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The Mark of Athena
The Mark of Athena
Rick Riordan | 2013 | Children
10
8.9 (14 Ratings)
Book Rating
Book Three in the Heroes of Olympus series did not disappoint! I have to admit that out of all Rick Riordan's series this has been my least favorite, but I really enjoyed this installment. It is literally a cliffhanger...if that cliff is hanging over Tartarus & is under a parking lot in Rome that is!
All the characters have matured nicely and I have to say that was a pleasant surprise. Percy & Annabeth's relationship has followed the same line. But despite all the characters in the book, I have to say my favorite is Leo Valdez; the brainiac of the demigods. He was very funny in this book & easy to like. His personality was developed a lot more throughout this story so the reader gets to know him on another level.
As for the plot, a war breaks out between the Greek & Roman camps thanks to some nasty spirits taking over Leo. Despite this, the 7 demigods & Coach Hedge, the satyr, must embark on a mission to unite the 2 camps & prevent Gaea & her giants from destroying the world. Needless to say, it isn't easy & they run amok of quite a few gods & monsters on the way.
I am really looking forward to seeing how Riordan wraps up this series!! I have a sinking feeling that it may be the end of Percy Jackson though...
  
Dalysian Struggle (Dalysia #2)
Dalysian Struggle (Dalysia #2)
Jamie Summer | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dalysian Struggle (Dalysia #2) by Jamie Summer
Dalysian Struggle continues with Sophie as the champion for the Dalysians, even though there are many who doubt her capabilities - including herself! She made it through the test, and now she has to face the Trials, including the Cetoan's and their champion.

This book is a doozy, and it does end on a cliffhanger from hell, so consider this fair warning! The story is intricate, and yet flows easily. The characters are all completely believable, whether you like them or not. The pacing is consistent, and yet you find yourself tensing up as you near the end.

I love where Jamie Summer has taken this story, although she did have me worried there for a while (#TeamRen all the way!). However, being kept constantly on my toes, not knowing where the story was taking me, certainly kept my interest, and I was completely taken with Sophie's story, and what would happen next.

What will happen next? Well, I sit waiting so impatiently for the next book. I need to know what happens next. Absolutely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Red Queen
Red Queen
Victoria Aveyard | 2015 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (64 Ratings)
Book Rating
Plot (1 more)
Characters
Slow Start (0 more)
So Many Plot Twists!
THE PLOT TWISTS IN THIS BOOK GAVE ME WHIPLASH!


My poor, poor heart has been put through the ringer with this book! I was apprehensive about this book, I had heard mixed reviews and it honestly took me a while to get into it but I am so glad I stuck with it because it got so much better! There was one plot twist that took me by surprise and then there was another one! AND THEN THERE WAS A THIRD PLOT TWIST AS WELL! It also ended on a cliffhanger because, of course it did!

Fans of The Hunger Games will definitely enjoy this! It is similar, but I found that there were enough differences that it didn't feel like an exact copy.


I will say that you should be prepared to find it a bit slow at times, but honestly the second half of this book is so action packed and fast paced it makes it so worth it!


I need to read the sequel immediately! I hope it's just as good!


As an added bonus, the physical hardcover is beautiful, the end papers are pretty and the dust jacket is shimmery! Plus in all the editions there is a map which I always like in books!
  
I had never read Lemony Snicket before, and honestly, I probably won't again. This audio book wasn't a bad experience per se… it was odd. I guess with a name like Lemony Snicket, you have to be odd.

First, he used his own name as the name of the main character. I'm not sure if he did this to allow for getting into the characters head, or if he just couldn't think of anything else at the time and then forgot to change it later, but it was strange and somewhat distracting.

Second, Although it was exciting and interesting, it certainly didn't have me sitting on the edge of my seat, anxiously awaiting the next word. I was too busy thinking and trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

Third, the writing wasn't bad, but again, it was odd. I really don't know how else to describe it. Maybe it's an acquired taste… if you can acquire tastes for writing voices.

I liked the characters, the plot was good, and it worked itself out well in the end with just enough of a cliffhanger to make me curious about the next book, but honestly, I probably won't be waiting outside Books-a-Million at midnight waiting for the release.

Content/Recommendation: Clean, ages 14-adult
  
TH
The Housewife
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Book Insight: Diane is a wife and doting mother that has been through a lot, and after a recent breakdown her memory seems to have blocked quite a bit out. So much so that it starts interfering with her day to day life. She starts forgetting simple tasks and finds sleep doesn't come easily anymore. Is something dark going on right under her nose? Or is she losing her mind and headed for another breakdown?

WOW!!!! An EXCELLENT story with a great plot and well developed characters!
I found this to be an absolute gem of a novel. The plot gives a slow-building, creeping sense that something isn't quite right.
The author has taken a situation, a day in the life of a housewife and turned it inside-out and upside-down. I found myself reminded of the old 1944 Ingrid Bergman film Gaslight. The difference in the two though is the constant twists and turns of the plot with the characters. You think you have it all figured out but you really don't.
I honestly did not know which way things were going to swing for Diane until the very end and the ending was just a real cliffhanger for me.
I will definitely be following this author as her books are just amazing!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this wonderful ARC.
  
A Dark and Twisting Path
A Dark and Twisting Path
Julia Buckley | 2018 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Lena’s Path Continues to be Enjoyably Twisty
Lena London and Camilla Graham have just returned from their first joint book tour when Lena gets a call from her friend Allison. Allison has found a dead body on the edge of her property. Lena goes over to be with Allison only to recognize the letter opener sticking out of the victim as one she gave her boyfriend Sam. Who is trying to frame him for murder now?

After the second book in the series, I was anxious to see what would happen to these characters next and how the cliffhanger would be resolved. I’m thrilled to say I was very satisfied with how things developed here, and I am confident that fans of the series will be as well. If you aren’t familiar with the series, it borrows heavily from Gothic stories, so this isn’t a typical cozy plot, but that doesn’t make for a bad story in the slightest. The pages turned all too quickly. I was annoyed by some timeline issues early on, but those were minor overall. Lena is a strong heroine, and the rest of the cast are charming and eccentric. If you haven’t started this series yet, I recommend it; I just don’t recommend you start here. You really need the previous two books to fully appreciate what happens here.
  
S(
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The most recent (as of the time of writing this review) of [a: Kevin Hearne|4414255|Kevin Hearne|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1289238438p2/4414255.jpg]'s 'Iron Druid series, which deals in a large part with 'daddy issues', and with the consequences Atticus faces for choosing to become the Iron Druid (iron, remember, is anathema to the faery races).

Since the start of the series, the number of Druids walking the earth has now trebled: no longer is there Atticus alone, but we now also have his apprentice Granuaile (sp?), as well as his old mentor who now goes by the name Owen Kennedy after being pulled off a time island at the start of this, after Atticus discovered him there at the end of the previous novel ([b: Hunted|17571837|Hunted|Karen Robards|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386557434s/17571837.jpg|24510885]).

As before, this is told in the first person narrative, largely taking it turns split between the (now three) main characters. Comic relief, as always, is provided by Atticus and Granuaile's trusty canine companions Oberon and Orlaith respectively, who the three main characters are able to communicate telepathically with. Also, as before, this ends on a decided cliffhanger to set up the next novel: one that I will, without a doubt, be picking up when it comes out.
  
Speak of the Devil (Broken Halos #2)
Speak of the Devil (Broken Halos #2)
Maya Daniels | 2019 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Speak of the Devil (Broken Halos #2) by Maya Daniels
Speak of the Devil is the second book in the Broken Halos series, and we reunite with Hel and Eric. Hel is being held prisoner by Michael, as Eric desperately searches for her. Help comes from an unexpected source, and Hel is freed. Of course, it doesn't stop there, because then it would be a very short book. Instead, Hel starts gaining new powers, Eric has to tune down his monster-mash rage, they have sexy times, oh, and try to find Hector before he loses any further body parts.

Hel's attitude is as sassy as ever, and I love how she goes toe to toe with Eric. Maddison is a blast, although I know there is more to her than meets the eye. Raphael has a story he doesn't want to share, which just makes me want it all the more. All in all, this is a non-stop read, full of action and chaos.

Ending on a cliffhanger (just like book one), this will definitely leave you wanting more. A great second book, and definitely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!