Endless Knight Review

Title: Endless Knight (The Arcana Chronicles #2)
Author: Kresley Cole
Publisher: Simon and Schuster for Youhg Readers
Release Date: October 1st 2013
Source: Finshed Copy for Review
Rating: 5/5


 Shocking SecretsEvie has fully come into her powers as the Tarot Empress, and Jack was there to see it all. She now knows that the teens who've been reincarnated as the Tarot are in the throes of an epic battle. It's kill or be killed, and the future of mankind hangs in the balance.

Unexpected Allies

With threats lurking around every corner, Evie is forced to trust her newfound alliance. Together they must fight not only other Arcana, but also Bagmen zombies, post-apocalyptic storms, and cannibals.

Gut-Wrenching Treachery

When Evie meets Death, things get even more complicated. Though falling for Jack, she's drawn to the dangerous Endless Knight as well. Somehow the Empress and Death share a history, one that Evie can't remember—but Death can't forget.

Review:

Poison Princess was the type of book I enjoyed much more when I thought about it in the days following reading it. Endless Knight, in comparison, was just as amazing when I thought about it after as when I was reading. I loved Poison Princess, but I LOVED Endless Knight. I read it quite awhile ago and I am still thinking about it while at the same time anxiously awaiting the third book.

The concept of The Arcana Chronicle is absolutely amazing and 100% unique, Kresley Cole has quite the imagination to bring to life tarot cards personified as teen who are fighting to the death in a post apocalyptic wasteland filled with zombies and cannibals. 


The story was phenomenal and I know how a new book boyfriend, Death. I loved getting to see the real Death, from his name, his power, and the visions that Evie has you get the impression that he is evil. I will just say that there is more to him that meets the eye. As for Jackson I... do not like him anymore, for those of you who have read the book I'm sure you know why and can understand.

I f you are looking for an amazing addition to an amazing series I cannot recommend Endless Knight enough, I was just as good if not better than Poison Princess and leaves you on a cliffhanger that keep you intrigued. The plot and character development were well developed, the writing flawless, and to top it off it takes place in an amazing world.

Through the Zombie Glass Review

Title: Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles #2)
Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: September 24th 2013
Source: ARC for Review
Rating: 4/5

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.

 

Review:

 

Yet again I thoroughly enjoyed Gena Showalters unique twisted on zombies in the sequel the Alice in Zombieland, Through the Zombie Glass. Zombies are over used in movies and film these days so it's refreshing to see a creative mind make it something new so reader can gain a renewed interest in Zombies. I will be the first to admit Zombies are probably my least favourite paranormal creature, I normally don't read books about them or watch movies. That being said it really means something when I say I really enjoyed Through the Zombie Glass.

 

On a whole this series is on the darker side, but I did find that this sequel was a bit darker which I really enjoyed. On top of Ali having to battle against the Zombies she also has to battle with the darkness that is inside of here, which makes for a gripping story.

 

Through the Zombie Glass is sure to get your heart pumping with the drama that goes down; relationship problems, cat fights, spies, and of course a whole bunch of zombie action are a few things to look forward to in this instalment. I love the characters that Gena Showalter has created, they are all very loyal and if they were real I would love to be friends will a lot of them and more than friends with Cole.

 

With a darker plot, introduction to new characters, drama, and raising the stakes from Alice in Zombieland, Through the Zombie Glass is sure to be adored by fans of the first book. I would definitely recommend this book just for the emotions you will feel from the tension between Ali and Cole. 

Alice in Zombieland Review

Title: Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles #1)
Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher: HarlequinTEEN
Release Date: September 25th 2012
Source: ARC for Review
Rating: 4

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….


Review:

Alice in Zombieland is an interesting and unique take on the classic Alice in Wonderland story we all know and love. It has enough similarities to be reconizable to the basic story of Alice in Wonderland, but it also has enough differences to make it, it's own story.

The writing was really well done, not too descriptive, really humourus in the dialogue and narration, and it had an abcolutely absorbing plot with amazing characters. For someone who just lost everyone she loved, Alice stays strong and has the determination to do what's right, kill zombies. Now throw in a super hot (heavy on the super) male love interest that has the same deterimation and motives, Cole. Oh how I loved Cole, he is truely the ultimite bad boy, in fact I would say he's the definition of a bad boy. My biggest weakness in life: bad boys...

The take on zombies is something that I have never seen before, in books or movies, and would have never even thought of. Ín Alice in Zombieland, the zombies aren't physical and something the average Joe can see. Their spirits and either you're born seeing theses monsters or something traumatic has happened that has caused you to see them. The way you kill these zombies is in someways the some and in some completely unique. Because of this the book really stood out and is more memorable.

The only negative thing I can really say about Alice in Zombieland, is the undertone of Christianity. It's not that big of a deal, but there is a bit of religion in the book. Not enough to spoil my enjoyment of reading the book. I just don't typically like anything to do with religion...

Some of my favourite bands are also mentioned a few times throughout the book, Skillet and Red, which is plus to me and made me connect to the characters because we shared a common interest. If your looking for a great, unique,and humourus rollercoaster ride of a book with non-stop action, Alice in Zombieland is a book you will definitely want to check out.

Something Strange and Deadly Review

Title: Something Strange and Deadly
Author: Susan Dennard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 24th 2012
Source: ARC for Review
Buy: Amazon / Book Depository
Rating: 3.5

Summary:

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

Review:

I really enjoy the steam punk genre and I love zombie book, so Something Strange and Deadly seemed like the perfect mix of those two for me. This is the second novel  I have read with that combo of steam punk and zombies, and I can say that I really enjoyed this book. Zombies aren't the focal point of the story the steam punk aspect is for those who are expecting a heavily zombie influenced book.

For me it had the perfect amount of zombie action, I don't tend to like to many. They are also pretty gruesome which I loved. The feeling of being in the late 1800's is very prominent and sets the setting very well. Eleanor as a character is very interesting because her personality is much more different than is typical for girls of that era to act. She is also a very strong character who is willing to take risk for the greater good.

Right from the beginning of the story it wastes no time with getting right into the story, and grabs your attention from the very start and keeps it to the last page.Romance isn't a large part in this book, which I actually enjoyed, but I can see there being more in the future which I am all for. Daniel is an interesting young man that would be a great mix with Eleanor. Besides there being zombies in this book, no duh, there is also ghost/spirits that are pretty terrifying as well.

The only thing that I didn't love about this book, is how predictable to plot is. I could guess right away what was going on and where that would end up in the end. Susan gave very obvious clues throughout the book that  may not have been for the greater good ofvthe overall story. Sublte clues are always better so there is more of a surprise at the end.

I am really looking forward to see where Eleanor and Daniel's story goes in the next instalment. I will be eagerly waiting for the next book to come out so that I can see what is in store. Eleanor was left on a shokcing note and I really want to see how she will deal with it.