Gemina: A Review (The Illuminae Files #2)

Goodreads Description:

Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy's most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station's wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They've totally got this. They hope.

Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.

My Review:


So I didn't read the back cover blurb for this book, so I dove right in, expecting to see what happened with Kady and Ezra next.

Ha! Just kidding. This book is about Hanna and Nik.

Remember how this series is written in journal entries and communication logs? Well, we even get some illustrations in this one, because Hanna is an artist. Man, it was so cool to see the story quite literally through Hanna's eyes.

Hanna and Nik are at the Heimdall Jump Station where Kady and Ezra are headed for safety.

But will Heimdall be safe when they get there?

Hanna is the Jump Station Captain's daughter. She's rich, and preppy, and awesome. She knows how to kick-butt. Literally. She's been practicing in the Station dojo. And she's a drug addict.

Nik happens to be Hanna's handler. He's also deeply, hilariously in love with her. He's a shameless flirt. Nik was my favorite in this book.

So when everything goes to hell, they actually become quite good friends. Who would've thought, right?

This book was so trippy. I can't say much without giving the end away, but the book started going into the time space continuum stuff my brain can't handle.

And there were weird wormy things that eat people and they terrified me. *shudder*

Once again, this was a great installment, and I believe the third book will have Hanna, Nik, Kady, and Ezra all together. At least, I'm really hoping so.

5 out of 5! 

More than the Tattooed Mormon: A Review

Goodreads Description:

Al Fox Carraway has spent the last four years inspiring the world with her story of conversion, redemption, and finding faith. As a blogger, social media personality, and award-winning public speaker, her message has reached millions. This moving biography and up-close account of her life and membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the "LDS" or "Mormon" church) will show you what it means to truly trust in the Lord.

"Don't go, Al. You won't fit in."

Being baptized and following the Lord has made Al's life harder than it ever was before. She endured criticism from friends and family for becoming a Mormon. She faced harsh judgments from Church members for her appearance. She gave up everything and felt more alone than she ever had in her life. All because she chose God.

Now she shares an up-close look at how trusting God has led her to places she never expected. As a blogger, YouTuber, and award-winning public speaker, her message has reached millions. Sharing her love of the Savior, Al goes beyond her own conversion and encourages readers to choose God above anything else. This uplifting book inspires readers to build a true relationship with the Lord that will bring them real, lasting happiness.

My Review:

I love what Al Carraway has to say in this book. She is such an amazing example of someone who will do the right thing despite her family disowning her.

Carraway has faced intense challenges in her life. She has been judged hard core by people around her because she simply doesn't fit the stereotype.

Her example of being kind to those who are awful to her makes me want to improve myself. Al's heart is so huge. She loves easily, and cares so deeply.

I was actually really surprised to learn that she hates being called, "The Tattooed Mormon." I didn't follow her YouTube videos or blog like a lot of people did, but that's what I've always known her as. What she said, was that it define her for her past, not who she was today. She said it was like calling someone who was sober "The Used-To-Be Alcoholic." I loved this statement. Man, she's awesome. May we never define people by their past, but rather the person you know they really are.

I don't know what else to say other than Al has inspired me to be a better person and to love better. She's incredible and I want to be like her when I grow up.

5 out of 5!

The Heart of Betrayal: A Review (The Remnant Chronicles #2)

Goodreads Description:

Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save Lia's life, her erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar's interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen.

Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: There's Rafe, who lied to Lia but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be savages. Now that she lives among them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country... and her own destiny.

My Review:

At this point, if you haven't read the first book, there will be spoilers.

Kaden has taken Lia to Venda the Barbaric country.

Or rather, where the barbaric people of vendan's elites live. The people there are fine, but the Komizar is crazy. He's a tyrant and is willing to let his people die to do his bidding.

Yet, he's really charismatic. He's a good leader in the sense, his people love him, despite his insanity.

Lia comes to befriend the Vendan peoples. She lives among them as the Komizar uses her as leverage and tries to convince her to use her gift for him. While Lia navigates the Komizar and befriending the people, she begins to discover more about her gift and Venda's past. The history Lia begins to uncover changes the circumstances and her life starts to dance on a precarious edge.

Rafe and Kaden are still at odds with each other, and their rival is rather humorous to me. I love Rafe and his loyalty to not only his country, but saving Lia.

We also learn more about Lia's gift and I find it rather interesting. It's not magic, it's more...like an emphasis of intuition. I'm not sure how to describe it, but I really like it.

I really enjoy this series. I love the characters and the world. I couldn't stop listening to this book. The narrators did great!

4.5 out of 5!

The Kiss of Deception: A Review (The Remnant Chronicles #1)

Goodreads Descriotion:

A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love.

My Review:

When I first started blogging, this book was HUGE on the blogsophere.

But, I blog about the books I want to read. When I'm done with college, I will get more into doing professional reviews.

Yet, I finally have gotten to this series and I'm really sad I haven't read it before.

Lia was awesome. I want to be her. She's strong willed--which is something female leads lack. The book starts with her running away from home so she doesn't have to be sold of into marriage. She takes her best friend, Pauline (who is the sweetest thing on the planet) and they flee to a little town out of the main city.

Lia becomes a waitress at the cities best inn. The people LOVE her.

And then two handsome strangers show up and start to vie for her attention. We are kept in the dark as to who is who. One of them is an assassin, and one is the prince of Morrighan. But who is who?

It was such a fun book to read. There's a festival that happens and we get to see Rafe and Kaden wrestle--hehe.

And then everything changes and life become far more dangerous for Lia.

Who is the one threatening her?

And what exactly is this gift? What advantage does it give her and why does everyone want it?

I loved how this book threw me in for a loop. It was incredible! The story was well written and the world building drew me in immediately.

4.5 out of 5!

A Court of Mist and Fury: A Review (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)

Goodreads Description:

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

My Review:

I changed my mind.

Tamlin is a MEGA TOOL.

Rhys however, is the best.

Never thought my mind would change so drastically. Yet, when Tamlin starts becoming overbearing and controlling, I wanted to punch him.

The things he did to Feyra after all she endured...Oh, if I was Rhys, I would kill Tamlin.

Anyways, here we see how Rhys is FAR different than the picture Maas painted in the first book. His character is so intricate, so full of history, and power. I just...I want to be able to create characters like Maas does.

My favorite aspect of this book was the comradee among Rhys and his crew. You can tell they love each other despite the fact they don't ever say it. They have been through horrible things together, through the war and Amarantha. If I were to be in this book, I'd want to be a part of Rhys's inner circle.

Feyre and Rhys are quite the couple. They build each other up, and challenge each other to be their best. They hold each other up when things get rough. They are far more functional than Tamlin and Rhys were.

The story definitely took a turn I wasn't expecting. Feyra has involved her sisters and things are only going to get worse.

Once again, this book had far too many sex scenes in it. Honestly, they had nothing to do with the plot line and I skipped them. And guess what, I didn't miss a thing.

4.5 out of 5!