REVIEW: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: February 15, 2013
Format: Hardcover, 461 pages
Rating: 5/5 (loveloveloveSOMUCHlove)
Get it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

tick
tick
tick
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it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions

True to its title, Unravel Me did more than just that, it consumed me, shook me, broke me, and left me without words and with so much emotions. 



The familiar yet alluring and lyrical writing of Tahereh Mafi is back and better than ever. Like always, it took my breath away and left me gasping for air. The writing in Unravel Me was beautiful, haunting, and totally made my skin tingle and shoot straight to my heart. It was the type of writing that made me want to close my eyes, absorb, savor, and relish every single word, sentence, and page and brand them permanently to my soul. 

Now settled in Omega Point, Juliette still had her old doubts and fears that continued to plague her. Although Juliette felt like this, there were plenty of times where she wanted to prove herself, pick herself up, and actually do something to help with the upcoming war. Juliette seemed weak before, but in Unravel Me, she exudes strength physically and mentally. She grows, develops and really tries her hardest to fight her demons and insecurities away. I’m even more impressed with the amount of restraint and strength Juliette possesses. I really got to see even more improvement in Juliette throughout this second book from start to finish. A little fragile and still struggling internally, Juliette continued to be the good person I knew her to be. She finally stepped out of the hole she dug herself in and really showed an immense amount of courage, bravery and damn it all, she was fierce and a little scary too. I loved it! 

I will always have a soft spot for Adam. I loved his love and devotion for Juliette. Even when trouble rose up between them, he kept on trying to make things work and never gave up. He was determined more than ever to stand by Juliette’s side. And as much as I love Adam, I have to admit I love Warner just a bit more. While Juliette owns this book, Warner shines brighter. Warner had me holding my breath, clutching my heart, and had me feeling all kinds of inappropriate feelings and things. I got to see another side of him that had me falling for him, hard and painful. I saw the tortured, lost and broken boy he tried so hard to hide. He was delicate, yet intimidating and like a tornado you can’t help but want to be closer to watch and be fascinated by no matter how dangerous. Warner was so intense and beautiful and magnetic, I was drowning in that intensity, tension and ethereal beauty he had. When he spoke, he was captivating. When he was quiet, he made me curious. I’ll tell you now that Warner got me addicted before, but after Chapter 62, I think I need an intervention.


While some sequels fall flat, Unravel Me was a sequel far superior than its predecessor. Any questions I had during and at the end of Shatter Me are answered; from Adam and Warner’s immunity to Juliette’s touch to Warner’s first name and more. The inner workings of Omega Point are explained and experienced with great detail that I found very interesting. Any other powers and Energies are touched upon and explored more as well. There are some new characters that I fell in love with and old ones I missed and ended up loving even more. Even better, Mafi throws in surprises that never gives Unravel Me a dull moment. 



Overall, Unravel Me was bolder, darker and a lot more sexier. Tahereh Mafi doesn’t fail to impress. She tug tug tugs on the heart strings in plenty of different ways. For me, the whole book was exceptional! 


REVIEW: The Ballad of Aramei by J.A. Redmerski

Title: The Ballad of Aramei (The Darkwoods Trilogy #3)
Author: J.A. Redmerski - Website || Twitter || Facebook
Publication Date: November 18, 2012
Format: eARC*
Rating: 5/5
Get it: Amazon || B&N

Everything about Adria Dawson’s life has changed in unimaginable ways: the shattering betrayal of her mother, the fight for her life and sanity…the loss of her humanity. But now Adria must face the ultimate challenge and risk not only her life, but the lives of everyone she loves at the wrathful hands of Isaac Mayfair’s father.

Determined to help unravel a mysterious message deeply rooted in an unhinged mind, Adria becomes obsessed with traveling into Aramei’s turbulent past to see the truth of how the relationships and betrayals between the Mayfair and Vargas bloodlines were formed.

Meanwhile, Adria and the Mayfairs are doing everything they can to smoke out and trap the Praverian traitor. A trip to Providence uncovers not only an old family line who are enemies of the Praverians, but also raises questions about the Praverian’s true agenda.

But the traitor will be caught. People will die. And Adria’s destiny to be the cause of a war will come to pass. But what could a kind and simple girl like Adria Dawson ever do that could be considered an act of war? The landscape of the werewolf world will be forever changed in the climactic conclusion to The Darkwoods Trilogy.

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions.

The Darkwoods Trilogy by J.A. Redmerski has been one epic series I have been loving more and more with each novel. The last book, The Ballad of Aramei is no exception. In this conclusion to the thrilling trilogy, the stakes are even higher for all the characters I have grown to love tremendously. Fast paced, dark and full of sacrifices, fans of this amazing trilogy will not be disappointed to be back in this world.

Continuing from the events of the previous book, The Ballad of Aramei starts off with Adria adjusting to being a new black beast. With the help of Isaac and the other werewolves in the Mayfair family, Adria starts to embrace being a werewolf; balancing that side of her with her human side. Adria continues to impress me with her strength and bravery as she really steps up to figure out what is going on around her. She really comes into her own and takes initiative. She doesn’t sit back, but she stands up, fights back and she makes it known that she can handle anything that is thrown her way. I love how Adria conquers her fears and doubts and has the courage to do something that needed to be done despite the consequences it will bring. She just knew it was the right thing to do and she did it. Adria is one amazing character and I cannot help but love her more and more.

While the romance was not the center of this book, it was still there in the background and I commend Redmerski for still making it a solid part of the book. I have always adored the relationship and connection between Adria and Isaac but also with Harry and Daisy. There were plenty of sweet moments that diffused the seriousness and imminent danger of the book. These were the parts that made me smile, giggle, and swoon to no extent. 

Redmerski really took this last novel up another level and gave it her all. The writing is even more eloquent than before and the pacing moves nicely throughout the book. The action that she brought into this final novel is everything I have been waiting for and more. The epic war was what I have been dying to read and Redmerski did not disappoint. She brought it all with full force and greatness that totally swept me away. The twists and revelations were completely mind-boggling! When the real traitor was revealed, lets just say I so did not see that one coming and I swear even that character had me fooled! 

Aspects that were brought up in the first two novels get fully explained and explored in The Ballad of Aramei. More of Aramei’s past is revealed and I really got the sense of the life she had before when she first met Viktor and Trajan. I loved this part in the book because I felt like I was really transported there just like Adria. More Praverian background is shed, along with more depth of what they do with their Charges and of course, Harvesters that hunt them. All of this was centered and connected around Adria and I thought Redmerski did a excellent job of weaving this into Adria’s life causing havoc, chaos, and danger. It was the perfect combination to make one heart-racing novel.

I’m a little sad to say goodbye to this world and all the characters in it, but I truly believe that the ending that Redmerski created for this beloved trilogy is a spectacular one. Redmerski gives the characters the hope, conclusion and resolution they all needed. Not everything is a happily ever after, but realistically fits the end that needed to be told. While this trilogy has ended, it will always be a part of me that I will continue to cherish for a lifetime.  

 

Cover Reveal: The Ballad of Aramei by J.A. Redmerski

Eeeep! The Darkwoods trilogy is definitely one of my favorites so I'm super excited to show you cover to the final book in the trilogy..

The Ballad of Aramei by J.A. Redmerski 

(The Darkwoods Trilogy #3)

Expected Publication Date: December 10, 2012

The Blurb:

Everything about Adria Dawson’s life has changed in unimaginable ways: the shattering betrayal of her mother, the fight for her life and sanity…the loss of her humanity. But now Adria must face the ultimate challenge and risk not only her life, but the lives of everyone she loves at the wrathful hands of Isaac Mayfair’s father.

Determined to help unravel a mysterious message deeply rooted in an unhinged mind, Adria becomes obsessed with traveling into Aramei’s turbulent past to see the truth of how the relationships and betrayals between the Mayfair and Vargas bloodlines were formed.

Meanwhile, Adria and the Mayfairs are doing everything they can to smoke out and trap the Praverian traitor. A trip to Providence uncovers not only an old family line who are enemies of the Praverians, but also raises questions about the Praverian’s true agenda.

But the traitor will be caught. People will die. And Adria’s destiny to be the cause of a war will come to pass. But what could a kind and simple girl like Adria Dawson ever do that could be considered an act of war? The landscape of the werewolf world will be forever changed in the climactic conclusion to The Darkwoods Trilogy.

Me: AHHHH! The cover is perfect. I love the fire in the background. I love how you can see Adria and Isaac's hands, clasped and everything. Seeing Adria's especially is significant. I can't believe this is the last book. I can't for to read it, but I'm also dreading the end because I hate to let these characters go!

Check out the other books in the trilogy!

What do you think of the cover?

Are you just as excited as I am?

*squeeee*

REVIEW: Hidden by Sophie Jordan

Title: Hidden (Firelight #3)
Author: Sophie Jordan - Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Publication Date: September 11, 2012
Format: ARC*; 272 pages
Rating: 5/5
Get it: Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.

My thoughts, feelings and reactions.

If there is one word to describe Hidden by Sophie Jordan, it would be remarkable. It’s definitely even better than the first two books! Sophie Jordan never fails to impress. She definitely blew me away with the final installment to the Firelight trilogy.

Hidden picks up right where Vanish ended with Jacinda, Will, Cassian and Tamra. From the start, the tension is already apparent and the knowledge of an unsure survival is palpable. I can’t even begin to explain how imminent the danger was and how there was so many threats appearing at different sides. I was squirming and my heart was racing through several parts. I was utterly entranced and hooked the entire time while reading Hidden. 

I was more than happy to be back into Jacinda’s world filled with drakis, hunters and enkros. It was so easy to lose and have myself be consumed by this world. I missed it so much. I definitely loved that I got to learn more about the hunters and enkros in Hidden. I also enjoyed all the new characters that showed up, whether they were prominent throughout the whole book or not. 

Jacinda continues to amaze me with her unwavering strength, confidence and power. I have always admired Jacinda ever since Firelight and in Hidden, she doesn’t disappoint me at all. I believe she has always been an extraordinary character. Jacinda tries to help everyone that means a lot to her even if this meant putting her hopes and dreams aside. In Hidden, I got to see how much Jacinda cared for both Cassian and Will. Whatever she was feeling towards these two boys, I was feeling it along side her. I got to see her relationship with Cassian and how strong their bond was and how it really affected both of them physically and emotionally. Her relationship with Will was constantly put to the test and it seemed like every force was ready to break them apart. 

The shocking discoveries, truths, revelations and ultimate betrayals in Hidden were endless and I always found myself not knowing what to expect, not knowing whose safety and life was at risk.  The battles and fights were epic. The losses were heartbreaking and painful and they really hit me hard. 

Hidden was the perfect ending to the Firelight trilogy. I believe that Sophie Jordan really wrapped up the ending to this amazing book really nicely. There was a touch of bittersweetness, but it was also full of redemption, hope and love. Although I hate to see this world end and I hate to let go of these characters I’ve become so attached to, I love how true the ending was. I was happy and content the moment I finished the last page. 

Overall, Hidden was an outstanding book! It was daring, bold and downright explosive.  Full of action, tragedies and sweet moments, Hidden doesn’t fail to put you at the edge of your seat. You’ll wish it never ended because there’s nothing you want more than for the story to keep going.

*Thanks to Christina at Christina Reads YA for letting me borrow an ARC of this book.

More adventures with Jacinda

Read my review for Firelight

Read my review for Vanish (Firelight #2)

Review: Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Title:Vanish (Firelight #2)
Author: Sophie Jordan - Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: September 6, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 294 pages
Rating: 5/5
Get it: Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

My thoughts.

In the second installment of the Firelight novels, Sophie Jordan does not disappoint. She brings you back into Jacinda’s world almost instantly. From the first page, I was completely absorbed by what was going on. Sophie Jordan doesn’t slowly build into the excitement, she brings it right at the front line. I wasn’t even a few pages in and was already riveted. 

Vanish picks up right where Firelight left off with Jacinda, Cassian and Tamra. Jacinda returns to the Pride with them, however everything is changed. Jacinda must fight to prove her loyalty to save herself and her loved ones. By her side stands Cassian and her twin sister Tamra. They help Jacinda to adjust from her return and to forget Will. As much as Jacinda tries, she still hopes she will be reunited with Will.

WOW! I didn’t think Sophie Jordan could top Firelight, but she sure did. The pacing of Vanish is quick and will have you drowning in this very action packed story. I loved how there’s so many revelations in this second installment. I love how the twists keep you on your toes and you never ever know what happens next. It’s such a thrilling read. 

I’ve always adored Jacinda and was even more awed by her in Vanish. I’ve connected to Jacinda in Firelight and have become so attached to her in Vanish. I love her strength and determination. I just love how she chooses to be who she wants to be from the very start. I really admire Jacinda as a person, a woman and a draki. She’s amazing in and out. In Vanish, her safety and life is even more at risk and it seemed like every where she turned, a sense of urgent danger or threat was nearby. I couldn’t help but hope Jacinda behaved so nothing bad would happen to her. But I also couldn’t help but cheer her on to do what she believed was right.

I loved how I got to know Cassian more in Vanish. Not only did I learned to like him, but I ended up loving him. There’s more to him than that dark, possessive and brooding draki I first thought him to be in Firelight. This time around, Cassian showed me he had a heart that was purer than gold. I felt his love and protectiveness for Jacinda but I also felt his pain and longing for her too. If I wasn’t such a Will fan already, I would probably have switched sides. Sophie does such a good job of making Cassian so darn likable, I wouldn’t be surprised if people either switch sides or became utterly confused on who to pick. Both Will and Cassian are such amazing characters.

Vanish was very compelling and highly engrossing. You’ll be gripping the pages for more! If you haven’t picked up Firelight, you better do so. Don’t wait to pick this one up too! You’ll just fall in love with this world full of draki!

REVIEW: Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Title: Firelight (Firelight #1)
Author: Sophie Jordan - Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: September 7, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 326 pages
Rating: 5/5
Cover Love: Exponential.
Get it: Amazon || B&N | The Book Depository

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

My thoughts.

Jacinda is a draki, descendent of dragons that are able to shift into human form. But what’s so special about Jacinda? She’s the only fire-breather ever, in many many years. This has gotten Jacinda much attention from the Pride and most of all their leader. She’s closely watched and protected, but Jacinda longs to be free, to fly any time of day, to make her own choices in life, to be who she was born to be: a draki. However, her rebellion causes her to be chased by the Hunters that are known to kill her kind. Just when she thought she was done for, a beautiful boy spares her life.Though Jacinda survives, her actions have consequences from the Pride. Jacinda’s mother uproots her and twin sister Tamra to live a normal life in the mortal world. Jacinda struggles to adapt, but one bright spot is that beautiful boy that saved her then and just maybe he may save her again.

I can’t say this is the most original dragon story I have ever read, since it’s my first but I can tell you that the idea of draki’s is a very interesting one. It piques the inner workings of your mind, telling you that you need to explore this more. So naturally, I wanted to know more about draki’s even before I opened the book. Dragons are already awesome creatures, but drakis? Way way better. I love how, not only can Jacinda and the others manifest into their dragon descendants, but they each have special powers depending on what type draki they are to ensure ultimate survival. I thought that to be brilliant idea. The way that Sophie Jordan describes Jacinda’s manifest is so beautiful, I can see it in my mind’s eye. To make the book even more exciting than it already is, Jordan throws in the mix of Hunters that nearly bring Jacinda’s kind to extinction. I love learning the ways of Jacinda’s Pride and how they all work together. It’s very strict and organized. I understood this because it was needed for their survival, but I understood the suffocation that Jacinda felt within her own home.

Jordan doesn’t fail to entice you with the first few chapters of the book. Just a few chapters in, I found my heart beating in overdrive. I was so scared something might happen to Jacinda. Then Sophie Jordan sucked me in further with the appearance of the beautiful boy, Will. That encounter was primal, beautiful and amazing. Soon after, I was turning page after page, devouring the book at a very alarming rate. 

I found Jacinda to be an extraordinary character. She was strong-willed and determined. Jacinda speaks her mind and tries so hard to be her own person. I connected with her immediately. I understood her need for freedom, to make her own choices, to do what she wanted to do, but still stay within her Pride. When she’s forced to live in the mortal world, I was very sympathetic to her struggle and her willingness to keep her draki alive. She wanted to make her own choices, but she doesn’t want to stop being who she is. I completely related to Jacinda, but I wanted to be like Jacinda. She is one fierce fire-breather. She doesn’t give up and her drive to stay true to herself is impressive. Jacinda fights emotionally and physically throughout the whole book and I admire her strength to keep going.



The romance between Jacinda and Will is one of the best I’ve read. Their curiosity for each other blooms into an all consuming love. The sexual tension between the two was so intense, so well written, I became a fan of their relationship even before I knew who Will was! The forbidden aspect on both sides is the perfect touch to this wonderful romance. It’s more dangerous, more exciting and even more worth the risk. Will is going to make you melt.


Overall I found Firelight to be an unforgettable read. The story is irresistible, the plot is compelling, and the romance heats up along the ride.