Legend

Book: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Pages: 320
Blurb: "What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets." - from goodreads.com

Rachael's Recap

Book Rating: 5 chocolate bars

Cover Rating: 3.5 chocolate bars

There have been millions of young adult dystopian books written, some good, some not so good. But, Legend was amazing! Definitely one of my favorite dystopian books ever! It was never boring.

What I loved

• June was a strong independant young women.
• Not all gooey and romantic
• Both Day and June kicked total butt

What I wished was different

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! 

Obsidian

Book: Obsidian
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout   
Pages: 361

Blurb: "Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. 

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 

If I don't kill him first, that is." - from goodreads.com

Rachael's Recap 

Book Rating: 5 chocolate bars 

Cover Rating: 3 chocolate bars 

When Katy moved to a new town she expected the standard new girl stuff. Getting use to a new town, a new school, and of course new neighbors.  When she meets Dee, her new neighbor who is also her age, she thinks things probably won't be that bad in this new town, might even be fun. Well, that was the case, until Dee's over protective, hot, annoying, twin brother, Daemon, butts in. Katy and Daemon hate each other from the very start, but can't seem to stay away from each other at the same time. Just as things are settling down, Katy learns a secret, a huge secret. Her neighbors, overly peppy Dee and obnoxious Daemon, are aliens, and since Katy has been marked by them, she has to stay close so they can protect her. 

I usually don't go for the alien books because I think they are just weird, sorry but I never liked ET. This book gives me a whole new image of what aliens are. Obsidian was super funny and extremely fun to read. Katy, the main character, is pretty nice, but not too nice that she doesn't object to flipping Daemon off when he a jerk. She is an extremely strong character who doesn't let anyone push her around.  Also, the fact that she loves books and has a book blog is pretty freaking awesome. Dee is an adorable character too, she is just always so happy and so nice. Demon had the whole bad boy act going for him. But, he was really protective of his sister, which was great I thought. He was super annoying to Katy (that made me love him more), but he could be sweet (that made me love him wayyyyyy more). But, he could also be a total jerk witch sometimes annoyed me. 

I have never read a book about aliens like this before, and I was surprised by how much I loved it. It had so many aspects in it, like mystery, romance, and humor. Jennifer L. Armentrout painted a new view of aliens for me and all her readers. When I think of aliens now I definitely don't think of little green people, I think of the green eyed boy Daemon and his sister Dee. This book had so many elements I loved in it. 

Things that I loved

• Katy didn't let people push her around
• Katy had a book blog! How awesome is that!?!?
• Not a typical alien story 
• Extremely funny
• At the end there are some scenes from Daemon's POV

Things that I wished were different

• Daemon was amazing, but sometimes he was too much of an a** hole for me to handle 

If you are looking for an extraterrestrial book that will have you begging for more by the end, then I suggest you pick up Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Born at Midnight

Book: Born at Midnight
Author: C. C. Hunter
Pages: 398

Blurb: "One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…" - from goodreads.com

Rachael's Recap

Book Rating: 5 chocolate bars

Cover Rating: 5 chocolate bars

This book completely blew me away. It’s one of those rare books that is not just about vampires and werewolves, or witches and wizards. It’s about all of them! In the beginning of this book Kylie's life sucks, a lot. Her parents are getting a divorce, her grandmother died, and she has a stalker. Sounds like fun, not. Kylie's mother then decides to send her to Shadow Falls, a camp. Kylie thinks it’s just for troubled teens, but it’s actual a camp for supernatural. Only problem, Kylie doesn't know what she is. Through the book she discovers a lot about herself (including that she can see ghosts). In Born at Midnight you follow Kylie as she tries to discover what she is, and learns more about who she is. 

As I said before, this book completely blew me away. Kylie's character was nice, caring, and extremely loyal. But, I loved her two roommates even more. Don't get me wrong, I love Kylie, but Della (a vampire full of attitude) and Miranda (a dyslexics witch) together are, for me, even better. This book had me laughing through the whole thing, especially when Miranda and Della would fight. I loved how the girls came to care about each other so much and relied on each other. Another thing I loved was Holiday, the head camp counselor. She was always there to help Kylie with trying to figure out what she was, and helping her with the stalker (who they discover is not exactly a stalker) OK, enough gushing about the girls. 

Derek and Lucas. Usually in a book that has two guys going for the same girl (love triangle alert), I always pick the one I like the most and cheer them on. Not here, I kept switching sides, from Lucas then to Derek, then back to Lucas. This book kept making me feel like a traitor to the other guy every time I switched sides. Lucas is a werewolf, and knew Kylie from when they use too be neighbors as children. To me Lucas is the mysterious bad boy that you know you should stay away from, but can't. Derek, on the other hand, is a half fae who has a huge hart and is caring, but still lets nothing stand in his way and would do anything for Kylie. 

What I loved

• Had all kinds of supernaturals 
• Super funny (Della and Miranda)
• Lucas and Derek were so hard to choose between

What I wished were different 

• I did love Kylie, but I wished she was a little more care free

All these characters made an amazing story that I fell in love with. And if you are like me, and were skeptical about the whole camp thing, don't be. It’s an amazing story completely worth reading.