Reader's Candy : 2015

Friday, December 11, 2015

Menagerie by Rachel Vincent

When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah in her black swan burlesque costume is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town.

But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed.

Renowned author Rachel Vincent weaves an intoxicating blend of carnival magic and startling humanity in this intricately woven and powerful tale.

AMAZON LINK- http://amzn.to/1TGgxmI

MY THOUGHTS:

5/5 STARS

Menagerie is about a young woman that's made out to be a monster and sold to the traveling "human/cryptid circus". She's locked in a cage and left to ponder what she is and how she can save those around her. The more she learns about the others, the more involved she becomes. Gallagher, her handler, is stern and professional, but as she wears him down she sees that he just may be the key to freedom.

This book had a way of pulling me in and captivating my every sense. I could see the scenes being played out in my mind, hear the harshness in Gallagher demands, taste the stale cage air, and feel the emotions seeping from the pages. I felt committed to the words and devoted to the characters. The more I read, the more I fell deeper into the dark story.

The Menagerie world is not for those with a weak heart. There is abuse, rape, and just plain ugly hatred. Beyond the broken facades are people searching for freedom and their families. Each cryptid is hurting and the bruises on the outside aren't nearly as painful as the inner ones. What you have to come to terms with while reading is the fact that without all of the ugly you wouldn't get the beautiful. It truly was an epic read that is going on the top of my 2015 favorites list for sure!

*Note* To the people uneasy over the "no romance" thing... You have to consider the setting and the plot. Open up your eyes in the darkness and find the love within in the cracks. I strongly prefer romance in my reads and this one met all of my cravings. I found the romance in subtle gestures and genuine acts of kindness. So if you're thinking about passing on this one due to a lack of romance... Be real and give it a chance. I think you will find yourself quite pleased with how everything unfolds.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Black City by Elizabeth Richards

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable--they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash's long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they're caught, they'll be executed--but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

- http://amzn.to/1IEVFMd

MY THOUGHTS:

5/5 STARS

This book blew me away. It was fast paced, edgy, suspenseful, and romantic in the most intense way. It's a dystopian that involves a war between humans and darklings or more like a war between a few "well off" humans and everyone else. Natalie (the main character) is in an unfortunate position because she is the emissasary's daughter. Therefore, she is expected to be anti-darklings. She is torn on what to trust though and when Ash comes into her life her views are completely altered. She starts to feel something she shouldn't. She finds herself wrapped up in a forbidden relationship. Her heart wants one thing, but her mind knows that that one thing is a very bad idea. It's a dangerous kind of love that ends in turmoil or.... just another war.

I honestly can't say enough good things. I can't believe I left this book sitting unread for months... That ending rocked my world and wrecked my sanity. I became emotionally connected to the characters for sure. I felt bitter at times, but overall I mostly felt entranced. Black City was a book to not miss. It was unique and beautiful. I literally could've sat and highlighted quotes for days. The Author definitely had a way with words. She captured my heart and pulled me into the story. Even though it's over I still want to be within the pages. I need book two... like now.

MUST READ EVERYONE- LOVED IT!

The Family by Marissa Kennerson

Just like any average seventeen year old, Twig loves her family. She has a caring mother and a controlling father. Her brothers are sisters are committed to her family’s prosperity…

All one hundred and eighty three of them.

Twig lives in the Family, a collective society located in the rainforest of Costa Rica. The Family members coexist with the values of complete openness and honesty, and a shared fear of contagious infection in the outside world.

So when Adam, their Father, prophet, and savior, announces that Twig will be his new bride, she is overjoyed and honored. But when an injury forces her to leave the grounds, Twig finds that the world outside is not necessarily as toxic as she was made to believe. When she meets Leo, an American boy with a killer smile, she begins to question everything about her life within the Family, and the cult to which she belongs.

But when it comes to your Family, you don’t always get a choice.

- http://amzn.to/1NVzKCG

MY THOUGHTS:

5/5 STARS

I needed something different... A change of pace from my normal reading, and this one provided just that. Talk about a whole new book world. The Family crawled under my skin and burrowed deep within my soul. It uprooted thoughts and left my feelings uneasy.

The life of the collective is tragic and brutal. Basically everyone worships Adam, the leader and thinks they deserve punishment when they don't follow "the rules".They all believe that infection will consume them if they leave and are very content in confinement. All but the main character Twig that is... When she gets into an accident and is taken to a hospital all her views are altered. Nothing is as she expected. People explain how infection spreads and helps her to see that maybe everything she knows is based on lies. When she returns to the collective she struggles with the new found knowledge and starts to crave whats on the outside. Through brutal punishments and belittling, Twig tries to hold it together long enough to hopefully be freed. It's a long shot, but she doesn't give up through the final page.

I'm not even sure how the Author came up with such a gut wrenching, real feeling story. I felt like I was trapped in the jungle with Twig. Tears streamed down my face at one part and I had to stop reading to catch my breath at the end. It was all consuming. My heart ached for the lifestyle she lived. It made me appreciate my freedom and it opened my eyes to what may be living within our world. The writing was great and the story line was fast paced. I definitely recommend it to every reader with an open mind.

*A slight warning though....* You will want the next book- There is a slight cliffy.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Indie Bookfest Gift Guide

Ready for some help with your holiday shopping? Stock up those new kindles or get some paperbacks for under the tree. Support these Indie authors for your book buying needs.

Learn all about Indie BookFest, which takes place in Orlando October 7, 8, & 9 2016.

(click on the picture to purchase)

FREE BOOKS!