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! 

Tiger's Curse

Book: Tiger's Curse
Author: Colleen Houck
Pages: 403
Blurb: "Passion. Fate. Loyalty.
Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more." - from goodreads.com

Rachael's Recap

Book Rating: 3.9 chocolate bars

Cover Rating: 3 chocolate bars

What do you expect from a summer job? Fun, getting paid a lot, and maybe even a cute guy. But definitely not a surprise trip to India, where you find out you are the one you were prophesied to break the curse that has held two princes captured in tiger form for centuries. Kelsey travels with Ren, the hansom prince, the white tiger in order to break the curse. Can she do it without losing her life? Or her heart?

Tiger's Curse brought me into a whole new venue of writing, Indian mythology. For me, Tiger's Curse was a book I had on my shelf and I never wanted to read because I thought, Indian mythology - really? But, I am sure glad I picked it up. Colleen Houck spins together a beautiful world of love, danger, and adventure that drew me in instantaneously.

Now, let's talk about the characters. Honestly, I was a little disappointed in Kylie. To me she seemed like a fairy tale princess who didn't understand anything about the outside world and thought everything was great. I also found myself - a lot of the time - wishing she would quit whining. She was much too self-conscious and it really got to me. Even though Kylie did have some characteristics I had troubles with, she had some good ones as well. She was always willing to help others and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Those are two very important characteristics I like in a female heroine. I loved Mr. Kadam in this book, he was sort of like a grandfather character. I wish we saw more of him during the book, but never the less he was great.
Now, let's get to Ren and Kishan. Those are the two brothers who are cursed into being tigers for almost 24/7.  Whenever you read a book that has brothers in it, you know you are in trouble. Both beautiful brooding boys were pretty intense and straight forward. Ren was especially protective of Kylie which at some point I totally loved, but other times I was like seriously? One thing I loved about this book (and series) is that it wasn't completely centered around one brother (read book 2!).

Overall this book was pretty good. I loved how Kylie and Ren would argue (it was funny), but I also liked how in the end you saw how deeply Ren cared for Kelsey. Another little problem I had was all the poetry! Now it may just be me, because I don't really like poetry, but it was getting tiring when they kept quoting famous poets and reading poetry all the time.

What I loved

• Kishan and Ren were the best heart breaking pair of brothers ever
• It's so unique! I mean who has ever done Indian mythology before? Plus it was really interesting

What I wished were different

• Kelsey was kind of like a Disney princess, thinking everything was great, and it got  annoying
• Too much poetry
• Way to much lack of self-esteem and whinnying in Kylie 

Wanting something totally unique and never done before? Check out Colleen Houck's amazing head spinning world of lion, tigers and bears. OK, maybe just tigers. 

Forgotten Ones Book Blast

The Forgotten Ones (The Danaan Trilogy #1)

by Laura Howard

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

What some reviewers are saying:

“This book is so amazing! It’s one of those that speaks so vividly in your mind that you can’t help but get lost in!”


“5 Stars and a fantastically beautiful read. I definitely recommend to all who love fantasy, romance, or are just looking for a book to escape into for a while.”


“Enter another type of world you never knew existed but secretly wished it did. I can’t wait for book 2! Keep em coming out like pure gold Laura ”

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Monday Map Out 7/15/13

Hi guys and gals! I'm starting a new thing here on Rachael's Raving Reviews. Every Monday I will have something called Monday Map Outs. That is where I map out ( get it hahaha, I know, I'm a dork) the books that are going to be reviewed that week, and also where you can comment about any book or books you think I need to check out and read. So ,without further ado, I give you this weeks map out..........

                                                

                                                                 

Check in later this week to see my reviews of Forbidden, Defiance, and Tiger's Curse. See you all soon!