The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

Published by Simon & Schuster Children’s UK

Buy on Amazon

Oh wow, really this book is just wow!  I didn’t really know what to expect when I dived in but I am so glad I did!  This was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last!

Here is the blurb:

 

(Note the fancy box!  I am trying a few things out!!!)

 

CJR THE BRIT REVIEW

Oh bloody hell this book was beyond wonderful, I was entranced…..just like the boys who fall under the Swan Sisters spell…

Penny is a Sparrow veteran, well Lumiere anyway and she knows her fate….’Your fate lies at the bottom of a teacup.’

Bo has come to the island for reasons unknown….’He reminds me of someone who has left his past behind.’

And then we have the Swan Sisters. Beautiful, wild killers.

This story captivated me like no other. I read in 1 sitting as there was no way I was putting this down…..and it’s firmly on my reread pile!

I was really excited to read this but I didn’t get the great feeling I had when I read DOTPK, which was so disappointing but gave this 3.5 stars.

 

Here is the blurb:

Alosa’s mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he’s under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father’s justice.

When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first . . . after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen.

Here is my review:

‘I may not have been born in the sea, but I was born to rule it.
I am the daughter of the siren queen.’

Alosa is back and has the three pieces of the map but she also discovers a secret her father has been hiding. Then Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race for the treasure…..

It was action packed, fun and I loved the family that Alosa has built but for some reason, and I don’t even know what, I just didn’t gel with this book like DOTPK which makes me sad……but Riden is just delish!

 

Title: Smoke in the Sun

Series: Flame in the Mist #2

Author: Renee Ahdieh

 

I was so excited to read this!

I loved Flame in the Mist and I couldn’t wait to get my grabby hands on Smoke in the Sun!

Here is the blurb:

After Okami is captured in the Jukai forest, Mariko has no choice—to rescue him, she must return to Inako and face the dangers that have been waiting for her in the Heian Castle. She tricks her brother, Kenshin, and betrothed, Raiden, into thinking she was being held by the Black Clan against her will, playing the part of the dutiful bride-to-be to infiltrate the emperor’s ranks and uncover the truth behind the betrayal that almost left her dead.

With the wedding plans already underway, Mariko pretends to be consumed with her upcoming nuptials, all the while using her royal standing to peel back the layers of lies and deception surrounding the imperial court. But each secret she unfurls gives way to the next, ensnaring Mariko and Okami in a political scheme that threatens their honor, their love and very the safety of the empire.

 

Here is my review – its a short review as I didn’t want to ramble on and on!

I couldn’t wait to see what happened after the ending of Flame in the Mist.

What would become of Okami?
Would Mariko marry Raiden?
Would Kenshin totally lose himself?
Would Yumi step up to the woman I knew she could be?

All I know from this book is that, not only was it an amazingly breathtaking conclusion but, Okami owns my heart even more:

‘I imagine the moon would be a thing of beauty on a night like this. But I prefer what I’m looking at now.
You likely say that to all the girls who rescue you.
They are a candle in the sunlight compared to you.’

 

Oh what a magical read!

I absolutely loved Caraval so to get this was a no brainer – in fact I got the e-book and also ordered a signed paperback which has pride of place on my shelf!

Want to know what I thought?  Here is my review:

 

Caraval was a fantastic read for me and now Legendary. It was absolute perfection.

‘A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.’

I can’t even properly form the words to describe it!

At 30% I think I had guessed who Legend actually might be.

Then I decided I was wrong.

Then I decided I may have been right originally.

Or was I?

Then I questioned everything, myself, my life, the universe.

I simply loved Tella. I wasn’t sure about her in Caraval but she just exploded into my life in this book and I adored her. ‘Unfortunately Tella wasn’t the sort of girl people saved— she was the one they left behind.’

This story was just magical. I don’t really want to say anymore as I wouldn’t want to ruin this spectacular read for anyone, but if you loved Caraval and it’s twists, turns and general magical-ness, then you need to read this.

Oh what a fabulous read!  I could have kicked myself that I hadn’t read this sooner and am now eagerly awaiting Archenemies!

Im sure you all know this but just to recap, here is the blurb:

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies — humans with extraordinary abilities — who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone… except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice — and in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

 

My Review

Wow that was a fabulous read! I really enjoyed it!

It was like watching a whole series of Heroes but in book form!

Renegades vs Anarchists. Yes!

I loved the main characters, Nova wants the Renegades to go down. And Adrian, a Renegade, wants to find Nightmare……..

It was so fantasticaly written, the beginning I could’ve cried, the middle I was in angst city and that ending!

Bring on the next book! Please!

Title: Flame in the Mist

Author: Renee Ahdieh

 

 

Why oh why did I leave it so long to read this book?

I have no idea!

I fell completely in love with it and need book 2, like now!

 

Here is my review:

This book makes me remember how much I love the written word.

It was beautiful.

Loved Okami

Loved Mariko

Loved the story

Can’t wait to see what happens next!

The story was well paced and just captivating. Mariko’s character development was so well done, no longer the meek ‘yes’ woman, she will fight for her and what she believes in.

And Okami ‘to me you are magic.’ Says it all!

I must admit that I was on the fence about Stalking Jack the Ripper (you can see my review here).

In reality (and this will make me seem so shallow!), there were 2 things that made me read this book. 1 being vampires (!) and 2, Thomas Cresswell!!!!  I simply loved Thomas and I really wanted to know more about him and, more importantly, if he was going to get the girl!

Here is the blurb for Hunting Prince Dracula:

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper’s true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe’s best schools of forensic medicine…and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life’s dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school’s forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.

 

Now my obsession with Thomas Creswell is out there (!), take a look at my review:

 

CJR THE BRIT REVIEW

Back in the world of Wadsworth and Cresswell who are hot on the tail of Vlad the Impaler!

I’m not going to sat anything about the plot at all! Apart from the reveal. It was great!

I enjoyed this book more than book 1 and, like SJTR, I love the way Audrey Rose is scandalized at things that today we wouldn’t even bat an eyelid at! I also like that she has grown up a bit in this book and isn’t so naive.

Thomas Cresswell. Oh Cresswell you made this book for me (as he did in book 1!) I mean when a gentleman gasps this out you know he is a keeper ‘I refuse to believe you’ve misinterpreted my affections. I am wholly in love with you.’ Oh Thomas!

 

(Firstly let me apologise for the above graphic – I know its bad but we have had some internet issues and had to grab the time given!!)

 

Well, well, well, what a gem this was!  I had this series on my tbr for a while, I was getting a book every now and then and promising myself I would read…..and then never got round to it!

I added this series to my Beat The Backlist Challenge and then devoured it in a month (along with arc reads I had commitments on!)

I was so glued to this story! I fell in love with Dimitri. Head over heels. Also with Christian and Adrian (although he was a bit creepy at times!) Loved Lissa but did find Rose a bit annoying at times, her decision making process needs work!!

So now I am left feeling bereft. I have finished the series and I want to unread and read it all again for the first time!

Have you read Vampire Academy?

What were your thoughts?

 

Here are my reviews:

#1 Vampire Academy (review)

#2 Frostbite (review)

#3 Shadow Kiss (review)

#4 Blood Promise (review)

#5 Spirit Bound (review)

# 6 Last Sacrifice (review)