Review: Nameless by Jennifer Jenkins

Nameless by Jennifer Jenkins
Publisher: Month9Books
Publication Date: October 6, 2015
Amazon  B/N

Four clans have been at war for centuries: the Kodiak, the Raven, the Wolf and the Ram. Through brutal war tactics, the Ram have dominated the region, inflicting death and destruction on their neighbors. Seventeen-year-old Zo is a Wolf and a Healer who volunteers to infiltrate the Ram as a spy on behalf of the allied clans. She offers herself as a Ram slave, joining the people who are called the “nameless.” Hers is a suicide mission – Zo’s despair after losing her parents in a Ram raid has left her seeking both revenge and an end to her own misery. But after her younger sister follows her into Rams Gate, Zo must find a way to survive her dangerous mission and keep her sister safe. What she doesn’t expect to find is the friendship of a young Ram whose life she saves, the confusing feelings she develops for a Ram soldier, and an underground nameless insurrection. Zo learns that revenge, loyalty and love are more complicated than she ever imagined in the first installment of this two-book series.

 My Thoughts...

Read this now!!! Nameless is an amazing story crafted with many unforgettable characters. I LOVED this book to pieces! Please, please let there be a number two!!!! I want more Gryphon and Zo!
Nameless has a permanent space on my 2015 Favorites Shelf.

With a forbidden love trope, the slow building chemistry between Zo and Gryphon was perfection, no insta-love, which left me cheering for them until the very last page. Nameless’s cast of characters grew on me quickly, especially little Joshua. His heart was bigger than the beastly men manning the gates. As a reader, I was quickly pulled into the harsh world Jenkins created.

Zo takes on a mission that could be her last. The Allies desperately needed information that only she could provide, if they hoped to defeat the most powerful military force in the region: Ram’s Gate. Gabe, Zo’s guard tried everything to convince her to back out of the mission. He’d done so much for her and her eight-year-old sister, Tess, since they’d journeyed from the Valley of Wolves to live with Commander Laden and the Allies. Commander Laden told her she needed to look desperate if she wanted the Ram to believe her story, her lie. She’d do anything for the Cause.

“Look after Tess. Tell her I’m doing this for her. Tell her I’m doing it for our parents.”

Inside the wall, there was hundreds of acres of farmlands, mountainous forests, and enough homes to house thousands of Ram and the slaves they called “Nameless.” Zo had a goal, but it’s jeopardized as she finds her younger sister appears and is captured too. Not only did she have the burden of the mission, she had to protect her sister who followed her unknowingly. Zo’s savior was her quick thinking, telling the Ram she was a third generation healer. Zo is given a chance to prove her abilities by healing a young boy, Joshua. The Ram, notoriously known for their brutality and unwavering rules, is very unlike the other clans. Zo learned from her mom, you had to love to heal. She couldn’t see herself loving a young Ram any more than an adult Ram, but she had to try for her sister’s sake and safety. They were all horrible. But, over time, Zo grew a fondness for the young boy.

Gryphon had grown to care for Joshua like a father since the boy’s father had died before he was born, and Gryphon understood what it was like not to have a man around growing up. Gryphon had his own demons to battle, but proved his worth and given the honor of “Striker” which was given to someone with more experience. Second-In-Command. “It was a dangerous gift.” Gryphon wasn’t like his clansmen. He has a heart and perhaps it’ll be his downfall, but he has a conscience, and that I liked vs the hardcore ruthless jerk.

Rumors spilled that the Raven clan had stockpiles of grain hidden somewhere in the mountain range. Food the Ram needed if their crops didn’t produce higher yields than the last. Gryphon realized Zo saved Joshua with her healing and Joshua grew fond of Zo despite being a Ram, and it forbidden. She’s a nameless, a nobody—the very essence of slave in their eyes. Gryphon took liberties that were against the rules, but his heart won out, and feelings developed for Zo.

Dangers present themselves in various ways, such as the creepy Gate Keeper, prohibited feelings, and much more. In this harsh, cruel society, Zo, Gryphon, Tess, Joshua, and others work together undetected to regain their freedom. Everything about this book was perfection. I really liked all the characters and how Jenkins wove their stories into one beautiful compilation. With plenty of action, romantic elements and emotional attachments to the characters, I simply didn’t want this book to end. I was seriously yearning for more, and I really, really, really want to know what’s to become of Gryphon, Zo, Joshua, Tess and the others.

Review: Nobody's Goddess by Amy McNulty

Nobody's Goddess (The Never Veil #1)by Amy McNulty
Published April 21st 2015 by Month9Books

In a village of masked men, magic compels each man to love only one woman and to follow the commands of his “goddess” without question. A woman may reject the only man who will love her if she pleases, but she will be alone forever. And a man must stay masked until his goddess returns his love—and if she can’t or won’t, he remains masked forever. Seventeen-year-old Noll isn't in the mood to celebrate. Her childhood friends have paired off and her closest companion, Jurij, found his goddess in Noll’s own sister. Desperate to find a way to break this ancient spell, Noll instead discovers why no man has ever chosen her. Thus begins a dangerous game between the choice of woman versus the magic of man. And the stakes are no less than freedom and happiness, life and death—and neither is willing to lose. 

My Thoughts

I was immediately intrigued by the premise of this story. How did this world come to be? What happens if a man didn't find "a goddess" in any woman. Did women find it in other woman? So many questions and ALL WERE ANSWERED. I really enjoyed this plot line even though i didn't have a connection with any of the characters. This might review might read as if i didn't like it but i assure you that wasn't the case. It wasn't without a few qualms though.

The beginning starts off terribly confusing. All the men must wear a mask until they find their goddess and she returns his love when she turns 17. Woman who look upon an unmasked men cause him to vanish into thin air. If a woman does not return a mans love then he must wither remain masked or be banished to live in the commune, a sad place where men basically die of broken hearts. If women dare look to the east where the Lord's castle stands the earth rumble and shakes. So strange right? I thought so too. It took me a few chapter to get into this but once i did I really was quite and interesting portrayal of some seriou gender bias, only a bit reversed. The woman had complete power over the men who found the goddess in them, obeying every order they choose to command.

Noll hasn't been found as a goddess yet she does love someone. Unfortunately it is her best friend and her sisters future husband. I didn't mind Noll so much. She was definitely stubborn and defiant and I appreciated it. I really empathized with her until she went and kissed her sister's husband...twice. I lost all respect for her at the first kiss but it was still awesome to see the twists and turns as the plot thickened! While I didn't particularly fall in like with any of the other characters, I still couldnt not stop reading!! This is a strange thing since I am normally a totally character driven person. Noll finds herself able to see a life without men regarding woman as goddess and it's quite a realistically brutal portrayal of a medieval time. I thought how things finally played out were extremely clever.

While this book may seem to start off as one things it really weaves itself into quite another by the end. It is a promising tale about the choices we make and how precious our free will to love whom we choose really is. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book to see what happens to Noll next.

3.5 Snowflakes

Review: Predator by Janice Gable Bashman

Predator by Janice Gable Bashman

Publisher- Month9Books

Realeased- Sept 16th 2014

Pre-Order- Amazon / B & N

The hunt is on!Sixteen-year-old Bree Sunderland must inject herself with an untested version of her father’s gene therapy to become a werewolf in order to stop a corrupt group of mercenaries from creating a team of unstoppable lycanthrope soldiers.When Bree went with her scientist father to Ireland, she thought it would be a vacation to study bog bodies. She never expected to fall in love with a mysterious young Irishman and certainly never expected to become the kind of monster her father said only existed in nightmares. Dr. Sunderland discovers that lycanthropy was not a supernatural curse but rather a genetic mutation. When they return home, her dad continues his research, but the military wants to turn that research into a bio weapons program and rogue soldiers want to steal the research to turn themselves into unstoppable killing machines.Bree’s boyfriend Liam surprises her with a visit to the United States, but there are darker surprises in store for both of them. As evil forces hunt those she loves, Bree must become an even more dangerous hunter to save them all.

My Thoughts:

After the death of her brother Troy, Bree is desperate to reconnect with her scientist father who hasn't been the same since he lost his son and went along with him to Ireland for the summer to help with his field study, researching a way to create a wound-repair serum to aid soldiers on the battlefield and linking it with the acid from the peat that preserve the flesh. But Bree had no idea what she stumbled on when she discovered a well preserved bog body and his mutated hand, or what she could have possibly unleashed. 

Well this was certainly different. I wasn't sure what I would expect when I opened this book, but I was really impressed with how fast I got into it. Predator is a thrilling, suspenseful and mysterious spin on werewolf lore that combines, science, archaeology and folklore mythology. I'm a really big fan of myths so it was pretty interesting to learn about the Benandanti lore and how it ties with the lycanthropy legend. I also loved the concept about a bog-swamp and the possibility of human life being persevered throughout time by the peat and then researched by biological anthropologist to uncover ancient truths. Add the greed and desperation of men who want to use this information to further success the war efforts by creating a super-solider army, despite the risks, and you got yourself one hell of a solid read. I loved Bashman's writing, you can tell she put a lot of thought and heart into this book. The action was fast paced and pulse pounding and the tone of the book was always kept at fascinating, rattling and shutter-worthy levels. It was like seeing everything unfold on the big screen in my mind. Very real, addicting and entertaining.

I really enjoyed all of these characters. Each played their roles well which made it easy to like and connect with.

Bree has a great voice, she's brave, strong, intelligent with a good heart. She may be a little to curious for her own good and a bit reckless, but I liked that she took responsibility for her role in the events that unfolded and tried to do the right thing no matter the consequences.

Liam is one of those great book boyfriends who is kind and sweet and supportive. There was a moment near the end of the book when he approached Bree that stole my heart a little. It gave me even greater respect for him. However, I am curious, nervous and excited to see how things will play out for him in the next book all things considering.

All in all, I had a really good time reading Predator. It's not your average werewolf book which was refreshing and I really enjoyed the scientific approach more then I thought I would. It's a bit mind boggling mind you, but I think that's what makes it such a fun experience. For fans who are looking for a new twist in the werewolf genre should have a good time with this one. As for me? I'm greatly looking forward to seeing what happens next! A fascinating and highly intriguing read.

Find the author:

Goodreads / Website                                4 Snowflakes

Review: Crown of Ice by Vicki L. Weavil

Crown of Ice by Vicki L. Weavil

Publisher- Month9Books

Released- Sept 9th 2014

Pre-Order- Amazon/ Kobo

Thyra Winther's seventeen, the Snow Queen, and immortal, but if she can't reassemble a shattered enchanted mirror by her eighteenth birthday she's doomed to spend eternity as a wraith.Armed with magic granted by a ruthless wizard, Thyra schemes to survive with her mind and body intact. Unencumbered by kindness, she kidnaps local boy Kai Thorsen, whose mathematical skills rival her own. Two logical minds, Thyra calculates, are better than one. With time rapidly melting away she needs all the help she can steal.A cruel lie ensnares Kai in her plan, but three missing mirror shards and Kai's childhood friend, Gerda, present more formidable obstacles. Thyra's willing to do anything – venture into uncharted lands, outwit sorcerers, or battle enchanted beasts -- to reconstruct the mirror, yet her most dangerous adversary lies within her breast. Touched by the warmth of a wolf pup's devotion and the fire of a young man's desire, the thawing of Thyra's frozen heart could be her ultimate undoing.

My Thoughts:

Crown of Ice, is a luscious and fantastical retelling of the Snow Queen. In this version, a master mage wizard named Mael Voss conjured the winds and started the avalanche that killed Thyra Winther parents, leaving her orphaned, but he spared her for a purpose. He wants Thrya to be -what many were before her- his Snow Queen, but her magical existence comes at a price, for Voss demands each of his Queens to piece back a magical mirror before her eighteenth birthday.With only five months left, Thyra is desperate and will do anything to find the missing shards and piece back the mirror before she lingers as a ghostly wraith for the rest of her days.

This was a really fun book! I really enjoyed Weavil's writing style. The story itself is a classic tale, but I liked the unique twist and turns that Weavil included to keep the story moving at a determined pace. I also thought it was quite smart to apply mathematics logic to solve the puzzling equation. I've never seen that particular element before and it intrigued me. I also loved the rich setting that made me shiver, the enchanting spells and all the animated animals and characters that brought this book to stunning life and wild entertainment.

Thrya is a rather conflicting character, one I can easily sympathize with but can't help be disappointed by her actions at the same time. To be fair, she doesn't really mean to be this cold, selfish, unflinching jaded girl and we see clearly through her memories and back-story that she wasn't always this way, but the fear of a fate worse then death prompts her to do unforgivable things if she wants to survive. Still, behind every wrong, I can still feel the struggle in her throughout the length of the novel, which always made me hopeful.

Kai is a very easy character to love from the start. He has a genuine goodness and enthusiasm about him that is infectious. He's warm and caring and thoughtful, but what I found so refreshing about him the most is his intelligence and his love for knowledge and travel. He doesn't believe in marriage before education, which I find an extreme rarity in fictional male characters. I also can't forget to mention Luki and Bae! They were the perfect touch to this already moving and magical story. 

I really enjoyed the romance, it was slow building and tender rather then the swoon-worthy I'm use to. It was never really about that all consuming powerful love, but a steady connection and challenge throughout the story. Still, I thought it was kinda perfect. It really fits the tone of the story and made the sweeter moments stand-out more. Plus, it was really comforting to be able to sink into the fantasy and not be absorbed by the romance for a change.

All in all, I rather enjoyed myself with this one. Crown of Ice, is a clever and solid enchanting adventure filled with magic, love, friendship and self-discovery that was perfectly paced and wonderfully written and I look forward to reading what Weavil has in store next! A fun escape!

Find the author:

Goodreads /Website                                4 Snowflakes 

Review: Of Breakable Things by A. Lynden Rolland

Of Breakable Things by A. Lynden Rolland
Publisher: Month9books
Release Date: April 29, 2014
Purchase: Amazon

A captivating debut about the fragility of life, love, and perspective.

When Chase dies tragically, Alex embraces her own mortality. What she didn’t expect was that she’d have to make a choice: forget the years of pain and suffering once and for all, or linger as a spirit and get another chance at life and love.

Alex doesn’t hesitate to choose; she’d follow Chase anywhere. But the spirit world is nothing like she expected, and Alex finds she's forced to fight for her life once more. For even in a world where secrets are buried much deeper than six feet under, a legacy can continue to haunt you—and in a place this dangerous, no one is resting in peace.

My Thoughts:
Of Breakable Things had a bad case of the too manys.  Too many characters, too many storylines, too much world building, and too many kiss me no don't kiss me scenes.  Unfortunately for me all this too manys just ruined what could have been a really great book.

Alex having just died and deciding to forgo just leaving completely ends up going to a strange spirit city in between.  This new city kinda baffled me and that could be because I didn't read this straight through and I lost things in between readings.  I still think though that even if I had read it straight through I would have had problems with the world building.  I still don't get why humans can enter this city and why they would even want to.  Are the spirits inhabiting an actual city?  See I'm confused, but I'll move on.

When I first started this I thought it was going to be a heartbreaker.  Alex while living was so fragile because she had a disease and Chase was her best friend.  They both had feelings for each other, but neither acted on them until it was too late.  So when Alex goes to this new city and learns that Chase is there also she immediately knows shes made the right decision.  Only problem is that Chase is under some kind of punishment and is no where to be found.  I thought this book was going to be more about why he was in trouble and about them finding love at last now that she isn't fragile.  Well that was in here, but it was covered underneath about 10 other storylines. 

I really liked Chase and Alex.  I loved reading their past together and the love they had for each other was just beautiful.  From the beginning I was rooting for them and I really wish this story would have focused on just them.  I didn't need the strange side stories about her mom and Jonas and well just about everything else.  I didn't understand half of it because the storylines kept jumping.  I even at one point thought that someone might be a banshee!  See bet you didn't see that being thrown in did you??

So for me this wasn't a hit.  I liked Alex (even though she did get on my nerves, but that was because of her multiple storyines) and I really liked Chase (even though he needed to not instigate his brother) and I liked the story between the two.  But I can't give this story more than a 2 star rating because of all the horrible filler.

2 Snowflakes

On a side note I do love the cover.  It is just incredible!

Review: Pretty Dark Nothing by Heather L. Reid

Pretty Dark Nothing by Heather L. Reid

Publisher-Month9Books

Release- April 23rd 2013

Purchase-Amazon / B & N / Chapters

When demons invade her dreams and tease of her death, Quinn, and Aaron, a boy with amnesia, must find a way to banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.Book Summary: It’s been twenty three days since Quinn has slept for more than minutes at a time. Demons have invaded her dreams, stalking her, and teasing of her death. The lack of sleep and crippling fear are ruining her life. Energy drinks and caffeine pills don’t make a dent. When Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. The demons are determined to keep them apart, and Aaron from discovering the secret locked away in his memory. Together, they could banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.

My Thoughts:
It's been 18 months of relentless nightmares terrorizing Quinn's dreams, every since her father walked out on them and never came back. Quinn hasn't slept in 23 days and does everything she can to stay awake. She can't go back there. The veil to reality and the dreamworld are to thin. The shadows will always find her, unleashing tendrils that snake around her body pulling her into an endless eerie darkness, toying with her mind and driving her insane. Threatening to take her. Soon. With no escape and no one to save her.

They even haunt her during the day, ensuring she finds no comfort or release. They hide in the shadows festering her mind, taunting, stalking, pushing and dancing on her heightened emotions.

Quinn use to feel normal. Use to be a cheerleader and had a boyfriend, but her depression and sleep-deprivation changed all that, leaving her a former shell of what she use to be as she watches her boyfriend be with another girl, taking the life she use to have with total ease. She aches for teenage normalcy and peace. Something she may never have.

Aaron Collier has always harbored a secret obsession for Quinn Taylor the minute he meet her. But he also has a secret psychic ability every since the accident that took his mom and sister away and then later his own life and memories. So when Quinn collapses in the middle of the hallway and Aaron catches her he can't help get a glimpse into her living nightmare, watching as dark creatures try to destroy her from the inside out. He does the only thing he can by trying to manipulate the situation by using the connection to bring her back. But the dark creatures recognizes him somehow and what he's trying to achieve, attacks then recoils. Could Aaron be Quinn's only hope and saving grace? Can he save her from the dark prison of evil that has taken over her entire life? Or will the demons find a way to keep them apart...

Pretty Dark Nothing is a spine-tingling paranormal debut novel that is very dark with heartbreaking characters that you can't help feel sympathy for everything they had/have to endure. This is the stuff that really breaks your soul. Heather L. Reid, really captures that deep dark desperate depression in her writing. Almost to the point where you feel like your drowning in nothing but pain and sorrow right along with these characters. There really isn't much happy times in this escape or much for these characters to look forward to. 

But then the story started to move in a different direction with your typical high school issues; mean girls, ex-boyfriend, angst and head games. I also was really upset with the whole Jeff/Quinn deal and couldn't believe that Quinn took it that far (okay, so a sinister twisting voice got in her head, but still). And to top it all off Kerstin's news shifted the whole story into overkill drama. 

However, it was the ending and the final revelation that made this book finally come together. Like all the missing pieces to a puzzle finally clicked in place for us to see and appreciate the grand picture. I found myself completely absorbed and upset that it had to end where it did, I wanted more.

Overall, this turned out to be a decent read. The writing is a tad uneven but has a lot of potential, passion and promise. Reid can write, she has good ideas, they're just a little scattered. These characters are flawed and messy, but they also had their moments of warmth and tenderness and they make you feel and make you believe, which is always a good thing. And last but not least, we have an ending worthy of a sequel and I for one have high hopes for what's still to come.

Find the author:

Goodreads / Website

                                                                   3 Snowflakes