DISSONANCE by Erica O’Rourke

July 22, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

DISSONANCE by Erica O’RourkeDissonance by Erica O'Rourke
Published by Simon and Schuster on 2014-07-22
Genres: Music, Science Fiction, Social Issues, Young Adult
Pages: 496
Source: Publisher

Reviewed by Dani

In this inventive romantic thriller, Del has the power to navigate between alternate realities—and the power to save multiple worlds.Delancey knows for sure that there is more than one universe. Many more. Because every time someone makes a choice, a new, parallel world is spun off the existing one. Eating breakfast or skipping it, turning left instead of right, sneaking out instead of staying in bed—all of these choices create alternate universes in which echo selves take the roads not traveled. Del knows all of this because she’s a Walker, someone who can navigate between the worlds, and whose job is to keep the dimensions in harmony. But Del’s decisions have consequences too. Even though she’s forbidden from Walking after a training session goes horribly wrong, she secretly starts to investigate other dissonant worlds. She’s particularly intrigued by the echo versions of Simon Lane, a guy who won’t give her the time of day in the main world, but whose alternate selves are uniquely interested. But falling for Simon draws Del closer to a truth that the Council of Walkers is trying to hide—a secret that threatens the fate of the entire multiverse.

Synopsis: For Delancey Sullivan, alternate universes aren’t just a theory: they’re a way of life. Every time someone makes a choice—to eat breakfast or skip it, to sneak out or stay in bed—parallel realities are created, and echo versions of ourselves take the roads not traveled in the Key World. As a Walker, Del navigates between the Echoes, keeping the dimensions in harmony. But when her own choices go horribly wrong, she must decide between her heart and her duty—and live with the consequences.
I don’t even know where to start. This book was amazing! Del is a walker and a walkers job is to keep the key world safe. Del makes a mistake in one of the echoes and she is put on suspension. When Del realizes with the help of her friend Elliot that the mistake she made shouldn’t have happened she’s on a mission to find out what happened and how to fix it. The characters in this book are great. Del is a headstrong main character and will do things that are reckless if she thinks its going to benefit the people she loves. And Del’s love interest Simon was an interesting character. We don’t really get to know Simon at first but only his echoes Del sees in different dimensions. The romance between the two was sweet, I think they were a great couple. I really liked the secondary characters in this book and how they were treated. Elliot, Del’s friend, was such a sweet guy who was always their for his best friend. Addison, Del’s sister, came across as a perfectionist type snob at first, but we see deeper into her character as the book progresses and she proved to be a Walker who would do anything to ensure the safety of the Key World. I loved the relationship between Del and her grandpa Monty, who has a secret of his own. This book was a page turner, I was hooked. I’m ready for the sequel!
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THE MONSTER WITHIN
by Kelly Hashway

June 16, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE MONSTER WITHIN by Kelly HashwayThe Monster Within by Kelly Hashway
Published by Spencer Hill Press on 2014-04-08
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Greek & Roman, Legends, Myths, Fables, Young Adult
Pages: 296
Source: Author
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Reviewed by Dani

The moment seventeen-year-old Samantha Thompson crawls out of her grave, her second chance at life begins. She died of cancer with her long-time boyfriend, Ethan, by her side -- a completely unfair shot at life. But Ethan found a way to bring her back, like he promised he would. Only Sam came back wrong. She's now a monster that drains others' lives to survive. And after she kills, she's tortured by visions -- glimpses into her victims would have- been futures had she not killed them. Barely able to live with herself and trying to make things right, Sam ends up a pawn in a vicious game of payback within the local coven of witches. But when the game reveals what Ethan had to do to save Sam, she must make a choice that will change all their lives forever.

The Monster Within is about a girl named Samantha who comes back to life four days after she died from cancer. Her boyfriend is the one who brought her back, but whenever she asks how he did it he refuses to tell her. Samantha and Ethan move to a small town because they can’t go back home. The first night at there new place is when Sam realizes something isn’t right with her. To stay alive Sam has to suck the life out of other people. The book started out good, I was interested in finding out what Sam would do now that she has to drain the life out of people to stay alive as well as how Ethan brought her back. I did not like Sam at all. She made decisions that weren’t smart, and I can’t even keep track of how many lies she told. And it just bothered me that Ethan just wouldn’t tell her what he did to bring her back until the very end. I did like the fact that when she did kill someone she would get to see their futures and what their lives would have been like if she didn’t kill them. I found myself putting this book down a few times. I’m not sure if I would read the sequel.

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HEXED by Michelle Krys

June 8, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

HEXED by Michelle KrysHEXED by Michelle Krys
Published by Random House on June 10, 2014
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Young Adult
Pages: 386
Format: Hardcover
Source: Author
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Reviewed by Dani

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?
 
Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.
Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid.

 

Hexed is about a girl named Indie who finds out she’s a witch, and has to learn fast. Indie has to get the Bible back before every witch on the planet dies. When I got this book I was so excited, because I haven’t read a book that involves witches since I read L.J Smith’s The Night World. I kind of feel let down because I thought more would happen in Hexed, but I guess I’ll just have to wait for the sequel to be released. I wasn’t a fan of most of the characters except for Paige, Indie’s neighbor and Jezebel, Bishop’s ex-girlfriend. I felt like Paige was the only one using common sense, and Jezebel just seemed like a strong female character in general. The reason I didn’t like Indie was because she was shallow, self-centered, and I just couldn’t relate to her. I felt like she should have done more in the book but she didn’t. And Indie’s “Love Interest” just treated everything like a game and it got annoying. Overall, I found this book to be a let down. I would read the sequel just to finish this series and because this book left off on a cliff hanger.

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MIDNIGHT FROST
by Jennifer Estep

June 4, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

MIDNIGHT FROST by Jennifer EstepMidnight Frost by Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy #5
Published by Kensington Books on 2013
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 372
Source: Reviewer Purchase
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Reviewed by Dani

Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can't get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities--until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I'm still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.

After what happened in the last book with Logan, Gwen is hurt as she should be. But when Gwen is in her library she notices a reaper slipping poison in her water bottle, but Gwen is too late because Nickamedes already took a sip. Gwen and her friends must get find the cure. Gwen and her friends Daphne, Carson, and Coach Ajax go to Denver to start looking for the cure. In Denver Gwen meets her cousin Rory. Gwen’s cousin Rory isn’t liked probably because her parents did something they shouldn’t have… While on this trip Gwen finds out more about her family, and someone comes back from a little time away. I loved this book as I do with the rest in the series. You find out so much more about Gwen and her family in this book. I love how caring and determined Gwen is especially when it comes to keeping her friends safe. The sequel to this book is Killer Frost. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes urban fantasies.

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CRIMSON FROST
by Jennifer Estep

June 4, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

CRIMSON FROST by Jennifer EstepCrimson Frost by Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy #4
Published by Kensington Books on 2012-12-24
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover
Source: Reviewer Purchase
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Reviewed by Dani

For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes--the most hideous face I'd ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki--the evil god that I'd helped set free against my will.I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we'd gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I'd have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn't see that one coming. I've been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison--and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan's dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I'm guilty. If I'm going to get out of this mess alive, I'll have to do it myself. . .

Crimson Frost starts with Logan and Gwen going on their first date. The unexpected happens as Gwen is accused of purposely helping the reapers set Loki free. Gwen and all her friends will stop at nothing to help Gwen clear her name. Even though Logan’s dad is the one leading the charge against Gwen, Logan still stays by Gwen. Of course I have nothing but good things to say about this book. But the ending is pretty sad in my opinion and when you find out who one of Loki’s reaper helpers is you’ll be shocked because I was. The sequel to this book is Midnight Frost. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Urban Fantasies, and Romance.

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DARK FROST by Jennifer Estep

June 4, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

DARK FROST by Jennifer EstepDark Frost by Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy #3
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Paranormal, Young Adult
Format: Hardcover
Source: Reviewer Purchase
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Reviewed by Dani

Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects - and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I'm also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me? It turns out my mom hid a powerful artefact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can't use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me - and I'm in for the fight of my life.

Things for Gwen won’t get easier especially with reapers still coming after her. Before Gwen’s mom died she hid an artifact called the Helheim Dagger, and that’s what the reapers are looking for. Gwen needs to find the Dagger before the reapers do or they’ll use it to set Loki an evil God free. This is my favorite book in the series. Why? Probably because Gwen and Logan are dating now! I just really love this book everything about it is amazing. The ending of the book is crazy especially the fact that Gwen has to hurry and find the Dagger before any of the reapers. The sequel to this book is Crimson Frost. I recommend this book to anyone who likes Romance and Urban Fantasies.

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KISS OF FROST by Jennifer Estep

June 4, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

KISS OF FROST by Jennifer EstepKiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy #2
Published by Kensington Books on 2011
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 374
Format: Hardcover
Source: Reviewer Purchase
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Reviewed by Dani

Logan Quinn was trying to kill me. My Spartan classmate relentlessly pursued me, swinging his sword at me over and over again, the shining silver blade inching closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes practically glowed with the thrill of battle . . . I'm Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Academy, and I have no idea how I'm going to survive the rest of the semester. One day, I'm getting schooled in swordplay by the guy who broke my heart--the drop-dead gorgeous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invisible archer in the Library of Antiquities decides to use me for target practice. And now, I find out that someone at the academy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I'm afraid if I don't learn how to live by the sword--with Logan's help--I just might die by the sword . . .

After the events that took place in Touch of Frost the teachers at Mythos Academy decided that Gwen should take Weapons training in case there’s a reaper and she needs to protect herself. But it’s time for winter break so everyone at Mythos is ready to go to the Winter Carnival. Right before they leave Gwen almost gets run over, and shot with an arrow. She believes it is due to a Reaper wanting revenge for the death of another Reaper. At the Winter Carnival similar strange things start happening, leading her to uncovering the truth behind it. Gwen decides to take matters into her own hands and tries to find out who is after her. I think I liked this book more than the first because of the growing relationship between Logan and Gwen even though they still aren’t together. I honestly cannot get enough of this series. I do have the next book which is Dark Frost. I recommend this book to anyone who likes urban fantasies and romance.

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TOUCH OF FROST
by Jennifer Estep

June 4, 2014 by

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

TOUCH OF FROST by Jennifer EstepTouch of Frost by Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy #1
Published by Kensington Books on 2011-08-01
Genres: Young Adult
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Source: Reviewer Purchase
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Reviewed by Dani

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy -- a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest. But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why – especially since I should have been the one who died . . .

Gwen is a gypsy and she attends Mythos Academy, which is basically a school for warriors, so she doesn’t really fit in. Gwen has the ability to see an objects history just by touching it, which is why she has to be careful, because some memories are just too strong, and even traumatizing. Gwen works at the campus library and during her shift she sees the most popular girl in school get murdered. After Jasmines murder most of the other students seem to brush it off because they’re used to seeing death, this just rubs Gwen the wrong way and she’s determined to figure out why and who would kill Jasmine. Along the course of her investigation Gwen becomes friends with a valkyrie named Daphne and even does a little flirting with a cute spartan named Logan. I did appreciate the friendship between Daphne and Gwen it was authentic and something that both girls needed. Logan he’s cute and he’s very aware of his abilities, I like that he would come to the rescue. Anyway the result of who killed Jasmine was pretty surprising and not something I would have guessed. The ending just leaves us wanting more and that’s exactly why I can’t wait to read the sequel Kiss of Frost. This is one of my favorite series and rereading it just brings back memories of how much I love this series and the characters.

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