Hey guys! Sorry I've been absent from this blog for a while; Between finals and IB stuff and just general stress, I've been radio-silent for the last couple of weeks. So, finally, I'm here with a review of three books that actually came out a couple of years ago. Normally, I'm the kind of gal who keeps up the latest releases and will try to get a review up on those as fast as possible. Honestly though, I personally feel like the month of june was like we fell into a shithole after the amazing YA releases in May. Like, tripping on your dog's leash and falling into the shit, kind of bad. You must be thinking - it can't really have been that bad, Alana -.... trust me, it has.In fact, I've been struggling to find ANYTHING to read AT ALL which is why I decided to do some rereading (which is not very common). So, this will be more of a general overview of the pro's and con's of a whole trilogy. If you're worried about spoilers, just skip the descriptions of the sequels below

Nightshade (Nightshade #1) by Andrea Cremer

Publisher: Philomel

Publication date: October 19th 2010

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) by Andrea Cremer

Publisher:Philomel

Publication date: July 26th 2011

"Wolfsbane" is the thrilling sequel to much-talked-about "Nightshade".


Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer–one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack–and the man–she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive. 

   

  Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer

     Publisher: Philomel

         Publication date: January 3rd 2012

Calla has always welcomed war.

But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is. In this remarkable final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, international bestselling author Andrea Cremer crafts a dynamic novel with twists and turns that will keep you breathless until its final pages.

- Goodreads Description

Pros
Humor. I did find myself relating to the characters, especially Bryn and Mason. Maybe, it's because I'm around that age too but I really liked their wittiness. However, I can see how this might not convey well with an audience that is any older. 
Endings (All except the last one). I know, I know, the last one is the one that really counts, but to me, I still feel like Cremer did her best to leave the first two books on some pretty damn awesome cliffhangers! 

Cons
Lack of explanation...for pretty much everything - things just tend to happen without any consideration of the consequences or any thought at all really
Love triangles. Granted, I liked both love interests but still...A love triangle is a love triangle and continue to hate it I shall.
Random moments that ruin the tension. I don't really know how to explain this but there were moments in all the books where the suspense should have been sustained but there was too much of a nonchalant attitude conveyed by the characters. Comic relief overdone. 
                                             -Alana 

Sea of Stars (Kricket #2) by Amy A. Bartol

Publisher: 47North

Publication date: March 31st 2015

Eighteen-year-old Kricket Hollowell was looking for her place in the world when she discovered that the universe was bigger—and more dangerous—than she had ever dreamed. Now, whisked across space to the planet Ethar, Kricket learns that her genetic ability to see the future makes her a sought-after commodity…and the catalyst for war between her star-crossed parents’ clans. According to Alameedan prophecy, one house will rise to power and the other will be completely wiped out, and Kricket’s precognition is believed to be the weapon that will tip the scales.

A target of both the Rafe and the Alameeda houses, Kricket finds protection—and a home—in the arms of Trey, her Etharian bodyguard-turned-boyfriend. But her visions of what’s to come disturb her deeply, especially since she must discover whether the gift of foresight will allow her to rewrite the future, or if her fate is as immovable as the stars.

-Goodreads Description

Honestly, this book kind of snuck up on me. I mean, I knew it was coming out soon but before I knew it, I was reading reviews and realized that it had been released so I knew I had to get out and pick this bad boy up. After a series of mediocre reviews following Under Different Stars , I have to say I was one of the odd ones out who actually really enjoyed it. This book was pretty different to what I expected it to be so let's have a look,shall we?

Pros

Action and pacing - I really liked how action-packed this novel was, especially in the way that it was still equally balanced with the emotional aspects 

 El amor.. ahh, the Loo..oo...ove was so good..just my kind of thing :)

The tone..that sounds so sophisticated but it created a really great vibe that just sucked me in from the start

The humor.. just enough so that some of the tension still soaks through

The ending ... sets the reader up for a long, painful wait till the next book. 

Cons

Now, I'm the kind of gal who loves me some of that sexual tension ;) but at times, I think the characters tended to go a little..bit overboard. Like honestly your in the middle of a fight, you do not have the time to go make out right now, ok? :I ..even though we really want you too :) 

Definite recommendation for people who are looking for an action-packed read filled with romance and comic relief.

                                                       - Alana xxx 

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication date: April 28th 2015 

Hey guys! First I want to say that I'm sorry It's been such a long time since I've uploaded a review... I've just been so busy with school that I haven't been able to fit in the time to do much reading at all, which just sucks. But anyway, today, I finally found the time to sit down and review a book which I think could very well be one of the best books I've read so far this year. To be fair though, I've read some pretty epic books so far but this one is extra special as I know many of you guys have been waiting for this book for a while! So without further ado....

AN EMBER IN THE ASHES is a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching and pulse-pounding read. Set in a rich, high-fantasy world with echoes of ancient Rome, it tells the story of a slave fighting for her family and a young soldier fighting for his freedom.

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

- From Goodreads

Pros

Double P.O.V is a definite reason why you should pick up this book. Having the backstory of both protagonists was something that I think made this book so much more enjoyable and suspenseful.

 The plot - super creative and unique; I have to admit, it is unlike anything I've read in a long while..So bravo to Miss. Tahir for thinking outside of the box.

 The gritty stuff.. Honestly, some parts in this book were utterly shocking, especially in the blunt way some events were described but personally, this only served to be all the more effective in making this a compelling read. 

 The emotions...God, how can one survive with so much emotional turmoil? Truly, Ember in the Ashes will grip you and your flimsy heart or rather, crush it to pieces.

 The writing. - Sabaa Tahir has crafted a beautifully written novel for her first attempt.

Cons

Love...shape? Damn, I don't even know what to call it. Basically, there were two love triangles which, in my opinion, is just pushing the boundary when it comes to the amount of love interests a book can have.

 Sequel? Apparently, this book was originally planned to be a standalone but with the way in which it ended, a sequel should definitely be considered.. Talk about unanswered questions ....

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post hosted by Breaking the Spine that outlines the most                                                                                                                                                        anticipated upcoming releases! 

                                                                 This week's selection:

-From Goodreads 

I WILL TELL YOU THE SAME THING I TELL EVERY SLAVE.

THE RESISTANCE HAS TRIED TO PENETRATE THIS SCHOOL COUNTLESS TIMES. I HAVE DISCOVERED IT EVERY TIME. IF YOU ARE WORKING WITH THE RESISTANCE, IF YOU CONTACT THEM, IF YOU THINK OF CONTACTING THEM, I WILL KNOW 

AND I WILL DESTROY YOU.

Laia is a slave.

Elias is a soldier.

Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

This little gem comes out in less than a week and I couldn't be more excited. This book has been getting so much attention and interest lately that I really do hope it lives up to my expectation! We'll just have to wait and see :D 

Publication date :April 28th 2015