2nd Read Review: Bared to You - Sylvia Day

Our journey began in fire . . .

Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness - beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily . . .

Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become he mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds . . . and desires.

The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart . . .

Crossfire Series:
Bared to You (Read my original review here)
Reflected in You
Entwined with You
Captivated by You
One with You

Visit Sylvia Day's website for more information.

Review:
The first time I read Bared to You I had just finished reading Fifty Shades of Grey and was looking for something to fill the Christian shaped hole in my life (you can read my original review here). I felt that Bared to You was better than FSoG in so many ways but I think because I read both books so close together I didn't fall for Gideon as hard as I could have done. I felt that the writing style was a million times better, that the characters were easier to relate to and far less irritating and that the sex scenes were so much hotter but I didn't find myself quite as addicted to BtY as I was to FSoG.

In the run up to the release of Reflected in You I was starting to get more and more excited about revisiting Gideon and Eva and I decided that I was going to treat myself and reread Bared to You first. Since I started blogging I've hardly reread any books, in fact I can count on one hand the number of books I've reread in the last 3 years, so this isn't usual reading behaviour for me. I have to say that I'm so glad I changed my pattern though - I really liked Bared to You the first time I read it but I LOVED it the second time around and have now moved the book onto my favourites shelf! This is a book I would recommend to fans of FSoG but I would also tell you not to let the fact that the two books are compared to each other put you off. If FSoG pushed all the wrong buttons for you then I would still recommend checking out Bared to You - it is the start of an emotional roller coaster that will have you on the edge of your seat!

I can't get enough of Gideon and Eva. They both have their problems and have been messed up by their pasts but I love the fact that they are prepared to work through their issues. They know that it will take hard work to make their relationship successful but that doesn't stop them wanting to try. Their chemistry is off the charts steamy and everything about this book makes for addictive reading.

I'd forgotten how much I liked Eva's equally messed up room mate Cary too - I really hope we get to see him start to deal with his own issues as the series continues. Eva and Cary have been through a lot together and I love the fact that they are so honest with each other. They are true friends who cut through the bullshit and tell it like it is, they are protective of each other but they won't sit back and watch their closest friend press the self destruct button. I really hope that we see more of this supportive friendship and that Cary gets his own happy ever after too.

There are so many questions I want answers to, in particular I want to know what happened to Gideon and Cary to make them act the way they do (we have already found out about Eva's past). I really want to see Gideon and Eva make it work despite all the things stacked against them. I love this series for the drama and the angst but most of all I love it for the passion and the flawed but likeable characters.

I can't review this for a second time without pulling out a few of my favourite quotes to share with you (these may contain mild spoilers so you have been warned!):

“I’ve always seen you, angel. From the moment you found me, I’ve seen nothing but you.”

“He was the kind of guy that made a woman want to rip his shirt open and watch the buttons scatter along with her inhibitions.”

“You forget who submits, Eva,” he said gruffly. “I’ve given up control for you. I’ve bent and adjusted for you. I’ll do anything to keep you and make you happy. But I can’t be tamed or topped. Don’t mistake indulgence for weakness.”

“Oh, Eva." He rubbed his cheek against my damp face. "I must've wished for you so hard and so often you had no choice but to come true.”

“I want there to be happily-ever-afters for the fucked-up crowd. Show me the way, Eva honey. Make me believe.”

“Keep looking at me like that," he warned, leaning casually into the counter and sipping his coffee.
"See what happens."
"I'm going to lose my job over you."
"I'd give you another one."
I snorted. "As what? Your sex slave?"
"What a provocative suggestion. let's discuss.”

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review but I have also purchased a copy of the UK paperback.

Other Reviews:
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2nd Read Review: Alpha and Omega - Patricia Briggs

In Cry Wolf, New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs started a new urban fantasy series set in the world of Mercy Thompson -- but with rules of its own. Now, read "Alpha and Omega," the novella that inspired the new series, and see how it all began...Anna Latham never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack... and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the Chicago pack, she's learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But when she discovers wrongdoing in her pack, she has to go above her Alpha's head to ask for help.Charles Cornick is the son -- and enforcer -- of the leader of the North American werewolves. Now his father has sent him to Chicago to clean up a problem there. Charles never expected to find Anna, a rare Omega wolf -- and he certainly never expected to recognize her as his mate...

This novella was originally published in the On the Prowl anthology but has also been printed in a limited edition hardback.

Mercy Thompson Series:
Homecoming (Graphic Novel)
Moon Called
Blood Bound
Iron Kissed
Bone Crossed
Silver Borne
River Marked
Frost Burned
Hopcross Jilly (Graphic Novel)
Night Broken
Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson
Fire Touched
Silence Fallen

Alpha and Omega Series:(This is a spin off to the Mercy Thompson series)
Alpha and Omega (novella found in the On the Prowl anthology)
Cry Wolf
Hunting Ground
Fair Game
Dead Heat
Burn Bright

Visit Patricia Briggs' website for more information

Review:
Anna has been at the bottom of her pack ever since she was turned into a werewolf during a brutal attack. She knows all about the horrors that can and are inflicted by alpha males and has learnt to be wary around them. She finally plucks up courage to ask for help when she sees a newspaper article about a missing boy - a boy she has seen being held prisoner by members of her pack. She contacts the Marrock Bran (leader of the North American werewolves) but she isn't sure she can trust him to help her - he must be a powerful male after all. Bran sends his son and the pack enforcer Charles to investigate the Chicago pack, Charles hates the city and would much rather remain at home in the mountains but he has a job to do. He wasn't expecting to find himself attracted to Anna and is even more shocked when his wolf recognises her as his mate. He quickly realises that Anna is a rare omega wolf and becomes determined to understand why she has been so badly abused by her pack.

I first read the On the Prowl anthology a couple of years ago but never got around to continuing with the Alpha and Omega series. I decided it would probably be best to re-read the Alpha and Omega novella before picking up Cry Wolf and I'm really glad I did. I think you're much better off reading this before the first novel or you'll be missing out on Charles and Anna's first meeting. This novella also gives us better insight into Anna's change into a werewolf and the things she suffered at the hands of other pack members and her previous Alpha. If you're familiar with the Mercy Thompson series then you'll probably recognise the missing boy as the one in Moon Called but although I highly recommend those books (it's one of my favourite UF series) you don't need to have read them to enjoy Alpha and Omega.

I had forgotten how much I love Anna and Charles, they make such a great couple which is something you really start to see in the next book but this story focuses more on Charles gaining Anna's trust than any kind of romance. The mystery surrounding what is happening within Anna's pack was engaging and I didn't want to put the book down for any reason. If you're a fan of the Mercy Thompson series then you'll love Alpha and Omega as much if not more and if you've not read anything by Patricia Briggs before then this wouldn't be a bad place to start. She really is one of my favourite urban fantasy authors and I can't recommend her books highly enough!

Source: Purchased (as part of the On the Prowl anthology)

Other Reviews:
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2nd Read Review: Divergent - Veronica Roth #INSURGENTUK #CANDORUK

This post is part of the Team #CANDORUK campaign for #INSURGENTUK. Click on the picture above for more information.

For sixteen-year-old Tris, the world changes in a heartbeat when she is forced to make a terrible choice.  Turning her back on her family, Tris ventures out, alone, determined to find out where she truly belongs.

Shocked by the brutality of her new life, Tris can trust no one.  And yet she is drawn to a boy who seems to both threaten and protect her.  The hardest choices may yet lie ahead . . . .

She turns to face the future in a world that's falling apart.

Divergent Trilogy:
Divergent (Read my original review here)
Insurgent
The third title and release date is currently unavailable

Visit Veronica Roth's blog for more information

2nd Read Review:
Divergent was one of my favourite books of 2011 so I had to re-read it in the run up to today's release of the second book in the series Insurgent. I'll warn you now that this is going to be more of a discussion of my feelings rather than a review so it will probably contain spoilers. If you haven't read Divergent yet then you can read my spoiler free review here.

Before I started blogging I would re-read my favourite books over and over again but I now have so many new books to read that I don't seem to have time to do that any more. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous that Divergent wouldn't live up to my memories but I'm pleased to say I loved it just as much the second time around. I was surprised by the amount of things I had forgotten though so I'm really pleased I did read it again before I started on Insurgent.

I went into the story thinking more about the different factions, which one would I choose? Would I survive the initiation process or end up factionless? I think I had more appreciation about how brave Tris was to chose to leave Abnegation and her family behind and start a new life for herself with Dauntless. I like to think Dauntless would be the faction I would chose (for the tattoos and piercings plus the fact that I can be a bit of an adrenaline junkie!) but I have no doubt I would fail the initiation tests miserably and get kicked out! In reality I'd probably end up with whatever faction I had been born into. I knew the Dauntless initiation was harsh but I'd forgotten quite how brutal it was, Veronica Roth really doesn't hold back on the violence and uses it to highlight just how harsh Tris's world has become.

I didn't really talk about the romance much in my first review but I have to say I love Four. What I like most is that this isn't a case of instant love, they get to know each other slowly as the story progresses and gradually develop feelings for each other. I love the way Four pushes Tris, he knows how strong she is and forces her to see past her self imposed limits. He believes in her even more than she believes in herself and because of that she grows even stronger. I like the way we get to see Four's more vulnerable side, he isn't afraid to let Tris see his fears and I find him a more realistic hero because of that. Bravery isn't about having no fear, it is about feeling the fear but not letting it stop you and that is something that both Tris and Four show over and over again.

The plot was superb and I absolutely loved the battle at the end - I really don't know how I managed to survive the year long wait to read Insurgent so I'm very happy that I now have my hands on a copy. Despite the fact that I have now read a lot more YA dystopia than I had last year Divergent is still up there as one of the best and it is a book I have recommended again and again since I read it. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Source: Received from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review

Other reviews of this book: If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.