How to Flirt With a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

Title: How to Flirt With a Naked Werewolf
Author: Molly Harper
Published: February 22, 2011
Publisher: Pocket Books
ISBN: 978-1439195864
Genre: Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Northern Exposure

Even in Grundy, Alaska, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, recent southern transplant Mo Wenstein has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham—who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska—has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble. 

For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question. 

If a wolf cries wolf, it makes sense to listen, yet Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit. Except if he’s not responsible, then who is? And when a werewolf falls head over haunches in love with you, what are you supposed to do anyway? The rules of dating just got a whole lot more complicated. . . .

Rating: ★★★★★

OMG you guys, this was so much fun.

I did not expect this book to be as well written as it actually is. Which, is kind of an asshole thing for me to think, but it surprised the hell out of me.

I absolutely loved this book.

I loved Mo! Which is, like, woah!

Because, I don't like female MCs. They piss me off. I normally want to gouge their eyes out. Well, not Mo. I want to be this chick's best friend. She cooks awesome deserts, is utterly hilarious, and has a lingerie obsession. What's not to like? And, I can totally relate to her:

“Well, that cinched it. He was an asshole. I was definitely going to end up sleeping with him.”

I love the dynamic between her and Cooper. It gives me the good tinglies. Also, again, they're utterly hilarious:

“Well, pardon me for not knowing about the thermal-only panty rule,” I said, smirking as he dipped his head to nuzzle one of the silky bra cups. “I’ll rush right out and buy some long johns.”

Pausing to look up with perfect sincerity, he promised, “If you do, I will weep. Like a little girl. In public.”

Mostly, I love that I can imagine that they'd be real people. Like I could rock up to Grundy, Alaska and there would be the Blue Glacier Saloon with Evie and Buzz behind the bar and Mo in the kitchen and Cooper sat at the bar, growling at people. I suppose that's what really helped me like this book, just how easy it is to imagine that these characters are people you could come across in your own town. It lends a nice authenticity to the story. As much as a story about a hot werewolf can be considered authentic anyway ...

The story was engaging and really well paced. I loved the fact that they didn't jump straight into bed with each other and you can't beat a good dose of antagonistic lust-filled banter whilst they come to terms with their attraction for each other. The supporting cast was just right and it was so refreshing to see the unrequited love interest not turn out to be an asshole.

Overall, an awesome, fun read that I will definitely be going back to.  

End of Days by Susan Ee

Title: End of Days (Penryn & The End of Days #3)
Author: Susan Ee
Published: May 12, 2015
Publisher: Skyscape
ISBN: 978-1477829707
Genre: Sci-Fi and Fantasy

End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy.

After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

Rating: ★★★★★

In my honest opinion, this was the perfect conclusion to an incredible series.

Considering that I came out of the first book feeling pretty 'meh' about Penryn, it has come as a massive surprise to suddenly find myself completely fangirling over her. Her character development throughout the three books was superb and at the end of this book she really, truly deserved her title of 'Kick-ass female'.

Raffe? Do I really need to say anything about him? What a fucking dream-boat. And at the end? Jesus!



The development of their relationship was lovely. I've seen a lot of reviews that said they felt like the chemistry had failed and that their romance felt 'flat'. I wholeheartedly disagree. I think, given their respective situations, it was realistic, hopeful and, well, hot!(view spoiler)



This book definitely makes up for the lack of Raffe in the second book- and, in fact, we don't see much of anyone else. Paige and the Mother seem to take a step back, but I can't honestly say the book is any worse off for that fact because Penryn and Raffe just have such an amazing dynamic.

I think, perhaps, the stories for the supporting cast could have been wrapped up a bit better. We're left with no idea of what happens to anyone barring Raffe, Penryn, Paige and the Mother. I think it would have been nice to know what happened to Dee and Dum and the Watchers.

Especially Dee and Dum. But I think my attachment to these two has a lot to do with their similarity to these two:



The Watchers - NEW FAVOURITE CHARACTERS!! They were awesome, and I love that Beliel wasn't just an a-typical bad-guy. I like that Ee gave him a tragic backstory that helped us to understand his character outside of being the big bad. He has reasons - he wasn't just a two dimensional disney villain and that was a refreshing change. I like my villains complex and tragic.



There was a fair amount of questions left unanswered, but nothing important and nothing relative to the plot. And, lets be honest, sometimes we don't want all the questions answered - sometimes we like to use our own imagination. Or, well, I know I do.

Overall, one of the better conclusions to a series that I've read. I absolutely loved these books and would encourage everyone to read them.

Seven Years by Dannika Dark

Title: Seven Years (Seven #1)
Author: Dannika Dark
Publisher: Dannika Dark
Published: October 21, 2013ASIN: B00G2DL26U
Genre: Paranormal Romance

PARANORMAL ROMANCE, Book 1 by USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Seven years ago, my world ended.

Seven years later, my new life began.

It's been seven years since Lexi Knight lost her brother in a tragic accident. On the anniversary of his death, her brother's best friend shows up unexpectedly - a man she hasn't seen since the funeral. He is no longer the boy Lexi once knew, but a dangerous-looking man with tattoos and dark secrets. He broke her trust and abandoned her family, yet what he reveals makes it impossible to stay angry. Lexi has been secretly infatuated with Austin since childhood, so finding out he's a Shifter just makes him sexier. Dammit.

Austin Cole has returned to the city where he grew up, and just in time. He's lived a hard life these past seven years, and the shadows of his past are threatening to destroy Lexi's family. It's time that she learned the truth about her brother, but there is a shocking twist that Austin never saw coming. Now he must protect her family when her mother and sister wind up in mortal danger. Will Lexi learn to accept the truth about who he is, and can Austin salvage a relationship from the ruins of their past?

Destiny will find you.

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆


Look, I LOVE Shifter books. Like seriously, I have such a thing for them. To the point where if I like the characters and the premise of the plot enough, I can overlook some pretty atrocious writing.

I have an unhealthy attraction to fictional, possessive, alpha-males. I can overlook a lot of borderline abusive behaviour if the male lead is hawt enough and if the female lead is kickass enough. If the shifter culture is fleshed out properly, too. Most importantly, if there is an engaging plot.

This book? Has none of that.

I'm going to try and keep this short and sweet, because I don't feel like spending a lot of time on this review.

The Bad. 

• The pacing
• The writing
• The characterisations - why are all these men trying to fucking rape her?
• The plot
• Info-dumps
• TMI - like, woah. I didn't need the in-depth, two paragraph long description of her mother's kitchen when I was reading the book, and I still don't need it now.
• Misandry
• Obsessed with looks - which I will comment on shortly.
• Tries so hard to be 'feminist' and fails epicly
• Casual treatment of rape

The Good. 

• Sweet Fuck All.

Ok, I need to share this quote with you because this is what really killed this book for me:

"A woman could be stranded on a deserted island with no sign of life for thousands of miles, and as soon as a rescue ship comes her way, she'll be combing her hair with sticks and squashing berries to rub on her cheeks"

No? Do you know what women would be doing? Screaming desperately for help. They wouldn't give two shits about how they look. 

This woman is so fucking obsessed with looks and it just drives me up the wall. This portrayal that the female psyche is so fucking shallow makes me so angry. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being conscious of your appearance - God knows I can be vain enough at times, but I would never let it define me. That's all Dannika Dark seems to do - allow people's images to define them. The best looking are, of course, the ones we are all told to like and the ones we are told to hate are, of course, the lesser attractive characters. It's embarrassing.

But I think the thing that really put me off this book is the author's casual use of rape as a device to show us just how attractive the MC is. Like, is this for fucking real? Rape - just casually thrown in to show how much guys want her. It's fucking disgusting and disgraceful.

I am so surprised I didn't end up DNFing this.
Please, do yourselves a favour and leave this one alone. 

The One by Keira Cass

Title: The One (The Selection #3)
Author: Keira Cass
Published: May 6, 2014
Publisher: HarperCollinsCholdren'sBooks
ISBN: 978-0007466719
Genre: Dystopian/Sci Fi

The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

I don't even know anymore?

This review is just going to be a rant at how awful these characters are. Urgh.

Could that ending have been anymore rushed? So much for Cass' good execution ...

Anyway - this was oddly compelling and really fucking annoying to read.

Shall I be completely honest? After the first 15% I just skim-read it.

I mean, America and Maxon are the kind of couple that, if they were your friends, you'd just get really fed up of and complete wash your hands of them because you know what? The drama is just too much and I don't have time for that shit.

Also, America, Sweetheart? Get some integrity. ALSO? STOP STRINGING BOYS ALONG.

Well, you got there in the end, I suppose.

Oh, and yeah -

Way to be diplomatic, Maxon - it's not like it's the most important skill in your Princely repertoire or anything.

Epic couple fail.

jfc!!! *facepalm* 

The Elite by Keria Cass

Title: The Elite (The Selection #2)
Author: Keira Cass
Published: April 23, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks
ISBN: 978-0007466702
Genre: Dystopian/Sci Fi

The Selection began with thirty-five girls.

Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away

Rating: ★★★☆☆

There is something wrong with me when I'm more emotionally invested in the relationship between America and Maxon than I was in the relationship between Maise and Evan in Unteachable. 

I need psychiatric help.



On that note ...

I can't deny that the Elite had me racing through to the end. I was emotionally invested. My heart pounded the whole way through the book and I was on edge over the growing distance between Maxon and America. Whatever Cass lacks in imagination and ideals, she makes up for in execution; I can give her that, at least.

Even so, America is the biggest pain in the arse I have ever come across. She's "that girl" - the one who strings boys along to make herself feel good. She's a horrible MC. She wants re-assurance and affirmation from Maxon but refuses to give any of her own? And talk about fucking needy?!?

And Maxon? He's nothing but a glorified fuckboy.  Urgh.

So can someone tell me why I couldn't put this book down?

The Selection by Keira Cass

Title: The Selection (The Selection #1)
Author: Keira Cass
Published: June 7, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollinsCholdren'sBooks
ISBN: 78-0007466696
Genre: Dystopian/Sci Fi

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her.

Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined. 

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Solid 3 stars. 

I'll be honest, America is one of those character's that I'm never going to like. "Oh no, don't make me up in pretty dresses and send me off to a beautiful palace to be pampered and adored all so I can have the chance of being the future queen and, you know, actually having a chance to help change the debilitating caste system of our society which sees the majority of our country living in abject poverty and thus help raise everyone I love out of poverty. Oh, woe is me."

Seriously?

This idea that by forcing people to wear pretty clothes and make up and act like a "lady" somehow means that they're going to lose "who they are as a person." As if the clothes and make up and their appearance defines them? Yeah, not a great message to be throwing out there in a young adult novel.

If I wanted to be told that my appearance is the most important thing about me, I'd go pick up a fashion magazine.

But anyway, on to the actual book.

Fun read. 

It was engaging and I read it in one day. The writing is of a high quality and the pacing is excellent. One thing I absolutely loved was the slow-burn of America's developing feelings. We get to the end of the book and she's still trying to come to terms with what her feelings actually are. This is realistic, not only for a one-month time frame, but, also, for a seventeen year old girl. It's a nice touch.

Over-descriptive. I don't need to know that her favourite jammies are "cute" or that they consist of "brown shorts and fitted white tee." Unnecessary embellishment makes it read like a 13 year old's first attempt at writing. But, that is few and far between and overall, as I have said, good quality writing.

Aspen? As we're only at the end of the first book and we still have another two to go, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt here and hope there's still room for Cass to turn him into a lesson about how not to let men treat you instead of a valid love interest. 

The naming conventions are ... embarrassing. I mean, America Singer? Really? And the caste's merely being numbers? Really? Cass couldn't think of anything better? 

This book could have been a fantastic allegory for the way women are looked upon and demeaned in society, if Cass had actually moved past her complete hang-up on appearances. There is so much potential in a book like this if you're willing to take it forward and not just leave it at face value. I feel like, as a female reader, I've been done out of something potentially brilliant.

At the end of the day, there is a lot of things inherently wrong with this book but I couldn't, in good faith, give less than three stars to a book which kept me so entranced.

Disclaimer: This book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Title: An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes #1)
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Published: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Razorbill
ISBN: 978-1595148032
Genre: Sci-fi and Fantasy

Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, AN EMBER IN THE ASHES is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told.

What if you were the spark that could ignite a revolution?For years Laia has lived in fear. Fear of the Empire, fear of the Martials, fear of truly living at all. Born as a Scholar, she’s never had much of a choice.

For Elias it’s the opposite. He has seen too much on his path to becoming a Mask, one of the Empire’s elite soldiers. With the Masks’ help the Empire has conquered a continent and enslaved thousands, all in the name of power.

When Laia’s brother is taken she must force herself to help the Resistance, the only people who have a chance of saving him. She must spy on the Commandant, ruthless overseer of Blackcliff Academy.

Blackcliff is the training ground for Masks and the very place that Elias is planning to escape. If he succeeds, he will be named deserter. If found, the punishment will be death.

But once Laia and Elias meet, they will find that their destinies are intertwined and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

In the ashes of a broken world one person can make a difference. One voice in the dark can be heard. The price of freedom is always high and this time that price might demand everything, even life itself.

Rating: ★★★★☆

“You are an ember in the ashes, Elias Veturius. You will spark and burn, ravage and destroy. You cannot change it. You cannot stop it.”

This book had some serious hype to live up to. Thankfully, it was up to the challenge.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have an unbridled passion for anything remotely related to ancient Greece and Rome. So when the blurb for this book was released it automatically went to the top of my 'Most Anticipated' list. It was, perhaps, less Rome-like than I was hoping for, but there is absolutely no doubt that it draws heavily upon Roman culture from the naming conventions to slave brutality.

This book definitely has a lot going on. We follow two main characters - Elias and Laia - in alternating chapters in which we come to learn their stories and meet the supporting casts of both their lives. The alternating narratives gives us a wonderful insight into the polarity of their lives, and yet how they still manage to maintain the same core ideals. It actually takes a while before the two meet, but once they do the story kicks into overdrive and all the things start to happen. But between the two character's stories and arcs there is a lot going on. However, instead of being overwhelming or confusing, Tahir manages to keep the plot tight and neat and through her wonderful writing has it running effortlessly. The writing is gorgeous and makes reading this book a dream.

“The voice is deep and soft, not a sound so much as a feeling. It is storm and wind and leaves twisting in the night. It is roots sucking deep at the earth, and the pale, sightless creatures that live below the ground. But there’s something wrong with this voice, something diseased at its core.”

That doesn't, however, take away from the gravity of the novel. This book is dark and gritty. Tahir does not shy away from the gruesome topics we are confronted with; topics such as rape and torture and child abuse which Tahir explores with unapologetic realism. This book is evocative. It makes you feel so completely for the characters and the things they are forced to endure in their attempts to do what they believe is right in a world which will see them dead for trying.

Laia as a female MC was surprising to me. Mostly for the fact that I quite like her. Her journey from start to finish is wonderfully done. She begins as a timid, scared young girl who has lost her family and who lives in constant shame that she will never have the courage that her Mother had. When we leave her at the end of the book Laia is strong and capable and has found the courage that she needs to move forward and save her brother. It's satisfying watching her grow as a person through everything that happens to her. 

“My brother is still fighting, and his screams slice right through me. I know then that I will hear them over and over again, echoing in every hour of every day until I am dead or I make it right. I know it.”

Elias when we meet him is a dispirited soldier who is on the verge of fleeing a life, and Empire, he has come to hate. His character arc is more complicated than Laia's and I did find it slightly more compelling. Elias, first and foremost is a soldier - a Mask, elite. Taken at the age of six and then raised to manhood within the walls of Blackcliff. And yet, he has the strength of character to maintain his own ideals about what he believes is good and right. We watch a young man on the verge of desertion grow into something so infinitely more. I can't really say much without heading into spoiler territory - but trust me, there is a reason this guy is a love interest to two women!

The supporting cast of Resistance and Mask characters are diverse and irresistible. The Commandant is one of the most chilling villains that I have come across in a long time. My level of hatred for her is right up there with Dolores Umbridge. Helene is one of the characters that is hard for me to come to terms with; we see her through Elias' eyes and so through his narrative she is cast into a favourable light, and yet we are given enough information about her to know that she is, inherently, not a nice person - anyone who can agree with the enslaving of an entire nation and the annexation of their lands purely because she believes that "might makes right" does not strike me as a good person and yet it her Loyalty to Elias and her willingness to do anything for him that stops her from becoming one of the bad guys. The augurs are a great plot device and are very, very cleverly done. If this does have a second book, I can certainly see that there is a lot more to them and their story than we have been led to believe. And Izzi. Poor Izzi. She is the Neville Longbottom of our story: scared, timid, but someone who wants to fight and has a heart made of fire and hope.

And this is just a small sample of the wonderful secondary characters that we come across.

The love quadrangle - or whatever it was - is what lost this book a star for me. Mostly, the instalust! between Elias and Laia is what I found it hard to cope with. Tahir does a good job of making the feelings between Helene and Elias feel real, but then the rest all feel very forced. I think it's because it's more a case of Tahir has told us instead of shown us and I couldn't connect with their feelings. Still, it is definitely better done than a lot of romances that I've come across.

The book has an exciting start, slows down briefly and then is explosive for the last 50%. I think one of the things I like best about this book is that it constantly kept me guessing but never gave enough away that I knew what was coming. The plot twists were big surprises and it made for a much more exciting read.

A phenomenal book that is worth the hype and is more than worth the read!

If you liked this, you'll definitely like Sacrificed by Emily Wibberley.

“You are full, Laia. Full of life and dark and strength and spirit. You are in our dreams. You will burn, for you are an ember in the ashes.”