No Where Left to Hide

Dawn Montgomery has lost every inch of safety she and the city of Denver believe they have. Once Sin, the Daywalker, showed the city that Vampires can now walk in the daylight, no one seems safe.
To make matters worse, Dawn has lost her title as the city delegate. Her relationship with Victor puts him and her at risk in this position, but also there was the whole blood transfer; Victor took Dawn's blood so he could survive, leaving her all but drained.
Ever since Dawn left the hospital, she's been having weird dreams about a vampire symbol. Desperately seeking answers, no one, not even the Old Family vampires seems to know what this means. She's also been having dreams with Victor: they are just dreams, but it seems so real.

To make matters even more crazy, Dawn has been sent to California on the Night train to track the Thirst that is so vast in the vampire population. On her journey, she meets Ian, famous vampire hunter who, along with her Nightwatchmen and ex boyfriend, Michael, have vowed to keep her safe. What Dawn discovers on this trip is the both the most amazing, yet horrifying conclusion. No one expected the Thirst and the Daywalkers to be a threat, but now there really is no where to hide.

Blood-Kissed Sky by J.A London is the second in the Darkness Before Dawn trilogy. Like the first, the story is an interesting take on a dystopic society where vampires and humans coexist. In the first novel, Dawn has the power of the delegate where she speaks to the Vampire lord. However, things have changed. Victor overthrew his father, Dawn discovered her brother was infected with the Thirst, and Sin is a new breed of vampire that can risk the safety and security the world had tried so long to rebuild.
As I said with the first one, very different from the whole romantic, teen drama. The plot holes, however, do continue a bit. There are certain areas where you as a reader go, "Really? How does that work", but it is a good overall story.
Like the first one, the ending was unexpected, yet it made sense.
I have to say this novel did make me feel more indifferent towards Victor. Yea, I get that he's the new overlord of his family, but something seems off. He actually is only really present in this book a handful of times, so I really think London did a great job of showing not too much romance, but just enough to remind the reader it exists. The concept is nice and different, so when the end of the book came, I realized this was not the type of book I could simply put down and not continue it. Like a handful in the past...
It's a quick read, an easy read, but the concept is definitely enough to keep an interest. Sure, you are annoyed with the main character at times, but she has proven she can manage to think for herself and be strong when the situation requires.
Also, the covers and titles are so intriguing. I definitely feel like London overshadows his few moments of plot holes once you see the title. Very clever, very pretty.

Only Sunlight Can Save Us

In a distant future, Vampires roam the United States and coexist. The war has ended between both species, but a wall separates the potential danger. Even though both sides have a mutual agreement on blood supply, less humans want to donate, so more vampires become desperate to feed. Dawn's parents were the official delegates for Lord Valentine, and they were killed doing a standard visit. As a result, Dawn was named the youngest, new delegate. Visits to Valentine Manor are typical and expected from her job description, but that doesn't mean she is unable to handle the pressure.
Her last night with no worries and partying turns into an almost fatal run in with vampires, until Victor saves her and her best friend, Tegan. Dawn never expects to see him again, let alone find out he is Valentine's son.

Desperately trying to increase the blood supply, Dawn is pressed for time, but unwilling to be intimidated by an old family Vamp...or his son. As time goes on, Victor begins to show a softer side; one that Dawn never expected from a vampire. Now, her thoughts are filled with Victor, her soon to be Night Watchmen boyfriend, Michael, and her recent stalker (who may just be one of Valentine's lackeys willing to strike at any time).
The world continues to spin out of control when her mentor is attacked, Victor expressed his need to over throw his father, and even though Tegan seems happy with the new guy, Sin, there is definitely something different about him. Can Dawn handle the pressure, and will she give in to what her heart's ultimate desire is?

Darkness Before Dawn by J.A London begins with a typical Vampire vs Humans story line. Yes, it has a little True Blood vibe to it. To be honest, I wanted to read it so bad because Barnes and Nobles did not have it in stock, and the cover to the third one, which WAS in stock, was pretty and interesting. The minute I started reading I went in neutral; not knowing what to expect. However, it is QUITE different from Twilight, so please don't let the vampire/human thing scare you off.
The characters are very one dimension; there isn't much to them other than typical high school issues. Dawn is a strong female character, but only because the job forced her to be. She wants to prove she is a force to be reckoned with, but readers get a little confused when they realize...this 18 year old is the only communication between the Vampire race and the humans? It seems odd and even odder that the government trusts a teenager in charge of such affairs.
Get past the immediate confusing plot holes, and it reads just like a typical teen drama. Dawn has the good looking, protective boyfriend, her best friend is boy obsessed, and aside from the drama in school, all teenagers are armed with stakes and some background in self-defense. Victor shows up, and he is just different; not in a sparkle sparkle kind of way. He rescues the girls from a vampire attack, but suddenly Dawn discovers he is one. Victor's heart is gentle, and he begins to show Dawn the other parts of the city she is not so aware of. He shows her a different side to the vampire race and explains to her why he must dethrone his father, so her hate for the race begins to dissolve. 
As much as I seem off about this book, I did, actually, enjoy it. The plot was not so romance related to be nauseating, and the end of the book did actually come as a surprise to me. The more the story continued, I was siding with Victor and wanting for the two worlds to reunite and for everyone to live in harmony. Fat chance, as with all "too good to be true" moments, but it was a good thought.
It is a trilogy, so I grabbed the second one to continue to story. The author did a nice job of making me care because the amount of plot holes in the beginning may have been enough to deter a lot of people.
Don't expect too much from it, but it's a good read. It's quick, a little different, and far from the whole sparkle vampire, sexy werewolf, and desperate, uninteresting main heroine.

There Are Chords in the Hearts of the Most Reckless Which Cannot be Touched...

Araby's journey has only just begun. Her father created the masks to keep the contagion out, but he also was responsible for releasing the Red Death, Will, the boy who made her feel again, betrayed her, her mother has been kidnapped by the Prince, and her best friend, April, is dying. But, Araby has discovered this life is worth living, as long as there is something to fight for.
On their journey back to the city, Araby, Elliot, and Will begin searching for her father in hopes that he can reverse the contagion for April and the city. Throughout their journey, Elliot begins to put together troops of his own in order to overthrow the Prince and save the city. Though these boys have both left scars on her heart, Araby is drawn to them both in such different ways.
Their journey brings them through tunnels filled with death, streets where contagion, the Red Death, and murders lurk, and finally, to a masquerade ball where Araby must make a decision that could result in a horrible death. Throughout the journey, Araby uses her anger, her bravery, and the love for her family to push forward, but is she ready to unleash something inside herself that could distort the image she's grown used to for so long?

Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin is the sequel to Masque of the Red Death. This novel, much like the first, did not leave readers with hopes of a better story. This was the better story. Picking up where Griffin left off, we are reunited with Araby, our heroine. These two novels show a drastic change in the main character: In Masque..., Araby needs to find a reason to breath, but in Dance..., she is determined to fight the disease and the Prince.
The reader can truly see a character who has hit rock bottom, but her climb to the top is the reason we read on. She has taken herself from a character who was continually drugged at the Debauchery Club in order to forget her past, to a female lead who doesn't need the boys to save her. And who doesn't like that?
Griffin's writing is the other part of the story that is just so delicious. Each word, each sentence, is so carefully constructed, and the writing just adds to the depth of the story. The story doesn't just revolve around the Araby, Elliot, Will love triangle; the story focuses on a time where people are dying from the contagion and the Red Death and no one has the power to stop it, but it will be these three that are forced to work together in order to bring the city back to life. Elliot's goal: to overthrow the Prince so he can pay for his crimes, but this means forming an army of men who would be willing to go against the city's control. Araby's mission: to find her father so he can reverse the contagion for her friend, but also to find her mother and bring her home safe. And Will, he's along to provide assistance to both with his array of skills, but also, he wants to keep Araby safe.

What I enjoyed the most was Araby's development. Although some things were a little too convenient, Araby's strength was not one of them. I could feel her turmoil, her anxiety, and her hesitation with certain tasks. She didn't become a strong heroine overnight, but each chapter brings her closer to finding how strong she truly is. And, because of her past, readers have an easier time relating to her emotions.

There were slow points in the story, there were times when it was a little too confusing, and there were times when certain tasks tied together a little too well. However, you read this story for the characters and for the overall theme, which is survival. I favorited this series on my shelfari because it is something I would return to again. This is one of those great dystopian societies where the decisions people make can be just as ugly as the disease itself.

Death Was Expected. There Were No Exceptions

After a devastating World War 4, life appears to be at a stand still. Women are no longer able to give life, and death is always close by. The Council of Creators has determined that instead of making life, they will create it. They have created a master "race" of Chosen Ones; beautiful, strong, and deadly to all.
Tess and her family are the last of the Naturals, those who were naturally born and not created. When her older sister dies during childbirth, Tess is forced to spend ten years at Templeton, being a unpaid maid for the Chosen Ones to pay for her sister's disobedience. Tess is cold, alone, and unwilling to succumb to any help. She then meets James, a Chosen One who loves music, reading, and has a kindness in his soul that others do not share. Their attraction to each other is immediate, but it doesn't take away the danger and intensity it could lead them too.
As her time at Templeton continues, Tess discovers that rebellion is brewing, but not against the Chosen Ones; against the Council. She encounters situations that make her challenge her once black and white views. Slowly, she finds out that rebellion may be in her blood, and also she may carry something that everyone thought was lost. But, will she be able to help her people if it means giving up this one chance at happiness?

It is no surprise that dystopian societies are my forte. I actually bought this book for my kindle last year when it came out, but failed to return to it until last week. I am so glad I did. The Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt takes us to a future where all seems lost. Life can no longer be made, so the Council has decided to create a superior "race" to keep watch over the Naturals. The idea of the Council is so hauntingly real, and I think that's what really kept me craving more. There are the rules: Naturals all bunk together in horribly crowded living conditions, while the Chosen Ones have their own boarding house that provides them with food, education, and every luxury the Naturals are prevented from having. If a Natural is disobedient and deserves to be punished, they will be branded with marks on their neck signifying how "lucky" they are to receive 3 stikes.
Tess is so cold. After her sister's death, she is unable to forgive her brother in law, unable to get close to any of her remaining family members, and just closes herself off from the world. I found her character was so broken, and in desperate need of affection, but she refused it. She is not a typical heroine, and she is by no means "liked" by any of the other characters. As a reader, I felt bad for the characters she was rejecting because I knew how badly she need some kind of positive emotion in her life. She meets James, but she does everything in her power to fight the emotions she feels. She is so set on following the Council's rules that she ignores the fact that this boy is different than the other Chosen Ones; she still can't trust him.
Throughout the book I found myself highlighting a lot of the lines because there were so beautiful and telling about the character. The more I read, the more I wanted because I could see the uncertainty within Tess. She wanted to learn more, she wanted to prove herself, and you can tell something is stirring.
This book was a great read. I finished it within a week because I just couldn't stay away from it for too long. After I finished it, I immediately bought the second one in the series because I need to keep the story going.
People may be skeptical about the book because Tess's character can be seen as an ungrateful brat, but I truly believe inside she's an empty shell. James teaches her to be human, to feel something again, and I think that is the amazing thing. If you're into the dystopian society scene, this one is worth checking out!

Maybe Hope isn't the Most Dangerous Thing...Maybe Love is Worse

After being married off to Linden with two sister wives and experiencing the loss of her family, Rhine finally escapes her father in law's grasp, only to be pulled back in. It seems all of Rhine's journey has been for naught, until she realizes her twin brother, Rowan, is alive and getting much unwanted publicity. Her strength and determination return and, though against her father in law's will, she sets out to find her brother, and the boy she left behind.
Although heartbroken once before because of her absence, Linden agrees to send Rhine to stay with his uncle to get her strength up, then she will be off to search for Rowan and Gabriel alone. However, the trip doesn't leave Rhine so alone. Cecily, her once sister wife, Linden, and baby Bowen accompany her to Uncle Reed's, unsure of what they'll experience.
Reed seems odd, but the more Rhine stays, the more she discovers about this man. He has the ability to make things grow, whereas his brother, Vaughn does anything to prod, poke, and ultimately destroy. Throughout their journey, each of the character's are faced with despair, hardships, and courage. Trying to outrun Vaughn, while holding onto the only hope they all have, which is each other, and the determination to survive.
Is it possible, after all Rhine's been through, to completely leave the mansion, the ex husband, and the life she knew for a year behind in order to search after a brother and boy who could all be but forgotten and lost?

Sever by Lauren DeStefano is absolutely the best end to this trilogy. Since I first picked up Wither when she first began the series, these books have held onto my heart and have not let go. The writing, you can tell, is so carefully done. Each idea, each sentence, each word is so well done. That was part of the fun of reading this.
Even better: the covers of all these books include so many different objects, but all of them relate to this story. All of these items contribute somehow to the journey, and they affect the story's theme. It is just attention to detail that really makes this a thoughtful piece as well as an entertaining one.
The other amazing part is the story itself. It is truly amazing how the idea of a disease taking the young 21 and 25 year olds can create such a dystopic society that is so enchanting and hauntingly real. Life is a race against time; a race to succeed and maybe have a shot to find this cure. What Rhine discovers about Vaughn, her parents, and her brother is truly remarkable, and it completely changes the reader's opinion of all these characters.
The really amazing thing about DeStefano is that she manages to incorporate all the character's into Rhine's world AND make them relevant. Cecily's character develops in a way where readers actually enjoy her wild emotions. Linden is determining whether he should disobey his father for the first time, or stay with what he has always considered safe. Even Vaughn becomes more than a monster, and maybe appears to be the only one who can really change the world.
I fell in love with all the characters, and towards the end it was really hard to to determine who I should "root" for. Rhine grew tremendously throughout the trilogy, and it was a journey that all readers will be happy to take with her.
Although there was a great deal of tragedy and sadness, I feel like the end was appropriate and not at all expected. All characters were able to find their place, even those who have been dead and buried. Because even the dead play a role...

Such an amazing trilogy, and it is DEFINITELY a must read!

Take Down The Walls

Lena has been on the run with her group. They are outrunning the resistance, surviving the Scavengers, and most of all trying to just live. In Lena's world, Love is the Disease. So many have been cured, but after the death of the governor of Portland, the world has broken out into an all out war. Her group and her have been searching for safety, praying for a chance to overcome the war and somehow come out on the other side. She has Julian, whom she saved from  the resistance, but things are more complicated now that Alex has joined her pack. Alex, who showed her the way of the uncured, Alex, who supposedly gave his life for her to escape, Alex...her first and true love. The book follows Lena and her group across the country through everything. The main goal, to return to Waterbury where there should be a group waiting for them with more people to create more of an impact. When plans change, Portland is where they decide to have their final stand off with the government, Lena's old home. The entire time she battles within herself...Is Alex gone and dead to her like he says, can Julian ever fill that void, will they all survive?
On the other side, Lena's old best friend, Hana as been cured. She lives a life anyone would want...she will soon be matched to the governor's son, Fred. But something isn't sitting right. She constantly things of Lena, her family, and the mess on the other side if town where all the uncured reside. Fred's previous wife is no where to track down, which makes the journey even more uneasy. The more Hana discovers about her husband to be, his plans for the town, and everything going on in this world, she starts to realize that survival is not only for the Wild, it is for the here and now.

Requiem by Lauren Oliver  is the final book in the series and represents a dystopic society where love is a disease and needs to be cured. However, the whole concepts spirals deeper as the books go on. Book one focuses on the outbreak: Love. Book two takes the reader into battle. You see the government trying to control this outbreak of uncured, throwing them to different parts of the city, opening fire without cause. Lena's strength gets her out of her town and forces her to reestablish herself as a new member of the Wild. Broken hearted, she fights, and throughout the journey discovers how the government is taking control of the issue.
I know a lot of my friends read book one and were turned off because it was too much love. Books 2 and 3 do not reflect her love interests, but the war. Honestly, you can see the similarities between the way this government chooses to react and the real world we live in. Reading the books, I was so taken in by the war, the survival, and the choices people had to make in order to keep going. Love is the main reason, but by book 3 it spirals so far out of control you aren't sure of the disease anymore. And I think that is the important thing to keep in mind. Sometimes you forget why you're even fighting a war in the first place.
Hana's point of view adds a whole other view because she's cured. She's on the inside. But the things around her start to unravel, and she has to make choices she could possibly die from. It makes the reader believe that maybe this whole cure they have in place does not work so well.
The characters are defined and strong, the concept is amazing, and the writing makes you want to read more. I truly believe Oliver did a great job with the build up to the "final stand", and she did an excellent job of keeping the reader interested. Trust me the romance isn't so profound that you want to throw up. It's done so perfectly that you don't even recognize it's there.
I strongly suggest this series. It's a great trilogy, and it truly does show the free world, the oppressed world, and how people represent each party.

"We give people the power to choose. They can even choose the wrong thing."

Winter Is Coming...

Let me start this entry by saying: I am not a typical fantasy reader. The dragons, knights, medieval appeal are amazing, but I don't find myself drawn to this genre as I used to be. However, Game of Thrones was said to be an amazing example of fantasy writing.  I also need to make a confession...I watched the HBO series BEFORE reading the book. I know, I know, lame, but I have to say it was the series that hooked me, and the books, at least the one I read so far, did not disappoint. It is definitely worth a look, especially if you have fallen in love with the series. HBO does a great job of sticking extremely close to the books, which is always a nice things as well.

After season 3 ended, which Holy Christ if you saw the season finale, how could you NOT be hooked, I decided I wanted to try to read the books up to that point.
I dove into book 1: A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. Although these fantasy books tend to be at least 600 pages long and a little intimidating, it was completely worth it.

This book takes you through a complete world of fantasy complete with different kingdoms, lands, and people. In my version, there was even a map of the entire realm so you can see the distance between kingdoms. Each chapter is a different character's perspective from Ned Stark (Lord of Winterfell), his wife (Catelyn Stark), his daughters (Arya and Sansa), his son (Bran) his bastard son (Jon), Lord Tyrion (a Lanniester and somewhat enemy of the Starks), and Danerys Targaryen (daughter of the "Mad King" who was killed).
All of these characters hold a different piece to this story, and all are needed in order to weave through.

The story begins when Robert Baratheon (King of all of the realms) comes to Winterfell to speak with Ned. The Hand of the King (John Arryn) has died, so Robert, a long time friend of Ned, wishes his friend to come to King's Landing where he will be the new Hand. Although against his beliefs, Ned agrees and takes his two daughters to accompany him with his duties.
From here, all the characters are separated with different beliefs, motives, and goals. The reader soon discovers not all men and women are trustworthy, some get what they deserve, some are caught in the cross fire, and some are just holding on to what they truly believe is right. You find yourself hating people, loving others, and wanting desperately for all to end well. However, the author himself said he doesn't want anything to be too predictable, so it will be interesting to see what he has in store for his characters in the next books.

A great piece of fantasy, and it truly does take you to a world where nothing is as it seems. There are so many characters, subplots, and destinations that it is difficult to become bored. It also can become confusing, which is why it helped I had the background knowledge of the series to assist with names. Confusion aside, the plot focuses on revenge, greed, desire, betrayal, love, and pride. It is a wonderful story to be apart of. This series will have you wanting more, seeking answers, and hoping your favorites survive the dangerous Game of Thrones.
As Cersei Lanniester stated, "In the game of thrones you win, or you die."