Followers

August 29, 2014

Review ~ Sentinel (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout







Synopsis:

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself.


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Review:


Fricking daimon butts. After Apollyon, I thought nothing better could come my way. But boy, oh boy, was I so wrong. Jennifer Armentrout just took amazing to a whole new level with the final installment of the Covenant series, Sentinel.

We’ve already established that Jennifer Armentrout is one heck of an author. What she did in Sentinel is beyond amazing. The way she executed the plot and action is something that has been branded in my mind. I want this book to be a movie. They should make a movie of this. THIS SHOULD BE A FRICKING MOVIE!

Sentinel is the best book in the series (I take back my last proclamation in Apollyon because it is really Sentinel). This book is like one heck of a rollercoaster ride. I don’t know how I’m going to express my feelings because I’m drained. This series is like a daimon draining an aether—it drained my emotion locker and robbed me speechless.

I loved Sentinel something fierce. I was so hooked I felt like I was part of the book. This is one of the best conclusions that has ever been written.

I. Just. Loved. It.



~ Zee

August 28, 2014

Review ~ Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout








Synopsis:

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.



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Review:

I don’t know how to contain myself. I’m wrong about Deity because Apollyon is the best in the series. It’s heart-wrenching, throw-your-book-against-the-wall frustrating (for the first part of the book), and just plain amazing throughout. Jennifer Armentrout is one epic author.

Apollyon is a non-stop action that grew a book on its side. The plot is keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat intense. This book gave me a sleepless night, but I’m not complaining. If I can live inside this book, I totally will.

I like Alex’s character development. She has really matured in this book but she still feels like her usual snarky self. For the first part of the book where her connection to Seth is like a living, breathing thing, I want to hurl my device into the wall in frustration. But then that just shows Armentrout’s brilliance and how strong the connection between the Apollyons is.

This book packs a drum of anticipation. I don’t know how the author keeps at it but it just keeps getting better and better page after page. I don’t know what else to say other than I truly, madly, deeply loved this book. Words are just not enough to express what I’m feeling. It is the best pre-conclusion of all time.

Apollyon has everything: romance, thrill, action, and mystery. It is one of the best books that has ever been written.


~ Zee

August 27, 2014

Review ~ Diety (Covenant #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout







Synopsis:

"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time. "


Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden. 

If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome. 

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed. 

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...


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Review:


Have I proclaimed my undying love for Jennifer Armentrout?

She just did it again. There is something addictive and compelling with the way she writes, and Deity is no exception. This third installment of the Covenant series is worth a thousand brownie points. This series just keeps getting better and better with each book.

Deity reveals more mystery but also created new ones. If Pure was the waves in the ocean, then Deity is a tsunami. It is fast-paced and even more action-packed than the first two books which, being the girl who loves action, really hooked my attention. I don’t know how Armentrout keeps getting better, but I hope she doesn’t stop. Deity is an intense read that made me want to turn this whole book into a movie just to see it play out right in front of my eyes.

The plot twists are simply stunning, especially Leon. I never really gave him that much thought but I really liked his impeccable timing and to know why he keeps popping up the worst possible time for Alex and Aiden is just mind-blowing. And Aiden’s brother, Deacon. After Caleb, Deacon has become a very strong secondary character, and I hope he doesn’t die, too. To know his love interest was very shocking because I never would have guessed.

Marcus is really coming through in this book. While he seems to be the bad guy along with Lucian in the first two books because that’s how Alex sees him, we get to see him in a new light in this book. Armentrout doesn’t waste a character. Everyone, no matter how insignificant he seemed in the first two books, have a role to fulfill in the future.

I’m starting to see Seth in a new light, too. Though my suspicions are confirmed that he’s just after the power, I can somehow understand why he is so willing to stand by Lucian and do what he wants. No matter what he did in this book, I think I am starting to like him.

Both Seth and Aiden gets center-stage in this book. I love their banters. Aiden is not the sarcastic type but he takes Seth in stride. Alex is still her usual sarcastic self, and as entertaining as ever. Though there are times that I want to thump her in the head because she just can’t seem to stop being stupid.

Another thing that makes Deity a bad ass book is the surprises it contains. We finally get to meet some of the Greek gods here and see where they stand in this brewing war.

I hate cliffhangers (and this  one is!) but I’m going to let this go because I’ll get to read the next book as soon as possible. I am so glad I am now just reading this book else I might have suffered the very bad effects of cliffhangers. Deity doesn’t disappoint; the best in the series so far.


~ Zee

August 26, 2014

Review ~ Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer Armentrout







Synopsis:

There is need. And then there is Fate. Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's other half is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her. When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon--and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude--or killing her. When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.


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Amazon | B&N | Book Depository 


Review:


The sequel is even better than the first book. This one deserves a six out of five stars! Pure is a gripping story that took a hold of me and didn’t let go until I’ve turned the last page. Why, oh why, did I put off reading this series? It is ten-buckets-of-fries good (and I love fries something fierce, so that’s saying something).

Pure is a very riveting read. It possesses the romance, conflicts and action I want in a book. I couldn’t put it down because I felt like it has its fingers gripping me. My eyes are glued to it from the beginning until the last page. There are times when the tension is so thick I could almost feel it suffocating me.

I like it that the plot gives away enough information to tease your curious brain but never enough clues to satisfy your concluding thoughts. With every suspicious scene, I kept wondering, “Is this what the oracle meant?”

Alex is still as entertaining as ever. Jennifer Armentrout’s way of narrating as Alex’s voice is very catchy. The constant sarcastic thoughts keep the reader from being bored. Alex’s attitude feels like a living, breathing thing. I think, after reading this book, I started thinking and talking like Alex. LOL.

I still don’t have the feels for Seth, though this is more like his book, but sometimes he’s really confusing. There are times like ‘He must like Alex’ but then something happens and it becomes ‘No, he just wants the power’. Seth is a very strong character, but I’m not sure if he’s supposed to be a part of a love triangle or he’s supposed to be one of the power-hungry villains.

Aiden is very annoying in this book. I understand that he needed to decide whether to risk it or not, but I really hope he could hold his decision without being the King of Mixed Signals. That doesn’t help Alex at all.
The action in the climax is a very good one. I like it that the narration is very detailed so I can imagine it properly and see it as if it’s playing right in front of my eyes.


Pure made me yell in frustration, giggle like a schoolgirl, and cry like a baby (Caleb!). I still want to crawl inside the book and partake in their adventures. It doesn’t feel enough that I’m just a witness in their story. Armentrout sure knows how to catch the full attention of a reader. I just want more, more, more.


~ Zee

August 25, 2014

Review ~ Half-Blood (Covenant #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout







Synopsis:

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi pure bloods have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals--well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.



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Review:

Half-Blood is one of those books that will make you want to crawl inside the book and partake in the adventures of the characters. I found it very hard to put this book down because my attention is fixed on the story as if looking away for a moment will make me miss something good. It is highly intoxicating.

The Hematois are the Pure-bloods, children of demigods. They are the royal bloods of the covenants and assaulting them is simply forbidden. Half-bloods are the children of Hematois and mortals, and they are forever under the Pures’ thumbs. They are not given the choice to do as they please. For them, it is either become a Guard/Sentinel or fall in servitude for life. Either way, they are to serve the Pures and nothing else. Pures are not particular to Half-Bloods because 1) they are taught to be superior over Half-Bloods their whole lives and 2) Half-Bloods and Pure-Bloods are forbidden to be together because “it will taint a Pure’s blood”. Daimons are Pures who succumbed to aether. They hunt Pures to drain the aether in their bloods. They are the only danger the covenant faces, or so they thought.

The plot is carefully thought out and beautifully written. Everything has significance, and the events are very engaging. I like this Greek myth unique spin-off. It is adventurous, action-packed and romantic.

Alex’s character is very entertaining. She’s the badass character that I’m looking for in every read. She’s funny, sarcastic, smartass, and brave. I like the “tone” of the whole book because Alex’s snide comments are very entertaining. She’s also stupid, stubborn, and at times bad-tempered. She dives headfirst into dangerous territories, but that is part of her charm. She’s one of those badass characters whose stupid decisions might lead to World war III, but then she can also save the day. She is a very strong female lead.

Aiden is your typical good-boy hero. He’s hot, hot, and hot. (Have I mentioned hot?) He’s a natural leader and a very good strategist, which I guess comes from being a Sentinel. He’s one of the Pures who thinks Half-Bloods are their equals. This guy is the typical brainy, hot, and badass hero who doesn’t know how to smile. When you get to really meet him throughout the book, he is also sweet and funny.

I don’t feel Seth’s character. He’s like Alex in many ways—stubborn, sarcastic, bad-tempered—but there is just something about him that didn’t quite reach me. He’s the self-centered character every book has to have.  Being the Apollyon, though, I’d like to have his abilities.

Caleb is a very strong secondary character, and I have a bad feeling about this because strong secondary characters tend to die in books. I really hope I see him throughout the series.

I enjoyed Armentrout’s unique writing style. I like it that she put very distinctive differences in her characters. She’s one of those authors who can’t seem to write in a bad way even if she tried.

I super loved this book. I guess it’s a good thing this is a part of a series because I can’t get enough.



~ Zee

August 24, 2014

Review ~ Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover






Synopsis:


When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.


Never ask about the past. 
Don’t expect a future.


They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.


Hearts get infiltrated. 
Promises get broken. 
Rules get shattered. 
Love gets ugly.



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Review:

*Please note that I DON'T REALLY HAVE A RATING FOR THIS BOOK and I only hit the star rating because it is REQUIRED. I’m not rating this book as 1 star or 5 star or whatever-star because I’m not sure there is an appropriate rating for it.*

So. My review.

Colleen Hoover is one of a kind. I don’t know where she gets her ideas for her books but every single one of them is fricking relatable, even if you haven’t been in the characters’ situation. She makes her characters realistic enough that will earn your sympathies at some point in the book. I’ve read all her books, and until now I’m still holding on to my statement that you can’t go wrong with Colleen Hoover. I’m not saying her books are flawless and perfect, because it is not, but is there really a perfect book, something that someone didn’t find a flaw on?

I am really torn about Ugly Love. Advance apologies for some parts that wouldn’t make sense as it is a product of the mixed feelings this book gave me. Oh, and this might be a weird review. Or not.

Ugly Love is a friends-with-benefits type of story. Now, I strongly believe that it is not about how common/unique a story is, but how the author executes it. I am a hopeless romantic, and it goes without saying that the first thing I wanted to see in this book is how they fell in love. It was not a pretty sight, which really makes the book stand up to its title.

I like the dual POV that gives the readers a look into the past and present. I liked the anticipation it gave me on where the past and present will meet in the book and how it will go. I like it that while Miles is a mystery in Tate’s POV, I got to see what made him so in his own (though I can’t quite get why his POV
Has
To be
Written
In this
Manner.
Am I
Missing
Something?)

Miles Archer is what made this book really interesting. His POV slowly unveiled the reason why he wasn’t particular in romantic relationships. He’s broken, and understandably so. As the story unfolded and the mystery kept the anticipation building, I also kept wishing that I could read faster and turn the pages even faster. Miles can be easily defined as the King of Mixed Signals, but since we only see him in Tate’s point of view, I wonder if Tate is the one who keeps getting the wrong signals. After all, it is not how the message is sent but how the recipient received it. I wonder if Miles really gave mixed signals or Tate just reads too much into it. Perhaps she’s just seeing what she wanted to see.

Elizabeth Tate Collins is very annoying (sorry, guys!) when she is around Miles, which most of the time. This character is the main reason I am so torn about this book. For every annoying thing that I saw in her, I also have a counterpart explanation, which is making me undecided what to feel.

For someone who supposedly doesn’t have time to fall in love, she sure fell for Miles a little fast. ~ but isn’t that just love? It happens without warnings whatsoever. Sometimes, when there is attraction, love is close behind. Tate was attracted to Miles even from the start, so it’s really no wonder she went around falling in love.

I hope to meet this lady and tell her, “Where is the self-respect, Tate? Where? What happened to backbone? I understand that you don’t want to lose him so you’ll get what he’ll give you, but please have mercy on yourself and know when to stop.” ~ The most annoying thing about Tate is that she let Miles walk all over her. She knows when to stop, but she doesn’t want to. In a way, I understand. She’s in love, and no matter how stupid that sounds it really overrides all logic. I know someone who is just like Tate because she’s in love, and I witnessed the stupid things she did and refused to do. When someone is truly, madly, deeply in love logic usually do not work. So no matter how annoying Tate acted, I guess it was understandable.

There is just one thing that I cannot accept: when Miles called her by his ex-girlfriend’s name and she didn’t walk away. That should be the last straw! That had to hurt in the worst possible way to the point of walking away. Why, Tate? Why?


All in all, I like the story, though some parts of it less so. It didn’t make me cry, but the characters got my sympathy. I’m sure some readers loved it so much, and some were disappointed. A few might be like me, undecided. But that’s just readers; everyone has different opinions.


~ Zee