Forbidden

Book: Forbidden
Author: Syrie James and Ryan James
Pages: 410
Blurb: "She should not exist.He should not love her.

Claire Brennan has been attending Emerson Academy for two years now (the longest she and her mom have remained anywhere) and she’s desperate to stay put for the rest of high school. So there’s no way she’s going to tell her mom about the psychic visions she’s been having or the creepy warnings that she’s in danger.

Alec MacKenzie is fed up with his duties to watch and, when necessary, eliminate the descendants of his angelic forefathers. He chose Emerson as the ideal hiding place where he could be normal for once. He hadn’t factored Claire into his plans. . . .

Their love is forbidden, going against everything Alec has been taught to believe. But when the reason 

behind Claire’s unusual powers is revealed and the threat to her life becomes clear, how far will Alec go to protect her?" - form goodreads.com

Rachael's Recap

Book Rating: 3.5

Cover Rating: 4.5

A typical girl meets a not so typical boy. Meet Claire, a girl just trying to get through high school, and now trying to understand this strange power that has been suddenly thrust upon her. Meet Alec, an MIA angel. Wanting to find a place to hide out he chooses a place where he thinks no one of his world would find him, but then he meets Claire. It is forbidden for her to exist. It is forbidden for him to leave. And it's forbidden for them to be together. Will they be able to fight for their love? And will they win?

This book had many high points for me, but also a couple low. I'll start out with the characters. Claire was the typical teen, with everything being normal in her life at first. She was a pretty low key character. Not really exciting enough for me. She was over-reactive and there was nothing about her that really grabbed me. Too me she was a pretty typical/normal teen girl, which is fine, but it made me bored at times. Alec was an interesting character. It was fun to read when it was written in his POV, because so many things were new to him that he didn't understand. I also liked how he changes throughout the book. You can really see the change since the begging of the book to the point when he is with Claire. It was very interesting when it came to the "bad guy" in the story, there were really two. I can't say too much without spoiling parts of the book, but I really liked how they set up the "bad guy" characters. Claire's two best friends Brian and Erica were fun, light characters that gave the story the much needed humor.

The story over all was good, not mind blowing great, but pretty good. I felt though that there were a lot of things they never explained in the book that would have been useful to know. It just felt like there was something missing. The plot of the story had no problem reeling me in. It kept up a good pace throughout the whole book. And of course, a major plus is the forbidden love aspect of the book. It makes me a total stereotypical girl, but I have to admit I loved it. 

What I loved

• Written in dual POV
• It keeps you guessing about what Alec really is, and why he is there. It doesn't just pop up right away

What I wished were different

• Saying they were in love too soon. I mean they had barely been dating that long and BAM they are in love
• I didn't really like Claire's character that much
• I felt like there were unexplained spots in the book

If you are looking for a forbidden love story filled with angels of all kinds, I suggest you grab a copy of Forbidden by Syrie James and Ryan James.

Defiance

Book: Defiance
Author: C. J. Redwine
Pages: 403
Blurb: "While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice.

When Rachel's father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city's brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father's apprentice, Logan—the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making." - from goodreads.com

Rachael's Recap

Book Rating: 5

Cover Rating: 4

When the man Rachel loves most in the world, her father, is proclaimed dead after failing to return from a mission, she knows she has to be the one to find him. Only thing, she doesn't know she is not the only one who is planning on finding her beloved father. Enter Logan, her father's apprentice and her newly appointed Protector. But, it's not just the treacherous Wasteland outside the walls of Baalboden they have to be wary of, they have to watch out for the Commander, who is determined to find out what Rachel's father was really up to. Will Logan and Rachel be able to put their past behind them and move on? Let's hope so.

So, my review may be a little biased because the main characters name is Rachel (even though they spelled it wrong ;)  ). But honestly, Rachel was an amazing character to follow on her journey to get her father home. Most women in her city are quiet and the men are always in charge. That is definitely not the life for Rachel. She has a kind of 'screw you' attitude toward people who tell her what to do, especially Logan, the boy who broke her heart years ago. It was awesome that for once the swoon worthy boy is actually smart. Logan is an amazing inventor and is just trying to make his way through life. I absolutely loved him! Also Commander Chase, a.k.a the evil character, was perfect. The whole time I just wanted to hit him in the face, with a chair, very hard. I really hated him, which was awesome, seeing that he was the bad guy and all.

This book grabbed me from the very start and never let go. I loved how it had strong charterers. In a way it reminded me a little of Legend by Marie Lu (another great book)! If I had to change something about this book it would be the relationship of Logan and Rachel. It happened supper fast and then the book ended and I was left kind of wondering what just happened. 

What I loved

• Rachel was a strong kick a@# girl
• Not only did they fight against the psychopath Commander Chase, but also the Cured Ones (which reminded me of that giant snake thing game) 
• The book is written in dual POVs

What I wished were different

• Logan and Rachel's relationship was great when there was a lot of tension (pretty much from Rachel hating him), but once it got more serious I got kind of board. 

If you are looking for an amazing story unlike anything you have ever read, pick up a copy of Defiance by C.J Redwine! 

Raised by Wolves

Title: Raised by Wolves
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes  
Pages: 418

Blurb: "Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it.  That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.  

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?" - from goodreads.com

Rachael's Recap

Book Rating: 4.7 chocolate bars

Cover Rating: 4.2 chocolate bars 

When Bryn's parents are viciously murdered by a rouge werewolf, she is taken in by the alpha of a werewolf pack. Years later she meets a boy, who was recently attacked by the same rouge wolf that killed her parents. But even though her pack is less than helpful when it comes to giving her answers, she in not deterred. In her search for who attacked her parents and the newly turned werewolf Chase, she goes to extreme lengths. But, the question she really needs to answer is, what is she willing to risk to get her answers and is it worth the consequences that come?

This book was one of the few that draws you in and never let's go. I was so reveled that this was not another love triangle werewolf story. Bryn is actual a human in this story. How cool is that!? I loved her character, she was definitely not like most teen girl heroines. She kicked butt and took names. I mean, being raised by wolves has to make you tough. Another kick butt girl character in this book was Lake.  She was an amazing friend, and an amazing marksman who likes to name her weapons (again really cool). Two other characters in this book were Chase and Damon. Damon is Bryn's amazing show tune singing friend who would do almost anything for her, while Chase is the mysterious boy who was recently turned werewolf by a rouge.

This book was a fresh new view of werewolves. I loved how she was not a werewolf, and I absolutely loved that it had no vampires in it! Jennifer Lynn Barnes has an amazing way of painting Bryn's world out clearly for her readers. It had twists I didn't see coming and always had my attention. Something though that I was not totally excited about included Chase and, well yeah, Chase.  When I first "meet" Chase, I was super excited, but that soon ended. I felt like through the whole book you never got to really know Chase or understand him. Also, Bryn and Chase's relationship happened a little too fast for me. All in all though, I loved this book and definitely think it is worth the read. 

What I loved

• Bryn is not a werewolf
• Bryn was not a crazy love sick teenager
• Awesome ending (no I am not telling so don't ask)

What I wished were different

• I wished Chase had more personality
• The connection between Bryn and Chase was very sudden

If you are looking for a new amazing book about werewolves to read, then I suggest you rush to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

Transparent

Book: Transparent
Author: Natalie Whipple
Pages: 350

Blurb: "Plenty of teenagers feel invisible. Fiona McClean actually is.

An invisible girl is a priceless weapon. Fiona’s own father has been forcing her to do his dirty work for years—everything from spying on people to stealing cars to breaking into bank vaults.

After sixteen years, Fiona’s had enough. She and her mother flee to a small town, and for the first time in her life, Fiona feels like a normal life is within reach. But Fiona’s father isn't giving up that easily.

Of course, he should know better than anyone: never underestimate an invisible girl."- from goodreads.com 

Rachael's Recap

Book Rating: 3.8 chocolate bars 

Cover Rating: 4 chocolate bars 

When I first read the little blurb, I thought they meant a girl that could turn invisible, not an actual invisible girl! It was a super cool surprise and totally changed my expectations for this book.   In Transparent the main character , Fiona, escapes from her father so she does not have to continue living as his personal spy.  When she and her mother escape, Fiona starts school and meets other teens that are "special" like her.  I loved Fiona's character - strong and brave. I also loved her best friend, Bea, and her family and of course Brady and Seth. This book was funny and had twists and turns that I never saw coming. All the characters were new and fresh, not the same stereotypical girls and guys in YA books. I did feel that the first chunk of the book was really rushed though - It needed more explanation. Also, I got a huge surprise involving Fiona's love interest. I can't tell you how happy I was about that ( and no I am not going to tell you. Go pick up the book yourself). 

What I loved:

• Fiona was not the only character with a superpower
• Surprise twists I never saw coming ( yes, it is about Brady)
• There are so many brothers in this book! 
• Lots of cool superpowers, some I have never heard of

What I wished were different:

•  I wished there was more in beginning of the book of how life was like with her father
• I wished  there was  more of a history for Bea's family ( if you read the book you will understand)
• It ended a bit suddenly for me
• I wish the ending was stronger
• Fiona over reacted a lot 

If you are looking for a book full of twist and turns and some pretty awesome super powers then go get Natalie Whipple debut novel Transparent.