Review: You Won't Know I'm Gone

* Sequel to You Don't Know My Name *

Reagan's learning to deal with her grief, but it's hard - especially when all she wants is Revenge. She wants to destroy Torres. But right now she needs to keep her anger in check. Because her actions have cost her - not only the life of her mother but her spot as a Black Angel.

Now the only way back in is through the normal training channels. Over the past six months, she's lost muscle and weight. She's going to need every bit of her strength back and then some if she hopes to make it through the academy.

While she has some people on her side, she also has a huge target on her back. There are plenty of people who want to see her fail. Reagan just needs to keep her anger in check and her head down. Does she really want this life?

My Thoughts: I loved this sequel - for the action, the danger, the friendships, the forbidden romance, and for Reagan. I loved watching her struggle and find herself and understand what she wants from life. I enjoyed the bits at the Academy where she fought for her spot. I love the training exercises. I can't believe that ending and I need the next book immediately! 

Cover Thoughts: Matches the first really well
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this series for both your public and school libraries.

Blog Tour: Never Say Die

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Alex Rider is back in action! His new mission? Rescue an entire bus filled with children belonging to wealthy families. At stake are not only the lives of each child, but the very future of the terrorist organization known as SCORPIA. Thrilling action and pulse-pounding heroics make the pages fly.

The world's greatest teen spy is back in action in a thrilling new mission: destroy once and for all the terrorist organization SCORPIA. Following the events of Scorpia Rising, Alex relocates to San Francisco as he slowly recovers from the tragic death of his best friend and caregiver, Jack Starbright, at the hands of terrorists working for SCORPIA. With Jack gone, Alex feels lost and alone, but then, out of the blue, he receives a cryptic email--just three words long, but enough to make Alex believe that Jack may be alive. Armed with this shred of hope, Alex boards a flight bound for Egypt and embarks on a dubious quest to track Jack down. Yet SCORPIA knows Alex's weakness. And the question of whether Jack is alive soon takes a backseat to a chilling new terrorist plot--one that will determine the lives of many. From Egypt to France to Wales, from luxury yachts to abandoned coal mines, Alex traverses a minefield of dangers and cryptic clues as he fights to discover the truth. The #1 New York Times bestselling series, perfect for fans of James Bond and Jason Bourne, is back with a vengeance!  

My Thoughts:

I Love Alex Rider and I'm so glad he's back. I wasn't crazy about the ending of the last book, so I'm grateful for more books about him. I loved this one. I enjoyed watching him struggle to fit into a new life, knowing that he doesn't belong. There are just some people not meant to have a normal average life and Alex is one of them.

Interesting but creepy villains add to the novel as their evil plan fools MI6. Their plan was ingenious and diabolical. I really liked their identical nature. It's easy to hate villains because of their evilness, but you have to admire their ruthlessness 

I love the settings, from the West Coast, to Egypt, to England, and to Wales. I love the differences between the places. And as someone of Welsh descent, I love the part in Wales. 

I love how the anonymous email spurs him into action. The action and danger never let up, creating plot twists and turns kept me turning the pages quickly. I also wanted to discover if Jack was alive.

I hope this new book adds more fans to the Alex Rider series and I'm happy that at least one more book is coming next summer! 

AUTHOR BIO

Anthony Horowitz (anthonyhorowitz.com) is a world-renowned screenwriter for film and television, having received multiple awards. And he is, of course, the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Alex Rider novels, which have spawned a major motion picture and a line of graphic novels. Anthony was also commissioned by the Conan Doyle Estate to write two Sherlock Holmes novels, the critically-acclaimed The House of Silk and Moriarty. Most recently he was commissioned by the Ian Fleming Estate to write the James Bond novel Trigger Mortis, incorporating never-before-published material from 007's creator. Anthony lives with his wife in London, England; they are parents to two grown boys. He will be touring the US for the publication of NEVER SAY DIE.

Anthony Horowitz is coming to CT in two week, I'm excited to finally meet him!

Blog Tour: You Don't Know My Name

About the Book:

Title: YOU DON'T KNOW MY NAME (The Black Angel Chronicles #1)

Author: Kristen Orlando

Pub. Date: January 10, 2017

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Pages: 320

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Goodreads

Fighter, Faker, Student, Spy.

Seventeen-year-old Reagan Elizabeth Hillis is used to changing identities overnight, lying to every friend she’s ever had, and pushing away anyone who gets too close. Trained in mortal combat and weaponry her entire life, Reagan is expected to follow in her parents’ footsteps and join the ranks of the most powerful top-secret agency in the world, the Black Angels. Falling in love with the boy next door was never part of the plan.

Now Reagan has to decide: Will she use her incredible talents and lead the dangerous life she was born into, or throw it all away to follow her heart and embrace the normal life she's always wanted? And does she even have a choice at all?

Find out if you are ready to join the Black Angels in the captivating and emotional page-turner, You Don't Know My Name, from debut novelist Kristen Orlando!

My Thoughts: It took me a little bit to get into this book, but then it hooked me. I devoured it and didn't want this book to end. I loved the romance between Reagan and Luke. I felt bad for Reagan for not being able to have a normal life, for not being able to choose, and for fitting in so effortlessly in the many versions of her life. Once the action started, it didn't stop, leaving me on the edge of my seat. The book took a turn I wasn't expecting. I loved it when Reagan took matters into her own hands. I didn't see the end coming - at all. I need the next book in the series ASAP! 

Cover Thoughts: Interesting
Source: ARC sent for review

Final Thoughts: Highly recommended for school and public libraries. Hand this one to fans of Ally Carter and Jennifer Lynn Barnes. A twisty action packed romance.

About Kristen:

Writing is one of the great loves of my life (with bacon mac and cheese, Netflix binges and PJs also in the mix). My childhood in Columbus, Ohio was spent reading every single Baby-Sitter’s Club book ever written and acting out imaginary tragedies in my room (complete with costumes and props) until a really embarrassing age. I started writing plays for my younger cousins as soon as they were all old enough to act (The Spoiled Princess may be a personal favorite) and haven’t stopped writing since. After graduating from Kenyon College with a B.A. in English Literature, I’ve been lucky enough to make writing my career; first as a television producer, then as a marketer and now as a novelist.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Check out the rest of the tour

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/2/2017- BookHounds YA- Interview

1/3/2017- A Gingerly Review- Review

1/4/2017- Novel Novice- Guest Post

1/5/2017- YA Book Nerd- Review

1/6/2017- Brittany's Book Rambles- Interview

Week Two:

1/9/2017- Ohana Reads- Review

1/10/2017- Curling Up With A Good Book- Excerpt

1/11/2017- Bookwyrming Thoughts- Review

1/12/2017- The Cover Contessa- Interview

1/13/2017- I Heart Romance & YA- Review

Giveaway Details:

Sounds great right? Luckily you have a chance to win a copy. 3 winners will receive a signed finished copy of YOU DON’T KNOW MY NAME, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Crossing the Line

 * First in a new series *

Jocelyn has been North Korean property since they kidnapped her. They raised her, forcing her to do all kinds of deeds after addicting to her to drugs. Jocelyn can't go too long without her fix.  But now they're sending her home - undercover.

They have plans for her, but she plans to double cross them. It takes a month for her to get the drugs out of her system. Then she meets with the head of the agency. She convinces him of her mission.

Now she's playing a double agent - except for the wrong team. If North Korea finds out, she'll be killed. But the North Koreans are up to something and Jocelyn vows to uncover the truth and finally shut them down. But they've always been one step ahead of her...

My Thoughts: I Loved this book. It was so hard to put down! I loved the double crossings, learning more about Jocelyn's life in North Korea, and her new life as an American and trying to fit in. I liked the training moments where she kicked serious butt. I liked her banter with Scorpion and with his friends. I loved how she tried to get things done without taking credit or letting anyone really know the whole truth. It made the stakes much higher. That ending was amazing and I'm really really looking forward to the next book!

Cover Thoughts: Wicked
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for YA collections

Next Book Cover:

Review: Out of Sight, Out of Time

*the 5th and final book in the Gallagher Girls series - this review will contain spoilers if you haven't read the rest of the series.*

Cammie left at the beginning of the summer. She wakes up in a strange bed. She's dumbfounded to learn that it's October. The last thing she remembers is leaving school.

She has scars on her body she doesn't remember. Her hair's a different color. Her body is different. She is different. As she regains her strength, she learns she's in the alps.

With one phone call, her mom (and headmistresses of Gallagher Academy) is on her way to retrieve her. Once back at school Cammie must deal with the fact that her memory isn't returning, her friends are mad at her for leaving, and her mom begs her to leave her past in the past.

Cammie's not about to let her missing memory rule her life.  Will she uncover something she wished she had left alone?

My Thoughts: I adore this series and devoured the book. I'm sad to see the series end, but I loved it. I love Cammie for her strength, her determination, and her courage. I love her snark. It was hard watching her struggle to regain a sense of self.  While it was hard reading the ending of the series, I feel as though the loose ends were tied up and the readers leave Cammie in a good place. I adore Ally Carter and can't wait to see what she writes next (along with book 3 in the Heist Society series)

Cover Thoughts: Cute and ties in with the other covers

Source: My Library

EDITED TO ADD: I've been told that this ISN'T the final book in the series. I can't tell you how happy that makes me!