Endless

Endless (The Violet Eden Chapters #4)

by Jessica Shirvington

3 stars

446 pages

Published Aug. 28, 2012 by Hachette

Can I just say that if this was the last book in this series, I would have seriously had to hurt someone. The ending TOTALLY sucked. I was so bummed the entire rest of the day, because for some reason I thought that this was the end. Luckily I got on Goodreads to check. Whew. Disaster averted!

As it is, I still have mixed feelings about this installment in the Violet Eden series. Some good things happened. Some bad things happened. There still was all the violence and sexual tension that appear in the previous books. And some significant things happened and knowledge shared. But what's next?

I suppose the "financier" will have something to do with the next book - obviously. There was a huge fat question mark floating above his head at the end of the book.

I'm just happy that there is another book. Although, I'm hoping Number 5 is the last. There's only so much I can take, you know?

Empower

Empower (The Violet Eden Chapters #5)

by Jessica Shirvington

4 stars

496 pages

Published May 6, 2014 by Sourcebooks Fire (first published Nov. 12, 2013)

Finally, finally! I am done with this series. And fortunately, I didn't waste my time. The last book was quite possibly the best of the bunch. It was full of action and soul-searching and more action. The only thing that bugged me was how the the huge, pivotal change of heart that Violet had that changed the outcome of the book was handled. It was like the suffering that she had endured for the past two years was changed in two paragraphs. It was unsatisfying and abrupt.

Besides that, I enjoyed the book immensely. There was one sex scene (not graphic) and little to no swearing.

I can recommend to anyone looking for a not-too-many-books series, in which they've all been published. (Don't you hate having to wait for the next book in an on-going series??!)

Emblaze (The Violet Eden Chapters #3) by Jessica Shirvington

Emblaze (The Violet Eden Chapters #3)

by Jessica Shirvington

3 stars

415 pages

Published October 11th 2011 by Hachette

I liked this book, the third installment in the "Entice" series. But for some reason, I was thinking this was the last book and was all excited to finally see Violet get to be with who she is meant to be with. But nope, I was was sadly mistaken. Plus there's a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, not a horrid one, but one that will prevent me from ignoring the rest of the series.
I hope the next book will be the last. It's difficult to follow a series when each new book comes out a year or two later. That's why I've given up on some series such as L.A. Meyer's "Jacky Faber" books. Ten books and counting. Crazy.

Entice

Entice (The Violet Eden Chapters #2)

by Jessica Shirvington

3 stars

 
438 pages

Published Sept. 4, 2012 by Sourcebooks Fire (first published Mar. 29, 2011)

I suppose this was a good book. It had all the required elements for an exciting paranormal YA novel. Action, star-crossed lovers, strong(ish) female main character. But it wasn't fabulous. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it was the fact that the "bad" boy got shafted in the love triangle (stupid love triangle!!). Maybe it was that the writing was a bit rough. Maybe it was that the plot wasn't fleshed out well enough for me. Definitely part of it was all the unnecessary swearing.
Despite these flaws, I read the book in two days. And I'll probably read the rest in the series.

Embrace

Embrace (The Violet Eden Chapters #1)

by Jessica Shirvington

3 stars

382 pages
Published October 1st 2010 by Hachette Australia

I'm really leaning toward 2.5 stars, but I'll probably read the next in the series because I'm curious, so I'll bump it up.

Why 3 stars? Well, the writing is decent. The plot is pretty good. 

But I'm tired of love triangles. And teenage sex. At least there were no gross details. Ick. And the lack of parental involvement would constitute neglect in any court in the nation. Be a dad, man.
And there was some language. Totally unnecessary.

Outcast by Adrienne Kress

Outcast

by Adrienne Kress

3.5 stars

283 pages

Publication date: June 4, 2013

 
I finished reading this a few days ago, and I'm still ruminating. I enjoyed the entire book (except for the waaaay overuse of a particular swear word). The pacing was a bit slow, but not too bad. There was decent character development. The main character had sass. I liked that.
BUT ...
I'm trying to figure out the ending. It was quite a unsatisfying way to end the story. I don't want to give away any spoilers, so why did Kress end it the way she did? The relationship between Riley and Gabe was built up and up and developed so well! And then, poof!
An epilogue would have been nice. Necessary, even.
So would an explanation on why Gabe had amnesia. And why things in the "other world" caused the things they did. Backstory, please!
Yet, despite these disappointments, I'm glad I read the book. If the swearing was toned down, I'd recommend this to my friends and to youth.
Thank you NetGalley and Diversion Books for allowing me to review this ARC.

Boundless (Unearthly #3)

Boundless (Unearthly #3)

by Cynthia Hand

4 stars

438 pages

This was a better-than-good ending to a satisfying series.
But - like in all love triangles - one person gets shafted. And that's not cool. But in this case, it's especially tragic, because he doesn't even get a consolation "prize."

Hallowed (Unearthly #2)

Hallowed (Unearthly #2)

by Cynthia Hand

4.5 stars

403 pages

What a great sequel to the "Unearthly!" Many answered questions, lots of action, and just the right amount of emotional angst.
I've already picked up the 3rd book. Can't wait to see where it takes me!

Unearthly (Unearthly #1)

Unearthly (Unearthly #1)

by Cynthia Hand 

4 stars 

435 pages

What a great book! A fresh take on angels.
An engaging plotline, fully fleshed characters, and a non-cliffhanger ending - but enough unanswered questions for a sequel - all combine to make this a totally readable book.
Little to no swearing and some mild teen make-out sessions. Nothing offensive.
Will definitely be reading the next in the series.