Series Finale
Contains spoilers for Frostfire and Ice Kissed
Crystal Kingdom Kanin Chronicles Book Three
Fantasy, Romance
Published August 1st 2015
300 Pages
Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia
RATING ★★★★
Cast out by her kingdom and far from home, she's the Kanin people's only hope.Bryn Aven, unjustly charged with murder and treason, is on the run. The one person who can help is her greatest enemy, the enigmatic Konstantin Black. Konstantin is her only ally against those who have taken over her kingdom and threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. But can she trust him?As Bryn fights to clear her name, the Kanin rulers’ darkest secrets are coming to light… And now the entire troll world is on the brink of war. Will it tear Bryn from Ridley Dresden, the only guy she’s ever loved? And can she join forces with Finn Holmes and the Trylle kingdom? One thing is certain, an epic battle is underway, and when it’s complete, nothing will ever be the same…
The Kanin empire is on the verge of destruction as an oppression settles over the wintery landscape. Bryn has been accused of murder, now on the run and leaving her friends and family behind, including Ridley who is now being tortured in her absence. Disgraced and with no where to turn, her only support will come in the form of Konstantin, a former Kanin guard who has been exiled and working with Viktor Dalig, a rogue enemy of the empire. Hoping to gather support from neighbouring tribes is proving fruitless, until the Kanin Queen declares war against the Skojare kingdom, claiming Viktor Dalig was framed by both Bryn and Konstantin. Queen Mina is bloodthirsty and ruthless, her reign of oppression and greed will only come to an end with her execution. But first Bryn must make it to the palace alive.
Bryn must rally her allies, including Konstantin who she's reluctant to trust, especially after his attempt on her father's life. War is being brought to their doorstep with friends enlisted to fight an enemy under false pretenses. This war isn't about clearing her name, but fighting for the Kanin freedom against a woman who plans to take it all.
Bryn must rally her allies, including Konstantin who she's reluctant to trust, especially after his attempt on her father's life. War is being brought to their doorstep with friends enlisted to fight an enemy under false pretenses. This war isn't about clearing her name, but fighting for the Kanin freedom against a woman who plans to take it all.
MY THOUGHTS
Crystal Kingdom was a worthy and brilliant series end. Amanda Hocking transports us back to the wintery kingdom of the Kanin trolls and the tyrannical rule of Queen Mina, this time Bryn is on the run and accused of murder, a crime that fellow fugitive Konstantin knows all too well. Even though she is missing Ridley, her parents and friends, Bryn remains a tower of strength. She has nowhere to go and to avoid capture, she realises that it will take drastic measures to clear her name, but knows she'll never be able to return home. Konstantin is now an ally, the dark knight now turning on the rogue Viktor Dalig to seek revenge, revealing his sordid past with Queen Mina herself. I assumed their newly formed and tentative friendship could have been mistaken for a romantic storyline, thankfully Bryn is a character who doesn't easily fall for potential love interests and her thoughts remain almost entirely with Ridley. I loved Konstantin's character. Where in Frostfire and Ice Kissed, he was evasive and played the sinister role of the villain, in Crystal Kingdom this isn't the case. We learn more about who Konstantin is beyond his crimes, and the softer, vulnerable side which will no doubt endear readers to his cause.
Once again, the character driven world building is lovely. From the icy conditions of the Kanin, to the watery kingdom of the Skojare. It's described so vividly, so lovingly that it immerses the reader into Kanin realm, allowing you to fully engage with the storyline. This series has been lovely, but I hadn't realised how emotionally invested I was until the final few pages when a few tears escaped.
Once again, the character driven world building is lovely. From the icy conditions of the Kanin, to the watery kingdom of the Skojare. It's described so vividly, so lovingly that it immerses the reader into Kanin realm, allowing you to fully engage with the storyline. This series has been lovely, but I hadn't realised how emotionally invested I was until the final few pages when a few tears escaped.
THE VERDICT
Amanda Hocking's vivid and immersive storytelling are incredible, creating a rich, vibrant and wildly popular series. She sets realistic and relatable characters into fantasy worlds that has crafted an incredibly intense and emotionally charged finale that will surprise, enthrall and delight until the final page.
INTERVIEW WITH AMANDA HOCKING
Your current series, Kanin Chronicles is set to release the third and final installment Crystal Kingdom. For those who have yet to pick up the series, what is the biggest misconception about the trolls you've come across in regards to both the Kanin Chronicles and Trylle series?
That trolls are short, ugly, and hide under bridges. That’s actually a very recent concept. For a long time, folklore painted trolls much differently. In many places in Europe, trolls are regarded much differently. Many are giants, and some have magical abilities.
Your publishing story is remarkable. From successful self published author having sold over a million Kindle books, and with no formal training as a writer. I've read that you were a self made millionaire even before signing your first publishing contract. Do you remember the moment you decided to become an author... And can I borrow ten dollars?
I don’t actually ever remember not wanting to be an author. Ever since I was really little, like two or three, I loved telling stories, and as soon as I learned how to write, I was writing stories. It was just something that I always I wanted to do.
With what you know now as adult Amanda, what important piece of advice would you give to sixteen year old Amanda?
Not to worry so much about what other people think. Most of the time, people aren’t actually thinking about you even, so do what want, have fun, and stop taking everything so seriously.
I love sassy and strong heroines and especially within the Kanin Chronicles and Trylle series, you've created them in abundance. What message would you want to instill in your female teen readers through those strong female characters?
That you shouldn’t let anybody convince you that you’re not strong or capable, just because you’re a girl. Don’t let anybody deter you from being who you really want to be.
As a former self published author, in the early days you were embraced by the book blogging community. Now that you're traditionally published, do you miss that more personable interaction with bloggers and readers?
I do still interact with bloggers and readers, but I did have to take a step back because I was getting overwhelmed. I have a lot of anxiety issues, including pretty bad social anxiety, and while online socializing is easier for me, it can still get very taxing, even though I really do enjoy interacting with readers. I start getting paranoid and exhausted, and I have to remind myself to spread it out and take a break from online when I need to.
When you're not writing, what can we find Amanda doing in her spare time?
I spend most of my free time reading, watching bad movies, playing video games, and hanging out with my friends, family, and my pets. I have three cats and a Golden Retriever, and they keep me pretty busy.
With the Kanin Chronicles coming to an end, what can we expect next from Amanda Hocking and are you currently working on anything you can share with us?
My next novel is a standalone paranormal romance novel set in the 1980s that follows a travelling sideshow called Freeks. I pitched it as Pretty in Pink meets The Lost Boys (minus the vampires). It should be out sometime in 2016 with my publisher.
And lastly and most importantly, if you could only save one... Konstantin or Ridley?
That’s an impossible choice. I always want to save all my characters, even when the story doesn’t allow it...
ABOUT AMANDA
Follow the tour by heading to the next tour stop for a review of Crystal Kingdom and Giveaway
Written by Michael Adams
Apocalyptic, Australian
Expected publication April 1st 2015
400 Pages
Thank you to Allen & Unwin
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
★★★★★
By the glow of the instrument panel, I see my face reflected in the darkened window. 'My God,' she says. 'Who are you?' It's what I've been asked before. I don't know the answer.Danby is desperately fighting to save the last of humanity.But with Jack’s sinister influence more powerful than ever, Danby’s one hope for freeing his minions and her little brother, seems lost. The only option now for the few survivors not under Jack’s control is escape.Danby will also have to confront a danger much closer to home as she finds that she may have risked her own sanity in her ferocious battle to live. Embracing a brutal warrior code might save Danby's life, but the price is high.In the explosive final act of the Last Girl trilogy, Danby must save who she can, even if it means abandoning hope for her last remaining family. With soldiers, marauders and toxic bushfires closing in, she has no choice but to fight before she can take flight.
Danby is on the brink of fighting for her country, the small pockets of survivors of the Snap and for humanity itself against an enemy that moves as one. The army under Jack's control are gaining strength, even after the last battle in which Danby vowed to end Jack's reign. With Nathan by her side, Danby is stronger, colder and more ruthless than ever before. She's learnt to fight, and with the fate of little brother Evan now in her hands, she may just die trying.
It started with the Snap, the unexplained phenomenon allowing the population to hear the thoughts of those within a large radius. Then the world was silenced. Humans around Sydney were stopped in their tracks, becoming catatonic and only revived through medicinal injection. Two strangers in Danby and Nathan each who have lost loved ones, start a revolution of survival where each person woken is asked to revive another. Those seemingly unaffected have been labelled as Specials, able to read the thoughts of those around them. Then there's Jack, not only is he unaffected, but can raise those held in their catatonic state, but not without consequence.Kelly's Thoughts
Danby's character development between The Last Girl and the finale is astounding. From shy, meek girl that was reliant on technology and despised her father's new wife, to the kick ass, brutal heroine that was determined to save the world from Jack. She's not perfect, but Danby makes you want invest in her plight and champion her cause. She pushes the boundaries between heroine and villain by walking the thin line between merciful and monster. It's no longer about saving Owen or the world, it's now become one girl's fight against humanity, despite the odds.
It was simply brilliant. Reminiscent of the classic Tomorrow series by John Marsden, Michael Adams is an imaginative and engaging author who is currently one of the premier young adult authors in Australia. This highly anticipated finale far exceeded my expectations, and I can't wait to see what he's working on next.
Contains spoilers. Check out my reviews for Every Breath and Every Word
Every Series Book Three
Written by Ellie Marney
Contemporary, Thriller
Published March 1st 2015
340 Pages
Thank you to Allen & Unwin
Add to Goodreads
★★★★☆
Rachel Watts is suffering from recurring nightmares about her near death experience in London. She just wants to forget the whole ordeal, but her boyfriend, James Mycroft, is obsessed with piecing the puzzle together and anticipating the next move of the mysterious Mr Wild, his own personal Moriarty.
So when Rachel's brother, Mike, suggests a trip back to their old home in Five Mile, Rachel can't wait to get away. Unfortunately it's not the quiet weekend she was hoping for with the unexpected company of Mike's old school buddy, the wildly unreliable Harris Derwent.
Things get worse for Rachel when Harris returns to Melbourne with them, but could Harris be the only person who can help her move forward? Then a series of murders suggests that Mr Wild is still hot on their tails and that Mycroft has something Wild wants, something Wild is prepared to kill for.
Can Watts and Mycroft stay one step ahead of the smartest of all criminal masterminds? The stage is set for a showdown of legendary proportions...
Rachel and Mycroft have both returned to Melbourne, after the harrowing and traumatic experience in London. The police may have their abductor in custody, but it's the mysterious and dangerous Wild that has the two teens on edge, they have something he wants and he isn't afraid to make his intentions known. But Mycroft's insistence at keeping in touch with Wild is only fueling Rachel's fears. Her nightmares have drove her to escape the city with big brother Mike, back to Five Mile to clear her head and evaluate her relationship with Mycroft. But Mycroft has a lead, and is determined to see this case through, taking off to Bali to find one of his father's most trusted colleagues.
When Rachel returns to the city, it's clear that Wild is closing in when a young man's body is found, resembling Mycroft and his injuries he sustained at the hands of Wild's henchman in London. But while Mycroft is chasing his lead, Rachel begins to fight back with the help of Harris, Mike's flirtatious and attractive best friend. As Rachel reclaims her power, Mycroft returns, Wild is on their doorstep and it seems that even escaping to Five Mile isn't safe.
We're introduced to a new character in Harris, Mike's best friend from Five Mile and local ladies man. It soon becomes clear that behind the flirtation, Harris is interested in Rachel and her well being. But Harris knows all too well what it's like to feel defenseless, and is determined to help her take control of her life once more. When Mycroft returns from chasing down a lead in Bali, the tension and banter between he and Harris is nothing short of delicious. I adored Harris, he was competent, tenacious and left me torn between wanting Rachel to pursue a relationship with Harris, and the ever increasingly abrasive Mycroft. It only added to the tension. Well played Ms Marney. Well played.
Simply the most engaging, character driven and thrilling contemporary series I've read thus far. It's utterly brilliant. Ellie Marney knows how to create a tense and suspenseful storyline that will make you ache for justice. The flawed characters only add to how endearing not only Mycroft and Rachel are, but Rachel's family and friends as well. What sets the series apart is that it's not complicated, there's no excess teen drama angst, no love triangle and no instant love. The emphasis is on family and the family unit for support. If you've yet to pick this series up, you definitely won't be disappointed. I've absolutely loved it, and the only downside being that the series is now over and I'm not ready to say goodbye.
Every Move is everything you want in a series finale, suspense, intensity and brilliance. Ellie Marney has crafted yet another heart stopping storyline that follows our favorite crime solving couple, Mycroff and Watts and this time, it's personal. Every Move picks up in the middle of the London aftermath, Mycroft is still in contact with Wild unbeknownst to the police, and Rachel has now distanced herself from their relationship. After being captured and tortured in London, it's not only the nightmares that traumatise her each night, but the fear of being held or physically restrained, something Mycroft doesn't seem to understand. He's blinded by his search for the truth, and allows his relationship to suffer.Kelly's Thoughts
We're introduced to a new character in Harris, Mike's best friend from Five Mile and local ladies man. It soon becomes clear that behind the flirtation, Harris is interested in Rachel and her well being. But Harris knows all too well what it's like to feel defenseless, and is determined to help her take control of her life once more. When Mycroft returns from chasing down a lead in Bali, the tension and banter between he and Harris is nothing short of delicious. I adored Harris, he was competent, tenacious and left me torn between wanting Rachel to pursue a relationship with Harris, and the ever increasingly abrasive Mycroft. It only added to the tension. Well played Ms Marney. Well played.
Simply the most engaging, character driven and thrilling contemporary series I've read thus far. It's utterly brilliant. Ellie Marney knows how to create a tense and suspenseful storyline that will make you ache for justice. The flawed characters only add to how endearing not only Mycroft and Rachel are, but Rachel's family and friends as well. What sets the series apart is that it's not complicated, there's no excess teen drama angst, no love triangle and no instant love. The emphasis is on family and the family unit for support. If you've yet to pick this series up, you definitely won't be disappointed. I've absolutely loved it, and the only downside being that the series is now over and I'm not ready to say goodbye.
Contains mild spoilers for Splintered and Unhinged
Ensnared Splintered Book Three
Written by A. G Howard
Fantasy, Retelling
Published January 6th 2015
384 Pages
★★★☆After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She’s determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles... And even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking glass world, a parallel dimension filled with mutated and sadistic netherling outcasts.In the final installment of the Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that’s gone wrong. Together with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that has ensnared it. But even if everyone succeeds and comes out alive, can they all truly have their happily ever after?
Time is running out for Alyssa to not only save her mother Wonderland, but her beloved Jeb and Morpheus who are trapped behind the looking glass. Having destroyed the only way in, Alyssa enlists the help of her father who is still coming to terms with his daughter being a a halfling and belonging to the mythical Wonderland that destroyed her mother's sanity. The Red Queen is now in possession of the Queen of Hearts body, and has unleashed a terrible fate upon the fantastical landscape. Wonderland is dying and has been temporarily saved by the Ivory Queen, who has cast a spell to freeze the decaying process. Wonderland residents are roaming free and blame Alyssa for the destruction of their home.
Entering Anyelsewhere, at least one of her loves still has faith in her, with the volatile Jeb turning his back on their relationship after seeing Alyssa and Morpheus sharing a passionate embrace. But where the surrounds mute magic from being used, Jeb embodies the power of the Red Queen, his paintings being brought to life, literally. To survive, Morpheus and Jeb have needed to work together, putting aside their differences and the quest to win Alyssa's heart. The Red Queen wants to take back her crown and rule Wonderland once more, but only by inhabiting Alyssa and vowing to heal the magical landscape once more.
But as Alyssa is torn between her love for Wonderland and her mortal realm, she will need to choose. Wonderland and Morpheus, leaving her family behind. Or Jeb, leading Wonderland to a fate worse then death.
Kelly's Thoughts
Ensnared has been one of my most anticipated releases. Even though I have a paperback on it's way, I couldn't wait and also bought a copy on Kindle as well. Unhinged left readers on tenterhooks, with Alyssa's ultimate choice between her Mortal Knight in Jeb, or the fabulously manipulative Morpheus.
Each guys occupies a different side of my dual heart. Together, they bridge my netherling and human worlds.
But before Alyssa can make a decision, she has a wonderland to save. Yet again, the world building is phenomenal. The morbidly fascinating creatures that have now been driven from their homes blame Alyssa, and rightly so. She halfheartedly invested in their world, then left them all to deal with the consequences of a Queen gone mad. But the underlying storyline still remains her decision on which suitor she will choose.
I was enthralled from the opening chapters, revisiting the world of Splintered with the verge of Wonderland being all but destroyed. The royal politics at play, the deception and manipulation were delicious. Alyssa is forced to become the heroine, or risk the lives of her family and the two men in her life. Her wicked streak was enchanting, on the verge of becoming the cruel tyrant Red Queen once was, while trying to hold onto her own humanity. So where did Ensnared begin to fall apart? The romance.
It completely engulfed the second half of the storyline. Now kids, this is where I'm kicking off with the complaints. The romance was strung along throughout the storyline, Alyssa's inner thoughts and soapbox speeches teasing readers, while teasing both Morpheus and her Mortal Knight as she fluttered between the two. She would be pinning over Jeb, who was still angry at her deception, while allowing Morpheus to flirt and she willingly accepted his advances. It was irritating. It turned the suspense and intensity into a mockery. I don't usually buy into love triangles, and rarely ever support one side over the other, but Morpheus left me no choice.
He's manipulative, deceptive and incredibly dreamy. He's made of imagination and I was adamant that I'd be flipping tables and readying myself with a fork if I didn't get my way. But did I enjoy the ending? The short answer is yes.
Readers will see it coming. But overall it's a worthy series finale, although may hint at further installments in the series. We can only hope.
Readers will see it coming. But overall it's a worthy series finale, although may hint at further installments in the series. We can only hope.
In The Afterlight
The Darkest Minds: Book Three
Check out my review for book two Never Fade
Check out my review for book two Never Fade
Written By Alexandra Bracken
Dystopian, Paranormal
Published November 3rd 2014
512 Pages
Thank you to Harper Collins Australia
Add to Goodreads
Dystopian, Paranormal
Published November 3rd 2014
512 Pages
Thank you to Harper Collins Australia
Add to Goodreads
Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. Only Ruby can keep their highly dangerous prisoner in check. But with Clancy Gray, there's no guarantee you're fully in control, and everything comes with a price.When the Children's League disbands, Ruby rises up as a leader and forms an unlikely allegiance with Liam's brother, Cole, who has a volatile secret of his own. There are still thousands of other PSI kids suffering in government 'rehabilitation camps' all over the country. Freeing them, revealing the governments unspeakable abuses in the process, is the mission Ruby has claimed since her own escape from Thurmond, the worst camp in the country.But not everyone is supportive of the plan Ruby and Cole craft to free the camps. As tensions rise, competing ideals threaten the mission to uncover the cause of IANN, the disease that killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others with powers the government will kill to keep contained. With the fate of a generation in their hands, there is no room for error. One wrong move could be the spark that sets the world on fire.
Isla and the Happily Ever After
(Anna and the French Kiss: Book Three)
Written by Stephanie Perkins
Contemporary, Romance
Published August 14th 2014
352 Pages
From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily ever afters aren’t always forever.Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.
Written by Skye Melki - Wegner
Published July 1st 2014
400 Pages
Thank you to Random House
Add to Goodreads
★★★★☆
What if you achieve everything you’ve dreamed of, and it turns into a nightmare?Danika and her crew of refugees finally reach the Magnetic Valley. Will it be the safe refuge and land of freedom they had imagined? When a runaway girl is shot down before their eyes, Danika and her friends realise that this new land is no paradise. They must try to fit in at all costs, even if revealing their secrets will mean a death sentence.The conclusion to the Chasing the Valley trilogy will reveal explosive surprises and terrifying new dangers.
Danika has endured the Alchemy Bombs that killed her family, her escape over the walls of Taladia, the kite among the stars, the fire, the railroad and the desolate landscape that still threatens to leave the crew stranded amongst the barren land. The Borderlands, the Smugglers deception and the Catacombs flooding, and now the group of refugees are on the brink of reaching the Magnetic Valley, needing now more than ever to escape the cruel tyrant King Morrigan and find freedom. The entire country seems to be a mix of blackened rock and ice, until the sky bursts into a terrifying reign of fire.
In the village of Vindurn, a proclivity determines where you reside, but those with temporal proclivities aren't welcome. Lord Farran is a messiah, a man who rarely makes an appearance and relegates himself to a workshop, high upon the Skyfire Peak. The lowly peasants scrounge for Firestones, which are traded for food. But it soon becomes apparent that the refugees are not welcome, especially for those with Proclivities that revolve around time, Daylight, Night and Dawn. But escape is futile, as each night at midnight, the earth cannot be trusted, the only safety is within the village that resides high in the treetops.
Lord Farran demands respect, his motives and authority are not to be questioned. But what is he hiding up in his mountain laboratory where he conducts experiments? Answers will be found in the death of a villager and the testament she leaves behind. But is their effort all in vain? As the conflict between the territories is brewing, is this one war that even Danika can't end?
Kelly's Thoughts
I absolutely adore the Chasing The Valley series, it's an incredible fantasy dystopian fusion series that is not only engaging, but simply magical. It follows the story of Danika, who lives confined within an oppressive reign of a tyrant, until her family is taken from her. Living life on the streets and seeing the poverty and destruction, has created a tough and passionate heroine. She has nothing to lose, and wants the freedom she so desperately deserves. Along with Lukas, Maisy, Teddy and Clementine, Danika has no choice but to forge forward, into an unknown land with nothing but an old Smugglers song to guide their way. The Magnetic Valley represents their chance to finally be free of oppression, but they are entering a world that offers no safety, especially to those from Taladia.
Skye Melki Wegner is a formidable storyteller, weaving a unique world that readers can immerse themselves in and I'm an enthusiastic advocate of her debut series. A brilliant Australian author, her words take on a unique enchantment that paint a vivid picture of the world that Danika attempts to endure. I not only fell in love with her world, but the characters that are unique and well developed. Each book in the series, Chasing The Valley, Borderlands and Skyfire are all among the best Australian young adult novels that I've read, not to mention internationally. I don't often completely and utterly fall in love with any book, not to mention an entire series, but Chasing The Valley is not only worthy, but it's simply phenomenal and I'm sad to have to say goodbye.
I can't recommend this series enough, I've even got my name on the back cover.
Chasing Stars (After Eden: Book Two)
Written by Helen Douglas
Published June 5th 2014
352 Pages
Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia
The boy Eden loves just saved her life. Now she must save his. To do so she must make a huge sacrifice. Eden can never see her friends or family again, as she travels a hundred years into the future. But the dangerous risk Ryan took to rescue Eden has been uncovered, and now Ryan faces an exile... Which will leave Eden separated from him. the one person she can't live without, and stuck in the future. She must fight to save both of them
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