Dhonielle Clayton's The Belle - Book Review

Hello all, 

So here is the first book from NetGallery that I got the pleasure to review. I wish this had been a better start. 

The Belle By Dhonielle Clayton

Blurb: 

'Looking for the next big groundbreaking event in YA? This is it.' Rick Riordan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson series

Welcome to the dark decadence of Dhonielle Clayton's sharp tale of beauty, obsession and magic. . . 

I AM A BELLE. I CONTROL BEAUTY.

In the opulent world of Orléans, the people are born grey and damned, and only a Belle's powers can make them beautiful.

Camellia Beauregard wants to be the favourite Belle - the one chosen by the queen to tend to the royal family.

But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favourite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that her powers may be far greater - and far darker - than she ever imagined.

When the queen asks Camellia to break the rules she lives by to save the ailing princess, she faces an impossible decision: protect herself and the way of the Belles, or risk her own life, and change the world forever.

'Sumptuous and original worldbuilding, heart-pounding plot and gorgeous prose.' Samantha Shannon, New York Times bestselling author of The Bone Season

'A whip-smart writer with grand, grand talents.' Roxane Gay, New York Times bestselling author of Bad Feminist

'Breathtakingly beautiful and deeply unsettling.' Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author 

Star Rating: 3/5

What I Expected:I thought when I was getting into this book more a magical world, more fantasy and danger. I was expecting a thrill that came with some added beauty and happiness. A great romance and something that would make me smile at the end. 

What I Got: What I got was a vein book that contained a great deal of Orlean's myth in it. There was magic, some rushed suspense and hints at two romances. There was a lot of triggers in this book that people must be careful of. There was an edge to what could be a harsh beauty world. 

Review: The book started off great and gripping. I found myself loving the myths about Orleans that she offered in this book. There was so much that you could sink your teeth into it. That was both a great thing and a bad thing. There was a detail, lots of talks to do with food, never view elements. There was a strange take on the rich and poor classes via beauty and how you looked. I found at times it was overly rushed then would be to slow in other parts. The pace just seemed off. The constant beauty focus didn't connect with me, however, I think a lot of people who like that sort of thing would love it. There are large parts of the book where Amber seems to be lacking in the focus of our main character who is meant to be concerned about her best friend. 

There were many times that the writing felt to torn in too many directions. I did like the danger that was offered by doing these sort of beauty treatments. I did think that for most of the book that it lacked a true villain or one that was well defined. I felt there was too many ties to Cinderella that wasn't as well pulled off as I expected. 

This to me didn't feel like a mainstream publishing book more like an Indie or Self Publishing book. I'm sorry I didn't love it more. 

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Thank you for stopping by for my NetGallery review and I hope that you will check back for more. 

Kristal McKerrington 

Six of Crows By Leigh Bardugo Book Review

Hello, 

Lets have some heist fun today. Welcome to all new visitors to the blog. 

Blurb: Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price―and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone. . . .

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. 
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Praise for the Grishaverse
The Shadow and Bone Trilogy 
(previously published as The Grisha Trilogy)
Shadow and Bone
Siege and Storm
Ruin and Rising
Six of Crows
Crooked Kingdom

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction―if they don't kill each other first.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo returns to the breathtaking world of the Grishaverse in this unforgettable tale about the opportunity―and the adventure―of a lifetime.

“Six of Crows is a twisty and elegantly crafted masterpiece that thrilled me from the beginning to end.” –New York Times-bestselling author Holly Black

“Six of Crows [is] one of those all-too-rare, unputdownable books that keeps your eyes glued to the page and your brain scrambling to figure out what’s going to happen next.” –Michael Dante DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra

“There's conflict between morality and amorality and an appetite for sometimes grimace-inducing violence that recalls the Game of Thrones series. But for every bloody exchange there are pages of crackling dialogue and sumptuous description. Bardugo dives deep into this world, with full color and sound. If you're not careful, it'll steal all your time.” ―The New York Times Book Review

“A master of fantasy.” ―The Huffington Post

“Utterly, extremely bewitching.” ―The Guardian

“The best magic universe since Harry Potter.” ―Bustle

“This is what fantasy is for.” ―The New York Times Book Review

“[A] world that feels real enough to have its own passport stamp.” ―NPR

“The darker it gets for the good guys, the better.” ―Entertainment Weekly

“Sultry, sweeping and picturesque. . . . Impossible to put down.” ―USA Today

“There’s a level of emotional and historical sophistication within Bardugo’s original epic fantasy that sets it apart.” ―Vanity Fair

“Unlike anything I’ve ever read.” ―Veronica Roth, bestselling author of Divergent

“Bardugo crafts a first-rate adventure, a poignant romance, and an intriguing mystery!” ―Rick Riordan, bestselling author of the Percy Jackson series

“This is a great choice for teenage fans of George R.R. Martin and J.R.R. Tolkien.” ―RT Book Reviews

Read all the books in the Grishaverse!

The Six of Crows Duology

The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic

Star Rating: 5/5

What I Expected: I thought I was in for an italian job style heist with a twist. Romance I expected don't ask me why but thought there was going to be lots of that. I also wondered if it would be set somewhere I would recongise. 

What I Got: An exciting adventure, set in fantasy world that reminded me a bit of Asia and Russia mixed together. There was a heist but not the sort I imagined. I love the twists that were in this book. Its more exciting than I thought I was getting. 

Review: From the start your thrown into the Grisha world and the dangers that they face. The dangerous drug Jurda Perm and what it does to these magical people. We are then introduced to the gang world of The Barrell. The Merchants, we learn a lot about Kaz's background along with the other characters. It leads them to breaking Matthias out of jail and taking on his former countries court. The twists along the way made me shout "What the heck!" not good for the train or being next to Ian while he drives. It was exciting and gave me much more than I was expecting. 

This was a pick for the Owl Crate Book club pick of Feb. 

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Thank you so much for your time and I hope to hear your thoughts relating to this book. 

Kristal McKerrington 

Pretty Little Liars Book 6 Killer By Sara Shepard Book Review

Hello All,

So I'm slowly making my way through the PLL's book series. I am so happy that I decided to do this. I'm doing more detailed reviews so let me know what you think of these and I will see if I keep doing them or not. I started to do this since I'm now a reviewer on NetGallery.

Please find the review of her book below:

Blurb: 

#1 New York Times bestselling series

The sixth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series that inspired the hit ABC Family TV show Pretty Little Liars.

Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily have been lying ever since they became friends with beautiful Alison DiLaurentis. And their bad-girl ways didn't die with her. Hanna's on a mission to corrupt Rosewood's youth, starting with a very attractive sophomore. Aria's snooping into her boyfriend's past. Spencer's stealing—from her family. And pure little Emily's abstaining from abstinence. The girls should be careful, though. There's a new A in town turning up the heat. And this time Rosewood is going to burn.

Full of unexpected twists and shocking revelations, Killer is the sixth book in New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard’s compelling Pretty Little Liars series. 

Rating: 5 /5 stars. 

What I thought I was getting: I thought I was going to get more insight into who A was and was hoping to see if Caleb was going to appear in this series. I was looking out to see if there was other new characters coming into the storyline that might shed some light on the mysteries surrounding the series.

What I got: More depth to characters like Aria, Spencer for a start. I loved to see them become more individuals with the storyline that Sara had written for them. Emily was a big shock in this book and I like how she continued to grow and surprise me. Hanna became more of a character that could be hated easily. I would have liked to see more of her grow.

What I Liked: The detail that Sara put into this book. The way that A gets money out of Spence, the twists that she managed to put together for Aria as well. It highlights problems that teenagers still face even now. I like how she was able to deepen Emily's character even more and have us questioning what she is going through. That confusion is what every teenager goes through at some point or another. I like how thoughtful she was to each character in turn. No one really fell away to the side of the road.

What I didn't Like: I am sorry but I hated what she did with Hanna. I use to admire this character for who she was and what she became didn't seem to fit in my mind. The rush of her mother leaving, her new situation is something am struggling with. The sudden realisation about the missing pieces was also something that didn't seem to fit well. If Hanna's an air head then make her one if she isn't then please make sure she isn't. I find that she is the one that needs more love and attention in the future. A needs to be able to be back in her life. I didn't like how I was starting to root for A when it came to Hanna.

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Thank you for stopping by and I can't wait to see if you agree with my thoughts on this book,

Kristal McKerrington 

Stalking Jack The Ripper By Kerri Maniscalco Book Review

Hello all,

So am going to go into as much detail as I can in this review and I hope you will bear with me while I try this new style.

Stalking Jack The Ripper By Kerri Maniscalco

Blurb: 

A #1 New York Times Bestseller!

Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion...

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

Review

Star Rating: 4/5

What I Expected: A chill spine-tingling plot that leaves me checking the doors, windows and making sure that Ian's not to far away from me when I'm reading it. I wasn't expecting romance or any real humour to it. I was expecting dark, gothic feel that is normally associated with Jack The Ripper. 

Review: I wasn't expecting the pictures and it added to the creepy elements of the book. It didn't helps that the book picked up from its slow start and left me breathless. I liked the interaction that was between Cresswell and Aubrey. I really get into the way that Aubrey is a passionate leading character. Its touching how she will not drop the case despite the odds stacking against her. I think there is a great tale of promise in the story. 

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Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out my thoughts. I hope to see you again. 

Kristal McKerrington 

Dark Guardian- Christine Feehan Review

Hello Readers,

I have taken time out of my very busy schedule to tell you the details about this great new book "Dark Guardian" by Christine Feehan. You're going to find that have been going over the many different elements and details that are presented in this great erotica paranormal book.

Blurb: 

They were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light....

He ran with the wolves...materialized from the mists...hijacked the very heavens to his whims.

He was the dark guardian of his people. So how, after centuries of a bleak, soulless existence had he, Lucian Daratrazanoff, suddenly come to crave petite, curvy, colorful lady cop Jaxon Montgomery, who foolishly made it her life's work to protect others from harm?

Fiercely daring, Jaxx would sacrifice anything to shield others-- particularly since a deadly menace dogged her every footstep, threatening all who got close to her. And strangely seductive, piercingly erotic Lucian was no exception. Lucian was powerfully, perilously mesmerizing--oddly gentle yet clearly a born predator. He had vowed to possess her, to guard her for all time. Yet with his every thirsty kiss, was he drawing Jaxon more deeply into danger . . . and his dark, mysterious desires?

Review:

4/5 Stars.

What I expected: Going in I knew this might be rough at times but it would all work out. I was excited that this one chooses to look a female police officer rather than someone who might be weaker minded. I was wondering how they were going to pull off the human stalker element and knew that I was in for an interesting ride. 

Review: 

At the start of the book Christine Feehan's Dark Guardian prologue, she dives into Lucian's past along with Jaxon's. She brings up abuse and makes you think about it and how love can overcome nearly anything. Even a bleak existence. I wasn't expecting the harsh life that she lived. The idea of someone going through this would make anyone's heart go out to her.

What made me take one star off this great story was due to a few points. One of those points was down to the way that Jaxon went from being really strong to depending on Lucian in a big way. The second point was Drake was made a huge problem then seemed to drop off near the end that made me uneasy. The final point was that wedding was strange compared to her other books and wonder why other humans who were converted into Comparthians weren't given the same thing.

What I did like:

The action was more in this book than the others in my mind. I like how Jaxon got involved in the fight with the ghouls and vampires. I think that it kept some of her strength. I wish there was more of this in the book. I also like how she was able to break through some of Lucian's commands because she was scared for his safety. I like how the twin helped her save Lucian when he was shot.

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Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you will come back again.

Kristal McKerrington