The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins

The Great Hunt ARC Review

Author: Wendy Higgins

Publisher: HarperTeen

Kill the beast. Win the girl.

A strange beast stirs fear in the kingdom of Lochlanach, terrorizing towns with its brutality and hunger. In an act of desperation, a proclamation is sent to all of Eurona—kill the creature and win the ultimate prize: the daughter of King Lochson’s hand in marriage.

Princess Aerity understands her duty to the kingdom though it pains her to imagine marrying a stranger. It would be foolish to set her sights on any particular man in the great hunt, but when a brooding local hunter, Paxton Seabolt, catches her attention, there’s no denying the unspoken lure between them…or his mysterious resentment.

Paxton is not keen on marriage. Nor does he care much for spoiled royals and their arcane laws. He’s determined to keep his focus on the task at hand—ridding the kingdom of the beast and protecting his family—yet Princess Aerity continues to challenge his notions with her unpredictability and charm. But as past secrets collide with present desires, dire choices threaten everything Paxton holds dear.

Inspired by the Grimm Brothers’ tale, “The Singing Bone,” New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins delivers a dark fantasy filled with rugged hunters, romantic tension, outlawed magic, and a princess willing to risk all to save her people.~Goodreads

The Great Hunt was a fantastic read. The imagery was amazing, the plot was solid, and the characters were wonderful.

This story was just SO unmatched to anything I’ve read up to this point.  The idea of a great and terrible beast on a rampage, the concept of a society filled with these magical outcasts known as the Lashed, and a kingdom of Royalty? So brilliantly done. Wendy did an amazing job creating this world. The scenery was breathtaking—lush and vibrant, dark and damp and dangerous—she touched on it all. I can’t wait to see more of this world in the next book.

As for the characters. ♥♥♥ Aerity is so loyal, sweet, and strong. I really enjoyed reading about her. She has so much potential to change her kingdom and I BELIEVE in her. I can't wait to see how she handles things in the next book. I also really liked her cousin Wyneth, I wish I could’ve read more about her and Breckon—PREQUEL PLEASE?

Then there are the Seabolts. Two words: (1) Swoonworthy. (2) Brothers. Holy heartthrobs, Paxton and Tiern are to. Die. For. Tiern is happy-go-lucky, light hearted, smart, and talkative. Paxton is pessimistic, hardheaded, cunning and quiet. So completely opposite of one another yet both totally loveable.

Aerity and Paxton? I am all for a slow burning romance— and oh my seas— was the romance torturous in this book. Aerity and Paxton have the potential to literally light the page on fire from their hotness. I need more! They need at least sixteen chapters dedicated to them making out. With him shirtless. Yes, yes. That would be nice.

The ending of The Great Hunt has me CRAVING book two like a fiend.  I almost cried out of frustration when it was over. The Great Hunt is full of suspense, gore, romance and lore—it is a MUST READ!

Teaser Tuesday: The Great Hunt

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at A Daily Rhythm.

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!) 

 Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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    “You don’t live with the looks,” his mother had always told him. “You live with the personality, so try and be pleasant. And choose a girl with a loving heart.” ARC Pg. 92

 ♥  ♥  ♥  

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine! And this week i am waiting on:

Seventeen-year-old Cath knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disease, has almost triumphed once, propelling Catherine to her first suicide attempt. With Zero only temporarily restrained by the latest med du jour, time is running out. In an old ballet shoebox, Catherine stockpiles meds, preparing to take her own life when Zero next arrives.

But Zero’s return is delayed. Unexpected relationships along with the care of a new psychiatrist start to alter Catherine's perception of her diagnosis. But will this be enough? This is a story of loss and grief and hope and how the many shapes of love – maternal, romantic and platonic – impact a young woman’s struggle with mental illness.~Goodreads

Does this not just sound so freakin' incredible? And that cover? GORGEOUS. I need it to be September! 

What are YOU waiting on this week?

Teaser Tuesday: Wink Poppy Midnight

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at A Daily Rhythm.

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!) 

 Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Every story needs a Villain. The Villain is just as important as the Hero. More important, maybe. ~ARC pg. 15

I adored the storytelling that was woven into the actual storytelling. And this cover? Instant classic, yes?!

Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan

Reign of Shadows ARC

Author: Sophie Jordan

Publisher: Harper Teen

Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna’s survival depends on the world believing she is dead.

But that doesn’t stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized.

With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet.

With lush writing and a star–crossed romance, Reign of Shadowsis Sophie Jordan at her best.

Urgent. Dangerous. Romantic. Reign of Shadows does not disappoint!

This world is so insane. Perpetual darkness? No, I could not deal. And dark dwellers? No, no, no! They are so scary and disgusting! I was on edge the entire book and the only time I had a slight reprieve was at Midlight. I am super curious to learn more about Relhok before the Eclipse, so hopefully book 2 will touch on that!

As for the characters in this story? There are not enough heart-eyed emojis in the whole world that could help profess my love for Luna and Fowler. ♥ ♥ 

Luna is basically a beast. Like she is seriously B.A. that girl can handle herself so well. She can take down a dark dweller like nobody’s business, yet, there is such a gentleness about her. She is so kind hearted and understanding. She has such a sweet naivety about her that I adored. Luna was wonderful, put her with Fowler and it’s basically magic!

Fowler owns my heart. This boy is so closed off and hardheaded and hardhearted and almost blatantly rude. He is one of the only fictional boys in which I didn’t fall for right away. You fall for Fowler the more you get to know him. And the way he softens around Luna *suh-woons* I want more of his backstory—how he was raised, what caused him to leave Relhok and how he became the way he did. PREQUEL SOPHIE, PLEASE!! I hope Fowler makes it to Allu because this boy deserves to be happy.

Reign of Shadows is a unique retelling filled with suspense and sexy-times and scary creatures. This book is a MUST READ! I need the sequel now.

Blog Tour: REVENGE AND THE WILD by Michelle Modesto: Review + Giveaway!

   

About the Book:

Title: REVENGE AND THE WILD

Author: Michelle Modesto

Release Date: February 2, 2016

Pages: 384

Publisher: Balzer+Bray

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it’s perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler.

Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She’s determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there’s nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.

But Westie’s search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel’s latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There’s only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie’s kin. With the help of Nigel’s handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she’s not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.

This thrilling novel is a remarkable tale of danger and discovery, from debut author Michelle Modesto.

Review: 

With a B.A. heroine, multiple—I REPEAT, MULTIPLE!—swoonworthy guys, action, romance, booze, and LOTS and lots of blood—this book is a MUST READ! 

 The world in which Revenge and the Wild takes place is so unique! I LOVED the whole western/steampunk setting. Plus, on top of that this book was PACKED with all different walks of lore—Natives, cannibals, humans, trolls, werewolves, vampires—and it all worked together so freaking well. 

The characters in this story were SO freakin' incredible too! I adored Westie, I need more of her in my life. She was so freakin' fantastic. She was feisty and fierce, loyal and impulsive and I loved every second I read about her. 

Then we have Swoony Boy #1: Alistair. Oh my goodness, adorably sweet and protective, Alistair. I need a prequel or sequel all about him. ♥ And can i just say that the tension/frustraion between him and Westie was so real you guys. SO REAL. GAH! I was contantly shouting, "MAKE OUT ALREADY!"

THEN, there is Swoony Boy #2: Costin, You lovely creature you. This boy? *fans self* I thought I was completely over vampires and their fangs and cold skin and cliché ways but Oh My Emma—I’d allow Costin to bite me any day. ANY. DAY. He is so incredibly smug yet he was a fang-tactic (see what i did there *wink*) friend to Westie. I need a prequel or sequel all about Costin too ♥♥

ALSO. THE 'VILLAINS' IN THIS STORY WERE SO FRUSTRATING—I wanted to tear my hair out because of them! But then thought, I’d better not since, ya know, they’d like that. :P

Revenge and the Wild is a freaking amazing debut! I HIGHLY recommend you pick it up. I can’t wait to read more from Michelle Modesto in the future! 

GIVEAWAY TIME!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Michelle:

Michelle Modesto is a writer, hockey fanatic, lover of most art forms, terrible cook and her social skills aren't that great either. Her debut YA novel, REVENGE AND THE WILD comes out from Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, early 2016. She lives in Northern California in a double-wide mobile asylum with two mastiffs who don't listen to her and two teenagers who also don't listen to her.

Michelle Modesto is represented by John Cusick at The Greenhouse Literary Agency.

Website | Twitter |Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Be sure to check out the previous stops on the tour and keep following the next stops for more chances to win! 
Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/25/2016- IceyBooks- Interview

1/26/2016- Book Briefs- Review

1/27/2016- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

1/28/2016- Novel Novice- Review

1/29/2016- Good Choice Reading- Interview

Week Two:

2/1/2016- Brooke-Reports- Review

2/2/2016- The Irish Banana Review- Guest Post

2/3/2016- Bookish Lifestyle- Review + Interview

2/4/2016- Supernatural Snark- Interview

2/5/2016- Ex Libris- Review

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I'm currently doing a little assessment of what goes down here at Brooke-Reports and I thought your feedback would be really helpful! 

So, if you have a couple of minutes to fill out a feedback form it would be much appreciated!

You can find the form HERE!!

Thank you!

Teaser Tuesday: Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at A Daily Rhythm.

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!) 

 Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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“It means”—I lean closer and will my words to take root within her—“I will always find you. I will always protect you. I won’t let you down. I promise.” Pg. 171

*THUD* My heart. Oh my sweet holy Cursed One. Logan is ♥♥♥ everything. *swoons* *drools* *dies*  

In Real Life by Jessica Love

In Real Life ARC Review

Author: Jessica Love

Publsiher: St. Martin's Press
Source: Around the World ARC Tours

Hannah Cho and Nick Cooper have been best friends since 8th grade. They talk for hours on the phone, regularly shower each other with presents, and know everything there is to know about one another. 

There's just one problem: Hannah and Nick have never actually met.

Hannah has spent her entire life doing what she's supposed to, but when her senior year spring break plans get ruined by a rule-breaker, she decides to break a rule or two herself. She impulsively decides to road trip to Las Vegas, her older sister and BFF in tow, to surprise Nick and finally declare her more-than-friend feelings for him.

Hannah's surprise romantic gesture backfires when she gets to Vegas and finds out that Nick has been keeping some major secrets. Hannah knows the real Nick can't be that different from the online Nick she knows and loves, but now she only has night in Sin City to figure out what her feelings for Nick really are, all while discovering how life can change when you break the rules every now and then.~Goodreads. 

So. I lived a lot of this story. Not the whole go-to-Vegas-to-surprise-the-boy-I’ve-been-talking-to-on-the-internet-who-i-also-happen-to-have-more-than-just-friendly-feelings-for part but the whole talking-to-someone-over-the-interwebz-and-falling-for-them part. I found myself marking every other page because this book was just SO freaking relatable to me it was scary. It touched on so many of my nostalgic feels. 

Texting 24/7 like it’s your job? Yes. Video chat being “too real” at first? Yes. The idea that meeting in real if is going to be SO FREAKING AWKWARD? YES YES YES.

But the one thing that Love NAILED in this book was the notion that the person who you’re talking to isn’t “real.” Or that the whole situation is just pretend. That it’s not real life. YES, JESSICA LOVE, YES. SO MUCH THIS. 

I adored Hannah. She was obviously super relatable to me but she was also very smart and funny. She grew so much in this story and came to conquer some of her fears and I just found myself being so proud of her. I enjoyed reading from Hannah’s point of view. I also REALLY liked her sister Grace. (I want a Grace and Alex a spin off please!)As for Hannah’s "best friend", Lo? She is a terrible best friend. And that’s all I’ll say about that. 

Then there is Nick. Awkward, liar-pants, nerdy, Nick. He was….something else. It was hard for me to get a good read on him (haha-haha) because one minute he was so…great and then next so closed off. I would definitely want to read more about Hannah and his relationship though! 

PSA- DON’T LIE. THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT. AND DON’T BE A CATFISH.

In Real Life is an adorable story that I think everyone should pick up! I look forward to reading more by Love in the future!

Also, if you’re in a Long Distance Relationship with someone you’ve never met, it’s serious, and you love that person, don’t put of meeting them. It may seem as though your relationship isn’t ‘real’ because they aren’t right there in front of you, but…those feelings you have towards them? Those feelings are real. Don’t let your fear overwhelm you. If it’s meant to be it will work out. You won’t regret it, I know I sure don’t :)

Take the Fall by Emily Hainsworth

Take the Fall ARC Review

Author: Emily Hainsworth

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

WHO KILLED GRETCHEN MEYER?

Fear grips the residents of Hidden Falls the night Sonia Feldman and her best friend, Gretchen Meyer, are attacked in the woods. Sonia was lucky to escape with her life, but Gretchen’s body is discovered at the bottom of a waterfall. Beautiful, popular, and seemingly untouchable, Gretchen can’t be gone. Even as Sonia struggles with guilt and confusion over having survived, the whole town is looking to her for information…could she have seen something that will lead the police to the killer?

At the top of the list of suspects is Gretchen’s ex-boyfriend—and Sonia’s longtime enemy—Marcus Perez. So when Marcus comes to Sonia for help clearing his name, she agrees, hoping to find evidence the police need to prove he’s the killer. But as Gretchen’s many secrets emerge and the suspects add up, Sonia feels less sure of Marcus’s involvement, and more afraid for herself. Could Marcus, the artist, the screwup, the boy she might be falling for have attacked her? Killed her best friend? And if it wasn’t him in the woods that night…who could it have been?~Goodreads

Enthralled. Captivated. Hooked. I could not put this book down. Oh my goodness, my mind is still reeling. What? Just what? I really need to start reading more mysteries because oh my gosh, this book was fantastic. 

I loved speculating along side the characters—I loved not knowing who was lying and who was telling the truth—I had NO idea who to trust and it was magnificent. The plot was so intricately woven that I’m seriously just so mind blown right now. I pointed fingers at so many different characters that I’m so surprised I didn’t catch on to who actually killed Gretchen. 

I don’t want to say too much more in fear of giving something away but Hainsworth did such an incredible job with this story; not only with the plot but with the imagery—I clearly SAW the Falls in my head, the park, the Evil Bean, the diner—and the characters—even the background ones—were all so complex. 

I thought that the main character, Sonia, was sweet and kind and she seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. I felt so bad that she was attacked. I wanted her attacker to be caught and brought to justice as soon as possible. Then when it came out that her attacker was also a murderer? BAM. I thought, “GET SOME MORE COPS IN THIS TOWN, LET’S FIND THIS PERSON NOW.” “NO, SHERIFF, YOU DO NOT HAVE TIME TO STOP AT THE DINER FOR COFFEE, GET YOUR BUTT ON THE STREETS AND NAIL THIS SUCKA!” I was so invested.

Take the Fall is an insanely engrossing story, I HIGHLY recommend you pick it up!

ALSO- HOW DOES IT END THERE? LIKE FOR REAL? WHEN IS THE SEQUEL?!