{Review} Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan

Posted by Donna
Release Date: February 9th, 2016
Finished Date: November 25th, 2015

Publishers: Harper Teen
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: eARC

Pages: 304
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Book Depo 

 

Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna’s survival depends on the world believing she is dead.

But that doesn’t stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.

With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.

With lush writing and a star–crossed romance, Reign of Shadows is Sophie Jordan at her best.

The Review: Reign of Shadows has such a beautiful cover that you can’t help wanting to know more once you first see it. And with a synopsis that sounds intriguing and deliciously good, plus it’s a YA fantasy story so I was definitely on board with that! 

I really love the concept of this story. I really do. I mean who wouldn’t want to read a story about a Princess who has lost her kingdom to an evil chancellor and has been in hiding for the last seventeen years? A kingdom that is encased in darkness with man eating monsters crawling around? And a romance brewing with a mysterious guy? This book was right up my street but as much as I wanted to love Reign of Shadows I can’t help feeling the whole book was very underwhelming. I clearly enjoyed the book enough to finish it but I didn’t finish it with excitement or the need to have the sequel in my hands straight away like I was expecting to. It was just like meh. And that’s disappointed me the most because I was expecting to love this story. 

I actually really liked Luna to start with and the twist with story was something I was expecting but the more the story progressed the more she started to grate on my nerves. She didn’t act the way a person would with a disability. If anything I tended to forget she even had one because the story is written in such a way that makes you second guess if she a one or not. I also didn’t like how she had no drive to regain control of her kingdom. Although she wanted to experience the outdoors and the world around her, she didn’t seem to have much desire to want her kingdom back. She didn’t seem to want revenge on the person who killed her parents. She just didn’t seem believable as a character. Even though she’s strong and has many talents, you would think she’d want to help her people? I couldn’t believe that she was really that oblivious to why the new King was killing young girls. And when she finally figures it out, with the click of her fingers she decides she needs to stop him. But if anything she just seemed willing to have her life sacrificed rather than help the people that needed not just a select few but her whole kingdom. You could say that’s because she’s been hidden in a tower for seventeen years and wasn’t brought up like a princess but considering she didn’t enjoy her life locked away, you’d think she’d want more? She’d want to keep her parents memories alive? I just didn’t get that vibe from her, it was more a self-centred one.

The rest of the story was up and down for me. I enjoyed parts but it was slow going and there really wasn’t much of a plot to the story. I also had to keep reminding myself this was a fantasy story because it didn’t really feel like it at times. There isn’t much explanation to why the Dwellers are there. Why the eclipse happened. Why it happened when Luna was born. Is she connected to it and is that why she is blind? All these questions kept going around in my head and I got no answers. I also kept waiting for Luna to want to reclaim her throne but that just never came. I think the story definitely lacked progression especially if as a writer, you want people to want to read more. It’s open for debate whether I’ll read the sequel or not at this moment. I guess it’s a case of curiosity nearer the time. But I do think the series has a lot of potential so who knows. 

Thank you to Harper Teen for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

{Review} Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Posted by Donna
Release Date: January 28th, 2014
Finished Date: May 3rd, 2015

Publishers: HarperTeen
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Dystopia, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: eBook

Pages: 384
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

The Review: I’ve had Uninvited sitting on my Kindle for a while now and I was planning on reading it when it first released but I just wasn’t in the mood at the time but it’s always been in the back of my mind. Now I can finally say, I’ve read it! And I’m glad I’ve managed to knock it off my TBR list. 

Davy Hamilton has a perfect life – perfect family, perfect boyfriend and, a perfect future to look forward to. But the world Davey lives in isn’t perfect. She lives in a world that certain people test positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome – a gene that the Government finds in everyone that have killed people. In order to prevent this, the Government do mandatory DNA test on everyone and this is when Davy tested positive for HTS – she has the kill gene. Davy’s life is suddenly turned upside when she becomes a carrier and a target and the only other person she can turn to is fellow HTS carrier Sean. 

Uninvited is a chilling and interesting story, but at times the story becomes very slow paced. While I was reading it was quite difficult to see where the story was heading because at times, the plot of the story is non-existent like there wasn’t much of a story to tell other than Davy trying to deal with her HTS gene. I kept reading for the reason that was I’ve read Sophie Jordan’s work before and I know she’s a great writer, so I knew something was planned for the end of the book. So I’m glad I stuck through because I was right and the ending was really enjoyable but, it’s unfortunately it I’m not sure it is enough to make me want to read the sequel….only time will tell. 

I liked Davy as a character, she’s a generally nice person but I felt she spent a lot of time dwelling on the past. I know it’s probably a hard thing to try and forget who she was before she found out that she had the HTS gene. But I felt she tried to hold on to that for far too long. It made the story drag because I just wanted to see Davy accept it and become a better person – a person that proves the Government wrong – that she isn’t destined to become a killer, but that never happens. As the story progresses Davy does start to believe in herself a little more and she tries to stand up for herself more but every time she makes some progress, someone pushes her back down. It was a cruel world she lived in and my heart when out to her. I’m glad she had Sean to lean on. He’s a character that takes some warming up to, but when he opens up its great! He’s great! 

In all, I’m glad I’ve read Uninvited even if it wasn’t a favourite for me, it’s still an interesting read and I believe many people will like it. So give it a try for yourself and see =) 

Thank you to HarperTeen for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

A Review for Foreplay (The Ivy Chronicles #1) by Sophie Jordan

Posted by Donna
Release Date: November 5th, 2013 
Finished Date: September 4th, 2013

Publishers: William Morrow
Genre: New Adult
Source: Borrowed

Format: Paperback
Pages: 320

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs. 

Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.

Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real…

The Review: I've been a fan of Sophie Jordan's work ever since I read her YA series - Firelight, so to hear she was writing a New Adult book made me overly excited, because I knew it would be great, and it really was. 

Foreplay is a story about Pepper - a college girl who hasn't had much experience in the sex department before. When she sets her sights on nabbing her best friend's brother - Hunter, she decides she needs to be taught a few things, and soon her roommates have the perfect guy in mind - Reece, Pepper finds herself approaching him. Reece is a guy with a bad reputation but for what Pepper wants, he's the perfect guy. It's not until the lessons start that something slowly starts to develop between them, and suddenly Pepper is questioning who is the right guy for her.

I really enjoyed Foreplay and I think Sophie Jordan really did write a good book - one that many will love. I felt both Pepper and Reece were characters that many people can relate to and their story was a very enjoyable one. I really liked Pepper - even with how naive she was. She really did want to come out of her shell more, and even though she didn't always feel comfortable going to clubs or approaching men, I loved that she had the nerve to try. Reece was for a male lead....great...and hot! It's was exciting to unravel his secrets and get to know him more. The scenes with both Reece and Pepper in were always so entertaining and full of anticipation, and of course full of sexual tension. I also loved the secondary characters. Pepper's friends were funny and really added some great humour into the story. 

So in all, Foreplay really hit all the right spots for me as a NA story. I think Sophie Jordan did a great job and I'm excited to see what comes next with the secondary characters. 

Thank you to Kayleigh @ K-Books Blog for borrowing me her ARC copy! 

A Review for Vanish (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan

Posted by Jess
Expected Published Date: September 6th, 2011
Finished Date: August 27th, 2011
Publishers: HarperCollins
Source: Received for Review
Format: Kindle
Pages: 304
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The Blurb from Goodreads: To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone. Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love? In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.
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The Review: "It's a feathery kiss, lips brushing, grazing, tasting, almost as if we were afraid of startling each other. And we are."

Could.Not.Put.It.Down! I was soooo excited when NetGalley approved me to review Vanish. I loved Firelight, and I was hoping that Vanish wouldn't disappoint; because I know how some sequels can be a let down if the first was incredible. But lucky for me, Vanish was brilliant. Actually better than Firelight. Yeah, I know.

Sophie Jordan, has an incredible imagination, and her world building in this book was beautiful. I really enjoyed reading into the life of the pride; to get a sense of what goes on behind all the mist that Nidia creates.

It felt great to get back into the story like it was like Firelight never finished, you ease yourself nicely into the next story and you instantly rebuild the connection you previously had with Jacinda. If anything Jacinda is a lot stronger in this than previously in Firelight, I was always connected to Jacinda, and even more so in Vanish, when she was happy I'd be happy, when she was sad, I'd be sad, when she was angry...well you get the gist. I felt a lot more emotion to her sister Tamra this time around especially after what happened to her at the start. Previous characters like Cassian redeemed themselves in this one. In Firelight I came to the conclusion that he was a jerk, and I didn't like him, but I was so, so wrong. There's nothing jerky about him at all. I found myself falling for him really hard and I'm still oh so confused about him and Will. Although there was less Will than we like, Cassian managed to fill that missing Will part. Of course when Will was around it was great, but I never forgot Cassian, and I never will.

Anyway, I knew there'd be some sort of cliffy at the end, but it wasn't major as I saw it coming, and I really do need book 3, there's no news on the name or release but I want it! I thoroughly enjoyed Vanish it was a great continuation to Firelight and I can't wait for book 3. 
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I'd just like to thank NetGalley & HarperCollins for allowing me to review this. 

A review for Vanish (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan

Posted by Donna
Expected Published Date: September 6th, 2011
Finished Date: July 13th, 2011
Source: ARC - NetGalley
Format: E-Galley
Pages: 304
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The Blurb from Goodreads: To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone. Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love? 
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The Review: *Squeeeee* Imagine my excitement when I found this lovely book on NetGalley. Yeah, I was over the moon! The first book in the series Firelight blew me away with its completely unique story line and its amazing world that Sophie Jordan has created and of course, Vanish was just as good. 

This story starts off where Firelight finished. Jacinda and her family are on their way back to the Pride after Caspian has found them. But no sooner are Will’s cousins on their trail after they have discovered what Jacinda really is. Luckily for Jacinda, help appears in a person that was once written off by the Pride giving them chance to make their escape. 

Once back at the Pride, things are harder than ever and rules have now been enforced. Will trying to settle back in, Jacinda must now prove to the pride that she does belong amongst them but how can she do that when she still loves Will? But when Jacinda and Cassian become closer, she has a choice to make…….Stay at the Pride with Cassian or leave forever and be with Will? Who will she choose?

It was so great being back in the Draki world. Sophie Jordan has one incredible imagination and if you thought Firelight was great, then you’re going to love this. Jacinda for me became a much more likable person this time around, not that she wasn’t likable in the first book but she goes through so many different emotions during this book, I felt I connected with her that much more. She is always going to be an awesome character but I loved we got to see so many different sides of her. Cassian, I also liked him more this time around too and honestly, sometimes I was just as torn as Jacinda is but then Will….ahhhh Will but pop back up into the story line and for me Cassian was forgotten. My only complaint and why I rated the book 4.5 inside of 5 was NOT ENOUGH WILL in this book! I needed and wanted more of him but things are looking up for the next instalment. 

The storyline itself has twists and turns throughout and honestly some of the things that happened left me totally shocked. I’m not going to say much; however the book cover for one……is a shocker…..but a fantastic addition to the story. But what shocked me the most was Cassian’s and Jacinda’s story. My heart broke for Jacinda as she is forced into something she doesn’t want but is left with no other choice. Yeah like I said SHOCKER!!! We also finally get to see what Pride life is really like and it’s a lot harder for our characters this time around. With all the new rules and dictation amongst the Pride, I really felt you seen the nastier side to Pride life. And honestly, I don’t think I’d want to live their either. 

Overall, Sophie Jordan has created another book with the same amount of captivity and imagination as the first book and honestly doesn’t disappoint. I’m dying to find out some news on book 3 as that cliff-hanger will leave you wanting to know more. 

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

A review for Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Posted by Jessica

Published Date: September 7th, 2010
Finished Date: April 27th, 2011
The Blurb: A hidden truth. Mortal enemies. Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

The Review: Okay I'm going to try and turn this review into coherent words. Not sure how well that will turn out. But here goes nothing.

By far the BEST YA book I've read in 2011 so far! Fact. Firelight is a new novel by Sophie Jordan, and its amazing. Simply incredible. I couldn't get the book out of my head *cough* Will *cough*. I went to sleep thinking about it, I woke up thinking about it, wanting to read it. To turn those delicious pages to keep getting more. 

Its an all new shifter type book. Instead of wolves, we're focused on dragons. However they aren't called dragons in this book, they haven't been called dragons for generations, they're now called Draki. Descendants of dragons with the ability to manifest back and forth between draki and human forms. We meet Jacinda Jones, the only Firebreather of her Pride, she's to be 'bonded' with Cassian the son of Severin the alpha. Both HUGE Onyx Draki's. Much to Jacinda's displeasure. After flying (illegally you could say) in and around her home, she finds herself in trouble with the alpha. Her mother begs them not to be harsh but they don't listen. So she takes Jacinda and her twin sister Tamra, and they flee to the human world, in the hopes that the reluctant Jacinda will lose her inner Draki and become human, like her mother, and like her sister who never manifested. 

From page one, I was completely hooked to this book. I fell in love with it. Uncontrollably and irrevocably in love with it. Jacinda is a great character, and easy to like. You immediately hope that things work out for her. She's a strong character and doesn't whine! I hate whiny heroines. I felt like Jacinda was a friend that I could have forever. Her mother, well I don't know what to make of her. She pretty much pissed me off through out most of the book, but I can see why she did the things she did. Parents always do it because they think its what's best for their children and should be try to be happy if it makes their children happy. Well Jacinda isn't happy. And she doesn't find happiness. That is until she encounters Will Rutledge. 

Ah Will. Another fictional man to add to my ever growing list of hot fictional characters. Will is the embodiment of sexiness. Really. He's the one that seems to spark Jacinda's inner draki, keeps it alive just as she wants. She finds herself getting closer and closer to him. They're relationship if brilliantly written and very well developed throughout. I loved the idea of him being the hunter and she being his 'prey' so to speak. Not in the kinda creepy stalker sort of way, but the instinct way. The way he was brought up. Against all odds and the glaring eyes of the school skank, and the 'Don't go there' from her sister and mother, their relationship takes a turn for the good and they find themselves falling in love. 

Now lets discuss this ending. Well its not what I expected. It was brilliantly written no doubt about it. It was left ready for the great sequel Vanish which I'm looking forward to. Did I want it to be a happier ending? Yeah of course, but then if that happened would there have been more Will and Jacinda? No there wouldn't be. And I want more Will! There are sooo many possibilities for the next book. I happen to think that Tamra will eventually Manifest. I hope she does. 

Anyway to conclude, Firelight is incredible. I reccommend EVERYONE reads it! EVERYONE! Sophie Jordan is brilliant. A truly wonderful writer. And I'm so incredibly pleased that I read this book. It's given me motivation to read more Sophie Jordan. She's a legend. Firelight, is an instant classic. Wonderful.

READ IT! :)

A review for Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Posted by: Donna
Published Date: 7th September 2010
Read Date: 26th February 2011
The Blurb: A hidden truth. Mortal enemies. Doomed love.


Review:  Wow! BRILLIANT! Wow! If I could give this book a 10 star rating - I WOULD! I'm actually having a hard time writing this review because, I'm just not sure I can write a review that will give the book the justice its deserves - But i'll give it a go. :) 

This novel had me from page one and I only put the book down when sleep won me over. I then picked it straight back up when I woke this morning. It was such an AMAZING story and I LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED it. Honestly, it was so unique, its truly one of a kind and the whole idea about the Draki clan was amazing.

The main characters Jacinda and Will are such loveable characters - full of mystery, excitement and so refreshing to read. I loved the twist and turns through out, the suspense had me sitting on the edge of my chair and I loved how I was able to truly connect with these characters and imagine being in their situation. I was reading this book and actually getting upset, that it was nearly over. I could of kept on reading for ages.

I was completely stunned & blown away by this story - that its definitely my favourite read of 2011 so far. I can not wait for the release of "Vanish" and I wish it would come sooner.