Betrayals by Lili St Crow

Betrayals by Lili St Crow

(photo and blurb from barnesandnoble.com)

She's no angel . . .

Poor Dru Anderson. Her parents are long gone, her best friend is a werewolf, and she's just learned that the blood flowing through her veins isn't entirely human. (So what else is new?)

Now Dru is stuck at a secret New England Schola for other teens like her, and there's a big problem— she's the only girl in the place. A school full of cute boys wouldn't be so bad, but Dru's killer instinct says that one of them wants her dead. And with all eyes on her, discovering a traitor within the Order could mean a lot more than social suicide. . .

Can Dru survive long enough to find out who has betrayed her trust—and maybe even her heart?


My thoughts:
It is rare to read a sequel that is better than the first book in a series. Lili St Crow pulls it off in Betrayals; book two of the Strange Angels series.

Dru and Graves try to find their niche in Schola where it seems the only ones that can be trusted are themselves and they don’t know who the enemy really is. There are many people that seem to be helping them but honestly these two have been pushed down and kicked so many times they don’t know what end is up. It was fun to watch them grow and mature into more independent and confident teens in Betrayals.

Graves surprised me with his instincts to protect Dru. The roll he takes on as a werewolf is not at all what I expected but I am kind of proud of him and his actions.

I wanted more of Christophe. There is so much he isn’t telling Dru and it leaves the reader BEGGING for more info right along with Dru. (Similar to the first book but much more intense)

The Strange Angels series is a perfect "in between read" one that is a quick and exciting but doesn't require a great deal of concentration.  I ended up staying awake to read it because I couldn’t put it down.

The only complaint I have is that I want to know what Christophe says when he speaks in another language. (Like the first book). If you know what he is saying please leave me a comment and tell me. (THANKS)

Would I read it again? Yeah, I think once all of the books are out it will be fun to read them all together again.
Would I let my teen read this book? This book is less violent and the abandonment that Graves and Dru feel towards parents is less noticeable than Strange Angels. There is less swearing in Betrayals. So letting your teen read this book is your choice. It is a fun series for young adults but would I let my 15 year old read it? I don’t know. Ask me again in 11 years when Morgan is 15. ;D (I am on the fence with this one. I really enjoy the series and think most teens will too. Book one is more harsh than book two, but I believe it was necessary to the story)

One of my favorite lines from Betrayals, page 61
“I wasn’t as pretty as Mom, or as smart as Dad. I wasn’t good at everything I touched, like either of them. I was just one scrawny punk –ass girl.”

Entice by Carrie Jones

Entice by Carries Jones
(blurb and photo from barnesandnoble.com)

Synopsis:
Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not quite how things have worked out. For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it's taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla? And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't turned into just any pixie. . . She's Astley's queen.

My thoughts:

Entice is the third book in a series written by Carrie Jones. If you have not read the first two books in the Need series (Need and Captivate) this review will contain spoilers.

Entice starts right off where Captivate left off. I like when a series doesn’t rehash every detail of the previous book in an attempt to draw the reader back into the story.

As Zara and her friends try to figure out the mystery of where Vallhala is and how to get there to rescue Nick, they run into trouble and a surprising and dependable ally in Astley. He keeps his promise to help Zara find her wolf. As the adventure progresses all the characters grow and learn more about the magical world, themselves and the dynamics of their friendship.

With Nick in Val Hala we see more of Astley, his history and sincerity. Astley is truly endearing, loving and compassionate. I was reluctant to trust Astley in Captivate; in Entice he quickly proves that he has devoted himself to his people and his queen. I like Zara’s friendship better with Astley than with Nick – not because I like Astley better (which I do) but because Zara is a better person with Astley. As Zara gains more confidence in her powers, friendship and queenly status she learns to both trust and lead her human pack and pixie people.

Overall I felt like the first half of the book was a little slow while Zara grieved for Nick. Once the story started moving it didn’t slow down and I had a hard time accomplishing anything but reading it. I may have enjoyed this book the best out of the series. The ending was satisfying and promising – I honestly am exited for the next book sometime early 2012.

Would I buy this book? Yes
Would I let my teen read this book? Yes
Would I read it again? Yes.

1 Sale a Day has a 100$ Harlequin ebook gift card for $9.99 today. Harlequin published Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series, Rachel Vincents Shifters and Soul screamers series. All books I want.

Now if only I had a Nook.......

More than I ever dreamed it could be

Our first trip to Disneyland was amazing. I guess I never knew what I was missing because now I could go again and again and again. We spent nearly the entire time visiting with characters and riding kids rides. I think we had more fun watching the children than anything else. We did get to ride Indiana Jones and the Thunder Mountain, but mostly our kids wanted to go on Pirates of the Caribbean and Buzz's Astro Blasters.

Sea World was fun as was the beach and tour of old San Diego. The weather in San Diego is amazing, but I think I am too much of a small town person to deal with the population of southern California for long periods of time.

While it was relaxing and fun to go on vacation, it is good to be back.

And by the way HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

Win Breathless Reads books from BETH REVIS!

I can't think of a better way to resume blogging after an amazing vacation than promoting BETH REVIS's Breathless Reads give away. All these books are autographed and she is giving them away. WOW, not only is she fabulous and funny - she is generous too. :)