The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder {Review}

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder by Rachel McMillan

Visit the Author's Website HERE

Publisher: Harvest House

Publishing Date: March 1, 2016

Goodreads Summary:

In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever--if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

2015 Reading Letdowns

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

Thanks Dickens. Alas, it is true. Last week I highlighted my favorite reads from 2015. This week I simply must mention five books that I was looking forward too, but instead I experienced a 'worst of times'. And they all have some great covers!! These five books not only let me down, but I also ended up giving them poor ratings. 

Shall we??

Summer's List {Quick Review}

Summer's List by Anita Higman

Visit the Author's website HERE

Publisher: River North

Publishing Date: June 1, 2015

Goodreads Summary: 

A dying wish alters the course of a young woman’s life.

Life hadn’t been easy for Summer Snow. In acts of selflessness—caring for her ailing parents and running her grandmother’s bookstore—she had forfeited her youth and dreams for the needs of others. And the only tries she had at love… didn’t turn out. She had the bookstore, she had her beloved granny, but she was missing something—or someone.  

Opportunity strikes when Granny sends Summer on an unexpected adventure with one Martin Langtree, a kind but gangly young man from Summer’s past. A childhood friendship is rekindled, a romance is sparked, and mysteries are solved in one magical Texas summer. Will Summer strike out on love again, or will things finally go her way?

With lovable characters and surprising twists, Summer’s List is a simple delight.

Two Renegade Realms {Review}

Two Renegade Realms by Donita K Paul

Realm Walkers #2

Visit the Author's Website HERE

Publisher: Zondervan

Publishing Date: December 23, 2014

Goodreads Summary:

In book two of the Realm Walkers Series, Cantor, Bixby, and Dukmee must band together to find the storied realm walker Chomountain after the devastating attack by the corrupt Realm Walkers Guild. But what they discover while traveling turns their mission upside down and they must now find a way to restore Chomountain.

The Silver Witch {Review}

The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston

Visit the Author's website HERE

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

Publishing Date: April 21, 2015

Goodreads Summary:

A year after her husband’s sudden death, ceramic artist Tilda Fordwells finally moves into the secluded Welsh cottage that was to be their new home. She hopes that the tranquil surroundings will help ease her grief, and lessen her disturbing visions of Mat’s death. Instead, the lake in the valley below her cottage seems to spark something dormant in her – a sensitivity, and a power of some sort. Animals are drawn to her, electricity shorts out when she’s near, and strangest of all, she sees a new vision; a boatful of ancient people approaching her across the water. 

On this same lake in Celtic times lived Seren, a witch and shaman. She was respected but feared, kept separate from the community for her strange looks. When a vision came to her of the Prince amid a nest of vipers she warned of betrayal from one of his own. Prince Brynach both loved and revered her, but could not believe someone close to him wished him harm, even as the danger grew. 

In her own time, Tilda’s grief begins to fade beside her newfound powers and a fresh love. When she explores the lake’s ancient magic and her own she discovers Seren, the woman in her vision of the boat. Their two lives strangely mirror each others, suggesting a strong connection between the women. As Tilda comes under threat from a dark power, one reminiscent of Seren’s prophecy, she must rely on Seren and ancient magic if death and disaster are not to shatter her life once more.

Both of Me {Review}

Both of Me by Jonathon Friesen

Visit the Author's website HERE

Publisher: Blink

Publishing Date: December 23, 2014

Goodreads Summary:

It was supposed to be just another flight, another escape into a foreign place where she could forget her past, forget her attachments. Until Clara found herself seated next to an alluring boy named Elias Phinn—a boy who seems to know secrets she has barely been able to admit to herself for years.

When her carry-on bag is accidentally switched with Elias’s identical pack, Clara uses the luggage tag to track down her things. At that address she discovers there is not one Elias Phinn, but two: the odd, paranoid, artistic, and often angry Elias she met on the plane, who lives in an imaginary world of his own making called Salem; and the kind, sweet, and soon irresistible Elias who greets her at the door, and who has no recollection of ever meeting Clara at all. As she learns of Elias’s dissociative identity disorder, and finds herself quickly entangled in both of Elias’s lives, Clara makes a decision that could change all of them forever. She is going to find out what the Salem Elias knows about her past, and how, even if it means playing along with his otherworldly quest. And she is going to find a way to keep the gentle Elias she’s beginning to love from ever disappearing again.

2014 Letdowns

Okay, let's be real: you may possible hate me after reading this post. But hear me out! Not all the books on this list did I hate or throw across a room, sometimes they just didn't live up to my expectations. In no particular order, I present my 2014 Letdowns ....

Obsidian Mirror Review

Obsidian Mirror by Catherine Fisher
Visit the Author's website HERE
Publisher: Dial
Publishing Date: October 4, 2012
Goodreads Summary: 

Jake's father disappears while working on mysterious experiments with the obsessive, reclusive Oberon Venn. Jake is convinced Venn has murdered him. But the truth he finds at the snow-bound Wintercombe Abbey is far stranger ... The experiments concerned a black mirror, which is a portal to both the past and the future. Venn is not alone in wanting to use its powers. Strangers begin gathering in and around Venn's estate: Sarah - a runaway, who appears out of nowhere and is clearly not what she says, Maskelyne - who claims the mirror was stolen from him in some past century. There are others, a product of the mirror's power to twist time. And a tribe of elemental beings surround this isolated estate, fey, cold, untrustworthy, and filled with hate for humans. But of them all, Jake is hell-bent on using the mirror to get to the truth. Whatever the cost, he must learn what really happened to his father.

I checked out a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own. Buy a copy from Barnes and Noble today. 

My Thoughts:
Let's just dive in: There was just too much going on. 'Obsidian' includes a bunch of characters, most of the them playing large parts. Each character had backstory or ulterior motives, 'Obsidian' just felt like an overwhelming tangle of mysteries and storylines trying to unwind. I could tell almost immediately that this novel was too short for what the author was trying to accomplish with all these characters. Telling the story from the different viewpoints of these many characters left me feeling disconnected and I found myself reading too quickly through the chapters.

Wharton and Summer are two characters I just didn't understand. We meet Wharton first as a professor at Jake's boarding school. He has hated Jake all year because of Jake's obvious disobedience and intent on getting expelled. Wharton was just an odd puzzle piece that didn't fit into the rest of the story. He is forced to accompany Jake 'home', ends up staying on a while and then suddenly becomes fiercely loyal and protective of Jake and all this 'friends'.

Summer was just a bummer. Haha I know I rhymed, but sorry it is true. Reading that this book was supposed to include a 'tribe of elemental beings' was one of the bigger draws to this novel, but they play such an inconsequential piece to the larger picture. Fisher could have omitted them completely and the story would have carried on just fine. Summer herself was confusing. The leader of these elemental beings, she appears ancient and powerful. But in the end? She has done squat. Perhaps she plays a larger role in book two?

So why did I keep reading through this giant mess of character and mystery? I wanted to enjoy more of the sci fi elements! Time travel? The overall mystery of the mirror? Umm..YES. This is what I wanted more of.

'Obsidian' is my first Fisher novel and while this particular novel has definitely turned me off of the rest of the series, I don't think it has turned me away from Fisher herself. I'm willing to still try 'Incarceron'. This piece, however, was like an overly long, confusing intro to something I just don't feel inclined to continue. I could only recommend this one to those who are fans of Fisher already. I give it 2 stars. 

Feuds Review

This review is part of SciFi Month, hosted by Rinn Reads and Oh, The Books. 

Feuds by Avery Hastings
Visit the Author's website HERE
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Publishing Date: September 2, 2014
Goodreads Summary:

In this breathless story of impossible love, perfection comes at a deadly cost.

For Davis Morrow, perfection is a daily reality. Like all Priors, Davis has spent her whole life primed to be smarter, stronger, and more graceful than the lowly Imperfects, or “Imps.” A fiercely ambitious ballerina, Davis is only a few weeks away from qualifying for the Olympiads and finally living up to her mother’s legacy when she meets Cole, a mysterious boy who leaves her with more questions each time he disappears.

Davis has no idea that Cole has his own agenda, or that he’s a rising star in the FEUDS, an underground fighting ring where Priors gamble on Imps. Cole has every reason to hate Davis—her father’s campaign hinges on the total segregation of the Imps and Priors—but despite his best efforts, Cole finds himself as drawn to Davis as she is to him.

Then Narxis, a deadly virus, takes its hold--and Davis’s friends start dying. When the Priors refuse to acknowledge the epidemic, Davis has no one to turn to but Cole. Falling in love was never part of their plan, but their love may be the only thing that can save her world...in Avery Hastings's Feuds.

I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Buy the book HERE.

My Thoughts:
Let's face it: the cover is what drew me in. I'm a sucker for a good ballerina and this one calls out to be read. But this cute dance element is about all that I found to save this novel.

'Feuds' reads as a futuristic Romeo and Juliet complete with insta-love, imminent war/battle, and crazy decisions to fake suicide. Add in a manufactured drug, a designer-baby generation, and a dash of Fight Club and you have 'Feuds'. Unfortunately, it was just all too much for the author and story to take on.

Our main character, Davis, didn't have enough 'oomph'. She was one dimensional, shallow, and although she shows more compassion than her fellow Priors, Davis' heart is selfish. Some may argue that this is the nature of a Prior but I find it just doesn't make for a good female, main character. Cole felt a tad more real, like a favorite pair of jeans, but the plot flew by too quickly to appreciate him and his role. And the FEUDS play too small a role to appreciate it being made the title of the book.

'Feuds' was not a favorite book of mine by any means. However, it wasn't poorly written enough for me to 'DNF'. I managed to read through it quickly and had my interest held well enough. Once I realized the Romeo and Juliet storyline I was interested in reaching the end of the story to see how it would play out. Hastings did do a good job of setting up for the second book; this novel's ending leads to the possibility of a better second novel.

Overall, the characters needed more development, Davis and Cole needed to slow down the relationship a *wee* bit, and the world needed so much more time to be truly appreciated. I could recommend this one to someone looking for futuristic Shakespeare tragedy with a slight ballet theme. Only 2 stars from me. I'll keep my eye out for something else to fit the bill.

A Light in the Wilderness

A Light in the Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick
Visit author's website HERE
Publisher: Revell 
Publishing Date: September 2, 2014
Goodreads Summary:

Letitia holds nothing more dear than the papers that prove she is no longer a slave. They may not cause white folks to treat her like a human being, but at least they show she is free. She trusts in those words she cannot read–as she is beginning to trust in Davey Carson, an Irish immigrant cattleman who wants her to come west with him.
Nancy Hawkins is loathe to leave her settled life for the treacherous journey by wagon train, but she is so deeply in love with her husband that she knows she will follow him anywhere–even when the trek exacts a terrible cost.
Betsy is a Kalapuya Indian, the last remnant of a once proud tribe in the Willamette Valley in Oregon territory. She spends her time trying to impart the wisdom and ways of her people to her grandson. But she will soon have another person to care for.
As season turns to season, suspicion turns to friendship, and fear turns to courage, three spirited women will discover what it means to be truly free in a land that makes promises it cannot fulfill.

Based on a true story

I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own. Buy the paperback version direct from the publisher today! 

My Thoughts:
Based on the life of a real black woman who followed the Oregon Trail, A Light in the Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick is a tale of injustice and the pursuit of freedom. Kirkpatrick did a TON of research for this novel and it truly shines through. The true to life details of the Oregon Trail and life as a black woman during that time period are what kept me going to the very end. 

The summary indicates that we will follow the lives of three separate women as their lives intertwined. I found this to be a bit false. Every now and then we would get a chapter from Nancy's point of view, but it was usually brief and didn't reveal much about her life or character. We got even less from Betsy, she held about three chapters before her life ran into Letitia's and then she became solely a background character. Letitia, then, was the true star. We follow her life from Missouri, where she secretly and dangerously marries a white man, along the Oregon Trail and finally into homesteading in Oregon. 

Kirkpatrick stuck incredibly close to the historical details. So instead of getting what I wanted from the story, I only got what really happened. Which is good and nice, but for me, it just didn't make that great of a re-telling. The book read too much like a textbook with just brief fictional tidbits thrown in (conversations and little details). It lost what personality it had once we hit the Oregon Trail. While I like a good historical fiction, this one felt too factual and not enough fiction for me. 

While I like Letitia (and her courage!) the story just didn't feel like a story to me. We covered too large of a time period in the character's life and so I felt we were just drifting in and out for the 'highlights'. This kept me from truly connecting and placing myself in Letitia's (well-worn) shoes. Wonderfully researched, true to history, and very well written...but this book was just not for me. I struggled to finish, but finish I did. I can only give it 2 stars but would encourage you to check it out if you like true to history life stories and strong female lead characters.   

Cruel Beauty Review

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
Visit the Author's website HERE
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publishing Date: January 28, 2014
Goodreads Summary:

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

This was a library read! Part of my slow transition to get back to the library :) Buy it from the Book Depository today.

My Thoughts:
I was excited to read a fairy tale retelling. 'Cruel Beauty' was on my radar since it released this past winter. Its Beauty and the Beast connections is what caused me to pick it up in the first place, but by the time I closed the cover I was amazed that anyone could even make that connection.

The story starts off with a bang. We the reader are expected to hit the ground running. Nothing in the world is explained. Sometimes this works well for an author, here it just left me bewildered and took me right out of the story. And while on the subject of confusing, can I just mention the end: whaa??

Nyx is nothing like Belle. Belle is light hearted and sees the best in everyone. Nyx most definitely was not. She was raised from birth to marry an evil ruler and has been plotting his murder just as long, yet Nyx didn't feel disciplined enough to be an assassin for a demon. This part fell to another case of BA girl doesn't actually complete any BA moves. But still, even though Nyx is such a dark, depressing character, she really worked. Angry, yet slightly caring, full of dark malice, flawed, unwanted. It was an interesting mixture that I don't think I have read in an MC before.

Nyx's relationship with Ignifex was very dark, also very full of anger and selfishness. I was also annoyed each time Nyx threw a tantrum and would hit Ignifex; physical abuse ain't my thang. I had to give a big sigh for this as well: it was pretty 'insta-love' right off the bat. Their whole relationship just progressed too rapidly. I struggled to believe a girl who had been training for years to murder her betrothed could so quickly fall in love with that very same man. Something like this called for more time. Overall, I did not find their relationship was very well explored.

As for the plot? Well, let me quote a friend from Goodreads:

The plot kind of falls by the wayside. Nyx isn't very diligent in her quest to topple the evil lord to begin with. Once a certain revelation reveals her initial plan may not be the best idea, she basically abandons it and decides her purpose in life is to be naught but a lovey-dovey wife.

My words exactly.

I believe that 'Cruel Beauty' could have been so much more. The idea of Nyx's character and her relationship with Ignifex had some great bones. I just wish the author had been given more pages to tell it properly. With all the dark, angry love, this book needed a slow burn. Overall, it just didn't feel fully developed to me. I would love to see these ideas again however and dearly hope someone does try this combination again soon. 'Cruel Beauty' wasn't a complete flop for me, but it surely wasn't a hit. 2 stars and I can only recommend to strong fans of Beauty and the Beast retellings and readers who enjoy a dark, gothic romance.

Quick Review: Parenting the Wholehearted Child

Parenting the Wholehearted Child by Jeannie Cunnion
Visit the Author's website HERE
Publisher: Zondervan
Publishing Date: April 8, 2014
Summary:

Are you exhausted from the pressure to be a perfect parent raising perfect children in this imperfect world? Do you ever wonder, “How did these precious children get stuck with a parent like me?” If so, let these grace-drenched pages saturate your heart with God’s unfailing love while also equipping you to be a vessel of God’s unconditional love to your children.

With authenticity, conviction, and a lively sense of humor, Jeannie guides parents on a transformative journey into raising wholehearted—not perfect—children, who live from the freedom found in being wholeheartedly loved (and liked!) by God.

Parenting the Wholehearted Child equips parents with Biblical wisdom and practical ideas to teach children they are fully accepted by God, not because of anything they do or don’t do but because of everything Jesus has already done for them.

Woven throughout the book is the good news that it is God’s extravagant grace, not a parent’s perfect performance, that transforms the hearts of children.

I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Buy a copy today.

My Thoughts:
Let me start by listing quickly what I liked: the writing was very well done and put together. Overall, the book was well organized. It would be quite easy for the reader to pick up and navigate.

As you read the Amazon reviews you will see the word 'grace' mentioned time after time. While I feel this was true of the book, I also felt an overwhelming need to be perfect. I find perfectionism and grace to be almost opposites of each other. How can one expect perfectionism from a human without leaving room for grace. Humans make mistakes, and they certainly always will, that is why I find we cannot expect perfectionism from anyone, but instead offer grace, room for mistakes, allowances to try again, space to teach and grow.

Wow I am getting a bit philosophical.....

While there was a fair amount of Biblical application, the book was too overly populated with Cunnion's stories of her kids and how absolutely perfect they act. Should we strive to teach our children to be like Jesus and want to raise them as Christians? As a Christian, YES. But I am also under the firm belief that I should allow my child to be a child. Teach and guide always, but an emphasis on play and learning needs to happen. Life goes by too quickly to expect them to act like adults from day one. Mistakes happen. Grace for the parent, yes please!, but grace for the child as well.

Because the book was well written and wasn't a complete mess itself, I am still giving it 2 stars. However, this book was a DNF for me. I found I wasn't getting what I was looking for from the text. I was also tired of story after story of the author's perfect children and wondering how on earth I could make my child so perfect. I put the book down wondering what I am doing wrong and how I could perfect my child. Blech. But again, there were a few good gems and the basic premise was there. This book would be a good read for the Christian parent who does believe perfectionism is attainable, or a reader looking for some pointers on raising a Christian child.

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy Review

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee
Visit the author's Facebook page
Goodreads Summary:

Unlikely heroine Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven by science. She and her sister Alice are still grieving for their dead mother when their father takes a job in a strange museum in a city where it always snows. On her very first day in the museum Ophelia discovers a boy locked away in a long forgotten room. He is a prisoner of Her Majesty the Snow Queen. And he has been waiting for Ophelia's help.

As Ophelia embarks on an incredible journey to rescue the boy everything that she believes will be tested. Along the way she learns more and more about the boy's own remarkable journey to reach her and save the world.

A story within a story, this a modern day fairy tale is about the power of friendship, courage and love, and never ever giving up.

I received this e-arc from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The book is released 1/28/14. The Kindle price is $7.99 (1/28/14).

My Thoughts:
Yikes I didn't like this one as much. Which, if I may boldly say, is slightly refreshing. I have read some spectacular books so far in 2014, some of which you can check my Goodreads page for, and some you will have to stay tuned here on the blog to see!

I really wanted to like this one, I did. It was fairy tale-esque and featured a quiet girl, Ophelia, discovering her heart and courage. It also featured quests, mythical monsters, swords, and a Snow Queen! All the makings of a fantastic fantasy!

However, that's where my 'likes' end. This isn't a story I would want my child to read. It was scary, plain and simple. Dark corridors, ghosts, coffins sucking life out of little girls, birds that eat people, owls that eat fingers... And on top if it all, dealing with the aftermath of the death of Ophelia's mom. Ophelia's family is pretty bland. Her sister gets wooed away by the evil Snow Queen and forgets her family, her story is just background noise. Their dad buries himself in work and won't talk about their mom. Ophelia can't even turn to him for help and comfort which angers me.

Even the Marvelous Boy is only depressing with his tales of boring wizards, getting his finger eaten off, failing his quest, and being held captive for hundreds of years. In the end, well I will say only this: sad. 
The author leaves it open for the possibility of a second book, and sadly, I know I won't be reading it.

As a middle grade book, "Ophelia.." felt extremely easy to read. Too easy for me, as my eyes glazed over several short, repetitive sentences. But for a middle grade reader it should be fairly easy, and teach several new vocab words along the way as well. 

I gave "Ophelia.." 2 stars. I would recommend this book to fairy tale lovers, or think Jason the Greek Hero, and very mature middle grade readers. I strongly recommend reading it with a parent to discuss some of the darker, sadder themes.

Valor Book Review

Valor(Greystone #1) by Taylor Longford
Click for author's website

Goodreads Summary:

Think you know about gargoyles? The beautiful winged race disappeared eight hundred years ago. Their greatest enemies were the brutal harpies that people today mistake for gargoyles.

Like all gargoyles, Valor is protective by nature. When he wakes to find a human girl in trouble, his first impulse is to help her. But the greatest risk to MacKenzie’s safety is himself. One scratch from the poisonous barbs on his (knuckles) and she’ll be lost to him forever

I purchased this book on Amazon for free. Currently it is being offered for free still!! (7/10/13)

My Thoughts:
We meet Mackenzie quickly discovering herself in trouble trapped under a large box, when strong, handsome Valor comes to her rescue. Things escalate quickly between them (seriously like 5 pages??) and Valor lets Kenzie in on his secret: he is a gargoyle. 

It took awhile to accept this fact. I had heard once that what we call gargoyles aren't actually gargoyles but harpies. I filed it away not caring. Even still it was hard to believe that gargoyles could be super hot. Super. Hot.

Valor and his brothers (Dare, Reason, Defiance..) instantly become attached to Mackenzie, and vice versa, in a Cullens-Swan-esque relationship. From here the plot meanders along ..shopping and hot boys occur..eventually creating a conflict and then resolving it. Nice and neat. I feel like I should give you more summary, but that is really about it. 

So, yes, as you may have guessed I was not too keen on this book. There were several aspects that I did not like. First, I was distracted by the obvious Twilight connections. Gargoyles have venom which could kill a human. Valor is overly concerned he might accidentally kill Mackenzie if he gets too involved ala Edward Cullen. The idea of the gargoyles being a pack and overly protective is very Cullen. And heck, even Reason disliked Mackenzie similar to Rosalie disliking Bella. 

Second, random chapter breaks. Completely jarring me out of the story. This may not bug some people, and it honestly shouldn't bug me either, yet it does. When characters are having a conversation and the author wants to end it dramatically, fine. But when she picks up exactly where she left off in the conversation in the next chapter, its just weird. And unnecessary. So....probably just me.

I will stop here at a third: Mackenzie's reactions are not normal. I know there always has to be a stretch of reality in paranormal novels, but this time it made it hard for me to connect to the character. At one point, Mackenzie is FLYING with Valor, and hardly says a word about it!! "Oh. I'm flying. What should we do later tonight??" Very unrealistic.

What I did like were the delicious boys. Yes, I said it.. And even though I felt that using gargoyles was just a stretch for something new in this overly inundated mythical creature YA world, it still mostly worked. The action scene was also well written and flowed very well. I also liked the fact that I bought this book from Amazon when it was free. And the cover. The cover is great!

I rated this book on my Goodreads as a 2. I feel I should mention that a majority of other people rated it favorably. Ms. Langford has also written two more books in the Greystone series. I want to check out the second one, Dare, because I heard it was written from his point of view instead of the girl's. Also, Dare had one of the most compelling stories. If I ever do get around to it, I will be sure to let you know :))

Happy Reading!!