[Blog Tour] Hidden by M. Lathan: Review + Giveaway

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Hey Guys! This week I have been lucky enough to get to participate in the blog tour for Hidden by M. Lathan (my first blog tour :0) and today is my stop!

Hidden (Hidden Series #1) by M. Lathan                       

Release Date: November 12th, 2012

Publisher: Self-Published
Format: ebook
Pages: 241
Source: Xpresso Book Tours
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Amazon/ B&N/ Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Leah Grant has given up on being normal. She’d settle for stopping the voices in her head, intrusive visions of the future, and better odds of making it to her seventeenth birthday.

That’s the thing about pretending to be human in a world where magic used to exist – at any moment, her cover could be blown and she’ll be burned to death like the rest of the witches.

Everything changes when she loses control of her powers and flees the orphanage she grew up in. She desperately wants to be invisible but finds her face plastered on every news channel as humans panic over the possible resurgence of her kind. And now the hunters won’t give up until they find her.

Making friends for the first time in her life and falling in love with one of them drives her to discover why she is unlike any being she’s ever met – human or otherwise. The dangerous powers inside of her that would repel Nathan, her new, handsome reason for living, are priceless to some. The locked up forever kind of priceless. And to others, they are too dangerous to allow her to live.

Let’s hope she can stay hidden. (Add on Goodreads)

                                                             Review:

The Story

You know when you happen upon a book and it's so good that your like"Why haven't I heard of book before now?! Why due to this crazy and horrible universe have I not read this before now? And why am I not in the street shoving my Kindle in peoples faces, threatening to set them on fire if they don't read it!". Oh, probably because I'd be committed if I did. Anyway, the rest is still true, this book was amazing!!

A book about a young girl living in an orphanage after her parents were tragically taken away in a horrible war. Sounds simple enough right? Wrong! The book is soooo much more that. In fact, the plot has so much going on you would think it would be messy, but its not. I enjoyed getting to learn about the nature of Leah's/Christine's  (I won't tell you why I'm also calling her Christine because that would be a spoiler) powers and who her parents were right along with her.

The Writing

The writing in this book was wonderful. Especially in relation to Leah/Christine. I felt like I was really able to see inside her head. Sometimes I felt like I was her. And the way M. Lathan wrote the characters insecurities and depression, but also her moments of anger is so realistic that there were moments when I was actually a little scared of the main character.

The Characters

I really liked Leah/Christine. There were so many moments in the book, especially in the beginning when she was being bullied, that I just wanted to hug her. She's just the type of character you gotta love :) It just broke my heart when she was so hard on herself  and how she felt like she wasn't worthy. So I really enjoyed when she started to make friends  and to understand herself and her powers.

Oh, Nathan. Yes, I liked him, even though his love for for Leah/Christine boarded on obsession to me and I thought he overreacted when she revealed something to him but she forgave him, so I do too ;)

Paul and Emma's parts were small but it did not take long for me to fall in love with them either because of their friendship with Leah/Christine. Also Emma has a French accent, so cute!!!

I was on the fence about Sophia for awhile because I wasn't sure if her intentions were good or not. But grew to love her as well. I think it was because her kind and loving nature reminded me a lot of my mom :)

The Good

Ugh! Everything! The characters most of all. Fiction or not there just the type of people you wish you knew.

The crazy twist plot line (sorry, I'm being so general with my review, I just don't want to spoil anything!) was just awesome.

And of course you KNOW I loved the magic and I hope to see A LOT more in the next book.
The Bad

Nothing! I guess I can say that the pace was a little slow and because I like strong characters I didn't really like how low Leah's/Christine's self-esteem could be but both had it's purposes.  So again nothing! Ugh just ignore me.

My Final Thoughts

Since this review is basically just me GUSHING you're probably wondering why I gave it a 4.5 review and it's only because of the slow beginning but thinking back it did not really bother me/. So thank you Xpresso Blog Tours and thank YOU M. Lathan for allowing me read this book because I really loved it! I love any book with witchy happenings so this book definitely does not disappoint. I CANNOT wait to read Lost and see what happens next with the characters.  

About the Author

M. Lathan lives in San Antonio with her husband and mini-schnauzer. She enjoys writing and has a B.S. in Psych and a Masters in Counseling. Her passion is a blend of her two interests – creating new worlds and stocking them with crazy people. She enjoys reading anything with interesting characters and writing in front of a window while asking rhetorical questions … like her idol Carrie Bradshaw.

Where to find her: Website/ Twitter/ Goodreads

And now a giveaway you lucky, lucky people! One person will win a copy of Lost, Book 2 of the Hidden Series. Book 1 is now free on B&N and itunes!!!

Good Luck and Happy Reading!,
                                              Chloe

Giveaway  



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Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead

Release Date: February 12th, 2013

Publisher: Razorbill

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 401

Source: Library

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.


Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood. (Add on Goodreads)

Review:

The third book of the Bloodlines series starts off a couple of weeks after The Golden Lily, with Sydney trying to remain in a friendship status with Adrian (why?!) . While also locating the mysterious rogue alchemist: Marcus and fighting the danger of  Ms. Terwilliger's powerful witch sister.

I loved this book! I'm pretty sure that I read the whole thing with a huge smile on my face like an idiot, especially any parts with Adrian and Sydney together. If you've read the first two books in the series (which I recommend) than of course your going to love this book like I did.

I feel like the characters are really what makes this book for me.  I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing Sydney grow since The Vampire Academy books, shes just one of those easy to love characters. She's smart without being annoying,  and doesn't make dumb decisions or fawn nonsensically over a boy but shes still imperfect in a way that makes her relatable. Ah.. Adrian I wanted to  just tell him to forget about Sydney and come be with me, HA! But no, you have to be blind to not see that they're meant for each other. The fun banter between them brings both comic relief but also adds to their likability. I even love the minor characters; Jill and Eddie always make me smile, I really hope that they end up together by the end of the book. The only person I didn't like was Marcus, I know that he had a actual purpose in the story but I couldn't help but feel that he was dull and a little out of place in the book.

I won't say anything to spoil the ending but I will say it was a huge shocker that left me wanting to jump write into the book.

The Bloodlines world, although obviously fantasy, is written in a way that makes it seem very real. When I'm reading a book I usually see it as movie in my head, and Mead's writing style makes that easier with vivid plot and character descriptions. I also really like that Richelle Mead isn't bothering with a love triangle at this point because it gets so overplayed in teen literature. My only real plot negative is that at some points the story gets a bit slow but it's not in a way that obvious or bothersome.

My Final Thoughts:

To anyone who loves magic, vampires or just a really good book, I totally recommend The Indigo Spell. But read Bloodlines and The Golden Lily first! Adrian and Sydney's believable and sweet relationship will please romance fans but the incorporation of magic brings in some action as well. I can't wait for the next book: The Fiery Heart

Happy Reading,
                 Chloe
What series do you like better The Vampire Academy or Bloodlines? Let me know in the comments section.

Review: Illusions by Aprilynne Pike

Illusions (Wings #3) by Aprilynne Pike             

Release Date: May 3rd, 2011

Publisher: Harper Teen

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 375
Source: Library

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

"I don't do patrols, I don't go hunting, I just stick close to you. You live your life. I'll keep you safe," Tamani said, sweeping a lock of hair from her face. "Or die trying."

Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.

But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail (Add on Goodreads).

Review:

In Illusions, the third installment of the Wings series, which takes place two years after the first book. Laurel finds that moving on in her relationship with David and her "normal" life may be a lot harder than she thought, when Tamani shows up to protect her, masquerading as a new student in her school. Also meaning that the danger that she thought she left behind when the leader of the trolls was murdered, is worse than ever.

If none of this makes sense then that probably means that you haven't read Wings or Spells the first two books in the series, which I definitely recommend.

I can't say much more about this book without giving it away, but readers will have to decide which characters are friend or foe. As much as I loved this book the lack of action was a little disappointing. However, all is foregiven due to the wonderful scenes with Tamani and Laurel.

The way that Pike writes the romance and chemistry between them is amazing, she really does a great job of allowing the reader to see Tamani's love for Laurel. Shown in this wonderful little snipit right here,

“So why are you here?"
He lifted his hands and made as if to lay them on her arms, but just before they touched he stopped and let them fall. Then, simply, as though it were all the explanation she could ever need, he said, "Because I love you (Goodreads)

Did you hear that sound... it was thousands of girls swooning. The romance in Illusions is actually the main draw for me, everything else pales in comparison. I don't even know what Laurel sees in  David. But if you are Team Tamani like me than you may find some hope in this book.

Final Thoughts:

Good book and a Great romance.

Happy Reading,
         Chloe