Crash by Sloane Murphy

When I reviewed Descent I said that I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next (see review here: Descent) and I was not disappointed. The second book in The Immortal Chronicles follows straight on from where the last one left off, which is exactly what I wanted. We see the same varied and interesting cast of characters, plus we’re introduced to a few more supernatural creatures who I suspect will feature a bit more in the next book or even possibly get their own spin off story (well, I hope).

The demon Cole, who has kidnapped Addie, has her tortured daily and obviously wants something from her, but what? This book digs deeper into who Addie is and just why she’s so special. But can Addie accept the truth about herself? How will she cope with the war that’s brewing inside her?

I really like how Sloane opened up the perspectives in this book, interweaving more characters so that we saw more than just Addie and Xander’s point of view. I especially liked Olivia and Logan, and I enjoyed seeing the conflict and challenges they faced as her former friends. I wasn’t a massive fan of the rivalry between Xander and his brother, but that’s just a personal preference, love triangles aren’t my thing. I also felt like it was just another thing to add in as if Soane had a checklist, which she doesn’t need because there’s already plenty going on in the story.

It’s really hard to review this without giving the storyline away, because there are lots of little twists and turns that you need to experience for yourself. I’ll just say that it’s fast paced, action packed and I read it all in one sitting. I really enjoyed finding out what happens next in the series and so it’s another four stars for Sloane Murphy from me.

 

The Girl with all the gifts by M.R. Carey

I decided to read this after seeing a trailer for the film coming out in the UK later this month. I’m a huge fan of zombies and as you know by now I will literally read anything and everything.

This is a novel told from multiple perspectives that gives a unique view on the zombie apocalypse theme and the aftermath. The main voice in the book is that of Melanie, she seems like an ordinary girl in a strange world of underground living, military figures and other children just like her. It isn’t until a few pages in when you are told the children only eat once a week, are covered in disinfectant and strapped into their chairs that you begin to twig that something isn’t quite right. We learn early on that Melanie and the other children are zombies in a world that has been all but wiped out by a virus that feeds on its host.

The story switches between Melanie’s teacher, Miss Justineau, the military man who keeps them secure on the base, Sergeant Parks and a scientist, Dr Caldwell.  There are a few other little snapshots in there too from other perspectives but these with Melanie provide the main four voices..

A break in at their base results in nearly everyone dying, a flood of zombies and forces Parks, Caldwell, Justineau and Melanie to go on the run.  They head towards the only human haven left in the UK, a base that has been silent for months while trying to learn more about the virus and survive the zombies they run into.  As the book progresses, we encounter emotive situations where we learn how Melanie came to be and why she is not like the other zombies, but what does that mean for the future?

I really enjoyed this book; it was well written, fast paced, filled with action and made me think. The ending was not what I was expecting and that always wins a book brownie points from me. I love the simple design of the cover and I loved the interwoven narratives each with a distinct voice.  This is a four star book for me, just because of the range of emotions I felt while reading it and the impact it had on me.

Savage Beast by Charleigh Rose

It took me an hour to read this. AN HOUR. I practically devoured this x-rated little book, it was so hot and fast paced that I was sucked right in. If you loved Stepdaddy Savage then this is going to blow your mind because I thought it was better.

Jade dated a mobster, he abused and misused her and now she doesn’t trust men. However Cole is determined to get Jade into his bed ever since he first met her, but will that be enough? When he finds out what her past involves, who it involves, will he be able to control himself? He’ll give anything to protect his beautiful butterfly – anything. Throw in an Irish gang, some rigged underground fighting, a turf war and you have a book that is hard to put down. Did I mention that it’s pretty filthy too? Lots of sex, lots and lots of anal play and wet panties. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

This has the raw edge to it that Stepdaddy Savage had, but I feel like this goes further. It’s over the top, I mean the guy has a 12 inch penis and a caveman attitude – but that’s part of what makes it so good. It’s funny, cheesy and sexy with a storyline thrown in. I loved Jade and Cole together, they had banter and sexual chemistry galore. I love Charleigh Rose and I think the author duo behind these books are fabulous.

 

Eat, Prey, Decay: 7 Tales of the Apocalypse

This is a great and varied anthology, all dealing with how the world ends. It’s exciting and compelling, each story sucking you in. I really struggled to put this down and in fact it’s set me off on a bit of a zombie/post-apocalyptic binge. The anthology contains seven tales, all unique and interesting. They made me question what I’d do in an apocalypse. How would I survive? Could mankind even survive or were we all doomed from the start?

Some are stronger than others so I’m just going to quickly talk about my favourite ones.  Also be warned most of these tales don’t have a full ending, instead setting you up for a second short story, book or novella.

THE HARVESTING:

Layla’s Russian grandmother calls her home and tells her to be prepared. Days later the world goes crazy and Layla must help protect her hometown from zombies. But that’s not all as an ancient force comes into play and threatens the small group of survivors. At the end of the world all the monsters have come out to play. This had some great twists and turns I wasn’t expecting. I loved the combination of the supernatural and post-apocalyptic elements. I also loved the inclusion of several different myths and folklores.  I think this was a fantastic opener because it had me hooked!

ODIUM:

Nina lives in a walled in community, hiding from the zombie apocalypse. But this haven isn’t all it seems; it’s become a brutal and cruel dictatorship. Cast outside the walls Nina must learn to survive, not just for herself but also for the Emily, the girl she’s travelling with.  But outside there are more than just zombies to contend with so Nina and Emily must join up with other survivors and do whatever it takes to survive. I enjoyed this tale, I found that in some parts it was a little slow but I was desperate to get to the end.

Z CHILDREN: AWAKENING:

This is told from multiple perspectives, all interwoven and is brilliant because each character has such a strong individual voice. The story centres around the idea that a vaccine has become contaminated somehow, turning all the children vaccinated into flesh eating (and sweetie eating) little monsters. I loved this original idea. What happens when our future is our demise? The parents, unable to comprehend or kill their children get bitten and turned themselves. They then act like bodyguards for their savage children, and still seem to have that parental instinct to protect. I also enjoyed the idea that there was still a degree of awareness there, that familial bonds were stronger than a virus that kills. For example a zombie sister becomes enraged when her zombie brother is killed. Very interesting.

Overall I’d give this anthology 5 stars because of the diversity, the excellent way it’s put together and the fact that I struggled to put it down.  I’d strongly recommend this if post apocalypse is your thing – especially since it’s free on KU and only 0.99p otherwise! Bargain!

Unrivaled by Alyson Noel

I was given this to read through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Let me just start by saying I’ve never read anything by Noel before but I am a convert. I didn’t read the synopsis either before starting, so I literally went into this book blind but I’m glad I did.

The books is told through several perspectives, woven together by a club promotion competition. There’s Tommy, a country boy eager to make his way as a musician. Astar, a rich girl from a strict family who are intent on keeping her wrapped in cotton wool. Layla, a girl with big dreams and a drive that’ll stop at nothing to achieve them. We also see snippets from Hollywood starlet, Madison Brooks, who is hiding something and will do anything to keep it hidden. As the competition heats up and things get gritty, as people try to out do each other to save themselves from elimination, Madison Brooks goes missing, presumed dead. But who is to blame? Things in Hollywood are never as they seem, after all, everyone’s an actor.

I’ve given it four stars because not a lot actually happens, it’s more of a build up for what’s to come. But please don’t think that mean it was slow or boring, because it wasn’t. It was just a little uneventful for a while.

It deserves the four stars because quite simply, I really enjoyed this book, it was fast paced, interesting and each character had their own individual voice. I finished it in under three hours, that’s how absorbed I got into the bitchy, backstabbing world of the club scene, and I have my money on who I think  is responsible. I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the trilogy to find out if I’m right.