Cruel Beauty (Cruel Beauty Universe #1) by Rosamund Hodge

Publication: January 28, 2014

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Source: Bought/Own

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny. Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him. With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people. But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle—a shifting maze of magical rooms—enthralls her. As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

Cruel Beauty is a re-telling of Beauty and Beast. It revolves around Nyx and how she is trained to kill the Gentle Lord (aka Ignifex). Who happens to be the man she is supposed to marry thanks to a deal her father made in order to save her mother. It turns out that when someone makes a deal with Ignifex, there always seems to be a twist to it and things never really work out the way they hope.

Nyx is resentful of having to be the one to make this kind of sacrifice. She knows that she may never come back home. Once she meets Ignifex, she finds him intriguing, but knows that her job is to kill him.

But there is more to Ignifex than she thought. And the castle they live in is ever-changing...literally. So figuring out the answers she needs in order to rid the village of the Gentle Lord is more challenging than she anticipated. And for all of her training, she did not expect to fall for him. So her heart is conflicted….

Nyx was an interesting character to get to know. She is smart and strong, but not without some flaws. When I started the book, I wasn’t sure that I was going to like her even a little bit. I thought she was going to be super whiny, but it turned out that she wasn’t and I ended up liking her character a lot.

I really enjoyed reading this story. Ever since ACOTAR, I have been on a fairy tale retelling kick. Apart from that one, Uprooted is my second favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling. But where that book lacked in the romance I was looking for, Cruel Beauty more than made up for it. Though it would have been nice if there had been a little more plotting, and a little more action in the story. Either way, I did like it. It started off a little slowly for me, but the writing was well done, and I liked the world building. I never got bored with the story and it kept my interest from beginning to end.

“We'll both be foolish," I said, "and vicious and cruel. We will never be safe with each other." "Don't try too hard to be cheerful." His fingers threaded through mine. "But we'll pretend we know how to love." I smiled at him. "And someday we'll learn."

RATING: 4 out of 5.

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Waiting On Wednesday #43

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. The goal is to spotlight upcoming books that I am super excited for.

This week I am waiting on Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke (Prisoner of Night & Fog #2) by Anne Blankman.

Publication: April 21, 2015

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

The girl known as Gretchen Whitestone has a secret: She used to be part of Adolf Hitler’s inner circle. More than a year after she made an enemy of her old family friend and fled Munich, she lives with a kindly English family, posing as an ordinary German immigrant, and is preparing to graduate from high school. Her love, Daniel Cohen, is a reporter in town. For the first time in her life, Gretchen is content. But then, Daniel gets a telegram that sends him back to Germany, and Gretchen’s world turns upside-down. And when she receives word that Daniel is wanted for murder, she has to face the danger she thought she’d escaped-and return to her homeland. Gretchen must do everything she can to avoid capture and recognition, even though saving Daniel will mean consorting with her former friends, the Nazi elite. And as they work to clear Daniel’s name, Gretchen and Daniel discover a deadly conspiracy stretching from the slums of Berlin to the Reichstag itself. Can they dig up the explosive truth and get out in time-or will Hitler discover them first?

I love this cover, it is so gorgeous! After enjoying the first book, I am excited to see what else is in store for Gretchen.

What are you excited for this week???

FFBC Blog Tour/Giveaway: Prisoner of Night & Fog by Anne Blankman

Thanks for joining me on my stop for The Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman Blog Tour! Hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club.

Release Date: April 22, 2014

Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins

In 1930s Munich, danger lurks behind dark corners, and secrets are buried deep within the city. But Gretchen Müller, who grew up in the National Socialist Party under the wing of her "uncle" Dolf, has been shielded from that side of society ever since her father traded his life for Dolf's, and Gretchen is his favorite, his pet. Uncle Dolf is none other than Adolf Hitler. And Gretchen follows his every command. Until she meets a fearless and handsome young Jewish reporter named Daniel Cohen. Gretchen should despise Daniel, yet she can't stop herself from listening to his story: that her father, the adored Nazi martyr, was actually murdered by an unknown comrade. She also can't help the fierce attraction brewing between them, despite everything she's been taught to believe about Jews. As Gretchen investigates the very people she's always considered friends, she must decide where her loyalties lie. Will she choose the safety of her former life as a Nazi darling, or will she dare to dig up the truth—even if it could get her and Daniel killed? From debut author Anne Blankman comes this harrowing and evocative story about an ordinary girl faced with the extraordinary decision to give up everything she's ever believed . . . and to trust her own heart instead.

Prisoner of Night and Fog was everything I was expecting it to be and more. Set against the backdrop of Munich during the 1930’s. The story chronicles Gretchen who lives with her older brother named Reinhard and her mother who runs the boarding house they currently live in.  Gretchen is known as the martyrs’ daughter after her father was killed eight years ago when he bravely tried to protect Adolf Hitler from being shot at.

Growing up, Gretchen has been taught how to think and behave. She has never really questioned things, until an incident involving her brother, his friend, and a Jewish man stirs up emotions and doubt. She struggles with doing what she has learnt to be right versus being brave and doing what she knows to be right in her heart.

I loved Gretchen. She is a little naïve, but she is also bright, ambitious, and has courage.  Her relationship with Daniel, a Jewish reporter was one of my favorite moments to read.  From the very beginning, I could tell I would enjoy seeing these two together.

All of the characters were unique and added a great depth to the story. The writing was really good, and it was easy to see that the author did her research for this novel. The way she intertwined historical facts with her own unique storyline was a job well done. I’ve always liked historical fiction, yet this time period is one I don’t often read about, but from the onset my interest was piqued. I was happy to have taken a chance on this novel and even happier to discover that there will be a second book releasing after this one. 

RATING: 4½ out of 5.

**I received this book on behalf of the Publisher in exchange for nothing but my honest opinion. Thank you**

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anne Blankman may have been meant to be a writer because her parents named her for Anne of Green Gables. She grew up in an old house with gables (gray, unfortunately) in upstate New York. When she wasn't writing or reading, she was rowing on the crew team, taking ballet lessons, fencing and swimming. She graduated from Union College with degrees in English and history, which comes in handy when she writes historical fiction.

After earning a master's degree in information science, Anne began working as a youth services librarian. Currently, she lives in southeastern Virginia with her family. When she's not writing young adult fiction, she's playing with her daughter, training for races with her husband, working at her amazing library branch, learning to knit (badly), and reading.

Anne Blankman is the author of PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG, the first in a three-book deal slated for publication in spring 2014 from Balzer + Bray | HarperCollins. She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.

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Waiting on Wednesday # 21

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. The goal is to spotlight upcoming books that I am super excited for.

This week I am waiting on Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch.

Expected Publication: October 14, 2014

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making. Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since. Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own. Sara Raasch’s debut fantasy is a lightning-fast tale of loyalty, love, and finding one’s destiny.

This cover is soooo incredibly gorgeous! Hopefully the story inside will be just as awesome. I love a story with adventure and tough female characters. Snow Like Ashes sounds like it offers that and much more. Unfortunately it doesn’t release until October, so I have several months to await its release, but I’m hoping October will get here quickly. J

This is what I am anticipating right now. What book are you looking forward to this week??

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine Blog Tour & Giveaway

Book Details:

The Promise Of Amazing

by Robin Constantine

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: December 31st, 2013

Thanks for joining me on my leg of the tour for The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine Blog Tour Hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club.

There is a giveaway at the bottom to win a signed copy of the book, so be sure to enter!!

Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how. Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how. One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.

Wren was a very likeable character right off the bat.  She is just a normal teen in high school; worrying about getting a prom date, friends, college, and all that fun stuff.  She wasn’t obnoxious or stupid. That was the main reason that I liked her, because she was like your average teen, with the same issues real teens go through.

Her love interest, Grayson, was so-so to me. I don’t think that I was completely sold on him as I would have liked. He is popular, likes attention, and way over confident.  And I didn’t really see why Wren was so drawn to him.

Their love developed rather instantly, which I am not always a big fan of. But apart from that, they did seem to have a nice connection. And there were some incredibly sweet moments between these two that I really enjoyed reading.

It has been a while since I have read a regular YA contemporary romance, so this was a nice change of pace from the mystery/thriller books I have been reading lately.

The cover and the premise of The Promise of Amazing, caught my attention as soon as I spotted it on Goodreads. It looked totally adorable.  And while it may seem like your same typical boy meets girl YA contemporary love story, I still enjoyed the story as a whole.

RATING: 3½ OUT OF 5.

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_________

About the Author: ROBIN CONSTANTINE

Robin Constantine is a born and bred Jersey girl who moved down South so she could wear flip-flops year round. She spends her days dreaming up stories where love conquers all, well, eventually but not without a lot of peril, angst and the occasional kissing scene.

Her YA debut, THE PROMISE OF AMAZING, will be released in 2014 by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Website: http://robinconstantine.com

Blog: http://robinconstantine.blogspot.com.es

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.constantine.3?ref=ts&fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RConstantine14

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Book Review: Born of Illusion by Teri Brown

Publication Date: June 11, 2013

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

ANNA VAN HOUSEN HAS A SECRET. A gifted illusionist, Anna assists her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage shows and seances, easily navigating the underground world of magicians and mentalists in 1920s New York. For Anna, the illegitimate daughter of Harry Houdini - or so Marguerite claims - handcuffs and sleight-of-hand illusions have never been much of a challenge. The real trick is keeping her own gifts secret from her mother: because while Marguerite's power may be a sham, Anna possesses a true ability to sense people's feelings and foretell the future. But as Anna's powers intensify, she experiences frightening visions of her mother in peril, which lead her to explore the abilities she's tried so long to hide. And when a mysterious young man named Cole moves into the flat downstairs, introducing Anna to a society that studies people with gifts like hers, she begins to wonder if there's more to life than keeping secrets. As her visions become darker and her powers spin out of her control, Anna is forced to rethink all she's ever known. Is her mother truly in danger, or are Anna's visions merely illusions? And could the great Houdini really be her father, or is it just another of Marguerite's tricks? From Teri Brown comes a world bursting with magic, with romance, with the temptations of Jazz Age New York --- and the story of a girl about to become the mistress of her own destiny.

I don’t know what it is about the roaring 1920’s that appeal to me so much. But as soon as I see a book is set in that time period, I immediately picture, speakeasies, jazz music, flappers, and short haircuts. The 1920’s always seemed liked a fun and exciting time to live in. So for me reading about it is the next best thing. 

In Born of Illusion Anna is a very talented magician who recently moved to New York with her mom. She loves to perform in front of a crowd. Magic really does appear to be her true calling.  Anna and her mother do a show together thanks to the assistance of a manager that Anna doesn’t care that much for.  This mother/daughter relationship is anything but easy and carefree; more like complicated and inconsistent.

Anna’s mom is unfeeling and shows signs of jealously over Anna’s talent when it looks like they might outshine her own. Her mom loves the spotlight and I got the impression that she would do whatever she had to do to be number one, even if that meant pushing Anna out of the way.

Even though Anna believes that her mom doesn’t care that much for her, she still loves her mom. And soon Anna becomes concerned over her mom’s safety after she begins to suffer vivid and powerful visions about her mom.

There is some romance in the story. I like a little romance from time to time, especially in historical fiction.  But what I do not like are love triangles, which is something that occurs in this story. I can understand wanting to have conflict for the character, but does it have to be in the form of a love triangle? The indecisiveness started to become annoying.

Apart from that I thought that the plot was unique, the writing was well done, and the characters were interesting. I hoped that Houdini would have played a bigger part in the story though, especially since Anna is supposedly his illegitimate daughter.

I would recommend Born of Illusion to readers who enjoy historical fiction mixed with magic, and romance/love triangles.

 

Rating: 4 out of 5.

 

**I received this book on behalf of Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins in exchange for nothing, but my honest opinion. Thank you.**

 

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