Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette REVIEW

Summary:

Motherless and raised alongside her brothers, Alanah, a Canaanite, is no stranger to fighting. When her father and brothers are killed in battle with the Hebrews, she disguises herself and sneaks onto the battlefield to avenge her family. The one this she never counted on was surviving.

Tobiah, a Hebrew warrior, has spent his share of time on the battlefield and is shocked to find an unconscious woman among the casualties. Compelled to bring her to a healer back at the Hebrew camp, he's unprepared for the consequences of what he intended as an act of compassion.

In order to survive, Alanah must unite with her enemy. But will a terrible revelation drive her toward an even greater danger?

My Thoughts:

I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book, but I did!

When Tobiah finds Alanah and brings her to a healer, he finds out that in the law: if you bring a foreigner/enemy back, you must marry them. I honestly find that a bit odd. Also, I don't like how Tobiah is surprised that she can fight/chose to fight. Like, it's perfectly normal to want to avenge your family if they are killed, no matter what gender you are.

Later on Alanah finds out that one of the Hebrews she killed in battle was Tobiah's son, which made her run away, not wanting him to know/hate her.

This book was a lot better than I expected, and I liked it a lot!

My Rating: 4 stars

**I received this book for free to review from Bethany House Publishers. Thank you!**

Lodestar by Shannon Messenger REVIEW

Keeper of the Lost Cities series: Book Five

Summary:

Sophie Foster is back in the Lost Cities--but the Lost Cities have changed. The threat of war hangs heavy over her glittering world. And the Neverseen are wreaking havoc wherever they can.

The lines between friend and enemy have also blurred, and Sophie is unsure exactly whom she can trust. But when she's warned that the people she loves most will be the next victims, she knows she has to act.

A mysterious symbol could be the key--if only she knew how to translate it. And each new clue reveals how far the dark schemes spread. The Black Swan aren't the only ones who have plans. The Neverseen have their own Initiative, and if Sophie doesn't stop it, they might finally have the ultimate means to control her.

My Thoughts:

I'm so glad I finally was able to read this, since the last book left on a cliffhanger. It was just as good as the other books, which rarely ever happens in a series.

Sophie has to trust Keefe, who pretended to go against her with the enemy to be a sort of double-agent. However, if the enemy finds out, they have the means to kill him slowly and painfully. (spoiler) Mr. Forkle dies and her human parents were taken by the enemy. Her human sister somehow remembers her. Then the book ends. On another cliffhanger. (end spoiler) The author really does like making us wait with impatience for the next book, which I hope will come out sometime this year.

In conclusion, this was another amazing book by Shannon Messenger that I totally recommend.

My Rating: 5 stars

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth REVIEW

Summary:

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra's currentgift gives her pain and power--something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother's hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.

Akos is the son of a farmer and an oracle from the frozen nation-planet of Thuvhe. Protected by his unusual currentgift, Akos is generous in spirit, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive--no matter what the cost.

Then Akos is thrust into Cyra's world, and the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. Will they help each other to survive, or will they destroy one another?

My Thoughts:

When I first started reading this, the style of writing kind of reminded me of how Marie Lu writes her books alternating the perspectives of characters, and also a bit of the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas (plot wise). However, that's probably just me, since I've read those before this.

The story is great, with Akos struggling to save his brother and Cyra struggling to break free of and possibly kill her brother. I understand that Akos was close with his brother, but he's kinda beyond saving. When his only hope of saving is through Cyra's brother, it's kind of a sign that you can't really do anything to save him unless you risk literally everything and everyone with you . . .

As much as I love Cyra as a character (she's probably my favorite), I think the author should have had a bit more of the story from Akos's perspective, since Cyra got most of the chapters. I feel as if the book should have carried on, the remaining problems could have been cleared up with an extra couple hundred pages that I wouldn't have minded reading. But it seems like there's gonna be a sequel sometime soon.

I think it's very interesting how the people carve tattoo-like marks on their skin to remember the people they have killed.

My Rating: 5 stars

The Rains by Gregg Hurwitz REVIEW

Summary:

In one terrifying night, the peaceful community of Creek's Cause turns into a war zone. Not one under the age of eighteen is safe. Chance Rain and his older brother, Patrick, have already fended off multiple attacks from infected adults by the time they arrive at the school where other young survivors are hiding. Most of the kids they know have been dragged away by once-trusted adults, who are now ferocious inhuman beings. The parasite that transformed them takes hold after people turn eighteen--and Patrick's birthday is only a few weeks away.

Determined to save Patrick's life and the lives of the remaining kids, the brothers embark on a mission to uncover the truth about the parasites--and what they find is horrifying.

Battling an enemy not of this earth, Chance and Patrick become humanity's only hope for salvation.

My Thoughts:

This book is actually really good (maybe it's because Gregg Hurwitz wrote it, idk). At first it seems like the parasite turns you into zombies, however they actually have a purpose to what they do. It looks as if someone not on earth is trying to take over earth/the human race.

Ben, one of the survivors is kind of a jerk. He won't listen to reason and basically does what he wants, knowing they can't really do anything to him. And he tried to kill Patrick. 

Chance is uncertain he'll be able to do things without his brother beside him (he didn't die, but is kind of unable to help) but he does really well on his own. The end is a bit of a cliffhanger, so I can't wait to read the next book.

My Rating: 4 stars