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Showing posts with label Gena Showalter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gena Showalter. Show all posts

Thursday, 16 October 2014

{Review} The Queen of Zombie Hearts ((White Rabbit Chronicles #3) by Gena Showalter

20579287Posted by Donna
Release Date: September 30th, 2014
Finished Date: October 14th, 2014
Publishers: Harlequin Teen 
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance
Source: Gifted
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 464
I have a plan. 

We'll either destroy them for good, or they'll destroy us. 

Either way, only one of us is walking away. 

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun. 

As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn't the girl she thought she was. She's connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole's mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

The Review: I’m a sobbing mess. A. COMPLETE. MESS. But what a way to end the series! 

 Alice and Cole have been through thick and thin and just when they’re starting to slip back into the routines of their hectic lives, destruction comes crashing down on them and it’s all because of Anima Industries – the company who try to control the Zombie’s – because they want Ali. When four of her friends are killed by Anima’s hands, Ali is more determined than ever to put an end to their company, but no matter how many times her and the slayers get a head, Anima are always there to bring them back down. But when Ali starts being able to control the Zombie’s and having more gifts than the other slayers, she realizes there are secrets hidden deep within her past. Can Ali save everyone she loves before Anima destroys everything? 

I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of The Queen of Zombie Hearts and as soon as it landed on my door step, I knew it was the perfect time to re-read the first two books so I could refresh on what I knew I'd properly forgotten over the last two years. And what a great decision that was because it made me enjoy this book even more. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I headed into this instalment. I was nervous, scared, excited, hopeful, every emotion that I could possibly feel, I was feeling because I just didn’t know how this series would end. It’s a riveting and engaging story. There isn’t a dull moment. There’s more than enough twists to the story that keep you on your toes. It’s funny and has a ton of laugh-out-loud moments but it also break your heart – yep, emotional! Get the tissues ready! 

Ali and Cole are phenomenal characters. I love the relationship they have. It’s intense and full of sparks. It’s beautiful and dangerous and sweet, it’s everything. They’re one feisty couple, never willing to give up on not just their relationship, but in everything in their life. They love fiercely with everything they have. 

I felt as though Ali never really caught a break during this instalment. One thing after another was thrown at her and each time a new situation arrived, it seemed to be worse than the next. But no matter what, she pushes try and deals with what she has. She finds out some shocking things about herself too, but again, she pushes through. I’ve really enjoyed Ali’s journey, no matter the hardships and she’s definitely not an unforgettable character. 

The secondary characters are second to none. They made this series so enjoyable to read. I loved all the slayers and non-slayers in the end. Some took time to warm up to but still, so worth it in the end. And it really broke my heart to see some of them leave this story so early. I wasn’t prepared for it – especially for one character. I won’t say who. But it’s the reason I cried so much! It broke my heart to see but more so for the other person involved and how it would affect them too. Even though I’m devastated, I’m glad it didn’t feel forced into the story line - it felt very real. 

In all, The Queen of Zombie Hearts is a heart-pounding and exciting finale to this series. It’s a sad feeling letting these character go, but I’m glad it went out with such a bang and I believe Gena Showalter did an awesome job with it. I highly recommend you read this series!

Monday, 9 September 2013

A Review for Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles #2) by Gena Showalter


18215998Posted by Donna 
Release Date: September 24th, 2013
Finished Date: August 31st, 2013
Publishers: Harlequin Teen
Source: For Review
Format: eARC
Pages: 480
Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. 

After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. 

She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.

The Review: "You look edible, by the way. You have no idea how badly I want under that skirt." His voice dipped huskily as he added, "I wish I had time to prove it."

 I can't believe I forgot how much I enjoyed Gena Showalter's Alice in Zombieland until I started the sequel, Through the Zombie Glass. Within minutes all the little details from the first book started coming back to me and I suddenly got excited all over again. Through the Zombie Glass literally consumed me until I finished - it's simply an amazing sequel!

Ali is back but this time it's harder than ever but she really does go through some much during this sequel. She's dealing with things that she never believed could happen and she's also dealing with relationship problems with Cole and honestly, talk about an emotional read! This one really pulls on your heart strings and leaves you a bundle of nerves from the tension. There's also never a dull moment because of how much excitement and action there is. I truly believe this series has a little bit of everything for everyone - it's impossible not to love it. There's just so many aspects of this story that have you questioning everything but the way Gena writes it, by the end, it's truly epic! It makes me wonder what she has in store for us with the final book . Eek I'm nervous just thinking about it. 

The characters.....oh the characters! Ali, Cole *drools*, Frosty, Kat, Reeve....and even Gavin make this sequel so kick ass! They're such a feisty and comical bunch of characters that they really make this series amazing. I was literally laughing out loud in parts and then the next, I'm on the verge of tears. I love how I can feel so many different emotions within a matter of seconds. 

Ali and Cole 100% my favourite couple from the series. I'm constantly rooting for these two and my god, they go through the ringer in this book....but I guess it was all worth it in the end.

In all, the White Rabbit Chronicle series is definitely my favourite zombie series EVER! Kick- ass, exciting, intense, highly-charged, heart-breaking, action packed - need I say more? Go read it! I promise you'll love it! 

Saturday, 1 September 2012

A Review for Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles, #1)Posted by Donna
Release Date: October 5th, 2012
Finished Date: August 18th, 2012
Publishers: Mira Ink
Source: ARC For Review
Format: Paperback
Pages: 404
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.
Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.
Her father was right. The monsters are real….
To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….
I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.

The Review: “Let’s see what I can do to change that, shall we? We’re going on a little adventure, you and I. When I give an order, you’ll obey it. There will be no asking politely, no matter how much you bat your lashes at me.” 

Where to start with Alice in Zombieland....well, to be honest zombies are really not my thing AT ALL! I've read several zombie books and just cant see what all the hype is about - they just don't do anything for me, but because of all the awesome reviews on this book, I wanted to give it go and yes, it's official.... Gena Showalter has convinced me that this zombie book RULES and I just want more and more of this amazing and unique world. 

Alice in Zombieland is a fun filled adrenaline ride, full of thrilling, engaging and explosive scenes and I really loved every minute of it. Gena Showalter really delivers in her excellent storytelling and gives us readers little signs of the original Alice in Wonderland. I have to say, I love the original story and I really enjoyed trying to spot them out in this book. I just wanted to try and unravel what each sign meant, especially the rabbit in the sky. It was a very intruiging twist but what I enjoyed about this novel so much is that it screams UNIQUENESS. The zombies in this story aren't just you're regular walking dead but there something different, and no, I'm not telling you and spoiling it for you, so I guess you're going to have to read the book for yourself but trust me what I say you won't be disappointed. This is why I enjoyed this book so much more to other zombie books...so yay! 

Now, the characters.....I need to talk about Cole first. *SIGH* I love him. He's just....wow. He literraly takes my breath away, he's that amazing. It was interesting to see why he is the way he is, he's broody and moody and people are scared of him but they have every right to be. He's the top slayer and he'll do anything to protect those he cares about. Now Alice, she's such a likable girl from page one, even through her losing her parents she tries to remain strong but it's not until she meets Cole that she really finds out what's going on. That her father was right...zombies are real and their after her. Another interesting part of this book was following Cole and Alice's romance, there's something very special that gives them a very deep connection, and even though we still don't know why this is, it still gives me hope that these two troubled characters can survive the battles and still remain in love. I'm very eager to see what happens with them. 

So if you're a fan of superb storytelling, excellent and interesting characters, with a romance that you will root for and a captivating story, then this is the book for you. Gena Showalters give a whole new meaning to zombies and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next. 4.5 stars! 

A big thank you to Mira Ink for giving me the opportunity to review this book. 

Tuesday, 8 November 2011

A Review for Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter.

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie
Published Date: August 23rd, 2011 
Finished Date: October 31st, 2011
Publishers: Mills & Boon (Mira) 
Source: For Review
Format: Paperback
Pages: 400 


The Blurb from Goodreads: Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with a need for vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out. 

Nicolai the Vampire is renowned for his virility, but in a cruel twist of fate “The Dark Seducer” has become a sex slave in the kingdom of Delfina—stripped of his precious timepiece and his memory. All that remains is a primal need for freedom, revenge—and the only woman who can help him. 

When the wanton vampire summons Jane Parker, she is helpless to obey. She's drawn to his dark sexuality and into his magical realm. But for this human, all is not a fairy tale. For saving Nicolai could mean losing the only man she's ever craved...


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The Review: 3.5 out of 5 - This is the first in a series, each by a different author but all centring around the same storyline. 

An evil blood sorcerer decides he will conquer and claim kingdoms but the King and Queen of Eldon won't go down without a fight, one being a Vampire and the other a witch. Accepting their fate they are determined that their four children will survive. So they join their powers to keep their children safe without the knowledge of where they come from or who they are, but with an overwhelming need for vengeance against the new King of Eldon. 

In the first book Nicolai, the eldest who is a vampire finds himself as a sex slave to a pair of sadistic princesses who take pleasure in his pain and keep him chained up, a slave to their every whim. He somehow manages to bring a human into the realm by murdering one of his tormenters and placing Jane in her place, appearing to everyone else as the murdered princess.

In the beginning he views Jane as a means to an end which is to escape and gain revenge on his parent’s killer even though he can’t remember why he needs to do it. His plans start to unravel with the amount of time he spends with Jane and his memories start to appear, giving him an insight into who he really is and what has been one to him. 

To be honest I wasn’t really sure about this book to begin with. I have never read a book by this author and wasn’t quite sure what to expect but i actually really enjoyed it. It was easy to read and not that confusing compared to others I’ve read that deal with other realms. I found myself waiting for the memories that were coming to light to know more about Nicolai and how they were going to affect him as each new thing was revealed. The relationship was really sweet but very primal at the same time, the way his speech reverted to basic one words when he was overcome with emotion brought home a sort of savagery and I liked it! Jane was also endearing with the way she wouldn’t give in and do as she is told or wouldn’t back down. Just like a strong modern woman should be, even after everything that had happened in her life.

All in all I really liked this book and will definitely be looking into the follow ups and possibly some of this authors other works too.
 
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