Review - Beautiful Disaster - By: Jamie McGuire

Title: Beautiful Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Publisher: Jamie McGuire
Release Date: May 26th, 2011
Series: Beautiful #1
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Synopsis via Goodreads

INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE.

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

My rating:

Just so you know, this review is really 

long and kind of rant-y so read at your own risk.

I went into Beautiful Disaster thinking I was going to either hate it or love it. Looking at its many reviews, everyone seemed to rate it either 5 stars or 1 star (since zero wasn't an option). That said, from chapter one I was already rolling my eyes and snorting to myself when I thought: "You know what? I'll actually give it a try." So I cleared all of the my initial thoughts and got into the story. Now, let me start by saying that I didn't hate the book...I hated the relationship between the main characters, as well as some most of the decisions they made.

So, we have Abby & Travis aka the Wanna-Be-Good-Girl and the Incredible Hulk sans green skin. Oh, wait. Green stands for jealousy, right? Leave the green skin then, since Abby couldn't have sneezed in another guy's direction without Travis huffing and puffing and threatening to break someone's face.

If you haven't noticed by now, I HATE it when jealousy consumes a relationship. Hate it, I think there's no reason for you to feel like you need to beat anyone down for glancing at your partner. Yeah, we're all human, but guess what? There's this thing called self-control. Maybe they were glancing (and I'm talking to you, Travis) because it's freaking college and Abby's a decent looking girl. You ever think of that? Gawd, I spent the later half of the book wanting to throw my iPod (it was an audiobook) across the room because hey, I'm an impressionable teenager and since it's okay for Travis to wreck nice things, why can't I?

*takes deep breath* But I can't blame this ALL on Travis. It's Abby, too. Abby, as an individual, is pretty damn decent. She's in college, trying to forget her past, carve out a new life for herself and all that jazz. In the beginning, when she meets Travis after his fight, she resists him.

And, let me just say, I liked Travis in the beginning too. Tattoos, nice muscles, and he seemed to have a friendly, charming personality before he turned into a raging psychopath. But back to Abby...I thought she was a complete, unnecessary bitch after her meeting with Travis. She judged him immediately without knowing him as a person. That frustrated me relentlessly & was her first strike for me.

So after getting to know him a bit, they decide to be "friends". And why is friends in quotes, you ask? Because it was a bullshit excuse. Well into the book, when they were getting drunk and dirty dancing and cuddling in the same damn bed, Abby was still crying "we're still friends!" Really? Fucking REALLY? It got worse because after they've SLEPT TOGETHER, she had the gall to still date a different guy and spout the same bullshit line. WE'RE JUST FRIENDS. Were you, Abby? Because I can honestly say I've never done any of those things with any of my friends. The whole time I was just like open your fucking eyes.

That was the only point where I felt Travis's anger was well-deserved. At that point, he'd fallen in love with her and taken her signals as any guy would do only to have her date some other guy, all while telling them both "we're just friends." Shit, I'd probably lose my marbles too if some guy I loved was giving me the run-around (mind the phrase) like that. That was Abby's second strike.

The third and final strike was when she and Travis and her friends America and Shepley (Travis's cousin) go out, and two guys hit on Abby at separate occasions, yet on the same night. Travis goes ballistic, trying to pummel the guys each time, and on the second occurrence, hits the guy and ALMOST HITS ABBY!!!

Oh, hell no! Oh, HELL NO! I actually had to put my iPod down and think about this one. He almost PUNCHED HIS GIRLFRIEND IN THE FUCKING FACE. And all because he couldn't control himself. It was here where I was like "NO, Abby, you need to escape this relationship NOW!" I mean, there'd been SO MANY warning signs leading up to it. Travis telling her she made him psycho/crazy, telling her he'd never let her go, telling her that if she slept with someone else he'd go to jail. But HELL NO. This scene put things into perspective for me. Abby reacted accordingly, I give her props for that. She went off, saying she wouldn't be the first girl he ever hit. And for a moment, I thought their relationship was over. But nope! Eventually, what was an unforgivable almost-punch WAS forgivable after all by Abby's standards.

For that, I'd forsaken both Abby and Travis, leaving them to their not-so-beautiful-actually-abusive-are-you-stupid-oh-wait-of-course-you-are disaster of a relationship. (Yet somehow I still forced myself to read/listen to the whole thing.)

This review is already too long, so I'm just going to wrap it up with a few points. First, I give it three stars because, although the relationship disgusted me, the writing was great and easy to follow. The plot was gritty and realistic, as well as filled with captivating drama. It took me through emotional highs and lows, even though disbelief and anger and incredulity ruled over me as I read/listened.

Second, I actually LIKED the heroine as the story progressed, so her involvement with Travis made me more dissapointed than anything. Abby was likeable enough once I got over her initial judgmental tendencies. She seemed smart and straight-forward with a good head on her shoulders. She recognized her relationship with Travis for the obsession that it was. Except, she crossed out all of her good characteristics by choosing to be with him anyway.

And third, there was nothing "beautiful" about their relationship, its utterly misleading and promotes the idea that its OKAY to be treated this way by your overly aggressive, controlling but OMG-he-has-tattoos-and-is-so-irresistably-HAWT-I-KNOW-I-can-change-him boyfriend. (And that wasn't entirely Abby's P.O.V. after they fell in love, but that's still what I got out of it.) It's not okay.

All right. I'm done. I'm exhausted. And I hope I never have to go through that again because I've never wished for a relationship to end as much as I did with those two dysfunctional people.

Review - Daughter of Smoke & Bone - By: Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 27th, 2011
Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1
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Synopsis via Goodreads

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My rating:

WARNING: This review may contain spoilers, so keep reading at your own risk.

It's always a bit strange writing an average review about a book that everyone seems to love, but I just couldn't get into this story as much as I wanted to. The story's pretty prose and protagonist earned it a high rating initially, but its failure to execute all of the potential it had in the beginning lowered my rating down to 3 stars.

This book had been on my to-read list for months, so when I saw it at my local library I pounced, convinced it would be the greatest book ever, especially after reading the stellar reviews. Like I said, it had all the potential in the world. Laini Taylor's writing style is flawless. Not too flowery, not too plain, but capturing enough to keep you reading. From the first page, I was hooked:

"The falling snow and the early hour conspired to paint Prague ghostly, like a tintype photograph, all silver and haze."

It's hard to come by YA this well-written nowadays, and I loved how effortlessly it flowed. Plus, the setting. Prague. Not some small town that the protagonist is bitter about being sent to, not New York or L.A. or any other large American city. Freaking Prague, a place that I'd never imagine a YA novel taking place, yet loving it all the more for that reason.





I mean, look at that.

Aside from the setting, there's the protagonist, Karou. Can I just take a moment to say how much I love that name? From the first description of her, I knew she'd be unique:

"She held her coffee mug in one hand and clutched her coat closer with the other. An artist's portfolio was slung over her shoulder, and her hair--loose, long, and peacock blue--was gathering a lace of snowflakes."

Coffee, you say? An artist's portfolio? Blue hair? Check, check, and check, and just like that, I was on board. But it's not just that. Karou is the epitome of a relatable, smart, and funny heroine. Well, up until she meets the hero, but I'll get to that later. She's spent her whole life being raised by chimaera (part-human, part-animal creatures) and has no idea who her real parents are. She has no idea who she is or where she came from. All she knows is the chimaera, and running errands for them, yet still she manages to maintain some sense of normality in her life. There's her ex-boyfriend, Kaz, whom I found hilarious for some reason, and her best friend Zuzanna, who was as loyal as they come. Zuzanna accepted Karou's weirdness and random absences (due to Karou's errands) with stride up until Karou is attacked by an angel.

And this is where things start going downhill. Try to stick with me through this.

So, we already know that Karou has ties to the weird, supernatural creatures known as chimaera. Her foster father, Brimstone, is one and he's the specific person that she runs errands for. There's also the rest of her pseudo-family, consisting of Issa, Twiga, and Yasri, all chimaera. As if knowing that these creatures exist & being raised by them & loving them like family isn't enough, both Karou and the reader get introduced to angels, who are the enemies of chimaera. So when Karou is attacked by one, it's a huge deal.

Right around the time Karou is attacked, these burnt black handprints begin to appear on all of the portals from the human world to Elsewhere (as Karou calls it), which is where chimaera live. We find out that this is the work of angels (also known as seraphim) who want to end the long-lasting war between them and the chimaera. By marking the portals with the handprints and destroying them later, they close the bridge between the human world and Elsewhere.

This is where it begins to affect Karou. Without the portals, she loses all contact with her foster family, who are in Elsewhere. Or dead, for all Karou knows. So, when she is attacked and almost killed by the angel, she has nobody to turn to but her best friend Zuzanna. Thus, the quest to know who she is and where she came from is intensified.

This is where things start going from bad to worse.

The angel who attacked Karou's name is Akiva, and he apparently couldn't stop thinking about her after their fight. So he decides to stalk her life for a bit before facing her again. Karou reacts like anyone else would. She's wary, and then decides to fight him before he can try to kill her again. But guess what? Apparently Akiva is sorry for almost murdering her in a heartbeat, and so he surrenders.

And what does Karou do?

She takes him to her home, and questions him because, obviously, knowing who she is and where she came from is more important than finding her family and seeing if they're okay or even alive.

After getting her answers from Akiva, and letting him sleep in her home, the two spend the next day getting to know one another. Her reasoning? She feels a pull towards him, and can't seem to resist it. It's as if the universe rejects them being apart. 'Cause, you know, it's not like he tried to kill her without thinking. Or, it's not like she's aware of the fact that they're enemies. And after a single day of knowing him, Karou is certain she's in love. And, go figure, so is Akiva.

A day, I kid you not.



The rushed romance between them was my least favorite part of this book. Though Laini Taylor's writing made it slightly better, I still couldn't get past it. And when we finally find out who Karou is, and why she feels so connected to Akiva, the romance still fell flat.

By the end, I'd lost every sense of connection I felt for the characters. The lack of urgency from the time that Karou met Akiva made the potential die down. It began to drag, and even the best writing the world can't make up for that. Everything at the end wrapped up so quickly, and while it was a good ending, it didn't overcome the predictability of the middle. All in all, it was decent, but I sincerely hope the next book is better.

Review - Lover At Last - By: J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series #11)

Title: Lover At Last
Author: J. R. Ward
Publisher: NAL Hardcover
Release Date: March 26th, 2013
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #11
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Synopsis via Goodreads

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

My rating:

Words cannot even begin to explain what I went through reading this fantastic book. But, well, since this is a book review, I guess I'll have to try.

After being strung along book after book, dying to know what was going to become of Qhuinn and Blay, they finally got their HEA. And all I could think at the end of the book was: FINALLY! But the process of reading definitely was not an easy one. I can't really count how many times I mentally ranted in anger, or literally had to sit up and re-read something, or was going out of my mind with excitement, or was trying to keep my tears from falling because I was reading in public and that would make me look like a total weirdo crying over my nook. And yes, I own a nook, not a kindle. Take that, Amazon!

The main point is, I couldn't control myself while I read the whole thing. This book had pretty much everything. The good (Quay, the Brotherhood, new and recurring characters), the bad (not really much of it) and the downright ugly (mostly me and my trying-to-hold-in-tears-face).

The Good

1. Getting Reacquainted with the Brotherhood

I can't even explain how completely awesome it was to be back in J.R. Ward's world, back with the Brotherhood. The book didn't quite get to them first--it actually began with two humans stealing Qhuinn's car--but when it did...it was like freaking homecoming. I couldn't wait to get updates on my favorite couples. I couldn't wait to hear about them kicking lesser ass. I just couldn't wait. Each Brother was true to character (like J.R. Ward and her unbelievable writing style would allow for anything else). They were still the smoking-like-crazy, curse-word-throwing, witty, alcoholic hardasses I remembered from the last book.

"A deep breath was taken and let out, as if the civilian was staring at that exit and wondering if V's pissed-off departure might just cause him to wake up dead later on in the day."

2. Band of Bastards
All right, I'll admit it if no one else will. I freaking love the Band of Bastards. They are the most formidable, relatable foes I've read in a while. I like how they don't just want to mindlessly take down Wrath (much as I love the Blind Kind) and have no plan after that. I like how they're smart and cunning and actually pose a threat. However, I like how they're--Xcor in particular--has insecurities. He's not so arrogant that he thinks taking the throne from Wrath will be easy. And, of course, there's Layla. I don't want to veer too far off topic, but there was one quote about her internal struggle with her growing affection for Xcor that eased my dislike for her. It happened after she saw Xcor again and they agreed that they could never work out.

"Caught in the middle, between her mind and her soul, she was torn asunder even as she remained whole."

Xcor thinks he's not even worthy of being in her presence. Clearly, that's not how she feels, but that's not the point. The point is: he was weaknesses. And that's what makes him great.

3. FREAKING ASSAIL AND SOLA!!!
In my opinion, they made the whole book. Sorry, Quay. But I just couldn't help myself. I started focusing less and less on Quay and the BoB and the others and started focusing more on the hottest new couple in Caldwell. Sola's a new character, and I already love her. She's street-smart as hell, which is difficult to find nowadays. She's capable, despite what happened at the end of the book. And she keeps Assail on his toes when nobody else can. She's tough as rocks, but she's also vulnerable. Plus, her grandmother was adorable. I loved the mystery of her relationship with Assail. I loved the cat and mouse game they played with each other, though it was borderline stalkerish. I loved that they didn't seem to be able to control themselves around one another, but never lost who they were. Sola was level-headed and determined. Assail was an all around underground businessman with a no-nonsense attitude. And he was funny as hell.

"Assail did not condone swearing. In his mind, it was common and unnecessary. That being said, he'd had a shitty fucking week."

"As Assail drove through the grand gates of an estate in the wealthy part of Caldwell, he was annoyed. Exhausted. On edge. And not just because he'd been doing cocaine regularly and not eating."


4. Trez and iAm

I was glad to see the Shadows had a more important role in this book. Mostly because Trez is really, really funny. Also, we get to see more of why they're in the novels and how they came to be. Of course, that's not all. Trez is running from his old society, apparently, and iAm is his accomplice. I like how Trez is a complete and total manwhore in the beginning, but as soon as he gets to the Adirondack cabins where the Chosen are staying, he turns into a complete and total babbling fool for the Chosen Selena. It kind of reminds me of Butch when he met Marissa. A hardass wrapped around a woman's little finger, and she doesn't even know it.

The Bad

Like I said, there wasn't really much that was bad. The only thing I think got on my nerves a little was the constant name dropping. I couldn't read a single chapter without hearing about what brand someone was wearing, or how fancy this person's watch was. Or how expensive that person's shoes were or how well their tailored clothes fit.

The Ugly

I'm not entirely sure Qhuinn and Blay's relationship counts as "ugly". I mean, usually the word connotes something bad, and that was the section above. And their relationship wasn't technically bad.However, at some points, their relationship was...a mess, to say the least. It was rocky for the majority of the book, only getting resolved near the very end. There were a lot of misunderstandings and miscommunications that I felt could've been resolved easily if Qhuinn and Blay weren't such hard heads. But I guess they wouldn't be who they were if they weren't stubborn, so I can't really say anything. Still, it was hard to read. One moment they were strangers, the next they were in each other's beds, and then they hated each other, and then they were strangers again...it sucked. And I think that was the point. Qhuinn and Blay--but mostly Qhuinn--had to grow up some before they could have any sort of relationship. He needed to accept who he was and get rid of his past. The journey took up the length of the entire novel, and that wasn't preferable, but it was necessary. I like how they were in love the whole time, and came close to telling one another, but it never seemed to happen. It build up tension, made me wish they'd just tell each other even more. I like how the barriers that were Layla and Saxton weren't completely ignored, and they rode off into the sunset together just forgetting about everything and everyone else. It was realistic and believable. I like how they both seemed lost without one another. It made the inevitable reunion at the end. And when that reunion happened...I was sobbing like a freaking baby.

"Forcing his lids down, he brought Blay's knuckles to his mouth, brushing a kiss against them. Then he gave himself up to sleep, letting himself fall into unconsciousness, knowing that, at least for the next few hours, he was safe in the arms of his one and only."

"Qhuinn's head cranked around, leaving its cage of the hand that had remained, his blue and green eyes red rimmed and watery. 'I have loved you for years. I have been in love with you for years and years and years...throughout school and training...before transitions and afterward...when you approached me and yes, even now that you're with Saxton and you hate me. And that...shit...in my fucking head locked me down, locked everything down...and it cost me you'."

Blay to Qhuinn: "Because I was, and I remain, utterly and completely and totally...in love with you."

I'm glad that Quay finally got their HEA after so long. But, even now, I'm dying to get my hands on the next book just so that I can find out what happens with Sola and Assail. I expected Quay to dominate the entire story, but they ended up sharing the spotlight. And now, I'll just have to fill the void with other novels until I can return to the extraordinary world that is the Black Dagger Brotherhood.