Review: MADE FOR YOU by Melissa Marr (YA)

MADE FOR YOU

by Melissa Marr

Release date: September 16th, 2014

Published by: HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Thriller

Format: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Format read: ARC from BEA2014

SUMMARY

Can she stop him, or will he claim her?

When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused — who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why?

But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. 

While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends — and themselves — alive. 

But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.

For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has applied her extraordinary talent to contemporary realism. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this Gothic, racy thriller — a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa’s fans, and every YA reader, will find its wild ride enthralling.

MY REVIEW

Melissa Marr is an author that I have admired for a very long time. Although I have only read her short stories and the first book to the Wicked Lovely series, she is an author that I have been intimidated to read in fear that I would not like one of her books and then feel guilty for doing so. I always tread carefully around my favorite authors and am so thrilled that she has written a contemporary thriller for me to finally get over my procrastinations and dive into it. Saying that her writing is exquisite is an understatement. Her characters are so driven and realistic - they will find a way to crawl into your head and stay awhile...

MADE FOR YOU is told through three point-of-views - primarily from Eva, the victim, and Judge the stalker/murderer; and then a few chapters from Eva's best friend, Grace. Going into any book, I always assume that we are going to primarily see perspectives from the victim's side of the story. I was prepared to find myself immersed into the mind of the perpetrator too. I have to admit, from the start, Judge is very creepy and twisted. Hearing his thoughts and how he justified what he was doing was... there are no words to describe how deranged he was, and how sick I felt. After reading a few chapters from Judge, I did not know if I was going to be able to continue with the book, and decided to put the book aside for a few days to make sure that this was a story that I was going to be able to get into. As eerie as it was to be in his mind and see why he did the things that he did, I am glad I was able to continue on with the story and finish the book.

Eva is the most popular and most sought-after girl in school who comes from a well-known and wealthy family in a small southern town where everyone knows everyone, and their business, since the beginning of time. There is a certain image to uphold, a certain way of southern living to do and Eva knows how to play along and do the right things. Her boyfriend, who comes from the same background as Eva, is more than willing to uphold his popularity, not only in school, but within his own family too. Things seem perky and perfect... until Eva is in a hit-and-run accident and is left to die on the side of the road. The moment that Eva opens her eyes she knows that her life will never be the same again. Her estranged young parents become permanent fixtures right by her side now. Her long lost best friend is supporting her and doing his best to believe in her too. Especially when she thinks that she's losing her mind... because she's seeing peoples deaths. And she thinks that she'll be able to stop the murderer from doing any more harm.
And even with Eva's family and friends support her - there is no stopping the truths and lies that start to unfold at a rapid rate. There is no holding back now when there is a killer on the loose.

I insist that you take your time reading this book! It can be a quick page-turner. But, you will miss a lot of details if you don't slow down. I found myself going back a few pages a few times and forced myself to slow down so I wouldn't miss anything. The intensity of every situation was a force to be reckoned with too. The 'sacrifices' that Judge does to teach Eva lessons are cruel and mind blowing things taken right out of newspaper headlines. He truly believes that God is sending him signs to help him teach Eva how to be pure in order for her to become his partner, his wife. There is no way to describe the inhumane things that he does to his victims. Ms. Marr briefly gives us glimpses to Judge's family life and past. And even with that, I could not find an ounce of empathy for him.

One more thing - I absolutely love when a bookcover displays a prominent part in the books story. I had mentioned on twitter on how much I loved the cover because the insect on the cover looked like a bee. I was wrong! Ms. Marr corrected me and told me that it is a cicada, and the entire picture does play a role in Eva's story.

This is not for the weak hearted. Those who love crime tv shows will enjoy MADE FOR YOU and will find it really interesting to see how Judge thinks and how he reveals himself.
And of course, this book was definitely made for all you creepy-thriller types. How do you all sleep at night?

*An ARC was acquired from the publisher during BEA2014 for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Melissa Marr

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

Giveaway: ADRENALINE CRUSH by Laurie Boyle Crompton (YA)

I am so very excited to be able to share this giveaway today!
Laurie Boyle Crompton has become one of my favorite contemporary authors!
Her books are unique and refreshing with strong female main characters and memorable storylines...
ADRENALINE CRUSH is a page-turning adrenaline rush! Seriously, this book totally lives up to its title :)

ADRENALINE CRUSH

by Laurie Boyle Crompton

Release date: September 23rd, 2014

Published by: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan)

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Format: Hardback, eBook

Format read: ARC from the publisher.

SUMMARY

When a daredevil teen pushes herself too far, she must choose between two boys: the one who wants to keep her safe, and the one who dares her to return to her old self.

Seventeen-year-old Dyna comes from a family of risk takers and is an avid thrill-seeker herself, until the day she splinters her ankle in a terrible fall. Her whole life goes from mountain biking and rock climbing to sitting at home and attending group sessions at the bizarre alternative healing center that her hippie mother found. 

The boy who witnessed Dyna’s accident believes her injury is a wakeup call and he encourages her mild new lifestyle, but a young Afghanistan War veteran she meets at the healing center pushes her to start taking chances again. 

Forced to face the consequences of her daredevil impulses, Dyna finds herself in danger of risking the one thing she’s always treated with caution — her heart.

Read my review of ADRENALINE CRUSH here!!!

GIVEAWAY

- Sponsored by Macmillan.

- Must be 13+ to enter. 

- U.S. only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Laurie Boyle Crompton

Laurie Boyle Crompton is the YA author of BLAZE (or Love in the Time of Supervillains), THE REAL PROM QUEENS OF WESTFIELD HIGH (Sourcebooks, 2013 & 2014) and ADRENALINE CRUSH from Farrar Straus Giroux.

Laurie graduated in her class from St. John's University with a major in English and minor in Journalism. She's written for national magazines like ALLURE as well as numerous trade publications and has appeared on Good Day New York several times as a Toy Expert. Yes, that is an actual thing that people sometimes get to be.

When she is not writing, Laurie enjoys hiking, cycling, reading, cross-country skiing, running, going to the movies and drinking tea by the gallon.

She lives near NYC, but loves to escape to the mountains in New Paltz, NY where she and her family can often be found climbing over rocks or tromping through the forest.

Official Website / Goodreads / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Release Day (Excerpt and Giveaway): AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME (2B Trilogy #2) by Ann Aguirre (NA)

AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME

2B Trilogy #2

by Ann Aguirre

Release date: September 30th, 2014

Published by: Harlequin HQN

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. There are the justifications she gives to everyone else—missing her family, losing her college scholarship. And then there’s the reason Lauren can’t admit to anyone: Rob Conrad, her best friend’s older brother.

Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He can’t pinpoint exactly what’s missing until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her. But he’s the guy that women love and leave—not the one who makes them think of forever.

Though she’s terrified of opening up, Lauren’s ready to take that chance. Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.

EXCERPT

Mom was asleep, so I checked my email. I had the usual spam, plus notes from all my former roomies, which made me happy. I missed all of them, even Max, though things were unspeakably awkward between us at the end. I opened Nadia’s first:

LB! You know I miss you like crazy, right? Courtney’s in your bed right now, and she has completely alphabetized my books. I’m pretty sure there will be a lending library program implemented the next time I get home from work. So how’s Nebraska? Did you find a job yet? Have you started applying to any schools? I have like ten more questions but you’ll get grumpy if I dump them on you all at once. Hug and kiss my family for me, okay? Write back soon or I’m sending my brother to track you down.

She didn’t mention the hot single dad she’d broken up with right before I left. Mr. Hot Ginger had dumped Nadia for her own good, which would drive her quietly crazy. I’d felt horrible about the timing, but there was little I could do about it. I hadn’t gotten to know him well before I left, but Ty seemed like a good guy. He was only a few years older than us, but already had a four-year-old. That was the crux of the conflict.

Writing back, I didn’t quite nail the tone, talking about Rob too much and inventing interesting anecdotes because there was so little going on. I could’ve mentioned Krista, but Nadia had never been as close to her, and there was some tension by the time she moved. Mostly I didn’t want Nadia to worry; things would be fine once I got a job and had less time to fret about whether I’d made the right decision.

I opened Angus’s email next:

Hey, you. Got your check. It appears not to be rubber, but I said you didn’t have to pay me back. I hate you for leaving. Come back right now. I’ll wait. This is me, waiting. It’s been at least five minutes. You’re shattering my faith in humanity, Lauren. Take responsibility for it! Not sure what you’ve heard from Nadia, but she’s such a hot mess. I can’t believe you abandoned us. All the light has left my life. All of it! Okay, enough drama. I’m working on getting over Josh. Classes suck but I will survive. (You’re singing it now, aren’t you?)

“Damn you, Angus Starr. You know me too well.” I got up on my bed with a hairbrush and sang two verses before reading on.

In all seriousness, there is a Lauren-sized hole in my life. Please don’t lose touch. Write soon. Love and hugs, Angus.

It was simpler writing back to Angus; our friendship was sweet and uncomplicated. Briefly I considered deleting Max’s email without opening it, but that seemed like an asshole move. In the end, I read it, two lines only:

I’m sorry about everything. Take care of yourself.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / IndieBound / Vroman’s 

Book Depository / Powell’s / iTunes

THE 2B TRILOGY

I Want It That Way (Release date 8/26/14)

As Long As You Love Me (Release date 9/30/14)

The Shape of My Heart (Release date 11/25/14)

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(*Bumbles and Fairy-Tales will not be held accountable for lost, damaged, unclaimed, etc. prizes.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Tumblr / Goodreads

Review: DIVINITY by Michelle L. Johnson (A)

DIVINITY

A Divine Novel

by Michelle L. Johnson

Release date: September 23rd, 2014

Published by: Spence City

Genre: Adult Supernatural Urban Fantasy

Format: Paperback, eBook

Format read: ARC from the publisher.

SUMMARY

When Julia climbs into a flaming car to save a trapped child, she's left wondering why either of them survived. Then she learns that her father is the Archangel Gabriel, and that she is half human, half Archangel. 

With guidance from Michael, the most powerful Archangel, Julia sets out to discover her own history and explore her angelic powers. But her journey is cut short when an evil force, invisible to human and angel alike, tears her world apart. 

Now Julia must fight through her despair, harness her newfound gifts, and risk her very soul to stop the A'nwel and protect the family she never knew she had. 

What she doesn't know is that Archangels have secrets too.

MY REVIEW

The author has created a unique angelic storyline combining the good and evil amongst us with strong character building and a necessary detailed plot.

Julia has struggled and has experienced a lot of pain in her life. At her weakest moment, the unimaginable happens and things in her life start to take a turn for the good. Julia is now the proud owner of an up and coming restaurant, owns her own home and has found love like no other...

Things come to a halt when she discovers who her father is, the Archangel, Gabriel. 

The confusion and anger Julia goes through is just the beginning to a new chapter in her life that she has no choice but to face head on without having the time to grieve... a new life that she cannot ignore and must learn to navigate quickly - it isn't easy being half-human and half-angel. 

As she is trying to work out what this means and how to deal with it, going through the everyday motions takes much effort, but worth the effort since she is dedicated to her employees, and, her beloved boyfriend... But when tragedies strike again and again - heartbreaking moments that brought tears to my own eyes - how can we expect Julia to let her human losses go? But the cause of these tragedies are bigger than everything that has ever existed before. Not even the Archangels know what this evil is, and they are heavily depending on Julia and her new strengths to pull it together and help them not only figure it out, but destroy it too.  

What was amazing about Julia's story is how the author was able to give us so many minute details and information without going overboard and making it boring - every single piece of information is vital in learning about Julia's destiny, finding this evil presence and in witnessing Julia's progress and transformation. 

The story is not religion-heavy, however, there is much talk about spirits and faith since we are dealing with Archangels and evil spirits, which is to be expected. Also, the author touches upon some very hard topics, such as child and spousal abuse and suicide. 

One of the things I loved about this book is the strong importance of family. Julia never had a family and finds one with her boyfriend Alex and his mother. And then later learns that the Archangels have always been there for her. It is quite endearing to see this mentioned over and over again.

My one and only quirk is: the ending felt a bit rushed and I wish I would have learned more about this evil 'thing'. But then, if that was done, there probably wouldn't be a huge need for a sequel...

This is the perfect read for those of us that have been clamoring to get back into supernatural/paranormal kind of books. 

*An ARC was sent to me by the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Michelle L. Johnson

Michelle L. Johnson was born in Ohio and adopted by Canadians. They traveled all over North America, and when they weren't on the road Michelle could be found with her nose buried deeply in the pages of a book. With all of her travels and adventures, she hopes to bring some of her unique perspective to the pages and to entertain others the way all of her heroes have for her. When she's not hanging out with her feathered friends, she's busy being a literary agent with Inklings Literary Agency. She says wherever she hangs her coffee mug is her home, and right now that's a toasty warm Jacksonville, Florida with her happy Cocker Spaniel and her small family.

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

Stacking the Shelves #72 (September Book Haul Part 2)

The last two weeks have been exhausting! And unfortunately, I had to pull away from blogging, reviewing and social media in order to catch up on fall prep and sleeping! Because of this, I have become addicted to pre-posts for Book Releases, Cover Reveals, Excerpts and more, lol! I love these kinds of posts, especially cover reveals, and I haven't been able to help myself... but because of my lack of energy and overabundance of what some bloggers call "fluff posts", I am now behind in my reviews. I have about 18 reviews sitting in drafts... anyone care to proofread them for me??? :) 

(Luckily, I had some time while uploading my book haul and have 8 reviews ready to go next week!) 

Woo hoo!!!

Here's my book haul!!!

*I'm participating in STACKING THE SHELVES, hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews!

What I received for review...
- BELZHAR (ARC) by Meg Wolitzer (YA) from Penguin
- NOT IN THE SCRIPT (If Only #3) (ARC) by Amy Finnegan (MG) from Bloomsbury for Book Nerd Tours
- RAIN REIGN (ARC) by Ann M. Martin (MG) from MacKids/Macmillan
- THE MEGASAURUS (HB) by Thomas Weck and Peter Weck, Illustrated by Len DiSalvo (C) from Lima Bear Press

What I purchased...
- CRESS (The Lunar Chronicles #3) (HB) by Marissa Meyer (YA)
- BEST OF ME (mass PB) by Nicholas Sparks (A)
- LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR (PB) by Stephanie Perkins (YA)
- BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA (HB) by April Genevieve Tucholke (YA)
- NIGHTMARES! (HB) by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller, Illustrated by Karl Kwasny (MG)
- THE WINNER'S CURSE (The Winner's Trilogy #1) (HB) by Marie Rutkoski (YA)
- WHO IS AC? (HB) by Hope Larson, Illustrated by Tintin Pantoja (YA Graphic Novel)
- HOW ROCKET LEARNED TO READ (HB) by Tad Hills (C)
- WISH UPON A DREAM (HB) by Margaret Wise Brown, Illustrated by Charlotte Cook (C)

What's distracting me from reading...

Cousin love :)

 

 My big boys no longer want to amuse me :( 

My Dad was a Swanson Award nominee!
The only nominee in NYS! And he came in 5th place nationwide :)
So proud of my awesome Dad!!!

I hope that you are all doing well and had a marvelous week/month in books too!

Please be sure to leave a comment and share your links :) 

xoxo

Teaser Tour (Excerpt and Giveaway): RUINING MR. PERFECT (The McCauley Brothers #3) by Marie Harte (A)

RUINING MR. PERFECT

The McCauley Brothers #3

by Marie Harte

Expected release date: October 7th, 2014

Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Adult Romance

Format: Paperback, eBooks

SUMMARY

It's Not Easy Being Right...

Vanessa Campbell is a CPA by day and a perfectionist by night. She's fit, successful... and decidedly lonely. She can't stop thinking about the youngest McCauley brother, Cameron. He's just like her: smart, attractive, and usually right — 

except when dealing with her.

...But Someone's Got To Do It.

Cameron McCauley likes Vanessa a little too well. She's a blond goddess with a razor-sharp tongue. She hates to be wrong, just like him. But she can hold a grudge and is stubborn to a fault — 

also like him.

A past misunderstanding has them rubbing each other the wrong way. Cam is dying to shake Vanessa up — get her to let loose. 

But if he succeeds, can his heart handle it?

TEASER EXCERPT

 A woman like Vanessa had her own mind. He respected that about her. But he refused to be constantly maneuvered in this relationship. They would be equals. Not one dominant over the other, even if the woman had a reputation for running right over anyone who opposed her fascist sense of right. She needed a man she could trust, one who wouldn’t bow to her every whim. She needed him.

With that in mind, he called the one person he knew would help him, no questions asked.

She picked up on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Abby, it’s Cam.”

“Oh, hi, Cam. Don’t you sound all grown up on the phone.”

He laughed. “Thanks. I think.”

“What can I do for you? Just name it.”

Her desire to help pleased him. “I need help. Vanessa has volunteered herself to spend Valentine’s Day with my mother, but I had plans for our first holiday together.”

“Oh. Hmm.” She paused. “You know, Mike talked to Brody and Flynn about this just this morning. I’m sure he’ll be calling you soon. He was planning to surprise your mom. An evening out, just the two of them at dinner. I told him Vanessa would watch Colin, since she’d volunteered to help in the first place.”

“That won’t work.” Not if he planned to have her to himself for the better part of the night.

“No. I see that. Hold on.” She muffled the phone and told Brody something before she came back. “Cam?”

“Yeah?” He grinned, wondering why she sounded so breathless all of a sudden.

“Stop that.” She cleared her throat. “Sorry, not you. The plumber is distracting me.”

He heard Brody say something he couldn’t make out, but it made Abby laugh.

New love. He envied them. “Tell him to shut up so you can help me.”

“I did. Brody, sit.”

He wondered if she realized she used that exact same tone on Hyde—the dog.

“So we need to get another babysitter,” she was saying. “No problem. I have just the person.”

“Someone trustworthy, I take it?”

“Cam, you wound me. Truly. Look. Kim and Robin are perfect to watch Colin. If they won’t work, between me and Maddie, we have a ton of other friends who can successfully keep Colin out of danger—and jail—while you romance Vanessa.”

Brody’s laugh came over the phone loud and clear. “Vanessa? You’re a real risk taker, Cam. My hero.”

Pre-Order Now:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/YuEjvW

BAM: http://bit.ly/XNlwet

B&N: http://bit.ly/YuEqrh

Chapters: http://bit.ly/1vmjvFg

Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1skZooG

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1pMMCbH

Kobo: http://bit.ly/WOUP8r

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(*Bumbles and Fairy-Tales will not be held responsible for any lost, damaged, unclaimed, etc. prizes.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Marie Harte

Marie Harte is an avid reader who loves all things paranormal and futuristic. Reading romances since she was twelve, she fell in love with romance and happy endings and knew writing was her calling. 

Years later after the Marine Corps, Information Technology, and 60 hour work weeks, her dream has finally come true.

Marie lives in Oregon with her family and is constantly reading and writing.

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: REBELLION (The Elysium Chronicles #3) by J.A. Souders (YA)

REBELLION

The Elysium Chronicles #3

by J.A. Souders

Expected release date: June 9th, 2015

Published by: Tor Teen

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

To Be Announced.

THE ELYSIUM CHRONICLES

GIVEAWAY

- 1 winner will receive physical copies of RENEGADE AND REVELATIONS plus the eNovellas. And ASK AGAIN LATER by Liz Czukas. 

(If you have J.A.s books already, she will do an amazon or book depository gift card of the same value.)

- International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(*Bumbles and Fairy-Tales will not be held responsible for any lost, damaged, unclaimed, etc. prizes.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - J.A. Souders

 

J.A. SOUDERS is the author of the Elysium Chronicles and lives in the land of sunshine and palm trees with her husband and two children where she spends her time writing about the monsters under the bed, day dreaming about living in an underwater colony, and failing miserably at playing video games.

Goodreads / Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest

Review: DAY 21 (The Hundred #2) by Kass Morgan (YA)

DAY 21

The Hundred #2

by Kass Morgan

Release date: September 16th, 2014

Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Sci-Fi Romance

Format: Hardback, eBook, Audiobook

Format read: Hardback from publicist. 

SUMMARY

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries - 
until now.

It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries... or so they thought. 

Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. 

And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself.

In this pulse-pounding sequel to Kass Morgan's The 100, secrets are revealed, beliefs are challenged, and relationships are tested. And the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can - together.

Read my review of THE 100 here!

Read an excerpt of DAY 21 here!

MY REVIEW

This is one of the best sequels that I have read in a really long time! DAY 21 starts right back up where THE 100 left off without missing a beat - with so many questions needing to be answered, no stone is left unturned...

*Since this is about book 2, a few minor spoilers may be mentioned. You have been warned.*

It has been 21 days since they have landed on Earth. Supplies are running low and emotions are running high. Most are thinking the same thing - when is the next dropship coming? Are they still being monitored? Are they okay? Will they survive?... and then the most unthinkable happens and they discover that they are not alone.

We continue to follow the same four lead characters - Wells, Clarke, Bellamy and Glass.

Wells is trying his best to keep the group together with logic and distractions. He has organized groups to build log cabins and others to gather basic supplies. People are drawn to him and he has become their unofficial leader. He knows that the first attack and that the kidnapping of Bellamy's sister was just the beginning to warning them - they are not welcomed. But other than the fact that there is no other place for them to go, no way to leave and go back home - he also knows, there's no way to defend themselves. They have no weapons and no experience or knowledge of their new surroundings.
Clarke is drowning in sadness and guilt. Not only does she have to live with the knowledge that her scientist parents were performing immoral experiments, but also, with what happened to her friend, a friend that has a connection to Bellamy. It is something that she will not be able to keep a secret for much longer... As she's dealing with her feelings she is certain about one thing - that if they find the Earthborns and approach them in a peaceful way, the Earthborns will be able to help and guide them. She also feels that they may have unlimited information on other resources and may even know something about  some artifacts that she had found in the woods. Items that may indicate that another dropship may have been sent prior to theirs...
Bellamy is hellbent on finding his sister and will do anything to get her back. He will risk his life and more... but another development has occurred- his deep feelings for Clarke are getting in the way. He doesn't want this distraction right now. Especially when Clarke reveals not only the reason why she was imprisoned, but also, that the heavy guilt and sadness that she's been carrying around with her has to do with Lilly, her friend aka his past girlfriend. Regardless of his feelings, he is compelled to help Clarke find the colonists and hope that it leads to finding his sister.
And now for Glass. Last we saw Glass she was pardoned and reconnecting with her mother, and her ex-boyfriend, Luke. Their story and chemistry is much like Rose and Jack's - swoony... Things seem to be falling apart on the spaceship and they discover that there isn't enough oxygen for everyone. The poorer sections are cut off; leaving Luke to die. Glass goes to him and decides to die with him. Until they discover a way to break through the barrier to get to the dropships that will be heading to Earth, even though received any proof of Earth being habitable yet. In the chaos of trying to get onto the dropship - horrific events that mimic the likes of the tragedies of the Titanic occur... and Luke learns the entire truth as to why Glass was not only imprisoned, but why his best friend was executed. A heartbreaking moment for everyone involved.

From the very beginning the book was a complete page-turner for me. Luckily, for me at least, each chapter is titled with each of the characters names. Therefore, I was able to do the unthinkable - my apologies! For me, Glass and Luke's storyline was my favorite, and I just had to know what was happening - and since their storyline is separate from Wells, Clarke and Bellamy's, I read Glass' chapters straight through! It was heart pounding and left me breathless. Going back to read the storyline that was happening on Earth, again, it was fast-paced and straight-forward. Kass Morgan is able to give you just enough information to keep you going - never overwhelming or too sci-fi-ish. It's to the point and you learn about everything as you go, just like the characters. And I absolutely love that!

I still haven't watched the show, but I can already tell that the books are, obviously, way better. All of my questions from book one have been answered; but now there are more things going on, more questions, more characters - and I cannot get enough. I am anxiously awaiting to hear about book 3!
In the meantime, I am going to calm my nerves while I catch up with the show...


*A hardback was sent to me for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Kass Morgan

 New York Times bestselling author of The 100 and its sequel Day 21, received a bachelor's degree from Brown University and a master's from Oxford University. 

She currently works as an editor and lives in Brooklyn, New York.   

Goodreads / Alloy Entertainment Webpage / Twitter