Darkness Before Dawn

Publisher's Synopsis:  Only sunlight can save us.We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall.After the death of my parents, it's up to me--as the newest delegate for humanity--to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in.Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever.

My Review: This book is written by a mother and son writing team under the name JA London. Darkness before Dawn was incredible. I feel like i didnt have a lot of expectations going into this book. Between vampire fatigue and the fallen-esque choice of cover art I was wary but hopefully optomistic. The bottom line? This book did not disapoint! It was incredible. I loved the vampire/dystopian plot. I love Dawn was a charecter, shes strong and wants to folow her heat but also do the best with the position she is given. She's also speacial, something about her is different but we don't know what and i like that it is still a mystery!!! I cant stand her boyfriend Mike, its kind of refreshing to have a Male charecter who is kind of a dick and who's ego is constantly on the line or needing to be stroked, seems more like a normal teenage boy depiction to me.

Victor is incredible and I fell in love with him the minute he gave Dawn that gift HAHA!!! There romance is something that hits Dawn out of no where, somthing she strugles and fights against, she doesnt go triping after him into the dark. She slowly comes to the realization of her love and that moment was intense and so gratifying.

I also enjoyed the vampire lore, mytholoy and politics of Old Families, lessers, etc. Valentine is a formidable foe and had me shivering in my 'boots'. The pacing was great and the climax was a shocker! The book ended on an insane cliffhanger but lucky me, my book included the first chapter of "Blood Kissed Sky" so my momentery freak out last only that, a moment :) Also this book is written by two authors and quite honestly, i couldn't tell, Some books Like Beautiful Creatures you can hear almost two different voices and in this one you couldnt!

Bottom line : new favorite Vampire book series for sure. IS IT DECEMBER YET??!! :)

 

Born Wicked

Publisher's Synopsis: Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.
Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

My Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood is a thrilling debut for this author into the Young Adult world of all things Supernatural. Taking place in New England filled with beautiful dresses and afternoon teas, young women in Society are anything but safe in the town from the Brotherhood.  The main character in the book is Cate Cahill. After her mother dies she makes a promise to watch over her to younger sisters and keep their secret safe. Being a witch, who doesn't yet know the extent of her powers and helping control her sisters magic is a burden placed on Cate. She also must choose a husband in the next few months or have the Brothers pick a husband for her among themselves. Since they spend their time hunting and locking up pitches her only other option is to join the Sisterhood. Unable to tell their secret, or go to anyone for help she must navigate this treacherous world alone. After receiving a mysterious letter she is sent on a path to discover the truth behind the Cahill Witches' powers, whom they can really trust, and the meaning of a prophecy that holds the fate of the Sisterhood in their hands.

This book was absolutely amazing. The characters were well developed, the descriptions and suspense were on point and it made me devour it within days! This is a great first book to The Cahill Witch Chronicles and I cannot wait to read what happens next, and after the cliffhanger you are left with you will be holding your breathe for the next books as well!

Hallowed

Publisher's Synopsis: For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning

My Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand was a beautifully written sequel to Unearthly. It jumped right back into the action, three days after the ending of the first book, which I really liked because some books start off months later and I read books quickly, one after the other, so I appreciated how seamlessly the story continued in my point of view. The characters had been previously well developed and the book assumed you were old friends, another point I loved, so the story just picked right up.  

At this point I am kind of over love triangles, but there is something fresh about the conflict between Clara, Tucker and Christian that doesn’t induce the same eye rolling as most books of late that I have read. Usually by the end of the first book I am clearly on a ‘team’. With this series though I am so seriously torn, I can’t pick a team!! I love Tucker, everything about him is good, kind selfless and beautiful, and there isn’t much to complain about. Christian is sexy, mysterious, good hearted and Clara’s destiny.. So how’s a girl to choose? I don’t envy her the task and I think that Cynthia really respects each relationships separetly.

The main conflict of this book is a loss that is enormous to Clara. It is one that is so deep and moving and really takes the reader on a deep emotional journey of their own. I thought that the loss Clara suffers was so beautifully written that I didn’t feel devastated after it but content that she is stronger from it and can continue the journey to find her purpose now.

There are many twists and turns in this book, and I’m happy that while it did feel wrapped up for the moment I know there will be more trials for Clara and Christian to face in their future. I cannot wait for the next book to come out and I know I will be telling al my friends about these books!!