Foretold ~ A Demon Trappers Novel by Jana Oliver

Title: Foretold ~ A Demon Trapper's novel (Book 4)
Author: Jana Oliver
Pages:  352
Published: St. Martin's Griffin 2012

From Goodreads ~

In the fourth Demon Trappers novel, Riley faces the final battle for humanity and Beck's heart—and Hell is the least of her problems
Now that Riley’s managed to (just barely) fend off Armageddon, everything’s changed. Well . . . most things. After their passionate kiss before the big battle in the cemetery, Beck is back to treating her like a little girl, as if nothing ever happened. While she’d love to just tell him off and move on, Riley vowed to take care of Beck the way he’s taken care of her since her father’s death—but she’s about to get a whole lot more than she bargained for. When she’s commissioned to go with Beck to his hometown and help him care for his dying mother, they stumble too close to a dark and murderous secret, one that Beck fears will drive Riley away from him forever. As chaos breaks loose, Riley may be Beck's only hope for redemption . . . and survival.

Meanwhile, up in Atlanta, it’s quickly becoming clear that Heaven may have won a battle, but the war is far from over. Riley and Beck face a stormy future, as Lucifer's ex-right-hand-man, Sartael, proves himself to be more resilient than anyone thought. He has Atlanta in his grip and is about to begin a brutal war with the prince of Hell. As the seconds tick down toward a final confrontation, it's up to Riley and the man she loves to finally defeat their old enemy, or lose everything they've fought for.

So, What did I think?

Perfect.  This was a perfect ending to a fantastic series.  I don't think I can rave enough about how much I am in love with this series and the author Jana Oliver.  Her writing is consistent and beautiful.  She takes the characters and makes you fall in love and have emotions you never thought you could have with words on a page.  I will definitely be re-reading these books in the future and will, I'm sure, love them just the same if not more the next time around.

Please, if you have ever considered or thought about reading these books...DO!  You will not regret it.  

Forgiven: A Demon Trapper's Daughter Book 3

Title: Forgiven: A Demon Trapper's Novel ~Book 3
Author: Jana Oliver
Pages: 354
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 2012

On the Cover ~

Heaven help you if you've lost your heart to hell....

The days are growing darker for seventeen-year-old demon trapper Riley Blackthorne.  With her father's reanimated body back safely, Beck barely speaking to her because of a certain hunky fallen angel, and a freshly made deal with Lucifer, she has enough on her hands to last a normal teenage lifetime.  Though she bargained with Heaven to save his life, her ex-boyfriend, Simon, has told the Vatican's Demon Hunters that she's working with Hell.  So now she's in hiding, at the top of everyone's most-wanted list.

But it's becoming clear that this is bigger than Riley, and rapidly getting out of control:  Something sinister is happening in Atlanta...or someone.  Caught between her bargain with Heaven and her promise to Lucifer, Riley fears the final war is coming - and it may be closer than anyone things...

So, What did I think?

These book are just so great! I'm definitely a Jana Oliver fan! I can't help but get caught up in the characters and get all emotional. Riley has continued to be a strong minded heroine in every book.  I love her independence.  No matter what she does, I know that she is going to do what is right.  

I can't help but love Beck more and more in each book. His stubborn withdrawal gets frustrating at times but I know he has reason to withhold his emotions towards Riley.  

The third book was filled with more kick butt action and intense emotions.  There is just so much to say about these books but I don't want to spoil anything for anyone.  Definitely find these books and read them! 

Striving For the Goal

I know it's been a while since my last post, but believe me, I've got plenty of posts coming up.  The reason for my absence is because I've been trying to reach my goal for 2012.  I had a goal to read 100 books for the year 2012 and I DID IT!  Go me!!  Now that I've reached my goal, I have about 10 books to review and blog about.  Stay tuned because I've read some REALLY good books in the past few weeks.  Some are probably going to be new to you, so you will want to know a little bit about them.  I appreciate your patience and can't wait to start the new year with a new goal and lots of blogging!  Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!!

Soul Thief (A Demon Trappers Novel Book 2) by Jana Oliver

Title: Soul Thief ~A Demon Trappers Novel (Book 2) (aka Forbidden)
Author: Jana Oliver
Pages: 324
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 2011

On the Cover ~

Riley Blackthorne is beginning to learn that there are worse things than death by demon.  And love is just one of them...

Riley has about had it up to here.  After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured - her boyfriend, Simon, gravely so - and now her beloved late father's been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer.  As if that's not enough, there's Ori, one sizzling-hot freelance demon hunter who's made himself Riley's unofficial bodyguard, and Beck, a super-overprotective "friend" who acts more like a grouchy granddad.  With all the hassles, the seventeen-year-old is almost ready to leave Atlanta behind.

But as Atlanta's demon count increases, the Vatican finally sends its own demon hunters to take care of the city's "little" problem, an pandemonium breaks out.  Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell's attention: An extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever...

So, What did I think?

As a predecessor to a fabulous beginning, this book does not disappoint!  It picks up right where book one left off and continues with it's fantastic story line and wonderful writing.  I have to say, though, I a may appear a little bias, because this book happens to take place very close to home.  I, yet again, love how the author creates a "new Atlanta" for me.  It's as if I am living in the book...or close to it.  

I have to say that Riley must be one of the hottest chicks in Atlanta, because she not only has one, two, but THREE hotties after her!  First off, I never really had a great feeling about Simon in the first book, NOW I despise the guy.  Ori, well, he may be one of the sexiest men on earth, but he definitely has some secrets....definitely!  Now, my money is on Denver Beck, a southern to the core, strong minded, soft hearted babe who hides behind this tough guy motif that, in my opinion, will eventually break as Riley starts to slip away.  If you have read these books, I would love to know who you are routing for, so please comment!!

Now that Riley is on the run from the vicious demon hunters who don't plan to just have a chat, the plot thickens.  What will Riley do?  Where will she go?  Who will she choose to trust?..or is there anyone trustworthy?  All these questions and more I hope to answer as I move on to the third book, Forgiven.  I am super excited because the forth book comes out this month (December 15th!!!) I will definitely be in line to buy it!  

This book made me laugh and even shed some tears(when Beck opens his heart).  I hope that you will take it upon yourself to find a copy of these books and enjoy them as much as I am.

If by chance Jana Oliver ever reads my blog, I just want to say that I love your writing and hope to read many more books by you in the future! 

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Title: Enclave (Razorland Book 1)
Author: Ann Aguirre
Audiobook Length: 7hr 53mins
Narrator: Emily Bauer

Goodreads Description~

WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first Deuce thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.

So, What did I think?

What I liked most about this book is that it has a strong heroine, Deuce, a Huntress who has earn her title and wears her scars proudly for her people.  She is strong, smart, and brave, true, but underneath all her tough, scarred exterior she has a golden heart that she would gladly sacrifice if it meant saving the life of someone else.  Will this be enough to save her on the top side?  

I really enjoyed the reading by Emily Bauer.  Her voice was pleasing to listen to and she gave the story character.

This book has so much potential to blow my mind in the sequel.  Will it though?  We shall find out, because I have already downloaded the sequel, Outpost, to my iPod through Audible.  

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Title: Unspoken
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Pages: 370
Publisher:  Random House

From the Back of the Book ~

Kami Glass loves someone she's never met...a boy she's talked to in her head ever since she was born.  She wasn't silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale.  Still, Kami hasn't suffered too much from not fitting in.  She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself.  Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries.  The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami.  Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown - in fact, she's determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing.  Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods?  What is her own mother hiding?  And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him?  Does she hate him?  Can she trust him?

Sarah Rees Brennan brings Gothic romance kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century with a heroine who can take care of herself, a boy who needs to be saved, and the magical forces that bring them together and tear them apart.

So, What did I think?

Unspoken is a pure reflection of Sarah Rees Brennan's contagious and witty personality.  It is funny and spooky all at once.  At times, it made me laugh so hard out loud that I had to explain that I wasn't crazy.  When Kami ended up in the well and Jared asked her jokingly if she happened to "have a very intelligent collie who might communicate through a systems of barks to her parents that little Kami is in the well", I absolutely lost it!

One thing I like best about Unspoken is that the book ended so that I wanted more yet I wasn't left with too many questions at the end.  It was a fulfilling cliffhanger, if that makes sense.  I guess the best way to describe it is that this chapter of Kami's life was complete and yet you feel you want to continue into the next chapter of her life.  I look forward to another story of risk taking adventures and maybe a new twist into Jared and Kami's relationship.  

The only thing I did not enjoy about this book was the fact there was some time lagging in the middle.  I felt it carried on too long before getting to the big story.  However, I feel that in that time, the author was able to build more on the character's relationships.  

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery and strange happenings.  If you are a Nancy Drew reader or maybe a Scooby Doo fan, you will love this book.   

I received this book from the author at YallFest in Charleston, SC on November 10, 2012.  Here are a few pics of the author as she signed books.

Visit Sarah Rees Brennan ~

www.sarahreesbrennan.com

email: sarahreesbrennan@gmail.com