Four short reviews of books I read in 2013 but didn't review

I take a long time to write reviews. Like multiple hours long. I love the process, but I just can't manage it for every book I read. That's why I was very intrigued by Sunny @ The Blue Sky Bookshelf's recent post featuring short reviews of several books she never took the time to review. I really wanted to do my own, and Sunny was very willing to share the idea. Let me tell you, it was incredibly freeing to write quick paragraphs of all of these books. 

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Sweet Peril 

by Wendy Higgins

Published: April 30, 2013 by HarperTeen

Source: Kindle purchase

Series: The Sweet Trilogy #2

Description from Goodreads: Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

My thoughts: I though Sweet Evil was a fascinating take on demon lore that made me uncomfortable upon execution (see what I thought about book 1 HERE). Going into Sweet Peril, I was eager/hopeful to see Kai's character development, and how his relationship with Anna was going to progress. I'm thrilled to say that both of those elements surpassed my expectations  I really enjoyed watching him become a bit more vulnerable and real - don't worry there's lots of cock bad boy in here too. Anna grew up a lot as well. I like that despite her bit of edge in this book, she is the same pure soul underneath, and that she hasn't given up the core of who she is. These characters' struggle to reconcile personal survival with their own desires is one of my favorite conflicts in this series. 

Sweet Peril involves travel and I loved going around the world and meeting other children of demons. We also get to see our friends from the first book again, including more Kopano. At one point there's a hint that there could be a triangle, but don't worry. Anna never wavers and it doesn't go anywhere at all. I know that some people have complained that this one is slower and Kai isn't in all of it, but I enjoyed the development of the overall storyline, as well as seeing the characters mature and understand the reality of what they're facing. I can't wait to see where the next one goes. 

Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Low

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Frigid 

by J. Lynn (AKA Jennifer Armentrout)

Published: July 15, 2013 by Spencer Hill Contemporary

Source: BEA (thank you Spencer Hill!)

Description from Goodreads: For twenty-one-year-old Sydney, being in love with Kyler isn't anything new. They'd been best friends ever since he pushed her down on the playground and she made him eat a mud pie. Somewhere over the years, she fell for him and fell hard. The big problem with that? Kyler puts the 'man' in man-whore. He's never stayed with a girl longer than a few nights, and with it being their last year in college, Syd doesn't want to risk their friendship by declaring her love.

Kyler has always put Syd on a pedestal that was too high for him to reach. To him, she's perfect and she's everything. But the feelings he has for her, he's always hidden away or focused on any other female. After all, Kyler will always be the poor boy from the wrong side of tracks, and Syd will always be the one girl he can never have.

But when they're stranded together at a posh ski resort due to a massive Nor'easter, there's nothing stopping their red-hot feelings for each other from coming to the surface. Can their friendship survive the attraction? Better yet, can they survive at all? Because as the snow falls, someone is stalking them, and this ski trip may be a life-changer in more ways than one.

My thoughts: Boy does Armentrout know how to amp up the chemistry. These two characters were pretty on fire together. I'm also so thankful that this is a dual narrative, or else I would have not been into Kyler at all. I am totally over the hot-man-whore and his virgin best friend who's pining away for him as he sleeps with anything in a skirt. But as much as I tried to stay away, JA was just too good at making me sympathize with this guy. However, I wasn't overwhelmed by the mystery plotline. it more seemed like a convenient device to finally get these two together. I will also admit to feeling like JA's couples are all starting to run together. I think I will stick to the series I'm reading and not start any more of hers for a while. But Frigid was an indulgent, palate cleansing read with major swoon. 

Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Standalone. Part of a companion series. 

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Shadowed 
by Sarah Alderson
Published: March 31, 2013 by Amazon
Source: Kindle Purchase
Series: Fated book 3


Description from Goodreads: Fate has won. The realms have been severed...but the fight’s still far from over. 

It’s been three months since the devastating battle that closed the way through between this world and the demon realms but Evie’s still reeling from all she's lost.

When news reaches her that a group of Originals is on the prowl in LA and growing in numbers, Evie must decide whether to join the rogue Hunters in a final battle or fight her fate one last time.

The way through might be closed. But that doesn’t mean Evie’s got closure.

My thoughts: Shadowed is the third book in Sarah Alderson's Fated series. While I enjoyed Fated and Severed, the first two books in this series, I was stressed out for the majority of the time I read Shadowed, and as a result it was just not a fun book for me at all. For the first half of the story I was worried whether certain characters were still alive, and then for the rest I was worried whether two people would ever reconnect. Also during that time a potential love triangle was plaguing me like a buzzing bumblebee threatening me with its stinger. Instead of being excited about all the action and swoon, my nerves where high for most of the time that I was reading this one. All of you should take this with a side of "Lauren doesn't like love triangles." I've also found that waiting until the very end of a series for two people to connect is just not fun for me. But Alderson is still an author that I enjoy and I'm excited about her new book The Sound. 

Love Triangle Factor: Felt at least medium, but realistically mild.
Cliffhanger Scale: Series conclusion. (Author has hinted that there may be another book in this series but I believe it will feature a different MC). 

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Eleanor and Park 
by Rainbow Rowell
Published: February 26, 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin
Source: Library

Description from Goodreads: Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.


My Thoughts: (Slightly spoilery, if you've yet to read this book) You are all probably wondering why this book is on this list. Well I read it after the huge wave of fandom and really really loved it, though it honestly broke me. I worked on what I thought was a great review all about how this book was like falling in love for the first time with all its highs and lows, awkwardness and shivery feelings. Then I read John Green's review of this book, where he said in one sentence, exactly what I wrote in several paragraphs. Of course he did it much more brilliantly than I. That's when I just gave up on my thoughts. But I do love this book, and I am DYING for a sequel, because these two souls need happiness and they need to find it TOGETHER.  

Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Written as a standalone, but there may be a sequel. (I hope so!)

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