ThePassionateBookworm1

Cursed - Jennifer L. Armentrout Jennifer Armentrout is an Author that won my heart the moment I opened Obsidian ( Book #1 in the Lux series ) I then went on to read EVERY book I could find of hers. And loved them all. They were all so unique, and full of ideas I hadn't really touched on much in YA.


That was a bit of what let me down with Cursed :/ The "touch of death" theme is something I have seen multiple times. There were a few unique aspects to the story that I enjoyed and held me through, but in the back of my head I kept thinking " read it, read it, read it. "


Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed Cursed. 3 stars is NOT a bad rating. It just wasn't as amazing as I wanted.


Things that I liked about Cursed were:


The characters! Ember was such a strong character and person. Having gone what she has, and SURVIVING, holding on and still fighting for a good life for her and her sister, it's a trait I love to see in YA books.


Her sister Oliva was freaking ADORABLE. I mean really.. I feel for Ember..How do you say " no, you can't raise your dead hampster Squeaky back from the dead." to a face like that!

- I was heartbroken that Oliva wasn't more present in the story. She was always in the background, and topic of conversation, But I feel like she wasn't actually ACTIVE in the story as much as I would have liked.

Then there was Hayden ... ooh Hayden >.< I feel like I was able to feel Ember's emotions right along with her. You can't help but fall for Hayden.. but there is always a little bit of.. hesitation. With good reason!


I also really enjoyed the pacing in this story, starts out light, and gradually grows to an explosive ending!


My only real problem was that I couldn't get over the " read it " feeling. But not everyone may feel that way! I do recommend Cursed, as I would recommend ANY Jennifer Armentrout books. I would just say if you have already read some "touch of death" stories, be a bit wary.. but if it interests you? GO FOR IT.

Rating 3.5/5
Acheron - Sherrilyn Kenyon I reRead this book at least once it year.. it just gives me all the feels >.< and gets me revved up to read more awesome books!
Sweet Venom - Tera Lynn Childs Torn yet again. Liked it... Didn't LOVE it.. But curious to see where the story goes.
Brightest Kind of Darkness (Brightest Kind of Darkness, #1) - P.T. Michelle,  Patrice Michelle Seriously torn.. I enjoyed the first 1/2 of the story.. and then I just felt.. confused and overloaded :/ .. letting it sit with me for a few days.. may change rating..
Hysteria - Megan Miranda Megan Miranda has created two of the rare contemporary YA's that I could not put down! Hysteria had me in..w ell.. Hysterics! Loved it. Full review to come
City of Bones  - Cassandra Clare Sorry guys, I wanted to love it. But it just didn't totally do it for me :/ and really didn't like some of the stuff in the ending! .. but.. I will give book #2 a try sometime in the future - full review to come..
Onyx - Jennifer L. Armentrout Swoon.. Grrr... AHHHHH - My gosh.. this book had me feeling ALL THE FEELS Loved it
ReAwakened (Angel Creek, #2) - Ada Adams ReAwakened did not disappoint! Full of Action, Intrigue and romance, with the perfect blend of sarcasm and wit! Ada Adams created a story that had my emotions rolling!

In ReAwaked, readers get a change to learn the backstories of the misfits and a few other characters. It was wonderful to learn their histories and see how it affected them after they were turned! The new character Ada brought in will have readers swooning and laughing at the same time. She has a knack for creating characters with quirky personalities that you cannot help but fall in love with!

" Team Sebastian " better watch out! Seb has some competition for both Dawn and Readers hearts!

I dare to say that I loved ReAwakened even MORE than ReVamped ! And if any of you recall my fangirling over book #1.. you will understand that that is a bold statement ;)

ReAwakened is going to surprise readers. It's going to bring their hopes up, then slam them down. It's going to have them laughing one moment, and crying the next.

If you have read and loved ReVamped.... you need to get ReAwakened... YESTERDAY! And if you haven't read ReVamped? ........ Move away from the blog... and get to shopping! :D
Ashes of Twilight - Kassy Tayler I REALLY liked it! And already passed it on :D Full review to come! Kinda... a more adult version of City of ember? - Not that City of ember isn't awesome! Just givin an idea for the feel :)
Summer In Salem (Electi #1) - Brina Courtney Reading Summer in Salem was like drinking a cup of hot cocoa on a drizzley winter morning ; A bit sad, but comforting.

I found myself relating well to the MC Teagan ( and also being completely envious of her name ;) , her artistic aspirations, and her near inability to move on from the past.. even when a gorgeous future is standing right in front of her. But also her abolity to realize that sometimes.. even if it's uncomfortable or scary, you need to stand up straight, and be responsible if it means making a difference.


I enjoyed how the story was so firmly set in a non magical world, and then the magic slowly slithered its' way in at a comfortable pace. Letting readers learn about it right alongside Teagan. The side characters were likeable, even if they were few.. and I wish I had gotten to learn a little more about them! Lark was a favorite of mine and I can't wait to see how Author Brina Courtney grows her character more in book #2.


There were a few moments where it felt like Teagan was a little too accepting of everything that was getting thrown at her. I think I would have questioned more. But at the same time I was reminded now and again how she was born into magic, and felt a natural connection to it, even if she wasn't entirely sure if she believed at all. That made it feel more believable for me.


Brina Courtney has a way of creating characters and stories that I cannot help but latch on to. Simple, Elegant and intriguing. I think many readers will end up like me.. holding the book open in their hands, mouth agape.. wishing there was even .. just.. one more chapter to read...
The Mermaid's Mirror - L.K. Madigan It got better in the second half.. But for the most part I had a hard time continuing to read. It was slow and I just wanted them to get underwater already!
Tiger's Voyage - Colleen Houck Ooooh it's getting Dicey ! LOVE IT!
The Raft - S.A. Bodeen Omg so good! Intense and addicting!
Their Promise - Brina Courtney I have been a Brina Courtney fan ever since I read the first Chapter of reveal ( #1 in the Crypid tales series ), and then wanted to bow at her feet when I finished Capture. So it's no surprise that I was jumping on the bandwagon to check out her first YA contemporary!

Now.. I am not a contemporary fan to be honest. Mostly just because... well it's too.. real! I tend to be an emotional person and get really sucked into the stories and end up far too attached.


BUT this was Brina's writing and I had to give it a shot.


Cried, glared at the pages, shook my fists. And wished for more!

I will always hesitate when opening a contemporary book. But I have faith now that if Brina Courtney is writing it, I won't be disappointed, and all the emotions will be well worth it.

It is a heartbreaking story that will have you totally invested in the characters. The only downfall is that it is a novella! I want more Brina! MORE haha. I cannot wait to see what else this Author has in store for us readers. Whether it be paranormal or contemporary, I will be waiting in line.
Everblue - Brenda Pandos I finished it start to finish, one sitting. Does that begin to explain how much I loved it!? Full review to come!
The Selection - Kiera Cass I'm surprised at how much I seriously LOVED this book. I had to pick it back up every chance I got !

Reading The Selection by Kiera Cass was like... Falling onto a giant bed with a feather comforter.. covered in far too many feather pillows. It felt wonderfully indulgent, comforting. Like I was being papered.. Does that make sense? I felt like.. such a girl! That statement is in no way meant to be a complaint. I loved every moment of it.

I sank into the story and sighed. Indulging my girly side by imagining each and every beautifully detailed gown. Smiling over America and Mason's witty banter. Holding my breath as Mason made his decisions, shaking my finger at him *in my head of course* as he made wrong ones. And anxiously awaiting how it all played out.

Kiera Cass created a story that allowed my to not only give in to my girly side, but also fed my need for intrigue and action. Before reading The Selection, I had heard the phrase " The Hunger Games meets The Bachlor. " and I have to admit.. it deterred me... a lot. But having now read the story, I understand the comparison.. and while I am not a fan of the TV show The Bachelor. I understand, and it is actually part of the story that I really enjoyed.



In the midst of the "game" a war is going on.. and every once in a while. The fighting slips through the castle walls. At times like this I enjoyed seeing which of the "contestants" held their own. Who stood up strong and held their head up as a future queen should, and who crumbled. I also liked that this aspect of the story shows us more of Mason the future King, instead of just, Mason the guy who could have any girl he chooses.



I wouldn't say that the " Hunger Games " feel is super strong in this story.. but a slight vibe is there. In The world of The Selection, the people are broken up into classes, not just the rich and the poor, but they are actually numbered! 1 being the highest and consisting of the Royal family. 8 being the lowest and consisting of the cleaning people and servants. Each level has their part to play. America is a 5, an Artist. But in The Selection changes all of that. Any Caste can participate and have a chance to, not only win the Princes heart, but take her and her family to the top, and become a 1.



My one real negative.. or more just... what I wanted more of. Was the world building. I was really interested in the castes, and wanted to learn more about them and what each caste's role was. I feel that that part was left mostly untouched, and I hope Kiera Cass visits it more in the next books.

America never forgets who, or what caste she is, throughout the selection. And it begins to work into her favor... but then.. if I told you how.. I would be giving away too much of the story ;)



I feel like I could keep typing. I want to spend hours telling you all that I loved about this story.. But basically I just need to tell you - GO READ IT FOR YOURSELF !



The Selection is full of romance and drama, if that's not what you like in a book, it may not be for you. But at the same time, it's not what I went in craving, and at the end of the book I was smiling and satisfied. Indulge a little, let yourself sink into The Selection, swoon, laugh, cry.... and watch as it all unfolds.

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