryGames.com

 

Author Cindy Cipriano

Cindy Cipriano lives in NC with her husband, son, and 27 pets. Okay, more like one cat, three dogs, and many, many fish. Cindy is an award winning science teacher, who this past August celebrated her 12th first day of sixth grade.

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Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/31/13

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