Towering by Alex Flinn Review

"At first, I merely saw his face, his hands on the window ledge. Then, his whole body as he swung himself through the window. Only I could not see what he swung on.
Until, one day, I told my dream self to look down. And it was then that I saw. He had climbed on a rope. I knew without asking that the rope had been one of my own tying.

Rachel is trapped in a tower, held hostage by a woman she’s always called Mama. Her golden hair is growing rapidly, and to pass the time, she watches the snow fall and sings songs from her childhood, hoping someone, anyone, will hear her. 

Wyatt needs time to reflect or, better yet, forget about what happened to his best friend, Tyler. That’s why he’s been shipped off to the Adirondacks in the dead of winter to live with the oldest lady in town. Either that, or no one he knows ever wants to see him again.

Dani disappeared seventeen years ago without a trace, but she left behind a journal that’s never been read, not even by her overbearing mother…until now."

Okay. Towering isn't the best of Alex Flinn. It definitely isn't the worse (unless I was really tired and sleepy and didn't process this book as well as I usually did. I was reading this book when it was really late and when I should had been nice and tucked into bed).

Towering is a relatively short book with a couple and two POVs. (The couple and the two POVs are one and the same. It's Rachel and Wyatt. Hello?) Towering is quick to read, assuming you can read a two hundred to three hundred page book in an hour and a half (I'm assuming more, not less) and then rereading it over again. (Yes, I can do that. Especially late at night when I'm in a hurry and desperate to sleep.) Towering is awesome, although I'm left with a whole bunch of questions and concerns for some of the characters like Rachel (not Wyatt, he's cool.)

In the beginning, there's a girl locked in a Tower who isn't very curious about the outside world. (She's seems to only be interested in the date.) That's Rachel. Meanwhile, there is a boy who is trying to escape his hideous past which involves his best friend's (Tyler's) suicide. Boy and girl meet and sparks fly, as usual. The question is how they meet?

The plot of Towering goes by quickly. I'm always trying to figure out how Wyatt ended up from Point A to Point C or D. It gets annoying to chase Wyatt back and forth in the book. At least RACHEL stays in her prison, the TOWER. And they say girls run around a lot. *Sigh.* Anyway, back to the plot. The plot is very fast, like I said before. I'm left wondering how events lead up to the ending.

And the ending. Wow, the ending. The ending (is a huge spoiler if I tell, but I won't) is a killer. I liked the ending, but I'm so confused by how the author puts two and two together to make four. (Great, I'm going math nerd again.) I need a map or timeline to pinpoint everything.

Characters:

Rachel is the one of the most oddest characters I've ever met. (Yes, I'm going to say met.) She's more interested in her books than the outside world. She's wants to know the date, but didn't asked Wyatt what was the date. (Definitely not eighteen something.) Okay, Rachel is the complete opposite of a regular Rapunzel, but she reminded me of that girl from Tangled (the Disney movie, yes).

Wyatt is no Flynn Rider. He's no thief, but he is a sort of loner. He's in his grieving state, trying to get over with his best friend's death. He's well, boring. He's like that prince from Snow White, with ridiculously red red lips. (With a little more personality, of course.)

Rating: Two out of Five

Icons by Margaret Stohl Review

"Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future."

Icons has to be great. That was my thinking in the beginning. After Margaret Stohl is the author who co-written Beautiful Creatures. (Remember how horrible Beautiful Darkness and Beautiful Chaos was.) Well, Icons turn out to be similar to Beautiful Creatures. There's differences, of course (like the main character being a girl [Dol] instead of a boy [Ethan] and Icons is mainly technology while Beautiful Creatures is magic). 

Icons is blah! (It totally reminds me of Beautiful Creatures. It's like a combination of Beautiful Creatures, Beautiful Darkness, and Beautiful Chaos all combined into one.) Icons is somewhat different than futuristic books. I know, I know. Men in Black come and kill all the aliens. Aliens come and try to make peace with humans. Humans killed all aliens. Aliens take over. Blah, blah, blah. There's a lot of plots with books involving aliens. Icons is mostly an "aliens take over the world" book. And it's...well, let me break it down for you.

In the beginning, Icons is an exhilarating book, with logical details and statement. Occasionally, the descriptions of Icons get out of hand, but it isn't too serious. (Like when you end up asking way too many questions because the author didn't explain the story well enough.) The writing in the beginning is addicting and holds a mysterious tone, giving a book that makes readers ask, "What will happen next? To Dol? To Ro?" 

The middle starts drying. Yes, drying. The hot stuff in the beginning of the book starts to fade and readers end up with questions like "What's the difference between Icons and Icon Children?" and "Who exactly are the Lords?" Yep, there's a lot more question and very little answers. I guess, this calls for a "Buckle Up" yell because there's no more answers. 

Then the ending. Well, there's some answers, but not enough. What happen to the dead people. How do people survive a suicide bomb without killing themselves? How do certain characters survive? And please don't say it was became of the holy light from Dol.

The plot is quick and thrilling, but there isn't a lot of answers to the questions the book leaves unanswered. It's a great pain to not know yet only know so little. (Okay, I'll admit it, that previous sentence is bogus.) I hate the unanswered questions and I am most likely not reading the next book. 

Rating: Two out of Five

Torn by K.A. Robinson Review

I won a copy from Goodreads First Reads.

"Chloe hasn't had the best life. With a mother who is gone more often than not, she has had to raise herself. After graduating high school, she leaves to start a new life away at West Virginia University with her best friends Amber and Logan, determined to leave her demons in the past. 

On her first day, she meets a stranger who takes her breath away at first sight. Until she met Drake, no one had ever sparked her interest. Now this tattooed and pierced bad boy is all she can think about, no matter how hard she fights it.

Falling for Drake was never part of her plans, but when it happens, things seem to do anything but fall into place.

Dealing with a tragic past, Drake has never cared about anyone else but himself and his band. But when Chloe takes the empty seat next to him in class, things start to change. Instantly drawn to her, he begins to wonder if one girl can take a cold hearted womanizer and change every part of him?

Long hidden feelings are revealed and friendships tested to the brink."

This will be a short review. (Because of how much I despise this book and the little time I left.)

I don't know how people can read this book. I don't know how this book is perfect. Is it me or I'm the only person who wants to gag after reading this book? I hope it isn't just me cause that will be sad. 

Torn is an okay book. I don't like; but it's not the worse of the worse I've read before. (Other than the fact I want to gag and puke and gag some more.) I don't understand. Again, why do people like this book so much? Why? Why? WHY? This question is killing me. 

Torn's plot is good and wonderful; I don't really care very much about it. Then again, I don't care about plots unless they have terrible plot holes. Minor ones, I'll let them go, but major ones, well, they aren't as lucky. (Whatever. I don't care, says my subconscious.) The writing is addicting. That's a good part of Torn because I never manage to stop reading unless I really have to. 

The ending of Torn is awesome. The ending ends with a good cliffhanger that will all leave us interested for more.

Torn is a horrible book. I'll admit it. (The writing and ending and plot may be good, but I don't care.) I hate how the characters abuse drugs and alcohol to control themselves and get wild. I don't get it. Hopefully some of the readers won't have the wrong idea. (Especially the young ones. Oh yeah, I forgot. Torn is totally not recommended to thirteen year olds. That means this book isn't PG-13. I says, sixteen and up. Seventeen at the oldest.)

Characters:

I don't know what Drake sees in Chloe. He's hot. He's in a Rock n Roll band. (Someone give me a fan!) I don't know why, but he reminds me of Patch from Hush, Hush.

Chloe, now there's an idiot. I don't like her. She definitely deserves a slap in the face. No, not just a slap, a few punches as well. (In the mouth, in the nose, and in the stomach.) She can't see things that are in front of her very well. What a disappointing character.

Rating: Two out of Five

Seven for a Secret by Lyndsay Faye Review

I won a copy from Goodreads First Reads.

"From Edgar-nominated author Lyndsay Faye comes the next book in what Gillian Flynn calls "a brilliant new mystery series.”

Six months after the formation of the NYPD, its most reluctant and talented officer, Timothy Wilde, thinks himself well versed in his city’s dark practices—until he learns of the gruesome underworld of lies and corruption ruled by the "blackbirders,” who snatch free Northerners of color from their homes, masquerade them as slaves, and sell them South to toil as plantation property.

The abolitionist Timothy is horrified by these traders in human flesh. But in 1846, slave catching isn’t just legal—it’s law enforcement.

When the beautiful and terrified Lucy Adams staggers into Timothy’s office to report a robbery and is asked what was stolen, her reply is, "My family.” Their search for her mixed-race sister and son will plunge Timothy and his feral brother, Valentine, into a world where police are complicit and politics savage, and corpses appear in the most shocking of places. Timothy finds himself caught between power and principles, desperate to protect his only brother and to unravel the puzzle before all he cares for is lost."

Seven for a Secret is a long book. Long. Very long. I'll admit it: There's a few times I nearly doze off in boredom and words. Seven for a Secret is the second book of the Timothy Wilde, but it isn't necessary to read the first book to understand the second. Just read the synopsis of the first book, and then you should be able to understand this book. Should be able. I'll admit I got lost a few times before finding my footing again. 

Seven for a Secret is definitely not appropriate for children (because, well, parents, you don't really want to know, but know this: your children will ask the question, "Why is Mom reading this book?"). 

Seven for a Secret, in summary, is a pretty awesome book, with gruesome details, crazy history, and blood. (I'll never be bored of blood and blood and more blood. I'm a blood thirsty creature, or at least when I read a book.) However, there are times where you just get bored with the details, the thinking of Timothy Wilde, and the little-action times. Yeah, that sounds about right. 

Seven for a Secret's plot is active, and active enough for me to not complain about the plot. I love most of the minutes and hours of Seven for a Secret. (It took me two days to read Seven for a Secrets, longer than usual.) The writing is awesome. I love how the author uses the dialects and words to bring me back into time. I do wish the author added a little more details and descriptions. It is difficult to visualize Seven for a Secret without strong details and noticeable features. 

The ending is different. It's interesting and puzzling. I have no strong words to describe it without spoiling the entire book. The twist at the end is perfect. 

Mystery and History mixes well in Seven for a Secret. Reminding of Sherlock Holmes without the British accent, Seven for a Secret is a dangerous ride, with darkness, laws, war, politics, and blood at every turn.

Rating: Three out of Five

The Fire King by Amber Jaeger Review

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

"From the author of The Cold King comes a dark tale of passion, vengeance and redemption. 

Revenge can be its own poison…

Katiyana Nix was a princess but only wanted what every other little girl had—a mother to love and teach her and a father to care for her. Instead, she grew up lonely in the shadow of her mother’s death while her father was absent in his grief.

When she finally thought she’d found hope for herself and her father, it was in the form of her beautiful new stepmother. But Sula committed the most evil of betrayals, leaving Katiyana more lost than she had ever been. Alone and scared, she fled to the forest to live amongst the trees with other lost souls searching for their own safety.

When she crosses paths with the fiery King Lian, a man whose thirst for revenge against the evil queen has no end, her time of quiet peace is ended. His anger untamed, he aims to use the lost princess as a weapon to achieve his dark goals.

Katiyana must battle her own demons, as well as his, while she tries to save him from himself and her kingdom from the clutches of her stepmother. 

Can she succeed in ridding the world of the evil queen or will Lian’s temper cause them all to burn?"

The Fire King is, chronologically, the second book, if this book was part of a series. It isn't necessary to read the first book, The Cold King. (But I recommended it. The events of The Cold King will help readers understand The Fire King a little bit better.) The Fire King is recommended to thirteen and up, because of the suggestive language and hint-hints (no language/verbal included, just pure body language and intimate moments).

First of all, The Fire King does include some of our favorite characters. I have to mention a few (I love old characters), so if you don't want to know, skip a few lines. Drum roll, please. (You're not doing it. Get your hands off the mouse and clap.) Calia Thorn (although talked about in a fashion I disgust), The Cold King (yay! Hottie from previous book coming over!), and the horse mistress (she's a good character). That's the plus side of The Fire King.

(I'm going to start from the beginning.) Okay, the beginning of The Fire King start off, reminding me of a Snow White tale. (And The Fire King is a retelling of the tale of Snow White.) It seems promising so far, and I love it. Katiyana is "Snow White", with a name that is thankfully not Snow White. (It annoys me how authors pointlessly name their characters "Snow White." It doesn't do well since there are stories, Disney movies, plays, poems, another tale with her name, and etc. Using "Snow White" shows the author in a light that suggest unoriginality and boringness.)

The plot moves quickly, so don't play surprise if you're wondering how Katiyana starts off from Point A to Point B. (The book in told in two hundred pages, I estimate. Perhaps more or less.) 

The chemistry between Lian and Katiyana is obvious, although I wish Amber added a little more humor and kissing scenes (because I'll never get enough of it). Fire and fire burns everything until there isn't anything left to burn. (Most likely, you'll read the previous sentence without completely understanding it.) 

The ending reminds me of Snow White. (Duh, it's a Snow White retelling. Idiot.) Anyway, it's nice to see a happy ending, even though The Fire King's ending is a little bit too 'Disney.' (But I never tire of watching too many Disney movies.) 

The Fire King isn't very wonderful, though. The words and language is a little shady. The Fire King can really use a good editor and good editing. The Fire King isn't perfect, but there's plenty of room for improvement. 

Characters: 

Katiyana, or should I say Princess Katiyana, is pretty much a wild girl through and through. She's not a true Royal, and perhaps never be. (Because her wild side is too wild to be tame.) Katiyana does have a thirst for revenge, but that disappears in The Fire King for a while before flaring up again. I guess feelings never die. Katiyana is unlike Calia Thorn. 

Unlike The Cold King, The Sun King/Fire King is filled with fire. His own thirst for revenge and blood because of the brutal deaths of his beloved family. He practically oozes revenge and fire. He's the complete opposite of The Cold King. Did I mention how cute and sweet he is?

Rating: Four out of Five