Evading The Dark

Book Review

Title: Evading the Dark

Author: E.M. Rinaldi

Rating: ★★★★★

Date Published: April 11, 2016

Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing

Genre: Urban Fantasy

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Synopsis:

High school sucks. It doesn’t matter who you ask; jock, cheerleader, computer nerd, or band geek, they will all say the same thing: It’s a nightmare. But Casey is still wondering how she got the short end of the stick. Just a Sophomore at the prestigious Luthos Academy for Magical Beings, Casey already knows more about heartache and fear than any almost-sixteen-year-old should. Orphaned and left to be raised by the Academy, she spends her days training to become a Guardian, but that dream is looking dimmer with every day that passes.Unlike the wand-waving heroines in all her favorite books, Witches in her world don’t cast spells, they are born wielding the power of nature: water, fire, earth, or air; powers Casey never developed. She’ll be lucky if they even allow her to take her final exams.

She is top of her training class, but that doesn’t keep her from being looked down upon by every other being at her school. All Casey wants is to be given a chance, instead she finds the only life she’s ever known targeted by an unfathomable evil. Thrust into the center of an age-old prophecy, a war is coming with Casey at the reins.

Will relying on her hard earned training be enough for her to make it out alive?

My Thoughts:

I was sent an Ecopy by the author in exchange for an honest review.

When E.M. Rinaldi contacted me to ask me if I wanted to review her book, after reading the synopsis I just couldn't reply fast enough. I love fantasy books especially if they have witches in them and this book did not disappoint, I was hooked from the first page all the way to the end; I just can't believe this is a debut novel it was so well written. 

I loved that the Witches in this book don't cast spells, but control water, fire, earth, or air instead it’s a breather from your typical witch. Casey was such an amazing and strong character I loved everything about her. She kicked ass and didn't take crap from anyone and I love that in a female character. This book is really well paced and I loved it wasn't too slow or too fast and just kept you interested and turning the pages. One thing that was very well done was the romance there is just enough, it doesn’t take over the story at all and I loved that the author took the time to build the relationship and did not make it insta-love.  I absolutely loved everything about this book and can't wait to get my hands on the next one, especially after the ending and twist Rinaldi hit me with; I NEED to know what happens next! If you're in the mood of witches, faes, vampires and tons of action, look no further this book is it and I highly recommend it. 

-SandraTheBookWorm

Slumber

Book Review

Title: Slumber (The Slumber Duology #1)

Author: Christy Sloat 

Rating: ★★★★.5

Date Published: March 16, 2015

Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing

Page Count: 234

Genre: YA Fantasy

Meet The Author: Christy Sloat

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Synopsis:

Not all princesses get their happily ever after...
They tell me I killed my boyfriend Phillip in cold blood. I stabbed him twenty one times. I’m only seventeen years old, and I am serving life in Spindle Ridge Asylum for the Criminally Insane.
I don’t remember killing him, so it’s really hard to believe I’m capable of murder. In fact I don’t remember anything before I came to Spindle Ridge, not even my boyfriend.
I can only grasp onto my realistic dreams while the madness of the asylum threatens to pull me under. I dream I’m a beautiful princess and there is an evil faerie named Maleficent who is bent on my destruction. The dreams are the closest thing I have to memories of my life, except they aren’t real.
I’m crazy. I’m not a princess.
They’re the mad illusions of an irrational teenage girl, right?
They’ve assigned me a new doctor, and she says I can trust her, and that she’ll help me see the truth of who I really am.
When she arrived she brought a new patient, Sawyer, who is everything Spindle Ridge isn’t: exciting, mysterious and beautiful. He promises he’s here to rescue me. Trusting either of them frightens me.
Could it be possible that my dreams are more than just the imaginings of a delusional girl? Could they be truth? 

My Thoughts:

 The author was kind enough to provide me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is not your typical Sleeping Beauty retelling, but it's just as great. Rory has been sent to Spindle Ridge Asylum where she has been told she killed her boyfriend Phillip, the thing is Rory can't recall killing Phillip or even having a boyfriend all she can remember is walking into the asylum; the only thing keeping her from going mad are the very realistic dreams she’s been having, where she is a princess and has been cursed by an evil fairy.  That is until the day a new patient by the name of Sawyer checks into the Asylum, his presence starts to bring back some very powerful memories.

I've read a couple of Sleeping Beauty retellings, but this is by far my favorite! It's so different and I love it! Christy really made this story her own and gave the classic a wonderful twist; this book is so beautifully written and just kept me turning the pages. I loved the character development Rory goes throughout the book, she is a very strong and smart character and now let’s take a moment to appreciate the perfection that is Sawyer, his personality and the things he does for Rory would make any girl fall for him instantly. The ending killed me I was not ready for it, I felt my heart stop, I had to put the book down and take a couple of breaths; I need the second book immediately! I need to know what happens next!

If you have not picked this book up yet, I highly recommend you do and especially with October around the corner this is the perfect creepy read and one of the best Sleeping Beauty retelling's I've read this year.  

-SandraTheBookWorm

Crane ( The Legend Saga #1)

Book Review

Title: Crane

Author: Stacey Rourke

Rating: ★★★★★

Date Published: May 26, 2014

Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing

Page Count: 298

Gere:  Paranormal 

Meet The Author: Stacey Rourke

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Synopsis

The Horseman is unending,
his presence shan’t lessen.
If you break the curse,
you become the legend.

Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep. 

What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?

Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse. 

But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?

My Thoughts:

The author was kind enough to provide me with an Ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was freaking AMAZING!! I loved it so much! I love anything that has to do with Sleepy Hollow and The Headless Horseman and Stacey wrote the perfect retelling. Ireland is going through a horrible break up and decided to move to the town of Sleepy Hollow in search of a new start it is there where she wakes Rip from a year’s sleep and finds out that darkness is trying to take over her and the only person that can help her is Rip.

I loved every second of this book from the first page to the last! When I saw I was almost done with the book I couldn't believe it, it didn't seem like I had been reading for that long this book just sucks you in and you lose track of time; that's how good it is. This book gave me goosebumps and made me laugh like crazy and I absolutely loved it. Rip was such a witty character and I immediately fell in love with him; Ireland was such a strong character I loved everything about her she had me grabbing my sides towards the end, but to find out why you will have to read the book because I don't want to spoil it for you. Stacey's writing is phenomenal! Like I said it sucks you into the book and it’s like you're right there next to the characters and not many writers can do that; the twist she hit me with had me at the edge of my seat and up to the wee hours of the night. This book is told in Ireland's and Ichabod’s perspective and it just perfect because it helps you understand the Headless Horseman's story even more. If you have not picked this book up yet, what are you waiting for? Everyone should read this book especially if you love Thrillers and Sleepy Hollow. This book will not disappoint! Its absolute perfection!

-SandraTheBookWorm