Jessica
...Well...this is an understatement I know but that was intense.
Not sure how to rate this book so I'll just chalk my rating up to “undecided”.
This book had me mildly intrigued from the start. After reading the summary, I just couldn't stop wondering how Penelope Douglas would get Tate to forgive Jared, AKA the initial bad-tempered, unpredictable jackass. I was expecting the author to make the main character incredibly easy to manipulate. But boy was I wrong.
Although Tate did seem particularly weak in the beginning, I guess that's what the character development was supposed to, well, develop. Even before Tate had escaped to France, we got a preview of how she would be after she got back and eventually faced her fears again.
Anyways, I'm going to be honest and say I'm not sure whether I'd recommend this to anyone. However, I could tell whoever's reading this that this book hooked me from the start, I finished it in one day, and the ending...the ending was
wow in a lovely, surprising, positive, amazing, wonderful, beautiful way.
Wow. Just...wow. This book...was PRETTY DARN AMAZING. I am mind-blown. Awe-struck. Eye-boggled. Let's give it up for Layla Frost!
It all started when a certain pretty girl went to get speakers that could blast her eardrums in an effective manner at Hyde, a garage-sorta-place-I-don't-know-the-legit-name-for...
It was put into motion when a certain HOMYGOD-HE'S-SEXY-AS-ALL-GET-OUT “sex god” insisted on having crappy organization skills...
And it all led a certain fangirl (and more likely than not, hundreds of others) to start hyperventilating from the sheer beauty that was about to commence before our eyeballs...
This book...this book had the right amount of sweetness, hilarity, “bad” moments, hot moments, and mystery to it to make me finish it in less than one day.
Since I don't want to give too much away (and I want to hurry and get the next book), I'll just tell whoever's reading this to GET THE BOOK AND READ IT BECAUSE IT'S PRETTY DARN AWESOME. There's a slight chance you won't agree with me. But there's also a higher chance you'll want to start fangirling like me when I read this book.
EDIT: I just found out the next book hasn't come out yet. .-.
Wow the story just took a turn for the worse. And wow...Piper and Ash...they...wow. I'm awed that they finally did...the thing. But I feel so strange about it. I've read my fair share of erotica over the years, and something just bugs me about Piper and Ash's...thing. Maybe I'm just uncomfortable because it is likely one (most likely Ash) will die after they did the thing. It's a recurring pattern in most books. Or maybe I just feel awkward because I'd conditioned myself to not be waiting for the dirty to happen in this series since none of it happened in the first 3 books. Either way, I just feel...strange.
I feel like there wasn't much going on. There were some action moments, but they were mostly just reemphasizing how Piper's shading is uncontrollable and dangerous. No solution was really reached. No ultimate goal was met, unless you count meeting their with the Commander Staff, but that just seemed so trivial.
And then Piper's mom died. .-. Why? How does this further the story? Alright, it sent Piper in a murderous rage or, at least, it lowered her defenses enough that the Sahar/Natania could take control of her body and kill basically everything in sight. Her death also led to the death of Maasehet, which could lead to a number of outcomes, ranging from Miysis becoming the heir (oh noes), to the Ra family charging into war against whoever they think is responsible. But honestly, I didn't really care about Piper's mom and whether or not she died. Her only redeeming points were when she finally took charge and stood up against Walter when he was asking stupid questions and wasting time. And...that's basically it.
And then there was the general whole beginning. Obviously character development is progressing at full blast for Piper. She has become much more jaded, more stoic. Almost like those cool people who only exist in the world of fiction, and basically always knows what to do. The only problem is Piper somewhat messes up that image.
And why, WHY, WHY, Annette Marie, didn't you let Piper show the other Consul Apprentices who's boss? You just made them antagonize her more. Oh the woe.
-sigh- So I guess there just weren't enough kick-ass-Piper moments for me. No, the shading doesn't count because it ruins the glory and joy of beating the bad guys up if she always feels worried about killing everyone she loves while she's shaded.
So yeah. I don't know how you're going to end this, Marie. I wish you the best of luck.
Oh no. With this series, it's a THING. A TREND. A TENDENCY. To do what, you think? To LEAVE ME HANGING, THAT'S WHAT. Always leaving me unsatisfied TT^TT. Why? Yes, Annette Marie, you'd want readers to get your next books too. But-but-but this is too CRUELLLLLLL.
I think a fair warning should be put out there right now: this book was a little more agonizing than its predecessor. There was more suffering, hopelessness, despair, all that good stuff. HOWEVER, it wasn't so bad that I couldn't push through to the ending. I just HAD to find out how Piper would get her and her friends out of these seemingly one-sided (and not in their favor) situations. Annette Marie writes yet another novel that captures your attention and forces you to put all your other priorities (i.e. working) second. So, if you're all right with a lot of agony assaulting the main characters; endings that leave you scrambling around screaming, “WHY, ANNETTE MARIE, WHY?! WHERE'S THE NEXT BOOK, DANGIT;” and heaps of misery weighing down on you and the main characters; I recommend you read this book.
4.5
Wow. This book was a brilliant way to end my year.
The only complaint I have is how dumb Piper was. She just seemed kind of slow at times. She doesn't think before acting sometimes, which grated my nerves.
However, that doesn't mean I completely despise Piper. After all, she's kind of a bad-ass. Those fight scenes...wow. Go girl powerPiper. With the odds stacked against her, she still emerged victorious.
And then there was the discreet love triangle.
Usually, love triangles just agitate me. And I know, I know. Lots of people hate love triangles, as evident from the burning hatred portrayed in people's reviews. I'm sorry if this aggravates someone, but I found the subtle love triangle pretty adorable. Or maybe the correct word is hot...hmmmm. Anyways, this book definitely contained my desired quota of drama.
The action? Everywhere. It kept my right on the edge of my seat for the whole half day I was awake. A half day was also how long it took for me to finish this book. Yeah, it was that good. Ash and Lyre are the epitome of mouth-watering amazingness all rolled up into hot messes of personalities. They make me want to fangirl and fawn over every one of their adorable reactions, every strange comment, and every noted look.
I'll cut myself short and get right to my thoughts about...the ending. That ending was...it...why...WHY ANNETTE MARIE?
WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO YOUR READERS? I DON'T UNDERSTAND. Ok, maybe I do understand (to get readers to get the next book). BUT STILL. WHY???? WHYYYYYYYYYYY COULDN'T YOU JUST LEAVE IT AT A HAPPY ENDING. NONONONONO I DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO LOGIC AND REASON THAT THE ENDING WOULD MOST LIKELY BE THE MAIN CONFLICT OF THE NEXT BOOK. NO. Just no.
That ending...WHAT?!
Okay let's just back up a moment here.
LIKES: I liked how adorable Rachel and Kash were together. I guess I sort of liked the suspense...maybe that could be in a middle category. The suspense made me finish the book in record time but it also made me scared of everything. My paranoia has now reached level infinity. Rachel and Kash's personalities were also stupendous~. Rachel wasn't too much of a useless-no-mind-of-her-own girl. Her and Kash's banter...HAH. My laughter could wake the dead.
DISLIKES: I guess I just didn't like how so many bad things happened to Rachel. This doesn't mean I want to turn a blind eye to everyone's misfortunes. However, I just don't like how Rachel keeps getting subjected to this...whatever you want to call it. Torture? Misery? And that ENDING. WHAT HAPPENED? What in the world? Really Molly McAdams? You couldn't leave them to their happily ever after until the next book? Granted, it was a good way to force/persuade readers to get the next book...BUT STILL. WHYYYYYYYYYY?
But yeah. If you're reading this and wondering about whether or not you should get it, I'd only say yes if you have a high tolerance for...well, let's just say you'd want to beat someone up from this book most of the time while you're reading it. Of course, you wouldn't be able to and that retribution isn't going to happen in any form for a long time.
4.5
Oh noes. I finished it. I really finally finished it. Now what am I going to do with my life?
Well, obviously, whoever's reading this, I don't think you need me to tell you that this book was pretty darn amazing. It kind of threw me off that this book wasn't as...tame...you know, in THAT way...though let it be noted that it wasn't THAT inappropriate...ok I just bollocksed that up.
Take 2...Action!
This book was just as entertaining and “dramatic” as its predecessor. And by dramatic, I mean Libby's romantic life was all kinds of a wild ride. There were a lot of ups and downs that revived my feels and caused my inner fangirl to pop out. In the end, I was highly satisfied with the way this book went. All the somewhat-stupid decisions were fixed in a logical way (as in, it made sense and wasn't complete BS). And Adam...being in Adam's head was different than being in the heads of other book guys'. Not in a bad way, I assure you. Usually I just feel a thrill from being in the book guys' POV (come on, I can't be the only one) because, well, I finally get to SEE how guys think (even though they're dictated by a female author but whatever, you get what I mean), and I get to fangirl over their adorable ways. But with Adam...I don't know. It's just different. Maybe it's because we get to see his POV throughout the whole book (though, it was like that with the Avery Shaw Experiment so I guess that can't be a reason because I fangirled about Grayson so hard it was embarrassing). Maybe it's because...I DON'T KNOW.
One thing that annoyed me was Libby's attraction to Owen in the first place. Or just Owen in general. Man, he just...and she...AGGHASIDFHALKSEHGFKVZSGUFIKJAE. Yeah, go away Owen and control your libido and learn some common sense or whatever. (I wonder if Grayson will stay friends with him? I wonder if Owen will self-destruct and become a deadbeat? Eh.)
The point is, this book was its own special blend of unique. So, if you're reading this to decide whether or not to get this book, GET IT. READ IT. And FANGIRL with me.
AHHHHHHHHHHH I JUST SAW THE NEXT BOOKS AREN'T ABOUT JARED AND SAM!!!!! AS IN, THEY'RE NOT THE MAIN CHARACTERS!!!!
Oh noes .-. Dilemma. While I'm sure the next books will also be amazing, given that Suzanne Wright is their author, I'm really unsure of whether or not I should read the next books. Dang it-book dilemma. Continue with the series with different main characters or stop with the characters I love and have read the thoughts of for the past however many novels?
And the amazingness that defines this series continues. Props to Suzanne Wright. Really. I can't get enough of her work. There's never a dull moment in any of her books (that I've read, at least).
Sam continues to be a badass. Her relationship with Jared continues to be steamy. Annoying bitches continue to be served (with relish). And I continue to be pleased...until I realize that I haven't finished the next book yet. Which reminds me...toodle-loo.
Honestly, the only problem I had with this book was that the ending was so darn quick! What, a girl can't dream and hope for an epilogue?
But everything else in this book? L-O-V-E-D it. And I want me some more. Now. .-.
EDIT
Huh. I just went to look up the second book of the series? And what do you know? THIS is the “epilogue” I wanted...in full book form...which is even BETTER. So scratch out that first part of my review. I love ALL of this book: the wit, the bad-assery, the romance, the hilary, and so much more. So you can understand why I need to cut this review short so as to not delay in reading the next book. (Muahahahahahhahahahha)
Dangggggggg Karen Lynch. That ending...really stressed me out. Tears were involved. The disbelief was strong. The feels just kept coming. Except for the trauma of that confrontation, this book was ah-MAZING. And when I read the “The End,” I might've started gesticulating dramatically since, you know, it was the END. I need more of Sara with Nikolas. My book depression is great.
Why WHy WHY?! Basically the only thing(s) that bothered me about this book are:
1) Brett...why? Why you do this to me, RL Mathewson?
The story was going along swimmingly...and then BAM.
2) Great, now I need to hit the “hide entire review because of spoilers” button. It took so LONG for Edward and/or Dana to finally make a statement against crazy, obsessive fans. I mean, really, they were only attacked/had their privacy invaded -pssh- like 5(+) times?! You'd think they'd stop to tell their fans to back the freak off a bit BEFORE someone got killed. For example, wouldn't a good time to tell people to back off be when, oh I don't know, a bunch of crazed teenage girls assaulted Dana? When they freaking tried to KICK HER STOMACH WHEN SHE WAS DOWN AND PREGNANT?! Or, how about that time another stupid possessive teenage girl BUILT AND SENT A BOMB TO DANA, HOPING TO TAKE OUT HER AND HER AND EDWARD'S UNBORN KIDS?! But nooooooo, they just basically took both of those in stride.
Yes, it is admirable they were able to continue living their lives as they usually did, but there lies the problem. And yes, it would've been likely that those aforementioned possessive crazy teenage girls wouldn't have listened and would've continued to plan their nefarious, crazy, delusional plans to get Edward for themselves. HOWEVER, if Edward and Dana had said something earlier, they could've gotten to their fans who hadn't yet fallen over the edge into their own pit of delusion.
Everything else about this book...well...let's just say...
IT WAS PERFECT, BABY. It was a work of art, portraying famous people's troubles. I, and I'm assuming many others, could already vaguely...sympathize (or maybe the word is pity?) celebrities for various things that come with their fame (for example, CRAZED FANS). But after reading this novel, I have a whole new appreciation for the celebrities who don't go out of their way to make a scene.
There were only a few things that pissed me off about this beautiful-happily-ever-after book.
1) I was pretty darn annoyed when Kat didn't immediately tell someone, anyone, about Seamus's offer. I understand and accept how she debated about it at first (or second, really, since she'd made up her mind about not doing it before Seamus left the money and phone with her), and I'm very glad to see she still didn't make a stupid decision by committing to Seamus' nefarious plan. But still, I am very displeased with how she didn't tell someone right away. The tension just kept building and building because we, the readers, knew her decision to keep this quiet would blow up in her face. Thank Sariah Wilson, it didn't blow her whole face off. And thank her again for avoiding a whole misunderstanding-leading-to-a-sort-of-break-up-with-lots-of-unnecessary-heartbreak. And let's just give her another thanks for making sure Nico was smart enough to read the signs and see that Kat isn't with him because she's interested in money. THANK YOU SARIAH WILSON.
2) When the king kindly informed, subtly threatened, Kat about the women in Nico's past who'd screwed him over for fame and fortune, and Kat immediately said she wasn't interested in those things. Um, excuse me, but I believe you are interested in fortune, no? Did you not have a whole chapter about the guilt you felt for being tempted by Seamus' offer?
But yeah, those are basically my only concerns/criticisms. I don't think I need to fangirl to anyone how simply amazing this book this.
4.5 4
Luke's macho-man moments...not exactly the cave-man moments, but those times when he says mean things to Ava (great, now I've got to turn on the hide-review button). I'm talking about those times Luke hurts Ava's feelings like when he sort of called her stupid for not knowing that her dancing is as alluring as her stripping. And when Ava said she will not dance anymore I got so flipping mad I wish I could animate Luke and kick him in his, what Ava calls, his “‘nads.” So yeah, Luke can just piss off for all I care.
Still unsure of whether or not he ever takes it too far, what with him cuffing her to his bed and all. And basically dominating her life. Eh. And then there's the fact that Luke is sort of a man-slut. Literally, he hit on the heroins for the past two books (I didn't read the book before this yet but whee now I know I'm going to have to suffer through Luke making out with Jules-YUCK). And he was apparently in a non-exclusive relationship with another girl, ahem Sasha or whatever her name was. And let's focus on the non-exclusive part here-that implies he was fuck buddies with more than one woman-what the hell Luke. This reminder has led me to change my rating to 4. Sorry Kristen Ashley.
Though I am happy that they got together in the end, and all the dicky people got what they deserved, like Noah/Walt, Ava's sisters, etc. They can all jump off a cliff for all I care. Go Kristen Ashley for making them suffer!
I couldn't get the 2nd book before this 3rd one, but it still worked out in the end. Thank you, Kristen Ashley, for briefing who everyone is, otherwise I'd never be able to keep up with the TOTALLY HILARIOUS dialogues and plot lines you've got going.
It's awesome. It's amazing and you should get it so you can fangirl with me.
Oh gawd the Percy Jackson references.
I was getting ready to punch a wall. And there might've been a little too many jokes (sorry Rick Riordan but, hey, you'll always author-for-comic-relief). So yeah. That introduction with Annabeth basically blew me away. Literally I was just like, “Wait. Annabeth...surely he doesn't mean...? But apparently, he did mean the gray eyes, blonde hair and FREAKING ORANGE T-SHIRT he used to describe Annabeth.
And then she freaking offered Magnus a safe place to go to!
AND HE DIDN'T FREAKING GO TO CAMP HALF-BLOOD.
The teasing...is just cruel. TT^TT
THERE WAS EVEN A PEN SWORD REFERENCE. THESE ALLUSIONS THOUGH. WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME RICK RIORDAN?! Why do you do this...TO US?! I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
And that bet between Annabeth and Magnus...dang it but at least give me an image of Magnus's face. I know how it ends, courtesy of that lovely chapter title. BUT STILL. THE REACTION IS WHAT I LIVE FOR.
Anyways, this book...it was pretty darn cool. Magnus didn't do anything too stupid, like listen to Loki (the freaking bad guy of Norse mythology) or Hel (the daughter of the freaking bad guy of Norse mythology). He also successfully negotiated (to put it mildly) with Ran, which was pretty darn freaking awesome. So yeah. I want more. But these Greek-and-Norse crossover teasers have got to stop. Or at least bring Percy in and let me squeal like the fangirl I am. I don't care if this raises my blood pressure; these teasers are already doing that. Dang it I miss Percy.
