Review: Blackhearted Betrayal (Shades of Fury #3) by Kasey Mackenzie

Title: Blackhearted Betrayal (Shades of Fury #3)

Author: Kasey Mackenzie

Published by: Ace Books by The Berkley Publishing Group

Released: 2012

Summary: After catching a serial killer, Marissa Holloway thought she'd have a little rest and relaxation, instead she's pulled in to a major situation. With Fury politics in turmoil and a lesser god causing unnecessary mayhem in the Underworld, Riss is pulled in to a battle she can't turn down. Riss accepts a task from the gods to hunt down the problem using all her kick butt Fury skills. The fate of the world rests on Riss's shoulders, so no pressure or anything.

My Thoughts: As a big fan of Red Hot Fury, the first book in the Shades of Fury Series, I was excited to get my hands on and read Blackhearted Betrayal. Marissa Holloway is just a really fun, kick butt character, who just happens to be a Fury. I was a tad disappointed by the second book and I hoped Blackhearted Betrayal would give me the same thrills that the first book had. In the end, I just found Blackhearted Betrayal to be an okay read.

The Shades of Fury series is a fun, fast-paced urban fantasy read that is super enjoyable. I love the cover designs and the cool world created by Mackenzie, with its mix of mortals, gods, and various creatures.

Blackhearted Betrayal was just sort of a blah book for me. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood to read it, but I just didn't feel that same magic that the first book provided. Blackhearted Betrayal is full of action from first page to last. It was very fast-paced and almost reminded me of a one hour television show, in the sense that everything got wrapped up neatly just in time for the next episode. Maybe my problem was that all that action took away from being able to spend time and appreciate the characters. I think I like Riss and her gang more when they're on the mortal realm dealing with more mortal problems. I really don't know how to put into words what's lacking or missing in this story. All I can say is that no book in the series has managed to capture the magic of the first one.

Now, I'm not hating on this book. I really enjoy the series and I highly recommend it to people who love a good urban fantasy adventure. When the next one comes out, I'll read it.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 3/5

Just an okay read. Didn't love it, Didn't hate it.

Top 5 Wednesday: Top 5 Books Suggested/Recommended To You

This week's Top 5 Wednesday is the Top 5 Books That Have Been Suggested/Recommeded to You. I'm having a little bit of a struggle with this topic just because I don't get personally recommended a lot of books. I mean, I'll do a lot of book recommending, but I don't have enough real life reading friends to recommend books to me. Most of my recommendations that I get are from booktube. Some are direct recommendations left in the comments, and others are recommended in the booktube videos that I watch. So I'm going to go with with Top 5 (or maybe 6)  Recommend Books from Booktube.

  

  

6. The Devouring (The Devouring #1) by Simon Holt: This one I saw on Sue Moro's/Sue'sBookNook's chanel on Booktube. She marketed it as being really scary, so scary that it gave her nightmares. I love a good, scary book, so I was sold. It turned out to be soooo good. It lived up to being very creepy and scary. It was also a really quick read. It's part of a series, and I'm very excited to continue on with it.

5. Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna #1) by Kendare Blake: This one was a result of the hype on booktube. So many people were talking about this book and how good it was. The cover really cemented in my mind that I had to have it. This was just fun to read. It had a little bit of that Supernatural feel, a haunted house, and some real gore. Haven't read the sequel yet, but it is on my list of things to do.

4. Altered (Altered #1) by Jennifer Rush: I'm 98% sure I heard about this on booktube, but I just can't remember who exactly from. This book was so fun to read. It was like an action movie with hot guys. This one is also massively underhyped. It deserves more people talking about it. Such a good series. I'm gonna need this author to write more books too, I will read anything she writes next. I've heard tell she has a new book coming out in 2017, and I'm excited!

3. Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman: I think I heard about this one from the channel Thoughts on Tomes who's name is Sam, I believe. She just held up the book, I saw the beautiful cover, and wanted the book right then and there. And this book was so good! YA Westerns need to become a thing now, because I would definitely read them. I've heard tell that there is going to be a sequel or related novel in this world and I'm very excited for it.

2. Night Film by Marisha Pessl: I think this was a general booktube recommendation too. Saw a bunch of people hauling this and talking about it, so I wanted it. This book just took me on such a ride. It immersed me in the world of Stanilas Cordova and all the weirdness that he made real. Such a good story with some cool, added extras inside. This is a must read!

1. Vicious by V.E. Schwab: Again this was booktube. I think a lot of people were talking about this one when it came out. One that I can remember is Jesse from JesseThereader. Everyone was saying how awesome it was and how everyone should read it. And it was awesome. So awesome. I really loved everything about this book. I really need to buy my own copy and re-read it sometime. I'm recommending it to you, if you haven't read it yet.

So that's my Top 5 Books That Have Been Suggested/Recommended to Me, mostly from booktube. Ooh and I guess goodreads and friends that I've made on booktube. Anyway, every book on my list is great and you should check them out. If you want to join in on the Top 5 Wednesday fun, you totally should. Each Wednesday is a new topic to consider and enjoy. Check out all the other Top 5 Wednesday-ers here!

What Did I Think Of: The 100: Season 3, Episode 4- Watch The Thrones- (SPOILERS!)

I feel like I'm not going to have as much to say in this post as I have in previous The 100 posts. I'm just going to try to stick to the most important bits (at least to me) and discuss my thoughts and feelings about those. First and foremost, Episode 4 -Watch The Thrones- wasn't my favorite episode of the season so far. Thinking back, it's probably my least favorite episode of Season 4. Don't get me wrong, I still love The 100, but this episode just did some things to my characters that I didn't appreciate or enjoy.

The Roan and Lexa Fight

This was probably my favorite part of the episode just because it was a good fight. It was also the most exciting part of the episode. The fight came about because of the Ice Queen's planned takeover (coup) of the coalition. Somehow, she had gotten all the other clans to pledge allegiance to her to take down Lexa. This plan doesn't work with the addition of the 13th clan, the Skaikru. For the takeover to work, the Ice Queen had to have all the other clans on board. Then the Ice Queen goes to Plan B, she puts Lexa's leadership into question and challenges her to a one-on-one fight. The Ice Queen chooses Prince Roan (her son) as her champion. So, he's forced to fight for his mother. Lexa doesn't choose a champion. She decides to prove herself in the fight.

Watching the relationship between Prince Roan and the Ice Queen was interesting. His mother uses him as a pawn and really shows no love for him. Prince Roan just seems used to the fact of his uncaring mother, but kind of sad about it at the same time.

The fight was awesome. The choreography of it was really cool. It didn't seem like a cheesy, tv fight. There was some danger in there and just really kind of cool swordplay.

I won't lie, I was rooting for Roan to win. I like him better. He's more interesting to me than Lexa is. Maybe it's because Lexa doesn't show a lot of emotion. Roan is a man more of mystery, and I kind of like the relationship that he and Clarke share. Also Roan is left-handed, or at least the actor that plays him is, and as a fellow left-hander, I have to support my people. #FightTheRightPower #LeftiesUnite

TWIST: The Ice Queen is Dead... Long Live King Roan?

 

Umm I wasn't expecting this. The way she went was pretty cool and shocking. Lexa throwing that spear right through her chest made for a very dramatic scene. I am a little upset that this villain that has been built up since Season 2 is gone, just like that. I wanted more of the Ice Queen's diabolicalness. I thought she was going to be a major player in this season. It's just weird that she went so quickly. I mean, yeah Clarke's people will probably do better with King Roan, because he seems a little less crazy than the Ice Queen. I don't know, it just seemed like too quick an exit for the notorious Ice Queen.

The introduction of the Nightblood thing was interesting. I think maybe I've read too many YA books, so I saw it as kind of tropey. A way to make a character destined for special things just on the basis of something they can't control. I want to know why certain people have Black Blood. Is it some kind of mutation? Are Nightblood's healthy or does that trait bring certain illnesses? I'm just curious.

So that's pretty much all I wanted to talk about in relation to the scenes in Polis. The rest of it was pretty much just excuses for Lexa and Clarke to be in each other's presence a lot. As a fan of Bellarke, these scenes I could care less about

On to Arkadia!

Things in Arkadia aren't really going that well. Pike is still a massive problem. Don't like him. He's just going to mess so much stuff up for the Skaikru. I don't know if he really thinks things through. There are a bunch of grounders, 12 clans of them, how does Pike think he's going to realistically take them all out? He only has so many guns and bullets. These people have been surviving on the ground for years. I think if Pike goes through with his ideas, it will just result in the death of all Skaikru.

I'm also agreeing with the theory that Pike and the Farm Sector aren't telling the truth about what really happened when they first landed on the ground. Something is going to come out to reveal what's really going on.

And how disappointing that Pike was elected Chancellor. How did he get so many people to believe in his purpose and vote for him? Kane just misses out on being Chancellor, for real, again.

Leave Lincoln Alone Stupid Farm Sector!!!

So, during the Memorial Ceremony for the people lost during the Mount Weather explosion, some stupid Farm Sector guy throws a rock at Lincoln's head. Not okay. You do not hurt Lincoln. His scene where he's stumbling out with a bloody head and says, get knocked down, get back up again, I felt so many feels for him. My poor Lincoln baby.

I'm actually a little scared for Lincoln this season. If we lose a main character, I think it could be him. I base this on the fact that the actor, Ricky Whittle, has landed a role in a new show called American Gods, that I think is on Starz? So I'm bracing myself for the possibility that we could lose him. I will be sad because I really like Lincoln.

I also think Lincoln is interesting, especially in relation to Octavia, because they are both outsiders to their people. Octavia doesn't fit in with the Sky People, because the Sky People punished her for the mere fact that she exists. Lincoln doesn't really fit in with his people either. There's kind of no place for either of them to belong right now. And I just love their whole star-crossed lovers thing.

Jasper and Monty not making up

I liked seeing Jasper and Monty together again, but it was bittersweet, because they are not the same friends that came down to Earth together. Jasper is a mess, an emotional mess. Monty still wants to be there for Jasper, but can't really do anything until Jasper gets himself together. It's just sad to see a friendship that so many people love from the show, being so broken. And then comes the scene where Jasper trips and spills Finn's ashes, that he had brought with him back to the site of the original dropship and 100 settlement. Just very sad. I hope Jasper can finally get his life back together.

Most Frustrating Parts of the Episode: Bellamy Blake

Bellamy Blake is bae. He's my favorite character on the show. I look forward to seeing him in every episode, which just makes what happened that more frustrating. I don't know what's going on here. Why the writers think it's a good idea, or even think it's believable to have Bellamy revert back to Season 1 Bellamy. In this episode, Bellamy is grieving for Gina and blames himself for getting the residents in Mount Weather killed because he trusted Echo. Pike kind of uses that grief to turn Bellamy to his side. Have Bellamy join in on his anti-Grounder spiel, and have Bellamy get him the guns that he wants to kill all the Grounders.

I have many problems with this. First, while I think Bellamy cared for Gina, I don't think he loved her. So I don't see Gina's death as the impetus for Bellamy's complete turnaround regarding what he thinks of the Grounders. Bellamy's character has had a lot of growth over the past 3 seasons. All you have to do is watch the show from the beginning to see how much Bellamy's character has grown and changed. His feelings for the Grounders in Season 1 are not the same feelings he has in Season 3. It doesn't make sense to me for Bellamy to forget everything he has learned about the Earth and it's people, to go on the warpath with Pike. He has friends that are Grounders. People that he respects. I don't buy it. I don't believe it. I also think that if Clarke hadn't abandoned him, again, he wouldn't have jumped onto Pike's crazy train. Clarke and him were good leaders together, and now, he really has no one to talk to.

In my cynical head, I almost see this as an attempt to try and kill Bellarke. Like the writers put all these scenes with Clarke and Lexa, really push on the fact that Clarke is bisexual, just really try to push this Lexa ship down the viewers throats. But then the Bellarke love and fandom remains strong. Now it feels like, well we gotta change Bellamy, make him into a character that nobody likes. If they don't like Bellamy anymore, then the Bellarke ship is dead. The ship will never be dead to me. In all honesty, I'm not really into Clarke at the moment. If the writer's give Bellamy a believably built relationship with someone else, I won't be mad. I just want Bellamy to be happy. I'm Team Bellamy

So, we'll see what happens with this. I also kind of like Kane and Bellamy's relationship. They almost seem like a father and son. Kane just looks so disappointed in Bellamy in this episode and he just wants Bellamy to pick the right path. I do wonder why Kane never had any children. I think, if I remember right, he had some type of wife or girlfriend in Season 1. Just curious.

Left out of the episode

No Raven again, which is not acceptable.

Also no Jaha or Murphy, which really makes me wonder about this storyline. ALIE is supposed to play a really big part in Season 3, so I have to think that more focus will be put on it soon.

Episode Grade B-

Probably my least favorite episode of the season so far. Not liking the direction they are going with Bellamy. Getting a little tired of Polis. Awesome fight scene though! So glad Roan is still alive.

Review: Saga: Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Title: Saga: Volume 2

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Artist: Fiona Staples

Published by: Image Comics, Inc.

Released: 2013

Summary: Two star crossed lovers on the run for their lives have the most terrifying visit of all, in-laws! Marko's parents come to visit and Alanna must make nice. They are also still being chased by what feels like the entire universe. Another exciting edition to the Saga.

My Thoughts: An enjoyable addition to the Saga storyline. In comparison to the first volume, this one wasn't super exciting, but I still enjoyed it.

This series gets such hype on booktube and the internet, and while I'm enjoying reading it, I don't know if I think it's the best thing ever that I've read. It's definitely a fun reading experience though.

I really enjoy the story, how Hazel narrates the struggles of her early life. There's a lot of heart there, and I'm very interested to see how her story continues.

I also really enjoy the artwork. It's so colorful and pretty, but then it can turn really weird and shocking. I still don't recommend for younger readers because of the sometimes shocking, rated R illustrations.

Some of this second volume felt like filler. Like not a lot really happened in it. I was also not a fan of that cliffhanger ending, most times those just feel so mean.

I did like going back in time and seeing how Hazel's parents met. I liked how Hazel got to spend some time with her grandpa.

So far, I think Saga is a lot of fun and I'm definitely going to continue with it. Really pretty artwork and an interesting storyline make for a fun reading experience. I'm glad I picked this series up.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

And the Saga Continues...

Reading Right Now! (#52)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is something different, FINALLY! I finished Maplecroft by Cherie Priest, which I thought was never going to end. I felt a real sense of success when I was able to turn the last page. I've kind of given up on Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry at the moment, but I'll definitely get back to it sometime. Now onto the books that I'm currently reading!

Title: Tattooed As Trouble (Apparently this is the third book in a series, but I don't think it's one of those series that depends on you having read the previous books.)

Author: J.L. Hammer

I'm about 34% through this one.

This is my Netgalley read for the week. Thank you Netgalley and Entangled LLC, for not denying me right off the bat. I really do want to try and get my review rating up to a decent number. Hopefully, maybe. This is about a girl named Reagan, who while helping her brother commit a crime, witnesses a murder. The murder involves a prominent (now outed as dirty) judge and a pretty vicious street gang. Reagan is put into the witness protection program while she waits to testify for trial. Of course one of the U.S. Marshals guarding her is ridiculously good looking and romance ensues.

So far, it's an alright read. The romance aspect comes about pretty quick, which isn't necessarily the most believeable. It's told in dual perspectives from Reagan's voice and the Marshal's. Hopefully I finish it pretty soon so I can get the review up.

Title: The Devouring (The Devouring #1)

Author: Simon Holt

I'm about 43% of the way through this one and it is great!

I'd heard about The Devouring series on youtube/booktube quite a while back. One of the booktubers I enjoy watching, Sue from SueMoro or now Sue'sBookNook, read it and really enjoyed it. She commented on how creepy and scary it was. I can definitely agree.

This book is about a girl named Regina who finds this old, handwritten diary detailing the horrors of the Vours. These creatures come out on the winter solistice, the longest night of the year, and invade peoples' bodies when they are most afraid. Once the Vours take you over, your body is the same, but your soul is gone. One day, Regina notices that her little brother Henry has been changed. It seems that the Vours have got him!

This kind of reminds me a little of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We've got main girl Regina, who has to save her little brother. Her trusty sidekick/friend Aaron. And an older mentor who knows a lot about the arcane and magic, Eben. And this is legitmately scary, which is so hard to find done really well in YA. I'm definitely flying through this and can't wait to continue with the series.

Title: Steampunk II: Steampunk Reloaded

Edited by: Ann and Jeff Vandermeer

This is an anthology, so I'm slowly going through this story by story.

I really enjoy Steampunk and happened to find this at my local library. It's an anthology of steampunk tales told by a variety of authors. I've only read 1 and 1/2 of the stories so far and I'm kind of meh about it right now. The book is really kind of pretty though. There are all these illustrations in the pages. It does kind of read like a college literature textbook though. It's a little dull, I won't lie. I haven't come across a really fun, steampunk story yet.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! Tell me what you are reading in the comments below.

Review: Angel Fire (Angel #2) by L.A. Weatherly

Title: Angel Fire (Angel #2)

Author: L.A. Weatherly

Published by: Candlewick Press

Released: 2011

Summary: After their failed attempt to stop the Second Wave of parasitic angels, Willow and Alex are on the run. With all the followers of the Church looking for them, Alex and Willow have to disguise themselves. When Willow gets a vision of Mexico City and 12 shining and powerful Angels, they decide to head there. This could be the last opportunity to get rid of the Angels once and for all. In Mexico City, they meet up with some old friends. Alex becomes leader of some new A.K.s. Also, there's another boy searching for Willow, a boy who's been searching for her his whole life. His name is Seb and he's a half-angel too. When Willow and Seb meet, there's an instant connection. Now there's a new boy vying for Willow's heart. As the epic battle between the Angels and the group draws closer, Willow must also decide who she should truly be with.

My Thoughts: I was very excited to read this book. I remember reading and loving the first one and being very interested in seeing what happens next. The lovely cover and huge length of the novel just added to my urgency to read it. Upon reading, this book was such a disappointment. I don't know if it suffered from Second Book Syndrome or if the author didn't really have enough of a story for it. I was just very disappointed in this story for various reasons.

First and foremost, this book was entirely too long. I don't mind long books, most times I feel the longer the better, but there has to be some kind of a story to fill the pages and in Angel Fire, there really wasn't. The beginning and ending were fun to read, but the middle was long, drawn out, and at many times boring. The story just wasn't gripping enough to capture all of my attention, so there were many times I would get bored and put the book down.

My second problem was the love triangle. I didn't like it. I didn't like the insta-love between Seb and Willow. I didn't like the jealousy of Alex. Alex turned into a real jerk in Chapter 19, and I don't even know what sparked that epic argument. It seemed to come out of nowhere. Now I had no problem with the actual characters of Seb, Willow, and Alex, but the introduction of this love triangle just messed everything up. It wasn't needed. I would have loved for Seb and Willow to just be fast friends than lovers destined to be together.

The third thing I didn't really like was the absence of action. The middle part really dragged because there was nothing really interesting happening in the story. The reader was stuck with Willow and Seb talking and talking, when they could of been with Alex and the other AK's on hunts.

The last thing I felt was lacking was character development of the secondary characters. Instead of being stuck with Willow and Seb 24/7, I would have liked to get to know the other characters more.

I really wanted to love this book because of my love for the first one, but I just couldn't. Angel Fire was a very disappointing read. I liked the beginning and the ending, so I will be checking out the third and final book when it comes out. If you're a fan of the first book, then I would recommend reading Angel Fire just so you're ready for the third. I feel bad about hating on this book, but I want my reviews to be what I honestly thought of the book. Sorry for the length and the ranting.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 2.5/5

Such A Disappointment

Top 5 Wednesday: Top 5 Books You Were Spoiled For

This week's Top 5 Wednesday is the Top 5 Books You Were SPOILED For. There have been a couple. The internet has only made the book SPOILING that much worse. There have been times where I've kept myself away from any reviews or people that would SPOIL the book for me, and then when I least expect it, I'm SPOILED on twitter or instagram. It's an awful feeling. Who wants to be SPOILED for a book? Part of the fun is being surprised by all the twists and turns. Anyway, here's the Top 5 Books That I Was SPOILED For. WARNING!! There will probably be SPOILERS ahead, which is funny considering this is a post about books you were SPOILED for.

  

5. 172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad - This one I think I might have been SPOILED for, just because I've heard (SPOILERS) that it ends badly. Haven't read it yet, but I'm excited to. I know that this one is about space and some kids are sent up there because they won some type of lottery. The trip turns terrifying somehow. I love space books. So, even if I have been inadvertently SPOILED for this one, I still gonna read it.

4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - This one I managed to stay away from all the SPOILERS, until I watched a lone episode of 20/20. 20/20 SPOILED this book for me. Just plain mean really. Still gonna read it anyway, but now I might know at least one of the twists.

3. Shadowlands (Shadowlands #1) by Kate Brian - Okay, this one I SPOILED for myself, because I read the last page. Warning to others, don't read the last page before you finish the book, because it gives a pretty big thing away. I have this bad habit of turning to the last page of a book and reading the last couple sentences. Sometimes I do it when there's a possible relationship involved and I want to see if it worked out for the couple. Sometimes I'm just not able to contain my curiosity and need to read ahead. I end up regretting it, but I just can't help myself. This book was really good though. As long as you don't read the last page prematurely, you'll definitely be shocked by the twist.

2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (HP #6) by J.K. Rowling - My Dad SPOILED this one for me and he didn't even read the series. I think he was browsing the internet, before the book had come out, and came across the SPOILER that someone of vast importance dies. I didn't believe him, because I live in a state of denial, so when he turned out to be right, my mouth fell open in shock. I forgive him though, even though it's hard haha.

1. Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth - Who wasn't SPOILED for this one? It's got to be everybody. I mean, it's a little annoying, but I guess I can understand. I mean the death of a character can cause enough shock and urge to grieve and talk about it. Haven't read this series yet. I still plan on it, even though some of the excitement is gone because I know how it ends.

So those were the Top 5 Books I Was SPOILED For. What books were SPOILED for you? Let me know in the comments below. If you want to join in on the Top 5 Wednesday fun, you totally should. Each Wednesday is a fun topic to think about, talk about, and share. Fun times. Check out all the other Top 5 Wednesday-ers here!