Dollhouse by Anya Allyn

Dollhouse (Dollhouse #1)
Anya Allyn
Pub.: May 20, 2014

Dress-up turns deadly. . .

When Cassie’s best friend, Aisha, disappears during a school hike, Cassie sets off with Aisha’s boyfriend Ethan and their best friend Lacey, determined to find her. But the mist-enshrouded mountains hold many secrets, and what the three teens discover is far more disturbing than any of them imagined: beneath a rundown mansion in the woods lies an underground cavern full of life-size toys and kidnapped girls forced to dress as dolls.

Even as Cassie desperately tries to escape the Dollhouse, she finds herself torn between her forbidden feelings for Ethan, and her intense, instinctive attraction to The Provider, a man Cassie swears she has known before…

Because Cassie’s capture wasn’t accidental, and the Dollhouse is more than just a prison where her deepest fears come true—it’s a portal for the powers of darkness. And Cassie may be the only one who can stop it.

Creepy dolls everywhere just got dismembered. Just in case...

(Hell, I would've done it anyway!)

When Aisha goes missing during a group nature hike and her boyfriend Ethan gets blamed for her disappearance, friends Cassie and Lacey trek back into the forest after Ethan, who's determined to clear his name. But he's running out of time, because police and their hound dogs are closing in fast. And when they spot the owner of a creepy mansion in the middle of the forest burying something in the ground, their last ditch effort has them sneaking inside. But unfortunately, what goes in, doesn't always come back out again.

 

I'd love to tell you a little more of the world inside, but that would be completely spoilerish. I will say that it involves creepy oversized dolls, several kidnapped girls, a mild love triangle with the worst timing ever, captors who are beyond messed up and secret tunnels that open up for a strange reason. Gothic horror fans are in for a treat, and if you haven't read one before, this is a goody to get your feet wet with. Just be sure to lock up the creepy dolls before you read. Better yet, spare yourself the anxiety and just chunk the nasty things.

Copy provided by publisher for honest review.

The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain (ARC)

The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark #1)
Bree Despain
Exp. Pub.: March 11, 2014 (TOMORROW!)

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds. 

Being a twin in the Underworld isn't easy. Ever since the tragedy of Light and Dark, one is automatically assumed to the greater, the other the lesser. Knowing she was caring twins, Haden's mom gave birth in secrecy, refusing to ever admit which child was born first, making her husband swear to never shun one child. But as they grew older, Haden began to take on more human-like qualities like his mother, and when she died, his emotions led him to attack his own father. Bound by his promise to his late wife, he was unable to completely dismiss Haden, and he was allowed to remain where he was, though publicly demoted because they all knew of these horrible emotions he wasn't meant to feel.

 

Killer Frost by Jennifer Estep (ARC)

Killer Frost (Mythos Academy #6)
Jennifer Estep
Expected Pub.: February 25th, 2014 (TOMORROW!!!)

I’ve battled the Reapers of Chaos before–and survived. But this time I have a Bad, Bad Feeling it’s going to be a fight to the death … most likely mine.

Yeah, I’ve got my psychometry magic, my talking sword, Vic–and even the most dangerous Spartan on campus at my side, in Logan freaking Quinn, but I’m no match for Loki, the evil Norse god of chaos. I may be Nike’s Champion, but at heart, I’m still just Gwen Frost, that weird Gypsy girl everyone at school loves to gossip about.

Then someone I love is put in more danger than ever before, and something inside me snaps. This time, Loki and his Reapers are going down for good … or I am.

I can't believe it's over. Sniff. Hold me...

The last installment of the Mythos Academy series was a doozy, and by far the best, in my opinion. I'm not going to say too much because it's obvious what goes down in this novel. Let's just say that all the characters are rounded up for one final showdown, even the ones you've probably forgotten about, and the way Gwen goes out is quite unexpected! In good news, the Mythos world may not be completely over. Ms. Estep may've closed the door on Gwen, but she left a window open for Gwen's cousin Rory, so it's entirely possible she may decide to revisit this world in the future.

 

If you're a Mythos fan, you'll appreciate the finality of Killer Frost, so pick it up!

ARC provide by K-Teen for honest review.

Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep (ARC)

Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5)
Jennifer Estep
Exp. Pub.: July 30, 2013

Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can’t get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities — until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I’m still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.

As Nike’s Champion, everyone expects me to lead the charge against the Reapers, even though I’m still hurting over what happened with Spartan warrior Logan Quinn. I’ve got to get my hands on the antidote fast — otherwise, an innocent person will die. But the only known cure is hidden in some creepy ruins — and the Reapers are sure to be waiting for me there.

Spartan Frost by Jennifer Estep (ARC)

Spartan Frost (Mythos Academy #4.5)
Jennifer Esteps
Exp. Pub.: June 25, 2013

I’m Logan Quinn, the deadliest Spartan warrior at Mythos Academy. At least I was — until the day I almost killed Gwen Frost.

Professor Metis and Nickamedes say that I’m fine, that Loki and the Reapers don’t have a hold on me anymore, but I can’t risk it. I can’t risk hurting Gwen again. So I’m leaving Mythos and going somewhere far, far away.

I know Gwen wonders what’s happening to me, whether I’m safe. I can’t tell her, but this is my story … 

This is a novella, so there's only 5 chapters. After what happened in Crimson Frost, Logan and his father moved to their home in New York to put a little distance between Logan and Gwen. Understandable that he'd be afraid to be around her right now, but completely cutting her off when he still keeps in contact with their mutual friends? I don't know about that...seems like something only a jerk would do. But I guess the whole point of this novella is to make Logan decide if he'll return to the campus in North Carolina, or cut ties and move forward at the New York campus. At least in New York, he's able to join his father and other members of the Protectorate and go after Loki's Reapers, and we all know how much he'd like to kill every single one of them. So I guess we'll just have to wait for Midnight Frost and see where Logan ends up!

 

ARC provided by K-Teen for honest review.



Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep (ARC)

 

Crimson Frost (Mythos Academy #4)
Jennifer Estep
Pub.: December 24, 2012

For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes—the most hideous face I’d ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki—the evil god that I’d helped set free against my will.

I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming.

I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison—and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself…

Damned if you do, damned if you don't...

Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep (ARC)

Dark Frost (Mythos Academy #3)
Jennifer Estep

I’ve seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall. I know I’m supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I’m just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me—again.

Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects—and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school. But I’m also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way. The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom. So why do they have it in for me?

It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can’t use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me—and I’m in for the fight of my life.  

Oh, Logan. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was ready to magically transport myself into this novel just to kick your @ss if you didn't get your shiz together. Thank God you finally did!

Ordained Blog Tour and Giveaways! (INT)

The Ordained Blog Tour is now underway! To celebrate, I'll be giving away a couple of paperbacks, several eBooks and lots of bookmarks at various sites. To find out where to enter, just head over to my tour page!

Ordained tags: Urban Fantasy, Hunters, Magic, Witches, Demons, Mythology, New Adult

Normally, the school creates the hunters - not the monsters.

Abby Sorrensten likes to play rough. Ripping the horns off the heads of demons, manipulating lightning and setting things on fire with the flick of your wrist can give you a serious rush. So she probably wasn't the best choice for the Order's experimental training program. Thirteen years of isolation, lack of affection and a bruised and broken body from horrendous training sessions creates more than just an exceptional fighter. It creates an evil within - an evil responsible for the several deaths the night she left.

Two hundred years later Abby resurfaces as the very thing the Order trained her to kill: a vampire. A mythical demon has set his sights on the school and only the ordained hunter has the powers to face it. Unbenknownst to the Order, Abby's their precious ordained one and their only chance for survival. As much as she would love to leave them hanging, she's not willing to risk the life of Emily, a fellow friend and hunter also fed up with the organization.

But for Abby, locking herself away in a fortress filled with angry descendents of those she killed causes suspicions and tensions to run high. Abby must learn the demon's weaknesses for battle before the Order learns hers.

 

Destined by Jessie Harrell

Destined
Jessie Harrell

Synopsis: When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.

As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.

Psst... Do you feel that? It's the long, calming sigh of satisfaction you get once you read the last sentence in a truly heart-wrenching novel. You immediately say Aww and your heart warms a little. Sigh... And then disappointment cause you realize you've left that spectacular fantasy world containing the totally yummy, scrumpdidlyumptious hottie that you've been drooling over the past 200 pages and you're suddenly stuck back in reality without him. [Uh, no offense babe! I totally love you! heh heh...eh] Oh, well. The fantasy was good while it lasted.

So Psyche has been dubbed the new mortal daughter of Aphrodite by the goddess herself. Happy dance, right? Except it didn't work out too well for Aphrodite's first mortal daughter, Helen of Troy, did it? Uh...no. Psyche is blindsided but she goes with the flow - until Aphrodite brings her son Eros (aka Cupid) over and tells them she wants them to marry. Shocker, neither take to the news too well and end up throwing a few inappropriate comments. Eros is an immortal and gets to storm off to has his hissyfit but Aphrodite wants revenge against the mere human that dared to defy her wishes and reject her immortal son. She decides Psyche's destiny is to spend her remaining days in love with a despicable creature and declares that Eros must pierce her with one of his arrows to force this love upon her. But when the time comes to shoot Psyche, he finds he just can't do it and ends up nicking himself with the arrow. Now in love with Psyche himself, he must find a way to keep her safe and fulfill his mother's wishes all at the same time. Not an easy feat...

Now I will say that I know nothing about the myth involving Cupid and Psyche so I don't know how this compares, but I think any author deserves a little latitude when it comes to making it their own. I'm not one to criticize if it isn't an exact retelling - quite frankly I would find that boring (had I known it). I can say that I enjoyed watching these two characters grow to love one another once they put their pride aside and let their guards down long enough to do so. Sorta like Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Sigh...

Anyways, Destiny offers reluctant lovers, lots of mythical characters (my fave being the dead man that ferries the dead, or shades, into the Underworld), swoon-worthy heartthrob, and some of those horrible 'tests' the Gods like to throw at you to see if you're worthy of their time.

Novel provided by author for honest review.

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (ARC)

The Goddess Test
by Aimee Carter
Publication Date: April 19, 2011

It's always been just Kate and her mom - and her mother is dying.   Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home.  So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

I'm getting into the review game a little late with this one. I've noticed that The Goddess Test is getting a lot of flack about how the author pulled from mythology. I am a firm believer that when an author is writing fiction, he or she is entitled to twist a background source any way he or she likes to create a whole new world for us. However, the author clearly states in the novel that Henry is Hades, the King of the Underworld, and that Persephone was once his wife and Queen of the Underworld. Though this isn't a retelling of this mythological tale, it is a continuation of Hades' story. It's no longer pure fiction and you can't go changing the details (ie. making him a virgin) and not expect an uproar from the reading community. If Ms. Carter had eliminated Hades and given us a new character that had taken over as King of the Underworld and seeking a bride, she could have completely gotten away with this story (though making any God in any story a virgin is ridiculous - there are some places you just don't go).

Having said that, Ms. Carter's writing style was enjoyable, clean and I found it easy to picture her imaginary world. If you're not a stickler for maintaining facts for a story that's being continued, or have zero knowledge of this mythological tale to begin with, there's a chance you'll really enjoy this story. Ms. Carter is definitely an author worth reading and I hope to read more of her work in the future.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley