*Gizmos Book Reviews* The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #1) by Erika Johansen

**I received this book from Edelweiss/Harper in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Synopsis*

On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown.

*My Thoughts*

It is very interesting how much publicity this book has gathered before it was even released. First, there is the fact that the book sold for 7 figures. Imagine that for a moment, and then we'll move on. Second, there seems to be a movie in the works featuring Harry Potter's Emma Watson as the lead character Princess Kelsey Raleigh Glynn who goes on to become Queen of the Tearling. The series itself is apparently going to be a trilogy. 

If that doesn't peek your interest, the story itself takes place 300 years in the future, after what is being called the Post-Crossing where Americans and British tried to cross to this new realm which was created as a socialistic society by William Tear that ended up failing due to assassinations and other circumstances. Even though the book moves slowly at the beginning, this story could have taken place during medieval times, and it would have still kept me entertained.

In Tearling, the caste system, where nobles own the land and surfs work them, is in full force. Corruption is rampant, and the rich continue to live off the poor. This is a society that condones human slavery and trafficking through a lottery system thanks to The Mort Treaty that pays yearly tribute to the Red Queen. It is a society that has been under the thumb of not only Kelsea's corrupt Uncle, but her own mothers incompetence as well.

Nineteen-year old Kelsea Glynn has been in hiding her entire life from the Red Queen of Mortmesne, her Uncle, and their Caden assassins. Spirited away by the Queen's Guards after she was marked as the heir to the crown, she ends up living with Carlin and Barty Glynn who teach her the ins and outs of the world she lives in.  Kelsea's entire life has been a lonely one. She loves books, she loves hearing about the crossing, she believes that she is a plain as day, and she knows that one day she will have to remove her Uncle the Regent and take up the crown of the Queen. But, she also has no friends, or understanding of the power that her sapphire necklace has within it.  She is also left with more questions than answers thanks to an oath the Glynn's took before Kelsea arrived. 

For me, there are a bunch of questions that need to be answered over the course of this series. What really happened during & before the crossing? Why did the Americans and British attempt to traverse dangerous waters to come to this land without bringing necessary technology and supplies, and other important things with them? Where exactly is this territory located? Why does it seem that so many people hate books, (except Kelsea) but will take faith in God's church? Will we ever find out the secret of who Kelsea's father is, or why the Dark seems to protect her? Why would we worry about creating a Printing Press, while people are still struggling to survive?

Apparently, it has become normal now for anyone, especially atheists, to take a swipe at religion and one's faith in God. In this story, the so called good guys, including Kelsea, have no desire to believe in God, while the rest of society apparently follows the teachings of God's Church which is a cross between Catholicism, and Protestantism. I don't care about what you do, or don't believe in. I believe in tolerating one's choices in life, and not attacking them personally. Perhaps, we should all contemplate our own humanity when you continue to belittle, and torture those who believe. 

We are told in no uncertain terms that Kelsea is a good person, with a spirit that allows her to be above approach when it comes to corruption. Yet, in certain instances, she was a giddy 12 year old slinging mud at an older nobles because of their attempt at looking good, and killing without second thought. She's a bit churlish at times, and decent to the core about seeing children educated, and given more chances. She's cold at times, but warms when certain characters are around her. She is surrounded by surprising characters, some who have secrets of their own.

Two of the more dynamic characters in this book are the Fetch, and Lazarus the Mace. Fetch you can call this stories Robin Hood because he is the most notorious thief of the past 20 years. He demands greatness from Kelsea, and won't hold back his threats that if she screws up, she's dead. Mace is her Captain of the Guard. He is definitely one of the more interesting characters in the book because he truly does stand up to Kelsea, and even mocks her enjoyment of books. He's a fierce fighter, and doesn't like to see his plans fail.

The Queen of the Tearling, a mix of dystopian, and High Fantasy, is being compared to the Games of Thrones, with a female heroine. Since I haven't read, nor watched GoT, I'll take other reviewers and readers word for it. I don't necessarily agree with the whole Hunger Games comparison either. I think perhaps some publicist may have over reached on that point in order to gain interest in the book, and the apparent movie tie-in.

Author - Erika Johansen
Title - The Queen of the Tearling
Series - The Queen of the Tearling # 1
Published by Harper
Pub Date: July 8, 2014
Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy
Format: E-Book 448 pages

*Gizmos Book Reviews* Sixth Grave on the Edge (Charley Davidson #6) by Darynda Jones

Few things in life can come between a grim reaper and her coffee, but the sexy, sultry son of Satan is one of them. Now that Reyes Farrow has asked for her hand, Charley Davidson feels it's time to learn more about his past, but Reyes is reluctant to open up. When the official FBI file of his childhood abduction lands in her lap, Charley decides to go behind her mysterious beau’s back and conduct her own investigation. Because what could go wrong?

*MY Thoughts*

"That was kind of my specialty, though. Causing ulcers. Everyone has to be good at something." pg 112
Charley Davidson's Sixth Adventure, Sixth Grave on the Edge, is filled with one hairy situation, after the next hairy situation. It's mixed with a little sex here and there, twisted around a prophecy that surrounds both Charley and the man of the hour, Reyes Farrow who dropped the bomb on Charley by asking her to marry him. As we wait for Charley's pensive and nail biting answer to the Reyes question, Jones tosses Charley once again into so many different situations that you need a freaking blackboard to keep track of what is going on.

So, as I am sure you know, I adore the snarky, mouthy, clueless to a fault private investigator/grim reaper who has absolutely no idea what she is doing, or how she has able to last as long as she has without a little help from her friends, and Reyes. I love the snark filled chapter comments, and really do wish I had several T-shirts with those sayings. I like Quentin, and Amber, and Charley's friendship with Cookie, and now the addition of Garrett Swopes to her inner circle. I like that we now know more about Angel, Charley's ghost investigator. I like that Garrett is no longer a newbie when it comes to Charley's strangeness, and the paranormal, and actually works hard to find answers that Charley can't find herself.

As we are slowly gleaming from reading this series, and the events that are thrown at us like rapid fire, Charley is apparently from another galaxy, and her family is the bomb diggity, which makes her princess bomb-diggity. But, there is also the prophecy that links her as the daughter of light, to Reyes as the son of darkness, and the fate of the world. No pressure! We know that Reyes has spent many years looking for and finding Charley, and he continues to hold plenty of secrets from her, which hopefully will come out sooner, rather than later. 

Right from the start of Sixth Grave on the Edge, Charley finds a naked man in her car she calls "Destiny" and tries to discover his identity. Concurrently, she's also working on a cold case with FBI Agent Carson, who has become her BFF, in finding out if a couple called the Fosters are really Reyes's parents or not. 

If that weren't enough to keep Charley busy, her father is acting very strange, and her annoying stepmother is throwing out hints that she knows what's going on, but refuses to say anything. This leads to a huge hole in the story/plot, and one that remains hanging over the story itself. There is the whole Cookie and Uncle Ubie and will they or won't they angle that lingers around with silliness, and ends with perhaps a good place for both characters. We shall see. 

There is the mystery surrounding Charley's ghost roommate Mr. Wong, who has been in her apartment right from the very start of this series. Apparently, we haven't even touched the surface of who or what Mr. Wong is, or why Peri, Charley's friend, is so creeped out by his presence. One would hope that answer doesn't also linger until the lights go out for the series. 

"“When it comes to humans, Dutch, you are blind. You do things for them that no other person alive would do." Reyes 

Next! Charley is later approached by a grieving parent who apparently sold his sold to the devil after his daughter died. Little Charley doesn't have a clue about the paranormal world or how it works. So, it shouldn't surprise anyone that Jones tosses in the escape of 12 hellhounds from Hell, or the appearance of a new character called the Dealer who knows more about Charley, than Charley knows about herself. Hell, Angel knows more about Charley's abilities than Charley does!

Are we finished with what happens? Not even close! Let's add in mobsters who are looking for a witness, and demanding that Charley turn her over, or someone will end up dead. Let's talk about Rocket's shocking revelation without spoiling it shall we? Let's talk about how Charley bumbles and stumbles around but remains somehow attached to Cookie, Angel, Garrett, and a host of other characters that Charley remains connected and sympathetic to instead of trying to understand her Reaper abilities, and her own prophecy.

For those who continue to drool, and demand more of Reyes, well, hold onto your panties dearies. Reyes is all over this story. He pretty much sticks to Charley like glue. He is the glue that holds Charley from being torn apart, and left facing Satan alone. He’s the deep, dark kind of beauty that you’d sell your soul to have. (Direct quote from Peri). He's spent tons of money to not only keep Charley safe, but to also give her other avenues besides being a Private Investigator.

Sixth Grave on the Edge is such a crazy, mixed up story that if feels as though you are walking through a maze with no easy way to escape. Any path you take, leads you to another crazy, perhaps life threatening situation for Charley and her friends. If you haven't already started this series, you definitely should! But, please take my world when I say, read them in order, and DO NOT SKIP a novel or you will be scratching your eyes out by the time you are finished.

Author - Darynda Jones
Title - Sixth Grave on the Edge
Series - Charley Davidson # 6
Published by St. Martin's Press
Released: May 20, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Library Hardcover 326 pages

*Stacking the Shelves* The 4th of July 2014 Edition

Stacking the Shelves for the week of June 29 thru July 5, 2014

Stacking The Shelves is a fun way to show off the books we received over the past week in the hopes that you will find something that you will be interested in reading. As always, it is in no way, shape, or form to be considered bragging or sticking out our tongues at other bloggers. 

Happy 4th of July weekend to everyone in the US! Hopefully you were able to enjoy your day off, watch some fireworks (safely), and eat some awesome grub with your family and friends! 

Received via Macmillan (Hyperion Books)

Received via Edelweiss & Soho Teen

Received via NetGalley - Macmillan/Tor-Forge

Received via NetGalley - Sourcebooks Casablanca

Received via NetGalley - Random House - Bantam Dell

Received via NetGalley - Random House - Ballantine

Received NetGalley via Mulholland Books

I actually received an invite to download all 4 books in this series.

Purchased from the Evil Satan (Free or cheaply priced)

Spell Check is actually FREE on Friday and Saturday only!

*Gizmos Book Reviews* The Dare by Hannah Jayne

**I received this book from NetGalley/Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*My Thoughts*

"Promise me that you'll never leave me alone."

The Dare is the story about Seventeen-year old Brynna Chase. Eighteen months ago, she lost her best friend, Erica Shaw, to a silly dare that went horribly wrong and she hasn't found a way to forgive herself, or move on. Bryn put herself through hell with grief and anger and blame. She crashed and burned (drug and alcohol abuse). She lost all her former friends because of her actions. She spent time in Rehab after being arrested for DUI. Her parents forced the family to move away from the scene of Erica's death, to a new location in Crescent City. And, that is just the beginning of Bryn's story.

Now, Bryn really only wants to be left alone. She wants to finish out her remaining two years of High School, and then fade into obscurity without letting anyone know where she went. That includes attempting to keep her parents happy, and trying to avoid the spotlight in her new school. That would be fine were it not for the fact that a stranger is fully intent on destroying Bryn totally and absolutely and with malice. Who is this mysterious stranger? Why is this person so intent on embarrassing, and ruining Bryn's life completely so she is left vulnerable? Will Bryn figure out who the mysterious stranger is before she ends up dead like Erica? 

The Dare is an interesting story that perhaps could have been a bit better. I fought hard to control my issues and to connect with Bryn's character, although I could see someone being sent to their breaking point by the events that happen to her. Erica's death was Bryn's breaking point. Being reminded of that awful night over and over again just makes things worse. I absolutely understood her desire to stay out of the limelight, and away from the water. As a former swimmer myself who would do anything to be near water, I could totally understand Bryn's hesitation and refusal to go back into the water, even with her new friends pushing and pulling her. 

The Dare does have a strange, and creepy feel to it. Is Erica really dead, or is she alive? If she is alive, then why would she torture Bryn? The author does a good job of getting inside of Bryn's head and letting readers know exactly how she is feeling, along with the anger, and anguish that goes with losing your best friend, and then being treated like a virtual prisoner by her own parents. I felt for Bryn and everything she went through. I totally understand how a person can crash and burn after an emotionally devastating event. Hell, I've been through so much myself over the years, that it's a wonder I am actually still standing.

Bryn's new friends are an eclectic bunch. There is the required gay friend Evan, who strives hard to ensure that Bryn's isn't alone, and gets her to spill the beans about her past, slowly, and is a bit on the annoying side at times. There is the so called love interest Teddy, that just didn't manage to keep my interest because it never really went anywhere. The other two characters in Bryn's circle include Evan's sister Lauren, and Darcy, who apparently knows too much about Bryn's past. 

I have followed author Hannah Jayne since she released the Underworld Detection Agency series in 2011. Apparently, that series is coming to an end this year with the release of Under the Final Moon. As for her non UDA novels, I have Truly, Madly, Deeply on my Kindle and will hope that I can squeeze it into my reading schedule over the next few months. 

Author - Hannah Jayne
Title - The Dare
Published by Sourcebooks Fire
Released: July 1, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery
Format: E-Book 304 pages

*Gizmos Book Reviews* Bloodshifted (Edie Spence #5) by Cassie Alexander

**I received this book for free from NetGalley/St. Martin's in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*MY THOUGHTS*

Bloodshifted (Edie Spence # 5) is apparently the last book in the series. According to the authors own web page, she is working on other things, including a new erotica series, and perhaps a Young Adult novel. If things work out, hey book number SIX! If not, c'est la vie! It's been nice knowing you, Edie, Asher, Anna, and baby Edie!

As a story, Bloodshifted is an awesome example of the courage, determination, and stamina that Edie has had to face since she was first introduced to the paranormal world in Nightshifted. Since surviving the events on the Maraschino where she barely managed to survive after being infected by a parasite, Edie has found herself becoming something that she never in a million years imagined; a Daytimer who just happens to be pregnant, and her future clearly in the hands of others.

Readers of the Edie Spence series know that she has a tendency of jumping first, before understanding the situation she's gotten herself into. This hasn't changed. I think this shows that she is willing to protect those she loves first, before allowing herself any relaxation, and time off. I also love the fact that Cassie, a nurse in real life, actually puts our heroine into situations that she is comfortable with, and isn't walking along blindly.

Bloodshifted does an good job of showing what life as a Daytimer really means. Edie, as a Y4 nurse, has had contact with daytimers in the past, but she could never really understood what it meant to live longer, have faster healing abilities, and become the vampires eyes and ears during the day. It is a dog eat dog world, and there is no guarantee that you will survive since vampires are notorious backstabbers.

The secondary characters in Raven's lair all had issues. Bar none. They were either jealous of Edie's presence, or they had other agendas that they've been keeping from their masters. They were either trying to save the world by using vampire blood, or were trying to escape centuries of being held in cavity by a vampire who clearly has no love loss for Anna, the so called Beast. The only character missing from this last story was Asher. Asher appears briefly, but not in the way readers may be hoping for.

Since this is the last book in the series, I am left with several what if possibilities, scenarios, and can only hope that Cassie does eventually find the means to come back to this series, even if it means self-publishing. I need to know what happens next for Edie, Asher, and Anna, and a few new characters who came into Cassie's life in this installment. Will the baby ultimately survive, and grow up to be stronger than even his father? Will Edie remain a Daytimer, or will she return to being human again? What part will Anna play in Edie's future, and will she still offer transition as she did in Deadshifted, if so desired? 

Overall, I'm not a huge fan of series open-enders, and understand that this ending was thrown together to ensure that readers get a feeling of closure, even though there are things left on the table that need to be addressed. I like things wrapped up nicely in a neat little bow, and given to me with all angles covered, and questions answered. I still would recommend this series to fellow readers, and hope that if it gains in popularity, St. Martin's will once again allow Cassie to write more books in this series.

Author - Cassie Alexander
Title - Bloodshifted (Edie Spence # 5)
Published by St. Martin's Press
Released: July 1, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: E-Book 304 pages

*Gizmos Book Reviews* The Lair (The Farm #2) by Emily McKay

*My Thoughts*

The Lair (The Farm #2) picks up approximately ONE week after the conclusion of The Farm. Things have changed for our three main characters Mel, Lily, and Carter. As with The Farm, McKay has created an interesting world where deviant creatures called Ticks, now roam freely across the former United States thanks to a new blood virus created by a megalomaniac vampire.

Teenagers are sent to FARMS where they are supposed to be safe until they reach maturity at EIGHTEEN, but are used to feed the Ticks with their blood. Humans have started a rebellion under the leadership of Carter, but they're not gaining any traction against the Ticks who continue to terrorize the survivors, or the supposed vampire responsible for creating the Tick blood virus. The main question still remains: who created the tick blood virus, and why? If this vampire created the virus, does he/she have the cure? Could the Tick-pocalypse have been avoided in the first place? Who was the abducturae who worked with the vampire to bring humanity to its knees?

Mel Price, who once had autism and is struggling with Lily's so called betrayal, has become a vampire and is being trained by her mentor, and sire Sebastian. Mel's point of view, in my humble opinion, was the most interesting because she transforms the most before our eyes. She becomes a hunter, killer, and above all, a true vampire because of the guidance, and yes, perhaps a bit of blackmail, and pushing by Sebastian to put away her humanity. It was interesting to see an entirely new character from the one in The Farm who had relied on her twin sister Lily to keep her safe from harm while on the Farm, and in the BEFORE. I truly hope that Mel is the primary POV in The Vault. 

The one thing that bugged me the most about The Lair was the change in point of views. Now, it is Carter Olson that we see in the first POV, while Mel and Lily are third POV. Carter, the so called leader of the rebellion, is so intent on keeping Lily safe, that he doesn't understand that there are people relying on him. When Ticks attack the rebellion stronghold, Carter's will and testament are tested to the fullest. His relationship with Lily is one that is pretty fierce, and you can tell that neither character is willing to give up any ground, regardless of how desperate the situation becomes. There is also a DEEP mystery that surrounds Carter that I am absolutely looking forward to McKay explaining more in The Vault. One can only hope that his and Lily's relationship doesn't go down in utter ruin thanks to silly inconsequential decisions. 

Lily is a tough character to swallow at times. Just when I am applauding her determination, and her desire to put herself into a position to help out the rebellion, she down shifts into first gear and I feel the need to slap her. Her relationship with McKenna is the most enlightening. Here are two characters that couldn't stand each other in the BEFORE. They became friends, and Lily's determination to help her friend in her time of need (being pregnant in a world that doesn't have a bright future), is heart warming. Of course, Lily also has the most to lose in this book, and it is her fate, that leads into The Vault. Will she survive, or will she become like Mel? Is there really a cure? Who really has the cure, and what will Carter, Lily, and Mel have to do to gain access to it?

The author has left us with NUMEROUS questions with her cliffhanger ending; What actually happens to all the EIGHTEEN year old's that are forced to leave the Farm? Are we to believe what we read at the end of this book, or were you throwing us off a major surprise revelation? How many more survivors are there, and can they help stem the tide against the Ticks? Who is the TRUE abductura, and will they really be able to save humanity? 

Author - Emily McKay
Title - The Lair (The Farm # 2)
Published by Berkley Trade
Released: November 5, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Post-Tickpocalypse
Format: Paperback 432 pages

*Gizmos Book Reviews* Enslaved By the Others (H&W Investigations #6) by Jess Haines

**I received this book for free from NetGalley/Kensington in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*My Thoughts*

Forsaken by the Others (H&W Investigations # 5) left me in such a tizzy with THAT ending, and how Shiarra Waynest and her best friend/business partner Sara Halloway found themselves once again in harms way, that I berated, begged, & pleaded with Ms Haines to write faster! (Nicely, of course!) I needed to know how Shia, and especially Sara, would find their way out of yet another one of Shia's dangerous situations. Ms Jess told me, relax, I got this! And, she freaking does!

As we open Enslaved By the Others, Shia, and Sara find themselves at the mercy of the vilest of villains, vampire master Max Carlyle, who Shia has had several run ins with in the past, and escaped by the narrowest of margins. Having been KIDNAPPED from L.A. where they thought they were safe, and waking up finding out that you are property of the one person who nearly broke you, gives Shia great pause for concern, as well as Sara's safety since she's only human.

If Shia manages to survive and escape from Max's brutality, bloodshed, and horror to live another day, will she really be the same after everything that's she experienced, endured, and seen over the course of this series? Will her relationship with Sara survive the horrors they faced because of Shia's own actions? Will she be able to put her own personal issues of running off into dangerous situations without thinking of the consequences first change now that she's looked the devil himself in the face?

Enslaved by the Others is such a wild and earth shattering story, that it left me believing that we haven't seen all the cards that Haines is holding up her sleeves. Not by a long shot. Definitely a story that brings Shia to the challenge of a lifetime, as well as answering an important question about her OTHER side that has ruled her choices over the past several books since she was infected with both vampire and were blood. 

I must say that Haines has grown as a writer with each release of this series. She takes chances, and they work. She introduces new secondary characters, such as Iana, who are anything but boring, and gives them a prime piece of the story alongside our heroine. She doesn't hold back in her attempts to show what a human experiences in the world filled with dangerous others, including having a relationship with a vampire whose life she once saved.

It's a nice to see an Urban Fantasy series that hasn't been cancelled, or terminated because of a Publishers stupidity and basically telling the UF readers that they no longer matter, and it's time to move on to something else. As a reader of this series, I DO encourage everyone to start with Hunted by the Others, and read them sequentially. There is a whole lot of stuff you will miss if you don't including some very smexy sex scenes between our heroine and a smashing master of New York.

Author - Jess Haines
Title - Enslaved by the Others
Series - H&W Investigations # 5
Published by Zebra/Kensington Books
Released: July 1, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy