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SUBMERGED SUN BY VANESSA GARDEN

30/6/2016

45 Comments

 
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When Miranda Sun returns to Marin on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, this time of her own free will, she quickly learns that her worst fears have been realised. The glittering underwater city is not as she had left it, nor too is Marko, the young king who has dominated her thoughts and heart for the last twelve months since leaving Marin.

Miranda, however, has not made the journey to Marin alone, and now must contend with not only Marko’s evil brother Damir but more surprisingly her sister Lauren who has an agenda of her own. Marko’s power begins to wane and with cracks beginning to show in the domed Utopian city, and veiled danger lurking everywhere, she quickly learns that in this dazzling city full of beautiful people she can trust no-one but herself.

If Miranda wants to survive, she must decide between the hardened sensibilities in her head and the hungers of her heart. Will her decision cause more heartache or can she help to save Marko’s throne?

A well developed, intrigue, plot thickened novel about an underwater kingdom unlike anything I’ve ever known. – Abooktopia
It’s been a year since Robbie returned Miranda to the surface, back to her previous life. Not a single day has passed by where her thoughts are not filled with her promise to the handsome underwater king, Marko. Her promise to return to Marin on her eighteenth birthday. The time has finally come for Miranda to give the king a second chance, and to return back as his guest, and not his reluctant captor. Willing to help Marko, Miranda knows her time in Marin will become all the more personal with twin siblings Sylvia and Damir causing disharmony in the city. They cannot be trusted, however loyalty to Sylvia continues to cloud the king’s judgment. Despite Miranda’s willingness to risk her own relationship to ensure Marko’s safety, she is sure that Sylvia is working against the king, but she only manages to drive a wedge between the two. Despite giving up her life, her family, and the sun for a life underwater, she feels unwanted and unappreciated. She finds Marko cold and unforgiving as she hears rumors of other women entertaining Marko in her absence. Though that’s not her biggest problem. Together Miranda and Marko’s must help to carry Marin into the next generation and to survive.

I enjoyed how Miranda’s character grew into an adult, as she became a touch bit wiser and older. I liked how she was not completely ruled by her emotions as her head battled against her heart in trying to decipher from right to wrong. Miranda’s relationship between her Robbie and Marko was an interesting read as each relationship had it’s own unique dynamic contrast. Robbie is without a doubt probably my most favourable character so far in the series. He is such a lovely pleasure to read about. I found that as I continued on with the story, I gradually came to accept Miranda’s relationship with Marko as their relationship developed with time. Although I loved most of the characters, the one character I could not stand was Lauren. She was just… ugh… I didn’t know whether to trust her or not, and the way she flirted with every guy was just annoying.

Impulse overall was such a lovely improvement from Captivate as it had that extra little spark that the first novel was missing. Plus the cover was absolutely gorgeous and a total winner. I loved how each character had their own secret agenda and reasoning for their actions whether it was intentionally good or bad. The setting was beautiful as we got to read about the difference of life on the surface, and in the underwater city. We also got to learn much more about the secrets of the underwater city, and how Marin operated.
***I received a personalised signed copy of this book in return***
***for an honest and unbiased review***

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A bookseller and Young Adult author, Vanessa loves nothing more than immersing herself in the exciting world of books. When she is not raving about her favourite reads with customers, or mentally casting actors to play the characters in her next novel, she enjoys hanging out with those she loves most.


Submerged Suns by Vanessa Garden
BOOK 1: Captivate
BOOK 2: Impulse
45 Comments

DESCENDANTS BY MELISSA WRIGHT

15/6/2016

48 Comments

 
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 Brianna can see her future, but it's the past that haunts her. Plans laid in place centuries ago are threatening not only her and her sister, but all of the Seven Lines. As the shadows plot their way to old rule, the visions shift again. Her power has led to some hard choices—and the occasional stab wound—but this set of futures holds nothing but darkness.

Unable to bear the idea of losing the footing they've so recently gained, she turns the soldiers of the Seven. But with shadows hidden among the ranks, can she overcome the path they've set in place, or is she blindly following their lead?

A nice ending to a fast-paced urban fantasy, that is perfect for a quick read. – Abooktopia
I adored how Reign of Shadows was written in third person rather than first, and how it transferred back between different characters in order to give us readers a better understanding of what was happening. Since the final novel was written in third person instead, it was much easier for readers to catch a better understanding of how Melissa’s world worked. Although I know a few readers found difficulties in understanding the prophecy, I am happy to say it was all cleared up, and loved how it was never truly revealed until the last book as it kept it mysterious and had you second-guessing which of the two sisters was actually ‘the chosen one’ as they both seemed to be at complete opposites in their abilities.


The world building was nicely improved as the author gave us some of the missing background story that helped cleared my confusion that had arisen earlier on in the trilogy. As for Logan and Brianna’s relationship… They totally swept me off my feet and cleared away any doubts I had between the two. Reign of Shadows was quick-paced and action packed, though I did wish it was slower at times and much longer as I did get a bit lost with what was happening on a couple of occasions.

***I received a signed copy of this book in return***
***for an honest and unbiased review***


Descendants by Melissa Wright:
BOOK 1: Bound by Prophecy
BOOK 2: Shifting Fate
BOOK 3: Reign of Shadows
48 Comments

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