BEHOLD THE BONES By Natalie C. Parker

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.

BEHOLD THE BONES By Natalie C. ParkerBehold the Bones by Natalie C. Parker
Series: Beware the Wild #2
Published by HarperTeen on 2/23/16
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Gothic, Mystery & Detective, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Candace “Candy” Pickens has been obsessed with the swamp lore of her tiny Louisiana town for . . . forever. Name any ghostly swamp figure and Candy will recite the entire tale in a way that will curl your toes and send chills up your spine.

That doesn’t mean Candy’s a believer, however. Even though she and her friends entered the swamp at the start of summer and left it changed, Candy’s the only one who can’t see or feel the magical swamp Shine. She’s also the only one who can’t see the ghosts that have been showing up and spooking everyone in town ever since. So Candy concentrates on other things—real things. Like fighting with her mother and plotting her escape from her crazy town.

But ghosts aren’t the only newcomers in Sticks, Louisiana. The King family arrives like a hurricane: in a blur and unwanted—at least by Candy. Mr. King is intent on filming the rumored ghostly activity for his hit TV show, Local Haunts. And while Candy can’t ignore how attracted she is to eighteen-year-old Gage King and how much his sister, Nova, wants to be friends, she’s still suspicious of the King family.

As Candy tries to figure out why the Kings are really in town and why the swamp that had previously cast her aside now seems to be invading every crack in her logical, cynical mind, she stumbles across the one piece of swamp lore she didn’t know. It’s a tale that’s more truth than myth, and may have all the answers . . . and its roots are in Candy’s own family tree.

This book is exactly what I needed to get me out of my slump! Candace Is such a strong character I loved getting to see everything from her point of view. Getting to read about all of my favorite characters again like Sterling and Abigail. So many things happened in this book that had me on the edge of my seat. I was so happy to be reading another book about Sticks and the way Parker brings this world to life and weaves all of the creepiness is amazing!

What I Liked

~ Getting to be in Candy’s head

~ The mystery surrounding the ghost that are all of a sudden coming from the swamp and the King family

~ The friendship that Candy, Sterling, and Abigail have #FriendshipGoals

~ Finding out about Candy and her connection to the swamp

What I didn’t Like

~Nothing! Everything was amazing!

Favorite Quotes

~ Sterling trots along beside me muttering half sentences I don’t understand. “Cut that out before we get up there, Saucier,” I chide. “You sound cracked.”

~ ” Five minutes in town and you’re already running with the worst. I don’t know if I should compliment you or condemn you.”

Plus many more!

Overall

This was definitely one of my most anticipated books of 2016 and it doesn’t disappoint! I love the characters and the ending was great and something I wasn’t expecting. I just hope that there’s another book in the series and its about Abigail! This book is a definite must!!!

SmileRatings SmileRatings SmileRatings SmileRatings SmileRatings

 

REIGN OF SHADOWS By Sophie Jordan

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.

REIGN OF SHADOWS By Sophie JordanReign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan
Series: Reign of Shadows #1
Published by HarperTeen on 2/9/16
Genres: Action & Adventure, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Fantasy & Magic, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok's lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna's survival depends on the world believing she is dead.

But that doesn't stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.

With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.

I really love Sophie Jordan and her writing. Reign of Shadows presents a very unique world where people live in darkness and in fear of the monsters that lurk. Luna has been hiding in the tower all her life. Keeping her identity a secret after the world has been cloaked in an almost permanent eclipse.
 I really enjoyed learning about Luna. She was a strong heroine completely capable of handling herself in fighting situations. A bit stubborn in situations and definitely proud of who she is and what she’s been forced to endure during her lifetime. Of course being cooped up all her life in the tower. And it’s no surprise she wants to venture out. But you can imagine that doesn’t turn out well for her and she finds herself on the run after her tower is invaded and those she was raised by are taken from her. It’s nice to see how she grows for the duration of this book. She isn’t quite the same person, by the end of the book. She’d never been away from her tower for so long and so far, and the experiences Outside have changed her. And yet, she still has all of her internal light and goodness. Fowler is our other protagonist. This book is written in first-person dual POV, switching between Luna and Fowler. I liked both of their POV’s. Fowler is gruff and stern and serious, and he has secrets of his own. He doesn’t let anyone past his walls, and he doesn’t show much emotion. He doesn’t want to be Luna’s friend but when he’s saved by Luna, he has a bit of debt to her. Fowler is the way he is because of life in the eclipse; he’s hardened and determined to find a better life in Allu, free of dwellers (creatures that started to appear after the eclipse).
The world is very different in this fantasy, its not like an other fantasy I’ve read before.
The pacing of the book is fast with lots of action and it didn’t take long to read I breezed through it.
Of course I need to read the next book! That ending and huge cliffhanger left me wanting more. There’s no way you will not want to read on once you see what happens.
SmileRatings SmileRatings SmileRatings SmileRatings

THE NIGHT WE SAID YES by Lauren Gibaldi

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

THE NIGHT WE SAID YES by Lauren GibaldiThe Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi
Published by HarperTeen on 6/15/15
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Source: Owlcrate
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over a no-good ex-boyfriend. Graduate from high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida, where she’s lived her entire life.But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player who just moved to town—was never part of that plan.And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying “yes” to every crazy, fun thing they could think of.Then Matt abruptly left town, and he broke not only Ella’s heart but those of their best friends, too. So when he shows up a year later with a plan of his own—to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn’t sure whether Matt’s worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future.In alternating then and now chapters, debut author Lauren Gibaldi crafts a charming, romantic story of first loves, lifelong friendships, uncovered secrets, and, ultimately, finding out how to be brave.

I really liked this book! Lauren Gibaldi’s The Night We Said Yes was perfect for me because I was kind of in a slump.  It was just the right length and interesting enough to keep my attention. The Night We Said Yes goes between the past and the present and that usually bothers me but this time it didn’t. This book had such an interesting premise. Ella is at a party and Matt her ex-boyfriend comes out of nowhere and decides he wants to relive a night from their past, the night they said yes. This story was genius!  I mean who wouldn’t want to relive a night where they said yes to everything.  I also liked learning more about Ella and her friends and also her relationship with Matt through the flashbacks. I honestly would love to do this with my friends one night just saying yes to everything that’s reasonable and we can’t say no it just sounds like so much fun. This book was short, sweet, and I loved the characters. This is a great book to read especially in the summer. I would recommend this book to my friends, all of my friends! Everyone should just go buy this book hahaha.

SmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatings

SmileRatingsSmileRatings

BETWEEN THE NOTES by Sharon Huss Roat

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

BETWEEN THE NOTES by Sharon Huss RoatBetween the Notes by Sharon Huss Roat
Published by HarperTeen Genres: Contemporary
Buy on Amazon

ReviewedbyDani

Ivy Emerson used to live in a wealthy neighborhood, but when her father’s investment went wrong, she was forced to give up everything – including her beloved piano – and move to Lakeside, the wrong side of town, with her family. She was ashamed of this and she made up lies.  However, as time goes on her lies begin to unravel. Here, Ivy learned to embrace what has happened to her family and live with it.
Between the Notes is a gripping and very relatable.  The way was written is just great!I loved how this book was not only about romance, but also about family, friendship, and learning more about oneself. At first Ivy was bitter and created lies, but she still took care of her family, especially her special-needs brother. Later on, Ivy learned to embrace her situation and had the courage to tell the truth to those who were judgemental of her. I also loved Ivy and Reesa’s friendship because it showed how in every friendship, there are fights, but if you’re really friends, it will all work out in the end.

I also loved the relationship Lennie and Ivy had. She was unsure of him because of his reputation but as the book progressed she really got to know him and realized you shouldn’t believe everything you hear.

 

This debut novel by Sharon Huss Roat is amazing and I’d recommend it!

SmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsSmileRatingsHalf