Review: Renegade (The Captive, #2) by Erica Stevens

Though she is free of the palace, rescued from her position as a blood slave, Aria is haunted by the memories of her time spent within the fortress, tormented by memories of Braith, the prince that betrayed her and shattered her heart.

Every day is a struggle to get through, and the only solace she is able to find is with Max, her best friend, and fellow captive. Though Max does not understand her bond to Braith, he knows some of what she endured, and helps to ease some of the tattered pieces of her soul. Aria slowly begins to salvage the broken parts of her wounded spirit by throwing herself into the wonder of the woods she had so greatly missed, and the secure and reassuring love that Max freely gives her. Her world is thrown into a tailspin again though when a marauding group of vampires destroy the caves she had found temporary shelter in.

Scattered about the forest, seeking to stay hidden and find her family, Aria is stunned when Braith, the monster that savaged her heart, reappears. Stunned by his sudden arrival in her world, Arianna is uncertain if he has come to recapture her, or to kill her for daring to escape.

After Stevens left us with that crazy and heart breaking ending in Captured, I was crossing my fingers and really hoping for this next installment to turn things around for Aria and Braith.  While I was excited to see the two of them facing off yet again, it took me a while to get used to seeing them outside of the palace.  My heart was breaking for Aria while she was attempting to get back to her "normal" every day life, while also trying to convince everyone around her that her circumstances and experience within the palace was not what she was expecting, nor what they've all convinced themselves it was.

I'll admit that I was feeling very bad for Max and watching him try to deal with his gruesome experience while he was a blood slave was just so sad.  But that didn't last long...he, like everyone else around Aria refused to believe that their captivity was different and it just grated on my nerves the way he was trying to force his opinions and feelings on her, when really all was he doing was treating her like an ignorant child who couldn't differentiate fiction from reality.  And once Aria and Braith were brought back together, his behavior put me over the edge for sure!

The adventure most certainly continued and nearly gave me an anxiety attack whenever Aria was on the run.  But seeing her in her natural environment of the woods and what she was capable of had me rooting for her like a cheerleader throughout each of her action packed scenes.  At times I found it hard to be on the outside looking in and just wanted to shake everyone (and I do mean everyone!) so that they'd stop being silly and realize what was really going on and how everyone was really feeling. 

Once again, Stevens left me no choice but to hurry up and order the next installment in the series, because there was no way I could let things end without picking it right back up....way too much pressure with another Stevens cliffhanger ending.

In My Mailbox (96)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. I'm always picking up new books, because I never tire of reading, but the other thing I like about this meme is that it gives everyone an opportunity to check out what other book fanatics, bloggers, etc... got for themselves. I've gotten great recommendations from this meme and hope that keeps up in the future.

Here's what I got, what did you guys get this week?
 

For Review:

Branded (Fall of Angels, #1) by Keary Taylor

Jessica's had the nightmares for as long as she can remember. Nightmares of being judged for people who have died, of being branded by the angels. Her friends and family think she's a crazy because of it all. Yet she carries the mark of the condemned, seared into the back of her neck, and hides it and herself away from the world.

But when two men she can't ignore enter her life everything changes, including the nightmares. The two of them couldn't be more different. She will do anything to be with one of them. Even tell him the truth about angels, why she never sleeps, and the scar on the back of her neck. But one of the two has set events into motion what will pull her toward her own judgment and turn her into the object of her greatest fear.


Renegade (The Captive, #2) by Erica Stevens

Though she is free of the palace, rescued from her position as a blood slave, Aria is haunted by the memories of her time spent within the fortress, tormented by memories of Braith, the prince that betrayed her and shattered her heart.

Every day is a struggle to get through, and the only solace she is able to find is with Max, her best friend, and fellow captive. Though Max does not understand her bond to Braith, he knows some of what she endured, and helps to ease some of the tattered pieces of her soul. Aria slowly begins to salvage the broken parts of her wounded spirit by throwing herself into the wonder of the woods she had so greatly missed, and the secure and reassuring love that Max freely gives her. Her world is thrown into a tailspin again though when a marauding group of vampires destroy the caves she had found temporary shelter in.

Scattered about the forest, seeking to stay hidden and find her family, Aria is stunned when Braith, the monster that savaged her heart, reappears. Stunned by his sudden arrival in her world, Arianna is uncertain if he has come to recapture her, or to kill her for daring to escape.

Refugee (The Captive, #3) by Erica Stevens

Whispers, rumors, and horror stories abound about The Barrens and the strange creatures that lurk within them. Determined to find the remaining vampires that stood against his father in the war, Braith knows that it’s dangerous to enter the inhospitable land, but that they must if they are to have a chance at gaining allies to help overthrow the king. Though he once knew the powerful vampires that are rumored to reside within The Barrens, he is unsure what to expect if they succeed in finding them. He will do whatever is necessary though to ensure a future for himself and Aria.

Aria is fearful of entering into the land she’s heard nothing but cautionary tales about, but she’s determined to help Braith locate the vampires that may help them with their cause. She is fascinated and amazed by the world they uncover within, one that is unlike anything she has ever seen before. However, the more immersed they become in a world that she doesn’t entirely understand, the more she realizes that it won’t be the war, or even the king that will eventually tear her and Braith apart.

It will be her.

The Spirit Keeper by Melissa Luznicky Garrett 

After her mother and grandparents die in a raging house fire, eleven-year-old Sarah Redbird ends up in the custody of her aunt and uncle. Six years later, Sarah discovers the fire may not have been an accident at all, but a deliberate act of revenge.

Sarah’s family has kept the truth of their Native American heritage secret her entire life, refusing to acknowledge where they came from. But when a family that has direct ties to their past moves to town, Sarah’s true identity is revealed.

What Sarah soon learns is that some secrets are better left unspoken.






Half-Blood (Covenant, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Secret for a Song by S.K. Falls

Saylor Grayson makes herself sick. Literally.

She ate her first needle when she was seven. Now, at nineteen, she’s been kicked out of college for poisoning herself with laxatives. The shrinks call it Munchausen Syndrome. All Saylor knows is that when she’s ill, her normally distant mother pays attention and the doctors and nurses make her feel special.

Then she meets Drew Dean, the leader of a local support group for those with terminal diseases. When he mistakes her for a new member, Saylor knows she should correct him. But she can’t bring herself to, not after she’s welcomed into a new circle of friends. Friends who, like Drew, all have illnesses ready to claim their independence or their lives

For the first time, Saylor finds out what it feels like to be in love, to have friends who genuinely care about her. But secrets have a way of revealing themselves. What will happen when Saylor’s is out?

Prophecy Girl (Angel Academy, #1) by Cecily White (Thanks to Entangled Publishing)

Amelie Bennett. . . . Ending the world, one prophecy at a time.

I was born to slay Crossworld demons.

Big black flappy ones, little green squirmy ones. Unfortunately, the only thing getting slain these days is my social life. With my high school under attack, combat classes intensifying, and Academy instructors dropping right and left, I can barely get my homework done, let alone score a bondmate before prom.

Then he shows up.

Jackson Smith-Hailey. Unspeakably hot, hopelessly unattainable, and dangerous in all the right ways. Sure, he’s my trainer. And okay, maybe he hates me. Doesn’t mean I’ll ignore the wicked Guardian chemistry between us. It’s crazy! Every time I’m with him, my powers explode. Awesome, right?

Wrong.

Now my teachers think I’m the murderous Graymason destined to bring down our whole race of angelbloods. Everyone in New Orleans is hunting me. The people I trusted want me dead. Jack and I have five days to solve the murders, prevent a vampire uprising, and thwart the pesky prophecy foretelling his death by my hand. Shouldn’t be too difficult.

Getting it done without falling in love. . . that might take a miracle. 

Countdown: 2012 Releases (5)

As big of a reader as I am, I can never seem to get caught up on all the books I've decided to add to my collection. No matter what I do, there just always seems to be more titles that get added to my list and more authors that become favorites that I constantly find myself following up on. Don't get me wrong, this is not a problem that I'm complaining about, but at some point my organizational skills only go so far when it comes down to making sure these titles I've added to my "list" don't fall through the cracks. So most of you know by now that I've come to be a big advocate of the countdown posts. It's the only way that I've been able to manage my ever growing TBR lists. And on top of all that, it's gets me excited all over again each time I do further research on certain titles and authors, or get another look at exceptional covers that act as more than that, they become works of art that are ingrained in my head. So here's another round of books that I've been or will be counting down towards their releases dates.

Countdown Pick #1: Endlessly (Paranormalcy, #3) by Kiersten White (07/24/2012)

The third book in the Paranormalcy trilogy.

The final chapter of Evie's adventures. Old friends, new ones, all wrapped up in impossible decisions. And some ball gowns. Because what's a life of normal and paranormal drama without a ball gown or two?

I admitted yesterday in my new finds post that I somehow lost track of this series. It had nothing to do with the writing or how much I liked the series, it simply happened. I think since I read the series' first installment, Paranormalcy in ARC form, it was a very long time (or it seemed that way) before the second installment's release date. So now that I've corrected that error of mine and plan on picking up a copy of the Supernaturally soon, I wanted to include the final title in the trilogy so that I would repeat my previous mistakes. Since I've got no idea what will happen in book two, I can't even begin to guess what this final chapter will bring to readers. All I can say is that after enjoying the series' opener as much as I did, I'm looking forward to what White will bring to the table to wrap this trilogy up.

Countdown Pick #2: Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London (05/29/2012)

This electrifying new trilogy blends the best of paranormal and dystopian storytelling in a world where the war is over. And the vampires won.

Humans huddle in their walled cities, supplying blood in exchange for safety. But not even that is guaranteed. Dawn has lost her entire family and now reluctantly serves as the delegate to Lord Valentine, the most powerful vampire for miles. It isn't until she meets Victor, Valentine's son, that she realizes not all vampires are monsters...

Darkness Before Dawn is a fresh new story with captivating characters, unexpected plot twists, a fascinating setting, and a compelling voice. Written under the name J.A. London by a talented mother-son team, the trilogy is perfect for fans of True Blood and the House of Night and Morganville Vampires series.

Ok, can I just say how super excited I am about this future release??? I don't even know where to begin. Rachel Hawthorne, the mother of this mother-son team has always been a favorite of mine. Her Dark Guardian series had me hooked from the first book all the way through until the fourth book. And even after that, I couldn't believe she wasn't continuing the series right away and churning out more titles to add to the series. I was so disappointed and could only hope she changed her mind in the future. While I haven't heard any news regarding that series, when I heard she'd be coming out with a new series that she was co-writing with her son, I couldn't believe my luck. I really felt like, well at least if she's not going to continue with the Dark Guardians that she'll give her readers something else in the meantime. And this trilogy sounds like it's going to be a winner. So go check out the series' site and see for your self, all the exciting information surrounding this new series!

Countdown Pick #3: Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone (10/09/2012)

Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett’s unique ability to travel through time and space brings him into Anna’s life, and with him, a new world of adventure and possibility.

As their relationship deepens, they face the reality that time might knock Bennett back where he belongs, even as a devastating crisis throws everything they believe into question. Against a ticking clock, Anna and Bennett are forced to ask themselves how far they can push the bounds of fate—and what consequences they can bear in order to stay together.

Fresh, exciting, and deeply romantic, TIME BETWEEN US is a stunning and spellbinding debut from an extraordinary new talent in YA fiction.

I love the idea behind this one. Does it remind you a little bit of the move The Lake House where the two characters are from different times and yet somehow find their way to each other and fall in love? Yes, but since I was a fan of that movie, I'm hoping I'll have the same reaction to this book. It does sound like there's potential for not only an epic romance, but also epic heartache for both the characters and readers all around. But now that I've come across this title, there's no going back. It's on my radar and I can't wait for when it hits the shelves in October.

Countdown Pick #4: Renegade by J.A. Souders (11/13/2012)

Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.

But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie. Her memories have been altered. Her mind and body aren’t under her own control. And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.

Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb... and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all.

Underwater society...now we're getting somewhere on the originality front. It may have been pitched before but not very often, and for this reason it's already made my list. Getting the chance to add yet another new author to my cache of possible new favorites...yet another positive to look forward to. And then we're got the white knight angle where the character Gavin is concerned...swooping in to alert Evelyn to all not being what it seems in her world and trying to save her and the day...well let's just say we all knew there was no way this wasn't making my countdown!

Countdown Pick #5: Through To You by Emily Hainsworth (10/02/2012)

A romantic sci-fi thriller about love and second chances.

Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. Viv was the last good thing in his life: helping him rebuild his identity after a career-ending football injury, picking up the pieces when his home life shattered, and healing his pain long after the pain meds wore off. And now, he’d give anything for one more glimpse of her. But when Cam makes a visit to the site of Viv’s deadly car accident, he sees some kind of apparition. And it isn’t Viv.

The apparition’s name is Nina, and she’s not a ghost. She’s a girl from a parallel world, and in this world, Viv is still alive. Cam can’t believe his wildest dreams have come true. All he can focus on is getting his girlfriend back, no matter the cost. But things are different in this other world: Viv and Cam have both made very different choices, things between them have changed in unexpected ways, and Viv isn’t the same girl he remembers. Nina is keeping some dangerous secrets, too, and the window between the worlds is shrinking every day. As Cam comes to terms with who this Viv has become, and the part Nina played in his parallel story, he’s forced to choose—stay with Viv or let her go—before the window closes between them once and for all.

Hello scary! I'm not usually one to opt for anything scary or gory, but sometimes a little tension and suspense I can handle and it gets me away from my normal reading material. I usually pull these titles out when I feel like I could get into a reading rut and instead of letting that happen, I try to change things up. While this one still hints at the romantic elements, it sounds to me like the suspense will outweigh the romance don't you think? While I'm not sure what secrets the write up describes this Nina character to possibly be keeping, but whatever those might be...I think it's safe to say that they won't be little white lies...they'll be bombs!