The Uninvited by Cat Winters [Reviews]

4 out of 5 Robots!

The Uninvited by Cat Winters 
Genre: Historical Fiction/Paranormal
Release: August 11, 2015
Hardcover: 343 Pages
Publisher: William Morrow
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Shannon

Book Summary:

From the award-winning author of In the Shadow of Blackbirds comes a stunning new novel—a masterfully crafted story of love, loss, and second chances. Set during the fear and panic of the Great Influenza of 1918, The Uninvited is part gothic ghost-story, part psychological thriller, perfect for those who lovedThe Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield or The Vanishing by Wendy Webb.

Twenty-five year old Ivy Rowan rises from her bed after being struck by the flu, only to discover the world has been torn apart in just a few short days.

But Ivy’s life-long gift—or curse—remains. For she sees the uninvited ones—ghosts of loved ones who appear to her, unasked, unwelcomed, for they always herald impending death. On that October evening in 1918 she sees the spirit of her grandmother, rocking in her mother’s chair. An hour later, she learns her younger brother and father have killed a young German out of retaliation for the death of Ivy’s older brother Billy in the Great War.

Horrified, she leaves home, to discover the flu has caused utter panic and the rules governing society have broken down. Ivy is drawn into this new world of jazz, passion, and freedom, where people live for the day, because they could be stricken by nightfall. But as her ‘uninvited guests’ begin to appear to her more often, she knows her life will be torn apart once more, but Ivy has no inkling of the other-worldly revelations about to unfold.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

For some reason, I thought this was YA, but it's not!  Surprise!  That didn't affect my enjoyment of the story at all though.   

Set in one of my favorite eras (WWI), this is the story of Ivy, a shy and reclusive 25 year old woman who can see the dead.  To Ivy, the dead are harbingers of death.  She sees them right before someone close to her dies.  One night, she sees one of the Uninvited right before she discovers her father and brother beat a German furniture shop owner to death.  Not able to deal with her guilt over what they did, she leaves her home.  On her way to town she sees the brother of the murdered German standing in the store.  Ivy becomes determined to try to make amends.  A long the way, she meets a war widow who encourages her to embrace her life and freedom and two ambulance drivers who are desperate to help the influenza victims.

First of all, I love the WWI setting, especially with the dual backdrop of the war and the Spanish Influenza epidemic.  I can only imagine what a frightening time it would be.  Like the world was falling a part.  I guess in a lot of ways, it was.  But WWI era is one of my favorite eras for historical fiction.

Secondly, I love historical fiction paranormal books even more.  I really liked the added ghostly elements to the story too.  The story doesn't completely focus on the ghost aspect, but it does play a very large part.  Especially at the end. 

Speaking of the end, I was actually surprised!  That doesn't happen very often because I'm a suspicious reader, but I was actually caught off guard.  I thought the ending was a great end to the story and it made me want to reread the book over knowing what I now know.

Overall, if you like ghost stories or historical fiction, I recommend reading this book!





Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness [Review]

4 out of 5 Robots!

  

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness
Series: All Souls Trilogy #3
Genre: Paranormal
Release: July 15, 2014
Hardcover:  576 Pages
Publisher: Viking Adult
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Stefany
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

The highly anticipated finale to the #1 New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with A Discovery of Witches

After traveling through time in Shadow of Night, the second book in Deborah Harkness’s enchanting series, historian and witch Diana Bishop and vampire scientist Matthew Clairmont return to the present to face new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home at Sept-Tours, they reunite with the cast of characters from A Discovery of Witches—with one significant exception. But the real threat to their future has yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on even more urgency. In the trilogy’s final volume, Harkness deepens her themes of power and passion, family and caring, past deeds and their present consequences. In ancestral homes and university laboratories, using ancient knowledge and modern science, from the hills of the Auvergne to the palaces of Venice and beyond, the couple at last learn what the witches discovered so many centuries ago.

With more than one million copies sold in the United States and appearing in thirty-eight foreign editions, A Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night have landed on all of the major bestseller lists and garnered rave reviews from countless publications. Eagerly awaited by Harkness’s legion of fans, The Book of Life brings this superbly written series to a deeply satisfying close.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

I was giving an opportunity to review this book and was pretty excited about it.  Until I remembered that my best friend, Stefany, was a big fan of this series and probably a much better person to review it anyways.  So, please welcome our guest reviewer, Stefany, who took reviewing this book very seriously (as you can see).  I think we are going to have her come back!  Or I need to up my game.  LOL!

Stefany's Thoughts:

First, I just wanted to say how incredible it was to get this opportunity.  My BFF, Shannon is the greatest friend ever!  We’ve been friends since 1994 and it never ceases to amaze me how thoughtful and wonderful she is. (Love you, Shan!).  So, when she told me that she got this chance to PREVIEW this book and wanted ME to review it, I was over the moon!   When I got the book I could hardly wait to crack the spine and dig in.  I read the whole thing (576 pages) in a day.  Please don’t hate me for the lengthy review, but I felt a lot of stuff had validity here.

I feel that everyone has a “side”.  Vampire, Witch or Daemon.  I’m very much a Witch person.  Don’t get me wrong, the whole gothic vampire thing is cool, 

but I can’t get into it after… well, this:

  

I Just Can’t Even.  That being said, I enjoyed the hell out of Shadow of Night. It was all sorts of witchy and book-y and nerdy all at the same time.  Going into this I was a little worried. (My complete denial for this series’ end might have had something to do with it.) This book was a little more vamp, (blood/ rules/ hierarchy/ history) but still had enough of the witch element to keep me interested.  I especially LOVED the Chapter Pages with the Astrological elements foreshadowing events in the following chapter.  Kudos.  

Here we go!  Warning:  I’m going to have spoilers in here but I’ll try not to give the whole thing away.  No promises.  So, if you’re a sick puppy and looove surprises, this review isn’t for you.  Sorry. I’m also going to assume that you all have read the previous two books, and if you haven’t…. DO!  You don’t just pick up the last book in a trilogy and expect to know what’s going on.  It’s just all wrong .

The book pretty much catches up right where Shadow of Night ends.  It opens with a conversation among ghosts… Not the house ghosts at the Bishop house, but at Sept Tours.  It’s Phillippe and….wait for it….. Emily!  (Bombshell opening, right?) But how you ask?  You’ll figure it out pretty quick.  

They have made it back to current times and Diana is still pregnant with twins. (Do these two ever do things halfway?).  Diana doesn’t take the news very well and Sarah’s holding up as well as 1-ply toilet paper.  Hugh’s widowed mate, Fernando a new addition and is a veritable Jiminy Cricket and soothsayer throughout the book.  

He’s pretty cool when you get down to it.  Like a super sweet, counselor/ uncle figure.   They’ve also added another character from Shadow, Phoebe, the adorable curator from Sotheby’s when Marcus bought the miniatures.  Ahhh Continuity. 

Okay, I won’t blow this nugget of information, but forget about Matthew for a minute.  I’m still madly in love with Gallowglass.  He is by far my favorite characters in this whole trilogy. Seriously.  He’s just… but he’s….and then he…. *swoon*   

HE. IS. AWESOME!  He’s so loyal, swarthy, sarcastic, pragmatic and a great comic relief sometimes when things are getting intense.

Enter Baldwin.  The Big Bad Wolf.  He comes in all bluster and “head of the family” this and that.  Baldwin declares that Diana is NOT an accepted member of the family by Philippe’s blood vow until a year and a day after, pending acceptance from one of his full blood children acknowledges it.  GASP! 

We then spiral into an alluded (read: never thoroughly explained) Vampire Law of honor and hierarchy.  Basically, it leads to believe that things are more political than the previously mentioned wolf pack mentality.  He swings around his authority and the only way out of his antiquated patriarchy is to establish their branch of the family as a scion.  This requires acquiescence of all of Matthews heirs which proves easier said than done. 

Then, there’s Benjamin.  This guy is apparently Matthew’s son who is more than batshit crazy. 

 He knows about Diana’s pregnancy and inherently hates Matthew because he disavowed him ages ago. He stages a live internet video feed (think Untraceable) where he… ah… conducts crude attempts to… duplicate a live heir… via traditional style….of conception.  He’s the worst kind of psycho.  He’s smart, patient and ruthless.  More on this madman later. 

One of the largest issues is the vampire blood rage that is part of Matthew’s bloodline.  This is a trait that apparently came from Ysabeau’s side. There is much discussion regarding the blood rage, its origin, transmission to whom and why. Oh, and did I mention that mating makes it worse? Of course they go all CSI on the whole thing and you just can’t help but wonder where they’re going with it. Hint Hint…  Top that off with the fact that the Congregation doesn’t know about it, and they’re already up to their neck in hot water. 

Speaking of blood rage, a very dear character shows up and I couldn’t help but tear up a little when he did.  Jack.  Their darling little boy who was tortured by nightmares is all grown up and lo, a vampire!  I suspected Father Hubbard, the lowdown weasel, but then I find out that Father Hubbard was made a vampire by Benjamin. 

Yes, folks, this means that Father Hubbard is Matthew’s grandson and Jack is his great-grandson by vampire standards.  Jack’s blood rage was uncontrolled and set off by traumatic events.  Being in the hands of Benjamin for a time didn’t help matters.  Poor thing. (PS: Apparently, now that Hubbard is family, he’s forgiven for being a douchebag in London.)  After a slight incident (Jack attacked Baldwin) Baldwin orders Matthew to kill Jack.  

You know Matthew, this doesn’t sit well.  Matthew needs to round up Marcus’ children to form the scion, so he takes Jack and heads out.  This means that Matthew and Diana separate for more than a couple of hours.  Shocker!  This co-dependent couple (due to Matthew being a mated vampire) can barely breathe and only communicate via texting photos to each other so that the Congregation won’t catch word of what’s going on. Matthew teaches Jack how to work on controlling the triggers of his blood rage while Diana finds the last pages of Ashmole 782 in an unlikely source.  Now that she has the lost pages, they work on getting the book itself.  What happens next is weird, witchy and awesome. This also provides me with my favorite quote in the book.  “I’m about to become a book thief!” haahhaha

Just when you think things are wrapping up, that crap-bag Benjamin shows up again.  Things get worse when he calls out Diana and Matthew and all hell breaks loose.  I shouldn’t tell you what happens, but in a broad sense he’s teamed up with one of Diana’s enemies and things get really bad when he freaking kidnaps Matthew!  A convoluted rescue effort ensues.  It’s now time to pay the piper, as discussions (and actions) regarding the Congregation heat up.  Baldwin sends Diana into the congregation as the single De Clermont representative of the Congregation.  (I was crapping my pants when Gerbert and Satu are sitting there.)  

She goes to seek the Congregation’s approval for assistance in his rescue.  Okay I really can’t say more.. OMG though.  

I know I promised you spoilers, but if you think for one second I’m going to tell you anything about Diana & Matthew’s babies, you’re crazy. 

I’ve said too much.  All in all I really really enjoyed the book.  It had some twist, turns, exciting moment, shockers and DUH moments. For the most part, it was what we were waiting for, but I’m really hoping that some of the minor loose ends get a follow up book.  A spinoff? Gallowglass based?

 

Disclosure:  I reviewed a copy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ever After by Kim Harrison [Review]

5 OUT OF 5 ROBOTS!

 

EVER AFTER 
Author: Kim Harrison
Series: The Hollows, #11
Release: January 22, 2013
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Harper Voyager
My Copy: Publisher Provided
Buy this Book: Amazon

Plot Summary: 
The ever after is shrinking. If it disappears completely, so does all magic. It's up to witch-turned-daywalking-demon Rachel Morgan to avert catastrophe and keep life from changing... for the worse.

While saving the world is important, it isn't Rachel's only motivation. There's also the small fact that she caused the ley line to rip in the first place, setting off a chain reaction of unfortunate events. That little mistake has made her life forfeit unless she can fix it. 

But Rachel has more than a few impressive and frightening skills of her own, and she isn't going to hand over her life and soul without one hell of a fight. She's also got a surprise: elven tycoon Trent Kalamack. With this unlikely ally beside her—a prospect both thrilling and unnerving—she's going to return to the ever after, kick some demon butt, rescue her loved ones... and prevent an apocalypse before it's too late. Or, at least that's the plan...

My Thoughts:
EVER AFTER by Kim Harrison is the cat's meow. Gripping, enthralling, nonstop action from beginning to end. It is EVERYTHING I dreamed it would be- I've been anticipating the release of this book for what seems a million years. It lived up to every single one of my expectations- It's fast paced, there is death, delicious kissing, likable characters, fascinating character development... I finished EVER AFTER last Saturday and I'm STILL thinking about it. I honestly did not think Harrison could surpass the previous installment in this series- but once again, I think I have a new favorite in the series. SO MUCH HAPPENS! AHH!!

One of my favorite aspects of Kim Harrison's writing is her ability to catch old readers of the series (and new ones) up to speed with story. Harrison slips just enough in to keep the story going without making you feel bogged down with back story. Her characters are also extremely colorful- with the entire gang making an appearance in this novel- Rachel, Trent, Jenks, Ivy, Al, Nick (ugh!!), Peirce, Ceri, Quen, Ellasbeth (ugh!!). Each character has impeccable character development that you can only truly appreciate if you've read the series from the beginning. It is wonderful that Rachel isn't still making the same dumb mistakes that she was in the beginning. All the characters have grown so much.

Harrison wasn't joking in her interview when she said no one is safe. That's all I'm going to say. It isn't a spoiler if she said it in an interview first, right? Anyway, BAM my heart broke on page 222. I slammed it shut. Then I opened it again, and didn't put the book down until the end. She doesn't leave you or the characters much time to mull the heartbreak until the end of the novel- and then she throws in the most amazing scene ever. I am dieing to discuss this, but I can not, it is a spoiler. But I have to tell you that I was practically touching the book with my nose I was so into it for the last three or so pages. And then it just ends. And I need the next book now. Gosh, she really makes the characters pop out of the book. Everything is so vivid.

If you're already a fan of the Hollows series, do not wait around to read this one! It has everything we love about Rachel Morgan and the Hollows. And if you're an Urban Fantasy fan and you haven't tried this series yet, what are you waiting for!? This is one of my top five favorite series of all time. It just keeps getting better... SO depressed that there are only two installments left. Sigh.

Please read all of these books if you haven't already. Then come back here and talk to me about them. :)

Books in this series in the order that they should be read: 
1. Dead Witch Walking [My Review]
2. The Good, the Bad, and the Undead [My Review]
3. Every Which Way But Dead [My Review]
4. A Fistful of Charms
5. For a Few Demons More
6. The Outlaw Demon Wails
7. White Witch, Black Curse
8. Black Magic Sanction
9. Pale Demon
10. A Perfect Blood
11. Ever After
 Companion Novel: The Hollows Insider [My Review]

Underworld by Meg Cabot [Review]

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

   

Underworld By Meg Cabot
Series: Abandon  #2

Genre: Paranormal Young Adult

Release: May 8, 2012

Hardcover: 318 Pages

Publisher: Point

My Copy: Publisher

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead.

Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance... on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there... and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.

And unless Pierce is careful, this time there'll be no escape.

Shannon's Thoughts: 
First of all, I have to laugh at the publisher's blurb. It is not a very accurate depiction of Underworld. I don’t really consider Pierce being held against her will. John took her back to the underworld to save her from her grandmother who turned out to be a Fury. It also makes John out to be much more sinister than he really is.  John may be a "bad boy" and at times is not very honest with Pierce, but he is also extremely protective of her and cares deeply for her. He risks everything to help Pierce try to save her cousin after she finds out he is in danger.  

I found myself enjoying Underworld even more than the first installment, Abandon. We get a lot more face time with John and begin to understand how he came to be the ruler of the underworld. Plus we get to meet some of the other Underworld denizens, which is a fun and fascinating addition. And Pierce finally starts to come into her own! Although she is still really clueless sometimes (annoyingly so).  

Underworld is very action driven, much more than Abandon and I really like that.  I found Abandon to be a little slow at times.  AND I am super excited about the ending!  I can’t wait to read the next book to see it pick up where Underworld left off. Those that found Abandon satisfying will definitely enjoy Underworld. 

Books in the series in the order they should be read:

1. Abandon

2. Underworld

3. Awaken (expected publication 2013)

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda [Review]

 4 out of 5 Robots!

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
Series: The Hunt, #1
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Dystopia
Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Release: May 8, 2012
Reviewer: Rex
My Copy: Amazon Vine
Buy this book! Amazon

Book Summary:

Don’t Sweat.  Don’t Laugh.  Don’t draw attention to yourself.  And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him.  He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood.  Gene is a human, and he knows the rules.  Keep the truth a secret.  It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him.  He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

My Reaction:

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda is a solid start to a brilliant new series. The Hunt gripped me from page one. I've been reading a lot of dystopian young adult lately, and this one is completely refreshing. Nothing like the rest. Imagine a world where humans are practically extinct and vampires rule... And you're the only human left, that you know of. The only thing you can do to survive is blend in. The world Fukuda creates is fascinating and creative. It starts off intriguing, then slows down and becomes a little boring. I kept with it though, and I'm so glad that I did. I ended up loving it- creeped out, a little scared, holding my breath. Finished in one sitting. 

The Hunt is told from the male point of view and I didn't realize that I've missed that- too many female leads lately. And I have rejoiced that these aren't your typical young adult vampires. They're cruel and blood thirsty. Their the majority. There is nothing that makes me like them, or want to like them. Go humans! There are some gruesome scenes, not for the faint of heart. I love when we get to see this side of vampires. 

Gene, the main character, is very likeable. I really wanted him to succeed and couldn't stop rooting him on. He is incredibly intelligent, maybe a little apathetic. Gene's character progression is exciting to follow. Aside from Gene, the characters are fun, a little dull, but fun. The vampires are given really goofy ways to communicate their emotions. Sometimes it made it hard to follow because I just couldn't envision a bunch of vampires scratching their wrist as laughing. (I read this book months ago, forgive me if wrist scratching was actually anger or something.) Anyway, by the end of the book, I found these goofy things entertaining and funny to think about.

The Hunt is violent, intense and absolutely captivating. I highly recommend this book to older, or less sensitive, young adult readers, those who love dystopia or vampires or both... Or just anyone who is interested in an awesome adventure story. I will definitely be reading the sequels!

Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz [Review]

4 out of 5 Robots!

   

Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz
Series: Spellbound #2

Genre: Paranormal YA
Release: March 27, 2012
Hardcover: 382 Pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
My Copy: Netgalley
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:
Finding your eternal soulmate - easy. Stopping a true-love-hungry evil - not so much…

After breaking a centuries-old romantic curse, Emma Connor is (almost) glad to get back to normal problems. Although...it's not easy dealing with the jealous cliques and gossip that rule her exclusive Upper East Side prep, even for a sixteen-year-old newbie witch. Having the most-wanted boy in school as her eternal soul mate sure helps ease the pain-especially since wealthy, rocker-hot Brendan Salinger is very good at staying irresistibly close....

But something dark and hungry is using Emma and Brendan's deepest fears to reveal damaging secrets and destroy their trust in each other. And Emma's crash course in über-spells may not be enough to keep them safe…or to stop an inhuman force bent on making their unsuspected power its own. (Summery courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

Emma and Co. are back for a second outing in Spellcaster.  She and Brendan are enjoying their relationship while she is learning to control her witchy powers.  That is, until another threat surfaces and they find themselves in peril again.

I feel Spellcaster is stronger than the first installment.  I adore Emma.  She is funny and witty.  She is a fun narrator with a great self-deprecating sense of humor.  And I enjoyed her interactions with Brendan and her friends. Once you get past the numerous descriptions of how hot Brendan is (did I mention he's hot?), his emerald eyes (they are sooooo green!) and how they are soul mates (for like, eternity!), their relationship is pretty adorable.  I also like that you learn a lot more about Brendan's past, which gives his character much more depth. 

The rest of the story is just fine. It is exciting, but sometimes feels a little forced.  There are parts that don't quite make sense to me and a couple points in the narrative split from Emma to her friend Angelique.  I found it kind of odd because it only happens twice.  I know the author is trying to give us a different perspective, but I think Angelique is a strange choice.  I will say that without Emma's narrative, I probably would not have enjoyed Spellcaster as much.  Emma really is the heart and center of what I enjoy so much about this series.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa [Review]

5 out of 5 Robots!

  

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #1

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Dystopia
Release: April 24, 2012
Hardcover: 485 Pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

 Book Summary:
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
 
Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabid, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass as human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for. (Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

I have finally found a worthy predecessor to The Hunger Games.  The Immortal Rules has it all:  a kick ass heroine, a dystopian world, a plot fraught with danger and excitement, and just a dash of romance.  

This is the second series written by Julie Kagawa, author of the Iron Fey series.  While I enjoyed the Iron Fey series, The Immortal Rules blows them away.  It is being marketed as yet another vampire book, but it is so so much more.  It falls even more with those great dystopian novels.  Vampires are just the icing on the cake.  At its heart, though, it is about all about humanity - what it means to be human and what separates the monsters from the humans.  And The Immortal Rules is a story about survival.  This world is dangerous and brutal.  The characters suffer greatly, but ultimately have to choose to persevere.

The Immortal Rules is split into four parts as Allie comes to terms with her situation.  In some ways the beginning of the book seems like a different story than the end.  It isn't until the very end that you start to see how everything fits together.  The action really ramps up as you read too.  By the end, it is almost non stop.  There are quite a few passages I white knuckled.

The main character, Allie, is about as ass-kickery as they come.  She and Katniss would get along well, I think.  Having grown up as a "Fringe Rat", Allie knows to survive she can only trust herself.  But after she becomes a vampire and is shunned by humans, she finds herself learning to trust others even as she struggles against their prejudices and her Hunger for human blood.

I also really enjoyed the other characters, especially Zeke (her love interest) and Kanin (her vampire Sire).  The characters are complicated and have a ton of depth to their feelings and emotions.  Just when you think you know them, they surprise you. I honestly cannot do this book justice in this review.  If you like The Hunger Games or Divergent, then you MUST read this book. You won't be disappointed!!