Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston REVIEW

Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Ana is a scoundrel by nurture and an out-law by nature. Found as a child drifting through space with a sentient android called DO9, Ana was saved by a fearsome space captain and the grizzled crew she now calls family. But DO9--one of the last remaining illegal Metals--has been glitching, and Ana will stop at nothing to find a way to fix him.

Ana's desperate effort to save DO9 leads her on a quest to steal the coordinates to a lost ship that could offer all the answers. But at the last moment, a spoiled Ironblood boy beats Ana to her prize. He has his own reasons for taking the coordinates, and he doesn't care what he'll sacrifice to keep them.

And when everything goes wrong, she and the Ironblood end up as fugitives on the run. Now their entire kingdom is after them--and the coordinates--and not everyone wants them captured alive.

What they find in a lost corner of the universe will change their lives--and unearth dangerous secrets. But when a darkness from Ana's past returns, she must face an impossible choice: does she protect a kingdom that wants her dead or save the Metal boy she loves?

My Thoughts:

At first it was kind of tough and slow getting into this book. But as I read more, it got better and better.

The characters Ana, DO9, and Robb were very well developed. I wish more of the characters were too though.

Ana is found out to be the lost princess who was supposed to be dead--not really a new or exciting concept in books these days, but this one wasn't so bad.

The romance between Robb and Jax was...confusing? It wasn't developed at all, and Jax's character wasn't really well developed either.

But with that said, I really enjoyed this book and wouldn't mind reading any future books from this author.

My Rating: 4 stars

First Impressions by Debra White Smith REVIEW

Summary:

In an attempt to get to know the people of London, Texas--the small town that lawyer Eddi Boswick now calls home--she tries out for a local theater group's production of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. She's thrilled to get the role of lively Elizabeth Bennet . . . until she meets the arrogant--and eligible--rancher playing her leading man.

Dave Davidson chose London, Texas, as the perfect place to live under the radar. Here, no one knows his past, and he can live a quiet, peaceful life with his elderly aunt, who also happens to own the local theater. Dave doesn't even try out for the play, but suddenly he is thrust into the role of Mr. Darcy and forced to spend the entire summer with Eddi, who clearly despises him.

Sparks fly every time Eddi and Dace meet, whether on the stage or off. But when Eddi discovers Dave's secret, she has to admit there might be more to him than she thought. Maybe even enough to change her mind . . . and win her heart.

My Thoughts:

This book sounded somewhat interesting--but it really wasn't for me. I feel like there could have been a lot better story. A retelling with them acting in the original? Not that interesting.

With that said, I did enjoy the fact that the characters (most of them, anyway) were really well developed, which kind of made up for the not-so-interesting storyline. Retellings aren't supposed to have that much resemblance to the original story.

My Rating: 1 star

**I received this book for free from the publisher to review. Thank you!!!**

Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely REVIEW

Summary:

Serendipity "Pity" Jones inherited two thing from her mother: a pair of six-shooters and perfect aim. Those won't get her far on the farming commune, but in the decadent, dangerous city of Cessation, a fast draw will buy her freedom.

So Pity heads west, where lawlessness is a way of life for those on the losing side of the Second Civil War. She's offered fame and fortune as a sharpshooter in the Theatre Vespertine--where she has a chance to make a real home . . . and where she meets Max, an artistic stagehand who introduces her to a vibrant new world.

But there's a dark side to the Theatre: the Finale. Every so often the fighting factions of Cessation have to be kept in line with a little demonstration, a nightmarish public execution . . . and Pity has a starring role.

My Thoughts:

I actually noticed this book at a bookstore a couple months ago and kept forgetting about it but finally I got around to reading it. And I wasn't disappointed.

This is probably one of the best debut novels I've ever read.

Pity grew up with her father and brothers who don't really care for her. Her father doesn't like that she reminds him of her mother so he sells her off. Before she is forced to go, she runs off with her best friend, Finn. Not long after, the vehicle gets attacked and her friend killed--but Max and a few other come by and rescue her. Then she is introduced to Cessation.

I really liked the development of Pity's character and also Max's character, although I would have loved to see more development from some of the side characters as well.

The book was really well written and I definitely recommend reading it.

I hope there will be a sequel.

My Rating: 5 stars