Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Destroy Me 
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Published: October 2, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Series: Shatter Me #1.5
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Pages: 150
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

*Warning: This book review contains spoilers for Shatter Me*

“I’ve come to believe that the most dangerous man in the world is the one who feels no remorse. The one who never apologizes and therefore seeks no forgiveness. Because in the end it is our emotions that make us weak, not our actions.”
― Tahereh Mafi, Destroy Me

Synopsis
In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Let me start off this review by saying I love Warner. I also love Adam, but for different reasons. Warner is so much more complex, and he is certifiably insane. As a psychology minor, I find him fascinating. For me, he's a case study. Does that sound cold? I mean, I do care about what happens to him. I felt horrible for him when Juliette shot him. He was so delusional that he never saw it coming.

Destroy Me shows Warner's side of things, and I was thrilled to enter Warner's mind. While it's clear in Shatter Me that Warner is obsessed with Juliette, we get to see how obsessed he really is in Destroy Me. And trust me, he's cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. Through Warner's POV, his past actions are explained. Suddenly, the reader is able to understand Warner's behavior more and sympathize. We even see his softer side. But he still has a screw loose and could use some much needed therapy.

Review: Vampire Academy by Rochelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy 
Author: Richelle Mead
Published: August 16, 2007
Publisher: Razorbill
Series: Vampire Academy #1
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Pages: 332
Source: Purchased
Rating: 2 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies.”
― Richelle Mead, Vampire Academy

Synopsis
St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
It finally happened. After looking at that cover, my instinct was to run. But I finally read Vampire Academy because everyone raved about it. After so many positive reviews, I figured I'd give it a try. Worst mistake ever. If only I had a TARDIS so I could go back in time and never buy this book.

What's Next? (1)

What's Next? is hosted over at IceyBooks. If you're having trouble choosing what book to read next, you can participate in this meme, asking people to vote on what book you should read. I've been indecisive lately so I decided to participate in this meme for the first time this week. 

Okay, here are the choices I'm torn between: 

The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

Shadowfell (Shadowfell #1) by Juliet Marillier

Sixteen-year-old Neryn is alone in the land of Alban, where the oppressive king has ordered anyone with magical strengths captured and brought before him. Eager to hide her own canny skill—a uniquely powerful ability to communicate with the fairy-like Good Folk—Neryn sets out for the legendary Shadowfell, a home and training ground for a secret rebel group determined to overthrow the evil King Keldec.

During her dangerous journey, she receives aid from the Good Folk, who tell her she must pass a series of tests in order to recognize her full potential. She also finds help from a handsome young man, Flint, who rescues her from certain death—but whose motives in doing so remain unclear. Neryn struggles to trust her only allies. They both hint that she alone may be the key to Alban’s release from Keldec’s rule. Homeless, unsure of who to trust, and trapped in an empire determined to crush her, Neryn must make it to Shadowfell not only to save herself, but to save Alban.

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

It's been months since the ghost of Anna Korlov opened a door to Hell in her basement and disappeared into it, but ghost-hunter Cas Lowood can't move on.

His friends remind him that Anna sacrificed herself so that Cas could live—not walk around half dead. He knows they're right, but in Cas's eyes, no living girl he meets can compare to the dead girl he fell in love with.

Now he's seeing Anna everywhere: sometimes when he's asleep and sometimes in waking nightmares. But something is very wrong...these aren't just daydreams. Anna seems tortured, torn apart in new and ever more gruesome ways every time she appears.

Cas doesn't know what happened to Anna when she disappeared into Hell, but he knows she doesn't deserve whatever is happening to her now. Anna saved Cas more than once, and it's time for him to return the favor.

Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy #1) by Jacqueline Carey

The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassing beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good...and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.

Phèdre nó Delaunay is a young woman who was born with a scarlet mote in her left eye. Sold into indentured servitude as a child, her bond is purchased by Anafiel Delaunay, a nobleman with very a special mission...and the first one to recognize who and what she is: one pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one.

Phèdre is trained equally in the courtly arts and the talents of the bedchamber, but, above all, the ability to observe, remember, and analyze. Almost as talented a spy as she is courtesan, Phèdre stumbles upon a plot that threatens the very foundations of her homeland. Treachery sets her on her path; love and honor goad her further. And in the doing, it will take her to the edge of despair...and beyond. Hateful friend, loving enemy, beloved assassin; they can all wear the same glittering mask in this world, and Phèdre will get but one chance to save all that she holds dear.

What should I read next? HELP ME!

Review: The Cavendish Home For Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand

Title: The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls
Author: Claire Legrand
Published: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: Children's Fantasy
Pages: 352
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“But it's hard to leave a place when you're tied to it by fear, when it's broken you with fear, when it's all you've ever known.”
― Claire Legrand, The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls

Synopsis
Victoria hates nonsense. There is no need for it when your life is perfect. The only smudge on her pristine life is her best friend Lawrence. He is a disaster—lazy and dreamy, shirt always untucked, obsessed with his silly piano. Victoria often wonders why she ever bothered being his friend. (Lawrence does too.)

But then Lawrence goes missing. And he’s not the only one. Victoria soon discovers that The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls is not what it appears to be. Kids go in but come out…different. Or they don’t come out at all.

If anyone can sort this out, it’s Victoria—even if it means getting a little messy. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls was such a spooktacular, shiver-inducing book. All of your childhood fears, from creepy crawlies to failure to the dark, are brought to life in this dark fantasy. Well, these are still fears held by many adults, making it the perfect book for readers of all ages, not just children. Although it's reminiscent of Coraline, The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls had its own unique, twisted plot.

Waiting on Wednesday (9) - City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster

My favorite time of the week! Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. It's where you post a book you are lusting after. A book you cannot wait to be released!

City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster
Hits Shelves on February 5, 2013
Add to Goodreads

Synopsis
Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.

Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting
I am so excited for this book and impatient for its release! That cover is gorgeous. Not to mention, I'm loving the premise. Sounds different and exciting! Bring it on!

What are you waiting for?

Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout Book Review

Title: Cursed
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Pages: 304
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3.5 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“For a brief second, I entertained the idea of ripping off my gloves, rushing down the hall, and jumping on Dustin’s back like a psychotic monkey.” 
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cursed

Synopsis
Dying sucks-- and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.

Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. 

However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't? But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not have been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
I could be having a bad day, and JLR just makes it all go away with her wonderful books. First, I fell in love with the Lux series, and now I have thoroughly enjoyed Cursed. It was such an addictive read, and once again, I could not put down an Armentrout book. Her books are like crack. No lie. Cursed was a little darker than Obsidian or Onyx. Less witty banter and more death. Though it's a given that death is going to be a main focus of this book when the main character can kill with a touch. 

I found I was really invested in the characters, especially Ember, Hayden, and even Ember's little sister Olivia (an occasional brat but so cute). I felt for Ember. She goes through so much. She can't touch anyone with her bare skin. So no hugs, kisses, cuddling. She treats her Jeep like her own little baby because she can actually touch it without hurting it. Despite everything she struggles with, she still takes care of her little sister, making sure she doesn't end up in foster care. She becomes the responsible one in the family with her father dead and her mother not all there in the head. I grew to respect Ember's devotion to her little sister and her fighting spirit. For someone who is surrounded by death, she is so alive. Even when she wants to curl up in a corner and cry, she defends herself and always thinks about her sister's welfare. She may be damaged goods, but she is able to come such a long way with her gift and her self-esteem. 

As for Hayden, I didn't always like him, but I did love him. He wasn't Mr. Perfect, but he believed in Ember when others didn't. Not to mention, his infatuation with her was adorable while it was also slightly creepy. I love how the one guy with the gift for absorbing Ember's power ends up being drop dead gorgeous. Very convenient. Though they do have to work towards controlling their gifts. I felt their relationship was developed so well. They ran into a few issues, but they were able to slowly build the foundations of their relationship, developing trust in each other and revealing their dark pasts in confidence. 

While there was not one dull moment in Cursed, I found the plot followed a predictable route. I guessed the villain less than halfway through, but, then again, I'm always trying to anticipate the ending. I'll be the one watching movies, saying it's that guy or they're all alien clones. This is why my favorite board game is Clue. It didn't decrease my enjoyment of the book, but it wasn't a surprise. And the plot as a whole wasn't anything amazing or mind-blowing. It was similar to Shatter Me or Rogue from X-Men. Basically, these kids were a bunch of X-Men hanging out in a big house, headed by one man who seemed to collect gifted individuals. Ring a bell? Though Jonathan Cromwell is not anything like Professor X. And in the book, the characters actually acknowledge that they're not anything like X-Men. They say they're not superheros but just gifted. 

I would recommend this book for anyone who loves the Lux series or any action-packed, romance filled books. I loved it. The ending gave me closure, but there were a couple of questions left unanswered so maybe a sequel? But if it was a standalone and the questions remained unanswered, it would not haunt me for the rest of my life. I just can't wait for Opal in December! I also need to read the Covenant series! 

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is hosted at The Story Siren. It's where bloggers can post all the books and goodies they bought, borrowed, received, etc over the last week.

I really need to stop buying books, but this fall has been full of new releases. And well, books just end up multiplying in my room. They have to be breeding. What would the baby of a Jennifer Armentrout book and a Veronica Roth book look like?

My mom went on a business trip and brought me home souvenirs from the airport. I missed her so. 

Purchased (Columbus Airport): 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

The airport bookstore had two bookshelves and she managed to find the only two books worth buying. Thanks Mom! Though I can't stand the movie cover on Perks. Why do they do this? Now I'll just imagine Hermione and Percy as the main characters, and I hate that.

Purchased (Amazon): 

Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee

Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout (just finished this one!)

Tiger's Curse (The Tiger Saga #1) by Colleen Houck

I actually already have Angelfall in ebook form, but it finally came out in paperback, and I NEEDED it. I love this book so much, and it is at such a great price. 

Purchased (Kindle app): 

Kushiel's Dart (Phedre's Trilogy #1) by Jacqueline Carey

The cover freaks me out, but I've heard people raving about this series so I thought I'd try it out. Not a bad price on Kindle either. 

What's your IMM or STS? 

Happy reading,

Courtney

The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson Book Review

Title: The Crown of Embers
Author: Rae Carson
Published: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Series: Fire and Thorns #2
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Pages: 416
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“I love you the way a drowning man loves air. And it would destroy me to have you just a little.” 
― Rae Carson, The Crown of Embers

*Warning: This book review contains spoilers for The Girl of Fire and Thorns*

Synopsis
Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her - except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. 

As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
I decided to do away with star ratings. It was too limiting and I was becoming more and more indecisive. I don't want to pick from a scale of 1-5 or 1-10, and I hope my reviews will speak for themselves. 

The Crown of Embers just blew me away. Usually, I'm disappointed in a sequel, but this was far from the case with this series. The Crown of Embers was even better than The Girl of Fire and Thorns. I never lost interest for a second, even if there wasn't necessarily action. The political intrigue, character development, and enthralling storyline had me from the beginning. I really felt that Joya d'Arena came alive for me with Carson's words. Her vivid description of this fantasy world, a hybrid of Spanish and Italian inspiration, left nothing to be desired. Her writing style flows beautifully, and my eyes were aching to see this world for real. 

Elisa and her country are still recovering from a battle with the Inviernos, and Carson manages to show us how Joya D'Arena is faring in every part of the country without even traveling there. We capture bits and pieces of the country's suffering from Elisa's travels, but we mainly witness its troubles from her discussions with advisers and other political figures. Elisa is also having difficulty ruling as a foreign queen, and Carson does not disappoint in showing scenes where Elisa's queenship is challenged or the queen herself is threatened. As always, Elisa is unfailingly clever in all of her decisions, but she also struggles with her insecurity as a capable queen, causing her to make mistakes along the way. She is a very believable character, and truly awe-inspiring. I liked how there was less focus on her eating habits and her weight than in the first book. There are scenes where she still deals with her low self-esteem, but these were done really well and seemed to flow naturally. I still wish we had a little more background about why she was compulsively eating in the first place and why she gained weight. But overall, her appearance is not a major concern in this book, and we learn so much more about her character and her loyalty to her loved ones. I just love Elisa, and I admire her greatly. 

Hector. I never thought I'd wax poetic about a guy named Hector, but this romance was all I could have dreamed for and so much more. When Humberto died in the last book, I pretty much figured Elisa and him were over. Death is kind of a deal breaker in a relationship. Well, desert boy and the queen weren't really going anywhere with her being married and all. Oh wait, buh bye Alejandro. After Humberto kicked the bucket, I was rooting for Hector to be her next beau. So I freaked out when I heard he was, in fact, the romantic interest. I loved him just as much as I did in the first book. Their romance is so much more than lust or simple romantic love because Hector is also Elisa's friend and protector, adding so many intricate layers to their relationship. There is no easy route for the romance between a queen and the commander of her guard, and I respect Carson for not choosing the easy way out as their struggle to be together is evident. I love these two together. Hector is too sweet. And while the romance is not the main focus of the book, it is certainly an important addition. 

In The Crown of Embers, Elisa comes even closer to her destiny as the Godstone bearer. She also has some close brushes with death as an assassin emerges. It was such a fantastic, adventurous story. Crown of Embers is not all happy go lucky, but the dark parts just make it all the more richer and complete. I loved when Elisa put her smart hat on and devised a plan. She is something fierce. And the characters on the sidelines, from devoted friends to vicious backstabbers, are all wonderfully developed.

All I have to say is read this book now. There's no reason to wait. It's that awesome, and I finished it in record timing. I could not put it down. The Bitter Kingdom isn't expected until fall of 2013. This is going to be a long and brutal wait. 

Happy reading,

Courtney

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout Book Review

Title: Onyx
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Series: Lux #2
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Pages: 328
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

"I could always give you a teaser. You bookish people love teasers, don't you?" ― Jennifer L. Armentrout, Onyx

*Warning: Spoilers for Obsidian ahead!*

Synopsis

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon's determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I've sworn him off, even though he's running more hot than cold these days. But we've got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I'm a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who's got a secret of his own. He knows what's happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I've seen someone who shouldn't be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he's never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

My Thoughts
I was nervous that Onyx wouldn't live up to my high expectations after I loved Obsidian so much. But there was no need to be worried because Onyx was even better. This series has taken me by storm. It is a roller coaster of emotion, an action-packed thrill ride. There's the beautiful Luxen, with their insane powers, and then the terrifying, formidable villains in the form of the Arum and the DOD (Department of Defense).

Daemon. Oh god. I hate to go all fangirl here, but you have competition, Will Herondale. I didn't feel all warm and fuzzy towards Daemon in Obsidian, but all of that changed in Onyx. Daemon went from sexy, charming douche bag to sexy, charming I want to marry you and have your alien babies. He was unpredictable but oh so lovable. And still devoted as ever to family. While Katy was stubborn and indecisive, I was happy she didn't give into his advances immediately considering Daemon's past behavior. I can understand her cautiousness, not wanting to get her heart broken. I'm a big fan of complicated romances where the two characters have to work towards a relationship, coming to terms with their problems. I hate when it's all butterflies and skipping through meadows. You have to throw a monkey wrench in the works every so often. I was happy that Armentrout didn't follow the easy route, and she made Daemon and Katy's relationship more realistic (or as realistic as it can be with an alien in the mix).

This book was a perfect blend of dark and light, just like the Luxen are beings of light and the Arum are beings of shadow. I loved how well Armentrout balanced the humorous and then the more meaningful scenes. Once again, I found myself laughing aloud. Here's a few great lines:

"I always liked you. From the moment you first flipped me off."

"Oh holy alien babies everywhere!"

"Jesus." Blake rubbed his throat. "You have anger management problems. It's like a disease."
"There's a cure and it's called kicking your ass."

"Dogeared pages were Antichrist of book lovers everywhere."

And there are so many more funny moments. But along with the humor, there were definitely some darker parts. This book revealed so many more threats and dangers, and I was genuinely worried for Katy and Daemon's safety. I loved how Armentrout didn't sacrifice the intense scenes for the sake of a fun read. There were so many wonderful twists, and I learned a lot more about the Luxen. It was enthralling, and I could not get enough. Not to mention the awesome fight scenes. There was not a slow moment in this book. I could not stop reading, and I wish I could read it all over again fresh.

There is another guy in this book: California surfer boy Blake Saunders. But before you panic, let me reassure you that there is no need to worry about a love triangle. Blake definitely adds something to the story, and there are so many fascinating developments. But, thank god, there is no love triangle. I will say no more.

If you have yet to read Obsidian or Onyx, please do so right this instant. If you love gripping, edge of your seat reads with aliens and fight scenes that were made for a cinema, than this series is perfect for you. As Katy so aptly puts in her own book review on her blog, Onyx is a "forget your homework, don't feed your kids, and quit your job one-sit read." These books kept me up insanely late, tearing through the pages (as much as you can on an Ipad) until I was finished. I didn't want to eat or sleep or work because those were all unnecessary distractions from Daemon. I need Opal right this instant. Not tomorrow. Not next month. NOW. It's expected in December, but I can't wait any longer!

Happy reading,

Courtney

Waiting on Wednesday (8) - Prophecy by Ellen Oh

Waiting on Wednesday is my favorite meme because Friday is only two days away and I get all excited about upcoming releases! It's hosted over at Breaking the Spine, and it's where you post a book you're eagerly awaiting and its release date just can't come fast enough.

Prophecy by Ellen Oh
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Publication Date: January 2, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Synopsis
The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms… is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope…

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting
This book sounds like just my kind of read! Yes, some of its been done before. Seven Kingdoms = Westernos. And Kira's a strong female warrior, an exception in a world where the king's army is all male. Not to mention a prophecy and a romance with a young prince. I mean I'm assuming there will be a romance between Kira and the young prince. But I don't care that it resembles other reads. She has YELLOW EYES! That's enough to gain my interest. Pathetic, I know. Not to mention a Dragon King Prophecy and a Demon Lord. It's been awhile since I read a good book with demons. 

January needs to be tomorrow! I've seen bloggers with this ARC, and I am oh so jealous. But enjoy! And I can't wait to read your reviews.

What's your WoW?

Happy reading,

Courtney