Unpopular Opinion Alert: Review of A Promise Of Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles #1) by Amanda Bouchet

 A Promise of Fire (The Kingmaker Chronicles, #1) by Amanda Bouchet – 2.5 Stars

I relatively liked this. Enough to read the other books? Still not sure.

 I liked the way Greek mythology was incorporated into the story. BUT the world the author created was not very gracefully presented. The names of countries and even the people were too similar, a map in the beginning would have been helpful, and the modern language (mainly from Cat) that was used was mismatched with the setting. I think it was an interesting premise, but it just felt badly executed. Was there a plot other than the romance? Not really. Between Cat basically having every power there was and Griffin being a mountain of a man who could kill anyone, it got boring that they never faced any real, non-convenient challenges or worthy opponents. And after about 30% all we get is sexual tension and argumentative banter and the ‘fantasy’ plot just kind of fades.

 I kept forgetting this wasn’t YA and I think it was because to me Cat came off as childish, contradictive, whiny, and a little immature. She’s basically a woman-child who is as stubborn as she is inconstant. And holy shit was she inconstant. I know a lot of people liked her but her personality just felt a little forced. She almost felt like a parody or imitation of a snarky character and her aggression towards Griffin and attitude got on my nerves. I really could have done without all the “Gahs!” in her inner thoughts, too. They just came across as so juvenile.

 I really did like the other characters but would have liked a little more depth and attention on them. Not much was given, and being solely in Cat’s head gave the reader very little information on them.

 Despite my annoyances, I think this series definitely shows promise, but I just don’t know if I want to eventually continue with it.

A Promise Of Fire is only 55 CENTS right now on Amazon.  So if you want to give it a shot, now would be the time to buy it. Who knows, you may like it way more than I did *shrugs* 🙂  ➜ http://amzn.to/2ib6saD

Fav: Love Me With Lies Series by Tarryn Fisher

I’ve read most of Tarryn Fisher’s books, but her Love Me With Lies series still remains my absolute favorite. And even though I read it years ago, the quotes still give me chills   The first 2 books are also currently on sale, so if you love some angsty romance, now is the time to grab it!  Scroll down to read my view for book 1. To read my reviews for book 2 and 3, click here and here.

The Opportunist (Love Me With Lies Book 1) ➜ http://amzn.to/2hLisMd

Dirty Red (Love Me With Lies Book 2) ➜ http://amzn.to/2A0dOV1

Thief (Love Me With Lies Book 3) — MY FAV ➜ http://amzn.to/2iJQHoi

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“You are the only woman I know how to love. The only woman I want to love.”

I would like to start my review with a question: Why is everyone in this book such an asshole?

My next question: Why did I love them anyway? Does loving a bunch of assholes make me an asshole?

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book before where I hated every single main character. Yes, you read that right. I hate them all. Including Caleb. BUT (before you kill me) I will say I also have never read a book where as much hate as I had, I LOVED them just as much. So yes…. I hated them. I loved them. And I hated myself for loving them.

“You can only give your heart away once; after that, everything else will chase your first love.”

And even though I didn’t understand the majority of the decisions any of these lunatics made, I still found myself COMPLETELY intrigued and invested in this story and was not able to put it down.

I still found myself gasping, and screaming, and getting that giddy feeling in my chest whenever Caleb said something sweet or romantic:

“Can I be your favorite girl?”
“You already are, Duchess.”

UGHH that nickname.

“And my personal favorite, your lips.” He smiled as a pink flush crept up my neck. “Full and sensual, puckered, and always turned down at the corners. They kind of make me want to kiss them until they smile.”

And I was pleasantly surprised with how funny this was. All of Olivia’s inner thoughts, especially when it came to Leah, were hysterical.

“She is the devil’s spawn, evil, with red hair and motives as big as Ursula the sea witch’s ass.” –that quote right there had me laughing so hard I almost choked on my drink.

I fell in love with Tarry Fisher’s writing and I just love books that are so different than what I have read in the past. Books that frustrate and anger you, and make you sigh and then want to weep and then laugh all at the same time. Books like this one.

“Caleb was like a hurricane that swept through my life, stirring up things inside of me that I never knew existed.
He is a longing I will never cure.”

I am so enraptured with these characters and this story. Brilliantly and flawlessly written.

Other favorite quotes:

“I didn’t choose her,” his voice breaks. “Love is illogical. You fall into it like a manhole. Then you’re just stuck. You die in love more than you live in love.”

“I’ve got more of her in my veins than blood.”

“Let me carry you out. I’ll never let you touch the ground. I was made to carry you, Olivia. You’re fucking heavy with all of your guilt and self-loathing. But, I can do it. Because I love you.”

“I wanted it — that was the surprising part. Selfish, self-centered Caleb Drake loved a girl so much he could already feel himself changing to accommodate her needs. I fell. Hard. For the rest of this life and probably the next. I wanted her — every last inch of her stubborn, combative, catty heart.”

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The Becoming of Noah Shaw by Michelle Hodkin: SO. GOOD.

The Becoming of Noah Shaw (The Shaw Confessions, #1) by Michelle Hodkin – 5 Stars!

**May contain some slight spoilers from the Mara Dyer Trilogy

*I can’t really say much on the plot without majorly spoiling the previous books, so a few things I’d like to point out:

1) You absolutely should not read this if you haven’t read the Mara Dyer trilogy first. (To read about my undying love for this trilogy, click here. I cannot recommend this series enough.) It will make zero sense. You should also not read this if you have read the Mara Dyer trilogy but haven’t at least brushed up and refreshed your memory on what occurred in those books. Though this is technically a different series, it starts where The Retribution of Mara Dyer leaves off. I was scrolling through reviews on Goodreads and noticed some people took off stars because they couldn’t remember what happened in the first 3 books. Umm…What? Personally, the second I heard we’d be blessed with more Noah Shaw in our lives I carved out time to re-read the Mara Dyer books. Because a.) more Noah (duh), and b.) because SO much happens in those books I knew there was no way I could dive back into this world and remember everything that occurred. And honestly, bless Michelle for not reiterating every fact that was laid out in the first 3 books. If I wanted to read all that again, I would have re-read them. Which I did. 😉 I am glad she didn’t include too many info dumps.

2) This is a completely and totally different tone from Mara Dyer’s POV. It’s still creepy and sarcastic, but it’s also haunting and morose and a little sad. Just like our boy Noah. And Noah’s voice is SO distinct. What an undeniable talent Michelle has. This story remains completely original. It’s taken turns I did not expect AT ALL.

3) Mara has always been a little bit crazy. I don’t think anyone can deny that. But home girl has kind of gone full on psycho in this and you know what? I am here for it. (Which brings me back to point 1. If this bothers you, maybe you need to recall the prophecy that was discussed in book 3. It pretty much SAYS THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN.) And back to point 2. I LOVE how their relationship isn’t all sunshine and roses. It could never be. It would never be. All the circumstances surrounding them, the past, the secrets, all the unknowns, and that god damn prophecy- all of this has combined and is working against Noah and Mara. And I for one CAN NOT WAIT to see what will happen.

4) SO many things happen in this book. (If you need me to point them out, I will.) The last 10% had my heart in my throat. Was everything answered? No. Does that mean nothing happened? Also no. There were so many subtle things that were occurring that Michelle just slyly slipped in without drawing too much attention to them. Why is she so amazing? We got new characters, the reappearance of old characters (!!!!holyshit!!!!), deaths, mystery, and that FREAKING ENDING. WTF WAS THAT ENDING.

5.) “I want her to split me open, to dig her fingers in and pry open my ribs, lick my heart and my blood and my bones. Pick open my bones and suck out the marrow. I want to be devoured by her. And she wants to devour me just as badly. It’s in every look, every movement, every smile.”

“If I believed in God I would pray, beg, anything to stop time, to live in this moment with her forever. Tonight is a perfect thing in a broken world, and she is the queen of it. Her pleasure, searing white, arrows through mine, and I would let the Earth ice over to keep the sun from rising, but after hours of her, it rises anyway, sunlight staining our sheets, our skin.”

^THIS reads like fan fic? HA..HAH…AHHAHAHAHAHAHAH. Please, someone show me a fanfic that’s written with the same amount of intellect, snark, and distinction that’s in Michelle’s writing.

Michelle’s writing is just ridiculously good and her story telling ability is just insane. Bravo for delivering something that was so different and totally not what I was expecting. I thought we got most answers in The Retribution of Mara Dyer, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. I honestly do not know how I’ll be able to wait for the second installment.

T H I S W A S J U S T S O G O O D!!!!!!!!!! The Mara Dyer Trilogy remains a top of mine, and these characters will ALWAYS be my favorite. If you want something out of the box, READ THESE BOOKS!

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The Becoming of Noah Shaw | http://amzn.to/2AGuFKq

*Should be read first*:
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer | http://amzn.to/2ic5uHP
The Evolution of Mara Dyer | http://amzn.to/2yA7gZm
The Retribution of Mara Dyer | http://amzn.to/2AF78JT

💚Review: Lovers Like Us by Krista & Becca Ricthie💚

Lovers Like Us (Like Us #2) by Krista & Becca Ritchie – 4.5 Stars

NEVER have I ever loved a cast of characters as much as I love these.

I am going to try to review this without major spoilers and without fangirling like a fucking loon. But I make no promises (about the fan-girling part.)

This book was EVERYTHING. The deepening of Maximoff and Farrow’s relationship.

“I don’t have the answers,” I say seriously. “I just listen to my body.”
“And what does it say?” His voice is a graveled whisper.
I rake a hand through my hair. “Need. Want…You.”

The family dynamics. The HYSTERCIAL moments. (I will never hear or read the word “SEPARATE” without thinking of Thatcher and cracking the hell up.)

And this gem:

“God, could you even imagine? What would I say? Hello Mr. Moretti, I’m in need of some oral assistance. Would you be so kind to spread my knees?”

That scene had me laughing for about 4 minutes straight.

I love how much I laughed while reading this. If I had to sum up this book in one word, it would just be FUN.

Each character is so distinguished (Charlie, my emotional baby I LOVE YOU. Kinney is just gold. Donnelly is the most amazing loyal hysterical muffin and I want to eat him up. Thatcher, mannnnn I can’t wait to see you crack) each moment just stands out (side note – I can honestly read moments of Lo and Rose bickering and never ever EVER tire of it), and every book just makes me so much more excited for the next. (*chants* THANE THANE THANE!!!!)

I honestly can’t wait for more books on this whole gang. NO ONE AND I MEAN NO ONE writes ensemble casts like Krista & Becca and never have I read a series where the world that’s been created feels SO REAL. Like I could walk around Philly and pass a Super Heroes and Scones or see one of them walking down the street. I adore every single character they’ve created and their books remain my most anticipated and favorite reads!

💚Lovers Like Us is out now! | http://amzn.to/2zbSKbu 💚

💚 Book 1: Damaged Like Us (must be read before Lovers Like Us) | http://amzn.to/2zdq7uF 💚