#Review - Stealing Embers by Julie Hall #YALIT #Fantasy

Series: Fallen Legacies # 1
Format: Kindle, 393 pages
Release Date: September 22, 2020
Publisher: Julie Hall
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy




A realm of monsters. A world of lies. She belongs to both. 

My name is Emberly, and everything I’ve ever been told is a lie.

Monsters don’t exist. Wrong.
 
The nightmarish spectrum world is just my imagination. Wrong.
 
In a few months, I’ll finally be free. Wrong.

It takes being dragged to a secret training academy in the mountains to unravel the truth. My captors--an elite race of angel-born warriors called Nephilim.

The deadliest of them all is an arrogant shape shifter, Steel. He’s gorgeous, lethal, hot-headed . . . and convinced I’ll be the death of them all.

Maybe he’s right. As soon as I show up, the monsters that have haunted me my entire life breach the academy walls. My only hope of saving my new friends is learning how to control my powers, but when a stunning betrayal hurts someone I care about, I have an impossible choice.

Stay and fight for a place to belong . . . or decide once and for all that I’m better off alone.

Enter the spectrum world, a realm in-between worlds where shadow beasts draw blood, reality is a maze of twisted lights and sounds, and life goals are whittled down to just one: survive.

Stealing Embers is the first installment in author Julie Hall's Fallen Legacies series. This story focuses mainly on a girl named Emberly. Emberly is a runaway who saved herself from being locked away in a psych hospital after nobody could understand why she has so many scars on her body and was always getting injured. She has always thought there was something wrong with her since she is the only one to see the shadow monsters. Emberly is 6 months short of turning 18 and aging out of the system and thus gaining her freedom from the foster system.

But, after stopping for food which she hasn't had for days, she is cornered by a woman she thought she could trust and is taken to a place called Seraph Academy. Seraph Academy is one of nine secret academies around the world dedicated to the education and training of Nephilim, or people with blood of Angels. This Academy is located in the Colorado Mountains near Glenwood Springs. Nephilim attend the Academy from age 8 until age 20 when they become fully trained and ready to do battle with the Fallen and their Forsaken allies who have been trying to eliminate the Nephilim who are descended from human women and Fallen Angels. 

Emberly really sticks out due to her hair color, blonde with red highlights. Plus, she has no clue who her parents were since she was dropped off at a fire station when she was a baby with a note about her birth date and her name. Emberly comes to know Sable, the headmistress of the school; Steel, the boy who can shape shift into (3) different forms: lion, eagle, and bull as well as driving her hormones crazy; Ash who becomes her best friend and roommate; twins Greyson and Sterling who are the first to open their arms of friendship to Emberly and are quick with sarcasm and jokes to smooth her transition into the school.

Emberly soon realizes that the monsters she thought she was running for, are real, and they are out to capture her by any means necessary. Except for the fact that she's more than meets the eyes. Except for the large wings that she has no clue how they metamorphize, or the strange battle gear that comes along with the wings whenever she is confronted by the Forsaken and Fallen who want to harm her or Steel, or Steel's youngest brother and sister. Emberly's connection to Steel both drives the story and slows it down. It's like watching Bella and Edward all over again with the angst and over-protectiveness. 

The final chapters of this book were by far the most entertaining and enlightening as well as introducing a character named Tinkle. No, I am not kidding! Readers need to focus on the ending so that you don't miss the revelations as to why the Fallen and Forsaken are so keyed up about Emberly. There is also a part in this story where Steel should have had a narrative attached. He knows things about Emberly. He has seen a possible future that isn’t all that glorious. He goes out on a solo mission to retrieve someone he left behind. Hopefully, Forsaking Darkness will reveal more. 

 

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#Review - Vampires Never Get Old by Zoraida Córdova, Natalie C. Parker #YA #Vampires

Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 272 pages
Release Date: September 22, 2020
Publisher: Imprint
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Vampires

Eleven fresh vampire stories from young adult fiction’s leading voices!

In this delicious new collection, you’ll find stories about lurking vampires of social media, rebellious vampires hungry for more than just blood, eager vampires coming out―and going out for their first kill―and other bold, breathtaking, dangerous, dreamy, eerie, iconic, powerful creatures of the night.

Welcome to the evolution of the vampire―and a revolution on the page.

Vampires Never Get Old includes stories by authors both bestselling and acclaimed, including Samira Ahmed, Dhonielle Clayton, Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker, Tessa Gratton, Heidi Heilig, Julie Murphy, Mark Oshiro, Rebecca Roanhorse, Laura Ruby, Victoria “V. E.” Schwab, and Kayla Whaley.

Vampires Never Get Old is a collection of authors, some you will know, some maybe not, who wrote short novella's on what they think about vampires. The anthology is edited by authors Zoraida Córdova, and Natalie C. Parker. This collection of authors decided to think outside the box by featuring vampires of color, queer and gender queer vampires, fat vampires, disabled vampires. Most of the stories read like they were sections of longer stories, with no resolution or proper endings. Some didn't even name who the protagonist of their story was. Case in point:

Tessa Grafton writes "Seven Nights for Dying." Her main character is not named. She is a teenager approximately 17 years of age who is approached by a vampires who give her the option of following their 7 day regime, or walking away.

Rating: D

 

Mirrors, Windows & Selfies by Mark Oshiro is a short story about Cisco. Cisco is not supposed to exist according to his parents. Because he he feels alone and isolated, he starts up a blog where we get to see him talk about his feelings, his struggles, and his want of finally being able to see himself for the first time,, because that is another thing his parents’ protectiveness has kept from him. 

 

Rating: C-

 

The House of Black Sapphires by Dhonielle Clayton was one of the stories I wish was full length. The story follows the Turner family, most notably Bea, as they travel back to New Orleans. A setting I am absolutely in love with. Bea finds herself enamored with Shadow Baron's son. I honestly wanted more. There is more to the story than just Bea and her 5 sisters and their mother. 

 

Rating: B+

 

The Boys From Blood River by Rebecca Roanhorse is another creepy horror story. Lukas is the outsider. His mother is dying, he's been bullied by the towns bigots, his only real friend is a co-worker. Then the Blood River Boys show up. Silas, the boy with the face of an angel and the heart of a demon, gives Lukas a chance. Become one of them, or walk away.

 

Rating: C

 

Senior Year Sucks by Julie Murphy: Sweatwater, Texas is where the story takes place. The protagonist is a vampire slayer named Jolene Crandall who is both on the heavy side, and a cheerleader. She encounters a vampire named Alma who just wants to understand what it means to be human for a short time. 

 

Rating: B-

 

The Boy and the Bell by Heidi Heilig; Our MC is a girl named Will who lives as a boy trying to learn all they can while trying to go to school to become a doctor. But, one night when they is grave digging for corpses to learn from, they hear a bell ringing.

 

Rating: D

 

In Kind by Kayla Whaley: This story has a few news articles that help tell the story. 17 year old Grace Williams is “mercy killed” by her father because he could no longer take care of her. She was born with degenerative neuromuscular disorder which means she needed to get around with a wheelchair. In this story, there is no miracle cure. If you are turned into a vampire, then you remain as you were before you were turned. 

 

Rating: B-

 

A Guidebook for the Newly Sired Desi Vampire by Samira Ahmed: This novella is unapologetically racist towards white people, especially White English. Basically, this is told through an anonymous system set up in place for Indian vampires who are recently turned into vampires, and this one was turned against their will by a British tourist. 

 

Rating: D 

Bestiary by Laura Ruby: Jude is the main character of this book. She apparently was turned against her will and is angry and isolated with only the animals she works with as a support mechanism. I'm skidding when anyone says bestiality and this was as close as I could get from not cringing thinking about Jude and the animals. 

 

Rating: D

 

Vampires Never Say Die by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker: This story is about vampire Instagram drivers who are hiding that they are vampires. One vampire, Brittany Nicolette Fontaine, Premier of NYC, started talking to a 15-year-old human girl, Theolinda Cecilia Romero de Reyes, who she really likes. Theo decides to throw a big party at a NYC club for Brittany, and ends up with more than she can chew. Not a fan.

 

Rating: D

 

First Kill by Victoria “V. E.” Schwab: This really isn't a bad story either. There are really two characters: Juliette Fairmont is a vampire who goes to high school. Calliope Burns comes from a family of slayers. Callie is the object of Jules desire but she has no idea that her secret as a vampire has already been exposed. A chance meeting at a party, ends with a bite and a stab, and the chase is on. Definitely played with the enemies to lovers trope.I want more!!!

 

Rating: B+ 

 

So, as you can see, I ended up rating this 3 Gizmos overall. Anthologies are mostly a problem for me because the tempt me and then leave me dissatisfied. Schwab didn't disappoint, but I definitely would read a full length novel with her characters.

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#Review - These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin #YALIT #Suspense

Series: Apparent Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Release Date: September 8, 2020
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Social Themes / Peer Pressure

Mean Girls meets Siobhan Vivian’s The List in THESE VENGEFUL HEARTS, an utterly addictive standalone YA debut that follows 16-year-old Ember Williams as she seeks revenge against the Red Court, a secret organization of Heller High’s most elite female students that specializes in granting and requesting favors—and which is responsible for the accident that left her older sister paralyzed.

A thrilling novel about a secret society and the dangers that lie in wait for anyone brave enough to join—perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus, Kara Thomas, and Maureen Johnson.

Whenever something scandalous happens at Heller High, the Red Court is the name on everyone’s lips. Its members deal out social ruin and favors in equal measure, their true identities known only by their leader: the Queen of Hearts.

Ember Williams has seen firsthand the damage the Red Court can do. Now, she’s determined to hold the organization accountable by taking it down from the inside. But will the cost of revenge be more than she’s willing to sacrifice?

Katherine Laurin's These Vengeful Hearts is a combination of Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, and Riverdale. Looking for a favor? The Red Court at Heller H.S. can make it happen, but for a price. Whether it be winning prom queen, breaking up a couple, or even destroying someone's social life, the Red Queen has people that can do the necessary dirty work. 16-year old Ember Williams' sister April was injured in a tragic accident several years ago and the culprit is the shadowy organization called The Red Court. Ember is hoping to infiltrate the Court and take them down.  

But there is an adage. “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” For Ember, it means that if you are seeking revenge, you may end up destroying those who are after, but you might also lose yourself to the darkness and never find yourself back to the light. Ember, who is the perfect student, with perfect attendance and grades. grapples with the weight of the "favors" she grants and the equally unexpected and friendship with her mentor, Haley who is also her partner. Ember will learn about herself when she joins this group and how far she will go to get her revenge. 

Ember doesn't know the members of The Red Queen, but she does know that they leave secret messages in a certain locker, and when you are called to participate, they leave you a playing card in your locker. Can Ember find the Red Queen and her court and bring them down before she ends up on the losing side? And what questionable activities are you willing to participate in before you ask yourself if you've gone too far? There are two characters who try to keep Ember on solid ground. Her best friend Gideon, and Chase, the most popular boy in the school who she has had a rivalry with for the top student in their class. 

I love the banter between Chase and Ember. The romance doesn’t take too much space in the story, but it feels right. But the Red Queen doesn't allow fools to suffer which means they are ideal targets to test Ember's loyalty and her determination. Apparently, this is supposed to be a standalone, and yet, the ending is clear that there needs to be another story. There are some curious revelations as to who the Red Queen is as well as the other members of the Court. I think the most shocking secret is one that I can't not spoil since it would ruin the entire book.

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