Their Fractured Light -
Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Released: November 18, 2015

Publisher: Allen & Unwin AUS

Synopsis: A year ago, Flynn Cormac and Jubilee Chase made the now infamous Avon Broadcast, calling on the galaxy to witness for their planet, and protect them from destruction. Some say Flynn’s a madman, others whisper about conspiracies. Nobody knows the truth. A year before that, Tarver Merendsen and Lilac LaRoux were rescued from a terrible shipwreck—now, they live a public life in front of the cameras, and a secret life away from the world’s gaze.

Now, in the center of the universe on the planet of Corinth, all four are about to collide with two new players, who will bring the fight against LaRoux Industries to a head. Gideon Marchant is an eighteen-year-old computer hacker—a whiz kid and an urban warrior. He’ll climb, abseil and worm his way past the best security measures to pull off onsite hacks that others don’t dare touch.

Sofia Quinn has a killer smile, and by the time you’re done noticing it, she’s got you offering up your wallet, your car, and anything else she desires. She holds LaRoux Industries responsible for the mysterious death of her father and is out for revenge at any cost.

When a LaRoux Industries security breach interrupts Gideon and Sofia’s separate attempts to infiltrate their headquarters, they’re forced to work together to escape. Each of them has their own reason for wanting to take down LaRoux Industries, and neither trusts the other. But working together might be the best chance they have to expose the secrets LRI is so desperate to hide.

~ Goodreads ~ Allen & Unwin ~

* * *

What I Thought: This is it guys. This is the final book in the trilogy, and man does it finish off the series spectacularly. I absolutely adored the first two books in the series, and while it took me awhile to get through this one (because life just gets in the way), it made me remember how much I love Kaufman and Spooner - their writing, their characters, their world.

Their Fractured Light introduces two more characters to be weaved into the story - Gideon and Sofia. Like our previous characters, they are opposites who really shouldn't attract. He is a hacker, she is a con-woman, and neither can trust each other (and for good reason!). A chance encounter forces them together and into the pot with La Roux, the whispers and our other characters that we've all come to love. This story was really well blurbed (is that a word?) because it gives away PRETTY MUCH NOTHING of what this last book is really about.

There is adventure, violence, friendship, betrayal, and most importantly (to me) a hot romance. We come to the end of our story, now having to leave our characters behind, but you really won't want to. So if you have read the previous books, then make sure you get your hands on the final book to see how it all ends.

The Good: This one is as fast-paced, action packed and exciting as the previous books so it won't let you down!

The Bad: There is no more! What do I do now...

Rating:  5/5

Mad Claire

xo

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda -
Becky Albertalli

Released: March 25, 2015

Publisher: PenguinTeen AUS

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

~ Goodreads ~ Penguin ~

* * *

What I Thought: Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a treasure of a story that I think everyone should read. It (almost) took the place of my favourite contemporary. Simon is gay, but no one knows except his online friend 'Blue'. Together, Simon and Blue get to know the real person, hiding behind the stigma of their sexuality. But then Simon gets blackmailed and it all goes a bit pear-shaped from there. You can't help but fall in love with Simon, Blue and all the supporting characters in the novel. His family that watches The Bachelor together, his friends who are in a bit of a love triangle. But the best thing is the way Simon and Blue progress through the relationship.

Of course, the novel does explore what it is like to be a gay teenage boy, unable to open up to people with the truth, until you are practically forced to. It delves into what it is like, and how hard it can be, as well as what happens when you do finally open up.

Albertalli weaves a beautiful and funny story, creating intricate characters that make you want to dive straight into the book and become their friends. If you love a good contemporary, or even if you don't, I highly suggest you pick this one up.

The Good: The cheeky emails between Simon and Blue. So. Damn. Cute.

The Bad: I just loved this book from start to finish!

Rating: 5/5

Mad Claire

xo

The Devil You Know - Trish Doller

Released: July 1, 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury AUS

Synopsis: Eighteen-year-old Arcadia wants adventure. Living in a tiny Florida town with her dad and four-year-old brother, Cadie spends most of her time working, going to school, and taking care of her family. So when she meets two handsome cousins at a campfire party, she finally has a chance for fun. They invite her and friend to join them on a road trip, and it's just the risk she's been craving-the opportunity to escape. But what starts out as a fun, sexy journey quickly becomes dangerous when she discovers that one of them is not at all who he claims to be. One of them has deadly intentions. 

A road trip fling turns terrifying in this contemporary story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

~ Goodreads ~ Bloomsbury ~

* * *

What I Thought: I have been dying to read this book since I heard Doller was bring out a new one! I absolutely loved her previous two books, and I have to say, this one was no different! Cadie is sick of her adult responsibilities and just wants adventure, so when she gets offered it, she grabs the opportunity with both hands. Doesn't matter that it leads her on a road-trip with two gorgeous male strangers, and an underlying feeling that something is just not right.

Cadie is attracted to both cousins, Matt and Noah, but Noah is the one that is continually pulling her heart strings. But of course, this isn't just some road trip love story. This is a thriller and soon things start to get interesting... and creepy. The Devil You Know will keep you on your toes, even if you manage to figure it out a little early, and will leave you wanting more. I know I did!

If you have read Doller's other books, or even if you haven't, I suggest picking this one up! It's absolutely wonderful and is a quick and easy read!

The Good: This book was similar yet different to her other novels - but it had hot boys and a strong female character, which I love!

The Bad: I figured out the twist of the story pretty early on, which was slightly disappointing, but was still good reading how it got there, because I couldn't help second-guessing myself. Now, bring on the next story please Doller!

Rating:

Mad Claire

xo

A Court of Thorns and Roses - 
Sarah J Maas

Released: May 1, 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury AUS 

Synopsis: Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price ... 

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

The start of a sensational romantic fantasy trilogy by the bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series

~ Goodreads ~ Bloomsbury ~

* * *

What I Thought: OH MY LORDY. We all know how freaking awesome Sarah J Maas is, so really it should come as now surprise that her new novel PUTS OUT THE GOOD STUFF. By that I mean well-written world building; intricate characters; those tense moments that put you on the edge of your seat and the plot twists that make you then fall off said seat; relationships that make you want to tear your hair out with your bare hands; and of course, FEELS for miles and miles. Feyre is a strong willed character with a heart of gold - despite the fact that her family treat her like dirt. Tamlin, Lucien, Rhysand and all the other supporting characters add depth to the novel in such a way that you can't help loving them all, even just a little bit. Oh, except the dreaded her. She you will definitely hate. To top it all off, Maas leaves us with hints of what is to come, and damn it will leave you begging for more.

Well done to Maas for creating another work of art that makes you wish you lived in that world. Please, for all our sakes, don't make us wait too long for the next one (which is expected sometime in 2016).

The Good: Beautiful characters and world building were the highlights of this for me. Plus, thank you for giving us Tamlin, Lucien and even Rhysand.

The Bad: That awful waiting game you have to play while you wait for the sequel.

Rating:

Mad Claire

xo

Dead of Winter - Kresley Cole
(The Arcana Chronicles #3)

Released: January 6, 2015

Publisher: Simon & Schuster AUS

Synopsis: Can Evie convince her rival loves to work together? Their survival depends on it in this third book of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole’s Arcana Chronicles, a nonstop action tale of rescue, redemption, and a revenge most wicked.

Heartbreaking decisions 
Evie was almost seduced by the life of comfort that Death offered her—until Jack was threatened by two of the most horrific Arcana, the Lovers. She will do anything to save him, even escape Death’s uncanny prison, full of beautiful objects, material comforts…and stolen glances from a former love.

Uncertain victory 
Despite leaving a part of her heart behind with Death, Evie sets out into a perilous post-apocalyptic wasteland to meet up with her allies and launch an attack on the Lovers. Such formidable enemies require a battle plan, and the only way to kill them may mean Evie, Jack, and Death allying. Evie doesn’t know what will prove more impossible: surviving slavers, plague, Bagmen and other Arcana—or convincing Jack and Death to work together.

Two heroes returned 
There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Evie just doesn’t know where she stands with either Jack or Death. Will this unlikely trio be able to defeat The Lovers without killing one another first...? 

~ Goodreads ~ Simon & Schuster ~

* * *

What I Thought: We fell in love with Jack in Poison Princess, then swung the other way for Death in Endless Knight and now in Dead of Winter it's finally time to decide. Evie is back and has left Death to go free Jack from the torture of The Lovers. There is a lot at stake, and Death turning up doesn't exactly help the situation. Seeing Jack and seeing Death has Evie's emotions all twisted into knots. How will she ever choose?

This time, Jack and Death have to work together, and somehow try resist killing each other. To defeat the Lovers and save another Arcana, they all have to learn to trust each other, despite the strange history between them all.
Betrayal, confusion, action and of course lust are all smashed together to bring us an amazing third novel in the series.

Then of course, we have to be slammed with a KILLER CLIFFHANGER ENDING. Yup guys, I tell the truth. The other two novels have had them, but neither compare to this one. Make sure you have tissues.

Kresley Cole is a beautiful word-smith, tugging at all our different emotions, making us feel as if we the reader were Evie ourselves. If you loved the first two, then this one will be no different, I can guarantee, and if you haven't read them then you better get started so we can compare notes! :)

The Good: This love triangle (and some of the scenes surrounding) just keeps getting hotter and hotter. The Arcana game is progressing a bit slower, focusing more on Evie and the boys, without being too overpowering.

The Bad: Another year wait for the next book :-(

Rating:

Mad Claire

xo

The Mime Order - Samantha Shannon
(The Bone Season #2)

Released: January 27, 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury AUS

Synopsis: Paige Mahoney has escaped the brutal prison camp of Sheol I, but her problems have only just begun: many of the survivors are missing and she is the most wanted person in London...

As Scion turns its all-seeing eye on the dreamwalker, the mime-lords and mime-queens of the city's gangs are invited to a rare meeting of the Unnatural Assembly. Jaxon Hall and his Seven Seals prepare to take centre stage, but there are bitter fault lines running through the clairvoyant community and dark secrets around every corner. Then the Rephaim begin crawling out from the shadows. But where is Warden? Paige must keep moving, from Seven Dials to Grub Street to the secret catacombs of Camden, until the fate of the underworld can be decided.

~ Goodreads ~ Bloomsbury ~

* * *

What I Thought: OH MY LORDY. YES YES YES YES. So much yes, so many feels, so much wanting for the sequel. The Mime Order picks up straight after The Bone Season ends, with Paige and the Seals escaping with some other captives on the train back to London. From there, it's 500 pages of pure action-packed mystery, betrayal and awesomeness.

Paige wants the world, or at least the Underworld, to know about the Rephaim and their control over Scion. This is going to be harder than expected, because Jax doesn't want her telling anyone and the Warden is no-where to be found.
Then under mysterious circumstances, the Unnatural Assembly is called. Paige sees this as the perfect opportunity to talk, but she'll have to beat all the odds to do it.

The Mime Order, in my opinion, is an extraordinary sequel to the mind-blowing Bone Season. This book plunges you right back into the visual world set out in the first book, and it grabs hold of you and doesn't let go, not even after the last page. While I left The Bone Season wanting more, it was nothing compared to the feelings after finishing The Mime Order. Knowing that it's a seven-book series does little to help quench my thirst for more of this amazing story.

If you loved the first one, then definitely grab this one ASAP, because I swear you won't be disappointed. If you haven't even read the first one yet, well then I suggest you hop on down to your local bookstore and grab it right now.

The Good: This book was world-built just as well as the first, immersing you in Paige's situation. It made you feel everything, including feels you might not have been ready for.

The Bad: Another year wait for the third book :-(

Rating:

Mad Claire

xo

This Shattered World - 
Amie Kaufman&Meagan Spooner

Released: November 19, 2014

Publisher: Allen&Unwin

Synopsis: Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.

Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.

Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. Terraforming corporations make their fortune by recruiting colonists to make the inhospitable planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.

Desperate for any advantage in a bloody and unrelentingly war, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape the rebel base together, caught between two sides of a senseless war.

The stunning second novel in the Starbound trilogy is an unforgettable story of love and forgiveness in a world torn apart by war.

~ Goodreads ~

* * *

What I Thought: OH MY LORDY. So so good. The FEELS. I just can't even... Okay, so I am babbling like an idiot, because this book was just so incredible. Not quite a sequel per-say, but a companion novel to These Broken Stars, which revolves around the lives of Captain Lee Chase and Rebel leader Flynn Cormac. Destined as rivals finding the path as lovers. Sound familiar? Okay so it has some basic similarities to the previous novel, but the new setting, the new characters, the new situation all provide a completely different feel to the story. Action, betrayal, romance, confusion, deceit - it's a whirlwind adventure.

SUCH FUN!

So what about Tarver and Lilac you ask? Well, I can't really give too much away, but I can say they do make an appearance. Not quite the same if you got way attached to them in the first novel, but Lee and Flynn will capture you in the same way they did.

Kaufman and Spooner have written yet another killer novel - together, they create worlds and relationships that are pure magic.
If you loved These Broken Stars, then you are going to fall in love again with This Shattered World. I would definitely recommend reading them in order, though the could be stand-alones, but there would be important things you miss.
Plus, if you haven't read it yet I don't think we can be friends.

The Good: Kaufman and Spooner are an incredible team and make you feel so many feels. Just as much love for this book as the first one!

The Bad: Yet another wait for the next book!!

Rating:

Mad Claire

xo

The Queen of Zombie Hearts - Gena Showalter

Released: October, 2014

Publisher: HarlequinAUS

Synopsis: 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 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

~ Goodreads ~

* * *

What I Thought: OH MY LORDY. WHAT DID I JUST READ? Death. Zombies. Death. Betrayal. Death. Romance. Death. How could you do this to my feels Showalter? Right now, I'm in a puddle of tears.
This is the final book in the White Rabbit Chronicles trilogy. This is where it ends. It's either going to be Anima or Ali and her friends - and she is not going to let that happen. This is the fight to end all fights.

There is a new surprise in store - a woman that only Ali can see. Is she really trying to help or is she evil in disguise? You'll have to stay on your toes to figure it out. While you do that, you'll have to prepare yourself for some explosive secrets.

Now, I'm going to be honest - it's not going to be pretty. You are going to lose characters you love. So be prepared. But they aren't going to go down without a fight. There is a lot of action. There is typical Cole-Ali arguing/cold shouldering. There is hot and heavy Cole-Ali romance. This book seriously has it all. I absolutely loved it. I cried, I laughed, I cried some more.

Showalter delivers a epic conclusion to an amazing series, and it will stay with you. If you loved the first two books, you are going to love this one too. If you haven't read the others, then DO IT. You won't regret it, I promise!

The Good: Nothing was what I expected!

The Bad: That's it guys! No more Cole or Ali or any of the other crew :(

Rating:

Mad Claire

xo

The Winner's Curse - Marie Rutkoski

Released: July 3, 2014

Publisher: Bloomsbury AUS

Synopsis: Winning what you want may cost you everything you love.

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction.

Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

~ Goodreads ~

* * *

What I Thought: THIS BOOK. THIS BOOK AND IT'S FEELS. I read this book in two sittings, in less than twenty-four hours. I couldn't put it down for anything except sleep - and I wouldn't have even done that if I could have stayed up longer. The Winner's Curse, a book set in a fantasy world, about a girl who buys a slave and gets more than she bargained for. A lot more.
Arin and Kestrel aren't a typical love story, so if you think it's going to be all romance and longing then you are so wrong.

Kestrel is the daughter of the General of the Valorian army, one of the most fierce and powerful nations. By chance she stumbles upon a slave auction, and is intrigued by a young defiant looking man, and decides to buy him. In turn, the begin to learn about each other, taking some drastic measures for the other and in the end, having to deal with betrayal and love.

This book grabbed me from the start and I just enjoyed the beautiful word-building so much that I couldn't put it down. Yes, there are some parts that seem unnecessary, but as the novel progresses, you realise they are actually quite important to the plotline. Of course, this novel does too have a cliffhanger ending and the thought of waiting until March for the next one makes me want to cry. So if that isn't an indication of how good this book is, then there isn't really much more I can say to convince you. You'll just have to trust my word for it, so go out and grab this book now.

The Good: This book kept me on the edge of my seat, I literally only put it down to sleep (because it was already so late!) so I definitely count that as a big win!

The Bad: The wait for the next novel! Give it to me NOW!!

Rating:

Mad Claire

xo

We Were Liars - E.Lockhart

Released: July 23, 2014

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Synopsis: A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island.

A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.

A group of four friends - the Liars - whose friendship turns destructive.

A revolution. An accident. A secret.

Lies upon lies.

True love.

The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense that will leave you reeling.

Read it.

And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

~ Goodreads ~

* * *

What I Thought: OH MY LORDY. THIS BOOK. THE FEELS. THE TEARS.
So when I started reading this, it took me awhile to realise what the actual heck was going on. This book is set into parts, then smaller chapters, switching between present and past, and can be confusing if you don't follow carefully. It has been said that it's best not to tell you anything about the books ending, and it's absolutely true. This is a book that you just need to dive in without knowing anything about it - that is what I did and the end just blew me away.

Cadence is part of a group called the Liars - three of them cousins and one a long time friend. Together they spend their summers on the family island, living the life of luxury that money provides. One summer, Cadence has an accident and can't remember what happened, and now it is time for her to regain her memories.

We Were Liars had a bit of trouble holding my interest in the start, and for a long while I couldn't figure out why everyone liked it so much. However the need to find out the ending was too strong and I had to finish it - and I'm so glad I did. Lockhart has written a cleverly hidden twist, to which I never saw coming. Not by a long shot, and that alone, makes this book completely worth it. I can't wait to reread it again, knowing the twist and seeing how well it was written into the story without my noticing.

All in all, a fantastic novel that everyone needs to read!

The Good: That twist ending!!

The Bad: It is a slow start, and a lot of it doesn't make sense for awhile.

Rating: 

Mad Claire

xo

Strange and Ever After - Susan Dennard
(Something Strange and Deadly #3)

Released: July 22, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen 

Synopsis: With supernatural forces, epic romance, and a mysterious Egyptian city, Eleanor
and her team are set for an adventure they will never forget.

It has been a tumultuous time for Eleanor Fitt since life as she knew it in Philadelphia came abruptly to an end. While the Spirit-Hunters—Joseph, Jie, and Daniel—have helped her survive her brother's violent death and an invasion of Hungry Dead, Eleanor has lost just about everything.

And now, Jie is missing—taken by the evil necromancer Marcus. Eleanor is determined not only to get her back but to finally end this nightmare. But to do so, she must navigate the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt amid the rising Dead, her unresolved feelings for Daniel, and her volatile relationships with Joseph and Oliver, her demon. And it won't be easy. Because Allison, her friend from Philadelphia, has tagged along, becoming strangely entangled in Eleanor's mission.

It will take all of Eleanor's powers of black magic, and all of Daniel's and Joseph's trust, to succeed. But there will be a price. People will have to suffer the consequences of what Marcus has done, and what Eleanor, Oliver, and the Spirit-Hunters will do to stop all this deadly chaos.

~ Goodreads ~

* * *

What I Thought: Strange and Ever After is a stunning, tragic yet beautiful conclusion to the Something Strange and Deadly series. For three books now, we have grown to love these characters, considering friends and most definitely developing crushes on certain people *ahem* Daniel *ahem* but now it is time to say goodbye.

Strange and Ever After takes from France to Egypt this time and the whirlwind adventure continues. Marcus is still one step ahead, but Eleanor, Joseph, Daniel and Oliver are determined to get Jie back and finish off Marcus once and for all. But of course, it wasn't as easy as they expect, and they have many a long way to go before they can even dream of that. For reals though. Eleanor takes a few more trips to the spirit realm, meets some ancient Egyptian gods, fights with Oliver, makes up with Oliver, fights with Oliver again, fights with Daniel, makes up with Daniel. It's an endless Miss Fitt cycle. But Eleanor is full of secrets, from not only the Spirit-Hunters, but from her Demon too.

Of course there has to be betrayal, even though I really wasn't expecting it - and of course there is romance too. Susan Dennard would not have left us hanging! But all-in-all, be prepared for the onslaught of feels, because once you've started, there is no turning back...

The Good: Nothing was what I expected!

The Bad: Now I weep for it is all over...

Rating:

5 stars

Mad Claire

xo

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet -
Bernie Su and Kate Rorick

Released: July 1, 2014

Publisher: Simon and Schuster AUS

Synopsis: There is a great deal that goes into making a video blog. Lizzie Bennet should know, having become a YouTube sensation over the course of her year-long video diary project. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries chronicled Lizzie's life as a twenty-four-year-old grad student, struggling under a mountain of student loans and living at home with her two sisters;beautiful Jane and reckless Lydia. What may have started as her grad student thesis grew into so much more, as the videos came to inform and reflect her life and that of her sisters. When rich, handsome Bing Lee comes to town, along with his stuck-up friend William Darcy, things really start to get interesting for the Bennets and for Lizzie's viewers. Suddenly Lizzie who always considered herself a fairly normal young woman was a public figure. But not everything happened on-screen. Luckily for us, Lizzie kept a secret diary.

~ Goodreads ~

* * *

What I Thought: When life hands you any sort of Pride and Prejudice remake, sequel or any of version of the sort, you have to grab on to this opportunity with both hands. Especially when it is as amazing as the Lizzie Bennet Diaries web series was. And then Bernie Su gave us the Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet - an even further insiders look into Lizzie Bennets life while she was filming - and it is FRICKING INCREDIBLE.

I kid you not, fellow readers, this book is just what any Austen/Lizzie Bennet fan needs to satisfy their hunger for more. It follows along side the videos, but gives us a different perspective to what is going on - no, it doesn't just repeat everything that happened and was said in the videos - this gives us Lizzie Bennets complete inner-most thoughts. It is a fantastic accompaniment to the web series, and yet it would be great as a stand alone book too! (Although there are plenty of references to the web series so you'd probably end up having to watch them any way!)

If you have watched the series, love Austen and P&P then this is your next favourite read, guaranteed! It's certainly become mine!

The Good: If, like me, you were left wanting more Darcy and Lizzie and have already rewatched the series more times than you can count, then this will be perfect for you - plus it's a modern version of P&P for those who don't want to read that (but why?).

The Bad: Make it longer, and extremely detailed, with pictures and and and and make it never end okay.

Rating:

Mad Claire

xo

Taste of Darkness - Maria V. Snyder
(Healer #3)

Released: January 1, 2014

Publisher: Harlequin AUS 

Synopsis: She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision

~ Goodreads ~

* * *

What I Thought: So I have to start by admitting it took me an awful LONG TIME to get through this one. I started it in December, then restarted it again in about February and then it took another four months to finally finish it. However, once I sat down and purely focused on nothing else but reading this book, I absolutely flew through it - and for good reason because it was so damn incredible! WHAT THE HECK WAS WRONG WITH ME LEAVING IT SO LONG TO READ?! Seriously though. 

Taste of Darkness is the final book(?) in the Healer series and what an epic conclusion it was. Yes, it started off a bit too slow for my liking, but when things started getting intense, well then I just couldn't put it down.
Kerrick is missing, Belen is missing, the war is raging, a new strain of plague is back, and Avry is as badass as ever. Really, what more could you want from a conclusion? Oh, you want betrayal, secrets, cannibals, strange alliances and final victory? WELL GEEZ, you can have all that too in this epic conclusion - I swear it has it all.

I am an absolute HUMONGOUS fan of Maria V. Snyder, so I couldn't not love this story, because her writing style is beautiful, always weaving the perfect pictures to accompany her story.
If you haven't read Taste of Darkness, then definitely hop to it!
If you haven't read any of the Healer series, then why ever not?
If you haven't read any of Snyder's books, well then I'm sorry but we cannot be friends. I'm deadly serious.

The Good: We finally see certain characters get what they deserve, and not all is as expected.

The Bad: There is no more Avry, Kerrick, Flea, Belen and the Monkeys to read about :(

Rating:

Mad Claire

xo

The Assassin's Blade - Sarah J. Maas 
(Throne of Glass 0.1-0.5)

Released: March 13, 2014

Publisher: Bloomsbury AUS

Synopsis: Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.

~ Goodreads ~

* * *

What I Thought: The Assassin's Blade is filled with five amazing novella's, prequels to Throne of Glass. There is fighting aplenty, blossoming romance, defiance and of course betrayal. I was lucky enough to have read four of these novellas before I read Throne of Glass, and I'm so glad I did. It gave so much extra insight into Celaena's back story, and of course there is Sam. In the Pirate Lord, Celaena and Sam are on a mission from Arobynn to bring back slaves, yet it doesn't go according to plan. In the Healer, Celaena meets a special girl with special gifts, and teaches her how to defend herself. In the Desert, Celaena learns new ways from the assassin's in the red desert, and finds out more about herself. In the Underworld, Celaena gets back from her red desert punishment and is sent on a mission for the slaves in the city, but not is all as it seems. In the Empire, the novellas lead us into the start of Throne of Glass, where Celaena tries to get away from Arobynn and loses everything.

These stories are an absolutely amazing addition to the Throne of Glass series, and left me wanting more more more!
If you haven't read them yet, then I highly suggest you grab this right this second and get reading! Sarah J. Maas doesn't fail to impress, I promise you that!

The Good: Extremely good look into how Celaena ended up in the salt mines of Endovier at the start of Throne of Glass! Plus, Sam <3 font="">

The Bad: I loved them so damn much that I actually just want more more more of them. I mean, come on! Please?

Rating:

Mad Claire

xo