REVIEW: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence (Mystic City #1)
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 9, 2012
Source: Netgalley via publisher*
Rating: 4/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths.

But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place.

Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.

My Review

With a more than stunning cover, I had high hopes for Mystic City. What I thought to be one thing, turned out to another in the best way imaginable. A simple forbidden romance was all I was expecting, but I got so much more from Mystic City. This book had that unwavering love I was looking for but it also had revolution, magic, and power struggles that made this book gripping, exciting, and enthralling. 

I loved main character and heroine, Aria Rose. In the circumstance of losing some of her memory, she never gives up even in the slightest doubt. Groomed, trained and fit to be a political darling and perfect daughter to Johnny Rose, Aria feels as if she always has to prove her devotion and loyalty to her family. In Mystic City we see how truly conflicted Aria feels. Courageous and willful girl that she is, Aria doesn’t judge and doesn’t quite agree with her family and with this difficulty leads her to open her eyes and see everything in a whole different light. The way in which she discovers new things about the mystics and the city is something of curiosity and adoration that made me believe and see something more in Aria. She was brave and determined to find out the truth throughout the book. Despite her conflicts, Aria stands up for what she believed was right. She was stronger, wiser, and much more compassionate and kind-hearted than her family. A rebel at heart, Aria rises from under the restraints of her family, pushes to be her own person and is determined to make new of the city she holds dearly.

The romance between Aria and Hunter that quickly develops in a short period of time is very reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, only in a more modern and advance world. While their love may have been fast, it did not feel forced nor rushed. Their love had much more than at first glance and I really got to see and feel the truth and realness of their feelings through their interactions and their wish for the safety and well being of the other. Hunter, albeit powerful and dangerous as a mystic was kind and had a fun side. He brought in some of the humor I needed when the book got really serious.  He was everything Aria described him to be: otherworldly, sexy, strong and sweet. Hunter was an amazing character for many reasons, but mostly because he helped open Aria’s eyes about the mystics and he loved her unconditionally. 

Aeries, the Depths, the Magnificent Block with their TouchMe screens, e-coulmns, lightrails, PODs, and the Grid are all a part of this rich and limitless world created by Theo Lawrence. In this futuristic setting of New York, the west side and east side are separated and ruled by the feuding and sworn enemies of the Rose and the Foster family respectively. The enemy of their enemy are the mystics, those with special powers that enhance speed and strength that are known to be a danger and menace to those living in Aeries and the Depths. In Mystic City, there is a combination of political families joining together to gain political power and control and of an uprising and a revolution brimming among the mystic rebels wanting the equality they deserved for many years. That coupled with the romance between Aria and Hunter, made Mystic City one hell of a fast-paced and invigorating novel. The whole book was one complete big rush of exhilaration that consumed me. Lawrence made me want to scream and shout and pull my hair out in frustration and in anticipation. I loved the writing and descriptions used to envision this part of New York. Lawrence really does a great job of bringing the futuristic, dilapidated, dark and mysteriousness state of this world to life. I had no trouble imagining and seeing it all in my mind. 

Overall, Mystic City was a novel full of rebellion, love, desperation and urgency I felt, read, and saw from the start. Dystopian fans will love this world and romance fans will be rooting for Aria and Hunter all the way. 

*Thanks to Random House for sending a copy for review purposes

I was not compensated for my opinion.

REVIEW: The Opposite of Hallelujah by Anna Jarzab

Title: The Opposite of Hallelujah
Author: Anna Jarzab - Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 16, 2012
Format: ARC 464 pages
Rating: 4/5
Get it: Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository

Caro Mitchell considers herself an only child—and she likes it that way. After all, her much older sister, Hannah, left home eight years ago, and Caro barely remembers her. So when Caro’s parents drop the bombshell news that Hannah is returning to live with them, Caro feels as if an interloper is crashing her family. To her, Hannah’s a total stranger, someone who haunts their home with her meek and withdrawn presence, and who refuses to talk about her life and why she went away. Caro can’t understand why her parents cut her sister so much slack, and why they’re not pushing for answers.

Unable to understand Hannah, Caro resorts to telling lies about her mysterious reappearance. But when those lies alienate Caro’s new boyfriend and put her on the outs with her friends and her parents, she seeks solace from an unexpected source. And when she unearths a clue about Hannah’s past—one that could save Hannah from the dark secret that possesses her—Caro begins to see her sister in a whole new light.

My thoughts, feelings and reactions.

The Opposite of Hallelujah begins with a teenage girl, who was basically raised as an only child, dreading the return of her estranged sister. This is just the first layer of the story. In this book, we are taken along a journey of self-discovery through the eyes of Caro Mitchell. Anna Jarzab created a novel that shows the true strength and bond of a family and the meaning of love between sisters even through all the dark secrets and mistakes. 

Caro was a tremendous surprise in the book. On the surface, she was stubborn, tempered, blunt and albeit, extremely selfish girl. Even with her bad attitude towards her sister and her parents, I found Caro to be extremely real and likable. I understood her actions and feelings of resent and unworthiness when Hannah comes back into her life. Change is not easy and the adjustment of sharing her parent’s affection and attention was hard on Caro. Added to that is the unknown true reasoning of Hannah’s departure eight years ago, her unexpected return, and all the lies and secrets her parents have been keeping about what happened to Hannah when Caro was very little. Caro tries to find herself throughout the book, questioning why she does things, learning from her mistakes, and embracing her sister’s presence. Caro really changes herself, opens her eyes, mind and heart, and grows up immensely. 

The romance between Caro and Pawel is not prominent in the book, but a very wonderful addition to Caro’s overall growth. Along with her talks with Father Bob, I think Pawel really helps Caro. He was supportive and understanding. He was an adorable, cute guy that cared so much about Caro. He was there when she needed him and his absence made her realize her dire mistakes. What I loved most about Pawel was the funny, laid back side of him who was just fun to be around and one of the few people that saw the good in Caro’s heart. I have no doubt why these two fall for each other. 

While this book mentions some aspects of religious beliefs and philosophies, its’ prominence does not take away the overall enjoyment. In fact, it enhances the storyline and gives more depth and shape to Caro and her sister’s characterization. It helps the pacing go smoothly and it gives the reader a whole new perspective.

Jarzab has an amazing writing style that gives her character life and meaning. Her writing kept me riveted and brought out genuine emotions. She made Caro’s life interestingly flawed and she portrayed real family struggles. Jarzab didn't just center the plot around Caro, but she brang forth the parts of her parents and Hannah with all the misunderstanding and miscommunication. She really showed the imperfectness of a family, but she also showed the unconditional love as well. The truth about Hannah’s past, while not quite surprising, did not take away from the inspirational feel of the book and all the hope it brought. 

Overall, The Opposite of Hallelujah was an enlightening novel about forgiveness, faith and the growing relationship between two sisters and a family. It’s a thoroughly delightful read.

REVIEW: Rapture by Lauren Kate

Title: Rapture (Fallen #4)
Author: Lauren Kate
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Published: June 12, 2012
Format: Netgalley* 448 pages

The sky is dark with wings . . . .

Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.

Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.

For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.

In the fight for Luce, who will win?

My Review:
The fans of the Fallen series by Lauren Kate will not be disappointed with Rapture, the fourth and concluding novel. In this book, everything is at stake, not just Luce and Daniel’s love, but history itself and the future of the Angels. The truth about Luce will finally be revealed and a betrayal will be known to all. Full of adventure, Rapture will keep fans riveted until the very end.



Rapture picks up where Passion left off and immediately settles you into Luce and Daniel’s story with ease. Lauren Kate made it an easy transition and she mentioned events from the previous books into the story, making it easy for me to recall what happened before. I was already wrapped up into the story and I was more than eager to find out the truth about Luce’s curse. 


Lauren Kate really brought the action and excitement into the story. I thought her idea for locating the fallen site of the Angels was an interesting twist along with the actual ritual involved. I found it fascinating and an intriguing concept. I like that she allowed the reader to travel with Luce and Daniel to the places that they went. I found that Lauren Kate described these places in great detail allowing me to visualize the area and to appreciate the architecture even if I only imagined it in my mind. For Luce and Daniel, I felt the imminent danger surrounding them. It felt like everything and everyone was trying to stop them. It was scary and frustrating and it kept me on the edge of my seat all the time. 



I really loved Luce more in Rapture. Following her journey throughout all the books, she has changed and grown so much. She definitely matured tremendously. I really felt her strength, bravery and loyalty shine through. She was scared, but she still pushed on even when Daniel felt like he was losing hope, Luce gave him the courage and strength to keep going. I was really proud of Luce and all the decisions she made. She really thought them through and she helped Daniel and her friends instead of standing by helpless. I absolutely loved how Lauren Kate added in Luce’s past memories into the the story. They weren’t random at all and they made sense. I also liked that Luce’s memories came to her slowly instead of being slammed into her. It set the pace of the story and allowed the reader not to be overwhelmed with all the information. It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders when Luce’s identity was finally known. It’s like, finally, everything made sense and everything fit together nicely. I absolutely loved that I finally got to know how Luce and Daniel met for the first time and how their love became what it is now. I could see the depth of their love and their bond and I loved how they stayed true to themselves all the time until the very end.


I have to admit that the big twist in the end wasn’t a real surprise for me since I’ve been thinking about all kinds of theories, but I still loved how everything played out. I must be going out of my mind when I’m saying this, but I kind of felt bad for Lucifer. However, I still felt like he was blinded and misguided and too focused on his anger. I was surprised by the overall ending itself. I never expected what Daniel and Luce had to do in the end, but it was at this part was where I admired Luce the most. Her selflessness in the end really made her more than memorable in my mind. 


Lauren Kate really impressed me with her ability to weave all the parts of Luce’s story. I was confused on some parts throughout the series, but I think this book really explained everything I wanted and needed to know. Of course I still have questions about some things and other characters, but she ended Luce and Daniel’s story in the best way possible that felt real and right. It was absolutely beautiful.



All in all, Rapture was the perfect ending to the Fallen series. It’s always a little bittersweet when a series ends and I’ll admit that I will miss Luce and Daniel terribly along with the other characters I grew to love. For me, the ending was satisfying and gave me the overall contentment I have been waiting for in Luce and Daniel’s love story.



In the end, the very last line of the book took my breath away. 


My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

*Thanks to Random House for allowing me to read Rapture. :)

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