ThePassionateBookworm1

I enjoyed it.. But I felt like the middle of the book left me wanting. It started out intriguing and ended with a bang! But the center of the story felt a bit slow.. Thinking on it more. Full review to come !

* I was given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. *

Lisa M. Stasse has created a seriously gripping story. Right from the beginning I was intrigued. Alenna was so sure of herself, so positive that she had nothing to worry about and that she would pass the test with flying colors. So when she fails and gets sent to the island, that's a pretty big slap in the face and both she and I started to wonder just what was going on.

Alenna tries to believe it's all just a big mistake. She isn't supposed to be on the island, someone will come get her, she will be fine. But even after a few hours on the island, and meeting people that are too similar to her, not future serial killers, she realizes she doesn't know what to believe, and who she can trust.

The Forsaken to me felt like a blend of Lord of the Flies and Maze Runner, with one big exception. I LOVED IT SO MUCH MORE ! I liked the ideas behind both of those stories. Kids living together, forced to survive without adults, surviving both bodily and mental illnesses, defending themselves against each other as the island life takes it's tole and survivors begin splitting off and forming their own "tribes" and "cults", and so much more.


With Lord of the Flies, I couldn't connect with the characters, 1. They were not my age. 2. They were boys. I felt disconnected from the story. With Maze runner it was also partially that the main character was a guy, - I feel like the story was more geared toward Male YA ( Which is perfectly ok! Just not what I was looking for ) and the creatures introduced were too unreal, so yet again. I didn't connect with the story.


With The Forsaken, I connected with it all! There is the perfect blend of male and female characters, and though Alenna is the voice of the story, I feel like her voice is strong enough, and the story is intense enough that it will appeal to both a YA female AND male audience. The situations were realistic, even if they were a bit out of the norm and some futuristic. Tribes that have formed a cult following, an illness that is sweeping through the island, flying machines that come and snatch inhabitants up ; never to be seen again.


There is some romance in the story. But I think it's a little bit expected. Life or death situations, they tend to being it out. But it is NOT the backbone of the story. The other side characters were well rounded and interesting, each having a very distinct personality that made them memorable and ..well.. not so much loveable... but interesting and likeable... at times lol.


I think that this story will go far, that dystopian, sci fy, and adventure lovers alike will enjoy it and it will be one of those books that is recommended often!


There were only a few things holding me back from giving this book a perfect 5 star rating. 1. One of the antagonists .... didn't really hold my interest. As the cult leader, ya.. he gave me the heebie jeebies. But when I found out who he really was... it didn't really shock me.. because I didn't feel like I was given enough information about him before the wheel, to really have him be memorable ( man.. trying to explain that without too much spoileryness is hard! ) 2. I'm teetering on the edge of saying I wanted more romance... but that may just be because i'm a girly girl at heart lol. One moment I think " MORE ROMANCE " the next, i'm thankful that it was light. So read the book and make your own opinions there :)


I highly recommend this book. Seriously... go read it :) I need someone to bounce Ideas off of!

Rating: 4/5

I am in the minority when it comes to my feelings about this book. There was so much hype that I jumped at the chance to review it. Ready to dive in to another apocalyptic world where zombies runeth over. Maybe I just latched on to the fact that there was supposed to be zombies in the story. Maybe I didn't pay enough attention to the description of this book. But I was let down.



There are zombies, and they are terrifying for sure. But they were not really a focal point of the story, in fact, the zombies scenes are few and far between.



90% of the story is located inside the school. With the strange mishmash of students just trying to survive. And while the situation itself would be intense, I felt like the intensity wasn't played up enough. While the story did pull me along, while I was intrigued and wanted to know how it all worked out... when I turned that last page I felt... disappointed.



I disliked the characters. All of them. Maybe that's how the readers are meant to feel. I mean, you can't always take a group of people and have at least one likeable one. Sometimes they all are jerks... But when reading a book I have a hard time connecting with the story when I want to smack ALL the characters upside the head. Sloane? I wanted to smack her constantly! That, and give her some happy pills.



Keep in mind that I am not really a fan of contemporary stories, or just basic thrillers. With the lack of zombie action in this story.. that's how it really felt to me. A near future thriller with hints of horror. And it just wasn't my style.



I'm sure that this story will resonate with many readers. Favorites for some and one that will be recommended all over. But I personally did not love it. The story intrigued me. Kept me moving forward. But overall did not win me over.



I suggest browsing more reviews. Check out the ones by other reviewers and friends who's opinion you trust ! My opinion is just one of many :) And please don't hold it against me that if it turns out to be a story you love!



Rating 2.5/5

I love starting and finishing a book in one sitting! It was intense and I loved it!

While the ending made up for much of it.. this book as a whole was just not as enjoyable as the rest of the series has been

oooh I'm torn again! I really enjoyed it. But it was hard for me to remember what year it was.. It felt historical. But referenced so many recent technologies. It threw me at times..I will have to think on it.

My gosh. This book had me busting up laughing and swooning all over the place! A interesting blend of Supernaturals, Vampires, shape-shifters psychics and more. This book makes me want to get back into reading my paranormal Romance series >.< and I think I shall!

My Gosh, I love it when Debut authors just come out Shining :D Fun, Quirky, action filled, with just enough swooning. - Full review below !

* I was given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. *

It's books like this that make me remember why I accept review requests from smaller Self published and Indie Authors ! You get the ones that you regret accepting, the ones that show potential, and then Ones like this. Ones that come out shining and immediately go to my "favorites" and "Must be shared with the world" shelves !


Ada Adams creates of world of Vampires with a twist. Where Vampires can me made AND born. Where there is Blood Cola and Blood beer, and garlic allows vampires to not burn in the sun. The characters in this story are quirky and lovable, but at the same time.. can kick some serious A** !

Revamped has just enough of everything. Swoonworthy guys ( Some more than others ;) ) Girls that can stand up for themselves, enough sarcasm and witty comebacks to make me chuckle to myself but not feel like I was reading a comedy, and the perfect blend of intense action, and laid back storytelling. I couldn't get enough.

Throughout this book Dawn grows as a person ( ... err.... as a Vampire ..) and I found myself growing right along beside her. As she comes into her own and realizes who she is. As she finds out some startling revelations and grows even stronger for them.

I find myself in fan girl mode when I think of this story now. I banter back and forth with fellow readers as well as Ada Adams herself as she taunts us with snippets from book #2 ReAwakened. Wondering to myself in quiet moments just WHAT is going to happen next. One of the markers of a good book for me is if I still am thinking about it long after I turn the last page. And guys? It's an awesome book!

ReVamped should not only be on your TBR pile, it should be in your hands... NOW !

Rating 5/5

I really enjoyed this one too! Love getting to know more of the Cryptids!

uhh... next one please! :D

This story started out.. weird.. just.. so weird! haha I knew they were supposed to be vampires.. but the way they acted, their habits, nervous ticks and the way they .. ermm.. mate? Was just so incredibly odd I started to think they were more alien like. SexyTimes + Elbows and Ears = Me being extremely confused. Goodness. I can't lie. There were a few scenes in the beginning where eyebrows were raised and "WTH" was said many a time.



Thankfully, I was able to overlook these oddities and move on with the story, and I am so glad I did!

The story was insane, in a good way. The fact that Gene is crazy enough to live.. right in the midst of those that want to eat him, was a constant shock. Learning all he had to do to blend in. I could never do it. No laughing, No Sweating, No drinking water, basically, all human habits are thrown out the window and instead he has to be consciously aware of every emotion, and react the way a vampire does. Think something is funny? Forget about laughter- instead scratch your wrist. You have to give Gene kudo's.. he plays the part pretty well considering.



The characters in this story were very well done. Gene was a dynamic character, strong, yet he has obvious weaknesses making him feel real. The surrounding characters were insanely creepy. I could easily picture the blood running down their chins as they tore at their raw meet dinners. See them foaming at the mouth as they catch so much a glimpse of a Heper ( human) on TV. They were ruthless, and it was perfect.



Another great thing about this story is that it is definitely one I can confidently recommend to a guy, which I can't always say about most books I read and review. It was dark, gritty, and intense, and while there is some romance it is not the focal point, the focal point is simply SURVIVE.



It does start off with a Hunger games kinda feel to it * please don't smack me for comparing ! >.< * that I am sure many will notice. A highly publicized fight to the death, with randomly chosen hunters who are immediately sent off for initiation and training.. and some characters that felt familiar to me. But it veers off and comes into it's own in a thrilling and creepy way. I know many people hate it when books are compared to each other in such a way. But hey. This is an honest review, and it's something I noticed and feel other readers will as well.

The Hunt was faced paced and awesome, propelling me forward with each new twist. And the ending? Just right!- not a total cliff hanger, but definitely left me shocked! Aside from the oddities that still have my mind boggled, this story exceeded my expectations. I can't wait till it is out in the world!

A HUGE thanks to St. Martins Press for giving me the opportunity to review this book!



Rating 4/5

Rich, Dark, Beautiful, Amazing.. and gave me the heebie jeebies !!

I have Missed Fantasy! Wonderfully fun and fantastical. loved it!

It was beautiful, and sweet. Just what I needed after some more intense books! I can see where the series might get more dark and dangerous though.. looking forward to it!

It totally rocked my socks! >.< Dark, witty, intense. Loved it

Finished it in one sitting! This one def. hooked me on the rest of the series better than #1 did :) loved it!

Usually when I read a series, they are either steadily good/great, or gradually/rapidly declining. It was amazing to come across a series that so dramatically INCREASED in my view just by the second book.


I am super happy to say I am now a Vampire Academy fan !


If you read my review of book #1 you will remember I said I had to put it down many times and keep coming back to it. That while it was enjoyable. SOMETHING seemed to be missing. This was not the case with Frostbite. I sat down to read around midnight, I was done around 3am. I could .. not..stop..reading!


The characters seem to come more into their own. - Though Lissa is still a bit absent in this story, I liked her a little bit more for growing more of a spine and standing up for herself and her beliefs. Rose, though still a little annoying at times, Definitely grew into a stronger character and I still loved her witty attitude. Though.. I have a hard time putting up with how she handles her love interests.. I can at the same time, understand why she does what she does. I'm not a "teen" now.. but I remember high school.. and I definitely acted like her at times when it came to guys. So in that aspect it was the believability that helped me continue to enjoy her character.


We get to see more of Mason and Christian in this story! Both great characters, and have a strong impact on Rose and Lissa.


Dimitri ... Oh Dimitri.. He wouldn't be too old for me ;) but I still have a hard time being ok with the "relationship" between him and Rose. Though, with the way this story is written, and the culture that they have both grown up with.. i can see it being more ok than well.. current ? I think once she hits 18 I will be more ok with it ( Just a personal opinion )


We meet a new character. Adrian.. he is one of those Bad boys you love to have love/hate feelings for lol. Snarky/fun comments, swoon worthy actions.. but at the same time you just want to smack him! ;)


There is Definitely some swoon worthy moments in this one! As well as some WTH?! ones.
We get to learn more about the Strigoi and Mori and their powers, and get some good action/ thriller scenes as well!


All in All Frostbite was a HUGE step up for me. Now I am Impatiently awaiting having # 3 in my hands!